Chapter 73

Today is the second episode. (If you count the late-night one, it's the third.)

Please be aware.

When Setsu and I were called to this world...

"Setsu, why are you so calm?"

"Huh! Huh! ...Huh? What do you mean all of a sudden?"

Setsu was swinging a wooden sword with all his might.

His unwavering eyes were even eerie to me at that moment.

"Because... we suddenly ended up in this incomprehensible world... and you seem to have already adapted. It looks like you already know what to do."

"Hmm... I see."

Without stopping his sword swings, Setsu said,

"What to do... well, we need to get strong, don't we? It seems there are monsters and a demon king in this world. You don't want to die, do you?"

"...I..."

It was hard to say.

That I had wanted to die when I was in Japan.

"I don't really understand, but if you don't want to die, I'll protect you."

"Huh?"

"We're from the same hometown. It's fate, let's get along."

"...Really?"

This was the first time someone had said something like that to me.

With my gray hair and red eyes, I had never been spoken to kindly because of my appearance.

Even my parents found me creepy and kept their distance.

So, this was the first time.

I felt my heart warm up.

"Of course, Fuyuma."

He called my name with a gentle smile.

"Yuki-kun..."

"Yeah, it looks like we took that guy down, Yūhi."

It seemed Yūhi wasn't injured.

But more importantly...

"You guys really made a mess, didn't you?"

He said this to the fallen group.

"Hehe... Sorry about that."

"He's tough..."

Grain and Roa were chuckling.

Most were seriously injured, but none were on the verge of death.

Huh? Ide and the others are still alive too.

At least that's one less thing to worry about.

"Yūhi, Levi. You two can still move, right? Please heal the fallen."

"Got it..."

"Okay..."

Seeing them start to move, I turned back to Fuyuma.

"You really did a number on these guys... Huh? Fuyuma?"

"...You're not going to call me by my name like before, huh?"

"Of course not. Do you know what you've done?"

You've hurt many people.

You've trampled on their feelings.

Most importantly, you've hurt my friends.

"I know. But it's all for you!"

"..."

"It's strange for us, who love each other, to be apart! But it's not your fault. It's the fault of the demons, beastmen, and some humans who are misleading you! It's a necessary sacrifice to save you."

...He's still as crazy as ever.

"By the way... that brown-haired girl called Setsu 'Yuki-kun,' right?"

"Huh? What about it—"

"What are you so familiar with... calling my Setsu by a nickname!?"

Fuyuma turned to Yūhi, who was treating Elka.

Yūhi noticed but it was too late.

"Vanish!"

A huge fireball was launched.

Yūhi was supposed to be good at fire magic.

He should take less damage, but Elka, who was in the same spot, would definitely die.

"Not a chance."

So I stepped between the fire and Yūhi, and cut the flame in half with Kuromaru.

"Hey! Don't get in the way!"

"You're the one causing trouble. You just need to fight me."

The cut flame dissipated in the air.

It seemed no one was hurt.

"If we keep fighting here, we'll involve others... Hey, Fuyuma, let's change the location."

"...Why do I have to make it advantageous for you?"

"If you don't listen... I'll force you."

I kicked off the ground and closed the distance in an instant.

I swung Kuromaru down, aiming for Fuyuma's torso.

"Ugh!"

Fuyuma drew a one-handed sword hidden in his black robe and blocked it.

The ground caved in from the force of my unmitigated blow.

"Still, I'm stronger."

"Still... so... stupidly strong!"

"Let's change the location! Hey!"

While he was focused on blocking Kuromaru, I kicked him.

The sudden attack sent Fuyuma flying high into the sky.

I followed him, jumping up.

"〈Sky Step〉"

We landed in the air simultaneously.

The ground was far below.

"Really... no mercy, huh?"

"You're not in a position to be merciful."

"Well, that's true... Hey! 〈Holy Spear〉!"

Fuyuma created a massive glowing spear on his palm.

It was a mid-level light magic, but when used by Fuyuma, its power multiplied.

"To make you mine, I need to defeat you once!"

"Damn..."

I blocked the spear with Kuromaru.

The spear, made of condensed holy light, was not something to be taken lightly.

"Ugh... Raah!"

I managed to deflect it upward.

The spear, after flying to a certain height, exploded, scattering energy in the air.

"...Are you warmed up yet?"

"Same to you."

In response, Fuyuma extended his hand toward the sky.

"Come forth... 〈Sword of Opening〉"

The space split, and the hilt of a sword appeared.

"To fight you, I need this."

Unlike the shining sword of Hikari, a black-bladed sword was now in his hand.

It used to be a shining sword...

"I know your sword is hard to handle. But I'll end this before Setsu can draw it."

"If you can... try it!"

I kicked off the air and approached Fuyuma.

"Haah!"

Fuyuma also kicked off the air and rushed at me.

Kuromaru and the holy sword clashed, sending shockwaves in all directions.

"The sky... is splitting..."

Desastor, who had finished healing, muttered, looking up.

The thick rain clouds covering the sky were being dispelled with each clash.

"Really... they're in a different league."

Levi, standing beside him, said in amazement.

Everyone present was made aware of the vast power gap.

"Yuki-kun..."

"Ugh... Can you beat me in strength!?"

I swung Kuromaru down from above.

Fuyuma's guard was broken, and I managed to hit his shoulder.

Fuyuma, knocked down, used 〈Sky Step〉 to return to the same height as me.

"Still, the 〈Holy Armor〉 prevents much damage."

"It hurts, but not too much!"

"Whoa!"

Around Fuyuma, numerous light spears appeared.

About forty of them, the same size as the first one.

"There's no place to run!"

I cut, blocked, and deflected the spears with Kuromaru.

However...

"Damn...!"

There were too many.

A spear that slipped through my guard hit my abdomen.

"Direct hit."

Taking advantage of the opening, the other spears attacked.

The spears hit me one after another, exploding with a loud noise.

"Ouch...!"

I swung my arm to clear the explosion.

The vision cleared, but Fuyuma was gone.

"Above you, Setsu... 〈Flying Sword: Absolute〉!"

"What!?"

Fuyuma was directly above me.

When he swung his holy sword, a razor-sharp 〈Flying Sword〉 was launched.

(No good... if I block it with Kuromaru, it will be cut in half...!)

I quickly reached into my magic bag and pulled out a special sword I had acquired, blocking the attack.

As expected, even with magic reinforcement, the sword was easily cut, and it even cut into my body.

"Ugh..."

While bleeding from my shoulder, I regained my composure in the air.

Holy sword wielders have another ability, or rather, a characteristic.

When a holy sword is used to attack another holy sword wielder, it nullifies the 〈Holy Armor〉.

This is why a holy sword wielder can only be defeated by another holy sword wielder.

"Huh? Are you getting rusty?"

"Ha! Shut up!"

"!"

I threw away the broken sword and gripped Kuromaru again.

Kicking off the air and approaching Fuyuma, I swung Kuromaru down without hesitation.

"〈Swallow Return〉!"

"That's all...!"

I used the technique 〈Swallow Return〉, which involves a downward and upward slash, but it was all blocked by the holy sword.

However, I managed to deflect his sword upward during the upward slash.

"Damn!"

"〈Rapid Strikes〉!"

I threw Kuromaru up and pummeled Fuyuma with dozens of punches.

The 〈Holy Armor〉 is slightly weaker against physical attacks.

Since the holy sword couldn't be easily drawn, this was the only way to attack.

"Ugh... That hurts!"

Fuyuma, pummeled, tried to cast a spell at close range.

I quickly backed off and caught the falling Kuromaru.

Fuyuma also moved a bit and grabbed the falling holy sword.

"Heh, you look better now."

"Ouch... Beating me up like that is cruel."

Fuyuma's face was slightly swollen.

It healed quickly due to his natural healing ability, but I was sure I had inflicted damage.

My shoulder wound had also healed, so it was a stalemate for now.

"No choice... I don't like dragging things out... let's speed things up a bit."

"Huh?"

Fuyuma pointed his holy sword at me.

Magic power began to flow into the holy sword, and a black aura surrounded it.

"〈Form Change: Holy Cannon〉..."

"What is that?"

The holy sword, 〈Sword of Opening〉, changed shape.

It became huge and long.

Fuyuma held the massive gun-like weapon by his side, aiming the barrel at me.

"This is the new potential of the 〈Holy Sword〉, Setsu. Now, stage two!"

The trigger on the side of the weapon was pulled—