My Unique Skill [Gacha] Will Save the World - Episode 60: Branch Manager Kenji Dōmura

Episode 60: Branch Manager Kenji Dōmura

“Hold on, Branch Manager! Are you seriously going to fight in a suit!?”

Ayane must have known there was a training hall. She raised her voice in disbelief.

“It’s nothing, just checking his skills a little. Don’t worry about it.”

“But even so, I think it’s disrespectful to Rindou-san!”

“Is that so? What do you think, Player Amachi?”

Rindou hadn’t expected to be addressed. He was hesitating on how to respond.

“Well… I’m not sure what you want me to say…”

“I see? Then, let me rephrase the question… I think for someone of your level, it should be fine even while wearing a suit, don’t you think?”

This time, Kenji’s words were both provocative and filled with killing intent.

Rindou felt the full force of the killing intent. He took a slight breath but managed to hold firm. He exhaled quietly, controlling his nerves.

“…No, it’s fine as is. I would like to cross swords with you.”

“Oh? You’re enduring it, huh? Interesting.”

Kenji smiled. But his aura was that of a true warrior. He was no longer attempting to hide the killing intent. 

Despite the sweat pouring from his body, it didn’t matter. Rindou could feel from their handshake earlier that Kenji was no ordinary opponent.

(The pressure I felt during our handshake……… that’s no ordinary person. As expected of the branch manager of the Eastern District.)

The two moved to the center of the training hall, keeping a certain distance. And then they faced each other and prepared to fight.

“……..Are you going to fight with just your bare hands, Branch Manager?”

“That’s right. You can go ahead first. I’ll give you the first move.”

“…Understood. Then—here I come!”

Before Rindou even finished his sentence, he dashed forward. He delivered a powerful slash toward Kenji.

(Will he dodge, or will he take the hit? I’ll decide my next move based on that—!?)

“Ha!”

“Guh!?”

Rather than dodging or blocking, Kenji struck his own fist at Rindou’s slash.

The collision of the Gale Sword and Kenji’s fist created a massive sound. The shock was so intense that Rindou could feel the building tremble slightly.

“Tch!”

“Oh? You managed to dissipate the shock, didn’t you?”

In the split second of the clash between the Gale Sword and Kenji’s fist, Rindou managed to slightly shift his sword to deflect the attack. He was using his own body to spring backward in an attempt to absorb the impact.

(What do you mean ‘managed to dissipate’!? My arm’s going numb!)

Shaking his left hand lightly, Rindou focused on his right hand. Which was still gripping the Gale Sword.

(If I take another hit like that, I won’t be able to hold my sword. If I’m going to show my abilities, the next strike is my only chance!)

“You gave me the first move, but now it’s my turn!”

Kenji shouted as he stomped the ground. And at the same time, Rindou stepped forward.

“Coming at me, huh!”

“Please dodge it! Or else… you’ll die!”

“Interesting! Come on, Player Amachi!”

Rindou had already taken a hit from Kenji once. This meant he could now reflect Kenji’s attack.

“[Reflect]!”

As soon as Rindou shouted, a chill ran down Kenji’s spine.

(This guy… he’s seriously dangerous!)

Realizing this, Kenji reflexively activated his skill.

——Boom!!

The impact of their clash this time was on an entirely different level. It shook the entire Association building.

People on other floors might have thought it was an earthquake, or maybe even an attack from some unknown assailant.

The shockwave from Rindou’s attack was immense, and Kenji had taken it head-on.

“….Are you serious?”

It was Rindou who muttered that in surprise.

“…Hahahaha! That was a magnificent strike, Player Amachi!”

“Not a single scratch……….. Are you some kind of monster, Branch Manager?”

Just as the Gale Sword was about to strike, Kenji crossed his arms and activated a skill. It completely absorbed Rindou’s reflected strike.

“What are you saying? But, as Player Kazaki said, my suit’s ruined now!”

“…Ah! I-I’m so sorry!”

While Kenji didn’t have a scratch on him, both sleeves of his suit were torn off. And other parts of it were shredded by the force of the impact.

Rindou quickly apologized. He was worried about the cost of the high-end suit. But Kenji laughed and reassured him.

“Hahahaha! I even provoked you while wearing this suit, so don’t worry about it!”

“…I see.”

“Alright! The reassessment ends here! As for your rank…….. how about C rank or maybe B rank?”

“Whaaa!? I-Is it okay to raise it that high all of a sudden!?”

Kenji casually suggested a new rank. Rindou couldn’t help but voice his shock.

“You’ve defeated the Eldias Kong, survived the monster swarm, and then took my initial hit to land your own strike. C-rank is only natural.”

While Rindou was happy about the rank increase, jumping too high would make him stand out too much.

“P-Please, just make it C rank!”

“Mm? Is C-rank fine with you, Player Amachi?” 

“Yes! Please take care of me!” 

Although Kenji looked slightly dissatisfied as a fighter, he considered Rindou’s feelings. And it was decided on the spot that he would be promoted to C-rank.