'Dungeon, Twelfth Floor ... Misty Plains'
Ryoji immediately recognized one of the Amazons. It was Aisha, a Level 3 executive of the Ishtar Familia. She had also taken part in Phryne's attempt to capture him before, only to be overwhelmed by the girls of the Loki Familia.
Afterward, Ishtar paid an enormous ransom to buy back more than a dozen captured Amazons, including Phryne and Aisha, bringing the matter to a close. Yet here she was again. She really hadn't learned her lesson.
"Haha! It's an honor to be remembered by the famous Aurora Polaris." Aisha rested a massive cleaver on her shoulder, dressed in a dancer-like outfit of sheer purple fabric, and laughed boldly.
"So should I assume the Ishtar Familia and the Kali Familia are working together now?" Ryoji narrowed his eyes. The amount of information packed into that single fact was... alarming.
"You'll understand once you've met Ishtar-sama," Aisha merely smiled.
'Oh?' So it wasn't just these Amazons. Even Ishtar herself wanted to "sing" with him.
...Although Freya and Ishtar were sworn rivals. If something happened between him and Ishtar, would Freya be upset?
"Not to be rude, but what exactly are this bunch of nobodies supposed to accomplish?" Ryoji glanced around.
Other than the two women from the Kali Familia, everyone else was just an ordinary high-class adventurer. None of them seemed particularly threatening, even those two barely registered in his eyes.
"Hmph. We admit you're strong. We've heard all the rumors." Argana folded her arms beneath her chest, then smiled strangely. "But you're far too arrogant. There are some abilities in this world that simply don't play by the rules. Shale!"
"Shale!" Aisha suddenly shouted.
An instant later, an unpleasant wave of noise washed over Ryoji, making his mind momentarily waver. He frowned. Across from him, the Amazons all wore knowing smiles.
"We already know you're capable of fighting above your level," Argana said confidently. "If we're right, it's because of your extraordinary swordsmanship... and that terrifying magic. You even defeated an avatar of the Corrupted Spirit with that magic. So go ahead. Try using it now."
Hearing that, Ryoji quietly activated 'Absolute Speed''s special perception. They were obviously talking about 'Lux Caelum', the move that had instantly turned the tables and one-shot the Level 7 Corrupted Spirit's avatar. But... there was no problem. He could still use it perfectly fine.
'Then why are they all acting like they've already won?' His brow furrowed. Something wasn't adding up.
After a brief moment of thought, his expression suddenly changed dramatically.
"What did you do?"
"Hahahaha! Too late to panic now!" Seeing him finally lose his composure, Argana burst into laughter.
"The girl from the Ishtar Familia possesses an extremely rare curse," Aisha explained. "If you're struck by it, you're completely unable to use magic!"
Among the group, a young Amazon who looked only fifteen or sixteen smiled proudly. Curses were far rarer than magic, and her curse sealed all spellcasting. It was the natural enemy of every mage. Thanks to that ability, despite being only Level 2, she was one of Ishtar's hidden trump cards.
"Hmph. Even so, if I want to run, you still can't stop me." Ryoji put on an unwilling expression, stubbornly refusing to admit defeat.
"Not necessarily," Bache suddenly spoke up.
A faint singing voice drifted through the mist:
-- "Grow greater...
-- Grant strength, grant fortune, grant endless treasures and endless wishes.
-- When the bell tolls, let glory and dreams descend."
The rhythmic chant echoed across the plains.
-- "Grow greater...
-- Let this body consume the divine feast.
-- Bestow the gods' golden radiance.
-- Return the hammer to the earth and grant your blessing."
Golden particles floated through the mist.
-- "Grow greater...
-- 'Uchide no Kozuchi!'"
A brilliant golden light burst forth from somewhere beyond the fog, quickly enveloping Argana.
"What incredible power..." Argana closed her eyes, savoring the golden magic flowing through her body with obvious delight.
'What is this...? A support spell?' Ryoji wondered inwardly.
"Come on! Once I beat you, I'll finally get to enjoy the finest man in the world!" Argana bounced excitedly in place before kicking off the ground.
'Boom!'
The explosive force exceeded all of Ryoji's expectations. Her acceleration was now every bit as fast as his.
Ryoji swung his blade.
'Clang!'
Argana answered with a punch, her fist crashing directly into the sword. Ryoji's expression changed, and the next instant, he was blasted backward, flying dozens of meters before crashing to the ground.
"Amazing." Argana casually glanced at the skin split open across her fist, then looked toward the mist behind her in admiration. "That magic is completely unfair."
"You're... Level 7..." Ryoji staggered to his feet, staring at her in shock. "How is that possible?"
'A spell that can raise someone's strength by an entire level? That's practically cheating!'
"Once you join us, you'll get to enjoy this power too!" Argana shouted as she charged again, appearing before him in the blink of an eye.
Her fist slammed into his stomach. Ryoji looked completely unable to react as the punch landed cleanly. His eyes bulged, then rolled back, and he went limp, collapsing unconscious with a soft 'thump'.
"Phew." Argana withdrew her fist. "So without that magic, swordsmanship alone really isn't much."
Technique by itself wasn't enough to overcome a difference in levels. She was convinced that the only reason Ryoji had managed to fight above his level all this time was because of that special magic. Now that it had supposedly been sealed, he couldn't even survive two exchanges against someone with Level 7 strength.
She licked her lips before laying Ryoji gently on the ground. Then, without hesitation, she tore off the cloth wrapped around her chest.
"Hold on!" Aisha hurried over and stopped her. "Ishtar-sama said she gets first pick!"
"What does your goddess's order have to do with me?" Argana shrugged carelessly. "Kali-sama said the same thing."
Bache stepped forward and stopped her as well. "...Hmm."
Argana froze. Come to think of it... Kali 'had' said something before they left, hadn't she? She'd been too busy thinking about getting her hands on the handsome boy to pay any attention.
"Tch... fine. I'll wait until the goddesses are finished with him." Grumbling, she reluctantly put her clothes back on.
'Seriously? That's all the backbone you've got? You don't even have the nerve to disobey your own goddess, and you're talking about how much you love me?'
Ryoji quietly cracked one eye open, his face full of disappointment.
(End of Chapter)
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