Chapter 27: The Dumbest Thing in Life
The battle in the sky was still ongoing.
Two originally completely unequal opponents were, for some reason, now engaged in a relatively even fight.
"Hmph, I really shouldn't be doing this. But as the God of War, I've let myself do it. Don't disappoint me, little priest."
Set's burly body displayed an agility completely disproportionate to its size. His ghost-like movements caused all of Hikigaya's attacks to miss.
In return, every time Hikigaya got hit, a new wound appeared.
"My power is being interfered with in this place. But it doesn't matter. Even if it's just skill, I am still the strongest."
Set deftly blocked one of Hikigaya's chokeholds, then drove his elbow into Hikigaya's chest, sending him flying.
But in the process, his force was so great that the disk beneath them tilted upwards, while Hikigaya, as if immune to pain, immediately launched a falling tree strike in response.
"All this bouncing around should end now. I've seen your skill. Now let's switch to weapons!"
Set laughed, sent Hikigaya flying again, and then two weapons appeared in his hands—a pair of hand axes and a curved blade.
At this point, Hikigaya was practically a man made of blood—not just external wounds, but internal bleeding as well.
He couldn't feel the pain, but he could sense his body was deteriorating.
He picked up the Ame-no-Murakumo sword.
Fighting a god with martial arts really was a joke.
He was just being toyed with.
At that moment, a voice suddenly came from the divine sword.
"Hey, I say—want me to help?"
The sudden voice startled Hikigaya, even in this state.
The sword... could talk?
Damn it, today has had way too many talking non-human things.
"So rude! I'm being nice here. If this keeps up, you're definitely going to get killed, right?"
The divine sword continued speaking:
"Come on, hand over your body to me. I'll fight."
"No thanks," Hikigaya swung the divine sword, "If you really want to help, how about making yourself a bit lighter?"
"You're joking, kid. That girl who came before was practically sent to die, and you? You don't even know swordsmanship, do you?"
"Keep yapping and I'll throw you down!" Hikigaya didn't want to talk anymore.
Even if he died, he probably wouldn't have regrets. But it had to be by his own hand.
Tch, how could he have such a ridiculous thought? Set's stupidity aura must still be at work. His normal self would never have made such a choice—might even be enjoying it.
This wasn't right.
That's what he believed, yet this abnormal body and this incredibly stupid brain couldn't accept such normal thinking anymore.
Hikigaya looked toward the surrounding eyes.
They just stayed there quietly, watching silently.
Osiris, huh...
In that case, let's see—can a mere human die with dignity in front of a god? He wasn't Egyptian and would never prostrate before gods begging for mercy.
Osiris, Horus—he didn't know why they wanted to protect an outsider like him, but since he'd received power, he'd do something that, at least right now, he wouldn't regret.
Maybe dying this way wasn't a bad thing after all. People always had to do something stupid at least once in life.
If that's the case, he'd do the most idiotic thing! Something so dumb, no one could surpass him!
So what if it's a matter of stupidity? Not to brag, but he hadn't even figured out how he got isekai'd yet. Compared to him, Set would lose in stupidity for sure.
"Aiya, it's been so long since I've seen such an idiot like you. So dumb I'm speechless—this is pure suicide. Yep, you're asking for it," the divine sword spoke again, sounding oddly delighted this time. "But it's interesting! That's what matters, kid—GO FOR IT!"
"OHHH!"
Hikigaya roared and charged at Set.
Now, in his eyes and heart, there was only this figure.
"Reckless, far too reckless, little priest," Set watched Hikigaya rush toward him, his gaze showing admiration. "What a pity. If things were different, I would've protected you."
He raised his weapons.
"Brave little priest, allow me, the God of War, to defeat you fairly and personally send you to the Land of Duat. Though you're fragile and foolish, your soul has been acknowledged by the gods. Even that damned mutt won't deny you, right, Osiris?"
The curved blade appeared before Hikigaya, slicing toward his neck.
At the same time, Hikigaya thrust the Ame-no-Murakumo toward Set's chest—but blocking it was the axe.
"Oooh! It's my time to shine! Mere axe? Get lost already!"
The divine sword shouted, and a white light burst from its blade, shattering Set's axe upon impact.
But then it was blocked again—by the curved blade, which had somehow returned.
"Ah, I almost forgot about this little thing."
Set smirked.
"Sorry, kid. The next strike will finish you off. I'll make sure it doesn't hurt."
"AAAHHH—!"
Hikigaya roared, pushing the Ame-no-Murakumo, trying to stab forward.
Damn it, Set's chest was right there!
"It's useless, frail human child. It's impossible for you to defeat a god like me. Face reality. Your bravery has already earned our approval—that's enough."
Set remained unmoved, speaking coldly as Hikigaya, nearly out of strength and losing consciousness, struggled before him.
Then, his eyes widened.
On Hikigaya's chest, the Eye of Horus shattered.
A golden hawk burst out, ramming into Set's arm.
The God of War's arm wavered.
"Horus! How dare you!"
Set roared in fury—this time he was truly enraged! A violent shockwave burst outward from him.
But as it reached Hikigaya, it mysteriously vanished before hitting him.
Next, this power erupted from Ame-no-Murakumo.
Crack!
The God of War's arm was blown apart!
"NOW'S THE TIME, KID! STAB HIM WITH STYLE—WAHAHAHAHA!"
Hikigaya, barely able to hear anything, was guided by this manic laughter. Instinctively, he gave his final roar, putting all his strength into one last stab with the divine sword.
Vaguely, he felt it pierce something—and the next moment, he was hit hard by something, lost his grip on the hilt, and felt his whole body being flung backward, no longer in control.
After that... he remembered nothing more.