Translated: Sei, MTL-sensei-tachi
Edited: Sei, Grammarly no Danna
Source: Syosetu

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Chapter 261


　This is the fourth time I've fought Koga.
　The first time was in Hinomoto.
　The second time was a battle with the demon king's army.
　The third time, well, I'm not sure if I can call it a battle, but it was when I encountered him in the ruins.
　Whenever he saw my face, he would try to challenge me to a fight by any means necessary.
　To be honest, I found him annoying and a troublesome opponent.
　But even so, I knew I had to settle the score with him.

"Orah!"
"!"

　Our fists collided.
　After a brief moment of tension, my fist, which was stronger than Koga's, blasted Koga's body backward with all its might.
　Koga, who had regained his stance and landed on the ground before being knocked to the ground, covered his head with black magic and shouted in high spirits.

"Ha, I guess you're better than me in terms of power! You're a monster, even by the looks!"
"Who's the monster!!"
"Oops!"

　Koga, who had avoided the healing flying fist that shot out, enlarged his whole body as if to bloat it.
　A form that mimics my elasticity grant...!
　In addition to that, four scythes extend from his back.

"There there!"
"You're trying to fight me with your hands...? Ferrum!!"
『Leave it to me!』

　Just like Koga, black magic power from dark magic extends from my back and transforms into black wings with hands.
　The sharp, blade-like wings clash with the scythe that comes at me at high speed, making a metallic sound.

『I can only handle two at most! Nea, you get to work too!!』
『I know!』

　Nea gives me resistance to slashing attacks.
　If the limit is exceeded, it will be destroyed, but it is enough for me now.
　I thrust my right arm, equipped with a silver gauntlet, forward and breathe slowly.

"Magic Power Circulates"

　Move the magic power with the elasticity grant created at high speed.
　Move it to the foot and accelerate it by stepping into it.
　Move it to the fist and add punching power.
　Move it to the attacked area to soften the impact.

"———"

　I follow the attacks with my eyes and repel them all with my right arm.
　Don't back down.
　Block, handle, receive, and assess the opponent's attack.

"———Here it is."

　A big blow was delivered.
　As I parried it backward, I strongly stepped forward with my left foot, which was imbued with elasticity.

"Wha?!"
"Healing Bullet Fist!!"

　With a high-speed step, I strike with a healing bullet punch.
　Just like the Healing Multi-Strike Fist, it is a strike that reaches deep into the body.
　Combined with the added power of the Blurin, the force should have been strong enough to send Koga's consciousness flying ——— but what came back to his fist was a surprisingly dull sensation.
　It felt like I was punching hard rubber.
　Before the impact could penetrate, Koga grabbed my right arm.

"Kuh, hahaha."
"!!"
"You're really amazing. Honestly, I respect you. I never imagined there was a fighting style like this. So I learned from you."
"Nea, use a binding spell———"

　Has this guy even mastered the application of my elasticity granting technique...?!
　The black magic power covering Koga's body distorts and bursts unnaturally, and a jet-black sword mountain attacks me.
　An unexpected outburst of system strengthening...!

『Dangerous!』

　While preventing it while wearing a robe of dark magic with Ferrum's tact, I slam a kick into Koga who grabs my arm and takes distance.
　It seemed I wasn't able to block everything, as I used healing magic to heal the bleeding wounds on my cheek and right shoulder, glaring at Koga who had broken the binding spell that had been cast on his body.

"You even managed to copy the sudden outburst of system strengthening and the application of elasticity granting...!"
"Everyone wants to imitate a strong person, right? Especially if that person is a worthy opponent."
"Haaah..."

　If my outburst of system strengthening is a shock wave that dissipates healing magic, then Koga's outburst is dangerous because it sends out sharp thorns along with a shock wave from the dark magic he has stored up.
　When it comes to the elasticity grant, unlike me, he can do it with his whole body.

"And then———"

　The dark magic that covers Koga transforms even more.
　The expanding body has muscles flowing like real flesh, sharp claws on both arms, and both legs have been transformed into the legs of a beast that has been pushed to the limit of its agility.
　The mask with its mouth ripped wide open and porcupine-like spines extending from its head to its back.
　Koga, who has transformed into a figure that can hardly be described as a monster, smiles happily as he examines his own appearance.

"You change form every time you fight. Seriously."
"This is the best version of me right now."

　How many transformations does this guy have?
　In terms of number of times alone, I think it easily surpasses most bosses.

"...I guess I should stop thinking too much about it."
『Usato, what are you going to do...?』

　Seeing Koga in front of her, Nea spoke with a hint of anxiety.
　After catching my breath once more, I gave her a reassuring smile.

"If you can't reason logically, then just force it and beat him down."
『Y-You mean?』
"Just keep punching him."
『I knew that. That's right. You're that kind of guy, right? On the contrary, I'm relieved.』

　I can't allow him to copy my techniques any further.
　It's unfortunate, but it's true that Koga and I have similar fighting styles.
　So, the difference between superior and inferior is———,

"Let's decide who has more guts...!"
『Ferrum, this guy is about to go off the rails like never before!? This muscle-brain idiot is getting worse!?』
『It's okay. The same goes for that stupid army commander.』

　Opposing me, Koga was also fired up for battle.
　He seemed to be full of motivation as well.
　As I strengthened my assimilation with Blurin, I crouched down, ready to jump forward at any time.

"Let's go, prepare yourself! Nea!!"
『You're going to do it even if I don't want to anyway, right?! Then let's go!!』
"All~ right!"

　I leaped forward with all my might, raising my fist.
　Koga, like a beast, puts all his limbs on the ground and leaps towards me.
　We fought back and forth as we moved across the vast passageway in all directions.
　I swung my fist with all my might, and Koga unleashed his sharp claws.
　If I try to grab it and throw him, Koga blocks it with an outburst of system strengthening.

"Even in that ostentatious appearance, it seems I'm stronger!!"
"That's just because you're weird!!"
"What the hell are you talking about, you bast*rd!"

　Crushing the outburst with my gauntlets, I grabbed Koga's arm and slammed his body into the stone pillar.
　Once is not enough.
　I grab his leg with my other arm and destroy him with my body while rushing toward the pillars that are lined up in a regular pattern.

"Argh?! It hurts?! Stop it already!!"
"Muh?!"

　My arm is knocked off and I am kicked in the side of the head.
　As if in response, an outburst of system strengthening is triggered from Koga's left arm, and a number of blades pierce me.
　A pain runs through my stomach, but I grit my teeth and endure it.

『A-Are you ok———』
"Oi, are you kidding me...?"

　I grab the black thorn that's piercing my stomach and crush it.
　It looks like he is smug about it because it worked before, but it won't work on me now, you bast*rd.

"If I knew it would stab, there's no way I wouldn't be able to bear it...!"
"No, I think that logic is wrong! It worked the last time it stabbed you!"

　I grabbed Koga by the collar and he headbutted me in a desperate attempt.
　My forehead collided with the hard mask and I felt pain, but I endured it with determination.

"Is it over? Hmph!!"
"Guoh?!"

　With my other hand, I grabbed him by the chest and head-butted him.
　Although no damage was done, the impact was felt and Koga staggered backwards.
　Using healing magic to heal my forehead, I brushed back my blood-soaked bangs.

"Do you think how long have I been trained? Just because I was pierced in the stomach and leg will make me panic? If so, you're underestimating me."
『I think it's a mortal wound for a normal human』
『You're like Rose now...scary』
『Guah』

　If I had to explain it, it's guts.
　If I know it's going to stab, I can brace my abdominal muscles too, and most importantly, it's still not as bad as Rose's blow.
　My internal organs weren't shaken, so I'm still safe.

"Kaha, you really are an incredible human!"

　The giant arm is swung down towards me.
　I leap to the side to avoid it and strike at Koga.
　The same offensive and defensive battle as before continues, shattering the stone pillars and marble floors, and destroying the surroundings.

"Haaa!!"
"Yes!!"

　The sword extending from my arm clashes with the blade transformed by Koga's left arm.
　When the movement finally stopped, Koga laughed more happily.

"This is fun, Usato!"
"I'm not having any fun...!"
"Considering that, you seem quite lively!"
"Shut up...!"

　I try to push the sword in by brute force, but Koga, who immediately moves backward, leaps and delivers a heel drop using the outburst of system strengthening.
　I blocked it with my gauntlet, but the force of the slam down on me from above caused a large crack to appear on the floor I was standing on.

"I bet it is!! You came here to face Demon King-sama up ahead!!"
"If you know that then get out of the way!!"
"No way!"

　Koga kicked my arm, did a somersault and landed on the ground, then used his elasticity to bounce and attack again.
　I guess that means he's not intending to move, no matter what...!

『Usato, there's no point in saying anything more to that idiot』
"Ferrum...!"
『It's very unfortunate, but I understand how he feels. We're both dark wizards after all...』

　I look at Koga again.
　He is probably thinking about nothing but the fight.
　I can feel his spirit, and more than anything, I can feel his excitement through his blows.

『You're the only one who can stop him. Not Suzune or Kazuki, only you can do it』
"..."
『It is your responsibility, too, to have faced a single dark wizard named Koga』

　———It takes a few seconds to comprehend Ferrum's words, and then I close my eyes for a moment.
　In order to overcome this battle and reach the Demon King, Koga must be defeated.
　Fighting is all Koga knows.
　I have known that since the first time we fought, and I still understand that.
　That's why the only way to stop Koga now is to fight and win.

"Haaah!"

　A thorny fist is unleashed due to the outburst of system strengthening.
　Sensing this from the sound of the wind, I opened my eyes wide and blocked the fist head-on.
　Several thorns pierce my palm, but I still block them and glare straight at Koga.

"Clench your teeth!!"
"!!"
"Hmph!!"

　I slam my fist, which seems to swing up from below, into Koga's abdomen and launch him into the air.
　The centrifugal force was then applied to the fist, and with the elasticity gathered in the fist, I hit the ground with all my might and charged at Koga, who was in the air.

"Koga! I will defeat you!!"
"Ha, let's have some more fun! It'd be too sad to end it like this!!"

　The fist that I swung like a hammer and the fist that Koga thrust out in the air hit me at the same time.
　The next moment, my body and Koga's body hit the ceiling at the same time ——— shattering it.

——— seireitranslations.blogspot.com ———

Author's Notes:
Even if you get stabbed, you won't be affected. That is, if you have healing magic.