LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 63: Delay the Inevitable Pt 2
Rimuru is in trouble.
Mary knows that.
"Fucking fuck!!"
But she cannot help him, as much as she wants to.
It is a relentless assault. Mary runs, and deflects, and ducks and weaves… but she is fighting five opponents. Five Spirits, no less, each one representing an element.
Just a fucking fantastic situation to be in, considering her Modified Style is useless without magicules.
Mary slices the tail off the water Undine and tries to stab through its chest. Only for a blast of fire to force her to dodge at the last moment. Then a razor-sharp whirlwind, and a chunk of rock, and…
Note to self. Learn how to use Battlewill.
All those months ago, she'd sort of jumped right into the magic part of things, after relearning how to use it. And what with her naturally unnatural power, speed, you've heard it before… well, she'd never needed aura.
It would have been incredibly helpful for this exact moment, all things considered. Hakurou can punch someone in the gut and give them damage all the way up their torso. Shion can send a literal gash of air with a swing of her Hercules blade.
Tanya... also doesn't use aura, actually.
Bad example.
Just another thing I have to learn.
Goddamn this is tiring. The fight, yes, but the experience itself. Progress is so easy when you're not in control; it's literally someone else's problem. Worse, she can't exactly blame someone else for her mistakes now.
With autonomy comes responsibility.
Gah! I don't have time for this!
Her eyes flash neon, on reflex. Nothing happens.
Mary runs along the grass, trailed by the mentally dubbed Assholes 1 through 5. Up a hill, she catches a glimpse Hinata and Rimuru exchanging blows.
Well, it's more like Hinata is attacking, and Rimuru is running. His scarf is missing, and there are tears all along his jacket. This is worrying for several reasons, most of which being that it's only been about a minute since everything went to shit.
A plan. A plan. I need to deal with this. I need to-
She stops on a dime, carving a trail in the dirt, and leaps, grabbing the closest Asshole around the neck. She'd been outpacing them, rather easily actually, but this one had been nagging her especially. And it would pay for pulling ahead of the pack.
Asshole 5, also known as the Space Elemental, does not take kindly to this. But it doesn't have much of a choice, as Mary wrangles it to the ground and sticks her boot on its back, Mamoru raised high.
Her eyes flare neon once more, and this time her blade glows to match.
Just then, a ring of dark blue and black swirls around her and her captive. A sound like a glitch in space-time rips through her ears.
Mary hunches over, her body thrice as heavy.
No, not just that. It's like the air itself is heavier. It's like, in this area, gravity has increased three times over. Or maybe four times over, who's counting?
Mary forces her head up, her whole body shuddering from the effort.
Assholes 1 through 4 are almost here. There's a fireball forming, she can see, and more wind blades, spires of rock, mini waterspouts…
I can take those. I can deal with the pain.
Mary gathers her resolve. Her hands tremble, so she squeezes them tighter around Mamoru's handle. The Space Elemental underneath her boot renews its struggle, to no avail.
I'll kill you first-!
Mamoru's blade shines-
Gravity shifts, from vertical to horizontal. At the last second, Mary is thrown backwards and sent tumbling down the hill.
"Fucking bullshit!!!" She yells, rolling out of sight.
On top of the hill, the Space Elemental heaves a sigh of relief. Only for its companions' attacks to hit it all at once. They do little damage, of course, but it is an insult to the near-injury.
Mary, unfortunately, does not see this. It would have made her day remarkably better.
If I could just stop them! Like usual! I could see it the whole time!!
Mary rolls one more time, then plants her boots in the dirt, coming to a harsh stop.
Without aura or magic, only cutting them works. But not even that, unless I use Severance. Usually, I could just look at them and be fine, but under these barriers… then, Mamoru. Mamoru works. Just imbue it in Mamoru- huh? No, t hat's right. With Mamoru and Severance… hold on. The vision part, right, that's always been this Skill's weakness. I should be able to fight much better than this, but Severing is so much more difficult by sight alone. It's always worked better-
Mary's brow furrows.
-when I spread the power Ability Severance over Mamoru. Like I thought. But, no, it's not just that! Back in Xerxes. With magic and my fist, I used Severance there, didn't I? Together? On accident, but still, isn't that-
-exactly what she does when using Ability Sight. By filling her eyes with Ability Severance's power, Mary can see the connections between ability and owner. By applying her willpower in addition, she can weaken or outright cut off a being's ability from distance. From sight alone.
But there is a backlash to this. And it is limited both in number and strength. Further, within this Skill sealing barrier, extending it into line of vision is functionally impossible.
Then… don't do that.
External magic is limited thanks to the Holy Field, but Mary's internal magicules are unaffected. Thus, her enhancements and reinforcements remain. The external may not function, but the internal works just fine.
In the same situation with her Unique Skill… logically, then should she not just apply the power of Ability Severance elsewhere?
It may be repetitive to say again, but think about it. When the Skill's power is applied to the eyes, Mary is able to See the lines that connected ability, energy, and power source. Thus, with enough mental effort, her line of sight becomes a weapon through which the aspect of "Severance" may occur.
When applied to her blade, the effect is more direct, poignant. Direct contact empowers force of will, and a blade is designed to cut. There is no greater willpower in an ordinary sword than to cut.
Then, if she applies Ability Severance to her fists... no, not just to her fists. She'd made that mistake once. Instead, she should apply its power across her entire body.
It's the same concept as before.
She's already done it once, so-
...Extension!
A faint glow encompasses her.
Ah.
Her senses open up, beyond. It feels like… it reminds her of Magic Sense, almost. She can feel the world around her. It is like her entire being is tuned onto another level entirely.
At the same time… another feeling opens itself up to her. Like a lock, clicking open somewhere in her gut. Through Ability Sight, Mary has observed a great number of powers and Skills. Enough to remember some, recognize others.
Everything has its own frequency, flow, style. By observing these, Mary is able to snap the connection between ability and ability-user. Seeing them and cutting them is enough for this, usually.
But to understand them? Sight alone isn't enough, generally, because it is only one aspect of an ability. What is the logical next step, then?
By becoming familiar with a great number of abilities through the full extent of Ability Severance, by learning not just the look but the feel, the composition of power… if she memorizes these, consciously and subconsciously, with a Skill that allows her to interact with abilities on a foundational level…
Ah. One thing at a time, huh?
Mary looks up, as Hinata's Elemental Spirits descend on her once more. This time, her power flares neon not just from her eyes, but from across her body.
That's fine. I don't need it for you.
-=-
Rimuru clutches his chest, one eye half closed.
Pain is unfamiliar, after so long. And Hinata's Dead End Rainbow hurts.
Warning: Confirming direct damage to the Soul. Be advised. One more strike will kill you.
Yeah, thanks.
"It seems you're fully aware now." Hinata points her blade at him casually. "Yes, just one more should do it."
Ifrit couldn't help. My sword skills aren't enough to keep her away. And even then, just a lucky hit would be enough… and she's not even trying. That's the worst part.
"If you would just hear me out!"
"I don't need to. No matter what excuse you come up with, the fact doesn't change that you killed Shizu-sensei."
"Like I said, you're not listening-"
"Enough talking. You're just wasting air." Hinata pauses. "Do you even breathe? No matter. I honestly mind dragging this out a little. If you take too long, you know, you'll have no way to return home. Or perhaps even a home at all. Not that I'll let you leave here anyway."
Great Sage.
Confirmed. Readying Skill deployment.
Rimuru grits his teeth, then suddenly grins. "I think it's a bit soon to declare your own victory."
"Oh?" Hinata's blade glints dangerously. "For you to say that, in this situation, it's a bit- !!!"
Her eyes widen, and her sword flashes, cutting up on her right side.
Just in time to catch the neon green blade of another sword.
The earth cracks and the air shakes. Hinata has just enough time to look surprised.
"Rimuru!" Mary forces Hinata's blade up, and before she can recover, kicks out. "Run!"
Hinata goes flying, and Mary follows after.
Rimuru doesn't hesitate.
Great Sage, stop Gluttony, and start a recovery process. Quickly!
Confirmed.
Hold on Mary. Hold on for just a little bit. If anyone can... wait, run?
He turns, expecting to face whatever remains of Hinata's Elementals. It would be a quick affair, a breather really, and then-
But there is nothing to greet him. Nothing remains of them.
"Huh?" Rimuru blinks.
-=-
Something Hinata had failed to realize – though realistically, she could never have known – was that of all beings on this continent, her current opponent is one of those most likely to flip the odds.
Fate is a farce, but there's something to be said about Mary Sue's propensity for doing what she shouldn't. That, and her habit of doing anything to win, no matter the cost.
Such as, say, detonating every single speck of Being X's mana within her body in a last ditch, ultimately successful attempt at killing her then mortal enemy, Tanya von Degurechaff.
Realistically, she never should have won then. Or now.
1 thousand to 1 odds. 1 million to 1 odds. Unimaginable.
Mary thinks of it differently.
I mean, really, it's 50/50, isn't it?
Either she loses, and dies, or...
CRASH!!!
The wind whistles as it whips out of the way.
Begin. Quicken. Faster, faster. Clash, again and again.
Hinata darts back, and Mary follows, blood in the water. Their figures crash together, pull apart, and crash again.
Unlike Rimuru, Mary's is physically unhindered by the barrier and Holy Field. Unlike Rimuru, her bladework is that of a prodigy. It is obvious who should be fighting right now.
Still, Hinata is matching her blow for blow.
Steels ringing out on steel, sparking shears of sound and displaced air.
Hinata thrusts, then pulls back and thrusts again. Her blade is invisible to the naked eye, so quick, yet Mary sees it and dodges once, twice.
But Hinata wanted this. Mary dodges exactly where she wants, and Hinata thrusts again, even faster than before. Mary is standing awkwardly, almost falling. No way to sidestep or duck this one.
So, she falls.
In the space between the decimals of a microsecond, she falls backwards, with her katana flipping underhanded. Hinata's thrust spears the air above them.
Not quite an overextension. But near enough to one.
Mary's free hand hits the ground, palm flattening the grass, her body floating parallel. Then, she wraps their legs around Hinata's extended arm.
Now with leverage, she twists her torso, flinging Hinata across the grass.
Mary pushes off the ground, deftly leaping to her feet. Mamoru is flipped around, to a one-hand, overhand grip, and she turns, ready for the next round.
"You weren't moving like that before. That's a dangerous style." Hinata approaches, as perfectly composed as ever. "You could have run away yourself. You've had every opportunity to run."
Though, there are a few errant blades of grass in her hair, and the white of her coat if stained green in spots.
"I told you already."
"You're not leaving."
Mary shakes her head in the negative. Hinata sighs.
"You're throwing your life away. Such potential, wasted. To save a monster."
"Not just him. But yeah, you aren't killing Rimuru."
"Hm." Hinata begins circling. Mary matches her, circling in the other direction. "Why do you protect him so?"
"He's my friend."
"Friends don't just die for each other."
"You've got some shitty friends." Mary shakes her head. "You don't get it. You should get it, but you don't. When my… other friend and I arrived here, Rimuru gave us a place to stay without even thinking about it. Everything we needed, and he and Tempest just handed it over without a second thought. A comfy home, regular meals, well-paying careers… after everything we'd been through, Tempest, Rimuru, it's like a dream."
Hinata stops. Mary stops as well.
After a moment, she notices just how tightly Hinata is clutching the handle of Dead End Rainbow.
"You can't stop what's coming." She finally says, loosening her grip. "This is inevitable."
"I was hoping you would listen, since we're fellow humans and all." Mary frowns, sheathing Mamoru and lowering her stance. One of Hakurou's favorite starting positions in combat. "But then again, I never did either."
"Enough." A muscle in Hinata's jaw twitches. "Talking."
"Yeah, enough." Mary meets her gaze, and Hinata is made aware of the fury burning within. "I've had enough too."
If it were Rimuru, Hinata would snark something back. Something like, "You're so confident now? Do you think you can win?"
But against Mary, right here and now, she remains silent.
Something about this other woman gets right under her skin.
"…I'm willing to take in all that comes with saving him… and you, too."
A single moment of real effort. One fatal strike from Dead End Rainbow.
Hinata breathes in deep, and holds it tight. She stretches out her arm, holding Dead End Rainbow out to the side and parallel with the ground.
Then-
Shlock.
Hinata breathes out.
"G- ah?!" Mary gasps, hands shooting to her stomach.
She hadn't even drawn her blade. Hinata had disappeared, moving so quickly that-
That she ran Mary through the gut with Dead End Rainbow, before anyone else could feasibly react. The razor-sharp tip pierces out her back, as well, a trickle of dark liquid glinting along it's multicolored aura.
"It's over now."
"Ah- I-"
"You fought well, even if you never should have fought." Hinata leans down, one hand resting on Mary's shoulder. Her frown deepens. "But why would you do this? Give me a real answer."
"I… told you already…"
Her expression is pained. She looks like she wants to puke. Hinata doesn't blame her. Anyone would be hard pressed to ignore a sword through the lower torso.
"It just doesn't make sense, is all." Hinata moves to pull her sword free. "For Rimuru Tempest? A murderer?"
"I-" Mary's hand clamps down on Hinata's wrist, just as she begins pulling.
"Oh?"
"-was waiting for this."
Hinata blinks, then registers the statement fully. Alarm shoots through her.
What the-?
Now that she's looking, she sees it.
That neon glow from earlier, that was this woman's Unique Skill? It shone along her blade, and earlier it had danced sparks across her eyes and cheeks.
But now, it is-
Hinata finally tries to pull away, only for Mary's other hand shoots up, snatching the front of her breastplate.
Hinata's eyes widen. It is the pure disbelief that gets her here, really.
That glow, it's inside-!
Mary reels her head back. Then, yanking Hinata at the same time, she slams it forward, her forehead smashing into Hinata's nose with enough force to form a shockwave.
Hinata can physically feel her nose break, just as she can metaphorically feel her brain rattle around in her skull.
That- actually hurt!
Mary's grip tightens, and Hinata tries to focus out of her daze. Her free hand latches back on Mary's shoulder, and her muscles tense.
If another one of those headbutts is coming, she needs to-
Mary slumps, her head dropping and her shoulders shaking. Hinata freezes.
"What are you…?"
"I won't… let you."
"Let me?" Hinata stares incredulously, one eye half shut and blood trailing over her lip.
"I won't… let you take him. I won't let you… ruin… everything."
I don't understand.
Hinata stares down at her gutted foe.
A dark crimson is slowly leeching into this woman's, into Mary Sue's white undershirt. But still, she does not let go. It seems she will hold on until she bleeds out, and even after, if that's what it takes.
I don't understand. Why are you this concerned? You would die? For him? For that monster? Why would a human like you… like me? You want to save him so badly… and me, too? Why? I don't need saving. I don't get what you're-
Hinata looks up, and sees Rimuru.
His face is… distraught. His hand is outstretched, as if to intervene but without knowing how. His eyes are wide. He looks afraid.
But at no point had he been afraid of her. So where does this fear-?
It's for this woman. Mary.
"You can't take away him too-!" Mary's grip tightens, and the glow inside and around her burns. "RIMURU, RUN AWAY ALREADY!!!"
Hinata wakes up. Summoning her strength, she rips her arms free, and Dead End Rainbow as well. She backsteps, far more gracefully than Mary's own backwards stumble, and catches her breath, blade raised high.
Was that- you'd sacrifice everything? Hinata lowers her blood-soaked blade, staring down at the tainted metal. Just to let him run, you'd- you would- you don't make any sense. None of that makes sense!
Mary sways, her stomach wound horrifically worse now that Hinata's blade no longer stoppers it. Then, she falls to one knee.
Hinata merely watches, still in barely hidden shock.
Rimuru watches no longer.
"MARY!!!"
"Rimuru…" Mary collapses. Her face is pale, her throat drier than ever before. She can feel her fingertips cool, and honestly, it's a bit worrisome. Not that she's in any position to worry right now, given she's about to pass out from blood loss and all.
Rimuru rushes to her side, anxiously, carefully turning her over.
"Shit, shit, shit! What the hell were you thinking!?" The slime's hand swirls and turns blue. After a moment, an elastic sphere thing is sitting in his palm. A Full Potion dose, directly from the creator himself.
"Why are you still here…?"
"Shut up!" Without waiting, he shoves the potion against the hole in her gut. "If you don't want me dying, then realize it goes both ways! Idiot!!"
Mary sighs with relief and irritation, color returning to her cheeks. Her stomach still hurts, though, as flesh knits itself together in a millisecond. Then, she freezes.
"Rimuru-!"
"Huh?" Rimuru looks up, then goes cross-eyed.
The tip of Dead End Rainbow sits a hair's width away from his nose.
No one moves. No one even breathes.
"…Hinata." Rimuru slowly raises his hands in surrender, as if that would make the situation better. "…are you sure we can't talk about this?"
Hinata remains silent. Staring. Calculating. Judging.
Her gaze flickers over. To Mary. Then back to Rimuru.
You could cut the tension with a spoon, much less Dead End Rainbow or Mamoru.
A breeze trails by, ruffling everyone's hair.
"Hmph." Hinata spins on her heel. Sheathing Dead End Rainbow at her side, she walks away.
"I- what?" Rimuru stares. "Hey, hold on! What happened to-"
"Rimuru," Mary winces, sitting up, "Shut the fuck up-"
"Two months."
The two Tempest natives go quiet.
"I'll arrive at Tempest in two months." Hinata pauses in her step, then glances back. "Assuming there's anything left. Show me that you're worth keeping alive for humanity's sake."
Then, she continues walking away.
Rimuru and Mary watch her go, for a few precious seconds.
Notice: Skill seal, no longer in effect. Holy Field, no longer in effect. All functions restored.
That's… great.
"Hey, Mary…" Rimuru is quiet. Not looking at her.
She gets the feeling he's sad about something. "Uh?"
Rimuru frowns, then shakes his head. "No, we'll talk later. We'll talk with Tanya, okay? But now's not the time. We need to go, like right now."
"I- right. Right." With Rimuru's help, Mary shakily gets to her feet. "Take it away."
They rush to the warp pad as quickly as they can, Rimuru half supporting Mary's weight until she gets her feet back under her.
Mary pushes away the pain for a moment, shakes herself internally, and tries to ignore the crushing weight of, of... she doesn't even know. A sinking feeling.
They stopped – escaped, her mind helpfully provides – Hinata, but something bigger is happening. Something at home. She shouldn't be worried. Tempest has Tanya. If Tanya is there, everything should be just fine.
Right?
Right. Home.
They're on the warp circle.
"Let's go!" Rimuru's hands cross over his chest. Below them, thaumaturgic symbols swarm and glow a deep blue. Mary puts a hand on his shoulder, steadying herself for the ride.
"Warp!"
-=-=-=-=-=-
Known Skills List
Tanya:
Common Skill: Thought Communication
Extra Skill: Flames of Babylon
Extra Skill: Magic Sense
Extra Skill: Magic Aura
Extra Skill: Voice of the World Communication
Unique Skill: Tetra Breaker
Mary:
Common Skill: Thought Communication
Extra Skill: Magic Sense
Extra Skill: Magic Aura
Extra/Intrinsic Skill: Physical Enhancement
Unique Skill: Ability Severance