Chapter 38 - Regrets

'Through the way his arm muscles contract, I can tell he's about to launch his left hand forward in a jab… how easy to read…'

Rebecca thought, avoiding the left-handed jab Dalip aimed at her.

After arriving at Kynburgh's side of the mountains, Dalip had decided to take off his armor to prioritize speed. After all, he aimed to escape to the South, not face the 'scheming bitch' head-on.

'She can clearly see through my attacks…' Dalip never let the rumors he had heard of Rebecca slip his mind. He felt it was the key to victory—no, escaping.

His reaction to her presence and every move was proof of how deadly the Prime Minister of Kynburgh, Rebecca Ruse's reputation was.

While he was busy thinking of her reputation, Rebecca focused on reading his every reaction to her actions.

'There is no difference—he is draped in the thoughts of my reputation rather than analyzing for himself…' Rebecca clicked her tongue in annoyance.

Though she enjoyed fooling her enemies, she still wished someone would see through her facade—that way, she wouldn't be alone anymore and have somebody that understood her true essence, even though it's as an enemy.

They both had all these thoughts in a few seconds, Dalip still in the process of retracting his arm that hung out wide toward Rebecca.

To his dismay, Rebecca retaliated in a flash, twisting her knee joint so her leg could get a better target on Dalip's thick neck.

Dalip could somehow notice the attack with his eyesight, but his body was not in a perfect position to block the incoming attack, so he decided to augment his neck to receive the full brunt of Rebecca's exquisite leg.

'Still clearly noticeable—focusing on augmenting his neck to bear the brunt of my kick…'

Rebecca scorned, using her right hand to hold his left arm, changing the trajectory of her leg to hit his elbow joint, causing Dalip to wail in agony.

"Ahhhh…!!!"

He could clearly see the lady before him flexibility—it was terrifying how she could manipulate her body to such an extent. It was like she saw the world in slow motion.

'Artifacts never cease to amaze me—how delightful…'

Unconcerned of her enemies' plight, Rebecca steadied her feet on the ground, before aiming for his knee joint, sending Dalip on his knees.

It was quite a comical scene—a beautiful and delicate lady beating a huge male with tough features.

'I can't let things continue like this… I have to fight like a Level 7 Ranker…'

Dalip activated his Ability, his body becoming akin to steel in the process. He always felt pain whenever he used this mode. After all, the Ability's full power was not suited for the human race with weak flesh. He was sure orcs, ogres, and other creatures with tough skin would be better. But he had no way of changing his Ability—it came with his life.

Though he had read records of people with similar Abilities to his that were human, and they all said the same thing, 'It would get better as one climbed up the ranks.'

'I will live to see that day…! I'll be able to augment my body to the fullest without any backlash!'

Dalip wailed within the confines of his consciousness, blood dripping from his nose.

Rebecca only smiled at the turn of events. She knew a Level 7 Ranker would not be so weak to fall at her with such ease—so everything was still within the confines of her expectation.

Dalip was able to create a safe distance after his successful transformation, standing haggardly as he glared at Rebecca with bloodshot eyes. It was clear that he had changed his goal from escaping to ending the life of the 'scheming bitch' before him.

"It has been a long time since I used this form in battle. I don't know if you should be grateful or ungrateful. Tell me, bitch. How do you feel?"

Dalip inquired in a hoarse tone, the intensity of his glare increasing.

"Grateful… I get to see such spectacle, after all," Rebecca said briskly, spreading her arms wide.

"Do your best to survive, toy."

Zoom

The bracelet on Rebecca manifested a strange light for the second time as Rebecca closed in on Dalip.

Digging his feet into the ground, Dalip launched his fist forward in the direction he expected Rebecca to arrive.

Crack

Somehow, Rebecca had used the sword, draped in a white sheet to press on the ground as she alleviated herself to a greater height, moving across Dalip in one fell swoop.

It was an impressive technique since your Ability needs to have flying-related concepts to let you move freely in the air.

"Bitch!!!" Dalip released a raging remark as he adjusted his body to attack the suspended lady.

If his blow could not connect in this situation, he was not sure such a well-presented opportunity would arrive again.

Rebecca, who had anticipated this move, suspended the sword before her to reduce the brunt of the incoming, unavoidable blow.

Rebecca was sent flying to the sky as Dalip's metallic fist collided with her sword.

At this moment, Dalip would have escaped easily, but blinded by rage, he decided to end the lady's life before departing.

'How foolish—my brain can picture diverse outcomes of this fight, but my death… heh… isn't one of them.'

Still moving against gravity, Rebecca slowly loosened the sheet that bound her sword, an impeccable smile manifesting on her face.

'I don't have any supernatural Ability of my own… but I do have you… my dear pet.'

Rebecca muttered under her breath as she arrived at the highest point of her trajectory. It was clear the external force on her body had been overpowered by gravity, causing her to fall gently under this natural force.

"Florance, Foe of Torment."

As Rebecca called out, a drop of blood escaped her lips, landing on the blade of the worthless-looking weapon, bringing out an unexpected light that covered the surroundings, leaving even her foe, Dalip, in awe.

'I messed up… I shouldn't have come here—no, I should have escaped and not given in to my desires for revenge.'

Dalip was filled with regrets as he watched his doom descend on him. But something mysterious occurred: the regret he felt seemed to vanish as his doom got closer—it was like embracing a bright and warm path.

'How horrifying…'