< Sogou Ayaka POV >

Seeing the glowing blast of golden light

The Great Demon Emperor swung down its scythe-shaped limb.

ZUBAAAAAAANNN!

Its strike sounded so powerful, making an explosive sound as if a surge tearing through the air.

And then It cracked.

Kiriharas < Dragonic Buster > has been slashed in half.

His golden energy wave was vigorously split towards the left and right.

Gushing out a scream-like sound, the golden dragon passed through the Great Demon Emperors sides

DOGAAAAAAANNN!

-and crashed into the city wall behind the Great demon Emperor, shattering the stone wall.

With Kiriharas attack, a cloud of dust arose and scattered with the wind.

(Kirihara-kuns inherent skill was)

At least, this is the first time Ive ever seen this happen.

For Kiriharas powerful inherent skill to be blocked

Moreover The five golden eyes behind the Great Demon Emperor were all safe from his attack.

(Could it be for that attack to not hit the monsters behind it, it even calculated where it strikes?)

Speaking of those five monsters, they are now slightly retreating backwards.

It seems like for monsters other than the Great Demon Emperor, the Dragonic Buster is still seen as a threat.

[It seems like you do possess power that wont put such a name to shame. So this is the Great Demon Emperor huh.]

The Great Demon Emperor, who blocked the Dragonic Buster, turned towards Kirihara

[.]

-but still, it remained silent.

[It seems like being called Great Demon Emperor isnt just putting on airs. As I had expected, someone like you would be able to receive an attack from this Kirihara]

His inherent skill that possesses overwhelming power has been blocked.

However, Kirihara doesnt seem to be shaken at all.

Hes still as aloof as before.

[If it was just a normal small fry, they would have been so shaken here that its so pathetic But the trouble is, Im different from them. Thats because my inherent skill isnt my everything Ill apologize in advance The only future existing before me is my victory. I couldnt see any path leading to anywhere but that. No matter how much you struggle Unlike the other Heroes who rely on their inherent skills]

Saying this, Kirihara unsheathed his katana.

[I, who had been born with the great vessel, am different, - < Dragonic Buster >!]

For the second time He used < Dragonic Buster > .

The golden dragon, even mightier than last time, undulates and tempestuously swirled.

But just like before

The Great Demon Emperor slashed the Dragonic Buster in half again.

[ ! ]

A moment later, I saw it.

Closing in on the Great Demon Emperor, I saw Kirihara with his katana held aloft.

He had managed to get close to the Great Demon Emperor.

He had hidden within his energy wave huh.

Or perhaps, he may have followed behind the energy wave.

Either way-

(He used his Dragonic Buster to hide himself!)

Kirihara only used his Dragonic Buster as a means to hide himself from the enemys sight.

Some of the golden dragons waving around Kiriharas body then swelled up and attacked the surrounding monsters.

Not caring what happened to the other monsters, Kirihara brandished his katana that was clad in a golden aura in the air.

Realizing how this would end up, I asked Hijiri if we should support him.

However Hijiri only slightly bit her lower lip.

The situation looks bad.

That is what I feel.

Bad?

I wonder what was the bad thing regarding this situation?

Such a question popped in my mind but now isnt the time for that.

I quickly regained my composure.

It was at that moment that it occurred.

There was a faint change in Hijiris gaze.

Following her gaze, I immediately returned my attention to the Great Demon Emperor-

[ ! ]

He was blown away.

Kirihara Takuto was sent flying by the Great Demon Emperors strike.

From within the black mist, a black lump of flesh appeared-

and forming a fist, it punched Kirihara flying.

I was only able to see that lump of flesh in an instant.

No matter how I think about it, that isnt a size that can be hidden within that mist.

I can only see that the mist expanded for a moment when whats inside it attacked.

(That mist was also expanded when it was spitting out those monsters)

Perhaps, I can only assume that its size can be increased to some extent.

I think the Great Demon Emperor can also expand its real body within that mist.

Moreover- Its attacks can be tricky.

It suddenly shot out of the mist without any warning.

Just the fact that the signs of its attacks were unpredictable puts worry within ones mind, making them constantly think about when such an attack would come.

However, predicting the attack in itself was very difficult.

[Ki- Kirihara-kun!]

The blown-off Kirihara quickly disappeared from sight.

An intense smashing sound rang out- followed by a thunderous roar

Blown off like a cannonball, I think Kirihara was sent far enough to hit the castle walls.

In the distance, I could see what looked like dust floating in the air.

From the sound of it, it seemed like he had even broken through some of the stone walls.

At any rate, I wonder how far he had blown away

(No)

Rather than that- Is he still alive?

As I had such thoughts in mind, I felt Hijiris hand on my shoulder.

[Lets believe that hes okay Besides, at the moment he was attacked, he instantly raised his guard- or so it seemed to me.]

I wasnt able to see Kirihara raise his guard.

Hijiris tone of voice sounded ambiguous though

Really ambiguous

[I think you understand this, Sogou-san but unfortunately, we cant afford to check on his safety right now-]

With her words, the Great Demon Emperor turned towards us.

[Were next.]

Hijiri imbued magic power into a Sound Ball.

Thereupon, the Sound Ball rang out.

Great Demon Emperor found. Avoid approaching the area where the sound came from.

Thats what the Sound Ball was signaling.

It was a signal to prevent Itsuki, Kayako and the others from rushing towards them.

Now that the idea of a surprise attack was gone, there was no problem for us to make a loud noise.

We originally planned to use the Sound Ball after making a surprise attack but

Shoooom

The Great Demon Emperor pointed its scythe-like limbs at us.

Incidentally, the lump of flesh that had sent Kirihara flying had already retracted back into the mist.

Thereupon, the five golden eyes that had somehow barely escaped Kiriharas Dragonic Buster took up their battle stance.

Moving in unison the golden eyes rushed towards us.

[Thanks to Kirihara-kun, we were able to see one of the Great Demon Emperors hidden cards. Its still unknown if that was its highest speed, but at least, we have some idea how fast it attacks.]

I bitterly nodded at Hijiris words.

[That is Yes.]

[It seems like the other side also understood our earlier action Perhaps, those oncoming golden eyes are pawns to watch our movements and disposable pieces to gauge our movements and abilities. There must be a reason why it made sure those five eyes remain alive. Sogou-san Can you fight while making sure to save your strength?]

[Y- Yes Probably.]

It seems like Hijiri wants me to make sure that the Great Demon Emperor doesnt see my true strength.

[Well then- lets go.]

[Y- Yes.]

The first one to run out was Hijiri.

(Its just as Hijiri-san said We cant afford to be checking on Kirihara-kuns safety right now!)

The golden eyes draw near.

However

[Fast]

Three heading for me.

Two heading towards Hijiri.

Facing these eyes, I created a single-edged sword in an instant.

These golden eyes arent my opponents anymore.

Even just using 30% of my power is already enough.

[As expected of Sogou-san.]

[Youre doing great too, Hijiri-san.]

Hijiri briefly observed the Great Demon Emperor.

[Within that mist is its real body First, lets make sure if physical attacks are effective.]

[Understood.]

[Lets spread out and attack from both sides < Thunder > .]

Saying this Hijiri accelerated.

It seems like her inherent skill increased her speed.

Its rather similar to the ability of her sister, Itsuki.

How should I say this- Her inherent skill is quite versatile.

Making sure I dont fall behind

(Even though I had just freed my body from burden)

-Creaaaaak-

Releasing my limits

I increased my speed to the maximum.

[..]

Several scythe-like limbs emerged from the black mist.

(It can still increase in number Theyre coming!)

Fuuu

Exhaling for a moment

[ < Silver World > ]

A huge silver sphere appeared overhead.

Its mist swaying with the wind, the Great Demon Emperor looks up at it.

The silver sphere immediately transformed itself into a variety of weapons.

Within those weapons, I picked up one of my inherent skills swords and armed myself with it.

Fwish!

In my right hand, a spear.

In my left hand was the sword just now.

My inherent skill isnt without its disadvantages.

I cant endow Offensive Skills like <Inner Bomb> on the weapons created by my inherent skill.

However, if its a normal spear, I can use it.

This spear is also one of the splendid weapons I had always been fighting with in this world.

The Great Demon Emperor used all its scythe-like limbs to attack at the same time.

However, I can see the trajectories of all of its scythes.

-In just a moment

Sparks started flying around me.

All the scythe-like limbs that attacked me were met by weapons floating in the air.

After I defeated Zweikzeed, my inherent skill had evolved.

As long as theyre within my range, I can move my inherent skill at will.

In other words

Even fighting like the multi-armed Hekatonkheires is possible for me.

The flickering of scattered sparks were the result of the collision of our weapons.

Our speeds began increasing even further.

But then

It happened.

I could feel it from the movements of some of its scythes.

They were unmoving, casual

As if its inviting me to strike upon its opening.

Seeing the opening, armed with my inherent skills weapon, I jumped in without any hesitation.

However, it seemed like it really was what the Great Demon Emperor was aiming for.

The lump of flesh appeared from within the mist-

And just like a pile bunker, it shot forth.

The Great Demon Emperor dared to point out its opening for me.

Yes, it lured me towards there

Leading my actions, it enticed me to attack that area.

What happened just now looked as if I myself had chosen that route.

However, I was actually forced to choose such a route.

And when Im lured thereI would be smashed by that lump of flesh.

However

[Ive already seen through that.]

I evaded the lump of fleshs strike.

Thereupon, I sliced through the overextending lump of flesh with my inherent skills sword.

<Authors Note>

We have received 3 reviews since the last update. Thank you very much.

The next update is currently scheduled for September 24 (Friday) around 9:00 pm, but if there is no update, it will be postponed to September 29 (Wednesday), around 9:00 pm.