Kays Translations

Chapter 115

At the very start, as I swung my greatsword overhead, Isaka charged me head-on.

And at an unbelievable speed.

…This is more than I imagined. You’ve gotten pretty strong, haven’t you?

“Raaah!”
“Haaah!”

The greatsword I intended to cut Isaka down with in a single sweep instead clashed against his longsword.

The shriek of grinding metal, a moment of deadlock—and then…

Not missing my chance, I twisted my blade. Isaka, who had put all his strength into his strike, lost balance for just a moment.

Closing in, I stepped forward, bringing us into a range where swords were useless—practically pressed against each other.

And without hesitation, I drove a body blow straight into him.

My fist sank in past the thin layer of muscle, threatening to crush his insides.

“Gahh!!”
“Not bad at all, brat!”

Isaka’s body was blown back, but he righted himself midair and landed firmly.

…Strong. Clearly strong. Strong enough that he can exchange blows with me, Silent. His stats have grown that much. What the hell did he do? He’s on a whole different level than Kazunuma.

“I see… So he’s Silent. Astonishing. Even after the enhancements I’ve given him, to still be overwhelming Isaka…”

“I’m not being overwhelmed. I’ve just not yet fully adapted to this power. Silent… I’ll be the one to defeat him here.”

“Yes. I expect nothing less.”

No mistake—the gentlemanly man must have performed some kind of enhancement. Likely he’s connected to Muraki’s monster transformations too.

In other words… “The mastermind himself is now witnessing Silent’s strength.”

…All the conditions are in place.

“Come at me again already! You’ll never beat me!”
“Keep talking!”

We collided again.

Our footwork speed was equal. His longsword against my greatsword—the clash of momentum, weight, and craftsmanship.

Apparently, Isaka’s sword was a true masterpiece as well; even colliding with mine, not a single chip appeared on its blade.

“Tch.”
“Running out of composure, are you?”

This time, my greatsword was knocked aside.

I tried to pull it back in time to block, but my defense lagged a moment too late.

So I released the greatsword halfway and stopped his strike barehanded.

“Ghh…”
“This—this is my power!”

My palm split open, blood dripping down.

Even so, ignoring the pain, I grabbed his blade with my hand, swung Isaka’s whole body around, and hurled him away.

“Don’t get cocky, brat!”

I charged toward him as he was thrown into the ruins of the throne, snatching up my discarded greatsword.

…This exchange will end it. I triggered my skill.

Instead of swinging the greatsword, I rammed at Isaka with my elbow.

His retaliating slash I caught on my elbow. Using the rebound, the momentum, the inertia—my greatsword followed a split-second later, swinging toward him.

“Return Break” was a counter technique. The first strike inflicted damage on both sides, and immediately after, it reflected the damage back as a second blow.

But the downside—momentary loss of defense, leaving me vulnerable to being blown back.

In short: I’d take extra damage and lose knockback resistance.

But if it hit, it was devastating. Among all techniques, its single strike was the strongest.

The catch was—it was rarely effective in human-to-human combat.

Meaning—

“Too naive!”
“Gaaahhh!!”

The second strike failed.

Isaka dodged my wide, heavy follow-up perfectly.

Seizing on my opening, he landed his decisive blow just as I was at my weakest—exactly as he’d foreseen.

“Guh…”

His sword pierced deep into my stomach.

Something welled up my throat and spilled out of my mouth.

“…Damn it…”

It looked like a fatal wound. Staggering, I stumbled further past the ruined throne.

“Not bad… kid…”
“You’re not getting away!”

He pressed his attack. As I tried to escape through a broken wall, Isaka’s follow-up strike pierced me again.

Strength drained from my body. With the shattered castle wall, I fell.

This match is yours, Isaka.

And at the same time… it’s my strategic victory, Isaka.

What, even after I set the stage this perfectly, you couldn’t kill me?

Acting like this isn’t easy, you know. Even my skill Survival Instinct hasn’t activated.

As I hit the ground, rubble crashed down around me.

I slipped out from the debris and—

“…I’m counting on you, Still.”

From the menu, I chose Change Character, and transformed into Still—

“I did it… I defeated Silent…!”
“Y-yes! Isaka! Isaka! You felled that monstrous man!”
“You’re amazing, Isaka!”

In the collapsed throne room, Isaka, the King, and Inami all shouted with joy.

The same Silent who once stood above them with overwhelming stats, who had been their sole hope—had been defeated by Isaka, who was once just a student.

Their joy and astonishment were so great, even Isaka himself could hardly believe it.

And Hus Fan, watching his “creation” strike down even the out-of-this-world hero Silent, sank into deep thought.

(So he defeated him… Was it the effect of that man slaughtering all the soldiers in the capital? Even so, to grow this strong, this quickly…)

A mix of doubt, delight, and faint regret.

Regret that Silent—who surely surpassed Isaka as a vessel—had died.

But for now, he chose to be satisfied with these results.

“Isaka. You have proven your strength. You can now take the battlefield. Lay waste, and gather more power. From here on, none will be able to stop yo—”

It was then.

From the shattered doorway, long since useless as a door, came the sound of someone politely knocking.

Everyone turned their eyes toward the sound.

Standing there was a man who looked completely out of place—like some kind of priest.

“Ah, magnificent! Truly splendid talent! To think, to actually think!! That a human capable of defeating that madman would appear!!! …As expected of a hero from another world!!”

With words tinged with a joy that bordered on madness—completely unfitting for his gentle expression—the man… Still, appeared in the throne room.

“Who are you!?”

“My apologies, Your Majesty King Golda. You see, I too was pursuing that man. I expected that, in this war, he would invade this kingdom in search of military glory. …You are not the only one who covets that.”

Stil cast a meaningful glance toward Hus.

“No, no, but—so this is another hero summoned from another world. Hm… At this level, he isn’t worth desiring. What interests me more is how you managed to make him this useful.”

Still seemed to be probing the area, as though perceiving something invisible.

It was a power much like Sheele’s Observant Eye—the power of his own skill, Guidance of God.

“I see… So he’s a vessel. And it seems he’s already beginning to fill…”

“Who are you?”

“Broadly speaking, perhaps a fellow traveller. Like you, I am simply ‘one resolved to sacrifice myself for my own faith.’”

Hus and Still locked eyes.

One filled with suspicion and wariness.
The other, with curiosity and delight.

Their opposite gazes clashed, and the tension mounted.

“But—for now, I suppose I should bring a gift.”

Without warning, Still moved toward Isaka, who was standing with weapon at the ready.

He walked calmly, as if merely approaching for casual conversation.

“Stay back!”

“Oh, don’t worry. …It won’t hurt.”

Still gently extended his hand.

Toward the source of all power, the very core of Isaka’s strength.

He touched the center of his chest lightly, softly, as though caressing.

“Isaka! Run!!”

Hus barked the order sharply. But—it was far too late—

The frail young body collapsed against me, powerless.

“Ah, he’s already dead.”

I felt the burning mass in my hand. A beloved jewel, formed from blood spilled on the battlefield, from the brilliance of life itself.

Digging my fingers into the lifeless body, I mined the jewel from his flesh.

With a swift flick of my hand through the air, as though to wipe away dirt, I slipped the gem into my item box.

It could no longer be stolen back. This power, depending on how it is used, could accomplish anything.

“Consider it retribution. That boy killed the man I was after. In return, it’s only fair that I ruin and steal your prize.”

“Y-you… return that immediately!!”

The man, casting aside his gentlemanly facade, roared angrily as he charged.

A faint black aura clung to his body—some blessing or magic, perhaps.

The same type as mine? Power like my own? I must test this.

As his hand lashed out, shaped as though to seize me, I parried with my own bare hand.

A true fighter would recognize it in an instant—this man, it seemed, had good instincts.

“Wha—what did you just do!?”

“Oh, since you touched me, I ‘killed your hand.’”

The chief reason my master calls me one of the “Three Strongest.”

It stems from my skill: Weak Must Perish. The name is to be taken literally.

Any being weaker than me—any not truly exceptional—has a chance to be instantly killed.

I don’t know what “exceptional” means in this world’s terms. But… at the very least, you are not exceptional.

A hero from another world? To me, such a title is not exceptional.

That is why—just from being touched—the young man’s heart was slain so easily.

“We’re retreating. Inami, this way.”

“Y-yes!”

“Oh no, you’re not.”

As the man tried to pull away, Inami rushed to him. I reached out and touched her back.

But whether it was sheer luck, or because this girl was in some way special, the instant-death effect didn’t trigger.

Well… she’ll regret it soon enough—she would have been better off dead.

Weak Must Perish

• Chance to inflict instant death on attack depends on the strength difference between user and target.
• Maximum 70% chance of activation. If it doesn’t trigger, inflicts Poison (Severe). Bosses are immune to instant death.
• Against those with status ailment resistance: instead inflicts permanent slip damage (very minor).

A skill that carries the will to kill without fail. Quite an ill-suited, dangerous ability for me…

But my Master will surely be pleased. After all, he delights more in prolonged suffering than in simple death.

“This country is finished. King Golda, thank you for your hospitality until now.”

“Wh-what are you saying, Hus! Take me with you! Me too!”

“No. We don’t need you.”

“Oh! So your name is Hus, is it? Hus, I do hope we meet again! Your faith fascinates me! I’m eager to know the purpose behind your ravaging of this kingdom! I’m certain we could become good friends! Every time you see that crippled hand of yours, remember me! Next time, where shall I touch? Your face? Your chest? Or perhaps… something else entirely? Is that what you desire?”

I carefully observed the man’s body—an older gentleman, yet still vigorous.

Faith must be what sustains his strength of body and mind.

“…Madman. Give me your name.”

“Ah, you’ve taken interest in me! I am a devout believer. One who denies no faith, but worships faith itself as the act of devotion. My name is Still.”

“Know this—I will never forget that name.”

“Nor I yours, Hus. Calm yourself, now. Your tone is growing coarse.”

“—! I will kill you. I swear it. I will.”

At that moment, Hus and Inami were engulfed in black flames and vanished.

Teleportation? Some kind of hiding technique?

Even my Guidance of God could not trace them.

Meaning… they may have temporarily ceased to exist in this world. How fascinating.

Guidance of God

• Reveals the field’s hidden mechanics; nullifies trap effects on the user.
• Identifies the leader within enemy groups; against single foes, adds additional weak point hitboxes.
• Up to three weak points may be added to a target.

As expected, there must be another world apart from this one. My Master’s theory was correct.

Perhaps… it resembles the true relationship between us and our Master.

“…Well. I should collect my souvenirs.”

I approached the King, who was panicked and cornered with nowhere left to flee.

“St-stay back! I’ll give you money! There’s a treasury!”

“Oh? Where? Take me there.”

Ordinarily, the King was worthless to me. A fool consumed by greed and power, without faith or value.

But… it seems he may still be necessary.

In the treasury he guided me to, I “killed” both his legs.

“AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!”

“You can’t run anymore. There must still be others hiding in the castle, yes? I’ll have them all brought here, so don’t worry.”

While I was at it, I helped myself to the entire treasury.

My item box had more than enough space.

…What magnificent spoils. My Master will surely be delighted.

It seemed that, to the King, even ‘precious magic formulas’ and ‘research results’ were stored as mere treasure.

Gathering up the mountain of riches, scrolls, and documents, I set out to scour the castle.

…There’s no point hiding. Everything unfolds exactly as guided by God.

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