Chapter 71: Defeat in One Move
Hokushin Mei gazed at the miko, noting the two blades at her waist—one long, one short—a classic attire of a samurai from the Far East.
This strange miko is also a samurai!
Moreover... she rides a fox-like beast two to three meters tall, and judging by its earlier descent, it likely possesses the ability to fly.
All these signs point to a formidable opponent.
Yet, far from fear, Hokushin Mei felt only exhilaration.
"Oh? A duel?" Gyakushinn Miko sat atop Higokumaru, observing Hokushin Mei. The challenge came as no surprise—Hokushin Mei could be said to be a martial maniac through and through.
"Sure... As for my title... you may call me the Gyakushinn Miko." The Gyakushinn Miko jumped from Higokumaru's back and stood before Hokushin Mei.
Though hailed as the Far East's greatest warrior, what true masters existed in this land now? She was merely the tallest among dwarfs.
"Gyakushinn Miko, interesting... Suits my taste. But slaughtering you myself would be even more fun!"
Hearing the title "Gyakushinn Miko," Hokushin Mei found the miko before her pleasing. Ever unconventional, she adored the "Gyakushinn" epithet that ordinary people might fear or scorn.
"Oh... You can try!" The Gyakushinn Miko showed no concern at Hokushin Mei's words!
"Here we go!"
Hokushin Mei didn't waste words on the miko before her, charging directly at her opponent. With a flick of her wrist... the katana was drawn in an instant.
The blade's withdrawal was entirely invisible to the naked eye... Hokushin Mei's motion swift beyond comprehension.
Yet... as the impossibly fast strike bore down on the miko, she suddenly shifted her body to one side, dodging the blow at a velocity even greater than that of the incoming sword.
"Too slow..." the Gyakushinn Miko stated calmly after evading the strike.
These words caused Hokushin Mei's eyes to widen involuntarily, a spark of anger flashing across her features.
Hokushin Mei's swordsmanship specialized in speed; one could say... her draw-and-strike technique had long surpassed human limits.
In all her years, this was the first time anyone had ever called her slow.
And yet... this miko had undeniably dodged with superior speed, leaving no room for argument.
"So it's true... you truly are stronger than me!"
Even after recognizing the Gyakushinn Miko's greater swiftness, Hokushin Mei felt no trace of fear—only thrilling exhilaration.
Finally finding a worthy opponent ignited a surge of excitement within Hokushin Mei...
Immediately, her strikes quickened. Each slash occurred so rapidly that her shadow seemed to vanish, yet the Gyakushinn Miko always managed to dodge with even greater speed.
The miko neither attacked nor drew her blade... choosing only to evade. This made Hokushin Mei feel as though she were being underestimated. It was a sensation foreign to her, and decidedly unpleasant.
"Why are you just running away? Fight back!"
"Five Souls Crossing Shadows!"
Hokushin Mei stepped up her attack, her body multiplying into five distinct figures. From all angles, these five assailants swung at Hu'er Wuniu.
The enchanting miko observed without moving, instead briefly blinking her eyes. As if she could read the future, the miko anticipated the movements of the five Meis and deftly evaded their strikes.
Despite the overwhelming onslaught of five Hokushin Meis, the miko remained unscathed.
"Kitajou Ichidou!"
After dozens of futile assaults in less than three seconds, Hokushin Mei resolved to employ her ultimate technique.
One of the Meis focused energy, unleashing an enormous sword aura locked onto the miko. In a flash, it streaked toward its target...
At this crucial moment... the fox-eared shrine maiden finally made her move. As the sword energy bore down on her in a flash, the spiritual blade at her waist unsheathed itself.
The instant it appeared, an immense spiritual energy annihilated the approaching sword energy.
In the same instant that she vanquished the attack, the fox-eared shrine maiden's figure vanished. When she reappeared... it was right behind Hokushin Mei, the spiritual blade pressed against her neck.
"You've lost!" The fox-eared shrine maiden stated, her voice calm and detached.
"How... how is this possible?" Hokushin Mei felt the katana emitting formidable power against her neck, words failing her as disbelief and shock coursed through her.
She had believed herself to stand at the pinnacle of martial arts, yet now... in a single move. She had been defeated in just one move?
It wasn't that Hokushin Mei couldn't handle defeat; it was that this outcome differed too drastically from her expectations. Though she had always sought a formidable opponent, she never imagined encountering someone who could KO her in a single strike...
Too overpowering...
Before this encounter, the fox-eared miko had refrained from participating in combat. As soon as she struck, she KO'd Hokushin Mei instantly—a result Hokushin found unbearable to accept.
"Was I always so weak? Then how... laughably ridiculous must my previous actions have been?"
"Heh... heh heh... hahaha!" Suddenly, Hokushin Mei began to laugh for no discernible reason.
"What's wrong?" The fox-eared miko stared at Hokushin Mei, puzzled by the abrupt laughter.
After a moment's consideration... she withdrew her spiritual blade and released Hokushin Mei. To others, Hokushin Mei's power seemed immense, but to the Gyakushinn Miko—an SSS-class Valkyrie—it was unremarkable.
Letting her go changed nothing; Hokushin Mei couldn't escape anyway.
However... upon being released, Hokushin Mei did not act as the miko had anticipated. Instead, she knelt before the fox-eared miko, bowed her head low, and presented her own tachi with both hands.
"Respected warrior, kill me! To die by the hand of a formidable enemy is the greatest honor of my life!"
Her actions were unmistakable - she wanted the miko to kill her. For Hokushin Mei, perishing at the hands of a powerful adversary seemed to be her lifelong pursuit.
"You..." The miko gazed at Mei before her, who was earnestly begging for death. Truly a martial fanatic...
Even being possessed by Honkai hadn't changed that.
However, the miko naturally wouldn't kill her. What benefit would there be in taking her life?