New chapter of Ordinary Person is out! (2/3 chapters)

 

 

Chapter 174

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

Both of us held wooden swords and faced each other in seigan stance, with Kondo Isamu-san standing before me.

I activated the Magic Eye in my left eye and began gathering every piece of information I could.

Kondo-san’s posture. Kondo-san’s gaze. Kondo-san’s breathing.

From his height, build, and weight, I estimated the weight and speed of his strikes. I analyzed his level of tension, the focus of his spirit, and every detail that I was capable of reading. I had already invoked Support Magic. Even so, I understood that it would be difficult to take a single point from Kondo-san as I was now.

Strangely, his heartbeat was much faster than mine.

Is he perhaps a little nervous?

I tested him with a few faint movements of my eyes. It appeared that Kondo-san was waiting for me to make the first move.

Then, without hesitation, I attacked.

I began testing each of the techniques I had practiced earlier, one by one. From the basics such as downward strike, sweeping cut, diagonal slash, and thrust, to the unconventional moves one would never see in kendo, such as a kick to the shin or a lock that sought to crush the opponent’s fingers during a bind.

Even if the techniques themselves were well executed, I was reminded that I still lacked the adaptability required for actual combat. No matter how desperately I applied what I had learned, Kondo-san blocked them all with ease.

Yet the experience of fighting tens of thousands of goblins in the past whispered to me, teaching me how to reach Kondo-san despite that defense. I could tell that he intended to receive all my techniques head-on. If that was the case, I would not hold back and would test every technique I had.

“Impressive. Had I continued the match while being deceived by appearances, I would have been defeated.” (Kondo)

“I was merely confirming the refinement of my techniques. The match itself begins now, does it not?” (Kouta)

Ah, so this man too is a battle maniac.

Seeing the joyful grin spread across his face, I was convinced of it.

Feeling that my current self was not enough to fully experience his techniques, I drew upon the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi at my waist and activated the martial art Susanoo.

It was a skill that consumed an absurd amount of MP, 30 points in just 10 minutes, but its blessing was tremendous. It raised my strength, agility, and endurance by ten each. Unlike Haruka-kun’s skill, this one enhanced the attributes necessary for close combat specifically.

Even earlier, I had a slim chance of defeating Kondo-san, but with Susanoo active, that chance became almost absolute. This was not arrogance. A 10-point increase in all those attributes truly made that much difference. Now I could even afford to calmly observe and analyze Kondo-san’s techniques with my left Magic Eye.

This time, it was my turn to receive. Kondo-san’s swordplay was surprisingly that of sheer force. It seemed he was making full use of his tall height and solid build, both greater than the Japanese average. However, such strength no longer worked against me.

With my level, my equipment, the support magic, and now Susanoo active, my parameters were overwhelming enough to repel his attacks without trouble. Yet, when he unleashed a chain of rapid strikes, I could feel myself being gradually cornered. As expected of him.

Eventually, I grew tired of simply receiving his attacks. I decided to return the favor by combining the techniques he had shown me with those of Onee-san, merging them in my own way. I loosened my joints and moved with more fluidity and delicacy than his sword, sliding my strikes into the gaps between his breathing and his awareness.

Kondo-san leapt back dramatically, perhaps for the first time since this match began.

“So, this is the Sword Demon.” (Kondo)

Sweat beaded upon his astonished face as he muttered the words.

I had heard others call me that before, but honestly, it felt like too grand a title. I had hoped that I had graduated from mere mimicry, yet in truth, I was still just an imitator at best.

We reset our positions.

Wait, what?

When I linked Kondo-san’s technique with Onee-san’s style, I somehow won the bout. The strike landed cleaner than I had intended, and I was a moment late in stopping it. My wooden sword struck him squarely in the side.

“I am terribly sorry. Are you alright?” (Kouta)

“Heh, ha, yes, I am fine. That was splendid. I never imagined you would integrate the technique you had just seen into a combination so quickly.” (Kondo)

“My chained strikes are still quite unrefined, so I simply wanted to test an idea.” (Kouta)

“I see. That is a flexible way of thinking. I assumed you were following the same combination I knew and reacted accordingly, which in turn created a fatal opening. You got me there. I must concede.” (Kondo)

Afterward, I received commentary on my techniques and movements from the three of them. They seemed puzzled by the sudden change during the match, so I explained that I had added a status-enhancing martial art. Their reactions were half amazement and half exasperation.

“Hmph. If such a martial art exists, then we too must study the matter more deeply.” (Kondo)

“I used to think martial arts were merely brainless large-scale techniques. My view has changed somewhat.” (Isamu)

“An increase in fundamental ability, hmm. Tell me, Kouta-kun, does that not distort your sense of balance?” (Suzuki)

If these terrifying battle fanatics ever started using buffs, that would be the end of me. That was what crossed my mind just as Onee-san spoke to me.

I hurried to respond.

“Ah, well, it is mostly a matter of practice. At first, the body moves too quickly, which is surprising, but once you grow used to it through frequent use, you can adjust within a single breath. Anything less than that would be difficult.” (Kouta)

“Hmm.” (Everyone)

Their consideration of martial arts would be left for another day. For now, I reviewed the match with them and received advice. While watching the recording, they pointed out both the good and the bad aspects, and I received more training from Onee-san afterward.

“All wiped out? In under three minutes?” (Muze)

Yes, it was a complete defeat. I was utterly beaten by Onee-san without scoring even a single point. Even with all those enhanced attributes, my techniques could not reach her level.

This Onee-san was far too strong.

 

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