How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 151

167. An Unexpected Omen (4)

It’s a treasure from that guy’s dark artifact’s domain.

Comparing its performance to my mass-produced magic sword is pointless.

‘Then, how about this?’

I immediately pulled out a dagger from my pocket.

A dagger made at Rox’s smithy, using giant’s bones as the material.

It cuts through most materials well, but I mostly use it for everyday tasks rather than combat.

It’s great for cutting food!

I threw it without hesitation.

Clang!

But Sylvester easily deflected the dagger. He could have caught it, but he probably deflected it because he was wary of me trying some trick.

‘Well, I am trying a trick.’

A current of electricity flowed through the dagger, crackling! A faint spark flashed, and then the dagger changed its trajectory and flew towards Sylvester again.

“…Using electricity, huh?”

“…You know it well.”

I manipulated the metal part of the dagger with Sprite’s weak current, temporarily magnetizing it.

‘When the Lightning Spirit’s abilities grow, you can do tricks like this.’

I hadn’t practiced it much, so I wasn’t sure if it would work, but it’s working surprisingly well.

Sylvester continued to deflect the dagger, which moved erratically in the air, trying to stick to him. He looked annoyed.

“In that case…”

He created a swirling mass of flames in his hand and threw it at the dagger.

It’s magic. I don’t know the specifics, but it probably has the power of a 3rd circle spell [a measure of magical power].

The dagger, engulfed in flames, soon lost its magnetism and fell to the ground.

‘…Does that guy know that heating metal causes it to lose its magnetism?’

Well, anyone with a little interest in science would know that.

If I assume the other person knows less than I do, I might end up getting hurt badly.

“Is that all?”

“That’s what I’d like to know.”

I want to push him harder to make him reveal more of his power.

While he was chanting the magic a moment ago, Undine, whom I had summoned, created hundreds of water spears and surrounded Sylvester.

“Water Spirit… Her water manipulation is quite fast… Even Lussel can’t keep up with that.”

“I’ve been practicing. And it’s also the longest I’ve been with her.”

-Yeah! Long time!

Undine is just proud, not really understanding what I mean.

Okay, just attack.

-Go!

Undine moved as if striking down her arm, and the water spears poured down on Sylvester.

There’s no escape.

A water barrage that surrounds and pours down, aiming for a sure hit.

No matter how nimble Sylvester is, it’s already too late to dodge.

However, Sylvester doesn’t move his feet.

He only takes a stance as if to point his sword further forward.

‘He’s going to defend.’

I could naturally imagine how he would respond.

As his sword swayed according to the text that flashed in my mind, I had the illusion that the pouring water spears were slowing down.

‘It’s not purely an illusion, is it?’

Sylvester is deploying a defensive sword aura like a shallow veil, interfering with my attack with minimal force and deflecting it at the last moment.

‘Diplex Style. Defense Technique. Dawn’s Curtain. Is that it?’

That is also a type of defense technique using Aura [a manifestation of inner energy].

‘But I also know how to deal with it.’

The more you know, the easier it is to break.

I created a sturdy rock with the power of the Gnome [an earth spirit].

I activated a gravity field on that rock.

“Then try receiving this!”

I put strength into it and shot the sturdy rock towards Sylvester like a cannon.

Thud!

A heavy mass collided, and Sylvester was pushed back.

“Ugh!”

For the first time, he groaned as if in pain.

As expected, it’s as I thought, his weakness.

His defensive sword aura easily deflects light objects, but it’s difficult to deal with attacks that have mass and speed.

Of course, there is also a defense technique to counter that, but Sylvester’s level isn’t proficient enough to transition to it yet.

Let’s alternate attacks with continuous Spirit Arts [magic using spirits] to not give him a chance to close the distance.

Once again, I will use Undine’s water arrows and rock bullets in combination, only using attacks that he hates as much as possible.

“…This is definitely tough. I have to do it properly.”

At that moment, Sylvester’s momentum changed.

The moment he readjusted his sword, blue and silver energies were released from the sword simultaneously and mixed together, scattering.

‘He’s starting to rely on the magic sword’s power in earnest, huh.’

How sneaky.

He’s not using his full power yet, but even with the current output, he’ll probably break through my average Spirit Arts.

‘Then should I increase my power too?’

I also increased my power, but Sylvester’s swordsmanship broke through my pouring Spirit Arts too easily.

‘Damn… He’s not easy after all.’

I immediately deployed Space Fixation to create a barrier just before Sylvester’s sword reached it, trying to guard against the sword.

However, as if anticipating that action.

Before Sylvester’s sword touched the fixed space, it suddenly changed its trajectory and aimed for the ground beneath his feet.

“Tch… Clever.”

Kwaaaang!

The floor of the training ground broke, and fragments and dirt scattered.

At this rate, I’ll have to take the hit.

Aside from the impact, my vision is obscured.

I immediately used Spatial Teleportation, moving to a point about 200 meters behind him.

As soon as I moved, the sword aura he fired followed.

I guarded it with Space Fixation as well.

If it’s pure Aura itself, I can somehow block it with Space Fixation.

The problem is that Sylvester is rushing in fiercely, aiming for the gap in between.

He’s in a state where he could break through and blow me away with just the aftermath, even if I block it.

‘It won’t work that way.’

I summoned the superior Shadow Spirit, Fluorite.

The shadows gathered from all directions materialized like a sticky wave and poured down on Sylvester’s head.

Materalizing shadows means that it is also possible to increase the viscosity like this.

Of course, it can be cut off if you cut it with Aura with all your might, but even so, the parts that the sword couldn’t reach stick to him, making him annoyed.

“Tch! You use this too, huh.”

Taking advantage of the gap when Sylvester was releasing Aura throughout his body to try to remove it.

I immediately spread a gravity field widely and pressed down with all my might.

Koo-oong!

A purple reverse field shone around him, and the pressure that crushed him was so great that the floor of the training ground sank.

But even so, Sylvester’s momentum couldn’t be stopped.

He overcame the pressing force and thrust his sword.

I also gathered as much fire and lightning as possible and poured it down head-on.

As if telling him to try to break through if he could.

In that way, his Aura and my Spirit Arts, the attacks poured out by both sides, shook the entire training ground.

Even I couldn’t receive it perfectly if I poured it out to this extent.

It felt like a flash of light in front of my eyes, and then the aftermath of the impact pushed my whole body.

Without the time to deflect it with Teleportation or block it in another way, I was pushed out and fell over.

“Keuh… Are you really going to do this, you damn protagonist bastard…”

As I got up and looked ahead, I muttered, feeling like I had caused an accident.

The training ground was completely destroyed.

The well-compacted floor was riddled with countless dents and breaks, as if some kind of bombing had occurred, and nothing around it was intact.

Soon everyone will come running after hearing the commotion.

‘…I’m going to get scolded.’

Well, in case of emergency, let’s blame that guy.

With that, I sent all the summoned spirits back.

Because there is no need to use power anymore.

Sylvester was also getting up, looking as if he had done something wrong, and then put his sword away.

“So, are you satisfied with this, Aileen?”

He asks, noticing that I have no intention of continuing.

From the middle, Sylvester also swung his sword with some sincerity, so he probably has no complaints either.

“Thanks to you, I’m sure there won’t be any major concerns.”

I answered appropriately and thanked him.

Sylvester smiles as if he can’t help it, but there’s no sign that he doesn’t like it.

“This will be reassuring, right?”

“Ahaha… I agree with that too, Aileen. Your skills are quite impressive, as I’ve heard. I was honestly surprised.”

Sylvester complimented my skills while admiring them honestly.

It feels strange to hear it.

“You might be one of the few people I’ve seen since I came here. …Are you really an ordinary merchant?”

“I’m an ordinary merchant that you can find on the street.”

I answer firmly.

“I’m a passing merchant that you can find anywhere.”

I emphasized it once more.

I will continue to insist on this in the future.

Anyway, I got the desired results from the sparring just now.

Checking this message, I realized that the sparring was worth it.

This was actually the purpose.

If you get somewhat close and increase the density of information exchanged while fighting directly, the result will naturally occur.

I was able to check some of Sylvester’s abilities.

It was a sparring match with the intention of understanding each other’s condition, so I saw some effect.

But there’s less to check than I thought.

‘What’s with the secrecy.’

That’s a bit disappointing.

Still, it’s a decent gain to have confirmed some abilities.

I know about Sylvester’s abilities mentioned in the original work, but I was just wondering.

And as expected.

‘Humans inherently have things they don’t know.’

If you ask if they know all the talents they have, how many people would answer yes?

Even the wisest person who knows himself well has aspects he doesn’t know.

And this trait of mine is a convenient power that can see through elements that even the person himself doesn’t know, so it’s a loss if I don’t use it.

‘Now, then, the confirmed Sylvester’s abilities…’

Among them, the most concerning thing is the characteristic of being the protagonist.

This is unexpected.

Not just a role, but there really was something like that?

Maybe this is an element outside of the original novel?

Shall we try it?

But the reason my expression darkened was because of the message that appeared next.

Yeah, I guess it wouldn’t work.

I didn’t expect it in the first place.

I don’t know what the effect is, but it’s probably related to Sylvester’s fate.

‘Then what about the others?’

Anyway, what I’m greedy for is other talents.

I acquired what I could learn.

It can be seen as a good choice to follow some of the talents that this guy has.

That’s also like me.

Wow, the consumption is no joke.

It’s a good thing I’ve been saving points.

As expected of the protagonist, each ability he has consumed a considerable amount of points.

In particular, the Favor of Martial Arts consumed about 800 points, which was a bit surprising.

The effect was naturally as considerable as the worth of the consumption.

As expected, I get a big boost in stats.

I feel a smoother change in my senses as well. It feels much easier to move.

‘My body is light.’

Is it a talent specialized in training martial arts as the name suggests?

Even if I don’t have the greed to become stronger than that guy, it would be safe to chase right behind him for the sake of emergencies.

Anyway, I will avoid being a burden or a combat power measuring device.

Yes, no matter what happens after this.

“Aileen, then I look forward to working with you in the future.”

Sylvester readily extended his hand first.

I also grabbed his hand confidently and shook it hard.

“I’m the one who should say that, Sylvester.”

This is sincere.

“I hope nothing goes wrong…”

I’m really sincere.

I don’t think there’s a possibility of that, but I can still wish for it, right?

‘Surely… the worst case I imagine will happen.’

I had already half-expected what was about to happen since I heard the Grand Duke’s explanation.

That’s also the work of the original.

…Maybe it’s an element that will happen much later in the series.

‘I must check and stop it if I can.’

The elements of Volume 4 are over.

That’s confirmed.

But what will happen from now on is the incident that would have happened after that.

That might happen in advance.

Based on the original, estimated to be the situation in Volume 23.

I thought I saw a sign of that terrible disaster.

‘I have to stop that.’

If that’s true, even the protagonist won’t be able to stop it with his current level.