Dragon Fangs, the rightful winner of the underground tournament, should expect the prize they deserved. They were headed to the room the officials had prepared and saw a bag of coins over a table, a rotund man in a tuxedo standing by its side. A wide smile plastered on his greasy face, yet before he presented it to them, a dozen of ruffians barged into the room and surrounded them.
"… Well, let us call this a clash of interest." The pig exclaimed without putting off his friendly mask. "So unfortunately, we cannot hand this to the likes of you."
"Care to tell us the reason?" Eclair frowned.
"Do we need to?"
Suiryu turned towards Nadia and narrowed his eyes. "You didn't sell us, right?"
"I'm dead already if I did that."
Her serious look that belied her playful nature made him reel back slightly in surprise, and so did Eclair. Trusting her, he nodded, scanning the tough-looking brigands that gathered in the room. He didn't want to waste more hour just for beating people, but being a poor negotiator and tactician he was, this left no other choice.
"Alright. I hate to say it, but I want that money."
"Oh, have I stated that this is for you? This is not. Should you insist, we will stop you by force."
"I see. Then I'll just need to screw you up so bad, all of you, that you'll throw to me all your wealth once you hear my name."
Suiryu dashed towards the fat man and delivered a chop right to his face, caving it in. The strike slammed him down with a bone-wrecking crash. His body laid still, his thick blood slopping on the polished marble floor. Suiryu then turned at the mortified gang with disinterested look.
"… Got a problem? Then come at me."
One Punch Man belongs to One.
Rising of The Shield Hero belongs to Aneko Yusagi.
I own neither of them.
| Endless Battle |
"… HAAAH! –UEGH!"
Suiryu knocked a goon's sternum with the back of his hand. Another two came, and he dealt with them by swinging his left leg, swiping them away, crashing them into the wall. To him, they couldn't be called guards at all. They were far weaker than those from Topak Family he fought. If they really wished to overpower this Spear Hero with sheer number, it would be a wasteful way.
He glanced at his companions and smiled. They fought too well that their foes looked pitiable. Eclair alternated between her claymore and a short sword she nicked. Under the dim lighting, her swings and thrusts looked all the more majestic and knightly. Meanwhile Nadia swatted around her bident, frying her enemies with flashy spells in between. She truly was a monster, shrouded in a playful, sultry grace.
More enemies inbound. Suiryu caught sight of a glass door that led to a top floor pavilion. He snatched the coin bag and sent a roundhouse kick to a guy in a heavy armor that guarded it. The man flew threw the door, shattering it.
"Off we go." He said as he walked outside, beckoning at Eclair and Nadia.
They pushed their opponents back and followed him with guarded stride. Eclair punted a bench in her way and Nadia shot a lightning at the ceiling. They barricaded their backs to obstruct their enemy's path with the obstacles, but it still wasn't enough. Suiryu then grabbed a nearby marble sculpture stand with his off-hand.
"Don't leave a hole in the wall unsealed." He threw the stand at the broken door. "Man… This should fetch quite a lot. What a waste."
He shrugged and the bronze artwork followed its stand, flung. It landed on a pursuer's head, knocking him out cold. He threw some big plant pots to pile the barricade. Their enemies could only curse as they tried to burst their way out through the blockade or take another route to catch the troublemakers.
The trio reached the pavilion and found no way downstairs. They looked around the place, but their persistent chasers soon slipped through the holes they finally made, albeit with furious struggle. The barricade really served its purpose to hinder their pursuers, but not for long.
"Are we gonna jump?" Nadia asked, checking the height of the building, seeing a road with moderate traffic below. "It won't be pretty if we fall down. I'm okay myself, but what about you and Little Eclair?"
Leaping down from the fourth floor wasn't a problem for Suiryu. After all, his body could withstand Gouketsu's fiendish hammer of a fist. He even wasn't outright dead from Bakuzan's beating that followed. What troubled him was the presence of armed guys on the road. They seemed to belong to the crooked arena's officials.
"Nah. If we can't go down, let's go forward. Just follow me." Suiryu grabbed and carried Eclair in his arm.
"Eeh?!" Eclair's cheeks reddened.
"Come on!" He leaped forward from the pavilion's railing.
"Oh! Wow!" Nadia followed without any trouble.
They landed on a building's balcony at the other side of the road, apparently an inn. They shook off their pursuers for a moment, but the loud scream of a couple from inside the room alerted the goons that stood guard below, apparently demi-humans with good ears. They quickly ran for the trio, barging in from the entrance and rushed their way up.
"… What are ya people doing here while we're having fun!? Fuck off!"
"G-get away!" The woman threw a pillow at Dragon Fangs.
"Oops. Guess we choose a wrong time. Sorry!" Suiryu checked any ways down as the couple ranted, but the chasers had spotted them, so he chose to go up over the roof. "Oof! I almost slipped…"
"… Um, Lord Suiryu, would you let me go down and run with you?"
"Yeah. And just let me ride you."
Suiryu handed the coin bag to Eclair. "Hold this for me, please. And, Nadia, are you gonna be a slacker?"
"Ah, right." Eclair held the bag in her embrace.
"Hey, what's wrong in being a slacker if it's just a little?"
"… Bastards! Get back here!"
Suiryu cocked his head, finding their enemies had reached the topmost balcony. Some archers they brought even had nocked their arrows. For a moment, he considered to rip off the nearby chimney and hurl it at them. He scratched that idea. There went Nadia, his hot, sparky killer whal– their stunning, radiant lancer.
"If you wanna slack a little, do something to stop those thugs."
"Oh. Okay." Nadia gazed at their incoming foes. "As the source of thy power, I command thee! Heed my call and shock my enemies! Tear and burn them with thy blinding might! [Zweite Thunder Blast]!"
An electric discharge strong enough to blow a tree into smithereens descended upon the pursuers, shaking the entire building. The deafening boom that followed gobbled up their screams as it shattered glasses of nearby buildings. The thunder strike scorched the entire balcony, nearly collapsing it over. Suffice to say the damage might bite a huge chunk from the prize money should they pay for that.
"… Damn. That's an overkill." Suiry stated dryly.
"… Truly. What an unfettered killing." Eclair added.
"Can't be helped. I haven't got the chance to release that kind of magic during the fight." Nadia huffed. "So, are we gonna continue our tag game?"
"It seems so." Suiryu grimaced when he saw enemies have mounted a siege from the surrounding blocks, more and more joined the fray. "Not good. Guess the show isn't over."
Nadia's eyes veered toward the building's roof they stepped over. "Honestly, boss, why don't you pick a room for us and hide for tonight?"
"And expect our doors get some bangs while I bang you? That's not funny."
Eclair stiffened up like a log as her face heated up. It was such an inevitable thing should they really hunker down in a cozy place. She had wasted her days in depravity with him along their travel.
And still never got enough.
"So, what are we gonna do to shake those guys off?" Nadia asked.
"I wish you could drop me, Lord Suiryu."
Suiryu closed his eyes for a moment. He looked at the surroundings, which surprisingly was still bright despite closing to midnight. A building that was under construction in the distance entered his vision. An idea finally popped up. One that might ward off his lingering boredom and revive his obsession.
'Time for old action movies. Guess I'll try this one.'
"Let's shave them out. We'll take that spot as the arena." Suiryu smirked as he pointed at the unfinished edifice.
"A building under construction?" Nadia furrowed her brow. "We fight there?"
"Right. Is it something new to you?"
"Yeah. But…" Nadia's bewilderment waned, shifting into a curious smile. "I cannot help but think you're gonna bust that place. All you need is a single punch and forget those annoying thugs. Smart. I guess that's pretty cool."
"Don't tell me you want to ruin it?" Eclair's eyes widened.
"Oh, no. I'm not that brutal. Think of it like a hide-and-seek." His smirk stretched wider. "Let's take it slowly and play like a coward."
"… Where are they?! Find them!"
A guy with wolf ears sniffed, then sneered. "It's close. Those rats are nesting upstairs, two floors over."
"Good. Let's bring their heads back and take the prize! Move! Move!"
As the echo of footsteps and ruckus filled the air, Dragon Fangs stayed in wait. They didn't set any traps and had no plans in store, either. They would make use of their surroundings to the best of their ability. Should the situation turn hairy, they would bail out. Dragon in name, but serpent in conduct, simple as that.
"So, boss, what do we have here?" Nadia wondered aloud, propping herself up above a stack of limestone grain sacks.
"Everything, I think. What matters most is your creativity." Suiryu replied, checking on his stats.
Eclair tossed a rag she just used to clean her claymore. She still questioned the true reason Suiryu went through the trouble of beating their chasers, but she said nothing. She relented to the thought that people from another world had more complicated logic. And she had no way to understand that. Besides, he always brought victory, fortune, excitement and many more. She had no right to protest.
"Hmm, they're quite the noisy bunch, huh?"
"Now, do you finally understand the meaning of picking the wrong guy, boss?"
"I do. But I can still show them who's the boss, right?"
"Oh, you're confident enough that you'll win this, I see. I mean, are you sure you can get out of this without drawing in any more trouble?"
"I think."
Eclair frowned. Nadia's response sounded like she was on their enemy's side. It was still in the realm of possibility that the orca was secretly in cohort with the arena owners. Eclair still couldn't trust her even though they had shared the taste of Spear Hero and spent their time together. She was their enemy he once defeated, after all. She might have stored a personal grudge. Should that wench reveal herself as a turncoat, she vowed to ram her blade into that killer whale's chest.
"… Backstabber." Eclair muttered under her breath.
"What is it, Eclair?" Suiryu tilted his head.
"Ah, pay no heed of it. I just think that those traitorous, greedy people will receive their due punishment for what they had done to us. Let us spill their blood over this ground so that the earth may return our offering with bountiful reward."
'… Damn. Why does she sound like a creepy cult leader out of a horror movie?' Suiryu got a gobsmacked look.
"Now, now, Little Eclair, you don't need to be so hard on those guys. Who knows, some of them can be your acquaintances from Drunken Falcon."
"Drunken Falcon…?"
"That's right." Suiryu threw a glance at the staircase to that room. "They come."
"[First Light]!"
A bright flare flashed the entirety of the room, nearly blinding them. Loud footsteps followed as sounds of drawn weapons echoed throughout the room. The Dragon Fangs' merry guests finally arrived.
"Here they are!"
"Kill them!"
"Loose your arrows!"
"Fire your spells at will!"
"Try if you can!"
Suiryu kicked the limestone sacks at the goons. They hit and burst into white powder, disarraying their rank. The fore fighters fell into coughing fit as the dust cloud blocked the vision of those in the back. Their miserable state lasted long enough for Dragon Fangs to charge at them with total leisure, picking them one by one.
"Agh! Bastard! They play dirty! I'll– UBGH!"
A leather boot kissed one's cheek.
"Ahh! Ahh! My eyes! I can't– AKHHH!"
A sword pommel hit other's side.
"Wh-where are they?! Damn i–! ABWABWABWA!"
And a thunderbolt shocked some few more.
"Damn youuuu…!"
"I'll kill you! Let me help, brother!"
Two guys, one wielding a pair of jians while the other held a bladed three-sectioned staff, ran out from the dust and swung down their weapons. Suiryu pulled out his halberd and blocked the blow. One of his attackers had a wide gap in his stance, a swiping kick was all the champ needed to topple him to the ground.
"Brother, NO!"
Suiryu stepped on his chest, suffocating him. His enraged brother swung his bladed three-sectioned staff but it bounced over the halberd's shaft with a clang. Suiryu flicked the wielder's forehead in return, putting a dent to his skull. He fell, losing consciousness as his weapon clattered on the floor.
"A bo staff with spearhead? That's new." Suiryu remarked as he picked the staff, leaving behind the foaming swordsman and his sibling on the spot. "Huh, it actually is a spear?"
Wicked Stinger acquired!
Wicked Stinger
Type: Trick Polearm, Short Spear
Rarity: Very Rare (*3)
Level Requirement: 24
Stats:
Attack: +35 | Magic: +10 | Physical Resistance: +28 | Magical Resistance: +8 | Speed: +26
A special trick weapon that combines a three-sectioned staff and a short spear. It has a retraction feature that allows it to be partially wielded like a flail. A rather ingenious creation that maximizes the potential of a spearman and a martial artist.
"This smacks! I'll use this!"
He stretched the shaft of his transformed spear to extend it and threw the original one, hitting a blinded fighter. Testing it with some swings, his nimble arms brought the chained staffs through the air, fanning away the dust cloud. He glanced at his party members as the dust dispersed. They were doing just fine, mowing down enemies without trouble.
He reentered the fray. His new weapon found its first bite on a guy wielding a pair of hatchets, throwing him several steps away. The weapon could easily inflict a grave blunt impact wound with a single blow. The injury was so worse that the victim was too shocked to scream.
"Akh… ugh…"
The man convulsed violently while holding his broken ribs. His breathing was hitched as he gurgled blood through his throat. His spasm settled before long, the gleam in his eyes fading.
Suiryu sent a pitying gaze at the fallen man. For a second, a sense of guilt washed over him. He sighed, releasing the bad feeling over it. He was prepared since a long time ago for this. The power he held one day would serve him for this bloody path.
"… Nothing's personal, okay?"
As soon as he muttered that, a crossbow bolt passed by his cheek. He spun his spear at his side, breaking the pair that flew after. He swung Wicked Stinger at a nearby concrete pillar, it's spearhead gouging some crushed chunks, flinging them at the shooter. A hoarse scream signed a direct hit.
"Die, youuuuu! –ABUGHH!"
Throwing his outstretched arm backwards, he stopped a charging enemy. His halfhearted strike spun the poor guy backward. The back of his head met the floor first, incapacitating him instantly.
More enemies came. He looked at them with boredom, realizing his childish attempt to imitate the action movies he watched chew him with regret.
As Suiryu beat another group that rushed in, Eclair finally engaged some fighters who could heat her blood up, all women with uniquely customized battle gears. One wielded a pair of hook swords, the other got a chained steel mace, the last one had two spiked knuckles. They fought with a degree of excellent skill. Added with their nifty teamwork, they put her in a trouble.
"You're quite agile, we admit, but can you keep up with this?" The one in a lightly armored maid outfit, wielder of hook swords, taunted. "Daria!"
"Um." The girl in a nun's habit swung her mace at Eclair from behind.
"Ugh!" Eclair raised her claymore and parried the blow with the blade's flat side, but the nun threw her chain, tangling her claymore.
"Hey, forget something, granny?"
The last of the all-girl party, the one in a brawler's outfit with a mage hat, threw a roundhouse kick. The strike missed Eclair's face an inch, but it was enough to cripple her bearing. She followed her strike with two jabs, putting Eclair in a strenuous defensive stance.
The maid and nun took the opening to launch their assault. Eclair managed to sway back, avoiding the mace, but the bound of her claymore delayed her escape. The maid's hook blade bit her left thigh, opening a shallow gash. She gritted her teeth as the girls cornered her.
"Wow, nice hit, Caitlin!" The mage-brawler cheered, raising her fist.
"God bless you." The nun muttered solemnly, holding her mace while yanking her chain.
"It's not over yet, you know! She's still kicking!"
"Khh! Wretched!"
As Eclair gazed at the youths in impatience, she noticed a lantern that hung beside her on a pillar. She glanced at it, then at the maid's dress. She recalled one kitchen accident that involved her servant. Her lips bent into a mischievous smile as her thought bore a nasty idea.
"Creativity… I see. So this is what he meant."
The first to notice the malicious shift was the nun. She tensed up her guard as her friends turned at her in confusion.
"Daria?"
"She works with the devil. Beware!"
"Too late!"
Eclair snatched the lantern and threw it at the maid. With a swing of her sword, she smashed it, hurling the flame and oil at the sword-wielder. The flimsy frills of her dress caught fire, the splotching fuel making it even worse. She danced in flame as her friends were stupefied in horror.
"Kyaaaahhh! Hot! Hot!"
"C-Caitlin! I won't let purgatory claim you– UGGHHH!"
Eclair drop-kicked the nun's back, leaving the maid in a blazing uniform running like a headless chicken. The strike that felled the nun awakened the mage-brawler from her stupor.
"… Y-you! As thy source of power, I command thee! Shroud my fists with flame! [Zweite Fire Fists]! Yaaah!"
She charged at Eclair, opening her wrathful attack with a fiery punch. Eclair parried it with her blade, and so with the blows that hailed after. With enshrouding flame, they were immense in strength, but not enough to break her stance. Once the former knight found an opening, she rushed forward and thrust the hilt's bottom of her claymore.
"Ugyuh…!"
"Huh?"
Her strike never landed, however, for a flying figure suddenly slammed her opponent from the flank. The mage-brawler crashed to a pillar and fainted. The one that stood on her place now was Nadia instead, rubbing her rear.
"Ow. My butt hurts. I wonder who got the honor to kiss it just now."
"… Nadia?"
"Oh, hey Little Eclair! What's up?" The orca turned at her with a bright smile.
"You were flung? J-just who did you fight?"
"That grumpy cat." Nadia pointed at the direction she came.
As soon as she lifted her finger, the concrete floor near their feet got a tiny crater, followed by a zinging sound. The chipping repeated several times more in a rapid succession, prompting them to retreat. They turned at the assailant. There, a woman holding a rolled whip in her hand, stood.
"I never thought you'll hold back so much here, Nadia. Still, this will be a good chance to bring you down for good."
"What are you talking about, uh, Estelle is it? Have a beef just because I beat you in the arena? It's a long time ago."
The woman's answer came as a furious lash. The bladed tip of her whip bolted through the dusty air, aiming for Nadia. The orca raised her bident, deflecting the impact. Her foe reeled her whip and lashed it again, its tip coiling around the bident's shaft, locking Nadia in place.
"Ow, snap it! I don't really get it! Of all time, why is it now? You can see me again and ask for a rematch."
"That might be true. But I come here to kill you." The whip master sneered.
"Oh?"
Eclair's face scrunched up in bafflement at Nadia's nonchalant response. She still didn't trust the sparky orca, but somehow, she couldn't ignore such a problem. Her knightly attitude wouldn't let her stay idly before a comrade in trouble, even though she knew the person were someone she hated. Besides, this woman had also made a pact with her savior. She deserved a help despite the dislike she harbored.
"Would you like me to lend an assistance?"
"Nah, I'm cool. But thanks." Nadia smiled, appreciating Eclair's sincerity. "And… Shouldn't you mind your wound? It's still bleeding"
"Ah…"
Despite earning a refusal, Eclair didn't feel offended. A sense of relief filled her, instead. She might have overthought the bad impression she got from her new companion. The lancer orca probably wasn't a bad person like she imagined. She was just whimsical and irksome, no ill intention.
Estelle clicked her tongue. "Enough with your repulsive chitchat? Now just let us get this over with."
"Err… I don't think so."
"What do you mean by that?"
Eclair widened her eyes when two figures burst out from the dust. They battled on an almost equal ground, their combat prowess a cut above the rest. One was handling linked sticks, the other had a broadsword. When one thrust, the other parried. One attacked, the other defended. Their clashing weapons played a song for the battleground, sparks bursting around them. She finally took notice of one of them. A look of excitement graced his face.
"… Lord Suiryu?"
"Haha! You're good!" Suiryu locked his foe's blade between the sticks.
"You, too!" The blond man smirked, yanking his sword from the lock.
"Haah!" "Hmph!"
Their kicks met in the air, shin against shin, blasting a gust that rattled the floor. They unleashed their next kick and their soles clapped, blowing them away. Suiryu used that moment of weightlessness to make a spinning wheel strike as his foe landed and dashed for him. He brought down Wicked Stinger as the stranger sent a skyward slash. Their weapons clashed, sending another explosive wind.
"Ugh…!" The stranger withstood the blow, the floor beneath his feet cracking and caving in.
Concrete pebbles and dust rained down from the ceiling. The men didn't seem to mind the damage they would cause. The battle had absorbed them, caging them in a realm that nearly severed them from reality.
"Outta the way!" Suiryu rammed a party of mercenaries with a body slam.
They spun and fell like a row of pinball pins, their screams replacing the echoing clatters. As they tumbled on the floor, they put on terrified looks at the men. Those two were duking it out with little care for their surroundings. More pillars were ruined and more men crumpled to the ground as the battle raged on. The chasers at that point began scampering away.
The two men before long dragged their combat to the spot where the ladies were. Eclair and Nadia wordlessly agreed to clear the stage. The change of plan was sudden, but they had learned from their time in the arena that he would always dominate the battlefield once he picked an opponent worthy of his time.
And this stranger was no ordinary foe. He could almost keep up with Suiryu's ridiculous moves, blocking and hacking them at an eye-watering rate.
"I… I barely see them! No! I can't see them! They're too fast!"
"Oops. Keep that thought for yourself. The boss comes here. You better get out of his way." Nadia implored, surprisingly close to the whipper's ears.
"Huh?"
Eclair slugged a punch into Estelle's stomach. Nadia added the blow with a roundhouse kick to her face. The strike brought her down with cruel ease, knocking her out frigidly.
"Such a sight could distract her from a battle her fate depends upon? What a glaring weakness she has." Eclair commented. "Did she turn mad because you defeated her this way?"
"Pretty much." Nadia nodded, uncoiling the tight whip from her bident's shaft. "Well, that time, a ruckus at the bleacher distracted her. Turned out, her boyfriend brawled with a drunk gambler. It didn't end well for the both of them. I smacked her and her guy got beaten into a pulp by some tough men. Not long after, I heard they broke up."
"… What a tragic tale." Eclair shot a pitying look at Estelle.
"That's life."
The ladies fell back, letting their man claim the arena. They stood a distance away as the gale of the fight blew more dust.
Suiryu arrived with a rotating stomp. His foe dodged it with a wide sidestep, raising his arm to block a kick. The stranger swung his sword horizontally and Suiryu parried it with a wave of his weapon. Wicked Stinger didn't budge from the slash as the blade gnawed its shaft. With a push, Suiryu repelled the sword and loosed another blow.
The blond stepped back and turned around, unleashing a kick with his longest reach. That turned out as a mistake since Suiryu grabbed his ankle and pulled it before it hit.
Following the counter, Suiryu threw the swordsman upwards to the ceiling. He jumped and reared his arm, loading his move as his lips curling into unmerciful smile.
冥躰鳳昇拳
"[Void Phoenix Ascension Fist]!"
"Uwoooh!"
The swordsman managed to tilt his body in time, evading the brunt, but its blast grazed him, the pain biting him. A vacuum the punch released sucked him upwards, lifting him to the upper floor, altogether with the rubles. Through his flickering eyes, he saw the vicious fighter appear before him.
"I'm not done yet!"
Suiryu turned around mid air and threw a kick at the man. He raised his broadsword to defend the incoming strike, but it was futile. His sword bent and shattered upon contact. Suiryu's foot went through and pounded him with the might of a charging mindless beast.
"Oof! UWAAAAHHH!"
A sonic boom appeared when Suiryu's sole shoved his chest. It launched him off of fourth floor. He sailed in the air under the starry sky.
Surprisingly, he escaped with no grave injury, but he could feel that kick was Suiryu's condescending parting gift. As he glided away, he caught sight of the black-haired man's smug smirk.
"… Damn it! I forgot asking his name…!" The blond stranger muttered under his breath as he began to fall, regret welling over him at the abrupt end of their exhilarating bout.
Meanwhile, Suiryu leaped back into the hole he made as soon as the stranger disappeared in the distance. The clock over his display showed him that an hour had just passed after midnight. The battle had worn his enemies down, signs of their presence going thinner. It appeared that his battle with the stranger had deterred them from attempting any raids.
To his surprise, he couldn't find the girls on the third floor. He looked around the place, but none could he find save the maimed fighters. He dashed worriedly to the second floor. Fortunately, he saw them, confronting two girls. One was a pink-skinned female oni, the other was a female hobgoblin. He almost couldn't fathom the sight. Those phantasmal races did exist.
And those non-human women were quite the beauties, the manner of their garments accentuating their voluptuous figures. Not to mention that they seemed to be quite skilled in combat. Their tough built and rather uncommon choice of weapons spoke so.
"Where's Peter?" The oni glared, assuming a stance with her blood red halberd raised high.
"I told you, I don't know this Peter guy." Nadia frowned.
"He's our precious family! How dare you kill him!" The hobgoblin bared he fangs, her spear pointed at Eclair.
"We did not know whether we killed him or not. Thus before you accuse us, please do take a look at those people we defeated upstairs." Eclair calmly responded.
Suiryu didn't want his companions sink into this mess. He got a hunch that the guy they were looking for was the blond he just flung away. He decided to follow that hunch, stepping in while donning a serious look. Were his conjecture wrong, he could still run while carrying the ladies.
"If this person you're searching for is a hella cool blond swordsman, I just kicked him from the fourth floor."
"Come again?!" "What?!"
"I fought him. He's really tough. There's no way he can die."
The hobgoblin had a pensive look as she averted her gaze to the floor. After a moment of pondering, she gazed at Suiryu, giving a determined look.
"I see. If that's what you say, I just need to find him somewhere else. Where did you kick him to?"
"East. I think he fell five blocks from here."
"Very well. Then I'll head there." The hobgoblin nodded and turned her heel.
"Hey, Gobuko! Are you going to trust him just like that?!" The oni stepped in front of the hobgoblin, her face full of objection.
"I can sense where Peter is, somewhat. He's not here anymore. We need to track him. Let's go, Lisa."
"Hey, wait! Ahh… Geez!" The oni turned around and gave one last look. "We will take our leave. But know that we will hound you should you speak a lie."
"We know that." Suiryu crossed his arms.
The oni tailed the hobgoblin, leaving Suiryu's group. Their chatter grew fainter as they trudged over the dusty floor. They jumped when they reached the edge.
The champ sighed, turning at the girls. They still looked fit, but any more skirmish might wear them down, especially Eclair. The cloth that wrapped her wound was an evidence of how unpredictable a battlefield was. Skillful fighters could still die despite how much effort they have put to avoid the reaper's scythe.
"Well, let's go back. I wanna catch some rest."
"Okay." Nadia nodded.
"Understood." Eclair complied.
Before Eclair took a step, Suiryu lifted her onto his back. He let her legs settle over his hips, shifting her quickly and giving her the most comfortable ride.
"L-lord Suiryu?! You don't need to–!"
"You got a bleeding, see? Don't push yourself too hard."
"I… I am sorry."
They left the building and trekked their way home, taking a little caution in choosing their route. As they walked, Nadia pursed her lips sulkily at them.
"You really are too sensitive, huh?"
"What do you mean?"
"For a guy like you, you're just too considerate. I bet you're the type who won't leave a sick kitten at a roadside."
"Well, thanks for the compliment. It's just my own way to express my concern. Isn't it heartless if I leave her walk?" Suiryu shrugged his shoulders.
"… Lord Suiryu."
"I see. Then you just keep me cause this body is to your fancy." Nadia teased, closing her eye. "Do you want to try me in my true form?"
"I pass. I'll consider that when I feel like it, which is almost impossible. And it's mainly because it's better to keep you. No particular reason. I think Eclair has a better answer."
Eclair hummed in slight discomfort, recalling all those idle talks after she got drunk. Her muddled mind that time was just curious and wanted to see until how far this orca could go. Turned out, she was more helpful than she thought. And she was strong. She hadn't disclosed Nadia's origin and their deal to him yet. However, telling the main reason probably was not too much.
"Beside the fact that you still have a debt, the reason we keep you is because we need your help. You are a very skillful fighter. It would truly be a wasteful conduct if we just left you to your doom."
"Oh… How so very kind of you! I'm touched!" Nadia pretended to rub a tear from her eye. "Still, is that the only answer?"
"I believe satisfying Lord Suiryu's need as a man is my duty as well. And I am quite confident in my capability, too. But, do take no offense, Lord Suiryu."
"I won't." Suiryu replied, his soft smile twitching.
"… It appears that two is better than one. And as far as I see it fit, it brings a mutual pleasure. I am grateful for your assistance."
'Don't make me look like a lecherous beast, Eclair!' Suiryu mentally protested.
"Hmm, so it's simply cause you can't handle his overpowering carnal drive?" Nadia stared in scrutiny at Suiryu. "Why do I think it's not the real problem?"
Suiryu sighed. "Honestly, I don't really care about the reason. As long as I can enjoy my life and make my day fun, I'll go for it. And… Didn't you say you also want to have fun?"
"Eh, you're not wrong." Nadia bashfully scratched her cheek.
"Then the problem?"
"She is just jealous because you seem to dote me." Eclair answered.
He gazed at the sparky orca with ridiculing face. "Don't be like a kid. She got wounded more often than you did. Be considerate, please."
"I really am frail, but you need not to say so, Lord Suiryu." Eclair gave a wry smile.
"Ah, yeah. Sorry. I mean, I simply cannot leave you when you get injured."
"Aww… Then next time I fight, I'll slack so that I'll get hurt." Nadia smirked.
"My ineptitude aside, judging from your fighting style, your foe will be killed before you would." Eclair quipped. "Yes. Killed by your natural talent in fighting and drinking. And should they fall for your lustful charm, Lord Suiryu would beat them. Let us say you have zero chance to get injured."
"Now that hurts my feelings." Nadia pressed her clenched hand to her ample chest. "Switch with me, Little Eclair! My heart is wounded!"
"I refuse."
Suiryu reached for Nadia and patted her head. Taken by surprise, she let out a faint gasp, but she enjoyed the affectionate pat. She turned her gaze away, her cheeks flushed red.
"There. Can this heal you?" Suiryu asked.
"Uhm…"
Their warm chat went on along the quiet road. Upon reaching a junction, they saw an odd building over a wide yard. Some wooden pillars supported its roof, but it looked quite sturdy. No soul was on that ground, but it appeared that it was some sort of public facility, signs of frequent visit were here and there. Curious, Suiryu led his party to have a better look.
"What's this place?"
"It's the temple that houses Dragon Hourglass?"
"Dragon Hourglass Temple?" Suiryu knitted his brow.
"Yep. It's dead quiet now, but it's a popular haunt for the townsfolk at daylight. Not much we can see here, and there's nothing really valuable, so it doesn't need any guard." Nadia explained.
"Even if there is the Dragon Hourglass itself?" Eclair asked.
"And who in the sane mind can steal that damn huge thing?" Nadia guided them, passing the front yard and into the front of a dimly lit pedestal.
"Well, I guess a mad guy will get his sanity back after seeing this. This piece of art is no joke."
"Only in legends, but sure, you got a sharp eye for an amateur in appraisal."
The magnificent hourglass worked magically, accompanied by a silent darkness at every corner of its grand post. It was a quite eerie sight, but Suiryu stared at it in wonder. As he gazed at the sand that flowed down, his spear shook a little and shot a blue beam at the hourglass.
"H-hey!"
00:10:20:05 before the Wave strikes.
You have roughly 10 hours 'fore it sends you and those around you to oblivion. What will you do?
"Oh, now this is a bad news." Suiryu exclaimed, ignoring the spiteful part of the message.
"What's up, boss? Did you get any info about the incoming Wave?" She squinted her eyes when her vision also earned a new ticking time display. "Oh, dear. This is not nice."
"What a grave tiding. I am afraid that we will face it unprepared." Eclair put on a grim look at the hanging display before her.
"So this is going to be my first major battle, huh?" He turned at Eclair. "Eclair, can you tell me the general situation when a Wave strikes?"
"I will tell you, but let us head back to the inn, first."
"Thanks for your patronage and have a nice day, Ryu!" The innkeeper guy who doubled as a cook waved at Suiryu.
Walking out from the inn, the Spear Hero carried a tray. He ordered some thick slabs of beef sandwiches for their lunch.
Eclair and Nadia smiled at him as they waited outside. The team looked fresh and well-rested, surprisingly prepared despite the distressing news they received last night.
If one asks the innkeeper about what happened that night, he heard no sound from the Spear Hero's room when he passed by. One could assume that Suiryu and the girls wisely chose to take a proper rest.
Though no one could be sure about the time after they woke up, right before breakfast. They looked quite cheerful and in high spirits, after all.
"Honestly, boss, I wonder where you get that confidence." Nadia wondered aloud, walking by his left side.
"Call it a champ's attitude. I never lost except that one time. Actually I must count it as twice at a time."
"Twice at a time? Is it something like your opponent pwned you so bad in a match?"
"You can sum it that way."
The atmosphere grew a bit heavy as his smile faltered. The tempting aroma of the beef sandwiches he carried probably was the last line that kept his look from falling into a frown. Eclair wished to ask, thus she tried her best to weave her words.
"It amazes me that you rose victoriously, Lord Suiryu. But if you are fine, would you like to tell us who this opponent of yours was? At least we can learn from your story."
Suiryu's smile returned as he gazed softly at Eclair like a father looking at his daughter. "Of course it's fine. You don't need to be that scared. It's not something that crushes my pride. I also learn so many things from it."
"I see. Then…"
"I fought a hero. I lost."
"A hero?" Eclair blinked.
"Hero? Hero, like you?" Nadia cocked her head.
"No. He's different. He fought with his honest fists. I didn't stand a chance. If he really went serious, I can't imagine how it ended." He gazed at the morning blue sky.
The girls stared at him in astonishment. It was the first time they saw he make such a face. Longing, admiration and a trace of regret blended on his countenance. They surmised that the fight scratched a deep meaning in him. Something that must have changed something in him.
"Well, long story short, I lost to him. Then some monsters barged into the match we participated. He went somewhere else and those monsters beat the hell outta me. When he returned, he slew those monsters like they're something to sneeze at. And I kicked the bucket not long after that. Then I found myself in the summoning room."
An awkward pause hung over them. Both women didn't really know how to respond his bleak story. They shifted their gaze about, trying to grasp any idea they could think of, but he parted his lips before they could find any.
"Still, that guy's crazy strong. He's saved me though I ended up dead. If one day I can go back to my world and see him again, I'll thank him. Well, dead man has no wish. Hahaha…"
His mirthful chuckle severely denied what he said. It put the ladies in a mild fear for how off it seemed.
Nadia finally let out a breath. "… Boss. That's pretty heavy. Do you know how people in the bar will react to this kind of story?"
"We're not in a bar. We're going to war. I guess it suits the mood."
"Are you joking?"
Eclair realized that it was her who made him spill his story. She didn't know that he would regal them with such a gruesome tale. Her curiosity brought her nothing but regret.
"I think this is my fault. How unbecoming of me to ask such a hard matter. Even if we are marching toward the battlefield, this is not the right time to probe into your past. I truly beg your forgiveness, Lord Suiryu. Punishment should come later."
"O, ow. No, it's alright, Eclair!" Suiryu waved his hand. "Don't take it too serious. I just want to share it, and I know you are good listeners."
"Then you've got what you want, huh, Little Eclair?"
"I believe so." She said, still in suppressed tone.
"And what did you get?"
They reached a stone bridge that passed over a creek. It was a secluded area in the capital. It was deserted with abandoned buildings stood at both roadsides. However, it was not a place where any bandits might lurk, oddly. It was a simply remote part of the town, left pristine for whatever reason people could think of. Judging from the location, this could be a failed commercial district.
"I am not sure, but…"
"Let's leave that heavy talk for later. Or well, just forget that. We'll take a lunch by the creek." Suiryu pointed at a damp grassy ground near the bridge.
"I'm not sure whether we're going for battle or taking a stroll." Nadia exclaimed.
"Either way is fine."
They sat by the creek and began their lunch. Suiryu took one with black pepper garnish. Nadia picked another that had thick tomato slices. Eclair timidly had her special with thin cheese. They started with small bites, savoring the taste. Their eyes widened as the greasy meat and crunchy vegetables stung their taste buds with various flavors. They spent the rest of their course with big chomps. By the time they finished their lunch, they just realized that the satisfaction nearly silenced them.
"… Wow! That's a tasty grub! I never thought that guy can whip out something this good."
"True. This is such an exquisite dish despite how simple it is."
'Right. Says the one who nearly killed her maid every time she entered the kitchen.' Suiryu mentally noted, keeping his good smile afloat.
"I'm not wrong having him make our lunch."
They gazed at the clear morning sky in silence. A mild breeze blew past the waterway before them, caressing the grass gently. The Calamity Wave clock kept on ticking over their sight, but it didn't bother them from enjoying this wink of respite before a battle.
"So, what are we going to do now?" Nadia glanced at her bident that rested beside her.
"What to do now?" Suiryu cocked his head, offhandedly storing the rest of the meal into his spear's inventory. "I'm no strategist, so obviously I never have any plans in mind."
"You'll gonna thrash out those monsters once you see them?"
"You guessed. Still, if it's going to be like what Eclair said last night, I'll need you to watch my back. Think something like what we did in the arena."
"Okay. I guess that'll work."
"The predictability of a Wave is painfully low. We could not overpower the surging monsters with battle formation alone. The legend also mentions but a measly note regarding the nature of those abominations. We cannot depend on our power in store." Eclair explained, her face growing sullen.
"That sounds terribly hopeless. So, don't be like that! Cheer up, Little Eclair! We have boss over here!" Nadia smiled encouragingly, patting Suiryu's shoulder.
"Oh, that is true. Hence those desperate betrayers summoned you." The pink-haired knight turned at Suiryu, her face brightening. "Ah, how foolish of me!"
Suiryu hung his jaw in exasperation, then sighed. "Ow, seriously? You're just overestimating me. What I'm gonna do if I fail?"
"Run back to Zeltoble, maybe? You ran here cause you got into some trouble in your summoner's country, right?"
"Ugh…" Suiryu scratched his cheek, smiling wryly. "It's better if you don't remind us to that."
"Is your summoner really that troublesome? My condolences." Nadia smiled playfully.
00:00:00:32
"Save that sorry for those who'll face tough time in this Wave." Suiryu exclaimed, standing and checking his status windows for the last time. "It's time. Let's go."
Several seconds passed. Their bodies glowed a golden tint, and soon, they vanished.
To the place where the Wave struck.
The sky was dirty red, blue swirling spots marring it. Through those holes, countless black dots descended onto the earth. They took several forms of hideous creatures. Some assumed the shape of plague and death's messenger, undeads. Others flew and flocked the land to ravage the grains – locusts, bringer of famine. Whatever prosperity the land kept, they would utterly vanish before this disaster, snuffing out lives.
Thus came the heroes. The beckon of people's hope appeared with a golden flash, as wondrous as the Wave they would vanquish.
But it was apparent that they were not in the best of state to fight as allies, their reunion stained with discord. The Sword Hero scornfully looked down on the Spear and Shield Heroes. The Bow Hero showed a vicious contempt at those two. On the other side, the Shield Hero regarded the swordsman and archer with annoyance and slight hostility. Only the Spear Hero, who chose to ignore those who earned privilege from the kingdom, stood with apathetic confidence.
To worsen the hatred they harbored, they clashed on the idea in dealing with the Wave. The kingdom's stooges would chase after the chimera that appeared as their prey without minding the village that was under attack. The Shield Hero, on the other side, had a sane mind, prioritizing the villagers' safety.
Hunting for a kill wasn't Suiryu's top priority. He wasn't in a match. And he was never a gamer. There were people screaming for help out there. Allowing them to die would mean he rejected being a hero he wished to become. Thus he chose to aid his brother in arm.
"… I'm tired with this charade about that game-like concept. You can go chase that boss thing and have your time. I'll just go to that village and help Naofumi-kun." Suiryu stated.
"… Aniki."
"Fine. We don't need any more dead weight." Ren huffed.
"You're a dead man, after all. You can go to hell for all I care." Itsuki spat venomously.
"That is true, Lord Itsuki. And remember that the grave sin you have committed will seal your fate." Myne Sophia, the deceitful whore of a princess, added, pressing her barren chest to Itsuki's arm. "Let us take our leave."
With that, the bands of heroes parted ways. Ren Amaki and Itsuki Kawasumi ran after the biggest game. Naofumi Iwatani and Suiryu rushed to the village at the forest's edge. More monsters rained down as they made their way through the thicket.
"I'm glad you come with me, Aniki."
There was an off-putting air in Naofumi's tone, but Suiryu didn't have time to think about of it. He ran after the Shield Hero's lead, followed by his stunning demi-human retainer. Her cute appearance quite intrigued Suiryu, but should he be honest, he wasn't interested. Somehow, he felt that the girl with raccoon features wasn't as old as she looked. It was unnaturally off, but he chose to ignore that.
"Uh-uh. But is that all you want to say? I think you have many things in mind. Like… Why am I still kicking?"
"Err… I guess that counts, but…" Naofumi tilted his head over his shoulder, stealing a glance at the beauties the Spear Hero brought along.
Naofumi made a stop as he spotted a horde of undeads that blocked the road. They got some moment to talk and he also needed to know who the ladies around Suiryu were.
"Hmm, what? Oh, I haven't introduced my beloved companions to you, right?" Suiryu caught his intention.
"Eclair Saeotto. I serve as Lord Suiryu's vassal. A pleasure to meet you, Lord Shield Hero."
"… Saeotto?" The girl muttered.
"Nadia. Just a merc who stumbled on boss while I was on a job. Nice to meet ya, Little Naofumi. And you, too." Nadia winked at Naofumi and the girl.
"O-oh. The same goes to me. U-um, have I ever seen you before, somewhere?" Naofumi's companion regarded Nadia in confusion.
"Hmm?" Nadia cocked her head, regarding the girl with a slim sense of recognition.
lass
"Well, I think your introduction should wait later, young lass." Suiryu interjected, swapping his spear with a steel halberd.
Rows of skeleton army marched in their way. Shifting his grip to the base of his weapon, Suiryu bolted forth and swung his halberd, decimating them. Seeing the undeads wall was still thick, he switched his halberd with a steel pike, providing a more devastating reach. With a single bash, the rank of undead soldiers turned into a pile of crushed bones and rotten flesh.
Refusing to stay idle, Eclair and Nadia joined the onslaught. No magic was needed. Their relatively large weapons acted more like clubs for bashing undeads, both small and big. In less than half a minute, they cleared their path into the village.
"Whew. So many bonks." Nadia exclaimed, waving her lustrous black hair.
"I-incredible… So this is the strength of the Spear Hero and his companions."
"Don't let it get into you. There are still plenty to cut down." Naofumi implored, pointing at the giant locusts and large killer wasps that swarmed the village.
"R-right!" She unsheathed her sword and jumped into action.
They made haste and entered the village's broken gate. Its location wasn't that far from the castle, but they saw no sign of the knight order yet. Without minding too much about a reinforcement, they proceeded deeper into the village while cutting down insects left and right.
"Let us use the square as our point of direction!" Eclair instructed, slashing an undead.
"Roger that." Suiryu tackled another and stomped its head, his glaive effortlessly cleaving a hornet. "You alright?"
"O-oh, a hero!"
"…Heroes!"
"We're saved!"
"Ghh! [Shield Prison]" Naofumi dashed in front of a charging undead, shoving his shield while encasing a villager with a shield ball, protecting her from a swarm of hornets. "Leave the fighting to us! Get into safety!"
The villagers heeded his warning and began scrambling away. With blades drawn, Naofumi's companion and Eclair opened a retreat path for them, cutting down hornets and locusts.
"Impressive! You are so strong, Miss Eclair! The way you wield that large blade is amazing!" The raccoon girl complimented, cutting two hornets with sideways slash.
Eclair swung her claymore, chopping down three undeads in a single lop. "Well, thank you. However, this began due some circumstances. But once I found it to be convenient, I love it and keep using it. That is the way of sword. And I see you have a potential. Just keep practicing it and you will master your sword."
"Ah, uhm!" The girl beamed, cutting more enemies with renewed vigor.
"For now, let us keep our distance close to Lord Shield Hero. Leave those that out of our reach to the Spear Hero and Nadia."
"Unders– H-huh?!" The raccoon girl stammered.
Suiryu was in the air when she saw him. He rushed his descent with a stomp, bounding to a big, armored undead, flattening it. As its rotten flesh exploded, the ground shook violently upon impact, unleashing a soil wave that toppled lesser undeads. The earth tsunami roiled and swallowed 30 enemies in a single surge.
The ground wave advanced towards Nadia. She leaped over it and landed on the crater Suiryu made. Exchanging nods, they held hands and he rotated her around fast. He threw her at a horde of hornets. She wheezed through the monsters with a blue lightning trail. The moment she skidded over the ground at the end of the plaageza, the insects were either scorched or fell down in pieces.
"… Aniki." Naofumi stared at Suiryu with wide eyes.
"That is the way Lord Suiryu fights. He slays monsters with unparalleled ease. He possesses such an outstanding martial prowess despite always saying that he never has any plan."
"I guess you can understand it if you're strong." Naofumi swung his shield at an undead, letting his companion hack it down. "Raphtalia, can you lead the villagers to evacuate to the old mine?"
"Ah, now that the path is clear, I think I can do it."
"Thank you. I'll leave it to you."
"It would be wise if we escort Miss Raphtalia. Lord Suiryu and Nadia can handle the rest of the monsters." Eclair suggested, seeing her hero decimate the stragglers like a war fiend.
"Understood."
They began gathering the scattered villagers and guarded their way to the old mine. As they attempted their evacuation, the wave of enemies grew much thinner. It was a good sign, but reassurance was still far. The blue spots in the rusty red sky were still swirling. Unless they slay the strongest from among the abominations, those holes will never end to spawn more minions of chaos.
"Wow. We sure have made quite a mess." Nadia commented, gazing at the devastation they wrought upon the force of the Wave.
"True. Now that makes me wonder how those kids are doing."
"You mean those pricks?" Nadia quirked a brow. "Are you worried about them? That's so unlike you, boss."
"No. It's not like that. As a fellow man, I'm still sorry if they get killed."
"Oh. For a tough guy like you who'd crushed some people when we ran, I thought you don't feel that way. Is it a sentiment you share as a fellow otherworlder?"
"Maybe?" Suiryu shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, I guess that's normal." Nadia's smile waned as she touched her chest.
Behind her cheerful facade, a pain kept on stinging her. She felt a guilt that burrowed in her heart for leaving her people. She was aware that it was a disaster no one could avert, but should she stay with them, the outcome would be different. She could have saved their lives from the first Wave.
Suiryu glanced at the clock on his vision. "Now it's been 20 minutes already. Is the boss that hard? We're done with this village."
"Who knows? Maybe those wackos really need an aid from our esteemed big brother."
"I'd rather come back to my world that is full of monsters than having stubborn boys as my brothers."
Nadia's teasing smile made a grand return. "Oho… Then what about Little Naofumi?"
Suiryu's eyes narrowed in disapproval. "Isn't that question for you, big sis?"
"Before I speak my answer, let me hear yours first."
Suiryu sighed, too tired to make a retort. She was a girl she liked as a friend for hanging around, but when it came to this part, her imaginary likability bar dropped more than 50 percent. Much like when they engaged in nightly bout, she was a demon who devoured her partner's anguish. He was never a good debater and the girls he fooled around with in his old life were meek. Offering an honest to this answer was a chump price that brought no apparent harm.
"Fine. He's a timid boy, so he's too good to be a little brother for a man like me."
"Hmm. That sounds like you regard yourself too low." Nadia shrugged. "Speaking of the devil, are those kids coming over here to see you?"
"What?"
A lion slightly bigger than its kind was running towards them. Aside from its unusual size, it had two more heads attached on its back. One resembled a dragon, the other was a ram's. It looked desperate in its run, deep gashes turning more visible as it approached them.
And behind it, the Sword and Bow Heroes were in hot pursuit.
"Damn it! Don't let it run! Shoot it with something, Itsuki!"
"Fool! How can I shoot it when it's running?!"
"Tck!"
Suiryu's look contorted in sour disappointment. Their action would make their work easier, but dealing with those ungrateful brats was a true pain in the rear.
"Oh, man. When I think I can get a little breather, it always be like this."
"You don't like it, boss? Can't you just make it like saying hello?"
"That won't do." He picked his glaive, transforming it into Wicked Stinger. "Still, if you wanna help me, use your big sis side to find an excuse after I rip their prey."
Nadia rubbed her chin in interest. "Hmm. I think you can count on me."
"Good."
Suiryu bolted off, dashing towards the chimera. When he entered a striking zone as the poor beast kept its blind charge, he stomped the ground and jumped. He folded his right leg, aiming for the chimera's lion head. As if matching his strike, it bounced up in its run. He thrust his right knee at the monster's face, a loud crack resounding upon hit, its face's left side denting in.
The spurting blood that flew as red contrails in the air fed a readable trace to Suiryu's vision. Without relent, he hounded it and struck in its most vulnerable moment. He gripped Wicked Stinger and rotated in the air, his lips bending into a feral smirk. The weapon's spearhead whistled as air caressed its blade's curves and edges.
"Sorry, but you'll be a punching-bag for relieving my stress! And you'll gonna be the first to taste my new move! [Void Spiral Dragon Burst]!"
The first blow that landed in less than 0.1 second slashed its nape, painting its mane red. The pounding cyclone that came after it unmercifully minced it into crimson bits, the twisting tornado blowing them into a whirling red mist. By the time he stopped his spin and touched the ground, what remained were the chimera's lower torso and countless unrecognizable parts.
They boys were shocked, but rage instantly claimed them as the dust settled.
"Wha–! Y-you! You stole our prey! And what the hell is that skill?!"
"You damn thieve! Give back our hunt, cheater!"
Suiryu knitted his brows at the furious youths. Rather than baffled by his fantastic performance, they looked seriously angry at him. That annoying part had finally come. He wished that the orca girl kept her promise.
"Wow! That's quite a bloodstorm, don't you think so, boss?!" Nadia cheered, coming over the Spear Hero as the boys' servants following suit. "Oh, dear. Are we gonna hold a feast of victory already? Look, the sky is clear already! You did it, boss!"
"Are you by chance his woman?" Ren glared dagger at Nadia.
"Oh, that's rude, boy. You can just say that I'm his girlfriend."
"Then just tell your dumb boyfriend to not take our kill! And he must pay for his act!"
"Yeah! And tell him to kill himself! Or… Tck! Just die already!"
Losing his constraint, Itsuki aimed his bow at Suiryu. He nocked a magical arrow and loosed it.
It didn't demand Suiryu's dynamic vision to track the flying arrow. Just by glancing where the kid pointed his hand at, he could tilt his head to his right in time, evading the shot. He looked at Itsuki blandly as the stray arrow blasted a tree behind him into splinters. He didn't take hit, but that senseless hostility made his nerve tingle.
"Woops. Our boss is pissed off." Nadia said, sensing Suiryu's bloodlust.
Without saying a thing, Suiryu stepped forward and was face-to-face with Itsuki before he realized it. He slammed the back of his fist into Itsuki's chest, throwing him away to the thicket. He crashed a tree bark and fell unconscious, his HP bar dropping to less than 20 percent.
"Don't fuck with me." Suiryu scowled, glaring at Ren and his party members. "The fact you let your prey run to me only shows you only did a half-assed job. So you've no right to complain when I finished it."
"What!?" Ren growled. "You called our work a half-assed one?! Did you even see how we fought? We've reduced its HP to 40 percent!"
"And how long did it take? Like, 20 minutes? I shredded that thing in less than a minute. Surely it could've been faster if I handled it."
"You know nothing, cheater!"
"Cheater? Ah, it's this game term you keep on blabbering. Haven't you seen it, Ren-kun? This is reality. You can kill people, but they won't rise again. Oh, I just smacked your playmate, and what did you do? Did you save him? Look, he's almost dead."
"Khh! I… I'll really kill you! [Thunder Sword]! Haaaa…!"
Ren's blade glowed light blue as he ran for Suiryu. He jumped, unleashing a mighty blow as his blade crackled with lightning. However, a dark blur blocked his sight. In an instant, the world around him spun. A sharp pain gnawed his guts, blackness blotting out his vision for a moment as he felt suspended in the air. The moment his senses returned, an immobilizing pain jolted him, his display flickering like crazy. His vision went black. Nothing could he remember after that.
"… So to sum it up, you got into trouble with those two and you ended up beating them for attacking you. Then you nicked this chimera meat and its tail, and left. It's… How should I say about this? Is there any other way? You always acted cool, Aniki."
Suiryu sported a tired look before the baffled Shield Hero. As he sat over a wooden crate, his hand fiddled with the menu system and a waterskin popped out from the spear's gem. He grabbed it and had a gulp, washing down the dryness in his throat. Nadia snatched it and drank from it, garnering Eclair's displeased pout.
"You see, Naofumi-kun, sometimes I want to get rid of that kind of mess. They're unbelievably stubborn. In that situation, do you think beating some sense into them with my fist is still wrong? I don't think you'll disagree."
"For many times, I think so, too. But I don't have the means to do that. Cause, well, I got the shield." Naofumi put a rather dejected look. "Still, could you at least talk that out? I thought they're not that hard-headed."
"That bow brat suddenly shot boss. He seriously, really wanted to kill boss, no doubt about it. I sensed his bloodlust. It's not like our boss lost his intention to talk. It's those kids who snapped it." Nadia filled in.
"… I see. They really have lost it, huh? In front of a harmless and incompetent looking player like me, they can act high and mighty. But in front of a threat like you, their only choice was going for a kill. You pulled their triggers, in a sense. I don't blame you, but I never thought it will turn this bad."
"I've screwed it up. Maybe holing up in Zeltoble is better, huh?" Suiryu leaned his back over a brick wall behind him.
"That would not solve this problem. Since the Wave struck Melromarc, we are bound to return and defend this country." Eclair spoke, gazing at the yellowing sky.
A realization suddenly stung Suiryu. Beside his blatant act of maiming the acknowledged heroes, their lackeys had also seen how he supported Naofumi in this Wave. He was aware that the Shield Hero was an outcast. They could harm Naofumi, saying it was a justified retaliation for his misdeed. Now he got the ill-premonition and he should take responsibility.
Suiryu leaned forward, his face turning grim. "That's one thing. And now that they know we're rather close, there is a possibility they will also hunt you, Naofumi-kun. I suggest you join us to travel back to Zeltoble."
Both Nadia and Eclair were slightly taken aback. Their man always acted cool and collected, but this time, a sense of hastiness pushed him. Being the most knowledgeable about the land of mercenaries and merchant herself, Nadia couldn't stay put.
"Calm down, boss. Let little Naofumi decide. And there's no guarantee that place can provide a shelter for him. And I heard this country's spy network is quite terrifying."
"Did you say spy?" Suiryu frowned, earning nods from both Nadia and Eclair. "Seriously?"
"Melromarc is one among many countries that possess a vast spy network. Generally speaking, it is a way to mitigate any security threats." Eclair replied.
"That's sophisticatedly messed up."
"True. But if you're a king, you can't just rely on your fist to punch any problems, right?" Nadia quipped.
"Right. If I were a king, huh?" Suiryu sighed.
As Raphtalia let out a wry chuckle, Naofumi noticed how Suiryu's companions shifted in their place for unknown reason. Eclair blushed while Nadia got a mysterious smile on her face. He kept on wondering what kind of relationship they had, but "close partners" was as far as his thought could yield an answer.
"So, Little Naofumi, what are you going to do now? It's partly our boss's fault for dragging you in this mess." Nadia offered.
Naofumi waited for Suiryu's response, but the guy stayed silent. He seemed to be admitting his mistake, but he didn't seem to come up with any wiser solution.
Ruminating about his life so far, Naofumi thought that everything was not entirely bleak. He was betrayed, blamed for something he never did, but those people never went as far as attempting on his life. He earned people's stink-eye and repulsed faces, but he could still make living.
The same went to his trusted companion, Raphtalia. Nobody had physically harmed her ever since he took her under his wing. She was a demi-human and Melromarc's general view towards her race was harsh, but people never really expressed their wicked spite, save scornful looks.
"I think I'll stay here and peddling. I'll figure something out. Though we are not welcomed, so far everything is all right. They never sent any assassins. I believe everything will work out, somehow. And like what Nadia said, that country doesn't guarantee our safety."
Suiryu fell silent. He was still conflicted about his choice to protect Naofumi. The Shield Hero was still young, but he was mature, able to find an answer for a trouble he faced. It put him to shame.
"You hear that, boss? Boss…" Nadia waved her hand in front of Suiryu's face. "Boss?"
"Yeah. I hear that." Suiryu cocked his head in discomfort. "Okay, so you want to stay, huh? And selling some wares?"
"Yes. I think selling wares around suits me." Naofumi's lips curled into a small smile. "Amd I enjoy it."
"Lord Naofumi really likes selling things. Oh, and he is also excellent in compounding medicines! I believe he has saved many people's lives with his ability!" Raphtalia beamed.
"Raphtalia, you don't need to boast about that." Naofumi waved flatly at the girl.
"But that is the truth!"
Suiryu got an interested look. "Oh, so you can make potions and healing stuffs? We mercenaries are short on healers and field apothecaries. I won't force you, Naofumi-kun, but I'm sure you can earn bigger profit if you join us. Besides, there are tons of places for you to invest your money. It's also famous as a country of merchant, after all."
"You sound like a real-estate advertiser, Aniki. But bigger profit, is it?" Naofumi had a thoughtful look. "I think it's a high-risk with with high-gain business."
"I hope you consider it."
"Hold on, boss!" Nadia interjected. "You're not planning to recruit him into Falcon, right? And Zeltoblese merchants can be quite nasty, you know that?"
"It's up to him to decide. I just offer him a better prospect for his business. Besides, the place treats demi-humans equally. 'If you don't work, you're no better than garbage.' That's how almost everything in Zeltoble works."
Suiryu shrugged his shoulders. He finally could find a gap for Naofumi to join him. He felt more reassured if the boy was under his protection. The kingdom's stooges clearly were close allies. It would be unwise to leave Naofumi behind for those fools to prey on him.
"Hmm. You care for him that much to the point you treat him like your own sibling." Nadia Exclaimed.
"Maybe it is. But what's bad in that?"
"Oh, no. It's good. And I've been thinking for a while." Nadia's eyes landed on Raphtalia. "Are you perhaps little Raphtalia I know?"
"U-um… Have we ever met before?" Raphtalia asked, confused. "I don't really know who you are."
"Oh my. Of course you won't recognize me in this form."
Nadia stepped backwards and transformed herself into her beast form. Raphtalia's eyes widened in utter surprise, her jaws unhinging.
"… Big sis Sadeena."
Author's Note
So, will Naofumi join Suiryu?
I think they will be more like momentary traveling fellows. But you can expect them go adventuring to Zeltoble earlier than the original LN timeline. Since Suiryu hasn't discovered the Dragon Hourglass teleportation system, it will take them some time before they can return to Zeltoble.
What about Sy'ne? Will Suiryu also pick a filolial and who it will be?
Let's see in the next update. :-D
Oh, and our guest star this time is a guy from a certain manga that recently got its second season of anime. Well, you know that one where the guy was forced to cheat on his fiance by a bunch of non-human babes, just because he's the strongest man. Honestly, Daisuke Hiyama's work is one among many stuffs that inspire this story. XD
I guess that's all for now. Thanks for your visit and support. Let us see again in the next update. ;-)