Chapter 73
The ultimate skill unleashed by "Giant of the Frozen Wastes" Vladimir Bazarov, a multi-skill combo using the Causality Magic Sword (Sudipa-Quodenents), sliced sharply into Finger Man's neck just as its name suggests.
The aftershock alone enveloped the entire building in a deafening roar and made it sway with sheer force.
"What an impact! Haha, there might not even be bones left! Hah hah hah."
Dr. Shita Chichigasky, who was standing about ten meters behind Vladimir in a Vega pose, stroked his singed, voluminous beard and laughed loudly.
The long-haired man, Shirokko, lit a new cigarette between his lips.
While Dr. Shita Chichigasky's camp was drunk on victory and had relaxed, there was one person who remained tense.
"......Why......how......what's the mechanism behind this......"
"Hm? What's wrong, Vladimir?"
Dr. Shita Chichigasky tilted his head.
Shirokko stopped lighting his cigarette and stared keenly at Vladimir's broad back and beyond—then understood.
"Ah, I see... Dr. Shita Chichigasky, we might want to start thinking about a retreat around now."
"What are you talking about, Shirokko?"
"I'm saying there's a chance Vladimir might lose, Doctor."
"What?!"
Shirokko grabbed Dr. Shita Chichigasky by the scruff of his neck and dashed away.
Left behind, Vladimir was drenched in cold sweat as he pushed the magic sword with all his might, trying to cut his enemy.
Once everything settled and the dust cleared, the situation became clear.
The magic sword had definitely struck Finger Man's neck.
However, it had also stopped at the same time.
It had split the skin by about 1mm and drawn just a trickle of blood.
At that point, the magic sword had come to a complete stop.
Finger Man hadn't even tried to guard.
It's hard to put into words, but the most accurate interpretation would be "he caught it with his neck muscles." Or perhaps Finger Man didn't even intend to block it.
Just before the slash to Finger Man's neck, Vladimir had also activated "Men Uchi Lv5" and "Strong Strike Lv5" which consumed 500 MP and added 200,000 to ATK.
Four in total.
"Men Uchi Lv5," "Counter Slash Lv4," "Sure Hit Lv4," "Strong Strike Lv5"—this strike unleashed using all four skills was the Causality Magic Sword (Sudipa-Quodenents) of A-rank No. 5 explorer, "Giant of the Frozen Wastes" Vladimir Bazarov.
Even by rough estimate, it should have been a powerful attack with around 800,000 ATK.
"Impossible... no way... he took my sword bare-bodied, and yet... how... that's a lie..."
Trying to deny the reality before him, Vladimir desperately tried to push the magic sword in further, the blade rattling—but it wouldn't budge.
Meanwhile, Finger Man stood still, tilting his head slightly as if to say, "Didn't hurt...?"
(Worst case, I figured Shimaenaga-san could just Revive me, but turns out it didn't hurt that much. Hmm? Maybe this guy's actually weak? I thought he was dangerous just because he's big. Geez~ (Former A-rank No. 1))
"Ah, so you're a newbie. Makes sense. I get it—swords look cool, so you want to swing them around. But nope. I may not look it, but I'm a pretty strong explorer, so I'm not gonna lose to a beginner."
Saying that, Finger Man pinched the magic sword and casually lifted it away from his neck.
Vladimir turned pale at the overwhelming strength that left him completely unable to resist.
Finger Man immediately released the sword and drove a palm strike into Vladimir's chest. (Cracked and fractured ribs)
He didn't punch with a clenched fist because he'd learned from punching his brother in the past that it makes your hand hurt like hell.
Vladimir coughed up blood and was blasted about ten meters away.
He skidded smoothly down the linoleum hallway.
"Kuh!"
Refusing to yield, Vladimir sprang up and stood like a character in a kung-fu movie.
Finger Man tossed aside the stolen magic sword. A sword was unnecessary for this man.
(He's way beyond what I imagined... that absurd defense... there's no doubt he used a defensive skill... but I've never seen anyone react fast enough to handle "Counter Slash Lv4"...)
Vladimir glanced over his status.
Judging from his remaining HP, it seemed he had taken about 500 damage.
That's a pretty big number if it came from another explorer.
(I see. That palm strike was a skill too. He even prepared martial arts skills? Guy's thorough. Does he have a ton of skill memory? No way you'd save slots for martial arts unless—)
"To think there's an explorer of this caliber... I see now, the one who didn't understand how vast the world is... was me."
With a self-mocking smirk, Vladimir drew a pen-type syringe from his coat and injected his neck. Then another. And another. He added three doping shots in total.
"I admit it, you brat from Yaponsky. You're an explorer on the same level as me."
He drew two new magic swords from Shita Chi Storage ver2.1.
Gripping one in each hand, he exhaled a hot breath from his mouth.
What made him so willing to use such dangerous doping without hesitation?
Vladimir himself didn't know.
Was it pride as a former A-rank No. 1?
Was it outrage at being underestimated?
Or perhaps something more primal... excitement?
While his body burned with rising heat, Vladimir calmly realized that he was thrilled.
(Ah, I see—I've gone from being a king receiving challengers to being a challenger facing a worthy rival...)
"Let's see whose is superior—your defense or my offense!"
With full resolve, Vladimir charged at Finger Man using the acceleration skill "Step-In Lv5"—and in that instant, his face was engulfed in a fiery explosion.
"Gah aaAA!?"
Anyone would be shocked and feel intense pain if their face suddenly exploded.
Finger Man's "Finger Snap Lv6" had hit, and the massive damage forced Vladimir into a major retreat.
Looking at his status, the damage received was about 14,700.
Stunned, even though his body was burning hot, he felt a chill down his spine.
Because that number was far too big for damage taken from another explorer.
You see, explorers are protected by the Blessing of the Star to battle dungeons, which makes them naturally resistant to taking large damage.
It's said they only receive about 1/20 to 1/100 of the damage they deal to monsters. Vladimir Bazarov, of course, knew this.
Explorer → Monster
ATK 10,000 → DMG 10,000
Monster → Explorer
ATK 10,000 → DMG 100
Explorer → Explorer
ATK 10,000 → DMG 100
Therefore, the 14,700 damage dealt to Vladimir by Finger Man could have been 100 times more—1,470,000—if the target were a monster.
If the damage hadn't been restricted in range and had been maximized, it would've easily vaporized an average-sized Japanese home, scorched the entire yard, and flattened the surrounding houses too.
Even more terrifying, this was the DMG value—meaning the actual ATK must've been even higher.
In fact, Vladimir was wearing several damage-reducing anomalies.
Without even understanding how, he had allowed himself to take 14,700 damage.
Vladimir couldn't hide his horror at that fact.
──────────────────
Vladimir Bazarov
HP 4,229/19,412
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(I couldn't see Finger Man's attack... It was definitely a ranged attack, but it didn't look like he fired anything. What was that... what did he do... I don't know! If he hits me with that again, I... I'll——)
"Both his defense and offense... the scale is just different... What the hell am I even fighting...?"
He sensed unfathomable strength in the young man whose build was clearly inferior to his own.
And finally, Vladimir realized that he was facing someone truly outrageous.