Acquired the Scam Rune in the Academy - Chapter 84 (1)
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Request (1)
It didn’t take long for the mystery to be solved.
In the situation where the cooldown for [Declaration of Domination] was in progress, there was only one rune or skill that could inflict an abnormal state on me.
‘Gaze of Stiffness!’
Another rune reward obtained while conquering the Forest Covered by Snakes.
[Gaze of Stiffness].
It was a rare rune that Basilisk, an A-grade monster, possessed, and its performance was lower than the legendary rune [Evil Eye of Petrification].
It didn’t have any derived skills, but it had a special effect that, with a very low probability, would put the opponent in a ‘stiff’ state when their eyes met during battle.
In other words, Red Drake had been immobilized by this effect.
Seeing that it turned a creature that couldn’t be stopped even with considerable physical force into a single abnormal state, I could confirm how effective [Gaze of Stiffness] was.
‘I thought it was a useless rune because of its very low probability…’
In truth, I didn’t have high expectations for [Gaze of Stiffness].
Honestly, it was a rune that had already fulfilled its value by increasing my magical power by 5.
Because of that increase in magical power, my magical power reached 30, unlocking the ultimate skill.
However, the rune’s effect came into play at the right moment during a crisis.
It had never appeared in all the hunting I had done before.
It could be attributed to just having ‘good luck’, but…
‘In other words, the guy has a low willpower attribute.’
The probability of [Gaze of Stiffness] special effect depended on the rune level and the opponent’s willpower attribute.
I couldn’t just dismiss it as luck; I had to consider the possibility that Red Drake’s willpower attribute was excessively low.
I quickly kept these points in mind and…
I raised my magical power with both hands on the sword.
In a situation where the target unexpectedly fell into an abnormal state.
I couldn’t afford to waste this golden opportunity.
“Ugh…!!”
Sss-
Pop- Phew-!!
High-level magical power gathered in [Penitent’s Sword].
The magical power that had been accumulating in a blue light.
Soon it changed its color to white.
The color was so pure that it gave a sense of nobility to the gathered magical power.
Then, the magical power formed a shape.
Its appearance was like a musical note, taking on a form of resolute determination.
Red Drake’s paralysis was lifted, and as soon as the shape was completed.
“Now that we’ve had a good run, it’s time to settle this.”
The completed resolute determination was poured onto the creature at the speed of light.
An inherent skill in [Penitent’s Sword].
It was the manifestation of [Divine Slash].
Kwah, Kwaah-!!
-Grrk! Grrrk…!!
The intense magical blow struck Red Drake.
The guy who had fallen into a paralysis state without taking any defensive posture had to endure the full force of [Divine Slash].
[Divine Slash] covered the magical power with sanctity.
It was a skill that shot magical power in the form of a determination towards the opponent.
It was effective against undead or opponents dealing with curses, but it was highly versatile as a magical attack, just like now.
Especially for monsters like Red Drake, who were focused solely on offense and had weak resistance to magical attacks.
-Grruuh…!!
After enduring one blow of magical attack.
Red Drake once again tried to assume a charging posture.
However, perhaps the impact of [Divine Slash] was quite significant.
It didn’t feel as destructive and threatening as before.
I calmly gripped the sword and stared at the creature.
‘Clearly, the willpower attribute must have been low…’
Being affected by the [Gaze of Stiffness] effect.
This meant that there was a high probability that the creature’s willpower attribute was low.
And runes that had different effects depending on the willpower attribute.
It wasn’t the only one I had.
-Grrue…?
The speed of Red Drake’s charge, which had been significant, suddenly slowed down.
[Simple Curse].
A rune I had acquired while defeating the Goblin Shaman.
It corresponded to the effect of ‘slowing’ in the shaman’s curse.
It was one of the few spells I had learned through the [Cursed Spellbook], and I had found a use for it somehow.
“This seems to work.”
With a low willpower attribute, even a Level 2 curse took effect.
Well, if a recovery-type Holder had put a debuff on it, the strategy would have been much easier.
-Grrurrr…!!
Avoiding the significantly slowed charge was easy.
Using [Agile Agility], I dodged the charge and then quickly advanced towards the creature.
‘My magical power… just enough to use the ultimate skill.’
I want to use lightning or fire-type elemental magic just like before, but I don’t have enough magical power. Since entering the boss room, I’ve used too much magical power. I left enough magical power to use [Sky-Shattering Heavenly Sword] and faced the creature with physical attacks only.
Clang- Clang-!!
-Grrruuh…!!
A head-to-head battle with an A-grade monster was not easy. Despite having a low willpower attribute, the creature’s physical abilities were formidable even among A-grades. Its robust endurance couldn’t be easily penetrated by [Penitent’s Sword], and its strength and speed overwhelmed me, making the battle challenging.
‘Still, it’s easier than Grizzly Drake.’
It was much easier than the previous boss, Grizzly Drake. That creature was focused on enhancing both its physical abilities and runes, and it even had [Oppression], which made it stronger when facing weaker opponents. In contrast, Red Drake was a creature focused on charging. I managed to somehow block its charges, so I held my own.
There didn’t seem to be any runes related to physical enhancement, and it felt like I was fighting against someone with high stats alone.
Moreover, I had [Sturdy Stamina].
In the same conditions, I wouldn’t tire out in terms of stamina.
Red Drake, who had been planning to finish the battle quickly with a charge, began to show several openings as the battle turned into a prolonged one, just as expected.
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