Just when one would think we were already out of the woods, the worst possible scenario struck…
The sword that Fran was holding began to rampage on its own . And when it came to the strength of its power, wasn’t that already comparable to Asura? Maybe it’s actually even more powerful .
Asura still had the ability to think and make sound combat decisions, even if he was out of control . Because of this, he was unable to go all out for fear of being caught in a dungeon collapse . His divine sword was best at widespread annihilation . However, in such a confined space, it wouldn’t be able to show its true worth .
No, even without that, the sword was abnormal . It could activate the most powerful magic techniques in the world five times and at the same time it could even deploy Latent Potential Release, which was not normal . In addition, it has the ability to fly, transform, and it even took away Asura’s skills . Having even just one of those skills alone would allow it to be called a top-tier magic sword .
“And we’re not even close to the end of it yet . ”
It wouldn’t be surprising to say that its power was on par with a top-tier divine sword . Really, just what was this place? How could a divine sword and a demonic sword suddenly just coincidentally gather here?
While I was thinking about that, Fran’s sword suddenly transformed into a wolf-like figure made of steel, and gave off even more magical power . The ferocious red-black magical power that emanated from the steel wolf gave a feeling of pressure that made us feel uneasy just by looking at it from a distance . It’s no wonder that Mea ended up being unable to move .
Mea began muttering about the mythical beast, Fenrir or something, but she might not be entirely wrong . At the very least, it was the strongest wolf-type demonic beast I’ve ever seen .
“Groooooooooooo!”
I blocked the attack aimed at Mea as quickly as I could, but I took a lot of damage from just that one shot, my whole body screaming in pain . Still, I can’t let myself go down . That wolf is not the only enemy here .
“Oi, oi, old lady . You’re very motivated aren’t you? Should I give time for the little ones to escape?”
Yes, it would be nice if they went easy on us, but it was scary to think about if they didn’t . If you get chased by either, there was no way to escape . Someone has to stay here . Letting Mea and the others escape, I drew my sword .
“You know that you’re going to die right?”
“It’s not like I still have a very long time left to live anyway, It wouldn’t be a bad idea to use it to save the young ones instead right? –Senkai Jinrai!” (TL Note : in the raw it’s written : 閃華迅雷)
“Kuhahaha! Good! No matter how weak you are, it’s fun to deal with someone who’s willing to die!”
“Gaoooooooooo!”
And so the three-way battle began . The wolf of steel started relentlessly targeting the enemy in front of it, namely me and Xellos Reed .
And Xellos Reed was also trying to get at me and the wolf . No, it’s more like he was enjoying the battle rather than aiming for it .
I could have tried stopping those two, only if I didn’t collapse all of a sudden .
“The question is, how long do I have…”
I was hurt and I have been continuously fighting hard since last night . It was frustrating, but it would be impossible for me to fight for hours on end by now . The best thing to do is to launch a critical attack in one felling swoop and kill these guys in the blink of an eye, but… .
I couldn’t . Xellos Reed, who was able to withstand even the attack of the divine sword, and the metallic wolf, who is on par or even stronger than that Xellos Reed .
Then, what should I do?
“…Hah!”
“That’s a good move!”
“Goooooo!”
Bracing myself I daringly turned my back on the wolf, as I attacked Xellos Reed . The sword and black thunder blocked the movements of Xellos Reed, and I barely avoided the wolf’s attack from my rear . I couldn’t stop myself from dripping cold sweat . I didn’t expect that wolf would attack me with his tail like a whip . If I hadn’t been wary from the start, I wouldn’t have been able to react .
But as I have intended, the attack from the steel wolf struck Xellos Reed . Although it was only a glancing hit, I could see that the evil spirit of Xellos Reed had been reduced .
“I think I can go on like this . ”
Yes, this is the only way I could keep on fighting . In my condition right now this is the only way I could beat Xellos Reed . To be honest, I don’t know how to beat the wolf . Huh, never mind, let’s focus and make sure the one that can be beaten will be beaten first . That’s all .
“Oh, come on, you don’t think I’m going to let myself get hit again and again with an attack like that, do you?”
“Oh really? Then let’s try it . ”
I focused my all on speed and evasion . It took all I had to read and guide the actions of the wolf and Xellos Reed to hurt each other . Naturally, both sides would focus their attacks on me, but that didn’t matter . One will not survive to this age if you couldn’t juggle despair at this level .
The wolf’s attack became more intense, but they missed me and caused damage to Xellos Reed instead . Xellos Reed tried to close the distance between them to regain control . But I wasn’t going to let you get away with it . I used the full force of the Black Heavenly Tiger to chase after Xellos Reed . Of course, with the wolf right on my heels .
“This damn old hag!”
“Goooooo!”
“Fuhahahaha! There! There! What happened to all your power just now! You evil person!”
I continued to abuse my body with intense pain as I kept on dancing, swerving around between the two monsters . The price for doing so was my life . I dodged the wolf’s fangs with a paper-thin gap, parried the sword attack from Xellos Reed, and I ended up vomiting blood .
I continued to abuse my body with intense pain as I kept on dancing, swerving around between the two monsters . The price for doing so was my life . I dodged the wolf’s fangs with a paper-thin gap, parried the sword attack from Xellos Reed, and I ended up vomiting blood .
We were almost even in terms of speed – no, was the wolf faster than me? I was overwhelmingly defeated in terms of offensive power, and our defensive and regenerative powers were not even on the same plane . However, there were several factors that have allowed us to still fight .
For one, Xellos Reed was still fooling around . He still dared to take advantage of our intentions to enjoy the thrill of battle .
Furthermore, the wolf’s movements were somewhat awkward . The speed at which it moved was tremendous, but the fluidity of the movements were slightly off sync . Apparently, he didn’t have a perfect handle on his body .
However, the biggest factor in play was the difference in experience . I was sure that both Xellos Reed and the wolf would be very strong innately . However, there was a slight tendency for them to move too intuitively . Only with enough experience could one counter such instinct .
The fight proceeded as is . They both kept watch of each other’s movements and anticipated how the other wanted to move and where they were aiming .
I continued the battle solemnly, wearing out my nerves and straining my brain .
“Ah! Damn it! Drop dead already!”
“Guruaaaa!”
“……Hmm”
Neither of them look tired at all . I hated it . Whereas, here I am, already exhausted and in extreme pain, and I couldn’t seem to manage it . But we can’t leave any stone unturned . Even a slight shake will kill me in no time .
“Hah… hah… hah…”
“Old hag! Are you getting tired already? . ”
“Hmph . Even if I was tired, you can’t seem to capture this old hag?”
I tried to provoke him, trying to keep him from turning his attention to Fran and the others, but he exerted the last of his strength . However, the equilibrium that was just barely being maintained was suddenly shattered from an unexpected source .
“Gaaaaaaaaaaa”
The steel wolf let out a loud scream and collapsed on the spot . His body fell like sand, in tatters . What happened?
Xellos Reed and I didn’t agree on anything, but once we distanced ourselves, we both stopped to observe the steel wolf . No, it was no longer a steel wolf . For the form had completely crumbled and disappeared, and was now a mere lump of metal .
But the collapse has not stopped . In fact, it accelerated .
After the steel wolf crumbled and disappeared, Fran’s sword was left lying on the ground . It was a shabby sword with cracks all over, as if on the verge of being discarded . The red aura and black magic power previously emanating from it had already disappeared, and one would even start to wonder if this was the same sword that had a vicious presence that seemed to rival the divine sword just now .
This one really seemed to have stopped moving . I couldn’t feel any magic from it . He was probably dead by now . That left us with Xellos Reed . I was thinking that I had to keep this guy down, but then Xellos Reed looked bored and released his stance .
“Oi, why do you put your sword down?”
“What? It’s boring, it’s no longer interesting . The old lady would be incapable of fighting in a heartbeat if left to her own devices . Then it would be better if I-”
“I won’t let you!”
“Oh? You’re still fine? But your speed is obviously slowing down…”
That is a given . The pain was so intense and dizzying that it’s a miracle how I could still move my legs any longer . But I will not let him go beyond any further .
I didn’t care about the future of the Black Cat Tribe, the future of the Beast Kingdom, or anything else . But those girls . I will not those young children, who share the same blood relations with me, be subjected to this .
“–”
“Un?”
“–Kiara”
What is it? I hear someone’s voice . Is this a telepathic conversation?
(Who are you?)
“I’m Master . This is the first time I’ve ever had a conversation with you . Well, I had a one-sided conversation with you before though . ”
(Why? Where are you in the first place?)
“Right in front of you . That’s me, the sword lying on the ground right now . I am an intelligent weapon . ”
(What!)
However, if that was the case, then it indeed made sense why it ran out of control because of the mad demonization skill . You never know what life had in store for you, who would have known that I would meet a legend at the edge of death .
(Telepathic talk is helpful . I can’t even open my mouth anymore . )
“Kiara . First, release Senka Jinrai (TL Note : In the raw it’s written 閃華迅雷) Otherwise, in a few minutes–‘
(No . As soon as I unleash the Senkai Jinrai, I’ll end up getting cut down . . )
“But … you’re really going to die if you don’t!!”
I was told I was going to die . Even though I was aware that it was true, I feel relieved . That Fran wasn’t alone anymore .
Quina also has a father who loves his daughter in his own way, although he is a snot-nosed boy .
But what about Fran? The other black cat people would not be able to keep up with Fran . If I died, she would be alone, wouldn’t she? That’s what I thought, but I guess she has a good partner .
We only had a mere ten seconds of conversation, but I could ascertain that the owner of this telepathic conversation was a person with a firm heart . With this guy, Fran won’t be lonely .
Now I can put my life on the line without a care in the world .
(This old lady is already nearing her grave . Can you help me use this little bit of life I have left?)
“……I see . I understand . Then can you lend me that little bit of life? To defeat Xellos Reed . ”
(Fuhahaha, that’s good, fine! Then what do you want me to do? Use the rest of my life as you see fit!)
“First of all–”
