Episode 181 Operation: Escape from the Demon King's Castle (3)
All awakened ones from Earth who were transferred to another world received a basic growth bonus.
It meant that they could grow much faster than the natives, even if they learned the same things under the same conditions.
Of course, there were individual differences depending on talent, but it meant that even someone who couldn't even control their own body properly on Earth could become an active warrior with enough effort.
But nothing in life was easy.
There were many cases where people devoted their entire lives to reaching the pinnacle of a field, and unless they were truly exceptional geniuses, it didn't make much of a difference if the time it took was just slightly reduced.
'True geniuses' like Isea were extremely rare.
Naturally, awakened ones, who were desperate to survive, usually used easier growth methods, which were the 'unique skills' they received at the beginning and 'status enhancement' through the Karma Shop.
'But even unique skills with cheat-like potential have many restrictions in the early stages, making them difficult to use. Even "Avatar" was practically useless at first.'
And what was needed to quickly overcome that limit was enhancement through the Karma Shop, but the starting point for enhancing a unique skill was a whopping 300,000 Karma.
It was a daunting number, and it was more likely for them to die before they could even save that much just by being frugal.
'So in most cases, it's best to first secure survivability through status enhancement.'
Hesperon subtly looked down at his hand and repeatedly clenched and unclenched it.
Faint blue magic power flickered with his movements, showing that magic had been applied in that short moment.
"…Strengthening magic…? When did he…!"
Crown Prince Simon staggered to his feet, clutching his jaw.
He had been hit in a vital spot at an unexpected moment, but fortunately, he was able to avoid being incapacitated in one hit because he had strengthened his entire body with aura.
But it was still embarrassing, as he had been so confident and then defeated.
"…You're not bad. Ha! So that's why you were running your mouth."
He tried to act nonchalantly and regain his composure, as if trying to cover up his embarrassment, and then assumed a fighting stance again.
"And you even learned some martial arts. To think you're handling magic power instead of aura, you must have had no choice because you lacked talent."
"Seriously, who's the one who's all talk?"
Simon raised his voice, as if protesting that he hadn't lost yet.
But Hesperon casually ignored him and just focused on refining the magic he had hastily prepared.
Wooong—
His thoughts accelerated, and the world momentarily slowed down.
And in that brief moment, minor buffs like enhanced dynamic vision, increased reaction speed, and amplified strength further strengthened his body.
It was a high level of magic power manipulation that was unbelievable for a low-ranking mage, but it was really nothing to him.
Even without the indirect support from Immortal King Hans.
'Of course. I've poured so many points into this.'
The stats needed to use magic weren't just mental power.
It included abilities related to overall thinking, like memory, calculation, and reasoning.
And abilities related to mana, like affinity, magic resistance, and control.
There were so many that it was usually best to just focus on supplementing weaknesses or highlighting strengths…
'Well, it's not bad to raise them moderately.'
It was just a decent investment for him, who was steadily accumulating Karma.
The starting point for enhancing all stats was 10,000.
Even considering the large number of categories, it was practically pocket change compared to enhancing useful abilities.
The next level cost 20,000 points.
He had only invested in the categories where he felt the efficiency from the first enhancement, and even though there were still many, it wasn't too burdensome.
And the third level cost 40,000.
He had used it quite a bit because the required points weren't that high, but from then on, he had to be selective among the many categories.
Of course, ordinary awakened ones couldn't use Karma so freely.
They had to be frugal and carefully decide how to use it, and even then, they had to save some for their return…
"…To think you're getting cocky after landing one lucky hit. I'll show you how to fight properly this time."
But at that moment,
Simon, who had been ignored, muttered softly and raised his aura again.
Perhaps his pride was hurt because Hesperon didn't react to his constant self-justification, and the line, which was a trademark of a defeated villain, was a bonus.
"I was careless before! But that level of magic won't work on me!"
Boom—
He charged at him at twice the speed, as if he was serious about going all out this time.
Aura, the energy that allowed humans to surpass their physical limits, flickered thickly around his body, explosively enhancing his physical abilities.
It was a speed that most people wouldn't even be able to react to.
'Well, he's not wrong.'
Naturally, his support magic, which was just at the level of a low-ranking mage, couldn't possibly handle Simon, who was a skilled knight.
If he only relied on that, it wouldn't just end with him being humiliated.
'But if I was only relying on that…'
Hesperon, who had grasped the trajectory of the fist that had already reached him, subtly tilted his head without even blinking.
Thanks to the indirect influence of "Path of Martial Arts" through Heinrich, there wasn't a single ounce of wasted movement.
His steps firmly planted on the ground, his waist twisting lightly, and his fist, tightly clenched near his side, shot out—.
Thwack!
"Ugh!"
Thud—!
It pierced Simon's solar plexus and then retracted.
Thump! Thwack! Crack—!
And then a chain of attacks relentlessly struck his body, taking advantage of the brief moment of stiffness from being hit in a vital spot.
He stepped on the back of his retreating foot to restrict his movement, and when he raised his arm to protect his face, his elbow slammed into his side.
He lightly parried the fist that shot out in defiance with the back of one hand and aimed for the exposed armpit with the other.
Fingertips, fists, elbows, knees, feet…
His entire body was practically a weapon.
"Ugh! Cough!"
But perhaps because Simon was also determined this time,
He twisted his body and retreated, finally assuming a defensive stance, even after allowing over ten attacks.
'…Is it because he ate a lot of elixirs? The quality of his aura and his durability are beyond imagination.'
He was still in relatively good condition, considering he had been hit in vital spots several times.
Above all, the thick aura surrounding his body was absorbing the impact, preventing the blows from landing properly.
"Huff, huff. No, th-this… this can't be? How can a mage be this…!"
The Crown Prince muttered to himself, seemingly confused by the dissonance between the presence he sensed and the opponent's actual skills he experienced firsthand.
'If he's lacking, I'll just keep beating him until he collapses. Fortunately, I have "Super Recovery", and I'm not lacking in stamina.'
Hesperon casually grumbled and stepped forward, cracking his knuckles, as if he was ready to resume the fight.
And Princess Riley, who had been watching their fight blankly and had become a spectator, couldn't help but speak up.
"…Heron? Were you originally a martial artist? You're talented in magic, and you even have talent in that area? How unfair…"
'If it's not enough, I'll just keep beating him until he collapses. Fortunately, I have "Super Recovery", and I'm not lacking in stamina.'
Hesperon casually grumbled and stepped forward, cracking his knuckles, as if he was ready to resume the fight.
And Princess Riley, who had been watching their fight blankly and had become a spectator, couldn't help but speak up.
"…Heron? Were you originally a martial artist? You're talented in magic, and you even have talent in that area? How unfair…"
"…Huh? My speed is much faster, but how…? Don't tell me, he predicted my movements? No, but that guy is clearly…"
The Crown Prince muttered to himself, seemingly confused by the dissonance between the presence he sensed and the opponent's actual skills he experienced firsthand.
'If he's lacking, I'll just keep beating him until he collapses. Fortunately, I have "Super Recovery", and I'm not lacking in stamina.'
Hesperon casually grumbled and stepped forward, cracking his knuckles, as if he was ready to resume the fight.
And Princess Riley, who had been watching their fight blankly and had become a spectator, couldn't help but speak up.
"…Heron? Were you originally a martial artist? You're talented in magic, and you even have talent in that area? How unfair…"
And so, the farewell party in the Immortal Fortress, with only three participants, ended successfully, leaving an unforgettable memory for one person.
____________________
About an hour after the battle began,
"Whew— I feel refreshed. Not only the impact, but he also puts up a decent fight and keeps things exciting, he's the perfect punching bag."
Hesperon stretched comfortably after a long workout and wiped the sweat from his forehead.
Crown Prince Simon, who had been beaten to a pulp, was sprawled out on the floor like a tattered doll.
He had gone a bit overboard because he was so durable, but considering his regenerative ability, he would recover in a few days.
But there was one unexpected piece of news.
《The individual gains enlightenment through repeated training. You have acquired the skill "Hand-to-Hand Combat".》
He didn't know what conditions he had met in this short time, but a close combat skill had been created.
It was a useful ability that gave additional bonuses to all hand-to-hand combat actions, practically essential for martial artists.
'Wait, but I'm a mage.'
Of course, it was better than nothing, but he couldn't help but feel a bit awkward.
The path he had originally envisioned was to gracefully use magic from the back, with summons protecting him, but it felt like he was becoming a battle mage who fought on the front lines.
"…It's over. To think I would see Simon being beaten to a pulp right next to me. It's not bad… but it feels a bit strange."
At that moment, Riley approached him and looked at the unconscious Crown Prince with a complex expression.
Perhaps because family was family, no matter how much she hated him, she seemed troubled by his battered appearance.
"…Ah! I see."
But before Hesperon could even speak,
She suddenly exclaimed as if she had realized something, looking down at Simon with a bitter smile…
Thwack!
And kicked him.
"…Riley?"
"Am I wrong? I'm not sure yet."
She ignored him and swung her foot again.
Thwack!
"Ah! I think I'm starting to understand…"
Thwack! Thwack!
She finally stepped back after several more kicks, seemingly satisfied.
"Whew— I was frustrated just watching from the side. I've always wanted to hit him like this. To think I would achieve it this way."
"······."
Riley smiled faintly, her face finally refreshed.
Hesperon just nodded awkwardly, looking at the bloodstains on her cheek.
"…Well, I guess it's fine as long as you're satisfied."
He was a very durable guy, so he wouldn't get any worse from being kicked a few times by a delicate girl.
And if it made her feel better, it was a good thing, wasn't it?
"Anyway, we've been delayed by this unexpected incident, so let's get moving. Now that Simon is unconscious, this is the perfect timing."
"Are you sure you're okay? You must be tired from fighting. Shouldn't we rest for a while…"
"No, it's okay. This is nothing. It's better to get out of here as soon as we have the chance, right?"
He extended a hand towards Riley, as if telling her to take it.
Naturally, she also agreed, wanting to leave this place as soon as possible, and firmly grasped his hand with a serious expression.
As if it was her only lifeline.
"Let's go."
"Yes."
It was finally time.
Wooong—!
He gathered all his remaining magic power, enveloping her and himself, and then…
[Where do you think you're going…?]
"Ugh—? Cough—!"
Thud—
A chilling voice was heard, and at the same time,
He coughed up a mouthful of blood as his magic power backfired.
"Heron!"
Riley hurriedly hugged him as he collapsed next to her.
She was flustered by the sudden situation and anxiously looked around, then bit her lip.
A thick fog had settled around them, and a chilling energy filled the air.
[I came here because of the commotion… Escape, you say? This is an unexpected development…]
And from the fog, a noblewoman with a pale face, wearing a black mourning dress, slowly revealed herself.
The general manager of the Immortal Fortress.
Banshee Queen Olivia.