Chapter 390 - [ I l o v e y o u . ]
Chapter 390 - [ I l o v e y o u . ]
<Author’s Notes>
While I was revising this story, I was playing the anime ending song “pray” by Hakubi. Somehow, the song (and its lyrics) gave me the impression of reflecting the feelings of each of the Takao sisters (even though the song is actually inspired by Seras). It created a strange sense of synchronicity…… a mysterious feeling during the revision process. Hakubi’s “pray” changes its tone after the anime’s ending part, and it’s a really wonderful song, so if there’s an opportunity, please listen to the full version.
The seven minutes, where death is an ever-present threat, began.
Yomibito’s four katanas raged wildly.
The reach of the blades is long.
The real issue is, of course, the invisible, transparent parts of the blades.
Moreover, it seems that the length of the transparent blades varies among the four swords.
I need to keep a close watch on which arm wields which length of transparent blade.
During the attack, Yomibito attempted to shuffle his katanas once.
But Elder Sis interrupted with a wind pressure attack, aiming at the moment of the shuffle.
This seemed to work; Yomibito abandoned their shuffle attempt.
That said, even without that, the varying lengths of the transparent blades are already challenging to manage.
It would be unbearable if they shuffled during combat.
(As expected of Elder Sister…… It’s just, d*mn it! Yomibito is starting to focus their attacks on Elder Sis……!)
It’s clear now, Yomibito is targeting Elder Sis.
Probably, they have judged her as the key player.
“Takao Itsuki cannot function without her sister.”
Did they read it that way?
This battle—if Elder Sis is taken out, they win.
However……
(Like I’d let them have their way……!)
I increased my speed and fired a compressed <Two>.
Her injuries are piling up.
Blood is continuously being drained.
Although she’s defending with wind blades and other elemental attacks……
Yomibito probably thinks that Elder Sis doesn’t have any fatal attacks right now———- so they are pressing their advantage.
On the other hand, I may have my <End>, but I can’t use it recklessly due to my MP reserves.
Compared to my other skills, <End> consumes a lot of MP.
Moreover———–
I only have enough MP for two more shots.
(How many minutes more?)
I glance at the pocket watch clenched in my hand.
D*mn it……
(Still 5 and a half minutes left!?)
It’s been only a minute and a half since my last check.
It feels like we’ve been fighting for 4 minutes already.
D*mn it———– time feels so long.
This condensed moment.
This space where we’re dancing on the edge of death……
(I want to help Elder Sis more…… but if I recklessly jump in, it might actually make things worse. If I get wounded further and my movements are affected…… I won’t be able to connect my <End> with Elder Sis’s <Gungnir>.)
It’s frustrating.
If only I were stronger……
I could draw Yomibito’s attention more effectively.
However, all I can do is shoot <Two> as support———–
[…… ———–How much time……]
(4 minutes…… 30 seconds?)
Still, 4 minutes and 30 seconds?
(Elder Sis…… Ahh, d*mn it! Why…… Why do I have to be so powerless right now!?)
At that moment……
[———Ah……]
I felt a jolt.
The speed of the mutated Yomibito’s attacks was faster than I had imagined.
I had unconsciously increased the output of <One> to match their speed.
Naturally, increasing the output———- also meant increased MP consumption.
[Sta——— Status…… Open…… ————!]
□
At the end of all things, there’s always a beginning.
During this beginning, there was no need for hymns to praise the gods(Unlock).
After all———— this is not a story of gods, but of humans.
After an end comes a new beginning.
And that place———– is the realm of zero, where nothing can be counted.
This is———– the final form that the wanderer has reached.
Its name is……
[ < Count Zero > ]
(T/N:Spell name: Number Start, Raijin / Chant: Count Zero)