Chapter 24: Chapter 24
It had been nearly an hour since Issei had seen the two duke it out. Coming back to where they were, Issei watched as both of them were being brought down to a slither of health. Charging up a very, ultra powerful attack, Issei launched the attack straight in between the two. Since the two were already so began up from each other, they weren't able to react in time and the attack engulfed the two. The gaping dragon could only scream in pain as its body was finally incinerated while the tank could only watch as its body was reduced to nothingness. Issei had won... he had beaten the two... it didn't matter if he didn't even fight them, it didn't matter if he did it the cheap way, it mattered that he survived.
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Level Up x 4
+ 2 titanite shards
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Four level ups were a lot... they must have been two boss level creatures. Sitting down and watching the clouds beginning to circulate around a specific point, Issei really didn't have any
Issei finally decided that he would upgrade his shield.
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Iron Great Shield -> Iron Great Shield (+1)
Rarity: Epic
Attributes: +3 Strength —> +4 Strength
+10 Endurance -> +11 Endurance
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So, damage reduction didn't increase... good to note. Now with his stronger shield, Issei took one step forward and noticed that there was something coming towards him.
Eyeing the figure through the distance, Issei noticed another armored individual. Coming at him, the being held a very large sword, similar in size to his, but it was thicker. Gripping onto it with both of its hands, the black armor that it wore, the horrific vibe that the being gave. Issei could only notice that the knight was breathing heavily, but it stood in front of Issei without a slither of hindrance from the running.
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Name: Black Knight
Race: Unknown
Level: 70
HP: 5500/5500
MP: 1750/1750
STR: 128 (+30)
AGL: 62 (-2)
END: 100 (+10)
INT: 70
Bonus: +50% Damage Reduction
+15% Pierce Damage
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The sheer strength that the knight held was immense. Rushing in, Issei watched as the knight began winding up his attack. As he began preparing for his attack, aiming to use his damage reduction and Berserk Wrath to his advantage combined with Iron Flesh, he was met with the instant swing from the black knight. Being interrupted, Issei could only swing back, but the strength difference was massive. Issei couldn't handle the strength different and was absolutely blasted back into the distance.
This was another instance where the opponent was just him... but had a better build. The only thing Issei had over his opponent was the sheer health pool difference. Using his shield, Issei thought of parrying one of the swings. Waiting for the knight to rush at him, seeing the steps as the knight was much slower than him, Issei watched as the swing came down at him. Perfectly timing the parry, Issei was met with his shield being overpowered and him being slammed into the ground from the sheer strength of the swing. Gasping, Issei rolled to the side and was able to dodge a deadly blow.
Jumping back, Issei quickly activated Berserk Wrath and slammed his sword into the black knight, but the black knight was able to block the spinning attack with his own sword. Trying again, Issei backed up, with the knight watching his every move through its crimson-colored glowing eyes. Using Iron Flesh, Issei rushed in and slammed his sword into the knight again, but he was met with a stronger swing that sent him back.
Attempting it again, as Issei's blade clashed against the black knight's once more, a surge of frustration coursed through him. The weight of his every strike seemed insignificant against the unwavering might of his opponent. Each collision reverberated through his arms, threatening to shake his resolve.
Desperation fueled his movements as he pivoted, attempting to find a weak spot in the knight's impenetrable defense. Yet, with each swing, it felt as though he was merely striking at solid stone. Sweat dripped down Issei's brow, his breaths ragged as he strained against the unyielding force before him.
That was when Issei decided to give his all into this battle. Using his chaotic manipulation, he began channeling energy into his body, similar to before he nuked the forest, and made his every move more powerful and his speed more precise and agile. Yet, even in his heightened state, Issei could sense the weight of his own exhaustion bearing down upon him. His mana was beginning to decay since he had Iron Flesh and chaotic manipulation activated at nearly all times. His limbs screamed in protest with every movement, a stark reminder of the toll his relentless combat had taken. But he refused to relent, his resolve burning bright even in the face of overwhelming odds.
As the clash continued, each blow exchanged between the two combatants echoed with the intensity of their struggle. The only person to take damage was Issei as he was taking damage from the shockwave of the knight's brutally punishing attacks. But as the battle raged on, Issei found himself grappling with a sense of doubt. Was he truly capable of overcoming this formidable foe? The weight of uncertainty threatened to consume him, yet he pushed it aside, focusing instead on the rhythm of his own heartbeat, the steady cadence of his breath.
And then, in a moment of clarity, Issei saw a weakness. Issei noticed a small little crack on the lower part of the leggings that the knight wore. The knight screamed before enhancing himself in a blackish aura... however, Issei saw how he could win. Rushing in once more, Issei entered his inventory and pulled out his sledgehammer and threw it with all his might straight into the helmet of the knight.
Being confused, the knight wasn't able to react and was hit straight in the head. Slightly annoyed, the knight tried to refocus on Issei, but another sledgehammer came homing in on its head. Seizing the opportunity, Issei, with Berserk Wrath, Iron Flesh, and Chaotic Manipulation, slamming his Great Sword right into the opened crack.
Shattering the leggings, the black knight could only scream in pain before Issei energy manipulation caused for an explosion to engulf the two. Hitting the black knight right in the critical point... The black knight was blasted backwards. Not stopping there... Issei charged a nuclear blast with his Great Sword.
"It's all or nothing..." Charging the blade with all his mana... the size of the energy blade covering his Great Sword began increasing... the size began tripling, quadrupling, quintupling... The black knight watched this and began engaging its own version of an energy blade. When the two finished... Issei and the knight rushed in.
Issei swung his blade while the knight did the same...
But Issei was faster...
Instead of swinging to collide with the black knight's blade, Issei swung to throw the black knight off. Purposely missing and narrowly dodging the black knight's blade, which erupted with a huge energetic wave of darkness behind him, Issei seized this opportunity to stab the knight straight in the critical weak spot and allowed for his Great Sword to deliver a nuclear bomb right inside the black knight. Screeching in pain, the black knight watched as his entire body exploded from the inside out.
Once the smoke cleared, Issei was seen standing with his entire front side burnt from his own attack. What remained of the black knight was his sword... He leveled up twice from beating the knight.
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Weapon Name: Black Knight Ultra Great Sword
Rarity: Legendary
Attributes: +30 Strength
+15% Pierce Damage
-5 Agility
Requirement: 70 Strength
Details: This ancient artifact was once used by the legendary black knights that once fought and served the very Gods.
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So, the sword itself... was a legendary weapon. Issei had a decision to make... either lose the shield and go all strength or keep the shield and replace his Great Sword with the Black Knight Ultra Great Sword. He finally made his decision... if he needed to switch, he could switch mid battle. He had his shield ready right in the easiest part to reach in his inventory.
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Name: Issei Hyoudou
Title: Guardian of Kuoh
Race: Iron Golem
Level: 70
HP: 3000/9400
MP: 80/560
STR: 111 (+47)
AGL:84.5 (-2)
END: 83 (+11)
INT: 72 (+2)
Bonus: 38% Damage Reduction
+25% Pierce Damage
Skills: Iron Flesh
Berserk Wrath
Chaotic Manipulation
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He was a glass cannon if he wasn't an iron golem... that would have been terrible. Hopefully, the race change could support his little weaker side of tanking.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone