Bridge of Dream
Darn it, even though I've predicted this situation, I can't keep calm when it comes down to it.
I had anticipated demons ambushing us at the teleport endpoint but not them splitting us up one by one and coordinating their ambush.
They're quite good. Ordinary adventurers and soldiers would struggle hard.
Their Modus Operandi consists of caging our people in a barrier that applies debuff followed by an all out attack. Very simple yet nasty.
By the way, I killed the dozens of demons encircling me before they did any of that so I only learned their tactic after watching other people suffering from it.
Well, it wouldn't have made a difference even if they did manage to use the tactic on me. I mean, these demons are mere Lv40-50.
In fact, I monitored the Map and confirmed the girls taking care of their side with zero issues despite the debuff.
...But the thing moving at high speed towards Alma is bad news.
I'm flying there at full speed while saving everybody along the way, but she's just too far away it's gonna take time no matter what I do.
She's probably gonna be just fine, but nothing is ever guaranteed with this stuff. I've gotta join up with her ASAP.
Dammit, I could have done that easily if only I got just one more level and unlocked the upcoming Menu Function. But I can never get enough exp killing these demon mobs.
I will never forget this presence. A big presence that left a scar in my mind after our first encounter at Monster Prairie.
...Maybe I should have killed him during our fight at the capital... I mean, you know?
Go ahead and try to even put a scratch on Alma.
I'mma beat and eat you up whole, you darned lizard.
~~~~~~~~[Bridge of Dream] leader Kyoukuhart (Cool Uncle) POV~~~~~~~
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Dammit, this guy's got an anti-debuff equipment on him!"
"But we got him alone! Gang him up!"
The encircling demons are closing in as they yell at each other.
They may be enemies but their coordination is worthy a praise. A bit rough around the edge though.
Oh dear, how many year has it been since I had to fight by myself.
I have never been get in action without someone else by my side ever since I gave up on my dream and focused all my energy into rearing the next generation.
...Haha. I'm feeling this weird sense of nostalgia alongside a sense of helplessness.
I have to dodge, parry and evade their attacks as I make my way out of their encirclement.
I could manage if I were with everyone but that might be asking too much with me alone.
"This guy just won't go down...!"
"Don't let him run! He's got quick wits and judgment, guy's gonna be a thorn on our side if he met up with other humans!"
"Aim for the legs!"
The apparent leader of these demons barked order out loud. Doesn't he realize that's akin to announcing their strategy to me.
It could work against magic beasts but not humans. They should have decided on code words beforehand.
It really does seem like they're not used to real combat.
...But, as it looks like, I can't keep being scot-free forever.
"Barrier! Interference ward!"
"Shoot! Just shoot as many as you can!"
Not good, they're intensifying magic attacks and Farslashes' frequency.
And I don't have a lot of room to dodge due to the barrier limiting my move.
It's no use, I don't see a way to break through this without assistance.
Uh, they got my leg...!
"He's stopped moving, now's our chaaance!"
"【Explode】!!"
They shot out a big fireball at me.
No dodging this, gotta block with Shield Art...!
A fireball exploded right next to me with a loud booming sound.
The blast I could block with Shield Art but I couldn't stop getting thrown off my feet. I got slammed on the wall hard.
"Gu, a...!!"
...I suppose blocking such a powerful spell with one handed shield is too much after all.
Shisti could have shot down that level of spell no problem. This situation is hopeless with me alone.
I can't muster up my strength, likely due to that full body blow.
...What should I do now.
"Man you're persistent, I'll praise you just for that."
"But you can no longer dodge now. Yield."
"...Can I at least ask one thing?"
I spoke to the demon approaching to finish me off.
Doing this is only going to buy me little bit of time but I will not give up.
"Why do you kill humans? For what reason do you demons eradicate humans?"
"Foolish question. All demons wish to kill humans. Just like how you hold those who are close to you dear, we simply have the urge to kill. That would have been my answer if our current Demon King had not shared his knowledge."
"...What?"
I was sure they'd just laugh me off. Didn't think I'd get a proper answer.
"We always believed our urge to kill you humans comes naturally. However, that was never the case."
"We finally have an understanding about this unbearable urge to kill once Demon King-sama told us the truth."
"The truth?"
The demons couldn't contain their bloodlust toward me as they spoke.
...Their faces warped in their uncontrollable desire to kill me, no, humanity as a whole.
"Unlike humans, us demons cannot birth children. There is no need for that."
"We do not have reproductive organs nor lifespan. Demon King-sama will simply create more of us, as needed, in our adult forms through his Skill."
"We fall into slumber once a Demon King-sama in an era was defeated and resume our duty as his pawns once a new Demon King-sama comes to be. We have no need for purposeless functions."
"...Don't you find such an unnatural creature strange? We are akin to puppet machines that carry out the role given to us and nothing more."
What's the meaning of this?
What are these demons are talking about?
It's like they're saying demons are solely created to kill mankind with no other purposes.
Who makes such a creature? Demon King does, but then who made Demon King?
"As long as you humans exist, we are nothing more than a tool to cull your number."
"So kill we shall. Kill, and keep killing until the last of human breathed their last. At which point we will finally be able to choose the reason for our existence...!"
Ah, I see.
These demons have been doing nothing but following their lust to kill humans for tens of thousands of years without ever questioning it.
Until the present day Demon King gave them the reason.
I wonder how come this Demon King came to harbor the question after tens thousands years of stagnancy.
No, above all--
"How... How pitiful..."
"Hm, what did you say?"
"You can't give birth to children nor do you have lifespan. I wonder if that will change after you've made human go extinct."
"What, about it."
"...That means you'll have to live forever with no chance to pass on the torch to the next generation. There's, nothing more pitiful than that."
I have, a dream.
A very common dream of reaching Special Job like my grandfather and becoming a splendid human being that lights the way for other.
It may be common yet it's anything but simple. Just that it's something many people dream of as well.
Without realizing how much of a wishful thinking such a dream is. Living while carrying the 'I'll get there someday' thought forever.
I was hopeful when I came of age, I thought that was my first step toward realizing my dream.
I was filled with a sense of fulfillment when I reached Intermediate Job on my 20.
By age 30, I was feeling impatient when I noticed my slow growth.
When I finally reached Advanced Job on my 40, I came to the realization that it was impossible for me.
The wall to Special Job was far too thick and tall for me.
I can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. I believed I had been working harder than the average person, yet it just was not meant to be.
I was down in the dump and filled with frustration but that was when I noticed one thing.
Young people who share the same dream have gathered around me.
All the advice they got from me during their rookie adventurer day is still supporting them even today.
They have gone through countless perilous situations in their fights against magic beasts thanks to all my warning.
They wish to become like me as they watch me working diligently and earnestly as an adventurer.
They told me how they came to hold the same lofty dream of reaching Special Job when they heard about my dream.
The dream of Special Job is likely out of reach to me. I'm just past that age.
Yet, even so, I should be capable of guiding those who carry the torch through the winding roads.
Strength is coming back to my limbs.
My sword and shield gripping hands feel hotter than the fireball earlier.
I can't go down, just yet.
I always thought demons as nothing more than a disaster that only brings destruction to humanity.
...I feel this is the first time I've come to an understanding just how pitiful and sad their existence is.
Nevertheless, they have to be defeated.
I have to kill these demons here even if it costs me my life, to pave even the shortest road for those who come later!
I held my sword aloft, and rushed headlong toward the demons while roaring as loud as I could.
"I have yet to fall down, demons! My name is Kyoukuhart! I am the bridge that supports the dream of next generation!"
"He's still got moves...!"
"Ha, what can you do with those wounds! Die already!"
...Rainanshi, Dainaruga, Shistinaka, forgive me. This is the end of the road for me.
Please, keep living on and carry our dream for me.
Just before the demon magic hit my head, a hand stretched out of a building's shadow and dragged me into the shadow.
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