Chapter 27: Lucia is defeated, Part 3

The acceptable level gap in Amadeus was around 15 levels.

This didn’t mean higher-level enemies were impossible to defeat, just that it became inefficient.

As a gacha game with a hunting element, rapid leveling was discouraged. Heavy penalties were applied to fighting enemies significantly above your level, making it a waste of time and resources.

The damage received was also substantial, making such fights viable only for YouTube content.

However, the developers, wanting players to experience all aspects of the game, designed the game so that neglecting side quests and grinding made defeating story bosses incredibly difficult.

Rahat, the Part 2 boss, was notorious for this, earning the nickname “Newbie Killer.”

His attack patterns were complex, and his level was significantly higher than other Part 2 bosses, making him a formidable challenge for new players.

The developers eventually nerfed him after receiving numerous complaints, but I wasn’t sure which patch this world was running.

The original Rahat was a challenging boss even for experienced players like myself.

I’d assumed our protagonist, Lucia, would handle him easily, but the fight was dragging on longer than expected.

I couldn’t help but worry.

What if she failed to clear the game? That wouldn’t do…

Recalling her struggles in the previous dungeon, my anxiety intensified.

That’s why I’d entered the academy.

Slash.

A cultist, attempting to ambush me, suddenly froze, blood spraying as his body was cleaved in two.

Behind him stood a girl with short white hair, holding a scythe, her expression grim.

Hmm. As expected of a high-ranking demon. Efficient.

“…Can’t you… handle them yourself…?”

“Hmm… I dislike getting blood on myself.”

The smell was unpleasant, it was difficult to clean once it dried, and it increased the risk of being mistaken for a criminal.

Definitely not my preference. Anyone who enjoyed being covered in blood had issues.

“Fulfill your contract.”

“Of course, Levi. Contracts are sacred to merchants.”

Leviathan flinched slightly at my smile, then turned to face forward.

“…Right. Of course.”

Was that a hint of suspicion in its eyes?

While I had been exploiting Leviathan’s unpaid labor, I intended to fully compensate it now that we had a formal contract.

Did it doubt my ability to pay?

Well, it wasn’t my concern. I would honor the agreement.

Thump.

“…Help…”

Something grabbed my foot. Or rather, lightly brushed against it. It wasn’t strong enough to stop me.

I looked down and saw a mangled cultist clinging to my leg. His wounds were severe, but not beyond the help of potions.

Likely a failed attempt by someone lacking resolve, or perhaps excessive mercy.

I crouched down and smiled at him. The cultist flinched, then, seemingly interpreting my smile as a sign of goodwill, a spark of hope flickered in his eyes.

Stab.

“Gah… why… why…?”

“Hmm… well… I see no reason to spare the wicked, do you?”

It was a pitiful sight, but unfortunately… he was a villain.

His life held no value.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Let’s move on, Levi.”

Hmm. Blood was truly unpleasant.

Especially the blood of the wicked. It felt… dirty. I pulled out a clean handkerchief and wiped my hands.

A massive ball of mana hurtled towards Lucia.

Insight highlighted its weak points. Lucia swung her holy sword.

But her arm, riddled with cuts and fractures, wouldn’t obey.

Her sword wavered, deviating from the intended trajectory.

[Swordsmanship: Horizontal Slash]

A skill activated, compensating for her failing technique, cleaving through the mana projectile.

KABOOM!

The blazing projectile split in two, exploding on either side of her.

A shard of rock grazed her cheek, drawing a single drop of blood.

But Lucia pressed on.

Towards Rahat, his body covered in brands.

To protect her companions.

She ran, her body low to the ground, sword in hand. Her exhausted legs threatened to give way, but the system automatically adjusted her posture.

[Swordsmanship: Basic Footwork]

A skill activated, guiding her footsteps, a blend of lightness and power perfectly suited to her style.

Ignoring the protests of her aching knees and screaming muscles.

She disliked relying on the system, but it was her best option.

Lucia widened her right eye, focusing on Rahat.

Insight highlighted weak points across his exposed torso.

Rahat continued his ranged attacks.

Unlike smaller-scale spells that could be used in close combat, his signature magic required a wide area of effect, endangering himself if used at close range.

And as a mage, his physical abilities were lacking. Lucia believed she could overpower him in close combat, even if he wasn’t as frail as Ciella, thanks to her divinity-enhanced physique.

With this in mind, Lucia charged at Rahat.

There was a ten-second cooldown between his large-scale spells. He wouldn’t be able to cast it again immediately.

She used this window to close the distance.

Ten steps, five steps with a powerful push, three steps with a low crouch.

Despite Lucia’s rapid approach, Rahat only retreated, holding back his magic.

Two steps. Lucia swung her sword upwards. Her trembling arm followed the intended path.

Her overexerted muscles strained, and her technique faltered.

But it didn’t matter. As long as she had the will to strike, the skill would—

Beep.

[Swordsmanship: Rising Slash – Insufficient Mana]

A short, sharp beep echoed as a red window appeared before her eyes.

Her arm froze mid-swing.

She felt drained, but she still had options.

Even if she couldn’t use skills, she still had a significant advantage in close combat against a mage.

Lucia shifted her weight and kicked.

Thump.

Her leg stopped mid-air.

Rahat had grabbed her ankle.

The level difference, the difference in power…

The gap between them was too vast. Even with her enhanced stats, Lucia couldn’t overcome the mage’s grip.

“Is this it? The famed hero candidate?”

Rahat’s expression was one of amusement.

Lucia struggled, but she couldn’t break free.

Rahat tightened his grip.

She felt her ankle bones grinding.

“Ugh…!”

She swung her sword, desperately trying to create some distance.

No skill activated, no technique followed.

It was a crude, blunt swing, but her holy sword should have been enough to cleave him in two.

But Rahat caught the blade.

Not the flat of the blade, but the sharp edge. A move that would have sliced through an ordinary hand.

But the holy sword didn’t cut him. A faint red glow emanated from his right hand.

“Barely a—”

“Lucia…!”

A thick stream of mana struck Rahat.

Boom!

“Gah…”

Rahat’s grip loosened, and Lucia’s leg was flung aside, her back slamming into a nearby tree. The air rushed out of her lungs, and a sharp pain pierced her chest.

Her overused eye throbbed.

Her ribs were likely broken, judging by the pain that shot through her torso with every movement.

Her ankle was definitely broken; she couldn’t stand.

Rumble!

The lingering mana crackled, and a thunderous roar echoed through the forest.

Ciella, who had been out of sight, reappeared, seemingly unharmed, her staff pointed at Rahat, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

But her face was pale, and blood trickled from her nose. Classic symptoms of mana exhaustion.

Lucia’s face was also pale, though she didn’t realize it. She had to get up.

She tried to push herself up with her sword, but her hand was empty.

Her numb fingers hadn’t registered the missing weapon.

“Don’t interrupt… you ignorant fools who know not who to truly serve…”

“How…!”

Rahat emerged from the dissipating dust cloud, his expression one of annoyance.

Ciella’s “Thunder” had struck him directly, but only a small scratch marred his waist. He seemed relatively unharmed.

Ciella, incredulous, raised her staff again, but—

“Cough…”

—a mouthful of blood sprayed from her lips as her staff clattered to the ground.

“Disgusting… utterly disgusting…”

A red mark on Rahat’s hand glowed brightly.

And in his right hand… Lucia’s holy sword.

“Ugh…”

Lucia reached for a nearby tree, trying to pull herself up.

Thud.

Her exhausted legs and broken ankle wouldn’t cooperate.

[Swordsmanship: Basic Footwork – Insufficient Mana]

She tried to activate a skill, but her depleted mana reserves prevented it.

“Cough…”

She coughed, another trickle of blood staining her lips. Her internal injuries were severe.

Rahat, observing Lucia’s struggles, noticed her gaze fixed on the holy sword.

A red glow emanated from his hand, slowly enveloping the sword, extinguishing its light.

A cruel smile spread across his face.

“Looking for this?”

“Ugh…”

Despite her efforts, Lucia wasn’t strong enough.

If only I’d trusted my companions more… if only I hadn’t hesitated…

Regret washed over her. Carmel would have scolded her for such thoughts, but Carmel was currently unconscious.

“If you want it… come and get it.”

Rahat casually tossed the sword.

It flew towards… Carmel.

“Carmel…! No…!”

Lucia instinctively tried to move, but her body refused to obey.

Thump.

The sound of the sword piercing flesh.

“Gah…”

A choked gasp, a mouthful of blood.

But it wasn’t Carmel who had been struck. It was Ciella.

“…Ciella…?”

Ciella turned towards Lucia, a weak smile on her face, then collapsed.

“Ah… ah…”

“Such… touching camaraderie! Khahahaha! A truly magnificent sight!”

Lucia, already reeling from the shock of seeing Ciella struck instead of Carmel, could barely process the situation. Despair consumed her.

Ciella herself didn’t understand her actions.

They’d only known each other for a few days, two or three at most.

Why had she risked her life for Carmel?

Had their shared struggle, their fight for survival, forged a bond strong enough to compel such a sacrifice?

Perhaps…

Carmel’s words had resonated with her.

Ciella, too, had always pushed people away, shouldering her burdens alone.

She saw herself in Lucia.

And she saw Kelsey, her senior who had reached out to her when she was alone, in Carmel.

…Such… irrational thoughts, Ciella.

And then, she lost consciousness.

“Ah… ah…”

“You’re next.”

Rahat sneered at the despairing Lucia, his hands empty, no staff in sight.

“Gah…”

Rahat grabbed Lucia’s throat and lifted her into the air.

The red mark on his hand glowed as he tightened his grip. Lucia struggled, gasping for air, but she couldn’t break free.

Her vision blurred as her oxygen-deprived brain began to shut down.

Then…

“Levi.”

A voice echoed from somewhere.

“Sigh… You’re really working me hard… Come with me, you.”

“You are…?”

A girl with short white hair appeared, touched Rahat’s body, and vanished.

A single piece of paper fluttered to the ground.

Thud.

Lucia collapsed, gasping for air.

A figure approached.

A woman in a white half-mask, her black cloak billowing around her.

Even with Insight, Lucia couldn’t discern her identity.

Sensing Lucia’s gaze, the woman removed her mask.

And Lucia finally recognized her.

“It’s been a while.”

“You’re…?”

The woman opened her cloak, revealing an assortment of weapons and potions attached to the lining.

“You seem to be in a difficult situation. Need anything?”

As the woman appeared, red windows began to pop up in Lucia’s vision.

One. Two. Then countless more.

[Error! Error! Error! Entity: Rahat not found!]

The world slowly faded to grayscale, and the ticking clock she’d been hearing slowed, then stopped.

Only the gasping girl and the smiling merchant remained.

“I’ll offer you the lowest price.”

Kayleen smiled brightly at Lucia.