A/N:?12/22 – Slight modification of the fungibility of the Shishikaba sisters.

Kure Izuho

Fungal Class: Fighter (Level 51)

Fungal Skills: 6 types [Self-Regeneration], [White Armor], [Herculean Strength], [Instant Response], [Telephoto], [Adversity]

Giran Taichi

Fungal Class: Holy Knight (Level 72)

Fungal Skills: 11 types [Knight Sword], [Throwing Axe], [Round Shield], [Flame Blade], [Healing], [Self-regeneration], [Leaping], [Enhanced Nose], [Iron Bite], [Roar], [Poison Resistance].

Fungal Ability: [Perseverance]

Shishikaba Midori

Fungal Class: Knight (Level 41)

Fungal Skills: 5 types [Cudgel], [War Spear], [Round Shield], [Herculean Strength], [Cold resistance]

Shishikaba Aoi

Fungal Class: Illusionist (Level 41)

Fungal Skills: 5 types [Thunderball] [Windball] [Impact Ball] [Training] [Heat Resistance]

Detailed information such as age will be released later in “Summary of the Main Characters”.

Every time we strike each other, my bones and heart are cut down.

Death is right in front of me with every blink.

“Gaaaaaaaaa!” (Giran)

“Ooooooooooo!” (Shuu)

The screams emanated from deep within my chest. My body is on the verge of crying out in despair, desperately trying to rouse itself.

“Ahaha! You’re still fine, right?” (Arato)

Black blades are raining down. The number of attacks and speed are off the charts.

Giran attacks from behind Arato. Two hypha arms intercept the two [Flame Blade].

The exchange of sparks is dizzying. A rain of crashing sounds shakes my entire body.

Dodging a fatal blow a few centimeters away, I unleash my clenched killing intent.

The first step taken without regard for the splattering of blood is pushed back with even more pressure.

In the midst of the dizzying sword fights, I still do not retreat. It is not out of willpower or determination, but because I understand that if I retreat, I will be overwhelmed in an instant.

“Damn it!” (Shuu)

“Nice! I love children with foul mouths!” (Arato)

Woosh! In an instant, cuts ran through my whole body. Without pause, a heavy impact hits my cheeks, and another roundhouse kick blows Giran away.

“Guu.. Ah, my ba–” (Giran)

I quickly go to Giran, but he remains down and unable to get up.

His chest is rising and falling quickly. The silver body hair that covers his entire body is covered in darkened blood—more than mine.

“Mr. Giran!” (Shuu)

“..it’s okay, I can still do it..” (Giran)

He creates several [Healing] in this palm and throws them into his mouth. He also has [Self-Regeneration], but it seems that the regeneration of wounds has not yet started.

Together with my [Detoxification], he swallowed another one. The effectiveness of the healing Fungal Skills is said to decrease if it is used continuously for a short time. Giran may not last long.

“.. you know, you.” (Arato)

Arato approached, walking slowly, and called out to me.

“What is it, that blue one? What is it?” (Arato)

I looked at my own body with alarm and saw blue-black fungus clinging to my wounds. It’s a mycelium of [Immortality].

“—a.” (Shuu)

Giran saw it. Perfect.

“.. Fuh, No need to hide it now, Abe. My eyes are not for decoration.” (Giran)

“What?” (Shuu)

“You’re a [Master Threadweaver] aren’t you? The thirteenth person to appear in the hundred and seventh year of the Tokyo calendar.” (Giran)

My eyes open wide. Giran just nodded slightly.

“I knew it! I had a feeling that was coming! Amazing, quite the auspicious meeting!” (Arato)

All of a sudden, Arato immediately starts yapping and laughing.

“I heard there were only three of them left, but I didn’t expect a new [Master Threadweaver] to show up! I didn’t expect to meet the new [Master Threadweaver]! What do hunters call this kind of thing? Ah, yes, ‘thread is a connection, thread is fate’!” (Arato)

Gillan stands up, leaning on his [Knight Sword].

“..He is a [Master Threadweaver]. He is the vessel of the hero who returned the surface to human hands, which was destroyed before the calamity, and continues to protect people and the country even now. He is the hunter of fate, who will defeat you and all other incarnations of chaos.” (Giran)

(No, no, even if bring me up.) (Shuu)

(I am far weaker compared to the three.) (Shuu)

“Yes, it is said that Demons and [Master Threadweaver] have a strange relationship. The war fifty years ago is another example. ..I wasn’t born then. Could it be that you, too, are my fated?” (Arato)

“He is the hope of our country. However, young Demon, I will not let you kill him. Even if this head leaves me, my fangs will bite down on your evil.” (Giran)

“Ugh, hey wolf that’s always interrupting! No matter how much you try, you can’t reach me, you know?” (Arato)

“..maybe. If I’m alone.” (Giran)

The figure is also in my sight. The shadow of a handsome, macho man looms behind Arato.

“–eh?” (Arato)

“Sory for the surprise attack.” (Kure)

A low tackle by Kure, clad in [White Armor], closes in. It was a tackle of a speed, much faster than the one he had made on me.

Arato quickly turns around and swings her black blade. But the faster Kure surpasses it for a moment. He dives close to Arato’s, his brow furrowed. The punch—is not completed. Arato is holding her ground with a crouch.

“Even handsome men can be guilty of sexual harassment, you know?” (Arato)

“No, I’m not remotely sexually interested in you.” (Kure)

“Oh really, then die.” (Arato)

Arato thrusts her black blade into Kure’s back—just before she does so.

“Guoooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!” (Giran)

What emanated from the depths of Giran’s fanged mouth was a roar like a shockwave that shook the air. A directional sound bomb. It is the Fungal Skill [Roar] that manipulates vocal cords and turns them into acoustic weapons (it seems to be peculiar to canine demihumans).

Arato, receiving a direct hit, jerked back as if struck by an invisible fist. A momentary delay in reaction. And then—

Arato collapses forward with a jerk. Her knee, which had been entangled with Kure, makes a dry sound.

“Gah..!?” (Arato)

“Got, one.” (Kure)

Arato’s eyes widened from shock and severe pain, and my figure jumping from above was reflected.

“Raaaaaaaaaaa!” (Shuu)

“Damn it!” (Arato)

Arato’s palm punches Kure in the jaw, and her six arms spin around, cleaving both Kure and me together.

Kure is on top of me as he is blown away again and falls to the ground with a thud. A large amount of blood spills from his mouth.

“Kure! You were badly injured from the start..” (Shuu)

Underneath the cracked and shattered [White Armor], burnt and bloodied flesh peeks out. It’s clearly not from Arato’s slashes.

“..I wanted to stand with you even for a second.. this is the price for that..” (Kure)

—Adversity]? He forcefully activated it—

Power and heat are draining from Kure’s body.

“..This is where I will die, huh.. This is something I want..” (Kure)

And then Kure’s words, and consciousness, fade away.

“Hey, Kure! Don’t die!” (Shuu)