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Chapter 47 - Chapter 47: The Venerated One vs. Freya's Executives III

'I could barely see that attack coming.'

Judas knelt on one knee, clutching his stomach.

"Tsk, looks like they are no longer pulling their punches, huh."

He looked at his current state and realized his mind pool had less than half remaining.

'My strengthening magic... I only have a minute left.'

His face twitched from pain as he stood and got into a stance.

"Looks like you still have some fighting spirit left in you."

"But how long will that last?" 

The lightning elf commented after seeing the defiant look in his eyes.

"Be careful. His ability to instantly cast destructive spells is what makes him dangerous but in close combat, he is only as strong as a level 4." 

He added, before four figures flashed past him in synchronized motion.

"Against a combat mage like him, a single breath of freedom is enough for him to gather his magic power... don't give him that chance."

『Infernal Barrage』

A cascade of fireballs hurled toward them.

But the four identical figures seemed undeterred and pulled small swords from their pockets.

"Magic swords?"

Judas realized what those items were as the Pallums activated them without hesitation.

A stream of magic attacks collided with the fireballs, producing a shockwave that sent debris flying and a cloud of smoke into the air.

From the shroud of dust, the four figures emerged and instantly appeared in front of him.

"Crap!"

The four Pallums, after drinking healing potions, were back in prime fighting condition.

A spear.

An axe.

A greatsword.

And finally, a giant hammer.

Each wielded a unique weapon, and their mastery was nothing to scoff at.

But the most terrifying aspect of their combat prowess was not their level or skill but their ability to work together seamlessly, as if they were one entity.

The moment they took action, Judas found himself at a severe disadvantage.

"Ergh!"

Judas gritted his teeth, sweat and blood pouring from his brow.

They exchanged dozens of moves per second; their figures blurred, their movements too fast for any normal person to follow.

Still, it was glaringly obvious that Judas had been backed into a corner and could not fight back.

A stab to his shoulder.

A slash across his chest.

A wound on his arm.

A gash on his thigh.

The more seconds passed, the more injuries Judas accumulated.

Meanwhile, the four Pallums remained unharmed, pressing the offense and leaving him no room to breathe or cast spells.

'If I lose concentration for even a millisecond, I'm dead.'

Judas felt his body ache all over.

Blood splattered everywhere, staining the dungeon floor and the walls.

'Think... think... how do I get out of this?'

His mind raced but he was at his wit's end; he didn't even have time to cycle spells and could only move his body, doing his best to avoid being cut down.

As he swerved to the side to avoid a spear aimed at his chest, a figure flashed beside him.

The dark elf with the cursed weapon... who swung downward.

'I can't dodge that.'

Realizing this, Judas blocked by crossing his arms, using Járnglófar to defend.

The obsidian gauntlet glowed as he channeled magic power into it to reinforce and increase its defensive capability.

Because it was made of orichalcum, Járnglófar conducted magical energy better than most materials.

Combined with his near-perfect control of magic power, it was why he didn't bother using a staff or wand like other mages.

However, even so, the strike of a Level 6 was not to be underestimated.

When the cursed sword struck his gauntlet, although it offset some impact, it was not enough.

The bones of his left forearm split with a snapping sound.

"Ahh!"

Screaming in agony, Judas's left arm dangled as his feet skidded across the ground.

Before he could get his bearings, a hammer struck his left side and sent him flying into the dungeon wall.

Crash.

He felt several ribs crack under the intense force.

"This is the end of the line for you, Judas Spade." 

The hammer-wielding Pallum said, hoisting his giant hammer over his shoulder as he turned toward Judas, whose body was planted against the wall.

Judas said nothing as he pulled himself free; chunks of dungeon rock fell as smoke rose from his body.

He clutched his left arm and tried to realign the bones as his body healed.

The attackers frowned when they saw his wounds closing at a visible rate.

"There was no magic spell being cast and I sensed no magic power being used."

"It must be an unknown healing skill."

The lightning elf muttered, rubbing his chin.

"Hah... that only means we can rough him up as much as we want, right?"

Instead of surprise, this information excited the attackers.

'These sadistic bastards.'

Judas cursed in his mind, blood covering half his face.

But before he could even stand, the Pallums charged forward.

'Give me a break.'

Perhaps his prayer was heard... fissures appeared on the dungeon walls and floor.

Growls and roars filled the air.

Monsters spawned around them in droves.

'I completely forgot we were in the dungeon.'

Judas looked around.

Orcs and flying bats surrounded them, eyes full of hostility.

But Judas knew he couldn't rely on these monsters to take out first-class adventurers; that would be ridiculous.

"These monsters! Annoying!" 

The Cat Person shouted as he swung his spear, one-tapping any monster he saw.

His attackers quickly dispatched the low-level monsters with little effort.

However, the monsters' appearance bought Judas the opportunity he needed.

With that thought, Judas activated a massive spell that would nearly deplete his mind reserves.

A cyan-colored giant magic circle formed beneath him.

"Stop him!"

The lightning elf began chanting and the Pallums rushed, ignoring the monsters in their way.

But Judas merely smiled.

『Blizzard』

With a swipe of his hand, the magic circle flared, and the temperature plunged.

A violent gale howled into existence, carrying shards of ice that sliced through the air like razors.

A blizzard roared to life, a swirling maelstrom of white that froze anything it touched.

A large section of the 10th floor turned into a frozen wasteland, with the caster standing at its heart like a sovereign of winter.

He stared at the lightning elf, who was encased in ice.

"You said I was going to experience hell?"

Judas lifted his head, eyes burning with cold defiance as the air around him chilled.

Their gazes locked, and though his mind began to grow hazy, he forced it back with sheer will.

A frost-laced breath escaped his lips as a faint mist curled around him.

"Then I'll freeze hell itself... and bury you in it."

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