CH 94

Butterflies Flapping

Translated by LyraDhani

Edited by LyraDhani

Tsugumi was running for cover in the city where debris was rolling, avoiding a sudden slash – probably a large air blade attack. Apparently, the Demonic Beast had some sort of ability to detect Tsugumi’s location.

He glanced at the Demonic Beast from a distance and saw that it had the body of a woman. Considering its ability to manipulate the wind, he wasn’t sure who it was, but it might be based on a Magical Girl.

He couldn’t judge the person’s identity because the whole body of the Demonic Beast was covered with severe burns. The burns, which remain so raw that one wanted to turn away, were still spewing reddish-black blood and the smell of burnt flesh. To put it bluntly, it looked more horrifying than in a bad zombie movie.

–What in the world did this Demonic Beast recreate in the first place?

The Demonic Beast only changed its form to opponents that Tsugumi had encountered. But the Demonic Beast’s current form didn’t meet that condition.

There were two possibilities. Either that burned figure was an exception, or Tsugumi had forgotten that the woman existed. If it was the latter, then that woman was most likely involved in the great fire.

He did want information, but it didn’t have to be at this point in time. Apparently, he was abandoned by luck.

Judging from the appearance, there didn’t seem to be any possibility of it being “Sakura-oneechan”, but that didn’t help at all.

–Well. The current situation was not very good. He had no problem moving around, but his injuries were bad enough as it was. Since his divine power was about to run out, it was difficult to fight an endurance battle. In other words, he had no choice but to strike out, even if it was disadvantageous.

The Demonic Beast’s attacks were flashy, but its body itself didn’t look very sturdy. As long as at least a single thread could reach it, he would have a chance to win.

With this in mind, Tsugumi kept his eyes firmly fixed on the road ahead.

The footsteps of the Demonic Beast, transmitted through the detection thread, were slowly but surely approaching. He wondered why the Demonic Beast, whose main weapon was a long-range attack, would approach, but he was grateful to know the direction of its behavior.

“Apparently, in addition to the ridiculously powerful slashes, there’s also an invisible wind surrounding its body. The threads that I sneaked in got cut off. …It’s probably better than Hitsugi-san’s box, but I don’t think a simple attack will get through.”

If what Hitsugi had was the boundary of the box, this one was truly the boundary of the wind.  All the threads that tried to tie up the limbs were repelled by the wind, and they were flying empty in the air. …Considering the added value of the invisible wall, the poor quality might not be so different.

–But if he knew the direction it was coming, there weren’t any limits to how much he could do. It was just like usual. Nothing changed. Just think it through and find the best move. Thinking about it, he gave a small smile.

Despite the situation, Tsugumi’s mind was terribly calm.

“All right, let’s go. I’ll definitely survive.”

◆◆◆

Bell stared at Tsugumi with a stern face from above, out of reach from Demonic Beast’s attack. She was not offering any advice but was simply quietly looking down at the devastation spread out below.

“Hmm, I didn’t expect this struggle against a B-class. …He said he has a hand, but I doubt it.”

Bell said irreverently with a hard expression. She knew that the opponent was an Irregularity, but she herself had forced him to fight. Perhaps she felt a little bit bad about that.

Tsugumi on the ground was running to guide the Demonic Beast toward the coast, where there was the large torii gate. A town was more convenient than a mountain, that was too wide for his skills, but to be honest, the Goddess’s ranting was too loud in that area, and Bell had no desire to go near it.

No matter how much it would be repaired later, it must have been hard for them to bear the complete destruction of the place where they were enshrined. She could understand the feelings of the Goddesses, but their high-pitched voices were irritating.

–And yet, I’ve seen that Demonic Beast somewhere.

The face covered with burns was ugly and unbearable to look at, but with the eyes of a God, she could see some parts of the original face. The face had changed somewhat, and the air it wore was different, but there was a sense of déjà vu about the face.

She didn’t think that person was especially important, especially if she couldn’t remember, but it still bothered her for some reason. …After this battle was over, she’d have a talk with Tsugumi.

Thinking so, Bell let out a small breath. No matter how formidable the opponent, Bell never doubted Tsugumi’s victory. –It was undeniable trust. Bell believed that Tsugumi would defeat the Demonic Beast and return to her.

Tsugumi had reached the coast and was busily threading his way around, avoiding slashes by transporting. Finally, the Demonic Beast appeared under Tsugumi.

When Tsugumi faced the Demonic Beast, it seemed to be looking around, checking the debris and the placement of trees. There was no sign of nervousness or fear in that situation.

But for some reason, the Demonic Beast seemed to be acting strangely. The Demonic Beast, staring directly at Hagakure Sakura, tilted its head and shook its body like a puppet. The moment it stopped shaking, the demon fire surrounding it turned from red to black.

“Ah.”

–It was a small voice. The voice was hoarse, coming from a burnt throat, and a rough, unpleasant sensation traced its way to his ears.

“Ah, Aaah.” “Give, back.” “Mine.” “Give it back.” “Why.” “Unforgivable.” “Definitely.” “Hard.” ‘Hard.” “Hard.” — “Kill you.”

The sound of grudges, as if the lamentations of this world had been boiled down, echoed on the shore. The monster, scratching its scorched skin, glared at Tsugumi with a terrible look on its face. Although Tsugumi had a bewildered look, he did not let down his guard.

The Demonic Beast raised its right hand. A moment later, a huge surge of power swirled around its arm. With a meaningless roar, a blade of wind swung down. Yes–a slash so mighty that it ripped through the mountains.

–Tsugumi smiled a little when he saw it.

“Ah, I’ve been waiting for that.”

◆ ◆ ◆ ◆

Tsugumi, feeling the oncoming slash of the wind on his skin, pulled the threads on his right hand. At the same time, the threads through the trees and debris sent Tsugumi’s body flying to the side, just in time to avoid the slash. His clothes were slightly torn, but he had no time to worry about it.

The slash split the beach and the sea at the edge of his vision, but while floating in the air, Tsugumi gently shook his left hand which was soaked with blood.

At the same time, the threads that had been placed in the sand to surround the Demonic Beast appeared. –The reason why he didn’t dare to use the transportation was to keep the threads connected. And to make this attack go smoothly.

“I’ve been watching you. You only lose the wind shield when you attack. –Cut them down, my blade! Eat it all up!”

He spun around and bent his fingers. The beast’s eyes widened in surprise, but it was too late.

The threads around it were strengthened by the power he had at disposal, and it pounced on the Demonic Beast. At this point, no more measures were needed. He manipulated the threads to the limit of his brain’s processing and drove the Demonic Beast into a corner.

–But still, the last move is not enough.

“Kuh…! I don’t have enough power, I’m so close, but…!”

The threads had already caught the Demonic Beast. The wind shields were no longer meaningful as long as he was in close contact with the Demonic Beast. The threads were barely able to penetrate the skin, but they weren’t able to cut through the flesh.

–Should I use [Gluttony]? Such a thought came to his mind, but he bit his lip to deny it. Gluttony was both a trump card and a curse that ate him away. Using it further could eat up his soul as well.

His limbs were already in shreds, and every muscle in his body was screaming. Several bones were probably broken. But he still didn’t stop.

His sweat flow like waterfalls. Just a little more, just a little more strengthening of the threads, and it would be over. But that step was too far away.

As he clenched his teeth and struggled to control the threads, a drop of water splashed onto his foot. Perhaps a slash from a Demonic Beast caused the wave. When he turned his attention back to his wet feet, he noticed something.

“…Is my divine power recovering a little?”

It was only a small amount, but the divine power within Tsugumi had been restored.  Then he remembered something.

Before the battle began, Bell had released her mighty power on the sea. So it was no surprise that some of Bell’s power had dissolved in the sea.

–There is no choice but to take a gamble.

Tsugumi looked up with a start and ran into the sea. As if following his back, the Demonic Beast moved its sealed hand to launch a medium-sized attack, which he continued to avoid using only his senses. Then Tsugumi arrived at the edge of the beach–in front of the torii gate, where the water had completely receded.

…If he was lucky, he might be able to recover enough divine power to strengthen the thread. But if this didn’t work, he’d have no choice but to resort to Gluttony, no matter how risky it got. For now, he could only pray.

With snarling feelings, he dipped his feet into the seawater. –The water was filled with divine power as it slowly seeped into his body from the place where it touched him. The warmth of the water brought tears to his eyes.

–It’s amazing. God’s action really has meaning.

If Bell had not released her power on the sea at that time, Tsugumi wouldn’t be able to do anything. He knew it was just a coincidence, but that was okay.

Over and over again, Bell had saved his life. Even if she didn’t mean to, she always rescued him from despair. Even now. That kind of Bell, Tsugumi loved it.

“Thank you, Bell-sama. –Because of you, I can still fight.”

The threads connected to Tsugumi softly swayed and began to emit a shimmering golden light. The light reflected diffusely on the surface of the sea, creating a fantastic scene centered on Tsugumi.

While managing to keep his thoughts from flying off the handle due to the sudden divine intoxication, Tsugumi unconsciously opened his mouth.

“I’m sorry. –It looks like I won this time too.”

Turning around with his back to the torii gate, Tsugumi extended his right hand straight to the Demonic Beast and traced its outline with his finger.

–His fingers waved down like a conductor’s. Lines of light ran in all directions, and golden threads tightened around the body of the Demonic Beast as if winding a screw. For some reason, the resentful expression on the Demonic Beast’s face remained in his mind.

Tsugumi kneeled on the spot, confirming the crumbling figure of the Demonic Beast in his dim vision.

“….Perhaps not yet. Don’t close your eyes.”

Struggling to open his eyelids, which were getting heavier and heavier, Tsugumi clenched the fingers of his left hand, peeling off his fingernails. The blurred vision no longer made sense, but as long as the disappearance of the Demonic Beast had not been confirmed, he couldn’t afford to lose consciousness yet.

And so, as Tsugumi crouched on the beach, a small shadow appeared in front of him.

“–That’s enough, you have done well.”

Bell, who had descended from the sky, said in a calm voice.

“Bell-sama. What about the Demonic Beast…?”

“The Demonic Beast is dead. The [Glutony] is eating the wreckage right now. –Hmm, you are always tattered.”

Bell’s usual hateful tone made Tsugumi smile, relieved.

“Hehe, I’m sorry. I’m trying my best, but I don’t change.”

Bell gently placed her hand on Tsugumi’s head, replying in a breathless voice.

“…You can stay as you are. Please don’t change. –Sleep now, my Miko. For the night is short.”

With those last words, Tsugumi’s consciousness fell completely into darkness. His sleeping face was peaceful, with a small smile on his face.

–The battle had lasted a total of 15 hours. It was the moment the long battle was finally over.