Chapter 9 – In Pursuit of Power Alone

Тhrob. The сhеst where hе’d been stаbbеd еаrliеr аched.

Нe prеssеd his hand tо his сhеst, еnduring thе phаntom рain.

(Tо stаnd оn thе same stаge аs a genius, this much… is nоthing)

Тaking a deeр brеath, Asuto opеnеd his Status Board.

○Namе: Yuki Аsuto (20)

Levеl: 11→12 Aрtitudе: Аssаssin

Rank: F SP: 0→5

Held G: 164→165

○Рhysicаl Аbilitу

Strength: 20 Staminа: 12 Маgic Pоwer: 1

Spirit: 1 Аgility: 25 Percерtion: 11

○Skills

・Bаsiс Daggеr Arts Lv1 (1%→23%)

・Evаsion Lv1 (1%→17%)

・Leaр Lv1 (52% to 60%)

・Меmory Playbаck Lv1 (6%→7%)

・Rеturn Lv1 (0%)

“Yеs!”

Нe mаde a smаll viсtоry pоse.

Тhis wаs thе truе nаture оf thе gаmble Аsutо had been considering.

It was when he had returned to the past the other day.

Separate from the skill activation announcement, another window had popped up.

Distance from Memory Point was too great

Status Information has been Lost

At first he didn’t understand what it meant, but as he organized the information, Asuto realized.

‘If the death return point is close, wouldn’t I be able to carry over the Physical Ability data?’

That prediction had hit the mark.

The Status and Skill values had increased from before entering the Gate.

Most likely, they were equivalent to the values at the time of death.

(This is an incredible ability…)

No matter how much stronger an opponent was, he could challenge them without fear of death, and restart from a strong state.

(To think a skill I thought was meaningless could be this useful…)

The vicious performance sent chills down his spine.

On the other hand, there were also drawbacks.

“What, finally getting serious?”

“…Yeah, I guess.”

Not wanting his inner thoughts to be detected, Asuto erased his expression and passed through the Gate.

If Amy found out about this skill’s effect, she would surely try to rob Asuto of his freedom at any cost.

When Asuto died, he returned to the past.

In other words, he couldn’t return unless he died.

If he were put in a state where he couldn’t strike back at all and couldn’t choose suicide, he’d be checkmated.

To avoid that, he first needed to urgently acquire ‘enough power to instantly activate Return in any situation.’

Asuto tightened his grip on the dagger.

A single Kobold appeared from ahead.

He defeated it the same way as before.

“Instantly killing a Kobold, that’s pretty amazing.”

The same reaction as before.

The malice lurking behind it was now crystal clear to him.

Asuto suppressed the urge to grimace.

Ignoring Amy’s comment, he proceeded forward.

This time, he was able to subjugate the Kobolds more smoothly than before.

His Status had been boosted and his Skill proficiency had increased.

(But this still isn’t nearly enough…)

As he predicted, Asuto was forced to struggle against the Kobold Soldiers.

“Damn!”

He evaded the sword and attacked.

However, he was blocked by another one.

In that opening, he received a devastating counterattack.

Condition: Confirmed death of Skill owner

Skill: Return has activated

Returning to Memory Point B

His footwork had been poor earlier.

Reflecting properly, Asuto applied it to the next attempt.

The battle with the Soldiers proceeded the same way as before, with the opponents maintaining control throughout the combat.

His stamina was depleted and his breathing became labored.

But he began to see differences from before.

(I can see their movements)

His dynamic vision hadn’t suddenly improved.

The first time, being his first encounter, he had been tense.

The second time, he was too fired up and his shoulders were stiff.

But on the third time, the bad tension and nervousness had loosened.

He could view the overall movements objectively, and had some slight mental capacity to think.

By comparing the exact same situation and state, Asuto felt his own growth.

—Interesting.

It was an unfavorable opponent for an F-rank Hunter fighting solo.

However, it wasn’t impossible to defeat.

If he used his head well, moved his hands well, positioned his feet well—if he learned perfectly from combat, victory was within reach.

Because he understood that, Asuto became excited.

Large amounts of adrenaline were secreted in his brain.

His concentration heightened and the world became frame-by-frame.

The Soldier’s sword approaching before his eyes.

He tilted his head slightly to dodge it—and was stabbed in the back by another one.

Condition: Confirmed death of Skill owner

Skill: Return has activated

Returning to Memory Point B

—Interesting!

The more he fought, the more he grew.

Things he couldn’t do before, he was becoming able to do.

He tilted his head slightly to dodge the Soldier’s sword approaching before his eyes.

Immediately he kicked off the ground.

He avoided the stab from behind.

So that he would never stumble again in scenes where he had stumbled once.

Adrenaline was secreted endlessly.

With deep concentration, he dodged every attack.

(Amazing… It’s like this isn’t my own body!)

Until now, Asuto had been completely unable to fight.

His level had only reached 9, and he had never engaged in proper combat.

That same person was now moving so skillfully, continuing to dodge fatal attacks.

That made him happy, and Asuto laughed.

“Hahaha!”

—So this was the scenery strong Hunters saw.

—This was how they fought.

—How wonderful!

To think such interesting things existed in this world!!

It was like the joy that shook his entire body when a blind person first caught sight of cherry blossoms in full bloom with their own eyes, or like someone standing up on their own feet for the first time.

A world seen for the first time.

Scenery for the first time.

Hot breath, violent heartbeat, the weight of weapons, the smell of blood.

The contours of the world emerged clearly, and his understanding increased.

He felt like he could go anywhere.

He felt like he could become stronger without limit.

Further away.

—More!!

Just as he reached out his hand, a Soldier’s sword pierced through Asuto’s chest.

Condition: Confirmed death of Skill owner

Skill: Return has activated

Returning to Memory Point B