Volume 3 Chapter 24 I Feel Pale, But...
'Are you okay, partner?'
"I'm hanging in there, just barely."
'Yeah, I figured. But thanks to you drawing the demon's attention, the others have gotten a lot easier to mvoe, partner.'
I glanced up to see several ropes dangling from the hole in the ceiling I had created earlier. Soldiers and mercenaries were descending from the upper floors using them.
With reinforcements arriving, the humans, who had been pushed back earlier, were regaining momentum. Uninjured soldiers covered the hole I'd made and carried the injured one, while mercenaries attacked the monsters with practiced moves.
Kyunei was performing healing on the carried king and soldiers, while Mikage was cutting down monsters approaching them one by one.
But what really surprised me was Aina. She was sharply directing soldiers and mercenaries, sometimes casting magic to support them. Her actions were far more courageous than what I had imagined a "young lady" like her would do.
'Whoa, check out the princess over there, she's looking pretty cool, huh?'
"Yeah, totally. I think I've got a crush on her all over again."
For now, it seems like I don't have to worry about her.
But honestly, even if I needed to do something, I'm not exactly in a position to pull any strings right now.
The demon, who was super mad at first, has put away that angry face and is now looking at me with a look that says, 'I'm watching you.'
"...I mean, skills aside, that strength is something I can't ignore."
Just a bit ago, the demon was radiating this intense anger that felt like it could burn my skin. But now, what I'm feeling from the demon is a chill that makes my spine tingle.
'Partner, be careful. It looks like our little exchange has cooled down the demon (Yakko-san)'s hot head.'
"So, what you're saying is..."
'This is where the real battle begins.'
Seriously? It would've been best if I could've settled this while they were still fuming.
Just like I said before, even that quick fight was a close call. If the demon really gets serious, I'm in trouble.
"I thought 'Brave' was the biggest problem in this plan... but who are you, really?"
"You think I'd just answer if you ask me nicely?"
"Guess not... then, I'll force the answer out of you!"
Their gaze was sharp, cutting right through me.
'Here it comes, partner!'
The moment I swung my spear, the demon charged and swung his sword. Our weapons clashed, sending a harsh grating sound echoing through the hall.
Just one exchange left my arms tingling with numbness. The demon kept closing in, but every time, I swung my spear again and again. Sparks flew as our weapons met each time.
"Our strength might be equal. But when it comes to skill, I have the upper hand."
"Keep dreaming, you bastard!"
I was swinging my spear with all my might to keep the demon at bay, but the demon's swordplay was calm and collected. That was the clear difference between me and the demon.
It's a simple calculation. If our strength is equal, the one with an advantage in another area is more likely to win. In this case, the demon, who was more skilled than me, had the upper hand.
To an outsider, it might look like we were evenly matched, but little by little, the distance between me and the demon was closing. I was still just within the reach of my spear, which gave me an edge, but if the demon got any closer, I'd be overwhelmed in an instant.
I didn't want to do it, but--
"Gram!"
'I guess there's no choice! Hang in there, partner!!'
Suddenly, the pressure on my arm increased dramatically.
It wasn't the demon's sword pressure, but my black spear that had become incredibly heavy. This was no half-hearted effort. It was the "Enchantment - Weight Increase' that was pushed to the very limit that I could handle.
"--Huh... What's happening all of a sudden..."
"Aaaargh!"
Pain surged through my body, far worse than the wounds inflicted by the demon's blade. Screaming in agony, bones and muscles creaking, I swung the immense weight spear.
I managed to widen the gap that had almost closed between us. But that was it.
Despite wielding the heavy spear with all my might, the demon endured, refusing to be completely pushed back.
'Wow, they're tough! Even though I ramped up you power out of nowhere, they adapted on the fly, partner!'
"Guh... are you... complimenting them... now?!"
Despite my continued efforts with the heavy spear, I couldn't quite reach the demon's body with its sharp end. They deflected and shrugged off attacks that had taken down Kobold Kings and Trolls, even pushing closer.
At this rate, I'll self-destruct not from the demon's attacks, but from my own. I'm barely holding on with Healing magic, teetering on the edge of madness. But it won't last long.
--ZAP!
A sudden, intense pain struck my brain, and my vision flickered. For a moment, my consciousness was blown away. And of course, the demon didn't miss this chance and charged in.
'Partner!!'
I felt the pull on my spear. My mind wasn't clear, but I moved without resisting. As a result, I managed to block the sword that was about to slice through me with my spear.
"I was surprised when your strength suddenly increased, but it seems like 'it' is pushing too hard. You don't look so good."
"Coming from you... who always looking pale... that doesn't mean much!"
I spat out insults as I forcefully knocked the demon's sword away.
The confusion lasted only a moment. After that, the demon calmly dealt with my super-heavy spear.
Even if they didn't grasp what exactly happened, the demon must have realized that I was attacking at the cost of my own well-being.
"It was a close call. Unfortunately, you just weren't strong enough for this role. If 'Brave' were here, things might have been different."
"Shut--up!"
For a moment, I felt the urge to lift the "Enchantment - Weight Increase" from my spear, but I shook off the thought. I've finally got the upper hand in this fight, and if I return the spear to its original weight now, I'd be overwhelmed in an instant. The demon must be waiting for that, or maybe it's just waiting for me to collapse on my own. Either way, the outcome wouldn't be much different.
'This is bad. If this turns into a battle of endurance, you're in trouble, partner. But even if you wanted to ask someone for backup, everyone else is already busy with other things.'
I wish Mikage could help, but she's busy protecting Aina and Kyunei. Thanks to Mikage, I can focus on leading the group, supporting with magic, and healing the injured that are brought in. If she leaves her post, the humans who've just regained their momentum could fall apart.
Moreover, this is all on me, because I'm the one facing off against that demon. The moment that demon gets free to move around, it's game over for us.
'In the end, it all comes down to you, partner. This is where you make your stand, so dig deep and brace yourself, partner!'
With Gram's words pushing me forward, I tightened my grip on the black spear.
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