Hard Close Fight No Mercy

『GUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!』

"Incoming breath your way! Reina, Hiyoko!"

"On it!"

『Cluuuuuuuuuuu!!』


Half of a breath attack aimed at Alma was absorbed by Reina's repeated slashing while Hiyoko absorbed the remaining half.
They then shot out the captured energy away from Black Dragon to avoid it getting reabsorbed.


"Alma! Make him heavier!"

"Got it!"


I have her add weights to Black Dragon with Gravity Magic, restraining him.
The effect is diminished by Black Dragon's Master Skill but it's still significant enough.

As he desperately flapped his wings to avoid crashing down, I readied a High Powered Pile Bunker strike.
I'm using an adamantite ingot as its head not a mass of mana though.
He might be able to absorb magic-based attacks, but a physical object should work.


I shot the super heavy ingot at Black Dragon, producing a canon-like sound in the process.
It packs enough firepower to gouge out an average magic beast with the slightest touch.


『Goau!!』

"...Dammit, he blocked it."


But the ingot got stopped by 'Dragon Scale' Skill before it hit the main body.
I'm not sure if it's gonna deal enough damage even if it reaches though.
Guess I really should give up going on the offensive and focus on defending instead.


『GAVAAAAAAAAAAA!! AAAAA!! HYAVAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!』


Black Dragon shot out a barrage of black scales like a slugshot.
He can do that!?


"Incoming scales! No dodging this! Shoot them down!!"

"【Grand Blade】!"

"【Death Blade Barrier】!"


Alma blocked the scales with a giantified blade, while Reina put up a spider web-like barrier made of thin mana thread.
Each and every scale has an incredible penetrative power. Blocking them is no simple feat.


『GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!』

"Breath! Hiyoko, turn big and absorb it! Don't forget Energy Buff!"

『Cluuck!!』


My hands are full just from barking orders.
The slightest delay could be disastrous. I can't look away even for a moment.


"Alma, recast Support Magic! Speed Up!"

"Un!"

"Hiyoko! Stop Black Dragon's ramming attack! Put all your energy into your Strength and kick him with everything you got!"

『Cluuuuuck!!』

"Reina! Put up a smokescreen as a distraction!"

"Yessire!"

"Hikaru! I need mana refill!"

"You got it!"

『Cluuck!』

"Say what, you're hungry from using up too much energy!? Ah geez, step away for a bit and eat your lunch box!"

"Kajikawa-san, I gotta go to the restroom for a bit!"

"Ah, same here but my hands are tied now, you go and do my share too!"

"How does that make sense!?"


It's so chaotic I don't even know what I'm saying.
Anybody but me can take a short break, but there's no way they can take on Black Dragon if I'm not here.
Meaning, I gotta stay here until the very end. What is this sweatshop hahaha.

...I do still take toilet breaks though.
Eh, why don't I just dump it straight into Item Screen? ...I feel like I'd lose something important if I did that, so no.


『VYAGAAAAAAAAVAAAGIAAAAAAAAAA!!』

"Shut up will you! Eat this!!"


I drove High Powered Pile Bunker on 'orichalcum splinters', sending them flying at Black Dragon like a shotgun shot.
They pierced through Dragon Scales but did virtually no damage on the main body. It's like getting hit by tiny gravel if we likened him to a human.

Damn, I knew it. There's no way to get out of this situation without a real finisher.
Is it not done yet, is it? Please finish it asap!




<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >


~~~~~~~Hero's POV~~~~~~~~







"Curses! We cannot hold them back...!"

"How could three mere little girls possess such power...!"

"Who you calling a girl dammitall!
'Saint Laser'!"

"Ugiaaaaaa!!"


We made our way deeper into the hideout where the chief-class demons should be lurking while mowing down more and more demons.
...I'm used to it with people, but I can't believe even demons would misgender me...

No wait, this is no time to feel down.
Gotta beat that demon chief and destroy the continental destroying magic circle!


"Hero, sama."


Just as I was about to dash off, some unfamiliar voice called out to me.
No, I think I've heard this voice before, but where...?


"...Eh?"


I turned around and saw a long purple haired beauty with a sword in hand, pointed at me.
Isn't she the captain of Continent 4 Anti Demon Army...!?


"Hero-sama."

"Hero-sama."

"Heero-sama."

"Hero-dono."

"Hero."

"Hero."

"Hero."


W, what the hell...?
An armed group of people with hollow eyes are creeping toward us.
These people, are they, humans?

Familiar purple-colored flickers could be seen in their hollow eyes.
That's, the same thing I saw on the brainwashed Kajikawa-san...!?


"N-Neora-san, they are...!?"

"They don't seem like demons mimicking humans, but they're acting weirdly. Actually, are those small kids mixed in there...!?"

"Don't hurt them, you two! They've been brainwashed with a Skill!"


Levia and Olivie were thrown into confusion as they tried to stop the brainwashed people.
Dammit, upon a closer inspection, there's non combatants and even children among them. They don't discriminate huh.
This group likely consist of this continent populace as well as anti demon army folks and adventurers.


As I was contemplating how to deal with them, the brainwashed people opened up a path.
Someone walked in this direction in that path... A blue skinned woman? A demon huh.


"Hi, nice to meet you Hero-sama. How do you do?"

"...The hell, are you."

"Oh tut tut, don't make that face now. Smiles fit a girl best, smile for me~."

"I'm a man, dangit!"

"...Eh?"

"Don't you 'eh?' me! I'm tellin' you, I'm a man darn it!"

"O, okay. I'm sorry?"


Stop that, don't look genuinely apologetic there! You're only making me sad!
How could this demon take it wrong too!
Really puts a damper to this serious situation...


"Ahem... Let's have a retake. My mighty and cute hero-sama, you will go with me to the interior depth if you wish to save these people."

"...What's your game?"

"You think I will answer?"


...An invitation from these demons? What are they scheming.
There's around 50 brainwashed people in total. I can just Mark them and Fast Travel--


"Ah, right. Try and take these people away with that Fast Travel of yours and they will take their own lives altogether."

"Wha...!?"

"I have given them the instruction to cut their own neck the moment they are teleported. You don't want to act rashly, now."


Dammit! They foresaw everything!
...What do, the plan always involves going into that interior depth, but there's no telling what's waiting for us there under these demons' guidance.
Fleeing is out of question, these demons are gonna kill the hostages, yet we can't just follow them...


"Neora, let's do what she says for now."

"We are left with no other option. We cannot abandon these people."

"...Right."

"Ufufu, you have my gratitude for making the right choice. Over here if you would."


I sighed as I followed the female demon.
...She's grinning and acting flippant.


"Get us there, onee-san."

"Ufufu, oh I shall give my utmost."

"Ah, also, let me just say this."

"Hmm? What is the...!?"


I concentrated my energy into my eyes and glared at the female demon as I spoke.


"You will free all hostages once we're there. Walk back on it and I'll beat you up until you plea, 'Please just kill me.'"


"Fu, fufufu... Oh yes, I shall take it to heart... It's no wonder you're the antithesis of Demon King-sama."


She dropped her facade and sweated for a moment before immediately putting back her flippantly attitude.
That served nothing but my ego, but at least I've got one off her.
Well, I won't show any mercy if she broke her promise.


"...You really are similar to that old man."

"Eh?"

"L-Levia-san, that's a bit rude. He's not as scary as Kajikawa-san."


...Looks like these two equate that man to monster.
Can't believe they think I'm imitating Kajikawa-san when all I did was giving a rather stern warning. Guy's really a symbol of fear...

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