One of the requirements to become a [Mage] graduate from the academy is to be capable of creating and sustaining a protective mana barrier over oneself. It is the most optimal and useful technique that a [Mage] has to avoid being assassinated either by arrow, bullet, or magic. It is a technique that even counters blades, albeit inefficiently and at significantly higher cost.

But, like all weaves whether they be cloth, leather, or chain- they share a very simple weakness.

A weakness in the form of blunt force.

Brand gets only one blink before Quasi's form disappears and is replaced with that of a monstrous Fenrimorph. By the moment he starts channeling a spell, it's already too late. A scaled fist crashes into his barrier, then pushes it back until both barrier and fist connect with his skull.

The [Mage] goes flying and crashes violently into the icy cavern wall.

Seeing this, Both Anna and Auranta shift their focus from countering the enemy [Mage] to assisting those on the battlefield. Immediately, ice and wind rain down on the enemy, shifting the course of the battle significantly.

With Brand defeated, Quasi doesn't waste time as he rushes to Gunnar. By the time he arrives, the [Frost Lord] is covered in cuts and looks quite tired. As for his opponent, Malthazar looks unfazed by their dance.

Quasi glances at the weapon in the man's hand.

Name

Whispering Coils

Rarity

Epic - 14 Runes.

1(14- Voidform Edge)

Description

This bladed whip exists in an alternate dimension so long as mana is supplied. At will, portions of the whip can leave the reality at cost.

Sustain

0.8% Mana Regeneration Per Minute

Become tangible: 5.5 mana per cubic inch per second.

Oof, that's dangerously annoying.

"Gunnar, leave him to me. Go support the others."

Gunnar warily glances at the monstrosity. For a moment, he's confused by those words, but then realizes what Quasi's class was.

"No. I'm fighting to keep you from dying. You go help, I'll handle him."

Quasi looks the bloodied man up and down. "You're handling him pretty poorly so far."

The [Frost Lord] grimaces at the comment. He grinds his teeth. "I'd do better if I can predict the movement of his wind whip."

Wind? Is that what he thinks it is?

Malthazar chuckles, interrupting the two. "If you want to fight me two to one, then I'm happy to oblige." His hand twitches for a moment. Quasi feels something sharp touch his shoulder. He moves in such a way to avoid a deep cut. The man's hand twitches again, this time cutting from another direction. Quasi shifts around, reacting to the stimuli of pain.

Thinking he has the opening, Gunnar throws his ax, but Malthar twitches his hand, countering the axe. Gunnar teleports to the weapon and prepares to throw his other, but instead is forced to block a strike. Quasi moves closer, only for Malthazar to flick his wrist and nearly cut Quasi's head off.

How long is this whip?

Both Quasi and Gunnar apply pressure, trying to shift the man's concentration, but instead find themselves dancing to avoid getting cut in half. Eventually, Quasi and Gunnar make their way to the opposite ends of Malthazar. This forces the man to shift his head constantly so as to counter the two. Which he still does with remarkable ease.

So far, Quasi concludes that the whip isn't a single whip, but multiple ones that fully surround him. Those whips also aren't on the ground but are instead floating in space- which explains why Malthazar only needs to use minimal movements to create a cut sharp enough to rend flesh.

The other, more important conclusion that Quasi realizes is that the man needs sight to counter them.

"Gunnar, remember how you tried to decapitate the bear!" Quasi warns.

With a control of mana, he creates several internal runes of fire and wind just under his skin. Then, once enough runes are made, he grins and detonates them with a muscular flesh. Quasi's flesh explodes with immense heat and gore. From the explosion, thick boiled-blood vapor disperses from his body, smothering himself, Malthazar, and gunnar in a violet manarich cloud.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

Malthazar panics at the loss of sight. He violently flicks his hand in all directions. The cloud disperses away as everything around him is sliced at a significant expense of mana. When finally looks around, Quasi stands skinless with blood dripping off muscle fibers. As for Gunnar, the man is gone.

Panicking, Malthazar turns in a circle to find the [Frost Lord], but finds nothing. That's when he looks up just in time to see an axe descend inches from his cheek. Before he can react, Gunnar's body emerges with a hand on the weapon. The man reveals a bloodthirsty grin moments before his other axe cuts cleanly through Malthazars neck.

As the body drops to the floor, the dozens of whip manifests into reality and falls to the floor while still connected to the ravenhead handle.

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Morale is a fickle mistress few people take into account in regards to a large conflict. Most forget how such a small concept can have significant shifts in how things pan out. For example, the loss of a skilled [Mage] is a significant blow to morale, one that subconsciously affects how hard one fights. This subconscious effect translates into more thought and a delay in decision making.

And during a battle between two experts on equal footing, such a waste of thought is one that can shift momentum.

From the corner of Rowan Ironfell's eye, he watches as a blade of wind slices in half one of his men. It is a quick death, but a notable one. The man's thought shifts to the battle at hand and if he should look into doing something.

It is a short thought, a generally quick one, but it is a thought currently not involved with his current predicament. It is a thought that slows his greatsword by a millisecond. It is a mistake, one his opponent, a wolven [Samurai] capitalizes slightly. Yuto steps forward in that millisecond of thought and applies pressure. This forces Rowan to step back, which causes him to lose even more momentum in the rapid trade of blows. As the momentum shifts more and more, Rowan, a seasoned [Myrmidon], finds himself more and more on the defensive. while he counters and repostes, he looks for an opening. Something, anything to return to the status quo, but Yuto is incredibly skilled.

So skilled that Rowan can't even risk trying to use his skill. Most activatable skills have a short wind-up before activation alongside a verbal component. Such a thing creates an opening that an experienced expert could and would fully capitalize on. Before his skill even leaves his lips, Rowan is sure that Yuto would end his life in a single stroke of his impeccably sharp blade.

Grimacing, Rowan is pushed back more and more, giving more and more ground until the eventuality happens. He fails to be fast enough to react as Yuto's blade counters his greatswords while simultaneously slicing off his hand. His greatsword falls to the floor and the [Samurais] weapon stops a millimeter from his throat.

"I-I surrender." He mouths while trying to ignore the pain.

"I accept," The wolven answers. He removes his weapon from his throat and sheathes it on his back in one motion.

That's when Rowan realizes that the fight is over- has been over. Half the crew is dead, which includes Brand and Malthazar. All that remains now is to await what happens.

"Yuto, decent swordplay, though I think you could have ended it much sooner."

Rowan turns to find a cat sitting next to a wounded [Frost Lord]. The cat smiles happily, having watched the later portions of the duel.

Yuto raises a furry brow. "I was not informed that you are a master of the blade as well."

The cat chuckles. "I'm a master of all weapons. I'd be more than happy to teach you once I can properly hold a sword."

Though skeptical, Yuto bows towards his [Captain]. "If such a moment presents itself, I will respectfully accept such a learning experience."

Quasi snorts at the clear honesty of such words before shifting his focus to the [Myrmidon]. "Rowan, right? Grab your hand," The cat raises its paw and points, "Take it to the tower peoples camp. My [Chief Physician] can reattach it for you so long as it's fresh."

Rowan raises an eyebrow at such a show of kindness, one he'd not expected as the losing party. Regardless, he's defeated, so arguing why he's being treated so kindly would be a waste of energy.

______________________________________________________________

In many smaller cities, the [Mercenary], [Bounty Hunter], and [Merchant] guilds tend to share the same building. This is both a form of marketing and an ease of access for clients looking to use any of their services. It's not uncommon for [Bounty Hunters] and [Merchants] to hire [Mercenaries] to assist in either protection of a far more dangerous hunt.

It is in this building where Irmgard finds herself. Her stride takes her to the receptionist for the [Bounty Hunter] guild.

The woman behind the counter leans forward as Irmgard arrives. "Welcome to-"

Irmgard places a stack of papers on the desk, interrupting the girl. "I require information regarding a [Captain] Malthazor Garfield of the Ravens guild."

"I-um-yes. He arrived recently. Are you looking to hire his services?"

"No. I wish to know if he reported any bounties he is hunting on this island."

The receptionist frowns. "None were reported." She says calmly.

Irmgard nods. "Good." She pushes the papers for ward. She also reaches into her coat and places a large bag of coins on the table. "I am charging Malthazor Garfield with accepting and hunting an unlicensed bounty for the city of Gladius. I would also like to place a bounty on Malthazor Garfield for any [Bounty Hunters] to obtain proof of such transgressions."

The receptionist's eyes go wide. "Those are severe accusations."

Irmgard nods. "I will also be accepting the licensed hunt on behalf of my [Captain]."

The woman behind the counter frowns. She grabs the stack of papers and looks through them. What she finds is fully completed documentation in perfect penmanship. She'd even requested, signed, and paid to have such documents expeditiously processed.

"I'll have this done soon. Please return in an hour."

While the receptionist works, Irmgard strides to the counter for the [Mercenary] guild. Instead of a petite woman, she'd met by a gruff man.

"Watcha want?"

"Services for a week. There is a bounty I require assistance for."

The man folds his arms. "Right… What kind of assistance? What level?"

"Ship Boarding. I need a dozen Advanced classes and a single expert."

"Experts cost a lot." The man warns.

"That's why I only need their services for a week." Irmgard explains.

The man sighs. "Fine." He reaches down and retrieves a stack of papers. As he moves to hand them, the woman places a pre-completed stack of documents on his desk alongside a bag of coins.

She then looks the man in the eyes. "The expedite fee is already included."

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