Chapter 282
[18th Round] Ugh!
Hero Fiona from France.
Of course, "Fiona" wasn't her real name, but a fictitious one she used for her new life in Fantasy.
Having mixed Latin-Slavic blood, she was often praised as a living doll since her younger years. In middle school and high school, people often said she was like a British princess.
Having enough of it, however, she grumbled, "Ugh! Why couldn't they say I was better than the British princess?"
"Who do you mean by "British princess," Lady Fiona?"
Her expression softened at the question from the handsome man.
"Victoria... A woman who considers herself the best."
"That is extremely arrogant. You shouldn't compare yourself to her."
"Huh? Why?" Fiona shivered, feeling humiliated.
The handsome guy then gave an answer that melted her feminine heart.
"We gathered here for the sake of Lady Fiona and not for the sake of world peace. We don't care about princesses. We only want to help you.
Companions crowded around Fiona.
But there were only two women in their party. Hero Fiona and the Saintess.
The rest were men diverse in age, appearance, clothing, and job.
"Thank you, Behel." Having her spirits lifted, Fiona smiled gratefully at him.
"I'm just telling the truth. Ahem! It's time, Hero. The final battle lies ahead."
"Yes! Follow me," Fiona said, looking at the Demon Lord's castle.
She felt like a squeezed-out lemon due to her inability to realize that getting to the Demon Lord's castle could be so difficult.
The 4th curriculum was tough.
Due to the lack of a normal diet and food, she suffered from menstrual problems.
She had to fight against such womanly issues right in the open air while traveling or somewhere in the dungeons. Fortunately, she got used to it over the years.
"Hero Fiona? What are you thinking about?"
"Ah! Excuse me. I just remembered a past adventure..."
5th curriculum was far more comfortable in comparison.
She didn't know how it happened, flush toilets suddenly ran rampant across the continents, and with its proliferation, the quality of life on Fantasy improved markedly.
She was so glad when she saw such inventions that she burst into tears.
But her happiness didn't last long.
The skill "Karma" had appeared, and it ranked up every time heroes regressed.
Because of it, her journey had become unbearable.
The advantage of knowing future events after regressing was made obsolete.
As the heroes' reputation decreased, the attitude of local residents towards them also changed.
Since the same situation led to different results, knowing what would happen in the foreseeable future offered little to no help at all.
Everything was different now, however.
▷ Race: Special Person
▷ Level: 999+
▷ Job: Hero (Experience 500%)
▷ Skills: Charm Z, Sword Mastery Z, Magic Z...
▷ Status: Anticipation, Satisfaction
She had acquired three transcendental skills.
Although her overall skill composition had become somewhat unbalanced due to the donation of all of her high-ranked skills, she grew confident that no one could beat her.
▷ Tip: Do not look down on the Demon Lord, apprentice Fiona. Arrogance is said to precede death. Be vigilant until you've decapitated his head.
"Uh-huh," Fiona replied with a smile to her importunate Teacher Morals.
As strong as the Demon Lord Parmamon was, she didn't care.
Every time she regressed, her skills returned.
That alone made a huge difference.
She had spent 80 years in the world of Fantasy.
She hadn't finished training yet since her skills were reset every time she regressed, making it impossible for her to balance them properly.
But now?
"I have 80 years of adventure behind me~♪"
Teacher Morals said that if she went on an adventure and practiced the power of love and friendship, then after five years, she'd be able to easily defeat the Demon Lord.
But she already spent 80 years doing that!
Logically speaking, she could no longer be defeated.
Of course, she still prepared herself and steeled her will.
Among her companions were three "Brave" users.
If the Demon Lord were stronger than expected, they would activate their job's effect, lowering her opponent's level to level 1.
"You won't get through- Huh?!"
Fiona easily dodged the demon's attack and fought back.
In front of her was the "Grand Duke of Demons," considered the second most powerful after the Demon Lord himself, but he wasn't worthy to be her opponent.
"Based on your abilities, I can approximate his current strength..." Fiona said calmly.
Was it because of the suffering she went through over the past 80 years?
She was extremely worried, but it seemed to be in vain.
If the Demon Lord were only slightly stronger than the Grand Duke, even he wouldn't last long against her might.
Bang!
On the castle's top floor, Fiona opened the gate at the end of the hallway and confidently entered the throne room.
Finally! Finally!
She strode forward vigorously, looking forward to the moment she'd deliver the final blow to end the Demon Lord's reign.
"Demon Lord Parmamon! Prepare yourself! Today is the day you fall at the hands of Hero Fiona!"
"Oh, of course, whenever you're ready."
The Demon Lord, previously sitting motionlessly on his throne, slowly rose to his feet.
"Huh?"
Fiona immediately felt goosebumps claw up her spine upon checking his stats.
▶ Race: United Spirit of Fantasy
▷ Level: 999+
▷ Job: Demon Lord (Hero → Level ↓)
▷ Skills: Dark Energy Z, Sword Mastery SSS, Strength SSS, Resistance SSS, Evasion SSS...
▷ Status: Demon Sword, Blessing, Empowerment, Amulet...
Apart from his job, everything else about him was unusual.
Was it because he was a fallen hero in this new scenario?
He was strikingly different from the "First Demon" she knew. Was he even a demon at all?
His level and job were normal.
Seeing that there was a Z-rank among his skills, Fiona clicked her tongue.
"If I didn't have transcendental skills, this fight would've been nigh-impossible."
Her reality was different now, however.
She had surpassed him in terms of skills alone.
She also had many companions around me.
On the other hand, the Demon Lord was alone. No, a naked flower fairy was sitting on his head.
However, she didn't increase his combat power.
"Have you finished checking my stats?"
Was that also because of his background as a fallen hero?
He knew she could view his information about him.
Fiona didn't move.
"I don't know why, but my instincts whisper that I must study him more closely."
Hero Fiona changed her ability's setting to Examine in Detail.
At that moment...
"Braaauuurffghhh!"
She showed everyone what she ate during the day.
"Lady Hero?!"
"Mistress Fiona?!"
Her surprised companions called out to her, but she, covering her face with both hands, couldn't answer.
"Looks like you're done," Demon Lord Parmamon said with a laugh.
***
For the first time in a long time, I could enjoy the sensations I felt during my first round.
My actual body was already strong as it was, so I felt it less, but it was different for my copy that only had Dark Energy Z.
My strength had increased several times.
Similar skills of mine also overlapped and complemented each other, forming a good synergy.
▶ Race: United Spirit of Fantasy
▷ Level: 999+
▷ Job: Demon Lord (Hero → Level ↓)
▷ Skills: Dark Energy Z, Sword Mastery SSS, Strength SSS, Resistance SSS, Evasion SSS, Annihilation SSS, Ambition SSS, Sixth Sense SSS, Frenzy SSS, Muscle Strength SSS, Grab SSS, Darkness SSS, Command SSS, Mobility SSS, Speculation SSS, Bleed SSS, Five Senses SSS, Escape SSS, Dignity SSS, Assassination SSS, Reign SSS, Divination SSS, Demon Slaying SSS, Martial Arts SSS, Siege SSS, Massacre SSS, Fall SSS, Shield Mastery SSS, Judgment SSS, Vitality SSS, Pride SSS, Empowerment SSS, Morale SSS, Hearing SSS, Physical Skills SSS, Spiritual Skills SSS, Spiritual Body SSS, Indomitable SSS, Breakthrough SSS, Obliterate SSS, Lunge SSS, Search SSS, Rebuild SSS, Curse SSS, Fortitude SSS, Lightning SSS, Overbearing Aura SSS, Wind SSS,Crush SSS, Valor SSS, Earth SSS, Fire SSS, Enemy Detection SSS, Defense SSS, Cooperation SSS, Disguise SSS, Slaying Dragons SSS, Surveillance SSS, Patience SSS, Bondage SSS, Underwater Breathing SSS, Concentration SSS, Awakening SSS, Fortification SSS, Haste SSS, Mercy SSS, Pursuit SSS, Endurance SSS, Counterattack SSS, Battle Cry SSS, Steelskin SSS, Slaughter SSS, Duress SSS, Two-handed Weapon Mastery SSS, Trap Setting SSS, Penetration SSS, Poison Use SSS, Rest SSS, Magic SSS, Light SSS, Debuff SSS, Archery SSS, Blessing SSS, Destruction SSS, Accuracy SSS, Composure SSS , Strike SSS, Reason SSS, Stealth SSS, Javelin Throw SSS, Taunt SSS, Engrave SSS, Subtlety SSS, Swim SSS,Spirit SSS, Blackmail SSS, Dark Energy Resistance SSS, Conquest SSS, Recon SSS, Dive SSS, Passion SSS, Craft SSS, Perspective SSS, Combine SSS, Anger SSS, Speed SSS, Armor SSS, Blunt Weapon Mastery SSS, Survival SSS, Luck SSS, Dual Blade Mastery SSS, Willpower SS...
▷ Status: Demon Sword, Blessing, Empowerment, Amulet, Engraving, Ascension, Fortify, Inspire, Haste, Luck, Protection, Superiority, Charge, Safety Net, Guardian, Synergy
If I were asked to get all these skills again and raise their ranks, I would never be able to do it.
There are skills that could only be learned in a specific situation, setting, or even through defeat. The 1st round, when I still had a sense of hopelessness and despair, when everything around me seemed unfamiliar and frightening, was perfect for this.
▶ Understanding: Now I understand the feeling of loss you felt after regressing...
'Thank you for comforting me, Trainee Teacher! Your beauty applies both to your body and soul!'
But I got it over with.
When I thought I had lost everything after regressing, I realized that the teachings of Master Mollan were preserved in my memories.
Mollan was my light.
My salvation.
My guiding star.
"Hey! Hero and her dummies, what do you believe in? Love, friendship, courage, miracles, hope, determination? Anything will do. Show me the power of your faith."
"Aaaaagghhhh!"
"Raaaaaaa!"
"To battle!"
Fiona, who still couldn't open her eyes as she was still trying to rationalize the truth, was left behind. Her companions rushed forward with a cry.
Even if they couldn't view other people's stats, their eyes and instincts were honed and trained to determine whether they were stronger than the enemy or not, but it seemed that they relied too much on the Hero.
They didn't even lower my level to 1, although there were Brave users among them.
"Die."
FSHSHSH!
I unleashed my domineering aura, which combined the effects of about 34 skills, and those who couldn't resist it grabbed their chest and fell.
Their cause of death was cardiac arrest, making their weak minds evident.
"And the rest..."
FASHUH!
I used the Demon Sword to strike an area with an attack that combined the effects of about 196 skills.
"He's too strong..."
"You're too weak. It would've been nice if my companions were as weak as you."
My companions in the 1st round were powerful.
It was true that many died during my adventures, but it didn't matter since the rest of them grew stronger.
Especially...
The Sword Princess.
Elf Queen.
Sage.
Mercenary King.
The last four were the strongest.
The Saintesses from the Northern, Central, and Southern Continents weren't among our ranks back then. Hence, they couldn't count on a fraudulent resurrection.
And I took the opportunity to kill them with a surprise attack.
And now...
Combined with my USF race and the Z-rank Dark Energy, I was even stronger.
"Teacher! Teacher! Answer me! This is a completely different scenario than what you told me! How can I ever defeat this monster?!"
Fiona, left alone, began to desperately mutter to himself.
"Teacher?"
Was she asking Teacher Morals for help? Ha...
"Demon Lord Parmamon! I must apologize! I'm really sorry! It looks like I've lost my way! Please spare me! Because of Karma, I...
I was growing tired of hearing her screams.
Her head, filled with tears, snot, and drool, rolled across the cold floor.
"Sorry, young miss. I have many other clients."
In the neighboring dimension, Great Duke B fell, filtering out the weak heroes in the process.
"Drug Demon Lord, it's time to get to work! Heeheehee."
"Yeah."
There were many heroes before us that needed to be taught a lesson.