Chapter 403: Ruvian/Zian/Calyra vs The Black Knight (4)

[Ruvian’s POV]

[Blink] [Blink] [Blink] [Blink] [Blink] !!!

Ruvian repeatedly activated the spell, vanishing and reappearing around the Black Knight at astonishing speed.

He no longer had to worry about depleting his mana reserves.

One moment, he was attacking from the left, and the next, he had already appeared behind the creature. Yet, no matter how swiftly he moved, the Black Knight somehow managed to intercept every single attack.

’This bastard’s reflexes are ridiculous...’

Their blades clashed once again, sending sparks scattering between them. Gritting his teeth, Ruvian poured twice as much mana into [The Endseeker], activating every enchantment imbued within the blade.

The black katana surged with power, allowing him to withstand the creature’s overwhelming strength without being forced back.

Unfortunately, the Black Knight wasn’t finished.

Twisting its enormous sword, it unleashed another vicious strike, forcing Ruvian to activate [Blink] and retreat several meters. He reappeared behind the creature a heartbeat later, his katana already sweeping toward its exposed neck.

But once again, the Black Knight intercepted his attack.

’Tch.’

Although his strength had increased tremendously, the difference between them was still considerable.

Nevertheless, compared to their earlier exchanges, he could now hold his ground without being completely overwhelmed.

That alone was a significant improvement.

Even the Black Knight seemed to have noticed it as well.

The creature abruptly ceased its assault, its muted golden eyes narrowing beneath its helmet. For a moment, it merely stared at Ruvian before speaking in a low, menacing voice.

"You... what did you do?" it demanded, tightening its grip on its sword. "Where did this strength come from?"

Hearing this, Ruvian raised an eyebrow before giving the creature a faint smirk.

"Are you sure I’m the one who suddenly became stronger?" he asked. "What if you’re the one who suddenly grew weaker?"

(+300PP)

The Black Knight fell silent.

Then, without warning, black lightning erupted from its armor.

Countless bolts surged outward, striking the ground and arcing between the shattered stones. Within seconds, the surrounding area was engulfed in violent flashes, with several bolts shooting high into the sky.

Ruvian’s expression changed.

’Oh, shit!’

Without a moment’s hesitation, he activated [Blink], narrowly evading a bolt that struck his previous position. Unfortunately, just as he reappeared several meters away, another bolt came hurtling toward him.

Ruvian gritted his teeth.

Simply evading the lightning wouldn’t be enough.

Because more were coming.

’Tch.’

Raising his free hand, Ruvian gathered Water Mana and conjured several thick columns of water around the Black Knight, keeping them a safe distance from himself.

Using his precise mana control, he mixed the water with dust and loose minerals scattered across the battlefield, increasing its electrical conductivity.

After all, water containing dissolved minerals could conduct electricity far better than air. If he could provide the lightning with an easier path toward the ground, he might be able to redirect at least some of the attacks.

Of course, he had to be careful not to let the water reach his own feet!

With a swift motion of his hand, Ruvian raised the columns higher, positioning them in the paths of the scattered lightning.

Almost immediately, several black bolts struck the streams and traveled down their lengths before discharging into the ground.

More lightning followed, causing the water to flash violently.

"What!?" the Black Knight exclaimed.

A grin crept across Ruvian’s face as he watched several incoming bolts being diverted away from him.

However, before the creature could do anything else, hundreds of ice spears came hurtling toward it.

The Black Knight swung its enormous sword, unleashing a wave of Dark Mana that shattered most of the projectiles before they could reach it.

But just as it finished dealing with the barrage, two figures appeared directly in front of it.

[Blink]

Ruvian and Zian attacked simultaneously.

The Black Knight raised its sword to intercept their blades, only for Ruvian to abruptly withdraw his katana at the last moment.

A feint.

Seizing the opening, Zian swung [Caliburnus], its golden blade radiating brilliant Light Mana.

The sword slashed across the Black Knight’s chest, cleaving through a small section of its armor.

Dark blood seeped from the wound, drawing an enraged grunt from the creature. By the time it attempted to retaliate, both Ruvian and Zian had already vanished.

"Can you keep up?" Ruvian asked.

Zian laughed before replying, "I should be the one asking you that."

From that moment onward, the two began coordinating their attacks, repeatedly using [Blink] to maneuver around the Black Knight while engaging it in close combat.

Whenever Ruvian attacked from one direction, Zian would appear from another, forcing the creature to defend against both of them.

Meanwhile, Calyra continued supporting them with her long-range spells, gradually forcing the Black Knight onto the defensive.

Of course, their coordination wasn’t entirely flawless, especially considering how rapidly they were moving.

At one point, Zian accidentally lost his grip on [Caliburnus] after a particularly violent clash, forcing Ruvian to catch the falling sword while tossing [The Endseeker] toward him.

Somehow, the two managed to exchange their weapons mid-combat, continuing their assault for several exchanges before swapping them back.

For a suffocating moment, even the Black Knight seemed unable to keep track of their movements.

Every time it attempted to strike one of them, the other would exploit its blind spot. And whenever it tried to regain its footing, another spell from Calyra would force it to defend itself.

Still, Ruvian knew they couldn’t maintain this advantage forever.

’There isn’t much time left...’

[Time Remaining: 03:07]

Gritting his teeth, Ruvian activated [Blink] once more, reappearing behind the creature with [The Endseeker] already swinging toward its neck.

At the same time, Zian emerged from the opposite direction, his [Caliburnus] descending toward the Black Knight’s shoulder.

They had it surrounded.

Or so Ruvian thought.

Just as their blades were about to connect, the Black Knight did something neither of them expected.

It released its enormous sword.

The weapon fell toward the ground, but before either of them could react, the creature’s hands shot forward and seized their wrists with terrifying speed.

Ruvian’s expression changed as he felt its fingers digging into his flesh.

’What!?’

"Now, no more [Blink] [Blink]," the Black Knight growled, tightening its grip on both of them.

Then, black lightning erupted from its arms; the electricity surged through their bodies, sending excruciating pain tearing through Ruvian’s muscles.

Beside him, Zian let out an agonized scream, his entire body convulsing violently under the continuous assault.

Even with his enhanced mana control, Ruvian could barely muster enough concentration to cast another spell.

’Damn it!!’

Desperately, he attempted to wrench his arm free, but the creature’s grip remained unyielding. The lightning continued ravaging his body, and he could already smell his own flesh being scorched.

His vision blurred.

Yet, just as he was about to force his mana into another spell, a familiar figure appeared before them.

[Blink]!

Calyra emerged directly in front of the Black Knight, her blue eyes fixed on the creature.

In a heartbeat, she activated [True Authority], temporarily nullifying the lightning coursing through Ruvian and Zian’s bodies.

The sudden relief allowed Ruvian to regain his senses, though the Black Knight still held both of them firmly in its grasp.

"Begone."

Calyra raised her palm toward the creature’s chest.

A dense sphere of Pure Mana materialized before her hand, rapidly accumulating power at point-blank range.

[Magic Missile]

The spell detonated directly against the Black Knight’s armor.

Its grip finally loosened, releasing both Ruvian and Zian as the impact sent its massive body hurtling backward.

Several unfortunate monsters were crushed beneath its weight, while others were flung aside by the sheer force of the collision.

But Calyra had no intention of allowing it a chance to recover. Keeping her palm extended, she unleashed another [Magic Missile] in rapid succession.

Brilliant flashes of Pure Mana illuminated her face and the surrounding battlefield as successive explosions tore through the Voidspawn horde.

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[Chapter 403: Ruvian/Zian/Calyra vs The Black Knight (4)

Plot Points = 231,000