episode_0239
by fnovelpia-Rewinding time for a moment.
At the time when No. 13 was struggling against the Chief of Staff, in another area of this hotel building.
Likewise, the two Ashe who were heading towards the top floor were also struggling, their path blocked by Rahel.
* * *
The only staircase leading to the top floor.
In front of it, a battle between monsters beyond common sense is taking place.
———!
—! ——— ! ! !
Two Ashe and Rahel wearing a helmet.
The two sides intertwine, scattering malice without a gap, and attacks that could lead to death upon a single mistake are poured out at each other.
The speed of the three is almost equal.
However, it was not Rahel, who was alone, who was at a disadvantage, but Ashe’s side, where two people were a team.
In the first place, it is unreasonable and unfair that the two people who should be confident in speed because they manipulate time are caught up in speed.
Furthermore, it is even more serious that Rahel still seems to have余裕.
Whoosh—!
“Ugh?!”
And, between the gaps of the two Ashe who are responding with knives in both hands.
Rahel’s sword passed through the narrow gap without an inch of error, accurately aiming for one’s neck.
“【Freeze】!”
With a desperate cry, Rahel’s sword stopped abruptly just before touching the neck.
Because the time of the blade had stopped, it became immobile as if blocked by something.
But that was only for a very brief moment.
The time of the blade, which should have remained stopped for about a week, was bounced off by Rahel’s magic and returned to its original time.
It only bought a time of less than 1 second.
Still, it was a precarious time to barely avoid a fatal wound and attempt a counterattack against Rahel.
“Hup!”
“Yaat!”
Phew—
The four different types of blades, a total of knives held in both hands by the two Ashe, flew towards Rahel’s vitals, but Rahel dodged them with a light leap.
“…….”
Thud.
Rahel, who had disappeared from the sight of the two Ashe, landed in a slightly distanced position.
An overwhelming reaction speed.
And that leg strength that allows her to jump like that without even giving proper force.
No, in the first place, the fact that they can’t stop her for more than a moment with the power to manipulate time and can’t catch up with her itself.
It is already an absurd thing.
“She avoids that…!”
“Oh no~. Then it’s pointless to deliberately show an opening~.”
The current Ashe cannot hide her anger and complains, and the future Ashe speaks in a voice that seems relaxed but clearly shows impatience.
The opponent clearly has abilities superior to theirs, so they launched a special attack with their lives as bait… if she evades it with such a reaction speed, there is no way.
‘Still, she’s holding out longer than I thought.’
‘From the beginning, I didn’t think we could defeat her with just the two of us… if that were possible, it wouldn’t be called a cheat.’
If she was a normal opponent, she would stop the world’s time and assassinate them in the meantime.
Of course, there are various restrictions on that, but even so, the number of opponents she has not defeated using that power can be counted on one hand.
However, that is impossible against Rahel.
No matter how much she stops time, she breaks the prison of time as it is with a mysterious power.
As before, she can barely buy a time of less than 1 second even with the efficient ‘time stop’ of localized areas.
If not for that, both of them would no longer have their heads on their necks.
“Are you okay? Do you still have mana left?”
“…I still have plenty. I can use about 20 times worth.”
“That’s an amount that wouldn’t be a problem normally, but considering who the opponent is~ it seems like it will be insufficient.”
The future Ashe says as if she’s in trouble, and the current Ashe frowns as she breathes heavily.
One person plays the role of stopping Rahel’s movements.
One person plays the role of manipulating their time to accelerate their bodies.
The two are dealing with Rahel by dividing their roles in that way.
It is only thanks to the two becoming one that they can barely deal with Rahel.
In that situation, while the future Ashe has余裕, the current Ashe is clearly more consumed.
Even though the future Ashe is taking on the role of stopping Rahel’s movements, which consumes more mana.
Perhaps there is a difference not only in the amount of mana but also in the efficiency of using magic.
Although they are the same being, the current Ashe is resentful of that fact.
The fact that she is holding back in this battle.
“You’re not thinking of whining, are you? Young me. A young kid has to use her strength~.”
“Don’t talk like an old person. …Let’s continue.”
-【Acceleration】
Along with the mumbling, the two people’s perceived time slows down.
Conversely, from the outside, the two people’s time speeds up.
The two’s bodies deviate from the laws of the world and begin to move in a world several times faster than others.
Originally, it was a supersonic movement that did not even allow them to be seen with the naked eye.
Rahel still responds at a speed that does not fall behind at all to the two people who flash knives in both hands, kicking off the floor and walls.
A cold chill wrapped around the sword held in Rahel’s hand.
* * *
To get to the point.
Even with the help of the future Ashe, it was impossible for the two to beat Rahel.
Cough, cough…
Ugh… Eee…!
The invaders were the ones lying on the floor.
Compared to the two who had been torn to pieces and collapsed, Rahel, who was wearing a helmet on her head, was relatively intact.
Of course, Rahel also suffered some consumption and injuries as she was facing two commanders, but compared to the two who had suffered fatal injuries several times, Rahel’s injuries were only minor.
“Are you okay, Ashe…? Young me…! You can’t, fall yet…!”
The future Ashe retreated while supporting the current Ashe.
The current Ashe had just been severely cut in the waist by Rahel, and was fatally injured.
Ashe is manipulating time to restore the wound to its original state.
Of course, it takes much more mana than simply stopping time or accelerating movement.
The current Ashe has neither the energy nor the strength to do so, and there is no answer or reaction.
Perhaps any further combat will be impossible.
They need to get out of here immediately, but if they do, Rahel will go to No. 13’s side.
‘No, in the first place, in case of emergency….’
There is also the possibility that something might happen on No. 13’s side.
The Chief of Staff was caught by their side, and there is a possibility that they have set up traps to stop the invaders.
In order to be able to help if an accident occurs on their side, the two must not leave this place if possible.
For that reason, they wanted to defeat Rahel with their own hands.
But it seems that it was not enough.
Chijik-
At that time, a voice came from the walkie-talkie that had been plugged into her ear, along with static.
It was the voice of No. 13.
[Can you hear me? Ashe? We’ve recovered the Chief of Staff and are heading to the top floor─]
There seems to have been some danger, but from the sound of her voice, she seems to be safe.
Also, Apple was dropped out, but Spade and Mabel are safe. They are now escorting No. 13 and heading to the top floor where Doraji is.
For now, it seems that there are no more problems to be checked.
And if necessary, they can send help this way.
It was a welcome story in many ways.
I’m glad. I feel relieved. Above all, I felt energized when I heard the voice of No. 13.
This fight, it will definitely end if we catch Doraji.
Then there’s no need to ask for help to come here.
“No. 13-nim, this is─”
The moment the future Ashe was about to answer the radio.
Suddenly, Rahel’s demeanor changed.
A clear murderous intent was rising from Rahel, who had been watching herself treating her comrade, and a pressure that was completely different from before began to be felt.
Come to think of it, the Chief of Staff may have been another hidden card prepared by Doraji.
And as one trump card disappeared, Doraji’s side may have become impatient.
And she may have informed Rahel of that fact, and in addition, she may have played some tricks.
Unlocking the limiter, or something like that.
Ashe does not know the exact truth.
However, the pressure that is being conveyed from Rahel now, and the actions of Rahel that follow, proved that such assumptions were not wrong.
Whoosh-!
Rahel’s body disappeared, leaving an afterimage.
Even though ‘acceleration’ hasn’t been released yet, she lost track of Rahel’s movements in an instant.
‘Danger…!’
Rahel jumped high as if she was jumping in place, reaching the close range of the two.
Rahel, who jumped up as if sticking to the ceiling, then kicked off the ceiling and fell towards the two.
The ceiling where she stepped was dented and cracked, and the sword in Rahel’s hand shone brightly and fell like a shooting star.
The reaction was delayed for a moment.
Before the panicked future Ashe could react, her body was pushed back.
“Ah…?!”
The hand that pushed the body was the current Ashe’s.
Still bleeding from her waist because she hadn’t finished treatment, the current Ashe blocked the sword’s path as if protecting the future Ashe.
And poof.
Rahel’s sword pierced the current Ashe’s abdomen.
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