My Unique Skill [Gacha] Will Save the World - Episode 44: Encounter ③

Episode 44: Encounter ③

The fierce clash of swords between Kyousuke and Ishida’s group echoed across the swamp. But it failed to reach Rindou due to the mass migration of monsters.

“Hah! You might’ve been impressive at first, but now you’re not so tough!”  

“H-heh! You really scared us for a moment there!”  

Kyousuke was gradually being forced into a disadvantage by the coordinated attacks of Ishida and the other follower.  

(I was hoping they’d back off after the initial show of force….… Guess the old injury’s acting up again.)  

At his peak, Kyousuke wouldn’t have had any trouble defeating Ishida’s group. But the pain from his old injury persisted, and his combat instincts had dulled compared to his prime.  

While he managed to hold his ground, he knew even a momentary lapse in focus could cost him everything.  

(If I can at least take down one of them, I’ll be able to fight even while protecting my old injury!)  

Slashing through magical leaves flying at him, Kyousuke activated his skill once again.  

“There it is! The white light again!”  

“We’ve got to take him down now!”  

As the white glow resembling steam emanated from Kyousuke, Ishida’s group assumed defensive stances.  

Kyousuke’s skill was called [Battle Spirit]. It greatly enhanced his physical abilities. Though it was at the cost of slightly impairing his judgment.  

However, while his physical capabilities soared, his body’s ability to withstand such strain depended entirely on him. His injured knee was beginning to give out. And pushing himself further risked making it irreparable—even with Advanced Potions.  

“Fuuuuu… Let’s go.”  

In a tone uncharacteristically assertive for him, Kyousuke disappeared from view.  

“Ishida!”  

“[Leaf Trap]!”  

Infusing fallen leaves around them with magic, Ishida triggered a trap spell to counter Kyousuke’s rapid approach.  

No matter how fast he was, they assumed he’d need to close the distance to attack. But Kyousuke had anticipated this strategy with the battle knowledge honed during his prime.  

——Whirrrrr!

Blades of leaves surged toward a single location. They embedded themselves in the ground and nearby trees. But Kyousuke wasn’t there.  

“W-what’s going on?!”  

“I-I saw something move over there!”  

“Then why isn’t he there?!”  

“D-don’t ask me!”  

Fearing the unseen Kyousuke, Ishida’s group began to argue amongst themselves.  

“Looking away during a fight? That’s bold.”  

“[Body Hard—gah!”  

Before the lackey could complete his skill activation, Kyousuke’s blade pierced his chest. Without hesitation, he delivered a fatal strike. It left the man to collapse in a bloody heap.  

“Hiiiieeeek!”  

Ishida screamed. But this was the result of his own actions. Kyousuke had no intention of showing mercy.  

“Monsters are troublesome, but the real threat is… humans—or rather, players.”  

If it had been Rindou, he might have hesitated. Slaying a human is fundamentally different from killing a monster. It requires a different kind of resolve.  

But Kyousuke’s past experience with player-on-player conflicts had stripped him of such hesitation.  

“M-murderer!”  

“Which mouth is that coming from?”  

Kyousuke swung his sword sharply to shake off the bl00d before pointing it at Ishida.  

“…Ishida, why did you do this?”  

By now, Kyousuke’s skill had deactivated. And his usual calm demeanor returned.  

“I-I told you already! I hate you!”  

Despite trembling, Ishida answered Kyousuke’s question.  

“Whether you think you know me or not, stop talking to me like we’re friends! I hate people like you!”  

“But I thought leaving you alone would make you feel lonely—”  

“When did I ever say I was lonely?! I like being alone! If you’d just left me alone from the start, none of this would’ve happened!”  

Kyousuke and Ishida’s fundamental worldviews clashed irreconcilably. No amount of words could lead them to mutual understanding.  

“Stop forcing your beliefs on me! I hate you!”  

Shouting, Ishida poured all his magic into a powerful wood-element spell.  

“[Wood Golem]! Crush him!”  

Plants intertwined to form a massive Wood Golem, which swung a colossal fist down toward Kyousuke.  

“Ishida!”  

Kyousuke leapt backward to evade, but his expression twisted in pain.  

(Damn it! I can’t move anymore—the old injury…!)  

Landing, Kyousuke dropped to one knee. He was clutching the ground. Seeing this, Ishida smirked triumphantly.  

“Ha! Look at you, completely battered! Hahaha, ahahahaha! This is my victory!”  

Ishida extended the plants, turning them into whip-like tendrils. The Wood Golem then continued to unleash another powerful fist aimed at Kyousuke from a distance.