Konbini Ossan Volume 6 Chapter 22 — Hero VS Old Man
Following the guide arranged by the Marquis, I left the cathedral and headed for the Church Knights’ training grounds.
For appearances’ sake, I was treated as an intruder and separated from the other four.
After waiting a while inside the training grounds, Kanehama-kun finally entered.
A moment ago he had looked like the usual good-natured young man, but now he was different.
His expression was sharpened, free of distractions, fully focused on the coming fight.
“Mic check—ah! Sorry to keep you all waiting. We will now conduct the duel between Hero Kanehama Keīchi and Yūichi Otsugi!”
The Marquis’s voice, magically amplified, rang through the grounds.
“The rules are simple. Whoever lands an attack that makes the opponent acknowledge defeat wins. Killing is forbidden.
…
All strikes must stop just before hitting, or be limited to things like destroying a weapon to disable the opponent.”
With rules like these, neither of us can use dangerous, uncontrollable skills or magic. Our available options are limited.
But since the restrictions are the same for both sides, the match is fair.
“The duel will take place inside the barrier created by the Saint. Even if the attacks stray, the spectators will not be harmed, so rest assured.”
Introduced by the Marquis, Mimori bowed once.
The gesture was elegant, though the wine cork stuffed in her nose ruined the effect.
(E/N: 🤣 This damn freaky girl!)
It was probably to protect her from my smell, but the people who didn’t know that were whispering, “Why is the Saint wearing a nose plug?”
“Lastly! This duel exists solely to determine whether the objection to the engagement will be accepted. If Otsugi-dono wins, the objection is upheld.
…
If the hero wins, it is dismissed. It holds no further significance, so do not overthink the outcome.”
This was clearly meant as insurance against any political fallout. It framed the duel as an evaluation performed by the hero.
If I won, it wouldn’t mean the hero was weak. If I lost, it would still fall within the Marquis’s expectations, leaving no grudges behind.
In other words, this was just an event. Making that clear ensured everything would end cleanly.
Without this, some noble from the Marquis’s faction might later pick a fight with me. The declaration was needed.
“Then — begin!”
At the Marquis’s signal, the duel officially started.
Kanehama-kun, already in combat stance, charged in with his sword raised.
In response, I activated one of my skills.
He stopped mid-stride.
“This is… impressive. My hero skills include a lot of resistance-type abilities, so debuffs shouldn’t affect me much.”
“It’s a debuff strong enough to kill a goblin even at ten percent output.”
We traded those words while facing each other.
The skill I used was «Calamity». Even the Four Heavenly King Aresvelg nullified it instantly, so this time I unleashed it at near full power.
Yet Kanehama-kun remained unharmed. Again, the [Hero] class showed its absurd cheat-like sturdiness.
I had limited it to weakening physical ability so I wouldn’t accidentally kill him, but even if I tried to apply the lethal curse-and-plague version, he would probably resist it without issue.
Focusing it purely as a debuff was the correct choice.
For reference, a goblin hit with this would lose even the muscle strength needed to beat its own heart and die immediately.
“Well then, I should prepare my own weapon.”
While he was halted, I activated «Miasma» and «Curse-Sudge».
From the swirling black mist around me, I drew my weapon — a knife constructed from dark matter.
A karambit.
Except, the blade curved like a T-shaped sickle, designed to slash or stab from multiple angles.
Honestly, I’ve never trained in proper swordsmanship. To compensate, I needed a weapon built for efficiency rather than technique.
I’d practiced with unusual weapons like this to offset my lack of form, but I still didn’t know how far it would take me against someone who had formally trained at the royal castle.
“Well then, I’ll go next!”
And with that, I launched my attack toward Kanehama-kun.
——————
E/N:
Obviously, the Hero is strong, Kanehama fought for many months on the frontline again the demons and monsters, but!…
Don't underestimate Ossan!
Stay tuned for an exciting fight full of handicaps!
——————
——————————
Check out my other project -
——————————
Comments
Post a Comment