Sousetsuka

Guildmasters' Battles And, Finally On the Move

This chapter starts from Daijel's Guildmaster, Velgarando's POV.

Demons are burning down town of Daijel.
Each and every one of these demons is a power house matching Advanced Job, no, nearly Special Job holder level.
Ten-odd of those beings are invading this town, and that's the number we know.


"Don't try to defeat 'em!! Just focus on defending!!"

"You're up against Special Job-tier of monsters! You ain't gonna last a second!"

"M-Master! The demons are approaching the east gate too!"

"Dammitall! Keep the barrier up! Use all the scrolls and magic tools we have! Don't think about what happens after this battle, just focus on surviving this moment!"


I've been using my Abilities as a 'Commander' to boost our personnel's combat power and hold back the demons, but it ain't gonna last forever.
We're barely holding up, we likely won't last another hour, maybe even a few minutes.

Just how many demons they sent to this little backwater town!
Buildings and facilities get blown into smithereens every time those demons shoot their magic, meanwhile none of our attacks put a damn dent on 'em!


"Hurry up with the Remote Mana Ore Depth Charge! That stuff at least works on 'em!"

"F, finished setting up the unit in District A!"

"Bait and blow 'em all! Finish the set up at other districts while you're at it! Everyone's gonna die if you don't make it quick!"


The suspicious magic tools Kajikawa gave us worked surprisingly well, but we didn't have enough time to make a whole bunch.
Daijel woulda long been gone if not for this stuff. But they ain't gonna keep working indefinitely!

We coulda put up a good fight if only we got even just one Special Job holder with us, but they all got dispatched to bigger towns, we ain't got none here.
We don't have means to evacuate this town and get the people to another town, heck there ain't no safe town anywhere. The entire dang world's been turned into a battlefield.
...The world mite' be ending for real.


"Mana Ore Depth Charge, set off! ...It's no use, those demons have been injured but they're far from dead!"

"That's plenty enough! Shoot 'em with everything you got, magic, arrows, Farslashes, anything! Shoot! Shoot shoot shoot, don't give 'em time to relax! Just keep shooting!!"


I know how unreasonable I'm being with these orders, but we gotta use everything in our disposal to slow them down even for a second.
We've lost more than 30 soldiers, and adventurers already. The number is only gonna grow in all likelihood... Me included.


"Master! T, this spot is dangerous, please fall back!"

"Shut it! Coulda asked ya the same, why'd a receptionist be here at the frontline! Get back!"

"O-our defense line is going to collapse if we lose you, our only Commander! You must not die here, Master! I'm begging you, please retreat!!"


Neia got teary eyed from my yell, but she wouldn't stand down.
...This gal's usually the last thing from reliable, when'd she turn into a full fledged adult.

I ain't staying here by choice either.
But the effect of Commander's ability boost is higher the closer they are to their allies.
Meaning, me shouting out orders here is far more effective than getting all cozy in the back.

That mighta worked well enough against ordinary opponents, but it be nothing but a tickle against these demons.
I gotta leg it here in the frontline to squeeze out every last drop of my buff.

But even this powered up buff is nothing more than a slight assurance against these demons.
Dammit, y'all are dealing with an over sixty geezer! Gimme a damned break!


"T-they've broken through the last defensive line of the barrier!"

"They're going to smash through! What should we do, what can we do!"

"At least get civilians to safety with Teleport magic..."

"Fool, there ain't anybody who could do that handy stuff here! Where'd you wanna take 'em to anyway when erry town's like this!"

"B-but we have no means to oppose them once the barrier is breached! Everybody is going to die!"


We could have fought back if only there were one Special Job holder buffed with my Skill Abilities and support magic, but there ain't no point what if-ing this stuff.
Think! Think, think! What's the best way to get through this with the cards we got in hands...


The last defensive line got smashed through along with the sound of glass breaking.


"...Hmph, what irritating resistance. You vermin."


The demon who broke the barrier grumbled with a frown.
...It's the end.


Both the civilians and us could only fall into despair, powerless to even scream.







~~~~~~~~Lolimast POV~~~~~~~~~







"Run! Keep running! Run like your life depends on it!!"

"Ivran-chan! There's a demon at the fork ahead!"

"Ah geez, how are they so persistent!"


I've been frantically shielding the fleeing civilians from the demons' assault by cooperating with my stupid sister.
We're up against 20 Special Job-tier demons. What are we even supposed to do here.
That strongest couple can probably take care of them, but my stupid sister is the only Special Job holder at this town.

Well, we still have it better though.
Velga-managed Daijel doesn't even have a single Special Job holder and only a few Advanced Job. It won't surprise me if that town's fallen already.
It's like having to deal with 20 Gluttony Slimes. There's only despair.

I've been chugging Mana Recovery Potion to continually cast Spirit Magic and keep those demons in check, but I'm hitting my limit soon. My tummy's bulging out. Urp.


"Haa, today might very well be my last. Oh well, I've lived for three hundreds years already. I've had enough hahaha."

"Quit spouting that dumb crap, stupid sis! I've only been around for a hundred years, okay! Even I've still got mountains of things I wanna do, let alone all those short lived humans! Don't you give up on me, keep moving!"

"Okay okay... Phew, I can't stay weak hearted when my little sis is doing her very best now, can I? Sowwy Ivran-chan, I'll give you a hug later, so forgive me okay."

"Quit it, siscon. Gross. You can go ahead of me."

"Why so heartless!?"


...Hahaha, I see I'm still peppy enough to crack a joke. I can't believe myself.
Despite what I said, I'm thankful for my stupid sis... to Aina-ane.

While I was having that embarrassing thought to myself, a guild staff member contacted me in a huge panic.


"T-terrible news! Priest-sama was mind controlled by the demons and used that card again...!!"

"That, card? ...Eh, no way, you can't be serious now!!?"


Oy oy oy, are you for real. We're already at our wit's end here. Physically and mentally speaking.
We gave the new card Soarer-kun resealed to a different priest. There's no way that thing is gonna come out again, right...!?


"!! Ivran-chan! Don't go that way!!"

"Eh?"


Not a moment after Aina-ane shouted with a serious tone uncharacteristic of her, I saw a black tsunami coming straight toward me all while swallowing up the city in its path.


...Ah, not good. I'm dead.




<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >


~~~~~~~~~~Scarymast's POV~~~~~~~~~~







The left side of my vision is dyed black.
I can't see, anything... My left eye is no more huh.


"G, guildmaster! We can't go on anymore, we have to run!"

"Yeah, you go and run Naima. Lead as many civilians as you can to safety by yourself. You likely have a better chance surviving if you head for the Monster Prairie than any other town."

"You should go with us, Guildmaster! You can't fight anymore in your condition!"


I could only hear Naima's voice from one of my ears.
Looks like my left ear is done for as well... I'm kinda scared to look at a mirror.

I should have worked harder to better myself had I known it would come to this point.
I always believed an individual prowess means nothing before an army until this moment.
...This town's adventurers and soldiers cannot hope to stand against these demons.


I may be weaker than my prime day but I don't believe I can win against these demons even at my prime.
Each and every one of them is as strong as that white demon I saw at Continent 5 or even more perhaps. That's just unfair.


"Quite persistent are you. I give you my respect in spite of your utterly feeble strength."


The demon slowly walked up to me while laughing vulgarly.
...His hollow compliments annoy me to no end.


"Surely you jest. I have, not, lost, yet...!"

"So you are, at least your guts are anything but feeble... However."


The demon vanished from my vision before he finished talking.

Not good, I lost sight of him. Where is he coming from, I can't see my left, my blind spot...!


My body was hit by an intense impact like I just got rammed by a boar.
I saw the demon with one leg up as I was getting blown back into the wall. It was a kick as it seemed.

The back of my head and spine were hit hard as I crashed into the wall. I couldn't stop myself coughing up blood.
I felt a sharp pain from deep within my nose. A mixed mess of hot and cold sensations assaulted my whole body.

...I can't, move.


"Ga, ha...! Haaa, aa...!!"

"...What a sorry sight. All that bravado is meaningless without strength to back."

"You have fought well. I'll put an end to your struggle."


I could hear the demon making his way to me.
...I had experienced many close calls in my life before but never to the point where I could feel death so close like this.
The demon's footsteps sound like those of the reaper's... Which they are.


I wonder if Naima managed to escape with the people.
Forget about me. It's fine.
My only wish is them surviving through this...


"Oy, I see those humans escaping that way!"

"Isn't that a magic beast territory. Did they lose sight of directions from desperation."

"Searching and killing them all in that big area is going to be a pain. Exterminate them here and now!"


...S, top.
Please, stop it.

Please, I'm begging, nobody else die...!


"...Some...one..."

"Hmm, what, last word? Or perhaps you're gonna beg for your life now. Ha, and here I thought you were worthy of respect. You're nothing but a pitiful human."


I know how unsightly and pitiful I am I could die from shame, but I can't help but cling on something, anything.
Please, please...


Someone anyone will do, please help, us...!


"Now, meet your end. Worry not, you will be at peace soon."


The demon raised his arm to finish me off



before I saw his head vanishing from neck up.







『...Guru』


My consciousness fell into darkness right as I overheard the growling sound of a magic beast which felt intelligent somehow.







~~~~~~~~A certain Fierce God's POV~~~~~~~~







"W-what the hell is this thiiiiiiiiiiing!!?"

"T-True Demon Relea, agyaa!!!"


Brittle.
Weak.
Out of question.


"H, hold it!! What is your game here, we're"

『Guru.』

"Ogoaaaa!!"

"W, why is this thing siding with humanity when he's not even Tamed!?"


Even the slightest poke broke these rabble into pieces.
They are not unlike withered branch of fallen trees.


That is the last of the 'Reddened' bunch in this herd's dwelling.
According to Black Hair <<Kajikawa>>, there should be other dwellings under attack.
Truly a pupil who works his master hard. I shall not be satisfied unless he prepares twice the usual amount of meal.

I am done cleaning up the dwelling near my mountains, the dwelling where many human hatchlings live and another small dwelling nearby.
The next one is the dwelling with a huge herd and the village ahead of that one.

I am able to arrive at the next herd in a count of three.
You may pass to the afterlife, reddened bunch.


And, Black Hair (Kajikawa), come back soon. I am famished.

Previous Chapter 

635 Worrying, When You Worry, If You Worry

I thought to myself as I kept walking straight ahead. Did I make the best choice here.
I tried recalling what I did one by one.

Asking someone to do maintenance work on my katana isn't unreasonable. Neither is me agreeing to give my opinions to Makiru.

It's what came after that. The disciple guy broke the news about this state of emergency and then, I rushed to the scene instead of running away.
Did I really have to do that? Was that the best choice to make back then?

"Dunno what that gang of skeletons were planning to do but they were carrying weapons and all, they must be dungeon-borne monsters. Getting rid of them all up in one spot instead of having to look for them after they're scattered everywhere can't be a mistake."

Dongoro said it too. A similar incident happened around a hundred year ago which caused a lot of casualty.
Logically speaking, things wouldn't have gone differently this time around either so me springing into action must have minimized the amount of victim. The heap of white bones at that place is the end result.
I bet the soldiers who have been dispatched to that place are at their wit's end trying to figure out what happened.
They surely would have engaged those skeletons in battle if it weren't for me.

"I didn't do anything wrong, did I? Yup. I really, didn't."

But what about after that? What will become of me here locked in a dungeon?
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"I can't use carelessness as an excuse. Besides, I willfully poked my nose where it doesn't belong. Most people absolutely won't choose going in. I should have stayed around the entrance and made sure no more monsters come out instead."

I shouldn't have gone in this dungeon out of curiosity, haphazardly into the depth at that.
'It's just a straight road ahead. I could just use Acceleration if anything seems amiss', that thought led me to this stupid blunder.

"But still, who could have thought the exit would be blocked off and the insides would get turned upside down into a maze."

I proceeded through the corridor while grumbling. I haven't come across a single trap so far. I'm just keeping on keeping straight ahead.

To the right or straight? Straight of course.
To the left or straight? Straight of course.

And then I hit a standstill. A T junction.
Ahead of me is a wall, the only paths forward are to the left or right.

"Should I put an end here... Or not? Hmm, I'm not exactly obliged to play along with this dungeon, am I?"

If dungeons are left alone, the monsters produced inside will eventually break out and flood the surface.
It's adventurers' job to prevent or minimize damage from that by deleting these dungeons. 
I'm not an adventurer. But I can't just leave this be either.
It's just, this particular dungeon feels more manmade than a naturally occurring one.

"I mean the sudden shift into a maze stinks real bad. Guess I'd better take care of it before anyone falls victim. I mean I've come all this way."

Ha~, I let out a sigh before pulling myself together.
Nobody will help me clearing this dungeon even in this situation. The entrance's been sealed off.
I should be the only human in this dungeon. I don't think there's anybody else. Neither will there be more coming later.

"That sudden turn of event can't be a coincidence. The so called dungeon master... is probably around."

Screwing with me, I'm getting more and more annoyed inwardly.

"This dungeon is nothing but trouble anyway. Seeing as this dungeon master sent hostile weapon-brandishing skeletons out, they can't be decent, can they? Methink there's no real need to hold back."

I clenched my fist before my chest.

Previous Chapter 

Final Battle Start - Opening Salvo

"...."

"What's up, sit down."


I broke in the Demon King's Castle from the sky and made a dynamic window breaking entrance, so the first thing I did was a light greeting.
Next up, I fetched a table and two chairs from Item Screen before putting two lucky sets I bought from a burger joint on the table.


"I had a little party with Kira-san with these burgers once we got back to Japan, y'know. Geezer went off on his own so I bought some more and set 'em aside for him. Have at it."

"...I may be the reincarnated form of Souma Ryuta, yet I am not him. I see no reason to have a meal with you."

"Yeah but, geezer musta kicked the bucket already if you're his reincarnated form. I don't see an issue if you took it instead."

"Do you mean to befriend me. The very person who gouged out and crushed your heart."


Yeah, I'm not doing this by choice.
But what I need more than anything right now is time even a second longer, and I'd rather fake acting friendly like this than jumping straight into battle with this guy.


"Om nom, even junk food makes you think a lot of stuff when it comes from Japan, I tell you."

"I have no nostalgia over such a thing. My home land is this world, this very space."

"Heck, how long you planning to stand around like that. I look like a fool sitting pretty while chowing down in front of the Demon King himself."

"You in fact, do."


Oh shut it. He just had to throw a neat and composed punchline there.
I think he's getting more and more irritated, guess this is the limit of 'eating together' plan.

I chomped the rest of my hamburger and chowed down on fries and cola before standing up.
Taking his chair is a pain, I'll just leave it be.


"To begin with, pray tell how are you alive. I made sure to gouge out and crush your heart, which should be enough to kill you. You admitted as much during the fight against Kyuubi no Kitsune."

"I mean, the only reason I was there is because you almost took me out. I nearly died for real back then, didn't expect I'd come back alive myself."

"What...?"


Ah, this guy must have got the time lines mixed up.
Guess Demon King's Menu couldn't tell the difference. No wait, I guess it can't since I've got Analysis Filter on.


"I was wandering around on Floor 21 to escape detection from your eyes (Menu)."

"...What does that mean. What are you, meaning to say."

"I got back to Japan and then Parallecia after that escapade with Souma Ryuta, but I was already living in this world even before all that. That is to say, I had a run in with Demon King (you) before I met Souma Ryuta. You knew who I was, but I had no idea about you being Souma Ryuta and all."


I purposely made my explanation much more roundabout than necessary to get him think long and hard.
It must sound like a complete nonsense to outsiders.

He put his hand on his chin and got lost in thought for a while, but then his eyes opened wide and glared at me.
Oy oy, it hasn't even been a minute since you started. How about taking it slower?


"...I understand now. What a karmic twist of fate. To think the impetus that enabled your meeting with Souma Ryuta was me all along due to the reversed order of time. Truly befitting the question on which is first, chicken or egg."

"I'm impressed you got that with my explanation."

"Of course. Only you and me will get it."


Uh no, I'd definitely go 'What the hell you're on about' if I were asked to decipher that word salad.


...Ah, crap. He's reaching out for his sword. 
He's gonna go for it. Guy shifts gear quick.


"...Allow me to confirm one thing. I do not mind letting you off if you leave this world and go back to Japan where you shall spend the rest of your life at."

"I wouldn'tda be here now if I was the type who'd take that offer."

"I figured... Very well then, you may die."


Uwaa, his bloodlust is getting me all fizzly. Situation critical. No avoiding battle now.
But I'm gonna throw in my final bet to buy time.


"Hold it. Tell me one last thing before we get down to business."

"There is nothing more to talk."

"I've been answering your questions all this time yet you won't even give me one back? What a cheapskate king."

"...Pray tell what is it you wish you ask."


Oh, hook, line, sinker. This demon king is way too easy.
Now then, this has a chance of making thing worse but I just gotta ask him no matter what.


"Err, you won't mind, right?"

"Speak."



"Okay, then there's this note written by Souma Ryuta left at 'Febronia Duchy House'. I wanna ask about the content of that note."

"........What?"

"Did you model 'God Slaying Chainsaw' after a certain RPG's story? Also, I saw a pic of 'Heaven Piercing Drill Lance', this one's a reference to a certain anime too, am I right?"


Demon King stopped moving like he had been frozen over.
...Yeah, I'm not surprised.


"So there's a man who gave up his right as a heir to Febronia duchy after reading that note and getting moved so much he's been trying his hardest to make the content of that note into reality as a weapon smith. But every single drawing is an awfully chuuni weapon that'd kill its wielder long before their enemies, it's painful to look at in so many ways. What do you think about---"



GLANK!!! A loud dull sound reverberated in the Demon King Chamber.
It was produced from a clash between Demon King's sword and my great hammer, creating a sound and a shockwave powerful enough to probably kill ordinary humans.
Demon King has put on a loathsome smile like he's enraged beyond belief. What the hell kind of expression is that.


"I am not Souma Ryuta. Therefore, I care not of the content in a note he has left behind."

"...Is that the truth?"

"However, hearing your words has prompted someone deep inside me to keep iterating, 'Make him shut up even if you have to kill him, now!'. No hard feelings, die."


Oh crap! I knew this was a bad idea!
But I had to ask! This was one thing I just had to ask no matter what! No regret, no repent.

This tells me that Souma Ryuta is not completely gone inside him, but even that vestige is super eager to kill me now.
Ah geez, fine by me! You asked for it, you chuuni geezeeeeeeeeeeeer!!




<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >


~~~~~~~~~~Hero's POV~~~~~~~~~~~







It's, over.
There's nothing here. Nobody here anymore.
Save for me, Levia and Olivie in the wasteland of a dead planet.

<<I'm here too, you know.>>

Yup, okay. Sorry.
...How did it come to this.
If only I didn't let my guard down, if only I did better, this wouldn't have...!

<<It's not your fault Neora-san. The ones at fault are Demon King... and Kajikawa Hikaru who never said anything even though he knew this was gonna happen.>>

That's the thing. Why did Kajikawa-san stay silent about this chain of event?
He told me, 'I made my plan after receiving an intel from a trusted cooperator who could see the future on Floor 21'.


Did Kajikawa-san kept it to himself because he thought I was a nuisance?
Was I the only one who saw him as my best friend...?


<<...It's all in the past now. No matter how much you worry and regret it...>>


"U, uu...!"


Tears are finally falling down.
Levia and Olivie should be as much in despair as me yet I cried out ahead of them.


"Neora..."

"Neora-san..."


I detest Demon King and Kajikawa-san, but I feel mortified more than anything.

'Don't lose hope even if something goes awry in the middle of your fight with Demon King', he said.
'Please believe in me', he said.

Yet, this is what we got.


I believed in him, until the very end-----



<<Ne, Neora-san!!>>


...What is it now.
I'm tired already. I don't want to think about anything. Just, let me rest.

<<Oh forget about that! Map! Look at your Map! ...I can't believe it...! Why, how is he here...!?>>

No really, what's up with you.
Did you find an artifact left from before this world's end or something?


Eh, huh?



Why, is he, in this place?

Previous Chapter 

Next Chapter 

634 If and When You Waver

It looked like an entrance to somewhere.
The spot that was dug out is connected to a dungeon wall with an arched entrance.
I peeked inside, the interior got neatly lined up brick walls, like it was manmade.
You don't get a proper entrance like this digging rocks with pickles.
There's a mastermind behind this. My intuition is convinced that this was part of some scheme.

"So you're telling me, I've got to get to the bottom of this huh... I have absolutely nothing to do with all this though, surely."

Even if I'm not obliged to stick my neck in this, I can't help but worry about it.
Maybe things will turn real bad if I back off here. Or the opposite.

But I lost to my curiosity and stepped inside the dungeon.
The interior is about 3 meter tall and 2 meter wide. The corridor is endlessly straight ahead.
It's long enough I can't see the end from where I stand.

"There's... no trap is it? But man, I'm poking my nose somewhere I don't belong instead of unwillingly getting dragged in one for once."

That realization only came after I took a step inside. I kept walking deeper into the dungeon to forget about it.
There really is no trap, no wall spears or anything popping up.
But I still can't see the end. I turn around thinking this space must be made with mana.

"Geh! The exit's been blocked off!? ...Am I trapped here? It can't be... A trap for intruders?"

I could still barely see the exit from where I stood so I immediately noticed the change.
It's been transformed into a wall as if there was nothing from the start.
Just when I was about to go back and break the wall, the dungeon shook.
Think it's around 4 in seismic intensity? I stopped moving to figure out what was going on.
I kept hearing sounds of something colliding and rubbing off against each other.
A wall got projected in front of me to clinch it. I wondered if the path ahead has been blocked off as well to seal me off completely. But then I turned around and got greeted with a crossroad that popped up out of nowhere.

"Oy oy, you can't be serious."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
This place seems to have been turned into a maze.

"...This would have activated by anyone who entered, not just me right? Since I went in without consulting anybody, they won't send a rescue party... Of course. I mean they don't even know that I'm here."

The survey team would only find a blocked off entrance before opting to leave it alone. There's no way they'll proactively attempt to destroy the wall either.
Nobody outside knows I'm in here therefore, I shouldn't expect rescue.

"Aah, is this a checkmate? But I'm still alive. Maybe I might as well clear this maze? What do~."

In for an inch, in for a mile. I might as well see it through the end.
That was the idea before I got stumped at the first barrier, the crossroad. Which way should I go.

"Hmm? I should pick the straight path ahead and walk to the end."

The situation is nothing like before. Yet I couldn't shake off the impression I got from it and chose to go straight ahead.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter 

Second Day Third Meeting

A small island surrounded by the five continents ruled by humans manifested, with  Demon King's Castle on it.
I can't Fast Travel with Map Screen since Demon King is present there.
We can apparently get there with Teleportation as long as it's not immediately in the Demon King's vicinity but nobody has set foot Sthere so this method is unusable too.

It's not exactly hard for me to fly my way there, but carrying this many people at once is a bit....
That's where we've got some wings handy. Good thing I secured that thing~.


"...Why do I have to..."

『...Pray tell why do I...』


Our alternative means of transportation to the Demon King's Castle is the White Dragon tamed by Souma Ranaia.
The both of them seem to be grumbling something but please understand that I'd like to save energy before the final battle.


"Oh don't give me that. All you need to do is carry us there one way."

"Well I do owe you for the matter with Black Dragon. I do not have issues helping you out..."

『Hmph, that foolish Black would have lived longer had he not bothered to involve himself with humans. Truly a fool.』

"Don't talk when nobody asked. Don't make a fool out of that stupid lizard, you. I'll serve you on the dining table."

『Ah yes, I'm very sorry, don't kill me please, like for realsies.』


White Dragon apologized while trembling after I warned him coldly... This guy sure has got some incredible mob moves.
He called Black Dragon 'Black', maybe they were acquaintances. I won't bother asking though.


"So uuuh, you and Almatina are one thing but are we even gonna move the needle against Demon King?"

"Not gonna lie, we're just gonna drag you you down..."


Baredo and Rasfin asked anxiously.
Well I mean, both of them may have reached the Advanced Job levels long ago, but I guess Demon King is still too much.
Them being anxious is understandable. Frankly, I don't expect anything from them, firepower-wise. Sorry to say.


"Ha! Get outta here if you're getting cold feet now. We're up against Demon King, ain't nobody gonna ridicule ya."

"I'm just as scared, but I'm gonna give my all even if it doesn't amount much."


Aizawa-kun is full of motivation while Radia-kun is eager to help despite his fear.
...I'm kinda, sorry about this.


"So, how are we gonna go about this?"

"How should we fight Demon King?"

"Aah, about that..."


Honestly speaking, there's no human alive that can stand against an opponent that manhandled Alma's Parents like they were babies.
Not even the next strongest person after me here, Alma.
After delivering the finishing blow to Black Dragon, her level went up enough to reach Special Job, her sword also evolved again, yet she's still helpless against Demon King.

That's why


"I'll go fight Demon King by myself. Everybody else is to stand by outside his castle."

"Eh...?"

"Wh, what are you planning to do!?"

『Pii?』


That might bring question why are they even here, but there's a proper reason for it.
Having those who can use Energy Control waiting outside will make the second half of the final battle against Demon King slightly easier.


Once I told them the strategy, Baredo and Rasfin looked relieved, Aizawa-kun and Radia-kun seemed dissatisfied, while Reina and Hiyoko made a worried look... Alma looks like she's about to cry as she stares me.


"...Is that all you need us to do after bringing us all the way to Demon King's castle."

"That's just way reckless. That thing's a monster that handily beat those two instructors, ain't it? You're gonna die, Kajikawa-san!"

"Hiyoko-chan and I should be able to absorb Demon King's magic and stuff, we can still be of use. It's better and safer if we all fight together from the start."

『Pii!』


Each of them voiced their opinion.
Yup, I get what they're trying to tell, and they're not wrong.


"Hikaru, are we, a nuisance...?"


Lastly, Alma sorrowfully asked me.
...I feel guilty even just looking at her face, but I gotta say what I gotta say.


"You are. I'll be brutally blunt here, it's gonna take less than a minute for Demon King to kill you all if you try to challenge him."

"..."

"I absolutely don't have the leeway to protect you all while dealing with Demon King. It's just much easier for me to go alone."


I'm sorry for laying it all out unfiltered, but it's the truth.
Forget Demon King, I might end up hitting them in a crossfire. I don't wanna commit a friendly kill.


"But that's for the first half of the fight. I'm gonna need your help, all of you for the second half... Alma's role is especially dangerous, forgive me."

"Hikaru's role is, much worse. That's why, I should..."

"You can't... Don't you worry a thing, I won't make a single fatal mistake in the first half, heck, I'm actually just trying to buy time. I won't do anything crazy."

"...I will die too if Hikaru is dead. So promise me you have to stay alive."


O, oou. This girl just demanded some real heavy vow out of me. This goes beyond Yandere.


"...Well I mean, if you're gonna go that far. Got it, I promise I'll stay alive no matter what happens."

"...Un."


I made a promise with no guarantee I could uphold while patting Alma's head.
...Oh craaap, it's hitting my nerve hard now that my survival is a matter of life and death for Alma too.


"Oh boy, I can't stop grinning looking at these two even though this is the moment before our final fight."

『Pi.』

"Is it just me or it's getting hot here..."

"...Tch."


On top of that, the peanut gallery are grinning ear from ear while watching us. I'mma beat y'all up.
Aizawa-kun was the only person who clicked his tongue in a bad mood... I have to settle the score with him one of these days.


"Oy, I see something by the sea, is that the castle we're looking for?"

"Hmm? ...Ah, yep, that's the thing alright."


I saw something after turning my sight at the direction Souma pointed at.
I buffed my vision to check and confirmed the existence of a white beautiful castle whose grandeur won't lose to any human-made castle.
...Eeh. It's purdy alright, but that doesn't have the feel of Demon King-ness to it. 
Yet Menu display shows it as 'Castle of Demon King', cementing it.


"My image of this castle is way more ominous though..."

"It's really pretty but it does feel off for what it's supposed to be."

"How do you imagine it's like, Kajikawa-san?"

"Super gloomy with grotesque-looking pulsing walls and floors like they're made of biological flesh. Somewhere you absolutely don't wanna go in to."

"Which one do you prefer if you have to enter, that one or this one?"

"This one, thank you very much."

"...What's up with this carefree exchange. We're heading off for the final battle, aren't we..."


Perish the thought, I'm jumpy as all heck right now. My heart is beating so fast it feels like it's gonna pop off when I think about having to fight that monster again.
The first half is nothing more than a survival battle, yet that's already at ultra hard difficulty. Give me a break.


Well then, I'm gonna go ahead and check it out, after which you can drop off everybody in a safe zone, White Dragon.
Once that's taken care of, you go and fight the rest of the demons with Souma.
Eh, you don't want to? Oh really now, guess we're having dragon steak for dinner today. Wonder which one tastes better, black or white.
Eh, you're actually gonna participate? Much appreciated.


Well then, time to get down.

...Ah, man, I'm scared stuffless...




<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >



~~~~~~~~Demon King's POV~~~~~~~~~







『Pleaase forgive us. The human side is giving more resistance than anticipated, we're running behind the schedule.』

『Their army is moving uncharacteristically smooth as if they knew we were going to attack today. We have also confirmed the existence of non-standard magic tools deployed by humans.』

『Our side has also confirmed the sightings of Special Job holders who should have been dislocated along with Continent 3. It's hard to believe, but perhaps there were leaks...?』


Current generation demons offered their intel one after another.
Every single one brought unwelcoming news with them. They all are experiencing a harder time than anticipated.
I was under the belief that our sheer quantity and quality would have overrun humanity in no time. It appears I have miscalculated.


"I rescind my order to move in a group of five. Proceed in a group of 20. This may slow down the rate of our invasion to a degree, however, what we require now is certainty." 

『Affirmative.』

"I heard mentions of non-standard magic tools. Take them over and make use of them when given the opportunity. It should be possible to induce friendly fire with clever manipulation. Use your wisdom over brute force."

『By your will.』

"Those Special Job holders may be a thorn on our side, an insignificant one however. Spare no effort to eliminate even one Special Job holder. Focus on each of them even if it means taking resource away from other matters."

『Yes my liege.』


Wave tactics would collapse upon itself without minute commands such as this.
Conversely, precise positioning of our matchless army should guarantee the extinction event of humanity.

Their side may have displayed more resistance than anticipated yet I have not heard a single report that would indicate a reversal.
Nothing has changed. This match is all but assured for us.

And yet

What is this chill I feel.
My memory and experience as Souma Ryuta is telling me.
The unceasing alarm bell that heralds my downfall.


I have overlooked a thoroughly fatal something----



*CRASH* the window to this room loudly broke into pieces.
I immediately determined that someone broke through the window to enter this Chamber of Demon King.

A terrible chill went from the tip of my head to the verge of my toes when I saw the person entering, as if I had found myself in the middle of a blizzard.



"Yo, Spada geezer. Wait no, your real name's supposed to be Souma Ryuta, or Demon King now huh? Howdy."

".........You're........."


Everything clicked the moment I laid my eyes on this man.
It's him.
This man is the source of all the chill I experienced. The worst Joker of humanity capable of overturning everything. Such is what my soul and every cells of my being tell me.

I squeezed the name of this black haired Japanese man out of my trembling lips.


"Kajikawa Hikaru...!"

"Ou. My turn to surprise the stuff outta you, Demon King."

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633 Labor, Mess, Leftover Heap of White Bones

The result was superb. The split skeleton crumbled down before turning transparent and vanishing altogether.

"Ah, that did the trick. Then... I guess I gotta do this to all of them to get their cores. Wonder how much will they fetch."

I mean the price of these skeleton cores. Dunno what's the market price but I can somehow tell it's a lot.
I took a biggish bag. To put the cores in. It's just your normal everyday bag. Nothing special about it.
Monster cores can't get in the magic bag. I learned how a dungeon core can't be stored inside a magic bag unless it's inside a specially made bag first from my time with 'White Fang' party. These cores probably fall under the same rule. Or rather, this one literally looks like a mini version of a dungeon core so it must be.

The army of Skeletons deemed me an enemy and rushed here all at once.
They're not at all sluggish. They may not be quite acrobatic but their swiftness made me wonder how they moved so well without muscles.
The very existence of these Skeletons are weird though. They maintain their forms through cores.
I can't even begin to imagine the mechanic behind their living-ness.
They're comprised of nothing but bones. They don't have anything to support them like puppets nor are they linked by muscles yet they're capable of great mobility.
Mana is some pretty terrifying stuff.

But I have no reason to play along.
And so I entered Acceleration and got ready.

(Now then, I need to take the cores out and then smash these bones. That's gonna take a while.)

It's just a blink in reality.
But that doesn't apply to me who moves normally in this state. There's no telling how long it's gonna take me to neutralize all these skeletons.

(I probably gotta have some break along the way. Let's think up ways to speed things up while I do this.)

Thus I began this tedious work starting with the bones in front of me.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
About 15 minutes after I started. I found out I need about six to seven seconds to deal with one skeleton.
First I cut up the ribs with a knife, takes the core out and then stuff it inside the bag.
Ad infinitum.
The skeleton dying from that loop is a bonus.
All is well if this method works at killing them. Otherwise, I just gotta smash them all later.
That may mean double the work but I can just go all out then.
Eventually I got to the last commander-looking big skeleton with its nice-looking equipment.

(It's the same old though. Welp, here goes. Oho, this one's a bit bigger.)

This skeleton was apparently special, its core was a bit bigger than the others.

(Let's set this one aside. Gonna be a pain to look if it gets mixed up.)

I kept it in my hand before putting some distance from the army of skeletons.
Then I undid Acceleration.

The skeletons started cackling like they were having a spasm where they stood.
Apparently losing cores isn't enough to kill them but neither can they maintain their form, hence they just crumble down the ground as bones like some sort of system error. Every single one of them.

I think as I gaze at the heap of bones.

"Ah, good thing these things never managed to run around all over this kingdom. Would have been a huge pain."

Melee, free-for-all, pandemonium. I might be stuck having to tour the entire kingdom if these skeletons ran off.
There would be more victims as well. How'd you deal with practically immortal enemies that only die once their cores are destroyed.
It's gonna take a lot of effort to do that against opponents that are actively trying to kill you. Casualty would have been enormous.

Gotta be thankful they stayed in this place.

"But, something feels off. Like it's manmade somehow. Something brewing behind the scene maybe? It stinks."

The intuition I sharpened in this world tells me there's more to this than meets the eye.
I walked up to the entrance of the dungeon where it all began.

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On To Final Battle

I lost reading on Hero-kun's position a little while after I got news about Demon King capturing him.
The fact that he has disappeared from this timeline means everything is going as planned.

Things might have gotten a little dicey if we couldn't beat Black Dragon before Hero-kun disappeared.
Don't think even Alma's parents could manage that thing.
Unless they could use Energy Control, me think.

Hmm, I see most folks are done with their fights too. Nice going.
Now people we're gonna leave behind won't die off by rampaging magic beasts even after I Fast Travel away the people I've marked.

So yeah, it's Fast Travel time. Our destination is the royal castle's remains on Continent 4.
I've collected my great hammer and Black Dragon's body, no worries there. GO.

The scenery instantly changed from the apocalyptic-looking terrain full of craters and magma from our battle with Black Dragon to the dreary ruins of a castle.
Everybody I have marked are all here too.


"...Huh?"

"Oo, oh...? ...Wha?"

"Eh, what's going on? Where, am I? Eh?"


Almost all of them are bewildered. Understandable.
Just when they finally got a breather after betting their life and winning against some monstrously powerful magic beasts, they experienced this.

Once I confirmed the presence of everybody I've marked, I walked up and spoke to the Anti-demon Army Commander-in-Chief and Alma's parents.


"...Seeing as we suddenly find ourselves on continent 4, it is safe to assume we are heading for the real final battle as you discussed with us beforehand, no?"

"Yes. Hero Neo Raifu was abducted much sooner than anticipated."

"Haa, no rest for the weary huh..."

"Our opponents are supposed to be an army of 30,000-strong Chief-class demons, right? ...Ufufu, that seems downright cute compared to Demon King."


Old commander braced himself, Alma Papa sighed while Alma Mama cracked a joke as they steeled themselves.
The other Special Job Holders started pressing me for answers after witnessing our exchange.


"H, hold it right there! What's the meaning of this!?"

"...I demand an explanation."

"Thirty thousand chief-class demons, what is this about!?"


Haa, figured it'd turn this way. Guess it's inevitable, we're the only people who are in the know here while they're all in the dark.
They're gonna keep interrupting my explanation at this rate. Gotta shut them up first.


Fshhhh.....
I put in my energy as I breathed in, then I released the air from my lungs.


"Calm doooooooooooooooooown!!!"


I made sure the volume was just below eardrum-splitting level.


"Yiii!?"

"Higyaa!?"


The people inching in covered their ears with their eyes wide open.


"...Excuse me. I understand each of you has something to say about this, but please for now lend me your ears. I'll explain everything in order."


They were willing to listen to me somehow despite their hurt ears.


As to what's happening right now.

First, Hero-kun has been abducted by Demon King, current whereabouts unknown.
I actually know where he is but telling that here is only gonna invite more confusion so I opt to gloss over it.

Next up, Continent 3 has been spatially dislocated by Demon King's magic.
I evacuated all the powerful people from the continent before the magic took effect in order to prepare for the upcoming battle.


"How did you teleport us? Is there even a magic capable of teleporting multiple targets separated by distance in one go?" 

"The only possible ability is Hero's 'Fast Travel'... Could you be the real hero?"


The red haired Special Job holder, Kyaranonno-san asked me. Hey, your face is too close. Also scary.
She's the elder sister of Fifraila of the girl trio and Leviara of the hero party, but isn't she way too overbearing compared to them? Kinda like Scarymast.
The fact that she knows about Hero's abilities means she's quite well informed.


"I'm not a Hero myself but I do have access to some of Hero's abilities due to some circumstances. It'd take too long to explain in detail so I hope you get the gist with the brief version."

"...I still need explanation but let's put that aside for now."

"That was the summary of what happened thus far. But the more important matter is what lies ahead."


There are two things we must do now.


First up is defending the world against the 30,000 Chief-class demons' invasion.
The other being the slaying of Demon King.

Failing any one means the end of humanity as we know it.
The scale seems too big to be true, but it's the reality we've been thrust in.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

"How did you find out about all that? It's as if you've always known everything about their plan."

"Yes, I have. From a certain reliable source."

"How do you back up the reliability of their intel?"


Right after Kyaranonno-san finished her sentence, a bell-like sound rang on a black phone-like thing.
Uwah, that surprised me! I'm telling you I hate the sounds of a ringing phone!
Kyaranonno-san fetched a comm magic device from her pouch. That's the source huh.


"Pardon, let me take this call... Hello, I'm in the middle of an important discussion...!?"


Just before she could probably say to call again later, somebody shouted from the other side of the device.


『It's an army of demons! We're being pushed back by unbelievably strong demons, each and every one of them! We're helpless against them, requesting immediate backup... U, uwaaaaa!!』


Psh, the comm magic device fell silent after the sound of a scream followed by a lost signal sound.
...They've started the invasion it seems like. Those demons sure act quick.


"...I cannot entirely take everything you say at a face value but it does seem like this is not the best of time to have an endless debate."

"I'm just glad we're on the same page now. I have been in touch with the king on each continent to prepare for this invasion, so matters like reorganization of forces should go smoothly."

"I have not been informed on that."

"We had to prepare through back channels and minimize the amount of people involved in order to avoid leaks to demon side."


Otherwise, there's no way they can immediately react to an invasion of all those powerful demons if they weren't told beforehand.
I asked Alma parents' assistance to get those kings prepare for this moment.

The kings had to be extremely careful laying out the groundwork as to not leak our plan to demons.
We also exterminated all the demons that were planted in every country army circles.
I was sure I'd go bald having to accommodate all that on top of dealing with Oni-sensei during a freaking war....


"Save all that annoying talk for later! Just tell us one thing! Where and who are we supposed to beat the crap out of!"


Jurou-san grew impatient and yelled out loud.
That's nice, make it simple for me too.


Special Job holders like Kyaranonno-san and Jurou-san are to fight the invading demons on every continent.
There's still plenty of forces from the national and anti-demon army left on each continent, they should regroup with them and try to last a whole day.
I distributed samples of Julian-made magic ore mines to each countries. Surely they managed to mass manufacture some in the meantime.


The individuals heading for Demon King Castle would be my party, Radia-kun, Aizawa-kun, Baredo and Rasfin.
Since the situation looks even more grim than I thought, I'll have Hyula-san and Ganan-san participate in the battle against invading demons instead.


"You're going to fight Demon King with that group? Do you have a chance with the Hero missing?"

"It's not just us, but yes, this composition has the best shot at it out of all the people here."


Kyaranonno-san's eyebrow twitched when I said that. Scary.


"...I see you are confident, but overt pride will only bring ruin upon oneself. Should we all not participate in the battle?"

"Ah, we're good. Or rather, there's no point in having more people. You're only gonna get yourself killed right away."

"Unlike you?"


...Ah geez, this is such a pain.
I get that I must sound like an overly confident novice speaking out of line. Which isn't entirely wrong.
But I don't see how these people can hold themselves off against a being capable of easily swatting off buffed Alma parents. Especially since they can't control their Mana and Energy.
But they should be more than a match against those invading demons. This is simply allocating the right people for the right job.


I buffed my Attributes with energy for a very brief moment.
The me now can reach 20,000 on Attributes values by quintupling them.
I know I look weak but having to do this every time someone like her shows up is getting tiring.

She seemingly sensed my buffed power and reflexively stiffened up without a word.


"...!?""

"I'll beat you up right here and now if that's what it takes to satisfy you. Come at me."


I don't want to act so pompous but we really don't have time.
Demon King has a Skill Ability that powers up all the demons he created but it's apparently unusable when he's engaged in battle. So having someone fight Demon King also helps softening the invasion.
Therefore, the slower we get to Demon King the harder the fight against those demons become.


"...Very well. We will resist with all our power but we cannot promise it will last forever. So please make a short work of Demon King."


Easy for you to say. We're up against Demon King here, y'know.
Also, I may have a peek on Demon King's status but it's not the whole thing.
His Status is partly bugged due to his Menu being just as bugged or something along that line.
Oh, and here's how it looks like.



Demon King (Souma Ryuta)

Lv201

State: Normal

【Attributes】

ＨＰ：５３４１１/５３４１１
ＭＰ：■■/■■
ＳＰ：■■/■■

ＳＴＲ：３０１００
ＡＴＫ：３０１００
ＤＥＦ：２９８００
ＡＧＩ：２９９７８
ＩＮＴ：２９９９１
ＤＥＸ：２８７３６
ＰＥＲ：２６８９０
ＲＥＳ：２３７８８
ＬＵＫ：０

【Skills】
Demon Lv10　■　■　■　■　■　……



That's all the info I got on him but even this is enough to send anyone spiraling in despair...
That absurd level is probably from his previous level before reincarnation added to his current level.

Only Demon King can have Demon Skill Lv10 and the Ability being a buff to all demons.
He should enter True Demon Release once he's locked in combat with us, which should undo that buff.


...Which means we're stuck to a fight against those Attributes multiplied by two huh. I might die for real this time...

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