I Became the Strongest With The Failure Frame 02

by ---

  […I’m sorry, I didn’t really understand what you just said.]

  [It’s okay.]

  There were corpses of monsters scattered around the sisters.

  About one third of them looks burnt.

  The rest of the corpses were divided into two.

  […………]

  The cross-section seems to be too clean.

  Is this all due to the effect of the sisters’ personal skills?

  If that is so…

  (I’m the only S-Rank who haven’t acquired a personal skill…)

  My level is significantly higher than before.

  However, I haven’t unlocked my personal skill yet.

  Hijiri takes out the satchel she held.

  [I’ve already acquired the eyeball of the Flesh Dragon, so the requirement for this ruins should already be achieved.]

  It was said that an eyeball of the Flesh Dragon is enough of a requirement for five people.

  Therefore, we would need to acquire a total of 8 eyeballs.

  [And also—]

  Without turning her face, Hijiri said.

  [I won’t bite you even if you come out, you know? Sogou-san.]

  As I thought, she had really noticed us.

  I came out of the shadow I’m hiding from.

  [I’m sorry… I heard a lot of monster screams from this direction, so I’m a bit curious.]

  I could see Hijiri’s line of sight turn towards my back.

  [Now that I think about it, it seems you’ve gained some comrades.]

  [Yes.]

  The sisters started walking.

  Though when she was about to pass by me, Hijiri stopped.

  [Are you alright?]

  [Eh? M- Me?]

  [Yes, I’m talking about you.]

  I just smiled in response, though it may look a bit strained.

  [I- I believe I’ve been somehow doing my best for the past few days…]

  Hijiri exhales out a small sigh.

  [It doesn’t seem you’re alright.]

  [Eh?]

  [When you have replied just now, you’ve been turning your eyes away from me.]

  [Ah—]

  [You should learn how to start working for yourself, even for a bit.]

  Hijiri started walking away.

  Itsuki then pats her hand on my shoulder.

  [Well… Just don’t overdo it, Class President.]

  […T- Thank you.]

  [It seems that Aneki likes you very much so…]

  [Eh?]

  [We’re leaving, Itsuki.]

  After Hijiri called, Itsuki trotted towards her sister.

  [Hijiri-san, that just now—]

  [It’s not like I’m denying it or anything.]

  Still having their jaunty attitude, the Takao sisters disappear into the darkness.

  Chapter 85

  Vysis' Apostle

  We turned back towards the path we came from.

  I can’t see the Takao sisters anymore.

  [This is indeed the area where the Flesh Dragons were living in.]

  After checking out if we’re in the correct area, I put away the map.

  I saw the actual corpse of the Flesh Dragon littered along with the other corpses that were killed by the Takao sisters.

  It was bigger than I had imagined.

  (If it were with my spear, I should be able to reach it with my spear and fight it properly…)

  The rest depends on how high the ceiling is.

  After walking for several minutes, we finally arrived in the inner area of the ruins where they should be inhabiting.

  However, I’m not particularly hoping for anything.

  Especially since we’re not just the only people who went here to obtain that requirement.

  For me, it would be enough if I could just “confirm” their existence.

  That’s because—

  [What in the world…]

  Standing behind me, Moe’s trembling voice resounded.

  This place was also overflowing with them.

  Large amounts of corpses were littered around the place.

  There were more of them in this place compared to the monsters that the Takao sisters had killed.

  A massacre.

  That was the first thing that came into my mind after I saw this place.

  [Do you think these pseudo-lizards were edible!? They’ve been steadily decreasing!]

  Oyamada Shougo’s voice.

  He appeared from the inner parts of the cave.

  It looks like he’s bathing in blood, but it seems that those weren’t his own blood.

  [Shougo, you look dangerous~♪]

  [It feels like you’re a bloodthirsty beast~]

  [Rather than that, Shougo, aren’t you pretty atrocious all this time?]

  As I thought, it was Kirihara’s group who came from the inner area.

  [Shut yer trap! Is that how you bastards were gonna talk with this A-Rank-sama? I’m gonna make you eat my Bullet, hah!?]

  [Shougo, how scary ~♪ Aren’t you better off in the side of the Demon King?]

  Oyamada swept his sword to the side and removed the blood sticking on his greatsword.

  [Don’t tell me, after I kill the Great Demon Emperor, I would then become the next Great Demon Emperor!? That’s quite a manic idea!]

  Bammm!

  Oyamada kicks one of the monster corpses on the ground.

  [Rather than that, isn’t the increase of our level getting slower? The times where I could also battle seriously have decreased—! Isn’t it so, Ayaka!?]

  Their conversation suddenly turned towards me.

  [It would be no problem if they’re matched with the small fry heroes, but it would be troubling for us, the higher level heroes if we had to lead them inside this ruins just to kill these small fries!? Ah, but why is it that Sogo-senpai currently taking along these weakling Heroes-san!? Good work being pushed around by these bunch of weaklings! Honestly, look at you!]

  [————-]

  I’ve thought of refuting his words, but I decided otherwise.

  Oyamada is intentionally provoking me.

  It’s useless fighting against every single thing he points out.

  [Everyone, let’s go.]

  Ignoring Oyamada’s taunts, we started walking.

  I’m not being negligent with keeping my vigilance.

  I don’t know when they would suddenly try to do something.

  I can’t say when that greatsword of his would turn towards us.

  (Even so, if I don’t gather what I needed in time—)

  [Pigiiieeeehhhh—-! Guueeehhh! Guuuueeeehhhh!]

  A monster’s voice.

  I immediately prepared my stance.

  criicckkklleee…

  crraaccckkllleee…

  The sound of something being dragged.

  Mixed along with these were the sound of relaxed footsteps.

  This sound came from a cave different from where Oyamada came out.

  [Ah—]

  Holding a katana in his hand, Kirihara Takuto appears from the darkness.

  It also looks like he’s bathing in blood.

  It seems like he’s also dragging a monster in his hand.

  [Urpp!?]

  Moe quickly covers her mouth with both of her hands.

  The members of Kirihara group slightly stepped back.

  It’s just Oyamada who laughed.

  A golden-eyed monster was screaming as it was being dragged.

  [Hey, sing.]

  Kirihara calls out towards the monster with a calm expression on his face.

  [Scream.]

  Indifferently, he continued walking.

  Stab…

  Kirihara lightly stabs the monster right into the opening of its wound.

  The monster screams in response.

  [Call them.]

  Its screams resounded throughout th
e whole area.

  [The experience points.]

  The struggling monster raises out a scream.

  This is quite an unbearable scene.

  Even though what I’m seeing is supposed to be a monster.

  [Ta- Takuto?]

  Even the girls in his own group timidly spoke.

  [Wait, a- aren’t you overdoing it?]

  […She’s right.]

  [That’s right! As expected, that’s too—]

  [However, who is it that would be troubled?]

  [Eh? It isn’t about who…]

  [Who is it that was troubled if I’m doing this to the golden-eyed monster? I’m asking you, tell me.]

  [No, how should I say this… I don’t think that’s something…]

  The girl looks kinda bothered as she turns towards Oyamada.

  Her expression is as if she’s asking for some assistance.

  The monster continued screaming all these time.

  With its frenzied voice, it screams.

  [Oi, Takuto~]

  [What is it, Shougo?]

  [Aren’t you… too smart!?]

  [Nothing would happen even if you try to compliment me.]

  [However—? Do you think this would work?]

  [What is?]

  [Is there any sign that the other monster would seriously appear?]

  The surroundings were pretty calm.

  The only sound that could be heard was the screams of the monster resounding around the area.

  [Tsk…]

  Kirihara clicked his tongue.

  [It’s just useless effort huh…]

  Kirihara points at the monster’s throat with his katana.

  [Giiggyyeeehh…!?]

  [How useless.]

  With a single slash, Kirihara cuts the throat of the monster.

  Busshuuu!

  Blood spouted out of the monster’s throat as it died.

  [Did I slash it too deep?]

  Feeling no reactions, Kirihara began wiping the blood off of his katana.

  [I’m quite tired of fighting all these small fries.]

  * * *

  Safely acquiring the eyeballs of the Flesh Dragon, we returned outside of the ruins.

  Each of the ruins were being managed by a country.

  Even the Ancient Dragon Ruins were surrounded by walls.

  The walls prevent the monsters from coming out above the ground.

  There is also a management building where there would be soldiers stationed in.

  Me and the others went to the plaza in front of the ruins.

  This is currently the meeting place for the heroes.

  I could see Ikusaba Asagi’s group were already in the plaza.

  Kobato is also among them.

  It seems that our group were the last to arrive.

  (We somehow managed to return without any injuries…)

  Under the blue skies…

  Almost everyone of 2-C has gathered.

  The homeroom teacher, Zakurogi Tamotsu.

  In the middle of treatment, Sakura Asami.

  The deceased, Mimori Touka.

  Aside from these three, everyone is here.

  [Hmm?]

  Oyamada, who was sitting on the fence looks up.

  [What the heck is that?]

  All of the students’ eyes gathered at one direction.

  It’s towards a woman who was walking towards us.

  [Cat ears…?]

  No, that’s different.

  I could see human ears where they ordinarily would be.

  Those cat ears must have been one of those ornaments I’ve seen before huh…

  A slender woman.

  The way she walks is beautiful.

  She has light violet hair.

  Her gray eyes kind of looks like those of a cat.

  The clothes she’s wearing looks a bit sensational.

  Are those garments something necessary so that her magic energy could flow effectively?

  Nevertheless, what she’s wearing is something impossible for me to wear.

  There were two daggers sheathed on her waist.

  However, it was another thing that caught my interest.

  There’s something swaying about in behind her hips.

  That’s also the biggest reason why she reminds me of a cat.

  There’s an unusually shaped blade that moves behind her just like a tail…

  (I think I’ve seen a sword similar to that somewhere before…)

  [What the hell are you?!]

  Oyamada stood before the woman.

  Kirihara was just absentmindedly looking at what’s going to happen.

  Yasu was just sitting cross-legged and calmly looking at the situation.

  The Takao sisters were just looking around the surroundings.

  As for Asagi is sitting beside Kobato…

  [What’s with that EroCos-chan? Rather than that, isn’t Goddess-chan going to come today?]

  (T/N: EroCos = Erotic Cosplay)

  I heard a conversation like that.

  Kobato is hesitating on what to reply.

  The woman started looking at us one by one.

  Kirihara… Hijiri… Me… Itsuki… Yasu…

  Finally, her gaze ends towards Oyamada.

  The woman opened up her thin lips.

  [I have arrived on behalf of the Goddess Vysis. Hereafter, whenever the goddess couldn’t help you people, I will have you all gathered in one place. Today, I have come in order to give some of my greetings and to bring you all back to safety.]

  An indifferent way of speaking.

  Her voice seems younger than I had expected.

  Oyamada looked at her like a fool.

  [This little midget would be our organizer? Rather than that, are you even stronger than us? The Kirihara group won’t follow anyone who’s weaker than us, you know?]

  [Should we try it out?]

  [Oh? How are we doing this?]

  [Let’s see… If you could make me kneel on the ground with just a blow, I would be your slave who would do anything you want.]

  [It came! I feel like I’m getting really stronger! Did you think that the winning flag is in your hands!? Nice! Then, I will exceed your expectations and make you my slave!]

  Kirihara looks pretty astounded.

  [You bastard— You talk like a rabid dog, Shougo.]

  [Shut yer trap! It’s fine if I was known as the rabid dog among the A-Ranks— I will thoroughly enjoy seeing the tears in your face full of composure!]

  [I see… So you’re Oyamada-san, am I right? Certainly, you indeed have some kind of abnormally foul mouth.]

  [Ah!? Who the heck do you think you are!?]

  [I am one of Vysis’ Apostles, Nyantan Kikeepat.]

  [Wah—- hahahaha!? Nya- Nyantan— pfft!]

  Oyamada burst into laughter.

  [Buwahahahaa! Nya- Nyantan!? Seriously!? Why don’t you just push it further and name yourself Nyanko!? T- That’s cheating, Nyantan! You’re directly attacking my mind with this gag!? Heeee— That’s too funny—!]

  [?]

  [Pffft! Oh no!? You’re seriously making that kind of expression as if you don’t know!? Heeeee—-, this woman might be a natural airhead! Uheeeeffppfffuhhhahahaha! I can’t win this! A god! This woman is a god! This is the most times I’ve laughed this whole year! Alright, I’ve decided! If I want Nyantan to be my slave, I should first prepare myself against gags! I would absolutely prepare!]

  [I’ll be starting then.]

  Shhiiinnn!

  Three claw-shaped blades protruded out from the back of her hands.

  Oyamada prepared with his great sword.

  [Oh!? It seems that you’re really motivated to do this! You’re so cool! Do your best so you don’t get injured, okay!? Nyantan♪]

  After a few minutes…

  [Gaaahhhh…!? Ugguuuuhhhh…!? What the heck are you…? Aren’t you seriou
sly… too strong…! Sh*t…!]

  Oyamada slams down on the ground.

  His knees were already on the ground.

  His greatsword had fallen down on a distance away from him.

  Oyamada’s also out of breath.

  On the other hand, Nyantan’s breathing doesn’t seem to be ruffled at all.

  There wasn’t any bruise on her body.

  Only her tail-like sword was left moving.

  The way Kirihara looked at her also changed.

  Kirihara seems to be muttering something.

  It’s as if he’s talking to himself.

  I can’t help but gulp.

  (This person’s strong…!)

  The way she moves was very refined.

  It’s as if I was charmed by her movements.

  (That’s how the people of this world fight with their “techniques”…)

  The unruffled expression on Nyantan’s face haven’t changed at all.

  It seems that she’s one of those people who hardly shows any emotion.

  There wasn’t even a single smile that appeared after she won.

  [The greetings with you people should be enough with this, right? Well then, let’s go back to the capital. And also, I will now convey the plans of the Goddess for your future.]

  Nyantan monotonously said.

  [It seems that you were all entering the next stage.]

  * * *

 

  Before I had given my “greetings” towards the Heroes in the plaza in front of the Ancient Dragon Ruins.

  I was summoned by the Goddess.

  The Goddess’ personal room.

  The Goddess is sitting in a chair.

  She had been reading a letter on her desk, which she then threw away afterwards.

  [It seems that there’s a big movement from the army of the Great Demon Emperor. Sooner or later, there may be a big battle that will affect the future of this land. It might have been the right decision that I called you back earlier, Nyantan.]

  The Goddess smiled.

  [What should I do for you?]

  [Sniff, sniff… I’m so busy because of the various movements on the side of the Great Demon Emperor… That’s why I want to ask you to be my representative.]

  [Your representative, is it?]

  [Yes, I want you to take care of the troubles within the Heroes. An arbitrator or something like that.]

  [Why am I chosen?]

  [You are strong and the country where I dispatched you before, Urza is a country I don’t particularly care the most. It would be a waste if you’re just playing around in a country like that. Am I right?]