Vengeance Upon Fate - Chapter 31

Affected by the previous explosion more than his brother, Hiroki laid on his chest, struggling to bring himself up with both arms.

“Is he okay? C’mon dammit!”

The smoke around the beast finally cleared. It had the same force field generated, with its horn still holding onto a fair amount of shadow energy.

Taro frowned and furiously grit his teeth out of helplessness.

“We need to see if he’s okay! Escaping is the best option right now.”

“That’s a bad idea! If we go there now, that thing will release another bolt at us and we all three will be done for!”

“But we can’t just leave him there!”

“I get it, though it’s best we continue to split up so we can distract this thing for as long as we can.”

“Alright then. I just hope Kurogane snaps out of it and fast.”

“Bro, pay attention! I think the force-field is fading away!”

Within a few more seconds, the force-field was completely gone.

“Now’s our chance Hiroki! You get its left and I’ll go for the right!”

“Roger that!”

With all their might, both brothers charged, fully ready to lunge their sword.

….!

The beast created yet another force-field, electrocuting and pushing back both of them several feet away.

{Aghhh}

{Hghhh}

“Shit… It’s no use. I’m nearly out of strength…”

Hiroki’s cracks and scratches throughout his armor became excessive, and his body now had injuries all over. His condition had become much worse than Taro.

“Hey… You okay? Don’t get any funny ideas now..”

“Hehe, I’m still in one piece am I?”

“You have a point there…”

Taro grabbed his sword and used it to hold himself up, shaking and struggling in the process while thinking to himself.

(What nonsense… why am I still able to stand while both of my comrades are down? They’ve been struggling much more than I have. Who am I to avoid it all?)

He glared at the beast then let out a light grin.

“Now just what the hell are we gonna do with this bastard?”

“For the record, we might not make it after the next strike.”

“Yeah… no kidding.”

Taro then fully stood up, his grin transitioning into anger.

“Bro, where are you going..? HEY!”

Taro ignored everything and kept walking steadily, though still struggling step by step.

(To lay another ounce on them… it’ll have to get through every last limb of mine!)

The beast grinned and arrogantly growled at the sight of seeing its weakened target approaching it.

“BRO STOP, THAT’S SUICIDE!”

“Don’t mock me with that look you fucking monster.”

The distance expanded between the two brothers, but shrunk between Taro and the beast.

Taro got into his battle stance and ambidextrously held his sword forward.

“Do your worst, you god damn pile of shit!”

The beast’s frontal claws grew again, bursting with shadow energy as it prepared to make its move.

Hiroki could not hold himself back any longer. As much as he wanted to do something, his body was too damaged. No matter how hard her tried, his arms just wouldn’t push himself up. The urge to scream crawled within him, unwilling to let such an end fall upon his dear brother.

“Bro!… TAROOO!!!!”

…

…?!

An unknown figure abruptly put it’s arm out to prevent Taro from moving any further. The gentle yet bold sounds of a cloak echoed in the momentary silence of the atmosphere.

“You both fought exceptionally well. I’m genuinely proud of you guys. However, please… leave the remainder to me.”

“Kurogane..?!”

“I-”

Kurogane stood before Taro, scratched and worn out from head to toe but furious in expression.

Ever so glad to see Kurogane back, the shock of both brothers quickly turned into relief and happiness.

“I’m glad you’re on your feet again.”

“Did he just say please?”

“Be careful both of you. Taro, move out of the way.” Wuxiaworld for visiting.

“Okay, I’ll move Hiroki t-”

“Don’t”

“But I-”

“Taro… just trust me on this”

Taro starred at Kurogane, who returned a glance as he stood with his back facing Taro.

He nodded and Taro nodded back, agreeing to move forward with Kurogane’s order.

“Okay then. Do your thing, and fast. I’ll trust you on this.”

Hiroki watched the two and began to panic a little inside, unsure of what was about to go down.

(Yes.. It all makes sense now. This creature can use up to three spells if it fully charges its energy but around one or two if interrupted. What an annoying passive.)

The beast began to charge its elemental energy. Kurogane responded immediately and proceeded without delay to make his move.

<>

Kurogane then bent down, spread his legs slightly, and placed his hand on the floor to prepare his dash. He muttered a few words which could not be made out by the other two.

Lunging forward with full speed, his blade and body was now coated in shadow energy.

(Hraaaghhhhh)

The beast unleashed its force-field with the amount of energy it stored, but instead of making contact, Kurogane unanticipatedly jumped above.

(That’s right… Protect yourself. All I need is roughly five seconds.)

As calculated, the force-field wore away, giving an opening just in time as Kurogane fell closer and landed on its head.

The dark beast struggled, but Kurogane managed to stab one of its eyes, twisting his sword in the process. Roaring in pain, the beast managed to throw off Kurogane, sending him before Hiroki.

Landing on his feet and sliding back a little, Kurogane taunted at the beast.

“Is that all you have? I was expecting much more from your kind. All of you beasts are the same predictable creatures.”

Enraged from pain and anger, the beast let out a ferocious roar. After enlarging its frontal claws with shadow energy, it charged forward at full speed.

Hiroki watched in fear. He still couldn’t get himself together, and feared he would get caught up in the fight. Taro started to worry as well.

<>

Kurogane vanished, but instead of going towards the rampaging beast, he relocated several feet behind Hiroki.

…..?!!

(Is he..? No..)

(What..?)

Unsure of what Kurogane was doing at first, the two of them were shot with doubt. The beast was rapidly getting closer by the second with no intention to stop at any cost.

(Am I about to be.. sacrificed?)

Both of their hearts began to race. Taro’s eyes widened as he began to desperately run towards Hiroki.

(Is this what the hell you planned all along, Kurogane?)

Monitoring the entire scene behind Hiroki, Kurogane pardoned everything. It all looked as if it were occurring in slow motion – Taro sprinting from the left and the beast approaching from the front.

(Shit, I’m not going to make it!)

(I’m sorry, bro…)

Tears began to form within the corners of their eyes.

With their hopes completely absent at this point, Suddenly, Kurogane shouted aloud.

<>

Within a mild distance away from Hiroki, the floor suddenly erupted with dark energy, capturing the beast entirely and devastating it in the process, causing it to roar hysterically.

Both brothers watched in absolute shock.

<>

Kurogane vanished and reappeared beside it, not giving the slightest glimpse before unleashing a quick slash.

Within a moment’s delay, the critically injured beast began spraying out blood from the deeply cut wound on its side, subsequently falling over to the side. Surely it had met its end.

“Holy heck..”

“W-Wow..”

He then placed his sword into his sheathe and made his way towards the other two.