Chapter 276: Mio’s Weakness

Mio’s attack slices through the air.

It didn’t connect again.

Suppressing his presence is probably Rokuya’s special ability, a sort of assassin’s job skill.

(He’s good to a bothersome degree—desu wa. I’ve never seen a more perfected hit-and-run, so well-suited to evasion and blind spots.) (Mio)

With another sigh, one she’d performed countless times, Mio was impressed by Rokuya’s technique.

At times, she’d catch his presence, or glimpse his form, but her attacks were always dodged, just like now.

And yet, Rokuya was delivering powerful attacks from all directions.

Fundamentally, Mio doesn’t prioritize defense and evasion.

Or rather, she doesn’t need to.

Thus, Rokuya’s hit-and-run strategy perfectly—and unfortunately—suits her.

But…

(Well, the damage I’m taking is slower than my recovery rate, so it doesn’t matter. What’s strange is that this rude and outspoken man wouldn’t notice.) (Mio)

Mio had initially unleashed a powerful spell, but since then, she’s been engaging Rokuya without taking it seriously.

True, he’s a problematic opponent to target, but once an attack lands, the fight is over, she thinks.

There’s likely less than a 1% chance of Mio’s attacks hitting Rokuya.

But Mio doesn’t see that percentage as insignificant.

She understands there’s no need to rush.

As long as it doesn’t contradict Makoto’s instructions, she’ll continue as usual.

Then, after tiring Rokuya out, she’ll teach him a lesson.

Since he’s immortal, it shouldn’t be a problem to loosen her grip a little.

Mio was thinking along these lines.

She appears calm…and angry.

In other words, the same old Mio. She’s operating normally.

“Shadow Stroll, [Skywalk]; Domain of Gods [Chronos Filing].” (Rokuya)

(That’s probably the skill that makes him almost impossible to detect. The other is likely something that boosts his reaction speed.) (Mio)

Rokuya reappeared slightly further away, and when he used his skill again, his form vanished, and Mio lost his presence once more.

From there, he combines enhanced skills and attacks. A pattern repeated countless times.

Shortly after, Mio perceives Rokuya’s presence. A little too quickly.

Mio sighs again, firing a darkness bullet.

“[Counter Death Scythe]!” (Rokuya)

(Just as I thought. Eh?) (Mio)

“Fang that destroys the soul, [Soul Slaughter]!” (Rokuya)

It wasn’t just the repeated pattern. When Mio showed an opening due to her weariness, Rokuya closed the distance and struck her with his katar, its blade a dark purple.

The strongest attack so far, striking Mio’s side.

Simultaneously, a miasma of death spread into her body, consuming the magic power surrounding her.

Mio has defeated many assassins, but this attack is new.

“Without wasting time on the connecting attack, you vanish again. Quite the brutal technique.” (Mio)

Mio sensed something with her instincts and instinctively shielded her right side.

Immediately, the same attack struck her right shoulder.

Looking at the spot, she saw Rokuya there.

She saw him, but there was no trace of his presence.

Even though she saw him, he wasn’t there.

A strange sensation washed over Mio.

“[Enchant Poison, Ghoul Witch], [Enhance, Ogre]” (Rokuya)

“!!”

In that instant of “oh crap,” and the strange sensation, Mio, having recognized her opponent’s pattern and seeing Rokuya preparing his katars by crossing them… smiled.

“Then…the equality of 4,000 lives turned to dust, [Wind of Destruction]” (Rokuya)

The assassin’s form vanished, replaced by a black mist that swept past Mio.

“Finally unleashed it. A combo attack and your trump card, huh.” (Mio)

Thousands of deadly attacks assaulted Mio’s body.

Yet, Mio maintained her smile, showing no concern for her kimono, which was steadily being torn.

“…After receiving that, this is your impression? Well, well, you’re far stronger than I expected.” (Rokuya)

Rokuya returned to his usual demeanor, the one he displayed when first meeting Makoto’s group.

Mio’s knees buckled, but the blade storm held her upright, yet he spoke calmly. In a way, this composure was terrifying.

“…”

No response from Mio.

“This attack is the strongest I currently possess. If you had come to our territory with twice the power I anticipated, this should have been enough to handle you, but as expected, it’s not going as planned, huh.” (Rokuya)

“Good grief,” Rokuya muttered, holding his head and shrugging.

Constantly using skills, moving, and attacking—there’s no way he wouldn’t tire.

That’s also why Mio wasn’t growing impatient.

She understood that the one who would run out of stamina first would be her opponent.

And then…the storm ceased.

He thought she’d fall, but Mio simply stood, brushing herself down.

“!!!”

A black kimono instantly covered her.

Not a single cut, no signs of poison.

Just as when she’d first arrived.

Rokuya was shocked.

“…Even if you catch me off guard, even if you shower me with attacks, even if you land a finishing move, your attacks won’t reach me.” (Mio)

“They were reaching…is what I thought though…” (Rokuya)

“Your splendid katars, or rather, your blades in general, and the various poisons you used, won’t leave a single wound on my body.” (Mio)

“…It is as you say.” (Rokuya)

“The compatibility is good, don’t you think? Is the confidence of that big mouth of yours still remaining?” (Mio)

Mio’s words continued.

That’s right.

From the start, Mio intended to see everything Rokuya had to offer.

She’d decided to endure it all and laugh at him.

Then, she’d punish him.

Using the carefully selected punishments she’d meted out against Shiki and the few rude ones at Asora.

In detail: scouring, mopping, rotary cutting, and pocky—those are settled, and others are added at her whim.

That’s Mio’s plan.

“…Yeah, that hasn’t changed. Of all in that group, you were the one I was most compatible with. Today, under these conditions, I’m confident I won’t lose.” (Rokuya)

“What did you say?” (Mio)

Mio asked reflexively.

Rokuya’s eyes showed fatigue, but no despair.

Even after showing his trump card, he didn’t give up.

“After fighting you, my instincts told me that perhaps your objective was to buy time, you see. And so, I thought that instead of the initial objective, it would be better to defeat the Calamity Spider.” (Rokuya)

“…”

How displeasing, Mio felt.

Just as Rokuya said, this battle heavily favored one side. Even so, Mio, Tomoe, and Makoto were clearly the strongest.

Yet, this seasoned adventurer wasn’t trying to oppose her, but to defeat her.

This was unforgivable to Mio.

“But, even when I tried to analyze the many battles around while attacking you, I couldn’t grasp any decisive conclusion. The former Superior Dragon, Tomoe-dono, having a tough fight, and on the contrary, the dwarf’s group is proceeding predominantly; both were unexpected, and key factors, but it definitely doesn’t show what’s on the other side of the door.” (Rokuya)

“…That’s why, even if you had to take the time-consuming method, you were thinking of defeating me first and then gathering information yourself.” (Mio)

“Yeah, that’s how it would be. Or rather, it’s already been done.” (Rokuya)

“Are you…referring to the combining poisons within me? If so, that’s quite an overly optimistic preparation.” (Mio)

“By no means. The poison was just a decoy. The weakness I’m sure you have isn’t related to poison. Or rather, poison wouldn’t work on you at all. In the first place, for a long time…the Calamity Spider has had no weaknesses.” (Rokuya)

Rokuya raised both hands, as if surrendering.

If someone were to obtain a piece of the Calamity Spider’s hard carapace, thread, fangs, claws, or poison, they could buy a house.

All are high-grade ingredients, proving the Calamity Spider has overcome all spider mamono weaknesses.

The Calamity Spider has no weaknesses.

Until now, no one has defeated it.

Rokuya’s deeper understanding of the Calamity Spider’s dangers, longer than most adventurers, allows him to grasp this.

“…”

“But, right now, you are Mio. Not a spider.” (Rokuya)

“What are you trying to say? Yo—Eh?!” (Mio)

“Your footing was neglected. Was it because you didn’t consider my attacks a threat? Or perhaps because you thought that combo attack was my trump card? Or maybe you lowered your guard with the combining poisons? Whatever the case, you noticed too late.” (Rokuya)

The situation confirmed Rokuya’s words.

Mio’s footing emitted a faint light, and several gears restrained her body.

Whether real or illusionary, some gears seemed to meld with her body, occasionally making grinding noises.

The gears, numbering less than ten, began slowly rotating, causing her obvious distress.

Legs, arms, waist, shoulders, neck, chest…

Gears were encircling every part of Mio’s body.

This is Rokuya’s true trump card.

“This is…a restraining barrier, huh. Moreover, it even adds pain! I don’t think this is the kind of skill an assassin would use, but no matter how powerful, to use a barrier as a trump card against me…” (Mio)

“As you guessed, this isn’t a skill from my guild or my job; it’s an ability only I can use in this world. Gears of Fantasy, [Grim Tale Gear].” (Rokuya)

“Grim Tale?! I don’t care about the name. If this is your trump card, I’ll tear it apart—!!” (Mio)

“No, listen. This ability can only be used on certain powerful individuals, and as an assassin, it has an incredibly powerful effect.” (Rokuya)

“…It’s true that even highly specialized magicians wouldn’t reach this in their lifetime! Leaving aside if it would be effective against me though!” (Mio)

Mio responded, but didn’t comply.

The gears’ rotation was gradually slowing, producing increasingly loud creaking sounds.

Proof that the barrier was about to break.

“Therefore, there’s a particular restriction to these restraints.” (Rokuya)

“Res…triction?” (Mio)

“If someone destroys these restraints with their own strength, the fantasy gears will provide a blessing.” (Rokuya)

“Fufufufu! What’s with that?! There’s nothing good for you! Using a power that’s too much for you; rather than calling it a restriction, it’s more of a price!” (Mio)

“That’s right. It restrains the target physically and magically, and will slowly lead them to their death. The only way out is to destroy all the gears while in a state of having your power restrained in all senses. It’s a power wasted on me.” (Rokuya)

“No matter how great it is, it’s just a matter of time before it’s destroyed! If this is all you have, it’s time for your punishment, Rokuya. I won’t let you escape.” (Mio)

“You’re truly scary. If you can destroy this, you’ll be released from all your bonds and be free.” (Rokuya)

“I see, that’s great to hear! After all, I’ll be able to teach you your own posi— All the…bindings?” (Mio)

Mio’s words lose their heat.

She seems to have noticed something.

Rokuya has already noticed.

No, his aim was that from the very beginning.

The weak point of, not the spider, but Mio… that is…

“All your bindings. Any kind of pact, restrain, restriction; all your bindings will be destroyed along with the fantasy gears.” (Rokuya)

“…Rokuya…you!!!” (Mio)

“Of course, it would be the same if you just have them bound again later. But, can you truly throw that away with your own hands? The pact that is your bond between you and Makoto. The pact that led to being given the name Mio. The pact that was most likely the first one you have formed in your life.” (Rokuya)

“Fuh…!! Fuuuh…!!” (Mio)

“…It is true that Makoto-kun, whom you treasure above all else, is stronger than you. We wouldn’t be able to take him hostage, and depending on the situation, he might even be more of a problem than you. We wouldn’t be able to use this kind of method as a weakness. But you… your love for Makoto-kun is excessive. To the point that you wouldn’t throw away a single thing he has given to you even if it cost you your life. That’s how much you love him. That’s a weak point. You can’t do something like throwing away the pact you have with him with your own hands. At the very least, at present, you can’t.” (Rokuya)

“!!!! !!!”

She increased her strength, but, showing an expression as if fearing the creaking sounds of the gears, she decreased her strength, accepting the pain.

“Well then, stay like that for a while, please. I’m leaving.” (Rokuya)

“…Quite…impressive. To think you had set up such a threat, I wouldn’t have expected it at all. But, even if I’ve given up on fighting back…these gears can’t kill me, you know? It only hurts a little.” (Mio)

“Having you stay there obediently is plenty enough.” (Rokuya)

“And also, Rokuya, I won’t let you go anywhere. The first spell I cast, do you know what it was?” (Mio)

“The first spell you cast? Ah, the one you used to trap me?” (Rokuya)

“No-desu wa. Within a 300-meter radius, I’ve made it so no one can leave. If it’s Waka-sama and Tomoe-san, they could leave in time, but I wonder if you could manage that?” (Mio)

“?!”

Rokuya’s eyes widen.

“At any rate, it would be troublesome if you were to escape, so only that one spell, I placed serious power when activating it. The effective time of this ability is not eternal, right? It’s a powerful ability after all. If the gears disappear naturally…let’s go for round 2. I won’t lose next time. The punishment is still on hold, okay? Ufufufufufu~~~.” (Mio)

“Tch! A draw was one of the worst possible outcomes! At the very least, I have to silence the dwarf’s group!” (Rokuya)

Glancing at the motionless Mio for a moment, Rokuya vanishes.

Only Mio’s small, angry laugh remained, and Rokuya was unable to escape the space Mio had created.

Mio was unable to move due to the gears’ restraint; Rokuya was sprinting at full speed, searching for a weakness in Mio’s spell.

In this space where the battle ended, there are no deaths.

* * *

“Ah, so that’s how it is.”

“…You’re interested in the battle between Rokuya-san and Mio-san? Sorry, I can’t show you due to Rokuya-san’s request.” (Hitsuna)

“Eh?”

“Ara, did I misinterpret that?” (Hitsuna)

“This is your territory anyway. Well, I understand that a lot is happening on your side. What I just got… was your power, Hitsuna-san.” (Makoto)

“?!”

“You called it ‘Safety Zone,’ right? You said so before, but it certainly isn’t an invincible space.” (Makoto)

…It’s subtle, but I felt Mio’s rage.

An unexpected situation.

To change it, I need to address this space first.

The analysis…is probably complete.

“Cutting off attacks from the outside, and deploying a space that prohibits fights inside. I see, it sounds like a power in an MMO. The condition for its activation isn’t a catalyst, but time.” (Makoto)

“…”

“It seems like this is the type that is tough on its effective time and cooldown time.” (Makoto)

“And Makoto-kun has an ability that can analyze our abilities? This might be beyond expectations.” (Hitsuna)

“So, it looks like you can’t shorten the effective time from inside, but judging from its composition, I thought that maybe attacks from outside would manage to reduce the effective time.” (Makoto)

“!!”

Hitsuna’s expression changes.

In words, “Yeah, that’s right.”

Seems like she’s the type who can’t hide things.

I feel like we can be friends.

I feel like we can do some relaxing trades.

“Uhm, Makoto-kun? Where did that mass of magic power, that was coming out from you, go?” (Hitsuna)

“Ah, are you talking about the