Chapter 130: Frustration

Chapter 130: Frustration

「Pierce, oh blades of mine.」

A hundred or so swords materialized out of nowhere and shot straight towards Rynford’s body. We were watching the battle from pretty close up, so I could actually tell that every single blade was distinct, each possessed its own unique properties and abilities.

This wasn’t the first time we’d come across the guy who’d launched the attack. I still remembered catching sight of him at the end of our hunting trip.

_______________________________________________________________

General Information

Name: Forrund Annonnkul

Age: 39

Race: Human

Job: Divine Swordsman

State: Normal

Status Level: 66/99

HP: 718

MP: 431

STR: 384

VIT: 323

AGI: 337

INT: 201

MGC: 227

DEX: 349

Skills

Swordbreaker Arts: Lv 7

Dismantling: Lv 8

Crisis Detection: Lv 6

Vital Point Detection: Lv 5

Presence Detection: Lv 7

Sword Techniques: MAX

Divine Sword Techniques: Lv 6Fôll0w current novÊls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)

Sword Arts: MAX

Divine Sword Arts: Lv 7

Collecting: Lv 4

Kicking Techniques: Lv 5

Kicking Arts: Lv 6

Resistance to Psychological Abnormalities: Lv 4

Petrification Resistance: Lv 3

Elemental Blade: Lv 8

Leap: Lv 7

Throwing: Lv 8

Poison Resistance: Lv 3

Dual Blade Style: Lv 7

Magic Resistance: Lv 6

Paralysis Resistance: Lv 4

Vigour Manipulation

Dragon Killer

Beast Slayer

Greater Strength Increase

「Don’t worry about it. I’ll be right back.」

Amanda gave both Fran and Charlotte a light wave before leaping towards the Evil Human. Her kind smile had transformed into a ferocious one, she seemed rather angry at the fact that Rynford had hurt Fran.

She immediately began attacking him with what I assumed was some sort of skill. Her whip grew several times longer and attacked him from every direction at once each time she gave her wrist so much as even the slightest twitch. Every single one of her strikes was as powerful as one of our sword techniques.

The other combatants’ attacks were inflicting quite a bit of harm of damage as well. They were all clearly stronger than us.

Just looking at the scene really made it hit home that Rynford had never actually been invincible or anything like that. So, knowing that, why was it that I never thought of anything but running away? Did we really have no way of fighting him at all?

I understood the answer to both questions. I had been afraid of Rynford, and my fear of him had ended up making me feel as if it was simply impossible for us to defeat him. I ended up doing nothing but thinking about how we could go about running away, even after getting two new unique skills. I mean, the outcome we arrived at wasn’t necessarily a bad one. We managed to avoid the worst case scenario of death, but thinking back on it, we’d been far too cowardly. Why did not try pointing one of my offensive skills instead? We might’ve been able to face him head on if I had.

(Master.)

『What’s up?』

(Frustrating.)

『Yeah... It sure does feel frustrating doesn’t it...?』

Watching Amanda and everyone else present fight filled me with a sense of irritation. I was going to have to fix the fact that I was still weak. I needed to train, and seriously, at that. It was something I needed to start the moment this issue was dealt with and out of the way.

『...No, that’s not right.』

I realized that I was still letting my fears get ahold of me. There was no reason for me to wait until everything was done and over with. The battle had yet to end. We could still join the fray and contribute to Rynford’s defeat.

There was no point to just sitting around and mulling over my sense of frustration. The enemy that’d caused it was right there in front of us. We had no reason to rule out combat as an option as we had before. I understood that I still felt the subconscious urge to run the hell away, but now, we were immediately presented the chance to turn that emotion on its head.

What we needed to do now was not to wait, but to fight.

『Let’s go, Fran.』

(Will pay back for frustration.)

Fran understood my intentions. It seemed I was still no match for her in terms of mental fortitude.

「Are you planning to join the battle?」

Fran was given a worried look as she rose to her feet. I thought for a second that Charlotte had intended to stop us, but, she instead ended up giving us a bit of encouragement alongside a potion.

「Do your best out there.」

「Nn.」

「I can’t fight myself, but I will at least be able to offer you my assistance.」

Charlotte brought her hands together as she spoke. A mysterious light enveloped Fran’s body, accompanied by the chiming of a bell filled our ears.

「I have given you a barrier that exorcises and wards off evil energies. But be careful, it’s rather frail.」

「Monster’s barrier. Broken by you?」

「Yes, that’s correct.」

Wow, seriously? I’m sorry I thought your stats were really low.

(Everyone amazing.)

『Yeah.』

Stats were important, but they weren’t all that mattered. The abilities to adapt and draw out one’s potential to its fullest were just as important.

Fran went silent for a bit, seemingly lost in thought.

『What’s the matter?』

(Master. I’ll lead.)

『What do you mean?』

(Couldn’t do anything when running from Rynford. Not just this once. Always relied on Master. This time, let me lead.)

『Fran...』

I’d actually been thinking that I was trying too hard to do everything by myself. I didn’t ask Fran for her opinion nearly as often as I should have, but, it looked like all that was about to change.

『Alright, got it. What are you planning though?』

(Want to try something new.)

『Like what?』

(Finishing move like Master’s Overburst. Thought about it for a long time already. Conclusion, attack that uses everything we have at once.)

Her use of the word “we” meant that she wanted me to be doing something as well. More importantly though, it implied that she was confident she’d be able to draw out every last bit of my power. Awesome! As a sword, I couldn’t feel more blessed. I was sure that I would one day grow to rival even the Godblades if I were to remain in Fran’s hands.

(Want specific skills to be set.)

I think this might be the first time Fran’s ever asked me to set any specific skills in combat.

『Alright, take your pick.』

And so, with Fran’s selected skills in tow, we took off and dove straight in Rynford’s direction.