Leveling up the World

Chapter 860: Facing a Prodigy

Hannah

Species: HUMAN

Class: DOMAIN RULERFinnd new chapters at wuxiahere.com

Health: 100%

Traits:

- BODY 99

- MIND 68

- REACTION 105

- PERCEPTION 87

Skills:

- ATTACK

- GUARD

- ATHLETICS

- ACROBATICS

- FORGING

- ART

- CARVING

- SCHOLAR

Weakness: NONE

So, this was facing a prodigy. Trait values alone were enough to crush most awakened, even starting domain rulers. Without magic or familiar companions, winning in a direct confrontation would have been an almost impossible task. The current situation wasnt that much different. While Dallion had superior skills and two traits that provided an advantage, he also had to be careful not to hurt his opponent too much: take too much damage and Hannah would remain sealed; deal too much and shed be resealed as a result of the fight.

Guess theres a reason for high-level unsealing to be exceedingly difficult. If Adzorg were to be believed, there hadnt been a domain ruler unsealing in modern history.

Line attack! Both Dallion and Hannah said simultaneously.

Two lines of destruction flew at each other with incredible speed.

MUTUAL ATTACK NEGATION

Both attacks have been split in two.

Attacks have no effect.

Both sides had bared their fangs, displaying their determination to attack. In another life, Dallion might have resorted to fair play, avoiding the use of magic advantages. However, this wasnt a battle in which he could afford such frivolity.

Lux, Gleam, keep her occupied! he ordered, summoning his aura sword.

Both familiars emerged in the realm just as Dallions second weapon formed within his left hand. Hannah didnt remain idle, either, summoning three additional swords. While one appeared in her free hand, the other two attached to her boots.

Isnt that impractical? Dallion asked, using his music skills in an attempt to weaken his opponent. It would have been different in the air, but running about in those might be a bit tricky.

In response, a pair of daggers emerged, attaching themselves to Hannahs belt. The moment they did, magic threads shot out from them, surrounding her entire body. It only took a second for Dallion to read the instructions within the threads: Hannah had just received a permanent flight spell.

Thats untypical.

Well, when I said that I used artifacts to compensate for her losses, I didnt mention that some of them are awakened domain ones, Adzorg explained.

That would have been nice to know, Dallion grumbled mentally.

Artifacts arent an exact science. I had assumed they had been destroyed after her banishment. They were only intended for defense in the case someone has the bright idea of challenging her by invading her realm.

Like what Im doing? Dallion waved his aura sword, casting flight and a full set of aether armor.

Gleam had already engaged the young innkeeper, bombarding her with wind attacks. All of them were avoided without issue, even granting Hannah a few guard bonuses in the process.

MODERATE WOUND

Your health has been reduced by 20%

You know that she can blow it away with a simple line attack? And she could do four at once.

As I said, at some point there will be enough to affect her.

The familiar remained silent for a few seconds.

Youre one crazy kid, you know that? Gleam fluttered up higher into the sky.

Help me change the world, Hannah, Dallion continued, playing for time.

The blades the girl was holding trembled.

Is that the point of your ambition? she asked. To take over the world?

I Dallion thought about it. It definitely hadnt started that way, but the more he looked at things, the more he was convinced that he had no choice. Maybe if things were as peaceful as when he first went to Nerosal, things would be different.

If it wasnt for Arthurows, he would have remained in the guild, happily clearing items and rising up the ranks. He wouldnt have aimed to become a hunter, shifting to become a forger, instead. Hed still have ended up with Euryas otherworlders, they were bound to attract each other. True, he would never have learned about Diroh, but Jiroh might well have remained in this world, working in Hannahs inn and doing hunter missions on the side.

No, even that wouldnt have lasted for long. Things were already in motion. With no one to stop him, the Star would have taken Nerosal and then moved to swallow up the rest of the world in his attempt to rid it of magic. The conflict between Priscord and Lanitol would have come to pass using some other excuse. As for the poison plague and the following global wars, they would have proceeded as well. Calm wasnt in the cards. If Dallion wanted that, his only option was to find a quiet place in the wilderness and spend the rest of his days there, far from everything.

It seemed that was the otherwordlers fateto conquer the world or die trying.

Yes, he said. He could have claimed that it would be better than the alternative, but that was likely what everyone claimed.

Why not let someone else conquer it? Does it have to be you?

A smile appeared on Dallions face.

I dont think I have a choice. Was I fooling myself to think that I ever did?

Then you understand exactly what Im going through. I cant unseal myself.

Then Ill prove that I can. As Adzorg would say, if Dallion had troubles unsealing a domain ruler, what chance did he have when it came to facing the really powerful opponents?

Unsummoning the aura sword, Dallion switched the way he was holding the harpsisword and played a chord. Strands shot out, amplified by magic, attempting to attach themselves to Hannah. Her emotions were stable enough for the connection to take place, but before they could reach, two line attacks slashed through them, putting a quick end to the attempt.

Two more line attacks flew in Dallions direction.

Its on, Dallion thought as he played another chord, while simultaneously performing two point attacks kicks.

ATTACK NEGATED

Youve shattered HANNAHs line attack.

Attack has no effect.

ATTACK NEGATED

Youve shattered HANNAHs line attack.

Attack has no effect.

Passive dominance, Dallion thought.

This was a page from the emperors book. The strong won their victories by attacking their opponents; the really strong won by having their opponents attack instead.

Youre playing a dangerous game, dear boy, Adzorg said. Hannah isnt someone you should give carte blanche to when it comes to attacking.

Its the best strategic move, Dallion said, casting a defensive spell between two chords on his harpsisword.

Maybe, but even if youre right, thats only half a win. You still have to claim the victory.

What was it that you kept yelling at me at the time? Its not a sprint, its a marathon?

I dont believe Ive ever said that, dear boy. But even so, chipping away at someone with a higher body trait tends to be on the impossible side.

Not if I use a bit of magic.

A resounding sigh filled Dallions domain.

Trust me, I am familiar with the magic well enough to have taken that into consideration. It still wont be enough.

Of course it will.

A series of aether barriers appeared in the air in an attempt to slow down Hannahs attacks. Since Dallion had changed his approach, so had she, going into an all-out attack.

Its all about thinking out of the box.