Sousetsuka

Like an RPG Last Boss

"Gyaaaaa!!"

"Dammittallllll! We must sacrifice them no matter the cooost!!"

"You be one, lowlifes!"

"Line up your necks, you savages!"

"Die."


Kira-san started throwing all kinds of weapons, Spada geezer cut at least three Foxfaces with every swing of his sword while I kept hurling Foxfaces at other Foxfaces.
Despite our numerical inferiority, we routed these Foxfaces effortlessly.

It only take a few minutes till the Foxfaces were all nearly exterminated.
The blond beauty merely watched without a shred of anger all the while.
...She doesn't give a hoot about her subordinates' well being huh.


"Hiiyiii! T-Tamamo-samaa!"

"These people are beyond our capability! We beg of you, grant us your aid!"

"...Fumu. Very well, very well. Your entreaty shall be fulfilled. You may now retire."

"B-by your will! You have our deepest gratit--"


Plop, something fell off.

All the remaining Foxfaces' heads rolled on the floor.


"Lie now in peace. Worry not for your lives shall not be in vain."


The blond beauty smiled while fanning herself with a scarlet folding fan dyed in the Foxfaces' blood.
...What a chilly smile. I don't feel the slightest allure despite her sheer beauty.

Kira-san asked with a deep voice while frowning.


"Oy, you, why did you kill them. Weren't those guys working under you."

"Hoho, what a curious thing to ask. Did you not crush them like bugs yourself."

"Cause they're coming for my life. But you, you're their leader...! How could you call yourself one after cutting down your own subordinates!"

"Subordinates? Another curious question, I am familiar with the pawns and tools that had outlived their usefulness down there, but I do not recall ever having a single subordinate."

"Y, you darned haaaaag!!"


Kira-san threw a black spear at the blond beauty in a fit of rage.
The same spear that always hit those Foxfaces without fail. It's pretty strong, enough to kill an equivalent of a rank A magic beast in one strike.

But it stopped in mid air just before it hit the blonde.


"...Figured it wouldn't work...!"

"But of course? Do not liken me to those pawns."

"Hwo, teach me the difference will you!"


This time Spada geezer swung his platinum-colored sword at the blonde's neck.
Terrifying power and speed. It would have been fatal against the Foxfaces yet his slash couldn't even break her skin.
Their attacks don't work. It's nothing to do with a difference in Attribute values, it's more like those attacks are jammed by something.


"Nuu, I sensed no resistance... 'Physical Attack Void' huh."

"Verily. Neither needle-sharp spears, nor mountain-crushing hammers shall harm me. And I understand from your fight that you lot only possess the means to attack physically. In other word."


The beauty swung down her folding fan at Spada.
The moment Spada blocked it with his sword, a roaring thunderous sound echoed.


"Kuh...!"

"You shan't touch me while I have all the advantages."


The beauty looked smug as she swung another folding fan at Spada.
Spada took that with a sword created with Swordsmanship Skill 'Mana Materialized Sword' but he couldn't block the kick aimed at his belly.


"Gufuu!?"

"G-gramps! Take this!!"


As Spada got kicked away, Kira threw a lightning arrow from his palm at the blonde.
Offensive Magic? Never seen a spell like that though.
The blonde calmly erased that with her folding fan.


"Hohou, I see you possess some manners of talent in sorcery... But, tis' nothing I cannot handle."

"S-she just fanned it down...?"

"My pawns were fairly competent. That you did not deploy such sorcery against them must signify that was the extent of your ability in sorcery. I shall now--"


Ah, I'm done. Let's get her while she's busy acting smug.


I zeroed in with Mana Flight and drove 'Mana Pile Bunker' on her face!!


"Buhwa!!?"


The blonde went flying toward the main shrine while making a weird noise.
...She's still alive huh. Tougher than she looks.


"T-that worked? Isn't she invincible against physical attacks?"

"Pile Bunkers aren't physical attacks, it's an elementless 'mana attack'. Strikes coated with mana or formed from mana seem to be working just fine."

"I see... But man, that sure was an awful ambush..."


I mean, why'd I let my enemies notice.
Kira-san took a handgun in his hand while saying that.
...No wait, is that really a gun? It looks kinda like a mechanical laser gun you see futuristic people use.


"Hmph, that makes things simple. I shall permanently peruse 'Mana Blade' on my sword. Should have done that from the start."

"Geezer, you're alive."

"Weak blows like that don't do nuthin' to me. Forget it, she's coming!"

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

『Y, o, u mere preeeeeey!! How dare you do that to my faaaaaace!!!』


Wriggling tentacle-like things gushed out and tore apart the main shrine.
Octopus? No wait, there's nine of them and they look fluffy.
Nine, tails?


Ah, I know what she is. She's...


"""Kyuubi no Kitsune (Nine-tailed Fox)!"""


Three people reacted all at once at the realization.
Yup, she's famous after all. I mean one of the Foxfaces said 'Tamamo' too.

...? Something's not right...?


A fox with nine giant tails jumped out of the main shrine.
That thing's huge. The body is about three meter long while the tail easily exceeds 20 meters each.


『You shan't perish easily...! I shall drag out your intestines alive!』

"Uwaah, she's saying stuff like some RPG last boss. Scary."

"Those tails would make for some first rate goods stripped off."

"Wipe your nosebleed. Unsightly."

『You bastaaaaaaaaaaards!!!』


Kyuubi got enraged at our provocation. How do you feel now?
She swung her tails and instantly mowed down all the surrounding bamboo forest. That's gonna hurt like hell if it hits.


『Shiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaaa!!』

"Whaaaaaaa!! T-time out! This thing's surprisingly dangerous!"

"Mwu...! Every single tail possesses enough power to match my blade. Going up against many at once is a poor move!"

"Then cut 'em down one by one! Also, geezer, you haven't gotten serious yet have you! Get real now!"

"Mwu, very well! Astute observation, young 'un!"


I mean you haven't been using 'Qi Clad' or any Skill Abilities. 'Course, I noticed.
Spada stabbed his sword on the ground as mana swirled into a vortex with him in the center.


"'Mana Blade Severing Penance'!!"


Spada became three people as he shouted that out loud.
All of them lunged at the Kyuubi tails and cut them down one after another.

...Why didn't he use something so handy sooner.
I've never seen this move before, some sort of Master Skill? Thrice the hands that attack is such a cheat.

All the tails got cut off in no time at all, leaving only the biggish fox.


『Gwu...! Aaaa....!!』

"I-it's over in a flash... I didn't even do anything."

"Shame on you, wicked fox. Stay still, and I'll make it swift."

『H, help... Please let me be...!』


The fox turned back into a blonde beauty.
She desperately begged for pity in tears.


"I-I shan't kill anyone no more...! I vow I shall live alone peacefully deep in the mountain...!"

"Who was it that turned such people living in peace into the dead if not you. Quit your nonsensical rambling."

"In, deed... Death, is, my, only, path to, redemption..."

"You got it... Don't move."


Kyuubi listlessly offered her neck.
Spada held his sword high, ready to swing it down.


The moment he did.



"...Indeed, for that is to be your deaaaaaaaaaath!!!"

"!?"


Kyuubi's face warped as she smiled.
Floating scarlet fans manifested one after another all around her.


"Spin spin, spin spin, into madness thou fall. Major powers, who serve, under me. Hihi, hihihihyahahahahah!!"


Kyuubi speaks in delirium like she's gone mad.
Fox ears and nine small tails sprouted up on the beauty's body.


Its final form huh... Yep this thing musta been some RPG last boss, I bet on it.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

582 Plainly, but, Grandiosely

I have no idea what kind of story would satisfy Selram.
But neither am I planning to tell her about my origin. I can't afford to.
There's no telling what kind of future awaits me if I disclose my power.

Let's talk about regrets. Problems:

1. Came across someone in need of saving. I chose to look the other way even though I had the power to help them. Eventually that someone couldn't get out of their predicament and fell hard in life. I never lent a hand despite watching the whole story from start to finish.

2. Came across someone in need of saving. I helped them and got dragged in their mess. The whole things kept dragging up and annoyed me to no end. But it was eventually solved and the person came out saved.

Which one between them gives you the biggest regret and remorse?
It's probably '1' to most people.
Meanwhile, even though you get dragged into a mess with '2', everybody is saved in the end.

'1' gives regret, so does '2'. I've been choosing '2' all this time.
Of course. It's obvious which one is gonna keep me up at night for many long years to come.

That's the reason I never turned a blind eye on those people even though my goal is to retire and not stand out.
Even if I knew beforehand it would bring me more trouble.
Even if I knew it would draw attention.

I absolutely don't want to keep reminded of those regrets in my peaceful retirement life for years to come.
I've been sticking my nose in all kinds of mess to avoid that future and cut myself of those people once their mess is no more.
I'm not purposely seeking out those people though. I've been trying to stay away from them in fact.

At the end of the day, I only do what I did to satisfy myself. Even if my decisions are swayed by the situation on hand.
Hence, this life of mine is probably gonna stay like this forever.
I have no regret about all my past decisions. I don't plan on changing that.

"Ah, I saved some people who were being attacked by Beruads on my way to this town."

My latest activity should work as a story for her. I'll just play it down a bit.

"Fufufu, that sounds interesting. Beruads don't tend to show up around this city, you see."

It managed to pique Selram's curiosity. Got the OK.
I'll just understate it a bit but tell it in a slightly grandiose way.
Gotta do what I gotta do to entertain spectators.

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

I ran into a stopped carriage along the road, turned out they were under attack by Beruads.
(There were five Beruads, but I won't mention it. Same with Griffon.)

Two escorts were doing their best to stave off the assault but those mercs were powerless against the Beruads.
(One of them was already incapacitated, while the other escort, a woman, had to protect the injured escort. No telling too.)

That was when I came in the picture. They managed to calmly deal with Beruads' attack while I acted as a shielder.
(Griffon immediately crushed one Beruad while I took care of the rest instantly. Naturally, not telling.)

We eventually found an opening and repelled the Beruads.
(I won't say how I gave the injured man the highest grade potion and stripped off Beruads mats afterward.)

The mercs wanted to reward me as a token of gratitude but I refused their goodwill and quickly left the place.
(The woman in the carriage was knocked out. I was taken aback by the enthusiasm of the two escorts I saved and ran away in a hurry. Left that part out too.)

"Fufufu! That was a fun story! You're really amazing. Oh right, let me tell you a story I heard yesterday as thanks."

Selram suggested that once I was done. She looks to be in a good mood.
I had a bad feeling about her expression but it was already too late to revise my story.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Sacrifice

We ran past the bamboo forest as we made our way to the Foxfaces's hideout while dealing with their ambushes.
Geezer made a literal shortcut with his sword so there's no chance of us taking the wrong turn.


"Ah, I see a shining bamboo."

"...It'd be a pain if we found a small princess inside. Leave it be."

"Haa, all this fighting is tough on this old body's stomach."

"Kajikawa-kun, don't you got more snacks?"

"Oh my gramps, didn't you just eat the day before yesterday."

"Feed me everyday lololol."

"Hahaha, making a senile fool out of me, are you two. Let me have a chop on those heads, I'll straighten you lot."


We cracked some dumb jokes as we advanced through the bamboo forest.
Considering he got the reference, I'm guessing Kira-san comes from the same Japan I know.
Meanwhile, the geezer is half laughing half snapping. Sorry, our bad, put that sword back in will you.


We got out of the bamboo forest into a path adorned with many torii gates. They're exquisitely red.
But thanks to geezer's slash, all of them have been split in two. What a waste.

...Still, wonder why both my Life Force and Mana Search aren't working right here.
They're getting disturbed, or more like life force and mana are getting sucked into somewhere, wonder what's the cause.


"Now then, we are finally closing in on their stronghold... This is dreadful."

"Eh? What do, you, mean..."


Spada Geezer muttered while frowning, responding to that Kira surveyed the surroundings and stopped moving in his track.


There are piles of corpses all around the torii gates.
Men and women of all ages, none of them is breathing... It's unbearable.


"U, o, oeee...!!"


Kira-san couldn't bear the tragic sight and threw up.
I don't blame him. I feel like puking too.


"Kira, do you wish to wait at the bamboo forest? Do not exert yourself."

"Cough, cough...! N, no, I'm going. Acting alone in this situation is just asking for my death flag..."

"Did those Foxfaces do this."

"They mentioned something about sacrifices when they attacked us. These people were probably..."

"What sacrifices, how dare those bastards...!"

"...I shan't leave one alive."


Kira-san who had been acting nonchalantly all this time is showing blatant anger on his face.
Geezer looks calm outwardly but he can't hide his bloodlust. I feel like he's gonna draw his sword anytime.



We passed through the torii gates and arrived at a shrine akin to the ones you see in Japan.
There's a main shrine with nine katsuogi logs on the roof ahead of the front hall, split in two by geezer's slash.

A bunch of Foxfaces are praying at a hand-mirror enshrined in the main hall.
That hand-mirror is apparently the thing that's been sucking in the surrounding mana and life force.


"...What are they, doing?"

"Looks like they're praying at that mirror, is that...?"

"! Someone's coming out."


A human figure walked from inside the shrine while we were peeking behind a cover.
A blond beauty wearing a Japanese kimono, no, a Chinese-styled dress.

I had goosebumps the moment I laid my eyes on her.
Not from her sheer beauty.


No, it's from her sheer repulsiveness.


"S, she's gorgeous...!"

"Kira? ...What's wrong, your eyes are losing focus. Oy, Kira!?"


Geezer pinned Kira's hands to stop him from unsteadily walking toward the beauty like he was lured by her.
Going there alone is suicidal. He's acting too strange even considering his usual laissez-faire attitude.


"Let me go gramps, I have to go."

"You fool! You will get yourself killed! Young 'un, aid me stop him!"


Hm, this looks like a form of brainwashing, charm maybe? I'm sure of it even without looking at his Status.
I could knock him out, but that'll make him an easy target for those Foxfaces. What do.

Ah, right. I can try making him wear this Status Abnormal resisting earring. My RES Attribute is so stupidly high, I'm unaffected by that level of Charm anyway.
I took off my earring and put it on Kira-san's ear and then light returned to his unfocused eyes.


"Ooh... Beautif... Huh?"

"Have you come back to your senses, you lecher."

"That blond woman apparently charms anyone nearby. Even a glance turns you into Kira-san earlier."

"I, I'm ashamed of myself..."

"Fumu, that earring helped him regain his sanity I see. Kira, do not take that off no matter what."

"Got it... Heck, why're you two fine."

"Apparently I got some real high resistance against Abnormal Status."

"I have no interest in women other than my departed wife."

"Sure it's not cause you can't get it up anymore, gramps?"

"Shut it."


We resumed our spying while conversing about silly stuff.
The woman smiled happily at the enshrined hand-mirror.


"Fuumu, it is accumulating well I see. A few more sacrifices and it will suffice."


Her voice was clear and sonorous.
Yet merely listening to it makes me want to puke. There's no sense of relief.
The last time I heard this gentle yet unsettling voice was Demon King's.


One of the prostrating Foxfaces lifted up his face toward the blond woman.
He spoke reverently.


"W, we beg your pardon. Our inadequate selves are unable to bring back the three finest quality sacrifices..."

"It matters not. Do not belittle yourselves, you have done well thus far. I commend your hard work."

"Y, your honored words are wasted on us...!!"


The Foxfaces looked overcome with emotions.
...So, those heaps of corpses were sacrifices for this woman.
Revolting.


"You shall henceforth offer those three hiding in the shadows. Those who kill them shall be rewarded handsomely."


...Busted.
Can't be helped, it's plan B time, extermination.


It's your turn to be piles of bodies.



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



~~~~~~~~Sword King Dukeris's POV~~~~~~~~~~







"Haaaaaaa!!"

"...Impressive. Among all previous generation Sword Kings, you must be the first to have reached this level of strength."


Long.

Long, long. One second is too long.

According to Neora-kun, Demon King can only last for a few minutes outside his castle.
Once it's past a certain amount of time, his body will start to disintegrate till he disappears for good.

In other word, our role is to buy time.
I'll do everything in my power to keep Demon King busy till the time limit.
That was the belief I held until I saw Demon King with my own eyes.


"Speaking of humans, that is."

"!? Gwaaaa!!"


Demon King swung his arm toward me.
That mere gesture assaulted me with enough force to crush my whole body into powder.


Alma, Reina-kun, Hiyoko-kun, Radia-kun, Alan-kun, Baredo-kun and Rasfi-kun.
We have asked them to buff us with 'Energy Control' in our stead who are unable to.

An unbelievable amount of power is surging within me thanks to them. My Attribute values should be around 15000.
I'd have long died if not for their cooperation.

And yet, there exists a hopeless gap between us still.


There's so many ways to bury a difference in Attribute values with techniques and combat experience (career).
Even I alone can hold my ground against an opponent that has just been born with immense power yet little to no practical experience.

But this Demon King is clearly a battle hardened veteran.
Far more than me, a Sword King.


"Burn down!!"


Lunati summoned High Spirit Chtuga and attacked in conjunction with Offensive Magic through her Unique Skill 'Parallel Magic'.
Thanks to Energy Buff, Lunati's tremendously powerful spells got an order of magnitude stronger.
Not even Demon King should escape unscathed against that.


"Fumu, you 'Archmage' is nothing to scoff at either."

"Wha...!?"

"You two are indubitably the strongest of humanity as of present. I cannot think of any other combatants as capable."


Demon King coolly came out of the Flame of Conflagration.
How can that be, not even one burned hair strand. Is he invulnerable to all magic.


"Now then, I would love to keep you company for a bit longer, sadly I am lacking the luxury of time... Begone."

"Gwuu...!!"

"Ka... Aa...!?"


He's already lifting Lunati and I by our necks by the time I realized.
T, too fast, too strong...! How do you hope to fight against this monster...!!


...Alma. Looks like, we can't go back home.


"D... ear...!"

"Yea...!!"

"...Mu."


But we'll make sure to destroy this calamity no matter the cost.
For the future you walk on.



"Drop... dead...!"

"Ah, if I may, you will not self destruct."

"...!?"

"You had magic gear that will explode upon your death equipped, did you not? I already foresaw such a trivial stratagem."


'Clank' our exploding collars fell down the floor.
How, when, did, he get those off us...!?


"Apologies. I will not play along with your heroic sacrifice. This is goodbye."


He's raising his grip strength on our necks.
I could feel my neck breaking down by the second.
One second left till it's completely torn off.



...Forgive us, Alma.

Forgive us for helplessly and pitifully dying without accomplishing anything.
















『Gaaaaaaaaaaa!!!』


A voice echoed in the palace.
That roar sounds familiar, a dragon's.


"Gwoaaaaa!?"

"Kyaaaaaa!!"

"Mu..."


A tremendous impact hit Demon King along with us.
Both Lunati and me escaped his clutch as we got thrown onto the wall.

That voice must be...


"...Hou, to think you dared to strike me. Do pardon the intrusion."

『Right back at you. You're a Demon King, quit wandering around and stay shut in your castle!』

"...Hmph."


The guardian dragon of Firie Kingdom, Black Dragon stood there.
...I can't believe we ended up getting saved by him.


"Do you truly believe you alone is a match for me?"

『Nah, there's no way. I ain't dumb enough to go one-on-one with a Demon King.』

"Hou, then..."



"Am I to spar against the 'Other Sword King' riding on your back?"

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

581 Asked for Interesting Story

"It's the one, from that ancient archive... It really exists. My first impression of you was merely, 'Strange color, that's rare'. Without mana, you won't receive their favor nor will they prank you. You'll be fine."

"Favor? ...Ah right, spirits can take your mana to materialize what you ask them, or something? So? What do you mean by pranks?"

"They need to use the person's mana to do their pranks as well. So you won't get either. But it's weird how delighted those spirits look."

"They're delighted... What? Wait, you can see their faces? Here I thought they were look like vague figures or something?"

It's curious how she acts like she can clearly see the spirits.

"Oh I have a high aptitude with Wind Spirits so they're crystal clear to me. Let's see, think of them like little children playing tag all around you. Fufu."

(What the heck? What's so fun about possessing me anyway, spirits...)

I decide to leave them be now that I know they're completely harmless.
Kyaro put on a mantle as I calmed down.

"Our talk went on a bit too long. Selram-san is waiting for us. Let us go."

She's right. I followed Kyaro as she left the room. I'd get lost if I lost sight of her.
After leaving the coliseum, Kyaro took a straight path with no hesitation.

(From what I could tell, archery champion seemed quite popular too. Yet, nobody on the streets bat an eye at her even though she's not hiding her face.)

Looks like it's the same magical mantle Balga had on him.

"I don't blame you for staring at my face. It must be a shock to see my face turning into another person's all of sudden."

I now know the mantle has an effect of changing its wearer's face to other people.
Yet, I does absolutely nothing to me. Just like that time with Balga.
I chose my words carefully as to not repeat my past mistake.

"You still have the same voice. Only your face looks different huh. That's an amazing mantle."

"Ah, you are correct. But nobody has ever seen through this disguise even when I speak with this voice because I look like an entirely different person."

I get it. Magic gear is such an incredible thing.
After a while we arrived at a stylish cafe. Looks expensive too.
I could only follow behind Kyaro who went straight in unfaltering.
I surveyed the insides trying to find Balga and Selram to no avail.
Just as I was thinking we took the wrong turn somewhere, Kyaro beckoned me.
Kyaro led me into a door to a private room in the back.

"This store is under Selra's management. And this room here is her private room. Used to entertain her guests."

I stepped inside and thought for a moment that I got brought in a royal family's room.

"My? You sure took your sweet time, didn't you? Did you two hit it off even though it was your first meeting? Had fun?"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
The sexy beauty in Chinese dress teased us.
Her amorous gesture was quite alluring but I managed to splendidly brush it over.

"I asked her about a lot of things regarding spirits and that took a while."

I wasn't lying or anything. There's no need to go deeper here.

"My apologies for running late."

Kyaro who had taken her mantle off bowed deeply.

"My my, you're too serious my cutie pie. Of course I'm not the slightest bit offended. Now then, Saito? Will you tell me an interesting story? I'll pay you for it naturally."

I felt like a comedian for some reason. Such an unreasonable request out of nowhere.

"This is her pastime, you see. For better or worse. She's got her sight on you now, Saito."

Balga looked apologetic as he explained. Selram is a merchant. Amassing all kinds of stories paired with the art of conversation probably took her this far.
Using 'topics' as a tool to gain allies. I wouldn't find it surprising if she made it a habit to purchase unusual stories from people.
That might not be all. Even the most mundane story might be hiding a hint to profit.
Gold could be buried deep within baseless rumors.
Information is weapon. I believe the key to success in trading lies in one's sensitiveness toward information.

Urged by her, I sat down on the luxurious sofa.
My breath was taken by the sheer fluffiness wrapping my whole body.
My mind raced with 'What should I talk about to get me out of this?' as I let out a big sigh.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Get an Appointment

"Deryaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!"


Kira-san produced a black spear out of thin air and skewered Foxfaces one after another by throwing it.
Dunno if that's just how the move works or it's the spear's ability, but the way the spear flies autonomously targeting the Foxfaces is kinda eerie.

This man is by no means weak.
Each of these Foxfaces is as strong as a Rank A magic beast yet he's killing them in one hit each.
He should be able to easily deal with dozens of them.


"You bastaaaaaaaard! Diee!!"

"Gyaa!! Sorry, forgive me! I can't use this move consecutively, please help, helupu mee!"


Kira-san ran away from the enraged Foxfaces who lost a lot of their comrades to him. His previously gallant figure is nowhere to be seen. Guess he's hopeless after all.
No wait, maybe he's just pretending to be weak? But he looks seriously cornered there... I don't get it.


"Gah!?"

"Kaha...!"

"Gobyaaa!!"

"How do you like that! Ain't one of you a match to this old beaten body?!"


Spada Geezer sliced one Foxface with every swing of his sword.
The way he moves utterly belies his advanced age. Heck, he might actually be stronger than Alma Papa even.
We could have dealt with that White Demon easily if only this geezer was around during the raid.
Missing a reliable ally during crucial times is one of those mysterious rules. In movies or something.


"Dammitall! We must sacrifice at least one of them no matter what!!"

"That man is bare handed! Get 'iiiiim!!"

"Oy! Kajikawa-kun, they're coming for you!"

"Make do, young 'un!"


Whoops, guess I look weak sporting no weapon. Around 20 Foxfaces jumped me all at once.
Suits me just fine. I'll crush you all in one go.
Aah, and just fyi, I'm not exactly bare handed. I mean look at all these weapons free to pick on.


"Uwaaaa!?"

"Higiii!?"


I dragged two of the incoming Foxfaces with Remote Mana.


"Ora ora oraaaaaaa!!"

""Gyabbabebagababababa!!!""


I swung two Foxfaces around as my weapon instead! Two-hand style Foxface school!
Okay, it's the same old 'No weapon? Use my enemies as ones!' tactic.

I wrapped the two weapon-turned Foxfaces in a thin layer of mana, so they're not gonna break easily.
They won't die right away whenever they hit their friends, but the thin mana layer doesn't completely negate damage so it's gotta be pretty painful still.


"Gyaaa!! This guy's the most dangerous!"

"Run! We're all gonna die gabuuu!!?"

"You're not running anywhere. All of you, die."

"H, hiiiiiie!!"

"Aaa... You fox lot, you don't hafta go through that if you let yourself die by my hands, y'know?"

"...What's that, a homerun batter? Scary."


I dragged back all the fleeing Foxfaces with Remote Mana and batted them away into the horizon one after another with my Foxface Bat (temp name). It's batting time!
The two old men are taken aback as they watch me. Quit standing around, help me out will you.





Afterward, we kept getting jumped and dealt with more Foxfaces.
There's a pause in between raids, yet they don't seem like they'd give up trying to come for our lives.


"Phew... This is getting tiresome."

"Heck, is this ever ending? Where'd they spring up from anyway."

"I'm gonna die from overworking..."


Kira-san is sprawled on the ground dead tired. You're gonna get dirt all over your clothes, get up.
But they're right, we're gonna hit our limit sooner or later at this rate.
We've got to think up a way to turn the situation around before it gets to that point.


"I say, we nip them at the bud."

"Indeed. This will be solved if only we are able to reach their base and cut down the leader giving out orders. However, we possess no clue as to where that is."


I've been searching for mana or life force that match the criteria all this time but I've yet to find success.
Umumu, it's like my Mana Search is getting jammed, no, more like something is disturbing the environmental mana...?
It's also probably why I can only sense the incoming Foxfaces once they've gotten close enough.


"Oh what's this, do we have a problem here? Fufufu, that's where this item will come in handy, ta-dah!"


Kira-san cringefully fetched a 'Compass' all of a sudden.
Seriously, this and that black spear earlier, where'd he get those from anyway? Can this man use Item Screen or something.

<<It appears to be a different ability from Menu Function's 'Item Screen'. Detail unknown.>>

Umumu, no way of knowing with his Status hidden.
I know it's not my place to say this, but this man is full of mystery. Gotta keep my guard up.


"The heck's that, a compass? Are you planning to go out into the seas?"

"Non non. This thing is not a compass, it's a miraculously handy item that can show you the 'direction of your destination'... Well, it can only show the direction though so you tend to hit dead ends on the way there, but at least it works no matter the world."

"That might end up being thousands of KM away."

"Worry not. You can sort of pinpoint how far it is by limiting the range."


That sure is handy. We could find the demon citadels easily with that thing.
Would be nice if he's willing to part with it... Probably not though.


"Then to start off, 'Show me the Foxface base within 1 kilometer range'! ...Heh, there's no way it's that close though."


Kira-san designated the destination while touching the compass.
He's probably starting close before gradually increasing the range, wonder how far it is...

Or so I thought as I stared at the compass, but then the red needle shot out a laser-like red light.
...Don't tell me.


"...Looks surprisingly close. Haa, pretty anticlimatic~."

"So you're saying those Foxfaces are hiding at the end of this light. Well, what are we waiting for. Kira, lead the way."

"Ah, sorry, maintaining this compass is super tiring so I'm gonna turn it off now... Ah, man, I'm so beat~... No, really, this is seriously tiring stuff."


Kira-san's complexion did get noticeably paler when the compass shot out that light.
He couldn't wait to let go of his hand from the compass. Good work.


"But man, it's hard to get your bearings inside this bamboo forest when it looks the same everywhere."

"That will be no problem. You ask for a straight path, no?"


Geezer held his sword aloft toward our destination and swung it down.


"!?"

"Uwa...!"


In one swing, really just one swing, the bamboo forest got torn asunder, the earth split apart.
No, that's not the end of it. That slash probably cut through the mountain where those Foxfaces hide.

...This geezer is seriously strong. Probably even stronger than Alma Papa...!


"Let us move on."

"...They definitely know we're coming for them. Spada, gramps, your prank's gone way overboard."

"Hahaha, it's only polite to greet first, no? Don't wanna trouble them dropping by without an appointment, so that was a 'We're heading there'."


Uh, getting your base split in two is way more trouble, me think.
Well whatever, we're going to crush the place anyway.

Now then, wonder what will we find at their base.
Would love to take useful items back with me, but these two probably would want them for themselves as well.
I might have to negotiate with them depending on how the dice rolls... Haa, a joint force that hinges on self-interest is so choking. I wanna get back to my group fast.




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



~~~~~~~~~Fifth Continent King of Firie Kingdom's POV~~~~~~~~~







"Fumu, I suppose I must praise you for calmly ensconcing yourself on your throne instead of fleeing."

"...You are, Demon King I assume."

"Indeed. This fraternizing may last for but a moment, pleased to make your acquaintance nonetheless."


Just as the oracle divined, a black long haired man appeared before me. So he's, Demon King.
His exterior may be that of a man, but that is wrong. The creature standing before me is, beyond a shadow of doubt, not human.
Monster, specter, devil... None of that could truly describe this creature.


"Pray tell, what is your business with me? I was hoping you could make an appointment before showing up unannounced in the audience chamber."

"Foolish question. You are, to die."


Demon King spoke of my demise. I have been on the side of handing out judgment many times but this is my first being on the receiving side.
I suppose it is now my turn after the fourth continent king.
...There is, no escaping this I see.


*Crash* sound like that of glass breaking echoed.


"Ka, ha..."


I can tell Demon King has pierced my chest with his hand.
Even the many layers of 'Force Protect' gear that boasts over 10,000 point of Defense was powerless before Demon King who proceeded to crush my heart.


"This is my second time crushing human heart in my hand... What displeasing sensation."


I gleamed Demon King's hollow eyes as he coldly narrated those words.
Just for what reason, he, to humans...








Right as my consciousness was falling deeper into darkness, I heard a sharp sound of metal clashing.
At the same time, my darkening view gradually became more vivid.


"Impressive ambush. And, impressive move."

"Tch...!!"

"You are, the present day Sword King I see... Your power is tremendous. What is it enables that."


As I came back to my sense, the first thing I witnessed is Demon King with a bloodied hand, and 'Sword King' Dukeris pushing him back.
Next to Dukeris is the 'Archmage' Lunatiara. They must have healed me.


"Your power has breached a domain no man can reach. You are clearly no mere Level 90s."

"...Well, we are conquerors of 'Floor 21' after all."

"!... Hou, you mean to say you returned from that chaotic realm alive. Indeed, that does explain your power. I shall grant you a praise for exceeding the number ten thousands in Attributes."

"En, garde!"


Sword King swung his sword at Demon King.
Why, do you stand before him. Why, do you attempt to save me.





There is no path to victory against that being.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

580 Increasing Confound

"Right. I haven't introduced myself have I. I'm Kyaro. Nice to meet you. So, what would you like to know?"

"Ah, yes well. I get that it must have to do with elves if we're talking about spirits. But I'm not sure where to start."

Neither of us has any idea where to even begin.
I decided to get one thing clear first.

"Is there a difference between elves and dark elves? They're not in bad terms... Right?"

That might be rude of me to ask. I could have picked my word better, yet she didn't seem to mind.

"Oh I understand why you might take it wrong considering our appearances. But, it's nothing complicated really. We come from the same root. Elves are those who live deep inside the forest, shielded from the sunlight. Meanwhile our ancestors stepped out of the forest into the wilderness, plains and mountains. As our skin was constantly getting exposed to the sun, so did our 'Root'. We're not hostile to one another."

(Something like a difference in melanin level maybe? ...Or maybe an entirely separate thing since she mentioned that root stuff?)

I stopped pursuing that topic and asked about something else.

"My story will feature some disgusting humans. Do you have... any issue with that?"

I'm talking about humans who took part in elf hunting, but it didn't get conveyed to her due to my poor choice of words.
Or so I thought, turned out she inferred it just fine. Just how sharp is Kyaro? I can't believe she'd get that from my poor wording.

"Ah, are you talking about those who hunt and enslave elves? Hmm? Right, I've come to harbor a certain mindset after coming here and taking up this position. Use everything in your disposal even if it means deploying traps, taking hostage or employing underhanded tactics, you're not fighting in an arena. After all, it'll be all for nothing if you get caught by those kinds of people. Getting turned into slaves simply mean you're weak. It's the end of the line."

She's quite candid. Meaning she probably won't get upset with that story.
Thus I told her how I saved elves who were captured by Damo and sent them back home.

"Thank you. You have my gratitude. You are part of the family for having saved my kind. I suppose you took the Blessing of Spirits ritual at the time. Granting that to a non elf is akin to issuing an ID after all."

"Eh? Hold up. I don't remember going through any kind of ritual though?"

"Please don't joke around. The fact that the spirits possessing you don't have malice is proof of you taking the ritual. All the more having six spirits follow you. It's simply unthinkable otherwise."

"What kind of ritual is that anyway? And is there any issue if I have spirits without malice? I mean, what do you mean six spirits!?"

"...So you've never heard those spirits talking... And that means no explanation either, correct? So you really didn't undergo the ritual yet you are liked by those spirits?"

We both have a question mark above our head.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"No wait, first let's verify whether I took the ritual or not. What's this ritual like."

According to Kyaro, it's when six elves enclose me in a hexagram shape.
After which they supply mana to spirits and have those spirits circle me. Each elf involved does.
And then, every elf makes a wish to the spirits, in my case, to have those spirits follow me around.

"I don't remember ever going through that. Absolutely not... Actually how do you get malicious spirits possess you anyway? And what's so amazing about having six spirits?"

"Mostly by... getting in the way of a ceremony to revere spirits, or excessively insulting spirits, I suppose? It can also happen when you kill an elf. The elf may pour all their remaining mana into spirits in order to have them possess their enemy. And six is... the maximum amount."

Wait isn't this quite serious? I almost reflexively shouted out, 'We gotta purify them!', but Kyaro seemed to infer my thought and reassured me.

"Please be at ease. As far as I can tell, they don't mean any harm at all. In fact, they're all acting so docile... Hmm? Looking closely, you... Don't have mana?"

As I wasn't really hiding it, I disclosed to her that I am a 'Manaless'.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Moving, Situation of Respective World

A middle aged man who arrived later remonstrated the geezer who attacked me without warning.
The geezer laughed as he bowed at me. The heck you're laughing at dangit.


"My bad my bad, might have acted a wee bit hasty there."

"That's no way to apologize to someone you assaulted, gramps..."

"Apologies. But I had the biggest chill when this young 'un came out of nowhere. I had been coasting against all those mobs when suddenly I sensed the presence of a tremendous monster emerging. You can't blame for losing my cool."


Who you calling a monster. This geezer has zero intention to apologize, does he.


"I reckon an introduction is in order. I am 'Spada'. I'm just your ordinary geezer who been slaving away at Firie Kingdom."

"Like hell you're anything ordinary... I mean, where even is that."

"Hmm, well, you wouldn't know. You're not from our world 'fter all, 'Kira'."


I think Firie Kingdom is the country that rules over the fifth continent.
Does that mean, this geezer is a former military personnel there? He's way too lively.
No wait? I recall hearing about a former Sword King that's over 90 year old hailing from that country, it can't be...


"Setting Kira aside, if you're from Floor 21, you must come from my world, no? You look like Kira though."

"Yeah, guy does look like a Japanese man... What's this Floor 21 business about?"

"...You mean that place that's full of doors? From my understanding, that place is connected to all kinds of worlds. Is that what you mean by Floor 21?"

"Mwu? Didn't you conquer the dungeon to get here?"

"I'm not really sure about that."


As I'm not sure if I could really tell him that I come from Parallecia, I opt to feign ignorance here.
Ain't no way I'd easily believe a psychopath geezer who went straight for the kill.


"Mwu, I suppose you're Kira's compatriot then."

"You're a Japanese? May I have your name?"

"...Kajikawa Hikaru. I took a nap in my car on my way home from work and found myself in another world when I came to. Dunno if it's the same Japan as yours, but yeah I'm a Japanese."

"The heck, yer' really from Kira's world eh. I'm the odd man out here, oyoyo."

"Quit that fake crying gramps. It's gross."


I'm not lying. I just didn't tell them the whole thing.


"Whoa, guess it's my turn next. I'm 'Kira Kazuya'. I too got thrown in this world before I could tell left from right. Actually, I've been constantly getting dumped into all sorts of worlds, I'm still trying to grip reality even now."

"You sure look calm tho'."

"I sure hell am not, gramps! How many times you think I almost got myself killed! Ah man, I just wanna go home and take a long good sleep..."

"But it is the truth that you are very versatile. Offensive Magic, Grappling, Martial Arts, Spearsmanship. Every one of them is at high level too."

"I had to cause I kept drifting in all those worlds. I'm becoming more and more inhumane by the day... I might enjoy my time in Japan being matchless if I could somehow get back there. Well, acting like a kid at my age is not cool though."

"Woulda worked if only you were 30 years younger huh."

"Might as well be reborn anew by that point. I want to do over from the beginning again. Truly."


Hm? Does this old man, Kira know Offensive Magic and Grappling Skills? No, not Skills but a different form of power?
Let's check his Stats for a bit...?

<<Retrieval of Status Data failed. It is has been locked up.>>

Eh, is this old man wearing some kind of item that blocks Status lookup akin to Analysis Filter?

<<Unknown due to information blockade.>>

Fumu, he's so friendly I almost want to unconditionally trust him, but I really shouldn't let my guard down around him.


"Now that's outta the way, it's time to decide on our next move."

"I want to go home to Japan. Truly."

"Do something 'bout it yourself, blockhead. How 'bout you, young 'un?"


Geezer ignored the earnestly wishing Kira-san and asked me.
Don't get so down now, old man. Wipe your tears.


"I want to look around this place and take anything that looks useful."

"Do you mean objects like artifacts and OOParts?"

"Stuff like that yeah."

"I've a few on me myself. Got them all by going through hell. Those fox faces could come attacking again, it's dangerous I'm telling you."

"And how about you?"

"I want to find a way to go back home somehow."

"You should know how already."

"...Either way, we'll never get anywhere staying here, let's take a walk for now."


Geezer and I can always go back to Floor 21 whenever, but not Kira-san.
I feel bad leaving him to fend for himself, I'll keep him company for now.


"I don't sense those fox faces anymore. Would be bothersome if dozens of them come for us again."

"Did you beat them all?"

"Nope, I turned tail and ran. Each and every one of them was really strong, no way I could deal with that many. I ran into this gramps while running like a headless chicken and he exterminated them all in no time."

"Hmph, nothing but weaklings not even worth a warm up."


I knew it. This geezer is pretty strong.
Think around Alma Papa's level? Simply outrageous.


"Uh no, you're just beyond strong. Way above anyone I ever met."

"Not quite. See this young 'un here. He took my blade bare handed."

"Wha? Didn't you cut down those fox faces, their equipment included, like sweet bean jelly? This guy took it, bare handed?"

"Young 'un, you seem to possess a wondrous power. I can tell it's not Skill-based."

"...I've been going to all kinds of worlds. I had to come up with a trick or two to protect myself."

"Ah, I so get you. I'm turning less and less human the more worlds I cross into too... Haa."

"This young 'un is on a whole o'ther level than you."


The old man is sympathizing with me somehow... Not sure if I like the way he phrased it though.
But doing endless trial and error in order to protect oneself and reach your goal to eventually gain absurd power and get called a monster by those around you by the time you realized. I get that too.
...I'm still no match to Demon King no matter how strong I get though.


However



"Dieeee!!"


The owner of a presence that had been slowly inching closer swung a dagger at my throat. Companion of that earlier fox face huh.
I easily side stepped and grabbed his head.


"I'm not so weak something like you can land a hit on me."

"Abyabaga!!?"


I blew his still gripped head apart with a Mana Pile at point blank range.
They may be humanoid, but they don't seem human, so I don't need to hesitate.


"...More are coming here it seems. They never learn."

"Eh, h-how did his head get blown like that?"

"Must be the same invisible stake that went for me. Such a bizarre move."

"Stake? ...So like Pike Bunker?"

"...Yep."


This old man seems familiar with that type of stuff. I mean, there's just something about stuff like pile bunkers and drills.
Oops, I gotta take care of these mobs first.




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



~~~~~~~~~~~~Dukeris (Current Sword King)'s POV~~~~~~~~~~








"...Got it. We'll head there right away."


I took my sword after turning off the communication magic device.
...It's time at last.


"Lunati, bring all pupils here. All of them except Neora-kun's group."

"...Was that from. Don't tell me..."

"Yea... Faster than anticipated."


Lunati spoke to me with an unusually tense voice.
...I suppose that's only natural. Today may very well be the day we pass on.


"What's wrong?"

"Are my eyes playing tricks on me or are you two having cold feet there."


Alan-kun and Hyula-kun asked dubiously.
You can't blame us. It's been quite some time since we had to face an enemy far stronger than us.

Lunati wouldn't stop shaking as she gathered all the pupils, either from fear or excitement.
Ganan-kun likely couldn't take it anymore and asked for the reason with an anxious look.


"O, oy, no seriously, what's the deal here. This ain't nothing like you, Sword King-sama."


I spoke after a pause.







"Demon King has shown up at Pendragon, the capital of Firie Kingdom on the fifth continent... The king might get killed if we don't head there right away."

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

579 Respect and Spirits and Malice

The three of us took a corridor that's off limits to everybody but affiliated people. In order to meet the archery coliseum's champion, Black Wind Queen.

"I wonder why? My intuition is whispering to me to make a connection with you when I see you."

She pointed at her own temple with her slender charming finger.
She must have sensed something. The words of someone in her position are usually authentic.
Also, woman's intuition can be quite terrifying. You can't just brush it over.

Balga bemoaned behind her sensual walk.

"I'd rather not go with you, but I can't let Saito alone with her."

Wonder if Selram cajoling me to her side is a minus to Balga?
Could he be into men? I'd rather not him target me.

(I'm just joking though. I don't feel anything like that during our conversations and he never acts in a way that hints to that.)

My impression of Balga is someone who finds joy in gaining strength.
It's why I couldn't decline his offer to be my guide.

"Cutie pie, you in? I'm entering okay. I've got guests with me today."

Arriving at the room, Selram casually opened the door and went inside.
Followed by Balga, and then me.
I'm completely hidden behind Balga.

"It has been a while, Lord Balga. It is unusual for you to personally come all the way here."

"Quit it with that lord stuff. I kept telling you, just call me Balga."

The two are connected in the ring. You'd think they'd be hostile to one another. I wonder if this dark elf doesn't see Balga as her ultimate opponent.
After all, it wouldn't be weird if she felt frustrated or humiliated.
Yet I don't sense that in the slightest between these two.

"Please, I truly respect the overwhelming prowess you showed at that time. I wasd defeated soundly. Therefore, it is only right to humble myself before you. We stand in a coliseum, as such one must pay proper respect to those stronger than them."

(Ah, right, that's just how elves are.)

I recalled the elves I saved back then after hearing the queen.

"Will you direct that same respect to him then? He's stronger than me, did you know?"

Balga spoke thus. He took a step to reveal me standing behind him.

"Ah, nice to meet you. I'm Saito. I followed Selram-san here."

I greeted in business-like manners I learned in my past life.

"...You have, wind spirits possessing you. And also... What is this? I don't feel the slightest malice. Strange..."

I almost blurted, 'what's this about?' I never would have guessed a dark elf would say that to me in our first meeting.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Uhh? What do you mean by malice?"

I asked without thinking. Though apparently, both Balga and Selram had the same question in mind.
They looked at each other with a puzzled expression.

"I mean exactly like it says. If a spirit obsessively bears a grudge on you, that spirit can get quite nasty. It will mess with you no matter what you do. It may even greatly affect the course of your life. The more spirits cling on you, the bigger the potential mess will be."

Something cold ran down my back. Her words make me unnecessarily wary of those spirits.
I wish she never told me.
Why didn't she just keep that fact to herself?

"I have never heard any account of a human being possessed by spirits, let alone those without malice. Could you tell me how it came to be? I wish to know the detail."

Looks like she couldn't help herself being curious due to how uncommong the case is. That's fine and all, but I can't just blurt that story out willy nilly.
For some reason, I feel like I can't let Selram hear it. My intuition is warning me.

"Ah, I don't mind telling you, but I'd have these two vacate the place first. After all, you're a dark elf right? It might have to do with you. Actually, I wanna ask you to do something about these spirits. I can't see them, I dunno how to deal with them."

"My, you won't let me hear it? What a shame~. Oh well, that's fine by me. Do share all other interesting stories with me, okay? I'll excuse myself here. Ah, right, you can't put your hand on my cutie pie, you hear me? Although she'd just turn the tables on you. Fufufu."

"I shall take my leave as well. The matter seems serious. But man, possessed by spirits huh. Yet another interesting stuff. You always betrayed expectations in the best possible way, don't you? It's been full of surprises. Hahaha."

Thus the two left the room. Not before they said these though.

"Ah, let's meet up at the usual tea house once you're done. See you later."

"I don't like the idea of spending time with you, but I suppose I have no choice."

Off they went. Selram acted like usual while Balga looked reluctant.

So now I'm alone in a room with the queen. After five seconds of silence, we introduced each other and resumed our talk.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

At A Full Moon Bamboo Forest

This chapter starts from the POV of Gift Soldier No.1 from previous chapter

Alien. Abnormal. Those are the only words that could describe that monster.
It's a wonder I'm still alive.


"Wh, No.1! You're alive!"

"...Yeah."


No.4 who got his head flicked by the monster's finger came to and walked up to me with a look of worry.
I feared for the worst since he got blown away hard. Turned out he's alive.

As it appears, that monster was holding back while he dealt with us.
...So he's strong enough to afford holding back against us huh.
He's a lump of mystery.


"...What's up with that bag?"

"That monster left this behind. He wanted an Analysis Filter and exchanged some for this, saying 'These are stuff you guys need. Give me some for this.'

"Analysis Filter? Why would he...?"

"Beats me."


This bag has a far larger capacity than its size and it ignores the weight of objects stored inside.
You can't find anything like this in the whole world. It's clearly an OOPart.

Analysis Filter was developed in order to protect this facility's secret, yet it's nothing compared to the results of our research. However, the monster didn't show the slightest interest in them, he only wanted Analysis Filters.
Can't he make one himself considering he has the technology to create this OOPart? ...It's unnatural. His existence, everything about him.

Which society does he belong to. Is he even human. Is he from somewhere advanced enough to readily give out this kind of OOPart.
...In which case, we have no hope of winning against that monster.

I had no clue about his objective yet I was left with no choice but to agree with his demand.
We could not afford to incur any more damage... And the goods he offered were too tempting.


"This bag apparently contains seeds of hardy plants as well as unknown energy ore."

"Hardy plant seeds? Uwaa, how many are there inside!? How'd they fit in that small bag...!?"


These will greatly extend the time limit of this community.
We won't have food or energy shortages for a while now. This gives us time to continue our research on the 'Outside; monsters and take their powers as ours.


And then on day, that black haired monster will--





"Hee, you've got some good stuff there."


----!?


I turned to the owner of the voice. It's the girl that has been marked as a 'Waste'.
Did she escape from the custody area? How...?

Her number should be Waste No.67-J.
I believe she had silver hair, yet it's turned black now.

The same color as that monster--


"Sorry to say, I claim all of that as mine. You damned bastards."







~~~~~~~~~Black Haired Monster's POV~~~~~~~~



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



Oh boy, that sure was a meaningful outing.
Got several Analysis Filter for the price of an Item Bag with goods included. A fair trade me think.
Some sort of alarm started blaring hard just before I left, but I'm not in that world anymore hahaha.

<<The last alarm sound was not due to Kajikawa Hikaru. It was due to the escape of a test subject in custody.>>

Hmph. Did some real dangerous persona escape or something. I knew those shutter doors weren't tough enough.
Well whatever. It's got nothing to do with me anymore even if some sort of bio disaster went down there. Stay safe~.


I couldn't hold back my smile as I stared at the wristwatch-like gear.
Fufufu. I can get away from Demon King's monitoring with this 'Analysis Filter' thing. Frankly, this was the one thing I wanted most.

I went all the way to this place to hide away from Demon King's Menu before it could reboot and search for me. But I don't have to get all stealthy anymore with these things.
So yeah, I'm allowed to head back now right, Menu-san.

<<Inadvisable. Floor 21 may be on a separate plane from Parallecia, however it is not possible to Fast Travel to this place as it is 'inside a dungeon'. This opportunity is extremely rare as such it is recommended to keep exploring and bring back more Aberrant Objects.>>

No mercy... I mean, I do agree that I gotta find at least one trump card against Demon King.
But please understand how it feels to explore this utterly nonsensical place. You gotta let one or two grumbles slide.

<<Recommendation: explore the next door.>>

Listen to me! Heck, let me rest a bit will you!

<<Stamina, Life Force, Mana as well as Vitality are all deemed at an acceptable level to continue the exploration.>>

Can't you consider the mental drain too.
...Well fine. No point in grumbling here, let's just get on to it.


The next one is a paper sliding door. Slide.
An old man is lying on bed while painfully clutching his stomach inside a Japanese-style room.


"Ugugu... Bream tempura... Was so good... Drop."


Ah, he dead. You sure you want that as your last word. I mean, who the heck.
Are these occasional punchline doors for real? They're not just comedy skits, are they.
...Next up.


It's yet another sliding door. It's got a terrifically exquisite picture of moon drawn on a folding-screen like door.
It looks real valuable. Heck, the picture is beyond precise. It's super detailed.


There's a sprawling bamboo forest ahead of me once I opened the sliding door.
There's a full moon in the sky free of cloud.

Ah, what an elegant place.
All the locations before this was full of absurd stuff, unlike this serene scenery.


If only not for the sounds of metal clashing from afar.
...Think they're blades? Keep it down will you.


!?


"Nuooou!?"


A flying slash came at me, mowing down bamboos in its path.
I cut it down head-on with Mana Blade Rev. but it had some serious firepower.

Was that a 'Mana Blade Farslash'? Or is it a different move specific to this world that just looks like one?
That was as strong as Alma Papa's Farslash.

<<Analysis result deems that it was 'Mana Blade Farslash.'>>

...So that attack was shot by a Parallecian? Just who.
Quit shooting stray bullets, think about your surroundings dangit!


"Gagyaaaaaaaaaa!!!"


Splash, something fell down on the ground with a wet sound.
The half body of a man in hakama wearing a fox mask fell down right next to me. Grotesque.

...Did that Farslash do he in. But what's--


!!


I blocked a sword coming at me in the darkness reflecting only a glint from the full moon with Mana Blade Rev.
Fast, it's as fast and sharp as Alma Papa's slash!

It's a white haired old man that struck me.
His face is full of wrinkles, he should be over 80, no 90?
And yet his body is nothing like an old man. It's made of pure muscles, body of a warrior.

Was this geezer fighting the fox mask!?


"Ohwo! Taking my blade bare handed, you're good young 'un!"

"The hell's your problem!!"


I counter attacked with a Mana Pile while my Mana Blade Rev locked blade with his sword.


"Whoops! Was that an invisible stake. Almost got me there!"


The geezer calmly handled my Mana Pile.
...He didn't seem to see it yet he managed to perceive and dodged it.


"Fumwu, that doesn't seem to be a Skill-based power. A power unique to this world, perhaps?"

"...Coming for me out of nowhere. What's your deal."

"I sensed someone with absurd power showing up out of nowhere. Already swung my sword by the time I came back to my sense. Are you the leader of that fox mask?"

"I'm not. I've got nothing to do with that guy... Who are you anyway?"

"Ah, seeing as you came out of thin air, I'm probably on the same boat as you. Did you traverse through Floor 21 as well?"

"!"

"Bullseye huh. You must have a death wish. Plenty coming from me however, hahaha!"


Did he just mention Floor 21.
Which means this geezer must be...


"Oy! Spada gramps, don't leave me behiiind!"

"Nonsense. Blame yourself for your tardiness!"


Someone is running this way from the same direction the geezer's lunged from.
Is Spada this geezer's name? Pretty western sounding for someone dressed in a Japanese-style clothing.


Wait is that man running here a Japanese?
He's got black hair, flat face and all. No wait, he could be a denizen of a world that looks Japanese.
...This is all so sudden.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

578 Unrivaled Explanation

Queen shot five arrows in quick succession. Aimed straight at the challenger.
Those arrows can't possibly just fly straight. They're probably gonna keep chasing the challenger even if he dodges.
Either that, or they're gonna keep flying towards the targets behind him, his only option is to stop them. The same reason why they both haven't moved away from their initial spots.
A wall of wind struck down those arrows. Must be a strong strike seeing the arrows snapped in two when they hit the ground.

(This will keep going on forever... Wonder if they have any more plans? Hm...m?)

But then, that impression all the audience held got easily overturned. After all, Dyudo's targets have been struck by arrows.
From the opposite direction of Queen at that. Yep, they've pierced the targets from behind.

Dyudo couldn't process this right away. His eyes were wide open like he couldn't believe it.
Three targets have been shot. If the challenger can't shoot more targets, it'll be his defeat.
But their clash earlier showed neither could make their arrows hit. Dyudo's victory is all but sealed by this point.

Yet, he chose to shoot all his remaining arrows at Queen.
It was all in vain. As all of them were blocked. He has no path to victory now.
He actually still got throwing knives but he raised his hands and surrendered.
The announcer declared match's over.

"That's iiiiiiiiiiiit! Is there a bottom to queen's strength! I have absolutely no idea how her arrows managed to strike the targets from behind! Yet it's the reality thrust before us! It's Black Wind Queen's victory!"

Cheers erupted as the entire audience did a standing ovation. The entire arena shook from the sheer volume.
It gradually died down. And before I realized, an interviewer?, with a mic-like object in his hand approached Black Wind Queen.

"May we have a word from our victor. Could you tell us how you shot through those targets in the end? I believe that's one question everybody here shares on their mind."

Is he stupid? Revealing your cards here is akin to putting herself on a guillotine. It's suicidal.
Yet I was surprised to find queen quietly gave an explanation with a clear beautiful voice.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"As I am sure you are all aware of. I'm an elf. My challenger may be a user of wind magic, but he's still human. This gap alone is vast. There is practically no way to overcome it."

"Dare I say that's the key to your victory?"

"Wind magic and spirit magic may look similar, however they're not one and the same. That would be the deciding factor indeed. I would have handily won if not for his skill. The fact that I had to resort to this decoy tactic in order to find an opening is proof of his strength being real."

"And when was that opening exactly? How did you make it happen?"

"The last five arrows were decoys aimed to create an opening. All the clashes we had so far was for the sake of drawing his attention to me."

"But that doesn't explain where and how those arrows flew from."

"They were the three initial arrows I shot."

"...Didn't those fall out of the ring?"

"Those arrows never touched the ground. They did get repelled outside, but I had spirits to keep them afloat. I made him believe those were dead arrows that had lost their power. I covered them up."

By this point it's clear Spirit Magic is unrivaled. Challenger Dyudo who had been listening stared into the distance and muttered 'How could I win'.
This truth knocked everybody here off their socks.

"So you made those arrows flew and struck the targets from behind in the end! An ending made while your opponent was fully focused on you! Am I correct or what!"

The interviewer couldn't hold back his excitement.
Queen resumed.

"Wind magic will not persist if you stop funneling your mana. It won't activate against once your mana has been cut off. But Spirit Magic does not work like that. It is possible to control spirits remotely. That's the gap between us he can never overcome."

"Thank you very much for your time! Your next challengers may refer to this in their quest to one up you. Do you have any comment on that?"

"May be so, however, I don't believe there is anyone capable of taking me down for some time still. I'd gladly accept it if that time ever comes to pass, as that will mark the birth of a new hero of this city."

"The queen still reigns supreme! Yet she blesses those who rise up to the challenge! Such a broad heart our queen has! We offer you our thanks for the performance today! Congratulations on your victory!"

Once the interview ended, the queen elegantly made her way out of the ring.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

The Beginning of Those Who Rise Up Next

I kicked open the shutter door and proceeded through the corridor.
It's so fragile. Can something like this really contain those test subject? Feels like it's gonna get easily pried open like in all those monster panic movies.

Ah, right, I should have checked those people's Status.
I wanted to see what they're like in this world.

<<An attempt was made to confirm Status of 'Gift Soldier'. However, it was a failure.>>

Eh, you made the initiative on your own Menu? You're so reliable~.
But I guess it failed cause the world here has a different rule set huh? I mean my and mother's Status showed all zero with no skill too.

<<Negative. Successfully verified the Status of all 'Test Subjects'. Displaying a sample.>>



Creature: Test Subject No. 234

Rank 1

State: Normal

【Specs】

H (Health): 80/80
M (Magica): 27/27
SP (Stamina): 37/37

PHY (Physical): 140
SPE (Special): 125
FIT (Aptitude): 1%

【Gift】
Physical Boost Lv1


That's some neat and tidy Status compared to our jam-packed ones.
I guess Menu can show Status in other worlds just fine then. Menu-san's too awesome.

...Huh? Then how come earthlings' Status look so pitiful. How'd that work.
And also, why didn't the Status of those futuristic suppression force-like folk get shown?

<<It is due to an equipment known as 'Analysis Filter' which nullifies Appraisal and Analysis abilities. This extends to Menu Function as well. Map Screen is unable to display them as well.>>

Uwah, that's some annoying equipment they got.
Antagonizing the people of this world might prove troublesome. They're generally weak though so I won't lose.


.......Wait.
Wait, wait wait wait. If my Menu can't work on it, can't Demon King's Menu too?

<<As it is an identical Menu Function. The probability is extremely high.>>


I see

I see...!


Change of plan! I'm gonna grab that Analysis something and take it home no matter what!
Fuhahaha! Just you wait, Demon King, I'm gonna collect all the pieces needed to wreck you up! Shake in your sleep!







~~~~~~~???? POV~~~~~~~~~








"The monster's going wild! Don't get close to him unless you're elite soldiers!"

"Wha, No.4 got done in! And he merely flicked his finger!? The hell's going on!"


...It's so noisy outside.
Wish they let me be in peace in my last moment.


How many days since the last time I ate, I wonder.
My S has run out, even my H only has a sliver left.
It's only a matter of time till I starve to death. A mere few hours.


My existence has no value. My life has no meaning.
I don't know when I was born, I don't know since when had I been getting by rummaging trash.
Just when I hit my limit and passed out, I got picked up by the people of this suspicious research facility, for better or worse.


This facility is researching ways to grant the abilities of the creatures living 'outside' this community to humans.
Apparently, monsters prowl outside, such as apes with superhuman strength, or giant lizards wrapped in flames.

I'm told we don't have enough resource to produce ordinary weapons and defeat those monsters, hence the need to invent a new countermeasure.
They turned their sight on those outside monsters' abilities. Humans would be a force to be reckoned with if we could wield such power.

At first, they made an attempt to tame and use those monsters as biological weapons but they proved too ferocious for that.
And then they tried to grant those monsters' abilities to animals, hoping to better control such animals, but not only did those animals become more vicious, the granted abilities were also vastly degraded.


As every failure cornered the higher ups to provide results, they turned their sight on 'humans' at last.
Humans are weak. Their strength and size can't compare to those monsters.

But our 'Intelligence' is far above them. The same reason we could live on while sheltering away from monsters all this time.
They were hoping to combine human intelligence and the power of monster, even in a regressed form, to get a big return.


In fact, that line of thinking did bring in results.
They insert monster cells into human body which gradually conform to those cells. The process eventually allows humans to wield their powers.

One's 'Aptitude Rate' governs whether they can conform to monster power or not.
The higher your Aptitude Rate, the more effective and stable you can wield the ability.
Low Aptitude Rate not only signifies one's inability to wield monster power but it also makes you prone to getting ravaged by the monster cells, going insane, or worst, ultimately dying.

Ordinary humans only have 1-3% Aptitude.
Elites known as Gift Soldiers have extremely high Aptitude at nearly 20%. They are a lump of potentials, chosen by gods.

My Aptitude is merely [0.1%].
It's abnormally low, but since they're bound ethically on what kind of people are allowed to be test subjects, they went ahead and injected me with monster cells.
I didn't go insane or die, but neither did I get any ability. They kept me around to monitor any change to no avail.


I was deemed as 'Worthless'.
A trash whose only good is to be used as fertilizer after my death.


Why was I born anyway.


...I'm tired. Living is tiring, I just want to die and get some rest--



Plop, something fell ahead of me.


What, is this


Someone's, arm...?



"H-he did it! No.1 cut off that monster's arm with Spatial Warp!"

"Now's our chance! Attack altogether!!"


A left arm cut from the root down lay in front of me, still spilling blood.
This looks like your average human arm... But considering the voices outside the room, this is supposedly a monster's arm.


...Ah, I'm so hungry.
My throat is parched too. It's so unbearable even the red liquid pooling in front of me looks tasty.

This is fine right, I'm gonna die anyway.


The hunger is making me forget my humanity.


"Hi, hiiie!? H, his arm, his arm grew baaaaack!!"

"H-he can even regenerate himself!? He just knocked No.1 flying with that regrown arm!"

"R-run! We're done foooor!!"


...My reason almost stopped me from going ahead, but my hunger prevailed in the end as I picked the arm in front of me to----




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


~~~~~~~~~~Arm owner's POV~~~~~~~~~~






That was real close!
Who could've foreseen they have someone who could bypass my HP buffer and directly damage my body!

Got careless cuz they were all weak.
Turned out they got someone who can warp the space itself.
He went and warped the space around my arm and cut it off. I healed it back up with Life Force Control, but I'd have been out had he aimed for my head.


"Who, the, hell, are you...! Why, what's your goal...!"


The young man called No.1 spoke while holding the stomach I punched in pain.
Oh, he must be the strongest person here judging from his name. Guy's tough as nails. Not only he stayed awake, he could even afford to talk.
Works for me. Let's have a little chat, shall we.


"Answer me."

"! You can speak...!?"

"Well duh, just answer me... Where can I get an 'Analysis Filter' thingy?"

"...Wha?"

"Were you listening? Analysis Filter, don't you know that?"

"W-why would you, something like that? Aren't you here for test records and results..."

"Who gives a hoot about those. I'm only interested in that thing you guys wear and the way to use it. Gimme that, and I'll stop going wild and head back home... I will stop at nothing till I get one though."


No.1 listened to me with a perplexed look.
From his POV, it's like going to a snack store and demand 'Hand over those wrappings! The candy? Don't need!' ...Uh that's a weird analogy.

Menu-san, do I have anything that can be of use to these people?

<<Information retrieval complete. This community is short on food, fuel as well as all kinds of daily necessities. There are only around 5000 people living here. However, it is estimated that their supply will run out in a few years.>>

<<This community will make use of any goods. Recommending objects that are useful for a long period of time.>>

Hm, like say?

<<For food, hardy plants such as potatoes and sweet potatoes. For energy conversion, magic stones. This community will see a drastic improvement with such objects.>>


Fumu, let's have them trade an Analysis Filter for those things then.
But man, I guess I can't expect the food in this world considering their situation...

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

577 A Different Fight

"What's going on here!? Neither of them is taking the initiative perhaps they're wary of each other! Or maybe they believe their opponent is too strong!?"

The announcer is accusing them of being scared in a roundabout way.
Dyudo grinned at that. Immediately followed by a rapid chain of three shots.
There was no hint of hesitation in his motion.

The shots were met with a small black tornado one meter in diameter which suddenly emerged in the middle of the arena.
It's positioned just right to stop the arrows.
Arrows fly super fast. I had to focus so much I inadvertently entered Acceleration just to follow them. My eyes now see them in slow motion.
Those arrows changed their trajectory all of a sudden. They went around the tornado toward the targets behind the queen. Two arrows passed her left side, one to her right.
I quickly realized this is the so called 'wind' the announcer mentioned earlier.
Those arrows must be controlled with magic. There's no way those movements are natural.

But as expected of the one called queen, the arrows suddenly stopped mid air just before they hit their targets and fell down the ground.

"What an incredible display of offense and defense! Three arrows that were let loose in one breath changed their trajectory mid air and went straight for Queen's targets! Naturally Queen wouldn't take that lying down!"

This announcer has an incredible kinetic vision it seems. His explanation is on point.
The audience erupted into earsplitting cheers at that.
The fight proceeded on. Queen shot at a high angle. She shot three arrows like she was returning the favor.
Three arrows were rapidly let loose. They're both highly skilled.

Once the arrows reached high into the air, they underwent a strange phenomenon.
All the audience eyes are on those arrows.
The moment the three arrows hit the zenith, they fall downward toward Dyudo's targets at twice the speed they flew upward.

Dyudo didn't look panicked at all.
He merely waved his hands at these arrows. Yet the effect was obvious.
It's a barrier made of wind magic. The falling arrows got repelled while they were still high in the air and fell off outside the arena.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
This is pretty much a battle of magic, not bow and arrows. As well as a battle of wit.

(What even those bows are for... Those arrows obviously don't even need a bow to fly like that...)

Anything goes. I put on a slightly different expression than the rest of the audience.

"My? Is it not to your liking? Ah, I suppose it can't be helped if this is your first time watching, Saito."

Selram commented as she peered at my face from the side.
Just how did I look to her anyway?

The fight began for real after this. The number of arrows shot, trajectory and patterns saw a drastic change.
Each side kept trying to land a decisive blow. Blocking arrows and immediately countering. It's as if they're fighting a turn based battle where they take turn one after another.
Yet, even though neither of the gladiators moved from their spot in this quiet battle, the audience's fervor kept reaching even higher heights.

Thus, the two of them kept using up their arrows before eventually the battle was decided just as their supply hit ten arrows left each.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Geezer Where  Monster Here

This chapter starts from Aizawa-kun's POV

"Hragh! Graah! Hiyaa!!"

"Nuoo!? Y-you've gotten better, Alan-kun...!"

"Nah I ain't, this crap is just a temp buff! I ain't nowhere near your level!"

"Hahaha, no need to be so modest! You are definitely growing stronger regardless of methods!"


Dammit! I ain't getting a single hit even after this huge buff!
This guy's no present day Sword King for show...!

Just several days ago, Sword King handled me like he was playing around with a brat.
But it finally looks like a real practice now.
Might seem like I'm getting there but the gap in powers is way vast still.


The only reason I can fight Sword King decently is due to a certain move 'Direct Energy Control'.
An entirely different concept from Skill Alma's gang taught.

Apparently, that monster (old man) came up with this crap. Frankly it's cheating.
My base stats right now are only around 1000, but I can boost that several times over with the effective use of Energy Control.
Without this, there ain't no way an Advanced Job 'Sword Saint' could hold a candle to Special Job 'Sword King'.

Alma's sudden power up in that tournament musta been thanks to this move.
I ain't gonna grumble over my defeat, but if only I could use this move back then...


Several days ago, Alma and Reina (brat) got a message from that old man to teach instructors and all the training members Mana and Energy Control.
Under a condition that this must not be made public and there will be a severe penalty for those who break this rule.

Demons prolly won't stand a chance against mankind if only we all could use this cheat, but apparently that's forbidden.
Well, I get it, who knows what's gonna happen if this move made it to public.
Demons could end up learning this, and we're pretty much done for if it got to Demon King. Ain't no way anybody could beat him.

Hyula, Ganan and the two instructors are unable to learn this move.
For some reason, the older and the higher your level, the harder it is to grasp the knack on this move.



"Phew, phew, ga, haa...! Haa, haa, haa...!!"

"...Guess you hit your limit. Let's take a break."

"Tch...!"


I reflexively clicked my tongue as my body wouldn't move cuz I ran out of stamina.
The biggest pitfall of this move is the intense stamina consumption.

You can minimize that by curbing effective area and duration but I ain't good enough to be at that point yet.
That bastard Radia went and mastered this... Can't call him a small fry no more.


"Phew. I'm always reminded about your polished swordsmanship whenever we exchanged blades. You have done well reaching that level at your age."

"Cut the flattery. I want strength not coddling."

"No, I'm speaking the truth. I was only an Intermediate Job at your age. Gotta say I did good surviving all those magic beasts Lunati literally brought back, hahaha ha."

"...You're staring blankly into an empty space."


These instructors must have gone through hell and back in their youth even before demons came in the picture.
...Well, can't say I'm surprised considering he's that devil instructor (Lunatiara)'s partner.


"Judging from the sharpness of your strokes and your refined postures, you must have been under a strict guidance, Alan-kun."

"Cuz that geezer wouldn't shut up if I ain't following him right. Man kept fussing over trivial crap like wrist angle, stepping strength or swing momentum."

"It goes to show how serious he was at teaching you. That strictness comes from expectations."

"I dunno 'bout that. I bet that geezer only taught me due to some old arse tradition."

"...Of course not. I assure you that."


House of Aizawa is a descendant of a past hero. It's a celebrated house at Firie Kingdom that's still enjoying the fortune brought by the hero from over a thousand years ago even today.
No clue how big that fortune is but it's vast enough to constantly have that big arse mansion renovated again and again over the course of a millennia.

House of Aizawa got lotsa of stupid customs handed down which everybody stupidly followed.
Eating weird food called Ehomaki on a certain day of the year while facing a certain direction,  throwing raw peas all over the mansion while saying crap like 'Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi'.
Not to mentions mountains of weird arse rules.
...What kind of world do heroes live at anyway. Does that okama, Neora do all that crap every year too? Is he stupid.


One of customs being 'This house's kids who have talents in swordsmanship are to study under the best swordsman of their generation'.
Maybe due to the bloodline of hero, there will always be one kid born with Swordsmanship Skill every generation.

Such kids are to prioritize learning way of the sword over their duty as a noble, removing them from inheritance disputes.
Suits me just fine. I ain't got a shred of interest for Aizawa house's fortune or authority. Heck they're just a pain in the arse.


The sword instructor that came to Aizawa House 10 years ago was the 'Swordking' Spadia geezer.
Despite already being over 80, he was the strongest swordsman at the time.
You'd think he was on his last step to grave if you saw his wrinkly face yet his body was super robust and made of pure unbridled muscles.


Guy would speak politely, 'I shall undertake this duty in lieu of my retirement', and acted calmly but that geezer ain't fooling me. I could feel aura of the strong emanating from him.
He was in fact stupidly strong, I ain't ever get a hit in on the geezer in all those ten years.

Thanks to my ambition to get one over that geezer, my Swordsmanship and Martial Arts Skills were already Lv6 by the time I came of age.
Lv6 is usually the sign of reaching Intermediate Job level which shows how rigorous my training was.

Right after coming of age, I went around to raise my level intending to have my revenge, but geezer went and disappeared on me half a year ago.
Leaving only a letter behind, 'I have accomplished the duty tasked to me. I shall take this opportunity to take my leave.'
...What a scam, he only used polite tone when dealing with my dad and co.


This ain't over yet, you geezer.
I'mma beat the crap outta you one day. Your duty is to get your arse handed down to you, by yours truly.

Where'd you gone off to anyway, dangit...



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



~~~~~~~~~~~Monster (old man) POV~~~~~~~~~~







『Garuaaaaaa!!』

"Tei."

『Gebya!!?』


I beat down a furless gorilla-like creature that came assaulting me out of nowhere.
This thing's pretty weak despite its looks. Think it's about Jet Boar, no, Rush Boar level.

It's been a parade of strange creatures, wonder if this place is some sort of a research facility for biological weapons. Like that certain bio hazard umbrella corp.
The rooms in the corridors are full of specimens or research data on such creatures after all.


Those creatures all have weird abilities too.
Uh I mean, creatures in the otherworld (Parallecia) also have supernatural abilities but the ones here seem to be of another type... Or maybe they're one and the same?

Some of these creatures can control electricity, some spew flames, some can soften and harden their body.
The only commonality is the fact that all of those abilities were 'given to them'.

According to some documents I read here, there exist even stronger monsters outside this facility. And those creatures are test subjects to study, regulate and grant those abilities.
...Test subjects yet they were all roaming freely. What's the manager doing.


The ultimate goal is to grant the abilities from monsters to humans and they have completed several such test subjects already.
Well, they also had dozens of failures. Mad scientists. Kinda make me recall Julian.
There are also people who have been successfully transplanted with the specific organs who show no sign of ability usage. They're all locked and under watch just to be safe. Return them home will you.


Hmm, I haven't come across a single useful loot during this escapade.
All the test subjects abilities can be replicated with Skills or Mana Control. And they're only as strong as E-C ranked magic beasts.
Heck, I have no clue how to take those successful abilities home. Don't see any point in capturing those test subjects.

...Guess I'll head back. This was all for naught.



『Abnormality detected in Compartment D! Test subjects' escape and slaughter by an unknown confirmed! Dispatching 『Gift Soldiers』 No. 10 to 20 to the site! ASAP!』


Ah, crap. I'm busted.
Compartment D is probably this place and that unknown is probably me.
Gotta go back fast. Run.


I heard a crash sound at the end of the corridor just before I could.
Ah... That's the sound of an opening shutter door.


"The hell? Was wondering what kinda monster butchered those test subjects. It's just some dull looking man."

"Stay on your toes... You don't look familiar. State your ID. How did you get in here."


Ah, some people got here.
Around ten people wearing futuristic skin tight body suits rushed in and enclosed me.
Uh well, I did those creatures in sure, but it was a legitimate act of self-defense, I tell you.


"Why bother asking. Let's just restrain and capture 'im!"

"Fair point. Welp, time to get some beauty sleep!"


They suddenly shot something toward my head.
Some sort of light ball came out of their palm.

I slapped it away with a mana cushioned hand.
That was light. I guess that super weak stuff still counts as an Offensive Spell?

<<The principle closely resembles one. A power known as [M (Magica)] in this world corresponds to Mana. It is consumed to exercise abilities akin to Skills.>>

Hm, it's probably gonna get stronger the more they research but I guess that's as far as it goes at this point. Don't need it.


"...Wha?"

"H-he flicked a Light Ball, b, bare handed...?"


Chance. I'm gonna get out of their encirclement while they're busy dumbfounding.
High speed Mana Flight! Buh-bye~.


"Wha, he ran away!?"

"H-he's too fast! Not even No.1 can output such speed!"


The men got farther and farther as I moved away. They tried to pursue me but they couldn't close in the distance at all.
Way slow. Those guys are apparently elites. I'm guessing they're the hope of this world. Well, uh, do your best, guys.

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