Metro Labyrinth Chapter 172: “Failed Comeback”

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~3^rd Person Perspective~

　The [Beheading Thread] released by the “Conductor” slashed the walls and floor of the metro, and rock fragments flew like a storm.

　The sharpness and low visibility of the slashes are threatening, but they are always accompanied by a swinging motion of the arm. It is not difficult to spot a slash if you get used to the timing, but Kure easily sees through it from the first hit, as one would expect.

　In the moment when the slash was interrupted, the spores of [Explosive Spores] danced glitteringly, as if waiting for Yoshitsune to change his focus and step in.

“–Hmph! A game where you throw corpses!” (Conductor)

　Yoshitsune throws the corpse of the metro beast at its feet and dives into its chest. The [Explosive Spores] cause an explosion by the combustion of a series of spores, so if the spores are scattered to reduce the concentration, it becomes a safe path – although it will still be engulfed in fire.

　They detonate. It stings his skin and clothes. Yoshitsune forced himself to push through the scorching hot air.

　Holding the half-broken sword in his opposite hand, he holds the other sword in place of the scabbard.

“Eight Stance, Lesser Cuckoo.” (Yoshitsune)

　He slides the blade in a quick draw and swings it through the air.

“Haa!!” (Yoshitsune)

　The released sword flash accelerates. The “Conductor’s” sword is greatly flicked. The sword slashes back with a diagonal slash that rips through its torso, causing bodily fluids to gush out.

(Shallow?) (Yoshitsune)

　The “Conductor” who stayed on its feet is covered with purple spores along its blade – [Erosive Blade].

“Ha!” (Yoshitsune)

　An overhead blow from his blade, trying to crack his head open. Yoshitsune does not take the blow, but instead avoids it by rolling forward, and from a kneeling posture, he fires a sweeping slash again. The sound of the blade clashing with the blade echoed heavily.

“Do you want to have your sword broken again?” (Conductor)

　The “Conductor” grinned and waved his [Odachi] with force to block, and without a moment’s pause, released a slash. The timing was dangerously accurate and Yoshitsune was gouged in the left shoulder.

　From Yoshitsune’s range to the “Conductor’s” range.

　A one-sided attack from the intermediate range using the right [Odachi] and a left slash.

　Yoshitsune is on the defensive. The broken end of the [Odachi] is parried with the broken end of his sword, and a counter slash is dealt with the other end. With a rumbling sound of collision, the whole body was cut down and covered with blood splatter,

“–Ha, what happened!?” (Conductor)

　Yoshitsune laughs.

“—Why can’t I break it!?” (Conductor)

　The “Conductor” is irritated.

“Well, I wonder why?!” (Yoshitsune)

　Yoshitsune is using a parry-focused defense. The moment the blades intersect, he strikes away the flat side of the opponent’s sword.

　The contact with the [Erosive Blade] is minimized and the damage to the blade is minimized. In addition, he changes the point where the blade is received by a few millimeters. No matter how strongly the [Erosive Blade] works and how ridiculous it is, there is no way it can break the [Indestructible Sword] from this.

(As expected, this is…) (Yoshitsune)

　The “Conductor” has certainly inherited the Fungal Skills of the original human being and the skills that have become ingrained in his body.

　However, there is no memory or sense of self.

　Perhaps that is why there is no sense of reason. It is nothing more than a puppet who only uses someone else’s Fungal Skill and techniques.

(Rather than this.) (Yoshitsune)

(Mr. Fukuhara would have been much more formidable.) (Yoshitsune)

　The difference between the number of abilities and physical ability. Yoshitsune filled the gap with reason.

　Like piercing an onrushing torrent with a single thrust.

“–!” (Conductor)

　A side cleave swept away with the roaring wind. Yoshitsune dodges it by bending down so that he is almost crawling on the ground. In that position,

“Cleaving Slash” (Yoshitsune)

　An irregular blow with an upper trajectory. The “Conductor” blocks using the [Odachi] in the nick of time.

“It’s pointless–” (Conductor)

　Yoshitsune was not the only one who heard the dry sound.

　Eight Stance, Lesser Cuckoo–Yoshitsune, who lacks the physical strength to activate Fungal Skills, has rarely used it considering the burden of creating two swords, but in terms of simple destructive power, it is the best technique of Torafu-style.

　The real value of a quick slash is its unbeatable and quick response, which is achieved by using a single slash from a sheathed state. In other words, even though the stance of “Cleave” is similar, the essence is completely different, and in other words, it is just a “Flick”.

　The left sheath is a launching pad that stores power. What is unleashed from there is a full-powered blow with all the muscles in the body working in tandem.

“Argh!!” (Yoshitsune)

　Blood spurts from clenched gums, and for the second time in a row, the “Cleave” is unleashed.

　Yoshitsune hit the same spot with every single one of them.

　With a deafening shattering sound, the “Conductor’s” sword was broken in half.

“Ha! That’s it!” (Yoshitsune)

　Yoshitsune, looking pleased, has already let go of the broken sword and is holding one sword in each hand.

　The “Conductor” tries to change its left hand into a [Needle Shield]. That momentary gap was created by the tactics that allowed him to attack as he wished with a sweeping cleave.

“……” (Yoshitsune)

　Yoshitsune musters up his remaining strength and steps forward.

　A slash hits the right torso.

　Behind Yoshitsune, the “Conductor’s” body split into upper and lower parts and fell to the ground.

“It is my victo–” (Yoshitsune)

　Yoshitsune looked back,

　The sparkling spore light envelops him like a starry sky,

　Then they exploded.

~Yoshitsune’s Perspective~

“———-” (Yoshitsune)

　My ears were ringing. I think I heard something, but I couldn’t make it out clearly.

“—how…?” (Yoshitsune)

　I raised my shaking body and looked up.

“…all that…to neglect a counter…you still have a long way to go…” (Kure)

　A figure standing proudly protecting me–

“……huh……?” (Yoshitsune)

　Kure’s body, which was completely burnt, swayed and fell, but my arms caught him.

“Mr. Kure! Why…!?” (Yoshitsune)

“…Look, Yoshitsune… A counter.” (Kure)

　I suddenly looked up and saw,

“…*buzz*…*buzz*, *buzz*…” (Conductor)

　With a low hum like a bee’s wing, the figure of the “conductor” emerged.

　Countless tentacle-like things were writhing from the cut-off half of its body, and its face had been transformed into a floppy shape, resembling a poorly drawn turnip.

(This is.) (Yoshitsune)

(Hypha…?) (Yoshitsune)

　I’ve always had doubts.

　Why did the [Odachi] and [Needle Shield] change shape along with its own arms, even though they used their other Fungal Skills normally?

(Its body itself…) (Yoshitsune)

(Is it hypha?) (Yoshitsune)

　Did the hypha go out of control when it was on the verge of death, turning it into such a chaotic monster?

“Brrrrrrrrrrr!!” (Conductor)

　With an indescribable scream, the tentacles swell and close in on Mr. Kure and me.

　A flash of my black sword cuts through the white encirclement. At the same time, my thought was,

(I’m really unprepared.) (Yoshitsune)

　Shame and anger fill me, so much so that I wanted to thrust the blade into my gut.

　But I forced the burning heat into strength and kicked the ground.

(Not enough.) (Yoshitsune)

　I cut open a vein, and bathed in a great deal of muddy bodily fluids,

(Not enough at all!) (Yoshitsune)

　Once again, I can’t help but feel the burning desire.

(Your strength.) (Yoshitsune)

(Give it to me!) (Yoshitsune)

　Taking the last step with all my might,

“Thirteenth Stance, Temple.” (Yoshitsune)

　Starting with a left slash, I delivered a series of thirteen blows with accurate blows and divine speed.

　The first of these strikes reaches the torso,

“–!” (Yoshitsune)

　Just before.

　A kick from the severed lower half of his body pierces my side.

“Guaaa!” (Yoshitsune)

　Blood spurts from my side as I fall down. Several tentacles of the “Conductor” are stuck in the section of its lower body. Like the puppets of Hakuou Maria.

“Kuu—” (Yoshitsune)

　I somehow managed to stand,

　An [Odachi] approaches overhead. The blade has been completely repaired, and the upper half is covered with [Erosive Blade].

(I cannot dodge.) (Yoshitsune)

　If I receive it, I will be crushed by the pressure.

　Still, I have no choice but to receive it.

　The moment I raised my sword,

　The [Odachi] slams.

“Ha!?” (Yoshitsune)

　— Just before the sword was about to strike, the sword’s trajectory was jerked away and it shattered the ground.

“Haha! That’s a big catch!!” (Kure)

　It was Mr. Kure. The tentacles of the “Conductor” were bundled together and pulled. His body was covered in wounds and was like a bright red blotch–proof that he had activated his [Adversity], strengthening his abilities even on the brink of death.

“U-until the end…” (Yoshitsune)

　Yoshitsune kicked the [Odachi] and ran.

“Unnecessary–” (Yoshitsune)

　I then drew my [Indestructible Sword] in a single, straight line.

“Thank you!!” (Yoshitsune)

　The head I had chopped off turned into countless pieces of flesh in mid-air before its could utter a final cry of despair.

“Yes, Yoshitsune. What a dangerous move… How are am more energetic than you?” (Kure)

“Yeah!” (Yoshitsune)

“Here, Yoshitsune. The balls.” (Kure)

“*Nomnom*” (Yoshitsune)

　The sporangia are hard to swallow when I am in a daze. I was almost choking, but Mr. Kure went ahead and handed me water.

“I really appreciate your ‘mommy’ mode, but… why are you more energetic than me?” (Yoshitsune)

“Because of [Self-regeneration], I have it.” (Kure)

“I see.” (Yoshitsune)

　I had used up all my strength. I seem to be unable to move another step.

“…Mr. Kure, we don’t have much time anymore, right?” (Yoshitsune)

“That’s right.” (Kure)

“Go by yourself… please go. I’ll follow you–*cough*! *Cough*!” (Yoshitsune)

“Here, go, take a deep breath.” (Kure)

　A bag of Vapor Mints was pressed into my mouth, and then I was lifted onto his shoulder.

“Well, if it’s just you, it’s not that different from the weight I usually carry when I go for a run.” (Kure)

“If you don’t hurry… it’s going to be a big problem…?” (Yoshitsune)

“But if I run away alone, leaving you behind, I won’t be able to face Shuu.” (Kure)

“Mr. Kure…” (Yoshitsune)

“If I’m like that, I don’t have the right to follow Shuu’s bo-hind.” (Kure)

“It’s almost ruined, you know? Huh…?” (Yoshitune)

　Mr. Kure stopped in his tracks. It seems he heard the same sound as me.

“……something……” (Yoshitsune)

“…I can hear it…” (Kure)

　It is shaking. The sound like a rumbling of the earth was getting louder and louder.

“From below–!” (Kure)

　At the moment when Mr. Kure threw me backward and prepared himself,

　The ground shattered and a large amount of water gushed out, swallowing us both.

“Gu…!?” (Kure)

“Ga–” (Yoshitsune)

　I thought we were going to be slammed into the ceiling, but we were dragged into a hole in the ground with tremendous force, as if we had been grabbed by a giant’s hand.

(Dangerous!) (Yoshitsune)

(Air–) (Yoshitsune)

　Inside the hole is a tunnel filled with water, undulating and continuing. As if the torrent had a will of its own, our two bodies are forcibly carried along.

　–and,

　Just as we reached a wide-open space, the torrent suddenly stopped, and the two of us were thrown into the weightless darkness.

“*Cough**Cough**Cough*…huh…?” (Yoshitsune)

　*Pop*.

“”……eh……?”” (Yoshitsune & Kure)

　We both looked at each other – we were both covered in a clear bubble. It was all over us like a pumpkin helmet.

“Can you breathe…?” (Kure)

“Surprisingly, this is my first experience—?” (Yoshitsune)

　In front of the two of us,

　A squirrel passed by.

““………”” (Yoshitsune & Kure)

　It covered itself in tiny bubbles, its tail swayed like seaweed, and its short limbs flapping and scratching.

　It goes back and forth smoothly from left to right, right to left.

“…Tamiko…?” (Kure)

　The squirrel turned around and,

“Like a turtle! You are in the presence of the person named ‘Otsuka’s Kappa’, squeak!” (Tamiko)

　The furry creature made us say, “Whaaat?!” 

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