After leaving the team, the adventurer ladies regretted it deeply

Chapter 597: 440, I apologize, Lord Lin Da, for not being able to entertain you to the fullest.
 

“Excuse me, how do you think one should pass the trial of the Refining Heart Mirror Image?” Abner stood up, a puzzled look on his face as he asked.

Abner had experienced it but barely won in a muddle.

Given another try, at best he would only be 60 percent sure of victory.

Volgan glanced at him, “Who are you?”

“Adventurer’s Weekly Eight-Star Rating, Swordsman Abner.”

Abner bowed slightly, seemingly unfazed by Volgan’s dismissive attitude.

But inside, he couldn’t help sighing with dissatisfaction. In the eyes of a top talent like Volgan, perhaps anyone below a Ten Star Adventurer was no different from a Slime.

Volgan let out an “Oh,” and explained:

“The method to pass the trial is actually very simple.

Growth.

I’ve heard of the Refining Heart Mirror Image trial.

The generated shadow possesses the same strength as the original body at the time of separation.

So, all you need to do is grow stronger than you once were.”

“Um…” Abner said with a wry smile, “Your method seems somewhat difficult.”

Wez, siblings Sterry, and a blond-haired, explosive muscled man nodded in agreement, feeling the same.

“What’s so difficult about that,” Volgan said, pointing to himself and speaking calmly, “I’ve already grown. I am now stronger than I was a second ago.”

“Huh?”

Everyone looked confused.

They felt the Young Wolf King was bragging.

And yet there was no way to prove he was lying.

The elderly Werewolf chuckled, “If any of you disagrees, you’re welcome to challenge the young master any time.”

No one dared to respond.

Even those who couldn’t recognize Volgan’s identity could sense his terrible strength from the faint fluctuations of his aura.

If Lin Da were here, he might have retorted a sentence or two.

Because… his shadow was himself, yet not “himself.”

…

In the Dark World.

Sword light crisscrossed, and the explosions of Magic Power and Battle Qi were endless.

Lin Da took to the air, keeping away from the dark shadow behind him.

Having many mid-range spells was one of his advantages.

The shadow’s swordsmanship and combat experience completely overwhelmed him.

Lin Da knew from the start that he could never defeat his opponent in close combat.

Even if he exhausted all his efforts and racked his brain, his long sword couldn’t even touch the hem of the shadow’s clothing.

He could only fight a war of attrition.

To drain the shadow’s physical strength and Battle Qi to nothing!

“It’s over.”

Suddenly, the shadow spoke indifferently.

Not only was it being drained, Lin Da as well.

In the shadow’s right hand appeared a pitch-black Magic scroll.

It was one of Lin Da’s trump cards, [Triple Cast]!

Ultimate Skill: Magic Flame Flash!

Approaching the opponent with ghostlike speed, attacking three times in a row to cause extensive Destruction damage!

With all three strikes hitting, it was enough to Kill a Heavy Armored Warrior.

Lin Da’s combat pattern was completely seen through by it.

Poor swordsmanship, skilled in recovery and mid-range combat.

The aim was to drain its physical strength.

This matched Lin Da in its memory.

Indeed, his original body was such a cautious person.

If nothing unexpected happened, Lin Da would spread his wings to dodge the first phase of the Magic Flame Flash and use the Ultimate Skill Guardian Sword to withstand the second phase.

Then take the opportunity to pull out a Town Portal Scroll and flee this world.

That’s why it said “It’s over,” rather than “I’ve won.”

Once Lin Da harbored the thought of retreat, with his high health points, the Verdant Shield and the Guardian Sword’s Double Shields stacking on top of each other, even it could not Kill him in one hit.

It could only watch helplessly as Lin Da escaped.

And in that moment of thought, the shadow made its move.

The first phase of Magic Flame Flash.

It transformed into a blade of blackness.

Bang!

The long sword hit Lin Da accurately.

The Verdant Shield shattered, and the sword tip, unstoppable, rested on the team emblem on Lin Da’s chest!

If not for that badge, the first strike of the Magic Flame Flash could have harmed Lin Da.

But why?

The shadow was incredulous.

The Lin Da in its cognition should have chosen to use the Town Portal Scroll and leave reliably. Why would he resist its attack?

The moment it launched Magic Flame Flash, Lin Da should have had the chance to create an even greater distance, forcing it to use the second phase.

Yet Lin Da did nothing and just stood still.

“Your swordsmanship is very impressive, probably on par with the real Dark Shadow.

It’s a pity, though, you’re just like it.

Nothing but a piece of rigid, pitiful data.

A true adventurer, at the crucial moment, dares to chase after Miracles.”

Lin Da’s sweaty face revealed a hint of a smile, “But this time, it’s just the result of calculation. A fake shadow isn’t worth chasing a Miracle for.”

Full defense, draining the shadow’s physical strength,

That indeed was Lin Da’s battle strategy.

Only, he deceived the shadow, and he deceived himself!

Lin Da’s true battle tactic was for that very moment when the shadow launched Magic Flame Flash and couldn’t retreat.

No sooner said than done.

The Poison Series and Recovery Magic Power fused together, and a profound, chilling Black Flame lit up in Lin Da’s eyes.

Revealing the [Triple Cast] scroll in his right hand, Lin Da initiated the first and last attack of the fight.

Consuming 30% of his maximum health points, Triple Cast, Angry*Magic Heart Slash!

“I haven’t lost yet.”

The shadow controlled the second phase of the Magic Flame Flash to dodge.

Then use the third phase to Kill Lin Da without the protection of the Verdant Shield!

Everything was perfectly planned.

But the shadow overlooked one thing,

It knew Lin Da well, but Lin Da understood it far better.

The shadow before him was just a projection of the Dark Shadow once controlled by Lin Da.

To be precise, it was his former self!

Lin Da might not be able to predict others, but guessing the self from his Dark Shadow period was all too easy.