CH 10

A downward fist from an overwhelmingly huge body that was taller than the ceiling of Tia’s house. If I took such a thing head on, even if I were a Hero, I would be flattened in one blow. ….

“What’s the matter, scrap iron? Is this only what you’ve got?”

No matter how hard it swung its fist, he couldn’t put a scratch on my body. A heavy blow that doesn’t even contain a soul would be like a breeze in front of my [Invisible] banishment skill.

However, the weight difference between me and the Adamant Golem was several hundred to several thousand times …… it was too ridiculous to compare. Even if the attack didn’t connect, under normal circumstances, the impact alone would have blown me beyond the horizon.

But it didn’t happen. After taking dozens of fists to show off the skill, I used a new banishment skill here.

“Is it time? Then, it’s …. payback!”

I moved inside the gap between its fists, and jumped and kicked the golem in the stomach. Then, with a roar, the huge body of the golem staggered and fell to the ground.

This was the [Orbit Reflector], a banishment skill. This was a counter-skill that accumulated the damage you took and returned it directly to your opponent. If this was activated, even the impact itself could be nullified as before, so it could be used for defense.

<<Kuoooo~o~o~o~o~o…>>

“Oh, I knew you’d rise. ……”

The golem, which was supposed to be down  with its head up to the sky, stood up, making the distinctive sound of metal scraping against metal. It must have been a considerable impact, but there was only a small dent on its body that could not be seen unless you looked closely.

“I’ve always been a fan of hitting hard guys, but I guess my strength isn’t enough. Well, I knew that.”

I kicked him to the ground because I needed a little time. I put my hand into the [Stranger’s Box] and pulled out the hilt of my silvery white sword. 

Yes, just the hilt. This sword had no blade. It will be made now.

“Here we go, buddy. Blood Sword Rensou.”

I held my left hand at face level with my fist clenched tightly, and slammed the hilt of the sword in my right hand against my left wrist. The tip of the hilt pierced my wrist, and my blood was sucked up into the hilt. Then, I held my sword up again, and a bright red blade extended from the hilt.

<<Kuoooo~o~o~o~o~o…>>

“Oops, did I keep you waiting? It looks like you’re all set, so let’s get this over with.”

The adamant golem, fully on its feet, punched me again. What, you were one of those idiots? Well, if something were to be inserted poorly, the density would decrease and the strength would decrease. I think it was one thing to be all about punching, but it was another thing to be able to use ….

“Ha!”

Exhaling a short, strong breath, I dodge the golem’s fist once more and stepped into its path. He anticipated it and this time threw a kick, but … it was too late. 

Without shouting out the name of my special move, I silently swing my sword down. The momentum of the swing blew away the sheath of the bloody blade, and all that remained was an invisible blade.

The blade was thin above all. It was too fragile to withstand even a gentle breeze, and even if left alone, it would destroy itself in the blink of an eye.

However, its thinness enabled it to cut through everything. It could pierce the connection between things and cut through any physical object.

The “Sword of Thin Life,” created by the effects of the [Engineering Master Smith] banishment skill, and the sword techniques I developed during my long journey through other worlds. If the two were to be combined…

<<Zuzuzuzuu!>>

“Nothing is unbreakable!”

I watched as the huge body of the golem, which had been split off into two, crumbled to the ground as I took a quick swing with the Sword of Thin Life before returning it to the [Stranger’s Box].

――In addition, there was no point in swinging the hilt because the blade shattered as soon as it sliced through the golem. It’s okay, it’s cool.

“Phew. We’re done, Tia.”

“……………………”

“Tia?”

I called out again to Tia, who was looking at me with a dumbfounded expression. Her eyes widened and she finally answered me.

“Ed …… Ed was so strong ……?!”

“Well, yeah! I’ll tell you something, I wasn’t always strong when I was with Tia, you know? After I was expelled from the hero party, I trained again and became stronger.”

“I see. I see. …… Hey, Ed?”

“Hmm? What?”

“If you’re so strong, then maybe you’ll be able to …………………… No, it’s nothing.”

“No, no, no. That’s what I’m most worried about. What’s that? Ah, it’s tough even for me to defeat a Demon Lord you know?”

I’d been to over a hundred different worlds, but I’d never faced a demon lord before. Well, it was only natural considering that I was kicked out of the party in the middle of every episode.

(T/N: Episode meaning before they could reach demon lord he was kicked.)

The foundation of my strength was my banishment skills … and the power that God gave me. If they were blocked, I was just a piece of shit, so as long as I couldn’t deny the possibility that the Demon Lord had such abilities. If I were to be too arrogant to believe that I could win, I would easily be caught unprepared.

However, if it was the Demon Lord who was messing with Tia, I would have no objection to getting a little fired up and punch him in the face. ……

“I want you to take me across the border.”

“…… That’s…”

“Yeah. I want to go to … the place where I last left Alexis and the others. I want to end up there, too――”

“DON’T SAY “LAST”! Last  …………………..!”

“Fufu, that’s weird. Why do you look like you’re about to cry?

“That’s,… I don’t know, either!”

I retorted to Tia who laughed. Oh yeah, I didn’t know anything. I didn’t know, but I …… I couldn’t stop crying.

“So, what do you think? Of course, if you can’t do it, you can turn it down, and even if you do, I can’t offer much in the way of compensation. …. Oh, how about these pajamas I’m wearing? I’m sure they’ll fetch a decent price if you sell them.”

“I don’t need that! No, I don’t. I really don’t want it.”

If the effect I’d just felt was true, then surely the pajamas Tia was wearing were worth a lot of money. But I didn’t know what to do with my friend’s (a woman) freshly removed pajamas.

But carrying it around in a stranger’s box was a possibility, and if you asked me to throw it away, that would not be possible. I already had more than I could imagine, okay? Yeah, I definitely didn’t want it.

“Boo, that’s mean!…Then, no?”

Tia stared at me with moist, lustrous eyes. Mo~ It’s hard to say no to this, unlike the determined look in your eyes just now. ……

“…………………… Ffffff Fineee”

After a long hesitation and a long sigh, I finally broke down. I might not be able to extend your life, but I could make your wishes come true. So, the choice was already made from the beginning.

“But you have to absolutely listen to me, okay? Also, if I don’t think you can do it, I’ll turn around halfway through, okay?”

“Yay!! Thanks Ed!”

Tia said with a smile like a flower blooming. But she didn’t stand up and jump on me anymore. I desperately tried to look away from this fact, picturing in my mind what I would need for the journey and comparing it to the contents of the [Stranger’s Box].

Thus, the last journey of Tia and I began in a rush, not even waiting for the night to pass.