Episode 266: Dark Knight
The enemy’s sword struck Rui’s shoulder. Rui put his strength into it and deployed a “Flame Barrier,” deflecting the slash.
However, Rui himself was blown away by the impact.
He rolled spectacularly on the ground but somehow managed to right himself and stand up.
“What is this!? What is this guy!?”
He pointed the tip of his katana at the monster. But the opponent was already gone. An unpleasant premonition ran through his entire body.
When he looked, the monster was right next to him. It raised its sword high in its right hand, looking down at him.
I’m going to be killed! The moment Rui thought that, a loud voice was heard.
“Rui! Jump to the side!!”
Rui reflexively crouched down and jumped to the side. It was Yuma, dyed black all over, who stopped the monster’s descending sword.
He was blocking the sword with his arms crossed.
Yuma’s body gradually grew larger and was covered in black armor. No monster can beat Yuma in his “Black Armor” form. Rui breathed a sigh of relief.
“Be careful, Yuma! That guy’s speed is abnormal!!”
“I know!”
Red veins flowed through Yuma’s body. His power increased, and he repelled the monster’s sword.
The opponent was fast, but Yuma’s speed in that state was extraordinary. Yuma kicked the ground and approached the opponent at a speed that left afterimages.
◇◇◇
The black monster’s speed overwhelmed Rui. Yuma was shocked by this.
It was the first time he had seen Rui struggling.
Yuma started running and activated his “Metallization” ability. His skin was dyed black, and his entire body turned into steel.
The monster raised its sword high and tried to slash Rui. I have to step in!
Yuma jumped between the monster and Rui, and blocked the descending sword with both arms. It was quite powerful, but not threatening.
Using the Bloodstained Ore, he greatly increased his physical abilities. Yuma pushed back the sword, extended a sword from the back of his right hand, and stepped forward.
The ground was gouged out as if it had exploded, and the distance was closed in an instant.
If he used the Bloodstained Ore in this form, he wouldn’t lose in speed. Yuma thought so and swung his right-hand sword.
The blade hit the opponent’s neck! At that moment, when he was convinced of that, the monster disappeared.
“Eh!?”
Yuma was dumbfounded. The next moment, a shock ran through his back. “What!?” He thought and looked back, and the black monster was swinging its sword down.
Was he cut!? In the back… He couldn’t believe that he had moved in an instant.
Yuma tried to attack again. He swung his sword many times, but it didn’t hit at all. But the opponent’s sword hit Yuma’s body directly many times.
Although there was no damage, he lost his balance and staggered.
As if aiming for that, he slammed the shield in his left hand at him. Yuma couldn’t stand it and fell, landing on his butt.
“Yuma!”
Rui ran up with his sword ready. Yuma stopped Rui with his hand and slowly stood up.
During that time, the monster stood leisurely. Was it meant to show his composure?
“Rui! I’ll take care of this guy. You take those people and evacuate.”
“O-Okay. I think I’ll be fine, but be careful!”
“Yeah.”
Rui took a step, then two steps back, turned around, and started running. He called out to Felix and the others, and they left the scene together.
Yuma, facing the monster, cracked his neck and glared at the enemy.
This guy’s speed is insane. It was hard to believe that he was being outpaced even with the Bloodstained Ore, but there was no doubt that he was losing in speed.
But that doesn’t mean he can’t handle it.
Yuma put strength into his body and circulated “Wind Magical Power” throughout his body.
Green glowing patterns floated on the black armor. When Yuma took a step, the wind burst and his foot was pushed out.
He closed the distance with the monster at a tremendous speed.
The wind magical power running through his entire body reduced air resistance, and his body became as light as a feather. Yuma was confident in the speed he had never experienced before.
At this speed, he can catch him.
Thinking so, he swung his right-hand sword. But—
“What!?”
The sword cut through the air. The black monster lightly dodged the attack and swung its sword as if dancing.
Yuma received the sword with his left arm. The opponent’s sword was repelled by the power of “Wind,” and the monster slightly lost its balance. Yuma thought, “Now!” and swung his sword down.
But again, it was dodged.
–No way… Can’t I catch him even with this much acceleration!?
The monster spun around and slashed his shoulder. The sword was repelled with a clang, and although there was no damage, it was meaningless if his attack didn’t hit.
Yuma gnashed his teeth and extended a sword from the back of his left hand as well.
He swung the swords in both hands and launched a fierce attack. However, all of them were dodged.
“Damn it! What’s going on!!”
He wasn’t losing in pure speed. It’s just that the opponent is ahead of him because he doesn’t make unnecessary movements.
He was slashed in the face and shoulder with a sword, and he couldn’t help but take a step back.
The opponent also stopped moving, and the two glared at each other. While they were cautiously checking each other, Yuma moved first.
An explosive rush using wind magical power.
He slashed with his sword, but it was easily parried by the large shield the monster had. Yuma rotated his body and launched another attack, but this was also parried by the shield.
He blocked the opponent’s slash with his sword and took a step forward.
The monster’s attacks don’t work. He has to keep attacking, even if it’s a little forceful!
Yuma moved around at high speed and launched countless slashes. The monster avoided all of those attacks and counterattacked with its sword.
The two black monsters were engaged in a fierce battle at a speed that was too fast to see.
◇◇◇
Rui and Felix were running along the cracked road, jumping over rubble, and heading towards the city.
“Hey! What was that just now!? Your friend turned into a monster-like figure!”
Felix frowned as he ran.
“He’s a Seeker who uses a slightly different ability. He looks a little scary, but he’s a normal human being inside, so don’t worry.”
Rui spoke with a smile, but Felix and his companions didn’t seem convinced. Rui tried to change the subject, coughed, and opened his mouth.
“More importantly, what is that monster? I’ve never seen or heard of such a fast monster.”
Felix bit his lip tightly. The group stopped in the shadow of a building and were wary of monsters around them.
After confirming that there were no monsters around, Felix turned his gaze to Rui.
“That is a special monster called a ‘Dark Knight (Donkel Ritter).'”
“Dark Knight (Donkel Ritter)… Is that the official name?”
Felix closed his eyes and shook his head slightly.
“I don’t know the details. A Seeker I met before told me. It seems to be a type of monster called a Unique Monster.”
“I see… So, what happened to that Seeker?”
Felix and his companions fell silent. From that reaction, he could guess most of it.
“He died. There were many other Seekers, but they were all killed. There are probably no more Seekers in Berlin at least.”
“I see… So, he was killed by that Dark Knight (Donkel Ritter) after all.”
“No, it’s true that many Seekers were killed by the Dark Knight (Donkel Ritter). But the most terrifying thing in this city isn’t the Dark Knight (Donkel Ritter).”
“Eh? Is there an even stronger monster!?”
Rui was surprised and widened his eyes.
“Yeah, that’s right. We call it the [Conglomerate].”