Chapter 287: I Don't Hate It

Chapter 287 - I Don't Hate It

"Eat this, [Great Shining Starlight Shower]!!"

While saying that, Slayer tried to stop my movement by throwing a knife.

I don't think you should throw knives at people lightly, but it's also because of my provocation.

But either way, it's nothing compared to Shinobu's kunai. Well, I guess this guy isn't used to throwing knives in a fight.

"Good naming sense, but your knife-throwing skills need work. You'd be more of a threat if you just chased after me normally, right?"

"Sh, shut up! Then try this!"

Slayer held up his hands and kneaded his magic again.

What kind of weapon is it this time?

"Go, [Ultra Hyper Darkness Meteor Strike]!!"

Then, in Slayer's hand, a huge spiked iron ball chained to the end of the handle appeared.

It was as grandiose as the first great sword for giant creatures.

『Oh, a Morning Star... tis quite a strange sight to see a child swinging that about.』

「Haha, my father's armory had one of those, but I never paid any attention to that when I was a kid...」

『Be that as it may, he is still a child in the end... that naming sense ...』

「Ha, you're saying that!? I mean, he's a kid, but isn't his naming sense cool?」

『..................... enough, tis trifling.』

Both Tre'ainar and I laughed wryly at the fact that he created a pretty maniacal weapon for a kid, but it certainly wouldn't be a joke if it hit.

Slayer swung it around with all his might using centrifugal force, and the sound of the powerful wind rumbled through the deck.

"Hey hey hey, isn't that dangerous? Don't break the ship, okay?"

"I'm saying you're noisy! Ei! Hit! Hit!"

"Geez... like I said, swinging such a heavy thing around is... well, I won't get hit if I watch your timing."

"...... Hmph."

Slayer swung the weapon with such force that everything around him was blown away.

But, because of the size of the huge weapon, it doesn't seem like he can use it while running.

In other words, the length of the chain gives you a good idea of his range, so as long as you keep your distance, you won't get hit... meaning... not knowing that, Slayer swung his weapon around frantically... not really.

"That's what I'm seeing now..."

Slayer's eyes are clearly aiming at something.

『Child...』

「I know. Don't stand in front of his magic... right?」

『Fufu, indeed. After learning the Radar, you gradually gained some leeway. Well, the battle with Koujiro must have been a great experience.』

Tre'ainar was right, I shouldn't underestimate Slayer.

For that reason, I know what he's going to try next, so I'm calm.

Yes, Slayer's magic is ironmaking. Meaning......

"...... Here!"

"Yotto."

"Huh!?"

Suddenly, the number of Morning Star chains that Slayer was swinging increased, and the range was extended.

That's right, he created the weapon himself, so it's possible that he can change its shape.

In other words, he could even increase the distance between the weapons while using them.

"N, no way... th, this is..."

He made me think that if I was out of range, that I wouldn't get hit, so he extended the distance and attacked.

But, because I had read it beforehand, I was able to deal with it calmly.

"That's too bad ♪."

"Tsu, uh... again... just like that... making fun of me again... Haa, haa..."

Slayer must have had a lot of confidence just now.

Unlike before, he didn't immediately jump at me out of anger.

His breath was ragged, and on top of that, he stood still from confusion and shock.

"No, I'm not making fun of you. You're awesome."

"What..."

"That's why I'm seriously focused on trying to figure you out, because I think I shouldn't let my guard down. That's why I was able to avoid that just now. You...... I'm sure you're going to get a lot stronger from now on..."

".................. ah, eh, ah......wh-what, this time suddenly..."

"But so am I. I still won't lose to you now, and I'm still getting stronger."

"...... um, uh... a, are you praising me? Which is it?"

Although he was confused and shocked, Slayer was somewhat flustered by my words, as if he wasn't all that upset by them.

He looked a little embarrassed and I almost laughed.

I couldn't help but think of Slayer that way...

"Aren't we both pretty amazing? That's what I mean. So you should acknowledge me a little."

"Oh..."

I took a step closer and put my hand on his head.

Towards Slayer, a stubborn kid who hates to lose, I should do like I had been doing with Amae and Espie until now.

"Don't treat me like a child..."

"Kuhaha, that's right, my bad my bad. You're a boy after all."

"............"

But, unlike Amae and Espie, Slayer didn't seem to like being patted on the head.

He pouted as if he was sulking a bit and complained, and then... ah... this guy, as I was assessing the situation, he approached...

"...... tah!"

"Oops!"

"Ah..."

He stretched out his arm to catch me, but I sensed his movement in advance, so I easily dodged it.

"Geez~, I can't let my guard down and leave an opening ~"

"Uh, ugh..."

Perhaps Slayer was aware that he was a bit underhanded now, but on top of that, the failed surprise attack made him even more embarrassed.

"Okay, then I'll take it back, if you dodge my move."

"Huh?"

"Come on, get ready."

"Huh!? Your move...? Huh! What are you going to do... Kuh, if you're going to come, come! No matter what comes, I will definitely..."

I declared to Slayer with a smile, hoping to get a little payback for what he had just done.

Hearing that it was my technique, Slayer, who had been sitting there, suddenly looked up and braced himself with a tense expression.

His eyes were wide open, and he was determined to see through whatever I would do.

To such a Slayer, I...

"...... [Great Demon Look Away]"

"......? ......? ...... ah!?"

I looked away in the direction of the day after tomorrow, and Slayer, who had his eyes on me, also looked away.

There was nothing unusual in the direction I was facing, and Slayer tilted his head for a moment, not understanding why, but he quickly turned his face back to the front in a hurry.

But I was already gone.

The moment Slayer's gaze wandered away, I came up behind him and...

"Whump."

"...... ah..."

I patted Slayer's head from behind.

"Again, too bad ♪."

"............"

How about that? Slayer went silent and cast his head down again.

But gradually his shoulders ...... no, his whole body started to tremble ...

"Uuuuuuuu, aaaaaaaaaah, enough! N, no fair! You're an adult, and still, uuuuuuuuuuuu, UUUUUUUUUUGH!!!!

"Kuhahaha, no, no, that was a proper special move just now. Even the Six Supremacy of the Demon King Army would fall for it."

"As if that could happen! There is no way that anyone would fall for such a childish trick... I, I fell... no, I fell for it, but... Uuuuuuuuugh!!

Slayer's initial scruffy, edgy, cocky kid attitude changed and he began to get angry, then dropped to the ground and slapped the floor.

"Kuhahaha, don't get so angry. Didn't I tell you? That was a proper technique..."

"Shut up! I, it's just, the whole time, you... if I wasn't so hungry..."

"Hmm? What, are you hungry after all?"

"...... Oh, n, no... I'm not... that..."

And, finally, excuses.

He really doesn't want to admit defeat, what a stubborn kid.

So, he dug his own grave and awkwardly looked away again...

"See, then... the Calorie Friend, you don't have to give it back, just eat and replenish a little."

"............ th, that's why, my stomach..."

"Oh, or maybe... you don't dare eat it because you can't think of any other excuse when you can't catch me on a full stomach?"

"No, that's not true! I won't lose! Ah, okay, I'll eat it! Eat it! I'll replenish and catch you in no time!"

Oh, it's so easy! At my provocation, Slayer finally peeled off her Calorie Friend's wrapper and ate it.

It was so funny, I laughed.

『Fuhaha, are you not quite the mean one, child?』

「Hmm? Is that so?」

『Indeed, but... you knew the sort of person Slayer is.』

「No comment.」

Yes, I have a general idea of this Slayer.

In conclusion, he's a kid in the end.

He's a genius, he has a promising future, and he's not very honest in many ways.

But, genius or not, being a guy like that... I don't hate it.