TENKEN 450 (1436 words)

Trade-off
相打ち

『Gooo! Fraaan!』

「Haaaaaaaa!」

What's released from the Black thunder Roll is the Sword King technique - Heaven Judgement.

It seems that the benefits from using potential release were not only limited to the black thunder roll, the enhanced status, and the improved coordination with me. What's more, it was now possible to perform the sword king technique from an unprepared stance, something that was impossible before.

A cut-up released from an impossible posture after using Black Thunder Roll. That cut-up was released as a Sword king technique.

But the cost was great. A deafening buzzing and bumping sound were coming from within Fran. All the muscles in her body were tearing due to the tremendous burden to her young body, mixed with the sound of something hard cracking. It seems not only her muscles, but her bones were also broken.

But Fran endured all the pain. She gritted her teeth and swing me out.

It's an attack that can be called a god speed, but Fran's ability to unleash it has been greatly increased by her potential release. It is her fastest attack today. There is no way to dodge it.

However, the opponent was also a monster outside of the norm. As soon as he realized he couldn't dodge, he gave up trying to avoid it.

Then, he switched to prepare for a trade-off.

The Marquis concentrated all of his barriers on his side just before the Sword King Technique hit him. Of course, there was no way he could prevent the Sword king technique, it would have only delayed the direct hit by a few tenths of a second or less.

However, in the current fight between Fran and the Marquis, that time could be a major factor in determining victory or defeat.

As the Marquis was being torn apart by me, he used the moment he had to thrust out his sword. It's a full thrust with everything he has left in him. It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your money. You can see that not only the magic power but even the life force is poured into the sword.

And Fran, who was in the midst of performing the sword king technique, had no time to dodge this thrust.

『Kuh....』

It would be dangerous for Fran to take this thrust now that she has so little vitality left!

Teleport, telekinesis, and Potential Release. There is a way to prevent this attack. But only if we can do it in time. The attack was so fast that none of my skills would be able to activate in time. The sword is closing in on me even as I think about this in my thoughts that have been stretched out by space-time magic.

I'm already trying to activate the teleport, but I still can't make in time. It's too fast.

『Aaaaaaa!』

「AA――」

Marquis Ashtner, who was convinced that we were going to trade-off a blow with each other, had a dazed look of pleasure in his eyes.

Quickly!

O Teleport, please activate faster!!

Faster Faster Faster Faster――.

But I can't help at all, and the Marquis' thrust is sucked into Fran's torso.

Shiiiiiit――――?

「Wha?」

「Nn?」

It's not just me. Marquis Ashtner and Fran were also surprised. The Marquis must have felt the cut on Fran. And Fran is still feeling the impact of the cut.

Yet, for some reason, the wounds that were supposed to have been inflicted did not exist. Since there were no wounds, naturally there was no damage.

What's going on? No, no. That's not what's important right now. We should make the most of this opportunity. Of course, Fran would know that.

She had already sprung into action. She swung me up high and shouted.

「Haaaaa! Black Lightning God Claws!」 (1)

It seems that not only was the Black Thunder Roll available, but another Black Thunder technique was also available. I can feel the black lightning clinging to my sword blade.

Kiara created the sword of black lightning with this technique, but it is probably originally a technique to converge black lightning on the equipped weapon.

And this magic power. It had that holy feeling that I got when we use sword god transformation. It's not just a matter of gathering and solidifying black lightning, but it also seems to add a divine attribute.

「Thaaaaaaaa!」

「Giiiih!」

Marquis Ashtner, who was sliced into pieces by the sword king technique, is already dying. It was surprisingly easy to cut through the Marquis' body. At the same time, the black lightning scorches his body, and his entire body is carbonized.

But I didn't have time to look at the scene calmly.

「Gyaaaaaaa!」

『Ugooooh....! Th-this is...』

Immediately after the Marquis' desperate scream rang out, a tremendous amount of magic power flowed into me. At the same time, I felt an unbearable nausea.

『Uugh, Ugheeh! GuAghah...!』

Of course, I couldn't vomit, so I just had to endure the discomfort swirling inside. Because I still had a little bit of the feeling I had when I was human, I knew what it felt like to throw up and feel better after that. Therefore, I didn't think it would be this hard to endure.

『Guuh....』

But we're in a battle now. What happened to the Marquis?

I hurriedly looked around and saw Marquis Ashtner lying on the ground. There was no sign of regeneration, and he didn't move a muscle.

Did we win....? Apparently, we won. The last attack that she unleashed ended the life of the Marquis, and also stopped the Fanatics that were nesting within it.

(Master?)

『I'm fine. More than that, your potential release....』

(Already deactivated)

I see. that's Good....No, not good!

If I look closely, I can see that she has very little life force left. And she has almost no magic power.

Her complexion was at its worst, and her eyes were suspiciously unfocused to begin with.

「...Gohho...」

『Fran.....!』

Fran fell down coughing up blood! Are her internal organs damaged from repeated overexertion of her movements? She probably can't recover on her own due to her lack of magic power.

I still have a little bit of magic left in me. No, I've only recovered what I absorbed from the pseudo fanatic sword through cannibalism.

I put off my own recovery and used a healing spell on Fran. It was only a single mid-heal, but it would have saved her from dying. All at once, Fran's complexion improved and her ragged breathing became a little better.

『Fran...that was really dangerous!』

「But....」

『No but! If Ashtner's attack hadn't failed for some reason, you might have been dead!』

This was all due to the fact that she had used her potential release to force a decisive battle.

『Sure, it might have been necessary to win! But there could have been another way!』

「....Sorry」

『Don't make me worry......I beg you』

「I'm sorry」

『Fran would be worried about me if she knew I might break, right?』

「Nn」

『It's the same for me. I thought Fran might die. I might going crazy』

「Nn....」

At first, Fran was indifferent, but gradually, a hint of remorse appeared on her face. She understood that I was really worried about her.

『....Do you understand now?』

「Nn. Won't use potential release anymore」

That's what she promised me. Fran is a girl who keeps her word once she says it. From now on, she will really refrain from using it without asking. I guess that's a bit of a relief.

『I hope you do understand. So, do you feel anything strange?』

The potential release skill come at a cost to use. For me, it's the magic stone value. So, what is it for Fran? I tried to appraise Fran, but I couldn't figure it out.

「Nn....?」

『You didn't know?』

「Nn」

Even Fran herself didn't seem to understand the cost. Is there something hidden? If it was a visible cost, i might have been possible to heal it......

『You really don't get it, do you?』

「I'm Sorry」

『No, I'm not blaming you. But you know what? If you notice anything out of the ordinary, you tell me right away, okay?』

「Understood」

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__TLN_________

(1) 黒雷神爪 Kuro raijin tsume

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