Eiji could indeed only perform one setting at a time.
But that didn't mean he could only apply it to one target.
Previously, he injected all his magic power into a single slash because his magic reserves were too low to be spread out.
But now, with significant progress in his magic, he had enough surplus to grant Absolute Godspeed to multiple objects simultaneously, enabling all three sword fragments to move at supersonic speed.
Swoosh!
A series of faint sonic booms erupted.
The three sword fragments, propelled by supersonic force, stirred up an abnormal shockwave and ferociously shot toward the monster's upper body!
A flash of silver light streaked past.
In the blink of an eye, the battle was already decided.
The alien monster seemed to possess some level of judgment.
Sensing an overwhelming sense of impending death, she instinctively gathered her surrounding tentacles in an attempt to block the attack.
But it was futile.
Her vision blurred for just a moment.
The sword fragments tore through the layers of air resistance, piercing forward like torpedoes slicing through the ocean.
The first two sword fragments shattered the obstructing tentacles, while the final sword fragments penetrated through the remaining layers of defense and pierced directly through her forehead.
"Ugh… ah…!"
She looked utterly shocked.
A few hoarse sounds escaped her throat.
Then, just like an ordinary monster, her massive body gradually disintegrated.
Before she could even unleash her true power, Eiji had already ended her.
"Hoo…"
Eiji let out a deep breath.
His current magic reserves were about six times what they were before receiving his blessing.
Since he had already used his abilities a few times earlier, his magic wasn't at full capacity—what he just unleashed was everything he had. If she had survived, his only option would have been to flee at full speed.
"This magic stone?"
Eiji stepped forward and picked up a magic stone from the monster's remains.
Unlike the usual bluish-purple crystals of normal monsters, this one had a radiant, multicolored core, clearly different from those found in the dungeon.
"I'll leave it to Finn for investigation later."
Eiji placed the magic stone into his pouch and turned to chase after Ais.
***
Ais and the red-haired woman fought fiercely while moving toward the town.
"What's going on?"
The red-haired woman was utterly shocked.
Right before her, Ais's figure suddenly vanished from sight, only to reappear instantly, thrusting her sword straight at the woman's chest.
It was almost as if she had teleported.
But that was impossible—there was no such magic in this world.
Because Ais's movements were so abrupt, the red-haired woman could barely react each time she appeared in front of her. She was forced into hasty blocks and evasions, unable to bring out even half of her true strength.
By all rights, she should have the upper hand in this fight. But instead, she was being suppressed by some unknown technique.
"This is incredible! It completely throws off the opponent's reaction!"
Unbeknownst to her, this was Ais's first time testing this footwork in actual combat against a human, and she was both excited and amazed by its effectiveness.
This was a technique Eiji had taught her, supposedly called Sword Step.
Since he stubbornly refused to demonstrate it himself, Ais had spent an entire month just barely managing to learn it. Her execution was still crude, with unnecessary extra movements in her footwork.
"Hmph!"
The red-haired woman was growing impatient with Ais's maneuvering.
As Ais suddenly reappeared in front of her once more, she let out a cold snort and, instead of dodging, met Ais's sword head-on—ramming her left shoulder forward.
Pshk!
Her left shoulder was instantly pierced through.
"So ruthless!"
Even Ais widened her eyes in surprise, now more wary of her opponent.
"Got you!"
The red-haired woman tensed the muscles in her wounded shoulder, gripping Ais's silver rapier tightly with her free left hand. At the same time, she swung her right-handed greatsword at Ais's head.
Clang!
Ais hurriedly raised her left arm, blocking the strike with her armored bracer.
But even the high-grade bracer, forged from the hardest metal, groaned under the red-haired woman's slash, teetering on the verge of breaking.
"—Tempest!"
Without hesitation, Ais recited a short chant.
A surge of green wind burst forth from her body, enveloping her in a fierce magical gale, directly blasting against the red-haired woman.
"Aaarghhh—!"
The razor-sharp winds carved countless bloody gashes across her body, forcing a scream from her lips.
But the excruciating pain only ignited her ferocity. As her right arm weakened, she lunged forward with a brutal headbutt.
Duang!
A crisp impact echoed—Ais's vision blurred instantly.
The winds around her body dissipated, her grip on her sword loosened, and she staggered backward, barely keeping her footing.
She had lost this contest of endurance.
When it came to sheer toughness, the red-haired woman had the advantage.
"Haaah!"
Despite her shoulder still impaled by a sword, her entire body covered in blood, and a swollen lump on her forehead, the red-haired woman ignored her injuries, shook her head clear, and immediately charged at Ais again.
Ais's expression turned serious. She gritted her teeth, forcing herself to recover from the dizziness, and kept retreating.
Her combat prowess lay mostly in her swordsmanship—her barehanded skills were mediocre, and her strength was overwhelmingly insufficient. She had to retrieve her sword to continue fighting.
Tap, tap, tap—!
Urgent footsteps echoed behind her.
The red-haired woman's instincts screamed a warning—she abandoned her pursuit of Ais and swiftly turned around.
"—Phantom Flash!"
Her vision blurred once again.
"Not this again!"
A familiar sense of disorientation returned, filling her with frustration.
In just the blink of an eye, a blade suddenly materialized before her.
This technique, executed by this person, was several times more refined than Ais's.
And worse—his attack came from her left side, her blind spot.
Slash—!
"Ugh!"
She groaned, caught completely off guard.
A severed arm flew into the air. At the same time, Ais's silver rapier, still lodged in her left shoulder, was flung away, spinning midair before landing elsewhere.
"I should've killed you first!"
Clutching her severed shoulder, she glared at the cloaked young man who had just passed her, her eyes burning with hatred.
This little brat—who wasn't even Level 5—had interfered with her assassination attempt multiple times.
"You can't!"
Eiji smirked coldly.
Ais caught her falling rapier, then stepped forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Eiji.
The two exchanged a glance.
Then, without hesitation, they simultaneously raised their blades.
Their eyes sharpened.
Flashes of sword and dagger light intertwined—mercilessly striking toward the red-haired woman.
***
Hey readers!
Want to read ahead? 📖 Join my Patreon for early access to 30+ advance chapters! Your support helps me write more and bring the story to you faster.
🔹patreon.com/aarvan🔹