Maintenance (3)

“Whoa… Ha… “

With a sudden feeling of exhaustion, I was completely out of breath.

My legs seemed to have lost all strength and I just sat down on the floor.

I felt dizzy and my vision became blurry.

“What…? Why are you doing this all of a sudden?”

Catalina, who was my sparring partner, looked at me with a puzzled expression.

He must have been surprised because he suddenly collapsed as soon as the sparring ended.

“My lord! Are you okay!”

Kayla ran right away, but Erina was faster.

He wrapped his arms around me and snatched the necklace around my neck.

A necklace I previously bought at a magic tool store.

The owner said that instead of forgetting the pain, it comes back several times after ten minutes.

As he said, the effect was significant.

Even though Catalina’s kick was hit squarely, it only felt heartbreaking.

Thanks to that, we were successful in pushing Catalina, but the cost was greater than expected.

A pain that makes you think there is a nail stuck in your solar plexus.

It even made me forget the idea that I was used to pain.

“Never use something like this again!”

Erina shouted while holding onto my body tightly.

Immediately, Celica radiated healing light and healed the wound.

I deliberately refused treatment to test its effectiveness.

Celica must have been worse than others, so she broke her promise and performed a miracle.

“…Healing is slower than I thought.”

Even Celica’s prayers didn’t work.

The pain seemed to slowly subside, but even the mental shock and aftereffects could not be treated.

“Seohyun. “Is the pain still there?”

“No. It’s okay now.”

Despite my answer, Celica continued to heal.

It looks like the lie was caught.

“I heard you picked up a strange item from somewhere. What on earth?”

Catalina still doesn’t understand the situation.

Malcolm, who was watching the situation, carefully approached and looked at the necklace.

“No way is this… ” “

Malcolm was lost in thought with a rather serious expression.

Judging by the reaction, it seemed like he knew about the necklace.

Then he came towards me with a serious expression.

“Seohyun. “Where did you get this necklace?”

“I bought it at a magic tool store in the capital.”

“Ah… Are you talking about the magic tool shop in the central alley?”

Malcolm knew the place right away.

“I’ve heard about that necklace. People call it the cursed necklace.”

A necklace that helps you forget the pain.

However, as time passes, the pain comes many times over.

A product that is being spread around in secret without any clear explanation of its principles or side effects.

Of course, it is said that there are also ugly rumors going around.

“For example, there are rumors that it amplifies the sensation rather than the pain.”

The moment you infuse your magic, if you fall into a happy situation, your happiness will be maximized.

On the contrary, if you fall into a sad situation, you will feel extreme depression.

Moreover, since it is an item secretly floating around, it is unclear whether each necklace has the same effect.

As the story continued, the colleagues’ reactions changed moment by moment.

“My lord. Throw away the necklace. Please.”

“Is it so. It’s too dangerous.”

When all my colleagues except me opposed it, I also felt skeptical.

Is there really a need to wear a necklace?

Of course, it may be useful at certain moments.

The risk was probably too great.

While I was worrying, Catalina suddenly approached me and showed interest in the necklace.

“Hmm… It makes you forget the pain? That’s why you didn’t even flinch when you got kicked.”

Catalina nodded as if she finally understood.

The problem is that she is starting to show interest in the necklace.

“How do you use it? “I’ll try it too.”

Then Malcolm’s complexion turned pale and he tried to stop her.

However, as we already know, Catalina could not be stopped.

“Why are you making such a fuss when you say you want to borrow it for a while?”

“Sister. “Is it really dangerous?”

“What is the danger? He wrote it earlier, so what’s the problem?”

When Catalina held out her hand, Erina threw the necklace.

When Catalina received the necklace and held it up, the red gem began to glow.

“Oh. It’s simple to use.”

Catalina’s expression changed moment by moment, as if her senses were becoming duller.

The confident expression hardened and the arrogant eyes subsided.

Then he raised the great sword he was holding in his hand.

He aimed the great sword at Erina.

“I feel a little dirty. Still, it’s not bad?”

“…”

“How is it. “I think you can make it with muksabal now, right?”

No matter how calm his expression and attitude became, his belligerent personality did not go away.

Did he think he could win against Erina if he had forgotten the pain?

“Erina. “Step back.”

It was a bit dangerous when the necklace was used.

Something could happen to Catalina if she sparred carelessly.

However, Erina drew her long sword and stepped forward.

“Erina. Stop.”

“…”

“Can’t you hear me?”

“Don’t worry. “I’ll use just a little bit of effort.”

Are you really trying to refuse my orders?

Erina was moving more and more out of my control.

I had to stop her like this, but there was no way.

Catalina is also ready for battle.

“…Let’s all go back.”

I’m sure Catalina won’t listen even if I try to stop her.

I stepped back to allow the sparring to continue like this.

Catalina adjusted her posture while holding the great sword.

A standard posture, not a crooked posture like usual.

The atmosphere was also very different from before.

“I go first.”

A sparring that started at the same time as Catalina said.

Catalina lunged and swung her great sword.

Kaang!

When the long sword and the great sword clashed, the metallic sound was deafening.

The wind blew along with the dust.

As the combination continues, the one that is pushed out is Catalina.

Of course, it was difficult to defeat Erina with mere strength.

But Catalina was not pushed aside either.

Like an animal, they were digging in and trying their best to find an opening.

‘The movement has definitely changed.’

Did my senses become dull and my head get cold at the same time?

There are fewer gaps in swordsmanship than before and the speed has become faster.

The moment Erina’s long sword touches Catalina’s waist.

Without hesitation, she dug into his arms and swung the great sword.

“…!”

For the first time, Erina took a step back.

“Huh…”

Catalina spat on the floor and raised her head.

Did you think you pushed her for the first time?

There was a smile on her face.

On the other hand, Erina’s expression became even colder.

At the same time, the surrounding air froze.

Electric current began to flow from the long sword.

“Erina…!”

I tried to stop her, but the two were already moving.

Every time the swords collide, sparks fly and flash.

It was becoming increasingly distant from Dalian.

Very bloody atmosphere. If this continues, we won’t stop until someone falls.

“Kayla. Please take care of Catalina.”

“Ah. Yes!”

Kayla understood what I was saying and spreading a magic circle.

As flames rise in the air and an explosion occurs.

The two people instinctively lost their gaze and showed a gap.

Just like that, I rushed in and blocked Erina’s long sword with my shield.

“Ugh…!”

A shock was transmitted to my left arm and a tingling sensation arose as sparks flew.

At the same time, Erina lifted her sword.

On the other side, Kayla held onto Catalina’s body.

“Erina. “Stop it now.”

“…”

“Anyway, you’re using lightning. It’s too dangerous.”

Erina took a step back, keeping her mouth shut at my words.

Catalina also stopped sparring and put down her great sword.

At the same time, Catalina sat down on the floor and hugged her right arm.

“Ugh…!”

“Nu, sister!”

Malcolm rushed over and helped Catalina.

Catalina clings to Malcolm with her body limp.

As soon as Celica rushed over and treated her, Catalina let out a deep breath.

“Ha… It’s really unpleasant.”

“So you didn’t say it was dangerous!”

“Ah. It’s noisy. “My ears are ringing, so lower your voice.”

Catalina’s expression didn’t look good, as if she was suffering from aftereffects like me.

Malcolm tried to take the necklace.

However, Catalina was not given away.

Then he looked at me and shook the necklace.

“How much did you pay for this necklace?”

“…You really want that?”

“Okay. “I’ll give you the money.”

Even if Malcolm tried to stop him, he couldn’t stop Catalina.

Even if I had it anyway, I would prevent my colleagues from using it.

Would it be better to give it to Catalina?

“If I like it, I’ll just give it to you.”

“Oh. Okay? Then, thank you.”

“No, why on earth…”

My colleagues looked relieved at my words.

Catalina also wore a necklace around her neck.

In the end, it ended with Malcolm asking not to use the necklace without permission.

Of course, there is no way Catalina would keep her promise.