My Gang of Swordsmen

Chapter 530: Chapter 178: Sazanoko’s Shock! The Stronger Aoto [Burst Update 10K]

Whoosh——!

A sharp sound of wind breaking.

Aoto suddenly launched a counterattack, Ghost-Slaying swung from the lower left to the upper right towards the side abdomen of the ”Hanging Corner Eye Warrior.”

The ”Hanging Corner Eye Warrior,” reacting instinctively, inadvertently held his sword horizontally, attempting to block Aoto’s strike.

However, the expected pain and numbness from clashing swords were absent—he didn’t catch Aoto’s sword!

It wasn’t because his defense had failed.

But because Aoto’s upward strike was merely a feint to trick the ”Hanging Corner Eye Warrior!”

The sole purpose was to deceive the ”Hanging Corner Eye Warrior,” making him misjudge his defense.

And the ”Hanging Corner Eye Warrior” successfully took the bait.

In the instant that the ”Hanging Corner Eye Warrior” lowered his sword for defense, Aoto suddenly halted his blade mid-air and altered its direction.

Earlier, Aoto’s sword swung from the lower left side of the ”Hanging Corner Eye Warrior.”

But now, Aoto traced a clockwise arc upward with his sword, changing to a strike descending from the upper left!

Due to Aoto’s incredible speed, the ”Hanging Corner Eye Warrior,” still foolishly defending the wrong direction, was unsurprisingly struck on the neck.

Ghost-Slaying sliced in near the root of the ear, and in one swift motion, cut to a point near the collarbone, finally stopping.

No time to even scream... The ”Hanging Corner Eye Warrior” instinctively touched his wounded neck, then rolled his eyes and, still clutching his neck, slowly slumped to the ground.

The street once filled with cries of agony, the sound of blades slicing through wind, and flesh being cut open... finally returned to its natural tranquility.

Aoto, while adjusting his slightly disrupted breathing from the fierce battle, forcefully vibrated his sword, shaking the dried blood off the blade onto the ground, forming fresh crimson blossoms.

Once his breath had steadied a bit, Aoto turned his head to look behind him, towards the direction of Sazanoko.

Sazanoko’s attire now was exactly how Aoto had seen her when he encountered her on the street a few days ago.

Her face was untouched by makeup, her beautiful hair reaching waist-length tied into a neat and vigorous high ponytail, wearing a women’s kendo uniform in white top, deep blue bottom... Compared to a few days ago, the only difference was the disappearance of the blue-handled blue-sheathed wakizashi originally worn on her left waist, and the absence of the blue-strapped flat sandals on her feet, her delicate feet clad in white socks directly on the ground.

As Aoto’s gaze fell upon her, Sazanoko remained in place.

She stared with a distant gaze at the street reclaimed by tranquility due to the enemy’s total annihilation, watching Aoto once again display astonishing power far beyond her expectations, achieving victory over all the foes in a remarkably short period.

Fighting over ten samurais alone in such unfavorable terrain without any advantage... Unless using her favored glaive with its long reach, she would have found the battle extremely challenging, even in optimal condition.

Yet... the young man who was a mere Swordsmanship novice a few months ago stood unharmed, having obliterated all enemies...

Despite not having displayed such strength during the Aizu Marquis Swordsmanship Competition a month ago...

Sazanoko’s face now showed a complex blend of confusion, shock, along with other intricate emotions... embodying profound expression.

”Miss Sazanoko, aside from your leg, do you have any other injuries?”

Aoto quickly re-sheathed Ghost-Slaying and walked briskly towards Sazanoko.

Through Sazanoko’s awkward stance, Aoto could tell she sustained an injury on her left leg, but he wasn’t aware of other possible injuries.

The sound of Aoto’s voice and his approaching figure prompted Sazanoko to regain her senses, blinking rapidly.

”I’m okay...”

—Victory...

Sazanoko felt as if she were stepping on soft clouds, floating in the air.

At this moment, a peculiar sense of ”unreality” enveloped Sazanoko entirely.

Won...

Aoto, with ferocious vigor, solved the pursuing enemies for her...

Safe... It’s over...

In an instant, the nerve drawn tight since tonight’s escape from the cellar suddenly loosened.

The exhaustion nestled deep within her body, once suppressed by willpower, erupted overwhelmingly.

Only at this moment did Sazanoko realize how profoundly fatigued she was.

Her body swayed slightly... As the fatigue surged, Sazanoko’s legs lost strength, causing her to wobble.

To stabilize herself, Sazanoko instinctively spread her legs slightly.

Then she realized: her left thigh still bore an injury that forbade her foot from touching the ground!

However... because it was an instinctual reaction, her body moved before her mind, making it too late.

In the instant her left foot touched the ground, a piercing pain akin to needles jabbed at her, emanating from her thigh wound, radiating throughout her body, triggering her nerves.

”Ouch...” Sazanoko whimpered in pain as her unbalanced body stumbled sideways uncontrollably.

Luckily... Aoto was right beside Sazanoko!