Mushoku No Sonzai 無色の存在 (Colorless Existence)

As the dust settles, I draw my sword and focus on Kotome.

"Heh. Not bad. You're able to summon your armament that easily?"

She's still standing. If I focus, I can attack her while her guard is down.

Grasp

What!?

Her hand suddenly touches my shoulder.

"But, Stilus Exsolvo? Is that really it?"

I jump away in panic.
She continues smiling at me. That demon inside...Did it make her change this much?

"Listen well, Susumu. I'll spare your life if you surrender yourself as a fragment to Jin-sama."

"Screw you..."

"You still don't understand? You don't stand a chance against me. Not at your current level either."

I grasp my sword tightly.

"I won't give up...I'll definitely save Kotome.."

"Foolish. You only recently learned to summon your armament, and that Reiki is already high. However, it's hopeless. You can't even go past Stilus Exsolvo, let alone control your own Reiki. You are too weak to face even me."

Electric currents form in her armament. A dagger?

"I'll ask once again, Susumu."

Swish
Her dagger grows stronger with electricity.

"Do you wish to have your life spared?"

Without thinking, I raise my sword.

"I won't give up so easily."

"Ahahahaha!"

I focus, her body unmoving. I prepare to charge in.

"What a foolish human."

Slash!

Blood pours to the ground. My left arm in pain. What happened...?

She never moved. I didn't move my sights away for even a second. What happened...?

"Damn..."

Huh? Where did she go!?

Slash!

"Gahhh!"

I suddenly feel blood splattering from my mouth.

"Ahahaha! Suffer! Suffer from your own foolishness!"

She stands still once more, pointing the dagger towards me.

"Do you understand it now? This difference in power? There's no way a human like you can even scratch me."

Damn....Are demons really this strong?

I rush in, my sword aiming for her throat.

Swish

What!?

"You really don't get it do you? You're weak. Your swordsmanship is crap. You don't even know how to use any more Reiki flames."

Damn! She's right....
My sword...hasn't released any Reiki flame...

"That sword is nothing but a toy without Reiki."

Immediately, her hand grasps my sword.

"See? I can touch it without any harm."

Swing!

My sword hits her neck.
But, she stands still.
Why? My attack won't even faze her!

"Without Reiki, that sword is as good as garbage."