Part 377: Secure him

Clack, clack, clack, clack—unusual sounds, rarely heard in everyday life, are ringing right next to my ear.

Looking closely, I see my arms tightly bound by a steel wire concealed within Reru's glove.

A blur of motion. Truly, the work of someone trained in the craft.

The steel wire, enhanced by Reru's Attack Power, seemed slightly stronger than my defense, and already blood was dripping from various parts of my body.

"——ggh..."

"This wire is specially designed to dig into flesh. You know what happens to a 'player' whose arm muscles are destroyed? They try to cast a healing spell with their useless arms, rolling around like a caterpillar."

"Ah... no..."

The scream wasn't from giving in to intimidation or from pain.

It was the clothes.

They were about to fall apart completely.

That's what I realized.

Honestly, today of all days, I'm wearing that ultra-tight shirt and hot pants combo I'd picked out with Toll-san before—end-of-the-world fashion.

In other words, this outfit was bound to fail its purpose at any moment...

Even I can't possibly fight with my breasts exposed like this.

Yet, could it be that Riru-kun deliberately set up this situation...?

—Two ways exist for me to defeat you.

I said that just a moment ago.

Is the other method supposed to be tearing my clothes to shreds and breaking my will to fight?

I glance up at him briefly.

A wicked grin was directed right at me.

No good. He's determined to do anything to win, this guy.

"——C-Clone,《Steel Armor》!"

Reluctantly, I transform my clothing.

Still, I was a bit too slow. Steel threads had already wrapped around my upper body, making me look like a spiral ham.

"By the way, that was a bad move. If you're going to do that, you should've gone with《Blade Armor》instead..."

"——G-Gag!"

Without hesitation, I forcefully stomped on Ritoru-kun with my still-functional right leg.

He didn't so much as twitch, but this should seal his magic attacks for a few minutes.

At that moment, I realized I was being cornered like a game of shogi... but there was no choice.

I'll use that technique.

Steeling my resolve, I took a deep breath—

"——……!"

Ritoru-kun's eyes widened in sheer madness.

His poker face slipped in surprise. Feeling the meaning of it vaguely—

"————————!!"

The handy trick when both hands are covered.

And then, in rapid succession:

"Pervert! Pervert! Freak! Gross! Don’t touch me! Everyone! There’s a pervert here, right here, right now!!"

A scream of extreme proximity.

By the third or so "pervert," I imagine my intended effect had already been achieved, but just to be safe.

Even he, unyielding as ever, seemed to loosen his grip on the steel wire, and I slipped out of the circle with a smooth motion.

At the same moment, I quickly deactivated .

The sudden pink glow vanished, and the steel-colored blade regained its sharpness.

Still, it's a blind spot.

The "Fatal Sword VI" has a critical flaw—it completely loses its offensive power.

But now that things have come to this, I absolutely must obtain that "guidebook."

It probably contains a detailed breakdown of the techniques I use, including their weaknesses.

Such a convenient yet dangerous tool should never be left in someone else's hands.

With renewed determination, I point the blade's tip toward Ritoru-kun.

Even with his ears and mouth sealed, he calmly turned back toward me.

Looks like he's planning to throw away the steel wire and challenge battle once again with bare hands.

So I take a deep breath and calm myself down.

We managed to escape the crisis... but...

There were a few minor drawbacks to the previous "Roar."

Got it! Right there! About ten thousand points!

Really! Everyone, let's go!

Charge! Charge! Let's go, let's go!

Go go go go go! Moo b moo b moo b moo b moo b!

Probably, I ended up revealing our location to all the girls who had been chasing me around here.

After all, a little girl's words alone couldn't persuade everyone to reconsider.

I sighed.

"――'Revised Blade of Steel-Cutting'"

Launching "Hissatsu Ken II".

I swung the technique—once dubbed "Super Slash" and previously scolded by Saya-chan (this time, it should be decent, I hope)—toward the nearby iron streetlight.

The lamp was cleanly severed at its base, crashing down beside me with a thunderous crash.

I then casually lifted it with the back of the blade and the scabbard, and tossed it toward the pursuers.

"Wha—waaah!"

The lead group of girls who had charged forward at full speed suddenly slammed on the brakes in panic. Their reckless assault came to a halt, accompanied by a cloud of dust.

"Stay back! It's dangerous—no one gets near!"

………… Silence.

No reply. Nothing.

I just hope they'll now think twice about their actions.

Whether or not these immortal girls will actually stop after this remains to be seen.

"Riru-kun. Shall we make a gentleman's agreement? I won't touch any of the girls at all."

"…………——"

He remained with his lips twisted sideways, saying nothing in reply.

Ah, right. This guy can't hear right now.

"No, never mind. It's nothing."

Muttering, I raised my sword.

Even if he could hear words, it would have been the same.

This situation.

Probably still exactly as you planned it.

That's right, Satome-kun.

But now, just barely, I've finally begun to understand his intentions.

Next time... it won't go as he planned.