No One Told Me That This Isn’t a Game (Patreon)

Chapter 22: Battle

"Defense!"

Litchi summoned a magical puppet to collide with the incoming fireball.

The puppet successfully lured and exploded the Ink Skull Jade, disintegrating under the scouring flames. Azure sparks scattered like raindrops.

Litchi's style was extremely aggressive.

After successfully blocking the attack, she revealed a determined smile. "Are you ready, Zuo Chang?"

Zuo Chang looked confused. "Ready for what?"

"Like a shooting star, emitting a strong light, and then destruction."

"... What are you talking about?"

"I'm saying—"

Litchi straightened up, took a deep breath, and said, "When we meet on a narrow road, the brave prevail! If nothing unexpected happens, both you and I are going to die here. But this lady refuses to reveal her belly and die upside down; dying in the charge— that's more dignified!"

She charged!

She was crazy!

Zuo Chang looked at her resolute back, unable to understand her thoughts!

A spellcaster, not thinking about how to maneuver or preserve herself, but instead throwing herself onto the blade like a moth attracted to a flame?

Was this recklessness?

Or courage?

Zuo Chang looked at Litchi's agile movements and steady pace, feeling strangely inspired.

What else was there to say?

The mage charged; what was he waiting for?

Zuo Chang gritted his teeth, keeping up with Litchi's footsteps, and rushed into the enemy formation.

The opposing adventurers were slightly surprised, not expecting the young man and woman from the other side to be so reckless!

There were a full sixteen of them, what were they afraid of?

"Kill them!"

Someone shouted, and the adventurers rushed forward like tigers let out of their cages.

Cang Youbing made a sound of interest, raising an eyebrow with some curiosity, clasping his hands behind his back and quietly watching.

"Die!"

Someone ran up to Zuo Chang and swung a knife!

This was a first-realm adventurer who appeared very young. His eyes revealed a fierce determination, but still had the clear gaze characteristic of a young person who hadn't experienced much of the world.

“You chose the wrong opponent."

How could a tender youth compare to a full-fledged veteran?

The veteran bestowed upon Zuo Chang not only knowledge of adventures but also combat experience.

Zuo Chang, striking first and striking hard, waved the [Crown of the Moon·Magic Steel Sword], and with a gentle flick—

The young man's trachea was precisely and gently severed, blood sprayed out, and he fell to the ground convulsing!

"Zi Tong!"

A panicked and urgent cry rang out.

Behind the youth, a middle-aged man with wide eyes, disregarding the ongoing battle, actually abandoned Zuo Chang and rushed towards the fallen youth.

With such a perfect opportunity, Zuo Chang couldn't miss it.

He waved his hand, and the [Crown of the Moon·Magic Steel Sword] swirled into a radiant arc, beheading him!

More blood sprayed, splashing half of Zuo Chang's body. Without any emotion in his eyes, he used the corner of his eye to watch the rolling head, secretly thinking, ‘Father and son? Quite interesting.’

After two sword strikes, a dampness gradually appeared on the [Crown of the Moon·Magic Steel Sword].

It seemed to be even sharper.

There was no doubt that "Tide" was taking effect; each of Zuo Chang's attacks was more powerful than the previous one.

"This kid is not an ordinary opponent! Let me handle it!"

A loud shout came from the front, and a strong man like a mountain pushed aside another person and came charging towards Zuo Chang.

Zuo Chang looked at the man with a person-high heavy axe in his hand and felt a hidden shock: ‘He’s in the Third realm! And he's using a heavy weapon!’

In the game, heavy weapons had a clear advantage. In addition to normal damage calculation, they also had an additional 'strength bonus,' resulting in impressive final damage numbers.

However, heavy weapons had limited mobility. While other companions could move seven or eight spaces in one turn, heavy weapons could move at most four spaces.

The heavy-axe-wielding man approached, and with each step, the ground trembled.

However...

"Not fast enough."

Zuo Chang, being a person with normal brain development, couldn't just draw his sword and confront the heavy axe head-on.

The environment around him was a small path cut through the forest, no wider than five meters. Dense bushes lined both sides of the path, and farther away was a forest.

Without much thought, Zuo Chang suddenly sheathed his sword and started running towards the forest.

"He's trying to escape!"

"Don't let him get away!"

Seeing Zuo Chang attempting to flee, someone immediately followed him, wielding a steel knife and displaying exceptional agility.

In just a few breaths, he left his teammates far behind.

Zuo Chang was waiting for this opportunity.

He stopped, turned around, and swung his sword, launching a sudden and deadly attack!

"?!"

The adventurer was momentarily stunned. Zuo Chang's unexpected attack caught him off guard, but fortunately, he had a cultivation level of the second realm and quickly reacted.

Clang!

Clang!

The [Crown of the Moon·Magic Steel Sword] clashed with the steel knife twice, and neither side suffered.

The adventurer calmed down, chuckled, and shouted, "To think trash at the first realm dares to challenge me, I'll give you credit for courage!"

He attacked again!

Zuo Chang held his breath and focused on the enemy.

Clang! Clang!

Two more clashes occurred.

The aura on the [Crown of the Moon·Magic Steel Sword] became increasingly heavy, emitting a sparkling blue light in the dark night, appearing exceptionally splendid.

With each swing, there was a sound like rushing water, and the layers of 'Tides' had become quite substantial!

The adventurer's expression showed doubt as he cautiously adjusted his posture.

Glancing at his steel knife, he noticed several notches. In the previous clashes, Zuo Chang's sword strikes had become increasingly powerful.

Especially the last one!

That feeling...

It was like a wave hitting head-on. Seemingly weak, but the powerful aftermath made his wrist holding the knife tremble!

"His weapon... seems unusual. And his moves are skilled and precise, not like a novice."

The adventurer cautiously took a step back.

Subconsciously looking behind, he found that his nearest teammate was three or four meters away. He couldn't help but think, "Why are they so slow—"

The moon emerged, breaking through the clouds, casting a silver glow across the ground!

In that distracted moment, the adventurer looked forward again, only to discover a strange blue-white sword light before him.

In that moment of distraction, Zuo Chang seized the opportunity.

The adventurer was certain that his attention had been diverted for less than a second, yet the opponent was so seasoned that he could seize this fleeting moment. The sword struck swiftly, viciously piercing the throat and penetrating through the back of the neck, leaving a clear passage!

"Ugh—"

The adventurer struggled weakly, eyes filled with horror, collapsing as Zuo Chang withdrew his sword.

Seizing the advantage!

Zuo Chang's eyes narrowed, and instead of retreating after the kill, he actively surged forward.

The second adventurer was also at the second realm.

Intimidated by Zuo Chang's momentum, he subconsciously halted his pursuit. As the [Crown of the Moon·Magic Steel Sword] descended, he failed to react appropriately and was almost split in half.

"Let me handle it!"

A thunderous shout echoed once again.

Zuo Chang turned to see the bulky man with the heavy axe from earlier roaring. Surprisingly, he had abandoned the heavy axe and was striding forward.

Judging by the sound, the weight of that heavy axe was likely fifty or sixty kilograms.

As a third-realm adventurer, even without the axe, he possessed considerable combat strength, and without the burden of a heavy weapon, his speed had at least doubled!

Zuo Chang felt the hostility and disdain from the man but, fueled by a sense of victory, he wanted to confront him.

However, the blessings from the crossing had altered the effectiveness of the "Decisive Battle Weapon." It only lasted until the next attack, had a high mana cost, and was not very practical in chaotic battles.

Originally, among the four blessings, the last one, "Nine Underworlds Banishment," was the most suitable for current use.

In the game, its effect was:

"Nine Underworlds Banishment": For three rounds, the target's health will not drop below one point.

After the crossing, although Nine Underworlds Banishment could still prevent death, its effect had changed significantly:

"Nine Underworlds Banishment": Consumes all remaining mana. For the next five minutes, the target is immune to disability or death, maintaining a constant level of combat effectiveness. After the effect ends, a judgment will be made based on the actual situation.

"Judgment Passed": If the target's damage received during Nine Underworlds Banishment is less than the target's health, the target survives without any injuries.

"Judgment Failed": Otherwise, the target dies.

"During the duration, you can use healing methods to offset the damage received by the target. You can also observe if there is a 'Soul Harbinger' by the target's side to know the judgment result."

A significant weakening!

Nine Underworlds Banishment no longer unconditionally prevented death.

Indiscriminate attacks during the duration, absorbing any damage, would likely result in mutual destruction at best.

This was a severe blow. If not for the ability to "heal" to offset the "damage," this blessing might as well be discarded.

In the current situation...

Unless there was no other option, Zuo Chang was reluctant to use it.

"Including the one from last night, I've already killed five people."

Zuo Chang gently closed his eyes.

On the panel, a mission turned green:

"Ten Steps, One Kill: After ending the lives of five adventurers, you can regain a skill you once possessed. Current progress (5/5)."

Reclaiming a skill now, perhaps...

Boom!

Zuo Chang was about to take action when a massive explosion suddenly resounded.

Turning his head, he saw a huge "Ink Skull Jade" exploding just three or four meters in front of Litchi!