บท 11: Chapter 11 - Those Who Were Born a Hero
Belial charged and smashed his very huge sword on me and I quickly dodged it without hesitation. However, in just a split second after I dodged his attack, he immediately shifted gears and swung the sword to me.
I could see that the swing had Belial's full strength, so I docked immediately. When I successfully evaded that deadly swing, I jumped backwards and widened the gap between us.
My guns, which I was holding from the very beginning, started firing shots to his direction. However, my shots were, as usual, blocked by his huge sword. Actually, I was really hoping that may one bullet pass through the holes on his sword, but to no avail.
Well, anyway. It's not like I didn't expect that and in reality, we have been sparring like this for about five minutes already. And no one between us landed an attack on the other.
It's frustrating.
But the more frustating part was that he's not using 'that' attack.
The one I could not 'see'. The attack that sent shivers on my spine. That one attack that could kill me.
"Hey, why aren't you using it?" I said in an irritatibg voice. I was really looking forward to this match. I've been wanting to fight him and test my abilities in defending that attack, but no. He isn't freaking using it!
He tilted his head.
"Are you talking about <Shadow Slash>?"
"I don't know. That's your skill, why would I know it's name?"
"Ah right. Of course."
"..."
"So why aren't you using it?" I inquired again. But, again...
"What 'it'?"
My veins popped out with that response.
"Your attack on the first round! That attack where you almost hit me! The attack that nearly killed me!" I said in frustration. But the airhead, Belial Black, softly slammed his right fist to his left palm as if he just realized something.
"Ah, that was <Shadow Slash>."
More veins popped out.
"Ugh! Why! My question is 'why'! I'm not asking what is the name of that move, I asked 'why'! You moron."
My brain cells are starting to short circuit because of this airhead.
"Ah. No specific reason." He finally answered. "That move won't work on you. That's why I've been working... while we were fighting... on a move that could defeat you."
And again, I felt chills down my spine. For some reason, he is scary. I'm scared. Wait, I'm scared?
Hah! To be able to scare me who's older. Who the heck is this guy?!
And what's with that? Working on a move while we were fighting?
Is he the type of character that gets stronger as he meet and fight stronger opponents?
"Heh. This is bad." I said to myself. If that's true, then I'm in a dire situation. Those character types are the hardest to fight. Imagine, to become stronger while fighting. That's just a cheat!
That's why most anime had that kind of MC!
"If that is so..." Whatever. I promised Felix, I'd win this match, so I'd win this. Even if I use Siguigaran, I'm fine with it. If he's worthy, that is. "Should I defeat you first before you complete that specific move?"
Before he could answer, I leapt in front of him and took Siguigaran out of its scabbard.
For now...
A loud thud echoed on the arena while at the same moment that loud thus was heard, the ground where Belial was standing was destroyed, and what remains was a ground, uneven, with large block of land, cracked, and a sunken ground.
On the sunken ground were two people, one was bending his knee, his sword was lifted just above his face that was for the first time seen struggling. The other girl with bright silver blue hair was standing on her toes, pinning the guy down with her short sword.
Her beautiful face was smiling, with her game face on.
Well, that boy was Belial. And of course, obviously, that girl was me.
I was now pinning him down using Siguigaran, without actually 'using' it. Using Siguigaran meant using its powers which I am not using. For now, it's still an ordinary short sword.
And I was smiling.
Why would I smile?
It's because I realized I was really on a pinch. I've used my so called strength already, which I was really gifted with, but still no effect.
No, well I did see Belial struggling a little.
"Sasuga." I said.
Belial swung his huge sword and I was literally thrown away though I landed on both feet.
He jumped towards me and struck me with his sword.I blocked his attack while receiving it with Siguigaran, pushed him away and reequipped my two guns. I concentrated, then poured my aura into it and shot three consecutive shots from both guns.
I knew I wouldn't be able to hit him while aiming on his upper body so I switched my aim to his legs.
He evaded it by jumping three consecutive times.
I tsked. If only I'm able to stop his movements even for a moment...
Concentrating more power to my guns, I fired. And as expected he evaded it.
I was about to 'tsk' and switch to Siguigaran again because I am starting to realize how useless a Level E gun is -- blaming my naivety, when something struck Belial on his own place.
I was in utter shock and awe.
The aura bullet which hit the ground when Belial dodged it started emitting electric shocks that chased Belial on air, limped and caused him to stumble on ground.
I immediately looked at the gun on my right which was the one I fired. Level E, huh? I raised my left hand, concentrating an average amount of aura and fired it to Belial's leg, however on my disappointment, it was just a normal aura bullet that grazed his leg.
He groaned when he was hit. Of course, who wouldn't?
Anyway, so only the right gun was special?
No. I brushed the thought. When you think about it, Skank's expression when I bought the guns, the feeling that there's a difference between the aura bullet fired between it, and what happened just now.
It's possible that the other gun is special too. So, I dropped the notion of not using them again. It's a must, now, that the guns had uses. the other gun might show its own prowess next.
However, as I was contemplating about this, I completely forgot about Belial who has now broken free from the electrical shock. He broke it hy swinging his sword.
Just like that.
Tss.
"You... you're really something." Was all he said. No emotions can be read from his face, nor his voice. But his bloodlust towards me was immense enough for me to jump backwards.
Ignoring the guns' development and such... just who is this guy?
"For now... to improve myself... I should really defeat you." He said. Swinging his sword, a wind slash was sent toward me. I dodged it by side stepping, however, Belial was already running to where I was, the sword on his shoulders supported by both his hands.
I hurriedly fired shots from my guns, but it was futile, because somehow, the guns started evaporating when it reached his aura. And the aura I saw wasn't his normal aura, it was three times denser than his normal. His aura is now on par with Van.
I panicked.
That was my first mistake.
When I wasn't able to avoid his attack, I received it with my left arm.
It was only the other edge of his sword, but the force exerted broke the bones of my arm.
I cried in pain.
But as if it wasn't enough for him, he kicked me on the right side of my stomach. I was then sent flying. And it was the hard concrete that welcomed my body.
"Shit." Was all I could mutter and I stood up again. With my left arm, broken, the aching on the right side of my stomach, the throbbing pain of my body, and the blood that was coming out of my mouth... I was a mess.
If it wasn't for that wind slash, I wouldn't be in the current situation. Either that wind slash is an ability he already possessed or not, it would be answered by his next move.
He was still on his spot, but he is now in a stance where he was ready for the next attack. Like Kenshin Himura before he uses Battou Justsu.
Thinking for the appropriate defense immediately, I analyzed him. It's not a skill, it's an ability accumulated from my years as Hellium Dexter, reading and watching anime, manga and LN's.
After I'm done analyzing, there are three things I had come to a conclusion; 1. Belial is a simpleton. 2. If he's a simpleton, his moves would also be simple. Just like his Shadow Slash. A direct, and simple, slash from behind his opponent. 3. He's obsessed with one-hit attacks.
Therefore, ignoring the fact that he's pretty strong, I would be able to read his attack. The hard thing is probably how to defend. I honestly could not switch to offense using the gun anymore, he'd just consume it. Using Siguigaran might be possible, but that means I would attack head on. No, one single movement from me, he'd attack. I still have a bunch of skills left that I could use, but the current me is incapable of doing so. I've used most of my aura because of the stupid experimentation on my guns.
The only choice I've got is to read his move, and defend the area where the sword would land with what's left with my aura. Belial being a simpleton would never use the blade on his sword against other people, so I should be able to cushion the impact.
"Haaah." I sighed, releasing all the feeling of desperation and exhaustion. "This is going to be hard."
After a few moments, Belial moved. That very moment, I pinpointed his location, and concentrated my <Omnipotence> on him that even the slightest of the slightest movement, I would be able to see it.
Right arm, a movement in one of his bones. Wrist is slightly bending. His grip is tightening...
It's coming!
In a split second, Belial leaped while swinging his huge sword, it attacked the left side of my body -- aiming for it's weakened state. He's probably unconscious of it, because it was so unstable, but he had covered his sword with his aura. It hit me on the left side of my stomach, I grit my teeth trying to contain the pain, but failed to do so.
It happened for a mere two seconds! I received the greatest pain in just a mere two seconds!
As I was sent a few meters away, I cried in agony. Clutching my stomach that is now aching on both sides, I looked at him.
No emotions except bloodlust.
"You still survived that?" He asked while tilting his head. "You're really something. To survive from a hero's attack, you are really special."
"A-a hero, you say?"
Belial could only nod from my question.
"Well, I don't really know about the technicalities, but the bald ojii-sans who called themselves priests in our town called me that and they trained me with the sword. Said I was born a hero and such. I don't really understand them but they promised to heal my sister if I am able to join the ranks of the previous heroes in this academy. That's why I'm here."
That was a long speech. But a hero, huh? That explains his extraordinary strength, and aura, and speed. He's extraordinary in any way. So this is a hero.
Anyway, aren't those bald ojii-sans just using him with his sister as a hostage?!
Hime.
My gaze landed on the bleachers, right behind Belial. There stood, healthy, my bodyguard. His eyes were looking at me intently, as if talking to me.
I closed my eyes.
I know.
I stood up, wobbling.
"So you're a hero?" I asked. "Well, perfect. I've been wanting to meet one, you know? To think that I will meet you in this kind of situation."
"..." Belial just looked at me. However my eyes looked past him. The image of my bodyguard raised his right hand and open three of his fingers.
Three minutes left, huh.
"I guess, I've insulted you then."
I saw Belial frowned.
"What do you mean?"
I let out a scoff. "If only I've known that you're a hero, I would give it my best, y'know?"
"... So this isn't your best?" Belial asked, he even glared at me. Okay, he showed his emotions. So he isn't completely emotionless.
"Yea." I said. That's right. If only I knew, I wouldn't have taken my time experimenting my guns and looking for a solution over his Shadow Slash with the techniques I deemed enough of living as a human.
If I'd known, I would have used everything I have.
A hero. These special human beings can defeat monsters. So I'm not surprised that he beat the hell out of me anymore. The Hell?
His eyes widened the moment I activated one of my innate skills.
<Regeneration> was happening in front of his very eyes. A skill innate to all dragonian. It can even grow back a lost limb or an organ as long as both the heart and brain are still intact.
However, becoming a human, <Regeneration> was only limited in regenerating broken bones and
wounds.
However, the effect I loved about this skill was the fact that it fills the missing aura in my reserves. Yes, it gave me back my full strength.
"... Regeneration?!"
"Yeah." I answered, completely healed. "It can only regenerate wounds and broken bone though. Saa, should we get into the main match, Belial Black-san? This time, I'm going to get serious."
Let me see who's really stronger. A hero or a monster?
Omitting the last part, I activated <Side Step> and <Shadow Step> at the same time.
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