Is It Bad That the Main Character’s a Roleplayer?

Pain slightly brushed over my shoulder, but it only felt like a tickle. I just ignored it and took a step forward.

There was nothing around me I could use as a foothold, but that didn’t mean that I had no options.

My combat boots touched the underside of a vine above me, with which I propelled my body back down.

A dark current formed around my figure as I caught up with the Skyflow Tiger again. It also opened its mouth wide, aiming for me.

Slash.

Our bodies crossed paths once more, carving new wounds into each other.

The Skyflow Tiger’s skin was torn apart like a burst drum, and there were deep claw marks across my waist, almost exposing my internal organs.

「Poison: 14%」

Surrounded by the heady scent of flowers, I readjusted my sword grip. I remembered hearing that flowers smelled strongest right before they withered. Perhaps that statement was true.

Rustle.

However, now wasn’t the time to rest. I ran once again, avoiding the decaying footholds.

There was no real need for me to worry about the wound on my waist. My bandages and clothes would soon restore themselves, serving as a decent substitute for basic first aid. That was enough.

> [Roooaaar!]

The Skyflow Tiger, which healed its wounds with just a single roar, quickly chased after me. Crack. Black cracks had spread across almost its entire body. Its cloudy red eyes seemed to be gradually getting consumed by madness.

However, as if it had exchanged its sanity for power, the number of vines rising around it had increased dramatically. They were also a lot faster, making it difficult for me to ignore them any longer.

I could only push [Survival Instinct] so far. Trying to find a way out of this now would only make my head explode.

Thud.

After exchanging a few more blows, I finally reached a decision.

As I could no longer use these thin vines to move, I instead planted my foot on a massive pillar of a vine, so thick that even three grown men couldn’t wrap around it.

[I’ve… got you…!]

Craaaaack!

“…!”

But at that moment, as if it had been waiting for this, the vine crumbled beneath me. The way it scattered like ashes, or thousands of butterflies flying away, was a strangely beautiful sight.

However, the vines gathering around me from its remains were by no means pretty. I almost felt like the little pirate inside that roulette game, and the way they poured over me without the slightest gap left no room for me to escape. That was rather troubling, wasn’t it?

Pursing my lips, I spun midair at various angles, slashing my sword in all directions. I felt like a spinning top, but this was the best I could do for now.

After splitting all the vines trying to attack me, I fell deeper and deeper until finally reaching the innermost part of this vine thicket. It was the ground I had so longed for.

Even if it was blocked by tree root-like things on all sides.

Squelch!

Was this the aftermath of the ground getting turned over? The earth beneath my feet was like a muddy pool of water.

It had somewhat softened the impact of my landing, but just the thought of fighting in this mud pit was confusing.

Boom!

The Skyflow Tiger landed on the ground after me. Rustle. At a guess, we had been fifty meters in the air. Vines gathered to form a ceiling as if trying to completely seal off this pit.

The tightly tangled vines didn’t let in even a bit of light. The world had been plunged into complete darkness.

I could vaguely make out some things, but at this point, it was much easier just to fight with my eyes closed.

> [Tremble… in fear…!]

A faint presence hovered around me. For some reason, its speech sounded rather clumsy now.

> [D…ie…!]

Let’s see. That thing definitely consumed the Great Demon, right? Given the ever-growing black hole on its body and its strange manner of speaking…

Hmm, no matter how I looked at it, it was like Demonic Erosion.

As these random thoughts entered my head, the scent of flowers grew even more intense.

「Poison: 20%」

Should I feel relieved that, unlike my opponent, my [Rage] gauge wasn’t what was gradually filling? Or should I feel worse since my poison gauge was slowly filling up?

After some thought, I made my choice.

> [Kraaagh!]

Clang!

There was no damn use in ranking things like that.

I backed away, parrying the claws that came hurtling toward me. Whoosh! As expected, a follow-up attack cleaved through the space I had just vacated.

Counterattacking? I decided to wait a bit longer before doing that. No matter how sharp my senses were, I definitely couldn’t see better in the dark than a wild beast.

My eyes needed a little more time to adjust to this darkness. Or I might somehow be able to get some clues on the Skyflow Tiger’s movements or even track them just by sound.

Anyway, the best approach for now was moving step by step rather than recklessly.

Clang!

However, I had to say that I found my opponent just a bit, a teeny, tiny bit… annoying.

I mean, if it was such a strong beast that had even devoured a Great Demon, it should be confidently facing me head-on. It shouldn't be resorting to such petty tricks as trapping me in darkness, taking away footholds, or poisoning me.

「Poison: 32%」

> [Kuhihihi!]

Ah! The rising poison gauge and that stupid laughter were really getting on my nerves!!

I tightly gripped the hilt of my sword, wondering if the Skyflow Tiger had always been this type of character. Creak. The sword, which had held up even when I killed the Great Demon, slowly creaked as if letting out a scream.

I hadn’t changed to another one for financial reasons, but it seemed that had been a mistake. Money wasn’t more important than my life, after all.

Clang!

But what could I do? I had spent too much money on those bridge repairs.

I also couldn’t have asked the Archmage or the others for money, lest I risk losing face.

I hurriedly checked the sword’s Durability before blocking another attack. Based on experience, this level of wear meant it wouldn’t last much longer.

Slash!

“…!”

> [Die… already…!]

Though, it looked like I might bleed to death before the sword broke.

I was acutely aware of the number of cuts carved all over my body.

None were as deep as the gash on my side, but they were great in number. I still felt okay for now, but I didn’t know how long that would last. Considering how it went before, I might still be safe.

Ruuumble.

It seemed the Skyflow Tiger was preparing a more powerful attack from within the darkness.

I could feel a shift in the airflow of this space where there shouldn’t have been any wind, and a tremendous amount of energy began to gather in response.

Regardless of whether I could see, only a fool would miss that.

“There!”

I focused my Arcane Power into the sword in preparation for this moment. Creak. Alongside a metallic shriek, I unleashed three precise [Slash]es.

With nothing else to focus on, I fully concentrated on honing these strikes to their absolute limit, making them as narrow and sharp as possible.

Slash!

“…!”

The sensation of cutting through something reached my fingertips. However, it wasn’t the usual heavy sensation, but a vaguely light one, like cutting through cotton candy, something light enough to simply dissipate.

> [Kahaha!]

‘It’s a trap!’

* * *

As soon as I realized it was a trap, I tried to react somehow, but the Skyflow Tiger’s eyes were already right in front of me. They shone brightly thanks to their reflective layer unique to beasts.

Whoosh!

“…!”

The Skyflow Tiger’s body ‘passed’ through me before a cold, damp sensation struck me from behind. Whoosh! The refreshing, crisp sound of rushing water filled the cave.

Bubble.

Air bubbles left my mouth before I could hold my breath.

Had I not instinctively stuck my sword into the ground, I would have been carried away by the current currently pounding my limbs.

On another note, when did that damn tiger suddenly acquire water-attribute skills? Did eating that flying whale teach it water skills? What kind of mega-evolution was this?

Crack!

Meanwhile, its ability to make plants grow was still there. My poison gauge was now more than halfway filled and still rising steadily.

I had thought this ever since that thing completely devoured the Demon, but did that creature even know the concept of fairness?

I barely managed to swallow down the curses about to come out when I felt the presence of a tree branch almost piercing my shoulder.

I was also gauging whether being swept away by the current would be less dangerous than dealing with its direct attacks. One wrong move and I would be put in immediate and acute danger.

Snap!

However, I didn’t have much time to think about it.

I felt a branch grow rapidly, grazing the back of my neck. Vines had already ensnared my ankle.

I might as well throw myself into the waves now. Having made a quick decision, I immediately drew my sword and kicked my legs. Crack. My body was immediately swept away by the current.

However, as if it had been waiting for this moment, I felt a presence approaching from one side. My arm moved instinctively, almost awkwardly.

Slash!

It seemed what I had cut through this time was similar to one of those clones. The strike only met minimal resistance.

Bubble.

I kicked my feet in the water, feeling something closing in on me from all directions.

My control and response time were one thing, but ultimately, I was still just a person. Without oxygen, I would die.

> [D…ie!]

However, as soon as my hand touched the artificial ceiling, I realized something. There was no air left in this space filled to the brim with water.

‘This might be a bit dangerous.’

A chill ran down my spine.

“Haaaap!”

Craaaaaash!

Just as my instincts began ringing alarm bells, a brilliant golden light burst forth, seemingly shaking the heavens and earth.

The ceiling shattered, light poured in, and the water level changed, swirling around the center in concentric circles.

Luckily, I had been near the edge, so my body floated up as the water level changed. I tried to hold on to some broken pieces of vines to prevent myself from floating away.

“Demon Knight!”

But there was no need to hold on for long. A pale blue chain shot out, wrapping itself around my arm.

Goosebumps ran up and down my spine as every nerve in my body tensed up, but that didn’t stop my mind from analyzing the situation.

I gripped the chain wrapped around my forearm even tighter.

Swiiish!

My body, pulled by the chain, shot up like a fish caught on a fishing line.

“Hmph!”

Soon, I could see the Archmage casting some manner of spell and Bers, who looked rather sullen. I didn’t know how they discovered I was here, but their timing was impeccable.

“Two sparring matches, no, make it three!”

But someone was missing. That meant the person who had broken through the wooden ceiling must have been the Inquisitor.

That thought crossed my mind as I shook off the chain tied around my arm.

“Protect us!”

At that moment, the Archmage formed a small protective barrier just large enough to shield me alone.

Glooow!

Before I had time to question her actions, a massive wave of golden light filled my vision.

It was a force capable of purging all the evil and corruption of this world.

‘Shit.’

Even surrounded by an Arcane barrier that blocked most of the Divine Power, I still fell to my knees. Cough. Blood spilled out of my mouth.

“Are you… okay?”

I didn’t think that was something one should ask when the answer was pretty obvious.

I wanted to lighten the situation by throwing out a sarcastic remark, but my vision was painted red, probably because the blood vessels in my eyes had burst.

“You are covered in wounds.”

“Looks like you’ve become weak. Berserk will fight from now on.”

No, this wasn’t because I was weak…

Just when I started to deny her statement in my mind, I opted to give up. A true master could fight just as well in the dark, after all. Perhaps my lack of skill really was to blame for this.

“As I said before, try it if you can.”

However, my character’s pride would never allow me to accept this so easily. Besides, I doubted the Skyflow Tiger, who had just taken a direct hit from that Divine Power, got away unscathed.

Furthermore, that power was still flowing from the center over the entire battlefield. Even the plants around us that had turned purple returned to a healthy green, but could the Skyflow Tiger, who had swallowed a Great Demon, still be alive?

After pondering that, I wiped away the blood flowing from my eyes and nose with an indifferent attitude.

My HP was now hanging by a thread. Without the Archmage’s Arcane barrier, I might have died instantly.

“Tsk.”

Ah, now that I thought about it, didn’t White Wind tell me not to fall into a critical state under any circumstances?

I reflexively touched my right shoulder. Feeling the seal under my gauntlet and several layers of clothes was rather difficult.

However, judging by the lack of rattling inside my clothes, it didn’t seem to have broken yet.

“Do you think Berserk can’t do it?! Berserk can!”

Ah, sure. If you think you can, then just do it. Who was stopping you?

Anyway, with the Divine Power continuing to spread over the area, I couldn’t leave the barrier. While my poison gauge wasn’t rising anymore, it was draining far too slowly.

“Now, now, let’s calm down.”

Before this battle of pride between Bers and I could last any longer, the Archmage stepped in to calm her down. It was then that the overflowing waves of Divine Power stopped.

The world, which had regained its pure and clear color once the corrupted miasma was Purified, filled my vision.

Some areas had been Purified such that they had been burned instead of cleansed, leaving gaps for the water to drain. Whoosh. The water rushed out between the roots, revealing the pit it had filled.

At the center of it was the Inquisitor, surrounded by brilliant light, just getting to her feet.

As for the Skyflow Tiger, there was no trace left of it, seemingly having turned into a pile of ashes.

“What? Did you kill the tiger already?”

Ah, that line…!

Ruuumble.

The moment Bers finished that sentence, the ground began shaking violently. Then, the ground right before the Inquisitor suddenly burst open. Baaang. In the middle of that explosion was the Skyflow Tiger, whose entire body had been charred.

> [How, how?]

Crack, crack.

The cracks running across its chest continued expanding.

> [How…?!]

More and even more.

> [Ah!]

Until they engulfed its entire body.

> […Did you think I would fall just like that, Wrath?]

A translucent whale fin manifested along the tiger’s back.

____

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