<purga> shaman 45.003 (last)

The Shaman can't become a Hero
Act 5: Worst Harem Party
Chapter 45: Armor Bear part.1 (3)
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"I'll buy some time! Just get up somehow!"

I had Mei-chan keep Ointment A, along with a variety of meds in her person. Both her arms are in a terrible state, but her combo of Ointment A and <Blessed Body>, she should heal up somewhat.

It's our only hope of making a comeback. A Shaman like me doesn't even have a 1 in a billion chance to beat an Armor Bear. We're already at the face-to-face stage and there was no poison food trap beforehand, so that much is obvious.

Only Mei-chan can beat it. If we can't get her back into it, this won't be a fight, but a simple massacre, no, from the Armor Bear's side, we'd simply be dinner.

So I absolutely need to put myself out there, and buy some time so Mei-chan can come back healed. Strangely, I didn't think of running away.

Maybe I can sense it instinctively that I have no chance to survive if I ran away by myself.

"<Ghrrrr!!>"

"*Hii!?*"

Having that said, it's not like I'm not scared. It's great that I jumped out to block its path from getting to Mei-chan, but one glare from the Armor Bear, my voice breaks, and body trembles. With this class of atrocious monster staring me down, I feel death looming right above me. I'll become scattered meat any time this bastard chooses.

"C-c-co-<come at me, damn bear!!> I'll fuck you up!"

I stand before the Armor Bear as if looking to defend the fallen Mei-chan behind me. Looking at my tiny little knife, and pitiful excuse of a shaky-voiced taunt, the Armor Bear snorted roughly as if saying, "What's with this pipsqueak, fuck off", and continued to glare at me.

But I do have its attention now. Just like the time I encountered those delinquents from Kuro high downtown, at first, me and the Armor Bear are in a stare down. But it wouldn't be strange if those giant paws make my neck fly any time.

"What's wrong, chickening out!? If you're gonna do it though, just don't kill me ok? Pretty please!!"

If it does, then I have <Pain Return> as my last defense. Those claws can cut me up, but if it's not to the degree to kill me, then I can return that damage back. If it's enough to get a gash across that shell, Mei-chan's chances go up all at once.

That's why, the only action I *can* take is akin to a suicide bomber.

See it Momokawa Kotarou, observe every millimeter of its attack. You avoid a fatality here, and the Armor Bear's as good as dead. So look at it, and make sure to—

"<Ah>"

I sounded, by which point, those huge claws were right in my face. They looked heavy enough to sever me into multiple sections. Like a large knife, they'd start from the tip of my shoulder, sending my meat, bones and entrails to an all expenses paid trip to dissection land.

It's total over-the-top overkill.

And though I could tell all that, I didn't more an inch. I couldn't move I could say. Leaving aside curses, it wouldn't make sense for a weak ass highschooler like me to actually dodge from a real monster.

My plans were all naïve.

"—<aAA>!"

Blood sprays. The feeling of something hot grazing my body is the same as back then. Yeah, that feeling of a sharp claw slicing into you, it's more of a heat than pain.

"AA! AAAAAAAA!!"

And the excruciation comes right after— wait, what's up, it looks like I'm kinda alright. My uniform is still on me, and I haven't dropped my insides either.

In contrast, there were dregs of black bone sticking to me.

"Ah, AAAh... <Rem>!!"

And then I finally put it together. Rem had tackled me with all her might, and thanks to that I managed to avoid the Armor Bear's finisher.

I was saved. And in return, Rem became a sacrifice. Her skeletal structure left only from the chest up, everything below was scattered here and there.

Rem wasn't moving anymore. Still clinging to my fallen body, all her functions had ceased.

Sorry, and thanks... you were super useful, Rem.

"<GoaaAAAAAAAAAA!!>"

Looking at the roaring Armor Bear, I could see 4 gashes going across its body. It's thick chest armor shred, the lines ran down till its abdomen. Seems like those the tips of it's claws traced shallowly all along my upper body.

Me and the bear both shed blood from our wounds, and both cried out from the consequent pain.

"Tch, it wasn't enough, damn..."

It's a level of damage where even I can stay conscious. Even if it's shell is a but cut up, the Armor Bear is A-OK.

Looks like it's prided armor being broken, its blood being caused to shed by some smallfry really got on its nerves. It was leering at me like no tomorrow.

It raised its log-like, no, its paw akin to a massive steel pillar. Once that comes down, I'm dead for sure. I'm still lying on the ground here, and in no posture to move away.

Shit, its recovery speed is too much— that's all I could think as I stared tear-blurred at the paw raised over me, not even ready to accept this death.

"—GAA!"

But that death didn't come however long I waited. Before I noticed, its paw had descended without cutting a thing, and as if it was completely oblivious of my existence, the Armor Bear was looking elsewhere. I could tell from down here, those sharp eyes were cautious.

Just once, that huge Armor Bear, actually shivered.

Huh, literally what could be there that made this bastard scared? As I turn around with that question, right there was Mei-chan standing.

Her arms skill dripping in blood, shrouded in a crimson aura, she was there, standing.

"Mei-chan, don't tell me... you used <Reagent X>!?"

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TN: This was long... but I was actually distracted by the new season airing~ Kakegurui is err... love?