Warrior Golgano stood before me, a black scythe gripped in his hand.
Parasitic Scythe: Kyogenmawashi...?
Was it some kind of counterpart to the Parasitic Sword: Puppeteer? If he was an ally of Holy Knight Kanaria, it stood to reason he would wield a similar parasitic weapon.
"This is a bit of a problem," Golgano said. "Losing that ring would be quite inconvenient. It would interfere with our plans."
"And that plan... is it the resurrection of the Demon King?"
"...You know a bit too much. I suppose I should be a little more careful with you."
With those words, Warrior Golgano raised the Parasitic Scythe: Kyogenmawashi.
There was no avoiding it. I would have to fight. My battle with Holy Knight Kanaria had drained much of my Vitality, but I wasn't finished yet. I still had a chance to win.
"Kyogenmawashi. We’re going all out from the start."
"Okaaa—y!"
"Understood, Master."
"Ehh? Going all out right away is boring—."
"Shut up and do as you're told, Kyogenmawashi."
After the warrior and his scythe finished their bizarre back-and-forth, Golgano spoke the command.
"〈Tough Triple Jaws: Azi Dahaka〉."
In an instant, Kyogenmawashi mutated into a three-headed monstrosity. It immediately reminded me of the Puppeteer’s third form, 〈Brutal Predator〉. The grotesque creature before me was its spitting image.
"Ah—?"
By the time I realized what had happened, I was already airborne.
The Parasitic Scythe: Kyogenmawashi had lashed out with a massive tentacle. The strike was so fast I hadn't even perceived the movement. I hit the ground hard, tumbling across the stone floor.
"This guy is weak—."
"So very weak."
"He’s nothing special at all—."
I looked up to see multiple jaws sprouting from the scythe, all of them speaking at once.
"Enough. Don't waste your breath," Golgano barked.
"Okaaa—y."
"We’ll be careful—."
I stared, transfixed by the grotesque spectacle. Was I really supposed to defeat that? Anxiety gnawed at my gut.
No. I couldn't stop here. I forced myself up, gripping my sword and steeling my resolve to face them once more.
"Munch."
A small, casual sound.
By the time I realized it had come from the Parasitic Scythe: Kyogenmawashi, my right arm was already gone—swallowed whole along with my sword.
"Agaaaahhhh!"
I screamed as white-hot agony tore through me. What... what just happened? I stared in dazed horror at the blood geysering from the stump where my arm had been.
"Hey, hey, was it tasty—?"
"Mmm, it was really crunchy. I wonder why? Maybe it’s because we ate the sword, too—?"
"Lucky! I want a bite too—!"
Kyogenmawashi’s three mouths carried on a cheerful conversation.
"Well then, time to eat the rest—."
The scythe-beast loomed over me.
"St-stop... please..."
My will to fight had evaporated. I had lost my weapon and my dominant arm in a single bite. There was no path to victory left. I was going to be butchered.
"Down the hatch!"
Kyogenmawashi unhinged its massive jaws, baring rows of needle-sharp fangs.
"Stop, Kyogenmawashi."
At Golgano's command, the creature froze.
"Why—?"
"We can't eat him—?"
"But I'm hungry—!"
"Listen to me." Golgano's voice was a sharp reprimand.
"Fine, I guess—."
"Stingy—."
The weapon begrudgingly obeyed its master and withdrew.
"Golgano! Why are you letting him live!?" Kanaria screamed.
"Kanaria, think. There is a possibility that this man is a Hero's Apostle."
"Don't be ridiculous! There's no way!"
"Listen to me. To fulfill our Lord's desires, we must account for every variable."
A Hero's Apostle? The term was foreign to me. I listened, dazed, as they argued.
"Hey, kid. Who are you?"
Golgano hoisted me up by the scruff of my neck, bringing my face level with his. I didn't know how to answer. Even if I did, the words wouldn't come.
"I'm... Kiska..." I wheezed out my name. It was all I had.
"Tsk. No intention of giving a straight answer, then?"
He threw me aside like trash. The impact sent a fresh wave of pain through my body; I coughed up a spray of blood, my vision beginning to tunnel.
"If he really is a Hero's Apostle, killing him might cause more trouble than it's worth."
What are you talking about...?
I wanted to ask, but I didn't have the strength to form the words.
"Therefore, I'm going to seal you."
Those were the last words I heard before the world dissolved into darkness.