Chapter 38 The Cry Of The Fool
To put it simply, it was a big mistake.
I ended up paying for underestimating Shouk.
"What's wrong, what's wrong! You look like a scared little mouse!"
"Ugh, you bastard...!"
He's not just a cornered rat.
Those bloodshot eyes of his are like a predator ready to attack.
As proof, he drives a dull knife into me, just like he said he would, while I struggle to move because of the powder.
"Hehe, you're a real slowpoke. It feels good to bully you, Hiiro!"
"Ugh!"
(Being paralyzed is such a pain. But... I'm not completely stuck. Little by little, I'm starting to feel better.)
My wild slashes are reckless.
With attacks coming from all sides, my numb body can barely defend itself.
It's true I'm on the defensive, but I can feel the numbness fading a bit.
Maybe the powder from the Bilimimos has a quick effect but doesn't last long.
As proof, I can finally push back against his attacks with my strengthened arms.
"Don't underestimate me!"
"Ugh..."
If I can push back, I can deflect his sword instead of just blocking it.
When I sent Shouk flying, his confident expression turned into one of panic.
"Tch, the paralysis is starting to wear off, huh? I hate dealing with a slowpoke like you."
"Too bad for you. Looks like it’s your turn to panic."
"Panicking? Hehe. Don't get cocky, you fool. Here comes more! Take this!"
"Ugh!"
I can see a tiny chance of winning.
But Shouk is trying to crush that chance by throwing "silver powder" at me.
The color of the powder is different this time. It might have a different effect than the paralysis.
(This is bad, hold your breath...!)
I can't make the same mistake again.
I quickly cover my mouth and nose with my arm and hold my breath.
But it's strange. I thought he would attack while I was distracted, but Shouk just stands there grinning, watching me.
(What is he planning...?)
Just as I was trying to figure out the strange feeling I couldn't put into words, it hit me.
"Ugh──cough, cough!"
A sudden cough attacked my throat, and I was coughing hard.
"Hehe, you really are a fool. That's pollen from the Hoguweed. Unlike the last powder, holding your breath won't help you this time. Because..."
"Cough, cough... damn... my throat...!"" (It feels like my throat is burning hot!)
"The special pollen from Hoguweed seeps into your wounds and causes a 'cold' status effect! Hehe, with that throat of yours, you won't be able to cast your magic properly anymore!"
(Damn it. First paralysis, now a cold? That jerk just keeps coming!)
So that wild slashing was his plan all along.
I can't believe he even prepared pollen that seeps into wounds.
This is bad. Really bad.
He has way too much information on me.
"If you had the talent for blue magic, it would have been easier for you. But you, Hiiro, dared to go against me and Ruzure. I'm going to make you suffer even more, haha!!"
"Cough, ugh, ugh!"
I'm sure Ruzure and Shouk have spent more time together than I have in this world.
They probably know all about my magic talent. Even if they can see some of my moves, I can't see theirs at all.
(...I can't believe I'm getting played like this.)
I admit he's a tough opponent.
It's true my carelessness got me into this mess, but to be caught in his trap like this...
It feels like the unknown of this unfamiliar world is standing against me.
"Let's see how long you can hold out, huh?"
"Ugh... gah!"
The relentless rush of knives and a kick that slipped through hit me hard in the side.
My still-numb knee finally gave out, and I collapsed.
I was being looked down on by someone I underestimated.
"Look at you, Hiiro, crawling on the ground. You really fit down there."
"Cough... ugh..."
I bite my lip hard at Shouk's voice, which sounds like he thinks he's completely won.
I don't feel defeated. The referee hasn't called the end of the match yet, and my spirit isn't broken.
I'm kneeling like this because I'm waiting for the moment when Shouk, feeling confident, comes closer.
(...I don't really like this sneaky move, but...)
I feel like biting my nails a bit.
Instead, I bite my lip out of pure frustration.
I know it's my fault for getting pushed this far. My own arrogance and ignorance led me to take desperate measures.
But I can't just lose like this. I can think about regrets and lessons later; right now, I want to give it my all.
I'm not thinking about the main force or anything else at this moment.
I'm focused on winning, watching for the right moment with a snake-like determination.
I grip my hands tightly.
"You're so annoying."
"Cough, cough... what?"
"You really get on my nerves."
But instead of finishing me off, Shouk's face is twisted in anger.
"You've always been like this. You annoy me so much. You're all talk but so weak. You can't do anything on your own and never tried, just riding on others' coattails, you slowpoke."
He was enjoying his advantage just a moment ago, but now there's no joy in bullying the weak.
"What's up with you now? You've got this creepy look in your eyes. What are you trying so hard for? Just looking at you is bad for my health."
His voice sounded like he was spitting out the dirt stuck in his soul.
It was heavy with contempt.
"Get lost, loser. Even if you try to bounce back now, a little demon can't become a pegasus. Remember your place. Think about the pathetic, bitter-eyed loser you used to be, you arrogant fool."
I thought his eyes looked dark.
Not the deep, evil darkness of night.
Just the usual dimness you find in a back alley, even in the daytime.
"Heh, like it matters. Even if you suddenly realize your place and want to go back to how things were, who's going to let you? You mocked me. You, a useless piece of trash, spat on me. So I'm going to make you pay for it."
"Shut up with that nonsense."
"It might not be nonsense soon. Look closely, Hiiro. Do you remember what's in this bottle?"
"...the bottle... it's red powder?"
Shouk grinned as he held up a small bottle filled with red powder.
Red powder. I can't remember much about it.
But I know it's not just some colorful powder. It's probably a bad item that brings negative effects.
"Hehehe. The last bad effect is 'headache.' The spores from the fly agaric cause a severe headache that lowers your will to fight. With paralysis, a cold, and a final headache, I'll break your spirit."
"──Break, you say?"
"Yeah, I'll break it. Snap it right in half! I'll show you your place! Hahaha!"
"...Snap it, huh...?"
(...break my spirit?)
Suddenly, the world felt quiet.
It's strange.
Even with that guy laughing in front of me, the world went silent.
In this quiet world, the golden powder I was holding slipped through my fingers like sand from an hourglass.
The remnants of my counterattack, secretly gathered from the floor when I knelt, were turning into mere leftovers.
(But I don't need it anymore)
I don't need it anymore.
Just now, I realized I don't need it.
I had to choose my methods carefully.
I wanted to win no matter what, but that won't work.
It's already too late.
(Because he said it)
Breaking my will means...
making me give up, right?
Making me give up means...
Telling me, Atami Shou, to stop being the protagonist──.
So, that's what he want to say?
That's his intention, right?
I see.
That's how it is.
Oh.
...
...
......, ────.
This guy is so annoying.
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