Volume 6 Chapter 25 Swords And Fists
Senri couldn't understand what Yuusuke and Shikin were saying.
Just when they seemed to be having a foolish conversation about Shoshuu, unsettling words were heard, and in the next moment, the air became heavy and tense.
And right after that, an explosion occurred right in front of her.
No, it was the impact of Yuusuke's sword and Shikin's fist colliding.
Senri jumped back with all her strength while strengthening her body. If she didn't, she would have received a shock that could be mistaken for a wall.
She curled up her body as much as possible, reducing the area of impact, and allowing herself to be blown away without resisting the flow.
Rolling on the floor multiple times, she managed to adjust her posture. Then, she saw it.
While at the center of that impact, Yuusuke and Shikin were exchanging blows without taking a step back. Sword and Fist.
It may not be appropriate to describe it as exchanging blows, but it was the only way it could be perceived, with relentless and fierce attacks that never let up.
Nonetheless, what she should truly fear is Shikin's martial arts. After all, it is difficult to close the distance when facing a sword.
However, Shikin easily handles the attacks, capturing Yuusuke within his range. Whether he has strengthened his body or is deflecting the blades without touching them, there is not a single scratch on his skin.
It's as if he's showing others some kind of magic, and it was confusing.
And the words that he has been practicing for a thousand years are becoming more realistic as time passes.
"Good, good. You're good, Yuusuke. However, that won't reach me. Give it your all."
Despite being in the middle of the battle, Shikin says this in a loud and clear voice, then takes a step back.
In the next moment, Shikin's massive body relaxes.
It's as if all his bones have come out and his muscles have melted, making him soft and relaxed.
Yuusuke doesn't miss the opportunity and steps in, slashing down from above.
'Unraikuseiden (Stormbeat Thunderstrike)'
The lightning speed strikes the armor.
No, it was a striking elbow strike from a relaxed state.
A striking sound that doesn't seem like it was done by a human resounds, and Yuusuke's body is blown away like a cannonball, a beat behind.
It's clearly different from the attacks from earlier, it's a technique meant to kill.
"'Ugh...!'"
Not to mention its power, the speed is on a completely different level.
Yuusuke was definitely the one who initiated it. In the moment when his blade touched or didn't touch, Shikin switched from relaxation to tension.
Speed creates power.
And Shikin's movement didn't end there.
With a light tap of his ankle on the ground, he jumped onto Yuusuke, who was landing.
"'Mikatia (storm sword)'!"
His lungs collapsed, his sense of balance went awry, and just standing must have been difficult. However, Yuusuke immediately counterattacked.
He unleashed a storm of slashes that exposed the Nue from the darkness, directing it towards only one person.
Attacks on a concentrated area do not allow for evasion as they slip through, like before.
But Shikin had no intention of letting that happen.
'Gobakujudai (Hailstorm Torrential Rain)'
He swung down, using his fists and legs in a flurry. He twisted his whole body, delivering strikes with the released energy.
Those easily deflected Mikatia (storm sword), smashing through the armor.
Whether it was the aftermath of the deflected attack or Yuusuke sinking, the ground shattered and fragments scattered like hand grenades.
The clash between the storm and hailstorm favored the latter.
The sword was deflected, and Yuusuke's body floundered.
At that moment, Shikin landed and tightened his fist.
"I will crush that strong armor.”
With a voice, Shikin stepped forward. As if swinging a hammer, he struck the center of his chest with his fist.
"'Daraku Kongousen (Fallen Diamond Mountain)'"
With a loud noise, the biggest one so far, echoed.
The room itself shook, and the statues on the walls trembled as if screaming. The floor rippled and when it couldn't withstand the strain any longer, it cracked as though it had shattered in a distant place.
Yuusuke, who took a direct hit, was literally sunk into the floor.
"A...!"
No words came out from her.
From Senri's perspective, Yamamoto Yuusuke possessed an extraordinary strength. At least she thought that there was no way he would lose in close combat face to face.
But what about that?
When the lid was lifted, it was a one-sided situation.
Combat abilities that the hero of another world cannot match. This is Try Order. This is the Grimoire (Guide).
Why is the formless Boogeyman a Boogeyman?
It's a simple story. They are a forbidden opponent, and those who touch them will meet a fate of destruction.
Shikin is a monster that far surpasses imagination.
"Hmm."
"!?"
Senri was about to exclaim in astonishment, but her throat was dry and trembling.
Shikin, who had just knocked down Yuusuke, stood in front of her. Distance meant nothing when facing this person.
Reflexively, Senri took out a card, causing Shikin to stop moving.
"Hm, what's wrong?"
"..."
What was the point in taking it out?
No matter what Senri did, she couldn't win against this man. Fundamentally, they stood on different stages.
In that case, it would be best to avoid a fight. Unlike Yuusuke, Senri was here at Shikin's request.
From his perspective, Senri was not an opponent worth fighting. Whether Yuusuke was alive or not was unknown, but for now, she needed to survive the battle and not let her escape.
So, Senri tried to put on a sweet smile as much as possible.
"A-as expected of Shikin-sama. Your strength lives up to the rumors, and it's an honor to witness it with my own eyes——"
"'Is this a betrayal?'"
His gaze pierced straight through Senri's eyes.
——He found out!?
With a sensation as if Shikin could see through the depths of her heart and her words, Senri immediately realized she couldn't deceive him.
After all, he has mind-reading.
It was unclear how much he had seen through, but at the very least, he now knew that Senri was an enemy.
Her brain commanded her to retreat with all her might, but her body wouldn't move.
If she moves now, she'll be killed, her intuition is screaming.
Shikin lifted his arm and pressed his chin with his finger. Just this movement alone made Senri's heart feel like it was about to explode with tension.
But then, he laughed.
"Good! That determination, it's interesting. As an organization, it might not be allowed, but I will forgive you."
It was an unexpected response.
At that moment, Senri realized it again. This man is not normal. He is far from being normal and has a thought process that cannot be understood.
"So, what will you do?"
"..."
There is nothing she can do. She can't even fight back at this stage.
She could embarrassingly press her head against the floor and beg for her life. But even if she were to do that, would this man stop?
She even feel like her head would be crushed if she did something so pathetic.
(What should I do? How can I get through this situation?)
In Senri's mind, past images flowed. At that time, she was saved from death.
She chose to become Tsuchimikado's pawn and live.
(But what should I do now?)
"Ha..."
Holding a card between her fingers, Senri looked into Shikin's eyes. She focused her magic power on her eyes and won't allow any more mind-reading. She'll bet.
For Tsuchimikado, there is only one thing she can do.
She believes in Yuusuke's survival and buy time. Even for a minute, even for a second, she will create time for him to recover.
Shikin's smile deepened, and Senri flowed magic power into the card.
It was an unavoidable intuition of death.
But then, to drown it out, a silver flash flickered.
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