arc2 · 128-ch128

Chapter 128: Terror's Symbol ②

Terror's Symbol was handling the attacks from Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san—both of them A-rank—with machine-like precision. So this was the power of an A+ rank.

For now, neither Nishikyo-san nor Kitora-san had taken major damage, but comparing Terror's Symbol's composed responses to their barely-held-together defense, it wouldn't be strange for the battle to tip at any moment.

In any case, the question was whether we could actually damage Terror's Symbol. As long as I didn't know that, I couldn't make any plans to take this thing down.

Terror's Symbol, while handling the vanguard duo's attacks and Shinonome-san's magic, still had room to spare. Judging that things were going to get bad if this continued, I attempted a suicide charge with Hayate. I had Hayate, which had circled around behind Terror's Symbol during the earlier flurry of attacks, make a direct charge at its rampaging back.

Shwoom!

But before it could even reach the thing's body, it was cut down by a single swing of the greatsword. Just how capable was this monster, to handle attacks from three A-rank explorers and still have the leeway to deal with Hayate?

Still, it seemed that dealing with an attack from behind had created a tiny opening. At the moment it cut down Hayate, Kitora-san's fist caught Terror's Symbol's armor. A dull THUD rang out, and cracks appeared in Terror's Symbol's armor.

The four of them watching came to an immediate conclusion. We could deal damage. That meant it wasn't impossible to finish Terror's Symbol off just like this. But even with a glimmer of hope, the fact remained that they were still at a disadvantage.

If even one person fell, they'd be wiped out in an instant. But I definitely didn't want to be the one who had to witness that. I desperately observed Terror's Symbol's movements, wondering if there was anything I could do. But its movements were too fast—there was no opening to exploit.

Even with cracks in its armor, Terror's Symbol's movements weren't slowing down—if anything, they were growing fiercer. Pushed back by the relentless barrage of attacks, Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san were gradually forced to retreat. They'd already been driven all the way back to the corner.

"Shizuka, fall back to the stairs and stay hidden."

Shinonome-san told Kannami-san, who had been hiding in the shadow of the corner, to fall back. I had Asahi follow Kannami-san's movements. Then Shinonome-san himself retreated to the front of the stairs and tried to provide support with magic once more.

"Stone bullets. Gather before me and pierce my enemy. Here we go, Stone Bullet!"

"Stone Bullet incoming!"

I relayed Shinonome-san's chant timing through Hayate to Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san. Hearing my voice, the two of them leaped to the left and right.

RAT-TAT-TAT-TAT!

Terror's Symbol knocked down the multiple stone bullets with its greatsword. But it couldn't block them all—one Stone Bullet hit its thigh, putting cracks in the armor again, but...

"Hey, no way!? The cracks in the armor from before are gone!?"

That's right. The cracks Kitora-san had put in the armor earlier had vanished completely, clean as could be.

"Wait, is this thing water attribute!?"

At Nishikyo-san's involuntary shout, Shinonome-san also reacted loudly. The way the wounds were slowly healing was the same phenomenon as the Aqua Wolf that Hyakka Ryouran had fought—a water attribute monster.

It could be due to a skill, but the healing was slow enough that water attribute seemed more likely. But the defining trait of water attribute was supposed to be its recovery power. Yet this attack speed and attack power were just cheating!

The members of Kokushi Musou grimaced at this unexpected reality. Of course, being water attribute didn't mean it could heal infinitely, but at the very least, you'd need to deal more than double the normal damage to take it down. That meant the odds of actually defeating this thing had dropped considerably.

But that didn't mean they could give up. Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san started their attack again. Occasionally, the spear and knuckles would graze Terror's Symbol's armor, but the two of them were taking more than double the damage they were dealing.

Kannami-san, sticking only her face and staff out from the staircase, was desperately healing their wounds. Shinonome-san supported with earth magic too, but it still wasn't enough to deal significant damage. I tried having Hayate make suicide charges timed with Shinonome-san's magic, or circling around to target its feet or head, but it got cut down every single time.

And finally, Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san had been pushed right up to the edge of the staircase. Kannami-san and Shinonome-san had already descended to the middle of the stairs.

"This is bad..."

Kitora-san, who had been silently enduring up until now, finally let out a complaint. They were one step away from the stairs. If they went down here and got attacked from above, there'd be nothing they could do. And even if they managed to get down the stairs, they'd end up caught in a pincer with the Lich.

"Ryuga, sync up!"

"Yeah!"

At the point where retreat was no longer an option, Nishikyo-san gambled on a do-or-die play.

"Flash Thrust!"

"Thunderclap Fist!"

They unleashed their respective fastest techniques in unison.

CLANG!

But Terror's Symbol knocked back both their fastest attacks with a chain of greatsword skill strikes.

The two were flung backward, tumbling down the stairs. I thought Terror's Symbol would pursue them, but instead, it leaped right over Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san—and went straight for Shinonome-san and Kannami-san.

Kannami-san, caught off guard by the unexpected move, froze. Shinonome-san covered her. Terror's Symbol's greatsword closed in on them.

THUD!

But then, something unbelievable happened. Hayate, which I'd tried to send in for a suicide charge timed with Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san's attacks, had been too slow to match their attack speed and lagged behind by a single beat.

And then, by pure coincidence, at the exact moment Terror's Symbol leaped over Nishikyo-san and Kitora-san, Hayate wound up charging straight into its back.

Terror's Symbol, carried by both its own momentum and Hayate's collision, flew right past Kannami-san and Shinonome-san as well. Losing its balance, it tumbled all the way down the stairs.

"Now! Run!"

Shinonome-san shouted at this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Reacting to his voice, everyone sprinted up the stairs.

Terror's Symbol quickly regained its footing and started chasing after them, but at that moment, Asahi—which had also been carried over together—fired its Capture Net and Sticky Bomb simultaneously.

The Capture Net was shredded to pieces by the greatsword, but the Sticky Bomb hit its feet, managing to delay Terror's Symbol's ascent just a little.

I resummoned Hayate and had it make another suicide charge while Asahi, chasing after the members of Kokushi Musou, scattered Sticky Bombs along the ground. All to delay the pursuit, even if just a little.

After spraying out every last Sticky Bomb, Asahi hurried to catch up with the rest of Kokushi Musou.

Kokushi Musou had managed to escape using the time bought by the Sticky Bombs and Hayate's suicide charge, but after running for a while, they encountered another monster. And unfortunately, Terror's Symbol hadn't given up the chase either—it seemed like it would catch up soon.

"Shit, of all times!"

Nishikyo-san thrust his spear at the Possessed Wonder Armor that appeared before them. But this one was an A-rank monster too. It might not have been on Terror's Symbol's level, but it deflected the thrust with its hard arm.

"Get out of the way!"

Kitora-san immediately cut in.

DOOM!

A close-range punch from point-blank range caved in the Possessed Wonder Armor's chest.

"GOOAAAHHH!"

But the Possessed Wonder Armor staggered backward without falling, planted its feet, and swung its arm around in a counterattack.

"Too slow!"

As the Possessed Wonder Armor lunged at Kitora-san, this time Nishikyo-san unleashed a sharp thrust.

CRUNCH!

The silver spear pierced the Possessed Wonder Armor's head cleanly. I thought it was over, but...

Without waiting to confirm it fall, the Possession Phantom burst out of the Possessed Wonder Armor, heading straight for Kannami-san as she tried to hurry past.

"Kyaa!?"

"Shizuka!?"

The black mass tried to possess Kannami-san, but that wasn't about to fly. Having predicted this move, I slipped Asahi between the Possession Phantom and Kannami-san.

"GYOooo!?"

The Possession Phantom was confused. Well, of course it would be—you guys can't possess a machine, can you.

"Kannami-san, get away!"

I guided her with Hayate and sent Kannami-san ahead, then activated Wind Blade Wall around Asahi.

"GYOoooooo!?"

The black mass was being ground away. It tried to flee in a panic, but Asahi followed it closely and wouldn't let it escape.

"Koooooh..."

But then Terror's Symbol caught up. I hurriedly sent Hayate on a suicide charge, but it was cut down without even buying any time.

Terror's Symbol didn't even spare a glance at Asahi, who was shredding the Possession Phantom in midair, and kept chasing after the members of Kokushi Musou. At this rate, they'd be caught in no time.

I immediately resummoned Hayate and gave chase after Terror's Symbol.