Absolute Duo:Volume 2 Chapter 7
Chapter 7 『Give Me 《PowerSoul》』
Part 1
“Sorry…………….I, became a hindrance………..”
Tachibana was lying on the floor painfully and said that apologetically.
It seems the mental damage she received when she got shot by the <<Soul>> was quite something.
On top of being shot in her stomach, she was attacked with a strong fatigue and barely maintaining her consciousness was all she could do.
“I am sorry. It’s because I got close recklessly………….”
“You don’t have to mind it-------I guess it’s probably useless if I say that. That’s why, instead of an apology………..I will say I would be happy that you give me a report of the victory……….”
“…………That’s what she said, Yurie.”
“Ya,Ya-----! I will win, definitely………….!!”
Tachibana smiled when Yurie strengthened her determination again, and made a strong vow.
“Fufu, there is no reason to get that worked up………………rather, I think Yurie was somehow worked up from the beginning of today……….if not, you would not have chased her that far during that time……….Did something happen, Yurie?”
“……….Nai. Nothing.”
It was for an instant but, Yurie sent her sights over to me.
(------? Just now………….)
Behind me, Miyabi, Tora and of course Tachibana who was in front of me were looking downwards so they did not notice the movements of her sights.
“………………I guess she got too worked up because the opponent is a strong one right?”
“Fufu, I see. If that is the case then, Yurie has one unexpected side to her huh………….”
After I made a random follow up after seeing Yurie’s state, it seemed Tachibana was satisfied with that.
“But Yurie. I feel that your weapon is speed……………and the coolness to see it through in an instant. I hope you will not forget that and go to battle……….”
“Ya---. Thank you for the advice, Tomoe.”
*Pekori* around the time Yurie lowered her head, a gunshot could be heard from quite far away.
Either someone running away from the spot or was hiding was defeated.
“I wonder how many people are left…………”
Miyabi muttered that in anxiousness.
“I don’t know. But, it won’t be weird for Lealith to be coming to this west side.”
That is why, we have to make some kind of plan before then or else we have a slim chance at victory.
“Understanding the situation is first -------our battle strength is, me, Yurie, Miyabi and Tora. These 4 people.”
Yurie could only swing her right hand due to the influence of the fracture.
Although Miyabi’s <<LanceChivalry lance>> was a trustworthy power but, it's reckless to charge directly at the <<RifleGun>>.
I can’t think of anything now but, I included the methods we could use before moving to the next confirmation.
“Like I thought, I think we should use the difference in numbers. The only ones able to keep up with her movements are me, Yurie and Tora, so I think it is appropriate for the 3 of us to surround her and fight.”
“Fuun.”
“Don’t say that. That is why; we have to think of a way to surround Lealith.”
“………….I think the Sora plaza is a good spot.”
I agreed with Yurie’s comment.
It is because it would be the 2nd encounter battle if it is a narrow space, and we cannot use the advantage of many numbers of people.
“The problem is the <<RifleGun>> counter-plan but, I don’t know if I can bring her to an effective range……..”
This is something we wouldn’t know unless we tried it out.
“Please be careful if you get close too. Her taijutsu is quite something.”
I nodded while recalling the fight from just now.
Although it was close quarter combat that I'm good with, I could only get one hit in.
Forget that, I was the one that was getting attacked.
If what I took was a bullet instead of a blocking then, everything would have ended at that point.
(Well, since she is thinking of leaving me as the main dish, she probably did not use the <<RifleGun>> as a method to slow me down………)
It was thinkable that the reason why she aimed for my shoulders instead of my head or chest was because of that.
(Hnn…..?)
Suddenly, something caught on.
“Fuun. <<RifleGun>> and Taijutsu…………seriously, what a nasty woman. On top of that, it is annoying that she keeps showing her easiness.”
“Ahh. That <<RifleGun>> rotating habit…………..--------!”
The moment I replied to Tora, I noticed what caught on to me.
It was the weird feeling that I had during the offense and defense exchange.
(Why does Lealith let that habit appear during close-combat…….!?)
Although one mistake would cause the rose on her chest to scatter and result in her loss.
Was it done unconsciously, or---------
She has to do that movement?
(-------!!)
I felt all the pieces fit into place.
Was the movement Lealith kept showing to us until now really a habit?
If my imagination was correct--------
I recalled back Lealith’s back during the time in <<Survive>> and the previous <<Kouryou battle>>.
(Lealith normally………….no, wait………..)
“Tooru-kun………?”
Miyabi called out to me when I suddenly got quiet.
“Sorry, I was thinking. More importantly everyone, listen to me………..this is just a possibility but------”
I turned my face to everyone and said the rest.
“We might be able to win.”
Yurie and Tora went out of the shop to get into position.
“Miyabi, I leave the rest to you.”
“U-un…………..Tooru-kun and the rest please work hard too.”
I then talked to Tachibana who was lying down behind Miyabi who nodded.
“Alright then, you have to endure a little more so work hard.”
“Aah, I understand…………..I will only rest after I get report of the victory……..”
Although it was weak, she made a promising answer.
“I am heading off now.”
After I reached the Sora plaza, I went and took my position in the center.
Small paths connected to the main path and what’s more, since this was part of the 1st floor atrium, this spot could be seen clearly from the 2nd floor.
In a different way, this spot was also a place where surprise attacks could hardly work and I was wary of sniping.
I would stop Lealith here and Yurie and Tora who were hiding around her would come out and complete the surrounding.
(After we bring it to that situation, it will finally be the start line…………..)
After that, it would be a tightrope walking with the rope worn and patched up.
Will we really cross this rope?
No matter which it was, all we had to do now was wait for Lealith to appear-----
“Tooru…………..”
“Yurie. You have to be hiding.”
The silver girl showed herself from her hiding spot.
Coming from 3 sides was important otherwise we would not be able to surround her if we were together like this.
“I am sorry. I really wanted to tell you something……….so please, just for a while………..”
I could not say [leave the talk to when the <<Survive>> ends] when Yurie looked so apologetically.
“………….Is your body okay?”
“Ya---.it’s a little heavy though.”
“I see………..sorry, to force you like this.”
“Nai. More importantly, I just don’t want to get spotted.”
After saying that, Yurie touched her own chest.
The current Yurie certainly has slower movements than usual.
Whether or not that reason could or could not be noticed could become one of the turning points for the battle.
“So, what do you want to talk about?”
“It’s about the words Tomoe said just now------about me getting worked up.”
Although Tachibana agreed with the follow up I made, I think there was something.
Our time together was not so shallow that I did not feel anything from the sights Yurie had shown to me in that instant.
“It is just as what Tomoe said. I got worked up. I got worked up at that person……….”
“…………Is it perhaps the <<Duo>> matter?”
*Chirin* Yurie nodded and the bells rang.
“Tooru refused that invitation and that person got angry too. But, if Tooru and that person have a relationship of accepting each other in this <<Survive>> then…….”
“Did you think I would bring up being a <<Duo>> with Lealith?”
“…………..Ya---”
*Chirin* Yurie nodded and the bells rang.
(I see. That’s why-----)
The fact that the number of times we slept together increased ever since I told her about the <<Duo>> invitation.
The fact she said to win which was different from the <<Newcomer battleNew blade battle>>.
The fact that, she said she would wait for me even though I told her it was okay to go on ahead.
The fact that she headed towards Lealith, even though I told her not to overdo it, to stop her.
The reason why Yurie kept doing those actions and saying words unlike herself was a way to show her feelings of wanting to be by my side.
At the same time when I understood the consistency, I thought the silver girl was very cute.
That was why I------
“Ah…………”
I patted Yurie’s head gently.
“I told Yurie that I am happy to be with you. Those words are not lies. It definitely is true, and will stay that way.”
“Tooru…………”
“Are you relieved already?”
“Ya,Ya----”
I once again patted her head after Yurie nodded.
“Okay. Now that you are relieved, you should get spirited again. However, don't overdo it or you will end up too worked up you know? That’s because we have to report We won, to Tachibana who is working hard.”
“Ya,Ya---……!!”
It was at that moment Yurie made a strong nod.
“………….Did you forget that we are in the middle of <<Survive>> now?”
““-------------!!””
An utterly amazed voice came down suddenly.
When I looked up-----at the direction of the voice, a beautiful girl with a red rose attached on her chest and has Yellow topaz and Sapphire blueblue gemstone eyes, was sitting on the glass fence while folding her legs and was looking down at us.
She was not holding her <<RifleGun>> and was not showing any intentions of wanting to fight immediately.
“That’s a surprise, when have you been there………?”
“I am quite good in erasing my presence. That’s because it's important for the hunt.”
*Fu**Fu* she laughed while narrowing her eyes.
“And of course, that goes for detecting presence too.”
“………..Did you eliminate everyone else.”
“That’s right. That is why I came to take the main dish. By the way-----”
Right in the middle of her words, Lealith jumped up to and took one spin before landing on the plaza without making almost any sound.
“Let’s stop the slow parts okay. I came taking on the invitation so, I think you should come out too you know?”
“Fuun. You really are taking this easy.”
Tora showed himself from the store he hid in, at Lealith’s words.
“Well, it’s predictable that he would be nearby.”
“Isn’t that obvious. Attacking from many directions is effective if you fight an opponent with a <<RifleGun>>.”
“Haha, you are going to accompany us even though you know all that, what an energetic service.”
“That’s because it’s more interesting that way. By the way-----”
After giggling, Lealith looked at our faces.
“What about the other two?..............even though I said that, one of them should have gotten hit by a bullet and the other one looks slow so, I guess you decided that they won’t become battle strength and left them.”
Inside the 2nd battle, it seems she was calmly observing the movements and reactions of the surroundings.
“You really looked carefully huh. But, Tachibana and Miyabi are-----”
“They are fighting with us.”
Yurie interrupted me by saying that and placed her hand on her chest.
“Like your hearts are together? I don’t hate those types of sentimental feelings.”
It was slight but, the smile disappeared from the gold girl.
“Strong feelings becomes <<Power>>………….that is what I believe.”
Although it was soft, those words were filled with a strong will.
It could be felt that she was burdened with something judging by the atmosphere which was different from usual.
“Well then, let’s begin already. The dancelast battle of this <<PartySurvive>>!”
“Just like I promised, I will go all-out………..!!”
“I will make you know how useless you are even if you go all-out!!”
The gold girl placed her hands on the <<Astar>> on her chest and shouted.
“<<Blaze>>!!”
At the same time the <<RifleGun>> manifested in Lealith’s hand, Tora and Yurie ran to the left and right with me in the center.
Lealith was the one who took the initiative.
The same time the gun shot and I deflected the bullet with the <<Shield>>, our offense and defense state reversed because Tora and Yurie jumped in.
After dodging the <<KatarSymbolic short sword>> Yurie’s <<Saber>> was next.
*JaKiin*!! However the blade was stopped by the gun’s frame.
“It was a somewhat rough sword skill but, it was a heavy and good attack. But-------your movements are duller than just now. Since you are only using one hand and sword, it would mean that there is quite some damage left I guess.”
Seeing through Yurie’s movement turning dull in an instant, Lealith guessed the level of injury she had.
In a blink of an eye, she rotated the <<RifleGun>> before, pointing the gun towards Yurie this time.
However, the silver girl that had regained her inherent coolness guessed the line of fire from the gun and dodged the bullet.
“It’ll be a problem if you forget about me!!”
At that moment, Tora once again took a side sweep with the <<KatarSymbolic short sword>> and cut the air.
“Of course, I did not forget.”
At the same time as those words, she rotated her <<RifleGun>> and pointed the gun at Tora this time.
“Guh……….!!”
Tora evaded his body from the shooting line immediately but, he distorted his expression.
That’s because Lealith kicked his side stomach like an elastic whip.
She used the <<RifleGun>> as a feint and countered, this made Tora’s body float for an instant.
I switched with the staggering Tora and attacked.
“How about this!!”
I repeatedly showed a left jab and a right back knuckle but, it all hit the air with her bending her body.
---But, right after that, Lealith flipped up her leg while making a swaying posture.
The somersault kick scratched by my cheek and I stopped.
At that point, she landed and pointed the gun at me.
“Kuh……!!”
I immediately flipped the gun frame and diverted the gun; the bullet scratched my cheek.
Yurie then closed the gap and made a pincer attack with me.
It was a hectic switch from between offense and defense.
But, Lealith’s rose was not showing any signs of scattering from our fierce attacks.
Although it was good that we took Lealith’s position, the biggest problem was the <<RifleGun>> existence.
She flashed the rifle that could make us unable to continue if we suffered a clean hit, and used it as an intimidation to make our step-in duller.
“What are you doing, Tooru, Yurie!!”
An irritated Tora jumped in between the attack but, his movements were clearly slower than usual.
It seems he was in pain from the kick but, Tora did not say it hurt and unleashed an attack.
“Seriously, you are all so restless.”
Lealith said it in a tired voice and was still showing a leisurely smile even though she was in this overly disadvantageous situation of 3 vs 1.
But even so, the momentum for victory was slowly leaning towards us.
While we were attacking from all directions, Lealith had to be constantly conscious of all 3 of our movements and could only maintain a defensive stance, thus slowly cutting her breath away.
“Eat this!!”
Even though Tora crouched and made a spin kick, it hit nothing because Lealith dodged it easily with a back step.
---But. The moment she landed, *Kurun* she folded her knees.
The fatigue finally reached her legs.
“This is the end………..!”
It was a once in a lifetime chance and Yurie sliced down to finish her but--------
Lealith smiled in an instant.
“It’s a fake.”
“------!?”
She went for the finish but since it was a large swing attack, it got dodged again with a back step.
“Too bad, Yurie=Sigtuna.”
A big opening would appear if a big swing was performed, and she shot at that part.
*Giin*!! But, I got between the girls and deflected the bullet with the <<Shield>>.
“That too bad goes for you too, Lealith. The <<RifleGun>> won’t work at this distance!!”
“…………Not bad, Kokonoe Tooru. But------”
Lealith swiftly rotated the <<RifleGun>> in her hands.
“Don’t think the same trick will work forever!”
In an instant, I focused on the gun’s direction and placed my <<Shield>> in the shooting line.
“------What!?”
The moment it shot-----I saw it.
That the gun slightly lowered and the shooting line changed.
I was able to see through the gun’s direction because of the distance until now.
But for this time, due to it being close, my body could not react in time to the sudden change of the line of fire.
“Guaa……………!!”
I shouted at the pain at my right thigh that felt like a nail had pierced through it.
“The tables have turned huh.”
I fell to my knee and Lealith said it happily.
[Tooru!!][Tooru!!]
“Don’t come!!”
I stopped both of them with my hand.
“If the 3 of us gather at one spot, then we won’t be able to win even though we can win.”
“Tooru…………”
“Oh my, are you still planning to win in this situation?”
*Kurun* she rotated the Rifle and the gold girl smiled.
(It’s just as I thought………….)
Not limited to this fight, and even during the <<Kouryou battle>>, Lealith would definitely show that habit once the <<RifleGun>> shoots.
I then found out there was something that could be guessed from that.
That, Lealith was unable to continuously fire the <<RifleGun>>.
The <<ArcheryWestern bow>> user Kibitsu said, that she had to manifest the arrow by imaging herself taking an arrow out from the quiver.
So I thought, Lealith had to reload too by using the rotation movement of the <<RifleGun>>.
And more importantly, it would be very clear that she would enjoy the fight more if she was able to fire continuously, and there was no way she would not fire continuously without a reason.
“Tooru, are you okay?”
I did not avert my eyes from Lealith and listened to Yurie.
“………Moving like normal looks impossible huh.”
Although the pain was gone already since this was a <<Blaze>> attack, the part that got shot felt heavy.
(It would have been great if the three of us cornered her then………..)
“You all look beaten up but, are you all still going to work hard?”
I lost my legs; Yurie lost her shoulders and Tora’s ribs are probably hurting.
Even if we continued fighting, forget cornering her, we would probably just be waiting to lose.
(……………Which means, there is only one thing left to do.)
I made my determination and looked straight at the Sapphire blueblue gemstone eyes and answered.
“That’s true…………Let’s end this already.”
“Yes. It is a little regretful but--------everything must have an ending.”
The gold girl prepared the <<RifleGun>>------
And I prepared myself too.
I pulled back my fist like I am going to shoot a bow and charged up.
Yurie and Tora jumped to the left and right respectively at that signal.
“Just now, you asked that was I still planning to win right? Aah, that’s what I am planning to do. We will------Win!!”
Together with a roar, I released my strength.
Towards my own feet.
*Pikiiiiiiii!!* The MjolnirThunder god’s strike released with the <<Level 2II>>’s strength making a crater.
“Wha……….!?”
Small and large fragments flew around and Lealith jumped back in reflex.
The moment I confirmed that, I looked upwards and shouted.
“Now, Miyabi------!!”
“Teyaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh-----!!”
A loud shout echoed in the building.
Coming from the stairs heading towards the roof on top of the Sora plaza, Miyabi was holding the <<LanceChivalry lance>> and was charging-----no, was jumping down.
“------!! You’ve thought of that!!”
The MjolnirThunder god’s strike was to limit the directions Lealith could run away to.
Next off would be Miyabi who was standing-by performing a lance charge downwards for an ambush but, the plan I prepared did not end here.
Rather, I was convinced Lealith would not let this end and continued the plan.
Lealith responded to my expectations by dodging the lance charge and------
Almost at the same time, Yurie and Tora charged at her.
“This timing………..! I can’t evade!?”
Lealith guessed our intentions in an instant and the leisurely smile disappeared from her expression.
Even if she defeated one of them, the remaining person would definitely bring her down by attacking the opening due to the reload.
This is what we aimed for……..!!
“I won’t……….be defeated!!”
The gun was pointed at Tora.
Even though Tora dodged the bullet immediately, it scratched his head and broke his balance before falling down.
Yurie then slipped into the gap.
She aimed for this instant that Lealith had not finished reloading yet.
“It will finish with this………!”
In that moment-----Lealith smiled.
“…………You are the one that will be finished, Yurie=Sigtuna.”
“-----!?”
The moment Yurie swung down her <<Saber>>, Lealith thrust the <<RifleGun>> which was not reloaded yet towards Yurie’s chest-----
Almost the same time the blade was about to dig into her upper arm, she pulled the trigger.
*Zutaan*………..!! A dry sound echoed throughout and Yurie’s small body got blown away before----
She fell to the floor.
“How regretful, it was a fake. Did you think I need to reload?”
Lealith sent a sidelong glance towards me while making a smile.
It was a trap from the start.
She skillfully prepared a sweet lie by making us think that she reloaded by rotating the <<RifleGun>> starting from the <<Kouryou battle>>, and made us aim for that chance.
But-----
“I predicted that possibility too.”
“Eh……….!?”
Lealith showed an outwitted expression when she saw me lifting the side of my mouth.
“I am saying that I saw through the lie and disclosed the truth!!”
Immediately-----
*Chirin* the bell rang.
Lealith turned around and------her Sapphire blueblue gemstone eyes was filled with surprise.
She saw the silver girl flying in the sky with one black wing.
“Wha….!?”
*Zan*!! The brandish got through faster than Lealith pulling the trigger.
“With this……….it’s checkmate.”
The <<RifleGun>> left the gold girl’s hand-----and dropped to the floor.
“N-no way……….I'm sure I shot through your chest-----…………!! That’s!!”
Lealith noticed.
She noticed the existence of the <<Chain>> making a dull glow inside the hole she made on Yurie’s uniform.
“No way, you wrapped that around your body…………so that’s why your movements got duller.”
Lealith said that while touching her cut right arm with her left hand.
“So there are 2 ambushers huh………..I lose as expected.”
Lealith moved her sights towards <<RifleGun>> that fell to the ground, and made a sigh of admiration.
Yes, it was just as what Yurie said just before the fight, we were fighting together with not only Miyabi but also with Tachibana too.
“Tachibana’s hard work profited.”
The <<Blaze>> would disappear if she faints-------and that’s the reason why I told her to work hard.
“……………Fuun. Don’t forget I went along with your plan.”
Maybe it was from the impact from getting grazed from the bullet; Tora was placing his hand on his head while saying that.
In order to make Lealith shoot continuously and to make her get deluded that I was deceived, so we had him take up a role to do it.
Similarly, although it was great that the ground got destroyed by my MjolnirThunder god’s strike but, the skin on my fist tore because it was not able to withstand the impact and was stained with the blood that spurted out.
“………………I really thought you got deceived.”
“It’s true that I was deceived at first………….but I recalled back. That last time, I saw Lealith shooting the <<RifleGun>> in A La Mode.”
That time, Lealith pulled the trigger without any gaps in between.
Then why did she start that action at the <<Kouryou battle>>.
It’s obvious. She started it to fight me in this <<Survive>>.
There was a reason why she did not fire continuously.
The reason why she did this was to flip the table, right before the moment I'm convinced of my victory.
“Lealith. Continuing this anymore now that you can’t hold the <<RifleGun>> is unreasonable.”
It seems Lealith was having a hard time lifting her arm because it got slashed by Yurie, so if we kept fighting like this, there was no chance for her to win.
“………………………”
“Lealith. It’s over-----”
“I won’t say it twice.”
“Eh……..?”
Those Sapphire blueblue gemstone eyes shot towards me-----and she made her move.
“………….Not yet.”
There was a strong will of light coming from her eyes.
“I won’t give up!!”
“-------!!”
The gold girl kicked up the <<RifleGun>>.
Her right arm could not move because it got slashed.
But even so she still grabbed the <<RifleGun>>, even though it is going to be hard to move her left hand because of the damage in her upper arm.
“Kuh……..!”
I immediately pulled back my fist stained with my blood and took a stance.
(I can scatter the rose with the MjolnirThunder god’s strike impact wave if it is in this distance!!)
Lealith put strength into the finger pulling the trigger and the moment I was about to release the power stored in my fist------
*Bannn*!! A different dry sound from Lealith’s <<RifleGun>> echoed and at the same time, I received an impact on my shoulders before dropping to my knees.
“Ga,aah…….!?”
It was slightly late but, a scorching heat and pain attacked.
“Uu, Guh, aah……….Wha-what……..?”
After I turned behind while withstanding the pain, there were 3 guys standing there with Body suitsbattle suits on.
The guy in the middle was holding a pistol and there was gunpowder smoke coming off the muzzle.
(This guy……….shot me……!?)
“That was too close for comfort huh. Lealith=Bristol.”
The guy called Lealith’s name in a cheeky voice.
“Lealith…………..who are these people……..?”
Even though I asked while pressing my shoulder which was twitching in pain, she swung her head.
“I don’t know. Who are you all? What do you all want!?”
*Kii* Lealith glared at them while demanding the group of men to reveal their identity.
“The <<Equipment Smith>>-dono’s subordinate------you should understand if I answer that right? We came to pick you up as ordered by sir.”
It seems Lealith got an idea from the man’s reply and was taken aback for a moment.
But she immediately reverted her expression and pointed the gun at the group of men.
“………..I refuse. I don’t have the duty to follow someone who rudely stepped into my dance party with those dirty feet. And if you wanted to escort me in the first place then, start with sending an invitation first.”
“Ya-re Ya-re…………that’s the answer after bringing my legs this deep inside here.”
Her mutter did not reach anyone’s ear and got blown away by the wind just like that.
| Back to Chapter 6 | Return to Main Page | Forward to Epilogue |