Volume 4 Chapter 9 Absolute Defense Mana Shell
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The giant body of the troll burned in the flames of Crimson Lotus, scattering like winter petals as it turned to ash.1 Even a monster possessing regeneration could not recover if not a single cell remained, its core heart vaporized entirely. Silence returned to the snowfield, and I exhaled a long, heavy breath.
Having ended the battle, I moved to resume my journey—but then, I stopped.
”Spirit King-sama? Is something wrong?” Sylvia asked, tilting her head with an air of refined curiosity. A faint, scarlet aura still flickered over her body. It was not mere mana leakage; it was a wave of force controlled with absolute intent.
”Sylvia. That red light wrapped around you… is that the secret to your strength?” I asked.
”Indeed, it is. It is an advanced technique known among elves as ‘Spirit Shroud,’” she replied with composed grace. “By borrowing the strength of spirits, I explosively enhance my physical abilities, simultaneously elevating both my attack and defense.”
Sylvia drew her longsword partially from its scabbard. As she did, the scarlet aura overflowing from her2 dantian flooded into the blade, causing the entire sword to glow as if white-hot.
”By imbuing my weapon, both its sharpness and durability improve exponentially,” she continued. “In this state, I can slice through troll hide—harder than iron armor—like butter.”
”I see. A skill that synergizes offense and defense, then,” I noted.
I rested a hand on my chin, deep in thought. I had conquered this troll encounter with brute magical firepower. But what if I had been caught by a surprise attack? My own body was fragile compared to the monsters of this world. No matter my offensive capacity, paper-thin defense was a liability. The risk management ability honed during my years as a salaryman was blaring an alarm. (Safety first.) I lacked the necessary “physical defense” for the worst-case scenario.
—Could I adapt Sylvia’s technique?
She “wrapped” herself in spirit power to reinforce her body. If I were to take my vast reservoir of mana, compress it to the absolute limit, and “anchor” it to the surface of my skin…? I didn’t imagine armor, but something heavy, an ultra-thin, absolute “barrier of refusal” separating me from the world. A modern, hermetically sealed spacesuit, or the walls of a clean room that forbade even the intrusion of a virus.
”Let me try something,” I said.
I directed my consciousness inward, refining the mana within. If Sylvia’s ‘Shroud’ was the explosive force of an internal combustion engine, what I needed to build was a silent barrier. I layered the mana in multiple strata just millimeters above my skin, creating a high-density coating.
—Circulate. Become a shell of rejection; let nothing touch me.
Hummmm….
A low-frequency vibration resonated from my body, and the air around me warped slightly. A near-invisible, golden-hued film fixed itself into place, encasing me.
”…Hmm. A decent result for a first attempt. With practice, I should be able to increase the density further,” I remarked.
”S-Spirit King-sama…?” Sylvia gasped, her composure momentarily slipping. “Did you master the ‘Shroud’ just by watching me? And with a density far greater than my own…”
Sylvia stared, wide-eyed. To her senses, she surely saw my mana standing as a solid, impenetrable barrier.
”Understanding the principle allows for application. I think I’ll call it ‘Mana Shell,’” I said.
I gazed at my hand and clenched it. This technique was not merely a defensive wall. I had integrated a damper layer designed to disperse and neutralize external impacts.
I tested it by lightly striking a nearby rock. Crack. My fist felt no pain, yet the rock fractured. It was proof that the counter-force had been effectively neutralized. Next, I aimed a small ‘Air Hammer’ at my own arm. A pop sounded as the air struck, but I felt nothing more than a passing breeze.
”…Good. Both physical and magical blockage confirmed,” I confirmed.
The true value of this shell went beyond combat. By perfectly sealing my external atmosphere, I could survive in environments plagued by invisible toxins or unknown pathogens. I had heard the deep forest ahead was known as the ‘Rotten Sea.’ Who knew what miasma or diseases lurked there? This ‘invisible spacesuit’ was an absolute defense—a trump card that would, one day, save my life.
”Incredible… Spirit King-sama, you are a genius of Magic,” Sylvia whispered in admiration.
I shrugged, hiding my embarrassment. “Not a genius. Just a coward. …Come on, let’s go. I’ve secured my safety margin.”
We began our trek once more, aiming deeper into the woods toward the elven village. Sylvia’s platinum hair fluttered like ribbons against the snow. Whatever waited ahead, I would protect her with this power and carve our path. With that determination set in my heart, I pressed on, my boots crunching through the snow.
”I will take the lead from here,” Sylvia said. “The ‘Deep Domain’ ahead operates by different rules than what we have faced.”
I followed Sylvia’s back, unaware that we were walking toward the gateway of the ‘Rotten Sea,’ where the scent of decay and death hung heavy in the air.
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Summary:
The protagonist defeats a troll and observes Sylvia using the Spirit Shroud technique. Inspired by his salaryman background, he develops a defensive Mana Shell to ensure his safety. The two proceed deeper into the forest toward the Rotten Sea.
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Trivia:
The protagonist is referred to as Spirit King-sama by Sylvia.
The troll was killed by Crimson Lotus flames.
The protagonist views his own body as weak compared to world monsters.
The Rotten Sea is known for miasma and unknown diseases.
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Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Sylvia – Sylvia is a beautiful, voluptuous elf with hidden pointed ears and platinum hair. A formidable Silver-rank adventurer known as “Crimson Lotus,” she is a loyal warrior and subordinate to the Spirit King, trained in the Spirit Shroud. Wielding a longsword and bow in a hooded green coat, she is straightforward yet loyal, tutoring John, working with Nier, and traveling as a servant to Ryu.
• Man – A roughneck wearing a hat who participated in a group assault. He suffers the loss of his right arm and later his left arm during an experiment by the protagonist before being stored.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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