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Volume 1 Chapter 20-2: Counteroffensive

This Floor Boss could be left to the High level explorers who had taken Tor out of the Tower, so we don’t really have to defeat it. We don’t have to…but honestly I’m a bit frustrated.

However, I can’t force Hotaru-san and Sistina to fight an unreasonable battle just because I’m reluctant to let it go.

「Sistina, how long before I’m recovered enough to run?」
「…if it’s just running then this should be enough. I’ve healed the injuries to the extent that your internal organs should hold out. However, to completely heal you we need to do treatment and observation for quite a while afterwards.」
「Woah…I was in a really bad state huh? Got it. Once we get out I’ll follow your instructions and heal up.」
「Alright…if you’ll promise that then…」
「Hm?」

Sistina smiled as if my words were admirable and showed a slight hesitation before continuing to speak.

「Then even if you push yourself further for now, I will swear on my name Acolyte Sistina that I will heal you completely.」
「Sistina…」
「I will…I will follow your selfishness this time just like you did for me.」

….well damn. Sistina had seen through me. That despite wanting to defeat this boss I was making the decision to run away out of consideration for their safety.

Furthermore the regret that I would surely feel if I ran away now…

We had recklessly entered the Tower today so that Sistina wouldn’t feel any regrets, and it was with that same feeling that Sistina was now encouraging me.

「Sistina…」
「Yes」
「It’s a bit embarrassing, but I’m happy.」
「Yes!」

Alright! I’ll do it. I’m going to live how I like. If I can’t defeat a monster like this then how would I live from now on. We’ll do it!

I slowly raised my body from Sistina’s embrace and extended my hand to her.

「We’ll definitely defeat this guy.」
「Nn」

Sistina grasped my hand, stood, and got into her battle stance.

「At present, Hotaru-san is the one who can deal the most damage.」
「Yes」

I grasped Sakura-chan tightly in my right hand.

「Then we need to move so that she can attack freely.」
「Indeed」
「Sistina I’ll leave the front to you. I’ll wield Sakura and distract it. If you find it too hard to hold up at the front then I’ll come as well so don’t push it.」
「Okay!」
「Sakura-chan I’ll be counting on your skill again.」
『Roger that Sou-sama~』
「Then let’s go!」

I started running and realized that I didn’t feel much pain….the pain from my injuries had almost disappeared. Really, Sistina is amazing! I had still lost a lot of blood so I was tired, but at least my concentration wasn’t disturbed by pain.

I couldn’t move around for long, but in this time frame I would settle things.

Sistina moved to take the vanguard and I got closer to convey our decision to Hotaru-san.

「You came Soujirou. Have you decided what we’ll do ja?」
「Un, I want to defeat this thing, no matter what.」
「Very well. You’ve got the face of a warrior now ja.」
「Don’t poke fun…we’ll draw its attention so you focus on dealing the finishing blow.」
「Leave it to me.」

Hotaru-san said and retreated slightly out of the Boss’s range.

She was focusing so that she could deal a deadly blow at the perfect time.

Our job was to give her time to concentrate and create a gap for her killing blow.

Sistina was focusing on defense and skillfully dealing with the Draco Mantis’s scythes. Because of the difference in size and weight she had to skillfully change the direction of the mantis’s strikes or she would be sent flying.

I focused in and moved to the side of the Boss and started cutting with Sakura.

I couldn’t cut deeply, but because the monster was paying attention to Sistina I could hide my presence and move in for a more effective attack without getting spotted.

I would attack as much as I could to reduce Sistina’s burden!

My aim…the left foot! It was one that carried most of the beast’s weight so if I cut it enough it would harm the monster!

GUGIGIIIIAAAAA!!

Nice! It’s working!

Making sure to remain out of sight I continued to slash and slash at the mantis’s left foot.

The creature’s movements were slower because Sistina was attacking from the front so I didn’t have to care about anything except attacking its leg again and again!!

Finally after many attacks, the Draco Mantis’s leg reached its limit.

GIUUUUOOOOOOOO!!!!

An anguished screech different from usual echoed as the Mantis lost its support and fell to the ground. That was the gap we were looking for.

「Hotaru-san!」

I shouted. She had already jumped in with confidence while letting out a cry of her own.

As our cries echoed out I saw her flying towards the creature’s head.

All she had to do was cut its head off and it would be our victory!

That moment I was sure of our victory…but I saw the Draco Mantis’s face warp into what could only be called a smile. It opened its mouth wide and bit down on Hotaru-san’s bottom half as she flew through the air.

「Eh?」

What!? How could we have been tricked by this!? Hotaru-san!! I have to save her!

I stepped forward to help her, but the Draco Mantis swung its tail to clear away the unseen menace. I barely managed to get my arm up to block, but I was sent flying and heard myself scream.

「GUAAAA」
『Sou-sama! Sou-sama!』

I heard Sakura wailing but I had no opportunity to respond as pain enveloped my left arm. I finally withstood it after closing my eyes and clenching my teeth.

F***! We were fooled by a monster! So it had enough intelligence to use tactics??

「Ahh! Hotaru-san!」

As anger and regret whirled in my chest I heard Sistina cry out in despair.

F! F! What am I doing!!? I can’t lie around here now!

Pain can eat sh**! I forcefully pushed past the pain and opened my eyes to see the situation.

「T-that….c-can’t….」

What entered my sight was unbelievable.

Hotaru-san was flying through the air with one leg missing…