Rebirth From Ordinary Person To The Strongest

As Arame Koushi sank into the shadows, a flood of dozens—perhaps nearly a hundred—monsters poured forth before Souichirou and the others.

But all of them were

First Rank

.

Likely rushed into existence just before being swallowed by Irena's

Shadow Send

, they were incomplete—misshapen figures barely able to maintain their form. A right arm, a rotting eye, or a tiny hand made of seven intertwined fingers. These grotesque fragments littered the mountainside.

"...!"

Souichirou surged forward as Irena and Renji fell back in perfect coordination.

Charging into the mass of monsters, Souichirou relied on straightforward

Body Strengthening

, a simple but effective enhancement, to buy time for Renji's wide-range magic.

Irena focused on supporting him. Though a capable fighter, she wasn't as adept at close combat as Souichirou. While Souichirou slashed through the horde, Irena's summoned pixies handled any stray monsters that evaded his blade.

The coordination bought precious seconds. In that time, Renji completed his preparations.

"Fall back, Souichirou!"

At Renji's shout, Souichirou leaped back. An instant later, Renji unleashed a combined

Elemental Transformation: Explosion

, fusing

Fire

and

Wind

. The resulting blast incinerated and shattered the monsters into nothingness.

The ground shook with the deafening explosion, and as the black mist from the obliterated monsters filled the air, Souichirou sliced down a few lingering creatures that had miraculously survived.

"

Irena, how much time do we have?

"

"

A few dozen seconds, at best… not more than a minute.

"

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"

Understood.

"

Shadow Send

could instantly exorcise weaker monsters, but against an opponent of significantly higher power, it was only a delay tactic.

Still, even delays could be used effectively.

"Listen up, both of you. The enemy is a

Named Sixth Rank

. She uses magic that gathers water in her right hand and fires it. The projectiles move at supersonic speed."

"...Why is a Named Monster here?" Renji asked, his voice tight with urgency.

"She's after the blacksmith," Souichirou answered curtly.

There wasn't time to explain the intricacies of the Sanctuary or the Gatekeeper, Kan'nuki. They had to stay focused.

Even as he spoke, Souichirou kept moving.

Shadow Send

would eject its captive at the point of entry. Knowing the location meant he could anticipate where the enemy would emerge.

As he maneuvered around the soggy, weakened tree trunks, the result of Arame Koushi's

Heavy Rain

, a surge of black shadows erupted. From within them emerged Arame Koushi herself, her form dripping with shadowy remnants. She tilted her head curiously.

"

Surely, there were better ways to stall me,

" she said.

She surveyed her surroundings with an air of nonchalance.

"

No matter how many exorcists you bring, none are my equal.

"

Without warning, Souichirou charged. His blade flashed toward her, but Arame Koushi dodged his attack with two effortless backsteps.

"

That sword is… such a nuisance,

" she muttered, raising a hand to touch her cheek—the very cheek that still bore the cursed wound, spewing black mist and steadily draining her magic.

Despite her words, she showed no visible concern.

It was to be expected. Even with the wound sapping her strength, Arame Koushi was

Sixth Rank

. Her magic reserves dwarfed Souichirou's thirtyfold and outmatched Irena's by a staggering nine hundredfold.

Such was the unfair reality of their world.

Still, lamenting the imbalance wouldn't close the gap. Souichirou only needed to land another hit.

"If it bothers you so much, why not let me cut you again? Once you're exorcised, it'll cease to trouble you."

"

How quaint. Wouldn't it be simpler if you died instead?

"

As their confrontation escalated, an intense chill swept through the battlefield. Souichirou and Arame Koushi's breaths turned white as frost coated the ground beneath their feet.

"

You will not die,

" a cold, commanding voice declared.

The frigid air surged from the mountain below, rapidly freezing the waterlogged soil. Tree trunks, spared from Arame Koushi's rain, cracked and splintered as frost overtook them.

Through the blizzard strode a silver-haired figure—a girl bearing Aya's face and form, but with an entirely different presence and aura. Her overwhelming magic froze Arame Koushi's legs in place.

"

If you die, Itsuki will grieve,

" said the

Princess of Frost

.

Seizing the opportunity, Souichirou lunged. With no chance to escape, Arame Koushi took a direct hit—a diagonal slash that tore into her torso.

"

Ugh!

"

Pain and shock flashed across Arame Koushi's face. Souichirou spun his blade for a follow-up strike, intent on finishing her.

"

STAY BACK!

" she roared.

The force of her voice manifested as a violent gale, blasting Souichirou away. Irena's pixies caught him mid-air, and her summoned

Siren

began a healing melody to mend his wounds.

Renji unleashed suppressive fire to prevent Arame Koushi from pressing her advantage. Clicking her tongue in annoyance, the monster sliced off her own frozen legs and leapt into the air. The severed limbs disintegrated into black mist as new ones regrew, writhing and forming.

Hovering mid-air, shielded by a wind barrier, Arame Koushi turned to the Princess of Frost.

"

Why side with humans?

" she asked, curious.

"

Is it so strange for a monster to aid humanity?

" the princess replied coolly.

"

Not at all. I imagine you're in love with one of them. Rare, but not unheard of.

"

"

Wh— What?! Absolutely not!

" the princess stammered, her composure cracking.

As her embarrassment flared, ice spikes erupted from the ground, rushing toward Arame Koushi. The monster leapt nimbly to avoid them.

"

How clumsy,

" Arame Koushi sneered.

"

Is that so?

" the princess retorted with a smirk.

A moment later, Arame Koushi's barrier tore into her own body. Tiny shards of ice, invisible and embedded in her wind armor, carved into her flesh, shredding her limbs, torso, and face.

Realization dawned on Arame Koushi too late.

"n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Crafty little trick, aren't you?

"

"

I had a very devious exorcist mentor,

" the princess said, her smirk widening.

As the ice continued its relentless assault, a massive, comet-like block of ice descended from the sky, aimed directly at Arame Koushi.

"

…So you won't let me run.

"

Raising her hand, Arame Koushi fired a supersonic water bullet that shattered the descending ice block in an explosive display. Shards rained down as she conjured a dense mist to obscure her escape.

"

Three exorcists and a peer of my rank? Dealing with you while unlocking the Sanctuary is hardly worth the trouble,

" she declared, folding her umbrella and sighing.

"

Let's play another time.

"

With a mocking laugh, she launched into the sky, attempting to flee.

"Renji!" Souichirou shouted.

"On it!" Renji fired a long-range spell, but it fell short.

Before they could mount another pursuit, a blazing beam of light pierced the sky, striking Arame Koushi mid-flight and engulfing her in flames.

Souichirou turned his gaze upward and froze in shock.

There, flying alongside an unfamiliar, draconic woman, was Nina—her golden hair alight with determination. Flames coiled around her, transforming into five burning spears.

"Itsuki would've done this," Nina said with quiet resolve.

The fiery lances streaked through the air, two of them impaling Arame Koushi. A massive explosion followed, consuming the monster in a storm of fire.

As the flames began to die, Souichirou whispered, "It's over."

The broken, burning remains of Arame Koushi disintegrated into black mist, leaving no trace behind.