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Ideal Form – Part 04

“Enemies to the right!”

“Get down!” Selyse shouted.

In the next moment, something sliced through the air.

Hikaru swiftly pushed Lavia and Paula behind a stalactite and activated Stealth, disappearing into the untamed terrain.

The ground was damp, making him slip and slide, but thanks to Unken’s month-long training, he managed to navigate the area adeptly.

He spotted a swarm about a hundred meters ahead. It appeared to be a group of skeletal demons.

They stood at about two meters in height, their skulls elongated abnormally. The extra hole on their forehead suggested they had three eyes, and each one held a pale flame. While their skeletal structure resembled that of a human, there were notable differences, including wing bones on their backs.

The Skeleton Devils took sharp rocks and hurled them with their entire beings, aiming for the humans clustered together. They paid little heed to the stalactites. Temple guards used their shields to block the rocks, creating a shower of sparks.

One of the Skeleton Devils raised its arm, preparing to attack, but stopped. A straight sword infused with holy water had pierced its skull. The flames within the demon’s forehead eyes petered out, and the bones crumbled on the spot. The remaining Skeleton Devils reacted instantly.

That’s one down.

While Hikaru’s Stealth was active, they couldn’t perceive him. He took down a second, and a third.

“Ha!”

“Right here!”

Selyse and Jillarte arrived, launching into battle against the Skeleton Devils.

“What’s this place? It’s too cramped!” Gerhardt barked. The stalactites were blocking his massive frame.

Crap!

A sword flashed right in front of Hikaru, cutting through the stalactites. Selyse’s White Ray Blade cleaved both Skeleton Devils and stalactites like a hot knife slicing through butter.

Hikaru saw this as a challenge. His Stealth was his greatest asset, but it came with a significant drawback—even his allies couldn’t see him.

“Silver Face, what did you think of my fighting?” Jillarte asked once the battle was over.

She’s way better than me when it comes to mobility.

“It was superb. I’m amazed at how well you could move in such poor terrain.”

“R-Really? Hehehe…” Jillarte, pleased with his honest feedback, flashed a happy smile. “Actually, I’ve been training quite a bit since the Southleaf Island incident. Not that long, though.”

“Excuse me, Silver Face. I have a question,” Lavia interjected.

“Hey! Are you guys having fun without me? I want in!” The Beastman King Gerhardt joined in, too.

“Can’t we chat for a bit?! We haven’t seen each other in a while, and it’s been all just serious talk.”

“Silver Face, let’s talk over there. It’s too noisy here.”

“Hey, Silver Face, want to spar? Just a friendly spar. Let’s do it!”

Hikaru found himself tugged by the left arm by Jillarte and the right arm by Lavia, while Gerhardt’s large face loomed in front of him.

Selyse laughed. “You’re quite popular, Silver Face,” she said with a smile, though there was a hint of sweat on her forehead.

Given her stamina, this level of exertion shouldn’t have been a problem. It was likely due to the intense mana consumption. The White Ray Blade was powerful but drained a lot of mana.

“Gerhardt, why not have a spar with someone stronger than me, like Selyse?” Hikaru suggested.

“Why are you dragging me into this?”

“You almost sliced me up during the fight earlier, so consider this payback.”

“Oh, I can’t see you, and if I can’t see you, I’ll treat it as if you’re not there.” Selyse gestured behind her. “If you’re going to fight while being invisible, you’ll need to dodge your companions’ attacks by instinct or something. Sara does that.”

Hikaru gave a start. Taking inspiration from adventurers with a similar skillset was a solid approach for his own goals.

Hikaru was responsible for scouting, while Sara was guarding Paula and Sophie, so she didn’t seem fatigued at all.

【Soul Board】Sara
Age: 18 | Rank: 40 | 8

【Vitality】
【Natural Recovery】2
【Stamina】3
【Immunity】
【Toxin Immunity】2

【Strength】
【Muscle Strength】1
【Weapon Mastery】
【Short Sword】2
【Bow】4
【Projectile】1

【Agility】
【Power Burst】3
【Flexibility】3
【Balance】4
【Stealth】
【Life Cloaking】2
【Mana Cloaking】1
【Imperceptibility】2

【Dexterity】
【Dexterity】5

【Instinct】
【Instinct】5
【Detection】
【Life Detection】1
【Mana Detection】1

Some of her skills had improved slightly since the last time, but what really grabbed Hikaru’s attention were two things.

Ah, Bow and Instinct.

These were skills that Hikaru didn’t possess. No matter how exceptional his Stealth ability was, and how effectively it concealed him from various detection skills, there was one skill, Instinct, that had the potential to spot him.

Instinct’s description on the Soul Board was as follows: Heighten one’s senses to obtain revelation close to foresight. Max: 20

This skill was handy not only for evading detection but also, as Selyse mentioned, for dodging. Sara’s Instinct was at level 5.

Derivative skills like Stealth typically had a maximum level of around 5. However, skills related to fundamental human capabilities such as Vitality, Muscle Strength, and Mana Capacity had higher maximum limits, going as high as levels 20 or 30.

Reaching the maximum level was likely a nearly impossible feat without the capabilities of the Soul Board. This was because even if one increased their Soul Rank through battles, the points were allocated to combat-related skills like Weapon Mastery and Elemental Affinity, which were distributed uniformly according to one’s skillset.

My Soul Rank is still at 26. Meanwhile, Selyse and Sara have reached around 40… Perhaps someday, I’ll be able to raise Instinct to its maximum level.

Hikaru couldn’t help but wonder how sharpened his senses would be at level 20. Just thinking about it sent a shiver down his spine. Completely invisible to anyone, capable of pinpointing the enemy’s location, and even avoiding unforeseen dangers through Instinct.

It was the ideal form, in a way. Someone who was able to overturn the rules of combat.

Not a master of weapons, nor a prodigal mage. But an undetectable rule breaker. He made his decision.

Only Lavia, who was by his side, and Jillarte, were aware of the subtle change in Hikaru’s demeanor.

---

Hikaru’s Soul Rank went up by one, and when he allocated a point to Instinct, his perception of the world changed drastically.

He began to develop an intuitive grasp of where to move, which areas to steer clear of, and where to strike.

Medium-sized demons started to show up. These were Blood Demons, humanoid creatures with reddish-black skin and four wings, and they appeared in groups of around five. Whenever he stealthily approached one group, there were moments when they’d glance in his direction. They didn’t seem to pinpoint his exact location, but it was as if their heightened Instinct allowed them to sense that “something” was lurking nearby.

I can’t get any closer than this. If I can, I’ll go straight for it.

Hikaru closed the gap during those brief moments when the Blood Demons’ attention drifted elsewhere and thrust his straight sword into the middle of their torsos. A single strike was enough to bring down the Blood Demons, but others became more vigilant, swinging their thick, sharp-clawed arms.

Moreover, when he initiated an attack, Jillarte, Selyse, and the Beastmen would also charge in, and Hikaru, in his Stealth mode, risked being drawn into the fray.

I must hold my position. Just one more!

Previously, Hikaru would have sought to exit the battlefield as swiftly as possible, but things were different now.

Having acquired Instinct, he occasionally had insights into where his companions would strike. Furthermore, as the enemies concentrated their assault on the newcomers, Hikaru had more opportunities to strike, and their focus on him diminished.

By defeating more enemies in this manner, raising his Soul Rank would be easier.

---

They had been inside the massive pit for longer than expected, so they had some of the packed food they had brought along.

The Beastmen were surprisingly energetic, recounting tales of their victories and what they’d boast about upon their return. Conversely, the temple guards were completely exhausted.

“I… haven’t helped at all,” Lavia said as she nibbled on some jerky.

“It’s not that you haven’t helped; it’s just we haven’t needed your help yet. Your magic will be crucial when the time comes,” Hikaru reassured her.

Lavia’s magic, especially her hybrid magic of fire and holy attributes, Atonement Flame, would be extremely effective against the monsters in this environment. Given the current frequency of encounters, Hikaru believed it wise to conserve her magical abilities for when they were truly needed, and both Selyse and Gerhardt agreed.

“But…” Lavia cast a brief glance in Jillarte’s direction.

The flames from the bonfire illuminated their surroundings. In the distance, Jillarte was talking about this place with Gerhardt.

Gerhardt had taken a liking to this dungeon and intended to propose to Luvain that they lent it to Einbiest once they captured Ranna. For the lion Beastman, the massive pit that had perplexed a genius in ancient times and thrown the current holy city into chaos was merely a playground. Hikaru wondered if Gerhardt was extraordinarily audacious or simply carefree.

With Paula and Sophie likely discussing healing strategies elsewhere, and no one else present, Hikaru spoke in hushed tones.

“Lavia… You’re unique, and I love you for who you are.”

Lavia’s eyes widened.

“…”

There was no immediate response. Lavia, gazing into the bonfire, remained silent, and the flush on her cheeks suggested that the source was more than just the bonfire’s warmth.

“…I think that’s cheating.”

“Didn’t you know? I’m a nasty person.”

“That’s why I love you.”

Receiving a counterattack, Hikaru this time found his eyes widening. They sat together until the bonfire’s flames dwindled away.