chapter 66
Chapter 66
[Iko’s Perspective]
A veritable jack-in-the-box of techniques—
That’s the most fitting description.
Each individual skill isn’t particularly impressive.
They’re low-level skills, not something to be overly concerned about…
The issue lies in their sheer variety.
Not only does she cover the six basic elements of magic, but she’s also proficient in hand-to-hand combat, showcasing a broad range of abilities.
Yet, she doesn’t stubbornly stick to physical combat, instead employing magic and unconventional strategies.
Take [Earth Wall], for instance.
Just when you think it’s meant to obstruct movement, a punch from [Earth Hand] suddenly emerges from the side of the wall.
That caught me off guard for a moment.
But it seems she didn’t expect me to be flustered, so Yama-san’s follow-up attack was rather weak.
In any case, her thinking is unrestricted.
Those who have trained and become strong to a certain extent usually have a core strategy, moving with that as their axis.
That’s why experienced fighters like myself and Gobzou-san can easily read such movements and fight advantageously…
But she doesn’t have a core strategy.
She uses whatever is at her disposal, employing fighting styles I’ve never seen before.
Hence, a jack-in-the-box of techniques.
Not knowing what’s coming next and having to react instantly is quite troublesome indeed.
Thanks to that, I can’t use my [Magic Penetration Pressure Palm] as intended, which is frustrating.
Multi-talented and versatile.
I’m looking forward to seeing what she’ll do next; she’s an opponent with exceptional talent as a fighter.
But that’s an evaluation as an entertainer, not as a martial artist.
So, is she weak then?
That would be “foolish” to say.
Seeing her push me back with the brute force of stats that surpass even my prime, I can’t joke about her being weak.
Her techniques are crude but abundant.
And her power already rivals that of an executive in the Demon King’s army.
What an incongruous girl.
And to top it off, she claims to be in a production class, which makes it even worse.
After exchanging blows so many times I’ve lost count, Yama-san suddenly stops.
What’s this? Has she run out of steam already?
As I’m thinking this…
“I remember now.”
She says, and then,
“Your name definitely has a ‘Ra’ at the beginning, doesn’t it?”
Hit right on the mark, I can’t help but laugh.
She’s not only strong and versatile, but also quite intelligent.
I almost feel envious of her talent.
“That laugh… I knew it. I thought you were too strong. Even I, who can easily handle A-rank adventurers, have been struggling. I’ve been wondering why I’m having such a hard time. Logically thinking, that means you’re beyond that level, right? So I thought, maybe…”
“I was quite the troublemaker in my youth. I’d rather not reveal my real name.”
“Well, I’m the same in that regard, so it’s fine.”
It’s quite surreal to see her shrug her shoulders while still in that prickly black design.
Nevertheless, I fully understand that she’s not an opponent to be underestimated.
“Hah. I finally feel better. Oh, my hands and feet hurt. [Heal Light].”
And yet, she acts carefree and unrestrained, as if unaware of this fact.
I wonder if she realizes?
Who she’s exchanging blows with, and what level she’s reaching…
Probably not, or she’s consciously ignoring it.
That’s fine too.
I’ve taken a liking to her.
Depending on the match result… things might get busy afterward.
Fufufu.
■□■
“Welcome to Evilgrande, the Third City of the Demon King’s Army! This is the domain ruled by Lord Raiko, one of the Four Heavenly Kings! Make sure not to cause any disturbances! Now, you may proceed!”
Those were the words the gatekeeper said to me when I first arrived in Evilgrande.
At first, I was like, who’s this Raiko…?
…………
It’s this person right in front of me!
Wait, the Four Heavenly Kings means the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King’s Army, right!?
Why are you casually participating in a world event!?
Or rather, was this event supposed to come much later in the game progression?
Or is this a losing event!?
I don’t know, but with Lily and Take cheering me on, I can’t just lose pathetically… even if it’s a losing event, I can’t slack off!
Besides, I’m the type to resist forced losing events to the bitter end!
This time too, I’ll resist with everything I’ve got!
I activate [Looks Like a Magic King] and rapid-fire [Fire Strike] like a needle gun!
[Fire Strike], which already has a short cooldown, exhibits terrifying suppressive power when combined with [Looks Like a Magic King]!
Iko-san dodges the thin spears of flame while running swiftly.
At her feet!
“[Fall Down]!”
I open a hole with Level 7 [Earth Magic]!
But Iko-san easily avoids it by kicking off the air.
Wait, what’s that!?
▶Copycat Animal has been activated.
Acquired [It’s Air Walking, You Know?].
If Copycat Animal reacted, does that mean such a skill exists!?
“[Jet Stream]!”
I have no choice but to distance myself with [Jet Stream]!
Aerial combat?
No way, no way, I don’t have the luxury to engage in something I’ve never done before!
“[Fire Strike]! [Fire Strike]! [Fire Strike]! [Fire Strike]!”
While suppressing with [Fire Strike],
“[Jet Stream]!”
This time I close the distance in one go with [Jet Stream] and go for a punch!
Since I showed her avoiding once with [Jet Stream], she’ll be surprised when I suddenly switch to attack!
“Hm!?”
“Orya-rya-rya!”
My barrage of palm strikes and Iko-san’s flurry of punches collide in mid-air. With a tremendous sound and impact, Iko-san is blown away!
It might be due to the weight difference or stats, but this is my chance!
“[Fire Blast]!”
Pft.
…Huh?
I tried to fire Level 9 [Fire Magic], but nothing came out?
▶Not enough MP.
Aaaaah!?
The consequence of working all night and not fully recovering my MP has come to bite me now!?
My dismay must have shown on my face.
Iko-san grins and tries to close the distance between us, but stumbles forward with a thud.
Stumbles?
There’s nothing at her feet though?
No, that’s not it.
Smoke-like substance is coming out of Iko-san’s body, and her body is shrinking.
“Time’s up, huh…”
And Iko-san reverts back to the form of a refined elderly woman.
Ah.
I thought we’d been fighting for quite a while, but an hour has passed.
That’s why the skill effect disappeared.
“We both ended up in an awkward situation, but what should we do? I don’t have the heart to seriously punch an old lady, you know?”
“Hmm, good character too. I like you even more now.”
Like me?
Did I do something to be liked?
“I’m getting old too. I’ve been thinking it’s about time to appoint a successor and retire. So I’ve been waiting in Evilgrande for a promising adventurer, and I’m glad I found one.”
Iko-san’s successor…?
…………
Don’t tell me.
Hahaha.
“If you’ve directly defeated me, it would add to your prestige, wouldn’t it?”
“W-Wait a minute! Let’s reconsider this! Iko-san!”
It’s really that kind of thing, isn’t it!?
No way, no way, I can’t do it!
“No can do. Well then, do your best, new Four Heavenly King. …Referee, I surrender.”
No, wait, wait, wait!?
You really should reconsider this!
You can’t give such an important position to an inexperienced girl with poor social skills!
But before my very eyes, Iko-san turns into particles of light and disappears—
“It’s over! Defeating the previous champion, the winners of this Grand Martial Arts Festival are the unknown rising stars! The Tatsu & Lily duo! Please give a big round of applause for the duo who have fought their way through fierce battles!”
As the announcer’s voice rings out and applause rains down, I stand there dumbfounded.
Yeah.
Someone once said it’s okay to run away when things get tough.
—Let’s run away.
I had quietly made that decision in my heart.
■□■
And so, here I am, having sent only a “Please don’t look for me” message to Tatsu-san and ditched the award ceremony.
Since I’m not in the arena, the prize and reward money are probably being deposited into Lily’s [Storage] right about now.
Balance-san said they’d treat me as Lily only while I was in the arena.
Oh, didn’t Lily only have a [Storage Bag]? What happens if that was destroyed? I wonder if it’ll be temporarily given to Tatsu-san?
Well, that’s none of my business.
For now, I’ve changed back to my original silver armor and quickly moved through the city to reach the port.
If I take a ship to the human nation from here and escape to the human nation, surely talks about being one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King’s Army will eventually die down!
Or rather, I’m hoping that’s what will happen!
I’m earnestly, earnestly hoping for it!
“My, it’s you.”
As I was looking at the ship bound for the human nation at the port, someone suddenly called out to me, so I turned around.
Who could it be, I wondered… Geh, Aika-chan!?
“Ah, I knew it! You’re the salesgirl from the poison soup shop, aren’t you? Why are you in a place like this?”
Why…?
Why…………?
“I’d like to know how things ended up like this myself.”
“I-I see…”
When I replied in a tearful falsetto, Aika-chan looked at me sympathetically.
Ah, I wish I could have properly said goodbye to Mungaga-san, the grilled eel brother, Katze-san, and the others…
I didn’t want to leave like this, running away, but when things cool down, I’ll come back someday, so please forgive me for going on an apology pilgrimage then…
“Did something sad happen? Your big sister can lend an ear if you’d like?”
I’m the big sister here!
But I’m too much of a coward to say it out loud because I’m afraid of getting a real scolding.
I’m such a coward that I’m even trying to run away from being one of the Four Heavenly Kings!
Geez, Iko-san, I resent you~!
“Ah, that’s okay.”
“I-Is that so? Your reaction is quite dry…”
“Hey, Aika!”
“Aren’t they calling you?”
“That’s right. If we have another chance, I’d like to talk more. Is that okay?”
“If we have the chance~”
And so, Aika-chan, who was probably called by her party members, leaves.
As I watch her retreating figure…
“I have a feeling something troublesome might happen if I go to the human nation too…”
I muse such a carefree thought—
======================
This concludes the second arc.
I think I did well, laying foreshadowing and connecting threads while updating daily without a plot outline (laughs).
Next time, we’ll have two bulletin board episodes before starting the third arc.