I had lost count of how many times I heard the words, “You’re enchanted.” With each of Wim’s buffs, my body was honed further as my flesh absorbed them.
I didn’t mean that metaphorically. I had repeatedly recreated the movements his buffs allowed me to do on my own. I had long hit the ceiling of my capabilities, and no amount of training changed that. Thus, I no longer hoped to further strengthen my muscles, and I was quite confident in my magic skills as well. However, through that confidence, I felt that I had reached my limits.
I had told myself that because Nachtlibelle was such a wonderful party, I didn’t mind this. If I could polish my skills no further, then I simply needed to dedicate myself to being a commander and leader.
But on the other side of that coin was despair. I had died as a warrior the day I had reached my limits, but Wim’s buffs suddenly burst through my stagnation. Yes, I was operating only under borrowed power, but it had shown me the view beyond the ceiling. I could burst through it as long as his power was with me.
What I had felt up until that moment was an obstruction in my path, but could such a clear goalpost really exist?
In only a short period of time, I had broken through multiple walls at speeds I had never seen before. Now, I thought back to the first moment Wim established a path between me and himself. I realized that the excitement I felt was a premonition of a breakthrough.
I’m sure you have no idea, boy. But how would you? I am so, so grateful to you.
I had tried to put it into words, but these feelings were beyond what I could convey. At that moment, I had been revived as a warrior.
[Wake up, Decapitator.]
It was a rough choice of words, but their spirit acted as an enchantment. My partner readily obeyed my commands, and I could feel its excitement through the nerves in my arms.
Thankfully, there was a “sky” here, which meant I didn’t have to limit my partner’s size, nor think about how high I could leap. I jumped with all my might, expanded my sword as much as I could, and thrust downwards with everything I had.
It felt amazing. My body was so light. I was so agile.
This was a boss we were facing. If I didn’t end it with this one blow, there was no telling what might come next. But before I could even think of such things, the warrior’s fighting spirit blazed like a fire within me.
‹Everyone, retreat! I’m hitting it with a big one!›
I went from a jog into a full sprint, counting the number of steps as I climbed towards my maximum speed. Then, the moment my right hand that gripped the hilt of my sword was in sync with my left foot that kicked off the ground, I leaped into the air.
It was as if Wim’s buffs were guiding me. They provided me with whatever I needed, the moment I needed it. When I reacted to his will and synchronized my sensations to it, my movements became even more polished.
My left hand came to support the hilt of my sword—which was now lifted into the air—before I could even think of doing so. My entire body coiled like a spring, but my muscles were relaxed as I channeled all the strength into them that I could. My partner was working with me, and I knew it would expand at the perfect time, even if I didn’t command it to change its size.
“[Giant Hunter.]”
As I reached my zenith in the air, the tip of my sword bent faster than a whip and expanded to a size I had never witnessed. Even I had no idea how far it expanded or the length of its reach. The only thing I knew was that it was enough to cut through the boss, and that right now, I could wield a weapon of any size.
I slammed into the boss with everything I had, wasting nothing.