<purga> shaman 55

The Shaman can't become a Hero
Act 5: Worst Harem Party
Chapter 55: Kenzaki Asuna
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"Hmm, more good facts. That means, if I were to be stronger than you, you'd obey me without question?"

"If you win a one on one duel, I don't care if it's you or Momokawa, I'll pipe up and follow"

"Yup, wonderful. This makes things very easy— A duel, let's do that"

Never did Kenzaki Asuna think she would propose this sort of duel to a woman.[Note 1]
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*Note 1:  Third person narration with a lean towards Asuna
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She had the awareness that she carried sensibilities far too different from normal highschool girls. There was a time she was troubled by the fact, but presently after entering highschool, she had made her resolve.

That is, she wasn't any ordinary woman. She was a swordsman of the Kenzaki Style.

That is why, Futaba Meiko who, being a woman, knew not any fear in combat, is an existance alien to her.

No, let us say that considering their situation and being given their vocations, powers for engagement, she managed to attain the psyche to voluntarily seek battle. Kenzaki Asuna's common sense is something which you couldn't write off as mere individuality in peaceful Japan, but she, a normal girl, also reached a similar state having experienced deadly dungeon life. In fact, Natsukawa Minami, who was simply in their track and field team, had also grown to a level where she could fight equally alongside Asuna.

But having gone so far as to challenge her to a duel, Futaba Meiko was outlandish even compared to them. Is this incongruity a result brought about by her carrying the fearsome vocation of <Berserker>, or could it be a consequence of Momokawa Kotarou's deviant brainwashing?

Asuna didn't care either way. As they have promised to duel, she would face the challenge with her pride on the line.

"— Ready yet, Futaba"

"Yeah"

The pair had come to an open area found very soon after exiting the fairy square. Similar to the place where Kotarou and Meiko fought the Armor Bear, it was a lot with practically nothing of interest. There was a concern of monsters barging in anytime, but both of them wished to withhold from engaging in the middle of the fairy square.

They *have* made a quick surveilllance of the passages around them to ensure a level of safety. The fight wouldn't last very long so it would only be insurance.

"Then, let's go"

Present are only the two, Meiko and Asuna, who would duel. They had declined any referee.

Kotarou, Sakura, Class Rep, they would be hard pressed to call upon any of them to stay neutral. Should they be stopped at a bad time, it would give rise to dissatisfaction. Thereupon, they made sure to be alone so as to have no interference.

They would start at a distance equal to that of a kendo match. Owning the name of <Dualwielder>, Asuna held a wooden sword in each hand. In contrast, Meiko carried one of extra-large size having a flattened bat shape. Both used fairy walnut branches as material and were manufactured by Takanashi Kotori after they forced her awake.

Their duel is not one fulfilled by betting their lives, but one that challenges their credo. This too would prevent any sore losers, as both of them were provided adequate arms.

Although for the sleepy-head Kotori, she wasn't happy at all being made to make wooden swords for god knows why.

Whatever the case, all preparations were set, and at long last, Kenzaki Asuna and Futaba Meiko's duel kicked off.

"I'm good anytime"

"Alright... Ready, set, MATCH!"

Asuna was by no means making light of Meiko. Her battle prowess had reached levels so forceful and barbaric you could compare her to real war generals from the Sengoku period. In many a kendo tournament, and even informal matches, Asuna had faced plenty of rough and tough individuals... but Futaba Meiko, a<Berserker's> pressure is a first.

In fact, as long as she carried her vocation, Meiko was currently stronger than anyone in their original world. Her athletic prowess would easily surpass even the most excelling rangers from the SDF.

This level of monstrous strength utterly unattainable by any ordinary human being... Also applied to Asuna.

*Right now, I'm leagues stronger, stronger than father(otou-sama), and even grandfather(ojii-sama) in his peak, golden age.*

Her skill with the sword needing no mention, even the strength dwelling in her body can overturn any challenge of technique.

Asuna and Meiko both wielded constitutions unknown to man. That being, only their ability would determine the stronger.

Futaba Meiko had precise control of her abilities as Berserker, and could put it to practical use in battle. Her courage and spirit too were electrifying. But Asuna had also come along the same dungeon, tasting more than enough experience from combating monsters. Experience-wise, the difference between them would be negligible.

If so, Asuna was convinced that herself, having learned the sword from a tender age, would have a deciding advantage.

"Hmmh!"

So just as the match started, as Meiko had perhaps attempted to surprise her by throwing her sword, she could handle it with ease.

There was no cause for alarm. The average kendo club-goer would likely get startled, but as a swordsman of the Kenzaki Style, Asuna had experienced matches against members of other schools of teaching, and was used to such surprises. Those called swordsmen would throw a dagger or two, and if they were studied in ninja arts, shurikens and kunai would appear frequently.

She would normally repel them, but thinking of the sheer power behind a sword thrown by a Berserker, Asuna wouldn't divert it like she would a shuriken, and chose to dodge.

As Asuna nimbly side-stepped out of the way, Meiko had already become charging in. They were not particularly distanced in the first place, and considering her mighty legs, the span between them would be closed in an instant.

But precisely judging that speed was well within the abilities and experience possessed by Asuna.

Assessing the sheer momentum to be too much to stop, she spurred another side-step.

"And—"

Meiko passes her by a hair's breadth. On her successful evasion, Asuna faced Meiko's wide open back, and struck down both her swords.

"—I'll end this!"

No holds barred. Asuna had acknowledged Meiko as an opponent she would need to go all out on. She approximated the damage to cause her swift collapse and being unable to stand for a while, but with Souma Sakura's healing magic, she should be fixed up fast.

Feeling her hits land true, Asuna was sure of her victory when,

**<"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!">**

The mad beast bore her fangs.

"Wh—"

As if the total damage dealt to her back equaled a whole zero, Meiko swerved herself around, and pounced at Asuna right after she had brought down her swords.

Seeing the girl move as if her own attack hadn't even struck, and faced with an instantaneous counter-attack, even the ever perceptive Asuna had her work cut out for her.

But with a back-step, she just barely made it. He had escaped being caught by Meiko's arms by a paper-thin margi—

"*Kuh!?*"

And there, Meiko threw the sand she had in her grasp. When did she pick it up? Or did she have some from the start? Whichever it may be, the critically timed smokescreen forced Asuna to dodge yet further relentlessly.

Fully spinning herself around, and preventing the sand from liberating her from her vision was all she could manage.

"Ah—"

Her arm was caught.

"You can't kill me with sticks"

Upon seeing Meiko's smiling face, Asuna made the realization. Duel: A ritual that guarantees preservation of life. Wooden swords: weapons that don't kill. Under these conditions, Meiko's triumph had been set in stone.

Asuna had presumed that the *match* would end upon whoever made the hit. However, Meiko acted under the rule that whoever defeated the other would win the *fight*.

Asuna's moment of assuming victory as her sword landed on target, was precisely what Meiko's aimed for. She didn't think she could otherwise catch Asuna, who had a plethora more experience.

"<HAa!!>"

Right as she hears Meiko's yell, her vision inverses. The next moment, piercing impact ran the length of Asuna's back. She had been thrown down using the same hand that was grabbed. There was an attempt to break her fall using her free hand, but that proved futile versus the sheer momentum with which she was slammed into the ground.

"*Kha, Ha...*"

She felt as of all the air in her lungs gushed out. Within the severe pain all over her body, Asuna simply wanted to gasp at some air,

"Hmph!"

And as she was about to, the tip of Meiko's foot bore into her stomach. As if she was a soccer ball, with no mercy nor hesitation, the kick exploded in Asuna's slender and toned abdomen.

Her body made an acute angle as she was kicked away, Asuna rolled on the ground, groaning from the fierce pain assailing her insides. She was giving it her all, just so the *stuff* that was already at the base of her throat wouldn't come flooding out.

But the merciless hammer that is Meiko's foot, landed there once more.

"*Bu-, ughee—*"

Copious amounts of blood-mixed vomit escapes Asuna's orifice of intake. Her once gallant face was now warped in pain, excreting semi-digested waste. Meiko looked down on that display with cold disdainful eyes as if we had seen a squashed cockroach.

"Tell me Kenzaki-san, does it hurt?"

Her dim, hazy conscience somehow heard Meiko's question crystal clear.

"*Guh, uu...* W-what, do you..."

"I'm asking you if it hurts"

"Th-this much pain... is nothing..."

Her vision goes black. It lasts only a moment, and upon regaining sight, Asuna tastes iron on her tongue, and pain along with stuffiness in her nose.

Her face had been kicked. Blood flowed from both nostrils, further defiling Asuna's beautiful visage.

"How about now?"

"Uu, n-nothing..."

"Not enough it seems"

This time, the face and stomach, both kicked. Asuna was speared in dirt as she rolled, and then fell collapsed. But Meiko wouldn't ask her again. She kept on kicking Asuna as she rolled further along the lot much like a dribbling soccer ball.

"*Hah, Aa*... W-wait, stop... loss, my loss..."

"Why, aren't you slow, Kenzaki-san. Don't you think we already know who lost? What I'm asking you, is if it hurts or it doesn't"

Her foot is slowly raised over Asuna's head. What would happen once she stomps down on the sole of that shoe in her view? She didn't even want to imagine the ensuing pain and humiliation.

"*Hii*... Just, please just stop... hurts, it really hurts..."

The dignified visage of the swordswoman, had wholly degenerated into the face of a girl terrified. And seeing that, as if satisfied, Meiko spoke.

"You're spot-on, Kenzaki-san. When you punch and kick people, it hurts. It's very, very painful and scary. That's why violence is bad"

It was a gentle voice, like a kindergarten teacher teaching rowdy children.

But having done saying that, Meiko's raised leg was mercilessly brought down upon Asuna's face.

"<GAaah!?>"

"Do you see, Kenzaki-san? This, is violence."

Having completely broken Asuna's nose, Meiko continues speaking as the girl writhes in pain.

"But see, humans are creatures than get used to violence. We're really quick to take up violence for ourselves, and in time, we even learn to desire using it"

The reason is simple, it grants humans pleasure on the instinctive level. Control, conquest. The sense of supremacy over others. And at times, using violence to enact justice. Unilateral violence truly grants a plethora of pleasures.

"*Pride of a swordsman? Won't obey the weak?* Don't make me laugh, that's nothing more that nonsense you made up because you're strong enough to use violence"

You have pride *because* you are strong. You can look down on the weak *because* you are strong.

"Saying you're a Kenzaki Style swordsman and stuff, poor you, Kenzaki-san. You've been training since you were small right? So much that you could even compete with Souma-kun despite being a girl"

Kenzaki Asuna is certainly strong. The duel concerning their engagement with Souma Yuuto was a close match. Asuna's sword skills were above and beyond him. But Souma Yuuto, fully utilising his dominance in strength being male, along with his the martial arts(taijutsu) of the Souma Style, he barely managed to score victory.

It was a fierce match where Souma Yuuto wouldn't have won unless he gave it his all.

"There's where you got your little misunderstanding. You used your pride as a just cause to inflict your own violence. You never knew how scary true violence is—"

This time, it wasn't her foot, but Meiko's whole body that descended. A mounting position if described.

Though she had since lost weight, the stout build that possessed the tittle of tallest amongst all of Class 2-7's female students plopped itself all at once on Asuna's stomach, her gasping hard from the intense pressure.

"— So, I'll just have to teach you"

Having a smile so serene you would think she was a holy woman, Meiko took her tightened fist, and bashed it into Asuna's already wretchedly wounded face.

It was violence beyond the irrational.

Kenzaki Asuna, a girl who had continuously and rigorously trained in the sword, for the first time, experienced violence just for the pure sake of it.

"<Aah>!"

"This pain, is Kotarou-kun's pain"

She had supposedly become used to pain.

Bruising and body blows were daily. She had even had fractures from intense training. Once having a wooden sword stabbed in her eye in a match, she even experienced nearly losing half her sight.

But all that would only be considered <dangerous>, not <fear>.

In practice and in bouts, anyone who got injured received swift treatment. That went even for her strict father, when Asuna got injured, he would go blue in the face and come running.

Yes, Kenzaki Asuna was loved. Naturally by her whole family who ran a swordsmanship dojo, and even by the pupils of said dojo. Even the opponents of other schools she fought, would garner respect and awe for the single daughter who would inherit the Kenzaki Style.

There was pain, and there were injuries. But there was never fear.

"*Ah, Ghah...* S-sto..."

"This fear, is Kotarou-kun's fear"

Unending is the storm of violence. The fists kept landing on her without concern.

*You're a girl, so don't injure your face.* Her father had warned as she would charge with no concern for injury, a memory from perhaps when she was 10 years old. The stringent father who would always only teach her the sword was, even as he was, caring for his daughter. As a child she was surprised by such an act, yet slightly happy.

Kenzaki Asuna is a swordsman, and at the same time, she is a woman. As a result, she grew up to have a face strewn in dignity that would make anyone look twice.

But that beautiful face was currently being destroyed by the Berserker's relentless violence.

"Do you see, Kenzaki-san? You did something *this* terrible to Kotarou-kun"

Asuna's vision blurs in crimson.

"Apologize"

The raised fist reflecting in her eyes stained scarlet was dreadful beyond belief.

"Apoligize to Kotarou-kun"

Pain. Pain. She's in so much excruciating pain, but why doesn't it stop?

"Don't do bad things to Kotarou-kun"

*Please stop.*

"Don't hurt Kotarou-kun"

*Please save me.*

"From now on, just be quiet and listen to what Kotarou-kun says"

In her flickering conscience, Asuna realizes that the drizzle of fists had finally stopped.

*Ah, at last. It finally stopped. Now, I won't die.*

"Since you lost Kenzaki-san, you lost the duel after all"

*It's fine, losing or whatever. As long as I'm released from this fear, this pain, anything is fine.*

"Go ahead, say it"

"... I, I am, sorry... It is my loss..."

*I really apologized, I admitted my defeat, so, please stop. Stop, please. Why, just stop, why, HELP, NOO— <Please don't hit me.>*

As her inner voice described, Meiko's upraised fist descended in a final solid punch.

The blunt noise piercing into her head must be the sound of her heard breaking. Her prideful, swordswoman's heart, tempered like a fine katana, was smashed into tiny bits.

Asuna's conscience then finally sank into darkness, wholly despair-bound.

"*Ahaha*, I did it, Kotarou-kun. I won the duel with Kenzaki-san. *Fufu*, I hope you'll be happy~"

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Wew, I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. I got super tired yesterday from lack of sleep I guess... so couldn't post the chapter I kinda said I would. Well anyway. It's coming today, and if you're lucky, the next one too. As for the purgas, one more left to end this arc, then I'll take a break from shaman again.

There's 2 more complete arks left and a bit of another arc. I don't think I can catch up that soon, but it's a continuing effort. I think this <purga> method really suits me somehow (rather than mass posting chapters). I will keep posting arc 5 chaps until they're done, and start posting arc 6 when I feel the time is right (lol).

Anyway, at this point, we've passed the 50% translated mark for this series! (audience applauds). I'm working on 2 series now, which is a first, and I'm finally getting around to making the website a good place to read too. I'd love your input on that sometime. But for now, see ya tonight with the chapter ~gao!

AH. Almost forgot. Author's postscript said something about an edit being done concerning the place they fought, and he'll clarify next chapter or something.