25-128

EP.128 [Vivian Saves Eugene Schneider in a Crisis.] 

‘What kind of barrier is this??’ 

Thanks to the sudden appearance of a barrier, Eugene was able to defend against the attacks of three Sophists. His eyes widened in shock at the sight of the shield. 

‘Vivian?’ 

The name that flashed through Eugene’s mind was Vivian. The reason: the Sophists whose attacks had been blocked were now turning their attention behind Eugene toward Vivian. 

[The barrier will disappear in 5 seconds, Eugene! Use that time to regroup and counterattack!] 

At that moment, something even more surprising happened. Eugene heard Vivian’s telepathic voice in his head. 

[What is this? Huh? I can use telepathy too????] 

[Don’t be surprised, Eugene. This is the effect of a two-way telepathy mana stone I possess.] 

It wasn’t just one-way telepathy it was two-way. 

[Before forming the merchant guild, I spent quite a bit of time with an alchemy mage I was close to. This mana stone was made using alchemy magic I learned from them. The barrier in front of you is also created by an alchemy mana stone.] 

Because telepathy transmits thoughts faster than normal speech, Vivian was able to quickly explain the situation to Eugene. 

After her father Alexis died, Vivian spent years as a recluse in deep despair. At some point, she realized she had to get back up not just for her own sake, but because if she gave up, she could never restore her father’s honor. 

What gave her the strength to rise again was the alchemy magic she’d learned as a child. As an Awakened, Vivian had a talent for alchemy magic, but at some point, she’d set it aside to follow her father’s path. Before she turned 20, she spent about three years immersed in alchemy magic, overcoming her reclusive period. Her skills in alchemy magic later helped her greatly in merchant activities, and she continued to hone them in her spare time. 

‘Come to think of it, I remember seeing books in Vivian’s room that looked like the ones Elizabeth used to have.’ 

Eugene’s mind raced as he recalled the exotic items in Vivian’s room from her travels abroad. He now remembered the unusual magic books on her desk. 

[But honestly, I can’t usually use it this smoothly. My magical power is only at Runner level. But because you’re an Expert Awakened, I could amplify the mana through you as a conduit.] 

Barrier magic and telepathy magic are quite advanced, especially for an alchemist. However, alchemy magic in the Empire had advanced rapidly, and many skill applications using mana stones had been developed. Still, infusing enough magical power is another matter Vivian’s Runner-level magic would normally be insufficient. 

That limitation was overcome by Eugene Schneider’s Expert-level Awakened abilities. Just as a crimson-haired goblin shaman could use the chief goblin as a totem for debuff magic, Vivian used Eugene’s high mana sensitivity as a conduit for her magic. 

[And luckily, you don’t have much resistance to me, Eugene…] 

Eugene’s heart was not closed off to Vivian. Connection and conduit magic require some emotional or mental openness between the users. In this urgent situation, Vivian tried it without overthinking, and it worked perfectly something that made her quietly happy, as she’d always hoped for a genuine connection with Eugene. 

[Anyway, thanks. You saved me from a crisis.] 

Clang! 

Leaving the pleased Vivian behind, Eugene took up an attack stance. As the barrier was about to disappear, he prepared to counterattack. 

Sssssss... 

Just as Vivian said, after 5 seconds the barrier vanished. 

"Try blocking my sword!" 

BUAAAAAAK!! 

Eugene swung his greatsword, brimming with sword aura, horizontally at the three Sophists within range. 

Clang! Clang! Crack! 

These weren’t ordinary swords, but a Sword Expert’s greatsword. Caught off guard by the unexpected defense, all three Sophists lost their balance and were barely able to defend themselves. 

As a result, all three of their swords broke under the force of Eugene’s sword aura. 

Thud! Thud! Thud! 

" Ugh!" " Kugh!" " Aaaagh!" 

Eugene didn’t waste a second. He immediately followed up, stabbing and slashing all three Sophists. 

‘If I can just finish off the white-haired Sword Expert!’ 

Eugene then turned his head toward where Ricardo had stumbled backward, sure he’d seen Ricardo fall on his backside. 

"Looking for me, black-haired greatsword?" 

But Ricardo’s voice came from a different direction than where Eugene expected. 

‘Damn...’ 

Eugene frowned as he located the source of the voice. 

"Drop your sword, or you’ll watch this guild leader’s blood spill from her neck." 

It was coming from where Vivian was. 

"Oh, you’re holding out? Should I just cut her right now? Should I make her bun-haired head roll on the ground?" 

"No! Don’t put your sword down, Eugene!" 

Sensing the tide turning against him, Ricardo didn’t take a potion or attempt a group attack he chose to take Vivian hostage. 

Ricardo, forgetting the pride of a Sword Expert, glared at Eugene with murderous eyes and threatened him. 

Vivian, however, responded in a steady, unwavering voice. 

"....." 

Eugene Schneider watched the scene with a complex, expressionless gaze. 

"This is a sight. Aren’t you a Sophist? I thought you still had some pride left when you challenged me to a duel, but now you’re taking a hostage? And you’re a Sword Expert?" 

While fighting Ricardo, Eugene recalled how his father Ulysses Schneider had trained the Sophist members. Twelve years later, the Sophists had fallen into disgrace, but Ulysses’s honest swordsmanship still remained. Yet here was Ricardo, a Sword Expert, taking a hostage Eugene felt both disappointment and frustration. 

"Shut up! Pride, my ass! Does pride put food on the table? Does it put your head back on your shoulders if it’s cut off? Survive and get stronger THAT is the Sophist way now, you half-demon bastard!" 

Ricardo seemed deeply stung by Eugene’s words. He also knew that Eugene was the hidden son of Ulysses, the first Jedi, and understood why Eugene was criticizing him. With bloodshot eyes, Ricardo justified himself. 

"Look at yourself! You survived too, didn’t you? When your father died so horribly and the whole world cursed him, what did you do? You hid and survived, right?? You’re standing here now because you survived!!!!" 

Ricardo brought up Ulysses, a topic Eugene would take personally. When one can’t justify themselves, they lash out at others Ricardo’s last desperate defense. 

"Anyway, drop the sword. If you don’t, this woman dies. I know how important this quest is to your Red Fox Mercenary Band." 

He demanded Eugene disarm. 

"No! He won’t kill me! He knows if he does, you’ll kill him, Eugene!" 

"Shut up, you bitch!" 

Slap! 

"Kyaa!" 

Vivian firmly insisted Eugene not give in, and her analysis was correct. If Ricardo thought he could beat Eugene, he wouldn’t have taken Vivian hostage. After fighting and being wounded, Ricardo realized he couldn’t win, so he resorted to this. Having been called out so perfectly, Ricardo slapped Vivian to shut her up. 

"Yeah, damn it, what this tough bitch says isn’t wrong, but that doesn’t mean I’m out of options, does it? Killing isn’t the only way I can just maim her, right? Should I cripple her?" 

Ssshhh... 

After slapping Vivian, Ricardo pressed his sword to her cheek, threatening to cut her if Eugene didn’t comply. 

Clang! 

At that moment, the sound of metal rang out. 

"Okay, I put the sword down. Let her go." 

Eugene finally put down his sword. 

"Shut up and kick your greatsword away! Far!" 

Thud! 

Clang! 

But having already seen Eugene’s tricks, Ricardo wasn’t satisfied and gave further instructions. Eugene kicked his greatsword far away. 

 Fwoosh! Fwoosh! 

At that moment, a faint but sharp slicing sound rang out. 

 Thud! Thud! 

Something pierced flesh. 

"Eugene!!" 

It was Eugene’s flesh. 

As Eugene kicked his greatsword away, Ricardo threw hidden weapons, and two of them struck Eugene in both thighs. 

Vivian gasped in horror. 

Drip...! Drip...! 

They were strange-looking weapons, and Eugene’s thighs began to bleed profusely. 

"Heh, be careful. If you try to pull them out or move, you’ll bleed even more." 

They were designed to cause abnormal bleeding. Ricardo grinned with satisfaction as he saw the blood pouring from Eugene’s wounds. 

Glancing silently at his injuries, Eugene Schneider  

"Now for round two!" 

Whoosh! 

"Kyaaah!" 

Crash! 

As Eugene’s bleeding worsened and blood pooled on the ground, Ricardo threw Vivian aside. 

The reason Ricardo took Vivian hostage and threw hidden weapons at Eugene was that, after realizing Eugene’s strength was greater than expected, he decided he had to injure him before finishing him off. While Eugene was busy cutting down Ricardo’s three allies, Ricardo quickly moved toward Vivian and set his trap.