Sousetsuka

Versus Kajikawa Hikaru (3)

This chapter is from Hero's POV

"Aaaaaaaaaa!!"

"Raaaaaaaaa!!"


Our fists hit each other.
My Attributes are now far above him thanks to the buff from the two girls.
I've got the upper hands on move set too thanks to my Martial Arts Skill... Or, so I thought at first.


"Tch...!"


Something grazed my cheek.
I believe it's some sort of stake made from mana he shot out of his body parts.
I can't see it but the me now can perceive it somewhat.
However, as there's no way to know when and where he's gonna shoot that and from which body part, dodging the attack is proving difficult.

But I can bulldoze through it just fine if it comes down to that.
It might hurt a tad, but it won't kill me.
My Attributes are almost double his now, you can't easily close that gap. Akin to our fight against that white demon.


"Woraa!!"

"Hmph...!!"


I tried to slash his torso with 'Dimensional Blade' but guy immediately took an evasive maneuver.
Darn, just like Alma, he's able to foretell where my blade is gonna land.
Fine then, I'll go with a bare blade!


"Seii!!"

"Gaaaaa!! Aaaaaaaa!!"

"Kuh...!"


O-oh crap, he's not flinching at all even after getting cut...!
He responds to my bulldozing with a berserk-like march like he's got nothing in mind besides striking and killing.

Heck, how is he unharmed even when his HP decreases! His fighting prowess isn't decreasing at all thanks to that!
On top of that, he sometimes dodged my attacks with an incredibly smooth motion like he had foreseen them.
...Has he been sparring with an opponent as strong as the current me all this time?

<<The title [Disciple of Fierce God] is curious, that's for sure... It can't be that this man is training under a magic beast, can he?>>

That doesn't sound like a joke. Heck, he might as well be one.
He's scary, sturdy, unflinching, and keeps trying to kill me in all manners of creativity, I've just had about enough...


But his HP has been gradually receding, it's at 800 now...
I should get it down to zero in due time.

Still, is it just me or is he getting stronger the lower his HP gets...?
No, it's my Attributes that're decreasing?

<<Ah, looks like the buff is wearing off over time. There's also 'Brave Preemptive Stopper of Final Catastrophe'. That Title has the effect of raising its owner Attributes the lower their HP gets.>>

So uh, I got both right.
...Ain't this bad? Won't he gain the upper hands if this keeps up?

<<Nope, I don't think so~.>>

Eh?


"Gugaaaaaaaaaa!!"

"Uooooooo!!?"


Hey watch it! He lunged at tremendous speed while I was chatting with Menu.
I stopped him by grabbing his arms but his Strength is off the chart, it almost doesn't feel like mine is twice his...!
That's it, I'm convinced he's getting stronger and faster! This can't go on!


"Gaaaaaaaa!! Gwu, ga...!?"

"Snatched myself that opening... But oh boy, this technique is incredible. I'm shooting and hitting my target much better than ever."


Aina-san shot Kajikawa-san with her arrow while I was holding him down.
I saw Alma's group sitting down near her looking exhausted. They must have used up all their stamina to power Aina-san up.


"Neora-kun, how many hit left I need!?"

"I think one more and his HP should get to zero!"

"Got it, hold him down for me!"


Alright, I just gotta restrain Kajikawa-san and let Aina-san finish him off now.
...Kinda afraid she's gonna kill me as a collateral, she won't right?


"...."

"....?"


He's stopped struggling?
What is he....!?

<<H-he's creating combustible mana liquid! It may be invisible but that stuff is extremely dangerous!>>

W-what!?


"Gaaaaa!!"



BOOM. An incredibly strong shockwave hit me.
Intense pain. I can tell I'm suffering from grave injuries even without looking.
The explosion was so super high powered, it even ignored the gap in our Attributes. Kajikawa-san seems to have put up a guard with mana, he's mostly unhurt.

I got blown away from the sheer impact and let go of him.
My body won't move. That must have done a number to my bones and entrails.


"N-Neora-san!"

"H-hey you, give it a rest already!!"


Levia and Olivie used their magic and Master Skill [Grave Lance] to attack him.
...But their attacks lack power, even some of Grave Lances broke apart when they hit him.


"Weh!? S-seriously...?"

"I-it's not, working, at all...!"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

"Gahha...!!"


I spat out blood. It hurts so much it almost feels like my whole body has been torn apart.
This move must be the one he used to erase that white demon's flaming ball. I'd have been shredded to pieces if I didn't get buffed.


"...!"


Aina-san got distracted for a moment before immediately start shooting a barrage of arrows, all of which he dodged.
He really is weird. Humans don't move like that.


"Aa... l... Aaaa!!"


He went in to finish me off while yelling out loud.
Oh crap, I'll get resummoned if I die but that will give him time to go for Alma and the rest until I Fast Travel back here.
Move me, block this attack! I'll restrain him and create another chance for Aina-san...



"Hikaru!!"

"Aaaaaaa!!"


!?


Alma moved in between me and Kajikawa-san.
N-no! I'll be fine even if I die! But if you take that monster's attack head-on...!



"...Ha...aa..!"

"Gaa...!!"


Kajikawa-san's arm pierced through Alma's chest.
Blood seeps out of her back.



"...Hikaru..."

"Aaa...!!"



"...We're, even now."



STAB, Alma's sword penetrated through Kajikawa-san's torso.


With that, the ominous lights in Kajikawa-san's started fading.
Glowing dimmer before vanishing completely.


"Hika, ru, you're, awake?"

"A, aaa, I, what, did, I... Alma!!!"


His eyes opened wide as he shouted loudly with a pale face.
He took out some sort of vial, but I don't think average potions will work.
Quickly go get her healed by a holy Job...


....Ah not good, I'm blacking, out---



~~~~~~~Kajikawa Hikaru's POV~~~~~~~~



"Drink, please drink this!"

"Cough...! ...Nn...!"

"Don't spit it out, take it slowly, slow."

I pulled out my arm, took an elixir and had Alma drink it.
She managed to take the liquid in somehow despite vomiting blood.
The wound on her chest slowly closed before returning to normal.
...Thank goodness, she's fine, now...!


What have I done...!?
Why did I strike my arm through Alma!?

<<Kajikawa Hikaru was brainwashed by a Brainwashing Magic Scroll possessed by Leaguvein. He accepted the order to 'Kill every last human'.>>

...Did I, kill, people...?

<<Negative. Kajikawa Hikaru injured Almatina, Reinamiure and Hero Raifu but there is no death.>>

I see...
But I almost killed Alma, didn't I...?
What was I doing.
What the hell was I doing...!!


"Alma, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It must have hurt, sorry, sorry..."

"Hikaru."


Alma hugged my back with both arms as I tearfully apologized to her.


"I'm okay, it doesn't hurt. I'm alive. You didn't kill anyone, Hikaru."

"But, but, I..."

"I was so afraid when you were being controlled, Hikaru. Not because I'm scared of you, but the thought of you forgetting us terrifies me so."

"Alma..."


Alma spoke while crying and smiling gently.


"Welcome back, Hikaru."


...Yup.

Sorry.

Thank you.


"I'm back, Alma."










"Now that you're back to your sense, how about tending to Neora too."


"Neora! He's still breathing!"

"Neora-san, wake up please! You'll die if you don't!"

"What's the problem? He'll just get re-summoned even if he dies anyway."

"Aina-san! That's not the issue here!"


O-ou. Hero-kun looks all tattered up. Did I do that...?
For now I'll fix him up and beg for forgiveness.
Real sorry about it, Hero-kun....

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

522 A Lot of Otakus Lack Common Sense

At around an hour mark of me enjoying tea and snacks.
Binota who was supposed to still be at work showed up.

"I'm done with all my tasks! Let's get to it, come let's go! Let's have a talk! Right now! Right here!"

I inched back at his enthusiasm. The captain who had been standing by the door observing me all this time let out a sigh.

"Binota-kun, compose yourself. Do not get so high strung. Act befitting of your stature. You're the future representative of this country, are you not? You will not last if you lose control of yourself over every small thing."

"U-uncle?! Tell me if you were here! You almost gave me a heart attack."

Binota must have run straight to this parlor while paying no heed to what his maid told him. Quite a common template.
Most characters like him are played out similarly.

"Mind taking it down a notch? I won't run away. It'd be nice if you could compile what you want to talk about with me first."

Otakus like him tend to speak their mind as if everybody was already on the same wavelength.
Hence, I reminded him to stay calm.
Otherwise, we'd be stuck in a loop of him reiterating over and over again.

"Huff, puff. Okay. Please give me a moment. Ah, Mary, I'll have some tea as well."

Maid-san brought Binota's tea with a look of 'he did it again'.
Must be an everyday thing. Maid-san did her job smoothly without a hint of shock. Must be used to it.

"Well then, first allow me to throw some questions. Please feel free to stay silent if you don't want to answer. Although, not responding to my inquiries implies it's a positive so I suppose that's meaningless."

"Well, I plan to answer though. But man, you're clever in a crafty way huh. And here I thought you were just an airhead."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
Binota didn't seem to mind my rude remark. In fact, he instead got even more excited, 'Then I'll dig in even deeper!'
The captain leaning on the wall is watching us in silence.

"Question one. Am I right to assume you're a 'Bless-less'? And that you don't have mana. A 'Mana-less', aren't you?"

This was the most shocking question I ever had in my life yet. Nobody ever threw that one my way.
I think this is the first time anyone mentioned the topic since I left my village.
And the way Binota phrased it makes it sound like he's knowledgeable about my situation to a degree.
This piqued my curiosity about myself after ignoring it all this time.
There might be a huge difference in my future between knowing and not knowing that.
Thus I gave an honest answer.

"I hail from a certain village. I was shunned there for not receiving a blessing from god. And yes I don't have mana either. You're not wrong."

The one who looked surprised at this was the captain instead of Binota.
Binota got even more excited after getting that answer.

"Then then then! How much do you know about yourself?"

It's a self-analysis time now huh. I don't know where to even begin here.
Thus I told him, 'I don't know anything'. There were times I pondered about myself but I never reached a satisfying conclusion.

"Then allow me to disclose the results of my research all these years!"

Binota started narrating with sparkling eyes. He must have always wanted to share his research to people. It's obvious nobody ever gave him the time of the day.
He inhaled greatly before exhaling all the air out with a thwack. That garnered a reaction from me, 'How desperate are you...'

"Black hair and black eyes are the marks of 'Original Human'."

And thus he started with an incredibly out there thing.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Versus Kajikawa Hikaru (2)

This chapter is from Hero's POV

"Die."

"Niyaaaaaaaai!?"

"Kuh...!!"


Mask guy didn't hesitate at all to attack Alma and Reinamiure who showed up out of nowhere.
The two blocked his punches as he moved around at high speed.


『Pipii...! ...Cluck!!』

"...Magic beast. Inapplicable."


While the two were under attack, the chick below them suddenly turned into a big silver chicken and kicked the mask with its spur.
It was a direct hit yet mask guy didn't flinch at all. There's just too much gap in their Attributes...!

The kick split the mask in two as it fell off.
Under it were hollow ominously glowing eyes. He's got the face typical of a Japanese young man. Good looking but not quite handsome.
So that's what he looks like...


"That's weird...!"

"...Yup, it's weird."


The two acted like they couldn't believe it after taking the attack.
I mean yeah, anyone gonna have the same impression on this man, he is weird.


"It's way too little damage if Kajikawa-san was going in for the kill for real!"

"Un, I was prepared to break a bone on my arms, but it was just a bit numbing."


That's what you got a problem at!? I mean yeah sure, his attacks may be weaker than when he was hitting that white demon earlier!
But don't you think it's weird how you think that's weird!?


"I can sense that Hikaru has run out of stamina."

"Ah, so he can't use Energy Control. That means we've got a chance!"


Eh, how do they figure that out?
Come to think of it, these girls can buff themselves by consuming their stamina too, right?
Does that mean they can sense other people's mana and stamina without Appraisal Skill and Menu?
...They're just as absurd. What are they anyway.


"Let's hit him until his HP goes to zero, and then focus on restraining his limbs."

"...Err, can't you use your voice or something and get him back to normal, Alma-san?"

"Brainwash Skill is not that simple... I have heard stories about people who did terrible things to their loved ones and family under Brainwash Skill's influence. That's why my parents don't let up on abnormal status countermeasures."

"We gotta get that sorted out too later."

"Un. The enchantment for it costs really high, we've been putting it off, but we can't afford to--"


"K, ill."


The masked guy, no, Kajikawa-san? Lunged at them again.
The sight of a man assaulting two girls. Even the written form makes for a case already...


"Ugwu!"

"【Lightning Flash Sword】!"


Reinamiure barely managed to block while Alma attacked with a lightning-clad sword.
Is she trying to paralyze him? But that man's RES is too high to make that work...


"Aa, agagagagagagagaga...."

"...Uwaa, he's convulsing so hard with only white on his eyes..."


Eh, it's working!?
Aina-san's Paralyze Arrow had no effect yet Alma's lightning is working, it looks like.
He's not paralyzed per se, but his State displays 'Electrocuted - Acute Pain'. Guess his body is turning rigid from the pain.


"Owowowowowowow.... Ouchouchouchouch..."

"Ah, his pained speech is back to normal."

"He can still feel pain under Brainwashed state... I'm sorry, please bear with it for a little bit more."


Is doing something like this just the usual to these girls!?
I had no idea you had it hard, Kajikawa-san...?


His HP hasn't reduced much despite him not moving.
Alma is going to use up all her MP first at this rate.


"Aaaaa.... Aaaaaaa!!"


"!!"

"Uwaaaaaai!?"


Alma and Reinamiure got blown away when Kajikawa-san shouted out loud even though he hadn't moved an inch.
As if they were pushed away by something invisible, was that Mana Control too?

Wait, I can't just nonchalantly watch! They're flying this way!
I caught them before they got blown too far!


"A-are you hurt anywhere?"

"...!"

"Ow ow, I got careless..."


The impact that sent them flying seems to open cracks on their ribs.
Healing magic can restore these wounds just fine, but it's gonna take time.

Not good, if he went for them while they were still recovering...
Kajikawa-san isn't the only issue we have. No telling how many demons are still at large out there, they might join in if we don't wrap this up soon.

<<Ah, we don't have to worry about those demon remnants.>>

Eh, how come?

<<These two girls, and also that chicken-san exterminated most of them, while the rest of the demons were taken care of by the combat Job people hanging around.>>

...Some of those demons were over Lv50, weren't they? Exterminating most of them, these girls are just as weird.

<<Neora-san still have higher base specs though.>>


"A, rgh, k, ill, found, ki, ll."


His groan is becoming incoherent. Was it due to that electrocution?
He's still got 1500 HP left. We have a long road ahead, way long.


"Kil, l!"

"Tch!"


Kajikawa-san charged at the two, I blocked him with Mana Blade Gale-infused sword and dagger.
He blocked my attack with bare hands. The clash produced a metallic sound even though those blades were hitting his bare flesh.


"Aren't these two your friends! Get it through your skull! Come back to your sense already!"

"Ki, il, Al, ki, ma, il, Re, kill, ina, ki."

"Hikaru...!"

"Kajikawa-san!"


...Their names got mixed in his groan. He must be struggling hard to fight Brainwash Skill inside his mind.
The two attacked Kajikawa-san while I stopped him in his track.
However, their weapons got repelled away alongside a metallic sound.


"Kuh!"

"I-it's no good. We just don't have enough firepower to break through Kajikawa-san's defense...!"


Their attacks reached 1500 point for a brief moment yet Kajikawa-san's HP didn't lower even for a bit.
Even Alma's lightning sword got stopped around 10 cm ahead of his flesh, failing to electrocute him. Did he guard it with mana?
Dammit, we need more firepower! What are we supposed to do here!


"!"


Kajikawa-san suddenly twisted his body while still locking blade with me.
An instant later, a laser-like light shot through the spot he was at.
That must have come from Aina-san which he sensed and dodged instantaneously.


"Aw, he dodged that~. Neora-kun, stop him proper please! I'll hit him for sure if you can do that!"

"That might be a tall order! This man's STR and AGI are way over the top, y'see!?"

"We don't have any other option! Get him to stop moving, one way or another!"


But how, I've been buffing my STR with Support Magic whenever I lock blades with Kajikawa-san.
Yet, it's not enough. Only a melee type with a sufficient Strength has any hope at stopping this man!


"...The two of us are helpless against Hikaru."

"...Guess that leaves us with no choice."


The two voiced their resignation.
I mean, I get how impossible this is, but don't throw in the towel just yet!


"Not yet, there must be something we can do! Don't give up..."

"Neora."

"Neora-san."

『Pipipi.』

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

The two put their hands on my shoulders while the chicken perched on my head.
E, eh? What's up? What are you planning?


"You're the strongest among us here."

"We're entrusting our power to you, Neora-san!"

『Pipipipi!!』


A moment later


I feel an indescribable something filling up my whole body.
I'm filled with, no, power is surging up, overflowing within me...?


"Uwoooo!? W-what's going on!"

"We've boosted your Attributes to the limit."

"We're gonna do the same to Aina-san too. Please work together and put a stop to Kajikawa-san's rampage!"

『Pii...!』


Dunno how, but they have explosively boosted my base Attributes.
Isn't this way too amazing? I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I checked my Status.
...No wonder they've been triumphing over more powerful foes with this move at their disposal. It's pretty much a cheat code.
This should enable me to go up against Kajikawa-san.


"...This is your friends' power. Let's see who's stronger between theirs and yours!"

"Ugu... Rei, na, Hiyo, ko, kill... Alma..."

"Yep, those three people... Uh, two people and a chicken? Have lent me this power in order to stop you! Wake the hell up already!!"

"Uguuu...! Aaaaaaaaa!!!"


Kajikawa-san lunged at me once again.
I feel like he's moving much slower than ever, can't be just my imagination.

...Now then, the real fight begins now!





Neo Raifu

Lv 42

Age: 15

Race: Human

Job: Hero

State: Normal

[Attributes]
HP (Life Force): 841/1116
MP (Magic Power): 345/551
SP (Stamina): 312/428

STR (Strength): 3514
ATK (Attack Power): 3514 (+670) (+100)
DEF (Defense Power): 3476 (+430) (+310)
AGI (Agility): 3461 (+120)
INT (Intelligence): 3247
DEX (Dexterity): 3101
PER (Perception): 3079
RES (Resistance): 571
LUK (Luck): 171

[Skills]
Swordsmanship Lv 10
Celestial Swordsmanship Lv 2
Spearmanship Lv 9
Axe Arts Lv 7
Staff Arts Lv 6
Archery Lv 6
Shield Arts Lv 8
Martial Arts Lv 10
Ultimate Martial Arts Lv 3
Throwing Lv 5
Kempo Lv 10
Grappling Lv 1
Stealth Lv 4
Offensive Magic Lv 10
Advanced Offensive Magic Lv 1
Support Magic Lv 3
Recovery Magic Lv 8
Etc, displayed on demand

[Master Skills]
Aura Mitigation
Magi Mitigation
Counter Fist
Dimensional Blade

[Equipment]
Light Tiger Fang Sword
ATK +670

Light Tiger Leather Breastplate
DEF +430

Purple Lightning Flash Boots
ATK +100, DEF +310, AGI +120

[Titles]
Hero
Charming Handsome
One Who Overcame Death
Superior Slayer
Fearless
Daredevil
Foolhardy
Living Fast and Furious
Magic Beast Killer
Magic Beast Genocider
Skill Master
Executioner
1000 Wall Breaker
Beyond 2000
To the World of 3000

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

521 Adrift in the Big Wave

Griffon started rolling around, enjoying the neatly trimmed lawn.
The captain knocked on the door after which the sound of footsteps could be heard approaching.
The door quickly opened.

"Ah, if it isn't Lajior-sama. I'm sorry to inform you that young master is currently at work."

"You can drop the 'sama' with me. We've known each others for years. You see, Binota-kun invited a guest here. And I'm here to escort that guest seeing as he's busy with work."

The maid froze up while the captain was talking.
All due to her catching sight of griffon relaxing at the garden.
Of course, it's bothering her. Anyone who doesn't must be a bigshot.
Most ordinary folks simply don't have the mental fortitude to bear the shock. Made clear during our walk here.

Among people who saw griffon, there were those who fell on their rear. Those who screamed in fear, or froze up.
Those who gradually inched back in desperation. Those who overloaded and fainted. Etc.

"Mary? Oy, you alright? Rest assured. That magic beast won't harm you or go on a rampage. I suppose you won't believe that right away."

We waited for about a minute. The maid glanced left and right to observe me and the captain before she relaxed her shoulders.

"M-my humblest apologies for showing my unsightly state to a guest. I beg your pardon..."

"Nah, you've nothing to apologize for. It's all on this guy."

Captain-san pointed finger at me. I could only accept that.

"Ah, I apologize for my griffon. Oy, griffon, keep it down. Just take a nap or something."

Griffon replied briefly with a 'kue', lay down and closed its eyes.
Afterward, the maid finally fully loosened up and started moving.

"A-allow me to take you inside. If you would."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
We finally got in the house. Along with the captain.

"I still can't make heads or tails about you. I believe you're no danger considering your behavior thus far, but I still have to act as your observer, I hope you don't mind. There is no precedent of a griffon that obeys a human after all. This unprecedented situation may also necessitates further investigations. In all likelihoods, at that."

I have no choice but to accept despite being fed up.

"Yes, I don't mind. I've been made aware how serious this matter is. I didn't think this through."

(Yep, I didn't think about this world enough. Despite all my grumblings about not wanting to stand out. It's just impossible now.)

There's no way this won't turn into rumors after all the commotions. And it won't stop in this country.
Merchants from all over the world are currently flocking here. They will bring the news all over the world like a telephone game until everybody knows.
I mean, there's no way they won't talk about something this unusual. It might just end as a mere rumor if nobody saw it for real. But the topic would definitely flare up again once more people saw the griffon themselves.

(Secluded life is practically out of reach to me now. I seriously took this too lightly...)

If the trouble comes for me on its own, will living somewhere isolated be enough to achieve a peaceful life?
I should have considered the worst in the first place. I'm sure the 'seed of trouble' will intrude. I just know.

By doing this self-satisfying act under the pretense of saving the griffon, I've washed my own neck for the gallows. No, washing isn't quite right. I've pretty much guillotined myself.

(I had half given up back then. Also, was trying to divert my eyes from the issue with touring thing. The result is this mess...)

I ruminated it all while sipping the tea the maid prepared at the parlor.

(My goal hasn't changed; to lead a quiet life. But knowing my 'Factor of Unrest' won't allow that, I thought I might as well enjoy things. That thought process brings me all this unwanted attentions.)

The 'Factor of Unrest' dragged me into this huge wave just from a single lapse of judgment.
Apparently I hold no means to go against this wave.

"Ah, this is what it feels to be adrift. I'm helpless against it... Guess I'll just enjoy this nice tea and compose myself for now."

Taking a liking to the tea, I asked the maid for a second cupful.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Versus Kajikawa Hikaru

This chapter is from Hero's POV

"Kill, kill kill kill."



That's terifyiiiiing!! His voice sounded hollow from being brainwashed but it only adds to the creepiness factor! I'm gonna piss my pants!
Then there's his glowing eyes and that mask, he looks the complete package of a shady fella!
Also, his Status remains a mystery. I've no idea how strong is this guy.

<<No, I had a talk with 'His Menu' and the lockdown on his Status is now lifted. We can check his Status!>>

...I see.
'His Menu' huh, I knew it, this guy must be...!



Kajikawa Hikaru

Lv 55

Age: 25

Race: Human

Job: ERROR (Unclassifiable)

State: Brainwashed (By Leaguvein)

[Attributes]
HP (Life Force): 1890/1890
MP (Mana): 1325/1325
SP (Stamina): 0/862

STR (Strength): 1563
ATK (Attack Power): 1565 (+????)
DEF (Defense): 1556 (+240)(+200)
AGI (Agility): 1555
INT (Intelligence): 1562
DEX (Dexterity): 1578
PER (Perception): 1583
RES (Resistance): 1539
LUK (Luck): 1539

[Skills]
※Unavailable※

[Titles]
Superior Slayer
Fearless
Magic Beast Killer
Magic Beast Genocider
Demon Slayer
Miraculous Healer
Embodiment of Terror
Great King of Terror
Defier of Nature's Order
Overcomer of Death
Executioner
1000 Wall Breaker
Beyond 2000
To the World of 3000
Across 4000 Seas
To 5000 Vacuum of Space
Counting 6000 Stars
Eloquent
Glutton
Disciple of Fierce Ogre
Brave Preemptive Stopper of Final Catastrophe

Equipment
Nameless Great Hammer (Enchanted, Contains Explosive Mechanism)
ATK +????

Ogre Leather Chest Armor
DEF +240

Platinum Cock Gloves
DEF +200


...................
What the heck is this.
What the heck is this.
W h a t t h e h e c k



Yup, judging from his name--Kajikawa Hikaru--this guy must be a Japanese.
Goddess was right. It doesn't look like he can obtain Skill seeing the *Unavailable* on Skill List.
That's fine and dandy. So far.

But all other Stats are just asking for punchlines! What the heck is Lv55!?
Apparently he got here around a month before me, so how is our level gap so huge!?

And those Attributes, they're just weird! They're all pretty much evenly distributed and at over 1500!
I'm seeing lots of unfamiliar sounding Titles too. Stuff like 'Great King of Terror', or 'Disciple of Fierce God'.

Nameless Greathammer (Enchanted - Contains Explosive Mechanism), so all those popping explosions earlier are thanks to this.
The ATK value is not shown. Seems like a real dangerous weapon.



Would have been more understandable if his Race says 'Monster' instead of 'Human', all things considered.
No wonder the goddess was her wit's end. What's up with this guy.



...Weren't the demon earlier, Lv82? This guy is stronger than that demon if we compile all his Attributes.
But if that demon doubled his Attributes using 'True Demon Release', even these Stats couldn't have put a dent on--

While I was busy inspecting his Status, the masked guy got in front of me in no time.

"Uooooooo!!?"

"Kill."

W-w-when did he even move!? My eyes couldn't keep up!
Oh crap, he's lifting his greathammer! Gotta defend with Shield Art!



"Uwaaaa!!?"



My shield crumbled apart like a biscuit.
This thing's supposed to be a super sturdy shield made from a Rank A turtle magic beast though!?
His every attack carries way too much weight...!! I can't believe guy's casually swinging that thing around.



"Kill."

"Eh...?"



The masked guy held his palm ahead of my face after breaking my shield.
What is he--



<<Get down!!>>



"!!"



I reflexively lowered my head at Menu's warning.
I heard the sound of splitting air in the spot my head was at.
I could tell something invisible came out of his palm.



W-what was that, a Skill? Wait, he can't use Skills, can he!?
Menu, what's the deal!?

<<Ah geez, it can't be helped! This man doesn't use Skills, no he directly controls mana and stamina itself! I don't know how he does it, but he's capable of exerting phenomenon not unlike Skills, no, even more powerful and adaptable even!>>

...Eh?

<<I'm saying his lack of Skills doesn't handicap him in the least! In fact, thanks to his higher base Attributes, he holds the much higher upper hands against equal level opponents! He can't buff himself right now since he's out of stamina but you still want to treat fighting him like you're fighting an upper level 70-80 foe!>>

I can't catch up!
I know I've been saying the word nonstop for a while now, but still! What's up with this guy!?

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

<<The only way to undo such a high level Brainwash Skill is the highest level Decurse skill or reducing the victim's HP to zero!>>

Highest level Decurse, like the ones used by holy-type Jobs? I'd have died twice, thrice before we could manage that.
Wait, reduce his HP to zero, you mean killing him? That's putting the cart before the horse.

<<...No, according to his Menu, any damage that man suffers gets transferred to his HP instead of his physical body. At least until his HP runs out.>>

...OK, I  ain't gonna quip no more.
In short, all we gotta do is to go at it like we're trying to seriously kill him till he comes back to his sense, right?
This would have been difficulty impossible if I had to hold back, so I'm thankful.

<<But it's still going to be a rough fight... Think you got a chance?>>

No way in hell!
How am I meant to go toe-to-toe against a monster on par with that white demon!

Hyumlassa and Gazanginando are out of commission too, so I only have Levia, Olivie and Aina-san to help deal with him somehow.
The important Attributes like ATK, DEF and AGI aren't that much higher than a Shining Tiger.
We should manage somehow--



"Kill."

"Kyaaa!?"

"H-he's pulling me in...!?"

"W-whaat!?"



Just when we were about to take positions, something invisible suddenly pulled Levia and Olivie toward the masked guy.
Is he doing that with mana!? Invisible on top of multi purpose, that's just way unfair!



"W-what's happening. L-let go of me!"

"Die."

"Hie...!"



He pointed his palm toward Levia and Olivie while muttering with an inorganic voice. They could only let out a shriek.
There's no overcoming the fear of death even if they get revived.



"!"



A light stake-like object pierced through the masked guy's torso before he could shot out that invisible something at their heads.
I think that was Aina-san's [Paralyze Arrow]. A Skill Ability that puts its target in [Paralyzed] State.



"Sorry, I know you're being controlled but I can't bring myself to watch my pupils offed. Stay put for a while for me--"

"Kill."



The masked guy let go of Levia and Olivie and shifted his target to Aina-san.
He doesn't seem paralyzed at all.



"...Huh? Wait, what, did he undo the Paralyze...?"

"Aina-san, he's got over 1500 Resistance! Ordinary abnormal status attacks won't work!"

"1-1500... Anything less than super-deadly venom from rank S magic beasts will be neutralized right away... Seriously, what is this man..."

"Kill."

"Hii!? Too fast, he's too fast!!"



The masked guy moved faster than Ground Shrink is capable of and got ready to punch Aina-san.
No, Aina-san doesn't have Revival Grace! I've got to stop him no matter what!



"Uuu...!! Huh...?"

"..."



His fist stopped right in front of Aina-san's nose.

D-did the brainwashing wear off?



"K-Kajikawa-kun...? Are you back to..."

"Race 'Elf'. Not 'Human'. Inapplicable."

"E, eh...?"



That's not it, it's simply because Aina-san's not a 'Human', the object of his kill order!
Would have been bad if that demon said 'everybody in the world' or something. We're saved by the rigidity of Brainwash Skill...



"Nearby humans found... Kill."

"!"



Oh crap, he's looking at the passed out Hyumlassa annd Gazanginando's direction!
Is he prioritizing easy targets? Several unconscious people will get dragged!



"Guys, protect Hyumlassa and the others!"

"No, he's too fast, I can't catch up!"

"Dammit! He was super dependable as an ally too. Can't believe how annoying he gets when turned on us!"



He moved at tremendous speed to where Hyumlassa and the others lay, took a greathammer on the ground and lifted it up.



"Die."

"Don't do iiiiiiiiit!!"



They'd die by his hands at this rate!
No, I can't imagine how remorseful he'd be once he gets back to normal and finds out he's killed people...!
I can't let them die! I can't let him kill anyone! Make it, please don't do it!

The greathammer mercilessly hit the ground, creating a crater alongside a cloud of dust.
.....A, ah, I, couldn't make it...!



<<...No! He hasn't killed anyone! Hyumlassa and the rest are safe!>>

...Eh?



"Kajikawa-san, what do you think you're doing!!"

"...Hikaru!"

I saw figures of people carrying Hyumlassa and the others while glaring hard at the masked guy.
That's, Reinamiure and Alma...!? And, a chick?!

<<They rescued them with 'Shadow Dive'... Those girls might just...!>>



T-there's no way.
The gaps between their Statuses are way too much! They'd get killed right away!



"Humans... Kill..."

"Uwa, he's muttering some real deranged stuff!"

"...I sense a weird mana circulating inside Hikaru."

"His eyes are glowing too... I bet he's being mind controlled or something!"

"...No choice. I feel bad for Hikaru, but we have to knock him out."

"Gotchu!"

『Pi!』



They're fearlessly facing off against the masked guy.
...Perhaps this masked guy is, their party's leader...?

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

520 Terror-stricken Eyes

I was led to a moderately big house with a spacious garden.
Guy must be quite well off. Binota, that is.
Looking like that despite living a life of luxury. He must be so absorbed in his hobby he's been neglecting food intake.
By the time I grasped Binota's character, the captain took me inside the house.

＝＝＝　　～～～　　＝＝＝



We were standing out hugely on the way here. The captain went out of his way to pick a route with the least foot traffic but it was no use.
Apparently today was the day a huge crowd formed along that path.

"We've been getting a lot of merchants recently as circulation of goods and money returns to normalcy. In fact, there's more merchants than ever now. I suppose there was no point taking this route."

The captain had a sour expression.
You could tell he was trying hard to avoid causing an uproar in the federation.
This might be an unintended result of something I did too.

(Ah, could the reason for all these merchants flocking here... Eltros's handiwork.)

There's an unending flow of merchants coming and going on this road.
Yet, only the captain, griffon and me are walking. Smack dab in the middle of the road.
The people had opened a path out of fear. The majestic appearance of griffon naturally becomes a hot topic among them.

"Err, I'm real sorry about this..."

I apologized in whisper. I was too naive. Had no idea there were so many people around. Just the other day, this road was deserted.
I felt pretty bad for the inconvenience I caused.
That alongside my own 'I don't want to stand out' policy is wringing my neck.

"Fumu, think nothing of it. What you showed us earlier was much more of a shock. This is nothing."

The captain reassured me as he led.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
A voice called out to me.

"W-w-wh! Why are you here of all place!? And! What!? Is that thing! What the hell is going on!? Quit screwing around!"

A loud voice that sounded shaken. As if it's trying to deny my existence.
It's Mirza. The same Mirza who lost to me in a game of tag at Eltros's mansion.

I turned my gaze at her before proceeding to ignore her and kept walking ahead.
I mean, I can't exactly stop in the middle of the road. Mostly due to the griffon. It's way big.
Griffon would stop if I stopped. I can't afford to chat with her now.

"Ah, follow me if you wanna have a talk. I've got someplace to go, griffon is also in the way. We can chat while we're walking."

"Dangit! What's wrong with you! I've got lotsa piece of mind! Don't screw with me!"

For some reason she's mad at me? As Mirza groaned.
I replied back to Mirza in order to calm her down as she fast approached us.

"I'm not screwing anyone though? In fact, this is the end result of me taking things seriously. Can't you please not deny all my effort?"

"Yer' pissin' me off! Screw it!"

I'm trying to figure out Mirza's mental state.

(I'm sure she can't accept me strolling with a griffon. I mean magic beasts are synonymous with disaster, right? That must be how she sees griffon too.)

That conclusion wasn't actually the reason for Mirza's state. Which I had no way of knowing.

How I shouldn't be here yet considering the time I left the commercial city.
How I'm walking around with a griffon in such a situation.
Irritation from those two facts being ignored.
And how she had no choice but to admit defeat to the person she deems as brat, and the unfathomable-ness of that brat.

All that culminated in her 'screw it' wallow. It was not just from one or two things.
Of course, I was unaware of Mirza's irritation.

"I take it she's your friend, we're almost there. I don't mind waiting if you wish to speak with the young lady."

The captain suggested that out of consideration. But I declined the offer.

"No, please keep going. So, you got business with me, yeah?"

She yelled back.

"Like hell I do! I ain't ever come anywhere close to a complete unknown like you no more! Dangit! We picked a fight with a real monster!"

Mirza disappeared into an alley like she was trying to run from me.

"...What was that all about? She was just mad at me? That's it? What's her problem..."

We arrived at Binota's house without me finding out about Mirza's terror-stricken eyes.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

[White Demon Fight] End

"Duryaaaaaaaaa!!!"

"Gwu...!!?"


The masked guy swung his great hammer as it popped off.
It got swung unbelievably fast for a heavy weapon.
The white demon narrowly managed to block it, but his arms seem to hurt badly.


"What, have you done...? You've become, even stronger...!"

"Told ya, figure it out yourself!"


The masked guy was unrelenting as he kept up his barrage of attacks using his great hammer, punches and kicks.


"Don't get cocky, you lowly humaaaan!!"


Roar.

The white demon finally began losing its composure.
That roar carried enough pressure to knock people out.
...Can anyone really defeat this thing...?


"Oh shut up already! Who's getting cornered by that lowly human now, huh?! Dead! You're deadmeat!"


The masked guy yelled even louder in response.
Overpowering even the demon's roar, like a fierce god. If there were Production type people nearby, I wouldn't blame them if they passed out from it.
...Who's the demon again? Despite his upper half face being hidden behind the mask, I could tell he's extra furious. Scary.


"Ha, ha ha... That was intense..."


Aina-san let out a dry laugh as she fell on her butt.
The masked guy probably contributed more than the demon.
To even knock that iron nerve Aina-san off her feet, is he even human...?


"Burn down to ashes!!"


The white demon cast [Burning Flare] again.
A ball of flame dozens of meters in diameter. There's no way anyone can keep erasing that magic...!?


"Screw off!!"


...The masked man approached and held his hand over the flaming ball, bursting it open mid air.
No no no, what the heck was that!? What did that mask do!?

<<An explosive liquid, no, a mass of highly dense combustible liquid formed from mana...!?>>

Eh, what's that. Is there a Skill like that?

<<...It's not, a Skill.>>

Then, what?

<<I, I have no idea... Just what's that person doing...>>

...So it's something so outrageous it even befuddled Menu.
That reminds me about what goddess muttered when I was getting reincarnated to this world, 'Someone so absurd who keep doing outrageous stuff.'
I knew it, that masked guy's identity must be...







~~~~~~~~Absurd masked guy's POV~~~~~~~~





Fuhahahaha! I see, I can see it!
I was on my wit's end handling this demon when he was moving as fast as Oni-sensei earlier but the me now easily manhandles him instead!
How dare you beat me up badly, white demon! How'd you like being on the receiving end now!


"Oooraaa!!"

"Fugu!?"


During our clash, I shot a mana pile bunker from my head at the white demon's face.
That's what happens if you focus only on visible attacks.
You said it yourself how your attacks got blocked by invisible something. Of course that something can be used offensively too.


"Kuh, you, blasteeeeeed!!"

"Seryaaaaaaaaaa!!"


He activated [Mana Blade Arm] to attack me. I'm gonna block that with Mana Blade Rev!
As our blade arms clashed with one another, the demon's arm slowly got chipped away like a weekend carpenter working on their DIY wood project.


"Guuuuuu!!? T-take thiiiiis!!"


Unflinching, the demon used [Iron Headbutt].
A headbutt with over 6000 Attack power. Woulda been bad if I took that head-on.
But there's no rule saying I have to. Eh, what about that time I fought ogre for the first time you ask? Whatchu talking about.


"No, you!"


I dodged the Iron Headbutt, fetched Lightning Pepper Powder from Item Screen and threw it on the white demon's face.
I dumped it all on his eyes, and nose. Looks super painful.


"Kuuuuuuuh!? P-petty triiicks!!"


It only worked for a bit before he recovered.
Guess that only counts as a harassment. Welp, what a blunder hahaha.


This white demon is stupidly strong. The normal me can only raise my Attributes to around 3000, which is no match to him.
Then how did I manage to overwhelm him? It's simple. It's all thanks to a certain strategy.


I call this strategy, 'If 3000 ain't enough, I just gotta buff myself even more' plan.
Eh, that's too obvious? I mean yeah, told you I got no naming sense.


As for how, first I Fast Travel-ed away to safety, away from that humongous ball of flame, to a medicine store.
I bought up all potions they had in stock, be it HP or MP, converted my mana to stamina and kept buffing my Attributes to the limit.
The limit of buff my entire body can take is presently around 6000, which is far above the white demon.

If he's gonna use an unfair move that doubles his Status with virtually zero cost, then I won't hesitate to cheat as well. I'll pay you back twofold!
I can probably get it higher if I focus the buff only on specific parts of my body, but I don't see any need to after seeing this.


"I underestimated you...! You are no human, no you're a monster wearing human skin...!!"


Who're you calling a monster in human skin! That's you, dangit!
I kept up the offensive while cursing in my mind.
Originally, the demon should have the upper hands in a close combat fight thanks to his assortment of martial arts Skills, but the sheer gap in our Attributes values buried that moat.


"Fsh!!"

"Damn youuu!!"


He blocked my punch and counter kicked me.
I grabbed that leg and spun him around like a giant swing!


"Uooooooo!!?"

"Zuoryaaaaaaaa!!!"


I threw him down the ground once I reached the max centrifugal force.
The ground cratered, sending a cloud of dust everywhere.


"Guuuuu.....!!"


Not even the white demon could escape this unscathed, his face warped, bloodied all over.

But this ain't over yet, y'know?


"M-my body, won't move...!?"


I bound the flying demon's limbs with Mana Armor generously infused with stamina and life force, affixing him on the ground.
Then I of course, fetched the explosive hammer. Guess what's next?


It's mochi pounding time.


I'm gonna use up all of my remaining stamina.



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



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







"Hop hop, flatten flatten."

"Gahaa!! Oof!? Gugaaaaaa!!"


...The masked guy kept pounding the demon with his great hammer like he's pounding mochi over and over again while saying that line in a carefree tone.
Despite his unenthusiastic voice, I can tell there's an incredible amount of force and bloodlust behind each and every swing.

The white demon spewed out blood, and had his bones and entrails crushed with every hit.
S-so gruesome... This mask guy is utterly merciless.

But man, this demon just won't die.
Anyone would have long been a goner when splattered up like that, yet this thing is barely holding on to dear life.

But, his HP is about to run out soon.
Can't believe that mask managed to easily crush someone with such an overwhelming power. Don't tell me, this masked guy is actually a demon king...?

High above, the masked guy held his great hammer aloft to finish the demon off even though he'd have died on his own anyway.


"...Die."

"Fu, fufufu... Cough...! Your strength, undulled, till, the very end, unrelenting, bloodlust...! We may, be enemies, but, I commend, you...!"

"Thanks. Don't really care about your praise tho'... Well then, good day to you."



The instant he swung his hammer down.





The demon shot something out of his mouth.

That's, a scroll...?


The scroll unfolded and wrapped around the masked guy like a snake.
A binding spell...!? He was hiding such a trump card!


"!?"

"O, unadulterated, power...!"


He spat out another scroll and opened it toward the masked guy.


An eerie violet light came out of the scroll and shone on the masked guy.


"Guuuu....!!?"

"That, power, may, bring about, my demise...!"


<<T-that's not good! That's a light from Brainwash Skill! A scroll loaded with spellcrafts infused by multiple powerful users is impossible to resist!>>


B-Brainwash...!?



"My, first, and last, order...! Kill, every, last, human being...!"



The white demon breathed his last after saying those.
Died with a peaceful look on his face, leaving an outrageous bomb behind.



Immediately after, the masked man slowly turned his gaze toward us.


"...."


I can see the eyes behind the mask shining violet.
...That looks obviously real bad.


"...Aw snap... He's been brainwashed it seems... What do we do now."


Aina muttered behind me.
She's sweating bullet.

I get her. We just bore witness to this masked man's strength after all.
And now those fangs of his are bared on us.


"Order, confirmed... K, ill..."


The masked man took a stance with his great hammer while uttering with a hollow voice.
...You can't be serious now...!

We're stuck to facing off against an opponent so monstrous even that white demon looked like a joke in comparison.
I can only see despair in the horizon...











<<Heeeeeeeeey!! What are you doing! How are we supposed to stop this monster now!>>

<<...He has no more stamina left. It should be easier than the white demon.>>

<<Yeah, still bad news! I mean, let me see his Status already! I've expunged [Demon King's Menu Function], there's no danger of leaks anymore!>>

<<...Acknowledged. Unlocking blockade. Recommending to display his Status to hero.>>

<<And even if he's not worse than that demon, this situation is still just as hopeless... What should we do?>>


<<The brainwashing Skill effect will likely lapse once Kajikawa Hikaru's HP is reduced to zero.>>

<<...You're telling us to kill him?>>

<<Negative. Kajikawa Hikaru's HP is not in sync with his body. Any wounds received reduces his HP however his physical body remains undamaged.>>

<<What the heck is that even!? So like, you're saying we can keep attacking him until his HP goes poof?>>

<<As long as the attack does not exceed a certain threshold once his HP reaches zero, there is no issue.>>

<<Oh okay then... Even so, this is gonna be real rough...>>

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

519 Crying in Joy

Binota ran up to me and took my hand.
I failed to dodge him. Not like I had to but the way he moved betrayed my expectations, I couldn't react in time. Guy's pretty quick on his feet belying his thin build.

"Thank you! Thank you! Riding on griffon was my lifelong dream! Ever since the day griffon's beauty bewitched me! Thank you! You even let me take to the sky... Uuu..."

His smile suddenly turned to tears. Looks like he's been overcome with emotions.
My hand is still being firmly gripped and shaken too. Quite dexterous. Needlessly so.

"I don't mind your excitement but can you let go of my hand now. Your nose is running... Oy, that's dirty!"

I shook off his hand by force when he was about to bring it to his face.
Binota wiped his tears and nose with that hand.
He's a mess.

"So, can I go in now? Ah, is there an inn that allows a griffon...?"

I walked away from Binota and asked the captain. My destination is the coliseum town.
But I'm not in a hurry. Acclimatizing griffon to traveling is a good idea too, staying at an inn here should help with that.

"Then, would you like staying at my house? I've got a lot of questions for you! Please give me your time!"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
Binota asked loudly. Which got me thinking.

(Why is this guy being so pushy anyway? He wants to observe griffon... no, doesn't seem like it. Judging from his reaction when he saw me, it's got to do with me?)

Binota is staring fixedly at me. Waiting for my answer without even sending a glance to griffon.
Regardless of the reason or his motive, this must be some sort of important event.

"Is there a spot for griffon to take it easy, out of public eyes at your place? Also, I'm itching for a good tea."

(I have a feeling that there's no way to avoid this event. Wonder why? I don't really believe in vague stuff like instinct though.)

"Yes! We have a spacious garden and all kinds of teas at home! I insist! Let's have a good long talk!"

I regretted a bit when I saw Binota getting excited like a kid in a candy store.

"Let's go now! Over here! Come with me!"

The captain stopped him just as he was about to walk off.

"Hold it! Binota-kun, prioritize taking back the document you wrote down earlier to the office."

Binota stopped moving and robotically moved his neck toward the captain.
His face screamed he couldn't wait any longer.

"O-okay! Would you mind waiting here? I'll be back in a flash!"

"Binota-kun, doesn't your work shift end in evening? I'll take him to your place. Do your job."

Apparently this captain is close to Binota. He's admonishing him like his elder.

"Uncle... Can't you overlook it this once!? I mean it's a chance to delve deeper into that ancient manuscript I've been researching!"

"Aren't you a member of working society? You have a duty to fulfill, do it well."

Turns out the captain is Binota's uncle. He makes a good point.
Also, one term caught me.

(Ancient manuscript, research? How does that relate to me?)

The answer has to wait until Binota comes home from his job. For now, I have to follow this captain to Binota's house.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

Second Round Starts

This chapter is from Hero's POV

"Uu... Uaa..."

"Are you alright!? I'll get you fixed up, don't die on me!"


Adventurers and the kingdom's soldiers who were fighting magic beasts earlier are lying about everywhere.
A lot of them got injured when that white demon used 'Blast Fist'. Some are in danger of dying without prompt interventions.
I've been helping those in precarious states with healing magic and potions, but I can't tend to them all by myself!

<<Neora-san! Surviving demons incoming behind you!>>

"I know, I know! But this person's gonna die if I stop now!"


"Keke. What's this guy's deal yappin' to himself."

"This weakling must be desperate to save his kind. How gallant of you, great hero hahaha!"


I heard vulgar voices of what seemed to be demons behind me.
Normally, I'd turn around and beat them up right away, but this person might die if I stop the healing process.


"Look here now, oh great hero. Or else, I'mma just gonna kill you off along with that guy, ya know?"

"Or perhaps you wanna test how much pain you can take? Let's start with skewering your back!"


DOSH the sound of something stabbing flesh.


"Ga, ha...?"

"There you have it, a stab on the back as you wished. Good enough?"


That was followed by the sound of something falling down and a familiar voice.
Levia had thrust the demon's heart from behind before it could stab me.


"B-bastaaaard!! How dare you, Gavaaa!"

"Levia-san!"

"Sure thing, there!"


Olivie's magic hit the other demon as it frantically lunged, Levia then pierced its head as it flinched.
Nice work. Good job.


"You two are lifesavers, thanks."

"Don't mention it. But this is just terrible..."

"Yea. That white demon's attack sent everybody flying. I don't have enough hands to treat them all. Levia, I'll hand over some potions, help me administer them. Olivie, please use your healing magic to treat the wounded."

"I understand!"

"...Speaking of which, where's that white demon right now--"


A sound of explosion reverberated throughout the capital before Levia could finish.
Rushing hot winds followed afterward. W-what was that about...!?

<<That white demon had just cast Advanced Magic [Burning Flare]! Not even Special Class Job can survive through that move!>>

Oy oy, then what about that masked guy, is he alive!?

<<I-I have no idea. I don't know why I can't display that person's Status nor does the Map shows his location...>>

But why... Well, I can hazard a guess, probably has to do with that masked guy's real identity.


...!!


An overwhelming pressure from the direction of that explosion.
It's coming here. That white figure, isn't that--


"Fumu, a lot of them have survived I see. I suppose they aren't quite fragile enough to die from that."


White demon, Leaguvein moved here at incredibly high speed.
His appearance remains unchanged except for tear-like tattoos below his eyes.

But... But, his overpowering pressure has magnified even further.
Must be the effect of [True Demon Release]... I can sense the hopeless gap between our power even without checking his Status.


"...That masked man has met his demise."

"...!"

"Truly quite a bothersome foe he was. I might have not made it without perusing True Demon Release. His strength was too good for a human, shame I had to kill him."


...Is that for real.
That masked guy seemed super strong too, and you're telling me this demon easily killed him off...!


"Now then, I've no time to waste. I shall have you all taken care of."


The white demon raised his hand high in the sky.
Countless balls of flames shot out of that hand.

<<That's Advanced Magic Spell [Flare Rain]! B-but if those hit the downed people!>>


"Stop thaaaaaaaaat!!"


I cut at the white demon's neck with Dimensional Blade but he easily evaded my attack.


"A Master Skill. It would have been quite a nuisance were someone as powerful as that masked man owned this move, not yours."

"Shut the hell up! Stop! Quit casting that magic! Die!"

"[Grave Lance]!!"

"[Black Bomb]!!"


Levia and Olivie followed through but none of their attacks made dent on the white demon.
He's just standing there despite taking direct hits...!


"...Unsightly."


The white demon swung his arm down while looking at us like we're garbage.


But all the fire balls exploded before they could land.
Echoing explosions. Heated winds spread throughout the surroundings but that was the extent of damage.

Did something strike down those flaming balls?



"...Oh dear, how did things go so bad here."


A familiar soothing voice.
She's someone I both respect and fear for having killed me so many times.
Aina-san smiled wryly from a distance, her bow at the ready.


"[Rain Arrow] is it. To think not even one fire ball escaped. Your skill is commendable."

"Thanksies. Your praise does nothing to me tho'~."

"However, an archer taking point is a poor decision. Or perhaps, do you mean to oppose me by your lonesome?"

"Heck no 'course. How about ya think a lil' before you yap, Whitey-kun."


Right as Aina-san swayed her index finger while trash talking, some debris near the white demon flew off.


"Mwu!?"

"Eat thiiiiiiis!!"

"Go to hell!!"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

The champion and runner-up of Advanced Division, Hyumlassa and Gazanginando jumped out of the debris while respectively swinging their giant axe and great sword at the demon in a pincer attack.
Two blades coming from two opposite directions not unlike a guillotine. An average Rank A magic beast would have easily felled by this.


"Umu, an excellent ambush. Superbly timed as well. Almost perfect if only for one fault."

"!?"

"Monster...!!"


The white demon stopped both blades with his hands.
Then he threw both of them along with their weapons.


"Your sole fault is lack of power. You are not quite there."

"Gaha!?"

"Guaaa!!"


He quickly approached the two and punched them both on the torsos.
The two screamed in pain while coughing up blood. Two Advanced Class, so easily...!


"As for you, elven archer. Your prowess warrants praise as well. You anticipated how I moved and precisely let your arrow loose."

"..."


Aina-san shot the demon's head while he was punching the two.
With an arrow capable of easily penetrating through mithril plates.
The attack was also powered up by her Skill to further increase its piercing power as well, making it a true finisher.

Yet, this arrow broke apart the moment it hit the demon's head.
He must have countered with Martial Art Skill [Iron Headbutt].


"But that bow is no more now."

"...!"


Aina's bow broke apart.
No way, did he break it with magic during that split second...!?



It's clear to me now.
It's not the lack of techniques, courage, or coordination that make us fall short to this demon.

What we're lacking most is strength.


This demon is just too strong. Far beyond anyone or any magic beast I've come across.
No, that's not it... It's us that's too weak...!


We might have a chance if only he's out of [True Demon Release] state...!
Menu! How long till that expires!

<<O-one hour and 42 minutes left!>>

Why is it so long...!? Forget an hour, I dunno if we can even last another minute! What are we supposed to do!


"Is that all? Then it is nigh to part ways."


The white demon raised his hand, no, both his hands high up once again.

A giant ball of flame of a dozen or two meters in diameter emerged above him.
That's the magic that killed the mask guy...!?


"Good day to you, my good sirs and ladies."


He lowered his hands, dropping down the giant flaming ball.


Everybody here is gonna die if that thing lands!
None will survive besides my party due to Revival!


No way, to stop it. No way, to run. Absolutely no way, to kill the demon before that magic hits.
I'll at least save Aina-san and Hyumlassa-san with Fast Travel, no, they're too far away!

Menu! Please! Tell me how to get through this!

<<I-it's no use... There's nothing, we can, do...!>>


There must be something, anything, no, it's too late...!










The flaming ball burst open, sending hot winds in the surrounding area as an explosive sound roared.







"Wh... at...?"



Followed by the white demon's dumbfounded voice.


...Huh...? My Revival Grace didn't set off?
No wait, nobody died? But I was sure that fire ball exploded.


Did someone stop it mid air? Who?





"Get bent."

"!!!?"


A collision sound almost as loud as the explosion just now reverberated.
Someone punched the demon which he blocked.
That alone was enough to produce such a loud sound. The result of two tremendous powers colliding.


"...You...!!"

"Second round. Just die already."

"You persistent bastard!"


A man whose face is hidden behind a mask and a hood stood next to the demon.
His clothes have been singed all over, but he seems unscathed nonetheless.


Did he erase that magic...?
Who, who the heck is this guy anyway...!?

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Next Chapter

518 Sky of Dream

Binota begged me with sparkling childish eyes.
The people around looked at him like he's a rare animal.
The captain ordered the soldiers guarding the spot to leave us here.

"I-it's always been my dream since childhood! P-please... would you... let me?"

"I don't really mind. As long as griffon is okay with it. What do you say griffon?"

I gave the ok and asked griffon for consent.
To which griffon responded by crouching down while crying, 'kue, kue~', which sounded like, 'Guess I've no choice~.'

"You got the ok it seems. I'll help you get on it."

Binota was overjoyed and started jumping around without a sound.
I wryly smiled at the pureness of this man.
I even felt a tinge of envy, wondering when did I lost my honesty.

(That's probably just how it goes to be an adult. Wonder if I still have some left in me?)

I lifted Binota by his soles up griffon's back. It was simple thanks to my monstrous strength.
But it would have been simple even without. This Binota guy is too light. He's way underweight.

"H-hyo! T-that surprised me. Eh, ah, I just have to climb my way up now... U, uu..."

Binota succeeded straddling on griffon's back.
And started crying out of joy.

"Uu, I'm really riding a griffon... This is the happiest day of my life... I can die content now..."
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
I didn't expect this overreaction and decided to give him a bonus service.

"Griffon, why don't you take a stroll around these parts. We've a nice weather today, a sky stroll doesn't sound bad."

Griffon started flapping its wings. Binota wasn't the only one surprised at this. The captain who remained here as well.

"H-hey you!? Are you sure it's safe!? That griffon isn't going to run wild, is it? It won't shake Binota-kun off!?"

His shout drew the attention of travelers still waiting to enter the federation.

(Ah, I'm scared how much attention I'm getting... Bah, whatever goes.)

I decided to take it in strides instead.
Griffon didn't care about all the gazes pouring at it as it slowly ascended.
Then once they got so high you could only see them as a dot in the sky, griffon started descending like climbing down a spiral staircase.
It landed on the same exact spot it was at and crouched down.

"Good job, griffon. That was quite a splendidly calculated landing. Good boy."

I rubbed griffon's chin gently.

"...Am I dreaming? It was my dream to ride a griffon. But flying in the sky on top of that... I must have gone to the afterlife from this rapture. Am I even alive right now? This isn't a dream?"

Binota kept muttering to himself.
Griffon raised its upper half and let him slide down.
Binota slid on the lower half down the tail and landed his butt on the ground.

The captain took a sidelong glance of Binota as he fixed his gaze on griffon.

"...The shape of war will change if armies make use of this... This could be big..."

This captain probably had no concept of air supremacy. Not until he witnessed the griffon's sky stroll just now.
It's not my responsibility or problem though. Besides, griffons can't be the only option to fly.
But it probably hasn't been realized yet, or even exist. This is a fantasy world.
There should be plenty of tame-able magic beasts that can fly.
Though there's the issue of the budget required to manage and keep them. They'd be better off creating some magical flying machines instead.

(Ah, could this be a flag? I should stop delving deeper.)

I halted that train of thought as it wandered off to a certain fantasy of final.

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Versus White Demon

I guard against right fist with my great hammer's handle, clashed the Extended Mana Fist from left fist with Mana Pile Bunker, stopped the right leg kick with my elbow, then I counter with my exploding hammer while mana cushioning away his counter magic as I side step--

It's been two minutes since my hectic deatchmatch against the white demon began.
We've been going at it all this time, yet neither has managed to land a decisive strike.


"Fumu, an invisible something has been obstructing my attacks. Is that a Skill? Or perhaps an Enchantment of your gear?"

"Figure it out yourself. Die."

"That great hammer carries tremendous weight. Its trajectories can be wildly altered through explosions as well. Impressive you're able to wield such a thing."

"You wanna? I ain't giving. Die."

"To top it off, you're repelling my Offensive Magic... Truly a bothersome foe, you are."

"Quit yapping already. Yer' gonna bite your tongue. Actually do and die from laceration."

"And, most of all, is that bloodlust of yours. It's as if I'm seeing a mirror image of our lust for the eradication of humanity."

"Don't lump me with y'all. Die. Die. Die."


Responding every time is a bother but I don't want him to think I can't even afford to speak, so I've been replying curtly.
I may sound like a corrupted manga character from all the 'die, die, die' repeat line but my insides are still that of a reserve unit old man with a disappointing mind.
I just don't have it in me to forgive this demon, not in the slightest.

It's not like I hold a grudge toward demons or discriminate them because of their race.
My murderous impulse towards demons is simply a product of kill or be killed mindset. Exterminate them before they do us in. That's all there is to it.


I think it's also partly due to the trauma I suffered from that time at Vinfitt.
My head would have been splattered flat like a tomato if Reina didn't come to the rescue.
Alma, Reina and all the citizens would have been devoured whole by the slime if I failed at sealing it back.


What's gonna happen to the populace here if these demons succeed destroying this capital city?
Might be presumptuous of me to worry about that, as I'm neither a hero or an ally of justice.

Watching mobs getting killed in manga or games only garner 'Oh poor them' reactions but this world isn't a game. It's real life.
You get to find out about a lot of stuff just from the simple act of strolling the city.


Like say, the old lady selling bread near the front gate is waiting her grandchildren visit in a few days.

Or how the mister blacksmith near the arena is expecting his and his wife's child soon.

Or how excited the neighborhood kids around our inn were when they made a promise to play again tomorrow.


There's no mob in this world. Everybody is living their life. Of course they are.
Is it really that weird to harbor bloodlust toward a bunch wanting to ruin them all just because they feel like it.


Well whatever. Can't afford to run my thoughts aground anymore, let's get to killing.


I explosively powered up my Attributes for a brief instant with Energy Control.
I made the push to nearly 3000 Attributes' values.
Would be nice if I could end this before this demon used [True Demon Release] but things probably won't go that smoothly.


"Haaaaaaa...!!"

"! He's grown even stronger, faster...!"
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >

The white demon popped his eyes wide open in shock as he guarded my attack.
My Attributes are almost double his right now. Anyone would be surprised at this sudden power up.


I punched the white demon's face with all my powered might.
It was a clean hit. He failed to react.


"Guoo!?"


I chased the blown demon, grabbed his head and flung him onto the ground.
I also bound him with Mana Armor to prevent escape.

I raised the explosive great hammer high, poured a lot of mana into it and swung it down hard!


SPLAT the sound of splattered flesh could be heard, or so I thought, but no, there wasn't any in reality.
The feeling transmitted to my hands were that of a hard material.
My arms are numbed.
I hit something even harder than my hammer.

A translucent wall of light enclosed the white demon. It looks similar to a barrier you see in SF work.
...Barrier magic? Thing's stupid hard.

<<The demon utilized a personal barrier magic scroll, 'Force Protect'. It generates a barrier possessing 10000 Defense value with the scroll as its epicenter.>>

We finally hit five digit number huh. I can't catch up with the wild inflation.
10 seconds huh... Oh man, that's real bad.

<<Demon [Leaguvein] has activated [True Demon Release] inside the barrier. All Attributes except HP, MP, and SP have been doubled.>>


Ah, knew it. 'Course, he's gonna use it. Wasn't a situation he could penny pinch.
...By the way, what's the duration of this [True Demon Release] state, what about MP and SP consumption?

<<Usable once every 24 hours. Two hour duration. 0 MP SP consumption.>>

What the crap is that stupidly cheat Ability! That's against the rules! Nerf that crap!
Here I am consuming most of my SP just to raise my Attributes to 3000 for 5-10 seconds! That crap is a complete upgrade!


While I was filing claims inwardly, the barrier broke apart and the white demon showed its mug.
There are now tear-like long strip patterns below his eyes, likely indicating his Ability's activation.
...Oou. He's like a whole different demon. His base specs alone are probably on par with Oni-sensei.


"Phew... I have underestimated you. To think you were hiding such strength."


I'm not. I'm just forcing myself to get stronger.
So please don't get so serious, no, for real. I'mma die.


"Now then, I cannot afford to belate anymore. You will have to forgive me, and die."


The white demon moved so fast he left an afterimage as he went in to punch me at super high speed.
Fast.
Way too fast.
There's no way I can block this--


"Tch!!"

"Oho, you blocked that...!"


'Course! I ain't been training with an even faster Oni-sensei for nothing!
I'm confident I can handle this speed for up to ten blows!
In other word, more than that is impossible for me! Stop it, please!


I frantically guarded against the barrage of punches while complaining pathetically in my mind.
My energy and life force are getting shaven down with each and every hit I block.

He may not be as strong as Oni-sensei, but he's still stronger than me, he'll drive me to the corner at this rate.
I've been pouring potions directly into my mouth through Item Screen, but I only have a few remaining.
I gave most to Alma's group after all. I don't got lots of potions on hand.

Should I raise my Attributes even further and end this in split seconds...?


Ah, crap. I don't have the leeway too. I'm running out of energy.
Gotta convert my mana to, aah, he flicked away my hands, no, won't make it--


"Disappear."


The demon struck my belly with his fist before further exploding it with 'Blast Fist'.
My HP went straight to zero, a dull pain ran through my stomach.


"Gah...!!"

"You're still breathing, I see... This shall end it."


He kicked me away as I crouched down while holding my abdomen, followed by a magic attack.
The spots where it hits are burning, melting and carbonizing, it hurts, it's hot, it hurts, ouch ouch ouch ouch.


"Farewell."


He shot a fireball around 20 meters in diameter as he uttered that parting word.
I'm trying to dodge but my body won't move from the intense pain and temperature.
Mana Control, no, it can't repel a spell that size and power.


Nope. I can't win at my current state.
...I took this demon too lightly.



My figure vanished inside a huge explosion caused by the erupting fireball.

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517 Rare Human

I can't remember how long I waited when someone tottered out of the gate.
The person vigorously took off their hood.

Dirty robe, thin figure underneath his attire, and caved-in cheeks. The guy looks real shady.
It's the spitting image of 'No**ta-kun' if he were undernourished.

The man spread both his arms wide while looking like he would start screaming 'Help me! Dorae**n!' anytime now.

"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaan!? It's a griffoooon! The real thing!? It's the real thiiiiiiiiiing! It wasn't a lie at aaaaaall!?"

His voice was so loud I wondered where he squeezed it out of that lanky body.
Frankly speaking, it's gross. The sight of a skinny 'No**ta-kun' in a weird attire excitedly running this way triggers my flight response.

The man was stopped by by two intersecting spears held by two soldiers guarding the griffon.

"Everybody was sure you guys were just screwing with us when you said someone tamed a griffon! I thought you were gonna hoist some troublesome work on me! B-b-but it's real! Amazing! I can't believe I'm seeing one up close! And it's docile too! It's so big! Its fur looks so lustrous! I-I wanna get a closer look! L-let me through soldiers-san! I wanna take a realll good look close up!"

One thing for sure from his excitement. This guy is an otaku.
The type that gets lost in their own world at that.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Binota-kun, please compose yourself. You've been called here to do your job. Not to appease your hobby. This man over here is the griffon's... Hey, are you listening?"

The captain seems to know the man personally. He gave him a warning.
Yet his words don't seem to reach the man at all. The otaku stares fixedly at griffon.
Even griffon is taken aback by this. It's sending me a glance saying 'This guy's beyond help'. Uh not like griffon can talk though.
The man called Binota traced that glance, turning his sight on me.

"...Eh? Y-you're... It can't be... It's real!?"

No idea what surprised this Binota guy, but one thing for sure, his object of interest has shifted to me.

"I can't believe it! It actually does exist! Amazing! I can get a deeper understanding now! Yay! What an incredible day this has been!"

Binota-kun inched closer at me with his grossly excited face.
I drew back at this unknown form of fear. The captain sent a lifeline my way.
He landed a chop on Binota's deranged head.

"Ow, ouch! W-what are you doing? Ah, hey stop! Don't hit me again! I don't like pain!"

"Do you recall why you were called here? Can't you get on to the registration process already? We don't have all day here. Your seal of approval is needed. Save your personal interest for after work, will you?"

Binota straightened himself, 'excuse me'. Finally pulled himself together after that reproach.

"L-let's officially register your tamed beast. Oh it's nothing difficult. All you need to do is prove to us that this griffon obeys your commands."

Despite Binota getting excited again when he saw griffon doing the tricks I showed the soldiers earlier, the registration process went down smoothly.

"You may carry this document with you. That will be your certificate. And now, you only need to attach this plate on the griffon's collar. Yes, that will do. The fee is two silver coins. Yes, thank you. And that is all. So um... I-if possible, could you, um..."

Binota started fidgeting. Which looks really gross.
None the wiser of my inner turmoil, Binota put on a resolved look as he begged.

"Could you please let me ride on griffon's back!"

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Next Chapter

Mere Human

This chapter starts from Scarymast's POV
We're facing off against the army of demons.
Then just as the white demon leading them uttered 'Annihilate all'.


"!?"

"...Who are you, mavericks."


Two figures showed up between the kingdom's army and the demons.
The white demon asked with a frown.


"Guy's asking something."

"Then he will have the answer... Wait a minute, how do you know about that reference--"


One is a beautiful blond boy easily mistaken for a girl.
Hero Neo Raifu. He finally came to... His lips look red, lipstick? No, they're just swollen? What happened.


"...Well whatever, but you just you wait later. The sting in my mouth is killing me."

"I merely took an emergency measure since you wouldn't wake up. Or what, you'd rather get killed and revived?"

"I might prefer that over this spicy hell..."

"Guess Aitserina-shi should have committed to it. She was seriously deliberating killing you for real."

"The hell, that's terrifying!? I mean, she did kill me many times already during our training!"


The other person is wearing a mask under a hood.
...That's a different mask from the one he wore during Hunting Fest. Is he a collector? I don't get his taste.
He handed something to Almatina and Reinamiure once he was done talking with the hero.


"I-it's the hero...! We're saved...!"

"Where'd he gone off too all this time?"

"Who's that masked guy beside him...?"


Nearby adventurers and soldiers wondered about the two.
Responding to that, the demon chief spoke with a frown.


"I see. You are the present day's Hero. I suppose it hasn't been half a year since your summoning, which explains your feebleness. Conceivable."

"...Well yeah, most people gonna seem feeble compared to ya."


Hero replied while sweating bullet.
Apparently, Hero and Kajikawa can see Status. I wonder how strong is that white demon.


"It is to my understanding that Hero is capable of fathoming everything, akin to Appraisal Skill. Naturally, that includes my Status."

"...Ou, I'm regretting that now."

"And, are you capable of stopping me from slaying every single human living in this city?"

"..."

"You cannot, can you? All of them will die, except you and your companions thanks to your Revival Grace. Every last one."


The white demon spoke plainly, neither in a mocking tone or provocatively.
Hearing that, the people nearby looked anxious.
They must be wondering if the addition of Hero does anything to the hopeless gap in power.


"Those humans appear to put their hope in you, yet my word carries the simple truth. You are powerless. You cannot save or defeat anyone. Not even me, a much inferior being than Demon King-sama."

"Be that as it may, I have to fight no matter what."

"So you choose to challenge me despite knowing the futility of it all. That too, is fine."


The white demon held his hand aloft in this direction, prompting the other demons to get into combat stance.


"Let us begin the annihilation... Kill them all."


The moment white demon gave his order



A thunderous explosive sound and tremor


An explosion swallowed the spot where the demon army was.


"Ugaaaaaaaaa!!?"

"W-what's going on!?"


Some of them got burned down, some instantly got encased in ice, some got hit by lightning as they fell one after another.


"...Man that's gruesome."


Hero muttered while frowning.
The white demon frowned as he surveyed the disastrous scene.


"...What have you done."

"Nothing? The plan was to buy time but you went and flapped your gums on your own, so yeah, I did literally nothing."


Buy time...? What is he talking about...?


"Foooo!? I leveled up a whole lotsa!"

"...Lv43 huh. Defeating demons really net you a lot of exp."

"Uwaa, all those demons scampered away everywhere."

"Julian sure worked wonder. Didn't think he even managed to create stuff that can kill demons over Level 50."

"You asked him to make something that dangerous...?"

"Guess you can call these things Magic Ore Mines. That went much better than anticipated."


I could hear Kajikawa's group chatting behind them.
...I see, they made use of that [Shadow Dive] Skill and set up some sort of traps under those demons.


That explosion has erased 30% of the demon forces, while the rest are suffering from not insignificant damage.
That should let us fight on equal an footing despite our fatigue.
Only if anyone can take on this white demon though.


"Fumu, you succeeded lowering our number. Quite a conundrum."

"Quit spouting such an obvious lie. Your face says it's not an issue at all."

"Nay, conundrum is the truth. Truly a bother this is."


The white demon sighed before resuming.


"No matter. I had always planned to personally kill every last one of you. This spells more work but the end result changes not."



The white demon raised his fist as he said that.


"Allow me to strike back."


And hit the ground.



The impact and explosion made the earlier explosion seemed like fireworks.


A crater formed on the ground like a meteorite crash as dust rose into a mushroom shape.


What tremendous power...!!


Everything, be it enemy or ally, got blown away by this impact.
I too was powerless as the shockwave sent me flying--

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

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



"Damn, are you for real...!"


What the heck is that destructive power...!
That was Martial Arts Skill Ability [Blast Fist].
How can this much destruction come from a weaponless Skill used by a lone individual.

Level 82 sure ain't no joke...!


Demon: Leaguvein

Lv 82

State: Normal

[Attributes]
HP (Life Force): 4277/4277
MP (Mana): 932/987
SP (Stamina): 781/789

STR (Strength): 1671
ATK (Attack Power): 1671
DEF (Defense): 1683 (+690)
AGI (Agility): 1411
INT (Intelligence): 1430 (+347)
DEX (Dexterity): 1210
PER (Perception): 846
RES (Resistance): 1034
LUK (Luck): 213

[Skills]
Demon Lv 9
Offensive Magic Lv 10
Advanced Offensive Magic Lv 7
Support Magic Lv 8
Kempo Lv 10
Grappling Lv 8
Martial Arts Lv 10
Ultimate Martial Arts Lv 7

[Master Skills]

Master Fist
Magi Regeneration
Aura Mitigation

Equipment

Magic Steel Silk Robe
DEF +690

Demonic Ring
INT +347



All the adventurers and soldiers got blown away.
I'm the only one left standing.


"Oho, you alone endured through that. Hero, you are indeed."


...That attack was nothing more than a greeting to this demon. What the heck, he's not even a yasain.

<<O-oh no. If even his base spec is this powerful, his True Demon Release state will be...!>>

Eh, what? True Demon? Why does that sound like he's got some sort of second form...


"Yet, that's all you amount to. You may sleep now. Everything will have come to a pass when you're awake."


Not a moment after he said that, a pure white fist was already coming right before my face--







"Nah, you sleep. Scratch that, die."

"!?"


...Just before the fist hit my face, the mask man zeroed in on the demon.
With a huge hammer in his hand.


"Oraaa!!"

"Guh...!!"


The white demon barely managed to guard against the swung exploding hammer.
An incredibly loud sound of explosion reverberated in the air the moment it hit.


...I've been meaning to ask since waking up at the stadium, who is this mask guy anyway?
I can't see his Status and his attire looks way too suspicious.
Aina-san said he's a reliable ally, but I can't guess who...?


"...Fumu, you appear to be comparatively better than the rest. State your name."

"Die."


Mask man swung his hammer again while ignoring the white demon.
...How is this guy swinging that gigantic thing so fast.
The white demon who's guarding and parrying that bare handed is just as bad news.


"What're you spacing out for! Help me or go save those people, pick one!"


He yelled at me while I was dumbfounded.
S-scary... He might be scarier than Aina-san when she's mad...


<<Neora-san, let's leave this to him! You're only going to get in the way if you join this fight!>>

N, no, this demon shouldn't be that much stronger than a Shining Tiger.
I can at least serve as a shield...

<<Demons over Level 80 possess an Ability called [True Demon Release] which doubles their Attribute values! Neora-san is just gonna get instantly torn to shreds like a piece of paper! We should retreat and help those in need with Recovery Magic and medicine!>>

...I can't even be a shield huh.
Then, at least let me do this much...!


"[Speed Up]!"

"!"


I cast Support Magic to buff the mask man's speed.
Support Magic can only buff one Attribute at a time.
You need either the Advanced upgrade or a Master Skill to buff two or more.


"Sorry, that's all I can do for you! I'll go save the victims! Can I leave him to you!"

"Ah, I got this. Appreciate the buff."


Dammit, I'm so pitiful! So uncool! I'm no hero!
Only ever fight enemies weaker than me, running away when stronger foes show up! I haven't changed at all from my previous self!
I'm not suited to be Hero at all! I'm, just an ordinary man...!


"Fumu, I see the hero has made his escape."

"I'm more than a match for you, shi*heel."

"You mere human and your nonsensical rambling."

"And what's wrong with being a mere human! Don't care what you think, we're all giving it our all to live! Don't you dare make light of the life every single soul you're trying to murder lead!! I hate your type and your disdain for life! Die!!"


...Mere human, giving it all huh.
He probably just said it in the heat of moment, but it's good enough to encourage me.
There are things I can do... That last part sounds kinda contradictory though.

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