The Banished Villainous Noble Son Who Was Used as a Stepping Stone in the Original Work Awakens to Combat and Destroys the Laws of the World - Episode 70: Attack Power

Episode 70: Attack Power

――Afternoon had passed. Here and there on the main street of the city, merchants and adventurers could be seen heading home.

In the distance, a peddler raised his voice. He was trying to sell his wares. Despite all that noise, my chest felt strangely quiet.

My hand unconsciously touched the sword at my hip. The sensation of cutting down a monster before resurfaced in my mind.

Crossing blades, striking back, and finishing the kill. But it had never been in a single blow. I had to chip away at its movements, strike repeatedly, and only then could I bring it down.

There was certainty in my actions. But what I lacked was a decisive strike.

That became clear when I faced a monster equivalent to C rank.

(What I lack now is—attack power.)

On the battlefield, a single instant decides life and death. No matter how calmly you maneuver, without offensive strength there will always come a moment when you are overwhelmed.

Especially if, from here on, I intend to face beings like the ice monster—or even someone like Reinhardt—merely wearing them down won’t suffice.

Of course, considering surveillance and watchful eyes, there may be other methods.

But—on the contrary, the pursuit of power is natural for anyone. To stop moving forward and stay on the defensive would only raise suspicion.

Then I should seek strength openly. Even under constant watch, my reasoning will not waver.

That’s why I arrive at this thought:

(The Crimson-Body Crystal…)

A crystal burning bright red, radiating a loathsome heat.

In the game, it was an item that made everyone tilt their heads in doubt.

Equipping it imposed a fatal drawback: “Attack Power −80%.” With almost no advantage to balance it out, no one considered it usable.

But I know the truth. The Crystal of Murky Will had also appeared useless when only seen on the “surface.” Yet, when the right conditions were met, its hidden worth revealed itself.

If that was the case, then the Crimson-Body Crystal too—

(It’s worth investigating.)

――The Crimson-Body Crystal was said to drop from monsters inhabiting the volcanic zone near the Principality of Lustea.

But stepping into that land requires preparation. The volcanic zone, like the Miasma Plain, has a field effect.

Though, not as severe as the plains… In the game, the entry condition was “Fire Resistance: Lv.1” or higher. Anyone lacking it would see their HP melt away within a few steps.

In other words, those without “Fire Resistance” couldn’t even stay there, let alone explore. Conversely, those with Lv.1 at least could “stand at the starting line.” That was the design.

This world should be no different. “Fire Resistance Lv.1” marks the boundary between a mere survivor and a true explorer.

In the game, those without the skill could manage with fire-resistant equipment, at least enough to operate.

But considering money, the quickest way is “Fire Resistance.”

(…I’ll need to earn funds.)

To buy magic tools, to prepare an environment for withstanding flames. To acquire resistance, I’d need to let fire seep into my very body.

With “Fire Resistance”, I would be ready to step into the volcanic zone.

Moreover, even without the Crimson-Body Crystal, that area offered conditions to obtain several useful skills.

One of them was the “Super Strength” skill.

Perhaps because the developers equated “fire = power,” the volcanic zone allowed acquisition of skills directly tied to offensive strength.

Furthermore, the journey there and back provided the perfect opportunity to train the “Dash” skill. If I stepped onto the path in pursuit of strength, every step would become training. Also, I had been thinking it was about time to contact Flone again—that too became a reason to go.

I exhaled deeply. Within the steady breathing supported by the “Constant Activity” skill, a stirring impulse rose from the depths of my heart.

I want strength. To go deeper than anyone, farther than anyone. No matter what awaits at the end of this pursuit.

(This path cannot be stopped anymore.)

I pushed open the guild door. With a creak, the bustle within spilled out—adventurers’ voices, clerks handling requests.

I passed through the crowd and headed for the usual receptionist.

“Ah, Alphonse-san. Good afternoon.”

“Good afternoon. I’d like to take on a request right away.”

“You really never change,” 

She said with a wry smile. She then showed me the requests.

I scanned them. Among the small monster hunts and escort jobs, my eyes stopped on one: the extermination of a C rank equivalent, the Savage Boar.

A troublesome beast that charged through forests. It threatened caravans and farmers. It dwelled deep within the “Verdant Mist Prairie.” It occasionally strayed far beyond its usual grounds.

The reward wasn’t bad. With a few kills, I could afford the magic tools and potions I needed.

(Perfect. To test my lack of strength, there’s no better opponent.)

Charging force and tough hide. For a swordsman, it was the ideal foe to test offense and defense head-on. To see how much my sword could accomplish now.

And to feel just how much I still lacked a “decisive strike.”

――I accepted the request.

“…Also, there’s something I’d like to ask.”

After some thought, I opened my mouth.

“Eh, ah—yes. What is it?”

“I may need to head to the Principality of Lustea soon. Could you prepare a ‘travel permit’ for me in advance?”

The receptionist blinked in surprise. Then after a short pause, she replied.

“L-Lustea Principality… Understood.”

She nodded and pulled out a different set of papers from beside her desk.

“It will take a little time, but I’ll prepare it. I’ll make sure it’s ready for you to collect when needed.”

“Thank you, I appreciate it.”

The exchange was plain and businesslike—but that, in itself, was comfortable. No needless questions, just the necessary words conveyed.

I offered her a small bow. I then left the guild.

◆

After accepting the request and leaving the guild, I walked the streets. I quietly turned over my thoughts.

(…Training “Constant Activity” raises efficiency in battle. But that alone isn’t enough.)

I had felt it many times in combat. My durability and stamina were solid. But—I had no decisive strike. Even against that wolf pack, it had only been a matter of overwhelming them with sheer number of blows.

“…I’ll start by training ‘Dash’.”

I also needed preparations for “Fire Resistance”. And as things stood, travel time was a major bottleneck.

In the game, “Teleportation” wasn’t particularly rare. But in this reality, it was far harder to come by.

I headed out of the city toward the prairie.

Grass crunched underfoot. The “Dash” skill activated—my vision stretched wide at once.

Weaving through trees, sprinting full tilt, sudden stops, accelerating again, switching between bursts and endurance.

(I’m getting used to this.)

Running with boosted speed. Practicing combat-useful movement, charging into rocky ground, leaping over roots.

I could see the next step clearly—and even at full force, my stamina wasn’t draining much.

(A rhythm of switching between endurance and bursts. I want to refine it as I level up.)

The wind cooled me. But I didn’t stop. My breathing stayed steady, my steps didn’t falter. The “Constant Activity” skill supported me all the while.

――Suddenly, a tremor shook the prairie ahead.

(It’s here.)

Bursting through the undergrowth came a massive boar. The Savage Boar. Its body dwarfed a normal pig. Its shoulders reached my chest in height.

Kicking up clouds of dust, its red-black eyes gleamed with ferocity.

“A C rank equivalent…”

With a single snort, it gouged the earth. It then charged. I leapt aside. Its tusks scraped the air at my flank. It tore the ground, spraying dirt.

(It’s fast. But still, all it has is a straight line.)

It charged again. I dashed the other way, circling to its rear. I swung at its hind leg—but the cut was shallow. It left only a wound.

“…As I thought, I lack a decisive strike.”

The boar thrashed. It kicked up with its back legs. I dodged. A clod of dirt grazed my face.

(Then I’ll have to make up for weak offense with skill…!)

It swung its tusks in a rampaging charge. I caught the faint misstep in its footing. I darted the opposite way with “Dash”. In that unbalanced instant, I slashed upward at its throat.

The blade bit, its massive frame staggered—and collapsed into the earth.

My breathing was calm. Yet as I looked down at my sword, my brows furrowed.

(I can’t finish them cleanly.)

Even with perfect movement, the fact I couldn’t end it in one blow weighed on me. If I wanted to fight further ahead, I needed more.

(If not one strike, then through number of strikes…)

There were skills like “Follow-Up” to increase attack count per action, or “Combo” to add multiple hits in one swing.

But gaining those skills, from where I stood now, would take time.

(So in the end, I need to raise the power of each strike.)

I exhaled softly. I collected the materials.

Then, after several more battles with similar boars to gauge my shortcomings, I walked back toward the city as the day wore on.

The sinking sun seemed to herald the next trial awaiting me.

Original Author’s Comment:

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Thank you so much for reading this far!!

I hope you’ll continue to enjoy Alphonse’s steady (…?) journey to strength!!

(Here’s the link if you want to support the Author: https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176303375188.)