JAMES(POV)
(AT THE DIMENSIONAL GAP)
'I couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected usefulness of the situation I found myself in.' I thought.
I continued to fire shots at Hibiki while soaring through the dimensional gap, aided by the wyvern wings of the Red Dragon Emperor.
There was a secret I had yet to reveal to the others. I had once worked as a mercenary for the government, starting my training at the tender age of nine. It wasn't your typical villainous group; rather, we were tasked with combating terrorist organizations. It had become our way of life, dealing with threats that posed a danger to society. While some people could work regular jobs until retirement, I chose the path of a mercenary working part-time, earning a substantial reward but also taking on the risks that came with it.
As I dozed off for a moment, Hibiki took advantage of my momentary lapse in focus and unleashed a powerful ki blast at close range. However, luck was on my side as I swiftly countered his attack by deploying the blast of my own, channeling it through the Noisy Cricket in my hand.
BOOM*
As another explosion erupted, I could feel the shockwave reverberating through the air. Reacting quickly, I covered myself with the wings attached to my back, using them as a shield against the force of the blast. Additionally, he conjured an energy barrier to provide a layer of protection, ensuring that he remained unharmed.
"D-damn, that was one hell of an explosion," I chuckled, trying to brush off the intensity of the blast.
Izumi approached me, concern evident in her expression. she joined me, observing the aftermath of the fight. "Looks like you're barely hanging in there, resorting to hit and run tactics, huh?" she remarked.
I nodded, appreciating her concern. "Yeah, it's been quite the battle. But we're still standing, aren't we?"
As the glow of the explosion subsided, my eyes focused on Hibiki, expecting to see him severely damaged. However, to my surprise, he appeared unscathed, his barrier cracked and fading away into thin air.
"Well, well, well," Hibiki smirked, his confidence shining through. "I must admit, you've put up quite a fight. But it seems you're running out of tricks."
I tightened my fists, refusing to let his words discourage me. "Don't underestimate us just yet. We still have a few tricks up our sleeves." I lied.
Noticing that the gun was running out of ammo, I realized the light parameter in it was dwindling. Additionally, the impact of those explosions had taken its toll on me. I could feel blood dripping from my head, a result of the shockwaves I endured.
Izumi tapped my shoulder and said, "Conrad-kun, my balance breaker is reaching its limit." I glanced at her armor, which was starting to tear apart, beginning from her helmet.
"This is bad, Conrad. It may also mean that the wyvern wings I attached to will disappear," she warned, her tone filled with alarm.
"Mine too is reaching its limit, so I can only hold on for a mere ten seconds against him," I admitted. Izumi seemed alarmed, clearly not expecting that even my power had its limits. I leaned in closer and whispered, "How's your team doing? Are they holding up?"
"Still no progress. They can't seem to locate it in their hideout," Izumi said, tensing up as she considered the team's lack of progress.
"Now this is bad. WATCH OUT!" I shouted.
I pushed her away from me as Hibiki started to throw some ki attacks, but this time he focused more on quantity, like a swarm of bees coming to sting you.
' I can't counter those they are too many,' I thought dismayed.
Looking at this gun with so little ammunition, for some reason, it tells me to charge, stack, and release, just like it always does. It provided me with information on how to execute it.
By executing this move, a large ball was fired and split into the same number of ki blasts that he created, countering them both and colliding like sparks.
When the fiery show of our attacks subsided for a while, I couldn't see Hibiki in front of me anymore. However, that bastard had sneaked up behind me. "Sayonara, Bitch," he said as he struck an inch away from my back, destroying the red wings that Izumi had given me.
BOOM*
The explosion occurred because the object had sustained enough damage to be destroyed, sending me flying into the Dimension Gap. I could feel the burns on my back as a result.
Luckily, Izumi caught me once again, but this time I vomited a mouthful of blood. It must have been because of his punch, which managed to pierce through. I was fortunate that it missed my spine.
BLEGHHHHH...*
"Conrad-kun, where is your gun?" she asked.
"(PANT) It reverted back into an armband. I doubt it has enough charge to use it again," I replied.
It's not good. My armband is not responding after the last attack, but somehow it is linked to me through my head.
[ CONRAD]
"What? (cough)" I replied, blood staining my words.
[I just noticed this now, but that thing of yours hasn't completely bonded to you] Ddraig said. This armband hasn't fully bonded with me, despite the help I received from it.
" Huh?" A question mark floating in my head.
[Haaa...] Ddraig was exasperated[... it means your synchronization is only ten percent] He explained.
"What? I only utilized its power to a certain extent. If I had a total percentage, I could even surpass him," I replied, expressing surprise.
[If you want to acces more of its power you need to go deeper] Ddraig said.
" How?" I asked curiously.
[This is new to me if my hunch is correct that it works like a sacred gear, you must go to the depths of that armband through your mind and soul, to grasp that power.] He explained.
I have read about it in the Light Novel of DxD, one of my old man's collections. To enter the depths of their Sacred Gear, they must use their consciousness to gain access to that place, if I remember correctly.
[But I dont think that will be possible right now.]
" Why?"
" Because my brother is riding Great Red in his back and charging towards us." Izumi replied in the place for Ddraig.
Damn my life!