When Did He Do That?!

Ikyuu, the dungeon master, then ate the shining star bestowed upon him.

"Oh my… This will be entertaining." [Astos]

Mana fluctuated around Ikyuu, so much so that even Adam was able to feel it. The dungeon master's gray skin turned red and his horn regrew, even longer than before. The once white hair was dyed black as charcoal. The cuts, bruises, and burns accumulated against his fight with Adam healed, as if the battle never happened.

"Wow. That's… unfair?" [Krino]

Ikyuu inhaled deeply and exhaled with satisfaction.

"Incredible… Roht's blessing is marvelous. Such an honor it is to be his humble servant…" [Ikyuu]

A sinister smile crept up the corners of his mouth as he faced Adam.

"How is it? Can you feel it? My power?" [Ikyuu]

Adam could sense it. The strength of his opponent was leagues above what it was before. The sheer magnitude of energy made Adam recall the most powerful foe he's faced, Typhon.

("Mana amount doesn't amount to skills though.") [Adam]

Compared to Ikyuu, Typhon was on another level. That man had honed his skill with the blade over the years, while Ikyuu was nothing more than a brute. A monster mimicking the appearance of a human.

"Let's even the odds a bit." [Adam]

Opening a hand, a magic circle meticulously pieced itself together.

"Fuya de medicis. Heal." [Adam]

A light enveloped his body, cleansing his body of wounds.

"I forgot you knew magic." [Krino]

("Me too.") [Adam]

Though it was something casual Adam had done, the dungeon master was surprised.

"...You can heal?" [Ikyuu]

"If you can do it, I can do it too. It evens the playing field." [Adam]

"So you say…" [Ikyuu]

Ikyuu looked as if his world had come crashing down. Just knowing his opponent could heal whenever they felt like it crushed his spirits.

("Surely it takes a lot of mana to cast a healing spell of that magnitude. Perhaps I can wear him out?") [Ikyuu]

Looking at his expression, Adam could somewhat tell what Ikyuu was thinking.

"If you're wondering whether or not I will run out of mana, you best keeping hoping since I have a metric fuck ton." [Adam]

Adam did not account for the dungeon master not knowing human measurements. Or humor.

"A… what?" [Ikyuu]

"Just say I can cast the healing spell over a hundred times and I wouldn't have a problem." [Adam]

Adam's daily training of compressing his mana was paying off. Mana was of no consequence to him.

"Enough talking. Are you going to come at me or not?" [Adam]

"If you insist." [Ikyuu]

Within an instant, Ikyuu vanished.

"Huh?" [Adam]

He then felt a heavy blow from behind, throwing him into the ground.

"Urgh!" [Adam]

He looked up to see a foot dropping down, so Adam rolled and jumped to his feet.

("The hell was that?!" ) [Adam]

The moment he recovered from the surprise attack, Ikyuu vanished once again.

("I'm not falling for that again!") [Adam]

Assuming that the dungeon master would appear behind, Adam spun around with a kick. Unfortunately, the prediction was wrong and he struck air.

"Eh?" [Adam]

Suddenly, Ikyuu appeared before him. Adam was given no time to react as the dungeon master struck him in the throat.

"Ack!" [Adam]

Adam hacked and coughed as he recoiled back.

("How does he keep disappearing?! Is it an illusion? Invisibility?") [Adam]

"You look confused!" [Ikyuu]

Once again, Adam lost sight of Ikyuu.

("No… It's something simpler than that.") [Adam]

He moved like his head was on a swivel, ensuring that all sides were covered. What he didn't expect was the dungeon master dropping on him. Literally.

"Urgh!" [Adam]

Locking his legs around Adam's neck, the dungeon master twisted his body to fling Adam.

"Woah!" [Adam]

His vision blurred as he soared through the air. Luckily, Adam managed to right himself and land safely. He looked back to Ikyuu, somewhat expecting to not see him. However, the dungeon master just stood there.

"That was a stupid move. You hardly even did anything." [Adam]

"Did I?" [Ikyuu]

He tapped his neck.

"Did you bother to check yourself?" [Ikyuu]

Adam's eyes widened as he saw his skin near collarbone turn a bit green.

"Ah, poison. Good in all cases. Especially against you." [Astos]

Reacting quickly, Adam summoned up a magic circle.

"Fuya de medicis! Heal!" [Adam]

A light shone on him, but nothing happened.

"...What?" [Adam]

"You fool. "Heal" isn't an antidote. You need to cast "Cure" to get rid of poison." [Astos]

That was a spell Adam didn't know.

"What now? The clock's ticking." [Ikyuu]