Houou was a magic swordsman. There are different types of magic swordsmen, but Houou was the type who could enhance his sword's attack power by imbuing it with magic.

If he fought directly against Ryujin's greatsword, which looked incredibly heavy, Houou's sword would likely be the weaker one. Therefore, he decided to immediately enhance his sword with magic. Houou’s sword was engulfed in flames.

The sword, enhanced by superheated flames, could melt even steel. The plan was to attack first and destroy Ryujin's greatsword, then strike him in the opening created.

Houou charged forward and swung his sword down. Ryujin stood with his greatsword held horizontally, ready to block it.

Just as planned! If he blocked the sword, he would just melt the greatsword and then strike Ryujin.

But just as Houou’s sword was about to touch Ryujin’s, Ryujin moved half a step sideways while drawing his sword back.

Houou’s sword hit Ryujin's greatsword, but it slid off and went through the air, missing its target. And then Ryujin counterattacked. Ryujin pulled his greatsword back and swung it at Houou’s neck.

The greatsword swung horizontally with terrifying power. Houou, off balance from his missed swing, couldn’t step back and dodge the attack. He couldn’t pull back his sword to block it either, since it was stuck in the ground.

Houou: “Aaahh!”

Houou dove down as best he could. Ryujin’s sword passed over his head with a terrifying whistling sound. Several strands of hair on his head were cut off, but Houou managed to dodge the sword.

Ryuu: "This is the first time I’ve used it in a real fight. It’s still a bit awkward. I did a lot of practice swings, though."

Although it seemed like Ryujin was wielding the sword with incredible skill, Houou turned blue upon hearing that he still found it awkward.

Houou: "I’ll have to complain to the guild about this… being an F-rank..."

Ryuu: "Right shoulder. Can you block it?"

Ryujin pointed his sword at Houou’s right shoulder, then swung his greatsword in a large uppercut.

Houou hastily raised his sword to block.

But the next moment, Ryujin’s sword pierced the ground to Houou’s right, severing Houou’s right arm at the shoulder.

There was no trickery, no special abilities used. He simply swung the sword down, but the force of Ryujin’s full swing was too fast for the eye to follow, and Houou couldn’t react in time to block the attack.

Houou: "Gaahhhh!"

Houou screamed, a second too late.

Blood spurted from his shoulder. Seiou rushed over to heal him with recovery magic.

… The priest was quite skilled, reattaching the severed arm.

Behind him, Gaou, who had already been healed by Seiou, was regaining consciousness.

Ryuu: "I’m fine with all of you attacking at once. I’ll give you my best shot."

Raiou: "Looks like we’ll be killed if we underestimate him. Alright, let’s do this. Gaou and Houou, get back. Shoou, Seiou, the three of you go at him!"

Ryujin was still using his divine eyes, but his spacetime magic was still sealed. However, since he was facing multiple A-rank adventurers at once, he decided to unleash his abilities, just in case.

However, this time, he didn't use spacetime magic. Instead, he used the level-up function.

This was the first time he had used it in combat since fighting against Reynard, the Sword Saint. He had wanted to test this ability a little more, and these guys were perfect for that.

Ryujin’s level surpassed 3, then 4, and finally 5. This would be about 250-300 in human levels.

He had appraised Raiou’s level, and it was 80, so Ryujin was more than three times higher. Even if he added all three of their levels, it would barely exceed 180. Ryujin wouldn’t lose.

Seiou stepped back and cast a support magic spell on Raiou. Raiou’s attack, defense, and speed increased. He was a truly excellent priest, capable of buffs as well as healing.

Shoou, like Seiou, stepped back and started chanting a spell. But then it was finished. He seemed to have the spell-shortening skill. Numerous Fire Arrows rained down from the sky, attacking Ryujin.

But Ryujin didn’t run away. He simply “stored” all the fire arrows that were raining down on him. He could store magic in subspace and release it whenever he wanted, so he tried to collect as much magic as possible. (It was accumulating at an alarming rate, as he rarely used it).

Shoou’s expression turned into one of shock as his magic disappeared. Ryujin was distracted by that expression, but at that moment, his danger sense warned him about an incoming sword, and he quickly dodged. Raiou had closed the distance in the blink of an eye.

They were a skilled party, with excellent teamwork. No wonder they were S-rank as a party.

Ryuu: "But…"

Ryujin raised his greatsword and lowered his stance. In the next instant, Ryujin swung his greatsword so fast it was invisible, severing Raiou’s arm.

Shoou: "Raiou!"

Shoou shouted involuntarily. He felt like he made eye contact with Ryujin, but the next moment, Ryujin was behind Shoou and Seiou, and both of them had lost their arms.

Raiou: “G… Oo… Unbelievable…"

Earlier, Seiou had reattached Houou’s arm, but now he had been cut himself, so he couldn’t heal anyone.

Gaou and Houou hurriedly took out potions, but Ryujin raised his sword and approached them.

Houou: "Wait! We surrender!"

Gaou: "Damn… I hate to admit it, but we have to admit it."

Ryuu: "No… that’s not enough. This is a bit unsatisfying."

Blazing Heroes: "“““““Huh? “““““"

Ryujin raised his hand, and a soft light enveloped the five men, healing all their injuries. He had rewound them to their state before the fight.

Raiou: "What is this…?"

Seiou: "It’s unbelievable. That healing magic… He’s no human…"

Ryuu: "Come on, let's go again. Attack me all at once this time. I’ll get serious."

Ryujin said that and put away his greatsword, drawing the magic sword Fargaluth.

Ryuu: "What's wrong? Or are you admitting that you’re not a true S-rank party?"

Gaou: "You’ll regret this!"

Gaou, who was extremely competitive, was easily provoked and got into a fighting stance.

Raiou: "H, hey, wait!"

Raiou and the others hurriedly formed a battle formation.

Ryujin returned his level to 1 and unlocked his spacetime magic. It was Acceleration.

Actually, since Ryujin’s memories returned and his powers awakened, he had been struggling with something. He had been trying to test his powers and optimize their use, but it seemed his powers were too strong.

His physical abilities, divine eyes, teleportation, time manipulation, storage… any one of these abilities could make him the strongest in the world. But on the other hand, he had so many skills at his disposal, he was like a jack of all trades, master of none.

Because of this, Ryujin was always fumbling, unsure of what to do in the heat of battle.

He wanted to fight more often, test his abilities, and refine his fighting style. But it was difficult to find anyone who could handle his powers head-on.

The Blazing Heroes were basically his test subjects. But they had come to capture him, so he had to reluctantly deal with them.

However, he wouldn't kill them. They didn't seem to be trying to kill him, and killing his opponents would violate Ryujin’s rules.

The Blazing Heroes, restored to their original state, formed their battle formation, unleashed their full potential from the start, and attacked Ryujin head-on…

But they were quickly defeated, their bodies chopped into pieces.

But then they were immediately restored by Ryujin’s magic.

And they were challenged to a rematch.

But the third time was worse. Ryujin's acceleration ability was even more powerful, and their bodies were torn apart just 0.1 seconds later.

The fourth time…

Raiou and the others had no idea what was happening.

They hadn’t even done anything, and their limbs were torn apart the moment they got into a fighting stance.

It was no wonder they didn’t understand. Ryujin’s acceleration had finally reached time stop. Their bodies were cut to pieces 0 seconds later…

The fifth time…

…didn't happen.

Raiou and the others had lost their fighting spirit.

Raiou: "P, please stop! Have mercy!"

Raiou, who had been killed four times and resurrected four times, cried out.

The rest of the members were also tearfully begging for mercy.

Ryujin wanted to experiment a little more, but he was satisfied with the results of his experiments so far.

…

…

…

Next Time

An assassin adventurer sets their sights on Ryujin.

Don’t miss it!