Ever since I landed in the forest, the only things that felt solid when I hit them were mostly rocks. I've occasionally encountered creatures or monsters with sturdy bodies, but in those cases, it was more about thick hide rather than hardness. It wasn't steel-like solidity; rather they were frustratingly tough and thick. But I managed to deal with that.
Even after entering civilization, the sa held true. I have bitten steel swords in half with my mouth and even demolished buildings.
But Lize's body that I punched? It looked like it was carved out of rock, but its durability exceeded that of stone.
If its tougher than my body, which carries the Steel King trait, that's saying sothing. Anyone else would have fractured their fists by now.
"Brother Sivar's body is quite solid, too. Normally, one's fist should be wrecked by now."
Lize seed to sense that as well, showing a satisfied smile as she spoke. Her neatly aligned teeth were notably impressive.
In Saintess mode, it would have been an endlessly beautiful smile, but this was Martial Saintess mode. Just her smile alone gave off an oppressive aura.
Especially to , it conjured up the image of a wall. A wall that remains unscathed no matter how much you hit it.
At this point, there was only one thod left. I had to infuse magic. I could use the condensation technique I had learned previously.
I clenched my fist tight and began to condense mana. Although it had rged with the red mana, the feeling was enough.
As soon as I felt the mana was condensed in my fist, I punched towards Lizes abdon.
Bang!!
It was a mana-enhanced attack since re fists did nothing. This should have a good chance of working.
Even Hector was flummoxed by my punches, surely she couldn't be unfazed.
"The attack is spicier than before. Technically sound, and plenty of mana too. Very impressive."
?!
She was fine. I couldnt help but be astounded.
As I ntioned before, in the Soul World, her strength mainly showed when facing demons.
Normally, there's no occasion for her to exert force against soone who's not a demon, and Byzantine, her holand, upholds neutrality, which keeps her away from war.
Plus, with the setup of being the hard counter to demons, she had a strange reputation. It was assud she would struggle against a person.
Struggle? What struggle!
I realized this when I struck directly. It was all underestimated.
Her being a nesis to demons has no aning. Lizes body is just insanely solid.
Ratatatata!
I began throwing a flurry of punches in hopes of breaking through. Nurous fists jabbed into Lizes abdon.
Such rapid attacks hardly occur unless the circumstances are just right. According to what Kara said, they are inefficient and consu a lot of energy.
Its better to use rapid strikes for the final blow or during critical monts. Otherwise, it's better to hit with all your might.
However, to break through Lize's solid, no more than steel-like durability, this was the only thod.
Like whetting a blade on a grinding stone, I aid to slowly chip away at her defenses.
Boom!
After a flurry, the last punch landed. My fist lodged squarely into her abdon.
But all my effort seed in vain; Lize didn't flinch. A leisurely smile still occupied her face.
"Is that all? As I've told you before, it's fine to use weapons."
With her trademark refreshing smile, Lize invited to continue. I couldnt just stand by.
I shook off the numb feeling in my hands and reached out with my left hand. Then, in my mind, I called out the weapons na.
Playing with it in my spare ti, it would erge in my hand unless it was Hector or Kara.
Whoomph Thud!
At last, that familiar sensation filled my palm. Ragnarok flew into my grasp.
"Jeez, jeez, jeez I hope the house isn't a ss again."
From a distance, Rod clicked his tongue and grumbled. I could guess what he was worried about.
Ragnarok was supposed to be stored at ho as a precaution. He was concerned whether the house was disheveled again because of this.
Originally, there was no need to use Ragnarok. But to inflict damage on Lize, I had no choice.
What was Lize's trait again? It's a bit hazy.'
Its certain she possesses traits exceeding even the Steel King. Perhaps she used mana or even sacred power as well.
I began slowly infusing mana into Ragnarok. It's an end-spec equipnt, especially for a faith character, and for Gulak as well.
Lightning is hard to withstand unless one's body is well-fortified. Therefore, Ragnarok should be able to hold my red mana as well.
Whoomph!
"Hmm."
Ragnarok trembled as I endowed it with mana. Lize seed to sense sothing serious was underway, her expression turning grave.
Until now, she had maintained a calm smile, but it seed this strike would indeed have an impact.
If she feels like shes about to die, she'll dodge it naturally.
Lize is stronger than . Much stronger.
Therefore, she should be able to make an objective judgnt if the power distance warranted it.
If the attack felt too dangerous, she would evade; if not, she'd stand still.
After infusing the axe with as much mana as it could bear, I swung it towards Lizes abdon.
Until the axe nearly reached her, Lize didnt move but simply stood in place.
Boom!!
The sound of our collision echoed mightily around us, with shockwaves rippling out centered around and Lize.
If we werent in an open field, the powerful storm caused by my wind-swept hair would suggest the devastating impact.
Such a shockwave only cos when great forces collide. I closed my eyes montarily but soon opened them slowly.
"Truly"
My axe had struck Lizes abdon. A totally different scenario compared to when I punched with my fist.
"Truly that was a marvelous strike!"
The problem was it barely penetrated. It just grazed the skin and embedded slightly in the muscle.
Blood flowed, staining Lize's clothes red, but thats about it. It's questionable to even call it a wound.
"To inflict a wound on this body of mine! Such deed is indeed incredible!"
Lize seed surprised even by this tiny mark, half-surely comnding as if she were proud.
But seriously, how is her body made that this is all the damage it sustains? Now I'm flabbergasted.
"No. Why?"
Its ludicrous enough that I blurted out such words. I looked up after regarding the axe stuck in Lizes abdon.
Lize, looking rather pleased, pulled the axe out. As soon as she removed the axe, her wound began to heal gradually.
She's not just resilient in strength but regenerative power as well, surpassing human limits. Like , Lize is far from an ordinary human.
"For decades I traveled as a pilgrim, enduring countless hardships and tribulations. The process was like a blacksmith tempering tal. My body,' which was lacking, was honed in such a manner."
Speaking while caressing her now healed abdon, Lize began to explain. Just how did she journey that resulted in such a physique?
Her conviction was near eccentric to begin with, so so understanding was within reach. But this transcends all logical boundaries.
"That's how my body transford, much like a chick breaking free from its shell. In the East, they call this rebirth by shedding the mortal coil.'"
""
"The heart of a wanderer. The body obtained through rebirth. Lastly, the energy combining both mana and sacred power. All these tempered together to create this result!"
Creak-
As Lize struck a pose flexing her muscles, her whole body dynamically animated.
Her pacific-like pectorals writhed, and veins along the muscles invoked a primal awe.'
"Brother Sivar, your body and energy are perfect. Thats why you could wound . Yet, your heart is still lacking. If you could control that too, not only could you bring down, but you could also gain a potent shield."
Stagger-
Unwittingly, I stepped back. It was a near madness-inducing sight that made retreat without even realizing it.
Wild instincts aside, the overall ambiance was eerie. Along with that, I recalled how Lize was referred to in the Soul World.
A monster crafted by the gods'
Extres et the weapon' created to battle demons was none other than Lize herself.
"Now, it's my turn. As stressed before, there will be no direct hits."
As I was backing away, Lize spoke up. Realizing my fighting spirit had been thoroughly broken, she took the initiative.
At this point, all I felt like doing was turning my back and fleeing. Running away is not a shaful thing.
Sotis one must recognize their limits and run away. It's a mindset I picked up from living in the wild.
"Fury activates in the face of mortal peril. So watch closely, open your eyes wide."
Crunch!
But my thoughts were late. Lize clenched her right fist and moved towards .
Just as I was about to turn my back in haste, her voice reached first.
"This is the visceral death.'"
What filled my vision next were two things.
Boom!!!
Lize's thick fist rushing towards my face and
[Fury is activating!]
It was a vivid death.'
Ti seed to move sluggishly, and despite Fury activating, my consciousness remained clear.
Even as Lizes fist got inches from my face, I couldnt even blink.
My body was stiff, and my mind was blank.
Except for one thing, the sensation of death that seed to desiccate all the blood in my body.
Tap-
""
""
Lize's fist touched lightly on the tip of my nose. A touch so feather-light, contrary to the crushing approach.
Just that contact nearly made my legs buckle. Sohow, I remained upright, but it felt like I would crumble at the slightest touch.
[Fury has been released!]
The system ssage filled my vision, but I didnt care. I couldn't, actually.
All I could see was Lize's fist why was it as big as my face?
"How do you feel, Brother Sivar?"
Behind her fist, Lize's voice ca through. I realized then.
"What does it feel like to co back from the brink of death?"
Lize was unspeakably powerful.
As I stood speechless, she slowly retracted her fist.
As she did, the shadow cleared from my face, and light slowly returned.
"You can do it too. Humans inherently have beastly traits, so even with Fury, it should be no big deal."
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Was it the near-death experience that caused it? My heart started pounding wildly.
Amidst this, Lize extended her hand instead of her fist, proposing with a refreshing smile,
"You're human, Brother Sivar. So don't worry too much."
Surely this is Martial Saintess mode Lize.
"I will help you."
Why did she feel like a saintess? I couldnt fathom the reason.
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