Volume 2 Chapter 6 + Epilogue (1/2)

Chapter 6: He and Man-eater VS the Demon Sword

She hated pain, and hated being alone. So to be honest, things like being bully was something that she hated even more………but Mas.h.i.+ro didn't have the strength and spirit to go against the situation.The bully might be even worse on her. Therefore, Mas.h.i.+ro got stronger by enduring those things.

But as expected, she still felt lonely.

Therefore, Mas.h.i.+ro felt very happy recently. Because of an accident, she met the seniors. Maybe one of the senior had the same situation as her, they could talk to each other very well. And the another senior always look at her like a kind elder sister.

Although there was only two seniors, but Mas.h.i.+ro was not alone anymore.

Maybe that was the reason why her mood was so good recently. She fell asleep quickly at night and even daytime too. Mas.h.i.+ro thought the reason must be that she was feeling a.s.sured right now.

Morever, Mas.h.i.+ro still had some thought. That two persons, which would only bully Mas.h.i.+ro, had died. She didn't ridicule or show her happiness on their deaths………even so, it was certain that she felt happy.

And so, she slept.

She went to sleep today too.

In that way, Mas.h.i.+ro let go of her consciousness.

“Hmm, master is a girl no matter how you look.”

“……….Wow, indeed.”

Because there was no mirror, so he took a look on his translucent body through the windowpane. The person he saw was not the person called Kamisaki Tooya, but one of the girl that bullied Mas.h.i.+ro. Although he couldn't see his own face, but his hands were no longer the hands that he was familiar with. They were slim and small, like the hands of a girl. Honestly, even he felt weird on the shape of his body.

“How did you do this?”

Even his voice changed.

“I used a spell which can manipulate a person's body ne. Just think that you have no difference from that girl during time the spell is working.”

“No, I still don't understand what's happening.”

“Even if I explained, master also couldn't understand anyway.”

“…….Well, what you said was correct.”

Even if Tooya was the one who lost his reasons, but it was something out of common sense.

“Your physical ability remains the same so no problem.”

“Is that so.”

That would be great. I wouldn't be able to put up resistance during that time if my physical ability was altered.

“Disgusting.”

The impression of Akane right after she saw Tooya became a female.

“……..I can change back to how I was right?”

He just wanted to confirm.

“Of course ne, I am not inclined to having intimate contact with a girl.”

Although Tooya thought that was not the problem, but he didn't say it.

“So I just have to wait?”

“That's right.”

Kuroe nodded.

“Then we will get away from here without leaving any traces and monitor from somewhere.”

“Shout only when you are dead.”

“No no, I guess I won't be able to shout during that time.”

That thing woke up, during when the sun was setting. Actually, that thing always had consciousness. It was just its consciousness came out strongly right now.

There was not a single person around it.

But, it sensed a prey.

It wanted to kill.

A prey that supposed to be killed.

And the prey was alone right now.

Just kill it.

Motivated by its natural instinct.

Therefore, it moved to its prey.

Tooya was waiting in the empty cla.s.sroom. The sun was setting, lights s.h.i.+ned into the cla.s.sroom. It'd been four hours, since Tooya left a notice to the sleeping Mas.h.i.+ro about him having to go back first because something happened.

Tooya looked totally different right now because of the spell Kuroe cast. Even his smell changed. Via the help from the Order of Black Magic, no one was in the school other than Tooya and those involved. If Mas.h.i.+ro was the one own the demon sword, then this would be the best opportunity for her to a.s.sault Tooya……….otherwise, nothing would happen. It'd be  just that Mas.h.i.+ro would have a memory of being left alone at the rooftop.

“……..Fu.”

Tooya exhaled. Although he'd been told that it was enough to just stay in the cla.s.sroom and wait, but it'd been three hours since Kuroe and Akane left here. Couldn't be helped that he felt bored over. He couldn't contact them to prevent being noticed by the demon sword. Even though Tooya thought that if it had this kind of ability then their plan would had been exposed in the first place……….as for this, Kuroe and Akane said that its ability would only on effect when it came out. Although Tooya felt that it was just their thoughts, but the plan would be meaningless if that was not the case.

“I will walk around the corridor then.”

Tooya mumbled to himself. His role as a bait would still be fine. As long as he was inside school. He wanted to do something even if he was just waiting.

“Okay, that's decided.”

The moment he walked towards the door while mumbling, an oblique line appeared on the door.

“Eh.”

The number of lines increased continuously on the door. Then countless of fragments dropped on the ground by obeying the rule of gravity. There was no longer a door over there ,it was just something being destroyed until n.o.body could recognize what it was.

And the existence that caused this was standing right over there.

“That is…….”

No need to explain. The demon sword had locked on its target. then carry out the murder when the target lowered its guard………so the mark had transferred to Tooya the moment Kuroe changed his appearance.

Therefore, the demon sword came here right away after it awakened.

Tooya had made up his mind. Fear existed in his mind. Of course he felt fear. Even so, he had to take it and give a try.

“………Ahhaha.”

Such an idiotic thought. It was futile to call Kuroe for help………by the way, there should be a reason to ask Tooya to become the bait. Kuroe could also be bait if she used the spell on her own……..it was too late for him to notice that right now.

Too horrible.

In conclusion, it was horrible. Even more horrible than a gun. Slash, pain, then dead. It was something easily to imagine. It must be more lethal than a gun. A very simple horror.

“Are you……….Mas.h.i.+ro?”

The reason why Tooya used interrogative sentence was because the person holding demon sword was looked different from the person that Tooya knew. She wa's supposed to be short hair, but now her hair extended to her waist. Her bangs covered her face too. Her eyes looked totally different from the person Tooya knew…….from what Tooya see, she was like being surrounded by a layer of unknown aura.

“……..”

Seems like her hair will extend when the demon sword awakened. I wondered what will happen when she went back to normal. Will she cut off the extended hair on her own or the hair shrink back to its normal length. And why her hair extended, many questions appeared in his mind………….yeah, he was escaping reality right now.

But Mas.h.i.+ro who was in that condition ignored what Tooya was thinking, she started attacking Tooya to kill her prey.

“Ku!”

Tooya ran in vertical direction immediately. From the doorway that was opposite to where Mas.h.i.+ro slashed off and ran along the corridor. His instinct told him to run.

Relentless.

Was what Tooya thinking right now. There was no meaning for him to run away. Everyone had left this premise under the help of Akane, and the objective would not be able to achieve if he ran away.Even so, his legs were still running without wanting to stop. And his running speed right now could even put those athletes in shame because of the effect from making contract with Kuroe increased his physical ability.

“Ku, how could she catch up!”

Mas.h.i.+ro was already behind him when he looked back. He was running at full speed, but their distance didn't increase at all even though she was chasing him with her hands holding the sword horizontally. Now Tooya remembered, Kuroe did said that the demon sword will increase the physical ability of the owner……..d.a.m.n.

Tooya's vision deviated suddenly. He didn't feel he'd slipped or tripped, but he knew that he fell down. Was it illusion that he heard a malicious laugh? Both of his hands landed on the ground with unstoppable force, then his body rolled on the ground.

Pain came out from the joints, and Tooya felt very bad at the same time. The moment he turned his head, Mas.h.i.+ro was holding the sword vertically in the air over there. The next moment, the sword waved downwards.

“!?”

Tooya turned to the right immediately. The sword that was waved downwards pierced into the floor of the corridor in a straight way. How could the sword pierce the floor. It should be bounced right off. Such thought kept appearing in Tooya's mind. From what he saw it was just a normal old j.a.panese sword, but how sharp could that sword be to pierce the floor.

At the same time, Tooya heard the word ‘a chance' in his mind. 30 centimeters from the front end of the sword was stuck inside the floor. If it was now then I should be able to suppress Mas.h.i.+ro………..Tooya moved his body while thinking that.

A chill was felt from his back.

Because of the inexplicable chill, Tooya stopped his action. In contrary, he pulled himself away from Mas.h.i.+ro. The moment Tooya left, the place where he was just now was ravaged by many slashes. Swing the sword while it was stuck in the floor………how someone could do something that absurd.

“That……..”

Tooya faced her. He was facing her directly without any intention. Even so, the urge of running away keep coming up in his chest……he inhibited the urges with his calm mind. He knew that long ago, that he would be slashed the moment he turned his back in this situation.

“Ma, Mas.h.i.+ro?”

Tooya asked.

“……..”

There was no emotion at all from her gaze. Was it because she couldn't hear it……..she was just pointing the edge of the sword towards here slowly.

“Tooya……….I am Kamisaki Tooya! Your senior!”

Tooya shouted. Yet his voice became another person's voice, the voice of a girl. Tooya had no memory of it, but Mas.h.i.+ro knewthat voice very well. Tooya who was in waver had forgotten it, Tooya was just a normal schoolgirl from the others.

Want to kill.

Therefore, I only have to think of one thing. No need to mind, words or what.

Kill.

She swung the sword to the front directly. She did it in terrifying speed. It was impossible for a normal person to do it at all. Tooya couldn't do it too. Maybe it was because she was right in front of him, he lowered his guard and his reaction got slower in that moment.

“Ah.”

I will die, was what Tooya thought right now. A cut from the front directly. Since I could survive from a shot to my heart before because of my connection with Kuroe, then I guess I wouldn't die even if my head was split in two. Tooya thought so with self-deprecating. Please give me a break if possible…….there was still room to action.

Pang.

The moment Tooya moved his hands and a sound was made at the same time. A move that could caught even a mosquitoe, although what he caught right now was not an insect but a sword.

Catch a blade with bare hands. It was a famous countermeasure against real sword with bare hands. Because it was too famous so Tooya could think of it easily, so Tooya's body took the action unconsciously……….and he caught the sword beautifully.

“Ku…….”

Yet Tooya's face distorted. Way too famous. Until now it was still very famous…….but what should I do after this. He had no idea on how to s.n.a.t.c.h that sword from her. Anyway, I will try to suppress her first…….although Tooya was being suppressed by her too. It was a very painful situation.

In terms of strength, Tooya should be the winner……..but his pose right now was too bad. His pose right now was the one that would being suppressed in the end in this kind of situation.

“Ku……”

The sword moved downwards slowly. The blade was right in front of Tooya—-he only felt terror from it. But in this situation where both were evenly matched, Tooya regained calm back to his mind to some extent.

“Kuroe!”

Tooya shouted. Things would be better if I called her right from the beginning, now only he thought of that. Even if Tooya played the role as a bait, there was no reason for him to get killed just to capture the culprit. Kuroe should appear by the time Mas.h.i.+ro appeared with the demon sword…….well, I guess Kuroe ignored it purposely even if she noticed, as for Akane, she would tell me to go die right away.

Anyway.

“This is an order, come and help me!”

“Understood.”

Kuroe replied.

*Gachan*

Kuroe appeared between them by entering through crus.h.i.+ng the window gla.s.s. Mas.h.i.+ro jumped away in that moment. And so the sword left Tooya's hands.

“It's finally my turn ne.”

“………I have many things to tell you after this.”

However, I will leave the complaints later.

“This is an order, s.n.a.t.c.h that sword.”

If it was a demon sword, then everything would be over.

“Understood.”

Kuroe answered with a smile.

And she looked at Mas.h.i.+ro who was holding the sword horizontally. She was showing her leisurely att.i.tude as usual.

“………”

Mas.h.i.+ro who was standing at the opposite moved her eyes to Kuroe. Seems like she was estimating who should be the priority. Although the prey was still a prey, but there was a priority order.

Before this, Tooya which was the prey will be the highest priority.

But now—-

*Dash*

Kuroe which could be a threat would be the highest priorty. She moved forward at the same time as a sharp sound was made. That swinging speed was like disappearing all of a sudden from what the others see.

“Fumu.”

Kuroe punched out with her right hand.

Dong.

A blunt voice sounded. A strike that could easily pierce through the floor was blocked by Kuroe's bare hand.

“A nostalgic feeling ne.”

Kuroe muttered like she was reminiscing something and clenched her right hand.

“But it's a little pain ne.”

“!?”

Mas.h.i.+ro didn't show out the impression of wavering. But from what Tooya saw, she was just the same as being wavered. Mas.h.i.+ro wanted to pull back the sword, yet the sword couldn't move at all.

“It's in my hand already oh.”

And so Kuroe took over the sword. Even though she didn't seem like using a lot of strength, yet Mas.h.i.+ro was being threw up along with the sword. Kuroe tried to s.n.a.t.c.h the sword by waving Mas.h.i.+ro's body in the air—-Mas.h.i.+ro let go of the it because of centrifugal force, then her body flew towards the wall and hit on it.

“Kuroe!”

And so Mas.h.i.+ro fell on the floor and not moving at all.

“Can't be help. I can't s.n.a.t.c.h the sword if I don't do this.”

Being forced to do so to complete the order, was the explanation Kuroe trying to give.

“But as what master saw, I had taken the sword.”

Kuroe rotated the sword in half circle and held the handle.

“……..Thanks for your hard work.”

Although there was still something Tooya couldn't accept, but he just said that. Then he walked towards where Mas.h.i.+ro was. Although there was no obvious wound, but it was worrisome that she didn't move at all after fell down. Tooya crouched down to peek on Mas.h.i.+ro……..

“Ah, master.”

A voice was heard from his back.

“What?”

Tooya turned his head.

“Better be careful.”

“……..?”

What do you mean, the moment Tooya wanted to ask that—-the sound of flesh being cut was heard.

“Eh?”

The stunned Tooya looked at where that sound came from—-a silver metal stretched out from his chest. The metal which was painted by blood have no difference from a sword no matter how you see it. Tooya tasted blood in his mouth. He moved his gaze, Kuroe was still holding the sword just now they s.n.a.t.c.hed……..then what about this sword?

“Sorry ne, my advice was late.”

Kuroe sneered. Tooya couldn't understand all of this—-the only that he could understand was that Kuroe was still the same as always.

“Fum.”

Mas.h.i.+ro twisted the sword, then Tooya spit out blood. He could feel that his conscious was getting more vague. He was feeling helpless and convinced at the same time. Tooya looked at Kuroe.

“Ku, roe.”

Tooya spoke like trying to squeeze out words.

“Stop, Ma, s.h.i.+ro……..an, order…….”

“Understood.”

After confirmed that Kuroe nodded, Tooya's consciousness disappeared into the darkness.

“Then, what should I do ne.”

Kuroe looked at Mas.h.i.+ro like she was planning something. Tooya maintained the condition of being stabbed, it seemed that Tooya's consciousness had disappeared completely. He was dead no matter how you see, yet Tooya would keep receiving vitality from Kuroe as long as their connection was still there, Kuroe knew this the most clearly.

“That means, this is no longer needed ne.”

Kuroe threw the sword in her hand behind. Seems like that sword was the same as the sword that was still impaled on Tooya…….in fact it was true. If have to say why, it was because those were the doppelgangers of that thing. Kuroe knew this clearly, as long as the true body was still there, it could create countless of these doppelgangers.

“…….”

Mas.h.i.+ro got no response at all. She should be thinking what to do in this situation……..well in the end, there was no need to think. No matter how she thought, the conclusion wouldbe killing all the witnesses…….it was this kind of existence.

“Stop, stop, stop……..ne.”

Kuroe was muttering happily.

“Master, how should I stop that thing ne. For example, it's fine that I stop it right from the source?”

The person to answer was not here………no.

Bang

A shot was heard. Kuroe's head shook a little. A behavior that was easier than words to convey the meaning of negative.

“I am just joking ne.”

She answered to someone who could possibly hear it.

“I also don't want to get hated by master ne, so I have to understand his meaning.”

Kuroe shrugged her shoulders and looked at Mas.h.i.+ro.

“As the order master given………let me stop you.”

Kuroe sneered.

In contrary, Mas.h.i.+ro responded very quickly. After pulling out the sword in Tooya's body, she jumped to shorten the distance between her and Kuroe and slashed on her. All of that happened in an instant, it was weird that Tooya couldn't dodge this at that time.

“Too slow.”

Because it was Kuroe, so she could respond it with a smile. She used her right hand to catch the sword that was aiming for her head. Kuroe held the blade tightly when a blunt voice sounded……..the same scene happened again. But Mas.h.i.+ro who made the same mistake let go of the sword immediately and jumped backwards to get some distance.

“Fumu.”

Kuroe let go of the sword in her hand. By the time a hard sound lingered around the corridor, a new sword appeared in Mas.h.i.+ro's hand already. Then she threw it. The sword left Mas.h.i.+ro's hand and act as a spear, flew towards Kuroe in a straight line……..Kuroe hit it away easily.

*Dosu*

A sword came out from Kuroe's belly. It was the sword that threw away by Kuroe just now. Didn't know when did that sword pierced through Kuroe's belly.

“Fumu.”

The sword that was. .h.i.t away just now floated. Its tip pointed towards Kuroe. And behind there was Mas.h.i.+ro rushed towards here with a newly made sword.

“It's a troublesome opponent to stop without killing it ne………it's great that I can kill them without hesitation in the previous fights ne.”

Kuroe sighed. At the same time, the floating sword had pierced through Kuroe's heart.

“It's not just my power will increase if I show my true self…….don't die ne?”

Kuroe sneered. Mas.h.i.+ro threw two swords with both hands towards Kuroe to get rid of her. Kuroe just hit away the sword that was flying towards her face and let the other one stab on her.

“No matter what, I am still a monster with the nickname ‘Black Coat' ne.”

In the darkness, that pair of golden eyes were flas.h.i.+ng with lights.

“Darkness or what, all of them is my coat ne.”

The unseen darkness was moving.

“Get swallowed by my coat.”

In an instant, Mas.h.i.+ro was dyed black—-no, she was in the darkness in the first place, it was just that ink color was getting thicker. Moonlight emerged from outside, but then it disappeared in the darkness like it never existed before.

“……….!?”

Mas.h.i.+ro twisted her body to resist, yet she'd been surrounded by darkness completely, there was nowhere she can run even if she wanted to. Then, Mas.h.i.+ro was in the condition where she couldn't move at all, like being suppressed by a force that was stronger than her own……..she showed a distorted expression in the darkness because of pain.

“Uh, is it too tough?”

Kuroe loosen the binding a little. From that emotionless face to go so far as being distorted, it was possible that Kuroe overused her power.

“It's so troublesome to adjust the power so it won't kill…….I am not so good at micro-operation ne.”

Although Kuroe frowned which was very rare, but seems like this time she captured the target smoothly. Mas.h.i.+ro couldn't move and didn't seems like her life was in danger. Because her whole body immersed into the darkness other than her head, Kuroe walked towards her.

“Although I am not sure that did we met before or not, but from the sentiments that we came from the same place……..can you answer some of my questions?”

“………”

“In my memory, the kind of you were actually eliminated until not a single one left at last time ne……..why there were still survivors ne? If you guys did survived then why awake at this timing ne? If you guys can be active as long as there's host, then there should be countless chances until now for you to awaken right?”

“……..”

Mas.h.i.+ro didn't answer. In the first place, it should be strange for them to answer based on what Kuroe remembered. Yet Kuroe asked another question.

“Could it be, the person that sealed you is a very powerful woman?”

“……..”

No answer. But, Kuroe felt that her jaw moved…….a little.

“Well forget it, just go into slumber.”

After saying that, even her head was also engulfed by the darkness.

“……..Um.”

The first thing that Tooya saw after regained consciousness and opened his eyes was the ceiling.

“Tsk.”

Then he heard a tongue clicking sound when trying to wake up.

He looked to where that sound came from, Akane was standing over there. She was looking over here with an unpleasant expression.

“Here is…….”

A cla.s.sroom where he had no memory of……..then Tooya looked at the surrounding suddenly. And so he found the target—–Mas.h.i.+ro who was lying on the ground. Kuroe was standing beside her.

“Kuroe!”

“Don't worry, she's still alive. Not even a single wound. She's just sleeping.”

Tooya was shocked from Kuroe's reply. The order he'd given to Kuroe before he lost his consciousness was very vague. Although he did put on the restriction regarding whether to kill her or not in his order, but he'd worry that Kuroe would hurt Mas.h.i.+ro.

“Ah.”

He remembered when talking about wound. Tooya should be received a fatal injury. Then he looked at his chest, the s.h.i.+rt did have a hole, but he couldn't see any wound on his body.

“If it's about the wound then it's blocked. The magician over there still had an expression showing that you'd better die off this way.”

Kuroe sneered. Then Akane looked over here and clicked her tongue.

“Moreover, the spell wore off.”

“……..Now you mention it.”

Tooya saw it just now, his body went back to how it was.

“Then, what actually happened?”

Tooya couldn't understand at all. He himself acted as the bait to lure out the demon sword, then the problem should be solved after Kuroe s.n.a.t.c.hed the sword………but then he himself got stabbed. Even though the sword was still in Kuroe's hand at that moment.

“What Mas.h.i.+ro owned, is just something called demon sword ne.”

“………No, I know that.”

“It's not that kind of demon sword.”