Jujutsushi 274.2

Chapter 274: Zagan

TL : Cnine

ED/PF :

R1: [1-3], R2[4-6]

Part 4

「Huh? No way… He really is gone!?」

「What do you mean by gone?」

　I had assumed, as a matter of course, that everyone was present, but when I checked my classmates again, Shimokawa was truly nowhere to be seen.

「He can’t be oversleeping in this kind of situation, can he?」

「No, his sleeping bag is already gone.」

「Yeah, I thought he woke up before me.」

　Ah—come to think of it, the two who just woke up were talking about something like that.

　If Shimokawa wasn’t still asleep in his room, then where on earth had he gone?

　He couldn’t possibly have stepped outside alone for a stroll and gotten ambushed by those gomas—

「Souma-kun, the Gogma is coming!」

「Damn it, can’t be helped. Everyone, follow the plan I explained earlier. Himeno-san, take care of Futaba-san!」

「G-Got it! Follow me, Futaba-chan.」

「Okay, Futaba-chan.」

　Despite breaking into a cold sweat, Himeno-san took Futaba-san by the hand and led her up the back stairs to the 2nd floor.

　Even after witnessing our fight, Futaba-san maintained her usual calm expression and quietly walked along as Himeno-san guided her.

　Shortly after, Takanashi-san followed them up to the safe 2nd floor.

「Hey, where’s Shimokawa gone?」

「Dunno… But he should be okay.」

　Shimokawa was nowhere to be found, and Ueda and Nakai looked anxious, but unfortunately, searching for him now was impossible.

　First, we had to deal with the enemy before us.

「No doubt about it, they’re from that goma kingdom. More reinforcements could show up, so don’t let your guard down even after we take down the Gogma.」

　As much for everyone else as for myself, I said that while fixing my gaze on the approaching Gogma.

===

「————THIS IS, THE END!」

「Eat this, you massive freak!」

　With an axe and spear striking at full force, the second Gogma took a fatal blow and collapsed with a tremendous thud.

　The finishing strike was delivered by 『Warrior』 Nakai-san and 『Knight』 Nonomiya-san.

　I had taken down the first Gogma and left the second to the other vanguard.

　By this point, they could handle a single Gogma easily.

　My division tactic worked perfectly, drawing in two Gogma.

　Though more Govus joined the fight than expected, it was still a manageable number with everyone present.

　Amidst the chaotic flow of battle in the hall, constantly shifting positions, we succeeded in defeating every Gogma and Govu.

「Well, that should be the enemy’s main force.」

「Souma, should we push forward at this point?」

「We probably could, but to be safe, let’s make use of the terrain and fight them as they come to us.」

「Hmm, that’s a solid plan.」

「All that’s left are the Goma, and they’ve got the numbers. If we can defeat them safely, that’s the way to go.」

　Though Asuna seemed frustrated at not having taken down a Gogma herself, giving the impression she still wasn’t satisfied with the battle, she agreed to my cautious approach without complaint.

　The raiding force, having already lost most of its Gogma and Govu, was hardly a threat—

　But the possibility of reinforcements couldn’t be ignored.

　For now, we needed to either annihilate them or force them to retreat.

「Everyone, can you keep up the pace? If anyone’s hurt, now’s the time to get treatment.」

「Nobody in their right mind would get taken down by enemies of this level now.」

「Let’s finish this quickly; I’m starving.」

　Yoshizaki-san and Ueda-san responded cheerfully.

　Looking around, everyone was splattered with blood but not actually injured.

　They all still seemed full of energy.

　Man, they were truly dependable allies.

「Class Rep, open the entrance and lure the enemies in again.」

「Roger that.」

「Sakura, we’ll be counting on you.」

「Leave it to me, big brother.」

　The ice and light defensive magic sealing the entrance was lifted.

　As usual, the Goma’s raucous cries echoed from outside.

　Yes, keep coming straight in.

　Gripping my sword, I waited for the next group to charge…

　But although I heard voices, no one entered.

　Maybe they’d realised they were being divided and were reluctant to rush in.

　Still, judging by Goma intelligence, I figured they’d fall for it another two or three times.

　If they truly understood the disadvantage and held back, we’d need to take the initiative.

　I was just starting to consider changing tactics when—

　A Govu suddenly stepped through the entrance.

「Fooosh…」

　He entered alone.

　No roar, no reckless charge—

　Just slow, deep breaths, moving deliberately as if strolling into his own home, utterly at ease.

「What the hell… is this guy?」

　At first glance, he looked like an ordinary Govu.

　He wasn’t heavily armoured, his outfit light and almost half-naked.

　But the numerous glittering accessories adorning his neck, ears, and limbs suggested high status.

　Looking closer, the cloth wrapped around his waist was a vivid crimson.

　Among Goma, who typically wore filthy rags, it was clearly a high-quality fabric.

　Just who was this Govu?

　Could he be the leader of this raiding force?

　Even so, why come alone?

　He wouldn’t be here to negotiate, surely.

「Come on now, what does a single Govu think it can achieve?」

「Is this bloke trying to mock us? That flashy getup is seriously irritating.」

　Perhaps carried away by the momentum of defeating the Gogma, Nakai and Nonomiya-san stepped forward, putting themselves ahead of me as if to strike the Govu before I could.

「Hold on, both of you, that Govu i—————」

　I was halfway through warning them—sensing something was terribly wrong—when the Govu shouted:

「GIRA GOGMA! ZAGAN!」

　He slapped his right hand against his chest with a thud and shouted that.

「GIRA GOGMA! ZAGAN!」

　The same cry echoed again, each shout accompanied by a powerful thump to his chest—almost as if signalling something.

　Was this guy… introducing himself?

　Something like, “I’m Gira Gogma, 『Zagan』.”

「GIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!」

　Then, with an especially thunderous scream, an overwhelming surge of magical power erupted from the govu—no, from Zagan.

　A blazing red magic circle pattern appeared across his entire body, from head to toe, like glowing tattoos.

　And in the very next moment———his body broke apart.

　Or rather, it expanded so violently that it looked like it burst open.

　He transformed into a Gogma—no, even larger than that.

　He grew to more than twice his original height—around five metres. A towering giant, yet still retaining the heavily muscled, robust build of a govu.

「GURUOO, NGAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!」

　The giant then drew his sword.

　It was the sword he had originally carried at his waist. As he grew, his clothing and accessories expanded with him, and the sword too had become a massive greatsword.

　That massive sword—far larger than even Ryuuichi’s—was swung with astonishing speed, almost like a lightning draw.

　I barely managed to anticipate the razor-sharp, super-heavy slash and stepped back just in time to escape the range. A close call. I had already sensed something was off about this Govu, and the moment he revealed himself as Zagan, expanding into that monstrous form, I knew instantly: he was far beyond a Gogma. A true boss-level goma.

　That’s why they didn’t make it in time.

　Nonomiya-san and Nakai, who had stepped far ahead of me, couldn’t react fast enough.

「... Ah?」

　Nakai let out a stunned, empty mutter. By the time he realised the opponent had swung, the blade had already passed.

　There was no time to defend. No time to dodge. It was a direct hit.

　With a grim, dragging slice, Nakai’s body was cleanly bisected—his torso and legs split apart in a perfect vertical cut.

「AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!」

　Meanwhile, Nonomiya toppled backward, screaming in despair.

　Her knight skill, 『Insight』, must have allowed her to perceive Zagan’s lightning-fast draw.

　She raised her spear to block and, like me, tried to leap back. But she had been standing far too close—far closer than me.

　She couldn’t escape that overwhelming blade—both her arms were severed, and deep gashes tore across her chest.

「Eh? Oi, you must be kidding me right... Nakai...」

「J-JURYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!」

　Ueda voiced a stunned whisper, and Yoshizaki screamed. Watching their friends fall in an instant—there was no way they could stay composed.

「Everyone, fall back! I’ll stop him! Sakura, healing magic—now!」

　I had made an irreversible mistake.

　But there was no time to dwell on regret. Right now, I had to confront the monstrous threat in front of us.

　I couldn’t allow any more casualties.

「RETREAT! RETREAT AT ONCE!」

「Guburu, zen, baruzendobaaa」

　Having felled two of us with a single strike, Zagan stepped forward with a satisfied air, sword resting casually in hand.

　As long as we stayed in this hall, we were within his reach. We couldn’t fight him—not like this. Anyone who tried would be killed instantly.

　So I had to stop him. I had to protect everyone.

「I'm 『Hero』, Souma Yuuto! Zagan, come! I’ll be your opponent!」

「Hee, hee, gufufu, gabura, zan, zooaburada! Baguda, hee!」

　Whether he understood my words or not, Zagan definitely turned toward me. That's right—come. Come at me. I’m your opponent.

「HERE I COME————『CROSS CALIBUR』!」