Ryuu Kusari no Ori -Kokoro no Uchi no 'Kokoro'-

[LN] Volume 3: Chapter 4.6

Volume 3 Chapter 4.6

Ripples of Impending Danger Part 6

Translator : PolterGlast

[Is it about time?]

"............"

In the darkness. Mefi, who has been digging beneath the ground with her huge body, maneuvering underground without the light of the sun or the moon, was quietly observing the situation above ground. Above her head, the battle was reaching its climax.

[Even so, this child is quite a comfortable place to live in. Shall I borrow it for a little longer?]

"Gi, gigigi......"

[A~a. Please don't resist.]

Mefi exerted her power on the huge body, which wriggled as if rejecting her. She strangled its consciousness and deprived it of its power of resistance.

The demonic beast she has assimilated is a being whose power alone is out of the norm, but because it is a demonic beast, its intelligence is low, and Mefi, who is originally good at manipulating minds, can easily bring this demonic beast under her control.

In fact, with just a little bit of spirit power, the mind of the demonic beast was sealed up again, and it returned to being a mere puppet.

[A~a ...... ufufufu ......!]

The resistance of the demonic beast completely fell under her control. This made Mefi let out a voice of ecstasy.

She is an extremely young spirit, only a few decades old since she became conscious as a spirit. Too young, you could say.

For her, enjoyment is the very act of exercising her power as a spirit, following the impulses within her.

And she is unable to resist the pleasure that is right in front of her more than fear. She is incapable of holding back because of her youth.

Therefore, even though she was aware of the foreign existence lurking within Nozomu Bountis, she was unable to see through it to its true nature.

[Well then, shall we get started? Indeed, that guy seems to be assimilating with something terrifying...... However, with this body and its power, it should be no problem.]

Mefi gave orders to the demonic beast she was controlling.

The beast, whose consciousness was completely controlled by the spirit, began to charge toward the ground above its head as the spirit commanded.

◆

Five parties were highlighted particularly in this exercise. All of them were gathered in the same place, and as a result, a fierce battle was unfolding.

"Haa!"

"Kuh~!"

"Camilla! Cover me!"

"Okay ...... whoa, fall back!"

Lisa tried to use [Enchantment of Nivea] to attack Tima, and Camilla was trying to support her.

However, this coordination was intercepted by Irisdina, who fully demonstrated the speed of [Instant Deployment] and her swordsmanship.

"Tima!"

"U-un!"

There, a massive fireball was unleashed, infused with Tima's enormous magic power. The huge fireball, several times taller than she is, burns through the leaves and branches of the trees around her as it approaches Lisa.

"Lisa, get behind me!"

An ice barrier created by Ken blocked the huge fireball.

However, the ice barrier quickly evaporated due to the extraordinary power of the flames.

"Guh~......!"

"Ken!"

Just before the ice barrier was about to be breached, Lisa activated her ability, [Enchantment of Nivea].

Thanks to her ability to multiply the effectiveness of magic, the ice barrier was restored just before it was breached, and both sides were able to cancel each other out. Lisa moved to intercept Irisdina, who stepped forward again.

Meanwhile, Mars and his team, who were fighting Karanti and her team earlier, were now under the onslaught of Shina, Mimuru, and Tom.

Mimuru fully utilized her agility to distract Mars and his team.

Then Shina and Tom unleashed a barrage of arrows and magic.

"Mars, we can't go on like this......"

"Yeah, I know! Damn, you cat, don't get in my way!"

"Don't be ridiculous! If you get free in this situation, we might get crushed at once!"

The arrows that were released did not hit Mimuru, but instead accurately aimed at Mars and the others, weaving through the gaps between her movements.

Shina's team were also showing excellent coordination, comparable to that of Irisdina and the others.

"Oh Come on, just let yourself be defeated already!"

"I refuse!"

Near Mars and the others, Jin and Cami are engaged in a battle against Karanti.

Perhaps Karanti was caught in the aftermath of Tima's magic and was injured, her movements were slower compared to before.

Nevertheless, she is a first-class student. Even if she is not in her best condition, she is still a much higher level of ability than Jin and Cami.

At the moment, Cami somehow managed to survive the offensive by applying a layer of reinforcement magic to Jin.

Alongside Mars and the others who were engaged in a heated battle, Nozomu, Feo, and Kevin were exchanging blows against each other.

"Ku~u! Feo, I don't have time to deal with you!"

Feo seems to be not only a master of talisman technique, but also an exceptional Bō (staff weapon) wielder, and he firmly deflects Nozomu's slashes with his Bō reinforced by talisman technique.

"Don't say such a boring thing, Nozomu! It's a great opportunity for us to have a great match ...... -wha, Kevin, don't get in our way!"

"Sorry to say this, fox, but I had a prior appointment with that guy. So, could you please step aside!?"

Feo tried to counterattack with his Bō, but was intercepted by Kevin, who came at him from the side.

Feo reacted by turning his Bō that was held in both hands, but Kevin took the opportunity to shift his body and kicked Nozomu instead.

(Damn! This situation is not good ...... If it goes on too long, I'll run out of Qi and won't be able to fight anymore.)

Nozomu expressed his frustration as he dodged the roundhouse kick that was aimed at his flank.

Many members of Nozomu's party originally had low physical strength, which was an overwhelming disadvantage in a chaotic battle situation like this where friend and foe were jumbled up amongst each other. This is because the strength of a person's own body directly affects his or her survival rate.

Nozomu looked around to see if he could find a way to make the most of the situation, but the battle was still raging everywhere, and everyone had their hands full. In other words, if one part of the battlefield collapses, the other parts of the battlefield will be collapsed in a chain reaction.

(The most effective way to break through is to concentrate the power of the entire party and make a single decisive attack ......)

However, it is difficult for him to do so in the current situation where Feo and Kevin are surrounding him. First of all, we need to draw them away, but Nozomu doesn't have the means to do so.

"You even have time to think, huh!?"

"Kuh~!"

As his attention wandered slightly, Kevin came at him from a blind spot.

Nozomu immediately twisted his body to dodge it, but his body wobbled and his cheek was grazed by the wind pressure of the chi-infused fist.

(My mind and body movements began to misalign. At this rate......)

Finally, it’s over. Just as Nozomu was preparing to be disqualified, a sudden gust of wind began to blow around the area.

◆

The antagonism maintained in a perfect balance. However, this situation fueled Mars' impatience.

Although they had regained their numerical advantage and were almost able to drive Kevin and his team into a corner, the sudden turbulence had taken away all the advantage they had just gained.

On the contrary, they were being forced into the most disadvantageous situation.

(Damn it, we were so close to defeating that pesky dog bastard!)

Mars gritted his teeth while shaking off Mimuru, who was clinging to him, and repelling the rain of arrows and magic that was coming at him.

(What do we do? Neither Nozomu nor I can keep our hands off them! And neither are those Jin and his men!)

If Mars were to go help Nozomu, Mimuru would take the opportunity to attack Jin and the others. If that were to happen, they would be instantly kicked to the curb and disqualified. After that, the remaining ones, Mars and Nozomu, would be attacked intensively and would be defeated shortly afterward.

Impatience slowly ate away at his mind.

(Then, what about that elf? ...... No. She is not the kind of person who would easily allow such a thing to happen.)

Mars had seen Shina's archery skills before.

On top of that, there was also Razward, the spirit, by her side.

(Damn it, what am I supposed to do then ...... -ah right. What about that one?......)

What came to Mars' mind was the technique he had been practicing.

However, that technique is imperfect and unstable, and Tima, who had been helping with his practice, had told him repeatedly not to use it, but he had no choice but to place his hope on it.

(She said I shouldn't use it, but in this current situation, I should use any possible hand I can use. I'll figure out a way to make it work!)

Mars, affected by his impatience and the atmosphere of the battlefield, began to pour Qi-jutsu and magic, two opposing forces, into his greatsword. The generated winds mixed together as if they were merging, creating an ear-splitting dissonance.

"W-what?"

While Mimuru, who was closest to Mars, let out a bewildered cry, the merged winds, assisted by Mars' ability, turned into a vortex of vacuum blades and gathered around his greatsword as it scraped the ground.

"Guuu~!"

"T-this is ......."

Everyone's eyes turned toward Mars.

Obviously, it was uncontrollable power. Everyone's face was tense with a sense of danger because of the enormous amount of power it contained.

"M-Mars-kun, don't!"

Tima reflexively raised her voice to stop him, but Mars pointed the tip of his greatsword toward the front regardless.

"Nozomu, you better dodge!"

"Wha!"

Rushed by the chill running down his spine, Nozomu immediately left the place with [Flash Step], and at the same time, the wind that had been compressed into Mars' greatsword was released.

With a roaring sound reminiscent of a scream, a torrent of powerful winds began to overrun the area.

The combination of Qi-jutsu [Qi-jutsu・Rift Wind Hammer] and intermediate magic [Wind Tunnel of the Hungry Beast] spiraled straight ahead as if intertwined with each other. The ground was swept up, trees were chopped down, and everything in its path was obliterated.

"What the heck!?"

"What the hell is this!?"

Seeing the huge wind spiral approaching before their eyes, Feo and Kevin quickly tried to get out of the way. However, they were one step too late and both were swallowed by the torrent of wind.

"Uwaa......!"

"Tom, step back! Raz!"

[Okay ...... whoa, oioioi, this is not something a human being is supposed to be able to use!]

The vortex of the stormy wind also swallowed Shina and Tom without mercy. Although Razward managed to put up a barrier right in front of them, Mars' powerful wind vortex exhibited a force that surprised even the spirit and swept away everything but the area enveloped by the barrier.

"Kuh, damn you, Mars!"

As expected with such a powerful technique, even Nozomu was worried about his party members who were caught up in it, but then he saw Jin and the others fighting against Karanti in his field of vision. Although they are being pushed quite severely, no one has been disqualified yet.

While inwardly respecting their struggle, Nozomu stepped toward Karanti.

"What the......."

Suddenly becoming Nozomu's target, she let out a panicked voice and punched in a flustered manner. However, Nozomu ducked and then grabbed her outstretched hand and blocked her movement by locking her joints.

Thereupon, Jin and Tommy unleashed their blows.

"Teyaaaaa!"

"Ugh!"

Their weapons landed on Karanti's body, and her pendant glowed red, signaling her disqualification.

"All right!"

"Nozomu-kun, what are we going to do, next!?"

"We're retreating! Our destination is- ......."

After defeating Karanti and regrouping with his team, Nozomu and his team tried to retreat from that place.

However, as they tried to run away, a Serpentine Sword made of ice blocked their path.

"I won't let you escape, Nozomu."

"Ken ......!"

Nozomu and his team stopped in their tracks, and a rain of ice rained down on them.

"Gaaaah!"

"Kyaaa!"

Jin and Hamuria screamed and their pendants glowed red. Ken, however, paid no attention to them, but instead reverted his Serpentine Sword back to a long sword and slashed at Nozomu.

"Guuuu!"

Ken's sword and Nozomu's [Mumei] were locked in a fierce battle, and the two men glared at each other at close range.

Nozomu's anger flared deep in his chest.

On the other hand, Ken also glared at Nozomu, not with the provocative and contemptuous expression he had on his face the other day, but with a tense expression on his face.

"You're dangerous, you monster......"

"What?"

"I will never, ever let you anywhere near Lisa......!"

Just as Nozomu's eyebrows furrowed at Ken's somewhat erratic and insane behavior, the ground began to shake violently.

"W-what happened!?"

"It's coming......"

Following the earth tremor, a roaring sound echoed through the Spasim Forest.

Soaring earth and sand poured down like a torrential downpour, followed by the appearance of a gigantic trunk, thrusting toward the sky.

The trunk, undulating like a serpent, is thicker than a large tree. The carapace, although cracked in various places, is reminiscent of steel. The multiple pairing legs sprouting from its trunk reminded one of an animal that is poking its head out of the sky in anger.

On its head is a jaw with huge fangs, and a pair of gigantic scythe-like arms.

It is a giant centipede called [Death Centipede].

It is a demonic beast that preys on all living creatures below ground, with a rank of "A" indicating its threat level.

The largest is 10 mels in length. It could be equivalent to several adults ...... but, the one that showed up was clearly bigger than a normal Death Centipede.

"What the heck is this? ......"

"It's way too big...... it's no ordinary Death Centipede!"

Even though its head had already reached twelve meters, its body was still in the ground, and it was hard to estimate how long it might be.

Most distinctive is the shape of its head. The cracked and distorted exoskeleton, reminiscent of a crown, was attached to its head.

"No way, the Cracked-Crown Giant Centipede ......."

Irisdina's words made everyone present tense up.

The [Cracked-Crown Giant Centipede] is the unique name for this Death Centipede. It is a non-standard demonic beast that boasts a much larger physique than a normal Death Centipede, but what makes everyone shudder is its battle history.

During the counter-offensive [Operation Fructus] against the great invasion of 20 years ago, humankind literally put everything they had into defeating these monsters, but there are still some of them that escaped being defeated.

They still remain lurking in the midst of human territory and pose a threat, but six of the most powerful of these monsters were given unique names and designated as top-priority targets for elimination.

"It has a unique name among the undefeated ones. Moreover, it is one of the [The Six Bad Omens]? You've got to be kidding me, why the hell is it here?"

Mars' exasperated voice echoed.

[The Six Bad Omens]

The [The Six Bad Omens] is a name given to six particularly powerful monsters that have not yet been subjugated, and which the public has named in awe and fear. One of them is the [Cracked-Crown Giant Centipede].

It is classified as an S+ in the ranks of demonic beasts, which represents its danger level.

It is such a threat that even the best fighters of mankind are considered to be unable to defeat it in a one-on-one fight.

Why did such a monster appear in the forest near Arcazam?

However, the demonic beast in front of them did not even give them time to panic.

*Gichigichigichi ......*

The [Cracked-Crown]’s multiple-set of eyes, which had been twitching under the glare of the dazzling sunlight, caught sight of Nozomu and the others, and its huge sickle arm was raised up.

"~! Everyone, dodge!"

In response to Nozomu's loud voice, everyone there reflexively moved to evade.

Just in the nick of time. The giant sickle arm, cut through empty space and pierced the ground, sending a shockwave and scattered sand and dust.

"Whoa! Even I never expected something like this to happen!"

"Hey, Jin! What are we gonna do!?"

"What are you asking me that for? ...... Of course, we have to survive!"

The sudden appearance of an unexpected and powerful existence in front of their eyes caused them to panic. It is understandable. They have been training bloody hard at Solminati Academy until now, but they have never encountered a demonic beast of this caliber before.

Rather, they should be praised for their ability to figure out what to do and move accordingly despite their sudden encounter with a threat of this magnitude. An ordinary soldier would have stood there stunned or panicked in fear, and been killed by the previous first blow.

"Karanti, are you all right!?"

"Y-Yes, leader. The others are also unharmed"!

While carrying one of his companions who had collapsed, Kevin rushed to Karanti's side and moved away from the demonic beast. Their companion was fortunately unharmed, but in his exhausted state from the Special Comprehensive Exercise, he didn't have the strength to engage in a battle against this threat.

*Gigigigi……*

After pulling its sickle arm out of the ground, the [Cracked-Crown] once again moved its eyes and turned its attention toward Nozomu, who had retreated. The next moment, the giant centipede roared and began to charge toward Nozomu.

"~ !"

Nozomu reflexively jumped back with [Flash Step] in the face of the charging giant centipede. Its tail, which had been buried deep inside the hole, pulled out, and its gigantic body and countless legs passed right in front of him.

However, the giant centipede, knowing that its assault has been evaded, immediately makes a U-turn, pushing down the trees in its path, and surrounds Nozomu with its long physique. Then, while peering at its prey, which had his escape route blocked, it clattered its fangs and raised its huge sickle arm once again.

"I won't let you!"

*Gyi~!*

Right before the sickle arm swung down, a black magic bullet was released from the side and struck one of [Cracked Crown]'s eyes.

The impact on its eyes made the giant centipede cry out and shook its head, and the powerful wind blast that was released as a follow-up attack made the giant centipede's head toss upwards.

"Iris, and even Tima-san!"

"Nozomu, hurry up!"

"Get out of there while you still can!"

When Nozomu looked in the direction the wind blast was coming from, there he saw the figure of Irisdina and Tima.

In response to their voices, Nozomu quickly slipped through the gap between the legs of the giant centipede with his [Flash Step・Curved Movement] and broke away from the enclosure. He then joined them.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah. You saved me ......."

"Thank goodness. Kevin, what about your side?"

"No problem. But I don't think they can handle another battle. Karanti, take the ones who can't fight and get out of here."

"...... ~, roger that. Come guys, let's go."

After a moment's hesitation, Karanti nodded to Kevin's order and urged Jin and the others to leave the area.

Jin and the others turned their gazes to Nozomu.

"Nozomu-kun, you should also-,......."

"No need. He's even stronger than me. Right, Shina?"

"Yes, he's the most reliable person here."

Before they knew it, Shina had also come to Nozomu's side. Behind her, Tom and the others are also there.

The blue-haired girl was looking at Nozomu with eyes filled with clear, unclouded trust, despite the situation.

Following Shina, the red-haired girl came next to Irisdina and the others and silently readied her twin blades.

"Lisa-kun ......."

"Anyway, we need to do something about this demonic beast. There's no telling how bad the damage will be if it heads for Arcazam."

Lisa spoke so in a blunt tone of voice.

*Giiiii~!*

While Nozomu and the others were preparing themselves, the [Cracked-Crown] turned its attention back to Irisdina and the others and raised its huge sickle arm while making a ratling sound with its fangs.

"O bell of four tones, provide me with your sacred walls!"

"Raz, let's do it!"

[Aiyo!]

Tima's magic barrier and Shina's spirit magic were invoked to block the descending sickle arm.

Magic power, source elements, and air exploded, and a shockwave violently shook the trees in the forest.

"Kuuuh!"

"Uuuuuh!"

Tima and Shina let out cries of anguish at the sheer pressure. The powerful sickle-arm strike pierced through Tima's magic barrier and Shina's spirit magic, and stopped right in front of them.

The two girls' faces involuntarily crumpled at the sheer strength of their opponent's attack, which nearly destroyed two defensive spells of the highest level with a single blow.

However, they were able to temporarily stop the movement of the [Cracked-Crown]. In that instant, Irisdina, Kevin, Feo, Lisa, Mars, and Nozomu all stepped forward at once and swung their weapons.

"Kuh~!"

"What a hard carapace it has!"

However, the [Cracked-Crown], which boasts an extraordinary physique, ignored their simultaneous attacks.

The giant centipede showed no sign of pain, glaring at Nozomu and the others and clattering its fangs.

Then, purple light began to gather on its outer carapace, which was reminiscent of a crown.

Then similar light appeared on the numerous upper arms that sprouted from its body segments and converged into a spherical shape. Gradually, the spheres of light began to be clothed in purple electricity, connecting with neighboring spheres of light, bouncing off each other and amplifying in scale.

Eventually, the [Cracked-Crown], enveloped in a massive purple electric current, began to stretch its body even further and move its huge arms violently.

"~, Everyone get away!"

Upon hearing someone's words, all of them simultaneously moved away from the giant centipede's body.

Then, along with the high-pitched roar of the giant centipede, a massive purple lightning was released.

*Giiiii~!*

[Thunder Rain]. A torrential downpour of thunder rained down around the long, gigantic physique of the [Cracked-Crown].

"Guuuuu!"

"Gaaah!"

Kevin and Mars were blown away by a direct hit from the purple lightning.

"Mars-kun!"

"Hoi~ !"

Seeing Mars fall to the ground, Tima shot a huge fireball, [Disaster of the Damned], toward the giant centipede, and Feo also took out a talisman from his pocket and produced three flame bullets, and fired them at it.

As soon as the massive fireball landed on the giant centipede, it caused a huge explosion, and Feo's flame bullets struck it directly. The explosion burned the surrounding trees, and the burnt smell filled the air.

The two managed to stand up while the blazing flames blocked the [Cracked-Crown]' vision, but Kevin's arm was broken from the impact of the blast and hung limp and powerless. Even Mars was only able to stand with his greatsword as a walking cane, his steps were unsteady, and blood was dripping from his mouth, possibly from internal injuries.

*Gigigi......*

The [Cracked-Crown] emerged from the soaring flames, unscathed.

"This is bad......"

The two men were unable to move, so Nozomu and Feo ran up to them and grabbed them by their collars.

"O-oi!"

"Mars, let's get out of here."

"It's a little rough, but please bear with it."

As it is, they retreated while carrying Mars and Kevin along with them.

Behind them, the [Cracked-Crown] lowered itself as if aiming at their backs, showing its charging stance.

"I won't let you!"

"Camilla, cover me!"

"O thou raging magic power! Grant me unrivaled power!"

Irisdina and Lisa intercepted the giant centipede, which was showing an obvious posture to attack.

Irisdina immediately deployed [Javelin of the Abyss].

At the same time as she threw her jet-black spear at the head of [Cracked-Crown], Lisa, who combined the auxiliary magic she received from Camilla with her own strengthening magic, leaped while activating [Enchantment of Nivea]. With her ability to multiply any magic effects, she leaped like a gust of wind and swung her twin blades in time with Irisdina's [Javelin of the Abyss].

"Haaaa!"

Their attack combination carved a slight crack on the giant centipede's carapace. However, [Cracked-Crown] paid no heed to the minor wound it sustained and instead shook its head as if to push Lisa, who floated in the air due to the recoil, away from it.

"Kyaaa!"

Such a powerful blow shattered her saber, and she was blown away and slammed to the ground.

As she gasped for air, her eyes caught sight of [Cracked-Crown]'s huge body, which was looking down at her and baring its fangs.

"A......"

I'm going to die. The fear that welled up inside her stopped her from thinking.

However, immediately afterward, her arm was pulled by a strong force. Her vision rotated. There, she saw the figure of her childhood friend, whom she loathed.

"Nozomu ......?"

The tense expression on her face, which seemed trying to suppress her emotions, made Lisa's chest tighten intensely.

However, before she had time to confirm the pain in her chest, the loudest cry of the [Cracked-Crown] ever sounded.

*Giiiiiiiii ―――――――――――――――!*

Shortly afterward, a huge ball of lightning, which was large enough to engulf the body of the giant centipede, manifested above the head of the demonic beast.

Facing such a lightning bolt capable of burning his eyes, Nozomu hesitated for a moment, but then placed his hand on his creaking chain.

◆

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