Chapter? 61. Bounty Head and Awakening [4]

I somehow managed to repel Zack, and

「Haa Haa…」

Heavily breathing, I dropped my gaze on my right hand.

「What… happened……?」

That moment when I was completely absorbed in unleashing a straight right.

A tremendous density of『Black Something』was produced in my hand.

(That’s right… It was very similar to the feeling of when I annihilated Dark Roar in the finals of the First-Year War …)

If there is one difference, it is the power.

At that time, the scale and destructive power was not as excessive as it was this time.

And above all – this amount of jet-black darkness was not produced.

(What the hell… is this power…?)

When I was thinking about that – a huge pillar of fire rose from afar.

「Wha!?」

And then,

「Zhahahahahahaha! I can see it, I can see it …! You were『sparkling』brilliantly, gahahahaha!」

Zack, wrapped in flame armor, approached me with long strides.

「N-No way…」

There was not even a slight cut on his body.

「Unscathed after taking that attack head on…!?」

As I stood there, stunned,

「Yo, what’s your name-… oops, no good no good.『When you ask a person for their name, you must start with yourself!』!」

All of a sudden, he started laughing, 「Zahahahaha!」

「My name is Zack Bomber! Currently, I belong to the Black Organization due to some reasons! Now, tell me your name!」

For some reason, the guy who started introducing himself, waited for my reply with his arms folded.

To be honest, he didn’t make any sense, but since he named himself, it is necessary to name myself too.

「…Allen Rodore.」

When I answered, he nodded satisfied.

「Allen Rodore huh… Zahaha! That’s a good name! I’ll make sure to remember that name!」

And then,

「Now, bring out that『black darkness』again!」

「…Ha?」

Zack began to say something even more nonsensical.

「Not『……Ha?」! The attack just now was Allen’s soul dress, wasn’t it? Come on, don’t keep it a suspense! Show me that sparkle! Come on, hurry up! 」

He thrust his right hand forward and told me to hurry.

「… I’m sorry for not meeting your expectations, but I haven’t manifested my soul dress yet.」

「What!? Which means… that power was an undeveloped manifestation !? Za-Hahahaha! A wonderful, tremendous talent! That’s fine, then tell me this!」

I don’t know just what was so fun, but that guy started talking excitedly.

「There are three main ways to bring out the power of soul dress! One, talk to the spirit core and borrow the power. Two, negotiate conditions with the spirit core and borrow the power. And the last way is – to make the spirit core submit and forcefully take the power!」

Zack explained so while folding one finger at a time.

「This is my impression after taking that black blow… Your spirit core is a pretty rough-tempered guy, ain’t it?」

「… You figured well.」

「Zahaha, that’s right! It is impossible to talk and negotiate with such a ferocious spirit core!　There is no other choice but to make the spirit core submit! 」

「… If I could do that, I wouldn’t be having such a hard time.」

It’s like the ultimate example of『easier said than done』- to make that guy submit by force.

When I quietly shook my head sideways, he had a strange expression.

「Mu? With as much courage that Allen has, it shouldn’t be impossible, right? At any rate, you were able to push forward through〈Blaze Cross〉- because of your monstrous mental strength!」

「…Let’s just say that my mental strength slightly excels compared to ordinary people. Even so, as long as I don’t make that guy submit – get the spirit core to yield, I can’t manifest my soul dress.」

Then he frowned.

「Allen, aren’t you mistaking something? In order to draw out the『entire』power of the spirit core, it is necessary to physically make it submit as you say. But if you just want to snatch『a portion』of its power – it’s enough if you just make it yield with your mind!」

「…Make it yield with my mind?」

「That’s right! Have a strong mind! Be resolved! Don’t bend your beliefs! With that strong mental strength, make the spirit core yield! And more sparkle – show me the sparkle!」

The moment when the excited Zack spoke so passionately.

「-Cut it out! You simpleton!」

「Guha!?」

A mysterious woman suddenly appeared, kicking him in the back of his head.

「Ouuuuch… Oi Oi, Thor! It was just getting good. What are you doing!?」

「『What are you doing!?』is my line, you damn idiot! I was wondering where you were even though it’s already the meeting time, and I find you playing the fool here!」

「Oh, that’s right! Listen to me, Thor! I found some wonderful sparkly gem! In my judgement, it’s the best I’ve ever seen!」

「Tch… Don’t bring in the nonsense『sparkly』when you’re at work! You’re gross as ever…!」

Thor was a short, slender girl in a black cloak.

Judging by the appearance, she seems to be a rowdy girl in her early teens.

Light pink hair, curled at the end.

The bangs are fastened with a simple hairpin and she had a wide forehead.

(That black cloak…. Is she from the Black Organization too…)

We’re already in this predicament with Zack alone, and now there is reinforcement…

Honestly, this situation is hopeless.

As I gritted my teeth and looked around to see if there was any way to overcome this difficult situation,

「Oi, big oaf! We’re taking the princess and leaving immediately!」

Thor showed no fighting attitude and tried to work calmly.

「Wait, Wait! I’ve found a sparkling gem! It should be alright to play a little, right!? 」

「Idiot, give priority to the mission! According to our information, that『Black fist』is heading towards here at lightning speed. Take the princess and move quickly!」

It seems that Leia-sensei, who heard the commotion, is heading right towards us.

「Hou, that Black Fist is coming here! Hey, if it’s the two of us, shouldn’t we be able to kill her?」

「Don’t get carried away, simple-minded fool! The other party is『transcendent』- Go do it alone if you want to, and die a dog’s death!」

「Zahaha! Even though we’ve been working together for a few years now, you’re still as cold as ever.」

After the discussion, Zack released his〈Blaze Cross〉and carried the fainted Ria under his arm.

「Yoshi, let’s go.」

「Ou!」

They said so briefly and withdrew at a tremendous rate.

「W-Wait!」

The moment I cried out.

「I don’t have time to care about a shitty brat like you.」

Thor, who should have been far ahead, was standing right behind me before I knew it.

「Wha!?」

「-Die.」

She pulled out the short sword fastened at her hips, and thrusted it towards my neck. However,

A sound as though metal and rock collided, reverberated.

「What… the hell…!?」

Perhaps the sword was rusty. As Thor’s attack did not penetrate my skin.

「Tchii…」

Throwing away the short sword, she distanced herself from me in an agile movement.

「Oi Oi, what is that creature? I’ve never heard of a human which a blade can’t cut…!?」

「Zahahahaha! He’s sparkling nicely! Still immature, but… this guy will shine brilliantly someday!」

While Zack and Thor were talking, I ran towards them.

「Let go of… Ria…!」

「…Tch. We don’t have enough time to deal with an unknown beast like you!」

The moment Thor spread the black cloak over her body.

「「「KIーKIーKIー!」」」

A large amount of bats flew out of it.

「W-What…!?」

The bats flew around my face, covering my sight.

「-Yoshi, let’s retreat now, hey.」

「Zahaha! Let’s meet again some other time, sparkly gem!」

While I was driving away the bats which were obstructing my sight, the two got farther away.

「Kuh…Oi, wait!」

And when I took a step forward,

「Eh…!?」

My vision shook greatly.

There was no sense of balance.

My whole body was wrapped in a strange floating feeling.

My legs do not move forward as if both feet were stuck in mud.

(What… is this?)

This is strange, I thought, and looked down – there was a big puddle of red.

「This is all… my blood…? 」

The moment I realized this.

The damage I’ve suffered so far assailed my body all at once.

「Shit…」

Then I helplessly lost consciousness while drowning in my own pool of blood.

「-Oi Allen, pull yourself together! Shit… No.18!」

「Yes!」

「Keep an eye on Allen! No treatment required, he has already started regenerating! If by chance, that guy surfaces, don’t miss the『initial stiffness』window!」

「Understood.」

「I’m going after them! I’ll leave the rest to you!」

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