Chapter 326 – Versus

[———————]

Kirihara Takuto entered the building.

I had been keeping track of Kirihara Takuto’s movements through Erika’s familiars.

Her familiars had the appearance of animals you could find anywhere after all.

If it’s a magical war pigeon, he might feel something out-of-place and notice that he’s being observed.

However, the familiars don’t look strange even if they were around.

What was most especially useful———– were the bird-type familiars.

With them around the vicinity, I asked Erika to check the situation around Kirihara.

Vysis couldn’t be seen near the vicinity.

The monsters that are apparently subordinated to him are at a considerable distance from the area.

Nothing that looked like troops lying in ambush has been confirmed……

Moreover———— Most of them showed no signs of moving.

Moving according to the information I had received, I chose my response.

I had prepared several plans.

It was a little while ago that we decided on a plan to use this building.

I had also thought of several ways to lure him inside.

One way was to use Pigimaru’s offshoot but———

Kirihara came in on his own initiative.

Should I assume that he came in because he was concerned about the rain, which was getting stronger?

It doesn’t seem like he’s bringing out those golden dragons of his.

[………………..]

I am now stuck to the ceiling.

With Pigimaru’s new ability, that is.

Pigimaru’s final reinforcement may be simple, but it’s literally its simplicity that makes it a useful ability.

Simply put, Pigimaru becomes handier.

First of all, his adhesivity was remarkably improved.

Depending on how it’s used, it can even allow me to climb vertical building walls.

Back when I had ambushed the Drunken Sword Party, it was possible for them to climb above their blindspot because there was a place for me to hold on to.

Now, however, this allows me to stick even to empty space.

This has increased the number of blind spot options I could hide in.

The other thing is the improvement in mass-related capabilities.

Pigimaru’s length and strength when in rope form have increased considerably.

Perhaps, as a byproduct of this, it’s now possible for Pigimaru to divide himself.

After splitting himself, Pigimaru can move it as if it’s a branch of its body.

Pigimaru’s offshoot can also transform into a weapon.

As for these offshoots and weapons they may turn into, even if they were destroyed, Pigimaru wouldn’t be hurt by it.

In other words……

“If the offshoot is destroyed, the main body wouldn’t receive damage.”

However, the offshoot doesn’t have the same adhesivity or gigantism ability unlike the main body.

On the other hand though, the hardness of the offshoot dramatically increased.

In other words, it’s now hard enough to be used as a weapon.

Even if I don’t have a weapon in hand, Pigimaru himself can be used as a weapon.

And now……

I am sticking to a blind spot in the room, hiding my breath……

Footsteps.

It’s getting closer and closer……

……Kirihara huh.

Since that time———- You could say this would be our first reunion.

He’s retaining his tranquility.

He isn’t shaken at all.

Walking into the depths of the darkness……

Kirihara entered the building.

[………………………..]

Here he comes.

The position of the footsteps……

He’s here……

Kirihara is in the same room as I am……

It…… doesn’t seem like he realized I’m here.

Got him……

He’s now within range.

[Pii———-]

Pigimaru’s offshoot, set up in place beforehand, let out a cry.

The cry was coming from the opposite direction of my position.

Responding to that cry, Kirihara’s attention was directed in that direction————-

It’s time———–

[<Paralyze>]

————Crickle, crackle————, ……Bakiiiiin!————

A small———- sound of a glass breaking.

Something from within me……

From the back of my brain……

Deep in my memories……

A sensation that felt like something was being pulled out————

[<Dragonic———–]

I should re-check———–

[<Berserk———-]

[————Buster>.]

————Bakiiiiin!————

That time……

Just before I was disposed of by the Goddess……

That time when I unleashed <Paralyze> on Vysis in desperation……

Perhaps……

I had been so absorbed with my situation back then that my ears hadn’t registered it……

However, outside of my consciousness……

I probably heard this sound———— and then saw “it” happening.

Yes.

It was the same.

This was that effect back then.

This was that sh*tty Goddess’ <Dispel Bubble>.

(T/N: Goddess’ Spell Breaker)

……Doshuuuuuu……

Kirihara Takuto is clad in swirling golden dragons.

Undulating golden dragons made of energy.

The light emitted by the golden dragons immediately illuminated the room enveloped in darkness———–

[I have to say…… this is quite the pity. You’re the one who was lured in———- Low-rank being.]

Kirihara’s Unique Skill just now……

It wasn’t that energy attack like back then.

But at that moment, I had already sent out my signal to Pigimaru.

Pigimaru, in his rope form, was attached to the wall diagonally opposite my position———–

My body was pulled with a tremendous force.

Just like that, I flew toward the wall, pulled by Pigimaru.

Ahead of my path was a slatted shutter.

The lumber used for this building has rotted and become brittle.

The holes that had formed due to age and deterioration had been sealed up ahead of time.

Sealing things up was also one of the things Pigimaru was able to do with his offshoot.

The current Pigimaru has lost his previous transparency and can now block light.

Why is it that I sealed up those holes?

It was to prevent outside light from entering and pouring even a ray of light into the darkness of the interior.

To create darkness within that place.

However……

The biggest reason for the existence of that slatted shutter is for when the “worst-case scenario” occurs……

To make sure I would have an escape route.

■

I had heard about the details regarding the Exiled Emperor from the Mad Emperor.

“The Goddess had apparently shared her power with him.”

That’s something the Exiled Emperor had told him.

Sharing power?

That sh*tty Goddess can also do something like that……?

……In that case……

Just in case…… would that be possible?

Can she also share that <Dispel Bubble> of hers?

Considering this wasn’t something I had needed to do until now.

However, if Vysis realized that the Fly King was “me”……

And if Vysis told Kirihara who I am……

If she was intending to have Kirihara become bait for me to kill him while she was formulating something……

Naturally, she would take measures———– she would share that ability with him.

If sharing that ability was indeed possible……

She would want Kirihara to get rid of me.

Since Vysis isn’t here……

She must be doing something else.

She must have something else she needed to do.

In other words……

If Vysis isn’t here, then Kirihara would require a countermeasure against Abnormal State Skills.

Countermeasures against me.

Civit.

Eingrantz.

Ruin.

If she thinks that I had also defeated John Doe———- It would be a necessary measure.

Countermeasures against Abnormal State Skills.

I thought that the probability of this happening might be low.

I also thought that I might just be overthinking it.

However, I thought I should be prepared for such an eventuality

………………….

And as I thought, I knew I should be prepared.

I knew I should always assume———– for the worst-case scenario.

▼

[Drop dead, Mimo———]

Before Kirihara can finish what he says, the slatted shutters shattered into pieces.

It burst open and pieces of wood flew out of the building.

I’ve already escaped out of the building.

Fine pieces of wood fly through the air beneath the rain———–

[This must have been…… the craftiness of the locals. Low-rank beings struggling…… it’s just too much for my eyes! No matter how your kind struggles……!]

Kirihara, with several golden dragons in tow, smashed through the remaining walls of the building and leaped out.

Kirihara himself is enveloped in golden energy and seems to be speeding up.

Doshuuuuuuu!

Drawing his katana, Kirihara cloaks his blade in golden waves as well.

He’s following me.

Dashing through the air, the energy around him gathers and forms into a gigantic dragon, baring its fangs my way.

At the end of Pigimaru’s rope form———- Pigimaru is wrapped around the pillar of a ruin outside.

My body is still floating up in the air.

Thereupon, Pigimaru, who was around the pillar, pulled me towards him with tremendous force.

Landing near the pillar, with it behind my back———– I take a stance.

[Seras.]

The pile of debris behind the pillar behind me is blown away by violent wind pressure.

A gush of light.

Out from behind the pillar comes a woman with a sword in her hand————

Seras Ashrain.

Upon seeing her, Kirihara’s eyes widened.

[———–Seras Ashrain huh———–]

Seras is wearing her Regalia of the Spirits, evolved by the Tear of Origin.

Its name was———— “Origin Regalia”.

Compared to its previous form, Regalia of the Spirits, the armor and parts here and there have increased.

Some parts of her armor had also changed from their original shape.

There’s also the improvement of her Spirit of Light, increasing the high light output of her Spirit Sword.

A swirling bundle of light seemed to be emitted from the blade of her sword.

Several golden dragons attacked toward me———– and in the center of those golden dragons was Kirihara.

However, Seras caught his attack, and the sound of their collision was like that of two large waves, crashing into each other on a rough sea.

Seras’ Spirit Sword collides with Kirihara’s golden dragons, knocking them away.

Seeing this, Kirihara’s eyes shot through Seras.

[At last…… We finally met. It seems like the time when everything fits into place draws near. However……]

Kirihara glares at me.

[………………]

Just before I escaped from that building, the edge of his golden dragons lightly grazed me.

The front of my Fly King mask was ripped open by it, and my face peeked out.

The skin on my forehead was also slightly torn, and a line of blood ran down the bridge of my nose.

Kirihara Takuto————- With blazing hatred in his eyes, spoke.

[Seras…… Are you seriously protecting such a Low-rank being? Tsk…… You keep on showing me such an evidently abnormal sight…… It seems like that thing’s brainwashing hasn’t been lifted yet…… Good grief…… How dare you do this to “my possession”————]

Keeping my silence, I took off the Fly King mask———– and set my eyes on Kirihara.

[Mimori……………….]

[—————-Kirihara.]

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