[Phantom annihilation]

The giant spider crashes down to the ground and flattens as all of his insides are splashed all over the cave.

This is a lot more gruesome than with a sword.

I really do prefer swords after all.

I approach the spider's corpse.

It's in a really bad shape.

I somehow use the mace's spikes to detach the spider's protective shell.

[Wind blade]

The wind cuts into the spider's meat.

[Phantom cut]

And a nice chunk of meat is cut off.

[Cleanse impurities]

[Fire bubble]

I cleanse it and grill it.

Then, I bite into it and start eating.

It's as disgusting as the other spiders.

When I'm done eating, I get up and continue to the water area.

Walking through there, I turn left on the split path.

I go all the way to the place, where I met the skeleton for the first time.

When water starts reaching my waist, I stop and wait for the skeleton to appear.

...

But he never does.

I have already waited for at least three times as long as the first time.

What's going on?

Why isn't he coming...?

...

Does he...

Remember the last time?

Crap, what now?

I think for a bit and decide to explore the water caves again.

[Air bubble]

I left the blue orb back at the start because it isn't needed anymore and because I didn't have anywhere to put it.

|= One water cave exploration later =|

"For...your eyes..."

I found him.

He is asking for my eyes in exchange for some weird rock.

Also, I think this room is exactly the same room he asked for my eyes the last time.

So, how do I go about this?

"Do you...remember me?"

The skeleton stops moving.

His eyeless face is staring right at me.

After a moment of silence, he finally says something.

"Can't...say..."

Can't say...?

That...must mean yes?

In the first place, if he doesn't remember me, he can just say no.

Is something prohibiting him from speaking the truth?

...

He mentioned something about god when I asked him if he knew what is keeping me here.

Is this god keeping him from speaking?

"Are you...also trapped here?"

He hangs his head and answers.

"Can't say..."

No pause in between.

It's almost like he is firmly saying 'yes'.

He is stuck here just like me.

"Can you tell me anything else?"

"Can't say..."

Damn...

What now...?

...

Was he perhaps silenced by this god since last time?

That is not good...

I was hoping to find out more...

"For...your eyes..."

He points at the rock in his hand.

...

The first time I heard him say it, I was outraged.

But now...

Sigh...

"Don't want."

As I say that, I clench my fist and turn my back to him.

I don't look back at him and dive into the water.

|= Some swimming and orc defeating later =|

I'm in front of the door again.

The skeleton emerges from the water carrying the key.

"For-"

"Wait!"

I stop him before he has the chance to attack me.

"Do you really need my heart that badly?"

"...no..."

"Then...can I give you something else?"

"...no..."

Damn...

Is there no way around this?

I really don't want to fight him.

"For...your still beating heart."

My body stiffens once again.

His eyes are glowing as he approaches me just like last time.

But this time...

[Fireball]

I managed to gather mana on the tip of my tongue and shot fireball at him.

My tongue got a little burnt in the process.

He didn't expect it and as such was hit by fireball at point blank range.

He stumbles back a few steps as his skull lets out a smoke.

At that moment, my body is released of its paralysis.

I feel like toppling over, but I endure it and tightly grip my mace while pouring mana into it.

[Phantom annihilation]

I swing my mace sideways aiming at him.

A loud crushing sound is heard as a cloud of dust explodes on a wall where my attack was aimed.

Gathering more mana into my hand, I aim at that spot.

"Fire- ghua..!"

And then my back is pierced by something.

Wha...?!

Once again my body won't move as I want.

The thing, that pierced my back, stabs around in my insides until it finds my heart and rips it out.

When I'm released, I helplessly fall down and feel my strength leave me.

Shit...

How...

...

...

...

I open my eyes.

...

How did that happen?

I had him!

Damnit...it doesn't make sense.

|= A bunch more deaths later =|

Once again, I'm near the door.

This time, I don't wait for the skeleton to appear and pour mana into my weapon.

[Phantom annihilation]

Aiming at the door, I release my attack.

Once again, a noise echoes in the room.

...but the door still stands tall.

No scratch, no hole.

It's not even bent.

I expected this much, but still had to try it.

The skeleton starts emerging from the water.

I don't wait for him and dash out of this room.

Running as fast as I can.

Is he following me?

It doesn't look like it.

Phew...

I went to the nearest safe house and rested there until my mana has recovered.

Then, I returned to the door room.

But not before a few preparations.

[Flame guard]

An armor of fire envelops my chest.

This is one of the expert level fire spells I learned.

It's quite dangerous to use.

I burnt myself countless times practicing this.

Now, he wants my heart for the key.

Not my life, but my heart.

Maybe if I protect my heart, I will have a better chance at this.

...

Of course, he can just cut off my head and take my heart afterwards.

But it's worth a shot.

Let's go.

I enter the area while already gathering mana in my left hand.

The skeleton isn't here.

Looks like he returned to the water after I ran from here.

I wait, as I restlessly look around.

Then, I hear a splash behind me and I instantly turn around and face him.

Before even his ribs came into view, I started my assault.

[Fire dart]

I release the smaller, but more powerful and faster version of fire lance.

He jerks his body and...

My attack flies in between his bones leaving him unscathed.

Seriously?!

How did I not expect that would happen?

The skeleton then instantly appears in front of me, stunning my body again and goes for my heart.

At that moment, I open my mouth, where I have been preparing mana and shoot it out.

[Inferno]

As my attack bursts in front of me, it hits him at point blank range and my body is released of its paralysis.

Unfortunately, my tongue is completely burnt.

But I can't worry about that now.

Last time I thought I had him, he suddenly got me from the back.

I jump to the side and inspect my surroundings.

He disappeared again.

Damn it.

Where will he appear now?

Closing my eyes, I focus and try to sense his mana.

What I sense, is a very unnatural series of mana streams moving about in the cave.

These streams of mana are flying all over the cave.

What is that?

Where is the skeleton?

The streams then converge right behind me and combine into one.

I quickly fling myself to the side while looking back.

Where I used to stand, was the skeleton with his hand extended.

That was close!

He was about to rip my heart out again.

The skeleton looks at me with his glowing red eye sockets.

And before I have any time to react, a stream of bright energy flashes and hits my chest.

I feel all the muscles in my body jolt and a hot burning pain arises from my chest.

Wfdh?

Jgl,!

As I am lying on the ground, he approaches me and...

...

...

...

I open my eyes.

...

What the hell...

What was that...?

When that hit me, I couldn't even think straight.

That never happened before...

...

Shit...

How do I beat him...

|= A few headaches and planning sessions later =|

Looks like I will have to do something a bit more extreme.

I thought I would never have to do this again.

I'm in a safe house near the door room, naked.

I close my eyes and touch my chest with both of my hands.

[Tri enchant:]

[Fire resistance]

[Fire resistance]

[Fire resistance]

"Guh..."

Enchanting my own body.

Infusing it with elemental mana.

Normally, the body contains pure mana.

To cast a spell, you turn it into some sort of elemental mana.

You don't create actual fire with magic, just mana that mimics fire.

When a spell is cast, it gradually consumes the elemental mana and eventually returns to the air as pure mana.

Ready to be absorbed by someone back into their body.

That's why, magical fire will always eventually go out.

If this wasn't the case, I wouldn't be able to use armageddon on the slime.

It would just be there forever and I wouldn't be able to ever cross.

Since it's a spell, which uses enormous amount of mana, it lasts for a long time, but it does eventually go out.

That said, the body is only used to pure mana.

Infusing it with elemental mana is not the most pleasant of experiences.

And it can have long lasting negative consequences on my body.

But really...

I'm running out of options.

If I want to keep my heart and continue, I need to take some risks.

After putting back on my robe and armor, I head to the door room.

I walk inside while gathering all of my mana on all parts of my body.

The skeleton comes out of the water yet again.

I wait until he is fully in view and as he shows me the key, I release the accumulated mana.

[Supernova]

Hot flames explode outward from all parts of my body in a huge explosion.

The entire room is enveloped in fire.

Even with fire resistance and careful control, some parts of my body are considerably scorched.

Especially my face and chest.

I'm bad at mana control at these parts of my body.

But with this...he can't dodge it right?

I won...right?

While panting, I close my eyes and try to sense him.

All I sense around me is all the fire mana I released.

Did I get him?

I got him, right?

Please tell me I got him...

Before I notice it, a clump of mana appears before me.

I open my eyes and there he stands.

Missing a left arm and with bones colored ash black instead of green.

Daaamniiiiit...!

As I curse inside me, my guts are pierced yet again.

Bonus:

Why does she use so little armor?

It's quite simple.

She believes, that wearing heavy armor would hinder her movements.

With heavy armor, she will get hit easier and thus sustain some damage.

If she has little or no armor, she can keep her speed and dodge all the attacks and sustain zero damage.

However, with this opponent, she might be forced to use some armor...

"Hah!

Armor?

Who needs that!

It only hides her cuteness!

In fact, she should just completely strip and show off her cuteness in its purest form!"

...

You are the worst character I have ever created.

And you didn't even appear in the story yet.

"Oh my!

Is that the rumored tsundere?

I love you too, my beloved author!"