Chapter 26 The Half-Demon Thunder Beast, ②
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(――I’m sorry)
Reina’s inner voice echoes in my mind.
”‘From here on, it’s the battle commentary. As soon as you dash out of the house, Haruka-kyun will immediately chase after you, so we’ll ambush him.’“
(Because I… I clung to him… I knew it, I should have known…)
She’s still there.
”‘There we go!’“
”Gah?! “
”‘See, like this. I never thought Haruka-kyun would wait right in front of the house without running away, so I slam a full-powered straight punch into his face, and it lands a hilariously clean hit.’“
(Whenever I get involved, nothing good ever happens, I only make someone unhappy… Over and over, over and over and over, over and over and over and over――that’s how it’s always been, that’s the experience I’ve had…)
I see. So she’s been forced to go through this over and over. By this demon.
”‘Then, he’ll get mad and unleash the discharge he just learned, so I dodge it with a backstep while firing off the mental pollution Darkness Sorcery.’“
(My awareness was too naive… Somewhere deep down, I still thought I could be saved…)
”GAAAAHHHH!!!! “
Sudden intense pain shoots through my entire body, nearly making me black out――this level of pain is nothing, endure it. I have to save Reina and avenge my mother.
”‘What I just fired is (Phantom Pain). Omnidirectional discharge is excellent for both offense and defense, and it has high performance for resetting the field. However, the lightning flash it produces simultaneously blinds even the user. That’s why sneaking in a hard-to-see Darkness Sorcery amid the dazzling light makes it easy to land.’“
(Why did I (Watashi) try to be saved at this point… why didn’t I reject the hand of salvation…)
Please, Reina… don’t be so self-deprecating… I’ll definitely save you!
”‘Haruka-kyun is currently in a rampage state, with his body being remade on a cellular level. His whole body is an erogenous zone with maxed-out sensitivity, making him a super lewd human thanks to the Ecchi Ecchi fruit ability user’s power, so (Phantom Pain) works like lotion gauze――he’s cumming too hard!’“
(I misunderstood… Thinking there was someone who understood my (Jibun no) suffering, someone I could rely on, a tiny bit of salvation appeared… and I mistakenly thought maybe…)
No! No no no! It’s not a mistake!
There’s nothing wrong with seeking someone who understands your pain, someone to lean on, a tiny bit of salvation!
”‘Now, now, the real show starts here. As I explained earlier, if you mishandle this state of Haruka-kyun, it’ll lead to a bad end, but this time, we’re aiming for that on purpose. First, punch him in the solar plexus while he’s moaning from (Phantom Pain), then slam in (Accumulated Rage) to melt his rationality.’“
”GRRRAAAAAHHHH!!!! “
(That’s why, that’s why this happens… Always, always always always… because of me…)
It’s not your fault! The one at fault is this guy! If only he wasn’t here!
”‘(Accumulated Rage) only makes you a bit more irritable, but it works great on Haruka-kyun in his current rampage state. This guy’s mental defenses are always full of holes.’“
(Please, just leave me (Watashi no) and run away… I knew something was up, I approached Haruka knowing that… but I selfishly want at least Haruka to be saved…)
I knew, I knew it! That there was something behind Reina!
And yet, I (Boku) chose to be with Reina!
Thinking I’d thwart the unseen opponent’s intentions and save Reina, such a convenient delusion!
”‘Current Homo-chan can’t pierce the thunder beast’s defenses, but this can inflict pain. That pain amplifies anger. An opponent with dulled judgment from anger is easy to read, and for Homo-chan who learned Water God Style, parrying is simple.’“
(I was at my limit… The atrocities repeated on my body over and over, the lives and hopes stolen right before my eyes, I was about to give up everything… but at least, please, let Haruka alone… let this child I dragged into this be saved)
No way, absolutely not! Abandoning Reina and saving only myself――I won’t allow that!
”GAA!! “
”‘Come on, hit me, hit me.’“
(Please run away――)
”REIIIINAAAA!!!! “
With that shout, as if pulling out the Reina locked deep inside, I stare into her tear-distorted eyes and speak to her.
”Wait for me!! Right now! I’ll save you from there right now――!! “
”‘You… do you like Homo-chan? (Youth)’“
At the end of her teary, unfocused gaze, there was Haruka, desperately reaching out to me while transforming into a charged abomination.
I wanted to tell him it’s okay now, to run away, but my mouth only speaks someone else’s words.
Even if he escapes, what kind of punishment awaits afterward, wouldn’t more people get hurt… even if a worse future lies ahead, I want Haruka to survive.
Even that wish, I can’t voice right now.
”‘In a narrow space, you can’t dodge discharge, so always choose wide paths. Charged claws can be handled barehanded if wrapped in dark attribute magic, but that puts you in (Charged) state, and if it exceeds a certain value, you take massive damage plus the (Electrocution) bad status, so defend with other objects as much as possible.’“
I parry Haruka’s claws, deflect the shocks, never stay in one spot, and keep moving my feet.
”‘Luckily, there are a decent number of meat shields prepared.’“
While keeping a certain distance from Haruka and running, I unhesitatingly use a clueless child as a shield.
”Wha?! “
”‘Oh, it’s open~!’“
My body, controlled by the voice, precisely punches the face of Haruka, who freezes in shock from piercing an unrelated small child with his own claws.
”Gyah――!? “
Holding Haruka’s arm along with the impaled child, I pull the arching Haruka closer.
In my chest, the child’s corpse deforms with cracking sounds under tremendous pressure from his strength, but according to the voice, ‘it’s convenient to have something in between to avoid electrocution.’
Using my pivot foot dug into the ground as support, I throw the now over twice adult size Haruka.
The slippery meat chunk slides down right before impact, falling at my feet with a thud. The only part retaining shape, the head, seemed to stare at me accusingly.
――UOOOOOOONNNNN!!!!
A beast’s howl echoes, and the house where Haruka landed explodes with discharge.
”‘Nuh!’“
I don’t want him to do anything worse to that child… My inner scream falls on deaf ears as the thrown meat chunk hits the emerging Haruka’s face――and this time, it truly loses all shape.
”‘Is it cold yet~?’“
”GRUUOOOOOOOO!!!! !! “
”‘Here we go~’“
I dodge, block, and deflect each piece of debris thrown with cannon-like force, as if I knew exactly where they’d come.
Lying prone, ignoring debris flying inches overhead, I pretend to stand then splash scooped mud water into Haruka’s face as he closes in.
”‘Prevent peeking with persistent eye gouging. You’ve been glancing over here, I know it.’“
I enter a nearby house, tear apart the cowering mother and child, throw the child at Haruka charging through the wall, and swing the mother to bat away flying shards.
Slipping past while he’s distracted by the child, I dash back to the main street.
”GAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!! !! “
”‘Nice, he doesn’t notice the Darkness Sorcery debuff on the returned projectiles from anger. That’s why we needed to land (Accumulated Rage) early.’“
Somehow, the angrier Haruka gets, the more he looks like a monster.
Losing words, becoming a giant bipedal pure white beast… its fur constantly charged, body height exceeding a house, limbs thick as logs.
Despite the size, it has explosive speed to close distances if you let your guard down.
But the voice’s strategy works perfectly, and Haruka can’t utilize his superior physique and abilities.
My Darkness Sorcery gradually reduces his enhancement.
”‘Good! Come on!’“
”GRUOOOOOOONNNNN!!!! “
I tear off the ear of the woman I’m holding, infusing it with near-saturated pure magic.
”‘Ah, there! Madagascar!’“
An unfamiliar incantation. Throwing the ear, it hits Haruka’s lightning and causes a small explosion.
”‘Next, fingers! Arm meat! Even teeth!’“
”GYAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!! !! “
The more I consume the woman’s body, the more screams echo nearby, drowned out by immediate explosions.
”Please stop! I’ll do anything! Stop!! “
”‘Full throttle!’“
”AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! !!!! “
Ignoring the victim’s pleas as if deaf, the voice toys with life.
My fingers, ripping flesh with wet sounds, stain red-black; none of my color remains.
I want to cover my ears from the woman’s screams, but I can’t escape my own sins now.
”GAA――!! “
”‘――Oops’“
Unable to watch, or perhaps as mercy, or unexpected to the voice… Haruka charges without regard for the hostage.
He crushes the shielded woman into nothingness with his claws.
”‘Oh? Unexpected move, this pattern’s new… things are getting dicey (shaking voice)’“
As the voice says, Haruka’s attacks gradually reach me.
”‘Ow, ouch! I said it hurts, darou!? Three times, three!’“
Failing to fully parry a thrust at blinding speed, flesh tears from my left arm exposing bone.
Dodging claws by a hair, the tip slashes under my eye, lightning burns one eye.
I wanted to scream from the pain. The sensation of arm flesh gouged matched the cruelty to the woman. Eyeball boiling nearly knocks me out.
”GOO!! “
”‘No stunning~’“
As I nearly faint, the voice’s control briefly slips.
Haruka’s fist pierces my standing stomach――no claws, perhaps consideration for me.
”‘Hogeee!! Sorry, forgive me! I’ll do anything!’“
Mouthing that, the voice regains control, rights in midair, lands.
”‘That was super tough~’“
Drawing runes in air with bloodied fingers.
”‘―― (｜ᛈᚺᚨᚾᛏ (Phantom) ｜ᛟᛗ ᛈᚨᛁᚾ (Pain) ) ‘“
”――”
The blood-runed Darkness Sorcery hits hard; Haruka whites out and vomits.
”Gah… Guh guh, GOOOOOOOOO!!!! “
”‘Calm down, you mad?’“
Haruka’s movements clearly slow. Despite nearly turning the tide, his claws and fists no longer reach me.
”‘Model runner with instant recovery (self-praise)’“
Far from it, the voice’s counterattack begins.
”‘Turning the tables’“
All the Darkness Sorcery landed so far takes effect; Haruka flinches at my punches.
Thick charged fur muscles fail to block damage; earth-ripping claws meaningless if they miss.
”‘Got scared by unexpected moves midway, but now with various status ailments and stat downs, our attacks land. Can’t gouge eyes without piercing minimal defense.’“
Muttering commentary-like words, I break through the gate separating lower and poverty districts, rolling into a nearby general store.
”Wh-what――?! “
The voice calls the surprised owner ‘holy shield’ and places him before Haruka’s claws.
”Gah――”
Dramatic effect: Haruka, raging and destroying, freezes completely.
”‘Despite all the noise, this holy shield ojisan stayed to shelter orphans fleeing the poverty district. He’s the only one who watched over Haruka-kyun without discrimination, so killing him himself freezes Haruka-kyun. That’s why we fled here.’“
This is the worst… truly the worst… Explaining it like that, what reaction does the voice want from me? How much unhappiness must my hands create to satisfy it? How many others must I hurt to be freed?
Even from afar, in his monstrous form, Haruka’s dazed expression is heartbreaking. This is all my fault.
”‘――Well then’“
Please. Stop already. I beg you. Please stop.
”‘About time, huh’“
Someone, anyone please…
Please…
”‘S〇N OF A BITCH!! You’re my (Ore no) new O〇O!!’“
With incomprehensible yelling, Haruka’s eyes are swiftly gouged out.
”――UAAAAAAAHHHH!!!! !! “
Watching Haruka clutch where his eyes were and wail in agony breaks my heart.
”‘Yes, magic eye recovery complete. Now dispose of Haruka-kyun, return home, and swap them in! Easy!’“
”AAAA!! GAAAAHHHH!!!! “
”‘Inflicting certain damage calms his rampage a bit and shrinks him back, but he becomes speed type. Without vision, he can’t use it. Eye loss only weakens, so profit.’“
I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry――
”Where?! Where are you?! Don’t mess with Reina’s body anymore!! Don’t sacrifice more innocents!! I’ll never forgive you!! “
Unlike me, who gave up long ago, even eyeless, Haruka keeps shouting for me.
”‘Well, to prevent extra chatter, crush the vocal cords.’“
What more does he need to suffer? Victory is obvious, goal achieved, isn’t that enough?
”‘Alright, here we go!’“
”Gah――”
”‘Abababababa――NGIMODIIII!!’“
Crushing Haruka’s throat sends powerful current through my body.
”‘Oh yeah, took more contact than planned from unexpected moves… Damn near-dead, no pointless damage now.’“
Please, don’t die… Someone save Haruka, he’ll die like this!
Please! Anyone, anyone――
”――Someone help!! “
…Huh?
‘Oh? You called for help without me telling you.’
Just now, my voice… Did I speak myself?
‘Good boy Homo-chan! Do it before being told! Basics of a working adult.’
”…っ, …ぁ”
Trying to speak more, only hoarse sounds come out.
‘Yes, look at the situation objectively.’
…?
‘Gruesome murder scene with battered student Homo-chan, and one thunder beast with no trace of former self.’
…Ah
‘Man, even now, Homo-chan can’t whittle down rampaged thunder beast blood-awakened Haruka-kyun’s HP fully. Even if possible, too annoying. Can’t be bothered.’
Wait
‘Sooo~’
Armored footsteps approach.
‘――Leave it to the pros.’
”――Found them! Over here! “
Before I can speak, knights rush in through the broken wall, swarming Haruka.
‘Thanks~’
Eyeless, voiceless Haruka collapses powerlessly under the adults’ serious attacks, unable to resist.
”… Uh, …i, n…”
Until the end, he reached out to me.
Notes:
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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