Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V2 Chapter 61

Chapter 61: “He’s really something, isn’t he?” ③

“N-Natsuki, control your power… Ginko and Kazuto, can’t handle it.”

Koume barely managed to speak and lift her head while lying on the ground, struggling for breath. Natsuki quickly reined in the magical power he had released.

“Sorry, sorry!”

Everyone, who had been crushed by an invisible force, gasped for air and started to move again. 

Koume lay on her back, breathing heavily. Kazuto and Ginko were also panting heavily, sweating as if they had been underwater for a long time.

“…Ma, mmon… A human to have this much power!? It’s unbelievable. The vessel that is a human should’ve been destroyed by such force… And this is only 50%!?”

Mammon was the first to regain his composure, but astonishment was evident on his face. 

Natsuki, having unleashed 50% of his power, was stronger than Mammon. Of course, considering the experience Mammon had accumulated, he wouldn’t be easily defeated. Natsuki knew this too.

“Don’t mess with me!”

Following Mammon, Ren stood up and glared at Natsuki.

“Stop, Ren! Even you can’t—”

“Natsuki Yura! To have such monstrous power and yet be blessed with family and friends! I’m truly envious of you!”

“Oh, really?”

Natsuki responded to Ren’s shout with a lack of interest, which probably irritated Ren. 

Ren, who had been smiling and carefree until now, turned red with anger.

“You’re saying you’re only using half your strength against me? Do you think that’s all the strength I have? Or do you think I’m not even using my full strength?”

“If you have more, then show it.”

“Stop, Ren! Your true power—”

“No, Mammon-san! If I don’t defeat him here, I can’t be myself!”

A massive spiritual power was released from Ren. 

At the same time, it seemed to put a great strain on his body, as blood flowed from his skin all over.

“Heh.” 

Ren’s power has exceeded human norms.

But despite the impressive release of spiritual power, Ren’s control over it was still rough. He probably had never faced anyone stronger than himself and didn’t know how to fully harness his power.

“Then, let’s get started now that you’re ready. —Awaken, Blade of Eternal Darkness.”

Natsuki drew a double-edged black sword, a trophy from defeating the demon lord and one of the most formidable weapons in another world. 

Responding to Natsuki’s call, the demonic sword pulsed.

“Here I come, Natsuki Yura.”

“Bring it, Ren Kobayashi.”

Natsuki and Ren kicked off the ground simultaneously. 

To Ginko and Kazuto, it might have seemed like they disappeared. 

Even Koume and Mammon could barely follow them with their eyes.

“UWAAAAAAAA!”

Ren kicks out. 

His long leg, unleashed with a roar, wrapped in extraordinary spiritual power, tries to smash Natsuki. 

But Natsuki, unconcerned by Ren’s attack, swings his demonic sword faster than Ren’s leg can reach.

―The pseudo-space holding Natsuki and the group was split in two.

Ren’s arm, his leg. The artificial space that trapped Natsuki and the group was cut straight through with a single slash.

■

Ren Kobayashi’s life had been far from pleasant. 

Born into a normal family with spiritual abilities, he was treated like a monster, beaten and kicked as part of daily life, and never given proper meals after his spiritual powers awakened. 

Tied up and left alone for days, he didn’t die, so his parents threw him out like trash. 

He lived desperately, being used and using others, all the while protecting children in similar situations and earning money desperately. 

One day, Ren was walking to distract himself from his hunger. He had given the day’s food to the children, leaving none for himself. 

It was a common situation he didn’t mind, but then he was drawn by the sweet smell and saw a child crying at a doughnut shop. 

Listening in, it seemed the child wanted two doughnuts, but the mother was angry, insisting on just one. 

However, the child couldn’t bear to choose and wanted both.

“If you can get even one from your parents, aren’t you lucky?”

Ren had never had anything bought for him by his parents. 

Or perhaps he had, before his spiritual powers awakened, but he couldn’t remember. 

He realized the crying boy had many things Ren didn’t— a warm home, delicious meals, and a loving mother.

“I’m envious.” 

Someday, he vowed to find happiness with a family of his own. 

Holding onto this dream, Ren continued with any job he could find.

■

And then, 

“Ah, I lost.” 

He fell, bleeding and defeated, by the first person he had met who was stronger than himself. 

He admired him, yet wished he had met him a bit sooner, feeling a hint of regret.

〜〜Afterword〜〜

This defeat incorporates a bit of Ren’s past I mentioned before. 

Next time, I’ll insert a somewhat necessary but reluctant story before returning to the main narrative! 

By the way, even at 50% of his power, Natsuki wouldn’t be able to defeat deities like Amaterasu-Omikami or Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto.