John, gun at the ready, glanced behind him.
There, Gwen was sprawled across the sand.
Noticing she was being watched, she gave a big wave.
It was an utterly out-of-place reaction, but she was clearly doing it on purpose—deliberately ignoring the mood.
They hadn't known each other long, but he was starting to get a read on Gwen's personality.
John turned back toward me with a frown and muttered.
"Having to follow some woman I don't get is annoying, but she gave me a shot at revenge. Can't exactly say no to that, can I?"
He aimed his gun at me.
If he pulled the trigger, a bullet would fire.
Before that, I called out to him.
"John Dou."
"What?"
"I told you before—I can't be taken down with guns."
When I'd fought John before, I had destroyed his weapons one after another.
His resurrection was unexpected, but the way to handle him hadn't changed.
With the ability to create guns alone, I didn't think he could surpass me.
He wasn't even a hero to begin with.
His physical abilities were those of an ordinary human.
Without powerful weapons, he was no different from any powerless civilian.
But John's eyes lit up as he grinned.
He told me with a wild gleam in his eyes.
"Hey, hey—who said I was fighting with just these? I'm not in that much of a rush to die, even for me."
As John spoke, the sand behind him exploded.
It piled up like a mountain.
Gwen, who had nearly been caught in it, was seen scrambling out of the way.
What emerged from the sand were multiple masses of steel.
They were shaped like enormous ships and tanks.
Some of them even flew through the air like birds.
(What is this...)
I was captivated by the things that had suddenly appeared.
They were all weapons, no doubt.
As proof, they were outfitted with what appeared to be cannons.
I couldn't sense any flow of magical power, but John had undoubtedly summoned them.
He must have generated them the same way he did his guns.
I hadn't expected him to be able to produce weapons this large.
And it seemed there was no fatigue or backlash involved.
"Hah hah hah! How's that? Scared yet? In the spiritual world, you can create whatever you want. It's the perfect battlefield for me!"
John pointed gleefully at the weapons.
In high spirits, he swung his gun around as he talked.
"Just between us, I'm from another world. Technically, I died over there and was reincarnated in this world. Never thought I'd end up as half of a split personality, though."
"So the arsenal behind you is from another world."
I calmly pointed out.
I was somewhat surprised by this newly revealed aspect of John's background.
But now was no time to dwell on it.
John nodded repeatedly at my remark.
"Exactly, exactly—you're sharp! That's precisely right. With these, I'm going to turn you into dust and—"
"Hold on."
Balk, who had been watching silently, abruptly cut John off.
He lectured the disgruntled John.
"Don't you think it's unfair for only you to get to enjoy the spotlight? Won't you let me have a word too?"
"...Fine, your turn. Do what you want."
John said with a sullen face.
He clicked his tongue and started grumbling with a mix of complaints.
He clearly wasn't happy about being interrupted.
Balk, on the other hand, wore a composed smile.
He straightened his collar and sighed in an exaggerated tone.
"I, too, find that woman—Miss Gwen—unpleasant. She plays the fool while expertly cutting off our escape routes. It's utterly revolting."
"Then why not join forces with me?"
"Don't be ridiculous. Even if it were a joke, I'd rather be dead—oh, right, I already am. How sad."
Balk grumbled with self-deprecation.
In that instant, he revealed a glimpse of dark killing intent.
It lurked deep within his reason and harbored intense hatred.
Balk pointed at me and declared.
"I will kill you. No matter what happens, I intend to take you with me. I'll show you the full power of a necromancer."
Balk raised both hands and ramped up the magical power within his body.
Visualized sorcery began drifting around like black mist.
It polluted the surroundings in an instant.
John held his hand over his nose and mouth, keeping his distance.
(Impressive. What tremendous curse power.)
Balk was the world's foremost necromancer.
In that single regard, he was beyond anyone else's reach.
Even after overcoming death twice, his extraordinary talent showed no signs of fading.
"John Dou, this decisive battle will be ours. Be sure not to drag us down."
"That's my line, you pretentious bastard! If you're standing around doing nothing, I'll use you as a shield, you know!"
The irritated John shouted between coughs.
In response, the arsenal behind him activated.
The barrels locked onto me.
The flying units circled overhead, ever vigilant.
I didn't know their method of attack, but I should stay alert.
"Hurry up and cast your curse! We're hitting him all at once!"
"Don't order me around. I told you we're equals, didn't I?"
"I know that, so just hurry up!"
John and Balk bickered while arranging their battle formations.
Their personalities didn't mesh well, and their coordination was poor.
They couldn't seem to begin their attack on me.
(This works in my favor.)
I had a pretty good read on their tactics by now.
There was no need to be polite and wait any longer.
I'd take them out before their abilities could sync up.
I teleported instantly, without a chant or any warning.
Then I lunged at John and Balk from behind.