Sousetsuka

619 Accept It

We arrived at our inn. It's fashioned like, a loghouse, I think? One silver coin and six copper coins for a night stay and two meals.

(Can't tell if that's cheap or pricey... but I guess this is reasonable for somewhere out in the bony like this? Or maybe a tad high?)

It's past noon now. The inn will offer meals for tonight and tomorrow morning. I haven't had lunch yet.

"Innlady-san, can we order a meal now?"

"Sure thing! You wanna the bellyfull or bellyless portions? Three copper coins for the full one, half that for the less."

Both Berume and I were famished so we took the full ones.
It was a set of steak, soup and salad. It's a seaweed soup for some reason.
Dunno what's the meat from. But it looks like poultry.
The salad got tomato-like thing with overall red color. As well as some sort of vegetables and dressing.

I've come to accept unknown food these days.
It's normal in this world. No need to fuss over it.
The salad was crunchy while the dressing tasted like mayonnaise.
The steak had a tender texture to it, spreading out meat juice with every bite.
The soup had a thin salty flavor.

"These are all so good... No, seriously."

"What? You? Yer' moved from something like this? I mean, I do admit it's good stuff yeah."

"My oh my? Taken fancy of our food, have you? That's so nice of you. Here, on the house."

The innlady got into a good mood seeing me eating in delight and gave me a cup of tea for free.

"Thank you. Ah, this must use good tea leaves. It's got this strong scent and tastes so fresh."

"You can tell? Couldn't help myself giving extra seeing how much you relished our food."

Apparently her husband is in charge of the food. The fresh tea filled my belly with comfort.

'Thank you for the food', after finishing my tea, I turned to Berume and threw a question.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"So what's the plan. Should we depart tomorrow morning after a night rest?"

"Hm~? Well, yeah. Actually still got some work to do, but there ain't no point anymore. Nothing left to stress over now. I mean we took care of everything real early and all. Guess taking a nap in my room sounds good."

Berume's supposed work probably had to do with the preparations for the beast hunt.
I thought it'd be a waste having a siesta now so I decided to walk around the village. I informed Berume before leaving the inn.
Who knows I might find a 'good spot' near this village. The spot where I could live in seclusion.
I have given up. Partly. But that's no reason to not search.
My stroll around the village bore no fruit. I went back to our inn and had a nap.

The following day, I had a good night sleep despite my siesta and woke up before sunrise.
I groomed myself like usual. Would get cavities if I slacked off on brushing. Only to me and me alone in this world.
This divine blessing thing works on the weirdest thing.

(No wait, it actually does more but I still can't accept it...)

That doesn't really bother me so I gargled out my doubt and pulled myself together.

"We're departing. You done prepping?"

Berume knocked on the door just as I was about done.
I got out my room to greet her.

"I got our breakfast boxed up. We're leaving right away. Ah, put these in your bag."

Thus we left the village after saying our thanks to the innlady.

Previous Chapter

Balloon

You've got it wrong. It's a misunderstanding.
I had to wash away all the dangerous toxin sticking to my body, is all.

I was having a bath and taking a little breather after beating down all those big snakes when Menu suddenly warned me about Alma's imminent danger (Etc.)
I didn't think twice and went straight to pile bunking the whale charging at Alma only to realize I was buck naked. How'd it come to this.
Radia looked like he couldn't believe me, while Alma let out a silent scream while covering her face with her hands.


"Why would anyone take a bath in the middle of war...?"

"No well, you see here. My whole body got covered in toxic substance due to some circumstance so I had to wash it off. I got here in a hurry when I found out Alma was in a pinch. But that happened while I was taking a shower as you might've figured out."

"Just put some clothes on."


Yes, you're right... Gotta tidy up.
I wiped my body with a towel, dried myself with Mana Control converted hot air, and got Menu put clothes on me.


"Thanks for waiting."

"That was quick..."

"Alma, it's all good now, you can lift your face now... Alma?"

"...Sorry, give me, some time..."


Alma kept her hands on her face and wouldn't budge. I can tell her face is beet red under those fingers.
Well, guess that's gonna happen when you bear witness to an old man's body outta nowhere. I'd personally shrink back even harder.
...Oh boy, I must look like a pervert after that, oh maaan.


"Looks like it's gonna take a while. Let's give her some space for now."

"...I'm sorr..."

"But geez, here I thought you two were tight as a knot yet she got like this just from seeing yer naked. You two haven't actually gone far huh? ...Actually that was the shocking part to me."


What do you mean by that, Radia-kun. Heck, why'd she be alright seeing naked.
...Ah, aa, you mean that way huh... Would be nice if we could make a progress...



『CLUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!』


Uwah, what the heck!
What was that super loud voice. Kinda sounded like a chicken's cluck, is there a giant chicken beast or something... here...!?

I turned around and saw mountain-sized whales, but that wasn't the surprising part.


No it's the scene where a super gigantic chicken trampling down on a whale while letting out a cry.


What is that.


...Err, the mana I sense from that chicken feels really familiar somehow.
Menu-san, let me check up its Stat for a bit.



Hiyoko

Magic Beast: ★Balloon Bird

Lv63

State: Uplifted - Agitated - Enlarged Body (Great) - Tame (Kajikawa Hikaru)

【Attributes】

ＨＰ：９４７３/９４７３
ＭＰ：８９７/１３５４
ＳＰ：３４５/１１５１

ＳＴＲ：５３１２
ＡＴＫ：５３１２
ＤＥＦ：４２８９
ＡＧＩ：５４２
ＩＮＴ：７５８
ＤＥＸ：３１４
ＰＥＲ：２７８４
ＲＥＳ：３９８７
ＬＵＫ：９７８


【Skills】
Magic Beast Lv 7 - Claw Arts Lv 10 - Sharp Claw Arts Lv 6 - Fang Arts Lv 10 - Piercing Fang Arts Lv3 - Martial Arts Lv 10 - Ultimate Martial Arts Lv7 - Kempo Lv 7 - Throwing Lv 4

【Master Skills】
Drain Claw
Eat Beak
Aura Trans

【Unique Skill】
Balloon Body

Equipment
Safety Necklace
Abnormal Status Resistant Enchanted

【Titles】
Superior Slayer
Fearless
Reckless
Foolhardy
Brave Preemptive Stopper of Final Catastrophe
Living on the Edge
Magic Beast Killer
Magic Beast Genocider
Demon Slayer
Skill Master
Inheritor
Ally of Humanity
Gourmand Magic Beast
Body of Balloon
1000 Wall Breaker
Beyond 2000
To the World of 3000
Crossing the Sea of 4000
At the Sky of 5000
Counting 6000 Stars
Going Up 7000 Stairs
Fastening 8000
Going Beyond 9000


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

Ah, it really is Hiyoko.
Oh boy, she sure has gotten real big the short time I missed her hahaha.

Hold up! This ain't right!
I can see that she evolved to a Unique Magic Beast after meeting some sort of conditions. That's good and all.

But, what's up with those crazy Attributes! Her STR shot up 4-5x, the heck!
And what's the deal with that size! That's way too big! She can never stay in the same inn with us now!

<<Hiyoko's current transformed volume as well as Attributes are due to the effects of a Unique Skill, 'Balloon Body'.>>

Eh, what that.


<<'Balloon Body' is a Skill that allows its user to freely enlarge and shrink their own mass and volume. Enlarging gives a large boost to ATK, DEF, RES, and PER while inversely decreasing AGI, INT, DEX. Shrinking works vice versa including the affected Attributes. The size limit increases by Level.>>


Err, so in short, Hiyoko can freely change her body size?
The bigger she becomes the stronger, and tougher she gets at the expense of slower and rougher mobility. Meanwhile smaller size penalizes her strength and defense while raising her maneuverability and speed.
...Umu, she's pretty much a one chicken army now.


『CLUUUUUUUUUUCK!!』

『Vagyaaaaaaaaaa!!?』


I mean, she just beat a mountain sized whale with mere punches and kicks.
She'll prove to be an incredible asset seeing how well she can go up against opponents that size.
Add Energy Control to the equation and she can get multiple times stronger... Huh wait, can't she beat Black Dragon too if she gives it a go?


『Vaaaaaaaaa!! .....Gaba....!!』

『CLUCLUCUCLUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!』


Ah, that's the last whale down. She's way too loud though.
In the end, Hiyoko took care of all the whales besides the one I took down. Well done.


『CLUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!』

"Oy oy, that chicken's still raring to go!?"

"Hiyoko! It's all taken care of. Calm down!"

『CLUUCK! CLUUUUUUUCK!!』


I tried to soothe the still rampaging Hiyoko as she stomped the ground, to no avail.
Cool your jet chicken! Actually quit clucking so loud! My ears hurt!


"Save it against the demons if you still don't have enough! No point going wild here!"

『CLUUUUUUUCK!!』

"Kajikawa-san, it's not listening at all! Actually, it's charging this way!"

『CLUUUUUUUUUEAAAACK!!』


"...Cool off your head right this instant or become part of tonight's crab miso soup. Choose."


『Clu...!? ...Pssssss... Pi...』


The threatening word I quietly muttered was effective at turning Hiyoko back to chick size.
I knew she could heard us. I get you're in high tension from evolving but you gotta know when to lower your wings.


"Alright, good job. You did great, Hiyoko."

『Pipii.』

"...This man just stopped that rampaging chicken with nothing but word..."

"We've got so much whale meat to go around for everybody. All thanks to you, you can have any whale dishes you want later."

『Pi!』


Hiyoko chirped happily with a palm-sized body.
Just don't turn into a giant while you're on my shoulder okay. You're gonna crush me dead.


"Welp, now that Alma and Hiyoko are with me, guess it's time to join up with Reina."

"...Alma-neechan hasn't recovered yet."

"...Err, we'll be Fast Traveling to Reina's place, Alma. You good?"

"...Un."


Alma replied whisper quiet.
Was my bare body such a trauma to her. Kinda shocking.

...? Is it just me or is there blood coming out of her nose under those fingers? Eh, did the blood rush to her head? Is she alright?



Fast Traveling to Reina's place, we were greeted with people running all over the place like in an emergency room.
Apparently the people Reina saved with her Shadow Dive are taking care of the weakened town populace.


"Anyone here with Healing Potions?! This man really needs it!"

"Uu... My stomach... stomach..."

"Oy, get it together! What's wrong with your stomach!?"

"It's... Empty..."

"That's way too cliched!"


...The populace looks like they would make it out alright.
But there's some elderly and children in seriously bad conditions.

Ah, I see Anti-Demon Army's captain and vice captain here too.
The captain is holding one of the populace's hand while talking with them.


"Y, y, you're..."

"Hey, pops. It's me."

"J, Jan... What was it again...?"

"Uh, kinda wish you got that right..."

"Captain, please wipe your tears. Although I understand this reunion must be moving to you."

"No, I'm just down in the dump cause he forgot my name..."


...The situation is rather critical yet all the random skit-like interactions here and there kinda soften it.
Guess I'll go help those in need with Life Force Control and cook some nutritious meals for them.

Previous Chapter

618 That Time I Got Told Stuff I Didn't Need to Know

After tying our assailants up and before we started making our way back to the village we're staying at tonight, Berume grabbed one of the men by their collar and started interrogating.

"You guys want to live? Then speak. You were all sent here by the Holy State, ain't ya?"

I have absolutely no clue what she's on about. What even is this Holy State thing she spouted out of nowhere.

(I'm not a fan of these sudden flag raising events...)

I'd rather not know but there's nothing I can do now that I heard it.
That State is for sure gonna be my destination later. That's just how it goes with flags.
For what purpose? Or maybe it's just a whim? I'm heading there?
Dunno if that's still far or near in the future, but the fact that that country's name fell on my ears can't end up any other way.

"Guh! You... How much do you know?"

The pale faced man was in pain and grimaced further at this question.

"I'll let y'all off hook at least if you answer me. I've dug up some dirt 'bout y'all. You folk messed with one of our merchants once. Sniffed out some Holy State's secret service mixed in among Coliseum Committee."

"Bastard... How did you find out!? We made sure to erase our background..."

"Who cares about that now. I'm just gonna say that it's nothing impossible with some due diligence. And I just got my answer from your reaction. Your job was to gradually plant your people among the chief positions of the coliseum city, yeah?"

"...You don't need to hear from me if you've done your research! That's right! There's no end to interest toward that city! Every country is doing exactly the same, they've got people maneuvering on the undersides. Slowly and surely that is. In fact, I'd like to throw a question instead. How are they so united as one?!"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
The man seems to have given up. He won't stop talking. He even started grumbling.
United as one. What does that even mean. I could tell that was the reason these guys couldn't finish their job at least.
I shouldn't bother, it's got nothing to do with me. In fact, of course it doesn't.
I only arrived at the city the other day. I don't know anything about the city's inner working.

"Got it. I'm gonna be hands off with y'all now. Be thankful you got off with your lives. Consider you've forfeited your life the moment I set my sight on you the next time you wanna have a go. Do your worst to stay far away from me. Go home and report back this matter."

She started the event on her own and ended it on her own. I'm not gonna comment on it.
Gonna keep my mouth shut. It's the secret to success in life. It's not without a fault though. Yep. You can't stop the other party from blabbering on their own.

"Ah, you're clueless 'bout it huh. I work in the dark side of things. Been through countless hell already. Was an orphan, y'see. Got picked up, trained and here I am. Shocking huh?"

It sure is but I'd prefer not to have that on my mind.
The fact that Selram is a merchant that has a strong influence on the dark side.
I couldn't see her as someone who'd dabble in illegal things just to go up in world.
My thought seemed to have shown on my face, Berume tried to correct me.

"We ain't done anything against the laws. Our business is purdy clean. Or what, did you think otherwise? Well then, ya gotta brush up your eyes. There are all sorts of dynamics on the underside of things. We don't do crime. Honest."

She explained with a serious yet humorous-sounding tone. It's just that she doesn't seem to care if I don't believe it either.
It must not be important to her.

We left for the village while ignoring the men's groans.
I decide not to bring them to the authority. Berume made the promise after all.
They'd protest, 'This isn't what we agreed on!' if I did.

(It was Berume who said that, so they'd have no right to protest whatever I did.)

It's just that doing all that takes a lot of work and time.
Knowing how much of a pain in the arse all that is, I got on board with Berume's idea.

Previous Chapter 

Next Chapter

This Pattern Again

Hero-kun told me not to come here until I took care of all those snakes, but I couldn't stay till when I found out about Reina's situation.
Well I offed them already and was in the middle of cutting them up and storing them in Item Screen when Menu warned me 'Reina is in danger' so I left some parts behind... I'll retrieve them later.

I was all bloody thanks to that which made Reina scream in terror like she was in a horror movie.
Her reaction is understandable, but I dunno man, I did come all the way here to save her after all.


"...Who, are you...!"

"Strong black hair, could you perhaps the hero? We lured in another big fish I see."


The two remaining demons muttered. Um no. Heck, present hero is a blondie.
Actually, these demons seem plenty strong, the one I just defeated included. Demon Chiefs? No wait, there should be only one Demon Chief on each continent.


"No matter. You shall perish here regardless!"

"Taste the power of True Demon!!"


The both of them doubled their Attributes. True Demon Release huh.
Hm, they're not Chiefs, just normal demons that match one I guess?
Most demons I came across so far were below Lv50. So stronger ones finally start popping up now huh.


Well, the higher their level the better. Experience wise, that is.


"Now, die   gopa!!?"

"Hahn? Oy, what's, wrong...!?"


One of the two demons' head popped up without me touching it.
I simply blew it up with Remote Mana Controlled pile bunker.

Fumu, their stats may be high but they can't seem to detect invisible mana like Oni-sensei and Alma parents.
It's like they're instinct isn't at all honed. Or more like, they lack practical experience?


"B, bastaaaard, what did you dooooooo!!?"


The last demon lunged at me with a face mixed with anger and terror.
I could've easily dodged that but I let his fist hit my face unimpeded.

Eh, why you ask? It won't work anyway. And anyway, punching me right now isn't gonna end up well.


"What what the hell are you! Why won't you die, that was a direct hit!? ...Wha, my hand, it's burning, it's, melting, u, ugaaaaaaa!!?"


The fist he used to hit me is melting down. Oh my, condolence.
That's what happens when you're smeared with the blood of a Jormungand capable of killing an ordinary human with a single drop.

I waved my hands like I'm trying to dry them, sprinkling the remaining toxic blood at the demon.


"Lookie here, papapa."

"Higyaaaaaaa!! Stop, stop iiiiiiiiiiiiiit!!"


The demon's body rotted and crumbled down with every drop of the toxic blood.
Can't believe I'm perfectly fine getting bathed in this stuff...
I feel bad tormenting the thing for too long, let's end this.

I cut off the writhing demon's neck with Mana Blade Rev, and that's that. Chop chop.


"Sheesh. Reina, are you hurt anywhere?"

"I'm fine. Thanks to you Kajikawa-san."

"All good then... Mind if I go away for a bit and get some much needed wash up? Can't let you get close to me like this."

"That's fine, but what have you been up to anyway, Kajikawa-san...?"

"Had to deal with some real chancy snakey magic beasts. Ah, make sure you don't touch the blood that was on me. You're gonna die."

"T-that's scary... Uh, how are you alright again then...?"


I'll leave liberating the confined people underground to Reina's deliberation. Oh, I wasn't trying to make a dad joke (Etc).
Hero-kun seems to be heading there too anyway, they should have enough hands.

I'll go wash up for now.
Can't do that in a bath house for risk of polluting it. Guess I'll make an impromptu one with Mana Control.
So yeah, time to Fast Travel away somewhere uninhabited.







~~~~~~~~Hyula's POV~~~~~~~~~







"Oh boy, it's demon demon demon as far as you can see. I love that I can go wild as much as I wanna, but it feels kinda lonesome without anybody you know around."

"Uh, that's always been your style isn't it. Going wild on your own. I'm gonna need two or three more lives I wanna fight alongside you again, no seriously."

"Ahaha, don't worry about it, I don't mind."

"It's all you, darn it!? Why'd you make it sound I'm the one dragging you down!?"


Getting stranded in a den full of demons is both bewildering and exhilarating.
I can go as hard as I can without hurting allies.
I thought I was being more careful since Ganan joined up, but I guess I'm still as bad as ever at working with someone else.


"We gotta find other folk asap. Bet they're getting ambushed left and right like us. We must regroup."

"Eh, I'm good on my own. You just gotta beat 'em up, easy."

"No normal guy can deal with dozens of demons on their own, you berserker. I'm worried about them, not you."

"Okay, okay... Hm? The heck is that."


I saw rows of people far away.
I used Clairvoyance thinking they were Anti-Demon Army forces, but something amiss.


"Those people all got deadfish eyes. Their complexions got no vigor either. They steps look just as lifeless."

"There's men and women of all ages, heading in the same direction... And the woman leading the way there, she's got this sinister aura around her, demon?"

"Must be. She's the only one grinning among those lethargic group of people."


Were they brainwashed? What's that demon up to anyway.
Well, it's probably something like sacrificial pawns she'd send against our forces or something.

Ah, upon a closer inspection, she's even got a female captain of the Anti-Demon Army in their ranks.
Gal got herself captive just like that. She got no backbone at all, geez.


...Tch, I don't like this crap.
It's gonna get ugly if she takes those people hostage.

That demon seems pretty skilled too, ambush likely won't work on her. Prolly even stronger than the Demon Chief that attacked Continent 5.
Might be a tad too much for me and Ganan.


...It ain't like me at all but our best move now is to keep our distance.


"! Oy, that's!"

"W, what?"


Turning where Ganan pointed his finger at, I caught sight of someone among the brainwashed people.
...Isn't that...!?


"The heck you doin' over there, Alan...!"

"Did he, fall victim to brainwashing too...?"



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




~~~~~~~~Alma's POV~~~~~~~







From the Resistance hideout, I picked 'The area where giant whales and a giant chicken are having a showdown' as my destination.
Resistance members tried to stop me but I just have a feeling that this chicken is Hiyoko.
In fact, I can't think of any other possibility. The mana I feel in the distance is Hiyoko's.

But, it's overwhelmingly powerful.
I wonder if she evolved. To a giant magic beast.
...I understand evolving to one in order to fight on equal ground against another giant magic beast, but it's gonna be quite a handicap in daily life.


I clashed with many demons on my way there.
Their levels weren't that high, but the sheer frequency makes it quite draining.


"Ah, I think those are whales way over there... How the heck are they so big."

"They really are... They must be over Level 80."


Radia who tagged along with me was dumbfounded as he gawked at the whales.
I see, normal sized Hiyoko would have a hard time defeating something that big.


And where's Hiyoko?



『CLUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!!!!』



"Yii!?"

"...!"


A roar so loud it created a ripple throughout the air.
My eardrums would have ruptured and knocked me out if I didn't immediately covered my ears. It was just that tremendous.

Was that a chicken's cluck? Which means....


!?


『Vavoaaaaaaa!!』


One of the whales started ramming this way.
Oh no, I have to stop it with 'Grand Blade'!


"Guuuuu...!!"

『Vaaaaaaaaaa!!』


The whale is just as tremendously heavy as it looks.
I managed to somehow stop its ramming attack with my gigantified Grand Blade, but this can't go on for long.
Radia is just as drained, he can't transfer mana to me.


『Vavuu!!!』

"Uaa...!!"


No, it's trying to brute force its way with 'Roaring Rush'.
Both of us will get trampled underfoot if this--


No, we'll be fine.

Because






"This pattern again... Cut the darned crap already y'all!!"



An explosion on the same level as the chicken's cluck earlier could be heard from the whale's head.
That's the sound of 'High Power Pile Bunker'...?


Ah, I knew he'd come.

He'd always come to protect me who couldn't even manage to defend myself.


"Hika...!"


I froze up before I could finish calling Hikaru's name when my eyes caught him.


"K-Kajikawa-san, why are you looking, like that...?"



Because Hikaru is standing there without even a single piece of cloth on him, baring it all like the day he was born.



"~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!!!!"


An unintelligible scream escaped my mouth.
Louder and more high pitched than the cluck and the explosion earlier.


"...Ah, my bad. No, please don't take it wrong, I was taking a bath, absolutely not because I'm into flashing, no really please believe me, you've got it wrooooong!!"

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

617 Passed By

I walked up and slapped the cheek of a man as the group inched on Berume to gang up on her.
PAM, the sound of air getting clapped. That made for a nice sound, I thought to myself.
The slapped man ended disastrously. His neck bent unnaturally as he spun in the air before crashing down.

"Gotta be an instant death... But, I gave them a chance to run and they instead tried to take someone hostage. There's no reforming them, is there? Not when they don't have the will. It's fine, no?"

The sound must have been so melodious, the other men turned their attention back to me.
One of them lying on the ground, me standing.

"That's a no no. You're in for hell if you shift your focus here."

I'm talking about Berume of course. There's no way she'd overlook this chance. She went and stabbed a nearby man's neck with her knife.
Her carriage must be how assassins do their thing. Never staying still after striking. She's quickly backstapped away, never idling in one spot for long. Who is she really?

It's turned into a mayhem. Another man downed.
The sound of him collapsing drew several men's attention.
This is a group of amateurs. They've got way too many openings. Four of them died in no time. There's only six left. There's not even a shred of coordination anymore. The formation they made to surround us has already collapsed.
Their confusion might be unavoidable. Or not. They simply never thought of the worst case scenario. They lacked conviction and could only imagine themselves coming out on top.
How stupid. They knew my power. Or at least it should be a mystery to them. Despite that fact, they were convinced they would win through sheer number alone.

I walked up to another man who looked away again. I fetched the most pristine sword I had among the swords I put off selling.
I held it high and swung it down on the man's crown of head.
But he managed to block my strike. Barely by a hair's breadth, he put up his sword to stop mine.
But it's too late. Getting in a contest of power with me is a bad move.
Did he think I'm just your ordinary brat? After all that?
I gradually pushed his sword down. The man gradually got pushed back.
He's losing in power. He missed his chance to parry my attack. The only outcome left is for him to get pushed down or fall down with his back on the ground.
He should have dodged my attack. I didn't even swing that fast. I also didn't put much power into it which invited this man's misunderstanding.

But I was stopped by a slash from my side. His friend covered for him.
I'm not particularly fussed. Not even enough to click tongue. No irritation.

I saw the man going in for a slash, dodging it was simple.
No need to Accelerate. Berume had already made her next move.
She stabbed the man slashing me. She was so fast nobody other than me perceived her.
And of course she twisted her knife immediately after.

"Gguooooooooooooo!"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
The man fell down and foamed at the mouth. The wound must have reached his organs. Just how good she is at quickly making grievous wounds anyway?
Frankly, I'm even scared of Berume now.

(Forgive me for taking you as a delinquent inwardly! For real! So please don't stab me!)

"Ah? You callin'?"

Berume asked at the most opportune timing, I almost believed she could read my mind.

"No, no not at all! I said nothing at all, okay?"

I was sweating a bit when the men decided to take the chance to turn tail and run away.
'Oh?' I thought but it's too late for that. They should have done that sooner. I don't plan on giving them mercy now.
They've long passed by the point of return.

"I won't kill them, but I guess I could drag them to the authority?"

I entered Acceleration, went after them and kicked their left or right shins, all of them, to stop them from running.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Told You Don't Come (Etc)

<<Aa, aa, test test, can you hear me?>>

<<Uwaa, what what? Eh, what was that voice? Who's there? ...Don't tell me, Kajikawa-san?>>

<<Oh yes. Looks like my Chat Feature got an update after I leveled up some. We can voice chat together now.>>

<<I thought my heart was gonna leap out hearing a voice outta nowhere... So, what's up?>>

<<Soz soz. Uh, just wondering how's it going over there. Is Reina safe?>>

<<Yeah. She got away while sheltering people inside her shadow along the way... No wait, she's up to something beneath the town?>>

<<Hmm, looks like she's rescuing the original populace of the town held underground.>>

<<Ah, you're right... Wait, all of those people are barely hanging by!? Their HP/MP/SP are decreasing as we speak too. What's going on...?>>

<<...They're being used as an energy source of the magic that jammed our teleportation. Killing those people while getting in our way, two birds with one stone, huh... I'mma leave no demon alive.>>

<<Agreed. Maybe I should help out down there once I'm done cleaning up these dragons.>>

<<Hm, should I head there too? I can transfer my life force to those people. Also, I want some dragon meat.>>

<<Yeah, that's gonna be a big help... Hold up, what are you doing right now?>>

<<Playing tag with a huge snake.>>

<<My Map shows there's a magic beast called 'Jormungand' close to you, you talking about that? ...What, isn't this thing way too big, heck, the zone around the thing is turning red indicating danger zone!?>>

<<Ah, that's cause this thing is spreading around super lethal toxin everywhere. Apparently even a single drop is an instant death to ordinary men.>>

<<You, stay, there! Get on to beating that thing stat and put it away in Item Screen or this continent isn't gonna last!>>

<<Eh, but I want some dragon meat.>>

<<Save that till you beat that thing dead dangit! Don't you dare bring it here! You're gonna get us all killed, Reina and the townspeople included!!>>

<<Aye aye, hero. Well, things should be fine there with you on the case, Neora-kun. Dragons net lotsa exp, don't listen to them if they surrender, kill 'em all.>>

<<Yeah, that's the plan. They looked real happy slaughtering both humans and demons. At least demons fought for their king.>>

<<I'll leave them to you. Share some dragon meat once it's all over will you. I'll even buy it off you.>>

<<Sure, just get me stuff I can't get here like cup ramen.>>

<<Alright, you got yourself a deal. Later then... Oy, quit running away already! Give it up already you snake bastard, I'mma make roast eel outta youuu!>>

<<...You gotta hang up, man. That threat's way to scary.>>







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







Ah, that was a shock. Please stop voice chatting me without warning, Kajikawa-san.
Can't believe Chat function got this new feature after all this time. Dunno why does it even need an update when it's supposed to be a hidden feature.


『H, how dare a puny human wields such tremendous strength...!!』

『This gal must be the hero! I did not expect her to be a female.』

『W, wait! It's our loss, we surrender! At least let us live...!』


Wha? What's that dragon even saying? They were all, 'Nobody coming to save you', while slaughtering people, and now they're begging for mercy?
I see, I see. Hahahaha.


"I can't think up a single reason to hear you out. I'll leave none of you scum alive."

『Guh...! Y, you bastard! We surrendered! How could you call yourself hero!』

『Know it in your heart that we are the proud and noble dragon race!』

"You mean a race of stuffy lizards who went on a temper tantrum like children cause they got summoned uninvited? Just die already."

『Daaaaaaaaaamnnnnnn youuuuuuuu!!』


I reaped the neck of a lunging dragon with the combination of Short Sword Arts and Dimensional Blade.
You're the damned here. Crawl and beg forgiveness to the people you burned alive in the afterlife.

Well, they did make for some delicious exp. It's gonna prove useful for me.
Also this continent should have a food shortage due to the war, they'll make for some nice provisions.


Welp, done taking care of all the small fry. Guess I'll go beat their white dragon leader.
My Level went straight to 85 from defeating hundreds of dragons. Should get a few more with that white one.


"What's wrong? That all the strongest and noble dragon-sama amount to?"

『Gwu...! To think there was another mighty human asides from hero...!』


Ah, that white dragon got its arse handed down to it by a muscle bound man with lion-like hair.
He's strong. Lv95, he's on par with Instructors.
...Even I'm probably no match to him without Valorous Fusion.


『Inevitable, I shall show you my true power!!』

"Oh? Why didn'tcha used that earlier. Was about to end you, good think I didn't get hasty eh."

『To hell with youu!!』


The white dragon's body swelled up as it roared.
No wait, it's getting bigger as a whole? What the heck?

<<Ah that's got to be Dragon Skill, 'Arcane Dragonize'. It's a cheat skill that not only powers them up by twice, thrice their Attributes, it also lets them use Dragon Skills in parallel... Might be a tad too much for that lion-like man.>>

So, kinda like True Demon Release that white demon used?
Ah, it's strong alright. The dragon's key Attributes went over 10,000. Is that man's gonna be alright.


『Eat diiiirt!!』

"Ooh!? That's, some serious, firepower...!"


He blocked the incoming gigantified claw in between his knee and elbow.
He doesn't look discouraged at all even though the opponent is almost twice as powerful. Heck, guy seems like he's having the time of his life.
...I'd better not swoop in there, do I?


"Stay outta this, lil' lady! This one's my prey!"

『Fuhaha, fool! Your frail puny body cannot possibly measure up to my true power!』

"Yeah? Wanna have a bet?!"

『Diiiei!!』


...He's got it under control it seems.
They're even getting needlessly fired up, I'd better head down there and save the captive townspeople.



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


~~~~~~~~Reina's POV~~~~~~~~







"Uu..."

"Aa..."


Feeble groans could be heard in the dimly lit corridors.

Every single townspeople held captive underground was skin and bones.
As if they haven't had a meal in months, even looking at them is heart wrenching.


"...This is just, terrible."

"Those demons did it... They're using these people as fuel for the jamming magic...!"


I gritted my teeth without thinking as I looked at how awful their conditions were.
Even Kyoukuhalt-san put on an unusual grim look as he scanned the surroundings.


"Nobody has died yet, but it's only a matter of time if this goes on."

"We've got to feed them potions and meals quickly... But, before that!!"


I threw a shuriken at the corner of the room.
The thing that lurked there swiftly and easily dodged it.


"First, we gotta beat the pulp out of the culprit."

"...Oho, so you knew."

"Quit lurking around and show yourself up already."


Not like I'm one to talk though.
In fact, I don't know myself why am I acting out in the open like this.

The strength I sense from the black demon that showed itself up rivals that of the white demon we fought on Continent 5's capital.
Is this guy the Demon Chief on this continent...!?


"Fumu, I did receive a report about a shadow massacring our brethren above ground, but never would have I thought it was a young lass. I am struck with wonder."

"Okay. You look real strong, you Demon Chief of this continent or what?"

"Nay. I am but a common foot soldier. At least in this life, not my previous one."

"Wha? What are you going on about?"

"It is none of your concern. This is the end of the line for you."

"You're by yourself, I'm more than strong enough to beat you to death."

"Hou, confident are we."


I might have been too weak back then on Continent 5.
But I just know the me now is capable of defeating this demon here.


"How about this."

"Eh...?"


The demon unfolded some sort of object.
Is that, a Scroll? Just what is he...?


Wha, wait, eh...!?


"Did you catch the rat?"

"All that meticulous planning has borne fruit I see."

"Demon King's stratagem is ever so cunning and effective."


E, err, I didn't see this coming at all...
Three more demons on par with Black Demon came out of the Scroll.

...Oh no, I don't think I stand much chance against the lot of them.
I had everyone but Kyoukuhalt-san taking shelter at the edge of the town too so we don't have much manpower right now. Actually they probably wouldn't do any good being here anyway.


I should retreat for now and...


"Ah, you shall not contemplate fleeing. Do so and we shall exterminate every last human here."

"Wha...!"

"They pose little value as fuel now. The time is ripe to cull them all... Do your worst to stop us."


You scumbaaaag!
Going as far as taking hostages!? So childish!


"Look, hurry it up now."

"Uaa...!"


The demon was about to push a knife on one of the lying townspeople.
Just as I was about to rush there and stop him, one of the demons next to him shot magic my way.


Ah, crap, won't make it in time, to absorb with my dagger!



A head blew up, scattering the content everywhere.


"! ...?"


Not mine.
The head of the demon who was about to shoot me with magic.


"W, what!?"

"You cur, since when were you there...!?"


"It's y'all favorite little trick. What, aren't you all used to teleport, scumbags."


It's a familiar voice.
I can tell a sense of relief filling my chest.


"My bad Reina, got here late. That big snake took some time to kill."


I timidly turned at the voice.



Kajikawa-san smiled gently as he stood there, all bloodied up.



"Giniiyaaaaaaaaaa!!?"

"Eh, why'd you scream now of all time!? Ah, no, you got it wrong! This isn't my blood okay! All is fine!"

"That's even scarier!!"


He came to save me and all but the sight of him covered in blood in this dimly lit place is way too horror!
Rather than a big dang hero, he looks more like a new monster entering the scene...

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616 Quiet Counteroffensive

Likely due to me leaving Berume's side, they grabbed and threatened her with a sword.

"Watch it if you want this woman alive!? Move the slightest bit suspicious and she's dead!"

This stumped me. Are they for real?

"Template... They couldn't even see me moving, and now they're demanding me not to move... Seriously? Are they all morons? Eh? Like for real?"

Looks like they won't back down until I'm dead no matter what.

"Got it... I'm putting my sword back in, you okay with that?"

I sheathed my katana and put it in magic bag. Then I raised my arms up.
This made them relax, they all started grinning.
Seems like they seriously believe I've given up because they've got a hostage.

Now then, the reason why I'm playing along with this charade is Berume.
She looks unfazed despite her predicament. Completely and utterly.
In fact, she almost looks like she pities the fools these men are. Fully composed.

"Ha! Going meek just cuz we took a woman hostage! Oy, beat him up to death!"

The moment the leader man flapped his gums, Berume made her move.
She was already holding a knife in a reverse grip out of nowhere.
None of our attackers noticed her as their attention was drawn to me. Berume herself wouldn't let them.
She was simply too swift and too adept at moving out of sight.

She aimed her knife at.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Ow!? Gueeeeeeee!? Howw! How come there's a knife on my tummyyyyyyy!"

Berume's knife got lodged deep in her captor's side belly.
There was zero hesitation in her motion. That's the least nasty thing she did too.
She then proceeded to twist the deeply stabbed knife in one swift motion. Gouging out the wound.

"Ogeeeeeeeee!"

Her movement was so fluent, you could tell she was trained at it.
Must be an art of self-defense. The type that goes for your target's certain death.
Kill or be killed. An unsparing form of self defense.
This world weighs lives lightly. Death can easily come at every corner unless you've equipped yourself with a defensive mechanism.
You cannot half arse things if you wish to come out alive.
There is no need for mercy to those who come for your life. I'm betting that's the word to go by during her training.
Berume swiftly pulled her knife and took some distance away from the man.
That wasn't the end of it. She delivered the finishing blow to the crouching man she'd wounded.
Aimed at the man's neck artery. Her knife ran through it before a sound of gushing blood could be heard.

The man stopped moving altogether. Absolutely no mercy. Berume had long backstepped away so she never got bathed in the blood.
There's no particular expression on her face. It's like she's looking at some insignificant insect. Stone cold.

"Uwoooooo!? The hell d'ya think yer' doing! You soooooow!"

The men finally realized what happened and started making a racket. Their lines of sight shifted from me to Berume.

"Oy oy, aren't you all here for me? Heck, recall all the crap you said to her, you think anyone's gonna take that lying down? You got a flower field for a brain or what?"

I'm sure to them women can only cower in terror.

(No delinquent's gonna take such a lame threat seriously.)

My impression of Berume is that of delinquent. Seeing how dauntless and composed she is even in this situation, I'm convinced.
And the way she carried herself. It's clear how strong she is from it. I could tell she was highly trained. The utter devoid of hesitation in the act of killing cinches it.
She's well experienced in the matter. Berume is strong enough to get out of this situation on her own, without any help from me.

While Berume got all their attention, I made my next move.

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