Chapter 392: The Sleeping Dragon

"Uuu... ah..."

As I'm dragged forward while receiving a healing spell from Sotatsu, my mind feels as if it's been shaken.

Even so, I can roughly grasp the situation.

"Mi... Miharu-chan...?"

"She's been left behind."

"Such... a thing..."

"There was no choice. We don't know how long she can hold on, but—"

He hesitated, his words trailing off.

I understand what he's trying to say.

Amane, if things go badly, you might end up being more reliable than the player herself, Tsumuri.

"…Anyway, we can't afford to delay any further."

By the way, Mayi-san continues acting as if our situation doesn't concern her,

"Phew, that was close, everyone! …Anyway, where exactly are we, I wonder?"

and now points toward what looks like a cavernous plaza.

From ahead, a sound like 'gooo, gooo' can be heard.

"Wait a minute? Something sounds like a big animal's snoring... Waaaah! Everyone, look! A dragon is sleeping!...Shh, let's not make too much noise..."

Upon closer inspection, there was a crafted dragon with its eyes closed.

It appears slightly smaller than a real dragon, despite its glossy green scales.

To be honest, even if that were the real thing, I had no doubt I could smash it, so I ignored the warning and continued speaking.

"Hey, Tsumuri. I'll return your 'Inspiration.' Do you want to come back now?"

"No. There are still members of the 'Immortal Squad' left. I have to deal with them."

In that very next moment.

The doll's eyes suddenly snapped open with almost mechanical precision, glowing brightly in the darkness with a sound like 'Zugoooom! Gyaahh!'. It had a certain theatrical flair, enough to make someone who'd come here just for fun scream out in shock.

But my gaze was fixed on something else entirely.

"Miss Nanami, get back!"

I warned, drawing my blade with a sharp flick. I discarded the sheath.

It was because, simultaneously with the dragon's display, I caught sight of a figure leaping out from beside it.

"Here we go, here we go, here we go! Prepare yourselves!"

The one who appeared was—someone I'd never met before.

A Level 40 "Guardian Knight."

Her skills were concealed, and she wielded what looked like a dual-stun baton style weapon.

At the very least, she seemed considerably more capable than the "players" I'd defeated so far.

"—Tch"

I quickly moved into a mid-level guard, trying to intimidate her.

But she showed no fear of the blade, charging straight into my attack range.

"――Hmph!"

Instantly, I swiftly raised my blade to cut her torso. Normally, that would have caused bleeding without fail. But I had misjudged her《Defense》. My strike, lacking in both waist strength and resolve, couldn't even scratch her clothing.

"Too easy!"

And then, the stun baton struck my head—

—That’s bad news. My brain would be scrambled!

Instinctively sensing the danger, I dropped down into a crouch, avoiding the attack.

Bam! A blinding flash of light erupted, bright enough to illuminate the surroundings like midday.

I swiftly jabbed the baton's tip into the girl's Mizugetsu (navel).

Though it was an incomplete stance, the strike hit its mark perfectly. The blade pierced a vital point in her body, temporarily halting her lung function.

"……Gh…!"

Even she, despite her resilience, staggered several steps back.

At that moment, bullets from Satori’s pistol struck her shoulders—tap, tap, tap.

Satori’s gunfire cover.

I responded with a sharp, decisive word:

"Keep your hands off!"

That's because I knew the "Guardian Knight" possessed a skill that nullifies thrown weapons.

My prediction proved correct—she showed no sign of injury whatsoever.

Regaining my stance, I swiftly raised my blade into an upper guard.

And then—without hesitation, a flash of violet lightning—I brought the blade down upon her forehead.

"……!"

But she barely managed to block it, just in time, with her two-handed standard baton.

We clashed our weapons several times in succession.

Clang, clang, clang—the violent sound of steel meeting steel echoed through the underground.

Each strike was a desperate exchange of distance,

"……ugh."

In that instant, our gazes met.

She looked to be about my age.

I don’t know the circumstances that brought her here… but one thing was clear—her unwavering determination to not lose.

Unfortunately, the situation was already turning in my favor.

Her weapon, lacking any《Maintenance》affinity, had become bent beyond use.

"Uuu…."

For a moment, her eyes welled up with tears.

She must have realized she had lost.

After the seventh clash, I simply knocked her weapon from her grasp with sheer muscle power, as her will to fight had nearly vanished.

"You... aren't worthy!"

Those were her final words.

After striking her forehead with the *Fatal Blade VI*, I quickly sheathed the blade.

Then, without turning back to my companions,

"Someone hiding—"

I took a deep breath,

"Strike them in the temple!"

I unleashed *Sound Impact Fist*, a newly developed skill from my battle with Riru.

Immediately, a dull thud, followed by a clatter, came from the direction of the dragon puppet.

And then, the unconscious girl appeared.

"Indeed."

I had suspected that a "Thief" was hiding somewhere, since the "Guardian Knight" person's skill had been concealed.

Moreover, after checking with my newly developed skill, this person turned out to be level 51.

That would've been a real headache if I'd fought them head-on. Lucky me.

Also, I confirmed the usefulness of my newly created skill.

This ability— it works even on hidden opponents.

It was worth it to use my long-used skill, "Roar," as material after all.

"Mr. Anonymous..."

When I turned around, Tsumuri was looking at me with a complicated expression.

She seemed to regret not being able to help in the recent battle.

Still, her ability wasn't one that enhanced herself. There was nothing to be done about that, really.

I let out a small sigh and said,

"Please don't worry about it. Now then, onward to the next room."

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※This is a report.

Thank you so much for always reading!

I'm energized by every single click from those of you who leave comments, as well as by everyone who has chosen my work.

Well, thanks to pushing through with full effort during the year-end and New Year holidays, the schedule for 'JK Musou' has unexpectedly been shortened—now set for release around the same time as the first volume of the manga adaptation by Kanoto Ishikawa in April.

YATTANE!

...Anyway, I'm really sorry!

I'll be on hiatus until March 10th, as I focus on finalizing work for the release.

I'd truly appreciate a little extra time from you all.