##########-Kouki-##########
Black cloak [...Fucking retard...]
The black cloak person gets it too.
I don't think it will be so simple either, the woman has to die by my hand.
*Bang* *Bang* *Bang*
*Clank* *Clank* *Clank*
Blue cloak [Hii-!?]
Three bullets aimed at the blue cloak again, stopped by the pitch black blade again.
It didn't look like it was done on purpose, was the sword moving on its own?
Blue cloak [I-I don't mean for free!]
The blue cloak raised his hands as if to get our attention.
Blue cloak [The knights, do you want to save them?]
Kouki [...What do you mean by that?]
Does he mean Alan and the others? That can't be, they should be dead, what is the blue cloak talking about?
Blue cloak [They were in a pretty bad state... But because of the treatment I gave them they're still alive... If you hurry you WILL be able to save them]
Shizuku and Kaori were not in condition to make a proper decision, Kaori because of the sudden reveal of Nagumo's survival, in Shizuku's case it was a bit my fault.
Nagumo was, for some reason, still aiming at them, they don't seem like they want to fight (the blue one at least) but what do I know.
Kouki [If we don't have time and you don't want to fight, then leave the woman there and go]
I pointed at the demon race woman with the holy sword.
Kouki [I'm thankful for your help, but she has to die]
Blue cloak [...Eh?...]
The blue cloak was confused... Like, very confused.
He looked at me, then at Nagumo, then started trembling.
Blue cloak [T-this is weird... W-what is going on here exactly?]
To my surprise, Tio-san passed by me and pointed at them.
Tio [Mine lord... I be almost sure I've seen him ere...]
Her tone was a mix of wariness and interest.
Hajime [You mean the one that took Shimizu's body with him?]
Tio-san's head moved horizontally.
Wait, what did he say just now?
Also, I could swear the black cloak was chuckling just now.
Tio [Thou are right mine lord yet hat is not what I mean]
Blue cloak [H-hello~...]
The blue cloak was waving his hand very pitifully.
Tio [...Are thou perhaps the one that tried to forbear me at the mountains?]
Blue cloak [I-it's been a while~]
Black cloak [Who's that erotic looking woman that talks like an old lady?]
Blue cloak [*Whisper* *Whisper*]
Black cloak [...Eh?...]
Blue cloak [Also her age *Whisper* *Whisper*]
Black cloak [...Eh-!?...]
What were they talking about? Also, the dangerous looking guy was making a very interesting surprised face.
Tio [Mine lord, do not be beguiled by his pitiful looks, that man is dangerous!]
Is he? I guess he is if Tio-san is wary of him.
Hajime [...Amanogawa, what are you going to do]
Again that question.
Kouki [I'll kill the woman, if they intervene... Even if what they said is true and they helped us, I'll kill them too]
Blue cloak [...Are you sure she will?... It would really help but...]
Hm? He wasn't talking to us or the black cloak, who was he talking to?
Blue cloak [...It seems we'll have to run away aga-... Eh-Wait!]
Black cloak [I already let you talk]
The black cloak was ignoring blue cloak and walking forward.
Blue cloak [
He extended his hand, a light flashes.
A horse looking white machine with a horn, a unicorn shaped artifact?
He said "Kirin" though so I guess that's what it's supposed to be, looking closely it certainly had claws, fangs and a smooth tail.
Also, was that a "treasure trove"?
Blue cloak [Now we'll be running away-!]
*____----________*
The unicorn disappeared in a green flash and a strange sharp sound.
Tio-san had also disappeared.
Then it hit me, a gust of wind as if something had passed by before even the air around me had noticed.
Blue cloak [...Eh?...]
When I turned back, the kirin was grabbing onto Tio-san's head, half burying her against a wall far behind us as if trying to crush her.
Tio [Yes... I also remember thou...]
An explosion.
Tio-san's body changed into a black dragon.
I moved, charging at the demon race woman.
The blue cloak was distracted for a moment but immediately grabbed his sword.
The black cloak also moved-
-Towards Nagumo that is.
Yue [...I won't let you...]
Black cloak [BE GONE PET!!]
Black and a green flashes clashed, Tio-san and the kirin aimed at each other with breath attacks.
There was no winner, the breaths deflected each other, hitting the ceiling and the floor, both crumbled apart unable to resist the attacks.
##########
I opened my eyes after falling, the floor had given up under my feet.
Kouki [...I wonder where this is...?]
One floor? Maybe two?
It was hard to say.
??? [O-ouch-... My head... I think is broken...]
When I looked following the voice, I found the blue cloak.
Blue cloak [-Eh!? Ah... H-hello again...]
Looks like we fell in the same place.
Close to him was the demon race woman, she seems to be unconscious.
The moment he noticed me looking at her he walked towards me and stood at a safe distance to talk.
Blue cloak [I really want you to let us go]
Kouki [What makes you think I will?]
Blue cloak [...I thought you were the type of person that would... Was I wrong?]
Kouki [...No... You weren't... But things change]
I prepared the holy sword.
Blue cloak [
The translucent blade was filled with clear blue light.
His aura immediately changed, it became more intense.
It wasn't "
He moved, he probably was two, maybe three times faster than he originally was... Not like I've seen his normal speed.
The translucent blade drew an arc.
*Clank*
Still, under the effects of
I deflected the attack easily and immediately answered with my own.
He dodged lowering his posture almost dropping to the ground and swung his sword at my legs.
I jumped back, he tried to follow but I was already charging forward at him.
Blue cloak [Ah-]
Before he could react I threw a simple front kick at his stomach, he rolled back in the ground close to 15 meters before recovering his footing, a knee on the ground while holding his stomach in pain.
Blue cloak [Ghu-!]
He puked a good load of blood.
Kouki [Is this enough?]
Blue cloak [A-are you using "
Kouki [Yeah]
He got back on his feet.
Blue cloak [Does that mean it won't be as bad if I last a bit longer]
He talked calmly as he rubbed off the blood in his mouth with the back of his hand.
...He's making me angry...
In one swift step I was in front of him.
Blue cloak [!?]
I swung my sword and he was able to deflect it in the last second, but right away I followed with a punch at his right cheek, before he recovered I turned around to gain speed and hit him with a kick on the same place.
He rolled in the ground again.
Blue cloak [*Spit*... *spit*]
A pair of teeth fell off.
Still, I didn't stop.
I easily did the same again, breaking his defense and connecting three to four hits.
I could have killed him already, but I didn't.
I'm not feeling pity or mercy, on the complete opposite, I'm feeling anger.
If he hadn't appeared, I would have killed that woman already.
The next time he fell to the ground I straddled him and started punching, he had lost the grip on his sword and I just dropped mine. He could only cover himself as I punched him.
He wasn't doing a good job though, I easily pushed his arms away and hit him in the face.
Kouki [Feel like giving up now?]
I punched him repeatedly without stopping.
Kouki [I was soo close]
He again tried to cover himself but it wasn't up to much.
Kouki [If only you hadn't appeared I would have done things right]
I keep punching him, every time with more strength.
Kouki [You and Shizuku... What's wrong with both of you?]
He somehow was still conscious.
Kouki [Why is it wrong when it's me the one doing it but it's fine when Nagumo does it!?]
My punch was stopped for the first time by his hand.
I noticed that "
I noticed that his hood had fallen back during the fight, for the first time I was able to look clearly at his face.
He looked young although I've already deduced that he was around my age.
Isn't he a bit short? At least one head shorter that my own height. Although, I'm on the tall side, maybe he's just a bit below average?
There was also a sense of familiarity, probably because of his black hair and dark eyes.
I would easily believe if I was told he was younger and that I've seen him back in Japan.
Blue cloak [T-that's because... Kouki wants to be a Hero... The Hero that Kouki wanted to be... Wouldn't be happy doing that...]
...What is he saying...?
Blue cloak [...It may not have been the right or mature thing to do... but I don't hate that Kouki...]
I grabbed his collar.
Kouki [Who are you? You weren't supposed to be here, why is all of this happening? What do you know?]
His eyes, although dark in color, became clear and bright when he looked at me.
Blue cloak [...Kouki-kun... Do you remember?]
I felt like my heart was about to explode out of my chest.
Blue cloak [Do you also remember what's going to happen?]
I stood up and walked back.
The boy tried to get on his feet, stumbled a bit before being able to stand properly.
We looked at each other.
'Remember what's going to happen'.
That's an excellent way to put it, there's no way it's a coincidence.
He's going through the same.
He wasn't saying anything, he opened his mouth but stopped and closed it again as if not knowing what to say.
I didn't say anything either, I had a lot I wanted to ask but no words came out.
Blue cloak [D-do you-!?]
*Boom*
A wall exploded and we were engulfed in a cloud of dust.
##########-Yukitoshi-##########
I knew I should have done it from the start.
Now I don't know were Nagumo is... Or where I am.
What a pain.
Yukitoshi [Don't you think so too, PET?]
The tiny blonde vampire girl was looking at me with cold anger.
Yue [Disgusting]
Yukitoshi [Don't say that, until I find Nagumo, I'll have to settle for your company-]
Before I finished talking, a sea of fire had fallen upon me like divine punishment.
Still, it's quite surprising how good this cloak is.
Yukitoshi [The fire resistance is pretty good, I just had to hold my breath and I'm perfectly fine]
That retard is indeed useful now and then.
The pitch black sword in my right hand, Himei, moves in an unnatural maner, my arm just following without resistance, it wouldn't be weird for bones to break but nothing like that happens.
The blade hits a lighting bolt in mid air, it bounces like a ball hit by a baseball bat.
Yue [Annoying]
Yukitoshi [And you have no boobs. Sometimes we have to learn to live with what we can't control]
A side step to the right, a gust of wind passed by me, a long slashing mark left on the ground in front of my feet.
Even when moving the invisible wind without giving a sign it was clear as day to me.
Every move is... "Too big"... There's no way I can't see her coming...
Yukitoshi [...Yeah... That's right... If we don't want to live with something... We can always erase it...]
Yue [You talk too much]
Yukitoshi [And you have bad eyes]
Suddenly the vampire was hit by a gust of wind from under her feet, her hair, coat, blouse and skirt forced upwards.
Yukitoshi [Black? Abit too mature for your size]
Yue [DIE]
Anger took form, a tremendous mass of mana combined in a dragon made of lighting.
Yukitoshi [You really are not thinking at all, are you?]
An earth spear grew from the ground and pierced the soft left side of her stomach from behind.
The dragon made of lighting lost its direction while moving and pased by me without leaving a scratch.
For the first time, the vampire looked around properly, her tiny face with a hint of confusion.
Yukitoshi [Do you know what a curse is?]
A second and third earth spear aimed at her from the ground, she dodged this time but I wasn't expecting to hit her.
Yukitoshi [Bad luck, getting bald, one of your boobs being bigger than the other... Not very complicated]
I casually threw a tiny pebble at her.
I could see her expression change in slow motion.
First wary, then confused... And then she noticed.
The vampire covered her face with her arms, a freezing wave hit her almost at point blank.
She was of course not frozen, that would need more water and I would guess her gear has some resistance.
With a few steps I was already in front of her, kicking her small body without difficulty.
Yukitoshi [-The thing about curses... They don't need to be cast on an individual...]
The floor was full of tiny pebbles, not all of them had a curse on them of course, but it's so small and subtle that she will need a bit of time to notice the difference.
Again, a sea of fire took form by her command, this time though, it's goal was not to kill me but to rearrange the field, destroying the posible traps that I had set.
I just held my breath and charged at her, one single slice at her chest.
The vampire jumped back, the fire died out.
Yukitoshi [So it was a set, I guess I messed it up]
The blouse was cleanly cut in the middle together with her black brassier, her skin, white like porcelain exposed, a soft swelling could be seen, only the important parts were still hidden.
Yukitoshi [It seems I'll have to apologize... You do have boobs... A tiny bit at least]
She again looked at me with anger but then blood came out of her chest.
Of course I hadn't missed.
Her anger just increased.
What was a thin slice when a spear wound to her stomach was already gone?
Yue [*Cough*]
The vampire started coughing, she grabbed her chest, she was in pain, the blood wasn't stopping.
When she looked at her bloody hand, she noticed not red but black.
Yue [...Poison...]
Yukitoshi [I don't know how well you can heal, but poison is always a pain for immortal characters]
I don't know if chopping her head off would kill her, but I don't have to kill her, I just need her to be unable to fight.
Still, it was also hard to come up with something, I didn't know if a type of poison would work or not... So I thought about something.
First just make a lethal poison that dissolves flesh and blood when in contact with it.
It wasn't that hard, the problem was the functional time, the poison would quickly disappear from the system after causing a bit of pain.
Strong but short effect.
That's when I thought about something, my speciality is not poison making, it's magic.
What kind of magic would help me.
Most abnormal status related skills I had already were added in the poison without me doing anything.
Then, what about my new "Gravity" magic.
It could work, but how.
It's not like making the poison heavier would help... Or maybe it will?
Maybe it only depends on "what" and "how" it becomes heavier...
The coughing vampire fell to her knees before crouching until her forehead hit the ground.
I approached slowly and stepped on her head.
Then I kicked her down.
Yukitoshi [Quite disappointing I have to say... But it's fine... After all, you're not the main dish]
I kicked her again, this time to roll her over.
I grabbed her neck and easily lifted her tiny body.
Yukitoshi [I'll admit that, at least in looks, Nagumo does have good taste...]
I pulled out a pebble, a normal pebble, and ran my fingernail on the flat surface until subtle marks were left.
Yukitoshi [Although, I can't like characters until I get to know them well]
I put the pebble in her mouth and pressed her jaws closed.
The vampire's body trembled, shocked by an electric current inside her body.
I would have burned her alive but there's a possibility it would mess the effectiveness of the poison.
Yukitoshi [Tell me vampire, what's the biggest magic you can throw at me?]
The vampire's body was numb because of the electric shock while also dissolving because of the poison running on her system, the fact that she was still somewhat regenerating was actually making it worse.
Flesh melting, then regenerating, then melting again...
Yukitoshi [I guess it doesn't matter anymore... Does it?]
The vampire tried to move her mouth even in her current state.
When she was finally able to, for just a second.
Yue [*Spit*]
A mix of saliva and black blood right at my face.
I couldn't help it and started laughing.
It wasn't bad, not bad at all... Still, not good enough either... Not good enough at all...
After I got tired of laughing I tightened the grip on her throat.
Yukitoshi [In case you were trying to, I'm sad to tell you but the poison won't work on some species, like humans... At best, it'll make me feel tingly]
I pointed my left hand at her stomach, right above the long, thin flesh wound I had made on her, still open because of the effect on the poison.
Yukitoshi [But if you wanted to start a tickling contest...-]
I gently, slowly pressed my fingernails against the wound-
Yukitoshi [Then I guess it's my turn-]
-And dug the tip of my fingers in her belly-
*Boom*
...I guess it's time out...
When I followed the explosion that had destroyed a close by wall, I found just the person I was waiting for.
Hajime [!? Yue!!]
When his eyes found the vampire in my grasp.
*Crack*
After the funny sound of her neck breaking, I threw her at him like a rag doll.
He beautifully caught her in his arms.
Hajime [YOU FUCKER!!]
He pulled out one of his guns.
*Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang* *Bang*
*Clack* *Clack* *Clack* *Clack* *Clack* *Clack*
To the very last bullet disappearing in mid air when touched by Himei.
He laid down the vampire's body after giving her something to drink and looked back at me.
I immediately activated "
The place where I was standing just now exploded.
It was not a bomb, it was a punch.
From the cloud of dust a metallic fist was thrown at me at ridiculous speed.
I received it with the side of Himei's blade and used the force behind it to gain distance.
*Bang*
A red flash came at me at inhumane speed.
*Clank*
This one was admittedly scary but the bullet was dealt with the same.
Hajime [*Tch*]
In Nagumo's hand was a anti tank looking rifle, very scary.
I threw a pebble.
Unlike the vampire, Nagumo at least had good instincts.
He used the rifle to cover his face.
The pebble released flash of light in mid air.
At that moment I moved towards Nagumo.
The tip of Himei's blade made contact with the rifle and easily passed through it.
Nagumo quickly kicked the lump of metal towards me, I just sliced it in half with a swing.
He was still in range.
This time I pointed at his face.
He received the blade with his metallic arm.
The blade passed through the forearm.
Nagumo twisted his arm as if trying twist my grip on the sword and disarm me.
But I twisted back.
The metallic forearm was ripped to pieaces.
Yukitoshi [What was that made of!? papier-mâché!?]
Nagumo pulled out a huge tower shield, his figure disappeared from my sight for a moment.
I sliced through it as easily as before.
For a moment, I could swear Nagumo's head was on the trajectory of the blade, but he moved the moment he saw the shield wasn't enough.
Yukitoshi [*Tch*]
He had gained distance with the shield move.
I should have chopped off his leg at least so he can't run...
When I gave a step forward...
Hajime [...?]
I noticed Nagumo's confused look.
I had a strange feeling in my nose.
When I reached with my hand, there was blood.
Was it the poison? Impossible, I tried it on the retard before trying it on myself, it definitely doesn't work on humans.
Then why-?
My head felt heavy.
Nagumo immediately reached for his gun.
...Damn it all...
*Boom*
A few meters behind Nagumo, a wall exploded.
It was the big boobed dragon woman... What was her name again?
She was a complete mess, her conveniently Japanese looking Kimono had burns and ripped pieces all over, her boobs were one jump away from spilling out.
Boob dragon [Mine lord! keep care of the front!]
*Boom*
This time, a wall exploded between me and Nagumo.
From the cloud of dust apeared the horse.
Hajime [*Tch*]
Nagumo pointed his gun at it but before I could notice, his gun was pointing and firing to the ceiling.
Next he was sent flying to a wall.
The horse turned at me.
Yukitoshi [Don't you dare-]
Before I could finish, the horse grabbed me a charger horn first at another wall.
##########-Kouki-##########
When the cloud of dust dissipated, I saw the beast looking artifact, the kirin, by the boy's side, on top of it there was also the black cloak person like luggage.
The boy immediately picked up the demon race woman and hopped on the kirin.
Kouki [Wait!]
I tried to reach for him.
He looked back at me.
Blue cloak [Sorry... I will look for you]
In his hand, a ball of light appeared, grey in color, I could swear something like a face was drawn on it.
Blue cloak [...
There was a flash of grey light and then they disappeared.
Nagumo and Tio-san came out of the hole the kirin had left behind.
Hajime [Amanogawa!? Where did they go!?]
Kouki [They disappeared...]
That's everything I could say.
##########
Apparently, only the four of us had fallen to the lower floor.
I looked at the other three walking by my side.
Tio-san was... It was hard looking at her right now, her wounds weren't that bad but her clothes were dangerous to look right now.
Yue-san was in Nagumo's arm, apparently she was seriously hurt by the guy in black... Her clothes were also dangerously damaged... I was actually scared to look, her wounds were gone but if Nagumo noticed me looking, things may get ugly.
...Also, Nagumo's metallic arm was half gone, everything past the elbow was missing.
The boy with the blue cloak wasn't specially strong, or at least he didn't show it... But that artifact, the kirin and the guy in black were very dangerous.
After returning to the upper floor, we found everyone else.
Kaori [Nagumo-kun!]
When Kaori noticed she ran towards Nagumo.
I guess she hadn't had time to take in the fact that he was actually alive.
When I looked over, Ryuu had a complicated expression and Shizuku looked away.
Nothing to be surprised about.
*Thud*
...Eh?
Suddenly my body stopped responding and I fell face first on the ground.
It's probably the recoil of "
Kaori [Nagumo-kun... Your arm...]
Hajime [It's fine, it's just a prothesis]
Kaori [No, that's precisely what I meant... Besides that, are you all okay? It got very noisy down there, we could hear it very clearly even from here]
Hajime [It was quite messy... We made it though]
Kaori [I'm... Very glad to hear that... Also, Nagumo-kun, I wanted to ask you something]
Hajime [What is it?]
Kaori [WhO coULD tHis lAdy in YOUR arm bE?]
Hajime [She's Yue, my partner for life]
Yeah, I remember this conversation... I guess some things won't change no matter what I do.
Yue [...Hajime]
Hajime [What is it?]
Yue [I'm fine now, you can put me down]
Hajime [Are you sure?]
Yue [*Nod*]
Hajime [I see...]
The conversation followed peacefully without problem.
Kouki [?]
Suddenly, I felt my body being lifted.
Kouki [...What are you doing?]
Hajime [We're getting out of here]
Kouki [That's not what I meant]
Hajime [I have a free shoulder]
Kouki [I can walk on my own]
Hajime [Then push me away, I won't pick you up a second time]
I tried to move but no muscle in my body responded.
Kouki [...I really hate the way you talk...]
Hajime [Get used to it, that's how I talk now]