Chapter 176
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Ainika is relentless.
As expected, no matter how many times I destroy him, he keeps coming back perfectly intact, and it’s becoming frustratingly clear that he’s determined to take my life.
Thanks to Talisman Sena, I’m now free from mana restrictions in this fight. But that doesn’t mean my battle with Ainika has become any easier.
While I have Autostrada del Sole at my disposal, I try to limit its use due to the physical strain it puts on my body and its cooldown period—especially since I have no idea how long this fight might last.
Instead, my main strategy involves maintaining constant thought acceleration through Autobahn, which allows me to perceive Ainika’s fast and heavy attacks. I then layer additional Autobahn effects on my arms and legs to respond accordingly.
Of course, Autobahn isn’t without its risks either. It causes fatigue, and while not as demanding as Autostrada del Sole, even when continuously applied to my mind, I still need to take brief cooldown periods—like catching my breath.
In this endless battle with Ainika, where escape seems impossible, three major concerns weigh on my mind: water, food, and remaining healing potions.
As time passes, potions are being depleted the fastest among these three resources.
I try to endure the fatigue from using Autobahn and intense combat as long as possible, only consuming potions when my fighting ability is clearly about to be compromised.
Even with careful rationing, potion consumption is inevitably high.
After two and a half days.
I’ve already gone through seventy percent of my potion stockpile.
Running out of potions would essentially mean death. Anxiety begins to creep into my mind about whether we can continue like this.
The battle between Ainika and me is balanced on a knife’s edge.
One small trigger could tip the scales dramatically.
Just as I’m adapting my combat strategies, Ainika, like the Reverse Dead before him, gains new strengths with each resurrection.
While these improvements might seem minor, they definitely can’t be ignored.
「Again?!」
I can’t help but shout as the monster before me charges straight through my Rain barrage, completely unfazed.
This is the moment when his Light Magic resistance becomes visibly apparent.
「No matter how many times we do this, the result will be the same, fragile human!!」
I accelerate to deflect his serrated greatsword strike, then counter with a single slash that tears through him.
「Condenser!」
Unlike Rain, which trades power for area of effect, I unleash Condenser, which, true to its name, concentrates its power into a focused blast. Ainika’s form dissipates with a sizzle.
It’s clear that weaker Light Magic like Rain has become almost completely ineffective against him. I wonder how long my Light Magic will remain viable.
I distinctly feel the same fear I experienced in the Immortality Dungeon beginning to resurface.
Another six hours pass.
Thinking that his Light Magic resistance might have developed because I relied on it too heavily, unlike in the battle with the Reverse Dead, I decide to save it for crucial moments only.
But then…
「Ha—!」
My accelerated sword, enhanced by Autobahn, sinks into Ainika’s body, but for the first time, I find it difficult to cut through him in a single stroke.
「—ah!」
Using Autobahn to accelerate both my legs and arms—in coordination—I pivot on my planted foot and deliver another strike from the opposite side of my initial cut.
「Gugh!!」
Though Ainika groans, I don’t hesitate. I complete the bisection and, for the umpteenth time, reduce him to pieces with my accelerated blade.
「I wonder how long even this will remain effective—」
I can’t finish the sentence.
If I were to say it out loud, I’m sure I would—
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Another six hours pass.
My battle with Ainika enters its third day.
From the start, Ainika has been an absurdly tough opponent—incredibly durable, impossibly fast, with attacks so heavy they seem like a joke. Now he’s resistant to Light Magic, resurrects endlessly, and grows stronger with each revival. He’s easily the most dangerous monster I’ve ever faced.
I had forgotten something important.
Just as I use Light Magic to create barrages, he too can use Dark Magic—
「Tch—」
Finally, after focusing primarily on physical combat until now, he starts unleashing Dark Magic attacks everywhere. It’s like being caught in a hail of bullets.
I kick off the ground with accelerated legs, dodging everything I can, and cutting through what I can’t avoid with Gram—but then,
「Guh!!」
From behind the barrage, his greatsword flashes.
With one swing from Ainika.
My left arm is severed and then completely obliterated by additional Dark Magic.
「How inconvenient it must be to be human.」
Ainika spreads his arms wide and declares triumphantly.
「Making such a fuss over losing one arm. Truly pathetic.
If you lose an arm—」
He cuts off his own arm with his greatsword and kicks it away.
Then declaring 「—just grow it back,」 several black tendrils extend from the cut surface, intertwining until his arm is completely restored.
As I endure the pain of my lost left arm, I listen to his taunting, which seems to suggest this should be as easy as breathing.
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