Chapter 92

"What is this...?"

"You didn't notice, did you? I had already set everything up before I faced you."

Quake's body no longer moved.

He tried to move it, but it wouldn't budge, as if his nerves were completely disconnected.

"My magic is what you might call a 'first encounter killer.' You won't lose to me the first time we meet. No one realizes they're caught in my trap."

"Damn..."

Quake had no choice but to believe his words.

Even the act of releasing his true power with the <Draw> didn't make his body respond.

"My technique is often thought to be an illusion, but it's not. To be precise, it's more than just that."

Zion extended his hand and snapped his fingers.

Then, Quake's immobile body smoothly stood up.

"What...?"

"Suggestions and hypnosis, even brainwashing for simple cases. What you're under now is a suggestion. A suggestion that you can't move by your own will. Isn't it interesting?"

Zion lowered his hand.

Quake collapsed to the ground as if all his strength had been drained, and then he couldn't move again.

"Ugh... Ugh..."

"Struggling is pointless. Suggestions work on your inner self; once you're caught, it's over."

It was an incredibly uncomfortable sensation.

He could feel his body below his neck, but it felt as if it wasn't his own, and it wouldn't move.

"Well, it's about to get even more interesting."

"What are you planning to do..."

Zion took out a knife and sat on Quake's body, plunging the knife into him.

"!"

"You don't feel any pain, right? I put your pain receptors to sleep. That's all there is to it."

The knife was pulled out, but Quake felt no pain. What he felt was an unpleasant sensation of a foreign object.

"So, the main point is... why do you think I'm playing with you instead of just killing you?"

"What do you mean..."

"It's simple. I want you to tell me everything about your group. Understand? I want information."

Zion pressed the knife to Quake's throat. His expression, combined with his appearance, made him look like a demon.

"Ugh... Who would talk to the likes of you!"

"Sure, go ahead and say that. You'll end up telling me everything, regardless of your will."

Quake's mouth began to move.

But in the next moment, it opened wide, and he couldn't close it again.

"You've pushed me to my limit. Don't think you'll die easily, you fool..."

◆◆◆

"Iai no Ichi, <Kiba>!"

"Are you going to cut me with such a sword! It's not enough!"

While tilting his body sideways, he performed a vertical cut instead of a horizontal one, a technique of Iai known for its aggressive stance and the force of gravity. It is called <Kiba> because it bites down from above.

But Aero easily blocked it with his own sword.

"Such a light weapon can't even make me kneel... Now, it's my turn."

"What!"

Aero pushed Lamina back and swung his sword. The wind, a manifestation of his power, blew fiercely in response.

"Ugh!"

It blew Lamina away and left a cut on her body.

"You seem tough. Otherwise, that one blow would have finished you."

Blood flowed from her entire body. Fortunately, the wounds were not deep, and none were fatal. However, the ongoing blood loss was not something to be ignored.

"How many more cuts will it take to kill you!"

"Iai no San."

Aero swung his sword, releasing a wind blade. The moment it hit Lamina—

"<Shunpai>"

"What!"

—everything dispersed, and Lamina appeared in front of Aero. <Shunpai> is a high-speed movement technique over short distances, utilizing the stepping motion of Iai. It is an offensive technique, used to approach and decapitate an enemy in a single moment. This time, Lamina used it only for movement.

"<Jutetsu no Tachi>"

"Wha—"

To deliver this heavy blow to him. Aero's body was blown sideways, despite managing to block it with his sword. As she regained her stance, she realized her arm was numb, as if struck by a giant iron hammer.

<Jutetsu no Tachi> is not an Iai technique but a regular sword technique. It involves deliberately striking the enemy's weapon with the back of the sword to damage the weapon or the arm holding it. However, for someone as skilled as Lamina, it can amplify the weight and power of the sword to dozens of times its original strength, creating an overwhelming force.

"Is it heavy enough for you?"

"Ugh... But you didn't come out unscathed either."

"..."

However, this single blow had increased the number of wounds on Lamina's body. She had cut through Aero's storm.

"What can you do with that body? If you take another wind blade, you might die this time."

"Even if... I die..."

Lamina sheathed her sword and crouched into a low stance.

"If I can take your head, that's enough. I have been given this task."

"..."

Her resolve was admirable, but Aero couldn't afford to give up her head.

The wind swirled around Aero, a sign that she was about to reach a new level.

"I will bury you with all my strength. <Draw>."

◆◆◆

Mirage's appearance changed.

She was now dressed in a silver foil dress, surrounded by countless large floating mirrors.

What are those mirrors...?

I have a bad feeling about this.

"What's wrong, aren't you coming?"

"Heh... Shut up, I'm coming!"

There's no point in hesitating.

I need to attack to figure out what those things are.

"Tsaa!"

"Being proactive is good, but this is a bad move."

A mirror inserted itself between my extended fist and Mirage.

This won't reach him, but if I can blow away the mirror—

"The mirrors reflect everything."

"!"

My reflection was in the mirror.

Of course, it should be, but... what's this strange feeling?

It's as if the me in the mirror is also punching—

"!"

The next moment, my body was blown back by the pain in my fist.

What just happened?

It didn't feel like I hit the mirror.

It felt like I hit a fist, the closest sensation to that...

"Hey, is that even possible?"

"You noticed. Yes, my ability is to replicate everything reflected in the mirrors. If you punch a mirror, a punch of the same power is released. If you cast a spell, it is negated. These mirrors are my absolute shield."

I knew she would use mirrors, but her ability is more troublesome than I thought.

The reaction speed of the mirrors might be the biggest threat.

Even if I try to exploit a gap, it will probably be blocked immediately.

It's not complete, but... should I use it now?

"What are you standing there for? If you're not coming, I'll come to you."

"Damn! Give me a moment to think!"

The mirrors arranged themselves around me.

As I was on guard, the <me> in the mirrors started moving on their own.

Wait, why is the me in the mirror moving on its own!?

"That's a perfect copy of your body, created by reflecting your abilities. Let's have a good fight."

"Damn... This is such a hassle!"

Countless versions of me attacked.

They are fast. I have to say, they are fast.

I managed to deal with the two that came from the front, but I was hit by the one from behind.

Then, I was restrained by another one that circled around from behind.

"Damn! Let go!"

We were evenly matched, and I couldn't break free.

Damn, this is—

"Ugh!"

One of the me's punched me while I was restrained.

It hurts.

Of course, it does; they have the same physical abilities as me.

"Well, it's boring, but you'll be beaten to death like this. I can't keep focusing on you."

Mirage's voice sounded distant.

This is bad; I'll be out of the fight soon.

"Heh... You're right. I can't afford to hold back."

I gathered strength in my abdomen.

It's time to show the results of my training.

I recalled each of Straw's words.

"Got it? The divine power is not much different from magic in terms of usage."

First, I refined my divine power.

"Your divine power is still limited. So, focus it only where it's needed. If... you can't defeat an enemy even then—"

I spread my divine power throughout my body.

"Surround your entire body with divine power, and for a moment... become a god."

My emotions faded.

Before they disappeared completely... I set my purpose, to defeat Mirage.

That's all I need to protect now.

If I can defeat him, that's enough.

"You... how can you handle divine power!?"

Mirage was surprised.

Why is she making such a fuss?

"That doesn't matter."

"Ha!"

I realized I had punched Mirage in the stomach.