GameDev Reincarnated into His Own Creation

Vol 2 - Chapter 34: Lockdown

What caught Vel's attention wasn't his posture but the dark shadows gathering around him in a perfect circle—tendrils of darkness that seemed to absorb the light from Kein's glowing blade.

"Dark element," Vel whispered, leaning forward. "That's rare. The only one I've seen use it so far..." He paused, memories of the Ossuary flashing through his mind. "Well, except that person who killed me a few years ago."

The casual way he said it earned several head turns.

"Almost—" Vel corrected himself after a beat. "—killed me."

Celia's attention shifted between Vel and the arena. "Kasano's element is the direct opposite of Kein's. Light versus dark. I wonder how it'll play out."

Vel leaned forward, eyes narrowed as the match unfolded. Valen Heima raised her crossbow and fired two bolts in quick succession toward Kein. With casual grace, Kein's glowing blade swept through the air, deflecting both projectiles with precise movements that seemed almost effortless.

"He's gotten so much better," Celia whispered, her voice a mixture of admiration and concern.

Ulmak began tracing sigils in the air, his lips moving through an incantation. Vel recognized the pattern—a shield spell, likely intended to protect Kasano from Kein's advance.

In that same moment, Eldrin's fingers plucked the harp strings. A chord rang out, sharp and clear. The sound became visible—a shockwave rippling outward in waves. Sand lifted in its wake, only to settle back down like a falling curtain. The wave swept through Kein and Lysithea, passing over them without effect.

The opposing team wasn't so fortunate. They clutched at their ears, faces contorted in pain. Ulmak's concentration shattered mid-spell, the magic circle dissipating into useless sparks.

Vel leaned forward, eyes narrowing as he watched the two teams react so differently.

"It doesn't hit their own teammates," he said. "How?"

Kein seized the opportunity, charging toward Kasano with his luminous blade raised. As the two swordsmen prepared to clash, another twang resonated from the prince's harp. The same disruptive wave pulsed outward, precisely timed.

Kasano flinched, his rhythm broken for just a heartbeat—but in high-level combat, a heartbeat was an eternity. He barely managed to block Kein's strike, their blades locking together in a shower of sparks.

Vel strained to hear their exchange, but could only make out their expressions. Kein's face remained calm, almost detached, while Kasano's features twisted with growing frustration.

They broke apart, circling each other warily. Kasano's next attack came with renewed vigor, shadows trailing his blade like ink in water. Kein met each strike with perfect counters, their swords creating a deadly dance of light and darkness.

"What's Eldrin actually doing?" Enya asked.

"Magic disruption," Vel said. "Every time Ulmak starts casting—"

Another twang cut through the air.

"The wave doesn't cause physical harm," Vel continued, watching Ulmak clutch his head. "But it completely disrupts mana flow. Breaks concentration."

"That means..." Tomas's voice carried a note of dread. "They can completely shut down any unprotected caster."