Level-up Maniac, Level up in Modern Dungeons - Episode 40

　Only Kanzaki remains.

 

“–Well, it’s unfortunate, but should we wrap it up now?”

 

“…Ha! You think you’ve already won against me, you crazy bastard. Don’t get too cocky just because you got rid of those small fry.”

 

“Oh, that’s great! I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of embarrassing expression Kanzaki-san will make.”

 

“Keep talking, you idiot!!”

 

　At the same time as he shouted, Kanzaki swung his sword.

 

　The distance between us is still not close enough for our swords to reach each other, but both Kanzaki and I have the means to land a slash.

 

　However, what was coming flying wasn’t an aura slash from 《Sword Spirit》.

 

　It was a blade of red-hot flame.

 

“Oh! A Magic Sword!”

 

　I dodged the flying flame blade with a big leap.

 

The “Magic Sword” skill deals magic damage, meaning that if an attack hits, the ability score that is referenced for HP deduction is “Spirit” rather than “Endurance.”

 

　However, when calculating attack power, the value applied is the sum of “Intelligence” and “Strength” and is divided by 2. “Magic Sword” is a special attack that combines the properties of both magical and physical attributes.

 

　If I were to be hit even once, my mental HP would decrease significantly. No, there’s even a possibility that I would lose all my HP in one hit.

 

　Kanzaki seems to have changed his attacking method since he saw that I was a complete front-guard type.

 

“I see! This is dangerous! If it hits you, it might take me down!!”

 

「Don’t get cocky!!」

 

　Kanzaki swung his sword in rapid succession, and each time he did so, a wide variety of magical blades flew towards me as if to anticipate my attempts to dodge.

 

　Blazing flame blades, invisible and swift wind blades, thin and sharp water blades, and heavy, hard rock blades all flew at them one after the other.

 

　But I avoided all of that.

 

　However, there was no time to waste. Kanzaki’s attacks were indeed fast, and they mixed in invisible wind blades and hard-to-see water blades, so dodging them was not easy.

 

　If you make a single wrong move, it wouldn’t be surprising if you were attacked.

 

　Even so, the aim is monotonous. If you manage to dodge several times, you will be able to read Kanzaki’s attacks.

 

　He gradually closed the distance he had been taking to avoid the magic blades, dodging them at such close range that he barely missed them by a thin layer of skin.

 

　All unnecessary movements were eliminated from my evasive actions, which led to more leeway.

 

　I found the right timing between the attacks and closed the distance in one go.

 

“See?! Next up is close combat!!”

 

“Guh?! You little brat!!”

 

　He slammed his sword down, using the same momentum as he had been running.

 

Kanzaki, who had blocked the attack with his sword that he had infused with 《Sword Spirit》, had his face twisted from the impact. He tried to jump behind me to put some distance between us, but I wouldn’t let him. I launched one slash after another from close range, not giving Kanzaki any chance to dodge.

 

“Come on! Come on, come on, come on, come on!! What’s wrong, Kanzaki-san? Try fighting back!!”

 

「――――!!」

 

　Kanzaki can only defend himself with his sword.

 

　However, Kanzaki was certainly strong. That was evident from the fact that he was able to react properly to my consecutive attacks, even though he was only blocking with his sword.

 

　From his movements, I could only guess at his Strength and Agility, but even so, I could tell from experience that Kanzaki’s Strength and Agility were not that different from mine.

 

The current me, strengthened by Last Murder.

 

　If I had fought normally and if I hadn’t acquired the title of 《Pleasure Killer》, I wouldn’t have had a single chance of winning.

 

　He is that kind of opponent.

 

　But still, I had some leeway.

 

　The difference in damage multiplier due to skills is reflected in the power of the sword strikes. Normally, the sword strikes of mine and Kanzaki right now would have roughly the same power.

 

　However, if the difference in damage multiplier is more than 1, it creates an overwhelming difference in power. And――

 

“Ugh–!?”

 

“Oh, what a shame.”

 

　After several slashes, the long sword finally flew out of Kanzaki’s hand.

 

　Kanzaki, now without a weapon, wears a look of genuine fear and anxiety.

 

「Wait――!!」

 

“Is there someone waiting?”

 

　Then I smiled and swung my sword down.

 

　Kanzaki’s torso was easily cut in half by the cross, and he fell to the floor, spilling fresh bl00d.

 

“Ahh… it feels so good…!!”

 

　I accepted the vast amount of experience flowing into my body.

 

 

　●◯●

 

 

“-Now then.”

 

　The battle is over.

 

　I casually walk towards the exit.

 

　The urges swirling inside me still show no signs of calming down.

 

　I want to kill more and more people.

 

　So for now, let’s just kill everyone in this dungeon.

 

　Quite naturally, I decided to do so.

 

　But.

 

“a”

 

　The moment the goblin’s magic stone that had fallen at my feet hit my toe, I remembered.

 

　That’s right. Come to think of it, he was still here.

 

　He turned around, looking behind him into the room.

 

　When I turned my gaze, I saw Hinata-san huddled against the wall at the back of the room, shivering.

 

　I approached her with an embarrassed smile, realizing that I had accidentally forgotten about Hinata-san.

 

“Sorry, Hinata-san. I forgot.”

 

“Uh… T-Takeo-kun…?”

 

“I’m going to kill you now, Hinata-san?”

 

“…………Eh?”

 

　If he looked closely– No, he already knew without looking, but if he were to pierce Hinata-san’s soft flesh with a sword, how pleasant would it feel?

 

　I wonder how much pleasure I will feel when Hinata’s cute face is distorted in pain and fear.

 

　I can’t believe I’d forgotten about someone so important to me. How careless of me.

 

　Hinata’s meat looks far more delicious than Kanzaki’s or the others.

 

　Hinata-san was so cute as she stared at me in shock and fear, unable to believe that I was pointing my sword at her.

 

　She’s so cute that I want to stab her with my sword as soon as possible.

 

　I gripped the hilt of my sword tightly, intending to jump right into Hinata-san’s arms, and pressed forward with all my might–,

 

 

“Huh…?”

 

 

　Come to think of it, was it okay to kill Hinata?

 

　No, there’s no way it’s okay. But why shouldn’t we kill? Surely there can’t be any reason for that? –No, no! Even if there’s no reason, it’s wrong to kill someone!!

 

　But I want to kill him. No, I can’t kill him.

 

　Conflicting emotions and thoughts were clashing, giving me an awful headache.

 

“Ugh…!?”

 

“T-Takeo-kun…?”

 

“H-Hat…san…!!”

 

　I looked at Hinata-san, who was trembling and calling my name.

 

　What a delicious-lookingwant to chop it up. I was trembling like a small animal. Pretty and  want to kill, want to protect, you want to mess it up

 

“Ah, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”

 

　I couldn’t organize my thoughts. The words and emotions that came to mind were all jumbled together, as if they weren’t my own.

 

　So–―――I stopped thinking.

 

“That’s right… For now, kill him and think about it…!!”

 

　I’ll think about whether it’s okay to kill Hinata-san or not after I kill her!!

 

　The next moment, I crouched low and sprinted like a beast pouncing on its prey!