CH 82

Chapter 82 – Unbelievable Confession

“But what should we do, Komon? That bastard… He managed to make a monster his ally.” (Kuzuhara)

“Right. While you were sitting there crying, that is.” (Komon)

“Ugh… Sorry. But I won’t give in from here on out! I’ll definitely beat him!” (Kuzuhara)

“I hope you’ll be able to finish strong with that spirit. —Shiki.” (Komon)

“Yes, here.” (Shiki)

Shiki appeared from my shadow. Seeing his figure, Ryudou looked at him with a suspicious glare and asked ‘what is that?’.

“Will you be able to win against that?” (Komon)

“The black ogres… are also known as Black Titans. In the past, a single one destroyed an entire country alone. It’s true that in terms of pure strength, the black ogre is superior, but… strength alone doesn’t mean everything.” (Shiki)

“…Can you do it?” (Komon)

“Naturally. As long as milady desires, I will move to destroy it, even if it was an S-Rank monster.” (Shiki)

“That’s reassuring to hear. Go ahead then. Show everyone here what you can do.” (Komon)

“―As you command!” (Shiki)

Shiki disappeared from the spot. In the blink of an eye, he rushed up to a zombie, slaughtered it instantly, and appeared underneath the black ogre’s reach.

He immediately swung the scythe on his right arm, cutting through the black flames surrounding the black ogre’s body. The black ogre looked startled, not expecting his flaming armor to be torn through so easily.

“This one is Shiki, the one given the honor of being your opponent. First, this one will do away with that meddling armor.” (Shiki)

Wow, he totally looks like a protagonist. The way he moves and talks is just so cool…

Now then…

“Kuzuhara-san, it seems the match is inconsequential at this point, so we’ll take care of that monster.” (Komon)

“Ryudou has already abandoned the match. Well, I always thought that might happen. But I’ll be the one to defeat that bastard.” (Kuzuhara)

“Then come with me!” (Komon)

“Let’s go!” (Kuzuhara)

“Sol! Get rid of those zombies!” (Komon)

“Yes!” (Sol)

Shiki would do something about the black ogre. All that remained were these useless zombies. A lot of them had been slaughtered by the black ogre, but there were still quite a few remaining.

Sol and I would draw them in and take them down. Our mission was to take advantage of this opportunity to escort Kuzuhara to Ryudou’s position.

“―K-Komon, watch out behind you!” (Kuzuhara)

Suddenly, Kuzuhara’s voice rang out, drawing my attention to a zombie approaching me from behind.

“….Sol.” (Komon)

In the next moment, a tornado appeared, centered around me. It wasn’t a typical tornado, but a vortex of flames that looked like a crimson lotus.

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The zombies around me were swallowed up by the tornado and hurled into the sky, burning the entire way.

The cause of this phenomenon was Sol.

“A-Amazing…! Sol, your body…?!” (Kuzuhara)

It was no wonder that Kuzuhara was surprised. Sol’s entire body was ablaze as if she were made out of flames.

Sol had created a tornado of flames by flying around me in circles at the speed of sound. This was the true value in ascending Sol to B-Rank—the technique called <Fiery Transformation>.

In this state, physical attacks had practically no effect on Sol. Her attack speed and flight speed were also heightened, making her truly invincible in this form. However, there was a time limit to this incredibly powerful form, so it couldn’t be used without thinking.

At that moment, I also unleashed the hidden power of [Sakuranami-hime], thrusting my katana into the ground.

“―<Sakura Transmutation>.” (Komon)

Suddenly, the ground around the area where the katana was thrust into the ground transformed into sakura blossoms, and the zombies standing on top of the ground fell into the hole that was left behind.

The sakura blossoms that were cast into the air in the process created a beautiful, captivating sight.

“Whoa, whoa, come on. You can even do something like that…?” (Kuzuhara)

Kuzuhara stared with wide-open eyes. Ryudou also had an incredulous expression on his face.

“I didn’t spend a lot of money on this just for show.” (Komon)

As you could see, [Sakuranami-hime] could turn the pierced target into sakura blossoms within a certain range. However, it was limited to inanimate objects. Just by using this skill, it was possible for me to fight on par with an expert. Combined with the [Perfect Ring], I had the power to take on an opponent that was up to B-Rank.

“The way is open. The rest is up to you, Kuzuhara-san.” (Komon)

“Yeah! I appreciate it!” (Kuzuhara)

With the zombies that were barring the path to Ryudou out of the way, Kuzuhara no longer had any obstacles standing before him.

“Tch, black ogre! How long are you going to keep fucking around?! Get off your ass and protect me!” (Ryudou)

The black ogre heard the order and turned its attention to Kuzuhara, but a slash suddenly ripped through the black flames and left a gash on its flesh.

“Grruruaa!”

“….This one has already told you. Your opponent is me.” (Shiki)

As expected of Shiki. His appearance is so marvelous and exciting. Isn’t he seriously like a protagonist? I thought to myself as Sol and I continued to sweep the zombies that were continuing to appear out of the ground.

“Damn it! I finally got my hands on all these pawns, but they’re all useless! What the hell is with that ninjaaa!?” (Ryudou)

“Ryudouuuuu!” (Kuzuhara)

“Kuzuhara! Don’t you try to fucking act cool in front of me!” (Ryudou)

Once again, Kuzuhara threw out his right fist, and Ryudou mirrored him.

“You don’t learn, do you? I’ll just make you decay again!” (Ryudou)

Immediately after their fists collided, the cracking sound of bones shattering could be heard from Ryudou’s fist.

“GYAAAAAH!!!” (Ryudou)

There was blood oozing miserably from Ryudou’s remaining left fist. On top of that, shattered bones could be seen poking out from his skin at odd angles.

This time, it seemed that Kuzuhara was the one who got the upper hand.

“Y-You… fucking bastard…!” (Ryudou)

“―<Kuzuhara Wave Blast>. If you’re going to use your skill, of course I’ll use mine too.” (Kuzuhara)

He had most likely used his skill right before their fists collided, pulverizing Ryudou’s fist before they could collide and cause his own fist to decay.

“With this, you have no more hands. It’s over, Ryudou.” (Kuzuhara)

“Kuhaha! Don’t underestimate me! You can’t kill me just because I can’t use either of my hands!” (Ryudou)

Ryudou came straight at Kuzuhara and unleashed a ferocious kick at him. His movements weren’t done out of desperation. They looked brilliantly polished, and I could tell that he had properly mastered kicking techniques.

Kuzuhara caught Ryudou’s kick with his arm, but then the corrosion began.

AD

“Ouch!” (Kuzuhara)

Kuzuhara immediately tried to distance himself from Ryudou, but Ryudou didn’t let him, continuing to draw closer and press the attack.

“I’m going to make you into my pawn, Kuzuhara! Or maybe, do you want me to send you to that place where that oh so sweet bitch is waiting for you, huuh?!” (Ryudou)

Hearing those words, Kuzuhara’s face suddenly turned more serious than ever. He stopped the steps he was making to avoid his kick and caught it instead, stopping it with his left hand.

It was amazing that he managed to stop it, but because he was gripping his leg, a burning, sizzling sound could be heard from Kuzuhara’s hand.

However, Kuzuhara’s face didn’t contort with pain as he spoke in a low, icy tone.

“…What did you say just now?” (Kuzuhara)

“Hah? …Tch, whoops. Looks like I got carried away and let the cat out of the bag.” (Ryudou)

The fervor that had been building up to that point cooled down in an instant, and Ryudou yanked his foot back and took some distance from Kuzuhara.

Drip, drip, drip… The blood oozed down from Kuzuhara’s left hand.

“…You called her a bitch…? Tomoe…?” (Kuzuhara)

“….Kuku, so what if I did?” (Ryudou)

“…You loved Tomoe more than anyone else, didn’t you? How can you call her a bitch?!” (Kuzuhara)

According to what Chake told me, the only two people that Ryudou had opened up to when he was in the orphanage were Kuzuhara and a woman named Katsuragi Tomoe. And of those two, Ryudou had been attracted to Tomoe and came to love her.

“What did you mean earlier that you let the cat out of the bag? You… what are you trying to say?” (Kuzuhara)

In response to Kuzuhara pressing him, Ryudou raised the corners of his mouth into a delightful grin.

“Originally, I was only planning to tell you after I had driven you even further into a corner, but oh well. I’ll tell you now, Kuzuhara.” (Ryudou)

And then, Ryudou uttered the most unbelievable confession.

“The one who killed Katsuragi Tomoe—was me.”