Chapter 256 Why not laugh?

Chapter 256 Why not laugh?

I climbed on top of him, attempting to catch him off guard. His hand swiftly maneuvered between my arms, gripping the back of my neck—a peculiar position, yet he seemed to have a strategy to evade any potential harm I might cause.

I struggled against his grip. Even with my heightened mana strengthening, freeing myself from his hold proved challenging. His movements were deft, his defenses well-constructed.

Suddenly, I collided with the floor, a grunt escaping my lips as he released his weight, causing me to topple over him. Wincing momentarily, I seized the opportunity, turning the tables by straddling his neck.

Despite my position, he appeared rather composed—his face slightly flushed, but otherwise showing no signs of concern.

Forming a fire bolt in his right palm, he aimed it towards me, attempting to strike—confusion flickering across his expression as my own plan unfolded.

"Do you think you're the only one who can strategize?" I questioned, releasing a spinning sphere around the right side of his rib cage.

As my spell connected, I gasped in surprise.

However, my momentary distraction allowed him to retaliate, throwing me to the side with unexpected force, forcing me to relinquish my spell involuntarily.

The water from the sphere created distance between us. Recovering, I noticed the scratch the fire bolt had left on my skin. Hastily, I retrieved the sword I had left on the ground for spellcasting.

Sensing an incoming attack, I leaped to the side, a visible frown etched upon my face. Meanwhile, he seemed detached, giving no indication of his thoughts or intentions. The source of this content can be connected to n0v3lb!n★

Why is he so fast with this?

"Ugh," I grunted, observing his sudden stop.

...What?

He squatted down to the floor. Is this some kind of technique?

The sword, intricately engraved for thrusting and recoil, responded to my command—

T h a d*

The recoil propelled me backward, but not before—

"Is this all?" His voice, for the first time, seemed too silent to be called, sending shivers down my spine. It was eerie, chilling to the bone.

"Huh?" My eyes widened as I saw the sword pass by his forearm while he gripped my ankle tightly, blood trickling down from where the sword had made its mark on his bone.

"....." Shouldn't he react? Even the dark elves had tears if they were hurt!

"Laugh," he commanded.

"Eh?"

"I said, laugh again." He raised my leg—what was his intention? I had no more mana left, already straining myself with whatever remained.

He stretched my foot until it nearly reached his face—what was this surreal scenario unfolding before me?

"I-I..." The thought of forfeiting crossed my mind. Me? Forfeit? What was happening to me!?

Before I could comprehend further, my back lifted from the floor, his grip forcing me to dangle upside down, I tried to pick myself up but my body was out of mana- agh!

"Agh-"The world spun in a bizarre whirl before—

T h a d!

The impact robbed me of my breath, the force making it almost impossible to gasp. Darkness enveloped my vision... Was this the death for me?