Volume 6 Chapter 44 Side Wolf Iii - The Big Gambler
(This 'space' is still so tough.)
As everything around him stopped moving, Rouza thought to himself while taking slow steps forward. Each step felt heavy and slow.
──The 'Ice Binding' that Rouza uses with his azure monk staff (Touga) is a byproduct of its hidden true ability. The true form of the azure monk staff is a sword hidden inside it.
Its essence is 'stagnation.'
If he fully activates this ability, he can stop the 'time' of everything around him, except for himself, while wielding the swordstick (Touga).
However, this stagnation is incredibly powerful once activated, but it comes with strict limitations.
First, until he releases its 'true name,' the only things he can freely stop are the air and the moisture in it. The 'Ice Binding' he usually uses only stops the movement of moisture in the air.
Also, the moisture inside other living beings is not affected. If it were, he would have already won when he trapped Yukina in the Great Ice Sea.
To release its true name and draw the swordstick, he needs a very high level of mental focus.
Finally──in the space where time is stopped, his movements are greatly restricted.
In reality, the stagnation of time is more like an extreme 'delay state.' If time were completely stopped, even Rouza would become completely stiff and unable to move in the frozen air.
From the opposite perspective, Rouza would be moving at a speed beyond lightning. Naturally, this means he is facing incredible air resistance.
Right now, Rouza is moving like he's stuck in heavy mud at the bottom of a swamp, barely able to breathe.
Even with many restrictions, when he releases its true name, the 'stagnation' is almost unbeatable. He moves at a speed the opponent can't recognize, reaching his deadly strike before they even notice.
Standing in front of Yukina, Rouza levels his swordstick and places the tip against Yukina's unarmored stomach.
("Annihilation──Release!")
As Rouza shouts strongly in his mind, color returns to the world and time starts to flow again. Because of the extreme delay in movement, a strong wind swirls around him.
For Yukina, it must feel like Rouza has teleported.
Restoring the flow of time means that, in the delayed world──at least from Rouza's perspective──the strength of materials increases tremendously. It's like experiencing the ice he uses firsthand. That's why he needs to release the stagnation at the moment of attack.
Yukina is shocked by his sudden appearance, but now there's nothing he can do.
"I'm sorry!"
Holding back his feelings of guilt, Rouza deeply thrusts his swordstick into Yukina's stomach.
"Ugh!?"
At this point, it must be nearly impossible for him to understand what just happened. With the intense pain and heat in his belly, Yukina's eyes widen as he drops his black spear. The mercenaries watching the fight from a distance also don't grasp the situation, and a murmur spreads among them, replacing the earlier noise.
──This whole sequence was within Rouza's plan.
He had roughly sketched out the scenario before this duel even began. Once the fight started, he adjusted his strategy and waited for the right moment to strike.
Everything progressed just as planned and reached its conclusion, but for Rouza, it was like walking on thin ice──a very difficult journey. If even one mistake had happened, he would have faced defeat in that moment.
But now, it was all over.
Rouza tried to pull out his sword──when suddenly, a hand grabbed his arm.
"Damn it, I finally caught you..."
"Wha──Huh!?"
The one holding his arm was none other than Yukina.
Rouza was so shocked that he instinctively tried to twist his wrist to move the sword. If the blade turned while it was still stabbed in his stomach, it would tear his insides apart and surely be fatal.
"Uh-oh!?" Rouza thought in a panic, but that worry was unnecessary.
Because the sword was stuck, not moving at all, as if it had been driven into a rock.
Realizing this, Rouza looked at Yukina again.
Even though he was pierced in the stomach, blood dripping from his mouth and his face twisted in pain, he wore a triumphant smile.
At that moment, Rouza finally understood.
His expectations had been surpassed.
──Side wolf fin
* * *
In reality, I didn't know exactly what Rouza would do.
All I had were feelings and──determination.
Just like the black spear (Gram) and the snake belly sword (Slay), weapons with a will always have a trump card. So, it was natural to think that the azure monk staff (Touga) would have one too.
First, what caught my eye was 'Ice Binding,' but I felt something was off. If that's the case, then when I first aimed my spear at Getsuya, Rouza's 'speed' that interrupted us doesn't make sense. Even Gram said it was like Rouza appeared out of nowhere with that kind of movement.
In other words, Rouza has a 'speed' that goes beyond what I and Gram can understand. That is the true trump card of the azure monk staff (Touga).
Since the duel was decided until today, I have been working with Gram and my friends to come up with a plan.
After thinking and thinking, the conclusion we reached is in this form.
"Thanks. If you had aimed for my neck or heart, it would have been over right then."
"No way... Black Blade, seriously!?"
At this point, it seems Rouza has noticed my 'read' on him.
──Probably, even though this is a duel and a serious fight, Rouza has no intention of taking my life.
Because after winning the duel, he needs to take Mikage back to Sanmoto. If he kills me, Mikage would hold a grudge against him. At the very least, she would never forgive Rouza. That wouldn't make him a trusted subordinate.
So, Rouza needs to end this duel with a clear victory without killing me.
If he aims for my neck or heart, there's a risk that my healing might not be fast enough, so he would aim for my stomach instead.
I can sense the moment Rouza plays his last card──the true power of the azure monk staff──through the resonance of Stigma.
Now, I just have to brace myself and grit my teeth to endure.
──Crack!
"Gaah!"
I squeezed my abs to the limit to hold the hidden blade stuck in my stomach, gripping the handle tightly. I also grabbed the arm holding the blade, tightening my grip like a vice to crush it. The intense pain of my arm being crushed made me groan, but I still wouldn't let go of the sword. That's just impressive.
But still, this is definitely a dead end.
With my free hand, I grabbed Rouza by the collar.
"Sorry. No matter how heavy your problems are, I won't give up my girl (Mikage)."
*Bammmm!!!*
I tilted my body and, using all my strength, slammed my head into Rouza's face.
...................
"...From what mouth?"
Rouza muttered softly.
"From what mouth did you say you hate gambling, you big liar?"
Our eyes locked at close range. I could see his anger towards me, his weakness towards himself, his regret for losing the match, and his frustration for not reaching his big dream.
In less than a second, I could feel all those emotions shining in his eyes.
And then, that light started to fade quickly.
"You... aren't you a 'big gambler' who would even bet your own life...?"
His eyes rolled back, and just before he collapsed, the corners of his mouth curled up in a smirk.
As I looked down at Rouza lying on the floor, I raised my fist high.
So everyone could clearly see who the winner of this duel was.
After a brief moment, explosive cheers filled the room.
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