kscans

Chapter 145 - Father and Son, Mother and Daughter

The battle between Ash and Veru continued, with neither landing a clean hit.

It was a defense-oriented fight, with them blocking each other's swords rather than dodging.

Ash's two-handed sword dealt heavy, damage-focused blows, while Veru's one-handed sword dealt moderate damage and was suited for rapid attacks.

Normally, after this many exchanges, one of their weapons would break due to equipment durability. But Veru's sword, seemingly created by his own skill, would regenerate even if destroyed, making it effectively indestructible.

And Ash's Dragon Eater was also recovering durability thanks to its Blood Weapon effect. It was decreasing slightly, but it hadn't reached the point of breaking yet. If this continued, however, it would eventually be destroyed.

For now, they were evenly matched, but it was clear that the longer the fight went on, the more disadvantaged Ash would become.

"What's wrong, Ash? Your prized sword is going to break, you know?"

Ash didn't reply to Veru's taunting words, carefully deflecting his attacks. Ash was also attacking when he found an opening in Veru's defense, but his two-handed sword was less maneuverable, limiting his number of strikes.

Despite the situation, Ash remained calm, carefully blocking, evading, and attacking. He managed to destroy Veru's shadow sword several times, but that was all.

At this rate, Ash is going to lose. Does he have a plan?

Aiming for a single decisive blow was too much of a gamble. Hayato believed that Ash would choose a fighting style with a higher win rate.

In the first place, the reason they were fighting in human form was because it was supposed to be more advantageous for Ash. There had to be some kind of strategy behind it.

With that in mind, Hayato watched the fight.

He glanced to his side and saw Ren, her hands clasped together as if in prayer, cheering him on.

A fight between a father and a brother... she's probably cheering for Ash, but her feelings must be complicated. What does Ren-chan even think about her mother's soul, according to the game's setting? I've never heard her talk about it, but she doesn't seem to hold a grudge against Veru-san...

As Hayato was thinking this, Veru launched a large-motion attack, sending Ash flying back. Ash blocked it with his sword, so he took no damage, but he was knocked back.

"I don't think you lack motivation, but aren't you being a bit too passive?"

Veru said this as the distance between them grew, but Ash immediately closed the gap and once again swung his sword down from above.

Veru held his sword horizontally to block it.

Ash then put his strength into his sword, pushing against Veru.

"Father, that sword of yours regenerates every time, but can you use it indefinitely?"

"What?"

Ash spoke for the first time in a while. A smirk played on his lips.

"There's no such thing as a skill you can use over and over without any risk. From what I can see, you use MP to create that sword, don't you? How many more times can you summon it?"

Veru said nothing, just stared at Ash. Ash's words must have hit the mark.

"My Dragon Eater can still hold out. When you can no longer create your sword, I win."

As Ash spoke, he used the two-handed sword Weapon Skill "Hard Hit" to double the damage of his next attack.

From a state like a sword lock, Ash pushed Veru back with brute force. When they were separated, he swung his sword horizontally.

Veru blocked it with his sword, but the attack destroyed it. He immediately created a new one, but Ash attacked that sword with all his might as well.

Unlike before, Ash's attacks grew fierce.

Did he determine that Veru will soon be unable to create his sword? I don't know the details of that skill, but if he's using MP to create it, it's not surprising if he's running out. He hasn't drunk any MP recovery juice or Elixirs, so it's certainly possible he won't be able to create it soon.

Just as Hayato came to that conclusion, Veru's sword shattered again.

And Veru's face twisted in astonishment. Shadow wasn't gathering in his right hand. Realizing this was bad, Veru back-stepped to create distance.

"It's over!"

Seeing Veru's face, Ash seized the opportunity and closed the distance.

"Ash!"

Hayato shouted.

The timing was too perfect. Veru was an actor. It was highly likely that he had heard Ash's words and deliberately created an opening.

Ash paused for a moment at Hayato's voice.

A click of the tongue escaped Veru's lips, but what he was about to do didn't stop. A spear-like weapon made of shadow appeared from Veru's right hand and shot out to pierce Ash.

Ash, who had paused at Hayato's voice, dodged the attack by a hair's breadth by rotating to his left. But he didn't just dodge. Using the momentum of his spin, he tried to attack Veru with his sword.

It was an unorthodox attack, but Weapon Skills could still be applied to it. Ash used the MP-consuming, wind-attribute, two-handed sword Weapon Skill "Cyclone."

Veru blocked it with his left arm, but it wasn't a proper defense. A knockback occurred, and Veru was sent flying backwards.

He probably felt no pain, but Veru's posture was completely broken. Ash instantly closed the distance and began to attack relentlessly.

Veru was completely on the defensive. He could still manipulate shadows, but he couldn't form them into a sword-like shape, only using them as gauntlets on both arms for defense. But even while defending, his HP was steadily decreasing.

Veru looked at Hayato.

Hayato understood what that look meant.

I'm going to lose. I'm leaving the rest to you. That was the message in his eyes.

Hayato nodded so subtly that even Ren next to him wouldn't notice.

Seeing this, Veru seemed relieved, and his lips curled into a smile. But it was only for a moment. He immediately looked at Ash with a serious expression.

"You've gotten stronger."

With those words, Veru smiled as Ash's sword cut him down. Then, Veru slowly fell backward, landing flat on his back.

"Big brother!"

Seeing this, Ren started running towards Ash. Hayato followed.

"You did it, big brother!"

"Yeah, I managed to win somehow. Though it was thanks to Hayato."

"Sorry about that, giving you advice during a one-on-one duel and all."

"No, it's fine. I was planning to have Ren attack if it looked like I was going to lose anyway."

"You were so cool a moment ago, big brother, but you're ruining it in every way possible—"

Just as Ren said that, they heard clapping.

It was coming from above them. They all looked up.

There, sitting on a slightly dilapidated chandelier, was Diite.

But Hayato knew. There was no way Diite was here. The one there was Hypnos.

"Congratulations. It seems you have magnificently defeated your father, Veru. With this, the Dragon Soul Artifact will unleash its true power."

Ash looked at Hypnos with a suspicious expression.

"Diite? Why are you here? Were you there the whole time?"

"Ah, so I look like Diite to you. I was planning to act as Diite if Veru had won, but that's no longer necessary."

Hypnos jumped down from the chandelier. But he descended slowly to the floor, as if he were a feather. Upon landing, he smiled.

"My name is Hypnos. The name itself doesn't matter, but I've grown a little fond of it. That's what I call myself. I'm like a twin to Diite, you could say."

"A twin...? I see. So, what does this Hypnos want?"

Ash had been wary of Hypnos from the start. He stepped in front of Hayato and Ren, trying to shield them.

"I thought I'd offer my thanks. Thank you, Ash. Oh, and Hayato, too. Thanks to your support of Ash and the others, he was able to defeat Veru. I can see why Diite is so attached to you. My affection level for you is at its maximum."

Hayato didn't answer. Or rather, he couldn't.

What is he planning? No, what's going to happen? Or should I use the AI Killer right now? But even if I attack now, I don't think my attack will reach. Hypnos can probably fly. If he flies away, it's over. I have to get closer if I'm going to do it.

Hayato thought this but couldn't move. Any careless movement would alert him.

"Hayato? What's going on? Do you know something?"

Before Hayato could answer, Hypnos spoke.

"Well, you'll find out soon enough. Now, before that—"

Hypnos used the resurrection spell "Resurrection" on Veru. A light shone down from above Veru, feathers fell, and when they touched him, he was revived with 1 HP.

Veru sat up and glared at Hypnos. Then he ran straight towards Hypnos and attacked.

But Hypnos flew into the air and escaped.

"My, my, you seem quite angry."

"I didn't think you'd resurrect me, but what are you planning...?"

"What, an explanation is necessary, isn't it? It's your job to explain the situation to Ash and the others. But it's a shame. To think you'd lose after I gave you such an advantageous situation."

"I'm not good at games."

"I suppose not. But if you lose a game, there's a penalty. I believe I told you that before the Stampede event started."

"This is a one-sided game that you started on your own!"

"That's right. I am the god of this world, am I not? And that god is saying let's play a game. Of course it's one-sided. Did you think we were equals?"

"Father! What are you talking about!?"

Ash, who had been left out of the loop, raised his voice. Hayato understood the situation, but for Ash and Ren, they probably had no idea what was being discussed.

Veru looked towards Hayato and the others.

"Ash! Hayato! Take Ren and get out of here!"

"Father, what are you saying—more importantly, where is Mother's soul—"

"That doesn't—"

"The soul of Kilika Brandle, you say. Yes, Ash defeated Veru. Then let's continue the event. Veru, stay as you are for a little while."

"Guh!"

Veru seemed to be paralyzed from the neck down, completely unable to move.

"Now then, I've kept you waiting, Ash, and Ren. Well, Hayato, you should watch too."

Watch...? Is he planning to make Ash and the others regain their memories through a video!?

Hypnos snapped the fingers of his right hand.

Suddenly, the necklace Ash was wearing, the Dragon Soul Artifact, began to glow. The light converged into a single beam and hit the wall of the entrance hall.

And an image was displayed across the entire wall.

The image was of a hospital room somewhere.

The camera angle was from the top corner of the room, like a security camera feed. Various life support machines were lined up, and a single woman lay on her back on a simple, unadorned bed.

She looked like Ren. She was much thinner than in the movies, but Hayato guessed that this woman was Kilika Brandle.

"Huh, what is this..."

Ren's confused voice could be heard.

"Hayato! Don't let Ren see that image! Take her and run!"

Veru shouted.

Hayato didn't know what was going to happen, but he decided that would be for the best.

"M-Mother... guh!"

Just as he was about to take Ren and flee, Ash clutched his head and fell to his knees.

Hayato had seen this before. The same as Esha. His memories were starting to return.

"Huh? Mother...? But the mother I know is a dragon..."

Ren didn't seem to have her memories back yet. She was just looking at the image curiously, with no pained reaction.

This was his chance, Hayato thought, and he scooped Ren up to run. But his legs suddenly wouldn't move. It wasn't because he was frozen in fear from an injury, but due to another factor.

"Hold on. The main event is about to begin. Ren, take a good look at that image. A woman who looks like you. You've probably never seen her in person, but you've seen her many times in videos, haven't you?"

Hypnos conveyed this to Ren with a smile as he floated in the air.

"In videos... many times...?"

"Ren-chan!"

Hayato hugged Ren, pulling her head to his chest. This should block the video and sound from reaching her, but he was a step too late.

"That's right... I... in the movies, Mother, many times... Aaaah!"

Ren thrashed in Hayato's arms. Even in virtual reality, Hayato could feel that she was in considerable pain.

Hayato held the struggling Ren tightly. He didn't know if this was the right thing to do, but Esha had said that as long as someone who cared was by her side, it would be okay. So he put more strength into his arms, believing this was what he should do.

He then looked over at Ash.

He still seemed to be holding his head, but he wasn't thrashing or crying out. He had a pained expression, but his gaze was fixed on the image, and it looked like he was slowly trying to control his breathing.

Ash seems to be okay. I can't be sure, but Ren-chan is in more danger.

"...That's right... I... wanted everyone... to forget..."

Ren was muttering something deliriously. Sensing something dangerous, Hayato called out to her.

"Ren-chan! Hang in there!"

"Oh, it's not as effective as I thought, is it? I thought she would struggle more."

Hayato glared at Hypnos.

"You. What's so fun about doing this...?"

"You seem to be much angrier than you look. It's not that it's fun. I'm just doing what's necessary. Now then, let's show the rest."

The rest...?

Hayato looked at the image.

A male figure appeared next to the sleeping woman. He could only see his back and the back of his head, but it was undoubtedly Veru.

"Hayato! Don't let Ren hear! You! The video was supposed to end here! Why is there more!"

Veru shouted in anger.

"Did we make such a promise? Well, be quiet for a little while. This is the moving part, isn't it?"

As Hypnos said this, Veru could no longer speak. His mouth was moving, but no sound came out.

Hayato followed Veru's words and once again held Ren's head to his chest. This way, he could cover her eyes and ears, so he thought she wouldn't be able to see or hear the video.

But Ren pushed him away. This was virtual reality. Hayato's STR and Ren's STR were equal, so he couldn't restrain her. And Hayato couldn't move from his spot, so he couldn't stop Ren as she walked away.

Ren approached the wall where the image was displayed.

"Are you really sure about this?"

Veru's voice came from the video. Veru was asking the woman lying in the bed, Kilika.

"Yes, I don't mind. I only have a few years left to live anyway. It's only going to get worse from here. This is the best I'll be."

Kilika smiled faintly. She then took Veru's hand.

"Please take care of the children. You're an excellent actor, but you're a little unreliable as a father."

"...You're the same."

"I know. That's why I want to do something motherly for once. You'll grant my wish, won't you?"

Veru didn't answer. But from the video, it was clear that his grip on her hand was tightening.

"Promise me, okay? When Ren is ten and can withstand the surgery, you'll transplant my organs into her. Nod your head."

Transplant... her organs? When Ren-chan turns ten?

Hayato looked at Ren. He couldn't see her face, but Ren was completely still, just staring at the video. Ash was also watching the video, but he was on his knees with a shocked expression.

"...But if they take your organs, you'll die. Even if you only have a few years left, I can't choose between you and Ren. And what would I tell Ren? Are you telling me to say that her mother died to save her?"

As the Veru in the video said this, Ren whispered, "No..." and collapsed to the floor from her knees.