Vol 9 Chapter 2.3 (2/2)

Even if they defeated the boss, but Yasutsuna broke, they didnt know if they could fix it. They could not be cautious enough.

But things were different if the katanas durability was not in danger.

The Ogre Invader became much more vigilant towards the two as it distanced itself from them. Was it because it felt that s.h.i.+n and Munechikas hesitation had disappeared?

Too slow!

s.h.i.+n and Munechika spoke at the same time.

Thanks to the Movement-type Martial skill Ground Shrink, the two warriors stepped right next to the boss in a flash.

Even if powered up by miasma, for s.h.i.+n and Munechika, the Ogre Invader was a clearly inferior opponent. Without any reason to hesitate to attack, they would never struggle against it.

Shah!

s.h.i.+ns blade struck the monsters left arm and leg

Fuuh!!

Munechikas slash cut through the monsters right arm; all its limbs were thus cut off and blown away.

Yasutsuna, finally freed, was still in midair when Munechika safely caught it.

We have no use for you anymore. Die already!

Its left leg cut off, the monster collapsed on the ground, but s.h.i.+ns blade struck relentlessly.

A white visual effect signaled the activation of a skill: three blade streaks were drawn in midair.

Katana-type Martial skill Continuous Flower Wheel.

An upward slash, a downward slash, another upward slash. The first slash originally served to knock the opponents weapon upwards, while the other two would strike directly. The boss was already off balance even before receiving the first blow, so it had no way of dodging any of s.h.i.+ns blows.

s.h.i.+ns slashes cut the monsters head and torso in two.

No matter how much its Invader transformation progressed, being cut into so many pieces prevented it from recovering or resurrecting. As its HP reached 0, the monsters body crumbled away in dust.

The others are already finished I suppose?

Even if they were fighting the boss, s.h.i.+n and Munechika were not attacked by its Ogre minions. The reason was that Schnee and the others had already done away with all of them.

The floor of the boss chamber was littered with the rods and great swords previously held by the Ogre monsters.

I see you have finished too. How is Yasutsunas condition?

Its durability is alright at least. But its corrupted by miasma, so I have to take a closer look before I can say if its safe or not.

s.h.i.+n answered Schnee and looked at Yasutsunain Munechikas arms. It happened the next instant.

Khlooks like it was too early to relax

!? Hey, whats going on!?

Yasutsuna, now held by Munechika, emitted a turbid aura. The tainted substance wrapped around Munechikas arm, as if it possessed a will of its own.

Munechika grimaced, as if she had received damage, and Yasutsuna fell from her hands.

Gghthe source of the miasma that corrupted the cave was Yasutsuna itself it seems.

After these words, Munechika fell to her knees. Even if Yasutsuna was no longer in her hands, the miasma did not leave her arm.

Wait just a second. Ill dispel it right away.

s.h.i.+n took Munechikas hand and activated the skill Dispel Omen. It was a skill to purify miasma, necessary when facing Demons or visiting locations affected by miasma.

The transparent light that appeared at the same time of the skills activation caused the miasma enveloping Munechikas arm to vanish. Even so, Munechikas complexion was as sickly as before.

How do you feel?

I apologize. I did not think that Yasutsuna had been so

Munechika was looking at Yasutsuna, stabbing the ground before her. Its appearance was nothing but a katana on the verge of breaking.

As s.h.i.+n touched Yasutsunas hilt, the turbid aura that attacked Munechika appeared again. Yet as it touched upon the gauntlets equipped by s.h.i.+n, it disappeared as if blown away.

It was a secondary effect of the Hades Gauntlets s.h.i.+n had equipped.

Powerful Ancient-grade equipment would not be tainted easily, even if it came into contact with miasma.

Ancient-grade gear, especially if crafted by a high-level blacksmith like s.h.i.+n, could dispel miasma via simple contact if it was in perfect condition.

That is the reason why s.h.i.+n could hold Yasutsuna without being affected in any way.

As I expected, this equipment prevents it from affecting me. Then, how about this?

s.h.i.+n activated Dispel Omen on the Yasutsuna he was now holding. Doing so dispelled the miasma lingering in the katanas blade.

Yet as s.h.i.+n deactivated the skill, miasma started creeping out of the blade again.

The only part of the katana that did not leak miasma was where s.h.i.+n was holding it, as it was under the effect of s.h.i.+ns Hades Gauntlets.

If s.h.i.+n released Yasutsuna, the hilt would also probably start leaking miasma.

It wont work even if you keep casting skills? Is destroying it the only way out?

I dont know. Either I keep casting Dispel Omen and the miasma disappears or we have to destroy Yasutsuna itself. Honestly speaking, I cannot decide.

Even under Munechikas imploring gaze, s.h.i.+n did not answer with hopeful predictions or change the subject.

Different from blade and weapon a.n.a.lysis, miasma was a field he knew very little about. s.h.i.+n had no idea about what move he could make.

Schnee was the same: the only way she could think of was purifying the miasma.

In the case that miasma kept appearing even if Dispel Omen was cast, they always stopped it by destroying the source of the miasma.

Ehm, could I?

Tiera?

Among the silence the group had fallen into, Tiera timidly raised her hand and spoke.

Well, first I would like to confirm something with lady Munechikathis room is directly above a Ley line, correct?

Hmm? Why do youno, let us set that aside. Yes, we are above a Ley line, no mistake about it.

Then it might be possible. I cannot say for sure though.

Tiera?

Tiera, after receiving Munechikas confirmation, moved closer to s.h.i.+n and put her hand over his and Yasutsuna.

In my village, there is a method of purifying miasma handed down through the generations. s.h.i.+n, please keep casting the skill, Ill try doing most of the work.

Will you be okay?

Leave it to me.dont worry, this isnt my first time.

With a calm expression, Tiera nodded, a tinge of sadness in her eyes.

Her eyes looked straight at s.h.i.+n.

..got it. I believe in you. Munechika, what do you say?

She is trying to save one of my companions. There is no other way.

Then its decided. Schnee, everyone, please stay alert of the surroundings just in case.

Understood.

Schnee and the other members readied their weapons and focused on the surroundings. Miasma could sometimes give birth to demons, so they could not afford to lower their guard.

Ill start now.

Tiera whispered softly.

Yasutsunas purification thus began.

. .

What s.h.i.+n heard was a clear and serene melody, a chant not spelt with words, rising from Tieras lips.

Its echo had a mysterious charm to it, enough to make s.h.i.+n almost forget that they were in the depths of a dungeon.

!!

As the melody started, Tieras body started glowing. Her black hair flowed as if blown by a breeze, br.i.m.m.i.n.g in a transparent light.

The light emanating from Tieras body affected s.h.i.+n too, as she had put her hands over his. The transparent light started enveloping s.h.i.+ns body as well.

Whats this?

s.h.i.+n let out a small exclamation. Something warm and cold at the same time, an indescribable sensation, permeated him.

There was no change to his status, and excluding that curious sensation, nothing was happening to him.

This is

What changed was Yasutsuna. The miasma leaking from the blade started squirming and writhing.

It really looked as if it was suffering, so s.h.i.+n became more alert.

Coursing through Tiera and s.h.i.+ns hands, the light came into contact with the miasma.

It was rejected once, as if their contact caused a violent reaction, but the second time it overcame the miasma and enveloped the whole blade.

n. .

As the light and the miasma clashed, the rhythm of the melody sang by Tiera was disturbed. Large sweatdrops formed on her forehead and her expression was twisted in pain.

But even so, Tiera continued to sing the melody.

Hm.?

s.h.i.+n was thinking of a way he could help Tiera.

Then suddenly, his eyesight shook violently.

A forest.

A human-like silhouette, collapsed on the ground.

Someone kneeling down next to it.

Plese..! An!!!se!! Im.don..ave.me..one!!

Broken images appeared before s.h.i.+ns eyes, a voice of someone not present reached his ears.

The visions that appeared before his eyes were out of focus, the silhouettes that appeared in them dark and blurry.

The voice was disturbed by noises, all he could make out were broken pieces of words.

s.h.i.+n was still confused by what was happening when, as abruptly as they began, the visions and sounds ended.

Ugh.

Hey!

Before he realized, the light had disappeared and Tiera collapsed.

s.h.i.+n held her body from falling, instinctively.

Tiera, breathing heavily, slowly stood back up, supported by s.h.i.+ns arms.

Now it, should be alright, I think.

.so it looks like.

The purification seemed to have been successful: even if s.h.i.+n released Yasutsuna, its blade did not exude miasma anymore.

s.h.i.+n looked at Schnee and the others, wondering if they had experienced the same thing he did, but their expressions did not show any confusion. Did only he and Tiera see those visions?

First of all, lets grab Yasutsuna and exit the dungeon. We cant talk at leisure here.

Ah, yes, no objections here. Will Yasutsuna be alright?

I cannot say anything before I take a closer look. Its not broken and it doesnt look like its durability decreased, so I want to say that its OK, butI cant yet.

Munechika looked at Yasutsunawith concern.

Their objective was nonetheless achieved, so after making sure that there were no other sources of miasma in the boss chambers, s.h.i.+ns group exited the Depths of h.e.l.lfire.