by Ainana Hiro
After receiving that much concentrated fire the demon finally suffered about 20% damage.
I bear the two-handed sword to on my shoulder. I have no problem wielding it, but it's hard to balance my body due to the weight. It's good that I become younger and all, but since my body also became lighter it might be a minus in a battle.
For now, the demon is too close to the magicians' base. If I don't somehow lead it away from the plaza…
I don't want you to misunderstand me, this is not because some sort of heroism of not wanting any victims. The reason is quite selfish; they do damage the demon, however small it is, so it's troubling if they're all annihilated.
The demon attacks during the gap where my thoughts derailed. Dashing on the ground, the poisonous claws rushed towards me!
Even if tried to shake the demon off with the two-handed sword, it boldly closed the distance not letting me get away.
I throw the two-handed sword at the demon to elude the poisonous claws, taking out a hatchet from the mantle and use it to cut the demon.
Because the hatchet stuck deeper than I thought, I left it there and avoided the demon's counter.
>[One-Handed Axe Skill Acquired]
While empty-handed, I'm exchanging blow with the demon while retreating.
Sometimes, I pick up weapons dropped by the soldiers on the ground to add onto the attack. Since I haven't activate physical attack related skills, the damage I'm doing is small.
Should I break the deadlock soon?
Most knights have wounds all over the body, only a few of them are unhurt. There aren't any useless shots from the magicians either, seems that they ran out of magic power.
Seemingly, it's not only me who thinks so, from the castle gate several horses come out pulling a cannon.
I position myself to divert the demon's attention from the gate until the cannon finished setting up.
When I get near the wreckages I draw the demon's attention, behind the wreckages, I switch my weapon. I put a blacksmith's hammer onto my waist, and wield a two-handed axe and a sledgehammer in each hand.
It's not really practical but thanks to my maxed STR, I can wield it just fine. Maybe because I look ferocious, the demon's expression become unpleasant.
I jump from behind the carriage. First let's strike with the sledgehammer!
The demon guarded to the right with both hands but without minding it I slashed from the opposite side with the two-handed axe.
The axe cut through, and the arm fell!
...I remember, from some manga, about an episode of an arm that had been separated from the body attacking independently. Let's pay attention to that arm...
>[Two-Handed Axe Skill Acquired]
>[Two-Handed Hammer Skill Acquired]
>[Dual Wielding Skill Acquired]
>[Superhuman Strength Skill Acquired]
Though it's a different story with a surprise attack, after all fighting using a sledgehammer with one hand is difficult, I fight single mindedly with the two-handed axe.
The cannon still isn't prepared yet.
The demon inhale greatly.
Magic!
I close the distance. But, that was a bad move.
The demon let out an acid breath!
Even though I've seen it once! I completely forgot that it has this kind of attack!
I guarded with the axe which immediately broke, the wig and the robe got terribly burnt.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch!"
I go to the nearest cover, throw off the robe behind the bronze statue, and wear a new mantle. I wore commoner clothes underneath the robe yet there's also a large hole in it too.
If the surface area of the axe wasn't big, my face would have burned...
>[Decay Resistance Skill Acquired]
>[Quick Dressing Skill Acquired]
I allocate [Decay Resistance] and [Quick Dressing] with skill points.
I wonder what the variety for skills are, I want a wiki.
Since the axe is no longer usable as a weapon, I throw it away; I try to strike once with the blacksmith hammer from my waist. Since it didn't seem very effective, I put it back when I got the skill.
>[One-Handed Hammer Skill Acquired]
>[Blacksmith Skill Acquired]
I think blacksmithing is quite different to this...
Meanwhile, the cannon installation is complete, but it seems that it will require some time before it could fire.
I pick up the sledgehammer which I discarded earlier.
Of course the demon doesn't let up his attacks, but whether it's because of the avoid skill, or because I'm getting used to fighting, I've reached the point where I have some margins in this fight.
I should end this soon...
I allocate skill points to [One-Handed Sword].
The cannon seems to be ready to fire. Magicians on both side of the cannon begin to to cast spells.
The demon seems to be really worried about the cannon. Its putting up an air.
The demon charges toward the cannon during the gap when I avoided its tail attack!
I discard the heavy sledgehammer, and pick up a sword lying on the way while chasing the demon.
The demon, with agility belying that huge body, jumps over multiple soldiers who block the way.
The light soldier with spears immediately cover but they become prey to the poisonous claw.
But the demon stopped.
Just like the demon, I jump over the soldiers and cut one wing off the demon, then I pierce the sword to its leg and stitch it to the ground. After getting the sword skill, I could understand the principle of swordsmanship. The demon only has 30% remaining on its HP gauge.
Furthermore, I pull the only remaining arm of the demon to the ground.
I intersect the demon's arm to its leg, and with my free hand pick a spear left by the killed soldiers earlier to use it to crucify the demon on the ground.
>[Fighting Skill Acquired]
>[Capture Skill Acquired]
I look at the a person who looks like a commander besides the cannon who's measuring the timing to shoot the cannon.
I fix the demon with another spear, and nodded there.
The commander swing down his arm, at the same time, I jump off from the line of fire.
The cannon shoots out a buckshot and innumerable wound appear on the demon's. Moreover, as a final blow, a magic combo like earlier struck.
I wonder if the cannon can’t shoot multiple rounds, it didn't finish the dying demon. The magicians probably don't have enough magic power either, only three people cast spells.
I could end it if I run there with the sword but let's give the honor of ending the demon's life to those guys. Like I said earlier, this is not out of goodwill; even if the opponent is a demon, I don't like killing with my own hand. It's really stupid, but I'm from society unrelated to violence since a long time ago... Even though I eat meat and fish, I shirk on killing.
Putting that aside...
The demon used the tattered hand freed from the stitch to lift up its body from the ground, raised a roar and destroyed the cannon with lightning magic. Is there no one who could use a barrier anymore?!
Then the slightly late magicians use magic to shave the little of the demon's strength (HP).
Furthermore, the knights get off their horses and sidle up to the demon with their long swords ready.
...It'll end after the encircling completely, huh. Amen~
The end can already be seen, but the demon hasn't given up yet.
The hand which has been restrained by the knights is thrust into its own chest, pulling out a dark red heart. The pulled heart is fast begin to pulse harder. Matching the violent movement, light overflow.
The knights hurriedly try to destroy the heart, but they don't make it in time.
With loud bursting sound, the heart breaks apart!
When the light subsided, several magicians who set up barriers have become corpses in a heap. Only the lower half remaining o
f the demon's dead body. The ground is gouged in a fan shaped form following the demon's direction toward the castle gate, the gate itself has been partially destroyed.
The demon's corpse falls apart and becomes black dust.
I slip into the alley during the clamor and hide myself.
>Title [Combat-Ready] Acquired
>Title [Skilled Warrior] Acquired
>Title [One Who Dances With Demons] Acquired
>Title [Hero] Acquired
...I wonder if the last one is sarcasm.
Web Novel Volume 2
2-1. Disaster Relief and the Shrine Maiden
* * *
Satou's here. Feeling like a veteran warrior, but after all I'm just an average citizen, Satou.
Although it's hard to call this a victory, for once, the battle is over.
Hereafter is the battle of lifesaving and rebuilding.
It's about time for a harem candidate to appear, right?
◇
I take off the robe and mantle in a desolate back-alley. Overlapping with all map exploration magic to check for human sign, I also took off my disguise.
Well it's just a wig and a mask though...
I put the disguise set and the robe in the forbidden folder inside the storage.
Which robe should I use now?
I take out a uselessly gaudy robe.
This one should be okay.
I decide to return to the street after changing to the gaudy robe. Of course, using a different route.
There's a soldier's corpse stuck on the tree branch along the way. To be flown to this place.... I join my hands to pray for it.
For now let's return to the plaza after performing an obligatory prayer.
"Err... The gaudy person over there~."
...Somehow there's a voice coming down from the tree.
Confirming on the radar, the corpse earlier isn't a corpse at all, somehow it's quite alive.
I look up.
"I'm sorry, could you call some soldiers? It's okay to do it after the battle in the plaza is over."
The first impression is quite favorable due to the absence of "help me".
However even though the soldier is caught in the tree's branches... The hands and feet aren't turned toward strange directions.
Now then, is there any scaffolding to help the soldier?
...Guess I'll just kick that window and land on the other branch.
I fly to branch near the soldier. In consideration for possible fracture, I land while trying not to shake the branch.
"Well then, I'll carry you down so please don't move."
"Eh, how did you get here? Please don't push yourself and just call the other soldiers!"
I silently carry the soldier in my arms.
If the soldier has fractured bones then landing on the ground could be dangerous... Since there are at least 4 meter until the ground.
Thus, I jump to the slightly higher roof next to the branch.
"Though I jumped while taking care not to jolt you as much as possible, are you all right?"
"Yes, that surprised me but I'm fine."
I move from roof to roof in search of a house with an exit from atop the roof.
There is a lot of unaired laundry, it probably got left behind after the demon came.
After checking for people on the radar, I get out of the house to the alleyway.
I carry the soldier in princess hug to the plaza.
"Hey, I have a little question..."
"Yes, what is it?"
"Even if you were blown away by the demon, isn't it too far?"
This isn't a gag manga. From the plaza to here is more than 10 meter apart.
"I got blown away by the attack of that demon, since I would have died at that rate, I used magic to decelerate my falling speed. Although I was already running out of magic power. I was at loss when I got caught on that branch."
Magic seems to be usable even if one isn't a magician...
There is a temporary relief station in the plaza.
A bit away from the relief station, mats are placed and several 'people' are lined up there... It's not for the injured but for corpses huh...
"People who were rescued from the wreckages, please gather over here."
A woman in white coat shout for injured people to assemble over there, so I head there.
"For people who are holding the patient, please keep a little distance away from their body."
So she says, I stretch my arm to make a gap on my chest.
"I will cleanse the dirts, it may be surprising, so please don't drop them."
"■■■ ■■■■ ■■■■■ Soft Wash."
I got drenched along with the soldier. Certainly the dust and the blood (from the soldier who died first earlier) on the robe are gone.
>[Life Magic Acquired]
It's certainly a very useful magic. If there is this kind of magic then I wonder if bathing isn't needed?
"I will dry it immediately."
"■■■ ■■■■■ Dry."
"It's complete. Well then, please wait inside the circle drawn with chalks over there. That's the place where we gather injured people."
The white coat head toward the next person.
This is the first time I heard magic chant in close proximity but rather than word, I heard irregular sound instead. I guess it feels like the musical notes from a DTM software?
Though it's not life-threatening the people who have broken bones are gathered there. It's full right after we got in. I don't have any injury, I'm here in order to learn new skills.
Two girls with priestess-like clothes and kind atmospheres quietly approach, each accompanied with their attendants.
"Now the Parion shrine maiden will grant you their miracle. Everyone, please be silent."
The attendant with big build shouted so to the injured peoples. And out of nowhere, the attendant with small build tells the tense people, "Please relax your body~".
After the injured people calmed down, the shrine maiden begin the magic chant.
「■■■■■ ■■■■ ■■■」
「■■■■ ■■■■ ■■■ ■■■」
(Omitted... It's too long, priestess-san.)
「■■■■■ ■■■■ ■■■ Area Heal.」
>Holy Magic: Parion Belief Acquired
Most people seems to be healed by the magic just now.
The two attendants go around to give additional healing for people who need them.
The big attendant said, "Since it's a bone fracture, please rest quietly later", while giving first aid to the soldier I carried.
Oh yes, this isn't a BL okay? Even though the soldier is still physically growing, she is an actual woman.
◇
Now then, I've learned various magic but I don't know their chant, there are magic shop and bookstore that sell magic books in the plaza, but the stores were destroyed so they're probably closed now...
"The good you do for others is the good you do for yourself."
Let's make myself popular with the bookstore and the magic shop by helping them with selfish reasons in mind.
A carriage is half buried under the magic shop.
After confirming that there are no survivor near the carriage, I pull it out.
...When I think about it, I'm standing out by doing this, aren’t I?
There's a corpse in terrible condition stuck on the carriage, nausea is swelling up inside me... I'm weak with gore so please pardon me.
The inside of the magic shop has been destroyed but it seems that the people inside are fine because of a back door. Since I see people's figure on the radar beyond the back door, thinking that they're fine I head toward the bookstore.
The front wall of the bookstore is destroyed, it looks like it'll collapse any minute now. When I peek inside, numerous bookshelves have been toppled and books are scattered around.
Fro
m the map, it seems that there are two people squashed under the bookshelves.
The bookshelves is lined up edge to edge, thanks to them being made with dense ebony, they're very heavy.
I raise the bookshelves ⇒ I cram the book between the shelves ⇒ Whenever I raise a bookshelf the leftovers books get in the way and then I can't raise the next bookshelf so the work take quite some time. Also partly because I'm afraid that the shelf will break if I try to forcefully raise it.
1 hour after the work begin, I finally able to rescue a person.
It's a boy of around 10 years old. He's unconscious but he's breathing. The HP is about half, I stop working and bring him to the relief station. I didn't forget to tell them that the boy was rescued from the bookstore.
It's not the priestess from earlier, but a person that looks like a magician who heals people with water magic. Huh, healing magic can be done with many elements.
There are more priests now but they all dress differently, I wonder if there are different sects.
Now then let's stop procrastinating and get back to work. Because the one left who need rescuing is certainly the storekeeper!
I continue the mundane work of raising the bookshelves and stowing away the books, until finally I was able to help the old man storekeeper buried in the books.
He didn't get crushed under the bookshelves but he seemed to be squashed by the fallen books, his HP is quite low. He's conscious though.
"Thank you very much for helping me."
It's an austere voice quite fit to be a seiyuu. What a romantic gray haired old man, he must've been quite popular back in the day.
Outside the store, the old woman and the daughter have come back. It seems that they went shopping to the west gate which was closed until just now.
I carry the old man to the relief station. The old woman also follows. The daughter remains in the store to clean things up.
In the relief station, the injured people who have come have increased even more. As expected the healer can't catch up. The two healer priestess attendants from earlier run out of MP and are sitting on the couch.
I search through the storage... there.
I take out 3 MP recovery medicine from my pocket and give it to the two attendants. It's a service for the skill I got earlier.
