Jack of All Trades, Party of None

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When Ruella threw her out to the farthest outside, it was an open hillside identical to the dungeon’s entrance.

This dungeon had no levels beyond the second floor; it was a dungeon completed within the first level.

Instead, its surface area was incomparable to other dungeons, and its heart, the innermost depths, was hidden as if blending into the background, making it extremely difficult to locate.

Therefore, from the outside, the hole Ruella made looked like a tear in space itself.

“...Sister Ruera.”

Caroline immediately got up after taking a defensive stance.

Her words to Ruella, her sister who had also emerged from the deepest point, were filled with confusion.

“It’s an order from the Doctor, so I have to kill you. But killing you is troublesome. I’ll tell the Doctor that you’re dead. So just disappear somewhere and live quietly without ever being found by the Doctor again—that’s all I want.”

Ruella, with eyes devoid of emotion, spoke to Caroline in an equally cold, commanding tone close to an order.

In the past, words from Oswell and her brothers and sisters were absolute to Caroline.

She never resisted and always responded with a smile on the surface, no matter the situation.

“...No.”

Even so, those words were no longer absolute to the current Caroline.

Ruella’s eyes widened slightly in surprise at Caroline’s refusal.

“I came here to settle things with the Doctor! And knowing that they’re trying to do something to Sophie, I won’t run away alone! Sister, I’m serious. If you get in my way, I’ll fight you—even if it’s you!”

Not only her words but also the strong resolve in Caroline’s eyes shone brightly.

Seeing Caroline like that, Ruella narrowed her eyes for a moment but quickly returned to her usual bored expression and prepared her sword.

“...Is that so? Then come at me. I’ll carve you up until you die.”

“I can’t do that anymore. I’m no longer the weak person trembling before Sister Ruera! I’ll show you how I’ve grown!”

The two raised their voices as they closed the distance.

Caroline’s weapons were a pair of short daggers with blades about thirty centimeters long.

In contrast, Ruella wielded a longsword nearly as tall as herself.

The difference in reach directly translated into an advantage in battle.

Ruella launched attacks from outside Caroline’s range, and Caroline was forced to defend, unable to switch to offense.

Caroline couldn’t completely evade Ruella’s heavy slashes, and finally, the tip of the sword grazed her shoulder.

“Ugh!”

Caroline immediately distanced herself beyond Ruella’s reach.

After touching her shoulder and confirming the wound had already healed, she pondered how to tackle Ruella.

“You should understand from the last exchange. Not only do I have the advantage in weapon reach, but I’m also the only one receiving buffs. You have no chance of winning.”

Ruella said coldly.

Unless there was a significant skill gap, the one receiving buffs held the advantage.

Given that Ruella’s longsword was also superior weaponry, as she said, Caroline was overwhelmingly at a disadvantage.

“That’s something you won’t know until you try!!”

Shouting, Caroline lowered her stance and charged at Ruella.

Ruella showed no sign of panic, drew Caroline in, then stepped into range and swung her longsword.

Caroline met the incoming blade with her daggers, using the momentum of her charge and Ruella’s strike, she arced around Ruella’s side, matching the sword’s trajectory.

“――!”

Ruella was caught off guard, and before she could react more, Caroline stepped further forward, closing the distance between them.

As Caroline raised her dagger to strike, Ruella suddenly released her sword and stepped forward, thrusting her elbow out.

Before Caroline’s dagger could reach her, Ruella’s elbow struck her chest.

“Gah!”

Seeing Caroline’s movement falter, Ruella took her chance, reclaimed her longsword, and swung at her again.

Caroline barely managed to block with both daggers but lacked the strength to deflect or use the strike’s momentum as before and was knocked back once more.