Third Outer World Story Series: Pumpkin Sorcerer - Chapter 84

Translator: MadHatter Editor: MadHatter

[Oh dear, have I overdone it?]

With a detestable smile on his face, the priest was laughing at Pumpkin where he had been just a moment ago.

Well, it is certainly true that it seems like I’ve lost one arm. It’s not so surprising that he would judge me that way.

“Don’t underestimate me. I can manage with just one arm.”

[Oh?]

“[Resonance Spell?Remover].”

Taking out a tightly sealed bottle from inside his cloak, Pumpkin injected magic power into the bottle in a prescribed order.

A black liquid-like substance subsequently flowed out of the bottle and attached itself to his shredded arm, restoring it to the state it was in before the arm was wounded.

[Regeneration magic huh? That speed and the level of recovery is rather shocking.]

“Hmm.”

[Resonance Spell?Remover] was a resonance spell that was created by mixing Pumpkin’s own leaves and magic power into the meat of the Clawing Boar that inhabit Lean Forest and allowing it to rot… rather than ripen. Depending on how well the practitioner grasped the physical structure of the subject, the spell can regrow internal organs as well as limbs.

However, this spell cannot be cast without first producing the catalyst, which takes a lot of time. Instead, it must be cast by combining a portion of the practitioner’s body with their magic power.

“Unfortunately, there is no room for reservation or restraint. I’ll throw everything I’ve got at you.”

[Oh. The dragon slayer is getting serious huh. This is worth witnessing.]

“Silence. [Resonance Spell?Physical Boost], [Resonance Spell?Protect Up].”

While inspecting the condition of the arm that he had regenerated with [Resonance Spell?Remover], Pumpkin took out a piece of Hunting Bee beeswax and a piece of ash-hardwood from within his cloak for activating the two resonance spells.

In addition, [Resonance Spell?Physical Boost] had the effect of increasing the target’s overall physical ability, while [Resonance Spell?Protect Up] had the effect of raising the target’s defenses by creating a magical barrier over the target’s entire body.

To respond to the priest’s present movements, these spells coupled with a simple physical reinforcement by magic power ought to be sufficient.

[You just said you’re all set up?]

“Ah, sorry to keep you waiting.”

In his left hand, Pumpkin gripped the ash-hardwood knife with the opposite hand, and in his right hand, he held [Resonance Spell?Burdock Rapier], then moved away from the wall and poised it in the air.

“In any case, you’re going to fly up there as well, right? Make your move.”

[Then, I will do it unreservedly…]

The priest, who was observing his preparation while wearing a smile, perhaps because of his newfound power, began to take his stance at the same time as Pumpkin did.

“…”

[…]

Neither of them blinked as they assumed their positions, observing the other’s movements, regulating their own breathing, and slowly shifting their stance to seize an opportunity.

Silence then prevailed in the air…

“Hmph!”

[Nun!]

By the next instant, the priest and Pumpkin were right in the center of the line connecting where they had been, with Pumpkin clutching the sword in his right hand and the priest tearing at him with his right claw, sending sparks scattering all around the area.

[I didn’t imagine you could keep up with this speed of mine…]

“What happened to your composure just now!”

The next scene was a melee attack in which both sides exchanged blows with each other’s weapons.

The priest’s smile, which had been present on his face up until then point, vanished in the midst of this, possibly as a result of Pumpkin’s fortification exceeding his expectations. In response, he read the priest’s movements with his heightened physical abilities and blocked his attacks with the knife in his left hand, though not perfectly, and then counterattacked with the sword in his right hand, slashing at the priest’s body bit by bit.

[Ahhhh? Why! Why! Whyyyyyyyy!!]

“…”

The priest’s motions became a little rougher and his attacks grew stronger and harsher as the dozens of strikes were traded between them and as both sides eventually sustained injuries, but not fatal ones.

Pumpkin, nonetheless, observed the priest’s movements calmly, sprung up with the knife at the tip of the hand’s right claw to deflect it, and stepped forward to administer a narrow slash to the side of the priest, as if scraping off the scales.

[Why can’t I beat you! Why can’t I knock you down!?]

“Why…? Isn’t that obvious…”

After dodging a particularly aggressive attack with the claws of his left hand, Pumpkin positioned himself to aim at the priest’s chest.

The priest was likely not able to have any understanding of why the combat was becoming more competitive just because Pumpkin’s physical abilities had caught up with his own.

That was why he was impatient. Until now, if the priest took that form, he would only need to land a single blow. Even if it took a few blows, the battle would be over, and yet the current battle has not ended.

“How can you win against someone with the same physical ability when you’ve thrown away all your knowledge and skills?”

[Gah!?]

The priest staggered greatly as Pumpkin’s sword gouged his chest at an unprecedented depth.

It ultimately boiled down to how much direct combat experience a person had. That was how Pumpkin and the priest differed.

When viewed in this light, the fact that a man who continuously conspired behind the scenes would be accustomed to direct combat, where the slightest hesitation or difference in feelings could determine the outcome of a battle, was rather strange.

“Looks like the blessings of the God of Destruction don’t amount to much, either.”

As if he were going to have the priest’s head chopped off next, Pumpkin pointed the tip of his right-hand sword at his neck.

Despite this, no human being can ever be certain of the exact moment when their talent will blossom.

Therefore, Pumpkin continued the fight in a cool and collected manner while, on the other hand, depriving his opponent of his rationality through words, posture, and pain.

[This… lowly pumpkin is mocking the God of Destruction!]

While brandishing the claws of both hands, the priest launched an assault.

Now, the arrangements are complete. All that is left is to rely on the proper execution of the timing.

“Hmph!”

[Nugaaaaah!]

Once more, a ferocious battle unfolded.

Each side, while covering their wounds little by little, sought an opening and strove to create a chance to score a killing blow.

“Here!”

[Ugh…!?]

After that, the priest’s grand attack was repelled by Pumpkin, which left him with a golden opening.

Without missing the opportunity, Pumpkin attempted to swing his right-hand sword…

[You fell for it!]

The moment the priest said that Pumpkin saw the priest’s spiked tail thrust towards him.