Chapter 157: Ex-Staff
“Why does it stretch?” Dean looked at En and Baku’s weapons, still not convinced.
“It’s easier to just give up early,” the Butler said. But there’s a huge difference between accepting something and giving up!
“My sword’s effect is like a downgraded version of the King Wolf’s—guess my magic power just isn’t enough,” Dean said. Since he swung rather than slashed, Dinoss’s sword was thick, but even more so, it was a heavy great sword.
The flames that overflowed were a bit feeble compared to Dinoss’s.
“Hehe! Behold my magnificent sword!” Chris’s rapier sparkled with light every time he swung it.
“Guahhh!”
“Whoa!”
I had anticipated this, so I covered my eyes with my arm behind Ash, escaping unscathed.
Rolling on the ground were Chris and Dean, who had been swinging their swords. The children were safely sheltered by Dinoss and Shiva.
“Unlike fire, it’s inconvenient that I can’t direct it,” the Butler remarked with an unbothered expression.
“Thanks. Hmm, is it my turn?” Ash stepped over the two sprawled on the ground.
Well, it’s not as strong as that burning white light I unleashed back home, so it should be fine. But just to be safe, I’ll quietly cast [Healing] on them later.
Ash stepped forward and swung his sword.
It wasn’t quite the hourglass figure, but it did have a nice curve. If I gave him summer clothes, I could take his old ones for resizing.
Water enveloped the blade, slicing through nearby branches like a sharp knife.
“I wobbled a bit. Looks like I need more practice,” Ash sheathed his sword, his expression serious, clearly displeased with the trajectory of the water blade.
“Long-range attacks are nice, huh? Plus, they don’t ruin the material,” I recalled that Dinoss’s flames could potentially ruin materials, just like Dean’s.
While burning damage is a factor in combat, fire might still be the better option.
“Alright, my turn,” Retze’s sword showed enthusiasm, and green vines began to sprout.
“Wait. Don’t try to absorb from Dean and Chris,” Retze stopped the vines as they started to wiggle toward the two who were sitting with their heads in their hands.
“So… is there no need to swing the sword?”
“Doesn’t seem like it,” Retze replied to Ash’s puzzled inquiry.
“Vines that creep up without a sound? That sounds quite handy,” Ash mused.
“The activation is my will, but after that, it does as it pleases. It might be because I can’t use my magic power myself.”
The vines returned silently, wrapping around Retze’s arm.
“Seems like it’s quite attached to you?”
“I take good care of it,” Retze said, likely nurturing it diligently, even with the sword stuck in a flowerpot.
“Looks like it’s my turn now.” I stepped forward, pondering what to do.
“What is that? Did you make it, Gene?” Dean, now revived, asked.
“It looks like a branch, but did you carve it out?” Chris examined the Ex-Staff closely.
“It’s quite a well-shaped branch, but it doesn’t look carved,” Ash commented.
“Hehehe! It’s not just a stick; it’s the Ex-Staff!”
“Yo! Master! I’m the Konkon Staff EX! You can call me Ex-Staff! Being just a stick is fine by me!”
Just a stick is fine? Now that’s some identity.
Several people froze at the sight of the Ex-Staff that appeared from the tip. The three who recognized it turned their heads away, covering their mouths to stifle their sighs.
“A Spirit Possessed stick—how unusual,” Ash remarked, maintaining his usual demeanor.
“Wow! So cute!”
“A spirit! A spirit!”
“I’ve never seen one so clearly before!”
The children’s eyes widened in surprise, but they quickly gathered around, excited.
“Yo! I’m strong!” The Ex-Staff puffed up proudly.
“Note, since you have the Ex-Staff, could you cut with it?”
“…The Ex-Staff, you say?”
“Yeah.”
“…”
The Butler stood frozen with a smile, not moving.
“I’ll take over. It’s rare for you to hesitate, Note.”
“Wait, are you really going to do it?”
“You’re the strange one! It’s not like I’m going to slash Gene!”
Dinoss looked suspicious, while Shiva appeared puzzled.
Retze averted his gaze.
“Come on!”
“Here I go!”
“Ahhh…!”
It probably wasn’t meant to be serious, but Shiva swung her sword straight down with a rather light shout, followed by a deep, booming scream from someone.
“…! My arm is tingling.”
The Ex-Staff was unscathed, but my hand, which was supporting it, felt numb up to my elbow.
“My word!”
“That’s bad for the heart!”
Shiva was astonished, while the Butler pressed his chest, Dinoss sat down, and Retze wore an exasperated expression.
“Even though it looks like the sharpest sword here, that’s impressive!”
“Yeah. Thank goodness it wasn’t Dinoss’s great sword.”
If a blow stronger than that had come, [Healing] would have activated. Gold Rank is truly something else.
“Not knowing is a blessing…” Retze muttered.