I Only Have One Of Those!

My immediate reaction was to pull the teleportation crystal I got from Lapis from my |Item Box|.

"|Gravitae|." [Jukhan]

I felt an invisible force snatch my crystal, leaving it in Jukhan's hand.

"Is this what you used to escape me last time?" [Jukhan]

His gaze then turned to Leon.

"Disciple. Come." [Jukhan]

He beckoned her over.

"Leon, please don't do it. If you stay near me, he might leave me alone." [Solace]

"No. Master comes first." [Leon]

And so she moved to Jukhan's side.

"Ensure the meat isn't overcooked. If it finishes before I finish dealing with Vincent's disciple, you may eat the dragon's meat." [Jukhan]

There were two things I wanted to say. First of all, the blatant targeting is an asshole move. Second of all, Leon looked more than happy to take that job. I bet she was hoping I'd last long against Jukhan so she could eat.

"Have fun, Master." [Leon]

Yep, she sold me off. Other than Leon salivating over eating a dragon, Jukhan approached us menacingly.

"Uh… Friend of yours, Alt?" [Raon]

"I wouldn't exactly say that. He's a well known criminal from what I've heard." [Solace]

"Criminal?" [Raon]

"Yeah, he broke out of Robar prison or something." [Solace]

"Robar prison?!" [Wilharrow]

He looked to be quite surprised.

"That's impossible! Even if he DID escape, where are the chains and locks?! He doesn't even have a collar on!" [Wilharrow]

"Ah." [Solace]

That was the funny thing. I didn't realize Jukhan removed his restrictions. From what I remember, the handcuffs and stuff halved your strength and mana. Plus, they were supposed to be near impossible to take off. How did Jukhan get rid of them?

"Enough of the questions. He's probably going to kick my ass so we should probably run." [Solace]

"Nonsense. If his goal is you, then we'll hold him back as you flee." [Wilharrow]

"Noblesse oblige. We will protect you." [Raon]

Damn this hero and his sense of justice. Actually, I'm surprised Raon decided to stand up for me too. Now I'm obligated to stay behind so I don't feel like a jackass.

("These guys don't stand a chance.") [Solace]

Since I knew that they would lose, my priority changed to drawing Jukhan's aggro. I also needed to steal back the crystal in his hand.

"Jukhan! Give me back the crystal, you coward!" [Solace]

That was my first step in drawing attention.

"Hmph. If I were to give this back to you, you would run." [Jukhan]

He then paused.

"Hm. I don't feel like holding onto this when beating you to near death." [Jukhan]

He turned back to Leon.

"Disciple! Hold on to this for me!" [Jukhan]

Jukhan tossed my crystal to Leon.

"Be sure to guard it. If Vincent's disciple steals it from you, expect to lose your dinner." [Jukhan]

Leon seemed to react strongly to that. She slipped my teleportation crystal into her shirt and probably her cleavage.

("Bruh.") [Solace]

With that thought, Jukhan made his move. One step. That was all it took for him to close the distance. Within an instant, he was casting a shadow over me.

"When did he-?!" [Wilharrow]

I raised my arms reflexively as if I knew Jukhan was going to punch me. Which indeed was what happened.

"Let us see how you've grown." [Jukhan]

He struck me with the force strong enough for me to almost meet Hema. My arms lost feeling in an instant, and I found myself getting flung into the cavern walls.

"Agh!" [Solace]

My vision blurred from the impact and my arms started to hurt as feeling returned to them. I pulled myself out of the wall to find relief in the fact I was mostly alright.

("How nostalgic… The last time this happened, both my arms broke.") [Solace]

"Stop him!" [Wilharrow]

"|Critical Stab|!" [Raon]

Whipping out his dagger, Raon attempted to plunge it into Jukhan's back. However, it couldn't even break skin.

"What's this?" [Jukhan]

He turned to face Raon, who was probably regretting his actions.

"I am insulted that you thought you were capable of harming me. Begone." [Jukhan]

"Evade!" [Wilharrow]

Jukhan then backhanded Raon so hard that he spun four times before collapsing.

"Raon!" [Wilharrow]

("Already?!") [Solace]

I honestly thought he'd last longer.

"You vile scum! I will avenge my comrade!" [Wilharrow]

He immediately activated |Divine Weapon Resonance| and attacked with the combination of |Holy Blade|, |Blazing Trail|, and |Light Slash| only for it to be caught in between Jukhan's fingers.

"A |Divine Weapon|?" [Jukhan]

A grin appeared.

"So you're a Hero? From which land?" [Jukhan]

Wilharrow struggled to pry his sword out of Jukhan's fingers without replying. Doing so must have displeased Jukhan since his smile faded.

"My patience runs thin, Hero. Answer my question." [Jukhan]

This was my chance. I quietly summoned |Thunderbolt Lance| and awaited my opportunity.

"Do you think I'll tell you anything?! I'd rather die!" [Wilharrow]

"Then die." [Jukhan]

That was my cue. I became speed with |Grygand| and thrust my spear into his torso.

"Hm?!" [Jukhan]

The momentum I carried flung him away from Wilharrow, releasing his |Divine Weapon| and allowing him to continue the fight.

("That should have done something at least. Even a |Divine Beast| couldn't walk that off.") [Solace]

I was sorely mistaken. Jukhan was fit as a fiddle. All he did was brush off the spot I landed the blow.

("...Shit.") [Solace]

About eighty percent of it was used for that. Plus, the spear disintegrated from its sheer power and it wouldn't be wise to waste energy by making another one.

"...Vincent's disciple. What was that?" [Jukhan]

"I have a name you know." [Solace]

"I am aware." [Jukhan]

"Are you? Then use it." [Solace]

"No." [Jukhan]

Unreasonable, but okay. My plan had already gone wrong the moment Raon was out of the count, but Fina was still lurking around. I could see her sneaking towards Leon with some kind of intent.

"Where are you looking?" [Jukhan]

Before I even realized, a large rock was coming my way.

"Get behind me!" [Wilharrow]

He slashed the rock in two, which was pretty cool. That is, until we found Jukhan standing behind us.

"|Liquid Blast|!" [Solace]

I wanted to distract him the moment I hit him with a massive ball of water, but he just stood there hella pissed. Matter of fact, I don't even think he blinked when the water hit his eyes.

"You still have the audacity to use tricks?!" [Jukhan]

He grabbed my arm and slammed me into the ground.

"Agh!" [Solace]

I struggled to free myself against his herculean grip to no avail.

"Unhand him!" [Wilharrow]

He lunged in an attempt to save me, which ended up with his face also getting grabbed by Jukhan.

"Do you wish to die, Hero?!" [Jukhan]

He then tossed Wilharrow to the side.

"|Graviton|." [Jukhan]

He fired some kind of invisible force towards Wilharrow, causing him to hit the ground under great pressure.

"Gravity…! magic…?!" [Wilharrow]

"Sit there and heel, pup." [Jukhan]

Jukhan turned his attention to me.

"Vincent's disciple. Why do you insist on using trivial magic? You bring shame to your master's name." [Jukhan]

It was hard to reply with my face dug into the ground, so I low-key just whispered it.

"I dunno. For convenience." [Solace]

Jukhan must've heard me before he pulled me out of the ground with a furious expression.

"Convenience?! Your body is tempered with your master's teachings, and you cast it aside for mere convenience?!" [Jukhan]

I could smell his stinky breath as he yelled at me.

"I have my preferences." [Solace]

Jukhan didn't reply. All he did was stare at me with a mixture of disappointment and pity.

"Just die." [Jukhan]

His grip tightened around my arm, causing it to snap.

"Urk!" [Solace]

"You have gained |Experience|. |Experience| limit reached. |Pain Resistance| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]

Jukhan raised a finger and pointed it at my chest. I pretty much knew he was going to pierce my heart or something with it until something surprising happened. A loud crack resounded in the cave, which drew Jukhan's attention.

"Ah." [Leon]

Looking towards Leon, we could see that she had accidentally broken my crystal while fighting off Fina.

"...Sorry?" [Leon]

Was what I heard until a bright light filled my vision.