I Became the Strongest With The Failure Frame【Abnormal State Skill】As I Devastated Everything-Chapter 360 - The Choice of the Unchanging Fake

<Author’s Notes>

My apologies, I had a hard time updating back on Wednesday……

Additionally, this chapter may not have been well-written.

Also, thank you very much for your kind words and concern for my health in the comments and Activity Report.

I will continue to monitor the situation, and when the heat eases off, I will try a number of things, including inquiring about the cause of my problem.

<Yasu Tomohiro POV>

△

After parting ways with Rinji and the others in the abandoned village, I began moving south.

After traveling for about an hour, I took a break and unfolded my map.

Should I move westward from here to arrive on the main road?

I have a map, but I’m not familiar with the geography of this area.

However, that wasn’t a decision I could make back then.

Hearing about the information they told me, I only felt uneasy.

The destination of Rinji’s group was Jonato.

That northern path they had mentioned……

If they could get through there, they would be able to reach Jonato.

Did they…… turn back just like those merchants?

Or perhaps, had they continued north?

The Golden eyes on that road might have moved towards them.

No……

Those people are strong.

That’s why, couldn’t it be that they were doing well?

I don’t even know how useful I could even be as a combat force.

Besides……

Going back there now, what should I do?

We’ve already said our goodbyes in the neatest way possible———–

(……No.)

I kept my gaze straight.

Rather than worrying about matters like that……

What came to my mind were the faces of those who had sent me off.

Rinji……

Yuri……

Her mother……

(Are they heading towards the forest that way……?)

As I got closer, I saw that the trails really were heading into the forest.

[………………….]

The sun was setting.

It might be dangerous to stay in here at night.

There was no guarantee I could catch up with them.

Moreover——— Why is it——— that somehow……

The 6th Cavalry.

Being in this place just reminds me of the forest where I had been “cornered” by the 6th Cavalry, and I couldn’t help trembling.

However————- This is something I want to make sure of.

I don’t care if I don’t meet up with them.

I just want to make sure they are safe.

All so that I could calm this uneasiness I was feeling……

I cautiously had my horse advance into the forest path.

As I rode my horse underneath the thin orange light———–

(A…… voice……)

Is that the voice of a monster?

No……

(Someone…… seemed to be fighting?)

Having the horse increase its speed, I headed in that direction.

Thereupon, I found Rinji and his group fighting.

The ones that had attacked them were Golden-eyed monsters.

However, I don’t see the carriages anywhere nearby.

Looking at the situation……

Did they decide to take on the Golden-eyed monsters here and let the carriages go ahead?

I’m not sure.

In any case———- Rinji and his group appear to be outnumbered.

Without any hesitation, I immediately dismounted from my horse.

With my unique skill, I’m afraid I might startle it.

A few Golden-eyed monsters seemed to have noticed my arrival.

Somewhat later, Rinji also noticed me.

[What’s the matter, Sonny!? Why are you here———–]

(However———–)

[I’m here to assist……]

[I- I appreciate the sentiment but———— Assisting me, Sonny, don’t you only have one short sword on you…… Kuh! Oi, if anyone can get to him, lend him a spare sword————-]

[ < Laevateinn > ]

▽

Ninety percent of the Golden-eyes were burned away by my black flames.

Now, together with everyone, we have obliterated the Golden-eyes lying around us.

My black flame is convenient.

It can be adjusted at my will so that it doesn’t spread to the trees.

Therefore, there’s no danger of the fire spreading to those who aren’t the target of my fire———- namely Rinji and his group.

As for Rinji’s group, only two of them were uninjured.

It seems like their lives weren’t in danger though.

Especially in a group vs group situation, having a large group on one’s side is immense.

That’s also the reason why we hardly have any injuries on our side.

However———– I’m not confident in dealing with a group all by myself.

[Even if the carriages are still safe, with Sonny around, we can catch up with them with peace of mind…… I don’t know what kind of power that was earlier——— but I’m sure you can take care of them.]

Grabbing both of my shoulders, Rinji bowed his head.

[This whole situation might be the result of me making the wrong judgment…… Please…… I beg of you.]

Rinji……

He seemed to be lowering his head in self-blame, burdened by a sense of guilt.

Looking at him like that, I have this strange feeling within me.

They had gone above and beyond what I had requested of them.

Even though I had received so much from them……

However……

“That’s why, return the favor.”

They hadn’t told me anything of that sort.

And at that moment, a thought came into my mind.

I’m glad I came back.

I’m glad the worst didn’t happen.

That’s why……

[I understand.]

I had my horse running again.

▽

And now—————- The present.

He wouldn’t have felt intimidated.

He would have dealt with this situation in a more stylish way than me.

Yes.

Just as I confessed to that person in the castle in the Faraway Country……

I wanted to be a person like that.

If I could be like him……

Even this power I have is not something I gained through my own efforts.

It’s just a power I borrowed.

A power I can’t be proud of.

I don’t even know if this fire will work on that giant monkey.

I feel uneasy.

My legs cower.

I feel afraid.

Terrified.

The mercenaries being used as toys by the monkeys……

The way I was tortured by the 6th Cavalry……

I could feel the monkeys and the 6th Cavalry———- overlapping in my mind.

The shivers ran up from my legs up to my face……

………………….

People can’t change.

Perhaps, there exists someone who can encourage me otherwise.

Telling me that people can indeed change.

And perhaps, there is someone out there who can really change.

However……

At least———— I don’t think I can change.

I can only stay as I am.

I’m scared of scary things.

I can’t suddenly turn into some virtuous saint.

I can’t change……. but———–

I can still choose what I will do.

Cowardly and vile as I am.

Even though I can’t change……

Even though I can only be just me———–

It was just as I told Belzegia on the bed at that time.

“Even if it’s just a little bit———– I want to like myself. After I learned to like myself, I want to apologize to everyone properly. And then———— I want to lend my strength to someone.”

“I want to lend my strength to someone.”

What is a Hero to me———– What is a Hero to Yasu Tomohiro?

It’s someone who can muster up the courage to help others.

It doesn’t matter if it’s just bravado.

If it can take away this fear, even just a little bit……

That’s why……

Just for this moment……

Even if it’s just for this moment———–

I will become a Hero.

[Buaaaaaaaarrrrrrrhhhhhhhhh—————-!]

The giant monkey displeasedly shouted and stomped its feet as hard as it could.

Perhaps……

Having jumped high, it had intended to climb over the wall of flames.

However……

[Giiyeeeeeehhhhhh————–!?]

From under its legs, the giant monkey burst into flames.

[ ! ? ]

The other Golden-eyed monkeys looked up at the giant monkey in surprise, wondering what had happened.

I had previously released streaks of fire from the tips of my hands on the ground.

Letting the flames go underground, I moved them to the feet of the giant monkey.

The opponent may be stronger than oneself.

However, you can’t back down.

I think I was the same way when I snapped back at Sogou Ayaka and Kirihara Takuto.

Insignificant pride often ends up hindering the important things.

However————

I can’t afford to back down here either.

It would have been better if they ran away after that giant monkey, who seemed like the boss monkey, was defeated.

The flames basically move by my will.

They don’t automatically attack the monkeys.

If they simultaneously jump at us and attack from all directions……

Would I be able to handle them?

However……

I have to do this.

If they’re gonna come at us———— I have to fight them.

I adjust my breathing.

Kneeling on the ground……

I feel a mixture of cold sweat and grease on my face.

With the towering giant monkey ablaze behind it, the black-furred monkey looked straight ahead———– its eyes filled with a blazing killing intent.

My eyes met with it.

[Haahhh———– Haahhhh…… Sfuuu,sfuuuu……]

The short intervals between my breaths lengthen.

Appease it.

The people of the Drunken Sword Party.

Back when I was Alion, going through training and whatnot……

Looking back now from my current perspective, they seemed like good people.

Well———— Rinji and the others probably have their own reasons.

They didn’t pursue my matters too deeply.

Let’s not go into their matters too deeply myself.

[It’s just, when the people in the two said they would follow me……. that really solidified my determination. The pressure on me is immense……]

[That shows how well-liked and trusted Rinji-san is. Besides, look, even the people who came along treat everyone like family, don’t they?]

[Yeah……]

Rinji’s wry smile switching away……

[Well, we’ve come this far for the time being. We have no choice but to go to Jonato now, right!?]

[Besides, we’ve got Hero from Another World-sama with us here!]

The two of them said with embarrassed chuckles.

Speaking of which……

That theater-like way of speaking……

Surprisingly, it seems that everyone who heard it liked it.

Or perhaps, was it because of the circumstances?

Either way, they didn’t make fun of me.

Rather———– They even praised me for it.

I used to want such praise more than anything.

In the past, I might have only felt proud.

But now……

<Author’s Notes>

The next chapter is scheduled for September 15th (Friday), around 9:00 pm.

We will also return to Touka’s POV, including the timeline (Incidentally, in terms of timeline, this chapter takes place a little before the end of the previous volume.)