While he stood in front of Climb, he and Succulent stared each other down. Seeing him like this, could Climb see the same brilliance that Brain had seen from his back?
If his past self saw this situation, he would have laughed until tears came from his eyes, saying that he got weaker.
He had thought that a warrior grew weaker if he had to shoulder something. He used to think that the only thing a warrior needed was sharpness.
However— now he understood.
“So this kind of life existed as well… I see now. Gazef… it seems that I’m still no match for you.”
“Didn’t you hear me? Mind if I ask again? Your name is?”
“Sorry about that. I don’t think there would be any meaning in telling you but I’ll answer… it’s Brain Unglaus.”
Succulent’s eyes opened wide.
“What! You?!”
“Oh my! The real thing?! He’s not a fake?!”
“No, there’s no doubt, Cocco Doll-san. An expensive weapon reveals a warrior’s worth. For the Brain Unglaus that I know of, a katana would be a fitting weapon.”
Brain smiled bitterly.
“Most of the people that I meet for the first time today seem to know about me… if this was the past then I would’ve been happy but I’m not really sure how I feel about it now.”
Succulent’s smile suddenly turned friendly. Brain was puzzled but his confusion was immediately lifted.
“Listen, Unglaus! What do you say we stop fighting? Someone like you is more than qualified to become our comrade. How about you join us? If it’s you, I can tell just by looking that you’re strong enough to become a member of Six Arms. You’re the same as us. Aren’t you seeking power? That’s what your eyes tell me.”
“…You’re not wrong.”
“Then Eight Fingers will be pretty good for you. It’s the greatest organization for those with strength! You can get magic items with powerful abilities. Look at this orichalcum chain shirt! This mithril sword! Ring! Clothes! Boots! They’re all magic items! Now, Brain Unglaus, become our comrade. Like me, you’ll be a member of Six Arms.”
“…How boring. That’s all your gang amounts to?”
His unbelievably cold attitude filled with contempt froze Succulent’s face solid.
“What?”
“Didn’t you hear me? I said that your gang with only that much power is nothing special.”
“Y-You bastard! … H-Hmph. Then that must mean you’re not so strong yourself!”
“You’re quite right. After seeing a truly strong monster, someone like me is nothing.”
Brain took pity on the frog in a small pond who believed that he was strong and gave him an honest, friendly warning.
“The strength that you speak of is the same. We’re probably speaking about similar things so let me give you a warning. Even if we claim that we’re strong, we’re nothing special.”
Brain looked over his shoulder and confirmed that Climb had finished drinking his potion.
“And there’s something that I’ve come to understand. Strength that is for the sake of others is greater than strength that is only for your own sake.”
Brain smiled. It was a friendly, light hearted smile.
“The difference might be tiny. But I still came to realize it.”
“I don’t understand a word you’re saying. …It’s a pity, Unglaus. It’s a pity that I have to kill that genius swordsman who was Stronoff’s equal.”
“You? Do you think that you who only wield your sword for yourself could kill me?”
“Of course I can kill you, quite easily, in fact. I’ll kill you, and then I’ll kill that brat lying down over there. There’s no more reason for me to hold back and I won’t play around either. I’ll come with everything I have.”
While keeping Succulent who started to prepare his magic in his line of sight, he sensed the presence of the one behind him begin to move and sent out a warning.
“Stay still, Climb. You’re not fully recovered yet, right?”
Twitch. The movement stopped.
Brain wore a smile and spoke, despite feeling the same surprise that he felt a moment ago at this side of himself.
“Let me take care of the rest.”
“—I leave it to you.”
Rather than reply, Brain laughed and sheathed his katana as he lowered his stance. At the same time, he flipped the katana, sheath and all, so that its top and bottom side were switched.
“Be careful. Succulent uses illusions. Just because you can see it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s real.”
“Oh, so that’s it… That seems like an annoying opponent but… it won’t be a problem.”
Brain silently watched Succulent without moving. He must have finished casting his spells, for the number of his afterimages had increased to five. Not only that, he was wearing a mantle that looked as if it was made of shadows. He could not even begin to guess as to what sort of spells he cast on it.
“Thanks for giving me time to prepare. A magic caster with enough time becomes stronger than even a warrior. You defeat is certain, Unglaus!”
“Right, don’t worry about it. It’s the same for me. After talking with my friend here... I don’t think I could ever lose.”
Crunch. He heard the sound of Climb, who had been lying prone on the floor, moving.
He was regretting the fact that because of him, they had allowed the enemy to cast buffs. That was why Brain made his announcement so that Climb could clearly hear it.
“—One hit.”
“What?!”
“I said that I’ll end this in one hit, Succulent.”
“Try it if you can!”
Succulent ran towards him with his afterimages.
As he entered the range of his katana, Brain turned his body so that his calm and defenseless back was exposed to the charging Succulent. And— his god speed slash flew towards empty space, right next to Climb.
Smack.