Chapter 98
Chapter 98
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 98
Chapter Title: Scramble (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
●
Yeah. Successfully tailing them was a good start, but...
What the hell is this situation?
[Shouldn't we stop them?]
"...That's what I'm saying?"
Seeing Liru and Elnor enter the sparring stage, that retort slips out automatically.
"If I butt in here, it'll just make things a bigger mess, right?"
[...I agree with that.]
Caliban said with a wry smile.
[But you're really just going to let those two fight it out?]
"..."
I know full well that's a disaster waiting to happen too.
The moment I let them go at it like that, one of them dies. Probably Liru, high odds.
And the instant Liru dies, poof—there goes the key to clearing Chapter 3.
'...I really need her.'
It's not for nothing that the gear gets split between two people.
In this boss fight, you have to face Tatiana and Allan at the same time.
Considering Tatiana's abilities, there's definitely a phase where weapon strikes won't work. The only one who can land effective barehanded hits on her is Liru, no exaggeration.
"...Let's watch for now. It's not all bad."
In the original story, there's a description that when vessels clash, their skills skyrocket.
The demons' energies stimulate each other, drawing out hidden potential.
Sure, it usually ends in catastrophe, but in the moment, it's not all downside.
I desperately want Liru to grow too.
[So you're saying trouble's half inevitable?]
"..."
He's right.
[What're you gonna do?]
"..."
Stroking my chin at Caliban's words.
Soon, I give a serious answer.
"Won't it work out somehow?"
[...]
"Honestly, do you have a better idea?"
[...]
Nope.
I trust myself.
When push comes to shove, I'll wring my brain for something, anything...!
[...Aren't you starting to give up too?]
"..."
Yeah, pretty much.
●
As the academy that most encourages student fights, the Crucible of Strife's sparring room is decked out with the latest facilities.
Take the medical station that heals injuries almost magically.
At least here, you won't die no matter how much you clash and explode.
And honestly.
Right now, that help is more crucial than ever.
"..."
Elnor didn't look all that angry, in a way.
I know her perpetual blank face makes reading emotions impossible from it alone.
But still, I can feel it clearly.
This prickling killing intent on my skin—it's the real deal.
"..."
She steadies her breath.
If there's a reason she picked Elnor out of everyone in the Crucible, it's simple.
Instinct screamed that, among the people nearby, this one was the most dangerous.
Not just from past experience.
Ever since that "awards ceremony" we did together, her senses had been ringing alarms nonstop.
That's a monster you never antagonize.
"..."
But.
Now, she's going to fight that monster.
"...I know of you, Liru Garda."
As she thinks that, a line flies from across the way.
"Any warrior of the Tribal Alliance seeks honorable combat and glorious death. I know that trait well."
"...What?"
"You're using Dawood as part of that process? That stirs no emotion in me anymore."
"..."
"Back off now, and I'll forgive you. Or else."
Elnor takes one step toward her.
Familiar sensation.
Feels like her whole body is being sliced by blades. Even before any physical harm.
She wants to retreat. Despite facing her countless times, she wants to turn and run again.
"..."
But.
This time is different.
"...At first, yeah."
Liru opens her mouth in a hoarse voice.
"Until recently, that was really all I planned... to 'use' him like that."
She gets why she's reacting this way.
Last time she probed Elnor, mentioning stealing her lover got the fiercest response.
She probably sees this as an extension of that.
Thinks it's just the Tribal Alliance warrior thing, using him to pick a fight.
No, but.
The situation now is worlds apart from then.
How she feels about Dawood now, the gulf between her and Elnor.
This woman was strong, sure, but never this overwhelmingly superior before.
"Come at me. I'm not just saying empty words—"
Before she finishes, a brutal strike slams into Liru's abdomen.
"...-!"
One kick shakes her insides.
No time to react, no gap to brace.
Her body, honed over long years.
The daughter of a swordsmanship house, felled by a barehanded blow before drawing steel.
[ Critical injury detected. ]
[ Medical drone activated. ]
The medical station kicking in only for near-fatal wounds shows exactly how hard she got hit.
If this were real combat, not the "arena," that one strike would've killed her.
But.
"...Again."
Liru wipes blood from her mouth and continues.
The fire in her eyes hasn't dimmed a bit.
"Now it starts."
They clash again.
A bit different this time.
She adjusts her footwork. Advances carefully, measuring distance.
But.
"...-!"
Another casual kick sends her flying.
Three ribs compound-fractured. The arm she raised to block twists unnaturally.
[ Critical injury detected. ]
[ Medical drone activated. ]
"..."
Liru grits her teeth and stands.
"...Again."
Then.
Same routine repeats.
No matter how she tries to engage, she's shattered by the opponent's light swats, like swatting a fly.
Overwhelming gap.
An abyss where all her built skills, abilities, knowledge feel useless.
"...Why go this far, Liru Garda?"
Elnor sighs as she speaks.
She's pulped Liru without proper effort, not a drop of sweat.
"Be honest. I don't get why you're doing this. That's why I'm holding back."
"..."
This is holding back?
Even while unleashing monstrous power.
It's despairing.
She just wanted to draw out this woman's full power at least.
To find a clue to overcome it.
But her current level can't even manage that.
"Because I want to get stronger."
"There are plenty of ways to get stronger. No reason to come to me and do something this reckless."
"..."
"Honestly, this isn't even a warm-up. Doubt you'll gain anything here."
"..."
Liru bites her lip until it bleeds.
"Especially no reason to bring up Dawood."
Elnor continues indifferently.
"If it's not to provoke me, why claim you want that man? What's the reason?"
"..."
"You can't possibly harbor that deep an affection for Dawood to charge at me like this."
True enough.
Lying if she said she felt no fondness watching that man, but love? Also a lie.
The clearest emotion she holds?
Jealousy.
Immediate sting at him being chosen first, over her who's served Casa for decades.
But.
But that's not all.
"...I don't want more help."
She mutters bitterly.
An emotion even she can't name.
But for that man, she doesn't want to burden him more... because of her.
That knot feels certain.
"Especially since I already owe him big."
A chance at revenge she might never have grasped in a lifetime alone, handed in this short time.
Yet he keeps trying to help.
If she even knew his intentions in helping, it wouldn't frustrate her this much. But this unknowable man scurries about for her sake, suffers, meddles in her actions nonstop.
Honestly, she doesn't know how to handle it.
So.
"...I have to do my part too. At least clear away what scares him."
If you've received, repay even staking your life. Casa taught her that.
So, to avoid more help ahead.
At minimum, grow strong enough to shield him from his greatest fear, protect him once.
Crashing into this woman with her life on the line is part of that.
"...Scared? Of what, Dawood?"
Liru's face twists in disbelief.
"You really don't know?"
"What?"
"You. And that swordsman with the white energy."
"..."
"That guy, sometimes he seems scared of you two."
"..."
"If I beat you and tell you to stay away, won't he relax a bit?"
As one who's seen countless battlefields, she can affirm it. As a fighter hyper-sensitive to auras, doubly so.
That man fears these two women sometimes. The vibe comes through clear.
Elnor's brow twitches.
"...Nonsense."
"..."
Liru's expression turns a shade more serious.
This woman, who's been batting her aside like an annoyance. But that line got a real reaction.
Meaning, chance to exploit.
A shot at seeing her full power.
"You don't believe that yourself, do you?"
She says provocatively.
"You two don't seem that compatible."
"...What?"
"Just you forcing it, and he has no choice but to—"
The words barely leave her mouth.
----!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A flash explodes before Liru's eyes.
●
Dust billows thick around.
'Dangerous...!'
Looking at Liru coughing up blood in fury.
She's a wreck. If I hadn't used my skill just now, she'd be dead.
Step out of the stage, no medical station support.
If I hadn't shielded her with holy barrier here, her dying right there wouldn't be weird.
"..."
Sweat pouring cold, I eye the stage totally wrecked by Elnor drawing and swinging her sword.
She actually thought to fight that.
"...You okay?"
"..."
Whispering low enough Elnor won't hear, Liru's eyes flash.
"...Don't help."
"Yes?"
"Don't help me!"
Liru snarls through gritted teeth.
Voice thick with shame, humiliation condensed. Almost whimpering.
But beyond that, a chilling sight hits me too.
"This time, I don't need your help! I already owe you so much—don't make it more...!"
Blue energy spreads from her.
Don't know why, but my helping enraged her massively.
"Liru."
I speak up first.
Duty to calm her anger first.
But nothing comes to mind.
What to say?
Don't even know why she's mad...!
But failing to soothe her spells trouble.
So, I open my mouth to calm her.
[System Message]
[ Title 'Rake' recognizes your situation! ]
[ Analyzes situation and target, composes optimal line to resolve crisis! ]
"..."
No.
Don't.
The system window pops up, chills racing down my spine.
Useful ditching Yuria before, but I haven't forgotten what it did calming Elnor.
If this thing handles what I didn't plan.
It spouts utterly ridiculous lines on its own...!
"No need to feel indebted for my help."
Before I finish thinking, the words spill out.
"It's all stuff I do because I want to."
"...What?"
"I like you, Liru Garda."
Liru's face goes utterly blank.
"..."
And I'm just as stunned.
Me.
What the hell did I just say?
●