25 – Edel vs the Ripper

Honestly I could just shower this guy with unlimited ice swords. A constant rain would easily kill him in no time. But the samurai in me is eager for a swordfight. As heir of the Nakajima style, I can't help wanting to find a worthy opponent.

This guy might not be worthy, but he's strong enough to make me want to use my sword skills. The Nakajima style emphasizes observing your opponent. No skill will work twice on me. And I also have my Foresight. I learned to observe my opponents to the point I became able to predict the next move, allowing me to either evade, dodge, parry or launch a counter-attack on the opponent. This is possible through combining natural eyesight and of course my new body.

"Alright, Ripper. Looks like you're back on your feet. Let's see what you can do."

The monster once again charged towards me. I could only see a flash of his blade like a trail of light.

“Fumu. A perfectly good blow.

However… Rondo stance - Counter Veil.”

It is a technique that consists of warding off the opponent's momentum by making a circular trajectory with a sword before a sword lock. By doing this, the trajectory of the opponent's blade changes, the clash is repelled, and the opponent's stance breaks. With this I can unleash a counter attack impossible to defend against.

"Haaa!"

Blood spills from his chest and his screams intensify.

"Darling, that thing is gathering magical energy."

As if I would allow it to fire a magic attack. This wasn't possible on earth, but I can create a perfectly new sword technique.

"Yuki, I'm going to wrap some nether flames on you. You can handle it, right?"

"Anything for you, my dear. It's like getting showered with your love!"

I decided to ignore that last remark and coat Yuki with nether flames. These flames don't burn. They freeze, eventually turning the target into frozen particles. Let's just call it white ash.

He's preparing to fire something big.

"I won't let you.

Lotus stance - Instant flash Shinkiro!"

A slash with perfect movement in the ultimate timing that not only stops the magical attack  but also disrupts his magical energy. The Ripper was once again blown away.

"Was that your limit just now, mister Ripper?"

He stopped his breathing and concentrated his power in his feet and this time it wasn’t just his sword that turned into a flash of light but his entire body.

The Ripper accelerates at such a speed that even my eyes can barely see him.

“Fumu. This speed is far superior. Are you perhaps trying to copy my movements?”

I up my power a level and strike the Ripper's sword. As they collide their powers struggle against each other.

The Ripper had been one-sidedly taking my attacks for a while now and getting blown away.

“Splendid.”

This time however, he only fell to the ground in a defensive stance.

“I have to give praise here. If you had a conscience, maybe we would have a legendary battle. At least your instincts are top notch.”

This thing seems to be getting gradually better at handling my attacks.

There’s a strange thirst for blood in his eyes. It's not like before. And it's not aimed at me… does it perhaps… want me to kill it? Once again it charges at me.

“Slow.”

He can’t divert all the force of my blow though and loses his balance. This time it was me who was casually swinging my sword.

Explosive sounds that sound nothing like sword strikes ring out. A normal person couldn't possibly trace all the sword flashes.

He's being pushed down on his knees. It seems like he wants to put his everything in his next blow. Then I shall respond in the same manner. I sheated Yuki and took a stance. The Nakajima style is also known for striking while drawing the sword.

*Mad Howl*

He was coming. But as soon as it was in range.

"It's over. Zero stance - Tempest!"

Just like a storm, not one, but 5 converging slashes. The technique allows the user to slash 5 concurrent arching blades close on their enemy from all sides to create an attack that is hard to block or dodge since if one can evade the first slash, one of the following will most likely get them. Back on Earth I only managed to throw one single high speed slash followed by a reverse arch. That alone was considered superhuman. But here I am actually bending the laws of physics to allow me to strike 5 times simultaneously.

And naturally blood splattered everywhere. The Ripper's hands, feet and head were all sliced off. And his body ended up being mutilated. Even if this thing wasn't technically alive, slice of some body parts and it's dead for good.

"Hmph. I am grateful for allowing me to test this on an actual opponent. But at the end of the day, this thing was never a match for me."

"You… actually made me dizzy with that stunt, darling. Are you… going to devour it now?"

"Hell no. That thing would just leave a bad taste in my mouth. It's too tainted so I'm not going to eat it. There's only one thing I want, and that's my pay."

------

"I can't believe my eyes. That really is… The Ripper. And… it's dead!"

Surprisingly enough when morning came, I was expecting the body to melt or get burned by the sunlight or something. But apparently that didn't happen. At least this way I don't have to show any proof for killing it.

"Is it really over?"

"The curse has finally been broken!"

"We're free from the nightmare!!"

Loud cheers started to burst. The people were ecstatic. Some burst into tears, some laughed happily… they were finally showing emotions.

"UWOOO!! THREE CHEERS FOR OUR SAVIOR!!"

"Hey wait… put me down!"

But my words didn't reach them. They started to throw me up and down into the air. I will admit it did feel pleasant but I got the feeling that some people just wanted to grope my ass.

"You must be a Goddess, miss!! We should build you a temple!!"

"No thanks. I wouldn't know what to do with it."

"Then at least a statue! Yes. We will build you a large statue!! All hail the Winter Fox!"

"Hahaha!!" (Sasha)

"Shishou sure is popular." (Stella)

"Knock it off, you two. Anyway, do whatever you want. Just hand over the reward. That grumpy old man over there said there was a 10 million wurna reward for killing that thing."

"Again, who's grumpy? You're not even going to call me by my name? It's Gerard."

"Old man is good enough."

The conversation aside, the magistrate that ran this town was more than happy to take my adventurer card and fill it with the required amount. And the old man didn't lie. The amount was right. I guess you could say I was rich.

"Aight. Our business here is done. Let's get going."

"You can't just leave like that. We need to throw a feast!"

"Sorry, but after tasting your knockout stew I'm not in the mood for anything you guys cook."

A bulky man appeared from the crowd.

"Sheesh! Don't assume that's the only thing we can make. Let me show you… my last resort! I’ll give you some 'Gale Taurus Meat'."

“….What’s that?”

“You don’t know!? It’s a first-grade meat! Eating it grilled, will make your tongue melt and get you addicted!”

“Hou?”

My eyes sparkled. I would lie if I said that it didn't intrigue me.

“Addicted, huh…”

Hearing that reminded me of the “Addicted Seafood Noodles” that I ate before in the village from where I got Yuki. It was delicious.

“Hey, you better not be lying.”

“Huh? Of course not!  I guarantee the taste!"

"Fine. Then bring it on. I'll judge if you are truly a master chef or just someone that likes to brag."

I won't lie. My stomach is empty right now.

"Fufu. Shishou seems to be at it again." (Stella)

"I guess it's important to eat. Besides, she needs the energy for when she'll want to pounce on us."

What the hell were these two talking about again? Regardless, let's get ready to eat. I stayed longer than I wanted, but afterwards I will finally be free of the kingdom. And the next destination I have in mind right now is… the great Spirit Forest Eternium.