Chapter 198

The power of the Abyss engulfed the arena.

The Phantom Knights finally revealed all their strength, proving themselves as the Lords of the Abyss.

The ghostly steeds they rode flickered their fierce eyes and kicked the ground, ready to charge at a moment’s notice.

Heir of Kazan Rudrik.

We’ll take special care of you.

Accept your fate silently—

Become the hundredth knight!

With that confident battle cry, as ninety-nine Phantom Knights prepared to stomp the ground, a sudden violent gust of wind struck them.

Whooooosh! Whoosh!

It wasn’t just the wind. The earth cracked, and flames soared from all directions.

“A little more… just a little more…!”

The cause of this phenomenon was simple.

It was Fertisha’s Spirit Art.

Instinctively sensing the danger posed by the Phantom Knights, she aimed to pressure them with every spirit she could summon.

But…

This is futile.

It had no effect on the knights.

As she swung her spear, the flames extinguished, and the ground, trembling from the horse’s hooves, quickly became calm. The wind, too, failed to inflict any real damage.

A dull blade is no better than junk.

Seventh star.

Your spirits do not reach the Abyss.

It was an obvious outcome.

Unlike her past self, Fertisha had no combat experience in her current life.

Then the knights all stomped the ground in unison.

As the threatening charge of the foes approached, Ulan took a bold step forward.

“Get behind me, Fertisha.”

His eyes sparkled with resolve.

Just as they were preparing for the charge—

BOOM! KABOOM!

A massive barrier suddenly erupted.

The pitch-black wall barely stopped the knights’ charge, and a familiar voice rang in Fertisha’s ears as her eyes widened.

“…Get both of you out of here.”

A low voice.

It was the Spirit of the Abyss.

“I’ll hold them off.”

The spirit barely managed to block the knights’ charge and spoke in a pained voice. Fertisha shouted, flustered.

“B-but then…!”

“Hurry! You have no chance of winning.”

The Spirit of the Abyss spoke firmly.

Watching the situation, the spirits instinctively understood. Ulan and Fertisha currently had no way to defeat the knights.

“I’m still grateful, though.”

In an unexpected confession, the spirit sincerely expressed gratitude.

“I’m really glad you asked to go outside, reminding me I wasn’t alone.”

The whisper conveyed calmly.

However, Fertisha continued to shake her head, as if she couldn’t leave the Spirit of the Abyss behind.

“Don’t be stubborn. I can’t hold out much longer. So take this chance and run…”

Leave the Source of Magic and escape.

The spirit wanted to urge this. But at that moment, a resolute reply came back.

“No.”

“…Huh?”

Ulan shifted his stance, axe in hand.

He spoke while receiving the bewildered gazes from the Spirit of the Abyss and Fertisha.

“The moment the Abyssal Monster appeared, running away was never an option.”

Not a thought of fleeing crossed his mind.

With a ferocious smile, he stomped the ground again.

KAAAAAAH!

The heavy onslaught leaped over the wall.

Ulan swept his axe like a madman, engaging alone against ninety-nine Phantom Knights.

But the knights weren’t pushovers either.

What a pointless struggle.

Heir of Rudrik.

If you desire a soldier’s death, I’ll gladly grant your wish.

Realizing Ulan’s axe wasn’t working, the knights boldly retaliated.

As a result, Ulan’s body quickly accumulated cuts and wounds.

“U-Ulan!”

Fertisha called out anxiously.

Yet, Ulan, showing he was fine, raised his axe and systematically smashed the knights’ gear.

When he returned a while later, the Spirit of the Abyss scolded him.

“See! This is a fight you’re bound to lose! How can you—”

“If weapons connect, we win.”

“That’s what I’m saying! Weapons don’t connect!”

What a blockhead.

Such a dense fellow. Just as this thought crossed his mind, Ulan shook his head.

“No, they do connect.”

“How can you be so sure?!”

“Because Fertisha is here.”

His answer, brimming with unwavering faith.

Then Ulan took a deep breath and adjusted his grip on the axe. He spotted the Phantom Knights recovering their damaged equipment.

“I’ll buy you time.”

“T-time?”

“Yes. In the meantime, seek help from the spirit and discover a way to imbue your weapon with spirit power. That’s our only path to victory.”

“Yes! I’ll definitely find a way!”

She declared with determination.

Fertisha then summoned as many spirits as possible, hoping to find a way to lend her strength to Ulan’s weapon.

Afterwards, to buy time, Ulan desperately faced the Phantom Knights. During this, his body became a mess of wounds, and puddles of blood collected at his feet.

But he didn’t care.

“I won’t fall—!”

The undying flame of fighting spirit burned bright.

It was a battle with no chance of winning, but Ulan continued to swing his axe without faltering.

Fighting fiercely against countless enemies, he resembled a Berserker from ancient tales.

Amid the midst of battle, the Spirit of the Abyss recovered its power and erected another wall. Just as Ulan could finally take a breather and wiped the blood off his face.

“Why are you going this far?”

Asked the Spirit of the Abyss, sounding baffled.

“It would be so neat if you just left me behind. Then why on earth….”

“Because I need you.”

“Me? Why?”

The Spirit of the Abyss was a testament to Fertisha passing the Trial of the Hero and her reward, as well as her ally.

Especially for Fertisha, who had little power without the spirit, this spirit was like a robust spear and a reliable shield.

‘And one more.’

This spirit possessed the power to clear the Abyssal magic and darkness. This would greatly help when fighting in the Abyssal Rift in the future.

When combined with the orb Einar created last summer, the heroes would essentially be immune to the Abyssal environment.

‘But…’

To explain all these reasons would take quite a bit of time. However, facing the knights, there was no time to spare for explanations.

And frankly, it sounded tedious.

So Ulan decided to skip the explanation.

“There’s no particular reason.”

“No, that doesn’t make sense!”

If it’s necessary, why is there no reason?

The Spirit of the Abyss replied incredulously, but Ulan’s answer remained unchanged.

“Either way, I can’t leave you behind.”

“That’s….”

“So don’t worry.”

After a short breath, Ulan whispered firmly.

“I’ll get you out.”

Just like he promised Fertisha.

He vowed to bring the Spirit of the Abyss out as well. Seeing his determination, the spirit closed its mouth.

A barbarian, covered in wounds and blood.

His weapon had no effect on the enemy, and the prospect of victory was nowhere to be found. Yet why did he feel so reassuring? Why did he want to believe in him?

“….”

At that moment, the spirit’s gaze wavered.

Suddenly, a delicate arm gently wrapped around Ulan. It was Fertisha, who was offering protection from behind.

“You’ve been waiting a long time, Ulan.”

“Did you find a way?”

“No. With the strength I currently have, I can’t lend my spirit’s power to you.”

A desperate answer came back.

Yet, there wasn’t the slightest hint of disappointment in Fertisha’s voice. To prove it, she continued speaking excitedly.

“But I heard about another way.”

“What method?”

If there’s a second option, that’d do just fine.

Ulan urged her for an answer, but Fertisha hesitated, fidgeting with her fingers. Eventually, she delivered her response.

“…It’s to make a contract with the spirits.”

“A contract?”

“Yes. Long ago, when spirits still filled this world, there were those who borrowed the power of spirits through contracts.”

Spirit Arts.

Ulan was aware of its existence.

Fertisha’s predecessor, Einar Mel Arpen, was also one who had practiced Spirit Arts before her.

However, there was a problem.

“I have no spirit affinity.”

He had been told this by Delia in his past life.

To make a contract with a spirit, one must possess the ability known as ‘Spirit Affinity’.

Not only that.

One must be in the presence of the spirit to be contracted, and must also have a degree of affinity high enough to interact with the spirit.

“And I can’t even see the spirits—how am I supposed to….”

“No, you can see them.”

“What? What do you mean by that?”

“The spirits are right here, aren’t they?”

With her hand on her chest, Fertisha smiled.

To hear it, it did make some sense.

She was a Half-Human Half-Spirit. Half of her essence was indeed a proper spirit.

“Make a contract with me, Ulan.”

Her unwavering gaze.

Her determination was solidified.

Calmly facing her, Ulan spoke with a worried voice.

“Are you really okay with this?”

“Yes, if it’s Ulan, I’m fine.”

In both his previous and current lives, he had extended his hand to those who reached out toward him.

Inviting her to go outside together.

‘So…’

Now it was Fertisha’s turn.

Determined to go outside with Ulan and the Spirit of the Abyss, she steeled herself.

Did Ulan notice this resolve?

He nodded.

“Got it. How do we make the contract?”

“Um, first, please kneel.”

Following her instruction, he knelt down.

Then he asked again.

“What’s next?”

But no answer came back.

With her mouth firmly shut, Fertisha suddenly reached out and grabbed Ulan by the collar.

Isn’t that a bit over the top for a contract?

Just as he thought this, she stood on her tiptoes. At once, their faces rapidly drew closer.

And their lips met.

“…!”

A moist yet gentle touch.

A slight tremor was felt, and a subtle scent tickled his nose. Moments later, Fertisha pulled away, beaming with a flush on her face.

“Hehe, that’ll do.”

Her bashful smile bloomed on her lips.

As Ulan was taken aback by this, suddenly, a conversation sound he hadn’t heard until now filled the air.

『Ah, really, was there no other way?』

It was the voice of what sounded like children talking.

Then, the scenery before him shifted. From nothingness, all sorts of radiant orbs of light swirled around.

『Yes. Looking at it again, this is the best option.』

『Monsters should be defeated as monsters.』

『So this choice is made by Fertisha.』

『We should respect her decision.』

The moment he saw this sight, Ulan instinctively realized. The light orbs and voices were indeed Fertisha’s spirits.

At that moment, the spirits approached him.

『Hey, can you hear our voices now?』

『We’ll lend you strength.』

『Wipe out those phantom jerks!』

『For Fertisha.』

With the whispers of the spirits as a signal,

Ulan’s axe was enveloped in radiant light.

Fwoosh!

With dozens, hundreds of spirits attaching themselves to Ulan’s axe.

That wasn’t all.

The spirits wrapped around Ulan’s body as well. The accumulated fatigue vanished, and his body felt lighter.

And one more thing.

He heard a supportive phrase.

“I’ll sing for you.”

The Bard, Fertisha.

Her song, using the spirits, maximized her allies’ potential. With such robust support, Ulan smiled in satisfaction.

“Got it. Leave the rest to me.”

If weapons connect, the story changes.

With the aid of the spirits and Fertisha’s song combined, he didn’t feel like he could lose.

At that moment, the Spirit of the Abyss, struggling to hold on, finally collapsed. Seizing the fleeting opportunity, Ulan unleashed his domain.

The domain of forty-five steps.

Closing the distance so quickly that time felt irrelevant, shattered space, and a fierce attack surged forward.

And—

The axe infused with spirit power completely obliterated the front line of the knights. The knights’ charge was abruptly halted.

【───!?】

There was no other option.

The strike that just landed had inexplicably erased six phantom knights.

“Ninety-three left.”

Subtraction of double digits was Ulan’s specialty.

He already knew the answer to this issue. The solution was simply to keep subtracting until the answer is ‘0’, cutting down as he goes.

“Now it’s time for the counterattack.”

Gazing at the bewildered knights.

Ulan stepped forward boldly.

Stride toward victory.

Chapter 46. I’m following you to the end!

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