Chapter 85

“Bing-A (Ice Fang), crush the enemy.”

A massive icicle fell onto Zig Draghinty’s head. On either side were Camelian Peony and Ricardo Carven. If he dodged, he’d be hit by their attacks; if he stayed, he’d be crushed by the icicle. Back in the day, the internet described this situation as the ultimate strategy to annihilate the enemy: the ‘Encirclement Annihilation Formation.’

“I’m not particularly fond of such petty tricks or number games…”

In an instant, a blue blade flashed, and his robe fluttered. The massive icicle shattered into tiny ice fragments, raining down like hail. It was impossible to comprehend what had just happened. Did that massive ice block just turn to dust from that single move?

“You heroes should at least try to entertain me a little.”

“Shut up, you monster…”

Ricardo, who was in charge of defense, was now covered in blood. He had taken all the attacks meant for Camelian Peony, leaving him in such a state.

“Perhaps you should go all out? As you can see, I’m not an opponent you can fight while holding back.”

When Zig mentioned going all out, Ricardo and Camelian’s expressions changed.

“How much does this guy know…?”

“Ah, let me correct myself. I meant you should use the ‘Hero’s Relic.'”

How does he know about that? The ‘Hero’s Relic’ is a core system from *Draghinty Fantasy 1*. To be precise, it’s a tool that grows with its owner, but in reality, it’s just a system where you invest skill points to define your playstyle.

However, after the battles in the first game, most of the relics were lost. As a result, many heroes couldn’t perform as well in the second game, and some users even sent a 5,700-word complaint letter to the developers. Most of those users never returned, likely because they were disappointed and quit the game.

“…We don’t need to use the relic on you.”

“Hmm… Still holding back, huh? Then I’ll have to push you to the point where you have no choice but to use it.”

As Zig finished speaking, his killing intent intensified. He had been holding back this whole time… Was he really only using 10% of his power? Personally, I hated guys who toyed with their opponents like this.

“Excalibur, First Restraint Release.”

The blue blade in Zig’s hand gathered a blue aura, which then exploded outward. The explosion was so powerful that it pushed me, Camelian, and Ricardo back slightly.

“I’ve deliberately released the restraint, so you might want to go all out now.”

“Restraint, my ass…”

What kind of sword has restraints? Is this some kind of SM play? Damn bastard…

“Excalibur’s First Restraint limits the user to only swinging the sword sideways. I’ve released that now. Do you understand what that means?”

Now that he mentioned it, his sword swings had been unnatural earlier. So, he’s been fighting us three while limiting his attack patterns? What the hell?

Zig charged at me with incredible speed. I stumbled slightly, my posture faltering due to the blood spilled by that useless Nymph. Even in death, she’s no help. I’ve never seen such a useless Nymph in my life.

I was ready to sacrifice an arm to counter, but Ricardo’s shield clashed with Zig’s sword.

A deafening explosion-like sound echoed.

“Your shield skills are impressive. But with your allies like this, you’re just overexerting yourself.”

Ricardo, having taken the full brunt of the attack, spat out a small amount of blood.

“Shut the hell up, you bastard… You’re going to die here…”

“What?”

“357 children are missing, 39 confirmed dead… Do you understand what that means?”

“This is a battle. It’s not the time for philosophical debates or number games.”

“I used to be like you… A complete bastard… I didn’t know how precious family was… I’d spout nonsense like ‘Wasn’t the compensation enough?’… But when I gained a family, I realized… How precious it is, and how much I don’t want to lose it…”

Ricardo’s shield began to push Zig’s sword back.

“I was the one who delivered the news of the children’s deaths… But those who heard the news didn’t care that I was a noble… They grabbed me by the collar and screamed, ‘Bring my child back!’… But I’m a knight. I can’t bring the dead back to life…”

“So, what are you going to do now?”

“A knight can never bring the dead back to life… But I can punish the bastard who killed them… And I can say ‘I’m sorry’ to their friends. No, I must… Damn, it took me too long to realize that…”

For some reason, Ricardo’s emotions resonated within me. His sense of duty to protect me and Camelian, his rage toward Zig for killing the children, and his guilt toward Melchior Winterheart, with whom he had a strained relationship due to past family feuds. These three emotions swirled violently within him.

But Zig remained unfazed, even in the face of this emotional storm. He replied in a calm voice.

“Everyone dies eventually. It’s just a matter of when.”

“Then you should die.”

“Unfortunately, I have no intention of accepting death from the weak.”

“Your way with words is impressive.”

Ricardo roughly pushed Zig back with his shield. And he did it with just one hand.

“How foolish. Pushing me back with a shield won’t even kill a kitten.”

“Of course not. You’re not a kitten; you’re a cockroach that needs to be squashed.”

“What did you say…?”

Ricardo pulled out a glove from his pocket.

“Ricardo! That’s…”

“Brother, that’s…”

It was one of the lost Hero’s Relics. Among the relics with incredible abilities, this one was a perfect match for Ricardo: the Giant’s Gloves.

A ridiculously overpowered item that greatly increases the user’s strength, and with it, their physical durability and regeneration. It was considered the ultimate advantage for those who used Ricardo as their main in the game. Essentially, a ‘stat pig.’

“I found this at an auction, and I must thank His Majesty the Emperor for bestowing it upon me. Though it’s been lost for a while, so it’ll take time to restore its power.”

Ah, now I remember. The Emperor asked Ricardo to stay behind. Was it to give him this?

“Brother, what about us?”

“Sorry, but the relic His Majesty found was only for me.”

What kind of donkey-brained plot convenience is this? It’s a relic, for crying out loud. Couldn’t they have sold it as a set? Even hamburgers come in sets. There’s no law against selling relics in sets, right?

What a shame. If I had my own relic, I could have used some of the Great Magic.

Seeing Ricardo prepare to use his relic, Camelian seemed to steel herself, ready to fight seriously again.

“I can’t just stand by either. Even though I’ve lost my relic… I should at least fight with the resolve to die.”

Her eyes burned with determination. The always rational and cold gaze was now ablaze. I couldn’t just stand by either.

“Lightning, become my armor.”

A stronger current of electricity began to flow around my body. I took the basic stance of the Heavenly Fist… no, the Absolute Fist style. If he got close again, I’d hit him with a shock and an Inch Punch.

As we took our stances, Zig finally smiled, satisfied. This guy must have some middle schooler syndrome or something. Everything he says and does is so cringe-worthy.

“That’s more like it. Now, come at me.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Ricardo charged. With that speed and weight, it was like a train coming at him. Zig seemed slightly overwhelmed and sidestepped to avoid the attack.

Of course, I knew he’d dodge. He noticed me coming from the side and hastily tried to defend, but unfortunately, my kick was faster. Zig, hit by the electric kick to his stomach, lost his balance slightly, and Ricardo and Camelian didn’t miss the opportunity.

A spear and a sword flew toward him, forcing him to choose which one to take.

*Swoosh!*

The spear missed, but the sword cut through something. The problem was, the sword didn’t cut Zig’s neck—it sliced off the hood of his robe.

With the hood gone, his glossy black hair and pointed ears were revealed.

Camelian’s pupils shook as she saw his face.

“You… you are…”

Zig, now with his face exposed, spoke with a resigned tone.

“I am the First Seat of the Black Round Table, Lancelot, wielder of the Holy Sword Excalibur. Unfortunately, the game ends here.”

His figure began to melt into the shadows.

But Camelian shouted at him.

“Wait!”

Despite her plea, Lancelot coldly cut her off.

“I have nothing to say to you.”