"BOOM!"
Erigor's body crashed to the ground like a downed plane.
Marco landed steadily on the shattered floor, turning to look at Erigor, who was now vomiting blood on the ground.
Erigor struggled to rise, but his body gave out, forcing him back to his knees.
[Ding! Equuleus constellation star map activated!]
[Ding! Equuleus Bronze Cloth exclusive skill unlocked!]
[Ding! Mission "Wrath of the Death God" completed!
Progress: Defeat "Death God" Erigor (Completed)
[Claim mission rewards?]
As Erigor was decisively beaten to his knees and rendered unable to fight, the Saint System flooded with notifications, the "ding" sounds ringing incessantly.
The mission to defeat "Death God" Erigor was successfully accomplished without even needing the precious Royal Demon Rose—a cause for celebration.
'Claim mission rewards.'
Marco didn't hesitate, selecting the option immediately.
[Congratulations! Skill "Bare-Handed Blade Catch" unlocked!]
The acquisition of skills was far simpler than unlocking a Bronze Cloth—no flashy effects, just a single pop-up window.
Once the window appeared, knowledge of the skill flooded into Marco's mind, causing a sharp pain in his head.
'Bare-Handed Blade Catch: One of the signature techniques of Dragon Bronze Saint Shiryu, derived from Chinese martial arts.
Allows the user to seize and disarm an opponent's weapon bare-handed.'
The knowledge related to 'Barehanded Blade Catch' surfaced in Marco's mind, and he finally remembered what this move was.
'Isn't this the conceptual-level ability where Shiryu, even after being beaten to his knees, could still catch the Gold Saint Shura's Holy Sword with his bare hands?!'
Recalling that scene, Marco instantly grew excited.
What did the 'Holy Sword' represent?
It was a divine weapon said to be capable of cutting through all things when mastered to its peak!
Most crucially, the Holy Sword wasn't an actual sword—it was a hand blade, using one's own limbs as weapons!
That's right, this skill called 'Barehanded Blade Catch' could even intercept 'hand blades' completely disregarding the power of the 'Holy Sword'!
This was undoubtedly a conceptual-level divine technique, truly worthy of being called the 'Pinnacle of Martial Arts'.
Mastering this skill to its limit would reverse its effect into '100% Barehanded Blade Catch'.
[Barehanded Blade Catch - Beginner, Proficiency: 0/500]
Of course, Marco hadn't obtained the maxed-out divine technique.
To achieve the same effect as Shiryu, he would need to train diligently.
Once he mastered this move, any enemy who relied on weapons in battle would find Marco virtually unbeatable.
There was no way around it—starting a fight with an instant 'Disarm'!
Who could handle that?
Erza was probably already feeling chills down her spine.
For Marco, this move did have a bit of an 'anti-Erza specialization' vibe.
Among the enemies he'd faced so far, not many relied on melee weapons.
Take Erigor, for example.
Though the guy always carried a giant scythe, his primary means of attack was still 'Elemental Magic: Wind'.
Compared to a weapon, that scythe seemed more like a prop for his 'Death God' cosplay.
But that wasn't a big deal.
It was fine if the move wasn't used often—what mattered was having it.
And once it was used, it would undoubtedly turn the tide of battle!
Marco was extremely satisfied with this conceptual-level divine technique.
Next, he checked the changes in his Equuleus Bronze Cloth.
Just moments ago, he had finally established a stable connection with the Equuleus constellation in the sky.
This connection allowed him to unleash immense magic power, overwhelming Erigor in a direct confrontation.
After forming this stable bond with Equuleus, Marco gained numerous new abilities, manifesting in various aspects.
Now, Marco continuously absorbed the starlight radiating from Equuleus at all times, allowing him to replenish and enhance his magic power without meditation.
During battle, Marco could also more easily harness star magic power, with the amount drawn directly linked to his emotions and fighting spirit.
Most importantly, the Equuleus Bronze Cloth had unlocked an exclusive skill.
This skill could only be used while wearing the Equuleus Bronze Cloth—until Marco mastered it himself.
Supernova Burst—this was Equuleus's exclusive skill, an extremely violent ability that embodied the philosophy of 'do or die'.
Using it consumed a massive amount of magic power; if it failed to defeat the enemy in one strike, Marco would be left defenseless afterward.
'It's like having an "all-or-nothing" trump card up my sleeve.'
Marco had already positioned this move—it wasn't necessary to use it as an opener unless absolutely critical.
It was far more viable as a finishing technique.
Smack!
"Stay still! Stop struggling!"
While Marco was engrossed in examining the fruits of this victory, the two middle-aged men, Macao and Wakaba, had already restrained Erigor on either side.
Erigor wasn't weak by any means—his abilities were unique and he had developed them into formidable applications.
An ordinary person would have a hard time defeating him, and even if they could, capturing him was another matter entirely.
Unfortunately for Erigor, he had run into Marco, who was in a hurry to complete his mission.
He had been beaten to his knees in an instant.
Yet, the fact that he hadn't been killed on the spot was already a testament to his skill.
Marco, fearing his target might be stolen and eager to finish the mission, had unleashed a surge of magic power that was nothing to scoff at.
With the pitiful defeat of their guild master, Erigor, the Dark Guild Eisenwald which had only recently risen to prominence, was officially annihilated.
"Damn, Marco! That last move was insane! Got my blood pumping! Now that's how a real man fights!"
Joey bare-chested and rippling with muscle, sidled up excitedly, showering Marco with praise.
Joey, who styled himself as the "Ultra-Muscle Mage," adored Marco's fighting style—using his fists to pummel enemies to their knees.
That was the most intense, the most manly way to fight!
But Marco had no mind for Joey's enthusiasm right now.
After the capture of Eisenwald members, the [Saint System] had popped up again, displaying a strange mission completion panel.
[Ding! Hidden Mission Completed!]
[Mission Name: "LULLABY"]
Mission Details:
Erigor, the guild master of the Dark Guild "Eisenwald" codenamed "Death God," has devised an evil scheme. He plans to assassinate the guild masters using the Demon "LULLABY"!
Stop him! Do not let his plan succeed!
Mission Progress: Prevent "Death God" Erigor's assassination plot (Completed)
Reward: Skill Experience Book.
[Claim reward?]
'LULLABY? Assassinating the guild masters ?'
Marco was stunned.
Who would've thought Erigor was capable of something like this? He was actually plotting something so sinister?!
------------------------------
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