Re:Zero: Starting from the Great Transformation

Page 15

I decided to challenge Orsted.

This is a battle that cannot be won.

The goal of the battle was to fight to the hilt and survive Orsted's attack. Although I personally thought it was impossible, Orsted said he would let me off, so I just had to give it my all.

In that case, I don't need to think too much.

Just fight with everything you have.

Before the battle.

I deliberately spent a whole night to rest and adjust myself to the best condition.

Even so, I still felt trembling before the battle began.

Is it the joy of breaking through your limits, or the fear of facing an impossible opponent?

Don't know, don't know.

Even though I knew Orsted wouldn't kill me, the huge difference in strength between the two sides made me feel like I was driving a three-wheeled vehicle between two severely overloaded trucks. It was a physiologically terrifying experience.

"Ron."

Qixing called me.

She walked up to me and said seriously:

"Although I've said it many times, I'll say it again. There's no need to risk your life just to become stronger. Didn't you make a promise with me that you would find your way home one day?"

"You're right, so don't worry."

I patted Qixing's shoulder.

This slightly ambiguous action has no other meaning to me.

“We will definitely go back.”

"...Is that so? Then please do your best."

"Ah."

After saying that, I walked out of the tent.

Orsted had been waiting outside the tent for a long time.

"..."

The moment I stepped out of the tent, I met Orsted's eyes.

same as before.

Although it looked scary, it didn't contain any other emotions. It just looked at me calmly.

"Are you ready?"

Orstead asked.

"A little... a little further away."

I took a deep breath and suppressed the heaviness in my heart. I didn't know how serious this battle would evolve, so I wanted to stay as far away from Qixing as possible.

Orsted did not object to my proposal.

After walking about a hundred meters with me, Orsted stopped.

"That's it."

"Uh, does that mean it's time to start?"

"That's up to you."

After hearing what Orsted said, I pulled out a round magic crystal from my pocket and held it in my left palm.

Feeling the warmth of the magic crystal, I took a deep breath.

“…Then let’s get started.”

"boom--"

The moment I finished speaking.

A cloud of dust as tall as a person exploded behind Orsted.

Before I could react, I saw Orsted rushing towards me at the speed of a cannonball, his palms clasped into palm blades.

The murderous intent that almost solidified into reality came towards him.

It seemed to suffocate me.

No fancy tactics.

From the first move, it is a frontal breakthrough!

Get moving!

Countless trials and battles over the past two years made my body instinctively scream and lunge to the side.

The moment of landing.

I immediately swung my sword behind me, using the Water God Style's parrying technique.

It was expected that Orsted would give chase at this time.

And that's exactly what he did.

However, the result was completely different from what I expected.

Orsted attacked even faster, ignoring my counterattack with overwhelming speed and power, and the hand knife covered with Dragon Saint's fighting spirit chopped down on my wrist from top to bottom.

"Click——"

With a crisp sound coming from deep in my mind, the sword I was holding fell out of my hand.

My wrist... is broken.

The next moment, Orsted's fist landed on my chest.

It was as if he had been struck head-on by a siege beam, his ribs only holding on for a split second before they snapped. His body was uncontrollably blown away by the immense force.

While in mid-air, I vomited mouthfuls of blood.

The so-called impossible opponent...

No matter the strength, speed or skills, it completely crushes one's own existence. It is unwise to compete with such an existence!

And the murderous intent that was almost condensed into substance.

Even though I knew Orsted would not kill me, my body's instinct was still screaming to escape the fear of death.

"Can you still stand up?"

Orsted's voice came from not far away, and I realized that Orsted had been walking towards this side without me noticing.

“…Of course.”

I endured the severe pain and staggered to my feet.

The magic crystal is still in his hand.

No, it still doesn’t work.

Even so, I still couldn't wrap the magic power around my body.

I can't even sense the so-called magic.

"Then go ahead."

Orsted attacked again with a nonchalant attitude.

The next moment, he swung his knife.

He used the [Silent Sword] from the Sword God Style and attacked me.

It was a move I had learned countless times but could never replicate.

So that's how it is...

As I was thinking this, one of my legs was cut off.

From the base of the legs, the cross-section is neat and smooth like a mirror.

"Uh-"

Even though I was used to pain, a broken limb was still unbearable.

I couldn't stand any longer and collapsed to the ground.

The pain kept echoing in my mind, leaving me no energy to think about anything else.

Just as Orstead said.

The breakthrough at the critical moment of life and death, the ultimate killing move realized in despair, and those unreasonable comebacks against the odds are all reserved for the protagonist, and I am just a passerby who happened to travel to this world...

I realized how foolish my previous idea of challenging the Red Dragon was.

What cannot be done cannot be done.

Being able to clearly realize this is the greatest self-knowledge I have as a mortal.

"Is this going to end?"

Orsted's questioning voice came again.

All I have to do is nod my head and this pain will end.

Orsted will help me heal my wounds, then summarize the experience of this battle, and then continue to teach me swordsmanship step by step as usual...

But is this okay?

Out of the corner of my eye, I somehow caught a glimpse of Nanahoshi looking at me worriedly from a distance.

She had been there watching the fight from the beginning.

Maybe the way I fought scared her.

At this moment, her face was ashen and she looked like she wanted to rush forward.

"..."

how come……

Stop right here?!

"Gulu——"

The throat moved.

When I came to my senses, something had already gone down my throat and into my stomach.

It is a crystal of magic power.