Backlash (2)

The game Etius has heroes and villains.

However, that's not the game's setting.

It's a temporary role that players have established through exchanging information and interacting within the community.

Etius has a vast number of named characters, and it's incredibly difficult to remember the unique personalities of each one, as they all possess complex traits.

Therefore, they are initially divided into the largest categories: those who aid in story are heroes, and those who hinder are villains.

Consequently, characters designated in this way can switch from hero to villain, or vice versa, due to certain variables.

Of course, players determine heroes and villains based on repeated playthroughs and vast amounts of information. Only those players whose roles haven't changed.

However, even so, someone's role might change in the next playthrough. Something that has never happened before could occur.

‘Senior Ellen... corrupted?’

Considering the context, it's not impossible.

Before Dier's enrollment, the character known for having low Internal Energy was originally Ellen.

Ellen decided to focus on improving her pure swordsmanship skills to compensate for her low Mana, and thanks to that, she established herself as the most skilled swordsman within Constel.

Therefore, Ellen's yearning for Mana would be stronger than anyone else's.

Throughout her growth, Mana became a stumbling block, and even now, despite reaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship, countless obstacles would have blocked her path solely due to her lack of Mana.

That thirst might be even greater than Dier's.

However, Ellen was someone Frondier believed to be a hero without a doubt.

But since the protagonist of Etius is actually Aster, Ellen is merely on Aster's side and could be an enemy to someone else. Even to Frondier.

Heroes can become villains at any time.

Even if you've never witnessed such a sight before.

‘However.’

Ellen, now facing Frondier while emitting a powerful aura.

The sudden Mana amplification of the monsters, Ellen's instructions to send Roxy away and leave them alone in the building, Ellen's current words and actions.

All of it suggests that Ellen has become 'corrupted'.

"Senior."

Frondier spoke in a low voice, his tone unchanged.

"What happened?"

“…….”

Frondier treated Ellen before him as usual. Ellen didn't like that.

"I hear it a lot too, but."

As Ellen spoke, she raised her sword and assumed a stance. A clean and elegant combat posture that simultaneously instills immense fear in the opponent.

"You really can't read the room, Frondier."

Evans Family Swordsmanship

Ellen Evans' Unique Sword Style

One Strike

Ellen's sword, its blade held horizontally. Ellen shot towards Frondier along with her blade.

Without any movements like kicking the ground, bending her knees, or crouching to gain momentum.

She flew towards her opponent, blade aimed, just as she was. Like a still frame suddenly coming to life.

A chilling strike where the timing and approach of the attack are completely invisible to the opponent, her body drawing a single line as she flies and pierces.

Clang!

Frondier met Ellen's blade with his shortsword, crossing them in a clash.

"Impressive, Frondier. To block this."

"Because I know it……!"

Frondier answered, but cold sweat trickled down his back.

Originally, Ellen rarely used this technique. Only when the opponent showed a clear opening, when they were off guard, or as a resourcefulness to escape danger. Because her inherently low Mana limited its use.

However, now overflowing with Mana, Ellen used this technique simply for 'approach'.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Frondier blocked the sword Ellen swung repeatedly. But at the same time, he thought.

Surely, Ellen's swordsmanship far surpassed the level of a student. Judging solely by the level of skill, it might even rival Azier's.

‘Close combat is disadvantageous.’

Frondier manipulated Obsidian.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The Obsidian gathered, transforming into thorns that threatened Ellen. The barrage of thorns, filling every direction without gaps, seemed to perfectly trap Ellen, but,

Clang-

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The barrage wasn't perfectly simultaneous, with the slightest order to it, and Ellen deflected them all 'in order'.

“……!”

And once again.

"Frondier, you."

─You're not taking this seriously.

One Strike

Clang!

It was too late to raise his sword. Frondier quickly made a decision and raised his arm.

The armband met Ellen's sword with a scream. Screeching, the armband thankfully didn't crack any further.

"Sturdier than I thought."

"Let's talk, Senior Ellen!"

"No."

Swish, Ellen withdrew her sword and thrust again. This time, a triple strike. With abundant aura, Ellen seemed to have no reservations.

He couldn't block those three thrusts with a sword or armband.

'Damn it.'

Weaving, Obsidian

Rank - Divine

Lynotoros

Kwang!

Frondier created Ares' shield to deflect Ellen's sword.

Lynotoros, the Divine-rank shield that blocks all frontal attacks. Frondier originally had no intention of weaving Ares' spear and shield.

Because the god Ares had manipulated them, he couldn't read their stats or detailed descriptions.

Weaving and using them like this was possible, but he worried that Ares might have installed some kind of device in the spear or shield if this happened.

'……There doesn't seem to be any particular problem right now.’

Just in case, he undid the shield.

"That's a strange shield."

Ellen, whose sword had slid off the shield, remarked.

With those words, Ellen once again assumed an attack stance.

Of course, Frondier couldn't just stand by and watch.

Weaving, Obsidian

Rank - Divine

Khryselakatos, Lokhiera

He simultaneously wove the god's bow and arrow, and shot the Obsidian to block Ellen's escape route. Of course, Ellen skillfully dodged them.

"Stop."

It was impossible for her to escape Frondier's 'sight'.

"This arrow never misses. You would know if you've seen it."