World Strongest Rearguard – Chapter 07

Translator: Pinky onee-sama    Editor: Anirhapsodist

---

The Rearguard’s Duty

A Watadama’s normal attack is not really that life-threatening to a Level 1 novice even if he receives the attack head-on, but this red watadama is way larger and faster than the one we had previously defeated. Its agility was probably thirty percent quicker.

(He’s reached the end of the line. Moreover, that “NAMED” is determined to do something!)

◆ Activity Log ◆

“★Redface” activates “Boomerang Dive” → “Budwick’s Party”

Redface. It’s a special demon with a unique name. The way it almost instantaneously activated its skill terrifies me.

“Whoa…!”

The demon had tremendous acceleration. It launched itself like a boomerang then swept in an elliptical course overwhelming the fleeing party. The attack was ruthless. With full strength, the Redface drove itself towards everyone.

In an instant, the attack dispersed the already demoralized party.

“NAMED” should not appear in the beginners’ labyrinth. Its strength clearly outclasses a novice seeker… a generous amount of life would be wasted defeating it. Did they encounter it? Or did they just ran out of luck? How did they even meet this monster? Did they jinx their adventure?

“Tch… Haah… haah… I don’t want to die… I don’t want to….”

◆ Activity Log ◆

“Budwick” uses “Scroll of Return”
The party of “Budwick” has left the labyrinth…

Budwick group teleports away but the section chief got left behind. With the party deserting her, she’s left to fend for herself.

“To be left maliciously like this…!”

◆ Activity Log ◆

『Kyouka』uses『Blink Step』→『Boomerang Dive』 – Evaded

(Igarashi, did you evade using a Valkyrie skill?)

Adeptly activating a recently acquired skill in the most crucial moment is most impressive, section chief.

Without a doubt that was tier 1 magic, but how much more can she use them? The more powerful the magic, the faster she’ll get exhausted.

“Section chief! Please run away. We’ll take it from here…”
“Atobe… you should run! I’m not going to lose to this!

It was my first seeing her go so emotional. We began our encounter. I positioned behind Theresa and with my slingshot, I started shooting bullets towards the Redface.

◆ Activity Log ◆

“Arihito” attacks “★Redface”. No damage

(Tch…!)

My best shot had no effect. The bullet landed perfectly as confirmed with its impact noise only to get deflected.

The Redface then focused its attention to our party. It only needed a bounce to engage its super-acceleration. Theresa withstands the attack and suppresses it. If the Redface doesn’t show some weaknesses, we’re facing defeat.

(Theresa can be teleported back, but what will happen to her if before returning, she takes a damage that she couldn’t endure? She died once and lost her voice. If she falls again… )

“Take this, you rodent!”

◆ Activity Log ◆

“Kyouka” activates”Thunderbolt”: target →”★Redface”. Hit

She previously explained that a Valkyrie could use some magic. The lightning that hit the Redface should be one of her skills.

(Why are you helping me? You have always despised me. But…)

After landing her attacks, the monster changed target for aggression. It bounced back and directed its “Boomerang Dive” towards the section chief.

It would end tragically if she receives that attack. The demon had so much power it ruined an entire party. It’s a walking catastrophe.

Moreover, she no longer has the capacity to activate 『Blink Step』. Wielding her spear in a firm grip, she thrusts forward with all her resolve.

“Hiyaah!”

I need to cancel that “Boomerang Dive” or her spear won’t penetrate.

◆ Activity Log ◆

“Kyouka” attacks “★Redface”. No Damage
“★Redface” attacks “Kyouka”. Hit

“Boomerang Dive” shattered Igarashi-san’s spear. The attack blew her about, swallowed her words, and bowled her towards the grass.

 

“What are you doing…?”

As the battle noises echoed in my head, I felt my consciousness snap. The initial plan was to assist the section chief after the ridiculously strong redface destroyed her party. She instead took center stage and gets critically wounded.

“Section chief… what are you doing?…. You’ll die…”

Even in here, am I still this useless? I just realized how my demon boss protected me. This is truly shameful.

I could use Theresa’s strength, but she may be killed. I should be smart with my decision.

“Support Defense 1” cancels the Redfaces’ attacks. I’ll take “Support Attack 1”  and prepare to penetrate the demon’s defenses.

If Theresa makes a blunder here, I get killed along with her. The enemy is not so lenient and wait for Rival’s rescue.

Theresa, as a mercenary, will not hesitate to offer with her life.

This is so twisted. She was still nodding like the usual.

◆ Activity Log ◆

“Theresa” activates “Accel Dash”

“Theresa!”

(What are you trying to tell me? Do you want to aid Igarashi and make time to escape?)

Theresa’s job is not of a close type fighter yet she approached the Redface that was preparing to land its final blow on the still breathing Igarashi-san.

(Rouge skills – until now, she has not used it yet.)

Theresa, too, is trying to selflessly protect another person. But after protecting that person, she would care nothing about what that person thinks.

(If that’s the case, I’m going to protect you!)

It’s not just exclusive to my partner in the frontlines. Every “Party Member” to my “Front” are treated as vanguards.

Now I understand why Theresa distanced herself away from me.

My support defense is a “Barrier” that can be used to defend companions in battle.

“Theresa, Support…!”

The Redface reacted swiftly to Theresa’s sudden approach, attacking with “Boomerang Dive”

(That one attack sent Budwick’s party escaping, but that skill–).

In comparison to the ramming attack of the watadama with a “Chance to Break Buckler”, the power level might be the same.

◆ Activity Log ◆

“★Redface” activates “Boomerang Dive” → “Theresa”. No Damage

(—No damage… with Theresa’s defense along with my Support Defense…）

Even if there is a far gap between me and Theresa, I was able to use “Support Defense 1” ensuring her safety.

Let’s assume the damage that Theresa receives from the regular watadama without using “Support Defense 1” to be 1 or 2. If I can suppress the damage by 5 to 10 points, the damage can be nullified.

(If it’s 10 and Theresa only has a maximum health of 20, then 10? Wouldn’t that be ridiculous? It’s too huge of a number in this world!)

“Support Defense 1” repelled the Redface’s attack. As it went airborne, it provided an opportunity for assault.

(“Support Attack 1” is needed to defeat the monster.)

“Go, Theresa!” I will support you!“

“…!”

◆ Activity Log ◆

“Arihito” activates “Support Attack 1” → 『Theresa』
“Theresa” attacks”★Redface”: No Damage + (Support Damage 10)

(Normal Attack does not have any effect …however, the 10 point support damage connects!!!)

Finally, something we badly needed, but this alone will not suffice.

Theresa quickly extended continuous slashes and gave chase to the now retreating Redface.

◆ Activity Log ◆

“Theresa” attacks “★Redface” : no damage + (support damage 10)
“Theresa” attacks “★Redface” : no damage + (support damage 10)
1 “★Redface” Defeated

Arihito → Level UP!(2)

We defeated with our own hands a demon that can easily wipe out a party. I wanted to scream for victory but the current situation forbids it.

“Theresa, I’ll keep watch on Igarashi-san. Please go immediately and call Rival-san.”

She follows my instructions and dashes out of the labyrinth.

Igarashi’s collapsed and not faring well. Her arm got badly wounded from the damage she received, so she might have even suffered some broken bones.

“Hnng…”

She’s in severe pain.

Just as I sat in front of the lady who fought with us, I caught a flashback from our previous lives.

–I punched my time card. When I’m done at work, I’ll have an overtime of two hours.

–Have you taken a rest from your cold? Please take this energy drink, do your best. Work will be impossible without you.

–Really? I  appreciate that you take charge of the rear. This job is hard to ask from the others.

(I haven’t forgotten how bossy you get. But my conscience will bother me if I leave you alone.)

I anticipated a reward as my level went up. As I turn over the page of my license, the number of skill points that can be allocated has increased by two.

“Aid Recovery 1”. To use this skill, I need Igarashi-san to join my party but she’s still delirious.

“Igarashi-san, it’s me, Atobe. Help is coming soon, but I can only do first aid for now. Can you please join my party for that?”

I had to ask twice since Igarashi did not react the first time as if she could not comprehend my words. A few moments after, she slightly opened her eyes and gave a weak nod of approval.

“Lewd things… If you do… I’ll sue you…”

She puts her life on the line to protect others but she can still act like this.

After enlisting her in the party, I checked her red bar and it dropped below 70%. Using the new skill I have acquired, I began to heal her.

(My current position for the section chief is “Rearguard”… will it be okay?)

I got nervous thinking the skill didn’t work but Igarashi started moving as she tried her best to rise. I quickly move behind and assisted her as she parked half of her body.

“………”

She remained silent as the mood evolved.

What’s the meaning of this? It’s like I’m being embracing her from behind.

Would it be a ’ Rearguard ’s job to watch her as she falls asleep while lying sideways? I’m not certain if there are means to verify this, but waiting for 5 points of health to recover within 30 seconds is taking an awful lot of time.