A hero who wants to help others wants to live a normal life - Chapter 42

Chapter 42   Mock Battle Ends

Was that creature based on a tiger? It stood about three meters tall on all fours, but it was clearly not an ordinary animal. Its head was tilted sideways at a permanent ninety-degree angle, and its fur seemed to shift and squirm, not just in shape but in color as well.

The beast’s face lacked a normal animal’s mouth; instead, a human mouth, with exposed teeth, was there, along with a second set of human ears next to its original animal ears.

It was a clear monster. There was something vaguely human about its appearance, but the fact that it was so far removed from humanity only made it more unsettling.

This was a demon. Essentially, it was a lifeform that had once been an ordinary animal or plant from Earth, but its form had been twisted. There was always a hint of human features mixed into these creatures. People believed that the origin of these demons lay in the malevolent wishes of humans, whose malice or resentment had shaped them into such beings.

It was easy to understand, in a way. Still, the thought of these things threatening the place we lived made it hard to feel good about the situation.

“So, this is a demon? It’s kind of… incredibly gross,” Rinrin said, hugging her arms in disgust.

“Yeah,” I replied.

Rinrin was visibly repulsed, but to me, it was just “this is how it is.”

“‘Yeah’? Why are you guys acting like it’s no big deal? Doesn’t it make your skin crawl?” she asked.

“It does, but it’s not the first time I’ve seen one,” I explained.

“I’ve also been shown demons several times before,” Kujou added.

I still felt some disgust, but having seen them many times before, I wasn’t about to get scared now. It seemed Kujou felt the same.

“Oh, really? What about Moririn?”

Was “Moririn” supposed to be Moriya? Well, whatever. Come to think of it, Moriya hadn’t reacted either. Even though we’d seen pictures of these things in class, most people would at least make a sound when they first encountered one in person.

They were terrifying—no, more unsettling than terrifying. Pictures couldn’t compare to the real thing. The actual presence, the heavy, oppressive atmosphere they carried was something only a live encounter could convey.

“Oh, well, I guess I was too nervous to react. That’s all,” Moriya said awkwardly.

Hmm, I guess being nervous made sense. Especially since we’d have to fight that thing. Up until now, we’d trained, but never directly fought demons. And though we watched the other team fight, we couldn’t feel the demon’s presence from a distance.

“Fear and nerves are understandable, but don’t let them freeze you up, okay?” I warned.

“I’ll be fine. I’ll carry out my role,” Moriya said, tightening his grip on his shield, ready for the fight. It didn’t seem like fear would paralyze him.

“Well then, let the mock battle between the demon’s illusion and ‘Three Arrows’ begin.”

… Hearing the team name announced again kind of deflated me. Every other team didn’t bother with a name, and here we were with a special title.

Oh well, there’s no point in dwelling on it now. Time to focus on what’s ahead.

“Reenact – ‘I fear the world. The lying humans. The beasts that bare their fangs. The poisonous insects. Everything hurts me. No one to rely on, no one to protect me. –– So, I will only protect myself.’”

The phantom of the demon created by the spell swayed as if testing its movements. In that moment, Moriya activated his skill and charged toward the demon.

While watching Moriya, the two in the backline began chanting their skills and blessings.

“–––These hands exist to hold someone else’s hand.”

Whispering softly so no one could hear, I also activated my blessing. Immediately after, a translucent arm extended from my body, reaching out to assist Moriya by hindering the demon’s movements.

“Here comes the big one!”

While we bought time, it seemed Rinrin had finished preparing her skill. I heard her voice from behind.

Responding to her cue, both Moriya and I jumped back, distancing ourselves from the demon.

Suddenly, CRACK –– BOOOOM!! The sound and light were so intense that it seemed the world had gone silent for a moment as a thunderous strike hit the demon.

Lightning. That was Rinrin’s skill. If I took a hit like that, no amount of blessings could save me from fatal injuries, and even Inori would likely be seriously hurt. But…

“No way! You’re telling me it’s still standing after that!?”

Despite the unbelievably powerful blow, the demon did not fall. It wasn’t moving, and the smell of burning flesh filled the air, but it still hadn’t collapsed. Its chaotic, hate-filled eyes continued to glare at us.

“I’ll finish it. That’s why I’m here.”

With those words, Kujou, who had been holding back until now, unleashed her attack.

A light arrow shot from her drawn bow, piercing the demon and blowing off half its head. The arrow didn’t lose its momentum, continuing to pass through the demon’s body and out the other side.

… It’s over. Despite the worries about our hastily assembled team, we managed to win fairly smoothly. Or so I thought.

But I was wrong. It wasn’t over yet.

The impact of Kujou’s arrow staggered the demon, and it looked as though it would collapse. However, instead of falling, it braced itself, forcing its body up and charged forward with the last of its momentum.

“Its head’s been blown off, but it’s still moving?!”

Rinrin was shocked that the demon kept moving even after taking Kujou’s arrow, but demons are known for their tenacity. The fact that its head was tilted ninety degrees was probably part of the reason. Kujou must have aimed for where a normal creature’s forehead would be, but her arrow had pierced the demon’s tilted cheek.

It was definitely a lethal wound, but not enough for an instant kill. Even a human can survive for a while with their lower jaw blown off, and with the demon’s vitality, it wasn’t surprising that it hadn’t died yet.

Still, we had all let our guard down. After taking that lightning strike and having half its head blown away, plus a full body puncture, we assumed it would die. That’s why we were slow to react.

Kujou fired another arrow at the demon charging toward her, but since she was caught off guard, her aim was off. The arrow only grazed its right shoulder.

Even with half its body barely functioning, the demon continued running, targeting Kujou—the one it held the most hatred for.

“Oh no! Sakuran!”

“–––!”

Even though it was a phantom, it had a physical form. If hit, we could still be injured or even killed.

I couldn’t just stand by and let that happen.

“Stop!”

Before I knew it, the words had left my mouth, and as if responding to my will, my halo briefly shone brightly. A new set of ‘hands’ reached out toward the demon.

The two ‘hands’ I had used earlier multiplied to six, binding the demon in place.

“I must exorcise this evil!”

Seeing the demon’s movements stop, Kujou didn’t miss the opportunity. She chanted a blessing and readied her bow.

And then–––

“This concludes the mock battle of Team ‘Three Arrows.’”

Kujou’s final strike completely obliterated the demon’s head this time, and with that, its body dissolved into dust, disappearing as if it had never existed.