“Ahahahahaha! How scary—!”
With a speed that would make even the wind seem slow in comparison, Shalltear closed in, filled with bloodlust. Every step caused the charred earth beneath her to explode. Clementine had been fast, but Shalltear was at a different level altogether. Ainz was thankful for his body that did not need to blink. If he had blinked even once, he would have lost track of her.
With the sound of laughter trailing behind her, Shalltear’s lance flew in his direction. Originally, a Lance Charge had the weight and speed of a knight on horseback behind it. However, with her strength and speed that was in a different league and left others agape, Shalltear easily surpassed the power of such an attack.
Even calling it an ultimate skill did not do it justice. Such an attack was heading straight for Ainz’ chest.
Even as the point of the lance flew towards him, Ainz did not budge.
Rather, he opened his mouth and said gently:
“It will be dangerous for you.”
A voice overflowing with concern, as if he was worried on Shalltear’s behalf; a word of warning was his response against her attack.
The moment Shalltear brought down her foot, the spell that had been prepared beforehand, 「Triple Maximize Magic: Explosive Land Mines」 was activated. Three large explosions roared out and Shalltear was blown back.
Once again, Ainz spoke in a gentle voice:
“Forgive me for being late with the warning, Shalltear. In truth, I’ve laid some mines there— 「Maximize Magic: Gravity Maelstrom」.”
Aiming at Shalltear who had been blown away, Ainz launched a sphere that drew a black spiral. It was a spinning ball of super gravity that could deal significant damage even to beings like Shalltear.
She immediately recovered her balance and raised her free hand.
“「Wall of Stone」.”
A huge stone wall sprouted from the ground and surrounded Shalltear. It collided with Ainz’ ball of super gravity. The stone bent and shattered and was destroyed along with the gravity spiral.
“Hmph! 「Maximize Magic: Rib Bind」!”
Another attack. A large ribcage sprouted from the earth and, like a tiger trap, seized Shalltear. The pointed ends of the pale bone pierced deeply through her flesh.
“Ugh!”
Although the spell was supposed to keep the target constricted after the initial damage, Shalltear easily slipped away, thanks to her complete immunity to movement impairing effects.
“…Shalltear, it looks like I’ve forgotten to mention that I laid traps in the surrounding area. Wouldn’t it be a better idea for you to attack me from the air?”
“……Ainz-sama, I won’t fall for that. You probably have traps in the air as well, no?”
“Was it obvious?”
“Yes, very.”
The two shared a light laugh, and the intensity of Ainz’ red eyes dulled slightly.
There was no way that was true. Ainz did not have any more landmine magic prepared. He also didn’t set up any traps in the air either. This wasn’t a battle where he could carelessly use his MP. He couldn’t afford the luxury of spending his MP on spells that might prove ineffective.
That’s why his claim of having set up traps in the ground was a bluff to restrict Shalltear’s movements. His eyes had changed slightly because she walked right into it. Even so, Ainz did not show any sign of relief.
In this battle, Ainz was the challenger. It was an uphill struggle, like walking on an incredibly thin rope with the possibility that he would slip and fall extremely high. Knowing this, Ainz did not celebrate such a small victory.
“But as expected of Ainz-sama. A simple charge like that won’t even let me close the distance.”
An endless stream of compliments could be felt from Shalltear’s eyes and voice. At the same time, accompanied by the feeling that she was going to be serious.
The real battle starts now.
If Ainz could sweat, it would probably be pouring down his back like a waterfall.
My only option is to damage her consistently, before my MP runs out….
Otherwise, his defeat was certain.
♦ ♦ ♦
Shalltear fixed her grip on her Spuit Lance and glared at the magic caster in front of her. Her master, Ainz Ooal Gown.
Although it was unclear to her why she had to fight her master, the being who deserved her worship, her brain dismissed it as a trivial problem. She could take her time thinking about it after killing him.
Having thought as much, Shalltear stared at the lone undead while imagining the overwhelming advantage that she held in this battle. The thought twisted her lips into a smile.
A magic caster held incredible power, but that power depended entirely on his MP. If they were to run out, his combat potential would vanish as well. On the other hand, although Shalltear was a faith based magic caster, she was also proficient in close combat. Her enormous physical ability allowed her to fight as long as her HP remained, even if her MP was depleted.
That’s why, instead of chipping away at his HP, victory in this battle will be all but certain if she can manage to completely drain her opponent’s MP. Regardless, Ainz didn’t have any effective healing spells at his disposal.
So tremble as you watch your HP and MP slowly being chipped away. Ahaha. Just imagining Ainz-sama’s terrified face is making my heart race!
Then what was the best method to fight? A battle of endurance.
Having decided her strategy for the upcoming battle, Shalltear gripped her Divine Class item, Spuit Lance.
This weapon had a special ability that returned a portion of the damage dealt to heal the wielder. No, it could be said that the weapon was specialized for that effect. That was why Ainz, who normally fought from the back, did not call his summons to protect him at the front. He knew very well that sending out a weak monster would only serve to give the Spuit Lance more health.
Ahh, poor Ainz-sama. To think he can’t use his summons and has to fight all alone!
Shalltear held back a sadistic smile and used her skill, 「Analyze Mana」.
Having temporarily gained the ability to detect mana, Ainz’ remaining MP showed up in her vision.
Such an incredible amount…. just how did he get that much mana?
The amount of MP he possessed was vast, at least 1.5 times greater than Shalltear. Even if you searched all of Nazarick, you would not be able to find someone who could match him.
Truly fitting for a Supreme Being, Overspec Undead….. Super Undead….. No, Godlike Undead?
Even so— she did not think for a minute that she would lose. Although it may be different if it were another Floor Guardian, against Shalltear, an opponent who specialized in death magic could not pose a threat to her.
With that said, he still isn’t an opponent I can get complacent against. Why isn’t he wearing his Divine Class items, I wonder?