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“Now, you inferior creatures, let me show you the power of despair! Shine, Topaz!” (Avege)

[Summon Stone Snake]

Avege threw the Topaz in his hand, and a magic circle formed around it as it floated in the air. The magical particles wrapped the Topaz in strands of light, transforming it into a massive stone serpent.

The Stone Snake landed with a heavy thud that echoed its weight, raising its head like a living creature and opening its mouth, revealing teeth meant to crush anything in its path.

“Why is an elf doing something like this? You’ve got those cool, alien-like ears, just like the alien Grey! I even thought you lived in space instead of the forest and tried to tail one of you once, but then a kind elf gave me a cream bun and told me to go home.” (Touka)

Touka was saying this in a sad demeanor with the intention of praising him…no, with a voice brimming with curiosity and excitement. The elf who was followed must have been seriously troubled.

“It’s a simple story. Even if I am from the Yumi family, I’m from a branch family. The safe places to live are all controlled by the main family. Even within the branch families, those who are useless have to live in areas where monsters roam, never knowing when they might die. That’s why I came to the city…to become rich and live a much better life than those elves in the forest.” (Avege)

“So the forest also has its share of rich and poor just like how there are slums in the Surface District. It’s only natural since living in nature means being bound by the law of the jungle, huh. It has shattered my fantasy of elves though.” (Lanpeach)

“Fantasy crumbles before money. But the power of the elves is real! Ruby, Sapphire!” (Avege)

[Summon Salamander]

[Summon Ice Wolf]

From the Ruby emerged a massive lizard of fire around the size of a person, a Salamander. From the Sapphire came an Ice Wolf, its fur made of ice.

The two creatures were summoned and positioned to support the Stone Snake from the left and right flanks.

Finally, Avege reached behind his back and pulled out a small bow.

(Being able to form a whole party by yourself, as expected of a cheat race. No wonder you can’t choose them as a protagonist.) (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach chuckled, putting away his BD gun. The gun wouldn’t be very effective with Avege having Missile Protection.

“Touka, get back! Elves are strong. Leave this to m—” (Lanpeach)

“Battle, start!” (Touka)

Before Lanpeach could finish his cool line, the muscle-headed girl leaned forward with a fierce grin and dashed off.

The Stone Snake opened its mouth to bite down in response to Touka’s movement. Its teeth weren’t sharp, but rather designed to crush, making it a terrifying creature that would mince any flesh if caught in its jaws.

The Stone Snake closed in on Touka like a moving mountain. But Touka smirked and deftly sidestepped, spinning just enough to barely dodge the snake’s crushing bite.

She then firmly planted her feet and placed her palms on the Stone Snake, channeling the ki within her.

[Twin Palm Ki Cannon]

A burst of explosive aura erupted from her palms, sending the Stone Snake’s body flying.

It rolled across the concrete floor, gouging it as it went. Touka closed the distance with a leap and delivered a sharp kick from her nimble legs, creating a large dent in the Stone Snake’s rocky body, scattering fragments everywhere.

Touka landed lightly, proudly puffed out her chest, and flashed a thumbs-up, her spirit armor billowing like a martial arts uniform.

“The family heirloom passed down through generations, Drifting Clouds! This spirit armor makes my body as light as a cloud!” (Touka)

“Oh, your martial arts skills are impressive.” (Lanpeach)

“Because I’ve trained hard!” (Touka)

“Grrraaah!”

Touka lightly jumped up near the ceiling, just as the Stone Snake charged past beneath her with the speed of a train.

Despite the significant damage it had taken, the Stone Snake didn’t feel pain and continued its counterattack. As expected of a Spirit.

The Salamander and Ice Wolf began gathering mana in their mouths, and Avege nocked an arrow on his bow.

“Looks like we don’t have time to chat!” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach drew the Flame Magnum and Ice Magnum from his waist, surveying the enemies with a cold gaze. No matter how they tried to surprise him, nothing could escape Lanpeach’s overhead viewpoint.

[Third-Person Mode Activated! Abbreviated as TPS View!] (Lanpeach)

[Could you please stop abbreviating it? It sounds uncool.] (Libra)

Libra shouted it was uncool which only fueled Lanpeach’s fighting spirit. He narrowed his eyes, aimed at the two Spirits, grasping the entire situation.

Avege had been stunned by Touka’s combat against the Stone Snake.

However, the Salamander and Ice Wolf were not stunned. They emotionlessly prepare to strike like machines.

“I know your attack patterns. It’s a breath attack, right? Too bad for you, I’m your opponent!” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach aimed the Ice Magnum at the Salamander and the Flame Magnum at the Ice Wolf, and pulled the triggers.

[Quick Draw]

The bullets of fire and ice shot out, piercing the mouths of the two Spirits. The Spirits, who had been gathering mana, couldn’t contain the power and exploded, leaving behind only remnants of flame and ice. The jewels that had served as their cores fell to the floor and crumbled into dust.

“W-What?! You took down my Spirits with a single shot?!” (Avege)

“It’s a matter of elemental affinity. You were just unlucky.”

Elemental bullets are highly effective against Spirits. Fire beats ice, ice beats fire. The damage is tripled. With a headshot, the damage is multiplied by six. A total of nine times the damage would easily take down low-level Spirits, even with a weak shot.

“Tch, so you’re actually skilled despite your appearance, you damn crook!” (Avege)

Avege glanced at Touka, and confirmed that she was still engaged in battle with the Stone Snake. He then turned his bow towards Lanpeach.

“I’ll take you out first!” (Avege)

[Double Shot]

The bowstring twanged, and arrows were released. More arrows immediately sprouted from the bow, as if branches were growing, and were fired again. It was an impossible, magic-induced shot.

The two arrows flew almost simultaneously towards Lanpeach. But Lanpeach countered with his two Magnums. No matter how fast the arrows were, they couldn’t compete with the elemental bullets. The arrows burned, froze, and fell to the ground.

“Ruby and Sapphire!” (Avege)

[Summon Salamander]

[Summon Ice Wolf]

Avege quickly pulled out his magical gemstones to summon the Spirits again.

[You’re doing well, Soldier! Keep pressing the attack!] (Libra)

[I know! But I have to be careful with damage control. I can’t let this guy die yet!] (Lanpeach)

[Can’t let him die? Is he going to transform or something?] (Libra)

[It’s even worse than that!] (Lanpeach)

Libra tilted her head in confusion, but Lanpeach ignored her. Letting this chance slip would lead to something disastrous.

“The timing is critical, so stay focused!” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach quickly shot and killed the newly summoned Spirits, then sprinted forward to close the gap. His incredible physical abilities allowed him to rapidly close in on Avege with just a light tap of his feet.

“Tch, I won’t let you get close! Sylph, lend me your power!” (Avege)

[Wind Magic Enhancement]

A small green Spirit with tiny wings floated around Avege, enhancing his wind magic. Avege waved his hand, quickly activating his spell. He seemed quite experienced in combat, since his casting speed was remarkably fast.

[Triple Wind Cutter!]

Three wind blades formed, one aimed straight ahead and the other two flanking from the sides.

As the name suggests, the speed of these wind blades was terrifyingly fast in the narrow hall. They were upon Lanpeach in an instant.

A spirit barrier would be able to block it, but Lanpeach didn’t have any equipped. This means he is defenseless against magic.

“I got you!” (Avege)

Avege was certain he had killed Lanpeach, a twisted grin forming on his face.

But there was no way Lanpeach would go down that easily.

“Nope, not happening.” (Lanpeach)

[Psychic Enchant]

Lanpeach’s body shimmered like a mirage, infused with supernatural power. This power twisted reality, transcending magic, and created a new order beyond human comprehension.

“Hmph!”

The wind blades closed in.

Lanpeach struck the side of one of those guillotines of death with his fist, as if smashing the sides of someone. The wind blades, formed by mana, dissipated into nothingness before the psychic energy.

With the immediate threat now neutralized, Lanpeach gathered power in his legs and kicked off the ground like a tiger pouncing on its prey.

He accelerated further, dodging the wind blades on either side, and closed in on Avege.

“He dispelled my magic?! But it doesn’t seem like he used a Dispel spell. What’s going on?!” (Avege)

[Wind Step]

Shocked by the unbelievable sight before him, Avege tried to create distance by wrapping his legs in wind and leaping backward. He reached for the bracelet on his wrist and opened his Item Box.

The moment Avege opened the pocket dimension of his Item Box and reached in to retrieve a magic gemstone…

“I was waiting for this moment.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach’s face was suddenly right in front of Avege.

He swung his fist with a devilish grin and eyes gleaming like a predator before his prey.

“W-What speed!” (Avege)

Avege panicked and tried to pull out the magic gemstone, but his arm failed to respond.

——Because both of Avege’s arms had been severed, spraying blood as they flew through the air. Lanpeach had sliced through them with just a single swing of his arm.

“Hiih! …My arms?!” (Avege)

Avege screamed in horror as he watched his own arms spin through the air.

Lanpeach laughed and grabbed Avege by the neck.

“I was waiting for the exact moment you reached into your Item Box. Normally, only the owner can use an Item Box, but if you defeat them while it’s open, anyone can use it.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach flashed a greedy, villainous smile, pleased with how well his plan had worked.

“Elves always carry magical gemstones. There are two ways to steal those gemstones: grab them before the enemy can summon with them, or take the Item Box. The first option is too risky, so this is the more popular method.” (Lanpeach)

“You really think elves are just walking treasure chests?” (Avege)

“They are if they’re evil elves. Elves are some of the most sought-after targets among enemies.” (Lanpeach)

Super popular among players. Destroying their arms at close range is a difficult and precise task, but it’s a challenge that every player takes on.

“Well, this is goodbye. I can’t pay your fare for crossing the Sanzu River, but since you’re not human, you can argue that with the ferryman.” (Lanpeach)

“Kuh! …You madman! There will be serious consequences if you kill me. My backers won’t stay silent.” (Avege)

Avege glared at the carefree Lanpeach with hatred, trying to threaten him, but it was far too late for that.

“Don’t worry. I know who your backers are, so just die in peace.” (Lanpeach)

“T-This guy… Those eyes…” (Avege)

Avege felt a shiver of fear and screamed as he realized Lanpeach wasn’t looking at him like a person. That was the last thing he felt.

“Let me deal with you like the minor villain you are.” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach slammed him down onto the floor with a force that shattered the concrete, reducing Avege to a bloody pulp.

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