Seeker 324

Test

Chapter 324. Battle

"These scoundrels! Cut them down, cut them to pieces!"

When Echigoya gave the command to his hired bodyguards, the men simultaneously drew their swords.

However, they didn't immediately attack.

One of the men—a familiar kidnapper—shouldered his drawn sword and responded to his master with a sneer.

"Boss, even if you say to cut them down, it's a waste to kill the women. Forget about the guy with the spear; let's just knock the other three out and take them alive. They're all beauties, we can have some fun."

It was not Echigoya but the magistrate who replied.

"Indeed. Echigoya, as he says. Despite being scoundrels, they are all fine specimens. Capturing them alive and meting out a fitting punishment would be the best course."

"Y-yes, as the magistrate says. You heard him, men. Don't kill anyone except the boy with the spear."

Echigoya's bodyguards grinned and acknowledged the orders.

Men, they're all the same.

Meanwhile, I glanced at the girl we had just saved and spoke to Kushinosuke.

"Kushinosuke, take care of her."

"Huh...? I understand we need to protect her, but then I can't join the fight. We're already at a disadvantage. It'll be three against seven."

"That's fine."

"???"

"Three against seven is more than enough for me, Kazane, and Yuzuki. Just take care of the girl."

"Got it, but... huh...???"

Ignoring Kushinosuke's confusion, I turned to Kazane next.

"Kazane, can you handle three of them?"

"Sure, but wouldn't it be better if I took four, given I'm fully equipped?"

"Depends on the magistrate's actions. We'll adapt as necessary."

"Fair enough."

"Yuzuki, provide support from the rear."

"Got it."

With the instructions given, I slowly moved sideways, leading three of the bodyguards.

Kazane also moved sideways in the opposite direction, taking on three others.

Seeing our movements, the bodyguards snickered.

"Hah, what are they thinking? Do they really think they can win?"

"We'll show them this isn't some samurai game!"

One of the bodyguards rushed at me, sword raised.

The other two followed shortly after.

I noted three others attacking Kazane from the corner of my eye.

The magistrate remained in the back, observing.

I quickly assessed the situation and focused on my three opponents.

The three bodyguards charged at me.

Their movements appeared almost in slow motion to me.

I readied my divine spear and attacked the first one.

I considered using the [Triple Strike] skill but decided against it, fearing it might be fatal.

A regular attack might not be enough to take him down in one hit, but—

"Hah!"

"Ugh...! What power... damn it!"

My spear pierced deeply into the man's abdomen.

But he didn't fall from just one hit.

He counterattacked with his sword, but I deflected it with my shield.

The other two attacked next.

"This brat!"

"Die!"

Strikes from both sides.

I twisted my body with surprising speed, dodging the left attack.

It seemed my [Enhanced Evasion] skill was effective.

But I couldn't completely avoid the right strike.

It hit my shoulder.

Without my Gaia Armor and Gaia Helm, my defense was lower than usual.

The damage wasn't negligible, but—

"What? It's shallow...!?"

The bodyguard who landed the hit seemed confused.

The attack had connected, but my high endurance, HP, and the divine spear's blessing prevented it from being a serious wound.

It would only be dangerous if I got hit ten more times.

"Senpai...! How dare you hurt Senpai—[Tri-Fire]!"

Yuzuki's voice came from behind as small fireballs struck the bodyguards.

"Aaah!"

Each bodyguard was hit by a fireball.

One of them, the one I attacked first, fell unconscious.

"Good support, Yuzuki. But don't make it sound like a revenge act. I'm hardly hurt!"

"Urgh...!"

I attacked the right-side bodyguard next.

Like the first one, my spear pierced his abdomen deeply, and he collapsed, unconscious.

Only one opponent remained.

"Well, drama is important for excitement."

"Right. I'm good here; go support Kazane."

"On it."

"Damn it... How is this happening!?"

The last bodyguard attacked, but I deflected it with my shield.

Off-balance, he was an easy target for my spear.

"Argh... impossible..."

The third bodyguard fell.

I confirmed no one was feigning unconsciousness and reassessed the overall situation.

"Yah!"

"Ugh!"

At that moment, Kazane's dual short swords took down one of her opponents.

One more was already down.

"This woman's strength... damn it!"

The last bodyguard attacked Kazane, but she swiftly dodged.

Then—

"Seems you didn't need my help after all. But just to be sure—[Flame Lance]!"

"Aaah!"

Yuzuki's flame spear struck the final bodyguard, setting him ablaze.

With all six bodyguards down, Kushinosuke's astonished voice came from behind.

"Amazing... Six seasoned warriors were taken down by just three... How... could it be... Limit Break Event!? All three of you!?"

Yes, correct.

Well, after showing this much, it's only natural to reach that conclusion.

"Now then—"

I readied my divine spear and walked towards Echigoya and the magistrate.