LightReader

Chapter 110 - Chapter 110: The Day of Convergence - Strength Unveiled

In this battle, Kirito wielded only a single greatsword. The narrow battlefield demanded precision to avoid friendly fire. Raising his blade high, he charged into the enemy ranks.

"Raaaah!" Kirito roared, his voice a thunderclap as he swung his greatsword down onto an enemy's shield. The heavy warrior couldn't withstand the impact, staggering back several meters.

"What the hell is this attack power?" the warrior gasped.

"Maybe you're just too light," Kirito quipped.

"Don't mess with me! I've got the weight of two shields!" the warrior snapped.

"What? You think just holding shields is enough?" Kirito scoffed. "Oh, I get it."

He slung his greatsword over his shoulder and turned to Hachiman. "Yo, Hachiman, these guys are just amateurs playing at being tanks. Give me a hand, and we'll wipe them out. They're not even armed—easy pickings."

"What…" The warrior's retort was cut short as Kirito spun back, slicing him clean in half with a single stroke. The Salamanders froze, stunned by the sheer ferocity.

"Wow, Kirito, that's insane!" Lisbeth cheered.

"Big brother, can you do that too?" Komachi asked, eyes wide.

"What's the plan, senpai?" Klein called.

"Well, since Kirito's inviting me, I'll join the slaughter," Hachiman said. "Looks like the real threat's in the back. Yukino, that cool with you?"

Yukino nodded. "Seems fine. Their movements do scream amateur."

"Alright," Hachiman said. "Yo, Kirito, hold up a sec!"

"Gotcha," Kirito replied.

"Keep them pinned down," Hachiman instructed. "If you see an opening, don't hesitate—take them out."

Hachiman darted to Kirito's side. "Let's wrap this up before their backline moves in."

"Right. No one's attacking us yet, so go wild, Kirito," Hachiman said. "I'll pick off anyone who slips up."

"Sweet!" Kirito grinned.

"Been a while since we fought side by side like this," Hachiman noted.

"Yeah, feels kinda nostalgic," Kirito agreed.

"Let's do this."

"Hell yeah."

The enemy's front line of heavy warriors snapped out of their shock, raising their dual shields to hold the duo back. At the same moment, Kagemune barked orders. "Frontline, hold your ground! Healers, keep the frontline up! Mages, target their backline only to avoid friendly fire! We're moving to reinforce the frontline now! Backline, watch for enemy flankers—their defenses are thin!"

While Kagemune issued commands, Kirito relentlessly battered the approaching enemies, sending them reeling. Hachiman slipped into their gaps, carving through with precise strikes. Any Salamander who faltered, lowering their shield in fear, was swiftly bisected by Kirito's blade.

"Eek!" Several enemies, paralyzed by terror, turned their backs on Yukino's group.

"You're wide open!" Leafa called, striking vital points with deadly accuracy.

"Take that! And that!" Lisbeth's attacks, though accompanied by leisurely shouts, landed with devastating force.

"You guys aren't half bad," Kirito said with a grin.

"Coming from you, that's… something," Leafa replied, half-laughing.

"Seriously, you two are way too much!" Lisbeth added.

"What? This is normal, right, Hachiman?" Kirito asked.

"Yeah, pretty standard," Hachiman shrugged.

Meanwhile, Yukino and Iroha conserved their MP, keeping watch while observing the chaos. "I knew they were strong, but this is beyond what I imagined, Yukino-senpai," Iroha said.

"Our turn's coming later," Yukino replied. "For now, let's leave it to them."

"Ugh, Komachi's totally left behind!" Komachi groaned. "I'll keep watching the rear!"

Hachiman and Kirito were a tempest, tearing through the enemy. Leafa and Lisbeth methodically eliminated any who faltered. The result? Before Kagemune's reinforcements could arrive, the frontline collapsed entirely. Hachiman fell back, with Lisbeth at the center, Kirito and Leafa flanking her, reforming their initial formation. Seeing this, Kagemune's group halted, forming their own battle lines.

"Damn it, nobody told me Yukino's party had monsters like you!" Kagemune growled.

"Didn't exactly advertise it," Hachiman shot back.

"How the hell have you stayed unknown with that kind of strength?" Kagemune demanded.

"The world's a big place," Hachiman said coolly.

"Damn it, making them play shield-bearers was my mistake," Kagemune admitted. "But it won't happen again. The rest are proper heavy warriors."

Hachiman assessed the enemy. True to Kagemune's word, the remaining Salamanders stood with seasoned confidence, their stances far more disciplined than the first wave.

"Yui, stick close to Yukino," Hachiman instructed. "If anyone approaches from the rear, report to her immediately."

"Got it, Papa. Good luck!" Yui chirped.

"Breaking through this defense might take some effort," Hachiman muttered.

"Flanking's impossible, and jumping over leaves us open to their mages," Yukino noted.

"Let's test them out," Hachiman said. "If we're not getting anywhere, we'll use our trump card."

"Trump card?" Leafa asked, curious.

"Yukino, a word," Hachiman said, leaning in to whisper.

"I've heard that spell's useless without high skill levels," Yukino murmured.

"Kirito's got it covered. I've seen it," Hachiman assured her.

"And you?" she pressed.

"That's the thing—Kirito won't spill," Hachiman said. "But he vouches for me, so we're good."

"Alright, let's work it into the plan," Yukino agreed. "If it's dangerous, I'll pull everyone back."

"Thanks," Hachiman said.

After their quick huddle, the battle resumed. Kirito charged the frontline again, but this time, the seasoned warriors held firm.

"Wow, these guys are the real deal," Kirito said, impressed.

"Kirito, what's the play?" Leafa asked.

"I'd love to take out their backline first," Kirito said, glancing at the mages.

A fireball streaked toward him. "Whoa!" Kirito dodged effortlessly, but the distance made counterattacking impossible. Just then, Iroha sprang into action.

"I can't deal lethal damage, but I can mess them up!" she called, unleashing a rapid barrage of low-power spells at the enemy backline, disrupting their magic and healing.

"Let's see if we can crack the frontline," Kirito said.

"Yeah," Hachiman agreed.

The frontline trio pressed their assault. Kirito, mid-fight, was quietly astonished. (Healing spells land right when I need them, and buffs hit the second the old ones fade. What kind of processing is going on in Yukino's head?)

Despite their efforts, the battle dragged into a war of attrition. Hachiman, sensing the stalemate, called to Yukino. "This is getting us nowhere. That Kagemune's no slouch. We won't lose, but we might take casualties. Time to pull the trump card."

"We could push through the center and hit their backline, even if it costs us," Yukino suggested.

It was a viable strategy, but Hachiman and Kirito couldn't accept losing even a single teammate. "Sorry, neither of us can stomach losing anyone," Hachiman said.

"I understand," Yukino said, recognizing their resolve. Though less efficient given resurrection was possible, she respected their conviction. "Go ahead with the trump card."

"Kirito, it's time!" Hachiman shouted. "Get ready!"

"Finally!" Kirito grinned. "Leafa, Lisbeth, buy us a little time!"

"Got it!" Leafa replied.

"No idea what you're planning, but leave it to us!" Lisbeth added.

With their confirmation, Kirito began chanting a spell. Hachiman followed suit. Hachiman's spell triggered first, enveloping the corridor in thick black smoke centered around him. Yukino shouted, "Everyone, fall back—it's dangerous!"

Kagemune, on the other side, yelled, "Illusion area spell? They might charge through! Stay sharp!"

As he issued orders, Kagemune strained his senses. Screams from his allies pierced the air.

"Are they breaking through? Hold formation and deal with it!" he commanded.

"K-Kagemune-san, it's not that! Something huge!" a soldier cried.

"Huge?" Kagemune echoed.

The black smoke began to clear, revealing a massive shadow in Kagemune's vision. "What the hell is that…?"

"Monster! Kagemune-san, there's a monster—argh!" a soldier screamed, cut off.

As the smoke fully dissipated, Kagemune saw it clearly: a towering, demonic creature with goat-like horns.

--+--

T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.

It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!

patreon.com/Greyhounds

If you want to see it, then why not?

More Chapters