Chapter 608

The Pseudo Fanatic Sword continued to flee at high speed while activating its permeability. It seemed that it had already decided to use this strange ability to slip past all of our attacks but always evaded our Space-Time Magic.

The main feature of this ability was of course the inability to be hit by attacks, but it had another annoying point.

It eliminated all the signs and such, so I couldn’t tell the level of exhaustion on the other side.

If we knew how quickly its magic power was decreasing, we could understand when its current state would be lifted and how much of a burden it was for it.

However, because all of this information was blocked, it was impossible to predict how much longer that sword would be able to maintain its permeability.

If I had Divine Attributes, I would be able to break through that defense, but I was battered by the Sword God Transformation earlier. So, I wouldn’t be able to use it for a while.

Then, Urushi would be the one to use teleport and attack it at once―――

Booom!「Kyain!」

(Whimpering dog sfx)

He had been hit with a painful counter by its Flame Magic. The moment he was about to bite it, an explosion of flame was generated in his mouth, and Urushi jumped back in panic.

It hadn’t attacked us at all before, so I guess it didn’t expect us to unleash such powerful magic.

And because I couldn’t read that sword’s flow of magic, I couldn’t predict when it would release its magic.

But his attack was not wasted in vain.

At the moment of the attack, I could definitely feel the presence of that sword. But soon after, its presence disappeared again, so it seemed that it had to cancel that state of permeability when it attack.

「Urushi, are you okay?」

「Woof!」

The fur around his mouth was slightly scorched, but it was not a serious injury for Urushi. It was just as bad as if a human had drunk hot soup without care.

He jumped back, not from the damage, but in surprise. I guess that was why Urushi looked a little embarrassed.

『But in that one moment, I was able to measure its magic power』

「How is it?」

『It only has about half of its magic power left』

Compared to the time just after it started moving at the bottom of the lake, its magic power had been reduced by half. After all, there was a price to pay for using that permeability ability.

「Let’s keep going!」

『Ou!』

「Woof!」

『Urushi, It’s good to get a little excited, but don’t get carried away and make a mistake like that again, okay?』

「W-woof!」

We started attacking again, but the situation remained the same. The other side didn’t seem to be attacking us anymore, and we were just chasing it.

(Master, there’s something I want to try)

『Hou? What is it?』

It seemed that Fran had come up with something. If she had something that could overcome our current situation, we should try it.

However, there was something I needed to confirm.

『It’s not dangerous, right?』

(…Maybe?)

It was so important, and yet, Fran answered while tilting her head.

『M-Maybe!? What on earth are you gonna do!?』

(Don’t worry. It’s definitely not dangerous… Maybe)

『Like I’d said! If you keep adding “maybe” in your words, I’ll just get even more uneasy!』

(It’s gonna be okay. Besides, as long as I have Master, he’ll definitely help me)

『Guh…』

It was hard for me to disagree when you say that!

『O-okay. But if I judge that it is too dangerous, I’ll stop you by force』

(That’s fine)

『All right. Go ahead and try it!』

「Nn! Brilliant Lightning Rush!」

Fran was once again clad in her Black Lightning. However, she did not immediately move to attack.

「Urushi」

「Woof!」

She called Urushi over and jumped on his back.

「Let’s chase it」

「Woof」

Leaving the chase to Urushi, Fran closed her eyes and began to focus on her consciousness. She kneaded the magic power in her body and strengthened it.

「Fuuh…」

She went into a completely meditative state. What was she going to do if it attacked us in her current state? No, that was exactly what my part was. I have to live up to Fran’s trust.

「Haah…」

The more Fran concentrated, the more magic power she managed to gather within her body.

She looked calm without the slightest irregularity from the outside. But deep within, the power that Fran had gathered was raging like crazy within her.

Fran’s face contorted in distress. She must be struggling a lot just to suppress the power she had concentrated on herself.

I was about to call her, but I stopped myself from doing so. If I were to distract her here, Fran’s life would be in danger. So, I had to trust and watch over her for now.

Then, after a long, long few minutes had passed.

「…Nn!」

Fran’s eyes snapped open and then she released her power.

「Black Thunder Roll!」

Turning into a black thunder, Fran’s figure disappeared from Urushi’s back and instantly appeared in front of the Pseudo Fanatic Sword.

That sword could detect the activation of Space-Time Magic, but it couldn’t react at all to Fran’s Black Thunder Roll. That skill was just a high-speed movement skill after all.

The Black Thunder Roll was not a teleportation type of skill, but a movement skill with lightning speed, it was so fast that it even looked like a teleport. That was why reacting to it required the ability to physically detect it.

「Haaa!」

『T-that was…!』

It wasn’t me that Fran swung at that sword. It was her unclasped left hand that she held high in the air.

But for anyone who could perceive magic power, that was not just a simple bare-handed attack. I could sense the dense magic power that was released in the shape of a sword that was being held in Fran’s left hand.

Immediately after, that magic power transformed, and black lightning gushed out.

In Fran’s hand, a sword formed of black lightning was created.

「Black Lightning God’s Claw!」

It was the ultimate technique of the Black Heavenly Tiger, which could only be used when she used the potential release before. A black lightning sword, with Divine Attributes. It was a technique that even Fran, who was able to control the Black Lightning Roll, had trouble using.

Apparently, she succeeded in triggering it at the last minute――.

「Aah」

『Eh?』

It was at that moment that Fran was about to swing the sword of black lightning at the sword in front of her.

The sword of black lightning lost its shape and disappeared with a burst. It was fortunate that the impact on the surrounding area was surprisingly small. It seemed to be only a slight breeze and a light electric current.

「…It failed」

『I knew it would not work out that way!』