Strange Grief Wants to Retire ~ The Weakest Hunter's Hero Dream - Chapter 258 p2

Chapter 258 Demon King ②
Part 2
　When I asked with a gleam of hope, the fox mask guy gave a voice that sounded like it was echoing from the depths of hell.

　I don’t really get it, but apparently, he didn’t have the leeway to talk.

　Uuuun…… If it is the same Relic, this key should be able to turn into an Aburaage if you do something with it――.

　I wanted to take my hand away and try different things, but my hand was stuck to the key and wouldn’t let go. I can’t even stand up because the fox mask guy is pressing me down from above. The whole situation is working against me.

　Come on, I am always so unlucky. While suppressing my urge to cry, I fearfully made a proposal.

“I am really sorry, could you move aside for a moment? I want to try various things……” (Cry)

“!? Wh-at――Kuh!?” (Kitsune’s Boss)

　I have no idea why the fox mask guy looks so much in pain while I am fine. And apparently, he won’t move aside.

　However, even if I am rotten, I am still Level 8, so I cannot do nothing in an emergency situation like this one.

　I have handled many Relics up until now. Among them, of course, there are sword-type Relics. I am unmatched against any of my childhood friends only in the time I spend with my Relics.
　If so, I should be able to control this Key of the Earth well.

　Believe in yourself. Your time spent handling all those Relics will not betray you.

　I closed my eyes and focused on my spirit. I shifted my consciousness to the sword and suppressed its activation based on my experience and knowledge so far.

　――Then, at that moment, I felt something lukewarm on my face.

“!?” (Cry)

　I opened my eyes. The fox mask guy was vomiting blood.
　A fishy smell similar to iron rust fills the air. As expected, even I am used to smelling blood, but――.

　As I was stunned, the fox mask guy spewed out even more blood. My hand was stuck on the sword, so I couldn’t even avoid it.

“!??” (Cry)

“Ah…… Gagu……” (Kitsune’s Boss)

“Eh?” (Cry)

　The fox mask guy slowly moved his left arm, which was not holding the sword, to restrain the key of the earth from the top. That was when I realized.

　The Key of the Earth was shining even brighter. Its light had taken on a reddish hue. The power flowing into the ground also increased compared to before.

　Areh? Areh? N-No, I was planning to stop it――

　I further attempt to control it. The Key of the Earth turned red like it was being heated and the arena shook even more violently.
　People flew, screams and roars shook the world.

　Areh? What if――I can’t control it?

　……………… I see…… This Relic is in another class than all those I used before, huh?

　He still seemed to be conscious, but the fox mask guy was completely hazy.
　Maybe he didn’t even have the leeway to be angry at me, but even so, his hands were still gripping the sword.

　Do you really want that Key of the Earth so badly――Wait a sec? Maybe it is because of that fox mask guy in front of me that I cannot control it?

　This man was trying to use the Key of the Earth earlier.
　It turned into an Aburaage (Which really doesn’t make any sense), but it wouldn’t be strange if he still wants to use it.

　Fortunately, the fox mask guy doesn’t seem to have any leeway either. The fox mask guy wants to activate the sword, and I want to stop its activation. It seems that I would not get any help. So I grit my teeth.

“Then it’s a contest of strength. Let’s get serious.” (Cry)

“!?” (Kitsune’s Boss)

“Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooh!” (Cry)

　I put all my strength into the sword and try to control it. The sword shines like the sun, the arena trembles even more, the ground cracks, and the fox mask guy spits blood.

　It was truly a picture of hell. I closed my eyes tightly because of the excessive flash of light.

　All I had in me was the feeling that I cannot lose no matter what.

　There are already no more Barrier Rings. There is nothing to protect me. Running away is futile. Then, I have no choice but to push forward.

　Many members of 《First Step (Hajimari no Ashiato)》 were also in the arena. If I lose in taking control of a Relic, I would not be able to face Martis-san, who had taught me so much about Relics, and Tino, who came with me in order to purchase Relics.

“S-top――” (Kitsune’s Boss)

“Guh…… What power!” (Cry)

　The power flowing from the sword showed no sign of diminishing in the slightest. On the contrary, even though I thought it was at its limit, it was rising even higher. It was a terrifying power that could not be believed to be emanating from such a tiny sword.

　A Relic manipulation power that surpasses mine, Fox Mask Fan Club――What a fearsome group.
　I thought I was second to none in the time I spent play――Handling Relics, but the world is a big place. There is always someone above you.

　That fox mask guy is vomiting blood again. I think you should better give up quickly and get some treatment. With that amount of blood loss, if it were me, I would probably be dead by now.

　You still want to use the Relic even after being like that! What the hell are you!!

　Then, at that moment, I heard a *pushiri* sharp sound coming from my hand.

“!?” (Cry)

　I opened my eyes. Sounds disappeared for a moment.

　And right in front of my eyes, the 『Key of the Earth』 which I had been holding tightly, shattered into pieces.