A man fishing by the lake… who is he?
“This voice… no way…!”
Shion cried out in shock, hastily putting distance between them.
“Damn it, Shion was listening to the intercepted records in the Garden too. How could I not realize that!”
Shion retreated to my side, her expression one of bitter regret. “I apologize, Captain. I became flustered and said something unnecessary…”
“Don’t worry about it. If it’s the Grim Reaper himself, it’s all the same. Isn’t that right?”
As I questioned him, the Hooded Man put down his fishing rod and slowly stood up.
“Well, well. I came to catch a rainbow trout, but instead of the trout, I caught quite a big one. Not lucky.”
He said, pushing back his hood and turning towards us.
His face was covered by a Skull Mask. The Masked Soldier, appearing before us.
…Calm down. The first thing to do is Telepathic Communication with Lilith, and then stall for time.
(Lilith, can you hear me! I encountered the Grim Reaper at the lake!)
(I thought so! Natsume said there was an Explosion Sound from the Base direction!)
(Hurry and rendezvous with us. You’ll have to handle the Base on your own.)
It might seem cold, but our survival is the top priority.
(Okay. I’m heading over, so buy me some time!)
“You’re wearing a scary mask. You’re going to the wrong place, aren’t you? The place you should be going is…”
“The haunted house at an amusement park, right? I couldn’t agree more. Ghosts shouldn’t be fishing in broad daylight. This is what happens when you do something you’re not used to.”
I’ve had this kind of exchange somewhere before… That’s right. This guy is… I’ll try to bait him.
“Thank you for your hospitality at Ligrit, Grim Reaper. Or should I say, Mr. Johnson back then?”
“Your Kenrou impersonation was quite amusing. It would have been peaceful if you had become a comedian.”
“The world of comedians is harsher than that of soldiers, wasn’t that what you said?”
“In this situation, I can’t say that. Well, for now, I’d like you to listen. I have something rather important to discuss.”
“I have nothing to hear from you! If you want to talk, discard your weapons and surrender. Then I’ll listen!”
“Wait, Shion. Let’s hear him—”
“Just listening is free, but those kinds of offers are often scams.”
“If it’s a scam, I have no intention of going along with it. No matter how free it is, you get what you pay for…”
There, I’ve thrown the bait. Let him do his usual thing of finishing my sentences. I need to drag out this conversation.
“There’s nothing of great value. Old people say good things. But there are also many useless proverbs.”
“Is finishing people’s sentences your hobby?”
“Yes. And bonsai, too. …A conversation is like a Sandogasa hat. What do you think?”
“A Sandogasa hat?” “What’s that!”
As the Grim Reaper reached into the Pocket of his Military Coat, we tensed.
But what he pulled from his pocket wasn’t a Pistol, but a newspaper.
“…Your fortune today is the worst. A lucky item to ward off bad luck is a Sandogasa hat. Nowadays, you can only find Sandogasa hats in souvenir shops in the Izuruha Nations’ hot spring towns. What am I supposed to do about that, seriously…”
The Grim Reaper shook his head, looking utterly fed up.
His eyes, peeking from the Skull Mask, were listless, like dead mackerel.
Is this the man the Alliance Army calls the “Grim Reaper of Annihilation” and fears?
(Captain, could this man be weak?)
(You think so too, Shion? He doesn’t seem like someone who gets his hands dirty, at least.)
(Yes, there are so many openings. They probably attacked the Surface Communication Base, but why is he here…)
(He might be the planner. If so, it would explain why he’s here instead of heading to the Base.)
(An Annihilation Unit leaves no survivors. Therefore, there are no witnesses. Weren’t we just dancing to the Grim Reaper’s false image?)
(The Grim Reaper is the brains, and his capable subordinates handle the actual combat, huh? It fits.)
(I’ll test him. Please buy me some time.)
“Hey Grim Reaper, what’s the horoscope for Leo in that newspaper?”
In this world, I’m Leo. It fits my moniker perfectly.
The Grim Reaper, without any sign of suspicion, read the newspaper like a middle-aged salaryman commuting on a crowded train.
“Leo is also bad today. It says to stick to the principle of ‘A wise person does not go near danger.’ The lucky item is a four-leaf clover? …Isn’t that already a lucky item?”
“Can I go look for one growing around here?”
Good, the strongest Ice Lance has formed behind Shion. He shouldn’t be able to see it.
“Take your time. When you’re done looking, both of you disarm. I’d prefer to avoid trouble.”
“Easy for you to say, Mr. Grim Reaper? The saying ‘A wise person does not go near danger’ is… what *you* need!”
Shion shifted her body and fired the Ice Lance.
The Grim Reaper, unable to react, was impaled by the Ice Lance along with the newspaper he held, falling backward.
“As expected, he was just an amateur. Serves him right.”
“As the newspaper’s astrology predicted, today was the Grim Reaper’s unlucky day. …Did you kill him?”
“No, I missed the vital spots. Intelligence has a mountain of things they want to ask this man… ”
Red liquid is flowing from Shion’s mouth… Is that blood?
The Ice Lance she threw earlier is impaled in Shion’s side!
I supported Shion as she stumbled to her knees and laid her on the ground.
She’s fine. She’s breathing, and it’s not a vital spot. Given Shion’s resilience, it’s not a fatal wound.
I stood with Shion at my back, becoming a wall, and glared at the Grim Reaper.
“Grim Reaper! How dare you!”
“Hey, hey. You’re the one who attacked by surprise, right? It won’t work if you’re allowed to do as you please but can’t be the one to be attacked?”
The Grim Reaper, who had already stood up, threw off his torn coat and reached for his Sword.
His shirt also had a large hole in it, and blood was flowing from his side. If blood flows, he’s a living being. He can’t be unkillable.
I also reached for my Sword, warily watching his movements. He’s definitely not someone who uses Swordsmanship.
But to be able to fight after being hit by an Ice Lance in the gut, he’s definitely tough.
The Grim Reaper moved first. He slowly drew his Sword from its Scabbard.
The Sword, drawn with lightning-like sparks, closely resembled the blade pattern of my treasured Sword Zanbu.
It’s likely a creation of Fifth Generation Tessai. A masterfully crafted Sword is weeping to be held by such an amateur.
(Lilith, Shion is injured. How much longer until you can rendezvous!)
(A little more! Natsume, who went ahead, is going to use Mirror Camouflage for a surprise attack from behind!)
(Understood!)
“Kenrou, do you have no intention of surrendering?”
“None. You’ll have to pay for putting my second-in-command in this state!”
“That’s just a—”
“I know it’s just an excuse. But life is full of unreasonable things, isn’t it?”
“Is finishing people’s sentences your hobby, Kenrou?”
“Yes. And bonsai, too!”
I dashed at the fastest speed and unleashed the Fourth Sword Strike: Biting Dragon, but the Grim Reaper reacted with super speed and blocked it with his Sword.
“Your stance is all wrong, Grim Reaper!”
“I learned Swordsmanship through correspondence courses…”
Lies! With a stance like that, your posture would collapse… leaving you wide open for kicks!
He fell to the ground after my shin kick. He really is a complete amateur!
While on the ground, the Grim Reaper swung his Sword carelessly. As if I’d be hit by that!
I blocked it with the Third Sword Strike: Twin Fangs and was about to deliver the finishing blow…
At that moment, my body was sent flying horizontally, like a ping pong ball.
My feet, planted on the ground, scraped against it, leaving two lines like car tracks on the dirt.
This power…! Is he… a heavyweight?!
The Grim Reaper is by no means a large man. His build is almost the same as mine, just slightly taller.
With this physique… a heavyweight!? No, if I look closely without being deceived by his loose-fitting jacket… his arms are thick.
I can’t tell how developed his muscles are, but… is he a heavyweight power type? No wonder he’s so tough.
“Surprised? I suppose I’ll have to print business cards from now on. ‘Spec Company Affiliation, Toma Toushirou, Heavyweight Bio-Metal.'”
Toma Toushirou. … ‘Grim Reaper Toma,’ huh.
“And why not include my vital statistics? It might be hilarious.”
Calm down. I know this guy isn’t a pushover. His technique is zero, but his power and toughness are first-class.
But if he lacks technique, there’s a chance to win!
“A man’s vital statistics wouldn’t even be a joke. Only homosexuals would be pleased.”
The Grim Reaper cracked his neck and approached. Good, he’s far from Shion.
There’s no need to worry about her becoming a hostage or getting caught in the crossfire.
“Hidden strong guys like you might appeal to gay men!”
I won’t move first, I’ll lure him in sufficiently and then attack!
I’ll evade with super-speed reactions, but he can’t defeat me with just physical ability!
I’ll control the fight, luring the Grim Reaper further away from Shion.
…He’s far enough now! Alright, I can move to the next phase!
While engaged in a sword lock, I made that judgment.
But what power. I’m holding my Sword with both hands, pouring all my strength into it, and he’s holding his with one hand, looking completely unfazed.
He has the same power as my Older Sister Abby!
“Looking closely, you’re holding a Sword similar to mine. Kenrou, what’s it called?”
“Treasured Sword Zanbu! Not quite a pair, but a pair of blades, how embarrassing! What’s your Sword called?”
“That’s Treasured Sword Zanbu. Mine is called Treasured Sword Burai. Even Tessai-sensei’s love for puns is a handful.”
Treasured Sword Burai! I heard about that supreme Sword from Shuri, a Sword fanatic!
My Treasured Sword Zanbu is said to be a brother Sword forged to imitate Treasured Sword Burai.
“Even a supreme Sword must be weeping to be held by an amateur like you?”
“Nah, I tried hard to practice through correspondence courses… I followed a textbook called ‘Swordsmanship Master Anyone Can Become’ for 30 minutes every day…”
“I’m already tired of that joke!”
I broke the sword lock, dodged the amateur’s slashes, and delivered a kick to his solar plexus.
It hit him squarely, but it didn’t seem to affect him much. He’s built tough. How should I finish him off?
I haven’t played any of my trump cards yet. Lilith and Natsume will be here soon. The situation should be advantageous.
Today marks the first anniversary of this serialization. I never imagined it would become a work that would rank in Nocturne’s yearly rankings. Thank you all. <(_ _)>
