General Durahan—a monster embodying "man and horse as one." Among foes Pepper faced, only Lycaon rivals its top-tier threat. Its horse grants superior mobility, letting it dominate speed battles and focus on offense, while the longsword and mounted stance expand its attack range. This combo, historically deadly, poses a unique challenge: Pepper's right hand, bound by Lycaon's Curse Marking, can't wield two-handed weapons, and his throwing skills can't bridge the reach gap. To fight one-on-one, he must separate knight from horse.
(How to break this unity?) Excitement surges. Without Aitouil or Bilac, Pepper's gamer spirit ignites, eager to topple this foe alone with his skills and new acquisitions.
"Here we go!" Deflecting the longsword's thrust with Kuroganemaru's spine, he slides behind, timing the horse's pivot. Activating Vorpal Blade Art [Water Mirror Moon], he traces an 'X' in the air. The slash manifests behind Durahan, striking its back. Confused, it swings at nothing.
"Blinded by the moon's reflection?" Pepper taunts, already in his Killing Range. Water Mirror Moon shifts attack judgment to the enemy's rear, drawing aggro away without damage. This forces Durahan to reposition its longsword, a mid-range powerhouse but clumsy up close.
"Grit your teeth, Durahan!" Pepper roars, equipped with Exspide Warleg. He chains skills: Infight (boosts close-range combat), Fulls Shoot (adds stun to kicks), Envy Fusion (buffs top three stats except HP/MP against stronger foes), and Strength Smasher (delivers massive knockback). A devastating dropkick, amplified by these skills, slams Durahan's horse, sending it crashing into the valley's rocks like a pinball. Stunned and knocked far, the horse is out. Durahan falls, vulnerable.
"Now it's one-on-one. Let's clash!" Blades meet, metal ringing like echoes of the valley's past wars. As Durahan's longsword targets Pepper's neck, he sways, dodging the thrust. A cross-slash erupts on Durahan's armor.
"Hah, what a skill!" Pepper grins. He hadn't activated anything, yet Vorpal Dance Art [Moonlight Waltz] triggered automatically, evading a lethal blow with dancer-like grace and positioning him for a critical hit. This auto-dodge skill, with a 120-second recast, is a godsend for Pepper's slower reflexes, guaranteeing one sure evasion.
"Moonlight Waltz rocks! Perfect for chaining into Cross Slash!" Thanking Elk mentally, he activates Over Top Beat for the finale. Durahan's longsword swings horizontally, its strength far surpassing Pepper's. Blocking risks breaking Kuroganemaru.
"Time for Laser Marlin's lesson." From his inventory, Pepper grabs Holy Water, effective against undead, and hurls it with Drive Throw at Durahan's cross-slash wounds. The holy water sears the gashes, canceling Durahan's attack as it writhes.
"Durahan, this duel was fun. Next time, I'll take you down without Holy Water." Switching Kuroganemaru to a reverse grip, he combines Ladder Slash and Vorpal Sword Art [Half Moon Sever], cleaving Durahan's weakened torso in two.
The horse, recovering from stun, charges in rage. "Don't worry, I'll end it in one blow." Pepper unleashes Infight, Fulls Shoot, Dual Flip, Body Purge, and Strength Smasher, delivering a double-spin kick that obliterates the horse. His level jumps two, skills evolve, and new ones awaken.
"Definitely a rare monster. And… level 40!" Reaching the cap for Radiant Solreia's unique greaves, Pepper steps into the realm to face Tiraned Giraffe and Kaiserion Caucasus.
Reaching the Realm of Level 40
PN: PepperLevel: 40Main Job: BackpackerSub Job: None
Stats
HP: 15 MP: 10 Stamina: 95 Strength: 75 Agility: 95 Dexterity: 40 Technique: 55 Durability: 30 Luck: 25 Remaining Points: 27
Equipment
Left: Vorpal Ledge Right: Lycaon's Curse Marking Legs: Exspide Warleg Head: Azure Zero's Vogue Hat (+2 Durability, Dark/Ice Resistance) Torso: Bloody Scar's Long Coat (+5 Durability, +1% Stats vs. Higher-Level Foes) Waist: Bloody Scar's Belt (+3 Durability, +1% Stats vs. Higher-Level Foes) Legs: Azure Zero's Suit Pants (+3 Durability, Dark/Ice Resistance)
Accessories
Chainmail (+10 Durability) Traveler's Cloak (+2 Durability) Vorpal Soul Collar Enhance Guild Membership Card
Money: 1,236,100 ManiInventory: Blue Toy Ostrich Feather, Rising Volks Gear, Horal Mushroom, Vorpal Jujutsu [Crescent Tomoe], Vorpal Blade Art [Water Mirror Moon], Vorpal Dance Art [Moonlight Waltz], Vorpal Ultimate Art: Tachi-Type [Clear Anthem], Vorpal Ultimate Art: Strike-Type [Nayuta Tracks], Kuroganemaru, Holy Water, Throwing Orb: Blast Light, Recovery Items
Skills
Ladder Slash (Lv. 2) Life-End Thrust (Lv. 2) Repel Counter Drive Throw (Lv. 2) Alzeid Edge Meias Work Volberg Strike Grasharas Impact Strength Smasher (Lv. 2) Over Top Beat (Lv. 2) Infight (Lv. 2) Seven-Boat Leap Skate Foot Jet Attack Cross Slash (Lv. 2) Ballistrider (Lv. 2) Actus Dash (Lv. 6) Stick Piece (Lv. 5) Grip Strike (Lv. 4) Throw (Lv. 5) Climb Kick (Lv. 6) Neck Snap (Lv. 4) Moon Jumper (Lv. 2) Body Purge (Lv. 4) Life of Change Straight Fist Back Kick (Lv. 5) Dual Flip (Lv. 2) Fulls Shoot (Lv. 3) Oppression Kick (Lv. 4) Iron-Breaking Life Strike (Lv. 2) One-Shot Annihilation (Lv. 2) Envy Fusion (Lv. 2) Taunt (Lv. 2) Vorpal Sword Art [Half Moon Sever] (Lv. 2) Vorpal Hammer Art [Full Moon Stamp] Vorpal Blade Art [Water Mirror Moon] Vorpal Dance Art [Moonlight Waltz]
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