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High School Hack and Slash Chapter 159 Part 2

Hippolyte believed that this was the only tactic available to Touma, who had had his skills sealed off.

Diana’s authority was so dominant that it made her think so.

Leveraging the locational advantage and the traits where they were a group, she had punished Diana, but to be honest, she was also impressed by her, thinking that she had underestimated her.

「Is yond… A buckler?」

She did not think it was something that fell into the category of armaments.

If one were to say it, it resembled a coffin.

Bulky in appearance, it was a lump of iron without any shreds of elegance.

Sporting a shape like that of a casket, it gave off none of the functional beauty that you would find in a named katana designed for the purpose of cutting or a named gun composed from inorganic matters.

It even had a hint of vulgarity, as if it was something that had been given form after forcibly cramming necessary elements and diverse wishes into it, crude and wild.

That was exactly why it befitted it.

Even the mercy of the moonlight that could pierce through defenses was repelled.

The 『Name』 was.

『Gaki Lord War Casket (Over-Greed Gear)』

◇ ◇ ◇

「… Don’t ye reckon that’s a wee unfair?」

「Is, that, so?」

I put down the 『Gaki Lord War Casket (Over-Greed Gear)』, which before I know it has already been equipped on my left arm.

It loses its form and disappears.

That was the awakened state of the 『Gaki Lord War Casket (Over-Greed Gear)』.

Which means, Agite is a function (skill) attached to this guy, and is different from my authorities (skills) that have been sealed, huh.

It seems that even if it’s not in my hand, it’s possible to trigger that function.

And then, I can decide the place where it is manifested at will, huh.

I haven’t noticed it before since I have the Item Box, but well, it’s a useful bonus function.

Diana, who has lowered her bow, glares at the Gaki Lord War Casket.

「Well, it’s a concept (idea) that scrapes together original sins, aft all. Me moonlight be a blessin’ from the gods, ya know? T’ reject it can only be the karma o’ human beings.」

「Don’t bless other without permission….」

In other words, she’s saying that you can’t defend against it because it’s not ill will but good will, huh.

I refuse to accept such ridiculous logic.

「Hmph. If ye follow the moon god (me), ye ‘ave t’ endure at least that much trial… Though, well, fer better or worse, I’ve decided t’ give ye a passin’ grade.」

Huffing, Diana looks somewhat happy.

The arrows of light that have pierced all over my whole body cease their forms.

The pain that has burned my flesh and scorched my bones is also gone.

However, a tingling heat has been etched into the core of my body.

「But, that’s nah a sacred booty t’ be wielded by gods (us), ye know? That’s a mortal-made, mortal-use, mortal loot o’ the highest order.」

「I guess so.」

I understand somehow.

The way to use the Innate Armament (Origin Gear).

「… But that’s fine. I’m fine with being an ordinary man. I decide my own being.」

「Wieldin’ divine authority yet actin’ like a human, huh. Wha’ a greedy scallywag ye be.」

「Yeah. Exactly as you say.」

I couldn’t care less about the likes of gods or cheats.

Besides, this kind of thing is not the endpoint, but no more than a path.

「… Wha’ are ye doin’? Aren’t ye goin’ t’ make me give in?」

Removing the Gaki Lord War Casket from my left arm, I take off my helmet, before then putting my hands on my armor.

It’s a wonderful armor that has protected me against all of those bullet-like arrow barrages.

As for the light arrow, well, I guess that one is a thing of that kind.

On top of that, as long as I have the Gaki Lord War Casket with me, I can even nullify Diana’s authority and should be able to knock her down.

When all is said and done, this is, after all, a 『mortal treasure for man to murder god』.

But right now, I have no need for it.

Stretching my body, I stretch my arms, and twist my waist.

The now lightweight body is not bad, it’s perfect.

「Sorry for the wait.」

Lightly raising my fist, I assume a hanmi stance.

The shimenawa misanga wrapped around my wrist may have been an early Christmas present from Yuki-chan.

「I be nah intendin’ t’ look down on ye, ‘n I be nah goin’ t’ let me guard down either. But if it’s goin’ t’ be the same as afore, ye’ll die.」

Squinting, Diana holds up her bow, and countless arrows fill up the space behind her.

Well, I guess so.

If you are a human being, only death awaits you if you get hit by 10 or 20 arrows.

It hurts, and on top of that it’s scary.

That’s only natural.

That’s exactly why I sharpen myself.

I brush away Diana’s first shot, which makes her bow ring.

Not repelling it, but brushing it off.

If you put in unnecessary force, you will become just as much slower.

Ultimately, it’s just a momentary difference.

So I have to build it up.

I think by the time I can react to an arrow that flies at the same speed as a bullet, I’ve truly deviated from the realm of humanity.

But, if I were to say it, this is an extension of human beings.

I don’t care if it’s through doping or cybernetic, but this is an extension of the potential that such a person has.

Let’s put my trained muscles, martial arts expertise as well as battle experiences into it, and then put on the clog known as level.

Is that anything inferior to an authority (skill), I wonder?

As Diana’s arrows once again come raining down at me, I carefully stroke them and brush them away.

I won’t deny authority (skill).

But like everything else, it’s not something to be wielded, utilized, or to drown yourself into, but no more than one of the elements to be stacked upon your foundation.

I thank her for reminding me of that.

「A, aahhhh!!」

The ringing string of Diana, whose pulling hand I can’t see, echoes.

Remain staring fixedly at that face of hers, without changing my stance of posture, I use my toes to sidle up to her.

The distance between the two of us is reduced by one toe worth.

As I thought, the authority that denies others from drawing near to her will not be triggered unless Diana is aware of it.

Taking a step back, I breathe out.

Breathing is important in battle.

When you hold your breath, it’s easy to draw out power, and when you let your breath out, it’s hard to put in power.

In the presence of an authority, the difference may be as insignificant as dust.

But let’s build that up too.

Diana, adjusting her breathing, stops her hand for a moment and breathes out.

「Here it comes.」

「—Ah.」

Removing the strain from my knees, starting from my toes, I interlock all the joints throughout my body.

Me-style, No-Tempo.

Leaving Diana’s consciousness behind, I break through to the back of her perception, which has become her blind spot.

I forcibly traverse the 10 meters distance with the built up clogs.

As Diana stiffens up while still pulling her bow, my right fist is connected to her solar plexus.

「M, me defeat.」

「Mm.」

The cheers of the amazonesses, whose existence I have forgotten, echo through the air.

The equally excited baby Nue is charging at me, but I hope it could wait for a bit.

A number of arrows that I failed to dodge are stuck in me, and it hurts a little.