Soni stands up and turns to Hibigami.

'Oh you mean you want to play with me?　If you've got your sword out, that means you want to play, right?

　The room in Soni's voice comes back.

'I was surprised that you came out of nowhere, and I was mad at you for interrupting the settlement but if you want to play, you're welcome to. And Zeke and that sub-human weren't enough.

　Soni's attention is focused on the intruder.
　She seemed to have already lost interest in Zeke.
　Sieg tried to reach for his sword with his right arm, which was still intact.

If you're trying to help, I'd call that tactless. It's not my place now," he said. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to get out of it.

　Hibigami's words were released to Zeke with a glance.
　I'm not going to be able to get out of it.
　You can't help but be quiet if that man tells you it's not your place to go," he said.

　And then I see Hyrgis lying behind a barrel placed under the wall of the building.
　I didn't know what happened to Hirgis after he was thrown down, partly because he immediately turned himself around after provoking Soni.
　He may have hit his head against the wall, or he seems to have fainted.

　

　Zeke was a little worried.

　--He's not dead, is he?

　But it didn't seem to be possible to run up to them now to make sure they were safe.
　Between Hyrgis and Zeke, Soni and Hibigami are in between.
　A silent, heavy pressure released from the two confronting monsters.
　It is suffocatingly telling them that they will not tolerate this situation and any action that breaks the air.

　And then, as Hibigami scratched his stubbled chin with the tip of his index finger, he looked up at the Great Clock Tower, which had lost its upper portion.

'When I saw the Great Clock Tower collapse, I was curious to see if I was right... but apparently I was right.

　Hibigami slides his gaze only to Soni.

'Quickly, one.'

　Sonny took a step forward.

'There are only three kinds of people to me, you know.

　What does it mean to have only three things, Zeke wondered.

'Family, exceptions, and toys.'

　Soni approaches Hibigami with a squirt, squirt, squirt.

'The family is my brothers, the exception is the little ones and the rest are toys. In other words--

　Hibigami was within range of the attack.
　Looking down at Hibigami, Soni looks down at Soni.
　Wordlessly looking up at Soni, Hibigami.

'You're a toy.'
'You see people as toys. Kaka ... depending on how you look at it, I don't see why not.
That's what the toys are for, to be played with by me.

　I can feel Soni's joy in her hands, even if it's from her back.
　She's happy to find a new toy.

'So, you're going to entertain me, aren't you?　I'll play it off and kill you.

　Soni raises her arms to the sky.

'Play and kill, huh?'

　Hibigami chuckles.

Good. Good. Let's have some fun with it, Four Evils. But--

　With a scowl twisting the corners of his mouth, Hibigami thrust the cut end of his red-hook sword at the tip of Soni's nose.

'Seriously, play along, okay?'

　Soni's shoulders go up and down a few times.
　She seems to be smiling.

'That's nice, Kimi. I like it. I'll tell you my name. My name's Soni Angren.
It's Hibigami.
"Oh that was your name that Zeke was referring to just now. I was wondering what you said all of a sudden. I see, it's called Hibigami.

　Soni forms a fist with her arms pointed to the sky.

'Brother Zemeckis told me. He said it's the most fun to despair of the honorable ones, the ones who are on top of their game, the ones who think they're the smartest... the ones who think they can win. Somehow, I think I get it now. I want to see what you look like when you lose - I want to see what you look like when you lose.

　Teeth peek out of the corners of Hibigami's mouth as he grins.

'Me too.'
What?
I'd like to see that for once. I'd like to see the look on your face when you lose.
What's that?
Kaka, don't worry about it. It's just--

　That's where the first move was made.

It's a foolish thing to do.

　It was Hibigami.
　With a step, Hibigami stepped forward, pulling his sword back.
　Instantly.

　A barrage of Soni's fists struck him.

　Soni's barrage of blows rained down like a storm.
　And Hibigami was unable to avoid the attacks.

　Zeke was once again amazed at Soni's sensitivity in battle.
　He matched his initial step really well and crushed Hibigami's first attack perfectly.
　The very moment your consciousness is about to shift to attack is the moment when your awareness of evasion fades the most.
　Nevertheless, this is only possible if you have all the reflexes, dynamic vision, and instantaneous power to match your opponent's attack.
　After all, he is the Four Deadly Disasters.
　He has an outstanding talent for fighting.
　Moreover, he is an order of magnitude faster than when he was using a sword.
　In addition, the anomalous trajectory of his long arms.
　The speed and trajectory that even that hibigami could not avoid.
　But...

"--Hey!　Oh, you.........!

　For some reason, Soni was more disconcerted by the attack, holding the back of his right hand.
　Soni looks panicked and moves away from Hibigami.

　--what?

　Zeke raised an eyebrow.
　Cackling, Hibigami laughed briefly.

'....Excellent.

　Soni's arm dropped.
　And the back of his hand met Zeke's eyes.
　Oh, Zeke cried out.
　The back of Soni's right hand was swollen and bright red.
　No way, Zeke thought.
　At that time, the sword held in Hibigami's right hand was drawn backwards.
　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to find a way to get a job.

　-- A monster, huh?

　Even pushing her into a situation that Soni was unfamiliar with, sword against sword, she was on the defensive herself.

　--The dimensions of strength were too, too different.

　A cold sweat fell down Zeke's cheeks.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that you can't get away with it," he said, "There's still some childishness in your words and actions, but in the extreme, character and virtue are things that can be hazy in the face of overwhelming power. The thing to admire is its perfection as a fighting machine. It was probably cultivated naturally in the course of the struggle, but you have honed it to such an extent that you have done well.

　Hibigami holds up his left hand.

"Look, my hand is still numb," he says. You can be proud of yourself. You can be proud that you are the Four Deadly Wounds.
"Shut up about your toys...

　Soni approaches Hibigami again.

'Just be played with!

　Hibigami, moved.
　Then Soni again matches the attack to Hibigami's initial move.
　At first glance, she may seem angry and unreasonable, but in battle, she makes her best moves as if she were breathing.
　This is the Four Deadly Disasters.
　But Hibigami dodged Soni's wild blows without danger.
　Soni throws a few kicks into the mix but they don't land.
　A flash of lightning from Hibigami.
　The light pink blade slashes through Soni's arm as she quickly takes a defensive stance.
　The fabric of Soni's clothing is ripped open, exposing the cut.
　The

"...Huh?　What, it's this sharp?

　Soni, who inspected the wound on her arm, looks disappointed.


Hmm, it should be as sharp as a high quality Shosei sword, but.......I see, first of all, that skin itself is ridiculously hard, isn't it?

　As he finished, Hibigami swung his sword continuously and at high speed.
　One after another, the fabric of Soni's clothing was torn and lacerations appeared here and there.

''Huh?''

　Soni, who seemed to have regained her composure there, chuckled.

"It doesn't hurt much, does it?

　Although there was some bleeding here and there from the cut, it hadn't reduced Soni's ability to fight.
　As much as I just did, ridiculously hard skin, Hibigami described it as.

　-- even with the sword Hibigami possesses, he can only inflict wounds like that?

　But Hibigami, on the other hand, does not seem to be cowed.
　He was still observing the sword in hand.

''As expected, it looks like we can't get past the 'demon eater' at this point.
Hey, buddy.
Hmm?
"...why?
What?
Because it's not working.　Your attack didn't work on me, did it?

　Crack, Hibigami sneered.

''Could it be?''

　Hibigami smiles with a smile of composure and strokes his beard.

'What ... really, what is it?　You can't win with your blows.　You can't beat me, can you?

　Soni's voice was tinged with confusion.
　In contrast, Hibigami's face fell slightly without losing his smirk.

''It's a shame,''
...What did you say?
It's a shame, really.

　And - Hibigami threw the sword in his hand into the sky, into the sky.
　The sword spins around and soars high into the sky.

"You threw away your sword...?　Are you ... are you taking me for a fool?　Is that right?　You're making fun of me, aren't you?

　Soni's hands are shaking.
　It's not frightened.
　It's not frightened, it's anger, judging from the tone of her voice.

"Making fun of me as a toy is boring. You're even more boring than Zeke!　I don't know what it is, but it makes me so, so angry!　So--

　An overflowing killing intent filled Soni's voice.

''Rip them to pieces!　You're being torn to pieces!　No more!　I'm going to break it!

　Soni rushes at him like an arrow.
　She charges at Hibigami.

　--fast.

　So fast that even Zeke's eyes can just barely catch it.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good idea of what you're doing.
　And then Soni's arm, closing in on Hibigami--

What...?

　Soni was slammed, from her back to the ground.
　The cobblestones shattered and flew up, and cracks ran around them.

''Gu........eh?　What?　What, but...?

　--What was that technique?

　Like Soni, who didn't seem to understand what had happened, Zeke didn't understand what had happened either.
　A movement he hadn't seen before.
　First, Hibigami grabbed Soni's wrist as it extended.
　Up to that point, Zeke had caught it well, too.
　That's where the problem began.
　The next moment after Hibigami grabbed his wrist, Soni's body spun as it was, and then, as Hibigami moved his arm several times quickly, he realized that somehow Soni had been slammed to the ground.
　The series of curious movements took place in the space of just one breath.
　Meanwhile, Soni, who had been slammed to the ground, didn't seem to be able to get up right away - and

Wha...

　Soni vomiting blood.
　A certain amount of pain has been inflicted on her.

"Earlier, I said I didn't mind my personality being hazy, but that's just 'talking about a master'.

　Snap.
　Hibigami grabbed the hilt of the sword as it spun and fell from the sky.
　Then he replaced the sword in his reverse hand and, without hesitation, stabbed it into Soni's side.

''Geez!　Gah!　What the hell?　That sharpness!　Is that a different sword from the one you just used?!
It looks like the blood is finally getting through to you.
Does the blood fit in?
This demon sword is an unusual sword. The more blood it consumes, the sharper it becomes.....

　Hibigami stomped on Soni's right arm as she tried to move for a counterattack.

''Geez!''
"Mad with human blood, a sword like a viper's blade.


　Hibigami grizzled with his sword and gouged out Soni's side.

''Do you know what you are missing, Four Evil Plagues?
'Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!'
What you lack in yourself you lack in yourself.

　In a low, dossy voice, Hibigami said.

'Imagination,'
'What's with the imagination.........　Ouch!　Ouch!　No!　I'm dead!　I'm going to die!　The idea of me dying is so boring!
That's the one. Four major disasters.
What the...　Gah!

　Once to Hyrgis and Zeke, Hibigami flicks a glance at them in turn.
　Then he looks down at Soni again and opens his mouth.

You can easily understand them by looking at their appearance and their faces. They were prepared to die - that is to say, they were fighting while imagining they were going to die.

　Thumbs up.

"That man over there, the first time he challenged me to a fight, he was ready to lay down his life for me. And therefore, he deserved to live. A man who is able to risk his life is, in other words, one who is able to see his limits. Beyond that lies possibility.
Oh, you... what the hell are you talking about...
Are you aware of the Four Deadly Sins?　I only want to win the game that I can win. That is, you don't want your toys to have accidents that hurt you. That's the root of all evil. Lack of imagination always puts people in a cage. And if you can't risk your life, you will never get to the wall that leads to possibility.

　Hibigami drew his sword from Soni's stomach.

'In short, the growth--that's where it ends.

　And then, without mercy, he cut off Soni's left arm, cut it off.

'Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
A game that is sure to be won is very boring, Four Evils. I believe that life is only fun when you win against a nemesis that has the power to defeat you.

　As Soni screams as the sword is again inserted into her side and Soni screams, Hibigami continues as if she is talking to herself.

I'm not sure if that's true. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for when you lose. It's just, well...

　Hibigami looked in the direction of the school.

''I'm still hoping that this hope will come true in the near future, surprisingly enough.
You did this to me, you did this to me, you did this to me!　You'll be killed!
Hmm?
My brothers are going to kill you!
Oh, yeah?　Are the other four evils still stronger than you?
'Yes!　My brothers are much stronger than you are!
The way you say it, you never dreamed you'd be able to beat those brothers forever. Kaka ... that's not good enough, Soni Angren.
What?　I mean, get away from it!　Get off me!　This game is over!　None!

　Soni flapped her legs to escape.
　Hibigami thrust the tip of his sword into Soni's neck.
　Soni's movements stop.

You have to be prepared to risk your life and the will to surpass your brothers. Hmm--

　Hibigami let go of the sword's cutting edge from Soni's neck.

'So much for this, Four Wrongs.'
What?
I admire your power, but I'm a bore.
I'm boring, right?
He's a natural, but as a warrior and a toy he's a third-rate player.
I'll play with the toy...

　Soni's voice was tinged with humiliation.
　Hibigami turned on his heel, as if he had lost interest.

'Shall we hope for the other four evil plagues? Besides, most of all, this royal capital--'

　Hibigami swung his sword several times with hollow, blinding speed and then quietly sheathed it.

"There is an interesting man who is not afraid to risk his life and is really trying to beat me, and I'm no more than a small fish compared to him. Mainly in terms of mentality.

　Wobbling.
　Soni stood up.
　Zeke was horrified.
　The air was different.
　The air was so different from Soni before.
　I don't know what the difference is.
　But something is definitely different.

　A dead line, Zeke thought.
　If we are to follow the earlier conversation with Hibigami - Soni may have touched her own death line for the first time.
　And finally, he had an awakening.
　Even though he was gouged out in his armpit and lost his left arm - no, he may have reached his awakening because he was gouged out in his armpit and lost his left hand.
　A certain childishness has disappeared from his expression.
　From the calmness Soni wears, there is even an eerie feeling that drifts through the air that makes my stomach shrink.

''I'm going to ... kill you.''

　His voice is chilling, laced with a dark, murderous intent.

"I am going to kill you--

　Soni attacked from behind Hibigami.
　It's not just that Hibigami, who folds his arms, doesn't stop walking, he doesn't even turn around to look behind him.
　Dangerous - that's when Zeke was about to shout.
　It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

"Finally, you're awake. But--'

　Soni levels the sword and aims at the neck of Hibigami.
　The hand that is sharpened like a blade, a hand that is used to cut off the head.
　It is a sword without a trace of "play", just for killing.
　And then--.

　Fresh blood gushed out from Soni's entire body with great vigor.

　Like a flower blooming, Soni's blood spurted up to the surroundings.
　Soni peels her eyes.

''Eh...?　Wha.........?

　As if a thread had been broken, Soni fell forward.
　Soni had reached out his right hand to Hibigami for the last time.......but his right hand never grabbed the 'enemy'.
　As he watched the scene, Sieg recalled a legendary anecdote from a certain eastern country.

　The skin injured by the blade of the sword wielder, who is called a master, who has mastered his or her path even more, is so fast that the speed at which he or she slashes is so fast that there is a difference between the time it takes to cut and the time it takes for the wound to open.

　Was that exactly what he had just seen?
　Zeke swallowed his spit.

　-- Can Kurohiko win, against a man like that?

　He is overwhelmingly strong, not even the Four Deadly Disasters can keep him at bay.

'Too late,'

　As the rain of blood poured down on his body, Hibigami opened his mouth.
　And the expression on Hibigami's face, which had a crack-like streak of blood running down his face, transformed into an expression that reminded me of a demon in eastern folklore.


''--It's too late.''


　Then, as he took a breath, Hibigami sniffed, huffing and puffing, and his expression returned to normal.
　Then, with a kokki, Hibigami snapped his neck bone.

I'd like to see the rest of the four bad luck charms but that's about as far as I'll go. I'm not sure what to expect from you. You know?

　The cloudy eyes of Hibigami, sneering through his teeth, turned in the direction of the school.

''It's Sagara Kurohiko.''