blueteamnovel Chapter 34 Battle of Mockery
Chapter 34 Battle of Mockery
As the shadows fully coalesced, the shifting figure solidified into a woman. Her short, jet-black hair framed a pale face marked by an unsettling, mocking grin.
She wore a half-silver armor, glinting dully in the dim temple light, and her serpent-like eyes gleamed with cruel amusement. She was both unnervingly beautiful and utterly terrifying.
A system notification appeared before Ivaim, cutting through the oppressive tension.
[Name]: Lyria
[Rank]: Agony
[Ruiner's rank is higher than the Reality Master. Trials and Tasks cannot be used!]
Ivaim's heart sank.
'Of course, she's above me. Why wouldn't she be?'
He mocked himself, masking his apprehension with his usual smirk.
"Lyria, huh? Fancy name for someone who just barges into my realm uninvited."
Lyria tilted her head, the grin never leaving her face. "And you're the Spirit with Good Luck, a Reality Master with a penchant for fortune it seems. How quaint."
Her voice was smooth but laced with venom.
"Tell me, little Master, do you think luck will save you from me?"
Ivaim raised an eyebrow, forcing himself to appear unfazed. "Luck's all I need. And from the looks of it, you're overdue for a little misfortune."
Lyria chuckled, a sound like ice shattering. "Oh, I love a confident one. It makes breaking you so much more entertaining."
Her mocking tone set Ivaim's teeth on edge, but he refused to let her see it.
"Let's get on with it, then. I don't have all day."@@@@
With that, Lyria moved, faster than Ivaim expected. She raised a hand, and an invisible wave of agony washed over him.
It was as if his nerves were set aflame, his muscles locking in place. He bit back a scream, clutching the altar for support.
"You're persistent," Lyria said, her smile faltering slightly. "But persistence isn't enough."
She lunged, her serpent-like eyes locking onto his. Ivaim barely dodged, the blade of her gauntlet scraping against his arm. Blood welled up, but he didn't let it slow him down.
"Funny," Ivaim shot back, his voice strained but defiant. "I was just thinking the same thing about you."
Summoning all his remaining strength, he activated [Lucky Leap] again, propelling himself high into the air. From above, he hurled his blade with all his might, aiming for her exposed shoulder.
The weapon struck true, embedding itself in her armor. Lyria hissed, her mocking demeanor replaced by a flash of genuine anger.
"You'll regret that," she growled.
"Maybe," Ivaim panted, landing unsteadily, his breaths ragged but his grin unwavering. "But I've made it this far, haven't I?"
His words were defiant, but his legs trembled, his body screaming in protest. Blood trickled from the gash on his arm, but he refused to give Lyria the satisfaction of seeing him falter.
He tightened his grip on the blade, readying himself for her next move.
Suddenly, a low, familiar meow echoed across the temple. Ivaim's head snapped toward the sound, his eyes widening in disbelief.
From the shadows emerged the brown cat that had been lounging on the altar earlier. But it wasn't lounging anymore. The small creature's fur bristled with energy, its tail lashing as its glowing eyes locked onto Lyria.
"What—" Ivaim began, but his words caught in his throat as the cat's body shimmered.
In an instant, a second "Ivaim" materialized beside him, an uncanny mirror of himself. The clone smirked at Lyria with the same mocking grin that Ivaim wore, holding a weapon identical to his own.
"[Attachment Clone]," Ivaim muttered, his voice tinged with both surprise and gratitude. "You little genius."
The clone wasted no time, launching itself at Lyria with startling speed. The Ruiner's serpent-like eyes narrowed as she raised her gauntlet to deflect the attack.
The clone's blade clashed against her armor, sparks flying as the force of the blow pushed her back a step.
"You brought a pet to fight your battles?" Lyria sneered, her voice laced with irritation. "How pathetic."
The real Ivaim chuckled, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. "Don't underestimate my 'pet.' He's full of surprises."
The clone pressed its attack, moving with a fluidity that matched Ivaim's own fighting style. Each strike was calculated, relentless, forcing Lyria to stay on the defensive. Meanwhile, the real Ivaim took the opportunity to regain his footing and reassess the battlefield.
The brown cat didn't stop there. With a hiss, it darted forward, weaving through the chaos of the fight. Its small size made it almost impossible to target, and it used its agility to distract Lyria further. At one point, it leapt onto her shoulder, clawing at her exposed neck.