Is it wrong to try to meet someone in a dungeon?

"I agree to let you attack once first."

That look made it seem like he was testing me.

Or perhaps they want to see through something.

"Go all in, bring it on!"

He meant, "I'm willing to take on Bell Craney's full-force attack."

"...!?"

I was so stunned that I was speechless.

This statement is serious and absolutely true.

The boar-man standing before me clearly saw through our plan, yet he still agreed to let me "attack freely"!

(The possibility of him setting a trap... is absolutely nonexistent...! Because he has no reason to do so!!)

My opponent is the "strongest" in the world; he could completely crush me in a head-on confrontation.

There's no point in using tricks when facing an adventurer whose strength is far inferior to yours and whom you can easily kill.

So, this is the style of a "fierce one".

He wanted to test me by posing as the most powerful attendant of the goddess of beauty.

──"Warrior".

This is the only word that comes to mind.

"Lord Bel..."

A trembling voice came from the eye.

Lily was also very shaken, but she wanted to remind me more.

This is an unprecedented and once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Therefore, I must seize this opportunity. Even if this candy is a gift from the enemy, I must rush forward and fight for it without hesitation.

If I miss this opportunity, I will undoubtedly lose.

Conversely, if I defeat Mr. Otto now, my chances of winning will increase significantly.

"...!!"

So I—

He stretched out his right hand and pulled out the silver greatsword stuck in front of him.

"[Flame Lightning]!"

He then unleashed flames and lightning from his left hand, channeling them into the refined metal (mithril) blade.

Before long, the white light spot that had been focused on the right hand gradually spread to the entire greatsword.

The flames that should have spread outwards were absorbed by the silver blade, which greedily increased its power.

This is a double-force buildup.

Moreover, it can change and expand the range of energy storage.

Because I extended the range of power I originally limited to my right hand to the greatsword, I immediately felt a heavy burden on my physical and mental strength, but I had no choice at the moment.

I cannot switch the sound of the small bell to the sound of the clock tower.

It's impossible to lift the restrictions now.

The reason is that once the charged-up power is canceled, the magic power must be reassembled, and the physical and mental energy originally consumed cannot be recovered. Considering that after defeating Mr. Otto, I still have to fight other valiant warriors, I absolutely cannot waste any more energy.

I held the sword with both hands, determined to unleash my maximum charge in one go, which would end in just one minute.

(...Can I really do that? Although it's an opponent I have no chance of winning under normal circumstances, what if I unleash my full power of [Hero's Wish (Argonauts)]...!)

I am naturally well aware of the destructive power of [Hero's Wish (Argonauts)].

Putting aside the short charging time, a slash like this, pushing power to its limit, would obliterate any enemy. Bell Craney has even used this "skill" to overturn the gap between Lv. countless times.

As the gods once said, this is the power to turn the tide of battle, a "hero's strike."

What would happen if this "ultimate blow" were to hit an adventurer...?

I looked at the boar-man standing in front of me.

He only had one set of light armor.

Although the breastplate on the left chest, the gauntlets, and the armor on the forehead look very thick, these are the only places that are armored. This level of armor is definitely not enough to stop a fully charged slash. I might kill Mr. Otto then.

The enemy is the city's strongest adventurer.

This is no opponent I can afford to be careless with, show mercy to, or entertain any foolish speculations about.

However, even so—

A sudden doubt arose in my heart, making me hesitate about giving it my all.

But Mr. Otto—

As if to erase the suspense in my heart, it began to chant.

"【The mercy of the silver moon, the golden plains, grant me the command to be a fierce fighting boar】."

Faced with the chanting that resounded throughout the venue, I stared wide-eyed in astonishment.

"[Bearing the divine will of the goddess, gallop forward—]"

It is a short verse recitation.

In stark contrast to the spells that can be completed in a short time, Mr. Otto exudes astonishing magic.

"【Hildisvíni】"

What followed was a golden light that almost blinded me.

There was also a twilight-like glow that gathered on the sword of the mighty warrior (king).

"Huh...!?"

I squinted because of the bright light, and then I couldn't help but gasp.

The weapon transformed into a gleaming "golden sword".

The magical light covering the surface of the greatsword resembled the flames of the apocalypse at first glance. The intense light it emitted even gave the illusion that the blade had become thicker, or that the weapon was covered with the fur of a golden boar.

This abnormally surge in magic power... could it be similar in nature to [Hero's Wish (Argonauts)]?

No—this is just a completely simple "super enhancement"!?

"Could this be the magic that Lord Finn spoke of, the magic unique to Lord Otto...? The golden radiance that defeated other adventurers of the same level 7...!!"

After witnessing the dazzling golden light, Lily whispered this through the crystal in a trembling tone.

This is "power enhancement" without the need for accumulation.

Although I can't be sure, based on the information Lily provided beforehand, I've come to this conclusion.

It simply elevates power to another level.

Because of its simplicity, when used by Mr. Otto, who already possesses extraordinary "power," it will become an unimaginable "ultimate technique."

Feeling the cold sweat dripping down my body, I completely forgot my hesitation at that moment.

That "golden sword" contained such extraordinary power that it forced me to make such a decision.

“…………”

“…………”

As I gradually built up my strength, I slowly assumed a fighting stance, like a crossbow with its bowstring fully drawn.

I gripped the hilt of the greatsword with both hands, squatted slightly, took a step forward, and turned slightly to the side.

Mr. Otto struck the same pose as me, as if mirroring my image.

The weapon he lent me was one of a pair of greatswords.

In other words, both sides had the same weapon conditions, with no superiority or inferiority.

The only way to win is through the destructive power generated by the combination of arm strength and magic.

White light and golden light.

Burning flames and bursting light.

The surge of power emanating from the sword blade and spreading in all directions engulfed the amphitheater.

Lily watched with bated breath.

The people who live in the city, including Miss Ais, are definitely watching this place through the "divine mirror".

I gripped the thick hilt of the greatsword tightly, and through my skin, I could feel the gaze of everyone who wasn't on the battlefield focused on it.

Then, "that moment" finally arrived.

five minutes.

After the period of building up power as I leveled up to Lv.5, the continuous chiming of the bells finally reached the critical point.

"--Drink ahh ...

I used all my strength.

Take a step forward and run.

I raised the greatsword imbued with holy fire above my right shoulder and charged toward the "strongest" that stood in my way.

Mr. Otto remained unmoved, his stillness was alarming.

He seemed to have turned to stone, facing my attack head-on.

Whether it's wavering, fear, or trembling—

I waved away these emotions, let out a fiery roar from my mouth, and unleashed "Holy Fire Strike".

"Argo Vesta: The Sacred Flame Slash!!"

This is Bell Crane using all his strength after reaching Lv.5—

The most powerful and genuine strike.

Facing my fatal blow, the boarman, who had raised his greatsword, roared loudly.

"Ugh ugh ...

Accompanied by a roar that seemed to try to force me back with just its sound, an unimaginable "superhuman strength" was unleashed.

The "Golden Strike" and the "Sacred Flame Strike" clashed head-on.

Then──

"────────────────────────!?"

What followed was an unprecedented shock, flashes of light, and the sound of explosions.

The stalemate was broken in an instant.

At first glance, it appeared that the golden fur was suppressing the raging holy flames, but in the end, both greatswords reached their limit at the same time, and the parts above the hilts were completely shattered, and Mr. Otto and I were both blasted away.

"Well!?"

I swept across the huge stage at incredible speed, crashing my back into the marble wall.

When I crashed into the stone wall, expelling all the air from my lungs, the entire theater shook and creaked—this is no metaphor. Cracks appeared in the walls and the audience seating area, and the shattered stone kicked up clouds of dust.

If I'm not mistaken, the entire city ruins fell into complete silence in an instant.

Our attack seemed to have caused the adventurers and valiant warriors to gasp and stop in their tracks.

"Cough cough, cough cough... Ahhh...!?"

The greatsword, now only the hilt, slipped from my hand. The backlash from my fatal blow began to assault my entire body, causing me to howl in pain.

Although my hands were numb from the impact, I still managed to lift my head.

On the other side of the sandstorm.

Ahead, as the smoke slowly dissipates.