Volume 1 Chapter 46 C, Part Class Clan 'Valkyrie' (IV)
"Guys... just around the corner, the room at the end is the Floor Boss's room."
"I know, Ayumi!"
"I'm ready! We're prepared and have a solid plan!"
"Yeah! We're not going to lose... ever!"
Everyone is focused.
This feels good!
"Alright, then let's focus! We're taking down the Lower Floors fast!!"
As I approach the boss room, I cheerfully call out to everyone while also psyching myself up.
...That's when it happened.
'Hey... stop, stooop!'
"Whaaaat?!"
As we rounded the final corner before the boss room, a being suddenly appeared before our eyes.
"Wh-what is that?!"
"I-it's alive! There shouldn't be any living presence here, but why is it right in front of us...!"
"Is, is it... human...?"
"I-I didn't sense any presence... at all."
We immediately raise our guard against this 'unidentified being' that had suddenly appeared.
Still, who or what is this creature?
It has a human-like build... but its appearance is that of a full-body armor with a tattered, burnt umber-colored cloak draped over it.
It doesn't seem to be carrying any weapons.
<<Hello... I'm Baron, a puny monster at your service.>>
"What?! A monster?!"
"A monster is... talking?! Is it... could it be...?!"
<<Yes, yes... as you've guessed, I'm a 'Talking Monster' from the Deep Floors.>>
"""A 'Talking Monster' from the Deep Floors?! Is that even possible?!"""
Yuki and Nagisa are stunned.
Of course, I, and Kotono, are too.
"How... how is a Deep Floors monster... here in the Lower Floors?!"
"N-no, it's not just that. The 'Talking Monster' rumored to be on the 70th Floor and above of the Deep Floors actually exists...!"
"A 'Talking Monster'... I thought they were just an occult legend, but they're real... and they're said to be exceptionally strong even among the Deep Floors monsters..."
"Uh, lie ⋯⋯? That wasn't just an occult"
Even the monsters in the 'Deep Floors' are significantly stronger than those in the Lower Floors.
But among these Deep Floor monsters, the 'Talking Monster' is rumored to possess unparalleled strength.
And that Talking Monster is right before our eyes...
<<Oh yes, yes... I understand, I understand that despair. You see, the 'Talking Monster' from Deep Floors above Floor 70 is known and feared for its exceptional strength. Well, I am that Talking Monster. Oh, and compared to the monsters in the Lower Floors, my strength is on a whole other level. To give you an idea, the Mage Golem, the boss of the Lower Floors here... he's my *pet*>>
""""Wh-What?! What did you say?!""""
The Mage Golem... is a pet?!
<<Oh, he's incredible, that kid. He's a capable pet who takes care of all my daily needs. Although, being a construct, he's a bit clumsy.>>
"P-Pet..."
"You mean that Mage Golem...?"
"W-Wait, that...?!"
We 3 were shocked by Baron's words.
<<Now, changing the subject, I'm looking for a *certain person* you see. According to my boss, that person is currently in the Lower Floors, so I was sent here on a sudden mission to find them. My boss is so demanding. A black company, perhaps? I guess that's what you'd call it.>>
"Your boss...?"
"That certain... person?"
<<Well, it seems it's not you guys... what a shame. So, I have no business with you, and I must go search for that person...>>
Phew, it seems this 'Baron,' the Talking Monster, is about to leave...
<<Did you think I was going to leave?>>
""""Wh-What?! What do you mean?!""""
<<Oh, oh... Just kidding, just kidding~ Ah, did you relax for a moment there? It's delightful~ I love these kinds of surprises, you know~ So, you're all going to die here, okay?>>
In that instant, the monster Baron vanished from right in front of us.
Thud...!!
"Wha?!
A loud noise, like something had collided, echoed as Yuki, who was standing beside me, was sent flying and slammed into the wall ten meters away.
Yuki, knocked unconscious by the impact, lay there motionless.
"Aaaahhhh!!!!"
"Yuki!!!"
"Yuki-chan!!!"
Seeing Yuki knocked unconscious and lying still, Nagisa let out a piercing scream.
Kotono and I also shouted her name.
<<Oh, oh... How sad, how sad for you weak humans. Oh, oh... I understand. You're feeling hopeless because your friend was sent flying into that wall with just a slight nudge from me, aren't you? Oh, oh... I can't help it. It's not your fault, nor hers. It's your 'luck' that's to blame...>>
This is bad.
No way out.
We can't win.
Not just me, but the other 2 must have thought the same, their faces turning pale.
...But!
"Everyone, spread out!"
""?!""
At my command, the two of them react and quickly move away, taking their usual positions.
"Everyone, don't lose hope! The 3 of us will take this guy down!"
"Ayumi!"
"Ayumi-chan!"
As the vanguard, I encourage them while keeping my eyes on Baron.
Probably, there's no way to escape.
Then... We have no choice but to fight!
<<Oh... What bravery. I don't dislike that. Well then, shall we play a little? Oh, oh... I'm a kind-hearted person, you know. Do your best and try to get through this difficult situation.>>
Saying so, he slowly walks towards me.
My weapon is a longsword.
My skill is 'Kengo' (Swordsmanship).
I unleash the ultimate 'technique' with this Swordsmanship skill.
"Hayabusa Slash!"
I dash towards Baron, closing the distance, and activate my technique.
I deliver dozens of relentless slashes, both vertical and horizontal, with fierce precision.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Baron was completely defenseless, and every strike of my blade hit him.
"Alright!"
I unleashed all my sword strikes, feeling the impact as I shouted.
But...
"Eh? Wait, you're...unscathed?"
Despite taking the full brunt of my attacks, Baron remained completely unharmed...not a single scratch on him.
"W-What...?"
Even my ultimate technique, 'Hayabusa Slash,' which I unleashed upon Baron, left him completely untouched.
Seeing this, I was both astonished and utterly despairing.
<<Oh, oh...what a wonderful expression. Your technique was truly impressive, wasn't it? Indeed, with such power, even a Mage Golem would have no chance. Your sword skills are more than enough for the Lower Floors, yes, the Lower Floors... Oh, oh...but even so, your strikes were too...light to harm me.>>
As he spoke, Baron charged at me, just like when he had blown Yuki away.
"Ugh...Ah!"
I tried to guard against his charge, but to no avail, and I was sent flying back about 5 meters (5,46 yd).
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)