The Sudden Step Sword Image could not be used multiple times in quick succession.
The technique put too much strain on the leg muscles. Forcing it several times in a row would lead to numbness, spasms, or even muscle tears.
Therefore, to use it repeatedly in a single fight, one had to master the rhythm of combat.
One had to find opportunities during the battle to relax the leg muscles.
By relying on a swordsman's powerful constitution and mastering the combat rhythm—allowing the muscles to regulate themselves like breathing—even a high-load skill like the Sudden Step Sword Image could be used multiple times.
These were the swordsmanship techniques Nephalian had taught to Manfred.
Facing the sneak attack from the sword-and-shield heroic gargoyle this time, Brock was unable to use the Sudden Step Sword Image due to muscle strain.
This was a loss of control over the combat rhythm; he hadn't given his muscles a chance to breathe.
Manfred noted this lesson.
Clang!
His parrying blade was knocked aside by the whirling greatsword. In that instant, Manfred’s center was left wide open.
He could only force his Sword Qi to trace an arc in the air, slashing forward from all sides simultaneously.
At the same time, he stepped back.
However, another weakness of the Sudden Step Sword Image revealed itself.
After using the Sudden Step Sword Image, the muscles would enter a softened state, unable to withstand excessive pressure.
After all, this was a sword move Manfred had created not long ago. He hadn't had time to compensate for its flaws; it required repeated tempering in battle to gain experience.
His legs felt weak, and he had to take several steps back before he could stabilize himself.
By then, the sword-and-shield gargoyle was already charging with its shield raised, the protruding horn on the shield shimmering with a cold light.
Manfred gripped his sword to meet the incoming spike, Sword Qi swirling around his blade.
But at that critical moment, a wind blade sliced through the air, striking the side of the gargoyle!
Amidst the flying stone chips, Weiss’s figure lunged forward, slamming hard into the gargoyle’s flank.
With the sound of cracking rock, the gargoyle’s body was knocked off balance, its charging stance instantly broken. A fragment of stone armor spun into the air from its shoulder.
Manfred was about to follow up with an attack.
But he saw wind blades shooting out in rapid succession, tracing countless arcs of chaotic willow leaves in the air.
In an instant, the staggering gargoyle was engulfed by the willow leaves and collapsed directly to the ground.
Debris flew everywhere as the gargoyle raised its shield to defend itself.
However, the flying wind blades did not stop, pouring down and washing over it like a Great River.
Under the frenzy of the attack, the gargoyle retreated continuously, shield raised.
Chunks of rock kept falling from its body.
By the time the final wind blade fell, the riddled gargoyle had collapsed, crumbling into a pile of stone.
This wind magic had seized the opportunity with unstoppable momentum and continuity, suppressing the gargoyle from beginning to end without leaving a single opening for a counterattack.
Such expert magical offense and mana output efficiency had already reached the peak of a first-rank mage.
Such a gapless burst was something even a second-rank mage might find difficult to achieve.
And the one who had launched this magical assault...
...was the mage, Rhine.
Manfred sheathed his sword and looked at Rhine. Her eyes were bloodshot, and half her body was stained red with blood. She was now standing, holding her staff with one hand, her teeth clenched tight.
The unfolded green magic circle was slowly dissipating.
After the burst, Rhine’s body swayed slightly, her footsteps unsteady.
Manfred and Weiss rushed toward her.
“Don't come over!”
Rhine shouted, pulling back her raised hand and using her staff to support her staggering body, trying hard to dispel the dizzying darkness before her eyes.
Manfred and Weiss stopped immediately.
She could support herself; she was not a burden.
Even if she lost an arm, she was absolutely not a burden. That magic just now was proof!
Therefore, she did not need help.
She didn't dare look at her shoulder, as if by not looking, the lost arm might still exist.
She didn't want Manfred and Weiss to think of her as a weak girl.
It was precisely because they were important that she cared about their opinion.
Rhine straightened her body and walked toward the stone gate.
“You don't need to worry about me. Let's see what's in the treasure chest first.”
She didn't want them to show such worried, sad expressions. She hated that look.
Under that gaze, she would find it hard to resist becoming weak.
Right now, as they struggled in the dungeon, what they needed was not a weak girl.
They needed a reliable comrade who could guard their backs and be trusted with their lives.
Rhine knelt, set down her staff, and reached out with her remaining arm to open the treasure chest.
Manfred and Weiss silently stood behind her.
The opened treasure chest emitted a golden light. As the light faded, the items within were revealed to the three of them.
The interior of the chest was lined with red velvet, upon which lay a dark red broadsword.
Beneath the broadsword on the red velvet was a layer of dungeon coins.
Most were copper coins, with a few silver coins and nine shimmering magic crystal coins.
Above the dungeon coins and beneath the dark red broadsword lay a piece of dark red leather.
One side of the leather was covered in fine scales; judging by their size, it looked like Little Wyvern hide.
The inner side of the leather was inscribed with a map fragment.
The edges of the leather were jagged and incomplete, appearing as if it had been cut from a larger map.
“A magical artifact!”
Rhine tried her best to shift her focus, picking up the red broadsword from the chest.
【Ruby Strike】 A lesser magic grade magical artifact. Forged from ore found in a smoke-shrouded volcanic crater and melted by dragon flame. It is capable of summoning thick smoke during a slash and controlling it to either burn or explode.
“Captain, a magical broadsword! Try it out!”
Though she was trying to distract herself, Rhine’s joy was genuine.
Every magical artifact was a boost to their combat power.
And with every increase in power, their hope of survival grew.
Even if it only meant they could struggle for a little longer.
Manfred took the Ruby Strike from Rhine.
The Ruby Strike was slightly longer than the broadsword Manfred currently held. The blade was curved, widest in the middle—a characteristic of a broadsword.
The body of the Ruby Strike had the texture of steel, while the spine in the center resembled red jade.
The crossguard was a darker reddish-brown, extending to both sides like a cross.
The hilt was wrapped in red leather, the pattern suggesting it was Little Wyvern hide, and a black gem was embedded at the pommel.
Manfred raised the sword and slashed down, activating the special effect of the Ruby Strike.
In an instant, a cloud of thick black smoke was released from the sword's shadow.
The smoke lingered without dissipating.
Manfred gripped the hilt tightly, attempting to trigger the smoke.
The smoke instantly ignited, the high temperature scorching the air!
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