Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 90: The Choosers of the Slain

Daniel's heart is pounding in his chest. This is probably the most terrifying moment of his life so far in either world; Earth or Zenkon. He doesn't like to constantly ponder what all he has done since coming to Zenkon because he would find it hard to believe, and he lived those moments.

And yet, many of his most prominent achievements, such as defeating dragons, defeating the feral feldrok, and even defeating the Devourer, were accomplished by unprecedented technology for Zenkon and the element of surprise utilizing them.

For the first time since coming to Zenkon, he's up against someone who seems to know just about everything about Daniel, thanks to whatever method he has been using to spy on Daniel and his allies, and his opponent, Brosjak, is aware of the battle they are about to take place in; a duel.

Brosjak is a true greater mage; one who brought down four dragons with seeming ease in a single battle. The offensive power of his magic is at the peak of what's known for this world. And, Daniel's primary defense against magic is a sword that is no longer cooperating with him.

Daniel, on the other hand, has become notorious as 'the strongest sorcerer in the world' because of how quickly he eliminated so many powerful figures in the world, including most specifically the Devourer, which the entirety of the Demon Covenant was unable to defeat. Though the specific person who did so has remained mostly a secret, it would be ludicrous to assume it was anyone else other than "the Harbinger of Calamity", as Daniel became known following the battle of Fort Peony. Many demon-kin fled the battle after Daniel's edgelord performance, which was a portion of what he wanted. But, virtually everyone very quickly came to know him and the Harbinger as one in the same.

Brosjak has the natural advantage, and he knows it. He is watching Daniel like a cat eyeing up a mouse about to be toyed with before being killed. His toothy grin is unsettling and full of malice, revealing a dark personality.

Brosjak offers with a malicious 'warmness', "Feel free to take this opportunity. I won't attack you."

Daniel takes his hands, which were resting on Nemaisol's hilt and scabbard in a failed attempt to draw, off as he relaxes. "If I intended to simply surrender, I wouldn't have walked into the circle. Sorry for wasting additional time."

Brosjak begins laughing once more, and just as Daniel grips the lead canister loosely hooked on his pocket, the archoneldwyn warrior mage snaps his hand up, firing an icicle spear at Daniel without warning.

Daniel was expecting something, though, and he lunges to the side, nearly fumbling the canister as the spoon snags on his pocket thanks to his violent movement to avoid the icicle that nearly went through his neck, and which shreds through Daniel's jacket and lashes his skin, splattering blood more violently than it actually was. Several gasps surround them, but he has to ignore his companions.

Daniel brings his hands together, hooking his left index finger through the ring of the pin. He pulls the pin out, releasing the spoon just as quickly. The spoon flings away from the canister, and Daniel notices Brosjak watching. A smirk forms on the mage's lips. It's subtle, but is exactly what the mechanic is looking for. Daniel is keeping track of his 'cooking' time, the time the fuse has been burning. The lead canister is a grenade, and he won't be able to throw it very far. But, he's not aiming especially far in this case.

Daniel pulls back and throws, halving his strength at the end of his throw, following his own body's momentum to continue in a turn to shield his face and neck with his back and arms.

Brosjak fires a small spark spell, which hits the grenade in midair with impeccable accuracy. It never had a chance of reaching him.

The grenade explodes powerfully, casting smoke and powder in a cloud that quickly engulfs Daniel and pelts his back and tears his jacket with shrapnel. He'll have to be mindful of making sure he doesn't get lead poisoning after all of this. Or, for that matter, polonium poisoning.