We finally arrive at the door, both of us panting heavily from the arduous ascent up the long stairs.

...

I press my ear against the door, and I can distinctly make out a snorting sound coming from the room beyond. I glance at Ruby, who responds by tightening her grip on her weapons. My hand instinctively moves to the hilt of my sword, and with cautious, I gently push open the weathered wooden door.

As the door swings open, the room before us is unveiled, slightly smaller than the pub we were in earlier. It strikes me as an alchemy room, an assortment of peculiar items strewn about. Cauldrons bubble with mysterious concoctions, mushrooms of various shapes and colors thrive in the dimly lit corners, and an unusual assortment of fish swim lazily in tanks along the walls. Most peculiar of all, goblin ears are suspended from strings, creating an eerie decoration that sends shivers down my spine. To the right, a wooden cupboard stands tall, its shelves filled with an assortment of odd and enigmatic items.

Before I can fully take in the bizarre scene, a voice disrupts the silence, startling me. "Caah inn, inntrudaah."

Uh.

My eyes fall upon a kobold standing before us, armed with nothing more than a crude wooden stick. It bears a striking resemblance to the kobold we encountered earlier, but upon closer inspection, it's evident that this one is older, its scales weathered and its attire limited to a simple loincloth.

"Whyy ah ya cah heree, killing mah brothaa and cahrade?" it asks, furrowing its brow, its voice filled with a mix of anger and confusion.

I scowl, my sword still pointed at the kobold. "They started it by throwing chairs at me. I acted in self-defense."

The kobold angrily knocks its staff on the ground. "SEAH-FROTECHTAA!? BAH SLAHTERAHH ARHH KANDDH!? YAH SWAHHMAN ARH ZA WAST!"

Well, you can say that again.

"Apologies, then... How can I make things right?"

The creature hisses, rubbing its long snout. "Kill bah of ya, wwahh satt thingzz rahh."

"No deal, thank you." I had a feeling it would come to this. "Ruby, let's go!"

"Right behind you!" Ruby swiftly retreats to a corner, while I gather my resolve and charge at the kobold, my sword poised for action.

The creature begins chanting a spell, and the words resonate clearly in our minds, a telepathic connection forming.

"[Terbentuklah gumpalan energi dan lontarkan ke arah musuh-musuhku.]"

"[Mana Arrow!!]"

Wait.

This kobold can cast magic!?

A white, shimmering form materializes above the kobold, gradually taking the shape of a spiraling arrow. In a swift and unexpected motion, the kobold raises its staff and aims it directly at me. The white arrow shoots forth with startling speed.

!!!

In a split second, I react, swiftly sidestepping to the right, narrowly escaping the path of the arrow as it zooms past the spot where I once stood. To my astonishment, the arrow abruptly changes its course, hurtling back toward me with unrelenting force. I grip my sword firmly, readying myself for a defensive maneuver.

With a resounding clash, I manage to cut through the arrow just in the nick of time. The magical projectile dissipates into a swirling mist. Without hesitation, I swing my sword in a wide arc, dispersing the lingering smoke, and then charge forward.

The kobold raises its staff once more, conjuring three additional arrows that streak toward me, their glowing tips menacingly aimed.

Dodging isn't an option. I make a quick decision and dash towards the incoming arrows, my heart pounding with anticipation. With precise timing, I swing my sword upwards, simultaneously stepping to the right. The first arrow is deflected away harmlessly. Without hesitation, I spin my body, delivering a swift swing to intercept the second arrow.

"[Fireball!!]" Ruby exclaim as she releases a fireball that streaks toward the third arrow, creating a fiery collision.

"Thank you, Ruby!" I acknowledge her support, and she nods resolutely.

Seizing the opportunity, I launch myself forward, dashing toward the Kobold. I raise both hands, preparing to strike. The creature reacts by raising both of its hands, using its staff as a shield.

Clang!

A smirk plays across its scaled face as it pushes its staff, forcing me to leap back and hold my sword defensively behind me. For a moment, we both assess the situation, tension filling the air. Then, without warning, I unleash a swift horizontal slash.

The kobold responds with remarkable agility, swiftly ducking and charging toward me with a surprising headbutt. I'm caught off guard, and I leap backward, clutching my stomach in pain.

Damn.

Regardless of its magic will, it's also experienced in physical combat. this kobold is surely different than the rest of them.

"Here it comes!" I exclaim, bracing myself for the kobold's next move.

The creature swings its staff at me with surprising speed, and I react swiftly, parrying the attack with my sword. The clash of our weapons creates a brief shower of sparks as I deflect the strike from the top right to the bottom left. In that moment, I sense the perfect opportunity for a counterattack.

"[Riselite Slash!!]" I call out as I grip my sword with both hands. With a fluid motion, I swing it upward, then swiftly lower it for a powerful horizontal strike to the left. Without hesitation, I raise my sword once more and execute a precise vertical strike.

"[Propaslash!!]"

However, to my astonishment, the kobold effortlessly deflects all of my attacks with skillful precision. It then leaps away, narrowly avoiding a fireball that hurtles towards it.

Feeling a sense of hopelessness, I decide to retreat towards Ruby, seeking a moment of respite. I take a defensive stance, ready to regroup and strategize for the next move.

With a resounding stomp of its staff on the ground, the kobold begins to chant, the words echoing ominously in our minds.

"[Wahai saudaraku yang telah gugur, kembalilah dan mari kita berjuang bersama sekali lagi.]"

"[Summon Undead!!]"

…

Wait, wait, waaaait...

It can summon too!?

Just what in the world is this thing!?

To my disbelief, five crates materialize around the kobold, and from them, five skeletal figures slowly emerge.

"I think I understand now. It's a shaman,".

"A shaman?"

Ruby nods, her gaze fixed on the approaching kobold shaman. "Yes, a spellcaster who also possesses physical prowess. Shamans, much like necromancers, have the ability to summon the undead to fight alongside them. I've encountered their kind before, so I can tell."

Wait, ‘encountering their kind?’ I remembered someone said that this vast continent has no magic in it?

… Or was it hidden due to the regulations?

"So that's how it is... And how do we defeat this one?" I ask, turning to Ruby, who continues to watch the shaman as it nears the completion of its summoning skill.

"We have two options," Ruby responds with a determined expression. "We can either deplete its mana, which is the source of its magic, or wear it down physically."

"Mana?" I furrow my brows, feeling a bit lost in the world of magic.

"[Mana] is the source of our magic. Without it, spellcasters cannot cast spells! Must I explain everything to you?" Ruby retorts, her frustration momentarily showing.

I stammer, feeling a bit embarrassed. "I... I don't know much about magic, okay?"

Ruby sighs, realizing her impatience. "Sorry, I forgot."

I appreciate her understanding. "Never mind, thank you for the information. At least now we know what we're up against."

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With a determined nod, Ruby speaks. "I'll prepare a lightning spell. Buy me some time, please."

"Alright. I'll make sure no one gets near you." I promise.

Ruby nods, her smile faint but reassuring. I turn my attention back to the enemy as the situation intensifies.

The five undead kobolds slowly regain their dark and rotten skins, bearing a striking resemblance to the ones we previously dispatched. However, their eye sockets are empty, and their purplish-green skin has grown darker, signaling a malevolent transformation.

"Comraadezz, kill zam!!"

All five of the undead creatures charge toward me, their menacing advance putting me on high alert. I swiftly make a decision and dash toward the nearest one, my sword poised for a strike.

Clang!

The undead's spear easily deflects my attack, and it counters with a swift and precise thrust aimed at my chest. I react quickly, parrying the attack, but the pain reverberates through my chest, a reminder of the perilous situation.

"Urgh..."

Suddenly, a mana arrow hurtles toward me, and my eyes widen in alarm. I leap behind the undead, using it as a makeshift shield. The arrow strikes its target with uncanny precision, disintegrating one of the undead's torsos into dust.

"Nooo!!!"

The shaman cries out in agony, and I can't help but mock it with a haughty tone. "It wasn't me!"

"IHHFUDAHH!!"

"Ruby, now!!"

...

"[Chain Lightning!!]"

Ruby's voice rings out as she completes her chant. A brilliant ball of lightning erupts from her hands, streaking toward one of the undead. The electricity cascades through the creatures like a deadly chain reaction, ultimately converging beside the shaman. The shaman, in a desperate bid to protect itself, swings its staff furiously.

"[Dispel.]"

...

A sudden cold aura fills the room, and the shaman trembles with a mix of anger and pain. The situation has taken a dire turn for it.

"Now, you're finished..."

His deep voice resonates directly in our minds, speaking through telepathy. It becomes evident that the Kobold Shaman is getting serious, and the atmosphere grows increasingly tense.

...

The Kobold Shaman forcefully slams its staff into the ground, causing something ominous to spread beneath the earth's surface, heading directly for Ruby. The ground crumbles and breaks apart as this unseen force advances.

"W-what...?" Ruby stammers in disbelief as the phenomenon reaches right in front of her, giving rise to a pair of magical, dark green chains that emerge with an eerie energy.

"[Bind!!]" The shaman utters a command, and the chains swiftly coil around Ruby, ensnaring her tightly.

"RUBY!!!" I cry out in sheer desperation.

"Nahh... Ya can't vaah!" The shaman taunts, a sinister gleam in its eyes.

With grim expression, the shaman raises its staff once more. A mana arrow is unleashed, hurtling toward me.

"Ugh!!" I react swiftly, dashing forward and slashing the arrow, successfully deflecting it. But my heart sinks as I realize that two more mana arrows are now headed straight for... Ruby!

The mana arrows pierce through Ruby's right thigh and left waist, causing her to scream in agony as the mana chains vanish.

"Aaahhhhh!!!"

...

"Bastard... how dare you…" My voice quivers with anger and determination as I tightly grip my sword. Overwhelmed by rage, my mind goes blank, and my body surges with an intense determination to avenge Ruby.

"YOU’RE NOT GETTING AWAY, PROPASLASH!"

With incredible speed, I charge at the shaman, my hatred fueling my every move. It prepares to block my attack, anticipating my [Propaslash] pattern--

"[CRESCENT SLASH!!]"

I shout, executing Alpha's V-shaped skill with precision to catch the kobold shaman off guard. While not as lightning-fast as Alpha, my attack still inflicts significant damage. I follow up with a piercing thrust, striking three more wounds into the shaman's belly.

The shaman hisses menacingly and leaps back, smoke billowing from where its head used to be, a clear indication of the pain it's enduring.

Feeling a sense of despair, I retreat to Ruby's side, taking a defensive stance as we prepare for the shaman's next move.

"Nah wanda haa ya cah kill mah camrade…" The kobold shaman shakes its head, its sharp gaze unwavering as it fixates on us. "Bah, thizz will ve ze plahh whe YA die!"

With a resounding stomp of its staff, the shaman begins to chant, its fury evident in its every word. The words reverberate ominously in our minds.

"Now, it’s time to die, you pesky humans!!" The shaman's fury is noticable as it stop using its mouth for speaking. Instead, it used his mind to reach his words to us. It summons three more [Mana Arrows] above itself. The arrows begin to spin towards each other, forming larger spinning arrows with dangerously sharpened tips.

"Take this, [Twisting Mana Arrow]!"

Oh no, this just got serious.

The combined arrow hurtles towards Ruby with incredible speed.

Crap.

Ruby can barely move with those wounds!!

"Kyaah!!!"

BAM!!!

I swiftly dash in front of her as Ruby covers her face with her elbow, fear coursing through me as I swing my sword with all my might. A thunderous explosion resounds as I manage to intercept the spinning arrow. Instead of detonating, the arrow takes on a sinister change, floating away and altering its trajectory, heading right back toward Ruby.

This arrow is different from the one before.

"Ruby, do something while I hold it off!"

"A-All right!"

I brace myself, attempting to deflect the incoming arrow once more. Explosions continue to echo through the room, each detonation accompanied by Ruby's shocked expression. The effort is taking a toll on me, as it requires tremendous stamina to swing my sword forcefully and protect her.

But before long, the unified arrow charges at me once again.

"[Riselite sl--]"

What!?

Rather than coming straight for me, it abruptly changes its direction by veering toward my right waist in an instant.

Crap.

Another thunderous explosion reverberates, followed by a cry of pain that escapes my lips.

KABOOM!!!

"AAAARGH!!!!"

Damn, it's smart enough to divert the arrow head-on...

It's getting smarter.

The searing pain and piercing sensation in my waist intensify.

"NOW, DIE!!!!"

"No... You're the one who will die." Ruby's voice carries a hint of silent anger as she stares at the shaman, her lips briefly forming a serious expression.

"[Terbentuklah gumpalan energi, berkumpullah menjadi satu kesatuan, berputarlah dan lontarkan ke arah musuh-musuhku.]"

"[Twisting Mana Arrow!!]"

Ruby raises her hand, summoning three mana arrows that merge together, identical to the [Mana Arrows] the shaman had chanted.

"H-HOW COULD YOU...!!!"

“I heard the spell that you chanted, so why don’t I try it myself too?” Ruby lets out a slight smirk as she twirls her index finger.

“YOU… YOU ARE TRULY UNFORGIVABLE!! YOU--!!!”

The arrow streaks directly toward the shaman with incredible speed, obliterating its head in seconds. The headless body slumps to the ground, lifeless.

...

"Good job..." I manage to mutter weakly, my strength waning as I collapse to my knees.

"R-Rai!!" Ruby calls out my name, her concern overriding her own pain, as she rushes toward me. She extends her hand behind her staff.

"[Regeneration!!]"

I feel a surge of warmth as my waist slowly begins to regenerate, the wound closing up. But as the healing magic takes its toll on her, Ruby falls backward, completely drained.

I move quickly to catch her. "Ruby!!"

She takes a deep breath, clutching onto my arms while her other hand rests on her thigh.

"[Re...generation.]"

Ruby continues to cast the spell, her wounds gradually healing as I hold her close. She winces in pain but remains strong, enduring it.

What a grueling battle.

Sighing in relief, I can't help but feel thankful for our combined strength that brought down this unknown and formidable magical creature. It's a stark contrast to when I used to feel like a loser, and now I finally have the strength to protect others.

"I'm glad..." I whisper, tears of gratitude welling up.

"Are you... crying?" Ruby's voice holds a teasing tone.

"Shut up."

"... Silly."

...

We embrace each other tightly, finding solace in each other's arms as time seems to stand still. It's a moment of respite and healing after the intense battle.

"Finally, I did it..." I murmur, a deep sense of relief washing over me. Now, I possess the strength to protect someone, and it fills me with gratitude.

"I'm thankful, Rai..." Ruby whispers softly.

...

We hold each other tightly, cherishing the moment of comfort we find in each other's arms, grateful for the bond and newfound strength that has brought us through this ordeal.

#

End of Chapter 30…