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The Paper User: Exiled for a ‘Trash Skill,’ Awakens True Power and Rises with Two Unique Skills ,Volume 2 - Chapter 48

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Chapter: Fierce Battle II

Asrom desperately dodged the slashing arcs of Zeldia’s claws. His clothes were torn, his body streaked with blood.

Zeldia grinned, baring his fangs.

“It seems you can’t even scratch me in a one-on-one fight.”

“That’s not decided yet.”

Asrom tightened his grip on the Seven-Colored Sword, forcing his ragged breath into rhythm. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw more adventurers fall to the Skeleton Warriors. His lips twisted.

—If it comes to this, I’ll spend the last of my power and stake everything on one gamble!

“Blessing of the Time God!”

His figure blurred out of existence, reappearing an instant later behind Zeldia.

“I’ve already seen that trick!”

Zeldia spun with uncanny speed, crimson claws lashing for Asrom’s chest.

“Blessing of the Time God!”

Asrom vanished again, materializing overhead. Spinning midair, he slashed down. The Seven-Colored Sword traced a rainbow arc—cutting across Zeldia’s head.

“Guh…!”

Violet-blue blood spilled as Zeldia leapt back to gain distance.

—Too shallow.

Asrom bit his lip hard, charging after him.

—No magic left. I can’t use the Time God’s blessing again. I’ll have to finish it here!

“Raaahhh!”

With a shout, he brought the Seven-Colored Sword down in a cleaving strike. Zeldia barely twisted aside, thrusting out his right hand. A violet beam lanced forward, piercing Asrom’s shoulder.

“Kh…!”

Clutching the wound, Asrom staggered back.

Zeldia chanted quickly, and the gash on his head sealed shut, the bleeding ceasing.

“Impressive. To think you’ve made me bleed twice.”

His golden eyes narrowed on Asrom.

“But it’s meaningless. Wounds like these—I can heal them endlessly.”

“The fight isn’t over yet!”

Asrom raised the Seven-Colored Sword in both hands.

“Even if it costs me my life, I’ll bring you down!”

“Hah. Bold words. Let me show you how powerless you truly are.”

Zeldia began to chant.

“…Rain of the Evil God.”

A vast magic circle opened in the sky. Scarlet rain poured down, sizzling against flesh and cloth. Adventurers screamed as their bodies burned, white smoke rising from them.

“Zeldiaaa!”

Fueled by fury, Asrom charged.

“You rush too carelessly.”

Zeldia caught the descending blade on the jewel of his left hand and thrust his right. His crimson claws pierced Asrom’s chest.

Asrom grimaced, kicking back to force distance.

“…So you managed to avoid a fatal blow. But the battle is already decided.”

Zeldia’s voice was cold, matter-of-fact.

“Stay still, and I’ll end you in an instant.”

“Gh…”

Grinding his teeth, Asrom glared at him with defiance.

――

Elsewhere, Kirsas—his wounds closed by Elena’s healing—watched the battle grimly.

“Elena… prepare to retreat.”

“Retreat?” Elena turned, startled. “You’re saying we should run?”

“Asrom will come to the same conclusion. We can’t defeat Zeldia.”

Kirsas’s body trembled faintly.

“Even with both Asrom and Sylphiel together, they couldn’t bring him down. There’s no way Asrom alone can succeed.”

“Then why don’t you support him?”

“It’s impossible. Right now, I’m weaker than Sylphiel. Even with the three of us, the odds are slim.”

Kirsas’s eyes fixed on the ongoing clash.

“I thought if we forced him into close combat, we might stand a chance, even if he wielded high-level spells of three elements. But his speed and power are first-rate. If he’s not just a master of magic but also of sword and claw… there’s no countering that.”

“So you’re saying our only option is to run?”

“Yes. Better to retreat before more lives are lost.”

“But… with the Skeleton Warriors, escape won’t be easy.”

“It will. Because Asrom and Sylphiel are here.”

Kirsas glanced at the two fighting desperately.

“Those two… they’d sacrifice themselves without hesitation to protect the others.”

“…And you? You don’t intend to protect your comrades?”

“Of course I do. But when the retreat begins, someone has to lead. If Asrom and Sylphiel fall, I’ll be the last S-rank left. That responsibility will fall to me.”

“…That may be true, but…”

Elena’s golden brows furrowed as she bit her lip.

“In any case, we fall back now. If the Skeleton Warriors surround us, escape will be impossible.”

At his command, members of the Holy Sword Brigade began edging backward, slowly but steadily retreating from the battlefield.

Last publicly available chapter

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