81 – 81. Start of War.
Hotaru seemed to have regained some stability, and the dragon seemed to have appeared as well.
I flew straight up into the sky.
I didn’t run away because I was curious about what to say to our priestess or anything like that.
It was just a witty excuse that came out no matter how you squeezed it out.
There was a reason I had to leave the place in a hurry.
—Gooo.
If I let the monster in front of me stay still even for a moment, it would surely cause a big problem.
‘Hmm, is this the extent of it.’
The giant’s appearance seemed even more imposing than when I saw it in “Jongmallopko.”
As if the demon had been tremendously blessed, its specs were outrageously exceptional.
There didn’t seem to be any additional abilities, but sometimes just sheer volume and mass became overwhelming weapons.
Yes, especially with such an overwhelming physique.
‘To that creature, the Statue of Liberty must look like a mere figurine.’
In that case, I must have been the size of an ant.
Upon closer inspection, when converting meters to centimeters for comparison, I was less than an ant.
On the other hand, it was at the level where a tank could pass over an ant’s waist.
It was no joke; at that level, just waving a hand in the air could create a storm.
A single shout would turn into thunder, and stepping could cause an earthquake.
At the same time, having such a large physique meant there were many parts to expose.
The necessary area to cut through the neck would increase to a grotesque extent.
The muscles and epidermis to reach the heart would be thicker and tougher than most buildings.
That would apply to facing magic as well, and it would be difficult to confine it anywhere.
Truly a monster.
Its simple movements would soon become disasters, and what it wore on its body was more than a fortress, and then some.
As a pure physical specimen, it was a king of unprecedented proportions.
Originally, it was considered a disaster to be summoned in the game, but the upgraded monster was beyond annoying.
Frankly, I was worried.
Just like us, it had grown, but I couldn’t help but wonder if it would just end up rusty as if it had been allowed to accumulate experience.
Rather than just getting hurt emotionally, I wondered if we might end up crushed to death under that foot.
As a caring mentor, naturally, I briefly worried about my disciple’s concerns.
However,
──Uwaaah!!!
Believing in a foolish disciple is both the role and responsibility of a good mentor.
While Cento effortlessly blocked shockwaves with a defensive technique, I couldn’t help but laugh at Kenichi who overcame it with sheer determination.
It looked a bit tough, but somehow, I felt like we could manage if we all worked together.
“Hmm, tardy as always. Looks like reinforcements are finally arriving.”
Well, if I wasn’t going to kill them all myself, it was the right choice to leave it to them.
It was a concession to yield the dragon in front of me, despite the difficulty of facing the giant.
If Koryong, the guardian of the dragon vein, was an unyielding fake, then this guy was the real deal soaring in the sky.
Roar─!
Feeling the destructive breath of fire emanating from the dragon’s mouth, I judged that the demon, having lost its apostle, had made a firm decision.
If the giant had only reached a considerable level of strength, then the creature before me was at a level where even the gods themselves had descended.
‘…Oh, gods, bring about the end on this land…’
It seemed as though I had granted the final wish of a subordinate who was undoubtedly in great distress.
Indeed, the monster brought forth by the demon, and the dragon before me, were threatening creatures even in my eyes.
Not only in terms of basic physical abilities, but also the magic and power contained within the dragon’s soul were truly godlike.
In the jet-black dragon’s mouth, the flame of black destruction was intertwined. It was the apocalyptic beam that would incinerate everything it touched.
[ Die, human. ]
──Demon Dragon Annihilation Cannon!!!
The dragon, resonating strongly in my mind, soon exhaled the breath of death.
In Western terms, it was a dragon’s breath.
For a frail human like myself, even a brush with it was a dangerous attack.
“Oh my, how terrifying.”
Likewise, as a frail human, I extended my sword into the air with a pounding heart.
Of course, just before the devastating beam reached the blade, I awakened the power of my soul.
“Reversal.”
As the position of the sky inverted, the world’s time came to a halt.
***
Kitagawa Kenichi had a mentor.
“Kenichi, what do you think your ability is?”
His mentor, a peer who always muttered enigmatic words rather than giving a clear answer.
At first, I wondered why I was being treated like this, but before I knew it, whether out of foolishness or habit, I had become accustomed to being treated as a disciple.
There was no regret in that.
Sometimes I got frustrated, but ultimately, I had no complaints about the teachings I had received so far.
Kitagawa and Kenichi understood.
I realized since some time ago that I was not granted the wisdom to choose a better path from the beginning.
After only a few days of mastering magic, Senona, compared to the genius Ichimaru Shiki, truly felt like a fool.
“Well, at least I’m diligent.”
The cursed master said.
Your strength lies in honesty. Moving every day like a fool, like a calf.
At that moment, the foolish disciple realized once again.
That a master does not see oneself as an ordinary human being.
The disciple just took a deep breath and swung the sword according to the teachings.
Every night in the early dawn, he swung the sword, training his body through sparring.
“What do you think your ability is?”
When the master asked again, the disciple replied.
Resilience, he said.
It wasn’t entirely wrong since he had survived such attacks that transcended human capabilities.
It was a reasonable ability.
Of course, immediately after being hit, there was additional “realistic training.”
“… an ability.”
Naturally, he had thought about it to a certain extent.
The cursed master and (former) comrade, Ichimaru Shiki, frequently called his fate and lineage.
As a recognized “hero,” the power of nullification he received had some ambiguous aspects.
Who bestowed such a thing upon him.
Without even delving into such questions, the ability of “nullification” itself was subtle.
Summoning a sword to slash, or the target needing to be something magical.
I wouldn’t go as far as calling my ability trash, but watching Ichimaru Shiki make time stop with a snap did make me feel a bit inadequate.
Well, the deceptive nature of abilities is inevitable, but the scope of application is too localized.
If I’m going to nullify something, why restrict it to magical things only?
“Disappointing.”
Honestly, while having such thoughts, it had already been several months of swinging the sword.
Consistently improving skills, manifesting aura, and sword energy, becoming exceptionally proficient in combat, but still, it was not enough.
I was still far from being able to land a hit on my master Ichimaru Shiki.
In fact, to strike a blow against the opponents he faced, something more special was needed.
“Domain.”
That’s why I had diligently studied how to unfold the abilities of the soul.
To become a little stronger.
If I take one more step here, something will definitely change.
With that thought in mind, I took a few more steps and lived like that for a few months.
Honestly.
I swung the sword and gained some enlightenment.
“Kenichi.”
Why had I thought that only abilities or techniques could be honed?
“You are strong enough.”
Ichimaru Shiki had the ability to manipulate time as he pleased.
From Noble mtl dot com
Naturally, he thought he was immune, but somehow, without even realizing it, he fell victim.
Why did that happen?
Was it because of the difference in absolute strength? The difference in experience of facing enemies? Or simply the difference in intelligence in utilizing abilities?
“You’re quite foolish, but still diligent.”
Kitagawa Kenichi asked himself every day as he swung his sword.
What are you good at?
Through countless rounds of questioning, the boy suddenly cut through the wind.
It was a common summer whirlwind.
Although there was no magical intervention, the gust split as it passed by him.
“You are truly excellent.”
As a swordsman, he had somehow become excellent.
He could now wield a blade with precision.
Now, he could cut through anything.
The hero, Kitagawa Kenichi, firmly grasped the cross-shaped demon sword.
He cut through the wind before him.
This time, he wielded his sword to cut down a giant.
──Ichimaru Style, Engeki.
He danced a single dance.
His damn master might have found it ridiculous, an awkward sword dance, but for the boy who had only started learning the sword three months ago, it was his best effort.
With unwavering determination, he swung the sword.
He cut through fierce winds, slashed the giant’s roar, and cleaved in half the flying debris from the building shattered by the villain’s footsteps.
As someone once said, he walked forward faithfully, his arms moving forward firmly gripping the sword.
He swung the sword.
──Mu.
Then, there was no longer a wall in front of him.
“Yaaahhh!!!”
The boy brought down his sword.
***
The Priestess of Injustice, Ichinose Hotaru, opened her mouth wide with a vacant expression.
Her gaze was fixed on something flying around in the air with a demon sword.
No, it was someone with a very familiar feeling…
“Yaaahhh!!!”
…someone.