Dekan's New Concept of a One-on-One Duel

"Fahim, it's just the two of us left."

Dekan held his Red Center Mask one hand, nodded slightly, and covered his face with it.

Then he raised his head again, looking down at Fahim.

Dekan approached Fahim step by step.

Dekan was bathed in sunlight, Fahim, standing in the distance, felt that Dekan's swaying, demonic shadow was more conspicuous than Dekan.

Fahim's forehead veins throbbed, and his unwilling eyes were filled with an almost insane rage. He stared at Dekan like a dying, desperate wolf!

He watched helplessly as Clay escaped.

He could only stay behind and face the people of the Underworld.

Now Dekan wears Crown of Thorns, Red Center Mask over his face, and a Cursed Doll on his hand.

I don't know how to describe this ultramodern style.

But not only the other reinforcements watching the center of the battlefield, even Fahim felt that Dekan didn't look like a human being at all.

Taking a stroll outside in the middle of the night will surely stop a child from crying at night.

The first thing Fahim did upon realizing that Dekan was approaching was to dispel the summoning of the [Corrupt Alchemical Beast].

He is now not only Severe Injury by Clay and in poor condition, but he has also exhausted most of his mana.

If Dekan equips [Cursed Soul Mask] on [Corrupt Alchemical Beast], the summoned creature cannot be dispelled and consumes double the mana.

If he fails to kill Dekan in one go, then Fahim will surely die.

After all, Fahim knew very well how Evans died.

Without a doubt, Dekan's simplest tactic is to use [Cursed Soul Mask] on [Corrupt Alchemical Beast] and then do everything he can to survive, before using the Torture King strategy to wear down Fahim.

Fahim will certainly not repeat Evans's mistakes.

"Fahim, you know perfectly well what your chances of successfully escaping from the Randir Kingdom are now."

Dekan's shouts carried a triumphant air of a victor.

"Do you really think you've got this in the bag?"

Fahim asked with a ferocious expression.

Although he had never been afraid of Dekan, the enemy he least wanted to face in his current state was undoubtedly someone like Dekan, an expert at kicking someone when they're down.

What's frightening isn't Dekan, but Dekan in this situation.

Fahim now faces not only Dekan, but also a host of reinforcements from the Randir Kingdom.

Aside from those seventh-tier squads, the remaining soldiers and assassins also proved to be particularly troublesome.

If these soldiers are determined to fight to the end, they can at least hold him off for a while if they fight desperately.

Being stuck in the Royal Capital is particularly detrimental to Fahim.

Once the eighth-tier expert arrived from the palace, Fahim would have no chance of escape.

However, none of these were what Fahim feared most.

Fahim's greatest fear was an internal traitor.

The Pope and the Bishop of Falsehood realized that there must be a mole within the bishoprics' ranks due to the severe financial losses within the Resurrection Church.

If this mole who made the money was the bishop who secretly went to the Randir Kingdom to help Dekan without anyone ever showing up, then...

So now, that traitorous bishop is probably lying in wait for him, blocking his last escape route!

Given that Fahim was able to escape from Dekan, it's highly likely that he would be suddenly attacked by a fully-powered bishop just when he thought he was about to succeed.

This would be true despair for him, with nowhere to escape.

Fahim's only hope was that the traitor had gone to intercept Clay.

Then he still has a chance!

As Fahim watched Dekan approach, he silently prepared to channel his magic.

[Corrosive Destruction] and [Human Body Destruction] were both used on Clay just now.

It is currently in a cooling-off period.

It seems that Dekan made his move because he was certain that both cards were on cooldown and that an opportunity had presented itself for Clay to severely damage Fahim.

Therefore, Fahim's current attack methods mainly rely on the Human Body Destruction spells he has mastered.

As well as...

A trump card that Dekan had never seen before.

If Dekan gets any closer, Fahim is 100% confident he can kill Dekan!

"Dekan! Do you need our help?"

Outside the battlefield.

The leader of the Southern States' forces Aili, shouted loudly to Dekan.

Although she wanted to come and support Dekan, she was hesitant to approach Fahim rashly.

The other support forces were also scattered far away, not attempting to encircle Fahim too tightly.

On one hand, Fahim's area-of-effect magic is too Terror, and they can easily be wiped out in an instant.

On the other hand, they are likely not only unable to help, but will also be completely devoured by the [Corrupt Alchemical Beast] summoned again after the cooldown of Fahim and others' summoning is over.

That would be a huge disaster for Dekan.

If the [Corrupt Alchemical Beast] can devour enough nutrients, Fahim will risk having [Cursed Soul Mask] fitted by Dekan by forcibly using this summon.

A [Corrupt Alchemical Beast] that has devoured enough will be a formidable opponent even for an eighth-tier being, capable of carving a path through Fahim's territory.

Just as Fahim was expecting these cannon fodder to come and get their heads...

Dekan simply raised his hand.

He gestured for Aili not to approach for the time being.

"Without my instructions, all of you stay away!"

"Let us know if you need any support!"

"Aili shouted solemnly, exchanging a glance with the leader of the Knights Order, and then took a step back."

When it comes to dealing with bishops, they still trust the professionals.

Dekan nodded and continued walking towards Fahim.

"Dekan...!"

Fahim glared at Dekan through gritted teeth.

He knew that Dekan wasn't preventing these people from going.

They were simply waiting for the perfect moment to strike, to give Fahim no chance to escape.

When Fahim realized that the enemy reinforcements were also fully cooperating with Dekan's strategy, he felt that he was about to face a very difficult situation.

He had initially hoped that Dekan would have some incompetent teammates who would cause trouble.

For example, that team from the Northern Nations will definitely sabotage Dekan at a crucial moment.

At the very least, it won't allow Dekan's plan to proceed smoothly!

As a result, not a single member of that team has appeared yet!

Fahim felt as if his heart was filled with lead, each beat feeling exceptionally heavy.

The situation is becoming increasingly irreversible.

Under Dekan's command, Fahim faced an encirclement and suppression. Putting aside whether he could kill Dekan, he could only consider how many men he could kill before he died.

It's even possible that Dekan, this king of survival, will live on unscathed.

Because Fahim discovered it.

Dekan seems to never get hurt!

Even the clothes he was wearing were clean.

No matter how powerful the enemy or what kind of battlefield he faced, Fahim never saw Dekan's clothes get dirty!

If it happens once or twice.

It could be considered a coincidence.

However, given the frequency of these occurrences, it can only be said that there is an element of inevitability within the realm of chance.

Fahim even had a premonition that even if he killed everyone present, Dekan would still stand there unharmed.

Fahim felt extremely aggrieved.

If this battle goes to the end, it's Fahim will be able to take down several seventh-tier units.

What's the point of his own death?

Whether it was the eighth-tier powerhouses from the various kingdoms of the Kingdom Association or the paladins of the Sun God Church, Fahim was never afraid.

He took pleasure in toying with and torturing those who tried to capture him.

Anyone who dares to cause him trouble will find an opportunity to torture and kill all their relatives and friends.

The remains were gone, turned into putrid blood.

He even liked to hide at the scene, waiting for the enemy to return home and see the carnage, observing their suffering and cries of agony.

He enjoyed the feeling of observing the enemy without them even realizing he was nearby.

He would then leave behind some evidence, allowing the enemy to deduce that he had always been very close, but the enemy simply couldn't find him.

Whenever an enemy becomes associated with someone, Fahim kills them in the blink of an eye.

Until the enemy no longer dares to associate with anyone.

Fahim found unparalleled pleasure in seeing the angry and desperate look in the eyes of those who were hunting him down.

He also wanted to take his forbidden magic to the next level.

It's not just about the Human Body Destruction, but also about Human Transmutation and the Human Synthesis through magic.

He wanted to see an even more beautiful expression.

I want my research findings to translate into joyful results.

He has always held the power of life and death over his enemies.

Now, his life can only be used to exchange for a few seventh-tier heroes and a bunch of cannon fodder!

He can't accept it!

However, just as Fahim was feeling extremely unwilling...

"Fahim, let's have a Bishop Duel. This is the only chance I'm giving you."

The faint murmurs reached Fahim's ears, causing Fahim eyes to tremble.

Dekan wore a mask, so no one could see his lips moving.

But Fahim was certain it was Dekan's voice.

Dekan was giving him a warning.

Bishop Duel are a ritualistic contest between bishops of the Resurrection Church.

With the mutual consent of both parties, the ceremony is initiated with their respective Bishop's Token, followed by a fair one-on-one duel. The victor will then gain the Bishop Authorization from the loser!

If either party voluntarily violates the principle of a one-on-one duel.

They will suffer a severe backlash from the Bishop's Token!

If the bishop simply killed another bishop under normal circumstances.

Even if the death is a one-on-one duel, the bishop cannot revoke the Bishop Authorization again.

The power to appoint vacant bishops will revert to the Pope, and the Bishop's Token of the deceased will lose their power.

However, if the Pope defeats the other bishops in Bishop Duel, he will not be able to regain the power of appointment.

The victor will possess the Bishop's Token, which grants dual authority.

This is a function that Dekan can access in the Bishop's Token.

Although Dekan did not yet know the specific use of the Bishop's Token, which possessed higher authority.

However, since Minos refused to answer when Dekan asked Minos, it shows that multiple Bishop Authorization would seriously jeopardize the function of the Resurrection Church!

As far as Dekan knows, if a vote is held among the bishops in the Bishop Council, and all six votes are gathered, it could even lead to the removal of the Pope from office.

Then a new Pope will be elected.

Holders of a dual Bishop's Token will have two votes in the election.

Of course, gathering all six votes to depose the Pope is still far too difficult.

Even if a ninth-ranking Pope is expelled, it's mainly to affect the Pope's mentality, making the Pope exist in name only.

Those who remain loyal to the Church of the Resurrection Church will continue to follow the Pope, the supreme ruler.

However, if they can actually get six votes to veto the Pope, then the Resurrection Church has undoubtedly reached the point where it will begin to split.

Certainly.

The conditions for initiating Bishop Duel are extremely stringent.

First, both parties need to agree.

Under normal circumstances, bishops are unwilling to risk their bishoprics' status and fight to the death.

Even if you want to fight, the other party is unlikely to agree.

Furthermore, the Pope has explicitly prohibited bishops from using their Bishop's Token to perform such ceremonies privately.

Except for blatant traitors like Dekan.

He is not afraid of the Pope at all.

Furthermore, it would be extremely difficult for the bishop to determine a winner in a one-on-one duel.

Apart from the Bishop of End and the Bishop of Falsehood, it is almost impossible for other bishops to win a fair one-on-one duel without the help of external forces.

Therefore, no one would be foolish enough to risk their life against the other bishops.

But now, another possibility has emerged.

Fahim was driven to the brink.

The Bishop Duel proposed by Dekan is Fahim's almost only chance to turn the tide!

Although no bishop would agree to a duel when they are low on health and mana.

But in the current situation, regardless of whether the Bishop Duel are prohibited by the Pope or whether the Bishop Duel are truly fair, it doesn't matter.

Fahim's top priority is his own survival!

If Dekan really agrees to a one-on-one duel with him.

Then the situation becomes one where he can disregard Dekan's reinforcements and take out Dekan first!

Once this rabble loses Dekan's command and support, they are no threat!

Fahim will have the opportunity to devour them all with the [Corrupt Alchemical Beast], and then break through the encirclement with the invincible [Corrupt Alchemical Beast].

Even if there are traitorous bishops who want to ambush him, he will still have the strength to fight them!

Are you sure?

Fahim suppressed his excitement and asked Dekan in a low voice.

Dekan remained silent, but simply reached into his robes and triggered the Bishop Duel mode of the Bishop's Token.

Fahim immediately felt a challenge to a duel on his Bishop's Token.

If Fahim accepts, then the duel will take place.

Fahim seized the Bishop's Token without hesitation, thus beginning the Bishop Duel.

"Hahahaha! Dekan! You've got too big for your britches!!!"

Fahim burst into wild laughter.

He was like someone who had been parched in the desert and finally received rain.

Even if his condition is terrible right now.

He couldn't figure out how Dekan could beat him in a one-on-one fight!!!

Dekan's strength is entirely built upon the strength of his teammates.

He needs to coordinate with teammates to unleash his full potential as the command center!

Choosing to confront a bishop head-on was undoubtedly the most foolish decision Dekan ever made!

Fahim believed that Dekan must have had some confidence to choose to fight him one-on-one.

But.

Even if Dekan might guess that Fahim had more cards up his sleeve, he could never guess exactly what Fahim cards were.

Dekan will pay a heavy price for his greed and arrogance!

[Bone-Eroding Blood-Melting]

[Category: Spell Card]

[Rarity: Orange Epic]

[Class: 3]

[Effect: Applies the "Corrosion" status to a single target within a 30-meter radius. While under the Corrosion status, the target's body will gradually rot and decay for 10 seconds. The Corrosion status cannot be removed through Purification.]

[Note: Accelerated Life]

If he gets any closer and confirms that Dekan has no chance of escaping, Fahim will immediately Dekan the lower-ranking alternative to [Corrosive Destruction], [Bone Eater].

This card is much weaker than the area-of-effect spell [Corrosive Destruction], and the [Corrosion] status cannot be stacked.

Therefore, Fahim had never used it on Clay before.

But.

This card's cooldown is now outside of Dekan's calculations!

The fourth-tier Dekan was completely unable to use the sixth-tier spell [Forced Dispel] to remove the [Corrosion] status.

Once Dekan is afflicted with the [Corrosion] status, he will rot away completely within seconds, leaving no trace of his remains!

Fahim's trump card, [Bone-Eroding Blood-Melting], created an information gap that would become the cause of Dekan's death, leaving Dekan with no chance to retaliate!

Having confirmed that the Bishop Duel had taken effect, Fahim revealed a sinister smile as he approached Dekan.

The distance between the two gradually shortened to less than thirty meters.

Dekan showed no fear and was completely unaware that death was approaching.

He seemed completely unaware that Fahim was about to use this [Bone-Eroding Blood-Melting]!

"Die, Dekan!"

Fahim decisively used Corrosive Destruction!

At this distance, unless Dekan possesses spatial magic, it's impossible for him to dodge [Bone-Eroding Blood-Melting].

Dekan, who was hit and afflicted with the [Corrosion] status, also showed a look of panic and astonishment.

He clearly hadn't expected Fahim to have such a trick up his sleeve!

He simply can't get out of this state!

However, amidst Dekan's panic...

The next second, the [Corrosion] status was removed by a [Forced Dispel] that appeared out of nowhere.

At the same time.

Croix, who had remained invisible in the sky, finally revealed herself.

He seemed to have no choice but to act, dispelling the [Corrosion] status on Dekan to save Dekan.

Fahim looked at Croix in mid-air, his brow furrowed slightly.

But soon, Fahim broke into a broad smile.

He won.

Although Dekan had escaped the [Corrosion] state, he was clutching his chest in pain, as if he was about to collapse to the ground at any moment.

Although a high-ranking mage, Fahim had not yet discovered, helped Dekan survive.

However, Dekan has violated the principle of one-on-one Bishop Duel.

Dekan's Bishop's Token will have a severe backlash against Dekan!

He will needlessly throw away his life!

A fourth-rank Dekan could not possibly withstand the backlash of the Bishop's Token!

"Dekan!! You lost! You underestimated the backlash power of the Bishop's Token!"

Fahim laughed wildly, his eyes filled with contempt and disdain as he looked at the struggling Dekan, as if victory was already in sight.

"No!!!"

Dekan roared desperately, as if the backlash from the Bishop's Token made every second unbearable for him.

He might die even faster than if he were afflicted with the [Corrosion] status!

Fahim's laughter was piercing, and he shouted to Dekan with obvious rapture:

"Dekan, you probably never expected you'd mess up like this, did you?! Your expression is just too tempting..."

"You can't stop, can you?"

Dekan's sudden, playful tone interrupted Fahim's impassioned speech.

He relaxed his chest and looked at Fahim as if nothing had happened.

His previous pain was feigned.

Simply to see Fahim's dramatic rise and fall, and to see the interesting expressions on his face.

Fahim was taken aback at first, then the sudden turn of events made his hair stand on end.

His intuition told him that something was wrong.

But he couldn't understand!

"How is that possible?! You clearly violated the one-on-one principle."

Fahim roared in exasperation.

"Hehe."

Dekan shook his head and chuckled, patting Croix, who had landed beside him, on the shoulder:

"What's wrong with me, the Grand Summoner Dekan, asking for a fair 1v1? I'll call for someone else."

"You're kidding me!!"

The Bishop's Token of the Resurrection Church is a divine object from ancient times; it's impossible for Dekan to have obtained it through self-hypnosis or trickery!

However.

When Fahim sensed the Bishop's Token.

But it turns out the duel wasn't ruined!

In other words, the Bishop's Token still recognizes this as a fair and ongoing contest!

"Impossible!!!"

Fahim roared at the top of his lungs.

This mage was clearly in a two-on-one situation!

This is hardly worthy of being called a one-on-one fight!!!

"Using it means you're cheating? I told you I'm the Grand Summoner Dekan, and this is my Caster Croix."

Dekan raised his chin and said smugly.

"You... you...!!"

Suddenly, Fahim, who was roaring, seemed to realize something.

I used an Appraisal Magic on Croix.

He discovered.

He successfully identified the card's attributes from Croix!

[Croix Curran]

[Category: Summon Card]

[Rarity: Orange Epic]

[Class: 6]

[Effect: All spell damage is converted into healing, and the caster is afflicted with Doom.]

[Note: Holy, merciful, compassionate.]

"Oops, you found out."

Dekan stuck out his tongue and lightly tapped his head.

"What's going on?!"

Fahim had never heard of being able to identify the attributes of summoned creatures from a human!

If this technology can be implemented.

It has the potential to become the foundation for and further develop forbidden magic.

Maybe one day.

It might even be possible to actually turn living beings into Summon Card!!

This is true forbidden magic!!

Realizing that Fahim already understood the truth, Dekan stopped playing games with him.

"Heh, Fahim, you think your dirty tricks will turn the tide? While I didn't know you had a lower-tier alternative card, I never intended for a one-on-one duel based on your understanding."

After saying that, Dekan pulled out a card and looked at Fahim with a mocking smile.

[Demon Curse Seal]

[Category: Spell Card]

[Grade: Purple Rare]

[Class: 4]

[Effect: Grants a friendly creature the "Summoned" attribute, continuously consuming mana for the "Summoned" and granting it a small attribute bonus equal to 10% of the user's attributes.]

[Note: Are you my Servant?]

This [Demon Curse Seal] cannot turn a person into a true Summon Card.

However, it can imbue people with the attribute of "Summon Card".

In addition to providing teammates with certain stat boosts, it also allows teammates to receive support spells that only apply to summoned creatures.

Of course, these spells that support summoned creatures are generally learned by summoners.

In addition, having teammates endowed with summon attributes also has drawbacks, such as making them vulnerable to being instantly exposed by high-level enemy Appraisal Magic.

Additionally, if the enemy has a card that "directly destroys summoned creatures," teammates may die instantly.

However, Dekan's purpose in using this card was quite simple.

It's all for the sake of having a fair and just one-on-one duel in the Bishop Duel!

Isn't it only natural for summoners to summon creatures to help in battle?