Kaze No Stigma Will Swelling Be Alive Again
Chapter Iii - Friendship –Contributions and Mistakes-
Part 1
Belatedly night....
"Dammit! I'm not certain if I'll make it in fourth dimension."
A teenager rushed towards the station in society to catch the last train.
Takahashi Shuuji was a 20 year-sometime university student.
Equally a formal participant of the Kendo club, his slender-seeming torso was actually very well trained—there was no fat on it at all.
His reflexes were benumbed due to an excessive intake of alcohol. Nevertheless, the steps he took on the brick floor did not seem so disordered.
"...That's weird."
Shuuji suddenly had a strange feeling. He stopped in his tracks to look around him.
He plant nothing suspicious—just a very normal underground passage that stretched a long way.
But—
"Hey... Why is at that place no one here?"
Besides him, not a single soul could be seen in the surface area.
This was the surreptitious passage to the turnstiles. Even with information technology past midnight—the time when the last train was about to reach the station—it was impossible that there was nobody hither at all.
"Rea— Really, anything can happen."
Shuuji found some excuse to convince himself and tried to suppress the uneasiness in his centre.
"I'm... I'1000 going to miss the train at this rate..."
Shuuji began to walk chop-chop with a loud and clear ta! ta! ta! sound from his footsteps, . After a while information technology became a jog—and in the stop he ran at total speed, as if he was flying.
Ta! Ta! Ta!
The sound made by the soles of his leather shoes knocking against the brick floor echoed throughout the unabridged vacant underground passage. Even so, no matter how long he continued to walk, at that place was no sign of the turnstiles before him.
"Wha—? What the hell!? Information technology shouldn't be this long at all!"
The surreptitious passage seemed to stretch on endlessly. Surrounded by shop windows with the metal shutters pulled down at the sides, Shuuji gradually lost runway of where he was.
He turned back to cheque on the way he came.
"—Eek!"
Shuuji gasped. Before him was a long tunnel that led to who knows where. The stairs that led to the surface could no longer be seen.
"—!"
He inverse his direction once more and continued in the direction in which he had first been going. The scene reflected in his eyes made Shuuji stare, his eyes wide open.
The same equally the way behind him—in that location was but i tunnel that stretched until information technology vanished as far every bit he can see. Of course, there were no stairs or crossroads there either.
Shuuji was stranded in the eye of a tunnel that stretched endlessly—alone.
"What...? What's going on...?"
Cold sweat broke out from his face. Within the eyeballs that spun continuously, his pupils slowly dilated.
"What the hell is this about?!"
No i replied to his scream. His cry reverberated between the walls and ceiling and got sent back into Shuuji's ears as a reverberating repeat.
The teenager stumbled onto the floor, staring blankly at the brick with half mad, one-half sane eyes.
"...Ah?"
Suddenly, his eyes focused on one betoken—something was seeping through the gaps between the bricks on the flooring.
"What...?"
It was a semi-transparent substance with a gum-like texture. It was originally the size of a ping-pong ball, then, it grew to the size of a baseball in a moment, and, later on not too long, it was the size of a soccer ball.
The gum-similar substance shone with a rainbow-colored glow. If this thing was seen in a photograph, maybe it would requite a clear, lustrous, and refreshing feeling.
But, the actual substance floating before his eyes could simply be described as ugly. It was merely like a tumor, vomit, or a filthy gooey piece of the ii condensed to the maximum limit.
Instinctively, Shuuji hurriedly jumped backwards, reacting to his cloy. He jumped with force, landing two meters behind where he was, and the sound of his steps spreads beyond the entire underground passage.
Squeelch.
"—!?"
He looked down at his feet in shock. There—! No, as far as he can see, all of the brick was covered with the filthy pieces of goo.
"WA—! WAHHHH!"
The globules that were in contact from under his feet slowly latched onto Shuuji'due south body. Even though he attempted to peel the gooey things off, he couldn't; they were tougher than expected, firmly attaching themselves onto his limbs.
"...Huh?"
All of a sudden, his surroundings darkened. His eyeballs almost popped out, when he looked upwards away from the surface area near his anxiety he was staring at.
Before his eyes— At a distance so close he could touch it by stretching out his hand, a wall made from the globules appeared.
The scattered globules on the flooring gathered around Shuuji, forming a semi-transparent, round saucepan. Looking at the round bucket emitting a lustrous glow, it looked like a distorted pillar, like an avant-garde piece of fine art.
"...Argh... Ah..."
Shuuji shook his head, unwilling to believe what was happening. In his heed, he tried difficult to deny the existence of this gooey mass.
Even so, his wish was non fulfilled.
At that moment, the globules, which were stacked fifty-fifty higher than his body, collapsed on him all at once.
"—!"
Shuuji was also scared to say annihilation as his whole body was completely wrapped inside the blob.
Unable to withstand such a spooky feel, sending shivers downward his spine, Shuuji'south consciousness was consumed by darkness.
And— He never woke up once more.
"The mode you manipulated them left me speechless, merely—"
In the space where there was no 1 originally, a boy'due south clear voice spoke up.
"Don't you think you lot wasted too much time?"
A gentle female voice replied, "This is the first time; naturally I had to be more cautious."
"Hmm, possibly!"
Ka-ta. The sound of one footstep could be heard.
Who could say when they were at that place? Two shadows suddenly appeared in the abnormal infinite that trapped Shuuji.
At that place stood a seventeen or eighteen-year-onetime female with a boy about ten years erstwhile. The girl's height exceeded that of the boy past near 30 centimeters—but, as for the position of the caput, the male child'south head was slightly higher.
The two looked at Shuuji, who was trapped in the globule, chatting calmly.
"But, if you use and then much time similar this, who knows when it will be completed? To fulfill your wish, more power must be gathered."
Right before the two of them, Shuuji slowly became emaciated.
He was being consumed.
Was it his blood—? No.
Was it his moisture content—? That was wrong also.
Being surrounded by the blob, Shuuji aged quickly. All the vital essence of the teenager's whole body— The radiance of life was beingness expropriated, his life that should last over half a century was used to its limit within a short period of a few minutes.
"I sympathise this very clearly! I volition do information technology more cleanly and speedily adjacent time!"
The daughter raised her head to look at the boy, and used a determined tone to answer. As if to pacify the displeased girl, the boy gave a light smile.
"That's the way. You tin can exercise it."
The short, neatly-cut aureate hair waved lightly to follow his nodding movement.
Judging from the tone the 2 spoke in, it seemed the young boy was of a higher status.
Maybe his actual age was not as young as his appearance—the emerald-green eyes that looked innocent and naïve at beginning sight instead seemed deep beyond comprehension.
In a articulate melodious vox similar a silver bong, the boy said solemnly:
"Because he who is right will receive Heaven's protection."
"...Yous hateful this?"
Looking at the vital essence of the innocent teenager being continuously sucked dry by the blob, the girl laughed mockingly.
"You're saying that this monster is the aforementioned as you? Tenshi-sama? That sounds atrocious."
The boy had no wings. A faint radiance emitted from all over his body equally he floated in the air. The cute angelic confront of his showed a bitter smile.
"Needless to say monsters—even devils—cannot escape the grasp of God. Considering the almighty God is capable of anything."
The daughter looked at the grinning affections (self-proclaimed) with puzzled eyes. Notwithstanding, she did not decline his extended hand.
"No affair what your reason may exist, I'm very thankful that yous lent me power. For mutual benefit, let us piece of work together from now on!"
"—One day, y'all volition surely feel the love of God, too."
Earlier the teenager gradually withering away, two hands filled with personal desires and hypocrisy were tightly clasped.
Part 2
Next solar day at the Kannagi residence:
"What's the matter?"
Kazuma—who was sought out—all of a sudden decided to forgo the pleasantries to ask Juugo direct.
He didn't even glance at Ayano who was sitting at his side.
Ayano, as usual, was in a silent anger. Kazuma, every bit usual, ignored her presence and kept his gaze on Juugo only.
"From yesterday night up till this forenoon at zero hours, Ikebukoro has a total of 8 youngsters dying from being weakened by an unknown reason, their age ranging from ten plus to 20 plus years old."
Juugo matched himself with Kazuma, going to the main point directly.
"And so?"
Kazuma calmly hushed for his continuation. He had an extremely high tolerance towards the suffering and misfortunes of others.
Even though you could only say how he was without blood or tears.
"They seem to have their vigor sucked dry out. And and so, I would like to ask you to find this person, and, if possible, eliminate him."
"Okay, I got information technology."
Without a more detailed negotiation, Kazuma accepted the request readily. This, likewise, was his usual style.
"I leave it to you. This is the data related to the incidents..."
With that said, Juugo takes out a sparse sheaf of documents. Fifty-fifty though they were said to exist information, only the incidents only happened terminal night, so there were no important clues. Merely uncomplicated data near the victims and where they were found, and some photos while they were still alive, and some after their death.
"Oh oh.... These are just similar residues."
Kazuma compared the photos, and says the term that would make the relatives of the deceased expletive him.
Withal, this was probably the most direct thought of anyone who saw the photos— Even though there were not many who dared say information technology out loud.
Every victim looked very lively—just looking at their photos allowed one to feel the brilliance of their lives.
Switching back to their photos after expiry... To exist frank, they were mummies. Nothing would seem out of identify even if they were placed direct in a museum for exhibition.
Dry and wrinkled skin, faces filled with wrinkles. In those open and vacant optics, there was no sign of fear, only merely a supernatural calmness.
Even if you told everyone how they had been notwithstanding alive a few hours ago, there wouldn't be many who would believe y'all! That was but how bad they looked after death.
"This time there is no time limit—but act fast. You will co-operate with Ayano—"
Kazuma simply cut into Juugo'south sentence. "No need."
"—What?"
"She'll but exist in my way."
Faced with Juugo's question, Kazuma replied coldly.
"Wha—? What!?"
Ayano furiously cried out in protest. Juugo stopped her.
"—Kazuma."
He called out Kazuma's name like a sigh—but Kazuma showed no intention of backing off.
"The chore this time is primarily to search—right? And then En-jutsushi are completely useless. If the opponent is non something I can handle, I'll contact yous guys once more. Until then, just remain on stand-past!"
"But, if the enemy escapes because of this, so we'll accept to get through this trouble once again."
Juugo didn't give up, and persistently attempted to let Ayano travel along. Kazuma refused once more.
"I uncertainty that the number of Youma that I cannot handle by myself is very loftier. So why should I bring a heavy burden to preclude such a situation?"
Ayano jumped up in her acrimony. "Burden—!? Aren't you beingness as well arrogant—!?"
Juugo restrained Ayano and pulled her dorsum to her seat.
"Y'all won't bring her along no matter what?"
"Nope."
"...Is that so?"
Under such a directly rejection, Juugo could only comply.
"I get information technology. I'll trust y'all on this, so. And i more thing—"
"What is information technology?"
"Yous seem to care a lot about Misao. Only, for now, just forget most her! At least until this matter is over."
"----------------------"
Kazuma made no answer. He stood upward silently, turned and left the room.
"Yous idiot—! Even if y'all come back crying, begging me, I will definitely not help y'all—!"
Ayano raged at Kazuma's back as he gradually left.
Juugo looked at his daughter bitterly with a deep sigh.
"You should at least..."
"What!? Y'all call up I'm in the wrong?"
The ignorant Ayano said in a temper.
Slice!
Wind blades sped through to piece a bunch of eerily wriggling blobs into pieces. Staring at the semi-transparent objects turned into crumbs, Kazuma breathed out.
"Gee, another failure."
Two days had passed since he had taken on Juugo's request.
During this period, he had been assaulted past these youma every bit many equally ix times.
They didn't seem to consider Kazuma a target. Even though he himself walked into these areas with a strong youki, meeting them was sheer coincidence.
9 times.
A very abnormal number.
And while he investigated, every day there were some other five or six victims....
Five or six? I doubt in that location were then few.
Indeed, such was only the number of corpses which had been found. But after witnessing how a victim was devoured from start to finish, Kazuma realized that Juugo's assumption was wrong.
This type of "youma" didn't simply absorb its victim's vigor. It also ate their flesh too as annihilation else it swallowed upwards—including clothes and accessories. Everything got devoured.
Kazuma looked dejectedly at the victim, whose skin was now dissolving. This was followed past the flesh until in the finish fifty-fifty his basic had dissolved. Kazuma's expression was not due to the dissolution procedure existence so gruesome, but because he understood what this meant.
—The only reason why corpses remained was because it couldn't digest them completely.
The estimated number of casualties might be off from the actual number by a digit—or even ii.
"No fashion...."
Kazuma sighed weakly.
Just how many more than shape-shifting worms that fed on human being flesh resided within Tokyo metropolis? Simply thinking about it irritated him.
"There's no finish to this... I'd better come upward with a way —and fast—to become to the cadre of this and end it once and for all!"
Later nine battles, Kazuma almost completely understood the characteristics of these youma.
Their appearance was similar to a unmarried prison cell organism, with no intelligence at all. They acted purely by instinct, continuously devouring humans filled with vigor.
Their power was "Absorption"—to completely bleed away i's vigor. Even the bodies were converted to free energy and taken in.
Lone, they posed a threat no different from whatever normal pest. But what was troubling was that their numbers were not few equally was normal—and when they joined up they gained new abilities.
When plenty of them had gathered, some kind of magical circuit would so grade among them. Using this circuit to create a kekkai, they made it so that the targeted humans were unable to escape.
Kazuma predicted that these globules all together were just ane entity. The situation now was like that of dissever cells conducting activities independently.
The ability of each "cell" was to blot calories and then exhaust them through activity. When they gathered together to form an "organ," they gained the ability to control the energy they captivated.
Perhaps in the terminal stage, each "organ" would link up to form 1 entity. Just Kazuma didn't intendance about the true identity of this monster.
If it was just i entity, and so there must be an organ like a brain giving out commands... Something like a core. Things would be fine and then long as he establish this core and destroyed information technology.
Currently, the enemy was acting separately, and thus its powers were weakened. There was no reason not to strike during this opportunity. He didn't take strange habits such every bit "hoping to fight with strong enemies."
As such, Kazuma had been trying to discover clues from the "cells" that would lead him to where the cadre might be, trying to find the existent enemy... But then far it was ix sequent losses.
"These guys are besides dispersed. Some bait must exist used in order to go them to assemble in one place..."
Kazuma suddenly went placidity.
Bait. Someone total of vigor.
"There but so happens to exist one available."
Simply as he clapped in exultation at having come upward with such a brilliant programme, Kazuma sensed the appearance of the 10th batch of youma. At the same time, he noticed the presence of a certain someone he knew.
Kazuma's smile was arrogant.
"Hehe. Not bad. Without my needing to say anything, our bait took up its function already."
Listening to the wind, he identified the exact location.
"A little far... Should I jump?"
Jumping in the metropolis might exist seen by others. Kazuma'due south eyes subconsciously turned to the road while he pondered. His ears and eyes noticed "it" at the same time.
Okay. Let's use that.
Kazuma made upwards his mind immediately. He hopped over the protective railing and stood in the road. Following that, with his left leg as the centre, he spun circular in one case to pass the side of a motorcycle that sped through the sidewalk...
"Wha—!?"
The opposite spin kicking swept at the neck of the rider.
While the rider was thrown off the motorcycle and still in mid-air, Kazuma—every bit if doing a magic flim-flam—straddled the motorcycle.
Thunk!
A blunt and heavy sound came from behind. It seemed the driver barbarous head first onto the basis—only since he was wearing a helmet, he wouldn't die at that kind of speed.
"I will try my best to render it to you."
Kazuma muttered with his greatest sincerity—and so suavely sped off.
Part three
"Hey y'all girls, wanna—"
Bang!
The poor guy didn't know how to await at the state of affairs. Before he fifty-fifty completed his get-go sentence, he was sent flight into the air past the schoolbag that flew in from the side.
"Scram!"
Ayano yelled. His companions, seeing this, abased the unconscious man and instantly ran off. This was probably the most loyal and clever judgment made past cocky-survival instincts!
Yukari and Nanase did not rebut a single word all along; they knew better than anyone information technology wouldn't be a wise motility.
The massive crowds all around the front of Ikebukuro station fabricated it difficult for anyone to move on in a straight line—yet no one blocked Ayano's manner.
Like Moses who split the cherry sea in two, Ayano walked boldly on the path cleared right in the eye of the crowd.
What was that!? What was that!? Sorry I'll only be a nuisance! Too bad I'yard weaker than y'all! Gee, I'm so sorry—!
In her heart, Ayano used her Enraiha to stab that brassy detestable face.
Nonetheless, no matter how she mashed or beat upward that face up, the fury in her showed no signs of abating.
"Erm...... Ayano?"
"What is it?"
Ayano looked back at Yukari with scary eyes that would fifty-fifty scare a yakuza. Merely when she saw Yukari retreat back in fear, she reflected on her own behavior.
"Give me a moment."
Ayano turned her back on the two and took in a few deep breaths. After she finally managed to give a relaxed expression, she turned back at them, wearing a grinning once more.
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, erm...... We took the wrong way."
"—Huh?"
Ayano looked effectually her, just to realize that this place seemed very unfamiliar to her.
"Where is this?"
"A pocket-size path by the chief route."
It seemed that considering Ayano was walking without watching her way upwardly till now, they had unknowingly walked into a separate road.
Even though this was a completely new place to them, they could still run into the Tokyu Hands sign ahead. Apparently they hadn't strayed too far.
"Ahaha— Sorry, lamentable. I was thinking virtually something."
"Geez, this will not practice— You should pay attending when y'all walk."
Ayano gave an embarrassed grin. And Yukari smiled back at an advisable time, lifting her hand to poke her brow to lighten the mood.
"Merely, information technology'south merely one street away. Why did it become and so empty suddenly?"
Ayano who didn't know too much about Ikebukuro said.
Every bit she said, in this alleyway sandwiched betwixt a car park and a beloved cabin, in that location were just the three of them—no one else.
"Yeah...... There'due south no i effectually......"
This place shouldn't be and so empty to have no one at all.
It was just like having a gap that suddenly appeared amidst the noisy city; the silence fabricated one experience an unimaginable uneasiness.
"This kind of situation happens once in a while I guess. Today's not a vacation after all."
Every bit if trying to dispel the gloomy atmosphere, Nanase said confidently.
"Yeah, that's correct......"
"Alright, let's go. Ayano too......"
At the instant she looked at Ayano, Nanase's eyes opened wide.
"Nanase......?"
Yukari looked in the direction of Nanase's line of sight; her face also went stiff. An expression of a pale anemic face filled with fear.
"Aww, don't be like that—at that place's no need to be then afraid. I won't scare you guys once more."
"Behind you!"
Nanase shouted out in a rare tone of panic. When Ayano heard it she stopped smiling and turned her whole torso around.
"—!?"
Her heart well-nigh jumped out from her throat.
Because that kind of thing was less than a meter away from her.
A semi-transparent and continuously wriggling piece of goo. Information technology looked similar a slime from an RPG, but Ayano conspicuously knew it wasn't something cute.
She ignored the eyes of the other two. Under an instinctive feeling of detest and irritation, Ayano released the flames.
—Kaboom!
The golden flames burnt the goo till in that location was no trace of it left.
"That...... That was scary......"
What a dangerous moment that was. If she were killed like this, it would probably be told to generations to come up as the biggest humiliation of the Kannagi clan.
No matter how tedious and pathetic the senses of a En-jutsushi may be, no matter how his attention was focused on other things, to exist completely unaware of an abnormality that fifty-fifty a normal person would realize like just now was, without question, the biggest disgrace of all.
I mustn't permit others know of this......
Ayano silently swore to bury this deep in her heart for the rest of her life.
"A—Ayano...... What was that just now......?"
"That's...... That's a good question...... I but saw a weird thing pop out, and then it all of a sudden caught fire......"
Ayano acted as though she knew zippo.
"Anyway, we better get out of this creepy place!"
She changed the topic immediately.
But Ayano had already sensed things were not that simple.
This is non skillful...... This place is not Ikebukuro at all...... Tin we become out......?
All kinds of noise spread from the road just i street away. However this several tens of meters of distance was now even further away than the moon.
"A—Ayano, that!"
"Ah—Yeah."
Ayano sensed it without even having to look at the thing Yukari pointed at.
Oozing continuously from all the gaps and cracks emerged a big mass of slime.
Non just from the sewer openings and water drains, the more exaggerating ones would be that they are coming out from the dispensing ports of automated selling machines, and from inside the mailboxes.
The total number was countless.
"Those...... Those are—!? What the hell are these things!?"
"Calm down, Yukari."
Ayano observed Nanase while she comforted Yukari who was out of control.
Nanase's face, normally at-home and fearless, looked slightly distorted, but non to a large extent.
"Let me see— We should brand a run for it first!"
Her mind was very clear despite how bad their situation was. As the opponent seemed to look very dull and clumsy, they should exist able to escape easily.
And then Nanase was indeed stunned as the globules all leaped at them. Who would take imagined that slimes could perform an amazing leap of over x meters on the spot?
—Oh shit!
Ayano reflexively stimulated the power in her trunk. She placed her correct paw at her left hip, and and so, as she made one big step forward, she slashed horizontally out.
This was the posture of a battoujutsu without the bract. Nevertheless there was indeed a blade that appeared there.
It was a brilliant carmine-red, double-edged straight sword. A gilded flame possessing a shining and vivid great power engulfed the bract.
Enraiha— The demon-slaying holy blade bestowed by the Lord of the Fire Spirits. The devastating flames that burst out from the blade burned all the "youma" in sight into a crisp.
"Phew—"
Breathing out softly, Ayano began to verify the safety of the 2.
The 2 people before her were still in a country of extreme fear.
"It'due south okay now—don't be afraid."
Ayano wore a smile and took a pace towards the two.
Yukari retreated 3 steps.
"Yukari......?"
Ayano just realized that what the two are afraid of now, was none other than herself.
Even Nanase, who tried her best to stand in that location, the fright on her confront was patently to see.
"Ayano...... Just what are you......?"
"—!"
Ayano hid the Enraiha behind her immediately—just information technology was pointless doing so now.
What...... What should I do......?
She didn't feel ashamed of her powers, but instead she was very proud of them.
Fifty-fifty so, the fearful optics that her best friends placed on her made her feel very painful.
It was not strange that the two would be afraid of Ayano. But, it was a kind of fear towards "a scary person".
By at present these two people had classified Ayano as "a scary person". To them Ayano was the same every bit those blobs.
"N—No...... I......"
The moment she opened her mouth, the expression of the two flinched. Seeing their expressions, Ayano understood information technology was pointless no matter how she tried to explicate herself. She shut her mouth.
She couldn't face them; she lowered her head, her body trembling lightly. Every bit she lost her volition, the flames vanished from the blade of Enraiha.
"—Behind you!"
Nanase'due south warning sounded off one time more than. Notwithstanding, Ayano had no strength to respond to her voice.
Behind Ayano who stood in that location emptily, a large lump of slime wriggled inexorably closer.
The blob that complanate from above her head swallowed Ayano in the blink of an eye.
"—Is this the place?'
Kazuma muttered after parking the motorcycle he borrowed.
Attracted by Ayano's vigor, a large group of youma gathered here at one go. This would let him to be able to conduct a reverse investigation.
"Good job, Ayano— Hmm?"
After nodding proudly, Kazuma finally realized something was amiss.
Ayano's scent was very weak, and was surrounded by youma—or should information technology be said that she was swallowed within.
"Fifty-fifty if you are the bait, there's no demand to go to such an extent! What is this girl doing?"
Kazuma knew very clearly how powerful this kind of youma was. Even if their numbers filled up the unabridged Tokyo Dome, it would exist impossible for Ayano to lose.
However, Ayano was now being swallowed up.
"Gee, what a problem-maker—"
Kazuma grumbled unhappily. He stepped onto the motorbike and flew off into the sky. He remained motionless in the air, and began to detect the inside of the kekkai.
Even though information technology was merely equally thick as a slice of thin peel, but it was a infinite completely isolated from the existent world. There was no way to get there through physical means.
Of grade, it was the same for the wind.
A natural phenomenon similar the wind could only operate revolving around the same world; it was unable to affect other worlds. If there was a wall that could be broken, it might all the same be possible—just at that place was no way to affect a space of a different dimension.
—That was the case for a "natural phenomenon."
Kazuma raised his right hand towards the sky. A large number of wind spirits responded to Kazuma'southward summon, and gathered consistently.
In terms of spirit techniques, information technology was non simply simply decision-making a natural miracle. Using the phenomenon equally a medium, so that his volition could manifest in this earth was the quintessence of information technology.
Imagining the edges of the abnormal infinite, Kazuma input the power into the wind to pause that space.
From directly above it he took the thin and abrupt "will" he made—
"Gah!"
—And fired it!
The raging wind broke the dimensional gap.
Office 4
"I thought that information technology was the descent of God."
Yukari said so subsequently the incident.
This is the kickoff time she felt the dazzler of a powerful person.
Bringing forth the winds, an apotheosis of swell power descending suavely. That scene was reflected in Yukari's optics.
An invisible force that came from the skies crushed the gigantic "youma" in 1 blow.
Ayano rolls out from within that "youma" like a puppet. The amazing thing is, she did not suffer whatever injuries, not just that, there is not a single piece of goo sticking onto her.
This is the power of "purification" that only destroys demons------ The special demon slaying power that the Kannagi is so proud of.
"…… Coughing……. Cough coughing!"
He uses a cold gaze to stare at the girl who is cough vigorously to endeavour to breathe, and orders her strictly..
"Stand up up."
(…… What is she doing?)
After he clears off all the wriggling pieces of goo, Kazuma observes Ayano once again.
Her "ki" is unbelievably weak. The corporeality of vigor that was absorbed by the low level "youma" isn't that much, nonetheless she seems so expended she is like an boilerplate person.
"…… Kazuma?"
The pathetic style she lies on the flooring, looking at him dumbly made him experience very displeased. Non a single shred of her usual authority could be felt from her, her expression looks as nervous and uneasy as an abased puppy.
(Only what has she been doing since just now?)
"Stand upward."
He uses a pressurizing tone to command her. Even so, Ayano still showed some form of resistance. She obeys the command, using Enraiha as a crutch, she slowly stands up.
Against that pair of common cold optics that is staring right into her, Ayano does non dare confront it. All that tin be seen is how she peeks behind Kazuma's right hand from time to time.
Of form, Kazuma noticed that there are two people there. Judging from how they wearable the same uniform as Ayano, they are probably non people who are just passing by so coincidentally.
"Erm...... Err…… This is……"
Ayano's gaze shifts between Enraiha and the two girls, who are standing at that place blankly, continuously. Only looking at her now, in his heart, Kazuma guessed pretty much what this is almost.
(Gee……)
He stretches i finger out between Ayano's eyes. The eyes that were originally busy shifting around, was captivated by the finger that appeared suddenly before her.
While Ayano'south conscious is all the same focused on the finger, Kazuma shouts loudly..
" "Thou who hast been blessed by the spirits, where does thy power lie?" " [or more literally: People who receives the blessings of spirits, what is your power used for? In a more than olden days context, similar to the ones used by Horo in S&W]
That is a pledge------ and an article during sermons. This is the most basic pledge that spirit standard Jutsushis act upon.
Ever since Ayano was little, Juugo has been repeating this judgement continuously. Fifty-fifty if she is completely out of it, she still remembers conspicuously the line that follows.
"My…… "My ability lies to protect. As a ministrant of the spirits, to slay the demons in this earth, to uphold the truth is where my duty lies. Never to be forgotten------" "
Suddenly, her tense speech stopped.
Ayano, whose eyes are focused at Kazuma's fingertip, as if shocked past electricity, she lifts her head up to stare at Kazuma. Those eyes glow with a calorie-free of understanding.
She shifts her eyes to the side, looking at Yukari and Nanase. And finally down------ At the Enraiha that is in her correct hand.
Ayano grabs the hilt that was originally hanging at her fingertips tightly.
When she raised her head upward once more than, the lost looks she had earlier has already vanished without a trace. Ayano uses her words to reinforce that pledge all once more.
"To protect------ The people I love!"
A dazzling flame bursts out from Enraiha. That is no longer an injured girl. Understanding the meaning of ability, the duty that she bears, as a powerful En-Jutsushi, she stares right back at Kazuma's optics.
Kazuma shows a smile at his lips, and stretches a finger to poke Ayano's brow gently. Pak! Ayano's caput tilts backwards.
"Ahhh!? What are yous doing, don't exercise that------"
Ignoring Ayano who bloats her cheek and complains, Kazuma places his attention on the surroundings.
Unsure whether it is the cocky-regeneration of the remaining goo or a new batch emerging out, past now, countless goo pieces are surrounding them.
"So then------"
Not asking if she "can practise information technology?" or "are you okay?", that level of injury, at that place is no need to show solicitude. To put information technology more plainly, it is the level of it does not affair at all.
Because, the power they have exists precisely for this.
"I go out those at the dorsum to you."
"Get out it to me."
Ayano replies without hesitation. The two walk out back-to-back at the aforementioned time.
"------ Kazuma."
He did non answer, merely he stopped in his steps.
"Thank you."
Still, in that location was no answer. Only sounds of silent footsteps band past her ears.
Ayano closes her eyes gently, trying her best to think what she needs to practice.
(Yukari, Nanase…… Farewell……)
It would exist a lie to say that she doesn't experience lonely or sad. But fifty-fifty so------
(Even so, I must protect everyone------)
She opens her optics. At that place is not a single trace of gloominess or darkness in that pure and articulate mind.
An explosion sounds off, golden flames bursts from all over her body. Inputting all of her upsurge of powers---
"Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
Under a sharp scream, Ayano swung her Enraiha.
"Looking quite good------"
His back filled with explosive "ki", Kazuma tin can't help merely give a bitter grinning.
At this rate, these monsters will not exist able to hold out very long. He must attain his objective soon------
Kazuma blocks the ii who are staring at Ayano with their eyes wide open up, and says leisurely..
"Stay where you lot are, if yous run effectually, you lot might be killed!"
Post-obit that, he releases current of air blades once more with ease, slicing the "youma" that is approaching consistently.
Shu! Pach! Pff! Puu!
In a radius of five meters around Kazuma, horrifying killing sounds sounded off over and over once more.
The wind that Kazuma manipulates becomes blades at times, hammer at times, cutting the "youma" one by 1, swell them.
The "youma" is crushed in a moment, but in the blink of an eye, they recover instantly. They are originally something similar to a shape-shifting worm, without a standard class, and so physical attacks have no effect at all. Even so Kazuma still continues releasing wind. Even though information technology cannot cause fatal damage, but the raging winds tin can brand the groups of "youma" unable to close in on them.
And then afterwards a few minutes------
(------Institute it.)
Kazuma who is surrounded by "youma" gives a proud grinning. Nigh at the aforementioned time, Ayano who completed her mission broke through the frontlines and appears earlier them.
"My side is finished------ What are you doing?"
Ayano uses a puzzled expression to stare at Kazuma who is playing with the "youma".
"But as you can see."
"No…… It is precisely because I don't get information technology that I am asking you."
"The enemy is a being without grade, no matter how I slice information technology, it will recover once more."
"Then can't you just purify them…… Or is that to say, you cannot employ the power of purification like this!?"
Kazuma usually seals his strength firmly. Even though when he used the purifying winds in front of Ayano in the past, he had released the seal------
"Nope."
"Actually? You meliorate speak the truth, and fast!"
Ayano did non ease her questioning. Thinking that she might be able to get concord of Kazuma's weakness, her face becomes filled with expectation.
"Really. Besides, I don't actually desire to dampen your mood……"
"What?"
"Fifty-fifty if what you said is true, but if the opponent is man, at that place is no such problem."
"Hmm……"
Indeed, even if that is the truth, Ayano's chances of winning will not increase.
Ayano, who had been so excited about nada, looks very disappointed. Kazuma knocks her head and leaves the aftermath to her.
"And then, I leave the rest up to you. I am going to head straight for their main military camp."
"You lot found it already!?"
"Yes, things actually are unlike when you have good bait."
"Bait------?"
Ayano ponders on what this means. When she realized it, her face flushed blood-red instantly.
"You…… Y'all asshole, you used me again didn't you!?"
"This is a misunderstanding."
"Just which office of it is a misunderstanding!?"
"When I thought of having yous equally bait, you had already ran up and became the bait yourself, so it is not my fault at all."
Kazuma says so seriously.
"You are really……"
"Sorry, I am in a rush for time. I shall listen to your complains in the future!"
Kazuma throws down this sentence coldly, and turns to go out. Ayano hurriedly shouts out to call out to him..
"Expect… Wait a minute! I am going with you too------"
"I see that you have a lot of things to settle? I volition exit markings on the road, and so take hold of upwardly on your ain later!"
Obviously, the then chosen "a lot of things" does not only mean eliminating the "youma".
As Ayano's eyes are directed towards Yukari and Nanase, Kazuma rides the wind, flying up into the heaven.
"Ah, I told you to await!"
Kazuma ignores the shout, and breaks the boundaries as when he entered, and vanishes.
Logically, Ayano knows that Kazuma's choice is right. Merely, she is unable to accept it like this. "She has been abandoned once again", "he is apparently looking downward on her", this kind of thinking lingers in her heart, showing no sign of dispersing.
"Wuuuuu~~"
She groans in hatred, but Kazuma is long gone. And then she places all her unreleased fury onto the enemy.
Her fierce scary eyes stared directly at the goo pieces. Faced with an abnormally strong murderous atmosphere, fifty-fifty the "youma" that bears no intelligence can't assist but retreat.
"Kazuma……"
She instills all her power into Enraiha. A glaring golden glow that makes one hard to await direct at it emerges from the ruddy bract vigorously.
"You idiot-------------------------------!!"
After releasing a massive load of plasma, she burns off most of the "youma" at one become.
"------Phew."
After called-for up all the "youma", Ayano breathes out, satisfied.
The upshot from converting all her stress into destructive behavior, she became very calm now. Just that some of the surrounding buildings were dragged into this pointless disaster, being destroyed together with the "youma".
If this is non a different dimension, there would probably be over a hundred casualties?
Later on the "youma" that controls this dimension is destroyed, the expanse begins to return to its original state slowly.
Everything returned to the fashion they should be. Ayano and her friends returned to the original world likewise.
(Now…… To settle "a lot of things".)
Ayano looks at Yukari and Nanase. Perhaps because they have finally calmed down, the two generously meet with her gaze.
"…………………….."
Even though there are a lot of things that she must explicate to them, Ayano cannot bring herself to say them.
For some time, the 3 exchanged silent stares.
"I……"
As though she had made up her listen, Ayano tries her best to put up a calm front and smiled at the two of them.
"And then, good good day."
In the end, that is all she can say. Tossing all the necessary explanations out of her mind, Ayano turns her back at the ii of them.
She tries to hold back the tears that are swelling in her eyes and walks off------ Simply she stopped virtually immediately.
"Wait, Ayano!"
Yukari grabs the lower area of her compatible, pulling her back forcefully.
"Yukari……?"
Ayano turns effectually and upon seeing the scene before her, she frowns instantly.
Yukari'southward expression------ Looks perfectly normal, nevertheless that is the nearly abnormal part of information technology.
There is not a unmarried shred of fear in her face up, nor whatever determination to effort to overcome fright. All there is on that face is a brimming lite filled with marvel.
Yukari shows an expression of a prankster and says to the puzzled Ayano:
"After witnessing something so interesting, how can you leave without explaining things start?"
"What……"
Her marvel overwhelms her fear. Even though Ayano is very puzzled by Yukari's as per normal beliefs, if she does not explicate clearly showtime, it seems that Yukari will not permit her become. As she does not want to turn and leave direct, Ayano started to make her long story as curt every bit possible.
"Frankly speaking, my family is of a En-jutsushi clan that manipulates fire------"
"No! Not that!"
"……Huh?"
"I mean that man only now------ Kazuma-san! What kind of person is he? How did you lot get to know each other? What is your relationship with him now? Come on, spill everything, tell usa all about how you ii met------"
"Hey!"
Nanase knocks lightly on Yukari's head, who has been rattling on and on.
"Ouch, that hurts, Nanase~"
"Be quiet. All because of your constant nonsensical rumblings, Ayano has no thought what to do at present. Besides, if you wait us to pretend that null happened merely now, that is wishful thinking on your part!"
"Argh…… And so that won't happen huh?"
Earlier Ayano, who is at a consummate loss, the two stood upward. And------
"Sorry."
Yukari bows down deeply.
"Yep…… We are really sad near earlier."
Nanase at the side, embarrassed, avoids center contact with Ayano, and apologizes.
"…… What is going on?"
"Actually, I was really afraid at commencement. Because fire burst out all of a sudden, and a sword came out from nowhere, Ayano seems to take turned into a totally unlike person. But after seeing how you talk dorsum and along with Kazuma-san like that, I know that you are notwithstanding that Ayano I used to know."
"Talking back and forth with Kazuma...... You……"
To suddenly be taken that they were having a cross talk, Ayano is displeased. Nanase continues to say at this moment:
"That is to say, there is no demand to alter our attitude towards you lot just because you can apply some spells or supernatural powers."
"B…… Only…… Aren't you afraid of me? If I want to, I can kill yous two without and then much as lifting a finger?"
"So?"
Nanase asks back calmly.
"What……"
"You withal don't get information technology? In that location is no need for you to use some special powers, you tin impale united states just with your bare hands!"
"That…… is truthful."
"So then why should we first beingness afraid of you only from now on? Even if you change a gun to a cannon, you lot even so die in a single shot."
In that location is a certain limit to the corporeality of impairment a human can withstand. In one case he sustains an injury beyond this limit, he is doomed. There can never be a negative value being created in this fashion.
To someone who possesses ten points of HP, taking ten points of damage and a 1000 points of impairment are basically the same. The remaining nine hundred and 90 points of damage are but an backlog.
Still, there are not many people that can empathise such a simple logic in reality. Being by the side of a murderer whom you do not know, you will feel uneasy. That is to say------
"That is to say, the main bespeak lies in whether y'all trust the person. But I accept faith in y'all all along."
"Ayano has never been someone who would harm some other without a reason, so, I am not afraid at all."
Ayano looks dumbly at the two of them, Yukari asks uneasily:
"So…… Please don't hate us, can nosotros still be expert friends from now on?"
"……Yukari……"
Tears were about to fall from her optics, but she never enjoyed saddening atmospheres. Ayano gets a hold of herself, and straights her pollex up from her raised fist.
"Of course! Even if you don't desire to, I will not let yous go!"
After acknowledging their friendship once more, Yukari begins her attack once more.
"Since we have all made up, I say we should let Ayano explain clearly, everything about that man of hers!"
"Who are you calling my man!"
"Kazuma-san."
Yukari says equally if it is only natural.
"I say, you------"
"Ayano, if yous think that your love for him is only single sided, I call up you are wrong! I am sure Kazuma-san cares a lot well-nigh yous too."
"That'southward right. Let's forget about whether information technology has reached the level of love, only anyway you have created in him a liking towards you. So there is still a chance!"
Fifty-fifty Nanase joined in the ruckus. This fabricated Ayano feel very troubled.
"I already told you, that guy is…… What?"
Seeing the two of them giving her a supercilious look, Ayano stopped even earlier she finished her rebut.
"You really are… Just earlier on you appeared to depend on him and so much, and now y'all want to say "I have no feelings at all"?"
"I…… I did non depend on him……"
"Oh? And so when you were and then lost and depressed, who was it that got you dorsum upwards?"
"……You, the cause of it all, still dare to talk about that."
"That is another affair."
Nanase does not care nigh Ayano's retaliation at all. In this world, at that place are a lot of things in which people with stiff attitudes usually have an advantage over those who don't.
"And, why do you lot two want to enquire about Kazuma just now? You were plain non so interested when yous met him final time."
"Because he looked like but some brassy man then."
"…… Isn't that the mode he is?"
"Huh------ Of course non. Kazuma-san is so suave!"
Yukari says so cheekily. Ayano on the other hand stares at her with ice common cold optics below cypher degrees Celsius.
"------ Yukari, your taste in men is rather unique."
"Don't worry, I won't effort to steal him abroad from you lot."
Ayano's optics go even colder, merely Yukari's face up continues to wear that smile of hers:
"So then, leaving Ayano's feelings at one side, tell u.s. most Kazuma. When and where did you meet? Speaking of which, I don't call back we take his name even so------"
Even though the questions are coming constantly and flooding her, only Ayano sighs out in relief having escaped from her questioning. Her mouth naturally became a little loose.
"The first fourth dimension I met him, is probably the mean solar day I was born, even though I have long since forgotten nearly it. His current surname seems to be Yagami."
"Current? Yous hateful it is different last time?"
The 2 of them did not miss this minor little item. Faced with Nanase who asked that question, Ayano replies calmly:
"His original name is Kazuma Kannagi. He is my 2nd cousin, and Ren'southward biological elder brother at the same time."
After explaining briefly her relationship with Kazuma, Yukari and Nanase both have a foreign expression on their face.
"What'due south the thing?"
Ayano asks, puzzled. Yukari uses an hostage tone to say to her:
"Kazuma-san is and then caring."
"Ah!?"
Hearing such an unexpected answer, Ayano screamed out loudly. But turning around to look at Nanase, she is nodding strongly too.
"He…… Just which part of him is caring?"
"Don't you lot know?"
Yukari asks Ayano back in a very surprised tone. Not just beingness surprised at how slow Ayano is, her eyes carry a certain obvious blaming glare.
"Kazuma-san has been constantly bullied in the past isn't he? Not only that, he was even chased out of the family because he did non possess "ability". "
"After receiving such treatment, normally speaking he will non want to have any interactions with you lot people. Merely if information technology is for revenge, that would exist a different case."
Nanase follows on to say:
"Merely, Yagami Kazuma protected yous instead. And non just protect you from all harm, and fifty-fifty encourage you to stand up once again with your own strength."
"How thoughtful, Kazuma-san is just like Ayano'due south knight."
"……Ah?"
After Yukari said this sentence from the lesser of her center, Ayano was at a loss for words.
"What…… What are you talking about! Who would want a knight with a flawed personality like him! As long as I am around him, I have an urge to kill him every five minutes."
Ayano who finally got dorsum to her senses tries hard to defend herself, only the other ii kept on sighing with a "What can we do with her" kind of attitude instead.
Hearing that, Ayano became more furious.
"Just because you lot two have no idea how bad he is, that is why you are mistaking him for a good guy. He even used me as bait, and I nigh died because of it!"
"Just aren't y'all notwithstanding live at present?"
Nanase rebuts calmly:
"When you were really in danger, didn't he come over to save you lot?"
"Argh……"
Spot on. Only if she is to say such a thing, she will merely receive even more vigorous rebuts. At that place is no manner she tin can reply honestly.
"A……Anyway, that guy is i big badass! The reason he came to salve me purposely this time must be for his own joy."
"Look at her, Ayano is actually not honest with herself."
"Information technology is that Yukari is too naïve! Don't drag everything into male child-daughter relationships!"
After shouting out in reflex, Ayano finally remembered that now is not the time to conversation casually. She looks in the direction Kazuma disappeared in, her eyebrows shows a sign of anxiety.
"So, I shall make a move first. I don't think annihilation will happen anymore, but still, be careful!"
With that, Ayano runs off leaving the two behind.
Yukari bears a very displeased expression, looking at the back of that person who ran off without turning her caput dorsum to look at them.
"Gee, that Ayano. It is and then obvious that you lot take a love rival, if you continues to exist so stubborn, what are you lot going to do then?"
Nanase at the side seems more than calm on the other hand.
"Don't merely look at the negative side, be more positive!"
"More positive?"
"For case……"
After keeping Yukari in suspense for a while, she says with a serious look on her face:
"We can have some fun with this topic for quite a while."
"………………"
Yukari's optics glimmer continuously. She looks dumbly at Nanase, her unabridged body frozen for a few seconds.
And then------
"Good idea, Nanase."
She puts up a boxing pose, placing tiny fists at her chest.
"Allow us observe their development quietly from now on!"
With a pure and holy smile similar to a loving mother------ All the same the contents of their speech is filled with bad intents.
That is to say, to not help the two develop their relationship to the adjacent level, but to discover Ayano's reactions for fun.
"That is exactly what we should do."
Of grade, Nanase has no objections either.
"If another party have office in this, mayhap things will become even more complicated."
"Yeah, and at that place seems to be a lot of hidden complicated facts mixed within besides."
The two smiles to each other, holding each other's easily strongly.
"Hoho, nosotros are actually thoughtful towards our friends."
Yukari thinks so from the bottom of her heart------ Every bit to what Ayano thinks about this determination, that is another trouble.
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Source: https://lightnovelreader.org/kaze-no-stigma/volume-2/chapter-3
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