Chapter 227

Honestly, I was a bit surprised. It hit me while I was blocking the attack.

Even though the way of granting the blessing is bizarre, if I’m struggling against it, then that’s saying something.

Of course, I was holding back a bit, and my opponent even charged me, so that needs to be taken into account.

I really wasn’t prepared for such a strong force. More importantly, the attacker might have been inherently strong to begin with.

‘Still, not as much as Kara.’

In terms of pure strength, they’re weaker than Kara. It felt like they swung with all their might, yet it was still weak.

Among the first years, I can confidently say no one can beat Kara in strength except for me.

But that also means just being blessed is enough to remind me of Kara.

‘The problem is…’

I dodged the attack from the student swinging a combat hammer and stepped back.

The most troublesome part is that it’s not just one person. There are at least five people receiving Erica’s “blessing.”

“Hurry up and get blessed! This is the only way to take that guy down.”

“No. Is that really a blessing? Getting slapped like that? With that hand?”

“I’m telling you to trust me!”

Plus, spreading it to others. It’s a complicated situation in many ways.

It’s kind of funny how they’re all uniting just to take me down. I couldn’t help but wonder.

‘Won’t Gaia get mad at this?’

Erica was originally a devoted believer of Gaia and extremely talented.

She was so well-regarded that she earned the nickname “Supreme Medicine Chest.” Similar yet different to Eli.

However, while Eli throws the balance off, Erica has a ridiculously high difficulty curve for development.

Not to mention, she tends to disrupt the team atmosphere with her unique beliefs. That’s the talent that Erica has that overshadows everything else.

‘I guess one person has been thoroughly wasted.’

Even though she was thrown into the forest, what in the world happened to change her so much?

I’m starting to doubt whether Chaos changes people or if the changed person is chosen by Chaos.

‘For now, I’m assuming a bunch of knockoffs of Kara are surrounding me.’

Anyway, I’ll think about that slowly; right now, I need to focus on this brawl.

Honestly, calling them mere knockoffs of Kara is embarrassing. What good does an increase in physical ability do?

“Gap.”

“Ugh!”

They lack even the skills and basic techniques compared to Luna, let alone Kara.

I swiftly kicked the legs of the student trying to rely on speed.

Even if their speed increased, it’s still at a level I can easily track with my eyes.

Thanks to growing up in the wilderness, I’m sure I won’t lose to anyone when it comes to tracking movements.

Wham!

“Ouch.”

“What? I actually hit your head…?”

But it’s definitely clear that this is becoming a hassle. At least my overall confidence, or morale, has increased.

Until just a moment ago I was feeling down and unable to show my real ability, but not anymore.

With Erica’s blessing added to the mix, everyone charged at me as if their lives depended on it. As a result, I took a few hits.

‘What a pain.’

But what does that change? Even with all those numbers, they are still just a bunch.

Above all, physical abilities might be boosted, but in terms of technical skills, everyone seems stuck at the same level.

The reason I allowed a valid hit just now was a technical issue, not because of a disadvantage in physical capabilities.

‘Allowing a valid hit is pathetic in itself, though.’

Thud!

“Ahhh!”

“Oh, sorry.”

Was that a failure in power control? Or was I just acting out after getting hit on the back of my head?

Accidentally overshooting my grip made it more twisted than intended. My wrist bent the wrong way.

Holding my wrist, I watched the fallen student before shifting my gaze towards Erica. She was still bestowing her “blessing.”

‘Can she even heal too?’

I should check that. I grabbed the student and threw him toward Erica.

Noticing something coming her way, Erica paused her blessing and looked up.

Thud-

Seems like muscles aren’t just for show after all. I exerted some strength while throwing, but she caught him effortlessly.

Erica glanced at me and carefully set down the tossed person.

“Your wrist is bent. Just hang in there for a bit.”

“Ughhh…”

I can’t wait to see how she plans to heal him. At least I hope she doesn’t slap him again like before.

That was a blessing, and what we really need now is healing. To create a brief distraction, I took a step back.

“Sivar.”

“Huh? Oh, you’re here?”

“Yup. Thanks to you, I had a good rest. By the way…”

As I stepped back, the recently rested Kara approached. Luckily, she didn’t seem to be hurt.

It looks like she managed to avoid getting in trouble when we were facing a crisis a moment ago. I’m glad she’s unscathed.

“That’s him from earlier, right? The vegetarian.”

“Yeah. That’s him.”

“But… why did he end up like that? Is he really a saint’s disciple?”

“Well…”

Honestly, I’m not sure either. Whether Erica is a disciple of Rize or not.

She insists she’s a believer, not a disciple, but on the surface, she looks just like an apprentice.

She usually had a pretty face, but transforming into a muscular form along with her bizarre fighting style seems to match well in some way.

What on earth happened over the vacation to change her like this?

“You need to hold on.”

“Yes, yes…”

Looks like she’s finally about to heal him. Kara and I quietly watched the healing scene unfold.

I wonder how she plans to heal him. Before that, I should casually ask Kara.

“Kara.”

“Yeah?”

“Gulrak doesn’t heal, right?”

“He does make lightning rain down on injuries, though?”

“……”

“Just kidding! Usually, he gives blessings to ease the pain.

And Gaia is, quite literally, healing. It’s like turning back time.

That’s why she’s called the Supreme Medicine Chest. When things start to get chaotic in the later stages, Erica keeps healing constantly as well.

The problem is that the opponents aren’t stupid either, so they usually target Erica first. Guarding her has been quite a struggle.

‘But seeing those muscles, I wonder if it’s even necessary to protect her…’

Just at that moment, Erica neatly clasped her hands together and began to pray.

It felt absurd to see her muscular figure praying, but her sincerity was genuine.

“O true life that embraces the world.”

Whoooom-

As she recited the prayer, light started to emanate from her hands. It was blindingly radiant.

Even though she switched her faith to Chaos, it seems the powers themselves remain intact.

‘Well, I mean, I have thunder myself, so being a follower of Chaos makes sense.’

Games and reality are different. I really need to throw away the common sense I had.

“Grant this person the power of healing!”

Finally, her prayer ended. Given that it’s a healing prayer, it was surprisingly long.

Erica, still in the position of her prayer, lifted her clasped hands high into the air.

Wham!

And she brought those hands down onto the broken wrist. The sound echoed loudly.

“What… is that supposed to be healing?”

“……”

Kara saw that ridiculous scene and had the same thought as me.

There’s no way that looks like healing; it looks more like a confirmed kill. Just like the slap before, how on earth did this happen?

But what’s more ridiculous is the student’s reaction after receiving the healing. Maybe he didn’t believe it either, as he was tightly closing his eyes.

“Oh… oh! I’m healed! I’m healed!”

After opening his eyes, he was overwhelmed with joy seeing his wrist back to normal. Meanwhile, Kara and I were left in shock.

This must be what they mean by ‘seeing it to believe it.’ No matter how you slice it, it’s utterly incomprehensible.

“Could it be that impact transforms into divine power? If that’s the case, I can understand…”

Kara murmured in a hushed tone. If that’s really true, it would revolutionize the scientific community.

Kinetic energy turning into divine power out of nowhere. I have no clue what kind of monster Chaos has created.

“Let’s go! We need to take down that monster!”

“Woooooah!!”

It might also have a drug-like effect. The morale of the newly healed students has shot through the roof.

If I were in their situation, having a solid backup would raise my spirits as well. The benefit of being able to heal after getting hurt is enormous.

On the other hand, we don’t have a priest. Healing wounds is tough enough, let alone regenerating stamina.

‘I at least have regeneration, but…’

Kara doesn’t. Just a moment ago, she was struggling with physical issues.

So, that means I have to take the lead and break through. I told Kara,

“Kara.”

“Yeah. Speak.”

“I’ll break through. You take care of the rest.”

“Got it.”

She nodded as she seemed to understand my words and stepped behind me. She then placed her hand lightly on my back.

Our target is one: Erica, who is bizarrely acting like a medicine chest.

As long as Erica is around, time will drag on. Plus, other participants will join in soon.

The more numbers that come into play, the worse it will be for us. Especially since they’ve united two teams as well.

‘This is why having a priest is broken.’

Even having just one seems to double their strength. Though it’s still just a bunch of sheep to me.

‘It’s just that others might be at risk instead of me.’

If I can draw the aggro onto myself, that’s fine, but if it shifts to someone else, the situation could spiral out of control.

Tap-tap-

Kara tapped my back to signal that she was ready. At the same time, students charged ahead.

I could see some in the distance preparing spells, so it looks like they’re dead serious. I activated my inner magic power.

“I’m going.”

“Yeah.”

I slightly bent my body to get ready. And then…

Zoom!

I dashed forward like lightning towards the charging students.

*****

From long ago, there’s a useful tactic: if the front line is solid, the one behind can clean up the mess.

It’s somewhat like cavalry. They charge ahead, clearing the path, leaving the finish to the knights on top.

“Ughhh!”

“Ahhh! My arm! My arm!”

This brawl right now is very similar. Sivar is like a bull, while Kara is struggling to keep up behind.

Even with a simple charge, students are falling like autumn leaves. Some couldn’t handle the shock and were flying off.

However, a simple-minded charge can’t help but leave many gaps. That’s where Kara stepped in to complement the shortcomings.

Simplicity mixed with meticulousness. A simple yet highly effective method.

‘As expected, it’s a bit lacking.’

Erica was watching that scene unfold in real-time. Even after bestowing blessings, it seemed to have little effect.

In fact, some people were injured even more severely due to how hard Sivar was pushing. It’s what you’d call a counterproductive effect.

‘First, I’ll try to hold them off for as long as I can…’

Erica glanced around nervously. As Sivar drew closer, the students guarding her also tightened their defenses.

They absolutely cannot defeat Sivar. Let alone with Kara backing him up.

The only thing she can do now is to buy time. Let’s hold out until the better-ranked students arrive.

She clasped her hands together and began reciting a prayer. Time was of the essence.

“O all-powerful life, protect us…”

“Ahhh!”

Before she knew it, screams were echoing close by. This meant Sivar was right up on her.

The students guarding her looked jittery as they responded to the immediate threat. Erica hurriedly continued her prayer.

“Grant us a shield!”

After finishing the prayer, she quickly raised her hands up high.

Boom!

Then, she slammed those raised hands down onto the ground. She was finally done with her part.

Now it was just a matter of getting the barrier up before Sivar approached. Just to be safe, she widened the range.

Shining!

In the end, light began to emerge from the ground and gradually shifted into the shape of a barrier.

A brilliant display of white light—a barrier made from divine power.

“Wow, it’s here!”

“Get into a defensive position!”

At that moment, Sivar also arrived right in front of them. As soon as he saw the barrier forming, he leaped away.

While he tried to get into the barrier, unfortunately, it seemed the barrier was completed faster than his leap.

“Damn it.”

Bang!

Like a tiger frustrated at losing its prey right in front of its face, Sivar slammed his fist down.

The barrier shook from just his punch. He truly had a beastly physique.

Crack!

“Ouch, ouch, ouch!!!”

“?”

Then Sivar began shaking his hand rapidly as if he were in a fit. A cloud of smoke began rising from his hand.

The baffled expressions of Erica and others around him turned into a sudden realization.

‘Now that I think about it…’

Erica watched as Sivar blew on his fist, puffing out his cheeks. Didn’t he act that way when he faced a demon too?

For some reason, he seems to be disliked by Gaia, particularly by life itself. The reason remains unknown.

But one thing’s certain: Sivar is very weak against divine power, especially the kind related to life.

‘…If things go well, we might win this.’

Seems like I have found a weakness.

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