The moment the man in front of me said that, the world seemed to twist around me.
It was probably some kind of perception-blocking barrier... In other words, he created a space where we could go wild without drawing attention. Damn bastard.
We're on the school grounds right now, no cover, no place to hide. If I show my back, I'm asking to get stabbed from behind.
I let my guard down just because I can sense things with senjutsu. But sensing something doesn't mean I'm constantly doing it...
Didn't Chrollo from Hunter x Hunter say it? "Don't neglect Gyo."
This whole mess is completely my fault. I need to buy time somehow, so I try talking to the man in front of me.
"So, what can I do for you, mister? Gods and demons… Is this some kind of religious recruitment?"
"...No, it's not recruitment. If anything, it's liberation. Your soul is clinging to one of the loathsome playthings made by our wretched father. Surely you don't want something forced upon you by a god you don't even worship? That's why I, a supreme being, a fallen angel, will personally liberate your soul. Go ahead, you may praise me all you like."
As he said that, the man dramatically spread his black wings.
Great. He's the narcissistic, talkative type.
There are many reasons an angel might fall, but this guy probably didn't do it for boobs like Azazel-san, his sin was clearly pride.
While he was blabbering, I used senjutsu to scan the area, but the situation wasn't great.
The barrier has a radius of about 100 meters. I can sense everything within it, but my power doesn't work properly beyond that.
It's like I'm looking through a frosted glass filter. I can tell there are no other fallen angels inside the barrier, but I can't sense where the others are beyond it.
I sensed three fallen angels earlier. If I can take this one down and the barrier lifts, I need to immediately erase my presence, blend my energy with nature, and retreat. That would be the ideal outcome.
With that plan in mind, I take action. He could throw one of those light spears at any moment.
"Hrrraaaah!!"
Pouring all my focus into it, I channel battle aura at full speed, close the distance head-on, and slash with my manifested divine relic, Zarich, the Right Fang Grinder.
CLAAANG!!
Blocked, by a light spear!
Even though he was busy striking a pose and basking in his own glory just moments ago!?
Not only was my attack stopped, but the bastard used the recoil to jump back and take to the skies. Still, he didn't get away unscathed, Zarich is a warped blade. Though he blocked the main blow, other parts of the blade managed to land a hit. He clutches his bleeding left arm with his right, glaring at me in fury.
"YOU DAMN BRAT!! You DARE wound ME, a superior being, with your filthy, lowly species!? I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
Wow. He's absolutely livid, boiling over like a kettle on max heat. Honestly, he should just switch jobs and become an electric water boiler. ...Yeah, I'm definitely dissociating a bit right now.
Strangely, I'm not shaken by the fact that I just wounded a humanoid opponent for the first time.
If anything, my head's running hot from the adrenaline. I'm not paralyzed by fear, and I even managed to injure him. But the situation has only gotten worse. Why? Because I can't reach him now. I haven't learned any energy projectile techniques. If this keeps up, he'll just pelt me with those damn light spears until I die.
"What do I do…? I really don't want to use Ittou Shura..."
The words slip out of my mouth.
If I use Ittou Shura, I can take him down, as long as it's just him. I'll be fast enough to read his moves, leap onto his back with a reinforced jump, and slash his throat. Ittou Shura would make that possible.
But then what? What if the other fallen angels sense something and show up?
It'd be like a quiz:
1. A dead comrade.
2. A nearby relic-wielding guy, barely standing.
Now connect the dots and give your answer.
If I were the fallen angel, I'd kill the bastard on sight!!!
Damn it! Ittou Shura, which has helped me so much up until now, suddenly turned into a liability the moment I entered real combat!
Calm down! Go over your abilities again!
Special Skill 1: Ittou Shura – Can win this fight, but I'll be wide open to a follow-up attack and die.
Special Skill 2: Verg Avesta: Falsely Transcribed Creation – If I don't take an attack properly, I'll just die. Even if I use it, both sides will be immobilized. They've got two backup fighters. I've got zero.
Special Skill 3: Self-Destruct – Probably even more immobilizing than Ittou Shura. I don't know the blast radius, so there's no guarantee I can even take him out with it.
...FUCK!! What the hell am I supposed to do!? I'm practically out of options!!
"What are you mumbling about?! Just DIE already!!"
"Whoa!!"
I dodged, barely. He's fast, but since I've removed my brain's limiters, I can still react. Not for long, though, keeping this up puts strain on my brain, and the headaches are already starting to build. If I stop moving, I'm toast.
Damn it! He keeps chucking those light spears like they're nothing! So unfair! I only have two weapons! If I throw one, I can't parry anymore, and dodging everything isn't realistic. I'm not some red-hooded archer or hot anime prince who can summon infinite weapons.
...Wait a second. Who says Zarich and Tawrich, the Left Fang of Devouring, can't be thrown?
Sure, most weapons are one-and-done when thrown. Unlike Gungnir or Gáe Bolg, my weapons don't magically return.
But now that I have the divine relic Verg Avesta, which can replicate and recreate things, maybe, just maybe, I can throw the weapon, erase it, and re-summon it to my hand. A pseudo-ranged attack!
I was just thinking that when,
A light spear pierced through my left shoulder.
"GAHH! GAAAAAAAAHHHH!!"
Hot. Hot! Hot!! It's not pain, it's heat!
"FWAHAHAHA! Finally hit you! But I'm just getting started!!!"
He's practically giddy now. Taking a slight pause, he materializes five more spears at his right hand, and hurls them all at once.
I manage to dodge four, but the last one slices deep into my right thigh, dropping me to all fours.
"Kukukuku... Now that's the look I wanted. Yes, that's how your kind should always be, kneeling before me. But I'm still not satisfied. I'll make sure your body remembers the weight of your sin!"
DAMN IT! I'm such a goddamn idiot!! I got cocky just because I saw a glimmer of hope, and now I'm getting absolutely steamrolled!!
Should I have just used Ittou Shura? I still don't know the answer. And even if I used it, I'd lose two key abilities.
Verg Avesta only reflects damage against enemies who've actually hurt me. I can't afford to take more hits, and if another fallen angel shows up, this skill will be useless.
Whether it's luck or misfortune, I've already taken a decent amount of damage. That's why, no matter what, I have to pull through using Verg Avesta alone.
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250 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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