Chapter 231: Unyielding Fortress, Multiple Martial Skills
Bam!
A roundhouse kick struck the Tranquility Dominion's head, snapping it back. It was forced to stop casting its skill, instead swinging its spear-staff to smash the airborne Rabbitman.
"「Unyielding Fortress」!"
The Rabbitman shouted coldly, swinging a palm that flickered with faint illusions to meet the descending spear-staff.
Two clearly unequal forces collided. The expected scene of the Rabbitman being smashed to the ground didn't occur. Instead, he caught the powerfully swung spear-staff with nothing but a rough, wound-covered palm.
Even the sound of impact that should have been produced by the collision was absent, as if the Tranquility Dominion's heavy blow had simply vanished into thin air!
Tang Zheng saw the Martial Skill information suddenly appear on his stat panel. He raised his head to look at the two figures clashing in the air.
He had been coveting powerful Martial Skills for a while. Given Brain's confident posture just now, if he wasn't thoroughly crushed, he most likely wouldn't have put forth his full effort.
And this Rabbitman before him clearly also grasped a high-level Martial Skill!
「Unyielding Fortress」 was among the top tier of defensive Martial Skills in this world; the preceding 「Fortress」 and 「Heavy Armor Fortress」 were just lower-level versions.
The skill was a Martial Skill that "nullified incoming physical attacks."
For example, Clementine, relying on this Martial Skill, had easily used her slender stilettos to block the Bone King's successive attacks with his greatswords, which were more than ten times heavier.
The effect of the 「Unyielding Fortress」 Martial Skill sounded incredibly powerful, but it wasn't as absolute as it sounded. Or rather, the effects of many Martial Skills weren't necessarily as strong as one might imagine.
Due to the limitations of human strength in this world, judging the true power of a Martial Skill could be problematic.
Tang Zheng had always believed that the strength and effect of a Martial Skill were also related to one's level.
Just as Clementine was able to block the Bone King's attack, it was because the Bone King's physical attack was only at the level of a Level 30 warrior.
Brain's self-developed Martial Skill, 「God Flash」, was even described as having "one-hit kill" and "unavoidable" properties.
However, even when combined with other Martial Skills to boost its strength, it was still blocked by Shalltear with a single finger.
Of course.
Among those of the same level, 「Martial Skills」 were no weaker than some class skills in terms of performance. In the end, it was human limitations that restricted the strength of Martial Skills.
"He can activate 「Unyielding Fortress」 with his palm? This Rabbitman is... the mercenary bodyguard of Osco, the organizer of the Imperial Arena."
Tang Zheng now recognized the other party, a trace of surprise in his eyes.
"Fortress"-type Martial Skills didn't necessarily require a shield or weapon to be activated, because to produce the effect, one had to successfully block an opponent's attack.
This required mastery of judgment, timing, and technique. If activated too early or too late, the Martial Skill's effect would be lost.
Using a shield or weapon was a way to better grasp the timing; even if the activation failed, one's body wouldn't be directly injured.
The Headhunter Rabbit's ability to activate 「Unyielding Fortress」 directly with his bare hand demonstrated his exquisite technique and confidence.
Before this.
Tang Zheng was still a little puzzled. Since people from Ijenia had been sent to assassinate him, why did the Empire also issue such a high bounty?
Now it all made sense.
The departure of the Warrior King, Gagaran, hadn't just affected the Empire; the great merchant Osco had also suffered heavy losses.
"The Headhunter Rabbit, is it."
Tang Zheng let out a light chuckle. "So the great merchant sent out his strongest mercenary."
"Headhunter Rabbit" was a title, though not many people knew of it. The man was a top-tier warrior and assassin, although his reputation wasn't prominent within the Kingdom and the Empire.
But in the City Alliance, he possessed extremely high influence, to the point where he was known by all.
The Headhunter Rabbit possessed the power to single-handedly hunt down and defeat an Orichalcum-rank (Lv. 21-23) adventurer team.
Tang Zheng estimated his power level to be above Level 25, but he likely hadn't yet stepped into the Heroic Realm.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh—
Tang Zheng briefly withdrew his gaze from the Headhunter Rabbit and the Tranquility Dominion.
The eight assassins spread out, taking advantage of the opening created by the Headhunter Rabbit engaging the Tranquility Dominion, and charged toward Tang Zheng in an encircling formation!
From eight directions, the assassins swung their arms. With a faint whir, needle-like projectiles as thick as a little finger shot through the air toward him.
"Magic Armor!"
A globe of magical energy landed on Tang Zheng, forming a translucent suit of armor that enveloped his entire body.
Ting! Ting! Ting!
All the needle-like weapons were blocked by the magic armor, falling to the ground with a dense clattering sound.
The sudden development made the eight assassins pause. Their gazes all snapped toward the direction the magic had come from.
There, they saw the Green Leaf Witch approaching, her expression as cold as frost. She stood beside Tang Zheng and said in a low voice, "Lord."
"Your magic came at just the right time."
Tang Zheng looked up, his neat black hair stirring slightly in the breeze, and smiled faintly.
Hearing this, the Green Leaf Witch's shoulders trembled. Her gaze fell, not daring to look at Tang Zheng, and a flash of terror crossed her eyes.
Others might not know, but how could she not? Her Master's true power wasn't faith-based summoning magic, but mana-based attack magic.
The power her Master was currently displaying was merely a disguise. And because of this...
Just thinking about it.
The Green Leaf Witch couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine, a cold sweat breaking out on her forehead. Because once her Master used his mana-based powers...
...then it was likely that no one present would survive. This didn't just include the enemies; it even included... them!
She had survived the last incident because of her knowledge of the alchemical technique for creating artificial monsters. However, her Master hadn't mentioned it at all during this time.
The Green Leaf Witch strongly suspected that if her Master were to display his true power again, he might kill her to silence her as well.
"How did she get free?"
"What about those magic casters from the Death Spreading Sword Corps!"
The leader of the eight assassins quickly glanced toward the small hillocks on either side and discovered the two corpses of the magic casters.
Not only that, but after seeing Brain sent flying with a single blow, the men from the Death Spreading Sword Corps had completely routed and fled.
Even though as assassins they weren't supposed to have superfluous emotions, the current situation still made the hearts of the eight assassins sink.
"We might all die here, everyone."
The leader of the assassins spoke, his voice devoid of emotion, as he drew a short blade from his waist.
The other assassins remained silent, but their movements were not the least bit slow as they also drew their short blades.
Swish!
The eight assassins moved at once.
"Roar!"
"「Enlarge」!"
"「Darkness」!"
A burst of magic energy flew from the Green Leaf Witch's chest and landed on the Ghoul Dog, causing its body to double in size. This was the power of the White Mist Witch.
Meanwhile, the 「Darkness」 magic cast by the Green Leaf Witch instantly stripped all light from the area, plunging the surroundings into a pure, dark environment.
"All of you, die!" the Green Leaf Witch said coldly. "「Plant Entanglement」!"
"「Chain Great Whirlwind」!"
The Ghoul Dog immediately followed up in coordination.
Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!
Muffled sounds, like tearing through wet cloth, emanated from the darkness, followed by the thick stench of blood. As the dark energy dissipated, eight mangled, pulpy corpses lay scattered on the ground.
"Hah... Hah..."
The Ghoul Dog was panting heavily, clearly exhausted.
A move like 「Chain Great Whirlwind」 could only be used once a day by an ordinary Ghoul Dog. Even though devouring the dragon blood had significantly boosted Xiao Hei's constitution, using it twice in a row was still a massive drain.
"Cuiye, you two go and take care of all those fleeing mercenaries," Tang Zheng said peacefully, ignoring the assassin corpses on the ground.
"Yes."
"Yes."
The Green Leaf Witch spoke first, followed by the faint voice of the White Mist Witch emanating from her chest.
Swoosh—
The Twin Witches leaped, nimbly vanishing from the spot as they went after the fleeing group of mercenaries.
Tang Zheng's gaze returned to the Headhunter Rabbit, who was entangled with the Tranquility Dominion. The exchange of blows between them was exceptionally fierce.
"「Strike Against Evil」!"
"「Unyielding Fortress」!"
The spear-staff and palm collided, and both forces dissipated into nothing.
"「Flowing Water Acceleration」!"
The Headhunter Rabbit's speed increased a notch. After rapidly closing in on the Tranquility Dominion, he leaped up and threw heavy punches like a shower of rain.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The silver armor on the Tranquility Dominion vibrated continuously. With a flap of its wings, it ascended to create distance and once again swung its spear-staff.
"「Strike Against Evil」!"
"「Unyielding Fortress」!"
It was the same attack again.
But the Tranquility Dominion was clearly being suppressed; otherwise, it wouldn't have been completely tied down by the Headhunter Rabbit.
"I see. When a level advantage doesn't exist, the simple attack patterns of a summoned monster are easily figured out by an opponent of the same level."
Tang Zheng nodded thoughtfully, a perfect curve forming on his lips. "What will you do now? All those assassins are dead."
"A summoned angel doesn't suffer from stamina drain or exhaustion."
The Headhunter Rabbit moved swiftly, periodically dodging the Tranquility Dominion's normal attacks. The thought of retreat had already appeared on his expressionless face.
He wasn't far from his target.
But the Headhunter Rabbit knew very well that while he could suppress the Tranquility Dominion, he couldn't break through the angel's defenses.
Both the Death Spreading Sword Corps and the assassins from Ijenia are a bunch of trash!
The Headhunter Rabbit cursed inwardly.
Task failed. Retreat!
"「Flowing Water Acceleration」!"
The Headhunter Rabbit's fierce exchange with the Tranquility Dominion paused. He instantly retreated to create distance, then turned to flee.
"Trying to leave now? It's too late." Tang Zheng's gaze turned cold.
Whoosh!
The Tranquility Dominion flapped its wings and gave chase. The advantage of flight was something ground movement could not compare to.
In a single breath!
The Tranquility Dominion was already hovering above the Headhunter Rabbit's head, its three-meter-tall shadow enveloping him. The spear-staff, glowing with a sacred light, swung down heavily once more.
Boom!
Faced with the attack from above.
The Headhunter Rabbit's ears twitched, and a ferocious sneer actually flashed across his expressionless face. His fleeing motion paused, and he raised both arms to protect his head.
"「Magic Resistance Enhancement」!"
A pale blue light flashed.
Bam!
The heavy blow smashed onto his raised arms, letting out a deep, muffled thud. Surprisingly, he hadn't used 「Unyielding Fortress」 to block this time.
Tang Zheng was a little surprised, but he quickly understood why the Headhunter Rabbit had done so.
"Pfft..."
The Headhunter Rabbit spat out a mouthful of blood, allowing the power of the spear-staff's blow to explode against him, sending his body flying uncontrollably.
However!
While taking the blow, the Headhunter Rabbit had clearly angled himself so that the direction he was sent flying was toward Tang Zheng's position.
He had never intended to escape!
Swoosh!
The Headhunter Rabbit's figure flew through the air. Despite having no leverage, he managed to forcibly twist his flexible body around.
It was only then that Tang Zheng noticed two magic armguards inside the sleeves of the man's torn maid outfit.
"Your Excellency Tang, Lord Osco asked me to tell you."
The Headhunter Rabbit flipped in the air, shedding most of the force before landing. He carved a deep scar in the ground as he stabilized himself and looked up at Tang Zheng, seven or eight meters away. He spoke, his voice brimming with killing intent:
"No one can take anything from his hands without paying a price!"
Bam!
"Activate!"
The Headhunter Rabbit fiercely pushed off the ground. A gleam of magic power flashed from the boots on his feet—a magic item that could increase his speed.
In an instant!
The Headhunter Rabbit became an afterimage, lunging toward Tang Zheng. At such speed and from such a distance, the Tranquility Dominion had no time to turn back.
"「Ability Boost」!"
"「Firm Strike」!"
"「Heavy Punch」!"
In an instant, the Headhunter Rabbit activated three Martial Skills simultaneously, raising a powerful fist and aiming it straight for Tang Zheng's throat.
It was possible to activate multiple 「Martial Skills」 at the same time, but due to the limits of each person's "Concentration Capacity," there was a ceiling to how many could be used at once.
For example, the Kingdom's strongest warrior, Gazef, could activate a maximum of six Martial Skills at once in his peak condition, without using the magic item known as the 「Dragon's Secret Treasure」.
As for Brain, his innate ability, "Increased Concentration Capacity," allowed him to activate even more Martial Skills.
As the punch flew, the air before it compressed, then exploded violently like a burst balloon, rushing ferociously forward.
Fwoosh!
A brilliant light appeared.
An angel holding a golden shield, also three meters tall but with an even more robust build, appeared in front of Tang Zheng.
Monitoring Dominion (Lv. 28)
Dong!
The powerful, calloused fist struck the golden shield heavily, producing visible ripples in the air and a hum like a struck temple bell.
"This is..."
When the Headhunter Rabbit saw the Monitoring Dominion blocking his path, its body emitting a faint white light, his heart sank to the abyss.
I've lost!
To think he still had a trump card like this in that situation.
It made sense. If his opponent could summon two Third-Tier angels simultaneously, he could probably summon two Fourth-Tier angels as well.
Still, it was too astonishing. Where on earth did such a powerful individual come from...?
(end of chapter)