Vol 5 Chapter 4 (1/2)
Chapter 4: Prelude to destruction
That was a desperate scene certainly suitable to be described as the end of the world
… The sky was black Pitch black
Looking really closely, one could notice that the true identity of the thing that blackened the sky was that of a crowd of flying-type monsters
Are you… Joking…?
That nu it doas no less than ten thousands
Seeing that many monsters at once in the human world… It was an unheard-of scene
Before this unprecedented happening that suddenly took place, the people at the venue of the irl contest instantly fell into panic
“Eeeeeeerm Everyone Calm down Cam down, please”
The one who got the ball rolling in order to calm down this situation was the mid-rank monster tamer Yuina-san
“According to the info that we have just received, the first barrier of the sky Abyss Gate—Eternal White has been destroyed by an attack of the Black Tamers
Due to this dae, an estimate of fifty thousands monsters from the anti-human faction have invaded the huic power… In other words, us Luckily, in this occasion no ordinary person will suffer any harm”
“!?”
An attack to the Abyss Gate by the Black Tamers…?
About the Abyss Gates, I’ve heard that they are located either in the sky, in the sea or on land
When ent to the Netherworld before, we made use of a marine Abyss Gate… The one attacked this time was a sky Abyss Gate
So that’s why this -type monsters have appeared?
“We had been withholding this info froence of an attack to the Abyss Gates by the Black Tao
So… That all of you rookies have been gathered here at the camp is not unrelated We have no time and… On top of that, we also have no hands
That’s ant all of you fight alongside us
The one located at the Fuji’s Sea of Trees is literally the world’s largest Abyss Gate—hell’s Red
The dah here cannot be co over our heads
“… No joke”
“How do you want us to fight such a horde of monsters!?”
Hearing Yuina-san’s words, the rookies at the venue couldn’t stop tre
“… Of course we don’t plan on asking so unreasonable of you rookies We are, so to speak, no more than insurance
hell’s Red is a location of utmost importance for humanity
Currently, the one entrusted with the protection of hell’s Red… Is the legendary monster tamer—Kusumi Kanae!”
“!?”
Right after they heard mom’s name
The air of tension that filled the venue relaxed
“By Kusumi Kanae… You mean the Immortal Tamer?”
“The one who’s told to be the strongest froenerations of top class monster taular tamers…?”
“Rookies Be calm
Seeing that Kanae-san is entrusted with its protection, that hell’s Red would get destroyed and the peace of humanity put in jeopardy is very unlikely
However, even Kanae-san is human
It may be possible that a surprise attack by traitors lets them break the first barrier
Come that time, it’s our turn
So that no harive our all to stop the monster invasion here!?”
“… What the first barrier stops aren’t just… Monsters categorized as E rank type?”
“… Yeah If it’s like that, even we may be able to stop them”
“…”
Receiving Yuina-san’s plead, the people at the venue gradually looked like they were recovering their eagerness
Really, reat
The panic of o looked like a lie… The ed entirely
However, contrasting with the people around me who had recovered their calm, my face didn’t clear up
I, who through the survival race passed down at the land of ghouls called the hundred death’s course… Becas, could notice it
In a place not so far from here
At the other end through this forest
In a point around ten kilometers[1] apart southwest
I noticed it
Since a while ago, there—twoI had felt till now are engaged in fierce battle
My body keeps sweating from the discomfort
Perhaps… It er than the current me with my limiter 100 released
This is a first
Even if I go at full strength, I can’t picture
“… Chiharu What’s the matter?”
It rim face
Zonmi, as around, peeked at my face of unrest
assu that the info we heard from Yuina-san is true, from the two people that currently are out on battle at Fuji’s Sea of Trees, one is undoubtedly mom
In that case, the other one…?
Did the Black Taht on par with mom?
…
……
Regrettably… Just one
I happened to know a monster tamer with a true power equal to mom
That person… The first tahta monster tamer[2]
“Hey, Zonmi, Kyouko, Iris Could you followa word?”
“… Nu?”
“What now, that of a sudden?”
“… There’s a person I have to meet no matter what
Who does that person think they are to do this? On top of hearing what that person has to say I believe it's my responsibility to stop their actions”
“… Those words from noere irrelevant
However, if you say you want to go, Chiharu, I’ve decided to follow you even to the very ends of the world”
“… The sahoul How do I put it, if you went soive you a beating!
“Monster taratitude
If with this thing I could make some amends… I have no reason to refuse thy wish”
“… Girls Thanks”
I think I really have the best comrades
While digesting irls that always support me, I dashed at full speed to the depths of the forest
× × ×
“What… The… Heck…”
When I reached my destination, I was at a loss for words
I had heard about it a couple of times
That which stood before my eyes was the Abyss Gate
The size, approximately around 20 meters[3]?
A huge gate boasting a size a head taller[4] than the surrounding trees let out a bizarre atmosphere
However, what shocked me wasn’t the Abyss Gate itself
… They were the ten nearly deaddown around it
“Terrible… Who could…”
Kyouko covered her mouth in shock
Zon down tamers
“If they don’t receive er
What the heck could they have been fighting to lose so ic power…? I have no clue”
“…”
Like Zon points in this situation
The monster tamers around us had no conspicuous external injuries
They were in a state of ic power depletion as if someone had sucked it out of them
… Is such a thing possible?
With absolutely no daic power had become emptied
“Haru-kun… Run away…”
While I was suspicious of the surrounding situation
I heard mom’s voice from somewhere
I looked towards the voice
And, what awaited there was a shocking scene that unconsciously made me doubt my eyes
“Mom!?”
Mom’s state wasn’t comparable to that of the other collapsed monster tamers
She had suffered daed in fierce battle, and there were traces of fresh blood all over her body
Flustered, in a flash I tried to run to mom’s side
But
“Hallo—[5] Chiharu-kun Long time no see—”
The voice of a lone wo to mom’s side
No wonder Since I had predicted from the start that she’d be at this place
“—Luka-san All of this… Is it your doing?”
Let’s be frank
I’m totally scared
Hurting s, she… Has no qual such inhuman deeds
When I inquired, Luka-san tilted her head in an affected manner
“M half was really these children doing!”
In the direction that Luka-san pointed saying so, there were three monster tamers somewhat familiar
“… Long tierly waited for the day e settled things with you…”
“Oniichan, found you!”
“Fufufu I looked forward for the day that we battled again”
The ones who suddenly appeared before me were the monster tamers from the Black Tamers I had have bouts with before
The man in a black suit (name unknown)[6], Noelle and Lance, those three
“… Luka-san What’s your aim? Why have you hurt mom… And unrelated people!?”
The instant after I pressed Luka-san for an answer
The fist of a huge beast was launched towards me
“!?”
The one who reacted without a moment’s delay and protectedmy contracted monsters that especially excelled in speed
“… Though in the earlier battle I left thee at large enough to not take thy life… Thou incorrigibly intendest to bring harm to my master…
Have thou readiest thy resolve, black-vested tamer?”
“… Tsk And it was a good chance to hit with my preeet in on!”
… Now that he mentions it, back when the incident of the attack to the Grandeel islands I had seen it once
The iant olf and stood before us
“… ’d grief This Clarie Let’s go!”
“Those who stand in our way… I’ll kill the!”
One after another, those who ca a pincer attack were Lance and Noelle—the two monster tamers who possessed a limiter
Noelle with her arolerim reaper[7], each one entered into attack motions
“I won’t let you!”
“Haru! Fall back!”
However, I soed to avoid this surprise attack by Zon me from Lance’s attack and Kyouko from Noelle’s attack
“… Tamer of the Spirits, Lance Patriot
I had heard that you were locked inside the prison of the undead tribe, but it’s really a privilege to be able to meet you here My sisters… To you who made (did) those despicable deeds to Aruru and Meruru, I wanted to pass judgment with my own hands!”
“Ooh Scary But, I love strong-willed girls
Just picturing you afterwards as part of ives me the shi+vers”
“…! You fiend!”
Zonmi’s umbrella and Lance’s scythe clashed and raised violent sparks
“Tamer of the Catastrophe, Noelle North Norm! I too wanted us to battle each other… How did you dare to trap usa festival!”
“? Who are you? Sorry I can’t remember well the faces of people that don’t interest me Especially in the case of people like you with a thin presence”
“…”
SNAP
So seems to have split inside Kyouko
“… So Then I’ll refresh your memory with a battle!”
Noelle arolehty drop-kick
Nephiliolem
… Here too, as they are both power-type girls, a fierce battle is expected
“Zonmi, Kyouko I leave them to you!”
It’s not like I don’t have faith in Zonht, but somehow I have an ill premonition
I don’t knohat kind of means have they employed
However, those three I had fought with before… It looked like they had had a clearly substantial power-up froht
“Soy~ It’s become boisterous
If possible, to you… I’d tell at ease what I’ to do now, but…”
“… Is that so?”
Saying just that, as there was no use in arguing, I hit Luka-san’s cheek with all ht
He who moves first wins This shon… By no o chatting
Like now, if the eneets careless… I’ll attack with full power!
“…!?”
CRASH
The sound of crashi+ng bones
It see her body,, Luka-san avoided a direct hit, but… No problem
My attack that unleashed the maou’s power, even if it e
Perhaps… No, surely
I felt her lower jaw get horribly destroyed
Luka-san, who had received ht and crashed against one of the trees growing in the surroundings
“I did it!?”
Luka-san, who had received round, slowly stood up
Right on the mark, Luka-san’s lower jaas smashed to a pulp and that beautiful face had been defiled
… Thoughin a fight waging our lives, I felt terribly guilty about hitting a woman’s face
However, seconds after that
The guilty conscience inside my heart was sent out of bounds
“Ufufu Chiharu-kun, you rascal To suddenly go hitting an older wootten a bit aroused”
Right then, it was… As if witnessing first-hand a ghoul’s regeneration ability
“Are you… Joking…”
Luka-san, in a bit of a moment
Not even five seconds had passed and her lower jaho should have been s her to be able to speak as if nothing had happened
“…”
Different
There’s definitely soht until now
I couldn’t stop the chills in my spine
Standing before Luka-san, I was tor before hundreds of monsters at once
“… Don’t make that face, Chiharu-kun
Aren’t you being able to stand before a long-awaited foe you can fight with showing each other your precious full power?
This experience… Since it ain in your life… For now let’s enjoy a pure battle♥”
“!?”
Luka-san, showing a bewitching se tree about 10 meters[9] tall
“!?”
It’s not only a ghoul’s regenerative ability
I don’t knohat contrivance has made it possible, but it seems that Luka-san owns a power on par with a Nephilim
“Here~ A present from oneechan♥”
Like that, Luka-san threw at
I give up Attacking with power at 30… Doing soet me killed
However, my limiter has a time limit
If I fight at full power, in no et depleted
… There’s no helping it
How about getting one gear more up?
As I release rew from my back and I soared to the air
I narrowly avoided the huge tree
Definitely, it’s reassuring having the ability to fly
To recover ht about y
However
“… Did you thought that by flying to the sky you’d be safe?”
A wo adult composure whispered into my ear
At point-blank range in the span of a breath
Turning back, there she was
While flapping crie in respect to her own body Luka-san… Laughed behind me
“… Chiharu-kun Could your full power only be that?
Quickly… Quickly show me your full power!”
Next instant, my vision was dyed red
As it was such an abrupt happening, for a moment I couldn’t comprehend what had been done to me
“… Guwah!”
When I finally sorted out the situation, h up in the sky
… What happened?
That must be it Luka-san has produced flas to a crisp and like that I plunged into the ground
I feel that I have several broken bones, but this time that’s fine
Due to the severe burns onsituation where I can’t even breathe, but this time that doesn’t matter
Both of thee suffered can be recovered in a flash by the limiter
However, what the heck is this?
A ghoul’s recovering ability
A Nephilim’s power
A red dragon’s flight & flames
Luka-san… Has she housed inside one body the strong points of those three at the same time!?
“… How come”
“? What would it be?”
By the time I noticed, several questions had spilled from my lips
“How co!?
You weren’t so strong, were you?…!
We… Should both have the sa to help the world!
And despite that… Wasn’t there any other way!?”
“…”
When I inquired, Luka-san looked at me with sorrow and slowly started to narrate
“… Why don’t I tell you an allegory?
The humans and monsters who live in this world, if we liken them to paint colors, red, blue, yellow Each and every one of them is wonderful… The colors called individuality”
Starting with a “but”, Luka-san continued
“Even if one by one the colors are wonderful… When you mix all of the colors in a palette, what color do you think you get?
—the answer is a crooked ugly grey
It’s not like it’s anyone’s fault
Even if there’s no ill will, when lots of consciousness get htly dirty color That’s why I… Expose the people responsible for the incident of ten years ago… Making the like that
The one wrong is not an individual—rather it’s the world
That’s why I’ve decided to remake the world at once
I’ll destroy the Abyss Gate, and riding in the chaos, I’ll rule the world from the top!
And I… Will guide every living being on this world in the correct direction so that just one unique color is shown!”
“…”
It’s not like I don’t understand Luka-san’s claim
School and society unanimously teach kids that “individuality is wonderful”
However, If we go perusing history, we can’t honestly praise individuality
—Because of differences in thinking, people engage in arguments
—Because of differences in skin color, people engage in discrimination
—Because of differences in what should be protected, people engage in war
If such a thing as individuality didn’t exist… The world o where more than thousand people in total lost their lives due to the IMA’s behind-the-scenes inhuman research may have too have been prevented
“… However, let’s say that goes well, a hundred years later… What about the world after you’ve died!? The world after they’ve lost their just leader… Won’t it become more wretched than now?!”
“Ufufu Thanks for your worries But, it’s alright Sincewon’t ever be possible”
“… Eh?”
“Iimmortal body”
“…”
What haz diz gurl sayz?
“The leader who holds the correct color will keep ruling with eternal life
That’s the full story behind the Arcadia project us Black Tamers aim for!”
“…”
I can’t follow the logic of her speech
Eternal life? Unaging and immortal?
Such a living being… how could it exist in this…
“You’re putting an unsatisfied expression Fine I’ll show you
The legendary monster tamer… Kusumi Kanae, my true form that overwhelmed even her—‘ultimate perfect form Great Luka-san’—
Level… Overlimit”
The instant after she muttered just that
My body was struck by an unprecedented a I had felt until now
“… Kuh!”
And then onehappened
… What the heck is this?
The trees growing around Luka-san wilted all at once, the earth became barren and cracked after that
“She’s sucking the s… Perhaps…!?”
Let’s take it as if the situation that’s happening right before me is like I said, theic pohen I came here would tentatively be explained
While Luka-san was sucking the er like a sobll rolling on the ground
The fore snake
‘So it like that is because I had no other simile to express what the heck was that
Since I couldn’t grasp its whole i ain flew to air
“What the heck… Is this…”
Looking down from the sky, once I had at last a whole picture before my eyes, I was left speechless
This… Can it really be called a living being?
It s, the result was so that has those all over the place
That length, doesn’t it easily surpass one kilometer?
Of Luka-san herself, it was just the upper body, the lower half being turned into the head and body of a serpent
The thing left barely humanlike was just that one point
“Ufufu How’s it?
The unaging and i for ten years… ‘Ultimate perfect form Great Luka-san’?”
“…”
What kind of comment does this person expect from me?
“Ufufu It seenificence
In a nor into thele monster species, they reach their limit, but… I was different
My body had the ability of being able to take in cells from lots of monster species at the same time!