My Unique Skill [Gacha] Will Save the World - Episode 110: Gergale ⑤

Episode 110: Gergale ⑤

“Uooraaahhh!!” 

Rindou roared to fire himself up as he stepped forward. Again and again, he slashed with his Gale Blade. 

Gergale was overwhelmed by Rindou’s ferocity. It unknowingly retreated, step by step. 

(What’s happening to me? Why am I stepping back!?) 

Gergale’s thoughts spiraled in confusion as it struggled to understand why it was retreating. Its mind was scattered, unable to focus. Yet, its monster instincts were the only thing preventing it from taking a fatal blow. It allowed it to narrowly avoid Rindou’s strikes. 

“S-Stay back!” 

Frustrated by Rindou’s relentless assault, Gergale reached its limit and activated a skill. 

(My vision… it’s warping!) 

Rindou’s view of Gergale distorted, and the space behind it stretched unnaturally. Realizing that Gergale might escape, Rindou quickly activated his skill, [Magic Sword]. 

“Slice through everything around me—[Kamaitachi]!” 

(Note: In Japanese folklore, a “kamaitachi” refers to a mythical creature or phenomenon associated with sudden cuts caused by a whirlwind. It is often depicted as a trio of weasel-like yokai (supernatural beings) with sickle-like claws. These creatures are said to ride on the wind, attacking people with sharp cuts, sometimes so quickly that the victim doesn’t feel the pain immediately.)

Blades of wind radiated from his Gale Blade, cutting through the air in all directions. 

Most of the blades sliced empty space; a few felled Kobolds. But Rindou had a different target. 

——Clang! 

From what seemed like an empty space, a sharp metallic sound reverberated. It was as if the wind blades had struck something solid. 

“There you are!” 

Rindou infused his Gale Blade with the [Kamaitachi] and rushed toward the source of the sound. He noticed a distortion in the air in the direction of the sound and unleashed a diagonal slash at it. 

——Slash! 

“Gyaaargghhh!!” 

Gergale had been hiding and attempting to escape with [Illusion Magic]. The Gale Blade and its accompanying wind sliced through Gergale’s back. It screamed in agony. 

Staggering, Gergale realized escape was no longer an option. Its once-blue eyes turned bl00d-red as it glared at Rindou. 

“Grrrrr…” 

“Just growl like the monster you are.” 

“K-Kill! I’ll kill you!!” 

Gergale’s thoughts had been focused solely on survival. It now shifted entirely to killing its opponent. With a burst of [Illusion Magic], five identical Gergales appeared in Rindou’s vision. 

“””””Kill! Kill! Killlllll!!””””” 

“Tch! I didn’t want to waste time on this!” 

Rindou thought quickly about how to identify the real Gergale. Before he could act, Kageboshi’s voice rang out. 

“Sense his presence, Rindou! Didn’t Kyousuke Yada teach you that?!” 

(Presence? Of course!) 

Realizing the answer, Rindou shifted his focus mid-battle. He was trying to sense Gergale’s presence instead of relying on sight. 

Initially, Gergale hesitated upon noticing Rindou’s sudden stillness. However, driven by an instinctual urge to kill, Gergale and its illusions leaped toward Rindou in unison. 

“””””Diiiiieeee!!””””” 

The five Gergales attacked simultaneously. Their claws and fangs were aiming to end Rindou. 

“Found you!” 

With a fierce shout, Rindou unleashed an upward slash. It targeted the second Gergale from the right. If he had chosen wrong, he would’ve suffered a fatal wound. 

——Slash! 

The sound of something being cut echoed sharply. 

“Gyaaahhh!! My arm—my arm!!” 

Gergale screamed as its right arm. It was already damaged from an earlier blow. But it was now completely severed. Its agonized cries reverberated across the battlefield, causing the Kobolds to falter and lose their will to fight. 

“Before it recovers, I’ll end this!” 

If Gergale had time to heal, they would stand no chance. Noticing the Kobolds’ hesitation, Kageboshi and her shadow clones pressed their attack. She picked off the remaining Kobolds one by one. 

Rindou and Kageboshi believed they were on the brink of victory. 

“…GRAAAAAARRRGHH!!” 

But suddenly, a deafening roar erupted from Gergale’s battered body. 

“What?! He still has this much strength left?!” 

The roar momentarily stunned Rindou, leaving him vulnerable. 

Gergale dug its feet into the ground, launching itself straight at Rindou with terrifying speed. The force was so immense that the ground beneath its feet caved in. 

Bl00d poured from its back and severed arm, staining the battlefield. But Gergale paid no heed. Its bl00d-red eyes locked onto Rindou as it opened its jaws wide. It was aiming its deadly fangs at him. 

“Damn it!! Move, move, moveeeeee!!” 

Rindou shouted at himself, desperate to act in time. 

Encouraging himself, Rindou forcibly moved his creaking body. 

He gripped the Gale Blade with both hands and swung it toward the inside of Gergale’s mouth. 

Gergale’s fangs bit into the Gale Blade. 

The intense biting force transmitted through the Gale Blade into Rindou’s hands. 

The struggle between the Gale Blade and the fangs lasted less than a second. 

The outcome came swiftly. 

——Crack! 

The one that lost in the struggle was……….. the Gale Blade.