= [Chapter 08] =
...
The first he got loop back in time, he was brought back in the Castle's comfort room. He run to where the scene of the crime was. He got arrogant and attack Heiber, fully intending to stab him from the back.
But it didn't happen. With the looped time, all his stats and gains from the previous timeline were reset to their very base. His attack dealt very little damage and because of irritation, Heiber opened up his neck.
The second time he looped back had sent him way back to the event in the throne room. Just at the moment, they were about to name themselves. He broke down and cried, gaining the annoyance of many.
Iruma tried to calm him down, but he only got more scared and apologetic towards Iruma. The trauma was too much for his mind.
Then dark thoughts lurk out in his mind and made him lash out. Blaming Iruma for his death in the previous timeline. So, when night came he snuck out, following Iruma out... He killed Iruma.
He didn't realize until later what he had done. He would have cried and repented if he wasn't in the middle of a clash with both the Bow and Sword Hero.
... He died by their hands.
He didn't fault them for it. In fact, he was grateful that they killed him. It had cleared his mind when he was dying.
The next led him to fight Heiber before he could even scoop Iruma's eyes out. He tried getting help but realized that literally, no one other than them was there in the castle... well in that part of the castle.
The place is huge! He wouldn't be surprised if the patrols were just on the other part of the castle and didn't get alerted by the commotion.
He also tried waking up Itsuki and Shirou, but they didn't. He later learned that some gas was at play.
His fight with the assassin with Iruma by his side was a long one. But it had ended when the bastard was given a moment to chant a spell. Killing Iruma, who pushes him out of the attack range.
"Next time... Move faster..." Was his last words.
He didn't think much about it, he just thought it was just Iruma being sarcastic. But now, he might have already known about his Spear's apparent hidden ability, and that word was meant for him to come much faster to his aid in the next loop.
One reason that made him believe this is because many of the Irumas knows about this without even him talking about it!
How did they know about it!?
Was it the game they played!?
... Anyway...
Things repeated after that. Him coming to rescue Iruma and trying to get some help from the others. All results in a failure, e.i getting killed.
But in every failed attempt, a silver lining can be seen. He grew more adept in using his spear and being in combat. Making him stronger in the process. He also progresses in becoming an anti-assassin to the likes of Heiber... Though, he can't do anything for resistance to magics. Iruma's the only one among them that can tank it out, but even then it takes a lot out of him to do so.
Shirou also manages to stay awake in one of the loops. But it wasn't much help as they learned that Shirou's ability and stats were brought down to their base.
Where in his world he could cut metal easily, here it would take a few powerful swings before he could even cut it.
It is something that greatly frustrated the three of them at that time. But they adapt and still fight on. But then... Heiber pulled out this black poison thing and killing Iruma and Shirou in four swipes. He was then cut in half... well it felt like he was cut in half.
One thing he notices though is that a Iruma that didn't get at least one of his eyes remove die easily.
It was later explained to him by an Iruma that knows about his situation about those Irumas, adapting to pain and striving through it. Like skills getting stronger under pressure.
And it's true, as he is an example of this. But he's more mental in nature than physical like those Iruma'.
Then he noticed that his temper was starting to act like a bomb. Getting angry in an explosive way. An Iruma, again, explained about the curse series and that he must stay away from it. But that was contradicted by another Iruma who suggest getting it and starts controlling it as it would become a greater asset.
He delved in himself, looking for all the repressed memories of his deaths and defeat.
Anger spread all over him. Awakening the [Spear of Rage] and subsequently, rampaging and killing many in the process.
He looped back in remorse and bowed to not use it again. But he didn't manage to keep that promise as in three constant loops he had used it to fight and try killing Heiber but it still ended up killing many Irumas and Shirous, sometimes even an Itsuki. Resulting in him being sent back again.
It was only when he was advised to only focus this... intent and emotion on a target did he finally got back in mastering it.
He didn't get any result in the first few tries... but when he finally got one.
pwoosh!
Let's just say that he finally knows why those edgy characters are very famous.
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Now back to the present, where Motoyasu had just called out the [Spear of Vengeance] against Heiber.
Curse Miasma... A Reddish Foul Flame-like emits from the entire spear.
Said Spear's form had shifted from regal to a twisted war focus black with angry red highlights.
"!"
Seeing the cursed Spear, Heiber couldn't help but step back in fright. Gulping when he felt the curse.
Motoyasu couldn't help but let out a smirk upon the act. But inside he is straining his very limit in maintaining control over the Spear.
(...36 seconds! I'll finish this once and for all in 35 seconds!)
The [Spear of Vengeance] is... incomplete. Many of its abilities and skills are locked. The reason being the lack of appropriate Spear form that he can derive a skill from to complete a combo to activate a few of the [Spear of Vengeance]'s skills.
He only left with the [Skill: Self Burning Curse] available for him, plus the stats boost.
But it is enough. It is enough to finish Heiber or anyone that doesn't have some Holy Water prepared.
The 30 seconds limit is not an actual limit, it is more like a mental break he installed in himself to avoid getting the side effects of the Curse Series overuse, Apathy, and other things that he can't remember.
"So even the Spear Hero's corrupted..!" He stopped talking when the Spear just soared towards his face, but he luckily duck out of it's way.
"Tsk!"
Motoyasu quickly followed up with a wide horizontal slash!
(Corruption and Demon!)
A title earned by Heroes that awakened the Curse Series. Looks like he is now labeled as one. Not that he didn't see it coming.
(Tsk! Like they know what triggers the Curse!)
The previous Shield Hero was the first known, public, Curse Series user in the entire History, base on the Game's lore back in Iruma's world.
There are still more that Iruma didn't tell, but this much is enough for him to know why this assassin was after Iruma.
They don't want another "Demon" roaming the world.
And if this guy ever gets out this castle alive then Motoyasu would be added to that list!
Just another reason for him to kill this guy!
Slash after slash was evaded but Motoyasu didn't falter and kept attacking. He even lands a solid a few times!
The curse blackening the wounds and weakening Heiber's constitution. But he gritted it up and chant a spell!
"...Faust Flash!"
A very bright light shone on his palm, blinding Motoyasu for a moment!
Heiber then use that to slip and run away!
"Hraah... Ha..."
But he didn't even get that far when a leg trip him down!
"Go for it, Kitamura!" Iruma shouted while he grabs on the assassin's legs!
...12!
"HRAAAH!"
The curse flames surrounding the spear all gathered and condensed at its blade. Swirling, getting darker and more sinister!
...7!
A step... then he disappeared from his spot! Reappearing just behind the two of them!
Eyes red in anger and the light of the moon all add up to make him look like the Shinigami in Iruma's eye!
Both of them, Iruma and Motoyasu, would forever remember the look of horror on Heiber's severed head.
"Haah... Hau... K-Ka...h... Hahaha! HAHAHA!"
CLANG-Clang!
"It's over... it's finally over! HAHAHAHA!"
It had continued for a while, Motoyasu savoring the taste of revenge and temporary freedom from this cycle, then promptly dropping down. The adrenaline in his blood finally gone.
All the while Iruma look at him in sympathy.
"Y-yeah... rest... rest now buddy..."
"You deserve it."