Accompanied by the tremors of the underground ruins, the battle between Zesshi Zetsumei and Number 10 had ended. Facing the cheat-mode Zesshi Zetsumei, the cheat Number 10 received from the Goddess was no longer powerful enough. After all, the First Sword Saint was a man whose upper limit was unknown. The moment Zesshi Zetsumei activated that ability, the outcome of the battle was decided. If anything, it was impressive that Number 10 forced out Zesshi Zetsumei's hidden trump card; this was the first time she had used this ability in battle. No enemy before had been able to push her to this extent. Number 10's final strike was also brilliant, but unfortunately, the damage was insufficient to kill Zesshi Zetsumei.
Meanwhile, Suzuki Satoru and Albedo reached the deepest part of the underground ruins and were trapped in the Shadow Space. Although they could see the ritual device, it was merely a shadow and couldn't be truly destroyed. Perhaps there were abilities that could achieve this, but this domain was utterly foreign to both of them.
Two people also appeared on the opposing side.
The knight who had "rebelled" earlier.
And the Bishop that Demiurge and the others had let escape; this Shadow Space was this person's ability.
Princess Lakyus from the real world watched them.
Although Suzuki Satoru really wanted to take care of this princess, just like with the device, he could only attack the opponent's shadow within the Shadow Space, unable to cause any actual damage. He tried using a Skill and discovered that he could leave this space using spatial teleportation; however, doing so was meaningless because the area had been completely replaced by this Shadow Space. To destroy the ritual, he had to resolve the issue of this space.
"Truly a brilliant layout. To think even the defenses here—
—are done so exquisitely, without a single flaw. I am utterly convinced of my defeat in this regard." Suzuki Satoru began habitually using verbal tactics to extract information from his opponent, speaking with full confidence: "However, as the caster, you shouldn't be able to leave this space, right? After all, you've already used this space to replace the physical location. Your departure from here would mean the physical space would revert to its original state. In other words, are you confident that you'll be my match within this space? Let me guess, just how many levels can the effect of that ritual raise the two of you? Can you defeat me?!"
"Cut the nonsense."
Number 9 was somewhat annoyed. If he hadn't replaced the entire lower floor with the Shadow Space, someone like this—who shamelessly used Spatial Transfer to run straight to the bottom floor—might actually have succeeded.
"Clem, don't push yourself."
"..."
The young knight silently summoned his magic sword. Although he didn't want to help his master with such things, he couldn't watch his master be killed. So, even knowing his actions were wrong, he would give his all to protect his master's safety at this moment, because that was the meaning of his existence.
Number 9 appeared in front of Suzuki Satoru via teleportation, moving so fast that even with Suzuki Satoru's prior expectations, he couldn't react in time. Just as his magic was released, Number 9's attack came from behind him. Instant movement without a cooldown—to think such a broken ability existed? Albedo shouted "Momonga-sama!" and then used her [Protect Master] Skill to take the damage for Suzuki Satoru.
Originally, Albedo's defense was enough to be immune to this level of damage, but the [True Damage] trait of the Goddess Cult ignored that. Suzuki Satoru heard Albedo's breathing become ragged and looked coldly at Number 9. The faint red light in his eye sockets became even more vicious and bright, showing that his heart was not at peace.
"[Grasp Heart]!"
Suzuki Satoru silently used a high-tier instant death spell. He had analyzed Number 9's abilities before and knew this guy's power had a major weakness: he wasn't immune to magical attacks. Therefore, to deal with such a person, he only needed to use magic with a guaranteed-hit effect. This guy's shadow attribute was different from the previous one; it was impossible for him to dodge the lock-on of a guaranteed-hit spell.
"Ignorant!"
As one "Number 9" fell, Albedo beside Suzuki Satoru was hit again by an attack from "Number 9." Watching one "Number 9" die only for another "Number 9" to appear again, Suzuki Satoru calmly analyzed the ability Number 9 had just displayed.
A Skill with a substitute-death effect?
Then what is the medium?
Such a Skill couldn't be without any cost. After all, he had indeed killed one "Number 9" just now, meaning the opponent must have paid a price at least equal to the value of one life to escape. Furthermore, he was certain this wasn't resurrection, because at the same moment the first "Number 9" died, a new "Number 9" had already appeared. If it were resurrection, it couldn't be that fast.
Suzuki Satoru silently cast status ailment immunity and HP recovery magic on himself and Albedo. Due to the unique nature of the Goddess Cult, he didn't need to cast spells that increased resistance or enhanced magic effects, as they were useless. First, all attacks from the Goddess Cult dealt True Damage. Second, the Goddess Cult was actually "very weak"; even without buffs, his attacks would kill them as long as they hit, so there was absolutely no need for enhancement.
To be honest, he still somewhat admired these people. If this were a game, these Goddess Cult members would be high-Skill players who chose classes with very special Skills and a focus on creative playstyles, but in reality, they were pitifully weak. If not for the [True Damage] bonus, they wouldn't be a threat at all. However, now was not the time to admire the opponent; reality was not a game, and there was no room for holding back, for this was a battle of life and death!
As the buffs on the two of them increased, Number 9's attacks were no longer a threat. Coupled with the fact that many of Number 9's substitutes had died, Number 9's mood began to grow irritable. He cursed at the young knight who was watching the show: "What are you just standing there for?!"
Clem gave Number 9 a look of disgust; he really didn't want to be with someone like this. But after looking at Princess Lakyus, even though he was extremely reluctant, he still picked up his magic sword and charged toward the enemy. At this moment, Number 9 was entangling Albedo while Clem went straight for Suzuki Satoru. Just as the magic sword was about to strike Suzuki Satoru, Clem's body was suddenly pinned to the ground by a surge of heavy pressure.
Although Clem struggled desperately, he was now kneeling before Suzuki Satoru. Compared to Number 9, his performance was truly disappointing.
"Did I overthink things?"
Suzuki Satoru's relaxed whisper was no different from mockery. Clem's face turned red—partly from the pressure of gravity and partly from shame. How ridiculous his previous thoughts were; even with the Goddess's Gospel, a mediocre person like him could never be a match for the King of the Undead. Right now, he hadn't even withstood a single move from the opponent.
"Useless!"
Number 9 moved away from Albedo and activated an ability to throw the controlled Clem back into the real world, thereby avoiding Suzuki Satoru's next attack. Otherwise, Clem would have been retired right then and there.
Suzuki Satoru was not disappointed to see the attack miss.
Because he could already see it.
The opponent had already exhausted all their means.
Although there was still a princess, the fact that she hadn't entered the fray by now indicated that either she didn't plan to fight to the death,
Or she had no combat ability.
But regardless of the possibility,
The final obstacle before them was this guy who manipulated shadows. He wanted to see just how many more substitutes this fellow had to die in his place!
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