Do You Think You Can Run After Reincarnating, Nii-san? - Chapter 16.1 A Struggle for Survival After Seven Years

The Golden Boy: The Awakening of Talent

Chapter 16

A Struggle for Survival After Seven Years

My condition is the worst.

I’m in pain, weak, and feeling incredibly nauseous.

I want to throw up right now.

But I swallowed it down.

I gripped my sword tightly.

Realistically, I could just grab Phil and run away.

But would this female thief let us go?

…Probably not.

It’s not a matter of whether I have a way out or not, she simply won’t allow it.

She wants to kill me.

She wants to eliminate me.

She looked at me with eyes that are convinced killing me is the only way to turn her life around.

Surely—

I must have had the same look when I killed my sister.

So, it’s a kill-or-be-killed situation.

It’s a fight for survival.

For me, it’s the first in about seven years—

—A struggle for survival.

I spit a mixture of blood and saliva onto the ground and wipe the blood from my mouth with my sleeve.

Now, think.

In terms of physique and muscle strength, I’m inferior. I might even be behind in handling spirit magic. The only thing where I’m on equal footing with Vicky is intellect.

It’s just my soul, carried over from a previous life.

What did she do?

How did she deflect my slashes and catch me while I was moving at high speed?

Don’t miss anything—no matter how trivial.

“……!!!”

I nullify my weight.

Then kick off the ground.

Inertia cancellation movement.

Ignoring the laws of physics, I hit top speed from the first step.

“Hah!”

Vicky launches a punch.

Through a wormhole created by [Absolute Void], her fist crosses the space.

Normally, she would be left behind by my speed.

But.

“Ugh…!”

It hits.

A blow to the side.

It’s the second time, so I don’t take it head-on this time.

I nullify my mass to deflect it.

I was blown back, crashing nto a wall, and bouncing like a super ball.

From wall to wall, bouncing all around, I was able to confuse Vicky.

When Vicky, moving her head left and right, showed the back of her head, I turned sharply and aimed for her back with my sword.

“—This way!!”

She noticed not a moment too late.

Tch! Is this her battle-hardened intuition?

I swung my sword down.

She threw a punch.

A screeching sound resounded, and my sword was deflected.

“—Damn it!”

“Ha! Train more, you brat!”

I created some distance and entered the inertia cancellation movement again.

Vicky launched a follow-up punch, but this time it missed.

Although this high-speed movement is sustainable thanks to Raquel’s grueling basic training, it still tires me out.

Vicky probably knows that too.

That’s why she’s not rushing her attacks, conserving her strength.

While maintaining inertia cancellation movement, I looked at the sword in my right hand.

…The blade is chipped.

Probably because it was deflected by Vicky.

The power of her punch is terrifying, but—

Instead of being scared, I noticed something.

The blade is chipped overall.

Not just in one spot. It’s overall.

This means that when my sword was deflected, impact was applied to the entire blade—

—I see now…!

I realize the trick behind Vicky’s attack.

[Absolute Void] is a spirit art that creates wormhole entrances and exits.

Since you can move from the entrance to the exit in zero seconds, if you place the exit at a distance, you can achieve teleportation.

But what if.

What if you could create multiple exits?

With one entrance and multiple exits.

If you put your fist through such a wormhole, your fist would… split!

If the split fists hit the same object, their power would naturally multiply.

They can deflect a sword or even chip the blade.

Moreover, if you line up the fists, they form a surface.

It’s like the difference between a sniper rifle and a machine gun.

Even if you can’t hit your target with a sniper, if you spray bullets with a machine gun, your chances of hitting increase dramatically.

That’s the trick that caught me during high-speed movement.

So, what should I do?

A weakness—or rather, a risk, immediately comes to mind.

Splitting her fists increases her attack power but also increases the recoil she takes.

Even if they appear split, they’re actually the same fist, so it’s logical that the damage she takes would also increase proportionally.

It’s like a spell that deals 30 damage to all enemies: if there’s only one target, the total damage is 30, but if there are three targets, it multiplies to 90. The same logic applies.

The reason this problem isn’t evident is that my attack power isn’t enough.

No matter what you multiply zero by, it remains zero.

But if I can increase the damage I deal even slightly, it will multiply and overwhelm Vicky.

How do I do that? What should I do?

Attacking from above could add the force of gravity, increasing the power of the attack, but unfortunately, there’s no ceiling here.

For escaping, it’s better if the top is open, but for fighting, a closed space is more advantageous.

What to do?

How to increase firepower?

While thinking in high-speed movement, I suddenly hear a sound.

This sound—

I glance at the source.

◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆

Hahahaha.

As long as I’m laughing, I can stay calm.

Tracking the brat buzzing around like a fly, I keep my head as cool as possible.

If I lose my temper like before, it’s over.

As long as I stay calm and composed, he’ll tire himself out and I’ll finish him off slowly.

However.

Is this cunning brat really going to tire out?

Just as I said earlier.

I thought I could win. I thought I had won.

That’s called complacency.

I won’t let my guard down just because he’s a kid.

I’ll handle him carefully and calmly, no matter what he tries—

“…Hmm?”

The brat shows a new move during high-speed movement.

He’s heading upwards.

What’s he planning? There’s nothing up there.

“Hey, brat! Planning to leave the girl and run away alone!?”

The girl was left on the ground.

If he’s going to run, he’d take her with him.

If he’s really planning to abandon her, I’ll just knock him down.

Just as I thought this and clench my fist,

“Don’t worry—”

The brat, who was ascending into the dark sky—

Suddenly stopped.

“—I’m not running away!!”

In an instant, he reversed direction.

From ascending to descending.

To me, it looked as if—

He’s kicking off the sky.

From directly above, the brat.

Like a rock falling from a cliff, he plummeted straight down!

“Oooooooooooohhhh!!!”

Letting out a roar, the brat swung his sword down.

Stay calm. Stay composed.

Do the same as before.

Create a surface with my split fists to deflect the sword…!!

“Ugh…!”

“Aargh…!”

The shockwave travelled from my fist to my shoulder.

I managed to deflect the sword—

But I also recoiled just as much.

So that’s the plan!

That’s why the vertical descent!

Using gravity to increase his attack power…!

While I was recoiling, the brat landed on the ground.

He looked up at me with a bitter expression—

And then, he smiled faintly.

—Stay calm.

Don’t let your anger take over.

Especially when you don’t understand what he’s doing…

The brat kicked off the ground, heading skyward again.

Could it be—again!?

The brat kicks the night sky.

I don’t engage him head-on this time.

I leap to the side, dodging his descending attack.

But the brat showed no opening for attack, jumping again.

Ah, this is why I hate dealing with kids!

He’s getting the hang of it.

He’s already mastering this tactic, which he’s likely trying for the first time…!

Each time he moves between the ground and the sky, the brat becomes sharper.

What I previously compared to falling rocks now resembles a torrential downpour.

An uninterrupted rain of swords.

You can’t dodge rain.

I deflect with my fists—

But each time, I accumulate damage to my arms.

What is this kid…!?

How can he kick the air!?

Is air-kicking also part of his spirit art?

No, it’s not.

If it were, he would’ve used it sooner.

Why didn’t he use this tactic from the beginning?

It takes time.

It requires preparation.

Preparation?

What kind of preparation does kicking the air need?

Obviously—

A foothold.

While deflecting the rain of swords, I strain my eyes to the sky.

No… no, no, no!

That’s not the sky!

That’s—

—A flock of crows filling the sky…!!

I didn’t notice.

The black crows blended into the night sky…!!

The brat is using those crows as his foothold!!

It’s no coincidence.

Who else could do this?

I remember.

During processing, a near-dead boar suddenly sprang up and rampaged.

I had guessed it was due to spirit art.

Yes.

The spirit art of the girl who was with the brat.

The art of controlling animals…!!

I glance at her out of the corner of my eye.

She’s in a safe spot, away from the battle, but she glared at me with hostility.

“That… damn brat!!!”

Immediately after deflecting a sword from above.

Ignoring the numbness and pain in my right arm, I glared at the girl controlling the crows.

My [Absolute Void] can only create ‘holes’ within visible range.

But if it’s within visible range, my fists can reach anywhere…!!

I swung my left fist.

Unlike the brat’s sword, it felt laughably light, and the girl let out a small scream and collapsed sideways.

“Phil!!!”

A voice echoed from above. I smirked.

“What are you doing to Phil, you old hag!!!”

A brat wielding a sword was descending from directly above. However, I laughed. As long as I was laughing, I was calm.

But…

It seems like you’ve lost your cool, haven’t you?

◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆―――――――◆◆◆

The moment I saw Phil get hit, my head heated up. My thoughts vanished, and all I could think about was cutting Vicky down. Naturally, the result was obvious. Raquel had drilled it into me time and again.

On the battlefield, the first to lose their composure dies.

Stars danced before my eyes. By the time I felt the pain, I was already lying on the ground. Memories replayed belatedly. Fists had approached from all directions. I was pummeled all over by those multiplying fists. I was so focused on attacking that I didn’t prepare at all to deflect the enemy’s attacks…

“…Even though I used my trump card, it’s taken this long.”

Vicky looked down at me, lying on the ground.

“I’ll admit it. You’re strong. Thanks to you, my right hand is a mess.”

She shook her right hand, which looked like it had been battered against rocks countless times.

“…Such a waste. To have such combat ability at your age. It’s a pity to make you a trophy for some perverted rich guy’s collection. How about joining the Crimson Cats? My crew is full of idiots, and having someone smart like you would be a great help.”

Gathering what little strength I had left, I smirked sarcastically.

“…A flattering offer, but your band of thieves lacks three crucial things.”

“Oh? Tell me for future reference.”

“One, intelligence. Two, dignity. Three, young girls.”

Vicky couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! For a kid, you know some good jokes! Makes me regret it even more!”

“…Go on. You’re not hiding your intent to kill me at all. You hate me, don’t you?”

“Oh, I hate you alright. A talented brat like you. A band of thieves is a group of outcasts. There’s no place for someone like you, who could live a life of luxury just by staying quiet.”

Just by staying quiet, huh. If only that were true.

“It looks like you’re ready. How dull.”

“Are you going to process me?”

“Of course. You’re merchandise. No merchant breaks their own goods.”

“Merchant? That’s giving you too much credit.”

“You’re getting on my nerves. Maybe I’ll cut off that cheeky tongue of yours. But there’s a better place.”

Vicky snatched my sword and poked my right wrist with its tip.

“Your hands. I’ll chop off both of them. No matter how much you’ve honed your spirit arts, it’ll be a pain to use them without hands.”

“…That would be a problem.”

I responded calmly, thinking furiously. There has to be something. Something to turn the tables. My body can still move, barely. But moving now won’t help defeat Vicky. I need firepower. Overwhelming attack power to crush Vicky’s fists head-on…!!

“Let’s get this over with. I need to hand you over to ‘her’ by dawn.”

“Her…?”

Hand me over? Is there a broker or something? Vicky clicked her tongue.

“…Did I let that slip? Seems I’m getting cocky too. Well, no matter.”

She muttered dismissively and pinned my forearm with her foot, like sawing a piece of wood.

“Don’t struggle. If I slip, it’ll hurt even more.”

Her foot in its thick boot pinned me down. I couldn’t lift Vicky off me. What should I do? What should I do?

“Ready, set…”

Vicky raised the sword,

“Ja-kun! Above!!”

Phil’s voice reached me. Above? I looked far above the raised sword. Vicky also reacted to Phil’s voice and looked up.

The crow that had been my perch was nowhere to be seen. But in its place, countless eagles flew in formation through the night sky.

Attached to their feet was a rope, dangling a single sword.

The sword slipped from the rope, falling straight towards where Vicky and I were.

“What…!”

Vicky stepped off my forearm and backed away in surprise. Freed, I quickly rolled away. The moment the sword touched the ground,

SFX: Boom.

The ground exploded. Dust rose as if a bomb had gone off, and the shockwave tossed me around.

What is this…!? Why did just a falling sword cause such a shockwave!?

In any case, I was saved. By the time I managed to stand, the dust had thinned. A crater, as if a meteorite had struck, formed in the ground. In its center was the sword, deeply embedded.

It was a peculiar sword. The blade was a strange color, neither scarlet nor gold. Like the morning glow of a clear day, a color that woke you up gently. The same metal seemed to be used in the hilt. What is this…?

“Oh… Oh my… Is that…!”

Vicky answered my question.

“That morning glow color… It’s unmistakable. That’s Hihi’irokane, the heaviest metal in the world! Worth a hundred times its weight in gold…!! How many kilos is that thing? Someone must have money to burn!!”

A hundred kilos, she said? And the heaviest metal in the world. That sword, though it looks like an ordinary longsword, is that heavy? Given the impact from its fall, it makes sense.

But that sword was carried by eagles. Even in formation to distribute the weight, what kind of eagles can carry a sword weighing hundreds of kilos?

There’s only one possibility. The sword’s weight was reduced as much as possible. Then, it was carried by the eagles. Only one person could do that. Someone who can mimic other spirit arts: [Divine Mimicry] — able to combine my and Phil’s arts, Raquel.

Raquel’s words from yesterday resurfaced in my mind.

—I have a present for you.

—Something to make you stronger.

A gift to make me stronger. Could it be? I entered the crater and stood before the deeply embedded sword.

A morning glow-colored blade. A transparent edge. It stood there like a sacred sword waiting for its king.

I reached for the hilt.

“Ha!”

The female thief snorted.

“You think you can pull that out and swing it around? What a boring joke! Look at this mess just from it falling! Who knows how heavy that sword is! No matter how much you can lighten it with spirit arts, there’s a limit! It’s just a useless showpiece! Though, dropping it from above might be a weapon. Too bad it missed!!”

I wasn’t listening. I gripped the morning glow-colored hilt with both hands and pulled.

“Wha…?”

Vicky’s taunting stopped. Because she saw it. The entity that appeared behind me like a guardian spirit.

Spreading its colorful wings in the night, an iridescent giant bird. A peacock-shaped spirit.

“…An avatar…?”

Vicky murmured in a stunned voice.

“…Andrealphus, the Noble Separation…?

No way… No way… No way…!!

You’re a Spirit-possessed Roost…!”

I used [Transient Wings of Departure] to eliminate the weight, and the sword easily came out, revealing its morning glow-colored blade.

I swung the sword a few times. No problem. A sword weighing hundreds of kilos was like a twig with [Transient Wings of Departure].

“…A genius…”

Vicky muttered with resentment as I faced her directly. My body wasn’t in great shape. I probably only had one chance.

“This genius…!!”

With a roar, Vicky raised her fist. I moved just before that.

Inertia elimination movement. Top speed from the start. By moving a step ahead, I dodged the area created by her splitting fists.

Running on the ground, kicking off walls, and into the air. Of course, there was a platform Phil had prepared without needing to be told.

I kicked off the crow and descended in a straight line. The morning glow-colored sword cut through the night like a shooting star.

Vicky had noticed me by then, ready to counter. It didn’t matter. I’d crush her…!!

Her multiplying fists closed in. The morning glow-colored sword regained its weight and sliced through the night air.

The clash was instant. Vicky’s right arm—

Exploded without a trace.

Moments later, a massive shockwave spread in a circle. I landed safely. Vicky, with her face twisted in rage—

“Ah.”

The female thief’s cheek twitched.

“I’m… not laughing…”

Blood spurted from the shoulder where her arm was severed. Vicky swayed and collapsed into a pool of blood.

Her eyes rolled back. Her face no longer had any sign of life.

“Ow…”

The sword slipped from my hand and lightly embedded in the ground. My wrist was purple.

“Ja-kun! Are you okay!?”

Phil rushed over. I smiled, pretending to be fine.

“I’m okay. I just twisted it a bit when I momentarily restored the weight to attack.”

“Really…? It looks very painful…”

“Ow! Don’t touch it!”

My whole body was in bad shape! But talking to Phil like this made me realize.

I won. This isn’t arrogance, right? Blood-stained She-Leopard.