Ryuu Kusari no Ori -Kokoro no Uchi no 'Kokoro'-

Volume 4 Chapter 8.4

Risking One's Life Till One Burns Up Part 4

Translator : PolterGlast

Nozomu's eyes widen at the unexpected arrival of these helpers, forgetting Tiamat's resentment echoing in his head, as Mars and the others rushed toward the huge tree at the center of the barrier at once.

[...... I see, so you guys forced your way through the erosion layer of the barrier while protecting yourself by layering the golem with the power of the spirit and the magic of the Tima Lime. But how did you figure out the structure of this barrier?]

The method used by Mars and the others to break through the Predatory Barrier was simple and clear: they built a golem to protect themselves, entered into it, and kept pouring in magic power and source elements to reinforce it, while simultaneously breaking through.

Such a forceful method, they would not have been able to pull it off unless they had a grasp of the structure of this predatory Barrier.

[Well, if it were Jihad who came, then that would be one thing, but what's the point of having a bunch of guys like you coming here?]

Ken, with a dubious look on his face, unleashed [Icicle Dance] on Mars and the others' backs.

However, while Ken's attention was momentarily focused on Mars and the others, Nozomu intervened.

Numerous sword flashes were unleashed. A storm of [Mikagura-style・One Billion Severance] obliterated every single one of Ken's [Icicle Dance].

Ken frowned in displeasure at Nozomu's action.

"Thanks, Nozomu."

"I guess this earring is still useful."

The earring still shining in Nozomu's ear. It was used for telepathic communication during the last sewer operation. With this, Razward and the others were able to grasp the situation and structure within the Predatory Barrier.

Originally, this magic used a large-scale altar and a spell, which was necessary because a large number of people were communicating at the same time. However, a single mage was enough to share the conversation and vision of a single person.

"Haaaa!"

While Mars and Nozomu had their backs to each other, Irisdina, who had rushed to the base of the huge jet-black tree, used her [Magic Sword・Lunar Eclipse], to chop off the bark of the tree, freeing the restrained Lisa and the others.

The cuts in the tree soon began to seal up, but Irisdina, Feo, and Razward took advantage of the opportunity to rescue the three immobile people from the huge jet-black tree and pulled them away.

"T-Thank you. You saved us."

[Shi-jou, I'm glad you're okay...... Well, shall we begin then?]

"Nozomu, sorry, but I need you to hold him up."

After confirming that Lisa and the others had evacuated, Mars suddenly pulled out the great sword he carried on his back. The simple steel sword he has been using for many years. However, it looked somewhat different from the previous one.

"That great sword......"

"I had Tom tweaked it a bit. I didn't think I'd be using it so soon, though."

Countless formulas were engraved on the sword's body. The geometric patterns, which were probably carved with a chisel, gave off a dull sheen on the belly of the worn-out greatsword.

[......You intend to destroy the center of the barrier, huh? That's impossible. It has the same erosive layer as the barrier, and if I wanted to, I could absorb anything that came into contact with it, no matter what it was. It is not something that can be destroyed with your meager strength.]

The jet-black tree trembled and began to emit a black miasma from its entire body.

"Ugh, my strength......."

A strong sense of weakness struck Irisdina and the others who were standing by the tree. The [Magic Sword・Lunar Eclipse] that she had been maintaining also instantly dissipated. The girls hurriedly moved away from the tree, while Mars and the others squinted their eyes as they saw this.

"I see. Indeed, it seems impossible for us to destroy this core on our own. But ...... oi, little bird."

[I've got a little present for you. You're hungry, right? I'll feed you plenty!]

The lapis lazuli-colored little bird glowed. Instantly, a tremor shook the entire barrier. The ground trembled, followed by several ripples spreading across the pitch-black sky. It was as if gravel had been thrown into the water.

[Attacks from outside? Is it Jihad and the others?

But no matter how much Qi-jutsu or magic they unleash, it will only benefit me.]

[Are you sure about that?]

While Ken frowned at Razward's confident words, Mars followed up.

"It's not just magic. At the same time, we're overloading your entire barrier by pouring a large amount of source elements into the control mechanism of the City Isolation Barrier."

[No matter how gluttonous you are, it is not easy to control the power flowing in from the dragon veins that rival the Nebula Forest. Twenty years ago, the Abyss Grief did not show itself at all until the dragon veins were completely under its control.]

"So, the power that could not be fully absorbed naturally continues to accumulate in this central area. With the source elements being pushed beyond its upper limit, what would happen if we lit a little fire to it?"

A chill ran down Ken's spine. He noticed that the large tree, the center of the barrier, was beginning to glow so brightly that its jet-black trunk was becoming transparent. It was completely unable to process the source elements it had absorbed and was now left totally overwhelmed.

Naturally, it would be impossible for the tree to demonstrate its original erosion ability in such a situation.

Meanwhile, Mars lowered his waist and readied his greatsword.

He activated his [Qi-jutsu・Wind Blade]. Then he proceeded to pour his magic power into the technique engraved on the greatsword. The geometric patterns emitted light, and a whirlwind that was generated clung to the [Wind Blade].

[~......!]

"I won't let you!"

Driven by rising urgency, Ken launched his serpentine sword toward Mars' back.

But Nozomu intercepted it.

Amidst the sound of the violent clashes at his back, Mars shut his eyes and focused his attention on the two raging winds.

(Finally, I can repay my debt to Nozomu, at least a little bit.)

Sensing the two opposing storms, clashing and scattering sparks with every fiber of his being, he counted in his mind, "one, two, three, four" ...... and waited for the right moment to arrive.

The winds that were struggling against each other calmed down for a moment. At that moment, Mars released the wind he had been suppressing.

[Qi-jutsu・Rift Wind Hammer]. [Intermediate Magic・Wind Tunnel of the Hungry Beast]. The two intertwined winds sprinted forward, shattering Mars' treasured greatsword. The power of the winds was close to that of Jihad's [Qi-jutsu・Single Strike].

[Magic-Qi Combination Technique・Maelstorm of Explosion].

The tree, which had its predatory ability overwhelmed, was confronted with a raging tornado, and its trunk screeched as it flickered erratically.

Then, once a single crack appeared in its bark, it quickly spread to the rest of the tree trunk.

[Wha......!]

Immediately afterward, a dazzling flash of light burst forth, and the huge jet-black tree collapsed, scattering shockwaves. At the same time, the Predatory Barrier crumbled from the inside. The black ceiling shattered and the starry sky returned.

"Did I succeed?"

"As expected of you Mars......."

With the collapse of the Predatory Barrier, Jihad and the others also came in. Inda and Anri protected Lisa and the others who had been captured in the core of the barrier and made them retreat, while Jihad and the others lined up next to Nozomu, Mars, and the others.

In the midst of all this, Ken was hunched over and groaning in agony.

[Aaagh, guh......!?]

"This is......."

Ken's Spirit Armor made of source elements crumbled, exposing his deformed body.

The rest of his body, except for his face, had turned into an ugly black lump of flesh, and on it were countless eyes with crimson irises that darted menacingly. The magic stone embedded in his left chest was flickering irregularly and wriggling inside his body like an insect crawling around. It was obvious that he was in pain.

[This guy, he's been using the power he's absorbed through the Predatory Barrier without restraint. He's being struck by the backlash now. Also, the demonic beast that had assimilated with him has lost the opportunity to parasitize on the dragon veins, and is desperately trying to escape.]

[Bastards, how dare you!]

Ken, visibly enraged, slashed at Razward and the others, but Nozomu immediately stepped forward and parried Ken's blade. With the Predatory Barrier destroyed, the very foundation of his power was shattered. Now outnumbered, Ken had no way to turn the tide.

"The battle is over, Ken. You've lost."

[Not, not yet. Not until I surpass you-...... ugh!?]

Nevertheless, Ken refused to give up on defeating Nozomu, but suddenly he crouched down with a pained expression on his face.

Along with the sound of bursting flesh, his deformed body bloated. Amidst the horrifying noises, numerous bumps protruded from his body, pressing against the eyes that were on his skin.

Then, from within the protruding bumps, countless facial features emerged.

[Run, run, run......!]

[Help me, help me, help me, help me......!]

The faces of countless beasts and one insect wailing in hoarse voices. Their survival instincts kicked in, and they rampaged about in disorder, trying to escape the fetters made of flesh.

[Gi......gu, aaah!]

For Ken, it felt like being devoured from the inside out by countless parasites.

Body, mind, and soul. All three were violated simultaneously, and the inaudible screams echoed through the air.

[Ga, gi...... ~, no-i-s-y! Shut up!]

[Gi......!?]

[Noo, I don't wanna die, I don't wanna die.......]

But Ken brushed aside the screams of the spirit and demonic beast that were still raging inside of him.

He crushed the foreign substances that were still squirming within him with his own will. At the same time, the facial features disappeared. The source elements that had tinted Ken's entire body black disappeared and only remained around the magic stone on his left chest, and his voice also returned to normal.

"Haa, haa ...... Nozomu!"

After the spirit and countless demonic beasts disappeared, Ken transformed all of his boiling emotions into a murderous intent toward his enemy, and poured all of his remaining strength into the long sword he was carrying as he stepped toward Nozomu.

Perhaps it was the final glow of his last moment, but surprisingly, his speed was on par with that of when he had deployed his predatory warding.

"Ooooooooo!"

"Phew!"

As Ken closed in while yelling, Nozomu also wielded his [Mumei], which was infused with Tiamat's power.

Two blades collided. The power of the spirit-eater and the dragon-slayer counterbalanced, repelled, and scattered each other's elemental power contained in their weapons.

"I have always envied you! You had all the love I ever wanted!"

Flashes and impacts were repeatedly generated. Amid the fierce clashes, Ken's squeezed voice leaked out.

The mask of rejection peeled away, revealing his true feelings that had been hidden beneath.

"What are you on about......!"

"There wasn't much difference between you and me! We were both just weaklings who ran away to our own convenient delusions!"

Ken was carried away by the lie that he was special, and Nozomu turned his back on his escapism.

"We're both humans with no real talents! A fool, who can only be deceived and used!"

Both Nozomu and Ken were originally ordinary people. They had no special abilities, no special talents, and they were both foolish, ordinary humans who clung to their own beliefs.

They are no different in that they both turned their backs on reality.

But what about the reality?

Behind Nozomu, many friends were watching over him.

Ken, on the other hand, had nothing. He was truly empty.

A huge difference had developed between the two of them.

He knew the reason....... Because I couldn't take the hand that was extended to him.

"What was the difference between you and me!?"

Still, he could not help but scream.

Death was inevitable now. The will of the demonic beast that had kept him alive was crushed. The consciousness that kept him alive would soon disappear as well.

All that was left of him was his wish to surpass Nozomu.

Letting out a pained voice, Ken exerted his last ounce of strength. Burning away what little life and will he had left. The long sword, infused with an enormous amount of source elements, grew enormous, forming a sword several times the size of a human, far larger than Jihad's Jaw Drop.

"Oooooooo!"

The gigantic elemental sword was swung down with lightning speed.

It was essentially a long sword with no physical substance, nothing but pure energy. The weightless, deadly blade of death loomed in front of Nozomu in an instant, far beyond his reach. Evasion was already impossible. If so, then.......

"............."

Nozomu quietly closed his eyes in front of the rumbling sword that fell from the sky like lightning.

(Indeed. Neither, you nor I, have changed......)

Before they knew it, the three of them had all turned their backs on each other.

The past cannot be changed. What was broken cannot be restored. Words have no meaning anymore.

All he can do is to respond with his whole heart and soul.

At least, he wanted to make his former best friend regret nothing more.

With this determination in his heart, Nozomu responded with the greatest technique he could unleash.

He strengthened his stance to the extreme. Synchronized it with the movement of his entire body. If the timing is off even for a moment, his body will be torn apart by this double-edged technique.

[Phantom・Flash]

Mind, technique, and body. A single, piercing strike that achieved by uniting all of these elements.

The strike, released at a speed even faster than Ken's lightning-like strike, collided with the huge Elemental Sword.

The rivalry was short-lived. The Dragon Slayer's blade pierced into the Spirit-Eater's Blade and shattered it in the blink of an eye.

With his most powerful attack destroyed, Ken's face was visibly shaken, and Nozomu brought his left hand forward while at the same time pointed the tip of his katana at his opponent.

His stance was just like drawing a bow. Aiming at Ken's left chest. Tiamat's source element was poured into the blade once again, and the aim was set on the red, pulsating magic stone.

[Mikagura-style・Core Piercing]

A combination of [Phantom] and [One Billion Severance]. A sharp thrust that pierces the opponent, and the bursting Qi-blades that gouges out its insides. On top of that, he released it while carrying the power of the Dragon of Destruction.

"~!?"

Ken grabbed the thrust that was heading for his heart with both of his blackened arms.

He wrapped Nozomu's blade, which was ready to explode at any moment, in a vast amount of source elements and tried to push it away.

The power of the Dragon of Destruction and Spirit-Eater were competing against each other. Because of their power that could annihilate their opponents, they continuously struggle against each other.

"This time for sure, I will-......!"

"Guuu......!"

The two were already at their limits. Their bodies grew cold, and their vision turned gray. The sensation of gripping one's weapon has already disappeared, and even the pain is gone. Literally, a war of attrition for life. The result means death for both sides, regardless of whether they win or lose.

Even so, neither of them would yield to the other's will.

At that moment, Nozomu's hand was gently supported by someone's hand from behind.

"Nozomu, thank you."

A distant, familiar voice. Nozomu turned his gaze to the side and saw Lisa staring at him with a sad expression on her face and eyes full of determination.

"And Ken. I'm sorry......"

Lisa put her hand on [Mumei]'s hilt and activated her ability, [Enchantment of Nivea].

Instantly, Nozomu's blade was extended twice its original length. The Dragon of Destruction's blade instantly broke through the Spirit-Eater's source elements and pierced Ken's chest.

"Ah......."

The magic stone serving as a core was shattered, and power rapidly drained from Ken's body. The black source elements that covered his body also peeled off and silently vanished.

(Ah, in the end ...... I couldn't beat Nozomu, huh?)

Ken, who had lost all his strength, fell to his knees and looked up at them, stunned. The two faces, both with sadness in them, flashed into his eyes.

Suddenly, a scene from his childhood came back to him. It was the time when they were talking about their dreams under that lone pine tree.

(Ah, that reminds me......)

The road that went on forever. The three of them walked side by side, holding on to their hopes and anxieties.

(That was the future we were hoping for......)

Their first wish, and dreams that will never be fulfilled. Seeing this last glimpse, Ken's consciousness faded and vanished along with his envious resignation, a hint of loneliness, and a smile of contentment.

End of Chapter 8

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