บท 248: Never underestimate the protagonist
Ittou Rasetsu.
This was Ikki's second secret technique, which he developed from his first secret technique, Ittou Shura.
Unlike Ittou Shura, who allowed him to break the limit of his body and became ten times stronger within a minute, Ittou Rasetsu broke the limit of his body even further and abandoned all the senses that he didn't need, bringing him further power that allowed him to become 100 times stronger for just a second.
When he added his original ability that doubled his physical ability, at this moment, his power was as high as 200 times the original!
Yes, this was Ikki's strategy.
Ikki was acutely aware that he couldn't afford to waste a moment in his confrontation with Isao. He had to defeat Isao swiftly, knowing that Isao might have replicated numerous abilities, which put him at a potential disadvantage.
Stella aside, Isao may have replicated Kurono and Nene's abilities, which would be troublesome for him.
Or rather, if Isao replicated Kirihara Shizuya's ability, then Ikki would be sure that he would be over.
If he tried to slow down this match and hesitated, he would be defeated.
Ikki had to win, so this was his method.
To defeat Isao as soon as possible.
Along with his swiftest technique, Raikou, at that moment, he was unstoppable.
Nothing could stop him.
His black blade appeared like a scythe of death, ready to bring down the strongest opponent!
'I win!'
As he thought so, the rest were also stunned as no one thought about Ikki's method to defeat Isao.
The match had only started, and it hadn't been a second, or rather, it was just more than 0.1 seconds, but the conclusion of the match was about to end.
Whether it was Kurono, Nene, Stella, or even Itsuki, Ikki's father couldn't look away from this match, watching how Ikki, who they had never expected to win, even lost against a monster known as Isao, suddenly rebelled against his fate and showed everyone how he was going to fight against the impossibility.
Ikki Kurogane showed all of them his obsession to win this match!
'I've won!'
The victory was in front of his eyes; as long as this blade of his touched his opponent, everything was over.
"ONII-SAMA!!!!"
Shizuku screamed, thinking that the victory of her brother was concluded, only—
"Oborotsuki."
Isao's presence, which was impossible to ignore and attracted all of them, suddenly vanished before everyone's eyes.
There was no sight of him, his smell, his sound, or anything.
It was as if he had completely disappeared from this world.
Even worse, due to Ittou Rasetsu, Ikki also abandoned some of his senses, which made him blind even to where Isao was.
'No!'
As he screamed, he swung his blade, but as expected, his blade touched nothing. Isao, who was just before him, completely dodged his attack. The reaction speed that Isao showed was much faster than the speed of his attack.
Yet, Ikki never gave up.
There was still a time before the time limit for his secret technique ended, and before that, he wouldn't give up!
While Isao might be fast, he was still at this stage, and it was impossible for him to escape.
Ikki had to chase after him, no matter what!
Swosh! Swosh! Swosh!
Unfortunately, Ikki was unable to find him, and in the end, his technique finished.
"Gaaaahhh!!!"
His entire body was in pain; it was as if his muscles, bones, and everything were crushed. Unlike the "Ittou Shura," which made his body ten times stronger for a minute, "Ittou Rasetsu" might make his body a hundred times stronger, but it was only a second.
After a second, he was as good as being defenseless.
Even if he could use this technique again, the result was the same since, with a limited time, he definitely couldn't find Isao. He knew that unlike Kirihara, who developed his ability half-heartedly, he could imagine that Isao would develop the ability of the concept of transparency even further.
No sight, no smell, no sound, no presence, and everything.
It was as if Isao's existence didn't exist.
'Is this over...?'
When Ikki thought so, he couldn't help but feel depressed and despair, thinking that his dream had ended just like this. His hard work and sacrifice would have been a waste at that moment. Everything was over, and he could do nothing to change it.
In the end, as a Blazer, everything was predetermined.
The weak would always be the weak, and it was impossible for them to win against the strong.
"ONII-SAMA, WAKE UP!"
'Shizuku?'
As Ikki was about to fall, he heard the voice of his little sister, the one who believed in him and also the one who he wanted to save.
'If I lose, then...'
Then, Shizuku would be expelled, and nothing could save her anymore.
'No, I can't lose!'
More importantly, if he lost this match, then it would be impossible for him to participate in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival and graduate from this school to become a "Mage-Knight."
To graduate from this school, he had to become the champion of the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival.
If he lost like this, then it would definitely have been impossible for him to become the champion.
Lastly, he couldn't uphold his promise to Stella.
Stella was the woman he loved; he had fallen for her for the first time. If he lost the chance to enter the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, then he would feel that her existence would become further away from her.
There were many things that he wanted, and if he lost, then he would lose everything!
Well, not really.
Even if Ikki lost, it wasn't like he would lose everything, and it wasn't like he would lose his chance to participate in the Seven Stars Sword Art Festival, especially when he chickened out and didn't dare to place a bet with Isao previously.
Still, at this moment, his only thought was about his victory.
Ikki had to win against Isao!
Even if his body was at its weakest, and he had used all of his power, he stood tremblingly, trying to find Isao's figure. As long as he found him, his victory would come!
'Now that you mention it...'
As Kirihara Shizuya was his nemesis, Ikki did deep research about him, and naturally, he knew how unreasonable Kirihara's ability was. To become invisible. This ability was powerful, but it had a weakness, such as it wasn't good to fight an opponent with a wide range of attack, especially when fighting on a limited space such as this space.
At the same time, Ikki knew that Kirihara couldn't turn his attack into an invisible one.
Yes, Ikki might not have a wide-range area of attack, but as long as Isao showed his tail and attacked him, he should be able to find where he was!
This was his last chance!
His last chance to turn his defeat into a victory!
As he thought so, suddenly, his head was shot, and he was defeated.
'What a mistake...'
Ikki underestimated Isao since Isao's skill at manipulating the concept of transparency was better than Kirihara's, the original owner.
'He could turn his attacks into invisible too?!'
As Ikki fell and lost consciousness, he was filled with endless regret.
Then, after Isao confirmed that Ikki was defeated, he appeared once again on the stage, and his victory was announced.
"Th-The winner is Iinuma Isao!"
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"
Still, Isao had to say that he really couldn't underestimate the protagonist.
---
With that, it is the end of Rakudai Arc, and after that, he returns to the world of "Danmachi."
By the way, what do you think of this world?
Do you want him to enter this world again in the future?
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