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Trampling. It was an onslaught that was fit to be described with that word.

Dozens of magic circles manifested around Cain, and from each of them, crimson-blood magic is released one after another. Blades, spears, cannonballs and arrows. Although their shapes varied, all of them undoubtedly had the power to kill me.

"Ugh! Time Zero!"

By using Time Zero, I narrowly evaded those magic attacks, causing the place where I stood just a moment ago to be destroyed by Cain's magic. I ran with all my might through the sound of the explosion and dust, just to evade his attacks.

"Fuhahaha! What's wrong? Looks like you can't do anything in front of my blood-sucking magic! But no need to be ashamed! Because that's the difference between me and you bastard!"

"—–tss,"

I couldn't even argue with that statement. Not because I couldn't think of words to, but I didn't have any leeway to think about it, as Cain's magic slowly got closer to me. Yes, he began to read where I would transfer.

I can't stay in this kind of unfavorable situation anymore. That is why, while I still have some stamina, I have to attack!

"Next is my turn!"

Then, I ran. Holding the Nameless in my right hand, slipping through numerous magic attacks that came towards me, approaching Cain by using Time Zero. And with that momentum, I swung the Nameless at him.

"You finally begin to attack, huh. But, naive!"

"-!"

*Clank*

A high-pitched sound shook my eardrums harshly. My attack was deflected by the blood wall that appeared in front of Cain. Although half of the blade pierced through the wall, I couldn't pierce it more than that no matter how much power I used.

The attack that I released while evading his attacks was deflected, huh– Then!

"Greed!"

I summoned Greed in my left hand, and pierced it into the blood wall, replacing the Nameless. If it's like this, then no matter how strong the blood wall was doesn't matter. Because as long as it is made by magic, it should be possible to devour it!

However,

"Too bad, but I have seen that move in your battle against Ifrit."

"Wha?!"

Faster than Greed could touch it, the blood wall vanished, making my attack fail to hit its target. Right after that, Cain aimed his kick at me. And knowing I wouldn't have enough time to transfer, I placed the Nameless between us to stop the kick. Although I succeeded in softening the impact, my body was blown backwards by the kick.

"I’m not done yet."

Cain didn't miss the great chance produced by that kick, and unleashed a large amount of magic to chase me. It was a broad magic attack that would definitely hit me directly no matter where I transferred.

Looking at that, I gritted my teeth.

Should I use Greed? No, that's not going to work. The total number of magic spells that could be stored in Greed was seven, while the ones that approached me were several times more than that number. In addition, my MP also has a limit, so it is not possible to devour all of them. In other words, there is no choice but to avoid it without relying on Greed as much as possible!

Therefore, I identified the scale and power of those magic attacks one by one and by stopping only the weak magic with [Cladding Barrier], I somehow managed to break out of the encirclement.

Witnessing that, Cain said, feeling impressed.

"Oh, this is surprising. In my calculation, that magic should be able to do some damage to you even if it wasn't fatal but… Looks like you have a lot of experience in fighting enemies superior to yourself. I guess I could call it that you have some skills in evading, as a weak one– But, how long do you think you can continue?"

Without regretting the fact that the situation didn't go as he intended, Cain immediately manifested the next magic circle, making me click my tongue, thinking I would have to slip through another wave of magic.

In the first place, how could this guy use that many magic attacks? Blood-sucking Magic that could be used for both offense and defense. It was indeed very powerful magic. But that is precisely why it should consume a large amount of MP to activate. Did he by chance receive magical power from somewhere? But, if that's the case, where on earth—

"—Don't tell me!"

I turned my gaze at Ifrit, who was still being held down on the ground. The hundreds of threads that suppressed Ifrit on the ground were connected to Cain. Doesn't it seem like he received blood–or should I say magic power from those threads?

If that's really the case, then I could understand the reason for the suspicious action that he took earlier. Previously, Cain has said that he was purposely going along with my bait to buy some time because he wanted to avoid a situation where Ifrit gets in the way of our battle. However, if I think about it calmly, it is weird. Even if Ifrit appeared during the fight, it shouldn't be a big deal for Cain, who had already known about that and has a means to prevent Ifrit's attacks. Rather, I will be the one who is likely in an unfavorable situation. I don't think he is someone who can't even understand that. If he has another intention with that action, my speculation that he needed Ifrit as a source of magical power for him is most likely correct.

"I see. That's why it’s called blood-sucking magic, huh."

What a troublesome power. However, as long as I know the root of it, there is still a way to fight it.

Thus, I changed my target to Ifrit, as I thought I have to defeat it first. When Claire cut Ifrit in two, I saw that its magic stone was embedded in its forehead. Which means, it's not impossible to subjugate it!

With that in mind, I tried to run towards Ifrit. But immediately after that, Cain said.

"Hoo, it seems you noticed it. But, are you fine with that? If you defeat it, you will also end up returning to the surface, you know?"

"—–hiss"

It was just as Cain said. Assuming Cain's words are true, the rule in this boss room has been changed so that the only one who could return to the surface is the one who defeated the boss. And if I remember it correctly, the time of the transfer magic activation was about 1 minute after the subjugation. In other words, if I can't defeat Cain in that one minute, Hana and the others will be left here!

Therefore, I couldn't choose that option. The risk is too high. Because if I fail, the situation will turn out to be terrible!

"That's right, in the end you bastard will be trampled by me without being able to do anything."

The trampling began, along with those words. And just like before, I evaded the magic that came at me one after another while racking my brain. On top of that, my MP keeps decreasing little by little. I don't have much time. I have to make a quick decision!

Think. Think, Rin. Use everything you have to come up with a plan to overcome Cain! Anything is fine! Find a breakthrough!

"— That’s right. Remember it!"

I recalled the uncomfortable feeling that I felt when I first saw Cain. Although I could feel an unfathomable dreadfulness from him, the feeling of intimidation he emitted was less than Ifrit. I could only feel an aura that was more than that of Ifrit from him after he released his crimson magical power.

There is another thing that made me feel uncomfortable. Earlier, I was kicked by Cain. Even though I did place the Nameless between me and him to stop that kick, I didn't take that much damage, making it hard to believe that it was an attack from an S-rank.

From these points, I have one hypothesis. Perhaps, Cain's body– or should I say, his basic stats aren't that high. There is no doubt that his stats were better than mine, but it shouldn't have reached the statuses of an S-rank.

Besides that, the Blood-Sucking Magic that he used is more likely a unique skill or something similar to that. Assuming that his ability was raised merely because of that skill, there is a possibility I could win.

One blow. As long as I could hit him with just one blow, he can be defeated!

"— This is the only way"

Having discovered the only way for us to survive, I instantly set up a strategy in my head. There is only one chance. The point is whether I could deceive Cain or not. I will use everything I have and deliver a blow that even he couldn't expect!

Holding the Nameless with both of my hands, I stared straight at Cain. Perhaps noticing the change in my demeanor, Cain fearlessly smiled.

"Looks like an idea might have flashed into your mind, but it's futile. Your blade can never reach me."

"Such a thing… We will never know until I try it."

"Hou. In that case, do try. Let me crush all the hope you bastard has!"

Magic circles manifested over and over. Looking at that, I quietly muttered.

"— Here I go"

Then, I ran.

Straight toward Cain.

While dodging numerous magic attacks that came at me.

As fast as possible.

"Ha! Just when I thought about what kind of plan you have, isn't it just the same as the first time! There is no way that kind of attack could reach me!"

And then, a blood wall appeared between us. It was a very thick wall that surely couldn't be destroyed in a single swing of my blade. In that case, should I use Time Zero and transfer behind Cain? No, he should have assumed the same thing. That's why, there is a blow that I could use to pierce that wall.

I took a stance with half of my body and pulled the Nameless back far like a bow. My waist, shoulders, and elbows. I put every power I could muster and released the ultimate thrust. And the moment before the tip of the Nameless touched the blood wall— I faintly muttered.

"Switch"

At the next moment, Greed appeared to replace the Nameless. This is, for sure, the last blow that I could release– Switch Penetration. Cain should also think that his blood wall could stop my attack. Which means, he didn't have a way to stop the blade if it pierced his blood wall!

This is the end!

"UWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!""

Along with a shout, I released a blow with everything I had. The blade that devoured the blood wall, immediately approached Cain, who was inside it and–

With a bashing sound, my right wrist was grabbed.

"—Ha?"

Facing such an unexpected situation, my head suddenly goes blank. How could he stop it? It's obvious. My aim was read by him. By this fucking guy!

"As expected, I know you would do that."

"Re–"

"You think I will let you?"

"Ugh!"

With a confused head, I shot the flame of Ifrit devoured by Greed to resist. However, right before that, Cain kicked me, his toes digging deeply into my belly. I was kicked into the air, making my sight spin. And in the middle of that, I saw the magic released from Greed flew to nowhere.

"Now, die."

Then, I was swallowed by a wave of crimson-blood magic attack.

I don't know how many magic attacks hit me. The first few magics destroyed my [Cladding Barrier], even the Blood Wall that I released on the spur of the moment was destroyed in an instant. Then, every magic that remained, directly hit my body.

I couldn't even figure what was happening anymore. What I know is just, suddenly, something hit my back and my body slowly fell. Albeit delayed, I realized that my back just hit the ice barrier that protected Hana and the others. The ice sword that Claire left there was the one that made me realize it. When I look at the edge of the field of my view, my HP, which was more than 300,000, was barely 1,000 now.

"Although it was a good aim, too bad for you. I was already wary of every card you have, and thought of a way to counter them. This means, it is impossible for you to defeat me."

Cain's words reverberated in my hazy consciousness.

Hearing that, I realized. Until now, I have fought against various strong enemies. From those that boast far greater physical abilities than me, such as the Orc General and the Tenraijuu, to those who have intelligence, like Yanagi. However, Cain was the first enemy to have both of these qualities. In front of him… the only part where I could best the enemies before him, which was how to fight as the weak, didn't work against him. I couldn't even fight on an equal footing.

Because of that, I felt something that I didn't even feel when I was about to be defeated by Ifrit. It was despair and fear. Ah, I see. This is surely what people called an utter defeat.

In front of such a strong enemy that surpassed me in every aspect, my existence seemed too tiny. And the strength that I have accumulated so far, seemed too fragile.

"—–Rin"

However.

I heard a voice.