Battle

Analyzing the situation, it still didn't seem too bad...

(CHRAAASH! ZUT! ZUT! ZUT!)

I mean, even though the straw dolls were initially repelled by the shockwave, they still held an overwhelming numerical advantage.

(CLANG-CLANG! FROOOSHH!! KRA-KAK!)

...However, that optimistic illusion I had was shattered by the imposing image of the black armor, which soon proved me wrong.

(VROOOMMM!! CRASH-SHING!!)

At that moment, moving with overwhelming speed—far greater than what its bulky appearance suggested—that black armor crossed the stone floor in the blink of an eye to strike the unsuspecting straw dolls in an instant, to the point of giving them no chance to counterattack.

(FSHIII-WHOOSH! SHATTER!)

In response, however, the dolls, realizing the destructive danger posed by the armor's black flames, swiftly scattered, dividing into multiple groups to flank and attack from different angles and directions.

(CLANG-CRASH! BOOM-FROOOSHH!! KRAK-KRAK!)

Yet, despite the overwhelming coordination and sheer numbers from the dolls, that armor was not only fast, but also incredibly skilled.

"This is bad!"

With fluid, lethal movements, it deflected the dolls with its black flame-engulfed shield while simultaneously attacking with its broadsword at blistering speeds, steadily reducing the number of its attackers.

"At this rate, it's going to wipe us out completely...!"

Even when the dolls grouped together to increase their density and size, the barrier of dark fire scorched their limbs at the slightest contact, leaving them unable to get close enough to land a clean blow.

(FROOOSHH!! KRAK-SHING! BOOM!)

To the left, ladies and gentlemen! The straw horde attempts a super neck-lasso by fusing into a giant fist, but the armor executes a perfect shield block and—BAM!—counterattacks with a descending slash that splits the mass in two! This is a slaughter!

"What do we do?! What do we do?!"

Flee? No, no, my legs are made of jelly; if I run, I'm guaranteed to trip... Plus, I absolutely will not abandon these little ones.

"Think, think, think, think!"

Attack from behind?

Sure, great idea, genius, so it can slice me up like salami!

(Slash!!)

But while I was drowning in panic, the black armor swung its greatsword through the air in a full three-hundred-and-sixty-degree spin once more, dispatching another dozen...

(Thump, thump!)

Honestly, as my heart raced, my fingernails dug into my scalp, scratching in blind desperation as if trying to unleash something that didn't belong to this world.

(Slap!)

...Yet despite that, I pressed my fists against my cheeks, giving myself two light slaps to shake off the panic.

"FOCUS!"

The straw dolls are out there fighting the battle of their lives for me! I can't have my head in the clouds right now!

"Inhale... Exhale... Inhale... Exhale... Whew..."

ALRIGHT.

If I analyze the situation calmly, using the information I have so far, I might just find an opening I haven't noticed yet.

(CLANG-CLANG-CLANG! FROOOSHH!! KRAK!)

The advantages of that damn armor are absurd: insane speed, raw physical strength, absolute mastery of sword and shield, accompanied by those destructive black flames that slow down straw regeneration.

(VROOOMMM!! SHING! CRASH!!)

On the other hand, the straw dolls' advantages are their sheer numbers, combined physical strength, endless capacity for regeneration, and their ability to shapeshift together.

(BOOM!! FROOOSHH!! KRA-KRAK!)

Looking closely at the scene, that thing is skilled in combat; however, the most troublesome aspect of the armor is that its black fire limits the swarm's strength by consuming their material.

"...."

...There's no doubt about it... The odds of winning are overwhelmingly in that armor's favor... but what if I enter the equation?

"It's a massive risk, but I don't have a choice..."

I didn't have the physical strength for hand-to-hand combat, nor almost any direct offensive means of attack...

"...Okay."

Yet despite that, and while clinging tightly to the back of the straw horse I was still riding, I reached my trembling hands into my {"Dimensional Storage Pocket"}.

"Let's do this!"

And with determination, I pulled out a cowboy hat and dark sunglasses, quickly putting them on to try and boost my own morale!

"Hey, little ones... I know it's scary, but... do you think you could help me get a little closer, please?"

After which, I immediately decided to trust the straw dolls, asking for their help to win...

(...!)

Let's take a quick dramatic pause here. Yes, you, the one reading this behind the screen. I know what you're thinking: «Hey, you just said you have no direct offensive capability, and now you put on a cowboy hat and sunglasses to march into the slaughterhouse?!». Well, you're right, but only halfway... You see, I didn't lie to you, but I didn't tell you the whole truth either...

(N-no!)

The reality is that, technically... I did manage to create an offensive technique after burning the midnight oil with ridiculously grueling training using my spiritual energy.

"I'm begging you... They are giving their all for us out there."

It wasn't easy, you know? There was a lot of sweat, tears, and moments where I questioned my life choices... But in the end, I pulled it off... However, the single, tiny problem why I prefer not to use it, and why legally I keep saying I have no offensive attack... is that the damn technique is insanely unstable.

"I need to get a little closer to launch 'that' technique. So... I will place all my trust in you, little ones..."

Basically, I'm betting all or nothing on a walking time bomb.

"...That's why... I'm asking you... please trust me..."

It's dangerous to a ridiculous degree, but seeing how that thing will exterminate us all if we do nothing... There's no choice left but to take the risk.

(...)

So clinging tightly, I leaned forward to look the surrounding straw dolls directly in the eye.

(LEAVE IT TO US!!)

As a result, after sensing the determination in my gaze and my pleas, both the straw horse and the other nearby dolls softly yielded, huffing before dropping into a battle stance, ready to charge.

"Thank you so much..."

And so, just like that...

(VROOOOOMMM!! KRA-SHING!!)

We shot forward at full speed!!

(Let's go!)

(Yeah!)

(To victory!)

The straw horse dug its hooves into the stone with such force that it nearly blew my cowboy hat right off.

"To all straw dolls who can hear me...!!"

The wind whipped against my face as the entire mass of dolls from the rear unified around us, forming a living spearhead that surged forward like a runaway train, splitting the battlefield in the blink of an eye.

("?!")

As a result, the black armor—which until a millisecond ago was busy slicing straw left and right—swung around abruptly after being taken completely by surprise, unable to anticipate this move after getting used to seeing the dolls keep me protected in the rear.

"EVERYONE, ATTACK!!!"

So taking full advantage of that brief moment of hesitation behind its steel helmet as we closed in, I awkwardly yet quickly pulled a flashbang out of my {"Dimensional Storage Pocket"}, tossing it with all my meager strength right at its visor!

("!!")

And taking full advantage of the surprise caused by the blinding flash that illuminated the entire tower summit, I shouted the order at the top of my lungs from atop my mount!

"SURVIVE!!"

Thanks to that, in response to my words, the dolls launched themselves like projectiles to bring it down from every flank, merging mid-air.

(Charge!)

(Finish him!)

(Down you go!)

Unfortunately, despite the flash and even being overwhelmed by the numerical advantage, the armor stood firm on its feet like an immovable mountain, swinging its sword blindly.

"..."

However... This was all part of the plan.

("...!")

Exploiting the chaos, the straw horse positioned me right in its blind spot, allowing me to prepare my final ace up my sleeve while the other straw dolls bought me time.

"Channel..."

Pulling out a Taser gun and gripping it tightly, I began to concentrate, gather, and channel all my spiritual energy to take aim, however...

(SLASSSSSSHHH!!)

Maybe it was instinct?

"?!"

The black armor reacted at the last second and counterattacked, delivering a descending slash in my direction.

(LEAVE IT TO US!!)

But just before the black fire could hit me, the straw horse leaned and stretched its own neck and torso as a living shield to absorb the brutal impact for me, granting me the exact split-second needed to pull the trigger!

"{"Ultimate Technique = Maximum Voltage!"}"

As a result...

(BOOOOOOMMMMM!! ZAP-ZAP-ZAP-ZAP!!)

...The instant I unleashed the technique, the unstable spiritual energy not only struck the armor, but the very fabric of space seemed to tear apart.