My Unique Skill [Gacha] Will Save the World - Episode 43: Encounter ②

Episode 43: Encounter ②

——CLANG!

A high-pitched sound echoed. It was not the dull thud of an impact, but the sharp ring of metal striking metal. It was not a heavy noise, but a dry, piercing one.

“Dammit! You’re seriously tough to kill, aren’t you?!”  

Rindou angled his Gale Sword diagonally to deflect the trajectory of a descending greatsword. He skillfully parried the strike.

“Hah!”  

Spinning in place, he aimed a slash at Gakuto’s side. But the blade was thwarted by something hard underneath. However, the spin attack wasn’t intended to deal damage—it was a move to create distance. Using the momentum of his sword clash, Rindou leapt backward. It created a wide gap between them.  

With his massive, heavy armor, Gakuto couldn’t keep up with Rindou’s speed. He clicked his tongue in frustration at his failure to finish him off.

“Why don’t you just die already?!”

“I’ve got no intention of being killed by the likes of you.”  

Rindou readied his stance again. Though his words masked the reality of his situation.

(I don’t plan to go down, but it’s true I’m lacking a decisive blow. There’s definitely something hidden inside that full plate of his……. What should I do?)  

Rindou’s skills included [Gacha], [Intermediate Swordsmanship], [Resonance], and [Basic Earth Magic].  

In his current situation, [Intermediate Swordsmanship] hadn’t even scratched Gakuto. [Resonance] wasn’t effective because Kyousuke wasn’t within a 10-meter radius. That left [Earth Magic] as his only potential option.  

(But I’ve only tried [Basic Earth Magic] once before. And I nearly ran out of mana doing so…… My reserves are pathetically low.)  

As Rindou strategized, Gakuto wasn’t about to give him the luxury of time.  

“If you won’t come to me, I’ll come to you!”  

“Tch!”  

Cutting off his thoughts, Rindou gritted his teeth. He focused on deflecting Gakuto’s massive, crushing strikes.

“What’s wrong? You’ll never take me down like that!”  

The battle was entirely in Gakuto’s favor. Realizing he was on the back foot, Rindou decided he needed to stall for time.

“Then how about this? [Earth Wave]!”  

“Hah! What’s with the magic tricks—wait, what?!”  

Gakuto assumed Rindou only had [Basic Swordsmanship skills]. So he didn’t bother being cautious when he saw him cast a spell.  

However, the magic activated, turning the ground beneath Gakuto’s feet into quicksand. It was sinking him knee-deep into the earth.  

“You—what did you just do?!”  

“Can’t you tell? It’s magic.”  

“Shut up! Your skill is supposed to be [Basic Swordsmanship]! A dual-skill user? Someone like you?!”  

The revelation enraged Gakuto. He had only one skill himself. So the fact that Rindou, whom he looked down on, possessed multiple skills was infuriating.  

In truth, Rindou had acquired his abilities through the [Gacha system] and possessed not two, but four skills. He had no intention of sharing this detail.  

“There’s no reason for me to explain anything to you.”  

“You bastard! I’ll kill you!”  

Exploiting Gakuto’s growing agitation, Rindou sought to provoke him further. He was hoping to throw him off balance.  

“Maybe I’m just more gifted than you. Isn’t that the simple explanation?”  

“Don’t screw with me! I’ll kill you right here and now! If you think this little trick will stop me, think again!”  

Growling, Gakuto summoned all his strength. He was slowly but surely pulling his legs free from the muck.  

If Rindou had a way to deal significant damage, he would have attacked in this moment of vulnerability. But he couldn’t.  

So instead, he made a choice—he turned and sprinted away.  

“You’re running away?!”  

“Our fight will be settled, just not here and not now!”  

“Don’t you dare run from me, you bastard! I’ll kill you! Don’t you dare escape!”  

Before Gakuto could fully free himself, Rindou knew what needed to be done.

(I can’t beat Gakuto as I am now. My only options are to defeat a horde of monsters to raise my skill proficiency, evolve [Intermediate Swordsmanship], or gamble on acquiring a new skill.)  

Escaping entirely was an option, but not one Rindou considered viable without Kyousuke’s presence.

(Gakuto wouldn’t act alone. If he’s here, Kyousuke could be in danger!)  

Rindou resolved to fight monsters while searching for Kyousuke and eventually face Gakuto again.  

He didn’t expect everything to go smoothly, but finding Kyousuke was non-negotiable.  

“I’ll definitely save you, Kyousuke!”  

Focusing his senses, Rindou began cutting down every monster he encountered. He searched relentlessly for his friend.