Chapter 9

VS Mermaid Heel

The woman that was before Hud and Ikaruga lifted her sword. Her blade still sheathed as Ikaruga grumbled.

This was the kind of situation she wanted to avoid, she glanced over to Hud before looking down at her battered blade. Even with her magic taking on someone with the blade known as Archenemy was problematic.

"Hud, go on ahead and grab any sword you can. If I know the Rune Knights it will most likely be on the top floor.

"Wah? But I want to fight..." Hud pouted as the woman took a step forward.

Honestly Ikaruga was tempted to give her guildmaster his wish and let him handle the swordswoman before her. However she wanted to check something, and she had a feeling that Hud could cover more ground regardless.

"Hud, we aren't here for that...plus if you leave quickly and come back with the weapon. Now listen, the blade I'm looking for as a blue and white hilt and is quite long. If you remember that you should be able to find it..."

Hud pouted, but Ikaruga had a point. The faster he went and find the weapon the faster he'd be back in the battle.

He then glared at the ribbon wearing woman before lowering is stance. The woman finally prepared her blade.

"Here, I go!" Without saying another word Hud dashed towards the stair case as their enemy eye twitched.

"Fast...but." She went to raise her hand but before she could she jumped, the area she was standing at was cut to shreds as Ikaruga took a steep forward.

"Is it not rude to ignore the enemy standing before you?" Ikaruga smiled as Hud quickly climbed the stairs vanishing to the next floor.

Now that she was certain Hud was out of the way she could focus on the task at hand. Though the girl standing before her had familiar look to her, she couldn't quite place it.

"Who are you?" Kagura demanded as Ikaruga simply sighed looking to the side.

"I think it'd be in both of our best interest that I decline to answer that...rather I am far more interested in where you found such a weapon?" Ikarurga replied as Kagura simply remained silent.

"Then I guess we are finished talking..." Ikaruga gripped her blade. Despite her attitude she had zero confidence that her weapon would last or the duration of the battle.

"...!" Kagura eyes twitched as she instantly crossed the meters between her and Ikaruga in an instant.

She slammed down her sheathed weapon as Ikaruga barely was able to lift hers. In that instant the two clashed, sparks flew as scars and cuts started to appear on the walls and floor of the room.

Ikaruga felt the metal in her weapon starting to bend. As she thought a regular sword was not equipped for that sort of thing.

"...Garuda Flame!" In an instant during their clash Ikaruga twisted her body as a ring of fire appeared around her. Kagura bit her bottom lip as she jumped back, a wave of flames running through the room destroying the back wall.

Ikaruga didn't expect the attack to hit. Rather it was to create distance between her and her foe. She glanced at the common sword, the tip of the blade melted by her own magic.

Kagura not deterred by the attack prepared to rush she was forced to dodge. Once again an invisible cut appeared where she was standing, this time at the very least her leg was scratched.

Ikaruga would not let her foe get any closer, she couldn't. Something about her enemy's fighting style made her nervous.

So, to keep the pressure up she continued to use her magic, flicking her wrist cutting apart any where Kagura landed. She knew she couldn't win with such a tactic, but until Hud came back with the tool she needed it would do.


"Man, there is so many doors..." Hud sighed as he casually tore through another metal door throwing it away. Inside was even more items and weapons of interest. It was almost like a secret treasure room.

Hud looked at the bag that he was given, it was large enough to fit quite a few things, of course his first priority was swords...but.

"It wouldn't hurt to pick some stuff up for Lamy, she'd probably be into this useless kind of junk." Hud laughed as he continued to look around before a particular weapon caught his eye.

A pure white sword, with what appeared to be a bronze sun on the hilt. Normally he would have just thrown it into the bag simply because it was a blade. However there was something odd about it.

"A...soul?" He tilted his head.

Monster had the natural ability to not only sense souls but what kind of souls in a living creatures. Normally it was a useless ability, as most creature could be identified just by looking at them.

However in this situation Hud was drawn to something that clearly shouldn't have a soul. He tilted his head lifting the weapon before shrugging and placing it in the bag.

"That's everything in this room...now for the next!" Hud smiled as he grinned tying the large bag on his back. To any one else it would have been cumbersome to move in, but not for Hud...he was a monster after all.

As he made his way down the hallway he felt a shiver go down his spine. At that moment he leap from the floor to the ceiling clinging to it like some kind of spider. A strange tube like string traveled through the hall hitting the wall.

"Dang, I missed!" A whine came from the other end as a woman with cat like features finally showed herself.

Hud tilted his head, despite looking somewhat like a monster she was no doubt human. Perhaps humans had far more varied looks than he first thought, after all if Fukuro was considered human a girl with cat ears and tails couldn't be too far off.

"Gosh, who are you?" Hud let go of the ceiling landing back on the ground as the cat woman.

"Do you really think the person going around stealing things have the right to ask something like that?!" The cat woman made a good point as Hud shrugged.

"Well, I'm kind of in a rush so...later." Hud seemed to have completely missed the point as he turned away.

"You idiot! I meant I was going to stop you." She almost let out a harsh cat like noise as Hud turned back around and scanned her.

"...Aren't you a little weak to be doing something like that?" Hud was curt with his response. There was no joy in his voice, he just stated what he assumed to be a fact.

The cat girl eyes narrowed for a moment. She stopped herself getting upset to actually take note on her enemy. She couldn't sense any magic in him at all, but yet he almost seemed to have teleported when he avoided her first attack.

Without saying another word, a small magic circle appeared in front of her as another long tube was sent flying towards Hud as he once again simply moved out of the way. This time attaching himself to a nearby wall.

"You aren't going to hit me with something slow like that..."

The cat girl frowned. He was right, she was going to have to increase the speed of her attacks...or at the very least.

This time the woman lifted one of her hands sending a far smaller tube towards Hud...however this time Hud didn't even bother moving and just let the attack hit him the tube like rope wrapping around his body.

His eyes widened for a bit as the magic constricted him as the cat girl gave chuckled.

"Newo, newo, newo! Why did you just stand around like that? Did you get tired or something?"

"Well, you really wanted to hit me with that, and I thought it would be pretty sad if I beat you up without at least seeing what it did..." Once again his innocent tone made it feel like he was mocking her.

"Whatever, now that I have you bound this next attack will finish it." She lifted both her hands the glyph that usually appeared was now a deep dark purple. "Kitten Blast!"

Hud eyes widened as a blunt ray of light left her hands striking him right in the face. She smiled the moment the attack made impact...but.

"Huh, did you do something?" Hud tilted his head, his arms still bound, but there wasn't even a single mark on him.

The cat girl froze. The attack hit him for sure, yet here he was not even a mark on his body. It was at that moment she realized that she was in trouble.

"N-no calm down, as long as he is bound he can't use ma-"

At that moment she heard something shatter. Her eyes shifted back to Hud who was stretching, pieces of her tube fell onto the floor vanishing with a flash of light.

He had broken free as if her magic was just cardboard.

"That could be useful against another human, but to a monster it's kind of worthless huh?" Hud laughed as he stretched again. "Maybe if it had a bit more force behind it, it could have hurt but..."

Hud was once again about to walk away as the cat girl winced. It was painfully clear that the...thing in front of her was out of her league. However she wasn't about to back down, not after the promise she made to Kagura.

"Wait!" She called out removing her gloves as Hud turned around still holding the bag in his hands.

"I can't let you go any further. For a promise that I made to a friend that I wouldn't let anyone leave with anything!"

"...Wow, I don't think someone as weak as you should be making that sort of promise." Hud expression was blank as she winced.

"I'm Millianna of Mermaid Heel! I'm in the top five of our guild, I won't be ignored so easily!" Perhaps she was taking after Kagura, but she still had her pride that needed to be intact.

Hud didn't respond as Millianna rushed him. Her nails out, she was positive if she could land just one blow...

"Scratch attack!" She lunged towards him, the last thing she saw was his eyes narrowing before the sound of something breaking entered her ears.

"Gah!" She winced as she flew past him face first on the ground. All of her nails was shattered blood dripping from her finger tips, the pain of someone having stepped on her ribs pulsating through her body.

"Millianna huh?" Hud picked the bag back up before smiling. "Well, you weren't strong but I had a bit of fun. So if you want to fight me again you can go ahead, I'll always be waiting!" Hud walked by the fallen Millianna preparing to finish his own promise.


"How long do you plan on keeping this up?" Ikaruga frowned as she continued to swing her blade trying her best to keep not to grow tired herself.

Even if her sword was of poor quality, no one had been able to dodge her magic for so long. It seemed that the blade capable of causing calamities was in the right hands.

"That is something I should be asking you..." Kagura replied bluntly as her eyes focused on Ikaruga's hand.

"W-what?" The pink-haired swordwoman's hand stopped, as if her blade had gotten heavier regardless Kagura took her chance dashing towards her foe.

Ikaruga winced finally able to lift her blade and her leg. However it was too late, her blade was cut in two, as she felt her enemies blade cut through her side.

Ikaruga body stiffened as she fell to her knees blood dripping from her body.

"At that last moment...what did you do?" Ikaruga glared as Kagura shook her head.

"At this point it is pointless to tell you. I should also mention that if you are expecting your comrade to return it is pointless. He has most likely been defeats by no-"

"Ikaruga, I'm back!" Hud cheered as he jumped down the spiral staircase not even bothering to use the steps.

Both women's eyes widened as Hud looked at the scene that was in front of him.

"What? No way, you lost? That's no good for someone apart of Demon Fang you know!" He casually spoke the guilds name as Kagura eyes narrowed her focus no on the monster boy in front of her.

"You, how did you get by the mage that was guarding those items?!"

Hud looked at her for a moment before laughing. "Oh, the cat lady? She was pretty weak so I beat her pretty quick."

Kagura eye twitched as Ikaruga chimed in.

"Monster...did you get the sword?" Ikaruga struggled to stand as she held her wound as Hud rummaged through the bag for a moment pulling out the sword that Ikaruga had asked for.

"We need to leave now!" Ikaruga demanded. They got what they came for after all, but instead of following her statement Hud just casually threw the swords towards her.

"You can run away and meet back up with Fukuro and Frlea if you want, but I'm staying and fighting. It's not like she is just going to let us leave even if we wanted to." Hud refocused on Kagura as she closed her eyes.

Ikaruga groaned, it wasn't like she was in a position to complain about it. She lost her battle for the time being and it was time to see if Hud really was worthy to be a guildmaster.

"Then I'll leave the rest to you..." Ikaruga grabbed the blade dashing towards the exit.

"I won't let you!" Kagura vanished, her prey was weakened and she knew she would be able to strike her down before Ikaruga even made it half way.

She appeared above the pink haired swordswoman, her blade aimed at her before finally swinging...however the weapon never made contact with her intended target.

"Oy, your fighting me now!" Hud gripped the sword with his bare hands stopping the full force of the blow.

Kagura jumped back, cursing herself as Ikaruga successfully escaped.

It didn't matter, her enemy for the time being was the strange boy in front of her. She scanned him, he didn't have any weapons on him, nor did she sense any magic either.

Yet he was able to stop her blade with just his hands...

"Who are you?"

"Ah, well, I'm Monster Hud..." Hud replied quickly as he stretched getting into a battle position. "I lost to the Salad Squad a ways back and I have a feeling that fighting you will make me stronger!"

Kagura brushed his words aside. If he really did defeat Millianna then she would need to end the battle quickly and check on her friend.

And so the strongest member of Mermaid Heel and the strongest member of Demon Fang stared each other down.

Hud lifted his arms as Kagura brought down her weapon. The floor underneath of him cracked as the swordswoman grumbled jumping back.

Hud blocked the blow without a weapon, a strike that was strong enough to shatter metal. Whoever he was, he wasn't an enemy that could be dealt with quickly.

Kagura lowered her stance once again as Hud tilted his head. Without another word she dashed towards instantly clearing the the distance between her and her foe.

Despite her movements Hud nearly dodged every single one of her swipes. The ones he wasn't able to dodge he casually blocked. It was apparent that he wasn't taking the fight seriously.

"...!" During their exchange Hud's eyes widened as he lifted his hand, his palm open.

"Wh-" Kagura eye twitch as she felt a blow similar to a sledgehammer hit her side as she was flung into a nearby wall denting the metal. She winced as she quickly scrambled to her feet.

"W-what was that? I couldn't even react in time..." Kagura's eyes widened as Hud grinned.

"Wow, you really are something else. I was always told humans were pretty fragile, but you're still standing after that!" Hud smiled as he stretched, he then lifted one arm while keeping the other close to his side. He widened his stance as Kagura gripped her weapon.

She glared at him preparing to strike...when suddenly.

"Gah!" She let out a cry of pain, she felt someone digging their heels into her arm as she was knocked away again.

Hud had kicked her once again, as she skid against the ground. She took a deep breath, her arm luckily wasn't broken but...

"Is there really that big of a difference between our speed?" She glared as Hud prepared another.

Once again he vanished from her sight, however this time she was prepared. Even if she couldn't naturally react to such speeds she could still make a guess where the attack would land.

So she lifted archenemy near her had as a clanging noise was heard.

"Huh?" Hud eyes widened as he fist shook. He tensed his arm knocking Kagura away. "I didn't expect you to actually block that, you just got a little better didn't you?" Hud smiled.

"You..." Kagura didn't really know what to say, but she did understand how Millianna was defeated by such a terrifying monster. He wasn't even using magic yet he was able to outclass her in sheer strength and speed.

As much as she wanted to draw her weapon, now was not the time. After all, if he didn't have magic then he most likely didn't have a counter for her next move.

Kagura placed her hand on the ground as Hud eyes widened.

"What are you do-" At that moment Hud fell to his knees, he felt a huge weight on his his back. He struggled to stand back up as he took a deep breath.

"The fact that you are still able to move at all is impressive but..." Kagura changed her stance dashing towards him.

"D-darn it," Hud lifted his hands blocking most of the blow as his shirt was torn open.

Kagura continued her assault not stopping for a moment. There was a notable difference in both Hud speed and power...yet.

"He's still managing to keep up despite such a handicap." Kagura didn't know if to be impressed or shocked. Regardless she took a stabbing stance her blade preparing to strike as she lunged forward striking Hud's chest.

He winced as he slide back the blow feeling like a wrecking ball.

"I think it might be best for you to give up...you are at a clear disadvantage." Kagura was saying it less for his sake and more for the fact that she was worried about her comrades.

Hud patted his chest for a moment before grinning. "What are you talking about, this is the kind of fight I've been waiting for! This weight...if I can surpass it I'll definitely get stronger!"

Kagura lifted her blade once again, however this time Hud took a deep breath. He then lifted his head towards the sky and gave a large shout.

At that moment all the glass in the building shattered as Kagura froze, her body unable to move. "W-what...I can't move my body..." It was as if someone had vibrated the fluids in her body, she was feeling physically ill.

Hud didn't even have to think, he took his chance and kicked her in the stomach causing the swordswoman to cough. It felt like her organs were about to shatter as she was sent into a wall once again.

"Man, that kick should have been way harder, this weight is really getting to me..." Hud winced as he started to stretch again. "I guess it doesn't matter, I don't think she is going to get up from that."

Hud didn't even bother to check on his opponent as he walked over to the bag he had tossed to the side putting it over his shoulders.

"I should find the ot-" he didn't finish his statement as he felt something collide with his head. A blow with enough force to send him flying completely ejecting him out of the building.

"Gah..." He winced as he slide onto the courtyard of the building. He held his head, as he noticed his back was towards the sea.

"To lower your guard like that, you must think quite poorly of me..." Kagura words were cold as she walked through the hole she had just created.

"What? You can still fight?!" Hud words were genuine as he got back up making sure the bag of stuff he had was still in one piece.

"Of course, you must still feel the effects of gravity change right? If you do then it is clear that I'm still capable of going on." Kagura then looked past him, staring out into the ocean.

"There is nothing out there...not for a good few miles." Kagura was spouting something random as Hud placed his hands on his hips.

"What are you talking about?" Hud tilted his head as Kagura gripped her blade holding it tightly.

"Vanish..." Without warning she unsheathed her weapon as a large wave swept through the courtyard cutting the stone in half.

Hud barely had time to react as the wave dug through the ground and split the sea, the attack continued to go on for miles stone and water was flung into the air as a thick layer of dirt completely covered where Hud was standing.

Kagura could no longer see her enemy, no doubt he was swept away by her attack as she took a deep breath.

"I wasn't able to use it earlier due being so close to the town..."

Archenemy, a weapon that could cause a calamity once it was unsheathed. A power that she wasn't the fondest of using, but she couldn't afford to keep playing around.

"I need to f-" Kagura wasn't even able to take a step as she felt something grab the back of her head slamming her face into the ground, no, it was more than that. The attack had enough force to make a small hole where she was standing completely sending her into the dirt.

"Gosh that was pretty wild..." Hud stretched, his body was covered in cuts and bruises and most of his clothes were torn, but despite that he seemed unharmed.

"...!" Hud eyes then widen as he felt the weight that was on his body lessen greatly. "Hey I can move normally again!" Hud smiled jumping up and down before looking down the hole.

He couldn't see the bottom of it, a part of him wondered if his opponent was even still alive...though that really wasn't his problem anymore.

"She was pretty strong for a human, I can see why Ikaruga had trouble with her." Hud picked up the bag once again preparing to leave before he heard something coming from the small crater he had left.

"This battle is not over yet..." Hud turned his head to face the voice as he saw Kagura climbing out of the hole. Despite the damage she had taken it appeared that she was still willing to fight.

Hud grinned tying the bag around his neck before getting back into position. "This is great! Fighting you is really fun!"

Kagura didn't return his words as she prepared her weapon. Even if Gravity Change had worn off Archenemy had been unsheathed. Her blows would be far more destructive.

However, before the second round could begin the sound of a rocket entered their ears as they both turned towards the sky.

"Ah, Fukuro and the others..." Hud eyes widened as he noticed Fukuro flying with a rocket on his back, he was carrying both Ikaruga and Flrea under his arms.

"H-he's flying, that's so cool!" Hud nearly cheered as Kagura growled. Reinforcement was the last thing she needed to deal with.

"Hud! We really, really need to go!" Flrea called out to his friend as Hud pouted.

"What? No way, the fight is just about to get good!" He called back as Ikaruga glared at him.

"This isn't up for discussion..." Ikaruga glanced over to Flrea as the small plant monster nodded. His arms and legs then extended towards the ground wrapping themselves around Hud.

"W-wait!" Hud protested but his words were ignored as Fukuro turned around flying in the opposite direction, Hud being dragged through the air behind them.

Kagura prepared to give chase before stopping herself. In both her current condition, as well as the condition of the building it would have been pointless...no matter what she did at that point it was clear. The mission was a complete failure.

What was important at that moment was checking of the rest of her team was alright.

First she went back towards the front of the damaged building to see Arana, Beth and Risley all tied up by vines completely unconscious. Risley in particularly had a rather horrified expression across her face as if she had seen something truly horrifying.

She bit her bottom lip as she cut them out of their binds placing them against the nearby wall. It was apparent that they had been defeated a bit earlier, perhaps at the first sign of intruders.

"Now...I need to check on Millianna."


"Gosh, why did you guys have to do something like that? The fight was about to pick up!" Hud complained as the four of them walked through the clearing as Ikaruga sighed.

"That wasn't what we were there for in the first place. Plus you yourself told us that we didn't have all night and our ride back would leave without us if we took too long."

Hud sighed, Ikaruga was right on both points, still...

"I hope I get to fight her again. She might not have been as strong as the Salad Squad, but I got stronger from fighting her."

They then entered the forest Hud's noise was in the air sniffing the surroundings. He lead the four right back to the exact position they landed in, there was the wyvern they arrived on waiting for them.

"Finally, we can go back to the guild house." Frlea gave a tired smile as he jumped back onto Hud's shoulders as the two of them got on. Fukuro followed before finally Ikaruga.

The pink-haired swordswoman winced as she the side of her stomach.

"Oh, that's right. Are you okay Ikaruga?" Hud had almost forgotten to ask, she was cut during her battle with Kagura and it had almost completely slipped the young monster's mind.

"Yes, I am fine...Frlea stitched the wound with his vines and I am already feeling much better." Ikaruga pointed out as Frlea couldn't help but laugh.

"Of course, my vines have natural healing properties to them. Your body will recover far quicker than if you used normal stitches." Frlea stated a fact that was good to know as Fukuro checked the large bag that Hud brought with him.

"Hmm, it appears that you brought more weapons and items with you than just the sword..." The owl-headed man then lifted the white blade as Frlea eyes widened.

"W-wah? Why does that sword have a soul?" Frlea asked.

After all, it wasn't just Hud that was capable of sensing souls. It was an innate ability that all monsters had.

"That's why I brought it along, I was wondering if Lamy could check it out for us when we got back." It was a simple plan, but still one that was worth trying. Plus if worst came to worst they still had a bunch of other magical items they could either sell or use.

"Very well, if we are finished here then I suggest we leave. If we stick around for too long then that woman and the rune knights will track us down." Ikaruga pointed out as Hud nodded.

"Alright then, let's go back home!"

Author note.

Another fun chapter to write. A lot of action and I kind of wanted to throw a bit more comedy into the Millianna vs Hud fight, but couldn't really fit it in..or maybe I was just kind of lazy.