——

——

 

 

　Attempt number 2,168.

 

　I expected it to happen by now.

　Or should I say “At last”? Or should I say “Finally”? Or maybe “Now of all times”?

 

　The timings of Darkness Summon after Darkness Shift, coupled with 《False Shadow》, made it impossible for me to prevent Anko from entering the “Strongest Mode”.

 

　The current situation could be called “The worst of the worst”. Anko’s remaining HP is below 25%. That means, she’s also in “Berserk Mode”.

 

　Strongest Mode + Berserk Mode.

　Her whole body is covered by Dark Flames, and the Dark Flame Spear is amply spewing dark flames too. Her calm figure as she quietly walks wearing a gentle face, narrowed eyes and a thin smile, all while dragging the spear through the ground, is exactly like that of a demon.

 

　In addition to her already stupidly high attack power, the Dark Flame Spear is a weapon with a reach of nearly three meters, and furthermore, it’s constantly launching Dark Flames as a long-range attack. After all, it’s not called “Strongest Mode” for nothing.

　By the way, with my current status, the longest I can ‘touch’ that blackish flame is two seconds. Any more than that and I’d die. And if I receive even one hit of that Dark Flame Spear, I’m surely a goner. There’s no way to describe it other than outrageous.

 

 

　Well then.

　Getting to this point, I guess there’s nothing I can do.

 

　Deciding to use my hidden card, I took out the “Goblin Mage’s Horn” from my inventory.

 

　Well, even if I call it hidden card, it’s more like a ‘fleeing card’.

 

　The Goblin Mages, the entourage of the Boss of the 『Ashaspern』 Dungeon, use the magic 《Random Teleport》. And this Goblin Mage’s Horn is an item that can be activated by thrusting it into a monster which sends it into 《Random Teleport》. However, there are many conditions that have to be met, and it basically has no effect on dungeon monsters. Furthermore, the experience value from the monster isn’t used to determine the distance of the Random Teleport. In other words, it is not a very convenient item.

 

　However, it’s not like I’m going to use this on Anko. I’ll use it on me in order to escape. Then I’ll be out of here in an instant. Therefore, this can be used as a hidden card; an emergency escape item of sorts.

 

 

“It’s been quite a while……”

“（Seriously.）“

 

　While holding the Goblin Mage’s Horn in my left hand, I looked at Anko as she closed the gap while swinging the Dark Flame Spear.

 

　Like the incarnation of sun shining in the darkness, the lustrous Dark Flame raged from the surface of the black coat covering those bewitching limbs, and it also spewed from the Dark Flame Spear as it tore through the space and targeted me.

 

　If it touches me for more than two seconds, it’s the end. Therefore, I can’t get close. It’s impossible like this.

 

　I can’t win. There’s no way to win. I have no choice but to run away.

 

“I’ll come back.”

 

　With that promised reunion, I swung the Goblin Mage’s Horn.

 

——

——

　…………

 

 

　Unexpectedly. I felt like her facial expression changed.

 

　Those gently closed sharp eyes and mouth fixed into a smile. Both opened slightly, almost as if saying…

 

 

 

　Don’t go――

 

 

 

 

　…………

 

“（……?　What’s wrong, my Second?）“

 

　What―

 

　What am I…… While fighting this strong of an opponent, what am I trying to do……?

 

　What am I scared of?　Why did I plan to run away from the very beginning?　What the heck is wrong with me?

 

　Remembering my thoughts from six hours ago, I began to question myself.

 

　This is stupid.

 

 

 

　――”If you run away in Mobius, it’s over”. I’m an idiot!

 

 

　How come I’m trying to break that absolute rule?

 

　Casually thinking “I don’t want to die”. I’m just a coward.

 

　If I run away from Mobius, what’s left? I’ll have nothing left; I’ll be worthless. The same as being dead.

 

 

　The best in the world has to be strong. Stronger than anyone else. Stronger than anything. And that strength must be shown not only with statuses, but with everything. I’ve said it over and over. In Mobius, ‘there’s no escaping’. Why did I forget that foundation?

 

 

　Foolishness. The top in the world, I said? That would be over if I run away. I won’t have a place if I run away now. So, don’t run away. Don’t make excuses. Stand firm. Face it head on. Don’t show that pathetic gait. Be strong, even if you have to swallow your bloody vomit. Aren’t you the top in the world? Aren’t you the strongest in the entire world!?　And for the top in the world to be running away, even dying would be much better! !

 

——

——

 

“Transform――! ! ! “

 

 

　Immediately after, the black flame swelled up, completely engulfing me. I’ve got eight seconds of invincibility. I’ve only got 2 seconds to spare after the 6 seconds of the transformation. There’s nowhere left to run. Everywhere around here is a sea of black flames. And Anko is already close to my face. When the invincibility wears off, I’ll die for sure.

 

　……But that’s okay. I’m not afraid.

 

 

“Hahaha, HAHAHAHAHA! ! “

 

　Suddenly, laughter comes out. It bursts out without me being able to control it.

 

　I’m not imagining this. Neither is this a mistake. And behind the swaying black flames, Anko was also laughing. She looks so happy. So blissful. Right in front of my eyes.

 

　Hahahaha!　This is the best!　And so are you!　You’ve managed to corner me this far!　You’re strong!　Incredible!　The best!　Ahh, I’m so happy, so very happy right now!

 

“Rook Archery! “

 

　I shout out the name of the skill to decide this all. It was not needed, I just did it as a courtesy.

 

　My aim isn’t her feet. I aimed straight at her head. Ohh, did you see that!?　It was a critical. I thought so. This has shaved off Anko’s remaining HP to below 20%.

 

　0.2 seconds remaining.

 

　Should I escape?　Don’t be stupid.

 

　I’ll stand dauntlessly, dignified, the obvious thing to do is――

 

 

　――《Tame》 was activated the moment the black flames enveloped my whole body.

 

 

 

　…………How stupid.

 

　There’s only a 0.0001％ chance, right?　There’s no way this will succeed.

 

　Ahh, I’m going to die. However, I have no regrets. Right here, right now, I didn’t run away from this. I stood proudly as the best in the world until the very end.

 

　How’s that? Did you see this? Were you impressed? This is what the top in the world means. Amazing, right? Very strong. Without par. Therefore, you guys better respect me.

 

——

——

　………………

 

　Did you think I’d say something like that?

 

　You see, I thought this was strange.

 

　So far, there had been nobody who used 《Tame》 while she was in the Strongest Mode + Berserk Mode.

 

　Or rather, it was impossible to do so. You can’t get close after all. In the first place, theoretically “You can’t approach during the Strongest Mode”.

 

　Therefore, I only had one path forward. After failing to stop the Strongest Mode due to 《False Shadow》 and Berserk Mode, I had to bring her down below 20% HP and use《Transform》‘s invincibility time to approach and apply 《Tame》.

——

 

　Who could notice this?　Who could accomplish it?　Who could try it?　Something like this.

 

　……That would be me. Yeah, that’s right. In your face.

 

 

“Haa……Haa……Ha……”

 

　It hurts. My breathing has gone crazy. There’s something wrong with my blood flow. My heart is beating so fast it’s painful. I feel incredibly dizzy. The ringing in my ears isn’t stopping.

 

　While feeling completely exhausted, I drank a potion. I could feel the heat coming back to my whole body and my physical condition gradually returned.

　However, as my senses went back to normal, the fluffy sensation increased more and more.

 

　Well, this is something that can’t be helped. The natural outcome.

 

——

 

“――It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, my Lord.”

 

　In front of me, this girl was kneeling down.

 

 

=====

 

Thank you for reading.

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Cheat sheet

Stats details

＜Status Details＞

• HP　Hit Points
• MP　Magic Points
• SP　Stamina Points
• STR　Short range attack skill power, strength, physical power.
• DEX　Long range attack skill power, dexterity, hit rate.
• AGI　Quickness, avoidance rate.
• INT　Attack Magic skill power.
• LUK　Good luck, critical rate.
• VIT　Simple defense.
• MGR　Magic defense.

Types of combat skills

Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.

1. Pawn/Soldier (Fuhyou)
2. Lance(Kyousha)
3. Knight (Keima)
4. Silver General (Ginshou)
5. Gold General (Kinshou)
6. Bishop (Kakugyou)
7. Rook (Hisha)
8. Promoted Bishop/Dragon Horse(Ryuuma)
9. Promoted Rook/Dragon King (Ryuuou).

List of Swordsmanship skills

Swordsmanship

1. 《Soldier Swordsmanship》　                  Normal attack.
2. 《Lance Swordsmanship》　                    Piercing attack.
3. 《Knight Swordsmanship》　                   Precision attack.
4. 《Silver Swordsmanship》　                     Strong single-target attack.
5. 《Gold Swordsmanship》                           Small-range attack to all directions.
6. 《Bishop Swordsmanship》                       ???
7. 《Rook Swordsmanship》　                      ???
8. 《Dragon Horse Swordsmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Swordsmanship》　       ???

List of Shieldmanship skills

Shieldmanship

1. 《Soldier Shieldmanship》　                  Normal defense.
2. 《Lance Shieldmanship》　                    Piercing deflection.
3. 《Knight Shieldmanship》　                   Defense + knockback.
4. 《Silver Shieldmanship》　                     ???
5. 《Gold Shieldmanship》                           Ranged guided defense + knockback.
6. 《Bishop Shieldmanship》                       Reinforced defense (Temporarily boosts VIT and MGR)
7. 《Rook Shieldmanship》　                      ???
8. 《Dragon Horse Shieldmanship》　    ???
9. 《Dragon King Shieldmanship》　       ???

List of Archery skills

Archery

1. 《Soldier Archery》　                  Normal range attack.
2. 《Lance Archery》　                    Piercing range attack.
3. 《Knight Archery》　                   Precise sniping range attack.
4. 《Silver Archery》　                     Strong single-target range attack.
5. 《Gold Archery》                           Weaker range attack with added knockback.
6. 《Bishop Archery》                       Strong piercing range attack.
7. 《Rook Archery》　                      Very strong single-target range attack with scaling % damage.
8. 《Dragon Horse Archery》　    Powerful piercing range attack.
9. 《Dragon King Archery》　       Powerful on-impact range attack.

Types of Magic skills

They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.

1. First Form　      　      Regular attack
2. Second Form　      　 Extended range attack
3. Third Form　      　    Strong single target attack
4. Fourth Form　      　  Strong extended range attack
5. Fifth Form　      　      Extremely powerful extended range attack

• Their cast time becomes longer in this order First→Third→Second→Fourth→Fifth.

Ranking of the skills

From lower to higher, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade.

1. 16th class
2. 15th class
3. 14th class
4. 13th class
5. 12h class
6. 11th class
7. 10th class
8. 9th class
9. 8th class
10. 7th class
11. 6th class
12. 5th class
13. 4th class
14. 3rd class
15. 2nd class
16. 1st class
17. Grade 1
18. Grade 2
19. Grade 3
20. Grade 4
21. Grade 5
22. Grade 6
23. Grade 7
24. Grade 8
25. Grade 9
26. Title

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 ToC    

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