hered in his left fist at the same time.

The white light that covered that fist was Girard’s own life force. It was the last splendor of his life, as he was baring his fangs at this moment.

“――Kassenkou*!!” (Note: Constrict Pierce Armor)

That skill would inflict huge damage to both the armor and shield. A blow, like a flash exploded on Shin’s 『True Moon』.

The sound of something breaking gradually grew bigger.

Girard continued to receive the burden, of the multiple invoked Shidens on himself, yet he still continued to put forth his power.

“Using Shiden simultaneously, huh? That’s cheating.”

Shin cursed while taking the blow from Girard. Still, he didn’t back down. While his Shiden was activated, Shin stacked 【Enchant ? High Edge】 on his 『True Moon』.

The power to rampage was arranged beforehand, so they could mutually unleash their best single blow soon. Having realized it was the end, it came down to which one had the first move.

Did they compete for a moment, or only several seconds? Or was it for several minutes?

““――!!!””

What reached the limit first was their weapons. The blade of 『True Moon』 broke, and the armor part of 『Crushing Moon』 also broke into pieces.

However, even if the weapons crumbled, it didn’t stop the users.

Shin, who was holding the remains of the hilt, took one step toward Girard with both of his hands lowered.

In regards to Girard, with nothing but both fists thrusted out, he single-mindedly charged toward Shin.

Shin too, promptly jumped upward with both hands holding the hilt. However, with both skills, 【Zekka】 and 【Kassenkou】, worn on Girard’s fists, and with 『True Moon』 becoming just a handle, without any skills, even Shin couldn’t defend against it.

“I got yoouuuuu!!”

The hilt that was used as a shield was repelled by Girard’s left fist, as his right fist smashed into Shin’s defenseless body.

With a raised roar, his fist ripped through Shin’s coat, coming into contact with the solar plexus―――― and made a ‘Tap’ sound, and there, he stopped moving.

“Damnit!!――――――Huh?”

I’m done for, was what Shin thought, and he took a step backwards from the unexpected lightness in Girard’s fist. He shouldn’t die an instant death, due to his high stats, but he was prepared for some damage. However, the fist that hit his body had no strength at all.

Shin raised his line of sight towards the thrust out fist, and saw Girard again――――He understood.

“..Girard”

“........”

Girard didn’t respond. Only, he had become rigid in the state where his fist was thrust out.

“Gira――

“Listen, I got..*hack* *cough*..”

Girard interrupted Shin, who tried to call him once more. With blood vomiting at the same time, he fell down to his knees at the spot.

“Hey Girard!”

“..you.. Apparently..This is as far as I can go.”

Shin was about to rush over, but Girard stopped it by raising one hand. He knew that recovery and so forth were useless.

“..I received the last blow. As expected from Girard.”

“Kuku, I have lived for 500 years,.. not just for show. Surely.. these fangs,.. have reached you.”

Though his face was pale, Girard was laughing, baring his fangs. It was a ‘proud of myself’ smile, as this body had finally reached his master.

“Urgh.. Now then, my long-held..wish was fulfilled. Shin. Can I request..from you, one last time, a single blow as the reward?”

“..Understood.”

Girard, who had stood up while tottering, spoke of his last wish. After a bit of hesitation, Shin who heard it, accepted it.

From Girard who was barely standing, he took a distance of about 10 mels. And, quietly released his 【Limit】. Simultaneously a torrent of power gushed out. The time when he was exchanging blows with Girard seemed halfhearted, and strange pressure surges were in the surroundings.

“So this is a..”

Receiving the pressure that emitted from Shin, Girard kept standing there. His last wish would depend on Shin’s all out power as the finishing blow.

Power that Girard couldn’t fight against. Thus, to get over the last ordeal, he wanted to witness Shin’s power.

Shin took a stance. The shattered 『True Moon』 was stored into the Item Box, with nothing in his hands. No, to begin with, weapons and so on were unnecessary.

Shin’s stance that he took, was the movement for 【Zekka】. It is quite ironic if that is the case, Girard thought.

“..See you”

“Farewell”

They exchanged a few words, and Shin took a step forward. With that speed, which was godlike. Girard had already lost sight of Shin.

But he knew. Before the blow that was approaching his body, Girard perceived Shin in the world for a moment.

With overwhelming power, and mana gushing out. The speed that would leave everything behind.

That figure, the appearance of the Master whom Girard surely yearned for. The present Shin was more powerful than even the figure that existed in his memory.

He wanted to reach those fangs someday. He, wished to be the best existence. That conflicting wish was now, becoming a shape in front of Girard.

(Indeed, that’s what I expected of my――――)

His last thought dissolved, when the roaring sound echoed.