Chapter 83: Even in Death, I Will Still Love
Takumi never imagined that the technique he painstakingly conceived—his wild, starlit burst of inspiration called Random Arrow Barrage—would be completely neutralized by Miu, who parried it like a thousand-armed Kannon!
The saying goes "random punches can kill even a master." Random Arrow Barrage was built exactly on that principle: erupting with hundreds of punches in an instant, body as the bow, thick veins as the bowstring, fists as the arrows. In a surprise attack it had a high chance of defeating someone far more skilled. But in the end, he had gravely underestimated the martial arts of this Bronze-rank world!
"Control-the-Air Circle!"
The move that left the deepest impression on Takumi from that fiery hot-blooded anime was now being used against him by Miu. The so-called Control-the-Air Circle creates a personal domain covering everywhere the body can reach. Any enemy entering that zone falls completely under one's control—able to intercept attacks, counter, or evade with perfect responses.
When two fighters are of equal strength, the one proficient in Control-the-Air Circle will absolutely win. When used by someone stronger, it allows one to face many alone. Those wielding weapons usually hold an advantage in this technique—but if an unarmed opponent closes the distance, long weapons become a hindrance and the circle collapses on its own.
Takumi's Random Arrow Barrage was certainly unexpected, yet against Miu—who outclassed him in skill and had activated Control-the-Air Circle—it was utterly countered. After unleashing the full barrage, his stamina plummeted. He panted heavily, looking at Miu—who had already withdrawn her ki aura—and gave a wry smile.
"You really are too strong, Miu. I'm completely out of tricks."
The red glow vanished from Miu's eyes. A delighted expression appeared as she asked,
"Kouichi… you concede?"
Far up on the ridge, all the masters waited for Takumi's answer. Hayato's sharp gaze softened. Kensei Ma let out a sigh. Apachai, who couldn't understand this emotional battle between boy and girl, boredly plucked weeds from the ground. Akisame and Shio—Takumi's direct teachers—both turned to look at the one most deeply involved in this match: the stunning Shigure. The beautiful swordswoman remained expressionless, yet her hand on the scabbard repeatedly clenched and relaxed, betraying her inner turmoil.
"No. I know this might hurt you, but… if I gave up so easily, this love would feel way too cheap."
"You mean you still want to keep going? Do you really hate the idea of being alone with just me that much?"
The red waves flickered once more in Miu's eyes. Her voice trembled—whether from anger or sorrow was unclear. Takumi shook his head.
"How could I? If this were the old me, spending my whole life with a girl as beautiful, gentle, strong, and perfect at housework as you—I'd trade half my lifespan for it without hesitation. But things are different now. I've found my path: 'A hundred flowers bloom in spring's full garden—yet one man enjoys them all in boundless delight!'"
Takumi recited the couplet he had impulsively written, steeling his resolve for the harem route.
Miu took a deep breath.
"Your heart is already broken beyond repair!"
The next instant she lunged forward with a charging fist wrapped in dazzling red ki. It slammed into Takumi's chest. Even his steel-like body couldn't withstand the Flow of Motion ki—ribs cracked audibly. His frame shot skyward like a kite cut loose.
Miu instantly followed. Her fists turned into a raging storm, a blinding chain of combos straight out of a fighting game. Too fast to follow with the eye, she pummeled Takumi mercilessly in midair.
BOOM!
After thirty-seven consecutive hits, Takumi crashed back to earth, smashing into the nearly dry riverbed and sending up a huge spray of water.
Miu's golden hair danced wildly in the air as she landed lightly on the riverbank. A flash of heartache crossed her eyes—but far more was blazing fury.
After a moment, Takumi crawled up from the water. With a great shout he charged again.
BOOM! BOOM! Crackle-crackle! Snap!
All sorts of strange sounds echoed far into the distance. Neither spoke a word. Fist met flesh, leg met bone (all on Takumi's side). Yet Takumi fought with unbelievable stubbornness. Even when victory was clearly impossible, he refused to yield. He rose again and again, charging forward—only to be sent flying once more. He had lost count of how much blood he'd vomited, how many bones were broken. Yet he never once opened his mouth to concede.
The more stubbornly he persisted, the more mercilessly Miu struck. The crimson waves of Flow of Motion ki around her blazed like a torch.
"I really can't watch this anymore. This isn't a match—it's outright bullying."
Shio spoke with rising anger, looking toward Hayato in hope he would intervene. But the invincible superman stayed silent.
Kensei Ma had already turned away, refusing to look.
Apachai couldn't stand it anymore and started to rise—only to feel a hand pressing down on his shoulder. Akisame shook his head, signaling him not to act rashly.
Clang!
A cold, spring-like gleam slid halfway from the sheath.
Shigure stood.
"End this pointless fight. If it continues, the boy will die."
"For the sake of his own beliefs, he remains unshakable. These two appear to be fighting over feelings, yet it's also a clash of ideals. Shigure… are you really going to draw your blade against my own granddaughter for the sake of a disciple?"
The invincible superman spoke calmly. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes.
Clang!
Shigure's sword was forcibly pushed back into the scabbard. For the first time, complex emotions flickered across the normally expressionless three-no-beauty's face. Finally she sighed and sat back down cross-legged.
BAM!
"Why?! Why would someone treat their own shameless womanizing as a firm conviction?! Takumi, please… stop this! If we keep going I really will kill you—I can't control my Flow of Motion ki anymore!"
Every time she sent him flying, every time fresh blood sprayed from his mouth, Miu's heart screamed the same thing: Wounded on your body, pain in my heart. It had become the truest description.
Pfft!
After taking another heavy blow, Takumi sprayed a huge mouthful of blood and dropped to his knees. His skeleton had reached its absolute limit—even his own weight was too much to bear.
The light had vanished from Miu's eyes. Only crimson waves of ki remained. This was the sign of qi deviation.
"This is bad—Miu's Flow of Motion has lost control. She's being dominated by the ki waves."
"Elder, intervene! Otherwise it'll be too late!"
"Apachai may not understand why Miu is hitting Takumi so hard, but even I can see this situation can't continue!"
"Wait a little longer. I think it's almost time."
BOOM!
Miu seemed to ignite from within. To those who could read ki, she had become a roaring bonfire—its presence detectable for dozens of miles around. She had completely lost control. Her golden hair turned blood-red, blazing like burning clouds.
"I'll ask you one last time. Do you concede?"
"Cough… cough… Miu, are you a Super Saiyan or something? You can even transform? Heaven and earth may betray me—but I will never betray my own heart. Rather than deceive you later… it's better to tell you now. It's not just you. There are other women too. I love you—and I'll love them as well. I swear I'll bring happiness to all of you!"
The moment Takumi finished speaking, Miu's hand turned into a blade and stabbed straight through his abdomen.
A gleam flashed in Takumi's eyes as he coughed up another massive gout of blood.
"So… besides blackened kitchen knife (Rena Ryuuguu), blackened vegetable cleaver (Kotonoha Katsura), blackened axe (Yuno Gasai)… there's also blackened hand-blade. Being a beast really is a dangerous profession."
Even after receiving a mortal wound, Takumi still displayed the classic traits of a 'must-troll-even-when-dying' protagonist with one last self-roast. The light slowly faded from his eyes. He reached out and embraced Miu. His breathing gradually stopped. Fresh blood surged wildly, dyeing Miu's clothes a deep crimson.
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