Volume 6 Chapter 142
Haruto and the Four Heroes (6/7)
Two years and seven months had passed since coming to this world, and 『I』 had reached level 180. On the other hand, while Takato had been in this world for only about five months, he had reached a limit he couldn’t surpass—level 300.
『I』 had been tirelessly working to stop the Stampedes occurring all over the world, mainly defeating B-rank or lower monsters, which made leveling up quite challenging.
High-level monsters and demons were mostly left to Takato, which resulted in him getting stronger quite quickly.
Well, such things didn’t matter much.
If it meant that the world where the girl I loved, Tina, lived would become peaceful, all it took was someone defeating the Demon King—even if it wasn’t me—was what I thought.
And then, one day…
「Tina, I like you. Become mine」
Takato confessed to Tina. While his condescending confession irritated 『me』, coming from the world’s strongest hero, it was quite an approach.
I felt the urge to punch Takato, but I held back, thinking I should also consider Tina’s feelings.
「It’s a greatly honorable offer, but I’m sorry, I decline」
Tina turned down Takato’s confession.
Internally, 『I』 was overjoyed.
「Huh? W-Why!? I’m the strongest in this world, aren’t I? If I decide, I can even conquer the world. Why would you reject an offer from me!?」
What is he even saying—-
Is he trying to become a Demon King?
「I like Haruto-sama」
「Huh!?」
Shocking words came out of Tina’s mouth.
Startled, 『I』 stopped in my tracks.
Facing Takato, Tina had her back to me, but I could see her ears turning bright red through her hair.
Tina liked 『me』—I never would have thought…… But now that I think about it.
──***──
「Hehe, I defeated many monsters again today! Please pat me, Haruto-sama」
After defeating monsters or healing people, Tina always asked 『me』 to pat her head. When I did it in private, she seemed incredibly happy.
──***──
「Oh, do you want seconds? I’m sorry, this is the last one. So, please have some of mine. Here, say ‘ah.’」
Tina’s home-cooked meals were quite delicious. And when I asked for seconds, she told me there was no more left and offered me hers instead.
Of course, it was Tina’s spoon.
Indirect kiss—-
And when the food on Tina’s plate was gone, she often said, 「Oh, there’s actually more left」and brought more food from the kitchen.
──***──
「Haruto-sama, is it alright if we sleep together again today?」
Despite saving towns and villages from monsters and refusing rewards offered by the residents, we were always broke, as we weren’t skilled at dismantling monsters for materials.
Both Tina and I weren’t good at it.
Occasionally, we’d gather simple-to-remove parts from monsters to sell for a bit of money to cover our lodging. However, we couldn’t afford luxury, so we started sharing a room based on Tina’s suggestion.
When we slept, Tina always snuggled up to 『me』, With a cute girl clinging to you, how could you not feel happy? So, I didn’t complain.
──Yeah, Tina might have started liking 『me』 a little while ago. That’s what some of her actions seemed to suggest.
Our races were different, and Tina was a beauty. I had thought she wouldn’t have any interest in 『me』, but I realized that wasn’t the case.
『I』 liked Tina. Liked her a lot.
Discovering that we were mutually in love made me happy.
Although Tina was the one who confessed…
I was in a state of happiness.
But then, a fool came and ruined that happiness—-
「Haruto, your level is below 200l! Even if you’re called a hero, aren’t you just my failed equivalent!?」
「Haruto-sama isn’t weak! Do you understand how many villages and towns he’s saved? How many people are grateful for him?」
Takato belittled 『me』, but Tina defended 『me』.
「Haruto-sama is the true hero!!」
Takato fell silent after Tina’s words.
And then—-
「Haruto, fight me」
「Huh?」
What is he talking about?
Takato was level 300, and 『I』 was only level 180.
The outcome was pretty clear.
「If you refuse to fight me….. I won’t defeat the Demon King」
「What…… are you talking about!?」
「If I win, give me Tina」
To begin with, 『I』 wasn’t even dating Tina, so it wasn’t possible to give her to him even if he asked.
Well, even if we were dating, I had no intention of giving Tina to Takato.
「If I’m not around, you won’t be able to defeat the Demon King. Come on, fight me!!」
Saying that, Takato drew his sword.
He seemed serious.
No, it’s hopeless. There’s no use saying anything to him right now.
Should I just go defeat the Demon King with Tina alone? But that would risk putting her in danger.
So, I needed Takato’s strength as an ally.
「Alright. If I win, you have to help me defeat the Demon King」
「That’s impossible」
Daichi and the others tried to stop it, but when Takato glared, they fell silent.
The battle between the level 300 hero and the underachieving level 180 hero had begun.
「Die!」
Right from the start, Takato unleashed an attack with a serious intent to kill. The attack had the power to obliterate even an S-rank dragon in a single strike.
『I』 reacted to the attack by…
Swiftly deflecting it.
「What!?」
Takato’s expression turned to shock.
Of course.
A straightforward attack relying solely on stats, even if fast, is easily avoidable. Of course, a direct hit would deal significant damage.
However, the divine sword given by God and the experience gained from fighting thousands—no, tens of thousands—of monsters allowed 『me』 to bridge the 120-level difference.
Takato’s attack missed ‘me,’ while 『my』 attacks gradually inflicted wounds on him.
「Damn it!」
As his attacks missed, Takato grew frustrated
I can keep this up.
──I thought so, but at that moment, Takato released a massive amount of magic.
「Haruto, you’re… strong. So, if you can withstand this, I’ll acknowledge you. I’ll even help you with defeating the Demon King」
Takato conjured a massive spear made of lightning.
One of the two ultimate lightning spells.
Unlike the widespread destruction of Ultima Thunder, this was the ultimate magic tailored to targeting individuals.
Given the difference in stats, he was clearly coming to kill ‘me.’ He agitatedly provoked me to prevent me from evading the attack.
Further, behind 『me』 was Tina, watching our battle with a concerned expression. Without my realizing, she had positioned herself there.
By preventing me from evading the attack, Takato was trying to ensure that Tina would get hit if I did.
「…Come on」
「──!? Y-You arrogant bastard! Die while regretting it!!」
Takato, provoked by 『my』 taunt, unleashed a magic that should never be directed at a human.
A lightning spear shot toward me at super speed.
As for how 『I』 reacted to it—
I deflected it with my right hand.
「──Huh?」
Takato was astonished and froze in place.
The highest level in this world is 300.
After being transferred by the gods and fully blessed, a hero who defeated countless demons finally reaches the limit at level 300.
Takato, being level 300, is the strongest in this world. 『I』 effortlessly blocked the strongest attack magic of this world’s mightiest hero.
Because behind me was someone to protect—Tina.
Activated Guardian skill, doubling all my stats. I had surpassed the limits of this world, having stats equivalent to level 360.
As long as Tina was behind me, there was no one in this world who could defeat 『me』 in my current state.
Now, should I try to rehabilitate the fallen hero?
I moved to Takato’s side. I merely walked, but with my staggering level 360 stats, Takato was utterly shocked by the sudden appearance of 『me』 in front of him.
And with all my might, directed toward Takato’s face—-
I struck him with my fist.
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