Day 351-360/Day 358

Day 358

Today's morning, early enough that the sun has not risen yet.

Minokichi-kun safely encounters the new 【Beast King】 Earthty, and their meeting developed into a battle, that he perfectly won, so having done that he began the return to base.

I received this report almost at the same time as waking up in the morning, thus I was a little surprised, but also convinced it was true.

When I was told the full story, it seems like Minokichi-kun heard from the former 【Beast King】 Lionel at that time. "Could you accept meeting my daughter, and show her what's like to be "on top"? Without killing, if possible, for now please overlook her existence" Apparently, he spoke of such things at the end of their battle.

Apparently Lionel wished that his beloved daughter Earthty would grow accustomed to a stronger one, also so as to not be self-conceited, and so inducing that she ran into an enemy as formidable as Minokichi-kun.

I also think as to always direct myself towards breaking my limits, but Lionel held that belief more like a faith, in which strength is righteousness, and perhaps had wanted to know a strong enough presence that was strong enough to defeat him.

Death meant you could only reach up to that point. The experience of survival becomes the driving force for the future.

And so I thought, I wonder if such a thought of Earthty went through Lionel's mind in his last moments.

I don't know if he was acquainted with such feelings, but that aside, Minokichi-kun battled and won.

Confirmed through a small cloned body, every one of Earthty's bones ended up fractured or cracked, the internal organs were twisted or ruptured, muscle and skin is torn or split apart, with massive bleeding both internally and externally of her body. She seems to have reached a critical condition of being half-alive.

Although her life had been sustained by a tremendous life force, but left in her current condition, even that force was certainly not enough to keep her alive.

But after Minokichi-kun was done with her, she was allowed to recover with a secret elixir of labyrinth production, and if left to rest for a while, a complete recovery with no after-effects is possible, so it should be rather fine in the end.

However, with that level of injury, movement shouldn't be possible any time soon, even if she is healed.

Her whole body wasn't able to move properly for a while, just her consciousness was directed towards Minokichi-kun.

Lying on the ground, Earthty is looking up at Minokichi-kun with respect. Minokichi-kun, the one that killed Lionel, even when carrying with Lionel's 【Sacred Treasures】 - 【Strong Beast Spirit God Birusuforuga】, she has a look that seems to say "If you want, come and challenge me again", or at least that's the how it looks to me. [editor's note1]

--·--·-·---· TL / ED until this point, will pick up from here when I have the time and mood - Blu ··---·

The intent of Minokichi-kun can only be roughly guessed, but he did not dare to listen to her.

Since Minokichi-kun probably does have an idea, I just decided to believe in his judgment.

Although there has been a shocking report to start off the morning, there has been no other change that is particularly unusual.

Because the day was to be spent on training, I was trying to letting members challenge me in earnest in teams.

Training that began in such a way was held at the «external training field».

This time I am armed with my halberd on the right hand and my cursed spear on the left. Since my left and right sub-arms do not have anything equipped, I only use the first two.

Everyone else is has their serious battle equipment on.

This time things will be quite serious, so Sei-kun is asked to be on stand-by so that people can be treated at any time.

If the preparations are finished, it was to be quickly started.

〓　〒　〓

A heavy feeling is spreading throughout the whole body, with a shallow natural breathing speeding up.

Without saying a word you are on your back to say nothing about your palms, cold sweat ran from the whole body with Tutu.

Countless veterans are gathered in «External Training Field», even while they thickly surround Akitainu watching the results, envisioning the end of their own fights.

You're pierced if you stay put, you get crushed if you jump forward, and crushed if trying to rush forward.

There's a difference in the intrinsic feeling of training that can only be brought on when fighting for your life, so I change the level for each person, raising it to the limit for each person until they are left throwing up blood.

But, still, the veterans are using their new weapons.

He stifled his fear and charged his chief, even after he accumulated countless defeats.

"Forget the consequences, Aaaaa!"

The shout rose from Kishin Houkou like a blood stained beast, shining in platinum armor [Shogun General] Redhead equipped a series of precedes alone.

Redhead took a distance from Akitainu in the blink of an eye, instilled with a red phosphorescence, [Shogun General's Large Kitchen Chopper] on the right hand, swung down and with the momentum of her sprint.

- Combat Maneuver Arts [Kiyoshijuuchidan Sutiruma-Burainesu]

Only one with the [Vocational and Eating Holy Beast] can use a combat maneuver that unleashes this power, a tremendously destructive power from their nature that put to use their best blow in an enormous way, with a single blow for example a dragon species would be slaughtered, such a thing is possible.

Because of the consciousness is concentrated with attack, there is a drawback that the defense becomes neglected.

Although Redhead is reducing the gap by holding the [Shogun General Kite Shield] in front with her left hand, it is still possible to say that this charge is almost a desperate suicide charge.

Even while to understand it, Akitainu slightly smiled. To look at it, the slash was aimed at my neck, a slash faster than the speed of sound, and Redhead was still smiling.

Akitainu swung the cursed spear in his left hand against that beheading attack.

The pike collided with [Shogun General's Large Kitchen Knife], between a movement or a thought the moment the forces collided it was deflecting slightly in a different direction, I was not shocked that there was no moment of collision, Redhead's body was slightly flowing.

Even with only a slight chance, Obaro is using the [Foot Pay] with his halberd in his right hand to not miss it, hooking Redhead's right foot.

The unconscious response to the attack was barely delayed in corresponding to Redhead's fall, but before immediately taking a passive position, Akitainu approaches, while trampling, in pursuit.

"-... Kunu' does not know when to stop!"

Although barely avoiding it by rolling in succession, but it continues like giants trampling with such destruction like [Hammer of the Earth Shake] generating a small earthquake and a [Crushing Cinch] were overlapping to trigger as hammer repeated relentlessly.

Just knowing how sorry Rarere would be if trampled, Redhead is desperate even while getting muddy.

But she is still hardly able to move because the ground is shaking so much, it would seem she is going to get captured in a little while.

"Tono, prepare yourself Tsu"

From the right side of Akitainu he is aiming at Redhead, even while in turn, she comes to assault the Akita dog.

Akakami is short on his chance to save himself, the blade of the [Heaven and Moon Warrior] that Akitainu weilds draws an arc towards her torso.

Slightly faster than the previous blow from Redhead, it was still an exceptionally sharp blow, Obaro killed the momentum in the brutal blade by clashing with the halberd, directly playing with the blade even as it was.

And without missing that slight delay he kicked forwards at the fed-out Akitainu.

Akita dog was twisting himself trying to avoid the moment, but could not with the golden thread that was ejected from the toe of the attacking foot, Akitainu was bodily restrained with that tread.

"Nuguo! This is quite fun!"

To recognize the golden thread entangled in the whole body, with the inevitable decided preparedness, first one of the Akitainu is the ability of the soul sealing surface Perudiosu Mask Raid Noriyuki Kamen] which was equipped as Kabuto - [Masked Ball use the meeting masquerade], it was to soften the own body.

The first place is the mask, which is a tool to become something different.

If you can master the a [Sacred Treasures] [Soul Sealed Surface Noriyuki Kamen] of [God of Kamen] not only to another organism, it is also possible to Sunaka and liquefaction, from the restraint of yarn if so it also would have been easy to get out.

It can not be that far because the Akitainu is not yet good command, but much become flesh with flexibility, such as the slime was able somehow.

Then softened Akita dog, was to move the abdomen in orbit before the kick.

Not only softened flesh, damage than the subject in the body if other sites are covered with bio-armor, such as armor seems to have determined that small.

Receiving a kick powerful unmatched pre-in hard living body armor, impact parry using the whole body softened.

And Miseru endured if blow, the Akitainu accepted the attack while weakness fully prepared to die if necessary.

But also allowed not be blown away by the golden thread, also the power of before kick of the fed-out Akitainu so that the impact on the internal to penetrate was beyond imagination.

Living body armor is greatly deformed, softened have the Akita dog's body is bent in the shape of "Ku", extending the more become any moment thousand cut likely.

Broken bones throughout the body, the skin of the whole body is cut by hand, if attacked by severe pain and shock, such as agitated the internal organs in the mixer, death would normally, will become crouched and lesbian couples be alive. (What GT, whaaaaaa.... Just needed to highlight this *^*)

In fact Akitainu, it was almost collapsed and stripped the white of the eye.

"Gufuggeboo! - But, but, still or Gahyu'!"

Akita dog pulled back the consciousness in the fighting spirit but also without stopping the movement while vomiting violently from the mouth, I tried to bath the [Heaven and Moon Warrior] again.

Arm of the remains is softening is bending like a whip, the tip was more than lightly the speed of sound.

But grabbed his hand by the right vice arm of Akitainu, the next moment was shake the figure of Akita dog.

It was [Throwing] without during the reaction by Akitainu

At the tip of enigmatic stone gravel parallel to fly go Akitainu and the ground, there are Ramla, who had been living body has been spear with a rushed, such as the halberd.

"Cho, Tsu Tsu"

The total weight of such as a biological armor were also included Akitainu is more than lightly hundred kilometers and it is coming towards momentum of enough to fly horizontally to the ground.

Direct hit even as it hefty thunder dragon who indeed if, in Ramla, who is a woman would not be one reservoir.

Therefore, Ramla Mr. receive the Akitainu from the beginning, did not the fact that.

To avoid that lie down just like crawl on the ground.

Akita dog in the winding occur wind when passing overhead Ramura's hair shimmer, far behind in the slime is sounded strange sound like was slammed to the ground.

"Whew ...... want - Gutsu'!"

[Throwing] has been the Akita dog was superb avoiding show was Ramla's, but is blocked by the stature of the past the overhead Akita dog, had lost sight of Akitainu had with Mai release the eye.

Already figure is not, there is no sign when the visibility is opened again. But Ramla's the instinct, threw himself to the moment forward.

But slightly slower, if you whether Shiden was spill violently in the back of Mr. Ramla, Ramla's body as if it had received a direct hit of the shells are blown to the front, delicate stature of Mr. Ramla is rumbling and the ground the go rolling.

Without missing a moment lost sight of appearance, but Akitainu moved behind's Ramla that yelling slapping the back fist of the left sub-arm.

"Yeah? This is, oh, I see. Discharge what he skived the momentum."

Oba backfist of wax, or break the spine and ribs if hit, the power of the only crack at least would have had.

But Ramla's supposed to have been rolled violently rise immediately by using the momentum, not even stop the movement while frown quite painful to face.

And although it was Akitainu who smiled a question only for a moment, the moment you enter the back fist, Shiden that occurred at the back of Mr. Ramla to understand that it was cutting the momentum, did "well. It floated like I was impressed with the good's decision "smile.

"Ha Aaaaa Aaaaa up!"

"Uoooo Ooooo covered!"

Female Knight and Rusty Iron Knight approaching from the left and right of such Akitainu were both feeding attacks using combat maneuver arts.

- [Sakuraarashi Haimasuto-Regefu of Merciless Shi] combat maneuver

- [Shock Blaze of Battle Beast of Steel] combat maneuver

Take away the power of those who were touched, continuous piercing harboring the [Spirit].

Continuous slashing like fangs claw of four-legged beast is coming attacked without interruption.

Both are powerful combat maneuver to repeat the attack of high power in a continuous, but its entirely is prevented by the halberd and Noroiyari that continues to move at a high speed, it does not reach to the only Akitainu.

The hands of the Female Knight and Rusty Iron Knight of attacks did not stop.

The aim of the earlier and compared both the name you are sword itself improve enough not to things is to contain weapons of Akitainu.

Body itself is not attached hand and already applied to weapons to Akitainu is a lethal weapon. Whether it is possible to seal it, because it becomes the first thing is to Akitainu capture.

Because I have focused aim a weapon, first had pressed Female Knight and Dontetsu knight in the attack of the angry waves. But the tide If noticing is overturned, will increase gradually wounds to the extremities.

"Tsu Tsu! Kuwuuuu!"

"Gu sew Ooooo Oppland"

A groan voice of the Female Knight and Rusty Iron Knight.

Had been desperately endure, Akitainu is to increase the speed of the attack, like when the continuous attack, such as a muddy stream is fed will do slightly defense Hokoron, that moment, received a [Rounded Up Uppercut] that jumped from the bottom respectively It was launched into the sky on.

Although it prevented what hit in Emono and shield, respectively, in the air is blown to the far can not also be how to.

"Ukyi Ooooo Oppland"

At that moment, it was Odorikaka' boss monkey from behind Akitainu.

The aim of the boss monkey approaching with no hand just one. With Nishigami Akitainu from behind, it was the only thing that is also bound by slightly.

Followed by Redhead, it is a desperate second edition.

"Ikkeeeeee!"

"Sister Auro, continue to shoot! ~Tsu"

That said, of the otherwise boss monkey desperate would have been in vain death.

It was the left and right of the sub-arm that is still vacant, are visible to the Akitainu also behind anything else. I had no trouble, such as that catch the boss monkey come Tsukamikaka'.

However, in order to disturb it, silvery white partisans of the sub-arm only eyeing Auro of magic cannon and Argento was emitted to burst.

"Oh, I Do not have raised also the arm of the shooting. But still, sweet sweet"

Is Akitainu obediently rejoice the growth of the children, but not as sweet as anything attacked without.

Vice arm of usually from the fingertip that no black curse bullets used rarely - [Curse Out Cars Shoot] the out shot, to intercept the magic bullet and partisans approaching.

[Curse Out] a magic bullet-like black bullets exploded in cryptic fireworks in the air, was sprinkled colorful flash.

Play skipped the partisans is, go flying enigmatic meteor.

"Kikiki!"

While receiving the aftermath of the blast, the boss monkey screamed.

And assault in desperation for the fellow, a fellow of the attack to cover the it had been unsatisfying powerless.

That is to be on the watch the boss monkey, it comes to Akitainu trimmed the posture.

It is the same as a kind of suicide.

"~Fun"

Akitainu's arm is changed to shield the shape of the side arm, [Tatekabe Shield Wall] increase the strength, the boss monkey with overlapping invoke the [Shield Hitting Shield Bash] and [Shock Back Attack] "Hayama TenzanKo - was feeding the "alias" Tetsuzan Tetsuzankou".

Boss monkey attempts to defense in its thick arms, but the meaning is not.

Arms are folded pressure, blew while flew the whole body. Its momentum is stronger than anyone, leaving the orbital flying fresh blood so the spray of blood.

Death of the boss monkey - obviously not dead - or things to waste, launch a veteran who also attack that remains like that, but the dominance of the Akitainu as meaning of course that did not collapse.

Netsuoni kun equipped with [Tamashikibaken Urufarosu Noriyuki wolf] chair Her san and you sickle both arms thrust, but was Nagiharawa with halberd and Noroiyari like a repeat of something.

Female Knight along with the resurrected Akitainu let out a sharp slashing from the shadow of fellow also, does not hit been fathomed in Akitainu.

Akitainu is a blow of Oniwaka paid out along with the fighting spirit crowded holding with one finger, biceps jewelry Meijuu that Opushii's shot is telescoped on the ground trampled.

[Sunaushi Noriyuki Soul Angle Ax Nusutufu-Rabyusu] swinging down to decide the upper to Toro heavy jaw floated its big frame, Naguritobasu the bone bodies of Scarface supposed formidable strengthening and improvement has been subjected.

As you get playful, but usually if fatal to throw Tomoe bear Jiro that feed the rush, shook the brain while stroking the three of head of black Saburo coming attacked along with the subordinate from all directions.

Each member in order to defeat the Akitainu go challenged by taking a collective effort, but the wall was to realize the endless high chunky thing.

Φ Δ Φ

Repeating training endlessly, it sure gradually gets hot.

But still there was a margin The first one, but from the second half of the Kanami-chan and Burasato-san and around the Supesei entered the war, it was quite the last minute in a life-or-death implications.

That Miki must have seemed willing to kill me. I would have died no doubt if you do not 's me.

Anyway, is training with a feeling that was too much pretty, at first was going to only some of the leaders.

But repeated allowance to hold back because it is much trouble, decided to try to actually fighting with Members of the bottom, such as five-length Yara ten length.

Well, rather than fight, would be accurate is anyone who was doing playing lightly. It fell in a gale that occurs in one Nagi of hand, because he can not even be approached decent.

I still because I can feel the power of the top in the skin, reputation is a very best.

Labor is also less because it to the other party in a 100 units, birth Festival - because the long-awaited, birthday approaching plans for the festival - or would not than to say that as a previous sideshow.

Today's synthesis results:

【Black mock-up to be avoided Repellent】 + 【Repelling Black Acid】 = 【Opacity of Acid Repellent】

【Fireproof Mucus Secretion】 + 【Sumireao Fluid Iolite Liquid】 = 【Fireproof Viscous Blue Fluid】

【Black Knight Clothing Black Undead Knight Cross of Immortality Group】 + 【Blue Shrimp Steel Shell】 + 【Yoroijo shell of Fuwa】+ 【Multiple Shells】 = 【Unbreakable Armor of the Demon God】

 Translation/Editor's Notes 

'''PLACE TRANSLATIONS ABOVE THE BAR. THESE ARE THE RAWS, LEAVE THEM HERE UNTIL SOMEONE DOES A REAL TRANSLATION (NOT JUST A GT OR RUSSIAN TRANS). CLICK EXPAND TO VIEW THEM.'''

“三百五十八日目”

今日の朝、まだ太陽も昇らない時間帯.

ミノ吉くんは無事に新【獣王】アースティと出会い、そして戦闘に発展して完膚なきまでに打ちのめし、やる事をやったので帰路についたそうだ.

朝起きてほぼ同時に聞いた報告に、俺は少し驚き、また納得してしまった.

詳しい話を聞いてみた所、どうやらミノ吉くんは前【獣王】ライオネルから『娘に一度会ってくれねぇか. んでよぉ、ちょいと上を見せてやってくれ. できれば殺さず、見逃してくれるとありがてぇがな』的な事を言われたらしい.

どうやらライオネルは愛娘アースティがより強くなれるように願い、また慢心しないように、ミノ吉くんという強敵をぶつけるように仕向けたようだ.

普通自分を殺す程の存在を差し向けるかとも思うのだが、力こそ正義、という信念がありそうなライオネルはただ純粋に自分よりも強い存在を知ってもらいたかったのかもしれない.

死んでしまうのならそれまでの事. 生き残ればその経験は今後の力となってくれる.

そう思い、ライオネルなりに最後までアースティの事を思って考えた事なのだろうか.

そんな気持ちを知ってか知らずか、ともかくミノ吉くんは戦い、勝利した.

分体で確認したところ、アースティの全身の骨は砕けるかヒビが入り、内臓は破裂したり捻じれたりと酷い有様で、筋肉や皮膚は断裂したり裂けたりして、内外問わず大量出血した半死半生の重体となったようだ.

凄まじい生命力によって命は繋ぎ止めていたが、そのまま放置すれば命は確実に無かった程の怪我.

だがミノ吉くんが終わった後に迷宮産の秘薬で回復させたので、しばらく安静にしておけば後遺症もなく完治し、むしろ元気になる筈だ.

もっとも、治ったと言ってもすぐに動けるようなレベルの怪我ではない.

全身はしばらくまともに動かせず、ただ意識だけはミノ吉くんに向けられたらしい.

地面に転がり、ミノ吉くんを見上げるアースティに対し、ミノ吉くんはライオネルを自身が殺し、またライオネルの【神器】――【】は自分が持っているので、欲しければまた挑んでこい、といった事を言ったそうだ.

ミノ吉くんの意図は大凡推察できるが、あえて聞く事はしなかった.

ミノ吉くんなりの考えがあるのだろうから、その判断を信じる事にしただけだ.

朝からショッキングな報告があったものの、他は特に変わった事は無い.

一日は訓練に費やす事にしたので、団員達に本気で挑んで来させる事にしよう.

そういう事で始まった訓練は、≪外部訓練場≫にて執り行われた.

今回の俺の武装は右手にハルバード、左手に呪槍. 左右の副腕には何も持っていないので、基本的にはこの二本だけである.

他の皆は、それぞれ本気装備だ.

今回はかなり本格的なモノになるので、セイ冶くんには何時でも治療できるようにスタンバイしてもらっている.

準備が整えば、さっさと開始する事にした.

〓　〒　〓

全身にのし掛かる重圧感によって、自然と呼吸が浅く、早くなる.

背中と言わず掌と言わず、全身から噴出する冷や汗はツツと流れ落ちていく.

≪外部訓練場≫に集いし無数の猛者達は、オバ朗ただ一鬼を厚く包囲しながらも、自身の終わりを幻視していた.

突けば貫かれ、薙げば薙ぎ払われ、突進すれば叩き潰される.

経験値を積んでレベルを上げ、血反吐を吐き出しながら訓練し、命を賭して戦ってきたが故に対峙しただけで感じてしまう彼我の差は、鍛えれば鍛えるほど明確に分かってしまう.

しかし、それでも、だからこそ猛者達は得物を握る.

恐怖をねじ伏せ、幾度となく敗北を積み重ねてきた彼等の長へと駆けだした.

「シィアアアアア！」

何処か獣染みた咆吼を上げ、白金に輝く【】シリーズを装備した赤髪ショートは単独で先行する.

赤髪ショートとオバ朗の距離は瞬く間に詰められ、疾走の勢いを乗せて振り下ろされる右手の【】には赤い燐光が宿る.

――【】

【職業・聖獣喰い】を持つ者だけが放つ事が出来る戦技の一つであり、全力を一撃に込めるという性質からその破壊力は絶大で、直撃すれば例え竜種などでも一撃で屠る事が可能だ.

ただ攻撃に意識が集中してしまう分、どうしても防御が疎かになってしまうという欠点があった.

赤髪ショートは左手で【】を構える事で隙を少なくしているものの、それでも今回の選択はほぼ捨て身の特攻と言えるだろう.

それを分かりつつも、オバ朗は僅かに微笑む. それを見て、赤髪ショートも微笑みながら音を置き去りにする程の斬撃で首を狙った.

斬首を狙う斬撃に対し、オバ朗は左手の呪槍を振った.

その穂先は【将軍大包丁】と衝突、するかと思われた瞬間力を僅かに別方向に逸らすように動き、衝突した際にあると思っていた衝撃が無かった分、赤髪ショートの身体が僅かに流れる.

ほんの僅かな隙がそこに生じ、オバ朗はそれを逃さず右手のハルバードで【足払い】を繰り出し、赤髪ショートの足を引っ掛けた.

全く意識していなかった攻撃に対応が遅れて赤髪ショートは転倒し、前回り受け身を即座にとるが、追撃であるオバ朗の踏みつけが迫る.

「――クヌッ. ノッ. ウノッ. ちょまッ！」

連続して転がる事でギリギリ回避するが、巨人の鉄槌のような破壊と小さな地震を発生させる【地揺れの鉄槌】や【棍砕震地】を重複発動させた状態の踏みつけが執拗に繰り返された.

踏みつけられればただではすまないと分かっているだけに、赤髪ショートは泥まみれになりながらも必死だ.

しかし地面が揺れているため動き難く、あと少しで捉えられてしまいそうになる.

「殿、御覚悟ッ」

赤髪ショートを狙うオバ朗の右側面から、今度は秋田犬が突撃してくる.

その隙に赤髪ショートは退避して、秋田犬が振るう【月天闘狼】の刀身が胴を狙って弧を描く.

先程の赤髪ショートの一撃よりも僅かに速く、鋭い一撃だったが、オバ朗はハルバードを振って生じさせた巨水刃でその勢いを殺し、そのまま刀身を弾いた.

そして生じた僅かな遅延を逃さず繰り出されたオバ朗の前蹴り.

秋田犬は咄嗟に回避しようと身を捩ったが、オバ朗の足の爪先から噴出した黄金糸が全身を拘束した事で回避できない.

「ぬぐおッ！　これはまさッフンッ！」

全身に絡まる黄金糸を認識し、避けられないと覚悟を決め、まず秋田犬は兜のようにして装備していた【】の能力の一つ――【】を使い、自身の身体を軟化させた.

そもそも仮面とは、別の何かに成るための道具である.

【仮面の神】の【神器】である【仮面之魂封面】を使いこなす事が出来れば別の生物に成るだけでなく、砂化や液化する事も可能であり、そうすれば糸の拘束から抜け出す事も容易だっただろう.

秋田犬はまだ使いこなせていないのでそこまでは出来ないが、スライムのような柔軟性のある肉体になるくらいは何とか出来た.

そうして軟化した秋田犬は、前蹴りの軌道上に腹部を移動させた.

軟化した肉体だけでなく、甲冑のような生体防具で覆われている胴体なら他の部位で受けるよりもダメージは少ないと判断したようだ.

強力無比な前蹴りを硬い生体防具で受け止め、衝撃は軟化した肉体全部を使って受け流す.

そして一撃ならば耐えてみせる、と秋田犬は決死の覚悟で脱力しながら攻撃を受け入れた.

しかし黄金糸によって吹き飛ばされる事も許されず、また内部に衝撃が浸透するように繰り出されたオバ朗の前蹴りの威力は想像を超えていた.

生体防具は大きく変形し、軟化していた秋田犬の身体は“く”の字に折れ曲がり、今にも千切れそうになるほど伸びる.

全身の骨が砕け、全身の皮膚が手切れ、五臓六腑をミキサーでかき混ぜられるような激痛と衝撃に襲われれば、普通なら死に、生きていても悶絶し蹲ってしまうだろ.

現に秋田犬も、白眼を剥いて崩れ落ちそうになった.

「グフッゲボォ！　――だ、だが、まだまガヒュッ！」

だが気合で意識を引き戻した秋田犬は口から激しく嘔吐しつつも動きを止めず、再び【月天闘狼】を振ろうとした.

軟化さたままの腕は鞭のようにしなり、その先端は音速を軽く超えていた.

だがその手をオバ朗の右副腕によって掴まれ、次の瞬間には秋田犬の姿がブレた.

オバ朗によって反応する間も無く【投擲】されたのだ.

石礫めいて地面と平行に飛んでいく秋田犬の先には、薙刀のような生体槍を持って駆け寄ってきていたラムラさんがいる.

「ちょ、ッツ」

生体防具なども含めた秋田犬の総重量は百キロを軽く超え、それが地面と水平に飛んでいく程の勢いで向かってくる.

直撃すれば流石に屈強な雷竜人だとしても、女性であるラムラさんでは一溜まりも無いだろう.

その為、ラムラさんは最初から秋田犬を受け止める、という事はしなかった.

まるで地に這うように伏せる事で回避する.

秋田犬が頭上を通り過ぎる際に巻き起こる風でラムラさんの髪が揺らめき、遥か後方でスライムが地面に叩きつけられたような奇妙な音が響いた.

「ふぅ……しま――グツッ！」

【投擲】された秋田犬を見事回避して見せたラムラさんだったが、頭上を通り過ぎた秋田犬の体躯に遮られ、目を離すまいとしていたオバ朗を見失っていた.

再び視界が開けた時には既に姿は無く、気配もない. しかしラムラさんは本能のままに、前方へ咄嗟に身を投げ出した.

だが僅かに遅く、ラムラさんの背中で紫電が激しく撒き散らされたかと思えば、砲弾の直撃を受けたかのようにラムラさんの身体は前方へと吹き飛ばされ、ラムラさんの華奢な体躯はゴロゴロと地面を転がって行く.

姿を見失った一瞬を逃さず、ラムラさんの背後に移動したオバ朗が左副腕の裏拳を叩きこんだのだ.

「うん？　これは、ああ、なるほど. 放電で勢いを削いだのか」

オバ朗の裏拳は、直撃すれば脊椎と肋骨を砕くか、最低でも罅が入るだけの威力はあっただろう.

だが激しく転がっていた筈のラムラさんは勢いを利用して即座に立ち上がり、かなり痛そうに顔をしかめつつも動きを止めていない.

それに一瞬だけ疑問を浮かべたオバ朗だったが、裏拳が入った瞬間、ラムラさんの背面で発生した紫電が勢いを削ったのだと理解し、『よくやった. 良い判断だ』と感心した様な笑みを浮かべた.

「ハアアアアアアアアアアアッ！」

「ウオオオオオオオオオオオッ！」

そんなオバ朗の左右から迫る女騎士と鈍鉄騎士は、どちらもを使用した攻撃を繰り出した.

――戦技【】

――戦技【】

触れた者の力を奪う、【憐気】を宿した連続刺突.

四足獣の牙爪が間断なく襲いかかってくるような連続斬撃.

どちらも高威力の攻撃を連続で繰り返す強力な戦技だが、その悉くが高速で動き続けるハルバードと呪槍によって防がれ、オバ朗の身にまで届かない.

だが女騎士と鈍鉄騎士の攻撃の手は止まらなかった.

以前と比べモノにならないほど剣技自体上達している両名の狙いは、オバ朗の武器を封じ込める事にある.

肉体そのものが既に凶器であるオバ朗に武器まで加わると手がつけられない. それを封じる事ができるかどうかが、オバ朗攻略にはまず大事になってくるからだ.

狙いを武器に絞っていたからか、最初は怒涛の攻めで女騎士と鈍鉄騎士が押していた. だが気がつけば形勢は覆され、四肢には徐々に傷が増えていく.

「ッツ！　クウゥウウウ！」

「グウヌウオオオオオオッ」

女騎士と鈍鉄騎士の呻き声.

必死に耐えていたが、オバ朗が攻撃の速度を上げ、まるで濁流のような連撃が繰り出されると僅かに防御が綻んでしまい、その瞬間、それぞれ下から跳ね上がった【】を受けて空に打ち上げられた.

それぞれ得物と盾で直撃こそ防いだものの、空中ではどうする事も出来ずに遠くへ飛ばされる.

「ウキィオオオオオオッ」

その瞬間、オバ朗の背後からボス猿が躍りかかった.

無手で迫るボス猿の狙いはただ一つ. 背後からオバ朗にしがみ付いて、僅かにでも拘束する事だけだった.

赤髪ショートに続く、捨て身第二弾である.

「いっけえええええ！」

「オーロ姉、撃ち続けてッ」

とはいえ、普通ならボス猿の捨て身は無駄死に終わっていただろう.

まだ空いている左右の副腕があったし、何より背後でもオバ朗には見えている. 掴みかかって来るボス猿を捕らえる事など造作もなかったのだ.

しかしそれを邪魔する為に、副腕だけを狙って放たれたオーロの魔砲とアルジェントの白銀のパルチザンが炸裂する.

「おお、射撃の腕も上げているな. しかしまだまだ、甘い甘い」

子供の成長を素直に喜ぶオバ朗であるが、何もせず攻撃を受ける程甘くはない.

副腕の指先から普段は滅多に使う事の無い黒い呪弾――【】を撃ち出し、迫る魔砲弾とパルチザンを迎撃する.

黒い弾丸のような【呪詛射ち】と魔砲弾は空中で花火めいて炸裂し、色鮮やかな閃光を撒き散らした.

弾き飛ばされたパルチザンが、流星めいて飛んでいく.

「キキキ！」

爆風の煽りを受けながら、ボス猿は悲鳴を上げた.

仲間の為に捨て身で突撃し、それを援護する仲間の攻撃は呆気なく無力化されてしまった.

つまりボス猿を待ち構えるのは、体勢を整えたオバ朗という事になる.

それはある種の自殺と同じである.

「ふんッ」

オバ朗は副腕の形状を盾に変化させ、【】で強度を増し、【】と【】を重複発動させてボス猿に“”――別名“”を繰り出した.

ボス猿はその太い両腕で防御を試みるが、意味は無い.

両腕は圧し折られ、全身を拉げながら吹き飛んだ. その勢いは誰よりも強く、飛び散る鮮血が血煙のようになって軌道を残す.

ボス猿の死――当然死んではいない――を無駄にするものか、という様に残る猛者達も攻撃を仕掛けるが、ある意味当然のようにオバ朗の優勢は崩れなかった.

両腕を鎌にしたイス・ハーさんと【】を装備した熱鬼くんが突っ込むが、何かの繰り返しのようにハルバードと呪槍で薙ぎ払われた.

復活した秋田犬と共に女武者が仲間の陰から鋭い斬撃を繰り出すも、オバ朗に見切られて当たらない.

気合と共に繰り出された鬼若の一撃をオバ朗は指一本で押さえこみ、オプシーが放った二頭の宝石冥獣は踏みつけられて地面にめり込んだ.

【】を振り下ろすトロ重の顎にアッパーを決めてその巨躯を浮かべ、恐るべき強化・改良が施されたはずのスカーフェイスの骨体を殴り飛ばす.

じゃれつく様に、しかし普通なら致命的な突進を繰り出したクマ次郎を巴投げし、四方八方から配下と共に襲いかかって来るクロ三郎の三つの頭を撫でながら脳を揺らした.

オバ朗を倒す為に各員総力を挙げて挑んで行くが、壁は果てしなく高く分厚い事を実感するのだった.

Φ　Δ　Φ

延々と繰り返される訓練は、次第に熱を帯びていく.

最初の方はまだ余裕があったのだが、後半のカナ美ちゃんとブラ里さんとスペ星さんが参戦した辺りからは、生死的な意味で結構ギリギリだった.

あの三鬼は俺を殺す気だったに違いない. 俺じゃなかったら間違いなく死んでいただろう.

ともあれ、かなりやり過ぎた感のある訓練は、最初は一部の上位陣だけのつもりだった.

だがせっかくなので手加減に手加減を重ね、五人長やら十人長といった下の方の団員とも実際に戦ってみる事にした.

まあ、戦うというよりは、軽く遊んでやったという方が正確だろう. 手の一薙ぎで生じる烈風で転び、まともに近づく事もできないのだから.

それでも上の実力を肌で実感できたからか、評判は上々だ.

百単位で相手にできるので手間も少なく、誕生祭――せっかくなので、迫る誕生日は祭りにする予定だ――前の余興としてはいいのではないだろうか.

本日の合成結果.

【忌避すべき黒の蛸墨】＋【アシッド・バブルブレス】＝【忌避すべき黒酸の蛸泡】

【耐火粘液分泌】＋【】＝【耐火粘青流体】

【】＋【青海老鋼殻】＋【多重甲羅】＋【不破の鎧城殻】＝【不壊なる鬼神の鎧纏城殻】

Day 357 == Day 358 == Day 359