Volume 3 Chapter 16 . The Girl Who Runs
Synopsis of the previous episode:
『Great Runner』appears .
“Majima, did you let the monster you control feed on Mizushima?”
The words that were thrown at me hit me directly in my heart .
Someday, somewhere, someone would ask me this question . I knew it would happen .
I may be cussed out . I may be scorned . I may be accused like this .
I understood that, I knew it was only natural .
So, I had prepared myself for it, for when it eventually came .
However, her question was so abrupt that I didn’t have time to brace myself .
Since I didn’t have time to brace, I can’t even think of deceiving her . And, as a result, my reaction gives her the answer .
“I hit the mark . ”
Yuna’s eyes glinted sharply as she scowled at my face, watching for me gulp down air .
“You scoundrel . ”
“…”
I broke out into a cold sweat .
I was about to ask why she was suddenly here and coming after me, but my mouth was frozen .
Fear welled up inside me and I struggled to breath as the blood drained from my face and my limbs went numb .
My heart was gripped by her hostility that was unleashed upon me .
The girl in front of me was that overwhelming .
Yuna had only confirmed me as her enemy . She hadn’t even drawn her sword . And yet, the most primal of creatures were running from the impending doom .
If a rat had been trampled by a lion’s forelegs with bared fangs, I’m sure that’s how it would feel .
The fact that I came up with such a metaphor meant that I instinctively realized I couldn’t run away from the girl in front of me .
“Milord!”
Of course, there was no way my family would stand by and watch such a desperate situation .
They all moved in a murderous manner to eliminate the danger .
It would be harsh to call in a hypersensitive response .
Without warning, a human being suddenly appeared and turned on me, their master, with hostility .
Considering the difference in ability between us, which can be easily witnessed, it is equivalent to holding the muzzle of a machine gun at me .
I don’t have time to think about this .
In the next moment, I might be full of holes1 .
The opponent was so overwhelming that it was impossible to laugh at it as a joke .
Hence, the counterattack was almost reflexive .
On the road, all of my companions moved to intercept her at the same time .
“Shaaa!”
Due to their respective speeds and roles, the first to attack Yuna was the strong white spider .
Gerbera threw off the car she was pulling and rushed at Yuna with explosive force . She was good at jumping and using her claws; she scratched Yuna’s throat .
…I looked closer .
Somewhere in my head, I knew it wouldn’t be that easy .
The attack from Gerbera didn’t land .
Yuna’s speed was so overwhelming that it gave the illusion the attack had hit her .
On the verge of eating the attack, Yuna sped backwards .
Like a switch, her stillness became movement and her body was at top speed in the blink of an eye .
“Ha!” She dodged the spider’s legs by leaning over . The legs once again repositioned, and Gerbera began to charge again as Yuna took out her sword .
Yuna’s left foot turned an axle and a spinning kick struck Gerbera directly in the back of the head .
“Agh!” Just as the charge was gaining momentum, Gerbera was hit in the head and couldn’t move .
Yuna looked over at her as she slumped down on the ground, “Are you going to resist?” She continued, “Well, I don’t mind . It’s just a matter of beating the shit out of you . ”
There was so much to say, but I didn’t have time to interject .
Yuna barged my way .
I’ve seen Yuna in battle before .
Her movements were so fast that they far surpassed what I had seen at the time .
I’m even better at handling magic now than I was back then . My skill at strengthening my physical abilities through magic has increased, and my specs have as well, thanks to the training by Silane .
Thanks to this, I could see her speed .
…But it was barely visible .
The figure of the girl who ran by, a sword gripped in her arm . Even Lily, who was supposed to be next to me, couldn’t catch up with the figure to protect me .
With the impact, I was blown behind me .
For a moment, my consciousness slipped by .
“Master!”
“Senior!”
Rose and Katō’s voiced could be heard right beside him .
I fell hard . Apparently, Rose, who was behind me, had caught me .
Red flowed freely from my nose and I realized that Yuna had punched me in the center of the face .
“Ah It’s funny . It should have been a sure shot even against an Imperial Knight . You’re strangely sturdy . ”
Yuna tilted her head as she inspected me, swinging the sword in her right hand that hit me .
“Ma . All right, if it doesn’t work, I can make it a little stronger . Or I can just hit him as many times as I want . ”
“You, Yuna…”
No more words could follow .
My brain was still wobbling from the hit and I couldn’t gather my thoughts .
I clenched my teeth and as I looked up saw Lily moaning and screaming, “Ugh, ugh!”
“Oh . That’s right . Just in case you’re wondering, no matter how hard you try, it’s of no use, right?”
Yuna’s left hand nonchalantly gripped Lily’s black spear .
Lily’s hand gripped her spear finely, trembling as she exerted all her strength . However, the spear wouldn’t budge .
“Among the members of the Scouting Corps, I only had an average level of skill . Still, I am a cheetah . ” Yuna looked at me while she spoke matter-of-factly .
Yuna has a fighting style that emphasizes her speed . But that doesn’t mean she’s not a force to be reckoned with .
We may be incompetent against her, but that’s only when compared to her overwhelming leg power .
“Ack!”
The spear is pulled and Lily’s body collapses .
Yuna, who lightly dismissed Lily and haphazardly threw the spear she had stolen away, turned to look at us .
If I don’t do something, I’m going to be destroyed .
Somehow, someway, we have to overcome this .
While wobbling unsteadily, I brutally wiped the blood off my nose and glared at Yuna .
“Heh, don’t give up . ”
“…Of course . ”
As Yuna squinted, I pulled out my sword with my right hand and struck out with my left hand .
My head is still shaking, and I haven’t yet settled my thoughts, but I have no choice to attack . To strike back . It’s unbearable to be confronted and killed with no questions or understanding .
“Gah!”
“Woah”
Asarina jumped out from the back and Ayame rushed forwards with a fireball to assist .
“Nuisance . ”
Ayame’s fireball and Asarina’s tendril stabs are easily cut away by the slashing sword .
No problem . The real deal is coming .
“Do it!”
Rose, who ran by my side, attacked Yuna from the front .
She feints and then lunges with both arms, looking to bisect Yuna’s waist .
At the same time, Gerbera pounced on Yuna from behind .
Whether she is attacked by Rose or avoids it, I’m aiming for the chances .
But it is useless .
Lily, who had fallen down at Yuna’s feet, limply placed her hand on the ground, as if too scared to stand up and kicked her heels vigorously .
A total assault from my companions .
For the average person, just one of these attacks would be enough to inflict a fatal blow .
I thought of the plan, but in reality, I was horrified by what I had seen .