Necromancer 50

Test

50. Mirage's Return

"Why... why is Mirage here...!?"

"I don’t know... After losing my power, I was wandering in a void, but suddenly, an immense power surged into me..."

Even Mirage seemed utterly bewildered.

"Was it you who sent me this power, Master?"

"I didn’t do anything... Wait."

Could it be? Could the power of the holy sword have flowed into Mirage?

"I’ve remembered... just a little."

Mirage murmured, suddenly looking startled.

"I know that sword..."

"Wait, the holy sword?"

"Most likely, the owner of this armor—the hero of old—must have been connected to the holy sword."

"So you’ve managed to summon another servant?"

Kenzaki glared at me.

"But numbers won’t change a thing!"

The holy sword came slashing down, and I narrowly evaded it with a backstep.

Whoosh!

A fierce shockwave erupted, hurling me away violently.

"Master, are you alright?"

Meanwhile, Mirage elegantly dodged the shockwave and landed lightly on the ground.

"It seems I’ve gained a new skill."

Mirage spoke calmly.

"A new skill...?"

"More accurately, I ‘remembered’ it. A technique once used by my ‘original’ self."

Mirage fixed her gaze on me.

"The hero’s technique."

"...!"

This being was originally a suit of armor worn by a hero, now undead—a kind of living mail.

Living mail inherits the memories and personality traits of its wearer.

If that’s the case, Mirage’s personality likely reflects the hero’s.

And the skills used by that hero, too...

"If I’ve regained a skill, then surely you, too, can use new skills."

"Then let’s do it... together."

Mirage and I exchanged nods.

I kept my eyes on Kenzaki and checked my status.

***

Name:Shigure

Strength:113

Speed:138

Endurance:91

Magic:272

Additional Skills

[Slash],[Shield]

[Mapping: Beginner], [Flying Sword]

[Fire Buster], [Healing]

[Stretch Arm],[Burst Slash]

***

"[Burst Slash]...?"

"As the name suggests, it’s a destructive sword technique."

Mirage answered.

"It has about three times the power of [Slash]."

"Whoa, that’s impressive."

"But its activation is slow, leaving you vulnerable."

"So before I can use the skill, Kenzaki might attack me."

"I’ll act as bait to draw his attacks. Meanwhile, you unleash [Burst Slash]with all your strength."

Mirage proposed.

"But then you’ll be exposed to the holy sword’s attacks. If the worst happens, you might be completely obliterated this time."

"I’m fully aware. But to devote my body and soul for your sake—that is what it means to be a servant."

"Even so—I don’t want to sacrifice you."

I shook my head firmly.

"Then let me take the lead."

"Reaper...?"

"I am a demon, after all. Distracting him should be easy enough."

The Reaper said confidently.

"During that time, you and Mirage can use your skills together."

"…Can you pull it off?"

"Of course. Give the order, Master."

The Reaper locked eyes with me.

"…Don’t die."

"I’ll do my best."

The Reaper glided smoothly through the air, heading toward Kenzaki.

"Tch, you monster!"

Kenzaki swung the holy sword.

The Reaper danced deftly, evading the blade’s strikes.

"Ahhhhhhh!"

But there was no way it could avoid that storm of relentless attacks forever.

Slash!

Finally, a blow landed, forcing it back.

"Urgh…"

It tattered robe began to crumble, and black particles spilled from the gash on its chest.

That must be—his body’s very essence.

Each strike from the holy sword was erasing his existence itself...?

This is bad—

"Let’s go, Mirage."

I steeled my resolve.

Kenzaki showed no obvious openings.

But I couldn’t just stand by and let the Reaper die.

Sacrificing it as a pawn to create an opening was an option, but I couldn’t choose that path.

"Understood, Master."

Mirage nodded firmly.

"That’s the Shigure I know."

"…Haha."

Mirage’s words somehow made me smile.

Alright, let’s do this—

"[Burst Slash]!"

Mirage and I activated our skills simultaneously.

[Burst Slash]—a devastating sword technique.

Its effect: a slash with 300% the power of a normal attack, combined with a massive shockwave.

"Urgh, ahhhhh...!?"

Kenzaki took the full brunt of our synchronized attack—slashes and shockwaves, a twofold assault, no, a fourfold attack—and was sent flying.

Clatter... clatter...

The holy sword slipped from Kenzaki’s hand, spinning across the floor.

"Got it...!"

I leaped forward and grabbed the holy sword.

"I’ll be taking this."

I spoke to Kenzaki, holy sword in hand.

Without his sword, I’d have the upper hand in combat.

"Urgh... uuuuuugh..."

Suddenly, Kenzaki clutched his body, writhing.

"Kenzaki...?"

"Ahhhhhhh! I-it hurts... It hurts so much...!"

He clutched his head with one hand, groaning.

A severe headache? But—

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!"

With a scream, Kenzaki stood up, but something about him had changed.

"Huff... huff..."

He exhaled heavily.

"Kenzaki...?"