Crossover PS 203 (Patreon)

Meanwhile, Minoru had already engaged the Boss head-on.

Illfang swung its axe, aiming straight for his head. Minoru sidestepped, dodging the axe, while simultaneously slashing at the wrist holding it.

[-21!]

The Boss roared and swung its shield.

"Asuna, left knee!"

Asuna rushed forward, thrusting her rapier at the Boss's left knee.

[-15!]

The damage wasn't high, but the Boss's balance faltered.

"Retreat!"

Asuna immediately backed away.

Minoru had already circled to Illfang's right side and landed another strike.

[-23!]

The first health bar was gone.

Three more sentinels surged out from the openings in the walls.

Kiss-shot clicked her tongue. "More? Little girl, you take the one on the left. I'll handle the two on the right."

Erii nodded, gripping her sword to face the sentinel on the left. She remembered what Minoru had taught her. Don't be greedy, hit once and run.

A thrust.

[-19!]

Immediate retreat.

The sentinel chased her. She ran a circle around a pillar and landed another hit as it turned.

[-21!]

Slow, but steady.

Kiss-shot's side was much more direct. She held off two sentinels by herself, her sword strikes making them howl in pain.

"With this level of skill, you dare call yourselves sentinels?"

By the time the third sentinel fell, her health bar was still full.

"Little girl, that's enough. Come help."

Erii jogged over and landed the final blow.

Over at the Boss, Minoru's sword continuously left wounds on the Kobold Lord.

[-23!]

[-21!]

[-25!]

The Boss roared and performed a horizontal sweep with its axe. Minoru jumped back, clearing the attack range.

"Asuna, it's about to summon new troops. Watch out."

Just as he spoke, Illfang's second health bar hit zero.

The wall openings opened again, and three more sentinels poured out.

Kiss-shot was already waiting at the entrance. "Want to get past? Have you asked my sword?"

A slash landed right on the first sentinel's face.

Erii followed behind her, specifically picking off the wounded ones.

"Asuna, stay close."

Minoru re-engaged the Boss head-on, every strike hitting the same spot—left knee.

[-22!]

[-21!]

[-24!]

Scars began to appear.

"Asuna, hit that wound."

Asuna gritted her teeth and thrust her sword into the scar.

[-18!]

[Critical hit!]

The wound widened.

"Again."

Another strike.

[-19!]

The wound deepened and the Boss's leg began to tremble.

"Beautiful."

Minoru landed a follow-up strike.

[-26!]

The third health bar hit zero and another wave of sentinels emerged.

Kiss-shot remarked, "This Boss is quite the breeder."

Erii jogged behind a sentinel and thrust her sword.

[-23!]

She was starting to get used to this rhythm.

Flank, finish, retreat.

"Little girl, you learn fast." Kiss-shot slashed down a sentinel, a smile on her lips. "But not as fast as me."

"Final health bar." Minoru's voice remained calm.

The Kobold Lord let out a deafening roar. It discarded the axe and round shield. Its right hand reached for its waist, slowly drawing that Katana.

[Kobold Lord Illfang has entered Phase Two]

[Attack Pattern Changed]

"Asuna, back off. Watch its starting stance."

Minoru took a step forward.

The Kobold Lord moved, a red light glowing on the blade.

Ukifune!

Minoru sidestepped the first strike and raised his sword to parry the second.

"Don't surround it!" Minoru shouted.

"Everyone, stay in front of it!"

Kiss-shot pulled Erii back behind Minoru.

The Kobold Lord stood its ground, katana held across its body. It was waiting for them to make a mistake.

The corners of Minoru's lipw turned up slightly. "Asuna, watch the light on its blade. Go in when it's green."

Just as he finished speaking, the Kobold Lord moved, its blade turning green.

Tsumuji!

A linear draw-slash.

Minoru lunged forward, stepping into the attack's blind spot.

[-41!]

"Asuna, left knee!"

Asuna rushed in, stabbing her sword into the scar on the Boss's left knee.

[-22!]

Illfang roared, turning to swing its blade.

Hiogi!

A vertical combo followed by a thrust.

Minoru blocked the first strike. In that split-second pause, he hopped back a step and the thrust missed.

His sword had already struck the Boss's wrist.

[-38!]

"Again!"

Asuna landed another blow on the same spot.

[-21!]

Illfang's health was almost gone, it began to rage. Its blade flashed repeatedly. The starting stances were identical, but the follow-up attacks were completely different.

This was [Gengetsu].

Minoru sidestepped the first strike. The direction of the second strike changed. He didn't take it head-on, jumping back a step.

"Retreat!" Minoru shouted.

All four retreated simultaneously.

The Kobold Lord swung its blade a few times in place. The final swing missed, leaving its body in a momentary state of rigidity.

"Now!"

Minoru charged, thrusting his sword into its chest.

[-56!]

The Kobold Lord raised its Katana above its head, and light began to converge on the blade.

"The last hit—who's taking it?" Kiss-shot raised an eyebrow.

Minoru said, "Let her do it."

Asuna was stunned, her whole body trembling. "M-me..."

Asuna looked at the Boss still charging its attack, at the light on its blade growing brighter and brighter. Her hand was shaking but she gripped her rapier and took a deep breath. Then, she charged, the tip of her blade piercing that eye.

[-89!]

Asuna stood there, panting heavily, her whole body shaking. It wasn't because of fear but because she had done it.

She had fought the Boss with Minoru, and she had landed the final blow.

"You did very well." Minoru said.

Asuna's eyes suddenly turned red. Since she was a child, she had heard countless praises.

"As expected of the Yuuki Family's daughter," "Such good grades," "You play the piano so well."

But not a single one was like these four words. They made her feel like her efforts were truly seen.

"T-thank you..." Asuna lowered her head, not daring to let Minoru see her eyes.

Kiss-shot walked over with her arms crossed and glanced at her. "Not bad."

Erii jogged to Asuna's side. "Asuna is amazing."

Asuna was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "Thank you, Erii is amazing too."

Erii blinked, her lips curving into a slight arc.

Minoru watched this scene, the corners of his lips turning up slightly. Then he looked up and let out a long breath.

"It's been a long time since I've had such an exhilarating fight."

Asuna looked up at him. She could feel that Minoru hadn't been distracted for even a second. He had to remember when new sentinels would appear for every health bar, distinguish between red and green blade lights, judge the combos, the linear strikes, the thrusts, and the feints.

And now Minoru said... exhilarating?

"Like this? Do you usually experience this kind of fighting in reality too?" Asuna couldn't help but ask.

Minoru turned to look at her. "In reality? It's always one move."

Asuna was stunned.

In reality, enemies only take one move? Then what level of opponents is he facing in reality? Is he a boxer?

"Let's go." Minoru turned around. "There are still many monsters to grind on the next floor."

Asuna looked at his back and smiled. "Yeah."

She suddenly felt that it was really good to have met these people in this game.

Minoru glanced at the current time, it was almost three o'clock. Mahiru should be getting ready to leave school.

"On the next floor, we should have a new teammate joining the game."

'A new teammate?' Asuna was lost in thought.