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[Part 1/4]
The one who presented the proposal, surprisingly, was none other than her... Hisame. She, with her torn abdomen, dragged herself closer and made her proposition with a raspy, breathless voice.
Was her motive for seeking revenge against the one who tried to kill her? Or was it to ensure her own survival in this situation? Regardless, the content of her proposal closely aligned with the possibility of victory in my mind.
She possessed a supernatural ability known as 'Shiroku Benrei,' which deceived one's perception. Its effect extended only to those she recognized. Similar abilities to Onitsuki Aoi's technique, the needles Hisame had thrown were visible as soon as they left her hand, so these conditions were already within my expectations. If even magic attacks could pass through during its activation, the issue at hand was the limited time.
The maximum duration of perception interference caused by her ability was 46 seconds within 24 hours. She had already consumed a significant portion of that time during our battle. So now, only 19 seconds are left.
Also, her ability was not invincible. If her true nature was exposed, countermeasures would be taken immediately. If she couldn't defeat her opponent in one blow, a suitable counter would come right away. Therefore, she couldn't simply disappear and approach unnoticed.
Therefore, it was necessary to lull the opponent to lower their guard. I knew that a surprise attack from behind alone would not be enough to bring them down. Thus, I made the blast attack look like a trump card, making it seem like I had played my last card.
By charging forward while carrying her, she intentionally removed me from the target of her supernatural power. Hisame became invisible, and I pretending to be alone. Then, when the moment of counterattack came, she included me as a target of the ability to protect me from the flames.
It was truly a last-minute nullification. It was insurance to prevent her disappearance from being seen, to make the opponent believe they had killed her. Thanks to that, I didn't end up with half of my body burned and blistered. It was fortunate that the medicine made me painless. I was able to act without my thoughts being disturbed.
And just when I thought I had killed him, I stabbed him in the vital spot with a blade hidden in Hisame's straw sandals. A stab to the heart... that was my intention. I didn't plan on surrendering; I intended to finish him off.
There was no room to spare. No sense of duty. Above all, I didn't want to spare his life. There was no room for carelessness or mercy. None at all.
...That's probably why I was simply being naive about this.
"Aiming for the heart, no mercy...!!"
"...!!?"
Before I could react, I took a blow to the face. Hisame and I were sent flying.
"Hisame...!!"
Just before the intense collision, I instinctively took a defensive posture to protect Hisame. Immediately, my entire body kissed the ground. I coughed. Our gazes met, confirming her weakened breath. There was no need for words, nor was there any room for composure.
"Haa, haa... this is...!!"
With a whip-like motion, I raised my upper body from the charred wreckage. That alone was an achievement.
"It hurts... you bastard, you really want to kill me, huh? And in this place, as a provocation? Huh?"
Ahead, a man covered in blood forcefully pulled out the blade that was deeply embedded in his chest. He pulled it out and threw it aside. Red streaks dripped down, flowing steadily. This amount of bleeding... damn, so that's how it is!!
"Hehe, close, huh? Is my heart... beating backwards?"
Surviving by coincidence. My intended fatal blow ended up being a miss. And...
"You have no more cards to play, right? It would be troublesome if you did...!"
"Damn it...!!"
Takaragen approached, mocking. I tried to stand up against him. No, I tried to, but my legs gave out. Ah, I have no strength...!!
(What will happen if I manage to stand up...)
I have no weapons left. There's no chance of a reversal. There's not enough time for my plan to take effect. It's over, this is it.
...No, not yet.
"You've given it your all, haven't you? But this is the difference in our abilities. Give up."
"If I give up, the match will end right there."
The spear that had pierced Hisame's chest was pointed at my neck. I blurted out with false bravado, "Chances of winning? Who needs 'em? Damn it. Looks like it's game over."
(But my thoughts were hazy... can I counter this...?)
At the moment the spear was swung at me, I wondered if I could execute a counterattack, even though I was drugged. My whole body screamed in agony. Heavy. Painful. Stiff. Can I move in the blink of an eye? ...it seems impossible.
(I'm sorry, Hisame. I'm sorry, everyone.)
I apologized to my junior. I apologized to the many comrades who had died. It seemed like getting revenge on our enemies was going to be difficult.
"Sorry, Aoi..."
In the final moments, just before the spear was swung, I apologized to Aoi, who looked at me with eyes filled with despair. I confessed my regrets from the depths of my heart to the child I had let down. Aoi tried to say something, but before that, the spear approached my neck, and then, and then, and then...
'Is it thereee!!?'
"Huh? What... Whoa!!?"
...And then, a gigantic arm attacked Takaragen from the side.
For whom is it lucky, or perhaps unlucky? It seemed that the karmic retribution for Onitsuki Takaragen was far from over.
In horticulture and agriculture, there exists a practice known as "propagation" or "grafting," often referred to as "sashimono" or "insertion of cuttings." This process involves cutting a part of a plant, such as its stem or leaves, and planting it in the soil to propagate and grow as an entirely new individual. This is a common technique in the artificial cultivation of some plants, simultaneously proving the robustness of plant life.
The resilience of plant youkai is beyond the ordinary. Especially in an area rich in spiritual energy, if a calamity youkai served as the material, and its cross-section was cleanly cut, it becomes even more so.
The calamity youkai of the flycatcher grass certainly died. A gruesome death. However, what about its arms? Both of the slender arms, cut off by Onitsuki Takaragen for both interrogation and amusement, were in such good condition due to their remarkably clean severing that it led to an unexpected sprout of revival that no one anticipated.
The arms of the flycatcher, which sucked out nutrients from the soil and rapidly revived and grew, had great youkai-level power due to its powerful nature. Additionally, the arm, which had the memories of its mother engraved in its cells, pursued the humans who degraded it in order to seek revenge.
...However, this desire was hindered by the presence of a boundary, and even if everything was perfect, Takaragen would be able to handle and exterminate it, even if he is attacked while asleep or attacked from a blind spot. Yes, if Takaragen was in perfect condition.
'Found youuuu!!!'
"Gaah!!?"
It was a gruesome, thunderous cry that seemed both like that of a young girl and the growl of a beast. Simultaneously, a misshapen giant arm, resembling tangled vines, captured Takaragen like a fly caught in a carnivorous plant. She grabbed him in an instant and clenched him with all her might, crushing him.
"What?! Ha? Ha!"
'Ahaha! Ahahahahaha!! Ahahahahahahaha!!!!'
The sound of bones shattering and flesh crushing echoed boldly. The monster let out a laughter that reverberated in the distance. She toyed with her prey within her grasp, reveling in her victory.
"Wha!? Now, then...!!"
I snapped back to reality, determined not to let this opportunity slip away. I forced myself to stand, carrying Hisame on my back as I made my way towards Aoi, blood gushing from my mouth.
"Tomobe!? It's Tomobe, right!? You're alive, you're alive...!!?"
As she saw me approaching, tears welled up in her eyes, and the young child called out my name, reaching out her hand. Despite my paralyzed body, I supported her, caressing her head.
"I guess it was a hit. You reached out your arm as a sign of belief."
It was a gesture and password we had established for instant communication before the escape from the flytrap grass the day before. One of those gestures involved calling out the other's name and thrusting a fist upwards. Its meaning was "believe." Thanks to that, Aoi had rejected Takaragen's proposal... but it seemed like she had fulfilled her obligation.
"Hisame, I beg of you. There's still something to be done... Hisame. Can you give it your all for just a little longer?"
"..."
I asks Hisame to watch over Ai. Hisame looks at Aoi. Their gazes cross for what feels like the umpteenth time. The emotions reflected in those eyes are complex, difficult for me to put into words.
But the task at hand remains unchanged. I head towards his location.
"Well... You have quite a look, Boss."
"Cough! Huff... You damn brat!! Getting cocky, huh...!!"
The critically injured Takaragen is pinned to the ground by a massive arm. Looking around, there was another skeleton of a similar monster. It seems there were two arm monsters. From what I saw, it looks like one was somehow defeated during the exchange with Aoi and the others, but another one quickly took its place, and it seems impossible to handle.
No, that's not all. It seems the effect is starting to show.
"Huff... Guh... Could this be... poison!?"
Takaragen screams, sweat dripping down his forehead. His breath is heavy, and his complexion is visibly pale.
"Great answer. It seems you're not as strong as the one who targeted Princess... But it's fatal for you now, isn't it?"
Hisame had applied a delayed paralyzing poison to the concealed blade she possessed. It was still unused and in perfect condition, with its effects finally taking hold.
"Gah!! That little wretch is dragging people's legs?!"
Takaragen shouted, directing his anger towards Hisame. Although they were allies, he couldn't help but feel some understanding for the fact that she used poison against him after not using it on her side. After all, it's all about retribution and consequences.
"Boss. The battle has been decided. Do you intend to surrender?"
"What? Surrender? What nonsense... Ugh!!"
My suggestion was met with an immediate rejection by the sh*tty boss. He rejected it and immediately screamed as his arm was squeezed. The unpleasant sounds of grinding, squishing, and the release of sounds no one should make echoed.
"Surrender, or I'll kill you right here."
I demand once again, this time high-handedly. Takaragen, who glaring at my declaration with a demon-like expression, could do nothing in response. Okay, one more push.
"...Or do you want to be eaten alive by those creatures?"
"Wha!?"
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