High School Hack and Slash Chapter 135 Part 2
「Ugeh. Memorizing all those things is just impossible, though.」
Mai, with a spoonful of apricot pudding in her mouth, lets out a voice like a squashed frog.
「There’s no need to memorize them all, I suppose. Since what will probably appear on the test is the boss that emerges in the end, after all.」
「You can make a rough guess about it, though. It’s such a famous story that everyone should have heard of it at least once, no?」
「Well, I suppose you’re right. In Greek mythology, he’s extolled as the greatest and strongest champion.」
Rinko-senpai nods at Seiichi’s retort, coffee in hand.
「… Touma-kun?」
Mikan-senpai, who has given up on escaping and has grown quiet, looks up at me from my lap.
「『Hercules』… In Japan, Heracles is the common way to read it, I suppose?」
The half-god half-human great champion.
The greatest epic of Greek mythology where he, the son of Zeus, the sky god who stands at the top of the twelve Olympians, overcomes myriads of trials and tribulations.
In a sense, it’s an ascension story where a human eventually reaches the realm of god.
That 『Champion Program』 itself is the main body of the Lore quest known as the 『Tartarus Arena』.
The arena is no more than one of the stage settings.
「In other words, you mean it’s a trick question?」
「I suppose. The answer to the question: What is the boss?; is not Tartarus, but Hercules, something along those lines.」
「… No, can you hold up for a sec? I remember hearing it somewhere, but if I remember it correctly, isn’t the story one where an 『Evil God』 is sealed in the arena?」
「Hmm, I think that’s probably the trick. The 『Evil God Tartarus』, such a thing is never mentioned in the textbooks, and even in the documents, there is no description pointing at it either, you see.」
Otoha-senpai supplements the explanation of Rinko-senpai, who seems to be lacking in confidence.
「It’s one of the seven wonders of the academy, right? That thing, I mean. There are rumors that 『an evil god is sealed』, but it’s one of which everyone is none the wiser pertaining to the source.」
I believe it was 『An Evil God (Tartarus) that’s waiting for its resurrection in the colosseum』, right?
I also forget who I heard it from, but I still remember that much.
Shizuka also nods her head, frowning a little.
「Yes, that is… right. I do not remember from who I heard it either, but I do know that lore.」
「Well, doesn’t that just mean that Hercules was so powerful that he was called an Evil God? From what they say, it seemed to be virtually impossible to conquer until the plot of the lore was grasped, after all.」
Even in the 『Moby Dick』 and 『Marvel World』 that we conquered, the main point was to conquer the worldview (story).
When it comes to other worlds under the Lore category, you can’t even fight the bosses unless you conquer the worldview.
「In the case of Hercules, you see. It seems that he appeared in the arena from the beginning. Immortal and invincible, he appeared to be such a cheat-esque boss. However, such a thing would be too unnatural, so as a result of the investigation… A sub-quest known as the 『Twelve Labors (Hercules Quest)』 was discovered, you see.」
「Physical attack nullification, super regeneration, infinite resurrection, and so on, by sealing 12 of such cheat authorities (abilities), they managed to defeat him somehow; something like that, I suppose.」
「… And they conquered it in the state of having no undead system?」
「… I guess. It seems that there were quite a few casualties before they managed to steal the authority (system) of the 』Gatekeeper of the Underworld』, I suppose」
The words of Shizuka, who closes her eyes as if in silent prayer, are heavy.
「Well, leaving such a thing aside, what’s important right now is today’s tournament, isn’t it? We should get ourselves ready soon!」
As if to swipe away the gloomy atmosphere, Otoha-senpai, speaking in a cheerful voice, stands up from her seat.
Nevertheless, the preparations are already done.
It seems that there is some sort of opening ceremony before the match starts today, so we’ll be setting out in fancy full gear.
I guess the walk to the arena will serve as a nice after-meal exercise.
「Touma-san, umm, I think it’s about time for you to put Mikan-senpai down.」
「Au~….」
No, she is all limp as if she has attained an enlightenment, so I think it’s fine to go as it is.
All the Senpais from the club are also watching over us with a lukewarm gaze.
As we draw closer to the arena, the figures of other students are also increasing more and more.
Under the sunny skies, today, too, the stalls and betting shops are crowded with customers.
Just like, no, even more than yesterday, spectators are coming in and out of the arena.
「Senpai, Senpai, please tell me the continuation of the story~.」
「Err, yes… Right, I suppose you mean the one about the quest of 『Tartarus Arena』?」
Rinko-senpai smiles wryly at Saki, who nods vigorously as she says: Yes.
「Where were we, again? I mean, I have a feeling that I told you about it before, too… Though.」
「Yes! But as expected I forget about it, so please tell me just about the most important quest.」
「Yes, the boss is…. no, that’s not it. The authority (system) of the 『Gatekeeper of the Underworld (Undead)』… if, we at least have that, I’m sure… will make it in time.」
Expression is vanishing from the face of Rinko-senpai, who’s facing ahead.
The pupils of her wide-open eyes are open like blackened holes.
「Thank you, very much. I will, definitely protect you all.」
Saki gently, tightly holds Rinko-senpai’s hand as she shakes her head frantically.
From the world of just the two of them, where no one pays them any attention even though they can see them, a gaze is directed toward me.
Yeah, that’s right.
I can’t make head or tail of what she’s saying or doing.
「Unya… Touma, kun?」
Mikan-senpai, who has perked up again and is chatting with Shizuka and the others while still being held in my arms, looks up.
The square in front of the arena.
In front of the staircase, where the lively and boisterous students come and go.
Being liberated from me, who has been so attached and clinging to her, Mikan-senpai floats a cherubic smile as she tilts her head slightly.
「What’s wrong?」
「Nothing.」
It’s nothing.
It is, but….
I can hear a howling cry from the deepest part of my heart, saying: overturn it!
Mercilessly deny it, drag it down to the ground, smear it with humiliation, crush it thoroughly, and trample it down.
Be it reason, fate or anything else.
Even if it brings about calamity to all things in nature.
『Destroy』 the inevitability.
「Hau. Why are you petting me~?」
「Because you’re so cute.」
「Boldly doing shame play in the presence of the public is just too sick, isn’t it?」
「Touma-san. There is a subject for petting over here as well, though.」
Mai’s and Shizuka’s retorts cause the detached flow to begin to move.
「Geez, good grief. Even if you want to let loose, be sure to keep it in moderation, okay? There’s no point in getting hurt in a mere inter-club tournament… you know?」
「I’m of the same opinion. — Please stop with the let loose (fecklessness) and give it your all. Seiichi-san.」
「Ah! That is…」
With a thud, Saki presses a short sword against Seiichi’s chest as he shrugs his shoulders.
Mikan-senpai is cute as she begins to get flustered and panicked.
Like a child whose secret mischief has been exposed.
「O, oi? What is this?」
「A good luck charm. I’m handing it over to you, Seiichi-san. That’s why, please be sure not to be a hindrance to Danna-sama!」
Mai, stretching her neck out from next to Seiichi, peers into the old short sword.
「Pretty worn-out sword, isn’t it?」
I wonder if her plainly dissing it is a check against Saki, who gave Seiichi a gift.
But rather than harboring such an off-the-mark worry, I think it’s better to be wary of the Senpais from the Craftsman group who are encircling Seiichi bit by bit with things like hammers, scissors, and crowbar-like something in their hands.
I don’t quite get it, but it’s plain scary, so I’ll stop it.
「Set off. Now is the time to fight.」
「Y, yeah. You’re right.」
Seiichi, his face a little pale, slips out as if to run away and lines up next to me.
「If you make a racket in front of the entrance, as expected, it’s going to bother everyone, isn’t it?」
「Yes. I guess so. Let’s save the talk for until we get inside.」
Mikan-senpai lines up next to Otoha-senpai, who carries her harpoon on her shoulder.
The hustle and bustle of the lively students is echoing from the arena that stands amidst the deep greenery.
「Saki. By any chance, are you hiding something from us?」
「Err, I am, but… But I’ll do something about it, so there’s no need to worry~.」
The honest Saki stands next to Shizuka, who presses her fingers against her temples and lets out a sigh.
Under the clear blue sky, the arena is towering, shining in ivory color.
「Now then, let’s set off!」
Smiling widely, Saki assumes the vanguard role and takes a step forward.
◇ ◇ ◇
―― The peripheral world 『BIBLIOTHECA』, the glazed myth 『＊＊＊＊』――
―― Style 『Lore』, ※Space-Time Pressure Difference 『Synchronized』 ――
――※ Option Emulate 『Military Warfare Style (Raid Mode)』 Adjustment ――
――※ Model Emulate 『Purgatory』 ――
――※ Confine Emulate 『-Hours/-Hours』 ――
―― Mission 『Poem of Champion Reaching the Realm of God (Hercules Quest)』 ――
―― Direct Drive Start ――
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※※※ Emergency! ※※※
―― Challenger: Special Qualification Confirmed ――
※※※ Emergency! ※※※
――※ Alternative Mission 『The Arena of the Abyss (Tartarus Colosseum) : Open』! ※――
※※※ Emergency! ※※※
――※ Option Change 『Military Warfare Style (Raid Mode)』 → 『Decisive Battle Style (Infinity Mode)』 Adjustment ――
※※※ Emergency! ※※※
――※ Model Change 『Purgatory』 → 『Prison (Cocytus)』 Adjustment ――
※※※ Let’s Consolation Challenge!! ※※※
NEXT CHAPTER
RELEASE RATE
High School Hack and Slash
Speed up schedule by 10 hours
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