Powerful magic with killing intent was released by Tanaka.
Munechika manipulated the magic to make a path, and guided it up. This was one way he came up with to deal with magic, since he could not use it.
“That’s crazy!”
“Which one?”
Tanaka yelled, but he was the one who used crazy powerful magic.
Tanaka challenged him to attack him this time, and released a projectile slash and magic.
The phantom tamahagane was changed into a longsword which cut everything down, and blocked Tanaka after he went around him. They were locked sword to sword.
…Nice eyes.
The eyes of a fighter.
Someone who had fun fighting and longed for the line between life and death.
Even if he did not realize it, those who looked at him did. Not only that, but he liked the dungeon. He was prepared to jump into near certain death, but would he die, become a demon, or…
◇ ◇ ◇
Tanaka kicked, and Munechika made a mistake in that moment because he was thinking of something else.
He turned his longsword into twin swords and slashed the foot that was kicking.
“Damn.”
He whispered as a strong wind pushed Tanaka far back.
Munechika was pushed by the wind without resisting, and looked away when Tanaka glared.
Tanaka quickly regenerated his foot, and continued staring.
“…You know, it was like an accident.”
“…And you’re fixing it, right?”
“Can’t do it. That kind of item is useless once broken. It’s special fibers put together by magic formulas, and the fibers themselves can’t be replicated.”
“…So something similar?”
“Don’t have it, give it up. Everything with form breaks eventually.”
“Screw you! I’m just supposed to accept you breaking an over ten million yen item!?”
“It can’t be helped! You attacked me in a way that I couldn’t dodge!”
“Yes, liar~! I know~. You could’ve jumped back! You got careless for a moment! I know! Tell the truth old fart!”
“Who’s an old fart! Damn brat!”
“Oh? Are you mad ’cause it’s true?”
“That face is pissing me off. I’m thinking I want to hit one for the first time in a while. But what’s done is done. I know, if you can make me give up, I’ll buy those boots.”
“You’re getting cocky, old fart. Watch, I’ll make you regret that.”
“Bring it damn brat. Don’t worry, I’ll hold back.”
The fight lasted five more hours.
Munechika used the rife magic gun he had no intention of using, and used his trump card to slash away Tanaka’s four limbs, but he immediately used Healing Magic to regenerate.
Tanaka learned Munechika’s moves, and slowly but surely was starting to keep up with him, making Munechika feel fear in parts. Still, the big difference in power meant he could not reach him.
It ended when Tanaka ran out of magic energy.
It was an anticlimax, but Munechika was satisfied.
He tasted the trailing feeling after a battle he had not felt in a long time, and longed for the cigarettes he quit. He had not smoked in almost forty years, but still remembered the taste.
And perhaps because of that, he felt something was missing in his mouth, and started thinking about pointless things.
“I’ll give you a reward for trying hard.”
“That’s not gonna make me happy.”
“Don’t say that, I’ll buy your broken boots.”
“Seriously! Amazing old man. Old maizing.”
“Stop that. It feels like you’re making fun of me and pisses me off.”
“Really? I think it works.”
“I’m not buying anything.”
“I’m kidding. Sorry. I won’t say it again.”
Tanaka was on the ground, most likely unable to move due to running out of magic energy, and his expression kept changing.
It went from mad to a smile to confusion, and lastly to a smile again.
Munechika exhaled, picked up the boots from what were Tanaka’s feet, and looked at him again.
The Healing Magic Munechika knew could not regenerate people on the spot. It was magic that healed gradually. Even the best Healing Magic users needed minutes to regenerate.
Still, he was calm.
Tanaka showed Munechika something in battle. He really was a chosen one, and he could only hope he did not travel the same path as the tomboy.
◇ ◇ ◇
“And then you bought the broken item?”
“Mu, can it be written off as an expense?”
The divine bird boots on the counter lost their abilities and were basically trash.
Douyama smiled as he responded.
“No, but don’t worry, I’ll report it to your wife.”
“That’s what worries me the most.”
Munechika thought of his wife, and regretted buying them as he thought he would be made to not drink with his dinner for a month.
The divine bird boots could be repaired, but as he said before, dungeon items made with special items could not be replicated.
Even if he got the same materials, it would take a long time to repair. He would have to study its composition, and reverse engineer it from the start. It was basically the same as making something new.
“I guess I have to sell it to a researcher or weird hobbyist.”
Was the conclusion Munechika reached, and Douyama looked like he remembered something.
“I know someone who said he wanted dungeon items. Can I tell him?”
“Are you sure? They’re broken.”
“He’s researching something, and he said anything will do.”
“That’s perfect then. But will he buy them? They’re pretty expensive…”
“I’ll have to talk to him.”
Douyama then went to the back and started sending a message on his smartphone.
Munechika drank his now a bit colder tea, and sank on his chair.
He felt like he could fall asleep right there, and closed his eyes a little.
Classical music was playing in the store, and he laughed at himself thinking that he’d gotten classy.
Due to the fight, his senses were sharper than usual. He could feel presences outside the store, and in the whole mall.
This used to be normal for him, so he knew how much he had deteriorated. Aging was scary.
He felt what seemed to be a seeker coming to the store, and opened his eyes.
He drank the rest of his tea, and looked at the entrance to greet a customer.
“Welcome.”
ーーー
Tomonari Munechika (64)
Level: 53
Skills: Physical Strengthening, Spear Techniques, Sword Techniques, Alchemy, Appraisal, Martial Arts, Sword Dance
Equipment: Phantom tamahagane
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