その１７５ 革命
これから数秒の間。
私か“王”、そのどちらかが致命傷を負うでしょう。
「――はぁあああああああああああああああああああああああああああああっ！」
自身の恐怖を塗りつぶす吶喊(とっかん)の声。
恐れを振り払うためには、狂気に酔う必要がありました。
右足から噴出するエネルギーを最大限利用して、”王”へと接近します。
Perhaps because I managed to squeeze in a little practice time, this time I didn’t misjudge the power of the “Demon.”
My body became like a single bullet, charging straight toward the “King.”
“…Hmm.”
The “King” seems intent on meeting my attack head-on.
The distance between us was just a few meters.
First, I hurled the sword—my grandfather’s last gift—
“———Take this!”
…right at him.
“Wha—?!”
That said, I’m still just a sports-inept gamer—even if my strength has been enhanced by my “Demonization.”
The sword flew off in the wrong direction and impaled itself at the “King’s” feet.
“H-Hey, Warrior-san!?”
Ena screamed in shock.
I’d failed the throw—and not only that, I’d lost my weapon.
Yet, of course, I’d already anticipated something like this.
What I needed was just a few seconds' gap—enough to slip into the "King's" embrace.
My plan had worked perfectly. The "King" was momentarily distracted, his attention drawn to the weapon thrown at his feet, the very thing he should have been most vigilant about.
Taking advantage of that opening,
"——! "
I lunged forward blindly with a punch.
"…Hmph."
But the old man sidestepped it with a scornful glance, as if mocking a defeated enemy.
For a fleeting moment, their dark eyes met.
Stupid. A punch without skill enhancement—how could it possibly land?
And.
I feel like I'm saying that.
It was such a clumsy punch that it was almost laughable.
It wasn't a child's squabble—there was no way a half-hearted, hesitant attack would land. Everyone present probably thought just that.
That was precisely why this move should have caught the "King" off guard.
As I missed with my attack, I focused my will.
――Acquire: Martial Arts (Beginner)! Now!
I instantly felt magical energy surge through my entire body.
Using my fist, which had just swung empty, like a pendulum, I spun around once midair.
"――Wha!?"
My backflip kick struck the King squarely across the face, leaving him stunned in disbelief.
The skills learned through level-up are... basically acquired while in an "ON" state.
It was a loophole exploiting the player's inherent specifications.
"……Guh!"
Still, even a single hit won't knock down an old man like that.
Even though it's called Martial Arts, it's essentially just beginner-level.
...Yeah, I just can't quite match up to Ayaha-chan like that...
"I've got this! But there's still more to go!"
The old man seemed to be planning his next move.
But.
Unfortunately.
No matter what move he tried from here on out, he was already—done for.
At that moment, the "Slime" behind the "King" split apart to the sides, clearing a path.
And then, the "Player," who had been watching silently, leapt forward.
"—Now! Kama(・)ta(・)san(・)n(・)! "
He was a man who embodied the essence of a weary salaryman.
In his hand... a sharply honed survival knife.
"What...?!"
Whirling around, the "King" stared in shock.
A dull, wet sound echoed as the blade pierced flesh.
"…Ghahh!"
The "King" coughed up blood, glancing back and forth between himself and the knife now embedded in his left flank—Kamata Tadayoshi.
Then,
"Y-you...? Why...?!"
Kamata stared at me, his face pale and silent, devoid of any expression.
Let me respond on his behalf.
But I did say, didn't I? 'Characters who didn't have a clear death scene'...
Most things, I suppose, are alive.
▼
The old man's final words were... three words.
You're wrong.
And then,
My way of doing things is the only way to protect humanity.
Finally,
"The world has already ended long ago."
That was all.
The "King" entrusted us with full responsibility for all that would happen in the future, then simply vanished.
About six months had passed since the world reached its "end."
Thus ended the six-month reign of the King of Nakamichi Galaxy.
Congratulations! You've killed the "King Who Was Hated"!
―The job "King" will be transferred to another royal player preset in advance.
―Additionally, the skills held by the "Hated King" cannot be stolen. Instead, a bonus will be applied to the experience gained.
―Congratulations! You have earned the achievement "Revolution"!
―Congratulations! Your level has increased!
―Congratulations! Your level has increased!
Congratulations! Your level has increased!
Congratulations! Your level has increased!
Congratulations! Your level has increased!
Congratulations! Your level has increased!
Congratulations! Your level has increased!
Congratulations! Your level has increased!
Congratulations! Your level has increased!
Congratulations! Your level has increased!
▼
"……Hah! ……Hah……Hah……!"
After a moment, Kamata sat down, his breath finally steadying as the tension in his body snapped loose.
An ambush attack—waiting in the shadow of the "Slime."
With their lives hanging by a thread, any hint of suspicion from the "King" would mean instant incapacitation and elimination.
They must have been in a state of extreme tension for quite some time.
"Are you okay?"
When I offered him mineral water,
"Ah... Ah. Thank you. I really needed that."
Kamata finally calmed down and managed a smile.
It was scorching hot, the kind of summer day when you feel like melting.
By the time I realized it, I was drenched in sweat too.
After quickly finishing the afternoon tea I'd brought along (the lemon-flavored kind), I said,
"This time... you really helped me out."
"...That's just repayment for all you've done....You protected my family all this time....I was able to survive without being killed by the 'King.'...That was all thanks to you, En-kun."
Technically, it was En-san and Kuruma-dou-san, but still.
"But it must have been difficult....Your 'Level' dropped back to one, didn't it?"
Even the cleverest strategist couldn't possibly have concealed the 'King's' punishment from me.
That meant... I had lost all my experience points and had to level up from scratch again.
Even after checking with《Skill Evaluation》,
Job: Warrior
Level: 43
Skills: 《Combat Technique (Advanced)》《Critical Strike I》《Natural Healing (Strong)》《Skin Reinforcement》《Bone Reinforcement》《Hunger Resistance (Strong)》《Healing Magic I–V》《Attack Power V》《Defense Power V》
And it seems the skill setup is different from last time.
Probably, he chose skills specialized for assassination.
"……But I couldn't just leave the 'King' like this, could I? That's right, isn't it?"
Kamata seemed to be questioning the right or wrong of his own actions.
Gazing at the two of them—the parent and child—standing alone at a distance, I let out a sigh.
——Just defeat the bad guy, and everyone lives happily ever after.
Yet, a bitter atmosphere hung in the air.
The old man had become motionless, like a decaying tree.
En,... seemed to be sinking a little.
Though their relationship hadn't been particularly good, there was still something he clearly felt.
"Since I came back here, En has treated me so well....I never thought I'd end up having to deal with my own parents."
Tada Tadashi let out a deep, profound sigh,
Really... it's completely gone mad out there. This world.
Those words, and
The world ended long ago, yet...
Galaxy's final words echo deeply.
At that moment.
A sharp, crisp sound echoed as Yufu slapped her cheek.
Alright!
Everyone could tell from the look of it that he was full of energy and determination.
"Both of you, hurry back! The crisis in Akihabara isn't over yet!"
"But..."
"I've got a large evacuation site prepared. I was planning to temporarily hide the 'Warrior' there. It's a small underground warehouse... safe... and well-stocked with supplies..."
It was Kamaeda who interrupted.
"Eiken. We'll handle this job. You can stay here for now."
A single tear slipped down Enzan's eye.
He quickly wiped it away and continued, as if nothing had happened.
"Thank you... but maybe there's something I can do too."
With the face of a man who had overcome trials.
"So I won't be laughed at by my dead father."