My youth story cannot be a knight war

He loosened his grip, and the swirling wind slowly died down. Zaimokuza fixed his gaze on Gadoru, his voice also becoming deeper.

In a world where only four colors existed, Gadoru alone shone with a completely different brilliance. It was a dark red, like blood that had solidified and dimmed. It was not a color from any of the four elements, but a color that belonged uniquely to it.

[In other words, it is the color of the soul, a color that is unique and cannot be replicated for every life.]

"So this is the world as you see it. I feel like... I'm like a god, able to change everything at will."

[“This is me now—drink!”]

Zaimokuza clenched his right fist, then swung it forcefully to the right. A dazzling, brilliantly colored light blossomed from the palm of his open right hand, and a longsword, primarily silver-white, bathed in the light, took shape.

This sword's appearance is very similar to the former Titan Sword, the difference being that the hilt now has another pair of horns extending from beneath the original two. The entire blade is a single piece, and the pearls inlaid in the center of the hilt are colorful, while the inner portion is decorated with a totem representing the "soul."

After transforming into this form, Zaimokuza is no longer restricted by form or element, and can now use only specific weapons. He is now able to shape weapons to his heart's content, and this sword was created as a result.

This sword unifies the four elements, constructed from pure elements. It possesses all the qualities and abilities of every weapon in its past form, perfectly carrying Zaimokuza's current power.

[As for why he chose a sword as his weapon? Since childhood, Zaimokuza has always claimed to be the reincarnation of a great swordsman and a general. He has also practiced kendo, so he's naturally more adept with a blade than with his bare hands.]

Just like the adventure stories he had written based on himself, the boy who loved fantasy finally fulfilled his dream and became a hero who guarded the world with a sword.

[Although the price paid along the way is already too heavy to bear.]

[…Thank you, Miou.]

【I will definitely not let you down! 】

Finally, silently reciting the name of the departed girl, Zaimokuza grasped the hilt of his sword after completing its shaping. He pointed the silver-white blade at his mortal enemy, shouting furiously, all the turbulent emotions contained in these words:

"This is my full strength, all the power I've gained from the battles so far!"

[…Hmph, have their powers finally reached the same level?]

After a brief moment of shock, Gadoru's mind quickly calmed down. He looked at his opponent, who had reached the same realm as him, and felt no fear at all. Instead, his blood surged through his veins, fueling his fighting spirit.

[It is a warrior, no matter the past, future or present. No matter how powerful the enemy is, retreat will never appear in Gadoru's creed.]

[Strive for the ultimate in combat, leaving life and death to fate. This is another rule Gadoru upholds!]

"Then, let me use this hatred inherited from ancient times to completely crush you!"

As if responding to Zaimokuza's belief, Gadoru also raised his right hand. Scarlet light spiraled out from the center of his right hand, like flowing blood.

A blood-red greatsword gushed forth from the fading blood. Like the blade in Zaimokuza's hand, this sword was forged from pure elements, yet its power differed greatly depending on who used it.

[One embodies elegance in its simplicity, while the other is brutal and bloodthirsty, just like the hearts of their respective creators, they are the embodiment of spiritual will.]

[When the power of both parties comes from the same source, it is the difference in their souls that determines their true nature.]

Gadoru grasped the sword, a red mist and electric current swirling around the blade, facing Zaimokuza's raised blade from a distance.

[“This single strike will determine the ultimate victor of this ‘Dark Game’.”]

"KUUGA."

【As the words fell, the world changed dramatically.】

Colorful and scarlet light burst forth simultaneously from the two sword-wielding figures, like two fountains of different colors being excavated from beneath the forest floor, rushing towards the sky in opposite directions.

[That was the elemental power each of them represented. Both of them simultaneously unleashed their full strength, infusing each other's weapons with incomparably powerful elemental power, causing both blades to flash with a dazzling light.]

[Just as Gadoru said, the next blow will be the final blow for both of them, and will completely determine the outcome of this battle.]

[There's no need for dazzling back-and-forth exchanges, nor for earth-shattering blows. In top-level battles, victory is often decided in simple, unpretentious ways. A single, all-out attack is enough, a single blow determining life and death.]

【boom! ! ! 】

The moment their respective light streams completely merged with their swords, a violent explosion erupted simultaneously beneath Zaimokuza and Gadoru's feet. Amidst the splattering mud, the two rushed towards each other at speeds beyond the reach of the human eye, their swords leaving diametrically opposed arcs of light in the air.

[The next moment, the two sides were face to face, their two pairs of differently colored compound eyes reflecting each other's figures—]

【And the swords that swung at each other!】

……

【“……!”】

A strong sense of palpitations erupted in his chest, and Kousaka Kyosuke, who was leaning against the ruins to recover from his injuries, suddenly opened his eyes wide.

[Just now, he felt his heart involuntarily pause for a moment, and his mind went blank.]

He wasn't a superstitious person, but this kind of phenomenon at this time was clearly not a good sign. Kousaka immediately thought of another person.

【"Caimu seat..."】

Kosaka covered his bloody right arm with his left hand, which had almost completely grown back, leaving only the skin unrepaired. He suppressed the pain and looked up in the direction Zaimokuza had left, a heavy haze surging in his eyes.

"Could it be... Damn it! I have to—Ugh!!!"

He reached out to grab the broken wall and tried to stand up, but as soon as he straightened his legs, he suddenly lost consciousness. The energy consumed by repairing the injuries on his body took away the last bit of strength that Kosaka could use to move, causing him to fall back.

【"Damn!"】

[Kousaka, with his head bowed, punched the wall behind him in frustration, gritting his teeth and continuing to squeeze the strength within him, trying to stand up again.]

[But before he could exert any force, a hand reached out in front of him.]

【"?"】

Looking at this hand, Kousaka was stunned. He subconsciously raised his head and saw that familiar smiling face.

"Ah~ Do you need any help, Mr. Kousaka?"

Zaimokuza squatted in front of Kosaka, his eyes curved into crescents, and he smiled like a rabbit that had stolen the farmers' winter food.

[…Ha, you bastard…]

After staring at his smiling face for a few seconds, Kousaka suddenly sighed helplessly, slumped back against the wall, rolled his eyes, and spoke unhappily.

"You're so slow, idiot."

"Mmmm~"

He stretched out his left hand, and Zaimokuza pulled it up and supported it. Then the two of them limped out of the ruins of the gymnasium, and along the way, the sound of Kousaka's mumbling and Zaimokuza's smirking could be heard.

"After I return this time, I want to discuss my injuries with you. Otherwise, I suspect I'll die at your hands before Gurongi does."

"Hey? Mr. Kousaka, aren't your injuries almost healed? And I saved you again this time~"

"...Alright, then let's discuss something else. For example, you still owe me six million. I think we can discuss with Ms. Kawasaki whether this can be deducted from your food expenses."

"Stop it! Mr. Kosaka! I don't have any salary anymore. If this continues, I'll starve to death! Wuuwuwu~"

……

Under the cool and silent moonlight, enchanting scarlet light dust mixed with colorful light fragments slowly drifted toward the crescent moon hanging high in the sky.

In the center of a ravaged forest, a headless, imposing figure kneeled on the wasteland. He held a scarlet sword in his hands, thrusting it into a faintly glowing spot on his chest. The shape of the light resembled the indentation left by a fist strike.

A silver-white sword, emitting a rainbow of light, lay stuck in the ground in front of the headless corpse. The scene looked remarkably like the scene in ancient Japan where a samurai, having committed seppuku, would declare his guilt, and the kaishakunin would intervene to alleviate the pain.

As time passed, the corpse and the two swords gradually transformed into streams of light of various colors and dissipated. The form, which was far more resilient than any material in the world, eventually became faint and transparent as the light flowed.

[Finally, the corpse and the two swords vanished completely, as if they had never existed in this world. Only this devastated land bore witness to the magnificent battle that had once taken place here.]

[Unconfirmed life form No. 37, expulsion confirmed.]

……

【Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. 】

On the rooftop of a tall building, a white figure stood in the darkness and night wind. Her white skirt fluttered in the wind, and her dress, clinging to her curves, made her slender figure look like a white lotus.

The golden light in her eyes slowly faded, and Baruba closed her eyes. She already knew the outcome.

【"……goodbye."】

"Miou."

……

['Dark Game' has been completed, and the number of advanced players is two.]

['The White and Dark Game' is about to begin, with four players participating.]

【Lin Duo Fang: KUUGA, Daguber. 】

[Gurungi side: N-Daguba-Zeba, N-Gamio-Zeda. 】

[Opening time: Seven days later.]

49. The Apocalypse is Coming (6k)

"This form has never appeared in any of the previously predicted worldlines. Its power is indeed extremely strong, and it is only one step away from the ultimate realm."

"but……"

Looking at the defeated ghost warrior on the light screen, whose remains slowly dissipated on the spot, Xu Guoliang sighed, and the golden light flashing in his left eye slowly faded, turning back to the chestnut color as soft as an elk.

And the boundless darkness that filled the left eye's vision was also synchronized with the scene in the right eye at this moment.

"The future... remains unchanged."

He lowered his head, his eyes slightly dim as he looked at the book "The Control of Thousands of Living Beings" in his palm, and the strength of his ten fingers gripping the cover unconsciously increased.

"... Is this the only way, as a last resort?"

The corners of Xu Guoliang's eyes twitched a few times, and finally he could only sigh helplessly and mutter to himself.

"Tsk~ I never thought I'd get to be Master Lu one day! I hope my small body can handle it. Anyway, I'll die. At least it's better than being pinned down on the bed by that fat woman and imitating Master Tang."

"……probably."

……

Tokyo, Shuchiin Academy, Student Council Room.

"Huh~ We finally won! This really made me sweat."

Fujiwara Chika wiped the cold sweat from her forehead and patted her chest with lingering fear. Her breasts, which were so magnificent that they far exceeded those of her peers, swayed several times with this movement, and they were as firm and light as a balloon filled with air.

"Well! Anyway, as long as the ending is good, it's fine. What an enviable relationship. I wish I could be this close with Kaguya~"

"……Well!"

She looked at the two people walking away on the light screen, countless little stars twinkling in her pink eyes. At the same time, she cast a hesitant glance at Kaguya Shinomiya who was standing beside her, which immediately made the latter feel cold all over, and goose bumps covered every inch of her white skin.

Kaguya Shinomiya calmly shifted her position on the sofa, complaining with a twitching eye.

"Forget it. I don't have a strong physique like Kousaka-san. If you, Fujiwara-san, imitate Zaimokuza-san, I might not even survive three days—wuwuwu~!"

Before she could finish her words, a pair of soft peaks clamped Shinomiya Kaguya's entire face. Feeling suffocated, she struggled desperately, but in return, the other party's arms clamped her head even tighter.

"Here we go again! Kaguya-san is so shy~ So cute!"

"President! Help—Guild…"

Chika Fujiwara held her friend's head in her arms and rubbed it with a smile on her face. Kaguya Shinomiya struggled hard with her slender limbs. Finally, the hand that was tremblingly stretched in a certain direction fell to her side as its owner lost consciousness due to lack of oxygen. She was like a puppet and allowed the former to toss her around.

"Kaguya-san is still so cute~ Every time she's with me, she says no, but in the end she still lies in my arms and acts like a spoiled child like this, sweetie~"

"Hey~! President, look at Kaguya-san, is she... the President?"

Chika Fujiwara proudly stroked the hair of Kaguya Shinomiya, who was motionless in her arms. When she turned around to let Miyuki Shirogane on the other side witness the "closeness" of their relationship, the scene she saw made her stop what she wanted to say.

Because there was no smile on Baiyin Yuxing's face at the moment. He sat on his desk with his elbows supported, his crossed palms covering the lower half of his face. The upper half of his face that was exposed was full of worries, and a thick haze flowed in his eyes.

"President? What's wrong with you?"

Fujiwara Chika tilted her head as she looked at Shirogane Miyuki like this, loosened her hands and let Shinomiya Kaguya, who had rolled her eyes, fall on the sofa, then skipped to Shirogane Miyuki's desk and asked in confusion.

"You look terrible. Did you have a stomachache?"

"...Don't worry, I'm in good health today."

Shirogane Miyuki shook his head and spoke softly, then he looked up at Fujiwara Chika's pretty face with some hesitation.

"Secretary Fujiwara... I have a question for you."

"Hmm~! Whatever the question is, please ask it, President! Even if you just want to know Kaguya-san's measurements, that's fine! They are—"

"No, no! You can answer this question later—cough cough cough! I don't want to ask such a thing!"