Chapter 401: Ruvian/Zian/Calyra vs The Black Knight (2)

[Zian’s POV]

CLANG!

Zian’s [Caliburnus] clashed once more with the Black Knight’s sword, the impact nearly wrenching the weapon from his grasp.

Even with his [Blessing of Absolute Duellist], which granted him superior combat prowess and accelerated adaptation against a single opponent, it still wasn’t enough.

He simply couldn’t contend with the Black Knight in either swordsmanship or raw strength.

’He’s clearly a rank above me...’

"Tch!"

Clicking his tongue, Zian hastily retreated several steps. The Black Knight pursued him without hesitation, unleashing another powerful slash before he could regain his footing.

Ruvian stepped in just as the blade descended, catching the attack with his black katana.

His arms buckled under the weight of the blow, but he managed to redirect the Black Knight’s sword before slipping out of its reach.

’Seriously, how the hell is he even keeping up?’ Zian wondered.

He couldn’t help but marvel at Ruvian’s performance. Not only was he holding his own against the Black Knight, but he also seemed to know exactly when Zian needed his assistance.

As far as he knew, Ruvian was merely a First-Class Magus (B). The Black Knight, on the other hand, possessed strength comparable to a Grand Magus (A) at its peak — perhaps even greater!

What baffled him even more was how Ruvian managed to withstand the Dark Mana constantly emanating from the Black Knight’s body, gradually weakening anyone who ventured too close.

Zian himself could only endure its corrosive effects thanks to his Light Magic and [Blessing of Avgar Regeneration], which continuously healed the damage inflicted upon his body.

But as for Ruvian?

He had absolutely no idea how he was managing it.

Despite their combined efforts, neither of them had managed to inflict any substantial damage upon the Black Knight.

They weren’t gaining any ground. All they had accomplished thus far was keeping him occupied, and even that was taking a considerable toll on them.

If they couldn’t defeat him, then their only remaining option was to hold him off until Lord Evrard and his commanders finished over there.

At least, that was what Zian desperately hoped.

Suddenly, the Black Knight lunged forward, swinging his enormous sword toward Ruvian’s neck.

Channeling Lightning Magic to accelerate his movements, Zian rushed forward and raised his Light-infused [Caliburnus], barely managing to intercept the descending blade.

The collision nearly drove Zian to one knee, leaving his arms momentarily numb. The Black Knight immediately followed up with another slash, this time aiming for his waist.

’Shit!’

Zian hastily propelled himself sideways with Wind Magic, narrowly evading the blade. At the same time, Ruvian slipped around the creature’s right flank and thrust [The Endseeker] toward an exposed gap in his armor.

The Black Knight reacted almost instantaneously, violently knocking Ruvian’s katana aside before driving his armored fist straight into his chest.

"GUH–!"

Ruvian was thrown several meters backward, coughing up blood before striking the ground with a sickening thud.

The Black Knight pursued him without hesitation, refusing to give him any opportunity to recover, but before any of that... Zian retaliated with several blades of Light Magic, forcing the Black Knight to turn and defend himself.

Taking advantage of the brief opening, Ruvian forced himself upright and swiftly retreated with Wind Magic.

Yet, before he could put any meaningful distance between them, several dark chains suddenly erupted from the ground and coiled around his legs.

"For real?"

Ruvian immediately swung [The Endseeker] downward, severing the chains before raising his free hand and unleashing a barrage of [Magic Missiles].

In response, the Black Knight simply swept his sword through the incoming projectiles, destroying them all before charging toward Ruvian again.

’He’s... ignoring me?’

With the Black Knight’s attention entirely focused on Ruvian, Zian rushed forward and delivered a powerful Light-infused slash toward his exposed back.

But then... the Black Knight twisted his body to evade the strike, but [Caliburnus] still managed to graze his shoulder, leaving a shallow cut across his armor.

In the very next instant, the Black Knight abruptly spun around and slammed his enormous sword against [Caliburnus], knocking it aside before driving his armored knee straight into Zian’s abdomen.

"Hukk–!"

Zian coughed up blood as he was hurled backward, striking the ground hard enough to fracture the stone beneath him.

Before he could even catch his breath, several dark spears materialized above him and immediately descended, threatening to impale him.

Frantically, Zian conjured a [Light Barrier], obliterating several spears upon contact.

The remaining projectiles hammered against the barrier, causing cracks to spread across its surface. Realizing it wouldn’t hold, Zian rolled aside just as it shattered.

By the time he scrambled back to his feet, the Black Knight had already resumed his relentless assault on Ruvian.

Their swords clashed in rapid succession, but Ruvian was visibly struggling to keep pace.

Each blow drove Ruvian further backward, until the Black Knight suddenly changed the angle of his blade mid-swing, cutting deeply across his chest.

"ARGH!"

Blood sprayed from Ruvian’s chest as he staggered backward, his expression contorting in agony.

Before he could even recover, the Black Knight raised his sword for another devastating strike, aiming directly for his exposed neck.

"RUVIAN!"

Zian immediately activated [Blink], reappearing beside Ruvian just in time to intercept the descending blade with [Caliburnus].

The impact proved far too overwhelming for him to withstand, driving him violently backward into Ruvian before sending both of them crashing onto the ground.

’Shit...!’

Gritting his teeth, Zian struggled to his feet, a sharp pain coursing through his chest with every movement.

Thankfully, [Blessing of Avgar Regeneration] was already taking effect again, gradually mending his fractured ribs and alleviating the pain.

But Ruvian wasn’t nearly as well off.

Blood seeped through Ruvian’s clothes as he struggled to push himself upright. His breathing had become increasingly labored, and the hand gripping [The Endseeker] was trembling uncontrollably.

’This is bad...’

Zian tightened his grip around [Caliburnus], his expression growing increasingly grim.

His own injuries were gradually healing, but Ruvian’s condition continued to deteriorate with no signs of recovery.

Suddenly, an immense surge of Dark Mana erupted from the creature’s body, spreading rapidly across the ground before countless black spikes burst upward beneath their feet.

Zian unleashed a sweeping arc of Light Magic, destroying the spikes around him. Meanwhile, Ruvian propelled himself backward with Wind Magic, narrowly escaping the ones emerging beneath his feet.

But the moment Ruvian landed, he found the Black Knight standing right in front of him.

"Tch!"

Ruvian raised [The Endseeker] to defend himself, but the Black Knight’s strike overwhelmed his weakened arm, nearly knocking the katana from his grasp.

Seizing the opportunity, the creature grabbed Ruvian by the throat and lifted him off the ground.

"How the hell did that fool lose to someone like you...?" the Black Knight sneered, tightening his grip. "You’re far weaker than I anticipated. Is this really all you’ve got?"

Despite the crushing pressure around his throat, Ruvian managed a defiant smirk, revealing his bloodstained teeth and gums.

"Fuck... off."

Displeased by his insolent response, the Black Knight raised his enormous sword, preparing to plunge it straight through Ruvian’s heart.

However, just as he was about to deliver the fatal blow, he noticed Zian rushing toward him.

Seemingly reconsidering his approach, the Black Knight abruptly hurled Ruvian toward the approaching Zian with tremendous force.

Zian could have avoided the incoming collision, but that would mean allowing Ruvian to crash into the ground. Instead, he instinctively reached forward and caught him.

The force behind the throw knocked them both off their feet, sending them tumbling several meters across the ground.

"Urgh...!"

Struggling to push himself upright, Zian immediately turned toward Ruvian, whose complexion had grown alarmingly pale.

Blood continued to trickle from the corner of his mouth, and his breathing had become increasingly ragged.

"Hey, can you still fight!? You look pretty bad."

"Yeah..." Ruvian answered through gritted teeth, slowly raising [The Endseeker]. "Though I think... this bastard really wants me dead."

Zian’s lips twitched bitterly at his response.

"You think!?"

Ruvian merely chuckled weakly, though the movement immediately drew a painful wince. Then, despite his battered condition, he spoke with an almost reassuring confidence.

"Don’t worry. We did well holding him back. Backup is coming."

Just as the Black Knight prepared to charge toward them again, a brilliant streak of cerulean light descended from the sky, hurtling straight toward him.

The resulting explosion engulfed his position, sending shattered stones and debris scattering in every direction.

And amidst the ensuing devastation, a chillingly calm voice suddenly rang out.

"Need a hand?"

Ruvian coughed up another mouthful of blood before managing a wry smile.

"Yes... yes, we do."

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[Chapter 401: Ruvian/Zian/Calyra vs The Black Knight (2)]

Plot Points = 230,200