Jujutsushi Wa Yuusha Ni Narenai Chapter 5
Chapter 5: Souma Yuuto
My name is Souma Yuuto. Just a normal highschooler you can find anywhere.
After the 3 day holiday, though I felt a little lazy, I opted to attend school, chatted about dumb things with buddies in the morning, and then spent the rest of the day in boring cla.s.ses- or was supposed to.
Sigh, howd this even happen...
I open my eyes to find, not the familiar cla.s.sroom, but an ancient-looking stone room. No windows, its like a cellar, and therere white panels on the ceiling that shone like a fluorescent light, brightening up every corner of the room.
This stone room has nothing that stands out. Like a temple hall.
With a school bag on my right hand, and a sword bag with a shinaipractice sword and bokutouwooden sword each, Im here standing alone.[1]
"Its really, another world huh..."
With absolutely no warning, I, no all of us from Shiramine Academy cla.s.s 2-7, were summoned to this world. Its pretty absurd, but I cant just avert my eyes from this situation where weve been transported to this totally unrealistic place.
Cla.s.sroom suddenly sunk in darkness. The announcement from the mysterious man. Magic circle shining on the blackboard. If that was all, I couldve still believed there was some sort of attraction or trick to it all, but before coming to this stone room the last thing I saw... The cla.s.sroom run over in jet-black cracks, breaking apart into the abyss. If I see a scene like that, any normal common sense falls apart. Im forced to believe that Id been involved in the events of a world of magic.
d.a.m.n, this isnt a joke. Seriously, whyd this even.
"No, worrying wont help anyone."
Dont falter. Just, face forward and keep moving.
One of jii-sansgranpas teachings. Never thought that preachy-a.s.s phrase would be useful at a time like this.
Right, first, calm down, then decide what to do. Though I say that, its infinitely obvious what that is.
"Gotta find Sakura, my friends, everyone."
If that man can be believed, everyone mustve been thrown into this dungeon. We may all be separated right now, but well definitely meet again.
In any whichever case, nothings gonna start unless we proceed through the dungeon. Theres no use staying in this empty, desolate room forever.
"Ah, right, theres that... magic formation and incantation, was it?"
A necessary power to capture the dungeon. Thats how it was explained.
At that time Id told everyone to get them down in our notebooks, but honestly, I thought it was pretty shady myself. Even so, I had a feeling it could be even a bit useful, and told my piece.
And now that Ive been thrown into this dungeon, in this room, my feeling seems to have been right.
Still, will it really, will this magic circle and spell really work? And then, will it really be enough power to protect us? Actually, could it be that theres a huge catch- finding that out wont be after actually using them.
"...Alright, here we go."
My Campus notebook with the magic circle is already open, and the incantation is completely memorized.[2]
Now I just have to-
"Kyaaa!"
The sudden scream interrupts the magic ritual. There’s no helping it.
Because the high-pitch scream that reached my ears, I would, at least I would, never mistake it.
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"Sakura, is that you."
That voice unmistakeably belonged to Sakura.
Sakura was different from Reina, and wouldnt raise a cry for just anything. Shed stand firm even when facing the punks from Kuro high, not to mention crying out would be out of the equation.[3]
That Sakuras actually screaming means she must be in fear and in pretty big danger.
Ive got to go help.
Before I even made the decision, Id already grabbed my sword bag and ran out.
"Sakura! Where are you!"
Having burst off running from the stone room, I arrive at a similarly stone-built dim pa.s.sage. I mustve ran around 50 meters55 yards. And then I came to a fork in the road.
"...This way"
I desperately recalled the scream, and estimated the apparent direction of the voice. Not calming myself in the slightest, I ran straight into the path I chose.
"-Sakura!"
And she was, in fact, there.
Long black hair with a sailor uniform, it was exactly the familiar figure of my little sister. However, her face was pale with a fear Id never seen in her before, white as if all the blood had been drawn out.
"N-nii-san!"[4]
"Are you ok, Sakura!"
Having unthinkingly rushed to Sakuras side, I finally recognize the situation were in.
First, this place is completely different form the stony area from before. Its an expansive domed s.p.a.ce, thick in greenery like a botanical garden. Id think I had actually wound up in a forest if I didnt see the white panels of light on the ceiling above.
And, as if it was the lord of this forest, that was standing there.
"What the h.e.l.l is that... a bear?"
From its outline, theres no doubt its a bear. To boot, standing on two legs, it far surpa.s.ses my height, rising to almost 4 meters13 feet tall.
In the past, jii-san had called it training, and taken me deep into the mountain where we encountered a wild bear... But this guys so big, the one from before seems like a cub.
"Nii-san, this is definitely a monster."
Shes trembling a little, but Sakuras words are very reasonable. Its obvious that this guy is completely different from an Earth bear.
As this bear was adorned in dulled steel, it was wearing armor.
In reality, it should be a sh.e.l.l. The spikes on the surface, and membrane covering the joints, reminded you of crabs or lobster. But looking at its girth and ma.s.sive-ness, its likely not something you could easily snap off with your hands. It wouldnt be strange for that to be like genuine steel armour.
"Ill distract it. And you-"
"No! Running away, leaving nii-san behind, I won’t do it!"
Sakuras arms cling to me extremely tight. As if saying, theyll absolutely never let go.
"Youre so caring, Sakura, but... I cant accept that request."
I absolutely cant. I must protect my sister, protect Sakura.
"You cant win with this kind of monster, even if its you nii-san!"
"Its okay. I probably cant win but, if you can somehow run-"
"Even if I run... if nii-sans not there, theres no meaning..."
Come on, why are you being this stubborn, Sakura. Regardless of this great crisis, Im half amazed, and the other half, pretty happy.
"Dont worry. I dont feel like dying here either. Ill make sure both of us get out of this."
"Really?"
It could become a lie. Im satisfied being able to put my life at risk to protect Sakura, but I have no intention pointlessly dying here.
In the first place, even if she gets away from here, Sakuras safety isnt guaranteed. From now on, we must proceed through this dungeon infested with monsters like that.
"Trust me. Sakura, and everyone else, well definitely make it back home."
With resolve, I take out the bokutou from the sword bag. The shinai along with the bag, I drop, theyll get in the way.
As if sensing my will to fight, the bear, whod been keeping its distance and just watching, sluggishly dropped its forelegs onto the ground, and on that 4 legged posture, raised a sharp roar.
"Now, get away quick, Sakura!"
"... Okay. Sorry, nii-san."
Leaving me that in a practically crying voice, Sakura finally started running. I dont turn back to see her off.
"Kept you waiting, monster."
Garuru! With a growl truly suitable for a beast, the great bear glared at me with its two red eyes. The fights already started.
Its not my first fight with literally no prospects of winning. Neither is it my first fight risking my life.
But, as for a fight with no hope of winning and with my life on the line, thisd be the first.
Scared. But I dont waver. Id learned how to suppress my fear long ago.
Dont like it. But I won’t run away. I know without being taught that I have things to protect.
So, Ill fight. Even if its a monster, Ill fight without fear.
"Fu, haa..."
I further calm myself with a deep breath. Focus the mind.
The weapon in my hands, a simple bokutou. Just the other day, I bought it brand new at the arms shop.
Its clean and st.u.r.dy, but lacks the power to kill. I could kill someone if I hit a them on the head at full power, but this bear covered in a full body armor-sh.e.l.l seems like it wont even take a scratch no matter where I hit.
Honestly, even a real katana likely wont do a thing to this guy. Well... jii-san might be able to cut through iron... but that aside, Im not as strong as jii-san, the bokutou doesnt come into the equation.
So the actions I can take in this situation are naturally limited. In the end, I need to focus on and go for its weak points. In other words, the eyes.
Obviously, when doing kendo, eyes are forbidden. Other martial arts equally ban targeting eyes. So in normal cases, we dont practice thrusting at the eyes, nor are we made to.
But it wasn’t the case for me. Not that I wanted to, but certainly, jii-san did teach me eye-lunges.
I mean really, teaching a small kid such a dangerous forbidden technique, for a guardian, for a teacher, I think theres something wrong but... Ill honestly thank him because it gave me even the slightest chance to get past this crisis.
Gripping the bokutou with both hands, I bring it level with my shoulders. An amateur could tell I was aiming for a thrust, but for an animal, no, monster, it doesnt matter. Theres no need to play mind games with it. Just strike with the smallest distance in the fastest time.
Finally, as the bear sloppily moved its thick legs aiming for the prey known as me- Now!
"Haa!"
The fastest, and also most powerful swing in my whole life till now. It was that much of a satisfactory strike, I could boast with confidence.
As if being sucked in, the bokutou I accelerated at incredible speeds pierced the bear’s eye!
"Goaaaaaaa!"
Just as I hear the piercing roar, I managed to pull away the sword for dear life.
That was close. The moment its eye was struck, the bear reflexively mowed its foreleg at me. If I was distracted being too happy about getting a hit in, that log-like arm with its spikes wouldve blown me away. Furthermore, if I was a moment late in drawing away the sword, the sharp knife-like nails on its paws wouldve torn me to shreds.
"Huff...huf..."
After that series of maneuvers, I was sweating hard, and heard my heart beating like a drum.
"Please, let it just leave now."
When we met that bear in the mountain forest, taking a hit from jii-san on its snout, the bear disheartenedly withdrew. Jii-san always said, wild animals are surprisingly cowardly. They supposedly flee at the slightest smell of danger, so would another worlds monsters too-
"Guoo, GAAAAaa!"
Even with its right eye crushed, the bear glared at me with its other eye as if it was my sworn enemy. Seems like monsters prioritize anger for their foe rather than safety.
"s.h.i.t, that wasn’t enough?"
Crushing both eyes. Its risky, but no other option.
Fortunately, the bokutou didnt break, neither had I let it go. I can certainly attack again.
In front of this raging, savage bear rushing at me, I again take my stance, aiming for the eye.
Getting a hit last time was pretty much half coincidence.
It may sound obvious, but its eyes are small. If I were to target them, Id need incredible control. Im pretty confident in my swordplay, but its not like I can hit bull’s eye 100% of the time.
But right now, I have to act fast. The bears already close. Itll get into my range in another step. I dont have any time, place, or leeway to waver.
"Ha-"
My sword splits the air with great vigor. Similar to, no, I understood that it was with a speed greater than last time.
And then, aiming for that approaching bear, that fierce burning crimson left eye, the blade strikes. True in its aim, for the second time, my blade pierces-
"- Guu!?"
No way, it blocked!?
Just, how... the answer, Id already just seen.
I definitely saw the bokutous tip precisely hit the remaining left eye. But at the critical moment, it closed its eye.
Yes, same as its body, its steel sh.e.l.led eyelids.
Faced with eyelids of steel, the simple bokutou lost all piercing potential, and was tragically deflected.
Then, my body becoming completely immobile from my attack returned by this unexpected defense, I showed a fatal gap.
"GuwaAAAaa!"
Following which, an intense shock ran throughout my whole body.
I suddenly recall, I think it was last year, when I was attacked by some punks from Kuro high on their bikes. At that time, one of them was so mad, he really tried to crush me under his tires.
Back then, just as I was run over, I swerved away enough, and though it looked like I was blown away, there wasnt much damage. I even had the strength to finish off that punk whod fallen over.
"Gu, uu, aaa..."
But at present, I didnt have the leeway of time I had then. The spiky sh.e.l.l practically made its whole body a weapon. Also, if you look at its size, its clearly much heavier than that bike. No way Ill be ok. Its a miracle Im still alive.
With my somewhat disordered head, and blurry vision, I somehow or other, raise my face to look forward.
It seems, I am lying face down. Theres not much pain fortunately. But, I may have been paralyzed.
"G.o.d, d.a.m.n... it, gonna end... like this..."
The inescapable feeling of Death.
I dont have any strength left to fight. Oh yeah, the bokutous also gone off somewhere. Though, even with a sword, I couldnt stand up at all in this state.
Ah, its over. When it blocked its other eye, my chances of victory were completely gone.
I, lost. And naturally, I know the end waiting for those losing to monsters like that. As according to survival of the fittest, Id be devoured.
"...!?"
However, after a glance, the bear turned away from me as if losing interest. No, thats not it, it didnt merely look away.
Thats right, it was staring towards the direction Sakura had run off. That is, it turned towards the stone pathway Id first come from.
"W, ait..."
Sakuras in danger.
If you think about it, the bears thought process is very reasonable. Me whos practically dead, it can leave behind without worry. It could come back after finishing off Sakura, and Id still be here.
"Wait a sec..."
Raising my voice as if squeezing it out, the inside of my mouth fills with the taste of blood.
Though I throw desperate pleas at it, a monster who doesnt understand human words would never stop. Lumbering away with its steel body, the bear continues the hunt with nothing in its way.
Its right eyes been crushed, but the left ones ok. At the very least, it wont have any trouble chasing after and catching Sakura.
Then, no matter how much more experienced in martial arts Sakura is from ordinary girls, unarmed, she naturally wont be able to handle this bear. In the event that shes caught, theres zero possibility of being saved.
"S-Sakura..."
Will I die? I, and then Sakura too. Will I, without having protected Sakura, die?
"I will...protect..."
Thats right, Ill protect Sakura. I must protect her no matter what.
Because Im the brother. Ill protect my sister. Naturally.
Thus, I swore upon that very obvious premise. That Id definitely protect Sakura.
"I....will..."
I remember it. That determination, even after 10 years, hasnt faded a bit. The hot, sweltering emotions in my heart, move my body.[5]
"U, o, o... Oo"
Slowly, I put my right hand, left hand, onto the ground. I feel the texture of the earth on my palms. Alright, nerves arent fried yet.
I can move. Then, I can stand.
"O OOOooh!"
Stand. Pushing my arms, slowly, with both legs. I, stand.
OK, Im up. Now, lets do thi-
"Gu, ha...aa..."
That, was my limit.
Hot lumps rise from the pit of my stomach, and forcefully opening my throat, exits from my mouth. It was deep, red blood.
After which, ignoring every speck of my will, my body stops. As if, the fresh blood I spat out just now, was all the energy left in my body.
Never to take a step again. I sank onto the ground, only watching the bears back getting farther and farther away.
"..."
Can’t even shout. I have no feeling in my limbs. This time really, I cant feel anything.
But, my emotions alone, won’t ever settle down.
Please, move. Move dammit. Just for a minute, no, even 30 seconds will do.
I can still catch it. I can still break its left eye, and Sakura will be saved.
So, come on. Just this last time, let me protect Sakura...
"-Arise."
As I was sinking into the quagmire of despair, I suddenly heard a voice.[6]
"Arise."
No, its not in my head. This voice, this mysterious voice... a woman’s voice with an exquisitely beautiful tone, was calling out to me.
"Arise, oh chosen Son of Light."
What was that? Light? Me?
"Presently, this world is again to be plunged into a sinister darkness."
I dont get it. Light and darkness, and the world, I dont get it at all.
"Cleanse that darkness, and pierce that evil."
Dont care. I just. Want to protect Sakura.
"Mayst thou bring light to this world and become - the Hero."
Just then, certainly, the world filled with light.
"-UoOOOOOoooooo!"
When I noticed, I was already standing.
The feeling is back in my limbs, no, actually, they feel much more powerful than usual. My body was in tip-top condition as if the desperation from just before was just some lie.
"Uohh, Wha- What is this!?"
Somethings glowing. Something, or rather, its my body thats glowing. Apparently, filling the world with light meant I myself would be lit up.
Looking more carefully, it isnt my body thats alit, but something like a white mist, no, an aura was being released like steam, and enveloping my whole body.
"Is this, the power of a Hero..."
That womans voice I heard on the verge of death. It was like a decree from G.o.d herself.
Normally, Id have ignored it as some auditory hallucination, but my body, which had critical injuries, had instantly been healed. Moreover, this brilliant white aura was clearly a manifestation of some supernatural power.
"G.o.d, huh."
Speaking of which, that incantation did say something about borrowing the powers of G.o.d. Perhaps, in this other world, something like G.o.d really does exist, and can save people.
"No, more importantly-"
Right, I cant waste time thinking this and that.
If I can have power, I dont care if its from G.o.d, or some random coincidence. Ill gladly make good use of it.
Yes, with this power I can-
"Protect Sakura!"
The legs I bolted off from were surprisingly light. My body swiftly advanced, or rather, it felt like I was moving as if falling from a cliff. Though I say that, much unlike when falling, I also felt like I had absolute control over every part of my body.
Right now, Ive become unbelievably strong.
I can clearly tell, probably because, I was already able to grasp the level of my strength. You cant tell your limits with just club activities at school, but I, having high risk matches with jii-san every day, had begun to see it.
So I know. Right now Ive reached heights I could never, no, not just me, Ive reached heights mankind cant ever hope to.
"oOOOoo!!"
Moving with an inexhaustible supply of power exuding from my body, I catch up to the bear in no time at all.
Were it by hearing my cry, or by some instinct understanding that some power appeared that could even blow away itself, the bears reaction was quick. It swiftly turned its head, bracing that large body with unbelievable agility.
Before I noticed, itd already stood its 4 meter body on two legs, and gotten into a stance to smash me with its steel arms.
It wouldnt be an attack that I, not even the bokutou at hand, could do anything about. No dodging, no preventing, and I certainly wasnt in a spot to counter it.
But right now, strangely, I didnt feel like losing. Ill win, definitely.
With utmost confidence, I raise up my arms. As if I was holding an actual sword- nay, at this time, there was certainly a sword in my grasp.
"Cross CalibSacred sword of Lightuuuuuuuuuuuuur"[7]
A gushing white flash. From the eye of this storm of blinding light, I could clearly see the scene in front of me.
It was a sword of light. In my hands, was a brilliant sword of white light.
This sword I swung down with great strength, easily cut down the giant steel body.
Just like the hero anime I used to watch as a kid, the divine light was overwhelming and made quick work of the terrible monster.
The steel sh.e.l.l, cut away as if it was just for show, I cut through the insides of its huge body like water. But, there in fact was the resistance of it being cut.
The sword of light Id swung, thus cut the bear monster in two.
"...Go o."
Eyes wide open, the bear leaves that slight death throe and then- that large body disappears.
From hear to tail, it wasnt gushing out blood and entrails, but was being enveloped in pure white light. After that, the light instantly covered up the swaying corpse, and before the body hit the ground, it all burst into particles of light.
"U-uwa!?"
As I was dumbfoundedly staring at this strange body disappearance phenomenon, the light particles suddenly rushed towards me as if being sucked in.
I shout on reflex, and move my arms to drive them away- Ah, seems like, the light swords already gone. While I was thinking such, my useless resistance came to an end.
As of now, the light particles have all neatly disappeared as if absorbed into my body.
"Wh-what was that..."
Anyway, theres no problem with my body. It wasnt even like the light was hot to the touch.
Or rather, now that I take a good look, my bodys unscathed, and the enemy bears also disappeared, the whole thing feels like some bad dream.
Man, that sure was something,- is what Id think if I woke up right now in my own bed, but where I am hasnt changed, its still the forested dome, and the tearing from when the bear tackled me still remains on my uniformgakuran. So theres no mistake that the battle from just now, did happen. I was critically injured, revived thanks to G.o.ds miracle, then used the sword of light to finish off the bear.
Yup, alright. I cant agree with most of it, but I do get that its happened.
Now then, I dont have time to idle here. Now that the threat is gone, I need to find Sakura-
"N-nii-san..."
"Sakura!? Whyre you-!"
As I turn towards that timid voice, right at the mouth of the stone pa.s.sage, was the peeking face of my sister.
"Cant be, you came back to help me?"
"Yes, my Vocation was- Ah, nii-san!"
What a stupid thing to, or so I was about to get angry when, huh, what, my strength, it’s...
"Nii-san! Are you alright!"
"Oh, yeah... Sakura, Im pretty much, ok..."
I feel like I blanked out for a bit. In fact, I have a gap in memory of when exactly Id fallen to the ground, and raised up in Sakuras embrace like right now.
This is pretty serious. My body is a.s.saulted with an exhaustion like when right after training in a scorching hot day. Being pretty much ok was just something like acting tough in the spur of the moment.
Nope, Im gonna pa.s.s out.
"Cmon... dont cry, Sakura..."
Finally, wiping away the large drops of tears from those round eyes, I let go of my consciousness.
Ahh, when I wake up, please let me be back in the real world. Please, G.o.d. I didnt want to be the Hero. So please just get me back to my peaceful, everyday highschooler life-
Name. Souma Yuuto.[8]
Vocation. Hero.
Inherent Skills:
1st: Cross CaliburSacred Sword of Light
2nd: ---
3rd: ---
Learned Skills:
Thrust
Slash
High Walk
Acquired Skills:
Full Boost
Iron Guard
Tri-Slash
I saw a dream where I was forced to memorize some things I dont really understand... I think.