CH 186

Chapter 186 – The Battle of The Sage

(But… I really barely made on time)

While looking at the strange creature that was buried under the collapsed building, Rin recalled the series of events that led him to this point.

However, it’s actually nothing special, as he just happened to see many people running to escape from something while he was taking a walk, just like Akari. Among the people who ran, a girl said to him that a monster appeared and there is an adventurer halting it right now. And she wanted Rin to save the said adventurer.

Then, what appeared before Rin, who rushed to save the adventurer after listening to the girl, was precisely the scene that just happened. The moment he saw the blow of that strange creature approaching the adventurer, Rin rushed with all his might and kicked it.

Well, that’s what happened, however…

(I never thought that adventurer was actually Akari.)

But at the same time, Rin was also convinced. Because if it’s Akari, it won’t be strange for her to throw herself up to protect someone. Thus, albeit barely, Rin was really happy that he made it in time to save her.

“Rin, why are you…”

“My bad, but leave the talk for later.”

Dismissing Akari’s question, Rin shifted his gaze to the strange creature. He knew that it wasn’t something that would die with just that kick, as the thing still turned its golden eyes towards them without losing its fighting spirit.

Then, Rin used [Appraisal] on it.

“Level 10,000 and an unknown name… huh. I see.”

Seeing that, Rin was convinced on how it was unharmed after receiving a kick from him. Earlier, Rin was moving beyond the limit of speed Nanami advised him to use to protect Akari. Even so, he can merely pull out a speed comparable to a level 8000 adventurer at best, which wasn’t a number that could reach that strange creature. Hence, at the very least, the creature could be called a superior enemy for the current Rin.

However,

“I guess compared to my battle against that guy… this is nothing.”

Saying that, Rin laughed, remembering the battle against his former rival. At the same time, Rin intuitively sensed that he also only had one minute to defeat the creature this time.

I just have to defeat it within that time frame.

“— Here I go.”

Having made up his mind, Rin faced the strange creature.

◇◆◇

“… No way.”

Akari doubted the sight that unfolded in front of her. In her despair, Rin came to save her. That, of course, made her relieved. But that was only for a moment, because she thought that the strange creature was definitely stronger than Rin. That is why she wanted to stop him from fighting it, however– she soon swallowed that thought back.

“He is…. overpowering it.”

The consecutive attacks from the strange creature that Akari could only endure were deflected, sometimes received, and even countered by Rin with his bare hands from the openings he found. The fight just looked like an adult in a child’s play, showing an overwhelming difference in their skill and level. Without a need to ask anyone, it was clear to her who was stronger there.

“But how could Rin have such power…?”

Akari is confused by such an incomprehensible sight. And in front of her, the fight is about to reach the conclusion–

◇◆◇

(– What the heck, is this)

While exchanging blows with the strange creature, Rin muttered in his mind.

『■■■■OOO!』

With a roaring sound that shook the atmosphere, the arm of the creature drew close to Rin.

I see, if this blow hits me directly, it wouldn’t be strange for me to be knocked out with a single blow– that is only if it could hit me, though.

“Do you think such an attack will hit me?”

『Hisssss!?!?!?』

The movement of the strange creature is very straightforward, without strategy. That shows how it has no intelligence and just wields the power it had. That is why, even if it has more power than himself, for Rin, it wasn’t scary at all.

(Let’s finish this soon.)

Rin has finished his analysis. Then, he places his palm on the hand of the strange creature and subtly shifts its vector. With that alone, all the enemy’s attacks missed its target.

During that time, Rin remembered about his fight against his former rival.

For Rin, this kind of thing is not even a fight. A true fight is when two people use everything they have, clashing their souls against each other. And that guy is the one who taught Rin about this.

(… Isn’t that right?)

“—– Powerful Gorilla!”1

—————-

The one who surpassed the Sage

・Title given to those who cleared the quest 【Sage Battle】 under specific conditions.

・+30% to attack power, endurance, and speed when fighting without weapons.

—————-

Title: The one who surpassed the Sage. In order to go beyond his limit, Rin activated the effect of this title, which has been turned off until now. At that moment, Rin felt like he heard something like “Powerful…? Eh? Ha?” from behind, but he chose not to worry about that for now.

Promptly after that, Rin gave his opponent a punch with all his might, which was enhanced by 30%. His fist directly hit the body of the strange creature and pierced its body.

『■、■■■Oooo』

As a result, the strange creature disappears, turning into a black mist, leaving something like a death agonized cry. And when he stared at the disappearance of the strange creature, a voice full of amazement could be heard from behind.

“No way… You really won against it?”

“Aa. With this, everything is all ri–”

When he tried to answer, Rin slowly lost his sight. Because he used a power beyond his current limit with just his spirit and momentum, it seems at the end, the backlash finally came to him.

“Akari… I’ll leave the rest to you.”

“Eh? Wai-, Rin?! Rin-!”

And at the end, only Akari’s cry can be heard in that place.

『The condition has been achieved』

『The title 【The one who surpassed the Sage】 will be changed to 【The one who inherits the will of the Sage】』

—————–

The one who inherits the will of the Sage.

・A title given to those who cleared the quest 【Sage Battle】 under specific conditions and has inherited the will of the Sage.

・+60% to attack power, endurance, and speed when fighting without weapons.