『Shotgun』

　My brother and Vargas are arguing.

　Next to them, I cast a spell.

　Riding Valkyrie, I cast a spell with my right palm pointing towards Vargas.

　At that moment, a hard stone, sharp like an arrowhead, flew from my hand toward Vargas.

　Dadan.

　A shot pierces the ground near my target with such a sound.

　The magic that was cast at Vargas hit the ground not because the aim was not so good.

　It was fully intended to be a little off-target, because it was supposed to be a warning shot.

　A shot flew to the ground at Vargas's feet.

"... So magic, eh?"

"That's right. Put down your weapon. I want to talk. If you move, I'll actually hit you this time."

"Okay, let's fight."

　I called out for discussion, but apparently Vargas received it as a provocation.

　He was a little surprised to see the shotgun, but I don't think he's scared.

　Vargas, like a bird of prey, began to run towards us with his eyes focusing on us.

　Is it because he quarrels often, or does his experience of being active on the battlefield let him know that opponents who are capable of long-range attacks need to be swiftly approached?

"Hey, stop. Shotgun!"

　I activate magic to intercept his frontal charge in a hurry.

　But the next moment, Vargas flew to the side.

　Shotguns using many stones have the side affect of losing accuracy.

　This is because it is a magic created with the intention of just having at least one stone hit and damage the opponent.

　However, Vargas successfully prevented that.

　Vargas, who should have been running towards us, read the trajectory of the stones and jumped sideways the moment I shot 『Shotgun』.

　However, that alone cannot help him to avoid all the stones.

　However, in anticipation of that, he used his great sword as a shield and threw off the stones that were about to hit him.

　There was no hesitation in his movements.

　Perhaps he was surprised at the flying stones and swung his sword out of reflex, but that would be too 'lucky'.

　Perhaps this guy spotted 『Shotgun』's characteristics when I first fired intimidatingly towards him.

　This magic is convenient, but it is also easily readable.

　First, I point my palm at the target.

　In other words, it means that the other party can read where you are going to release the magic.

　Furthermore, the characteristic of multiple stones scattered and flying can help you escape out of their range as long as you understand how they spread.

　Even if you can't escape out of range, there is no problem if you prevent them with a shield.

　Even though they are sharp stones, they do not have the power to penetrate metal.

　But is this something that can be understood and dealt with just by looking at how the magic is cast once?

　Even I may not be able to.

　No, even if someone could, they wouldn't want to put it into practice.

　If you fail to avoid it, you will suffer a lot of damage.

　It was well understood that people of other villages feared a man named Vargas.

　In addition to being accustomed to fighting, he has the power to make instant decisions and even the courage to jump in without fear of the opponent's attack.

　I see, so he is like the definition of a 'hero'.

"『Shotgun』, 『Shotgun』, 『Shotgun』, 『Shotgun』"

　Vargas is gradually shortening the distance.

　I keep intercepting him by shooting stones in his direction.

　There must be a limit to how much he can predict the accuracy of the stones and can avoid them.

　With that in mind, I kept chanting shotguns.

　The sharp stones that are produced one after another are shot at Vargas, where they are blocked by him.

　Vargas tries to avoid them.

　However, the limit of how much he can avoid had finally came.

　I'm not panicking and firing magic without thinking about anything.

　I predicted the direction Vargas would avoid and fired a shot at a position that I though he would go to.

　Shotguns fly on the direct hit course toward Vargas who jumped sideways.

　No matter how big his sword is, this stone thrown towards his side cannot be prevented.

　Thinking so, I was surprised again by Vargas's actions.

　I'll finally hit you.

　It was when I thought so.

"Woooooooooooooo!"

　Vargas roared.

　Vargas shouts out loud, which could definitely tear a person's eardrums if heard up close.

　And at the same time as the roar, Vargas rushed towards the shotgun of the direct hit course that I shot.

　Vargas has a leather breastplate, but everything else is just his flesh.

　If you think normally, getting hit by the shot directly would make Vargas damaged.

　However, I can't find any big scars on Vargas's body, which is very close to me.

　Perhaps 【Heal】?

　The figure of a wild boar that didn't frighten even when it was hit with a Shotgun came to my mind, seeing that scene.

　It is said that arrows do not pass through wild boars, but it was not only because of their hard skin and fur that caused it, but it was also possible because they could use the magic 【Hardening】.

　Actually, I can do something close to this 【Hardening】 .

　I often use 【Physical Strengthening】 to fill my whole body with mana to increase my strength.

　However, at this time, if the mana is concentrated on the skin, which is the surface of one's body, instead of their whole body, the power to prevent external impacts will increase.

　Maybe Vargas is doing the same.

　It's not a spell, but it may be that he self-taught it to himself on the battlefield on how to improve his body's defenses by making the loud roaring voice, such as previously.

"I'm sorry, but tsk."

　I never thought that there was a person in this village who used magic to increase his defense.

　It was also found that if I battle someone accostumed to fighting, I may not be able to deal with them with just 【Shotgun】.

　This may have been good in a way, as I noticed this fact before fighting the Fontanas.

　However, it is a bad move to rush in with the preparedness to be hit just because your defense power increases.

　It wasn't decided that my attacks wouldn't work, yet.

　There was a rustling sound.

　Smoke has risen around the area, impairing the visibility of the people near the surroundings.

　Perhaps they didn't know what had happened.

　It was quiet.

　After a while, the wind blows and the dirt smoke disappears.

　Vargas had fallen there.

　Next to him is his proud great sword, which is broken from the handle.

　Seeing that, I think the people around me finally understood.

　That I defeated Vargas.

　The villagers, who were watching with tense expressions, were staring at me riding on Valkyrie, as if they had seen something terrifying.

TLN: Well ... they finally see his power. And how did Ars defeat Vargas? find out next time!

One more thing. Which way should I write spell names?

Using 『Spell Name』or【Spell Name】?

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