Banished from the herd, I was actually a member of a very rare species. ~With the unique skills that only I can use, I can grow and evolve quickly. I will become an unrivaled monster~ - Episode 100: Mecha God II

Episode 100: Mecha God II

Fighting is enjoyable.

I wonder when I started feeling that way.

It’s definitely not from the time I was with the pack.

Back then, there was always a chance of losing a companion over a small mistake, and I was constantly in a state of tension and responsibility. The thought of enjoying it never crossed my mind.

Perhaps the feelings from my previous life lingered. But I think I was more inclined to avoid combat.

After being cast out from the pack and becoming fascinated by the fierce beasts, I started approaching battles on my own.

Before I knew it, the aversion to combat had disappeared.

“([Compact Slash]!)”

<──Activating Black Turtle Shell – Glacier Shield, Mana Shield: Stagnate Layer──>

The halberd from the forest turtle was caught by the black turtle shell shield.

Around the shield was a luminous layer. As soon as the halberd entered it, it felt unnaturally heavy. It wasn’t just an increase in weight; it felt as if air resistance had suddenly increased, like swinging a stick underwater.

I was immediately counterattacked by a dragon drill, but I blocked it with another mimicked halberd.

Sparks flew as the clash occurred, and I was pushed back a few steps by the impact.

“(Haha, I like this kind of thing!)”

My heart raced at the challenge.

Using the opened distance, I shot an arrow and recalled a conversation with Fisu.

‘Why are you so determined to get stronger? You’re already strong enough to take down Sovereign Beasts on your own. Do you really need to get stronger than that?’

I was at a loss for words then, but now I can say it with certainty.

I enjoy fighting. I’m not crazy enough to risk my life, but I want to fight with all my strength.

That’s why I was eager to gather means to achieve that.

“(It hurts, that drill really ignores |Toughness|, doesn’t it?)”

With the white tiger legs’ agile and versatile footwork, I took a hit from the drill.

In return, I slashed at its side with a combination of [Instant Shift] and [Cross Counter], but my own |Life| was reduced by about a hundred.

I thought I needed to avoid that drill as much as possible. It was also fun.

I was ecstatic to be fighting, not hunting or ravaging. 

There aren’t many opponents who can fight me properly. Below the level of Sovereign Beasts, they die from a jab.

At least against Sovereign Beasts or stronger, combat can be established, making those who can engage me fully precious.

Especially those who can deal damage to me.

The freshness of evading and defending to protect oneself, rather than the usual training drills, was exhilarating.

The sense of achievement when overcoming such a strong opponent would surely be unparalleled.

“([Whip]…!)”

With a whoosh, I struck with the red whip, and the Mecha God took a large step back. The tip just barely reached but was blocked by the turtle shield.

Taking advantage of the distance, I fired an explosive arrow and released the bow mimicry. I had prepared an alternative…

The Mecha God sidestepped to avoid the explosive arrow and closed the distance again.

“([Whip]!)”

I swung the red whip once more.

This attack was avoided by a leap. It seemed the Mecha God had understood the whip’s characteristics from the previous strike.

The Mecha God soared through the air with its wings and quickly added a kick.

“(This reaction speed is troublesome…! Does it have a skill like [Instant Shift] that enhances dynamic vision? Interesting!)”

Since it outpaced me in mobility, most of my attacks were evaded.

The only attack that might hit would be a wide-area attack like [Thousand Blade Genesis], but that is a last resort. The number of shots is limited, and more importantly, it’s not as fun.

I’ll use my trump card only after exhausting other methods.

“(Deactivate ‘Convergence,’ add ‘Absorption’!)”

<──Detecting the activation of [Dominion]. Deploying the Alfness Field──>

“(Hmm, this won’t work)”

I tried to interfere with the [Dominion] like I did with the Elder Gargoyle, but it was deflected.

It seems the Mecha God can’t use the [Dominion], but it must have a [Skill] to counter it.

After several attacks, I reconfirmed the Mecha God’s strength.

Attacks using |Mana| were detected in advance, and it had a high learning ability, responding to techniques it had seen once.

If I’m going to finish it, I need to take it down in the first strike.

“(…Alright, it’s decided. I’m going for this!)”

The strategy was set. Now it’s all about timing.

As we clashed fiercely with weapons, I carefully watched for the right moment… and eventually, that moment arrived.

“([Quake Swing]!)”

The moment the Mecha God landed, I struck the rugged ground with the mimicked forest hammer.

The intense vibrations spread, causing its core to wobble slightly. Seeing it as the biggest opportunity, I charged forward.

However, this interference had little effect on a flying opponent. The Mecha God took to the air again.

In fact, before I could close the distance, the Mecha God soared up.

“(Heat Ray, fire!)”

The Mecha God’s legs and one wing were melted by three heat rays.

The three heat rays that were fired were not something prepared just now. They were a substitute for the bow mimicry I released.

By that point, the charge was already complete, and the Mecha God was wary of the heat rays’ |Mana|.

Had I fired them normally, even high-speed heat rays might have been avoided… which is why I aimed for a moment when it couldn’t react.

With damage to one wing and its legs, the Mecha God began to fall, and I leapt into the air.

With its wing now halved, it couldn’t evade in time.

The Mecha God had two choices left: the turtle shell shield on its right arm or the dragon drill on its left.

The choice it made was,

<──Activating Black Turtle Shell – Glacier Shield, Mana Shield: Stagnate Layer──>

The turtle shell shield.

It was a rational decision. Even if it took another hit from the drill, it wouldn’t be enough to defeat me, and there was a risk it could be used against it with [Instant Shift].

But this response was anticipated.

I manipulated the red whip and the forest chains to maneuver around the shield without touching the luminous layer.

“(Yes, it worked perfectly!)”

I confirmed through [Clairvoyance] that the weapons had wrapped around its limbs, torso, neck, and head.

But the Mecha God was no slouch.

It forcibly moved its dragon arm using its |Power| and tried to scrape me with the drill.

“(Then I need to finish this before that happens. [Strangle]!)”

I intensified the force with which the weapons bound the Mecha God.

[Strangle] is a [Skill] that enhances the force of strangling, as the name suggests.

With the [Storm Strike] count also built up, the enhancement was more than sufficient.

Grinding noises started coming from the Mecha God’s entire body.

I poured an overflow of |Mana| into the red whip wrapped around its neck.

The red whip’s heat increased further, accelerating the deformation of its neck.

While resisting the approaching drill, I continued to tighten with all my strength. And then……………… Crack.

The neck, unable to withstand the pressure, was finally broken.

<──Crystal Link, no response. Mana supply route severed. Autonomous calculation circuit stopped in 2.5 seconds──>

<──Defense mission zone, continuation is deemed difficult──>

<──Systems… malfunctioning… stop… error… m…──>

―――Non-Notification Information Recording Zone―――――――――――――

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>> The Weapon Born from the Fire of War, Fuwa Katsu’s Soul Accumulation Level has increased to 228.

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“(Alright! Complete victory!)”

The feeling of <Leveling Up> told me of my victory.

“(Let’s use [Receiving] now)”

I landed in a way that distributed the impact.

I needed to avoid damaging the Mecha God’s corpse.

It was a fascinating magical beast, and I didn’t want to damage it more than necessary. I also picked up the separated arms and legs and stored them in [Weapon Storage].

“(But analysis will be postponed. For now, I need to meet with Fis──)”

“Who would have thought even the ‘Colossus’ would be defeated. Such ambition! Truly an embodiment of evil! You are indeed the child of the Demon God, the savior who brings spring of magical beasts to the earth!!”

A frenzied shout was heard.

Recognizing the voice, I turned my attention towards it. And as expected, the man in ceremonial robes was standing on a paper carpet.