[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat":3,"chapter-reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-chapter-39":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Reincarnated as a Princess's Pet: With Trash Stats, but SSS-Rank Skill",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},896752,1177,"Chapter 39: The Duel (1)","reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-chapter-39",39,"\u003Cp>The combat courtyard was packed. Balconies. Ramparts. Makeshift stands. Citizens. Nobles. Guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air was thick with anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max stood still. To his right, Gawain. To his left, Moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white stone floor reflected the midday sun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The murmur of the crowd was constant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Max no longer heard it. His breathing was steady. His shoulders relaxed. This time he wasn’t reviewing distances. He wasn’t calculating margins of error. He was simply observing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across the field, Taniel smiled, his elegance intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him stood two figures cloaked in dark capes. Tall. Imposing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gawain let out a laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How theatrical.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon tilted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They look strong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max didn’t answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cloaks fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, a massive body. Dark green skin. Scars crossing his bare torso. A pronounced jaw. A crooked grin revealing filed-down fangs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The murmur turned to confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max felt something cold run down his spine. Not fear. Recognition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Balag the Toothbreaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The secondary villain from the mines arc inEldoria’s Entry 2.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The orc who had been defeated and imprisoned by the protagonist’s main party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max remembered that cinematic perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prison. The runic chains. The vow of revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s not possible...\" he muttered under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon glanced at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A little.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second figure stepped forward. Slimmer. Taller than most of her kind. Goat legs. Twisted horns curving back. Golden eyes. A smile far too calm. A faun. But not just any faun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maron, the legend of the eastern cities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The name that appeared only in optional in-game books.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The alchemist who kidnapped travelers to test forbidden potions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The character you never faced directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You only found the remains of his experiments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the game’s lore, children in the east were frightened with his name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max swallowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Where the hell did Taniel find these people?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t politics anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hope you don’t mind the level of my companions, royal pet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smile didn’t change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After all... this is a serious duel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gawain cracked his neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interesting choice of friends.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon spread her wings slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re ugly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel hadn’t come to play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had come to crush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the royal box, the king stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The murmur dropped instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let the duel begin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding the ceremonial bell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound echoed through the entire courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clear. Metallic. Decisive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle had begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Balag didn’t wait for strategy. He roared and charged straight at Max.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground trembled beneath each step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fists like maces, aimed directly at the human’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before they connected—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gawain appeared between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hands clamped around the orc’s fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clash made the air tremble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stone cracked beneath their feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Balag grinned, showing his filed fangs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gawain squeezed harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re not the opponent I was expecting to face...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes gleamed with restrained excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you’ll do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shoved forward, forcing the orc to take a step back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side of the field, Moonlight drew her blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword of frozen fire shone with a bluish-white glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And unleashed a burst of white flame toward Maron.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maron tilted his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled a small bottle from his belt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dropped it to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The potion exploded into a silver-gray cloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the flame touched it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It dissipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if it had never existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maron let out a soft laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elegant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fascinating...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His golden eyes traveled over the little dragon’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You seem like a very interesting specimen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon tilted her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s a ’specimen’?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in the middle of combat, Max couldn’t help thinking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Please let Frida arrive with the ring.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was far more complicated than he had calculated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel advanced. Sword in hand. Perfect calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped in front of Max.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looked him up and down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you going to fight unarmed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted to Max’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re not even wearing armor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not unarmed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel laughed and thrust straight at his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fast. Precise. Lethal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tip touched Max.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An invisible layer activated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enhanced passive of the adamantine armor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shield that completely negated one attack above level three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The strike did not pierce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No damage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Metal exploded into fragments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the return gem effect activated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reflected damage doubled thanks to Max’s skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel felt the impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not physical. Internal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if his own attack had pierced his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He staggered back, choking on a breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stared at the broken remains of his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max stepped toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who’s unarmed now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd’s murmur erupted into chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel clenched his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Extended his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pure magic condensed in his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sword of light took shape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brilliant. Elegant. Flawless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lunged again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The luminous blade pierced Max’s chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the moment of impact—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max laughed, and vanished. Like smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turned slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One. Two. Three. Four. Five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five Maxes stood around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All smiling. All identical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The illusory echo necklace was active.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the enhancement from his skill allowed him to create up to ten echoes at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five were enough to start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All five spoke at the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Try again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Maybe you’ll hit this time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or do you need another sword?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How disappointing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their laughter echoed in perfect unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel tightened his grip on the sword of light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression lost its elegance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now the duel was exactly where Max wanted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several slashes of light at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The luminous blade cut the air in a perfect arc.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first Max vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fourth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughter fading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel lowered his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courtyard fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A downward current of wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon raised both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A concentrated gust wrapped around the real Max and launched him skyward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd gasped as he rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max laughed as he ascended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he began to fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The featherfall boots activated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He descended as if floating through invisible water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel watched from below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His jaw tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you going to keep playing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was no longer elegant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was restrained irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fight like a man!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max smiled from the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But inside, he knew the truth. He had no chance in a direct confrontation. No strength. No technique. Only tricks. His SSS-rank skill. Items. Strategic advantage. And he had to squeeze every bit of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel stepped back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that instant—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Balag and Gawain burst into view, rolling across the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Locked together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fists entangled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elbows slamming into ribs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brutal, almost savage fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gawain laughed as he took a headbutt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Balag answered with a knee strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They rolled straight toward Taniel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elf clicked his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic exploded around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shockwave enveloped them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And both were hurled into the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Straight toward Max.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max narrowed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deactivated the boots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body plummeted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the last second—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reactivated them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His trajectory shifted just enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Balag and Gawain passed within inches of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They crashed heavily into the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max twisted midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when he refocused—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel was in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A clean punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Straight to the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact was brutal—he was clearly using enhancement magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world went white for a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max was sent flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His back slammed into one of the courtyard columns.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stone cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body dropped to his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was already swelling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nose bleeding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He heard the growing murmur in the stands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taniel lowered his fist slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This isn’t just tricks and weapons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice turned cold again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can fight too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max spat blood to the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wiped his nose with the back of his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiled... faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time without mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, the thought was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was starting to run out of tricks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Taniel was only warming up.\u003C\u002Fp>",1337,"2026-06-03T06:02:48.851Z",1,"novelbin.me","34131e5ee4007f0fea1585a8397320fadf40e59004208194a09d21297525da55","reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-chapter-40","reincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-chapter-38",189,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freincarnated-as-a-princess-s-pet-with-trash-stat-cover.jpg"]