CHAPTER 82: MY HERO = MY SPARKLE

　Majin Arato, who has turned into a dark buldging monster, jumps from the top of the rubble. The tentacle arms swung in the air, instantly swelling their mass many times over.

 

 

“Run–!” (Shuu)

 

 

　I quickly used [Leaping], moving back with Giran in my arms. At the same time, the tentacle arm pierces the ground.

 

　The arm wriggles from the impact. The exploding ground rises up to form ripples that sweep away the area.

 

　Although I avoided a direct hit, I lost my balance and fall to the ground in the wake of the shockwave.

 

 

“…Are you serious…?” (Shuu)

 

 

　Dust is already rising in the air to take the place of the fog that was blown away. The cobblestone pavement around Arato has been obliterated. It’s impossible, it’s like a scene from a shonen manga.

 

 

“Ugh, guh!” (Arato)

 

 

　Arato’s back wriggles in agony and spills their bodily fluids from his crescent-shaped mouth. The sticky, tar-like liquid spurts out in a cloud of steam.

 

 

“Ugh, gaaaaaaa!” (Arato)

 

 

　The tentacle arms clawed all over its body. Bodily fluids scatter everywhere.

 

 

“…The Awakened Body, it seems far from perfect… It is no different from [Demonic Disease]…” (Giran)

 

 

　Beside me, Giran was trying to get up on his elbows.

 

 

“…There is still a chance to win…” (Giran)

 

“No, but that ridiculous power is still there…?” (Shuu)

 

“Break the [Fungus Stone]… there is no other way to kill them…” (Giran)

 

 

　The Kure was left lying on the ground in a remote location. As for the twins, Aoi and the Xolotl are taking care of the battered Midori in the shadows. Giran, too, from what I can see, has wounds all over his body.

 

 

(A one-on-one battle against that monster?) (Shuu)

 

(As expected, it’s a bit of an impossible fight, isn’t it?) (Shuu)

 

 

　Nevertheless, there is no other choice. The only way to end this nightmarish situation was for either of us to die.

 

　Giran rummages in his pocket and pulls out a small mushroom. It is a bright red mushroom about the size of a piece of shimeji mushroom.

 

 

“Red Shiitake… They are nutritious, good for recovering from fatigue, and has the effect of raising the spirit… It’s my final trump card, but you should be the one to eat it.” (Giran)

 

 

　Red Shiitake… is that safe? I’m especially scared of the “raising the spirit” part.

 

　It feels bad to refuse Giran’s serious expression, so I have no choice but to take it. It tastes strangely sweet once I chew it.

 

 

“By the way… That’s a million yen…” (Giran)

 

“Why are you telling me after I ate it?” (Shuu)

 

 

　There is no contract of sale. If push comes to shove, I’ll fight it all the way to the supreme court.

 

 

“… I’m sorry. But… that’s the only way to save everyone.” (Giran)

 

“……I know.” (Shuu)

 

 

　Is it because he thought of the two people who are now hiding in the shadows? Or is it the effect of the mushrooms?

 

　The heat in my stomach is burning. The heat is transmitted to the whole body.

 

　The sluggishness fades away and my strength returns.

 

 

(What the hell is this?)

 

 

　I feel elated, like if I don’t restrain it, it will break through my back and grow wings. And yet, my vision is strangely clear it’s frightening.

 

　I’m ready. I feel like I’ve felt perfect after the mushroom, but I don’t think about that anymore.

 

(If I have to do something, I have to do it, right?) (Shuu)

 

 

“Cough, cough… Oh, [Master Threadweaver]… You’re still able…” (Arato)

 

“I’ll be in trouble if I am not.” (Shuu)

 

 

　We are about five meters away from each other, and I stopped. I pulled out [Katana] in both hands and my hypha arms.

 

 

“This is the second time I’ve been in this form… It’s fun, it feels good… it’s ugly, it’s disgusting…” (Arato)

 

 

　The killing spirit swells enough to be palpable.

 

 

“…Oh, I’m hungry… I want to throw up…” (Arato)

 

 

　I widened my eyes to not overlook what was happening and slightly bent my knees.

 

 

“Sporangium… I want it… I want the sporangium of the [Master Threadweaver]… I want it! Aaaaaaa!” (Arato)

 

 

　The tentacle arms groan with a scream that shakes the air.

 

　I jumped into Arato’s chest, dodging the wind pressure that alone, seemed to scrape his skin.

 

 

“—I refuse!” (Shuu)

 

 

　I calmly connect consecutive attacks from one blow after another. Everything hits neatly—but Arato’s flesh is thicker and harder than I thought.

 

 

“You haaaaack!” (Arato)

 

 

　A careless swing of the tentacle arm. The tip extends and cleaves the ground. If I had dodged backwards, it would have been the end for me.

 

 

“Ooooh!” (Shuu)

 

 

　With a yell, a series of strikes that took advantage of the gap between the end of the strike and the end of the attack. The damage of [Light Blade] did not reach the deep enough.

 

 

“I got youuuuu!!!” (Arato)

 

 

　Arato spreads their tentacles like a net and scratches the ground. I avoided this too, just in time. The arm that was grazed is gouged.

 

 

“Oh daaaaamn!” (Shuu)

 

 

　After having an Awakened Body, their power and toughness have improved to the point of insanity.

 

　Their attacks are sharp and heavy, but thoughtless and crude. They leave room to be taken advantage of.

 

　The difference in size is so great that to strike to their head, I must stop the opponent’s movement.

 

 

　A lethal blow passes just a few centimeters to my side.

 

　The wind pressure and aftermath alone leaves my bones creaking, accumulating pain in the core of my body.

 

　Cold sweat beads up and evaporates from the side of my body, taking away the heat.

 

 

　I cannot take my eyes off this ugly monster’s every move. If I lose focus, it will take everything away in an instant.

 

　One hit and you’re dead immediately.

 

　Moreover, this monster has unreasonable specs that I can’t tell if my attack on the monster is effective or not.

 

 

　I slashes at it repeatedly, dozens of times. The only response I felt is from my strained clenched fists.

 

　I feel as if the effects of the Red Shiitake are wearing off.

 

　My breath becomes harsh, my vision clouds over, and I can no longer ignore the drain on my strength.

 

 

　Still, Arato does not collapse. They do not stop.

 

　They only wriggle slightly, like they are tickled, as they spray a large amount of their bodily fluids all over me.

 

 

(Nevertheless.) (Shuu)

 

 

　There is no choice but to move forward. If the distance between us is too great, it will be a one-sided torture.

 

　The only way to win is to jump in.

 

　This is the only way to win, the only way to live.

 

 

“Aaaaaaaaaa!” (Shuu)

 

 

　But…

 

　Boom! The tentacle arm pierces the ground.

 

(F*ck!) (Shuu)

 

　To evade or block the attack. My decision to evade or block the attack is delayed.

 

　With a wriggling motion, the ground is hit and a rippling shockwave is released. I chose to evade with [Leaping], but the shockwave that pierced my body caused blood and bodily fluids to pour from my mouth and nose.

 

 

　While falling from the sky, I noticed something black rising from Arato’s mouth.

 

　A lump of flesh like an iron ball is released. I twist my body, but my right ear and shoulder are hit, and my right hypha arm is ripped off.

 

　I gasped in pain and I lose my balance upon landing. For a brief moment, Arato is out of sight. When I look up, I see a gray shadow covering my eyes.

 

 

“—ah.” (Shuu)

 

 

　A closed fist closes in. I can’t dodge it.

 

　I guard against it using my [Round Shield] but it is ripped off and I am punched in the stomach. The sound of my ribs breaking echoes clearly in my ears. A large amount of blood spurts from my mouth as I was blown backwards. I bounced around on the ground like a stone skipping over water.

 

　The sound of dragging footsteps and a voice saying, “Geh, geh, geh!”

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　I am on my back, trying to raise my upper body.

 

(Move, move, move–)

 

　My body is rejecting my will. I can’t breathe.

 

　Impatience and fear rise from the pit of my stomach.

 

 

“–It’s okay.” (Noa)

 

 

　My head is lifted and placed on something soft.

 

　Noa’s face, turned the other way, peeks out from above.

 

　

　

 

“……Noa?” (Shuu)

 

 

　She responds to my muffled call with a faint smile.

 

 

“… good, you’re safe.” (Noa)

 

“Abeshuu…” (Tamiko)

 

 

　Tamiko comes over to me and climbs onto my belly. She looks up at me and Noa alternately, uneasy.

 

 

“Both of you…get away…that guy…” (Shuu)

 

 

　I’m about to say, “is coming,” when I notice that Arato has stopped in their tracks. Their eyes wide and filled with emptiness and their crescent-shaped mouth is half open.

 

 

“But… Abeshuu…” (Tamiko)

 

 

　I know. There are probably fewer areas that are no longer safe.

 

　Still—it was good to see their faces.

 

　I was able to reaffirm my motivation to stand up, to confront them.

 

　The only thing left to do now is to make this scared body do what I tell it.

 

 

“Yes, you can stand up, Shuu. You can still do it.” (Noa)

 

 

(Shuu? You?) (Shuu)

 

 

　Mycelium weaves from Noa’s fingertips. It’s a shimmering ball of silvery white mycelium.

 

 

“Now, show me your most beautiful part—my hero, my sparkle.” (Noa)

 

 

　Her thin lips held the hypha ball in her mouth and pressed it against my lips.

 

　*Gulp*, it went down my throat.

 

 

　

 

　The pain is gone, as if it never existed. The [Immortality] mycelium that covered my body has also receded.

 

 

“Noa! Noa!” (Tamiko)

 

 

　Tamiko called out to Noa who was lying down.

 

　I gently touches her neck. She has a pulse and is breathing. She’s just asleep.

 

(…what I just saw was…) (Shuu)

 

　Was it real? Was it a dream? It feels that way.

 

　But what happened to me…

 

　What she said to me earlier….

 

 

“Tamiko, take care of Noa and that o-n-e.” (Shuu)

 

“…Abeshuu…” (Tamiko)

 

“Let’s have dinner when you’re done. I’ll cook today.” (Shuu)

 

“…Abeshuu you going to mess cooking, squeak…” (Tamiko)

 

“I’ll surprise you.” (Shuu)

 

 

　Arato stood still, stunned. They turned their black eyes behind me.

 

 

“… that child is… that child is also… De–” (Arato)

 

“She’s my friend. That’s it.” (Shuu)

 

 

　The [Katana] that arises from my palm grows long and heavy.

 

 

“Well, today is full of strange events. I’m exhausted.” (Shuu)

 

 

　The killing intent that makes my skin crawl leaks out from Arato once again.

 

　The “Huge [Katana]” is on my shoulder and is covered with light.

 

 

“I have my own anger and hatred towards you, but I don’t care about that now. I’m fighting for me, my friends, and everyone else’s survival. I mean, isn’t that what a real hunter does?” (Shuu)

 

“You’re really funny. I can’t believe you can say that to me. Well, I’m going to eat.” (Arato)

 

“You are going to eat?” (Shuu)

 

 

　A moment of silence.

 

　And then, at the same time, we kicked the ground.

 

　

　

 

　The cleave bites deep into Arato’s stomach and passes through.

 

　The returning slash sword crosses with the tentacle arm and is repelled.

 

 

“Aaaaaaaaaa!” (Shuu)

 

 

　Not only have my injuries and fatigue disappeared.

 

　I am filled with power. My nerves are sharpened. My body is surging forward as if I was a different person.

 

 

　Tentacle arms swinging around. Explosions everywhere. Black cannonballs, hypha needles, poisonous fog, and strong acid breath.

 

　I dodged them all and attack with the giant [Katana] in both hands. The black bodily fluids that splashed out leap with a dull gleam.

 

 

“Ahahahahaha! So fun! I’m hungry! One bite, just one bite!” (Arato)

 

 

　Arato, unmindful of their injuries, pounces on me like a raging storm.

 

　Still, fear does not dominate my brain. The pain of being cut does not stop me from moving.

 

　I am more physically and mentally fit than when I ate that weird mushroom. It’s not only the effect of the hypha ball, but also the lips of the beautiful girl, that’s what it is. That’s how simple and stupid men are!

 

 

“I can’t believe I got that!” (Shuu)

 

 

　The blade that I raised cuts off both tentacle arms at once.

 

 

“I can’t lose!” (Shuu)

 

 

　The blade he brought down deeply slashed the torso.

 

　Arato stumbled to the ground and putting their hands on the ground. A reddish-black light flashes behind their vacant eyes.

 

 

“So what? I’m a demon.” (Arato)

 

 

　A hypha spear emerges from the ground. In the nick of time, I used [Leaping] upward, but my flank and legs are cut deeply.

 

　Aiming at the moment I pause at the top, Arato shoots countless hypha needles from their mouth.

 

　“Woosh!” and with a dull sound, it bites from the side—a charged [White bullet] in Arato’s flank.

 

 

“Nice, Tamiko.” (Shuu)

 

 

　It was Tamiko who released it. I had secretly given it to her when Arato was stunned.

 

　As I had signaled, I wanted her to aim at the right moment when I used [Leaping]. The trigger is unstable, as she bites it with her [Hardened Front Teeth], but the control is perfect, the training had paid off.

 

　And there were two more shots left. The charged [White Bullet] that I had created with my hypha arm during our banter.

 

 

“My name is—Abe Shuu.” (Shuu)

 

 

　I throw out my sword and hit at my hypha arms with [Iron Fist].

 

　Two [White Bullet] are released. One pierces Arato’s shoulder, and the other pierces their face.

 

 

　Arato’s huge body shakes. Arato, who has lost half of their face, still supports themself with their tentacles, refusing to fall.

 

　On top of it, the sword lands on the ground. The giant [Katana] that I threw out in the air is back in my hand.

 

 

“—If you hate someone, it should be me.” (Shuu)

 

 

　As I swung down, I felt my eyes meet theirs.

 

 

　The sword smashes the top of Arato’s head in half, and I can feel the crack of something hard with my hands.

 

 

A/N: Noa’s hypha ball, its name and effects are likely to be explained next time.

Next time, “Ouji Metro Depths” is complete.

T/N: Is that who Shuu thought it was? 

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