[Title: Hey, Hey, I’ve Got an Idea to Wreck Things, What Do You Think?]
Content: About this Face Thief guy in the expedition party,
What do you think about inserting some kid with a trash skill that penalizes heavily and using them to trigger a self-destruct?
Looking at this guy, it seems like his skill for stealing is passive, not active.
In my opinion, this Face Thief seems to be already wrecked, right?
-: Haha, that’s a genius idea, isn’t it?
-: Are you by any chance a pro gamer?
-: Does anyone else think the tone is messed up?
-: Just add ‘man’ at the end of your sentences. Damn.
-: But what are some skills that ruin life just by learning them?
-[Writer]: Forbidden Necromancy incoming! Hahahahaha!
-: Haha!
-: Face Thief, are you possessed by Satan?
Face Thief: Yes, hahaha!
-: Demon food show go!
-[Writer]: ?
-[Writer]: What is this guy?
-[Writer]: Controlling a demon?
-: Forbidden Necromancy is now Consensual Necromancy hahahaha!
-: Looks like you’ve resolved things peacefully with your tenant?
-: Ah, dialogue is the key to resolving all disputes peacefully.
-[Writer]: No, WTF?
-[Writer]: Why is the skill still succeeding?
-[Writer]: What happened to the 50% chance (which feels like 99% bullcrap) of being overtaken by the demon?
-: Does “The Formless One” seem overpowered to you?
-: Honestly, hahaha, once you look at someone and copy their skill,
how would the side effects apply?
-: The Formless One < It's a sort of power.
If you steal the skill, you can just handle it perfectly, no sweat.
I can even see the face of the skill without any trouble.
-: Face Thief: Yey~ Are you, Master of Skills, looking at me? Haha!
-: Skill: Sorry, Oppa... In front of this person, I...
-: Brother, are you serious?
-: What is this incest nonsense? Damn!
-[Writer]: Are you serious? You were saying it was a genius idea just now.
-: Just because something is ambitious doesn't mean it will succeed - Kim Bupyeong.
-: Who's Kim Bupyeong?
-: Me - Kim Bupyeong.
-: Haha, Bupyeong Ham is on fire - LeBron James.
-: For real, is that LeBron James? - Kim Bupyeong.
-[Writer]: Ah, should I just kill them all?
***
Face Thief.
He trusted in his abilities.
More accurately, he trusted in the power he had derived from "The Formless One," that great authority.
Though contact with Rishe, an extraordinary existence, created a slight crack in that absolute faith, the belief still stood firm.
Indeed, hadn't he successfully discarded even the terrifying imagery of the saber strike?
Given enough time, not only would he be able to control the imagery, but he would even master the saber strike itself.
The Face Thief dared not assess the limits of this authority.
He did not think that Rishe was above the powers of The Formless One.
The mysterious reinforcement ability used by Rishe.
If Rishe could handle that ability, then The Formless One could also handle it.
What about the possibility of some hidden side effects in the reinforcement's power?
That was fine.
The power had become stronger by overcoming the saber strike's imagery and by stealing the faces of the special squad's captain and lieutenant.
It was entirely possible.
This time, there would be no anomalies.
Within the coldness and excitement, Face Thief was certain.
And then, his faith betrayed him.
“Hack!!!”
The power stolen by the authority drained all mana like a dry cloth, and began to operate in an abnormal manner.
Realizing the true nature of the reinforcement ability, Face Thief was shocked.
"What an ignorant fool..."
He had believed that Rishe’s reinforcement ability drew power from an external source.
After all, borrowing power from outside was the most common method to achieve strength beyond one's own, and the only realistic way of doing so.
But he was wrong.
The truth was that the ability caused the user's mana to go berserk.
In a sense, it couldn't have been more unconventional.
The word that best expressed this mana-handling method wasn't "reinforcement," but "self-destruction."
Who in their right mind would pursue breaking limits through self-destruction?
It wasn't just ordinary self-destruction either.
It was an all-out self-destruction.
This was a power that raced full throttle toward destruction.
"By making the mana go berserk through resonance, and simultaneously controlling that berserk mana with the 'BlueBreath'..."
Overcoming the limitations of magic and swordsmanship through their mutual interaction—it was theoretically an ideal ability.
The problem was that making that theory a reality was impossible.
Even now, the power of the authority was functioning to overcome that impossibility.
Back and forth, endlessly alternating between magic and swordsmanship, the authority tried to control the side effects.
It was inadequate.
It was like trying to stop water leaking from both ends with one arm.
If one focused on the resonance, the body couldn't endure the berserk mana, leading to gradual collapse.
If one focused on the 'BlueBreath,' the uncontrolled mana would rage, accelerating the berserk.
The authority continuously alternated between resonance and 'BlueBreath' to satisfy both.
Freely moving between the realms of magic and swordsmanship, it was a mastery far beyond even a sword master or a grand mage—an authority in its truest form.
Thump!
Thump!
Even so, this reinforcement ability couldn't be tamed.
Because the essence of the ability wasn't merely alternating between the realms of magic and swordsmanship.
It was doing both simultaneously.
That was the core of this reinforcement ability.
Face Thief could declare it.
It was not nearly impossible—it was absolutely impossible.
Which was why this ability was classified not as ‘reinforcement’ but as ‘self-destruction.’
That's how Face Thief realized the true nature of the ability—and the intent behind Rishe using it.
Unlike him, who merely copied it, Rishe must have understood its true nature.
Including the fact that using this power would lead to destruction due to extreme overload.
In short—'He's leading to mutual destruction...'
Face Thief was both repulsed by and darkly amused by that decisive and determined ruthlessness.
After all—'Foolish one, me...'
"is different from you!!!"
At this very moment.
Rishe's body must be collapsing at an uncontrollable speed, unable to handle the side effects.
But I am different.
The power of the fluid continues to function tirelessly, seeking to master its enhancing capabilities even in this dire situation.
Through this process, methods to mitigate the worst outcome into a lesser evil are derived.
"Destruction will only befall you!"
This is the moment to put an end to the humiliation that began with the saber strike.
The Face Thief looked at Rishe with a victorious smile,
at him, nearly dying in Towah's arms.
"Eh?"
Suddenly, he made a perplexed sound, then calmly regained his composure,
stood up from his seat as if nothing had happened, and faced the Face Thief.
Did he also have a way to mitigate the worst outcome?
No.
His current state was beyond any lesser evil.
***
▷ Fate 74: Face Thief - Deactivated.
Corresponding rewards have been granted.
■Rishe
Level 60(58) > 59
Abnormal status has been cured.
[Abnormal Status: Overload (Severe)]
***
It feels like waking up from a deep sleep.
Maybe, as if reborn.
That was the optimal condition.
He had completely escaped the aftermath of ‘total annihilation.’
“What have you done…! Gaahk-”
The Face Thief couldn’t help but shout.
As his focus on recovery was disrupted, his condition faltered.
Drip.
All the orifices of his face began bleeding again, worsening the condition he had barely escaped.
The worst possible outcome had once again entangled him.
But the Face Thief didn’t care.
He was already out of his mind.
“What is this!!! You!!! Was this your plan all along!!! To trap me in this scheme!!! Who!!! Who put you up to this?! The Sect?! The Black Hand?! What did you just use!!! Their sacred artifact?!”
“No!!! It happens from time to time!!!”
“Shut your mouth!!!”
The eyes were drenched in blood, and saliva and blood mixed to create sticky strands from his open mouth.
Nothing else mattered anymore.
Except to completely kill that detested man.
In response to the Face Thief’s intent, the power of the fluid no longer attempted to suppress the ‘self-destruction’ ability.
The Face Thief embraced the exhilaration that accompanied ruin.
Thus, the collapse accelerated.
Teeth and nails fell out, and his skin tore and split.
No matter.
He could clearly feel the power that broke through his inherent limits, gained at this cost.
The appearance of the Face Thief, who had been mimicking ‘Rishe’, collapsed.
The skin of his entire body churned as if alive, and his muscles swelled.
BOOM!
The Face Thief took a step forward.
There was no longer any trace of the aristocrat he had imitated.
It was a grotesque giant.
No, it was a mass of flesh with a will.
It resembled a rock made of flesh and muscle, with limbs sprouting from it.
The fluid form of the faceless one completely engulfed the Face Thief.
-Aaaaaaaahhhkkk!!!!!
It let out a roar.
The cries of a child and a young man.
Of a middle-aged man and an old man.
It was a sound like squeezing and twisting all kinds of humans into a mold.
Rishe’s expression twisted.
Because within that sound, the voice of the wandering swordsman Brienne could be heard.
Towah and Magnus also reacted the same way.
Because within that sound, the voices of the hero party could be heard.
It charged the party of Rishe, flinging its massive body.
Its arm swung like a mace, resembling a log.
It was akin to an explosion.
Dust rose thickly, and a crater formed where its arm struck.
It was an incredibly powerful, yet clumsy, blow.
The party of Rishe scattered in unison and easily dodged the strike, then retaliated against it.
That troublesome genius who had stolen all their skills was no longer there.
Overcome by emotion and devoured by the fluid, it had lost its self. Now, it was merely a bloated lump of flesh and mana.
Compared to the Face Thief, it felt almost kind to fight against.
Puuk!
Puuk!
Certainly, a simple opponent does not necessarily mean an easy one.
“What is…!?”
Towah and Magnus’s expressions distorted as they drove their swords into its side while slipping in from the side.
Its body, crafted of mana and muscle, was tougher than they could have imagined.
“Caawwwwww!!!”
It swung its arm with a scream, shooing them away as if they were bothersome flies.
To have their all-out strike, aimed for critical damage, treated like a nuisance was more embarrassing than humiliating.
Towah and Magnus felt awkward rather than humiliated.
“Towah!”
The captain and lieutenant of the special unit exchanged glances and shook their heads simultaneously.
Further waste was unnecessary.
Through that first strike, they could sufficiently deduce:
It was impossible to stop that monster with their current strength alone.
“What the-”
“Captain!?”
“Rishe!!! What is all this-”
In that sense, perhaps it was fortunate.
The roar-like sound of its attacks drew a crowd.
The guards of Guse Manor.
Guests staying at Guse Manor and their escort forces.
Even other members of the special unit.
In a moment, a crowd that could be called an army formed.
“Maintain distance and attack from a distance!”
As most of them were skilled soldiers, they immediately took appropriate measures.
Magic, arrows, and all manner of attacks rained down on it.
And this massive creature absorbed every single attack, not a bit wasted.
“…”
It didn’t care at all.
It didn’t even howl as it had when attacked by Rishe’s party.
It was a monster born of anger towards Rishe’s party.
They were the only ones it cared about, and that lack of awareness was its strength.
“What is this thing-?”
Those observing from a distance revealed their bafflement.
How on earth were they supposed to stop such a monster?
The situation was even more frustrating for those facing it directly, bearing the brunt of its attention.
“Rishe!!!”
Towah called out urgently.
“Do you know a way to subdue this thing!?”
There was nothing left to rely on but his “anyway” pocket.
Towah fervently hoped that once again, something from his pocket would resolve the “anyway” situation.
“…Sword Energy!”
At the end of his deliberation, Rishe shouted.
“Wouldn’t Sword Energy be effective against him!?”
With Rishe’s words, Towah and Magnus gave bitter smiles.
“Yeah, it would work!”
Sword Energy is the blade forged by will.
That is, the skill that applies the principle of materialization of intent.
Towah and Magnus, who had achieved the 7th level of mastery, could skillfully wield the principle of materialization.
“Then-”
“But, I can’t handle Sword Energy proficiently yet!”
Still, even with their current skills, they attempted to use it in battle…
It was beyond what they could handle.
The explosive power to unleash Sword Energy.
The concentration required to sustain it.
The attributes demanded by Sword Energy were not something that could be mastered simply by being proficient in the principles of materialization.
Towah and Magnus did not feel particularly ashamed of this fact.
Sword Energy is not just a random symbol of Sword Masters for nothing.
It was a skill that required a minimum rank of 7th-tier rear to mimic, and one had to reach the early stages of the 8th-tier to practically apply it in battle.
“So, is there no other way besides Sword Energy!?”
“No! Let’s use Sword Energy!”
“Didn’t you hear me!?”
“I can use it, albeit in a limited sense!”
“?”
“?”
Towah and Magnus looked at Rishe in disbelief, as he stood there calmly with blood streaming from every orifice of his face.
“…Is that so!!! How wonderful!!!”
“Excuse me?”
“That means you’re saying you’ll cover for him to get close to it!”
Their conversation took place while dodging its attacks.
It truly was a leisurely spectacle, but even that had its limits.
They were gradually being pushed back towards the manor’s wall.
Changing direction would lead the creature to other people.
It was time to resolve this.
“Sir!!!”
“Don’t come!”
Just then, Towah stopped the special tactical units who were trying to approach from the group.
“Ugh- Is there any way to stop it!?”
“We use Sword Energy!”
“Sword Energy…!?”
The eyes of the special tactical unit members watching Towah filled with awe.
“Understood! Sir, I’ll cover you!”
“I didn’t say me; cover Rishe!”
“?”
“It’s Rishe who will deliver the strike with Sword Energy!”
“?”
“Rishe, are you ready!?”
“Yes! Fully prepared!”
Towah and Magnus stepped forward reluctantly, leaving behind Rishe who claimed to be in peak condition despite bleeding from every orifice.
Abandoning the distance they had maintained until now, they plunged into the creature.
Whoosh!
The creature swung its arm mightily toward Towah who was closing in from the right.
Towah dodged the attack, but with the proximity involved, the air being compressed and a powerful wind pressure wave surged towards him.
“Ugh!”
Towah, barely maintaining his stance, plunged his sword into the exposed side of the creature with all his might, shouting a war cry.
Simultaneously, from the opposite side, Magnus plunged forward and with all his strength, slashed at the creature’s little toe. Cracks appeared in the massive flesh.
“Aaaaaah!!!”
A scream erupted from its mouth, the true definition of a howl this time.
It flailed its arms wildly like an angry child. Amusing in appearance, but not in power.
Boooom! Boooom!
The fearsome sound of its arms cutting through the air was interspersed with a dull thud.
Even a mere graze from its swinging arms was enough to send both Towah’s and Magnus’ bodies flying, crashing into the wall and rolling on the ground.
Roaring, it swung its leg around. Its gaze locked onto the now vulnerable Towah and Magnus.
Not intending to miss this opportunity, it took another step forward to end them for good.
“Hey.”
Just then, an abrupt braking force halted its movements.
The most hated voice had captured its attention.
The voice had come from somewhere close behind.
It swung its arm as it turned its massive body. The thick fingers barely grazed the tip of Rishe’s nose.
Yet, even in this precarious situation, Rishe’s posture did not waver. He stood crouched, taking his stance with feet firmly planted.
His gaze stared forward, to the exposed front of the creature, fully vulnerable after swinging its arms with all its might.
Step.
A step that contrasted sharply with the heavy, ponderous footsteps of the creature. This alien, almost weightless step swiftly carried Rishe right into its embrace.
“!!!”
Its bloodshot eyes lit up with delight. That hated insect had come into range on its own.
It lifted its arms to strike down on Rishe with all its strength –
But by then, Rishe’s blade had already swung.
An upward swing that fully utilized its momentum.
“Guhk!”
Rishe spat out a mouthful of blood. Unlike before, he was in his best condition.
And yet, he had coughed up blood just as before due to the tremendous exertion, reminiscent of the previous bout of exhaustion.
The death-dealing technique of the Saliungeui that packed everything into a single strike, combined with Rishe’s intensification also focused entirely on a fleeting moment.
For an instant, Rishe’s sword seemed to elongate. So vivid was the Sword Energy that clung to his blade.
Slit.
Its body emitted a sound akin to a rock splitting apart. Then a diagonal line appeared across its body.
Its massive frame split along that line, and blood and pus gushed out from the gap.
End of battle.
***
“Huff-… Huff… Huh?”
After pouring all his strength into that singular strike and collecting his breath, Rishe approached the Face Thief’s corpse.
There, a lump roughly the size of a fist lay on the ground.
***
Silence descended over the area for a moment.
“Is that… a Mage… with Sword Energy…”
The silence was broken by the stunned mutterings of one special tactical unit member.
Sword Energy. To the Swordsmen, it represented the ultimate ideal and symbol.
That Sword Energy had been wielded not by their Tactical Force Captain, not even their leader, but by a mage from the Gray Mage Tower.
Confusion spread among the Swordsmen, including the special tactical units, as they struggled to process the situation.
Eventually, cheer erupted from among the gathered crowd, oblivious to the unease.
Merchants, who didn’t fully grasp the weight of the moment, were awestruck.
One merchant, brimming with excitement, asked his escort guard,
“You! Did you see that?! Rishe Sir’s technique!!!”
“…Of course, I saw it.”
“Could you use it too? If we judge by swordsmanship alone, wouldn’t you be better at it than him?”
The expressions of the sword-bearing individuals around became complex.
“Hmm? Oh, perhaps it wasn’t swordsmanship but magic? Makes sense, given Rishe Sir is a mage by profession.”
The expressions on the faces of those carrying swords darkened.
