2 Bandits Are Basically Just Walking Bonus Stages (2/2)

The elasticity of mochi paired with the sharpness of an actual sword. It's the first time I'm using it in real combat so I had been slightly apprehensive, but turns out it performs quite well.

”ORA ORA ORA ORAAA... hmm?”

After getting caught up in the moment and cutting every which way indiscriminately, I suddenly realize that the surroundings has become really quiet. Eh, there's only one guy left?

”Y-, you, who the hell are you...?”

”Sigh, no other choice. I'll test Handy Function 2 on you then.”

”Wha-, what are you saying...!?”

”It seems that you're a bit stronger than all those other guys, so you're probably the boss or something, yea? Unfortunately, there is zero possibility for you to win against me, but if you agree to be my practice partner than you can probably live for 2 more minutes. Try your best, alright?”

”Fuck you, making light of me! I'll have you know, I'm...!”

”Unnecessary comments are unnecessary, seriously.”

”FUCK YOU!!!!!!”

Boss A charges at me in rage. In the face of that dull slash, I... choose not to evade.

So Boss A's sword smashes into my chest, the shock causing me to roll onto the ground.

”Haha, this is what happens when you make light of me! I have completely mastered Royal Capital Bushin Style... wha-, WHAT?!”

”Hmm, not even a scratch.”

I stand back up as if nothing had happened.

I am completely satisfied with the suit's defense capabilities. Seems like it can completely negate at least something on the level of Boss A's attacks.

”Ooo, Royal Capital Bushin Style? Isn't it the school that has been pretty popular in the royal capital of late? Hey, show me more!”

”Shit, you asked for it!”

Boss A attacks.

Er, um, yea, easy. He's giving his very best in trying to cut me, but I don't even have to hold up my sword. Just with positioning and stepping alone, handling him is easy-peasy.

But this Bushin Style? I think I quite like it.

Uncommonly so for this world, I can see that this style is not one bound by idealism or trite traditions, but takes direct and rational ways to close in to the opponent. I can recognize that even from Boss A's crappy swings. Instantaneous acceleration, pressing forward by half steps, and the variety of other methods to press towards the opponent resonates with me.

But, well, Boss A is really just too crappy at it.

The moment when Boss A's attacks let up, I easily step out of his maai.

”My, my sword... why didn't you get cut!”

”I mean, you're weaker than my dad. You're probably stronger than my older sister at the moment, but she'll probably overtake you in one more year or so I think?”

”YOU GODDAMN BRAT!!!!”

After parrying Boss A's reckless swings, I lightly kick his shin. Light, but snappy, it was a kick from below the knee.

At which...

”Gu, aa, why...?”

Boss A crumples into a kneel, pressing down on his shin. Red blood gurgles through his fingers and makes a stain on the ground.

What happened was simple; there is an ice pick-like sword extending from my toes. Slime bodysuit Handy Function 2: able to to extend a sword whenever and wherever I want.

The way I thought to use this function is to kick the opponent's leg with a sword extending from my toes. It is really hard to defend against an attack aimed at the legs. Block the opponent's sword with my own, seal their movements, then kick their leg. Bland, but effective.

”Guess there's no point keeping up with this any longer.”

”W-, wait!”

”You didn't even last the full 2 minutes, man.”

I kick upwards with the sword from my toes, skewering Boss A's head from under his chin. Death by impalement.

Kicking away Boss A's convulsing body, I search the camp for loot.

”I don't know a fence who can handle these works of art... eh, foodstuffs I don't need either... come on, where are you, cash and jewels and precious metals~”

There were several carts of loot. And also several corpses of merchants.

”I've already helped you guys take revenge, and your goods will be used for a good cause, so rest in peace, alright?”

I gathered the passable quality of loot and offered a moment of silence. If I convert all this to cash, I guess it'll be about 5 million Zeny. Oh, 1 Zeny is about the same value as 1 yen. All of this will become the funding for my activities as a power in the shadows.

If only the entire world could have worse public order such that it would overflow with bandits. Maybe to the level in games, where you can encounter one just by walking several steps on the road.

”Work harder in your next life and become the bandit king, alright?”

So I say to the silent Boss A... before noticing something further beyond.

”Cage...?”

It's a pretty big and sturdy-looking one too.

”Slave? I can't fence that, so pass~”

But maybe, just maybe, there's something good in there. So just in case, I remove the tarp covering the cage.

”This... I did not expect.”

Inside is, um, how to say... a rotten lump of flesh? I can just barely make out the humanoid shape, but can't discern the gender nor age nor anything else.

But well, it's still living. Maybe it still even has consciousness. When I peered into the cage, I noticed the lump of meat twitching.

I've heard of this before. It's called demon possession, and the Church executes these monsters. They were originally born as normal humans, but one day their body suddenly begins to rot away. They would eventually die if left alone, but the Church proactively buys them and executes them in the name of purification. This purification of demons is pretty much just genocide of patients, but the Church gains acclamation from the populace for ”protecting” the common populace from the ”demons.” What can I say, it's medieval Europe indeed.

If I sell this lump of meat to the Church, it'll fetch a price higher than the combined worth of everything I looted today. But again, I can't actually go sell it, so there's no meaning to it.

Guess I'll at least just put it to rest.

I slide the slime sword in between the bars of the cage... but then suddenly realize something.

There is an enormous amount of magic inside this lump of meat. Even though I've been training my magic ever since I was a baby, the amount I have still pales in comparison. What a monstrous amount of magic. And furthermore...

”This wave... is it magic deviation...?”

Is it possibly the case that the reason why this lump of meat became like this is due to magic deviation? Previously, I had also suffered from magic deviation. If I hadn't successfully brought my magic back under control that time, would I have also become like this?

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Magic has an undeniable effect on the physical body. A certain day, I thought of a certain possibility. Would it be possible that through magic deviation, I can train my body to become further accustomed to magic, such that it can become easier for me to control magic? But purposely causing magic deviation is too dangerous, so in the end I had shelved the idea.

But if this lump of meat is truly the product of magic deviation, and if I can perform my experiments on this lump of meat... then I can get even closer to the strength of a power in the shadows with zero risk to myself.

”This meat, can be of use...”

I reach out to the lump of meat, and begin to pour magic into it.