Published at 25th of March 2019 11:09 pm

Chapter 123: Sorushi and Toushi

For a moment, I thought I had returned to my former world.

I was captivated by the magnificent kick ups the other team was doing in the centre of the field.

“Oh, Musashi, you’re going to play in this round? Are you trying to redeem yourself?” (Sorushi)

“Sis, I’m going to play to death, alright?” (Jubei)

“We won’t be going easy.” (Ushiwaka)

“We’re going to win!” (Benkei)

Sorushi Ouki. The boss of the Shinsengumi’s first unit, and Musashi’s former boss who was said to be Esamu’s right-hand man.

He looked like a gentle guy with a feminine face. I can’t see any malice in his smile.

“Now then, remote control Velt-kun. I hope you will show me your spirit that shook the chief.” (Sorushi)

I’m guessing this guy is a sportsman by nature, considering he put his hand out for a handshake before the match……

“Disgusting. I’m going to make you speechless, so you better prepare yourself for that.” (Velt)

“Oh, then I will be as careful as I can. Fufu, at any rate, I still cannot believe this happened.” (Sorushi)

“Ahh?” (Velt)

“Although it was a coincidence, since you have come all the way to the Demi-human Continent, I certainly cannot let you leave without understanding the true strength of demi-humans.” (Sorushi)

I need to make sure I don’t get caught up in his pace.

It’s scary how possible it is for me to get dumbfounded by them and regretfully lose.

Besides, from experience, I know that most people with gentle smiles are generally terrifying.

“Stupid brother……” (Farga)

“Farga?” (Velt)

“You protect the goal like you have until now. I saw them play, but all his opponents were at the mercy of his technique, and that trio of noisy girls get the points. You just need to take care of them.” (Farga)

“You say just, but like, isn’t that impossible? I can’t just ignore that Sorushi guy, right?” (Velt)

“…… I’ll be the one to stop him.” (Farga)

Oh? This is interesting.

Farga’s making an unusually serious face.

“Piece of sheet.” (Farga)

“Wao, there’s no need to be so rude, Scarlet Dragon Slayer.” (Sorushi)

A one-to-one fight between Farga and Sorushi, huh. That might actually be quite a rare, good fight for Farga.

Well, it’s a futsal fight though.

“Since Farga’s going to be marking the first unit boss, we need to be on the defence as well.” (Cleran)

“Velt-sama, please leave it to me.” (Eljiela)

“I will definitely, definitely restore my honour this time! And I will do that with my ultimate feint, the Musashi Roulette!” (Musashi)

Well, since she’s made so many predictable mistakes, I can’t expect too much from Musashi.

However, as long as Farga holds the most annoying one in check, I should be able to do something about the three girls.

“I will not falter! I must offer my lord the victory first!” (Musashi)

“Fufu~n, I don’t think that’s a good idea~. Sis, you suck at this.” (Jubei)

“Nya! What was that~! Jubei, how dare you insult me in front of my lord!” (Musashi)

“Guh, no, don’t strangle me~! That’s, a, foul!” (Jubei)

There is one more person I’m curious about, though………

“Jubei, cut it out. Musashi, although you have resigned from the Shinsengumi, as long as you are a warrior, you should not make such uncivil actions.” (?)

The one I’m curious about is the keeper…… their goalkeeper.

He has an indifferent, composed tone, extremely average looks and a black fringe.

He has no characteristics and is just plain.

I wonder what race he is as a demi-human? I can see a small, black tail and ears, but I still can’t tell.

“Vice, vice chief Toushi! It, it is good to see you again.” (Musashi)

“Toushi-sama~, but, sis.” (Jubei)

However, Musashi and that cheeky Jubei are standing at attention with respect to that plain, featureless guy. Why?

“Etiquette is the foundation of a warrior. Even if you are against a rude opponent, retaliating with rudeness is just as foolish. I don’t like it.” (Toushi)

Contrastive to Sorushi who is always grinning, he had the sour, strict face of a monk.

So he’s another celebrity on the same level as Sorushi in this team…… rather, in the Shinsengumi…… rather, in the Demi-human Continent, huh.

“Ufufu~n, team Miburou has been able to win until now because of Sorushi-chan’s beautiful plays and Jubei-chan’s outstanding cooperative plays, but it was also because of their great goalkeeper standing at the back. Sorushi-chan and the others were only able to move so freely because he was there.” (Yubamensch)

“He hasn’t given away any points, just like Velt. Like, it’s rude to even compare him to Velt though. Vice chief Toushi really is amazeballs.” (Althea)

“Mm-hmm. He still hasn’t even shown a glimpse of his power, but it should be a sight to see. After all, I heard that Esamu-chan is going to recommend him to be one of the Four Heavenly Beast Demi-humans once he retires.” (Yubamensch)

I’m curious too.

It just feels like the calm before a storm right now. At the very least, I can tell that he isn’t normal.

He hasn’t done anything frightening yet, but I do want to see what he’s got.

“He looks like a true samurai.” (Velt)

“Lord, vice chief Toushi is a real monster.” (Musashi)

“Hm~m, is that so. Well, everyone I’ve fought against until now have all been monsters though.” (Velt)

“At any rate, I believe the first point will be the most important one, so your load will be quite great……” (Musashi)

You should be worrying about yourself…… is what I was going to say, but she would’ve cried, so I didn’t.

Anyway, we shouldn’t expect to get that many points since Ura fainted.

I have to block them from getting any points, and make an opportunity for someone else to score a point…… like, why am I seriously thinking up a strategy?

“You’re Velt Jeeha, the one the chief was talking about, huh.” (Toushi)

While I was thinking up a strategy, that Toushi guy started talking to me.

“How’s that old geezer doing?” (Velt)

“He’s fine.” (Toushi)

Now that I look at him up close, I can really feel the pressure coming from him. He’s around the same age as Farga, right?

And yet, Musashi went as far as calling him a monster.

I wonder how strong he is……

“Velt Jeeha. I did not participate in the battle at Shiromu as I was maintaining the public order in our continent. So, although it was a coincidence, this is a good opportunity. I will be confirming your power with my own eyes.” (Toushi)

“Don’t expect too much, okay? Delinquents are only trash because they always betray people’s expectations.” (Velt)

However, I don’t plan on losing either.

“Alri~ght, this exciting futsal tournament has reached its final game! Tonkotu Rameen and Miburou are playing against each other in the finals! Will Tonkotu Rameen, the only mixed races team in this tournament, eat up their opponent in the finals too?” (Yubamensch)

“Or will Miburou eat them to death instead?” (Althea)

“Let’s find out! Match, start!” (Yubamensch)

It’s the finals.

I need to focus my mind and aim for the victory.

I cracked my knuckles and lowered my waist as they blew the whistle……

“Go~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~al!” (Yubamensch)

…………… Hah?

“What are you standing blankly for, Velt-kun?” (Sorushi)

A voice came from behind me…… wait, behind? No way! There’s only the goal behind the goalkeeper……

“That’s the first point ♪.” (Sorushi)

I turned around to see Sorushi leaning against the goal with the ball at his feet.

“Wha, hah? Eh?” (Velt)

None of us knew what had just happened.

“Sheet……” (Farga)

“Wha, what…… boss Sorushi’s『Demi-human Agility』…… is much faster than I remember it to be!” (Musashi)

“I could only feel a breeze pass through me……” (Eljiela)

What happened, you ask? Sorushi had dove into the goal at an unperceivable speed…… apparently.

Since I hadn’t activated my magic yet, there was no way I could’ve stopped him.

“““““No freaking waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!””””” (Demi-humans)

Surprised shouts leaked out from the demi-human spectators.

No one understood what had just happened.

No one, except for one person……

“Oh my god, for real, what just happened? He totes just teleported right now!” (Althea)

“Goodness, you still have a lot to go. That was the speed that only people who have mastered the natural power of the demi-human race could go at…… which is called『Asoku (Demi-human Agility)』.” (Yubamensch)

“Asoku? Soz, maman. I don’t get what you’re on about.” (Althea)

Oh dear. Listen carefully, okay? Between humans, demi-humans and demons, demi-humans are said to be exceedingly wilder. But that part of us faded as we demi-humans took in culture and knowledge. As our wildness faded, our original talents and way of using our bodies degenerated. Demi-human agility is only acquirable by people who have mastered the original way of using their bodies. No race can win against the demi-humans in terms of pure physical ability.” (Yubamensch)

Maman said that after seeing through all of it.

However, that frightened us instead.

I mean, like, maman is saying that his speed didn’t come from any mechanisms, setups or magic, it just came from the power of his body.

It’s completely different to my tricks.

“Kuhahahaha, you got us with that one. Was that your way of greeting us?” (Velt)

Although he doesn’t have one of the three big titles in the world, he’s a complete monster too.

Sorushi Ouki. However……

“I can’t just let you keep getting me, can I?” (Velt)

I’ll take it back immediately.

“Velt-sama!” (Eljiela)

“Pass it to me!” (Farga)

We promptly restarted. I dashed away, out of the goal.

The audience made some noise because they didn’t expect the goalkeeper to immediately start running.

However, they’re going to really make noise after this one.

“Oh, Velt-chan, what are you trying to do?” (Yubamensch)

“Hee~, Asakura, you’re actually getting serious about this.” (Althea)

Yeah, I am. I’m only doing these risky things because I’m serious.

“Here I go! Fuwa fuwa random shoot!” (Velt)

It doesn’t matter how far away I am from the opponent’s goal.

I just have to kick the ball, and I can do the rest with levitation at high speed.

Furthermore, I can move it at will, wherever I want to.

“Wha, what’s up with that ball!?” (Demi-human)

“It’s flying into the goal at an incredible speed and shaking really weirdly!” (Demi-human)

Regardless of how their keeper acts, I’m at the advantage since I can move the ball freely.

Besides, this time I made turbulence surround it, so anyone that tries to catch it would be mercilessly torn up!

“Oraa, catch it if you think yo-……” (Velt)

However……

“Hou.” (Toushi)

“!” (Velt)

Just that one word leaked out of Toushi’s mouth as he came forward.

What’s he trying to do?

“Haha, now that’s amazing. You have become remarkably skilled since we met in Shiromu. But you know, this isn’t enough, Velt-kun.” (Sorushi)

The second Sorushi said that in his calm tone, my magic vanished with the violent sound of wind.

“Wha……” (Velt)

No, it didn’t vanish. It was just repelled by a greater power.

My shot was firmly suppressed by two hands.

“He stopped iiiiiiiiit! Incredible! He caught Vel-chan’s cheat shot from the front!” (Yubamensch)

Toushi stopped it without a single change in expression.

“No way…… that’s impossible. My fuwa fuwa shoot was so easily……” (Velt)

“Easily? No, it was certainly not so easy.” (Toushi)

Toushi spoke up as I said『easily』.

“It was faster, stronger and harder to catch than I thought it would be. I was not able to stay uninjured.” (Toushi)

As he said that, Toushi showed the ripped skin and oozing blood on his palms.

However……

“However, this much blood is a small price to pay if I’m able to stop your shot.” (Toushi)

Hearing that made a shiver run down my spine.

“Stupid brother……” (Farga)

“Ahh. I see…… he’s another…… terrifying guy, huh.” (Velt)

This is vice-chief Toushi’s power.

“Ufufu, Toushi-chan is ama~zing, isn’t he. He never underestimates, flatters nor overestimates anyone. He only sees things for what they are.” (Yubamensch)

“Hyu~, that was cool as~. Sorushi and Toushi are the ones that are gonna bear the next generation of the demi-human world, aren’t they? This is totes a game worth seeing.” (Althea)

And since they aren’t negligent, they don’t pass up any opportunities either.

“Sorushi.” (Toushi)

“Okay, Toushi-san.” (Sorushi)

Those were the last words I heard. As soon as Toushi threw the ball, Sorushi was already standing next to our empty goal with the ball.

“Go~~~~~~~~~~~~al, that’s the second point~!” (Yubamensch)

It’s only been a few seconds since the game started, but there’s already a two-point difference.

I was made to understand that it’s going to be an unimaginably tough game.

Share