Reincarnated as a Mushroom?

Chapter 41: The Defenders of the Mushroom Kingdom

The mushroom samurai stepped forward. His blade extended with a curved shape while reflecting the unusual battlefield illumination. His armor displayed a smooth dark finish which mirrored the diamond landscape that surrounded him.

His mission was clear.

Hold the line. Protect the King.

His mind echoed with the commands that had been given to him.

"Do not allow them to advance."

"The King must be protected at all costs."

"Fight with your life if you must."

He would not fail.

None of them would.

Their strength matched the enemy's power. Unlike humans they possessed something worth defending.

The samurai took a deep breath to maintain his position. His sword served as an extension of his body because his entire being had transformed into the blade.

The mushroom gunslinger behind him adjusted his twin pistols by rolling his shoulders. His hands remained steady as he kept his eyes focused while the gun barrels continued to smoke from his previous shots.

These types of moments were what he lived for.

The thrill of battle. The dance of bullets and blades.

The mushroom tank remained motionless next to him as a massive defensive structure. His armor functioned as a defensive structure that remained thick and resistant to all attacks. His mere presence made enemies pause before launching any attacks.

He did not move first.

He did not need to.

His mere presence delivered a clear warning to all who saw him.

"You will not pass."

[Enemy Identified: Human Swordsman]

[Enemy Identified: Human Ninja]

[Enemy Identified: Human Shooter]

[Enemy Identified: Human Tamer]

[Enemy Identified: Human Priestess]

The battle had truly begun.

Slash!

The mushroom samurai struck first.

From his blade emerged a curved arc of swift light that burned in the midair. His powerful strike forced the humans to scramble for safety while they barely avoided the blow. The swing's impact broke the diamond-encrusted ground into pieces which scattered across the area.

The shooter fired back immediately, his rifle spitting out rapid bullets. But they never reached.

Clang!

The samurai deflected them mid-air. His blade moved faster than the eye could follow, cutting through the bullets as if they were nothing.

But he wasn't alone.

The gunslinger fired next.

Two precise shots, straight at the warrior's head.

The blonde swordsman reacted on instinct, bringing his blade up.

Too late.

Boom!

The bullets exploded on impact, engulfing him in a fiery blast.

The mushroom samurai did not stop.

He dashed forward, blade gleaming, closing the distance. One clean strike would end it.

But.

Shing!

A dagger intercepted his attack.

The human ninja had appeared behind him, his dagger blocking the strike at the last possible second.

Their eyes met.

The ninja smirked. "Fast reflexes."

The samurai narrowed his eyes.

"Too slow."

He twisted his blade, forcing the ninja backward. The human barely had time to react before.

Boom!

The mushroom tank stomped forward.

The ground shattered beneath him.

A shockwave rippled through the battlefield, sending tremors through the air. The force of it sent the ninja flying back, rolling across the diamond terrain.

"Tch!" The ninja barely caught himself, flipping to his feet.

But the tank was already moving again.

Each step shook the earth, his sheer size making every movement a declaration of power.

He did not need speed.

He was the wall.

He was the shield.

The humans could run, dodge, attack all they wanted.

But they would never break through.

The priestess had begun chanting, golden light forming around her hands. She was preparing another large-scale spell.

But before she could complete it.

Bang.

A single gunshot.

The gunslinger had fired.

The bullet raced toward her heart.

She gasped. eyes widening.

But.

Boom!

The shooter intercepted. His own bullet clashed mid-air, creating another explosion.

The battlefield filled with smoke.

The mushroom warriors did not stop.

The samurai charged again. The gunslinger reloaded. The tank advanced step by step.

The humans were struggling to keep up.

And at the center of it all.

The Mushroom King watched.

He did not move.

He did not speak.

He only observed.

His warriors were holding the line.

His kingdom stood strong.

And as long as he remained.

This battle was far from over.

The air was thick with hostility, charged with the raw energy of the ongoing battle. The Mushroom Samurai stood firm, his blade gleaming under the distorted sunlight that pierced through the dust-laden battlefield. His posture was one of unwavering strength, his fungal body adorned with battle scars that spoke of countless victories against invaders.

Before him, the human ninja crouched slightly, his dagger reflecting a cold glint. He had underestimated the speed of the Mushroom Samurai, and now, small but precise gashes marred his flesh—evidence of his opponent's overwhelming skill. Even though the ninja had retreated, his breath coming in ragged bursts, the Mushroom Samurai did not pursue immediately. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, his voice deep with contempt.

"Why do you humans take such pleasure in invading lands that do not belong to you?" the Samurai asked, his tone devoid of fear.

His grip tightened around the hilt of his curved blade, his stance poised like a striking viper.

"You are not the first to try. Five separate factions have come, believing themselves strong enough to challenge us. And do you know what they all had in common?"

The ninja's grip on his weapon tightened. The Mushroom Samurai took a deliberate step forward, his eyes glowing beneath the shadow of his hat.

"Their survival rate was, zero percent."

The ninja exhaled, his expression unreadable, but the sharp pain in his wounds reminded him of the reality before him. He took a half-step back, assessing his injuries. However, before his mind could race too far, a familiar green glow enveloped his body, stitching his wounds closed at an unnatural speed.

The priestess.

She stood behind him, hands clasped, her divine energy radiating outward like a beacon. The ninja turned slightly, nodding in gratitude.

"They're stronger than I expected," he admitted. "But our teamwork makes victory inevitable."

The Mushroom Samurai clicked his tongue in disdain.

Fool.

A swift movement. A blur of steel. The Samurai launched forward, his blade swinging in a clean arc, aimed directly at the priestess.

(AN:

"Important Note to My Readers

I want to take a moment to apologize for the high privilege coin requirement for accessing my content. I realize it may be out of reach for many of you, and for that, I'm truly sorry.

As a new writer, I'm still learning the ropes, and I made an error when setting the privilege levels. Unfortunately, I've been informed that changes can't be made until next month.

In the meantime, I appreciate your understanding and patience. If anyone has any suggestions on how I can adjust the settings, please feel free to reach out.

Thank you for your continued support, and I hope you'll bear with me as I work to resolve this issue.)