kscans

Chapter 101 - The Hero's Counterattack

The cavern ceiling shook. A low growl, like a living creature, filled the space, crawling across the ground. And then.

"Guwaaaaaaaaaa!!"

With an explosive flash, Ares's entire body was enveloped in golden magical energy. Its brilliance was no longer in the realm of mortals. He looked almost like a god.

"He leveled up by killing his comrade..."

Tiris murmured, but it was something everyone had felt. Ares had absorbed power from the battles up to now and evolved.

Slowly raising his sword, Ares laughed like a madman.

"This... is my next level of power... I ain't the same man I was before."

The ground at his feet cracked, and the air pressure burst outwards. His comrades instinctively readied their weapons.

"It don't matter how many small fry gather now. Come at me all at once."

"Quit callin' us small fry, small fry, small fry, Ares." Defray readied his weapon and roared.

"No matter how strong you are, we decided we'd absolutely support Mamoru."

"Impossible..." Amy muttered in a trembling voice.

"The pressure from his magic... it's on a whole different level from before..."

"We'll die if we let our guard down, for real... this is bad," Koni-chan said, on the verge of tears as he formed a ball of fire behind his back.

Ares grinned.

"Good, that's the face. That fear, that despair... ahh, I can't get enough. The moment I get to see the limits of humanity is what gives me the biggest thrill."

And then, in the next instant.

"Instantaneous Movement: Instant Flash."

Ares tore through space in a single flash, disappearing like an arrow of light.

"Here he comes." Mamoru shouted.

Almost simultaneous with his warning, Ares appeared right in front of Defray and Koni-chan.

"Whoa. He's fast."

"Where'd he come from..."

A black sword swung low, as if crawling along the ground, and slashed Koni-chan's shin.

"Waaaaah. It hurtsssssss."

Koni-chan screamed.

"I'm serious, it really hurts."

"Gaaah, healing magic. 'Fluffy Flame Heal'." Koni-chan cast healing magic on himself as he fled, but Ares had already moved on to his next attack.

"Next..."

His next targets were Amy and Tiris, providing support from the rear.

"H, he's behind us." Tiris deployed her ice magic, but Ares's movements had anticipated even that.

But, "I'll stop him." Mamoru raised his shield and stood in the way.

"Skill, Intimidation Array." A pale blue magic circle appeared on the ground, increasing the defense of all his allies.

"Hah. Useless to just buff your defense," Ares shouted. "It's all... going according to my calculations."

True to his words, he kicked Mamoru's shield upwards with his foot.

"What...?"

Ares flew through the air in a backflip, performing an aerial rotation worthy of a gymnast.

"Watch this. Cone Slash: Ascension Style."

That single strike, descending from the air, was as sharp as lightning, aimed straight for Koni-chan's head.

"Gyaaaaaaa. Again. It's so mean to just aim for me." He was slammed into the ground with the sound of an explosion.

"Koni-chan." Amy cried out, but Ares just laughed mercilessly.

"That's one down. Now... who should I crush next?"

A definite killing intent lit up his eyes.

"This is where my counterattack begins."