Struggle (2)

Yeah, okay. Sure. It was great and all that I managed to successfully follow her.

But what kind of fucked up situation was this?

[Shouldnt you stop them?]

Stop that?

When I saw Riru and Eleanor enter the arena, such a response came out automatically.

If I interfere, itll just turn into an even bigger shitfest, you know?

[I do agree with that, but]

Caliban let out a bitter laugh.

[Does that mean youre just going to let those two fight?]

I knew that would be disastrous in its own way as well.

If they fought right here and now, one of them would die. Most likely, it would be Riru.

And the moment Riru died, the foundation in clearing Chapter 3 was as good as lost.

That person is absolutely necessary.

I didnt say the equipment needed to be shared with another person for no reason.

After all, in this chapters boss battle, we had to face both Tatiana and Alan at the same time.

When taking Tatianas abilities into account, there would be times when it was impossible to use weapons. So, it was not an exaggeration to say that Riru was the only one who could deliver effective strikes with her bare hands.

Lets just watch for now. Its not like it only does harm.

Considering the original games progression, there was a narrative that when Vessels clashed with each other, their skills rapidly improved.

Apparently they stimulated each others Devils Aura, thus dragging out their latent abilities.

Of course, most of the time, it led to catastrophic situations, but judging by the current situation, it wasnt like there were only negative parts about it.

After all, I was someone who earnestly wished for Rirus growth.

[Anyway, doesnt that just mean its already half-certain that an incident is about to happen?]

He wasnt wrong.

[What are you going to do when that happens?]

I stroked my chin at Calibans question.

Finally, I gave him a serious response, wearing a stony expression on my face.

Im sure itll all work out fine, right?

[]

You cant even answer that, can you?

[]

Yeah, no. I knew you couldnt.

In any case, I believed in myself

That Id do whatever the fuck it takes to survive when any fatal threat comes my way!

[Arent you just slowly starting to give up now as well?]

Yeah, he wasnt wrong.

As expected of the academy that encouraged fights among students the most out of the three academies, the arena in the Forge of Struggle was a state-of-the-art facility.

You need look no further than the medical station; it healed the patients injuries to a level that was almost magical.

At the very least, there was no need to worry about dying, no matter how many clashes and explosions occurred in this place.

And, honestly

Right now, such help was more desperately needed than anything else.

From the outside, Eleanor didnt seem to be that angry.

In the first place, she always wore an expressionless face, so it was impossible to read her emotions just by looking at her.

Even so, she could certainly feel it.

Killing intent. The tingly sensation that was crawling up her skin was undoubtedly that. She wasnt imagining it, it was as real as it could be.

She steadied her breathing.

There wasnt really a particular reason why she chose Eleanor out of the many people in the Forge of Struggle.

It was just that she instinctively felt that this person was the most dangerous among all the humans near her right now.

Simply because of the experience they had before

And also because her senses had been ringing alarm bells ever since the awards ceremony.

That was a monster she should never go up against.

However

She was going to fight that very monster.

I know who you are, Riru Garda.

While she was lost in such thoughts, such a sentence was sent her way.

Any warrior of the Tribal Alliance would look for an honorable fight and a glorious death. I am fully aware of such a disposition.

What?

The thought of you using Dowd as part of such a process doesnt make me feel any particular emotion now.

So I shall forgive you if you at least withdraw now. Or else.

Eleanor took a single step towards heer.

A familiar feeling.

It was as if her entire body was being sliced by a blade, even though there had been no physical danger that had come her way.

She wanted to back down. They had faced each other many times, but even now, she desperately wished to turn her back and run away.

However

This time was different.

At first, that was how it was.

Riru began to speak in a gloomy voice.

Even until some time ago, my head was filled with thoughts of Using him to accomplish my goals.

She herself understood why Eleanor showed such a reaction.

After all, in the past, Eleanor reacted most intensely when Riru, in an attempt to get on her nerves, mentioned that she would take away her lover.

Therefore, it was likely she believed that even this current situation was merely an extension of that time.

She probably thought that Riru was just trying to pick a fight, like what an average Tribal Alliance warrior would do.

However

The situation now was vastly different from before.

Both her feelings about Dowd, as well as the gap between her and Eleeanor.

This woman was undoubtedly strong. However, it was absolutely not to the extent that she would feel overwhelmingly outclassed.

Come at me. I wasnt saying such things as mere empty wo

Before she could even finish those words, a powerful blow struck Rirus abdomen.

-!

With a single kick, her insides were completely wasted.

Without any chance to react or readjust her posture

Her body, honed over many years.

Was reduced to nothing by a strike from a lady from a household famed for their swordsmanship, despite the fact that she hadnt even drawn her sword yet.

[ Fatal injury detected. ]

[ Medical drone activated. ]

At that moment, the medical station that would only respond to fatal injuries was immediately activated. As if emphasizing the level of the damage she had taken.

If this wasnt the arena but a real battle, she would have died from that strike just now.

However

Again.

Riru wiped the blood trickling from her lips.

The flame in her eyes remained undiminished.

Im just getting started.

Again, they clashed.

This time, there was a slight difference in result.

She managed to adjust her footwork, carefully measuring the distance between her and her opponent as she advanced.

However

-!

Once again, she was kicked aside effortlessly.

Three compound fractures in the ribs. The arm that had blocked the blow was grotesquely twisted.

[ Fatal injury detected. ]

[ Medical drone activated. ]

Riru gritted her teeth and stood up again.

Again.

And following that

The same routine repeated itself.

No matter how she tried to clash, she was shattered and broken under the opponents effortless strikes, as if merely swatting a fly.

The gap was overwhelming.

An insurmountable difference that made her feel like all the techniques, powers, and knowledge she had accumulated were utterly useless.

Why are you going this far, Riru Garda?

Eleanor let out a sigh.

She wasnt even moving properly, yet she was practically beating Riru into mush without shedding a single drop of sweat.

I shall be honest. I do not understand the reason behind these actions. That is why I am going easy on you.

Was all of this actually Eleanor going easy on her?

Even though she was displaying such monstrous strength?

It was enough to make her feel despair.

At the very least, she wanted to drag out this womans full power.

Only then could she at least find the foundation she needed to lay out, but

It seemed it was impossible with her current abilities.

Because I want to become stronger.

If becoming stronger was your wish, there are an abundance of ways. Theres no particular need to come find me and do something so reckless.

To be honest, it wasnt even worthy of a warm-up. Im not sure if there is anything you can gain from here.

Riru bit her lip so hard, blood flowed out.

Moreover, there is even less of a reason to namedrop Dowd.

Eleanor continued in an apathetic voice.

Why would you say you would take that man for yourself if it wasnt to provoke me? Whats the reason for that?

You dont love him deeply enough to warrant this much effort to go against me.

That was true.

It would be a lie to say that she had no favorable feelings for that man, but it would also be a lie to say that she was in love with him.

If anything, the most vivid emotion she held was

Jealousy.

That was the emotion she felt when Kasa chose that man over her, someone who had been by her side and had taken care of her for decades.

However

That wasnt the only reason why.

I dont want to receive help again.

She muttered with frustration.

The identity of that emotion Even she herself didnt know

What she knew was that she didnt want that man to suffer for her sake anymore.

She could feel such an emotion clearly, like a lump in her chest.

Even more so If its from someone Im indebted to

In such a short time, she had gained this chance for revenge, even though she wasnt even certain that she could secure such a chance alone if she were to spend her whole life working for it.

But even after giving her such a gift, he continued to help her.

If she at least knew what his intentions were when helping her, she wouldnt be this frustrated. However, for her sake, this indecipherable man busied himself, suffered, and continuously intervened in her actions.

To be honest, she didnt even know how to treat him.

As such.

I also have a duty to do the right thing. At the very least, I should get rid of the thing he fears.

If you receive something from someone, return their favor, even if you have to stake your life. Kasa had taught her as such.

So, even if it was to avoid receiving future help

She had to grow strong enough to protect him at least once by eliminating the thing he was most terrified of.

Risking her life and clashing with this woman was a part of such progress.

Fear? What does Dowd fear?

Rirus face was covered with incredulous disbelief.

Are you really asking because you dont know?

What?

Its you. You and the swordswoman who wields that white aura.

He seemed afraid of you two from time to time.

Wouldnt he be able to gain at least some peace of mind if I defeat you and make you never approach him again?

As a seasoned warrior on the battlefield, this was a fact that she could assert. Moreover, as a capable unarmed combatant with extreme sensitivity to emotions, she could state this truth with even more certainty.

That man, from time to time, was afraid of these two women. Such a sensation was conveyed vividly.

Eleanors eyebrows twitched.

Youre talking utter nonsense.

Rirus expression became slightly serious.

This woman, who had always treated her as if she were a mere nuisance, had reacted in a sincere manner to that statement.

In other words, this could be considered an opportunity.

An opportunity to see this womans full power.

Are you sure its not that youre in denial?

She began to provoke Eleanor.

You guys dont look good together, though.

What?

Why do you think he accepted you? Its because he had no choice. You kept throwing yourself onto him like

As soon as such words were spoken

-!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A flash of light exploded in front of Rirus eyes.

Dirt and dust turned the surroundings into a fog of smoke.

That was dangerous!

With such thoughts, I looked at Riru, who was retching while vomiting blood.

She was a complete mess. If I hadnt just used that skill, she would have died on the spot.

As soon as she left the stage, she would not have been able to receive any support from the medical station.

With cold sweat dripping down my back, I looked at the completely devastated stage, courtesy of Eleanors sword swing from just a moment ago.

How did she even manage to think about fighting something like that?

Are you okay?

As I whispered in a volume that Eleanor couldnt hear, Rirus eyes kept rolling backwards.

Dont help me.

What?

I said dont help me!

Riru spoke with clenched teeth.

It was a voice filled with shame and humiliation. And somehow, it also sounded tearful as well.

But more than that, I witnessed a chilling sight that made my blood run cold.

This time, I dont need your help! Theres still so much I owe you, so dont make the list any longer!

A blue aura was spreading.

I didnt know why, but this person became extremely angry as a result of my help.

Riru.

For now, I opened my mouth.

Above all else, I had a duty to calm this persons ire.

However, I couldnt think of anything to say.

What should I say?

I didnt even know why she got so angry in the first place!

However, if I didnt reassure her right now, there was no doubt that it would become a massive problem.

As such, I opened my mouth to calm her down.

System Message

[ Title Playboy recognizes your situation! ]

[ After recognizing the situation and target, it composes the optimal sentence to overcome the current crisis! ]

No.

Please dont. Dont do that.

When I saw the system window that popped up in front of my eyes, goosebumps rose all over my body.

Although I applied it quite usefully when pushing away Yuria before, I still remembered what this son of a bitch did to calm Eleanor down.

If this fucker handled the part that I didnt plan

It was going to fucking spit out whatever ridiculous shit it want!

There is no need for you to feel indebted to me because of my help.

As soon as the sentence popped out of my mouth before I could even finish my thoughts

After all, it was all my choice. I wanted to do it.

What?

I like you, Riru Garda.

Rirus expression instantly turned blank.

And mine did as well.

W-What

What the fuck did I just say?

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