“To be scared is to be a swordsman—”
On the verge of death, I was here thinking that I’d won.
I was convinced that this was definitely a competition, but, without a doubt, that monster was still able to deliver a serious blow to me despite being in that mortally wounded state.
And the monster did so successfully, crushing my left arm until immobile, putting me in a state of utter fear.
It sure was one hell of a monster.
“…I’m rather scared if I say so myself…”
I regained my position and stood up, letting out the emotions I had been holding in my chest.
I was well aware that I outranked the monster, which was making high-pitched, strange noises and calling out for help.
I probably wasn’t going to win.
But somewhere in my mind, I thought…
As long as I could hit the target with my technique, I would never lose.
…That pride of mine paid off.
Its body was mutilated, and I inflicted a fatal wound.
So that monster was supposed to not pursue me any longer.
But who the hell came up with such logic and theory?
The answer was simple. No one did.
It was just a one-sided prejudice that I assumed was completely natural.
“Damn you.”
I spit out the venom and cleared my mind once and for all.
Then I let my thoughts run wild.
—What should I do from here?
I began to ask myself.
The monsters of Minaura would probably come flooding here soon enough.
My capabilities as an individual were not high, and in addition, it was definitely impossible for me to fight against many alone in this situation.
I would be overwhelmed by their sheer numbers, and I would probably end up dead.
And so my instincts began to go off, telling me to run away.
It was already beyond my current control, and a buzzing sound forbade me with the pain that was traveling down my left arm.
“…Shut up.”
I responded to a cry that couldn’t be silenced.
Shut up for once, noise.
And by convincing myself of this, I was finally able to turn my back with the appeal of my instincts.
The monsters were rushing in.
Ah… This was terrible.
I was filled with frustration, thinking about where in Minaura could I escape even if I wanted to?
…There was probably no place for me to go.
That was why the answer was a given.
I was going to reduce the threats locked on to me now, even if I ended up just killing one of them.
In other words— Slash my way through them!!!
And so I readied myself.
“The only fundamental solution I see is to learn from the pain because that’s always what the more experienced people before me say. That’s why you must decide to truly abandon your common sense. So even though you cut off one of their wings, you still have to assume that they still can fly.”
Those were the Star Slayer’s words.
And finally, my resolve was set.
Two years had already passed since I fought the ogre.
I had learned to use magic.
I gained experience, and I gained knowledge.
My spirit had grown much more than it was then.
But— I hadn’t changed…
Nothing had changed since then.
I was still the same, old, weak me.
And it would turn my perception of that reality into an unwavering one.
That’s why I…
“Regardless of whether I’m wounded or not, it doesn’t matter. You’re strong, so allow me to take you by surprise, head-on, fair and square—!!!”
It was the monster’s fault for being strong.
So, I contorted my lips in a grandiose manner while spewing out a selfish tirade about how I wouldn’t accept any of its complaints later.
“I’m… going to cut off that mouth of yours for the time being!!!”
I stomped on the ground, kicking up a clod of earth backward.
Then— I began to close our distance.
I looked at my limp left arm for a moment and pushed myself further to finish this battle quickly in order to tend to the bleeding.
Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up.
Those two words rushed me.
I reminded myself that time was running out.
And then…
“—First of all, shut the hell up, you.”
***
Reaper Scans
***
My distance from the monster, which continued to make high-pitched strange noises unceasingly, turned to zero in a moment’s time.
As it was, I moved while jumping over its body, and soon after, I reached its head.
Accompanied by a chilling voice that reverberated in the pit of the monster’s stomach, I leaned forward while kicking him with a thud, then swung my sword downwards.
And at the same time, I delivered my incantation.
『 Sword: Creation 』
My left arm couldn’t even muster enough force to use it, but despite this, I activated the magic and made sure that I already had a sword in my right hand.
My magic, “Sword: Creation” was an ability to create a sword around myself.
So basically, the only use for it was to turn it into my personal weapon.
Unlike Siva, I couldn’t create a sword at will and turn it into a means of attack, but even so, there were many ways to use it.
Particles of light that reacted to my words were born, began to consolidate, and manifested themselves near the back of my right foot.
“My magic can also be used this way.”
I thickened the shaft of the sword I created so that it would be easier for me to kick.
Then— I leaped into the air, noticing that I was about to slash its head, the monster finally reacted to me by finally stopping its call for help.
“Pierce through!”
Instead of swinging down the sword in my hand, I kicked it relentlessly, and it began to fly towards the monster at a speed reminiscent of a meteor.
“——?!?!”
A wordless scream resounded.
Next came a follow-up blow released by the monster, with its huge body writhing in pain, serving as its defensive mechanism after taking my attack by surprise.
There was no way for me to avoid it as I ran up the monster’s massive body and threw myself into the air.
It’s definitely a finishing blow for me, however…
The future that I was struck down in a vicious manner, and my body being mercilessly flung away…
“I’m not going to spare you any longer.”
…didn’t come into reality.
The reason being, while I threw myself into the air, I jumped back to escape further up into the sky.
“I can’t fly like you, but I didn’t say I couldn’t fight midair.”
Particles of light beneath my feet came to life and formed a sword with an extraordinarily wide blade, which I then kicked to boost myself up.
Create a sword. Use it as a foothold. Kick it to gain movement and boost myself up. Repeat.
And for the first time since I came here— I finally looked down at the monster.
Because of the good view, I could see what seemed to be many monsters coming from the surrounding area.
…I couldn’t even feel any sign of them until just now, which was too soon, to say the least.
I would’ve overloaded them with complaints, if I could, and told them to go fuck themselves.
…But I didn’t have the time for that.
“I… see…”
At that moment, the monster’s jaw opened with a snap.
Its sharp fangs, neatly lined up, revealed themselves.
An unintentional cry escaped me.
A reddish gas-like substance was beginning to gather in the monster’s mouth.
I even heard an unfamiliar scraping sound, and perhaps— it was the sign of flames being released.
But it didn’t matter.
Slay, slay, slay, slay, slay.
Like a curse, the word repeated itself in my heart.
Whatever came my way, slay it, it said.
And as if obeying the words, I clenched the hilt of my sword even tighter, silencing even its creaking sound.
“Great…!!! Let’s play then, monster!!!”
I raised my voice.
I surrendered myself to the elation that took over my body and shouted wildly.
If I could slay the monster in front of me as the flames were unleashed, I’d win.
If I got blown away by its flames, I’d lose.
It was that simple.
My lips twisted with joy like my cheeks had been split open as I looked at my belligerent enemy who was preparing itself to intercept me rather than to evade and flee.
Then, I posed to swing my sword.
“Slash through—”
Red flashes of light mixed with my vision, and the heat that filled the area burned my skin like roasted meat.
All I could do was create a sword, swing it down, and slash through it.
Therefore, I shall tear through any and all obstacles that stand in my way, along with the flames, without exception, and end it once and for all!
Unleash your flames with all you’ve got!!!
『 —SHOOTING STAAAR!!! 』
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