[HI3] Protocol Stigmata

Chapter 35 - A Small Improvement

After a few hours of searching in the forest, fatigue began to set in, As Kiana and I found ourselves taking a break by a tranquil river.

"Ugh... Isn't it lunchtime already?" Kiana complained, plopping down on a tree root.

"Yeah, it is," I replied, feeling the rumblings of hunger in my stomach.

"I'm bored... and hungry... and I miss Mei-senpai," Kiana muttered, echoing my sentiments.

"I miss everyone else back at St. Freya too."

As we sat in silence, the only sound was the gentle flow of the nearby river.

"Hey, you never told me what happened with you and Bronya on your date," Kiana suddenly piped up, breaking the quietude.

"I don't think that's any of your business," I retorted, feeling defensive.

"Well, it is my business since I helped you!" Kiana shot back.

I clicked my tongue in annoyance. "Fine, I'll tell you. But just so you know, I'm disappointed in myself for needing help from someone like you."

"What! You just called me an idiot!"

"Fine, fine. Let's just say it was... eventful... That's all."

Kiana's eyes widened with curiosity, but before she could press further, a loud growl echoed through the forest, startling us both.

"What was that?!" Kiana exclaimed, reaching for her dual handguns.

Instinctively, I summoned my katana from the air, readying myself, "That sounds like a honkai beast's growl."

Before we could process what was happening, several Seraph-class honkai beasts emerged from the shadows, surrounding us.

"What's all of a sudden?!" Kiana exclaimed, her grip tightening on her weapons.

"It seems they were drawn by the noise," I replied, scanning our surroundings for any sign of escape. "This is because you were too loud, Kiana!"

"Haah!? I'm not loud!"

"Whatever, I'm bored anyway. I'll start obliterating them one by one," Kiana declared, her eyes gleaming with determination as she took a fighting stance, her handguns at the ready and charge.

I watched in awe as Kiana charged head-on toward the honkai beasts, her movements fluid and precise. Her Gun-kata technique was a sight to behold, a testament to the skill and heritage of the Kaslana lineage. With each shot, she expertly targeted the weaknesses of the honkai beasts, exploiting any opening with precision.

As I observed her fighting style, a thought crossed my mind: Is Kiana... stronger than me?

Despite my own training and abilities, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of admiration for Kiana's prowess in battle.

She moved with a grace and power that was truly impressive, effortlessly dispatching the honkai beasts with each well-aimed shot.

"Hey! What are you doing?! Behind you!" Kiana's voice cut through the chaos, snapping me back to attention. I turned just in time to see several seraph-class beasts charging towards me, but before they could even reach me, they fell in halves.

Kiana's eyes widened in amazement. "Woah~ That's amazing, Shin! Do you practice kendo like Mei-senpai!?"

I shook my head, a wry smile on my face.

No, it's not kendo. I think it's more because of Tsurugi, who forces me to fight her every time I sleep...

With the honkai beasts defeated, we took a moment to catch our breath.