Infinite Stratos - Volume 7, page 12
(Wha...What...What, is this...?)
Fear, overwhelming fear disrupted all of Kanzashi's thoughts.
"Hii...!?"
The legs that were backing away stopped as they got blocked by the wall.
Kanzashi trembled as she looked at the wall behind her before slowly looking back in front again.
"—"
The pitch black unmanned machine [Golem III] was closing in step by step, seeing the IS on Kanzashi's right hand that was in standby phase.
(Some...one. Somebody, save me...!)
She forcefully closed her eyes, praying hard as if she was trying to grasp for a miracle.
If a hero was here, he would definitely save her.
That perfect hero who would come with the wind and rip the darkness apart would definitely appear.
"—"
But reality couldn't be like dreams and anime.
One step, and another, the [Golem III] closed in on Kanzashi.
"...ri-mu...ra...ku..."
The left arm of the [Golem III] slowly stretched over.
Just when its fingertips were about to touch Kanzashi, Kanzashi screamed out—
"ORIMURA-KKKUUUNNNN!!!"
*BEEPP*—
She thought she saw a crack appear in the wall behind her, and the next moment, it got ripped apart.
"KANZASHIIII!!!!"
"!!Orimura-kun...Orimura-kun, you're here..."
Rushing through the smoke and appearing in front of her was Ichika, undoubtedly a hero.
The hero Kanzashi always wanted.
(Orimura-kun...)
"UOOOOOOHHHHH!!!"
Ichika destroyed the wall and entered the pit, reaching his left hand out at the [Golem III] and letting the particle cannon gather energy to fire.
"Ch!!"
But the [Golem III] also used the left hand to fire high intensity infrared lasers, and the two energies collided in mid-air, causing a huge explosion.
"Kanzashi, activate your IS, quick! Or else you're going to get caught in the explosion!"
"Ye-Yes!"
Kanzashi's body's covered in light, and [Uchigane Nishiki] was deployed.
Simultaneously, Ichika continued to fight with the [Golem III].
"This guy's hits are really heavy."
Although he was swinging his [Yukihira Nigata] in his right hand and [Setsura] modified into a blade in his left hand, the [Golem III] blocked them all with its gigantic left hand.
"Ku...looks like I can't do this alone...Kanzashi!"
"Wha-What?"
"Are you alright?"
"Y-Yeah."
Kanzashi immediately and hurriedly checked her systems. The energy levels were rising in her, and each of the parameters was showing OK.
(I-I...)
--Want to fight together!
The moment she prayed for that, the energy levels rose tremendously in the [Uchigane Nishiki] as if it was responding to Kanzashi's wishes.
"Let's go, [Uchigane Nishiki]!"
*Giii!!*
Ichika's blade was deflected away, and he pulled his distance. Kanzashi flew into the gap like a tagout as she rushed to the [Golem III]. The rapid-fire particle cannons on her back, [Shunrai][7D 8] deployed under her armpits as they were aimed at the incoming enemy.
"I won't miss if it's this close!"
At such a close distance, the particle cannons fired out.
"!?"
But Kanzashi's attack got blocked completely by the changeable shield units of the [Golem III] that were floating around.
"Get back, Kanzashi!"
"Wha-What do we do?"
As Ichika supported her with fire, Kanzashi obeyed and pulled her distance from the [Golem III].
"In such a narrow space, [Uchigane Nishiki] can't use its attribute."
"Bu-But, the protective barrier of the arena was activated."
"Oh yeah. The protective barrier of the arena was sliced apart by [Reiraku Byakuya]. We can go out to fight from that gap."
"I-I understand."
"Then, keep attacking at close range."
Ichika maintained his position so that he could activate [Reiraku Byakuya] as he wielded [Yukihira Nigata] at a low position.
At the same time, Kanzashi summoned her close ranged equipment—the ultra-vibration halberd [Trance][7D 9] and held it tightly with both hands.
"Let's go."
"Y-Yeah!"
[Byakushiki] and [Uchigane Nishiki]— both machines activated the large thrusters on the shoulder wings as Ichika and Kanzashi flew forward.
◆
"HAAAAAAAHHH!!!"
*GLANG!!*
Houki used the swords in both hands as she swung them each, but they got blocked by the [Golem III]'s right arm. The deflection caused its body to slant slightly, but it immediately used [PIC] to support itself and regain position. However, Tatenashi didn't let such an opening slip.
"Got you."
The unique aqua nanomachines caused the water to move at high frequencies, and the water spun around her to form a lance-shaped weapon [Heavy Rain][7D 10] as she aimed at the body of the [Golem III]'s body, concentrating on a single point to thrust in.
But just millimeters from when it was about to be pierced through, that lance got held by the huge left hand.
"Houki-chan! Use the [Fold-Out Armor] on your back! Push me!"
"Go-Got it!"
The water lance's spinning ability got maximized. As a loud rubbing sound could be heard, the [Golem III]'s arm got worn away little by little.
"Ku! How hard is the armor it uses!"
"Tatenashi-san! I'm going!"
"Okay!"
With Houki's [Akatsubaki] pushing hard, Tatenashi and the [Golem III] approached the gate of the arena.
"—"
The three ISes continued to accelerate.
Even though Tatenashi's [Mysterious Lady] and Houki's [Akatsubaki] were alerting them that they were too close to the gate of the arena, both of them completely ignored it.
"Take this!"
Tatenashi increased the force on the lance, activating the other armament on the [Heavy Rain], as a 4-barrel Gatling gun fired.
The [Golem III] was about to use the malleable shield to defend as a single unit, but it was pressed onto the gate of the arena by the front impact.
"Ku!"
The impact that came from the front and the powerful thrust behind pancaked Tatenashi, who grimaced with pain.
"Tatenashi-san!"
"I'm alright! Right now, we need to destroy that unmanned armor!"
"Bu-But...!"
"Okay okay, get to work."
On hearing Tatenashi grunt, Houki was surprised for a while, then increased the output of the [Fold-Out Armor] on her back.
"Gu-uu..."
A huge pressure could be felt from behind.
But even so, Tatenashi didn't stop her attack. The water lance and the Gatling gun mounted on it did damage the [Golem III], as sparks continued to fly.
"Tatenashi-san!"
"Fu-Fufu...not over yet. Onee-san's just getting started."
Tatenashi supported the lance she was wielding with both hands with her left hand only, and reached with her right hand above.
"Take this, the biggest firepower of [Mysterious Lady]...!"
Water gathered around Tatenashi's palm.
All the water on the [Mysterious Lady] was gathered, forming something.
"Th-This is...?"
"By gathering all the aqua nanomachines that were normally defending on the surface of the armor at a single point to attack, I can release a deathblow. It's called—"
—[Lance of Mistilteinn][7D 11]
This armament used every nanomachine's ultra-vibration to destroy. No matter how strong the armor was, it was as feeble as paper before it.
And the nanomachines that enter the enemy's armor could use energy transfer to trigger a large explosion. The total energy would be equivalent to 4 mini gas bombs. It really was the final deathblow.
Perhaps feeling the flow of energy, the [Golem III] hacked its large blade at Tatenashi. However, Tatenashi had no defense or resistance as she was setting up the [Lance of Mistilteinn], and was thus wide open to attacks.
"Ku...AAHHH!!"
Tatetanshi's IS armor got wrecked as the weapon broke through the Absolute Barrier and sliced the skin.
Blood flowed as Tatenashi continued to take the one-sided beatdown. But that smile didn't disappear.
"Houki-chan."
"Ah, yes!"
"Set all of your [Fold-Out Armor] to defense, or else you're going to get caught in this."
"Okay...Ta-Tatenashi-san?"
"Fufu, this onee-san's an immortal."
Tatenashi smiled radiantly at Houki.
Joking around like usual, carefreely, Tatenashi's smile would definitely not disappear.
"Here I go...!"
"No-NOOO! DO YOU WANT TO DIE, TATENASHI-SAANN!!?"
Tatenashi didn't answer. Instead, she just smiled.
--The [Lance of Mistilteinn] was activated.
◆
*DOGAAAAAANNNNKKKKK!!!!*
"Wha-What just happened!?"
Having managed to escape from the 3rd Arena, Kanzashi and I were attracted by the sudden explosion on the gate opposite.
"Is that, Houki and the rest...?"
We opened the IS private communication channel, but nobody responded. It seems like the unmanned machines were giving off interfering electronic signals since just now.
"Orimura-, kun...!"
"Uwah!"
After being tugged by Kanzashi, I spun in the air. The next moment, a high-intensity laser shot over.
"Ku! How stubborn!"
"I'll take him...!"
"Kanzashi!? Don't force yourself!"
"Orimura-kun, check the situation at the gate... on the other side..."
"Go-Got it!"
Kanzashi began fighting with the unmanned machine, and I headed towards the gate that's giving off lots of smoke.
(Houki! Tatenashi-san! You must be safe!)
As I approached the gate, my Hyper Sensors detected an IS.
"Are you alright?"
--But what appeared from the smokescreen was the left arm of an unmanned machine.
"Guah!?"
My left leg got grabbed by an unmanned suit. Though I immediately used my thrusters to try and escape, the unmanned suit grabbed my leg tightly and used an exaggerated strength to slam me hard onto the wall.
"GAAAH!"
Pain went through me—hold on. [Absolute Defense] can't be broken through so easily.
(Don't tell me, this guy!?)
I immediately opened the IS Status Panel.
[Confirming that enemy IS' arm is releasing an unknown energy. Shield deployment got interrupted]—
(Like that!? This IS' an anti-IS?)
No matter what, the IS armor is made of an incomparable metal.
However, it's not hard to...kill the pilot's body.
"Damn, you...!"
I use the thruster on my right leg to forcefully stand up before hacking at it with [Yukihira Nigata].
But my attack got blocked by the right arm's blade.
"!!"
The unmanned machine spun me around and threw me to the inside wall of the arena.
"GYAAAHHH!!!"
That indescribable impact that spread from behind me suffocated me, and the pain went through my entire body. With a moan, I choked out blood.
(No, not good! It'll be over if I lose consciousness! Got to get ready—)
I gritted my teeth so hard I felt like they were going to be crushed. Then I quickly deployed the wing thrusters to get away from the rubble.
"Ahh—"
The infrared laser attacked me from in front of my eyes.
◆
(No, I can't...beat it alone...!)
The halberd slash, the particle cannon shots, Kanzashi used these two things to engage in a fierce battle with the [Golem III]. However, no matter whether it was the technical ability or the response, the enemy machine was always better as it started to gain advantage.
(Ku!)
Due to the strong interference, she still couldn't use the private channel.
Thus, she didn't know how the situation was with Ichika, who had gone to the gate to check.
"—"
The [Golem III] high intensity infrared lasers poured down like rain.
Kanzashi quickly exerted the boosters on her legs to the maximum and evaded the attack.
"—!?"
While backing away from the rubble in front of her, the aquamarine-colored armor that she knew entered her eyesight.
She couldn't be mistaken. It was the [Mysterious Lady] Kanzashi's sister, Sarashiki Tatenashi piloted.
"U...! ...!"
Seized by unrest, Kanzashi switched the Hyper Sensor into super sensitive mode.
(Where...? Where is it...?)
The irritating feeling couldn't be shaken away, and cold sweat broke out inexplicably as her heart pounded like crazy.
"!!"
Tatenashi was there.
Her armor was badly wrecked, and there was almost none of it left.
Tatenashi was lying there motionlessly, perhaps due to the grave injuries.
(N...o... Lie...That's a lie...)
She wanted to scream, but she couldn't let her voice out.
She wanted to shout that name out, but her mouth couldn't move.
--The world around her immediately distorted.
It's disgusting.
It's disgusting.
It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting It's disgusting
Struck by nausea, Kanzashi turned to look at [Golem III].
"—"
The unmanned machine that was unable to speak had a visor, a bodyline that was refined like a girl, a large left arm that didn't match it and a slender right arm that looked refined.
All this.
--IT'S DESPICABLE!
"...I'll...destroy you..."
Kanzashi murmured blankly, but this voice had unrivaled determination—no, killing intent in it.
"UWAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!"
Deploying her wing thrusters, Kanzashi exerted the maximum output and used [Ignition Boost].
Firing one shot after another, Kanzashi raised both hands over her head and hacked the halberd at the [Golem III].
--*GLINGGG!!!*
A sharp metallic sound echoed out, and the halberd that was sliced by the blade spun in the air.
But even so—
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!"
Kanzashi was so agitated that she couldn't calm down.
She quickly readied both particle cannons and shot wildly at close range.
*DONK!* *DONK!* *DONK!*
The [Golem III] continued to back away under the impact of the cannons, and Kanzashi pressed on as she closed in and continued firing.
"Un...forgive-able..."
*Fire*.
*Fire, fire, fire*.
*Fire, fire, fire, fire, fire*.
She continued to fire without letting the malleable shield units interfere.
The sturdy [Golem III] armor finally broke and revealed the core.
(If I break this...!)
--*KACHANK!* Just when Kanzashi saw a ray of success, a mechanical sound brought reality crashing down on Kanzashi cruelly.
She ran out of particle cannon energy.
"Ah-Ahh..."
She prayed as she squeezed the trigger, but the particle cannon couldn't be shot.
*Click* *click*. Only that merciless sound was left for Kanzashi.
"U—!?"
Lifting her head up, the [Golem III] was right in front of her.
Trembling and unable to move, Kanzashi got swept aside horizontally by the blade.
"Au!"
Kanzashi, who was beaten to the ground, remained in that position as she summoned her console.
(A-Anything I can use, weapons...what...what...)
*Gaching* *gaching*. Her teeth let out an unharmonious tune in fear. While unable to calm her trembling body down, she still checked on the machine's situation.
(8 rapid-fire guided missiles [Mountain Storm][7D 12]... But...this...)
Most likely, with such powerful interference, a normal lock-on system couldn't chase it effectively.
No matter how potent the explosives were, they were pointless if they didn't hit.
(But...if Orimura-kun can hold off the enemy...maybe...)
Just when such a thought appeared.
*DONG!* A huge explosion could be heard.
"Huh...?"
Ichika was thrown beside her.
There were lots of scratches all over his armor, and it didn't look like he could hang on for long.
The other [Golem III] that rushed over went beside Ichika and grabbed his head.
"St...op, it..."
Kanzashi tried to shout as tears dripped down her face.
(It's, impossible...As expected, it's impossible...after all...Someone, like me...)
Kanzashi hated herself for being unable to take revenge for Tatenashi and only able to hit the ground weakly.
But she didn't even have the guts to stand up.
It's scary. It's scary. She wouldn't even lift her head up.
(Orimura-kun...I'm sorry...)
I'm sorry for pairing up with you.
I'm sorry for being unable to save you.
I'm sorry for being completely useless.
I'm sorry—that I was even born.
"Uu...uuuu..."
Kanzashi felt really lousy, and now, she just prayed to hurry up and disappear.
And then, thinking about it unknowingly, she finally realized.
--There's no such thing as a hero in this world.
Thinking about this, there was only despair in her future.
"—"
The [Golem III] was closing in slowly.
It raised its blade, and swung it down.
This movement looked really slow for some reason, and Kanzashi just looked at it, forgetting to even close her eyes.
(Ahh...)
I'll most likely die now.
Thinking that, everything else became meaningless.
A meaningless life, a boring time.
Everything and anything would vanish in the next few seconds.
"..."
