Sousetsuka

Chapter 276 Strongest Sage, Becomes Cooperator

 

"...I see! Simply mixing human personalities together was a fool's errand wasn't it!"

"That's that... In other words, the next experimental body will surely succeed."

"『Composite Test Body No.1』 was a failure! But... The next one will definitely be a hiiiit!"

Looks like these guys are still hellbent on continuing their experiment.
We can't have them resurrect any more weird bunch, they have to be stopped--but we need to find where they are first.

『I guess we'll be looking for these guys next...』

『...Trying to find them looks like it'll be a pain...』

...[Warmongers] weren't that hard to find since Grevil had a rough idea about their location and they had a trap quest posted.
However, searching for guys who merely hide themselves while doing some questionable things is a tall order.
Unlike demons, they don't have peculiar waves of mana after all.

『Can't you trace back that comm magic tool?』

『...Unfortunately, they've put a countermeasure in it already.』

I look at the comm magic tool.
A great many magic to conceal the transmission's origin have been installed in it.

Our opponents aren't magic researchers in name only it seems.
Their knowledge in combat may be crude, but the fact that they were able to create living things that combined [Supranatural Art] and magic is a testament to their highly advanced magic techs.

And this comm magic tool employs a similar level of techs.
Even if tracing back could be done, it would probably take many years to complete.

『Then... How do we look for them?』

『Right... How about asking directly.』

I talk toward the comm magic.
<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka .com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel.>
"Oy, can I have a sec?"

"...What is it? The experiment is over. I'm calling off if there's no more data to get."

"We need to move on to our next experiment. No time to deal with participants."

Just as Anmorr brothers were about to call off the transmission, I talked to them.
In order to offer my cooperation in their experiments.

"It's about that experiment... To tell you the truth, I was hit by an urge to help further development of magic. Could you let me be a sparring partner in your next experiment?"

"...Sparring partner?"

"Yeah. It was me who defeated 『Composite Test Body No.1』. Won't you get better data if you let me fight the next test subject as well?"

If I got to be a sparring partner in their experiments, these guys would lead me to their test site even if I did nothing.
There's no easier method to look for enemies.

The problem is whether they'd fall for it--.

『...Eh? Sparring partner?』

『There's no way they'd buy something like--』

The girls murmured to hear me.
But... The other party had something else in mind.

"Fine. We appreciate your cooperation."

『He bought it!?』

Alma sounded surprised to hear the elder Anmorr brother.
The little brother seemed to be surprised as well.

"...Can we really trust these guys!? The next opponent of [Strengthened Test Body No.1] must be someone full of spirit of inquiry towards magic!"

...Full of spirit of inquiry toward magic huh.
I never would have imagined someone would say that about me after reincarnating.






Previous Chapter

16



Right before setting foot on floor 30, Lecan thought of equipping the <Guardian Gem of Zana>. Equipping this Guardian Gem he got from exchanging his jewel with Lady Rubianafale would drastically raise his attack power.

However, he abandoned the idea.

He wanted to fight without the assistance of the Guardian Gem. He could just equip it if his opponent is proven to be a tough one.

At this point, deep down Lecan held a negligence in his heart.

With dungeons in his former world, the moment a fight with a floor boss is initiated, the door leading to the room will be shut tight and it will only be over when either the floor boss, the challenger, or both have died. But that's not the case with dungeons in this world. Even if you engage giant magic beasts, running away from them are a simple matter, nor magic beasts can chase you to the stairways. Hence, Lecan considered the last floor would be similar also.

He took his trusty sword out of <Storage>. The silver ring has been on him for two days already.

The moment he set foot on floor 30, <Life Detection> displayed information in his head.

There's nothing here. No magic beasts, no humans, nothing. Lecan moved the <Life Detection>'s range.

There it is.

One powerful magic beast.

Wonder if there's really nothing else.

He tried exploring every nook and cranny of the floor but there's really only one spot. Only one spot with one big blue dot representing a magic beast on this floor.

Lecan thought as much. Rather, according to the handbook, the last floor has first rank Ape Ogre magic beast, Great Ogre (Ulgang), as the dungeon boss here.

Since it's hard to believe that there would be multiple bosses, Lecan has already hypothesized that there would be only a lone Great Ogre.

Still, he's lacking information. The handbook has detailed info about magic beasts such as their methods of attacks and weaknesses, however there's nothing on magic beasts located on the last floor. Only that, [Its time until respawn once defeated is unknown], which means that someone managed to arrive at this floor but none ever defeated the Great Ogre.

However, a map exists. The map he got from Chaney details about the layout and doors on floor 30. This wouldn't have existed if they never explored far enough.

--Wait. Should I really defeat this.
<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka .com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel.>
What did Chaney say again.

Once a dungeon's floor boss is defeated, all magic beasts inside that dungeon will disappear, and no more magic beasts will spawn until the dungeon boss has respawned. As such, nobles who manage dungeons detest having the boss get defeated.

However, subjugating a dungeon boss is an act of prestige so they cannot publicly prohibit the feat.

--Meaning they won't mind if I kill it.

Either way, he's not going to turn back now he's gotten this far. Lecan progresses through rooms with firm steps, onward towards the center of the floor.

His spine is tingling harder the more he gets closer. A presentiment from his whole body. That there's an unprecedented archenemy up ahead.

Lecan isn't slowing down.

Coming closer to the foe step by step.

Eventually, his opponent comes within <3D Perception> range. Its body displayed in <3D Perception> is surprisingly small. Its silhouette is not unlike that of a human.

Lecan stopped before the room's entrance. There's only one entrance to this room.

His opponent is visible by bare eyes from here.

It's snoring loudly with its face up.

Lecan set foot inside the room.

His opponent is still dozing off.

Checking with <Mana Detection>, it doesn't posses that powerful of mana.

Its outward appearance is like that of a muscular adult warrior. But looking closer, it's really not a human. The most striking difference is head. Tens of horns stretch in all directions from its head. The top of its head has two conspicuously big horns, twisted yet with their brutal tips facing forward.

Its lower half is hairy. Bushy like that of a beast.

But its upper half is furnished with golden colored fur that doesn't hide its highly rugged muscles.

Its upper half is like that of an organized set of warped steels. Just how much power and hardness reside in it.

The Great Ogre is still sleeping.

"Get up."

Once Lecan spoke, its snore immediately stopped.

A moment later, the Great Ogre stood up.

It abruptly got up without preliminary actions nor wasted movements. The way it stood up was so natural that you would have thought that it had always been in that posture.

Now that they're facing off, it's clear that both have almost equal heights. However, that's only if the horns on the Great Ogre's head are counted, otherwise Lecan is slightly taller. The Great Ogre is bigger horizontally. The Great Ogre also has an overwhelming superiority in term of chest thickness. Weight-wise, the Great Ogre is probably far heavier.

Its face is that of a beast, bearing no resemblance to human. Though perhaps, it would look more human than Lecan depending on who you ask.

Lecan's entirey body trembled at the prospect of a fight with his life on the line.

The Great Ogre squinted both its eyes.

It's laughing.





Previous Chapter

17-14. Changing World (3)

 

"Food aid from Shiga Kingdom?"

The newly inaugurated empress of Saga Empire, Morienus knitted her brows when she heard the prime minister's report.

"Yes, around 10 million preserved foodstuffs have been delivered to us."
"It wasn't just a posturing, they've actually delivered?"

The prime minister gave an affirmation, "Yes", to the surprised empress.

"And their demands? What does Shiga Kingdom want from us."
"About that--"

The empress urged the hesitating prime minister, "I give you the permission to read what's written on the letter."

"It's, 『In accordance to Shiga Kingdom's doctrine, we hereby provide foods to the people of your country. In exchange for our aid, we request that you do not let any of your people die from hunger.』"
"What sophistries. Who cares about these hypocritical prefaces. Get on to the subject written afterward. I'm sure they must be demanding Blood Orbs or Blood Spheres from the Bloodsucking Labyrinth anyway."

The empress opened her folding fan with a displeased look on her face and urged the prime minister to continue.

"W-well..."
"What? Are their demands so hard to utter? Are they shamelessly asking for holy relics of our past heroes?"

The empress urged the prime minister while swinging her fan.

"Well err, that was everything. I suppose what was stated earlier 『do not let any of your people die from hunger』 could be considered a demand."
"Fools. A king responsible for his people sending an aid without demanding anything back? That cannot be true."

The empress snatched the letter from prime minister's hand and read it from end to end.

"...Unbelievable."

She couldn't find anything resembling a demand despite reading the letter many times over.
Even the best practice of putting it out as a loan that will be collected later was clearly denied in the letter.

"We have a report about revival of Shiga Kingdom's founder king, Hero King Yamato from the mausoleum."
"Are you saying that this is a charity instigated by Hero King?"

That's not it, the empress declared in her head.

It was not written in history, but the empress knew that Hero King Yamato bore a grudge toward Saga Empire.
Because on top of taking away Hero Yamato's holy sword when they knew her unique skill was unfit for battle despite summoning her, she was made to work as a luggage carrier on the front lines and got taken captive by Orc Empire led by a demon lord.

"Shall we decline the food aid?"

Asked the prime minister.

Formerly, Saga Empire would have no problem at all turning down addended demands, but it's a tough undertaking in the current situation when scars from demon lords disaster still remain afresh.

"Fumu, I suppose there is no--"
"P-please wait, your majesty!"

Agricultural minister was desperate to stop the empress's words.

"At the rate it's going, we will have a food shortage in less than half a year, and those with low incomes could risk dying from starvation. By that time, a riot could--"
"Then we simply need to release emergency provisions, no?"
"What are you saying! Haven't we just done that right after several subsequent disasters!"

The agricultural minister raised his voice at the military affair minister.

"However, if we owe Shiga Kingdom a debt here, our diplomacy afterward will--"
"Dealing with exactly that is your job as a Foreign Affair Minister!"
"How about taking it in place of Her Majesty Maryest's betrothal money?"
"Saga Empire would lose face if we dared to propose that."
"However, Liturgical Secretary-dono, that's better than cession of--"
"I shall not abide hearing her highness treated as a pawn! And you call yourself noblemen of empire?!"

The empress was watching over the selfish ministers with a troubled look.
Due to the loss of people in the central government during the Demon Lord Disaster, the people here including the empress herself have been gathered from rural areas of the empire. It's a gathering of people distinguished for their ability in those areas, however, they severely lack experience in administrating a whole nation.

At the end of a long winded council, it was decided that they would accept the food aid with the empress's final word.
Were they go defiant here and rejected the offer, it could lead to a revolt by starving people, decreasing Saga Empire's national power even further, that'd be like putting the cart before the horse.

Similar exchanges occurred in many nations who received food aid from Shiga Kingdom.
Afterwards, none of those countries received additional demands by Shiga Kingdom.



◇



"Your majesty! Earl Jizaros troops have broken through Robson Valley's barrier."

A report brought by a messenger into Makiwa Kingdom's audience room stirred up the king and the authorities there.

"What! How could they broke through this quick? What's General Popon in charge of the barrier doing!"
"General Popon along with 3000 soldiers have aligned themselves with Earl Jizaros to invade the capital."

There's nothing but a wide open plain between the barrier and the capital.
That report means that the capital will soon turn into a battlefield.

"It's over."
"What are you being weak willed for! Jizaros troops are numbering in 8000, while we have 6000, we may be inferior in number but we will definitely manage if we fortify our rampart defense. Then we simply need to wait for reinforcements from the three lords to destroy these traitors."
"No, what are you saying."

Another minister put a damper on the fiery old minister.
Normally, the old minister would have been right.

However--.

"Our opponent is Earl Jizaros of the north who possesses the Roaring Quake Wand. A swing of Roaring Quake wand will breach our rampart easy, and that giant golem controlled by the earl could easily cross over the rampart and get to this castle!"

Only the other three lords are capable of opposing that.

"What do you suppose we should do? Earl Mizaras with his water ruling Surging Sea wand can't move due to an insurrection caused by explorers. Earl Muzaris with his wind ruling Tornado wand is playing his forte, wait-and-see how the wind blows."
"Don't we have Marquis Dazles with us!"
"What could one chick possibly hope to accomplish."

That one word froze the cheerful faces of people who had found hope.

"The kingdom's guardian, Dwogh Dazles said to be capable of driving away dragons has gone missing in a distant land. Crimson Wand that had found its way back to our kingdom was taken away by some fishy individual called Outis or something."

Most importantly, Dazles Marquisdom that's currently undergoing reconstructions cannot afford to send soldiers here.

"Then what should we do?!"
"We have no choice but to cling to his majesty's power..."

The king who were looked at with hopeful eyes could only smile bitterly.
The power of City Core is mighty and unparalleled precisely because it requires an enormous amount of mana. That power has been greatly reduced to restore farmlands which were ruined in the war against Weasel Empire.

Several days have elapsed without a plan to break through the situation enacted, Jizaros troops have taken position not far off the capital.
A giant golem controlled by Earl Jizaros is enshrined in the center of their formation.

By the time that golem moved, Makiwa Kingdom would meet its end, and it would be the birth of Jizaros Kingdom.

"This is it huh..."

"It is not over yet."

A clear sounding voice of a woman resounded in audience room which had fallen silent.

"M-Marquis Dazles."
"Why's Marquis Dazles here?"
"What a curious thing to say. It is my duty as a member of Dazles Household to eradicate invading enemy of nation."

Shelmina Dazles declared so to the ministers.

"What can a chick without Crimson Wand--"

Roaring sounds and flashes of lights interrupted the minister's words.

A thunderous blazing wall of flames could be seen alight beyond the balcony.
Standing between the capital and Jizaros troops, as if dividing them.

"Is that, the Crimson Wand?"
"To think such power dwelt within..."

Lady Shelmina proudly points at a speck in the sky

"Outis-sama."

There, a knight riding a Mythical Beast, Griffin, was.

The glittering red wand the knight--Outis held up was undoubtedly this kingdom's artifact, the Crimson Wand of flame.
These authorities including the king have a misunderstanding, even the Crimson Wand that rules over flames is incapable of producing such flames. That's a wall of flame created by Outis--Satou's alias.

"Outis-sama has come to stop fights between men."

'I'm here as his messenger', spoke Lady Shelmina to the king.

Flashes of lights and thunderous roars shook the royal castle once again.
The moving golem got broken into pieces in one blow, swords and spears Jizaros troops were carrying melted.

Even generals who have fought alongside the kingdom's strongest, Earl Dwogh Dazles, never saw flames of this degree, they testified later.

"Jizaros forces have retreated!"

The troops who had lost their willpower turned tail to whence they came from.

"Go after them! It's time to show them the might of kingdom knights!"
"You will not."

Lady Shelmina stood in the knight commander's way.

"Move aside! It'd be too late if they cooped themselves up inside the barrier! This is our chance to cut down the enemy."
"And then the lot of you would be the ones getting burned by Outis-sama's flames next?"

The knight commander had a cramp to hear Lady Shelmina's cold words.

"Isn't that guy our ally?"
"Outis-sama is an arbitrator. He wishes only for peace between men."
"Arbitrator? Does that Outis guy think he's a god or something?"

'Such impudence', spat out the knight leader.
Satou would have looked vexed were he heard this, however, what the knight commander said had identified things that Satou himself didn't notice.

Afterward, Earl Jizaros went back to his territory and shut himself in.

Additionally, General Popon and his subordinates who came back to the barrier received a counterattack by the moderate faction who had refused to participate in the rebellion and gotten locked up in jail, and lost their power overnight.

Although it wasn't written in the official records, many soldiers went on in taverns about how a mysterious pink being having a hand on the moderate faction's jailbreak and General Popon's faction arrest.
However, none of the soldier is aware of this mysterious being's identity.

That is because the identity of cat ninja is forever a mystery. Nin nin.


<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka .com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel.>
◇



"Your excellency! Yowolk Kingdom forces have marched onto Barus town!"
"What? To that town with nothing at all? You sure it's not a false report?"
"I'm very sure, there is no mistake about it. We have received an urgent SOS call from the town's administrator himself."
"What's Yowolk Kingdom thinking? Marching through monster domains just to invade that town... Fools the lot of them."

The general wore his coat, left his garrison and headed toward the royal castle in order to have an audience with the king.

He had no idea that [Flame Stones] are regular drops in the [Tower] located near Barus town.
Flame Stones are used for heating in snowy countries, but in many more countries, those stones are military goods used to create Flame Wands and Magic Bombs.

For some reason, towers that drop goods useful for military such as Flame Stones, Lightning Stones, and Ice Stones are mostly found on border areas in many countries such as this one, and the majority have become seeds of troubles.

That's not limited to between nations--.

"Rebellion? Not a riot?"
"Insurgents who plundered a warehouse where Lightning Stones where stored also stole Lightning Wands there, afterward they raided the administrator's fort."

A similar incident has occurred at Bishtal Dukedom located in the northeastern part of Shiga Kingdom.

"The rebel army forces are extremely powerful, the town administrator has sent us a request for help."
"Pushover--but we cannot let it slide either. Send reinforcement from a neighboring city."
"Your excellency, with all due respect, ordinary reinforcement may not be sufficient."

Urged for an explanation, the consul explained that the ringleaders of rebel army are consisted of mainly level 40 explorers who got their names known in [Towers]. No one in the administrator's army could stand up to them, and the city is as good as lost by the time the fort is overrun.

"I would prefer not to dispatch them to the border..."

However losing a new source of income is even worse, thus Duke Bishtal concluded.

"We'll dispatch our elites to the administrator's castle. Call Gouen."

Duke Bishtal would send an elite of his elites to suppress the rebellion.
Baron Gouen Loitar, whom he called, was a martial art mentor of Toriel, eldest son of the family who caused a revolt back then, but he was out on a trip to test his skills in Saga Empire's Bloodsucking Labyrinth when it happened, thus he escaped the repercussions and was hired to manage Duke Bishtal army.

Before long, a giant man shouldering a huge axe showed up in the duke's office.

"Gouen, go quell the rebellion. Show them your power that rivals that of Shiga Eight Swords."
"By your will."

Accepting Duke Bishtal's order, the giant man confidently bowed like a knight.
Using the power of City Core to teleport within its territory, Gouen and his subordinates were sent to the border city and stopped the rebels from coming into the administrator's castle near the wateredge.

"You must be this rebellion mastermind!"
"Indeed, this great me is known by the name Yagou! First rate explorer Lightning Monument--no, Lightning King Yagou-sama!"
"A mere outlaw calling himself a king huh."

Gouen snorted at Yagou's introduction.

"Shut up! Do you duke's lapdogs can't even give their names to the one challenging them to a fight?!"

Yagou who's had several Lightning Stones slotted on his armor takes a stance with his magic sword while scattering sparks around.

"Very well. I'll take you on. I'm a retainer of Duke Bishtal, Gouen Loitar."

Gouen who shouldered his giant axe circulated mana in his entire body.
Dark red lights overflowed out of the giant axe clad in magic edge.

"Here I go, Fastest Blade--Lightning Stratos."
"Burst Hacker"

The magic axe that drew a red arc in the air hit the lightning-clad Yagou faster than he could thrust his sword.
Both the magic that protected Yagou's body and the mithril alloy armor he obtained in the tower were smashed into pieces by a single blow of the axe, cutting Yagou in half clean meat and bones.

Yagou's body who was cut right in half from head falls down while spilling blood everywhere.

The rebel party had their mind broken to see such an overwhelming spectacle, they surrendered, quickly ending the rebellion in Bishtal Dukedom.

A certain cat ninja who was secretly watching the scene said this.

"No turn~?"

Looks like there are also times when she doesn't get her time to shine.



◇



"Pochi-neesan, the quest board is over here."
"So many paper patches nanodesu."

Led by a Pendora boy, Pochi went to check the quest board located in a corner of Explorer Guild.
This board is made by the influence of Echigoya Firm to display quests posted by the firm.

Today, the first term graduates which consist mostly of beastkin led by Usasa are training in the tower located near labyrinth city, hence today the second term graduates consisting mostly of humans are acting as a guide for Pochi.

"You accept quests that fit your ability from these paper patches. A quest gets harder the more this mark is drawn, if one of your party member's level is lower than the number of this mark, taking the quest is still okay if the total levels of your party members are higher than five times the mark number."

There's a simplified chart put next to the quest board for those who can't do calculations.
Pochi looks over the quest board while listening to the boy like, "Hm hm."

"Pochi is not sure which one to take when there's so many nodesu."
"Pochi neesan will be okay taking on any of these quests."

The quests posted are mostly about hunting edible monsters, bodies of these monsters are then processed, starting from extracting their miasma out, in chop shops located inside the Labyrinth City.

"Which one would you recommend to Pochi nanodesu?"
"How about this one, Dungeon Buffaloes?"
"Dungeon beef nanodesu! Pochi will hunt a lot and then ask Lulu to make her beef jerky nodesuyo!"
"Oh that's nice. Please make a lot and share it with us next time."
"Of course nanodesu. Tasty stuff get even tastier when you're eating together with everyone nodesuyo."

After accepting the quest, Pochi and the Pendora boys head to the labyrinth.

"Geato Oupen, nanodesu!"

They went inside a two-way teleportation gate placed inside the labyrinth--Portal Doors to get to the plain area where Dungeon Buffaloes were.
These Portal Doors are rumored to be developed by Kuro, hero's attendant who's also Echigoya Firm's president, they've been installed as shortcuts that connect to several areas where you can collect meat.

Thanks to Portal Doors and Quest Boards, the amount of explorers going to the labyrinth have gone up to a certain level compared to half a year ago.

"So many cow-san nanodesu."

Pochi's eyes gleamed when she found a herd of buffaloes.

"We've got bad luck. The 『Area Boss』 is coming this way."

The Pendora boy frowned when he saw a gigantic cow many times bigger than other cows beyond the herd.

"That's not true nodesu. We're super lucky nanodesu."

Pochi took out her trusty magic sword from her magic bag while literally pronouncing, "Kiraan."
It's a long-bladed magic sword used mainly for hunting.

"Pochi will go ahead and hunt the big one nodesuyo."

After saying that a moment before she disappeared, the faraway giant cow began to act violently.
Immediately right after that, its head fell off, blood gushed out of its giant body.

"Neesan, too cool."
"She's really one of the Demon Lord Slayers."

The Pendora guys could only laugh dryly to see Pochi's extraordinary strength.

"Okay then, let's go hunt Dungeon Cows at our own pace."
"""OU!"""

Even after graduating, the first teaching of Explorer School, "Treasure your life", is still their guidelines in life.

Thus, thanks to the efforts of [Pendora], Dozon party and other explorers, food situation in Shiga Kingdom as well as labyrinth monster culling is gradually improving.

Many problems sprout up all over the world, but thanks to Satou and the girls' efforts, those problems were curbed before they went past a point of no return, gradually showing symptoms of betterment.



◇



『It's not going as well as planned eh.』

A man sitting in a throne muttered while watching several pictures floating in the air.

『『『...Erase, nuisances?』』』

Multiple young-sounding voices asked the young man.

『Naw, that's no fun. It's a bit premature, but let's get on to the next stage.』
『『『...Got it. Preparing.』』』

Little girls with pink colored hair and similarly colored eyes ran around on jet black floor.

『Well now, will they overcome the next one too I wonder?』

The young man whispered while swaying a glass filled with purple liquid.




※ Next update is planned for 5/12



※2019/5/6 Regarding Makiwa Kingdom besides Crimson Wand
I was planning to write a restoration episode for an intermission in chapter 15 but I forgot about it. I will put an addendum about this later.
<TLN: Reminder that the above are the author's notes.>



Previous Chapter

Chapter 275 Strongest Sage, Fights "Perfect Test Body"

 

"The strongest warrior, Composite Test Body number oneeeeeee!!　...and you will have the honor as the very first test subject in this experiment! Please die and be a stepping stone for magic research."

"No."

"But why!? It's the strongest magically fused warrior you know!? Isn't it only mage to wish for furthering that cause even if it means dying?"

"For the sake of this crude thing?"

I pointed at the [Composite Test Body No.1] thingy as I said that.
Its physical strength and mana are indeed higher than your average ancient people.
But that's it.

"...What, did you just say?"

A voice could be heard from comm magic.
That voice clearly contained anger.

"I said crude thing... Well, seeing is believing I guess."

I readied my sword and approached the [Composite Test Body No.1].
Then it opened its mouth.

"KILL... KILL!"

Looks like its intelligence has dropped quite a bit.
Well, it's the obvious outcome of forcibly mixing different human personalities together.

The guy behind this was babbling something about, "Combining knowledge and experience~", but human personalities aren't something you can put together just like that.
As a result of this enforced mixing, their inner self clashed with each other and ended up with something that couldn't even speak.

I can't help but pity these combatants for being used in this experiment after getting forcibly revived.

"It's my last bit of mercy. I'll end this in one blow."
<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka .com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel.>
I casually walk to it after I said that.

I was never this careless when I fought [Warmongers] earlier.
The reason why I'm doing it like this--is simply because there's no need to fight seriously against this [Composite Test Body No.1].

"UORYAAAAAA! KILL!"

It swung its sword around randomly while yelling out.
Its random sword swings had no skills nor craftiness behind them.

A beginner's sword.
A talentless hack at that.

I dodged that sword and lop [Composite Test Body No.1]'s head off.
Its reaction speed after I dodged was way too slow, it wasn't even worth mentioning.
It would be way harder to lose.

"Wha... Why! Our [Composite Test Body No.1] should have been perfect!"

"Experiment failed... Isn't that the obvious conclusion?"

"Impossible! Strength, mana the [Composite Test Body No.1] posses surpass that of human! Weren't you in agreement with that theory yourselfff!"

"From what could be heard from its speech during battle, [Composite Test Body #1] appeared to posses a level of intelligence far lower than its original bodies... Isn't that the cause of defeat?"

Looks like one of these researchers is aware of it.

This [Composite Test Body No.1] might posses far more mana than an average human... But merely having a lot of mana carries little meaning in battle.
It had an enhanced strength as well, but techniques that completely rely on brute force alone have no point.

...If you simply want something physically strong, you can just go catch some random monster out there.
You can find monsters that are physically stronger than this Composite Body thing everywhere.

Techniques are precisely why humans are strong.
These guys created this [Composite Test Body No.1] without even realizing that simple fact.







Previous Chapter

15



Right as Lecan struck the Wrinkle Man's head for the fourth time by leaping on its hand as a foothold, the group of six arrived at an adjacent room. And then they began to clamor about from outside the hole.

"Well well hi there, for we are the heir of Golbul Earldom, Tomaj Douga and his retainers. O warrior enduring an arduous struggle against giant Wrinkle Man over there, leave your back to us! O god, may you bear witness to our gallantries!"

Lecan is not having a hard time, and he can't exactly stop them from intervening when he's busy dealing with the magic beast. This kind of conducts were extremely reviled upon in his former world, but is that not the case in this world.

Lecan kept a close eye on the group of six while striking the Wrinkle Man.

Four knights. And two mages.

Despite declaring that they would participate in the battle, they're not showing any sign of entering this room.

Right as Lecan thought that, one of the mages readied his cane and began to knead his mana.

"O Witgem our god. We beseech you to accept our offerings and reverences. Hear our prayers and brandish your blade upon the wicked..."

He's chanting some sort of long winded spell but since Lecan is occupied himself, he's not listening to the end.

Evading Wrinkle Man's swung arms, sometimes kicks and headbutts, and right after he struck the magic beast for the umpteenth time, the mage finally finished his chant.

"Gwinbar!"

From his cane, a blade of light shot out and tore the air, hitting the Wrinkle Man straight in the chest, scattering sparks around.

Since the Wrinkle Man is focusing fully on Lecan, it's not clear whether the magic attack has any effect or not.

However, the people around the mage seemed content.

"Oooh! Nothing less to expect from Kimsill-dono!"

"What a wonderful incantation! What a brilliant strike!"

"Surely even a Wrinkle Man cannot possibly stand up against that!"

They crowded around the entrance, surrounding the mage while chatting without a care in the world.

--What are these lots even here for?

Lecan continued his assault while thinking that, ending the Wrinkle Man's life.

Even after it had crumbled and been shrunk into a gigantic corpse, the six dared not to enter the room still.

Lecan was prepared to engage them were they demanded the Wrinkle Man's magic gem using their help as a pretext.

However, those six kept their silent even when Lecan slowly went to pick up the magic gem on purpose.

One of the knights called out to him when he was done putting the magic gem into his <Storage>.

"Well done, well done! Your service at supporting knight Tomaj Douga-sama truly begs an admiration!"

Lecan somehow ended up being the one in a supporting role instead.
<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka .com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel.>
"This be a fitting reward for your effort!"

Another knight threw a bag to a spot near Lecan's feet.

Judging from the drop sounds, Lecan hazards a guess that it has big silver coins inside. Totaling at five, six or even ten pieces at that.

What would happen if he took this big silver coins bag.

Tomaj Douga would probably take the credit for defeating the magic beast if he took this reward.

Or perhaps, Lecan would be treated as Tomaj Douga's underling, and his deed would be considered as done under this Tomaj's command.

Either way, the other party would surely make more demands were he took the bag.

Lecan hates human bonds. He hates troublesome things.

And he absolutely loathes noblemen and knights.

This knight Tomaj Douga said that he was a heir to the lord here. Lecan would rather not associate with these kinds.

"I only fought my battle."

Lecan turned around and walked away toward the descending stairway.

Afterward, Lecan's exploration progressed well.

Floor 22 magic beasts were second rank Wonder Wood magic beasts, Creeping Ivy (Yenteluan).

Floor 23 magic beasts were second rank Demon Bear, White Throat (Kegisli).

Floor 24 magic beasts were second rank Demon Ape, Fang Apes (Egidug).

Floor 25 magic beasts were third rank Wicked Insect, Spotted Spiders (Hadrin).

Floor 26 magic beasts were first rank Demon Wolf, Silver Wolves (Saraje).

He had reached this far in his last exploration.

What surprised him most was how Shira's pills kept working in restoring his mana while he was practicing <Flame Spear> magic, consuming mana all the way down. The effect continued for almost half a day. These pills are extremely helpful.

He's suffered wounds all over his body. He tried to drink a red potion, but his body just wouldn't accept it. Apparently, one can only take so many potions within a certain period of time, regardless of the kind.

Lecan took Shira's wound salve, diluted it with water and smeared it. His wounds didn't instantly disappear, but the pain was going away, and he could feel his body rejoicing.

This medicine is specifically made by Shira by boiling herbs in Pure Magic Water while simultaneously casting <Recovery> on it. It's most likely far more effective than any wound salve made by other apothecary.

It would have been even more effective if he used Pure Magic Water to dilute it instead of just water, and cast <Recovery> as he smeared it, but Lecan can't make Pure Magic Water nor can he use <Recovery>.

He took some meal and a nap and went down floor 27 after a nice long break.

Floor 27 magic beasts are the greater variant of third rank Demon Boar, Bent Nose (Bamboo). On this floor, he no longer detects any other explorer within his range.

Floor 28 magic beasts are first rank Bizarre Mud magic beasts, Landslides (Graviel).

Floor 29 magic beasts are second rank Evil Snakes, Hammerhead Snakes (Dorgozwin).

It took him a whole day to conquer these three floors. His injuries were not minor and he was dead tired. Especially the Hammerhead Snakes, the second and last encounter was against a giant variant, it was tough. At first he planned to fight another giant variant on this floor to enable warps, but he had already gotten the warp's <Sign> of floor 26 when he beat two giant variants there. Since it's possible to completely avoid fighting magic beasts on these floors if he picks his routes well, Lecan decided not to engage in an unnecessary battle.

Lecan wholly savored the convenience of <Move (Trimul)>.

Taking magic gems out of big-sized magic beats is a hard work.

But this has been made really simple with <Move> magic.

By cutting with his sword after confirming locations of magic gems and use <Move> to take them out, there's no need for Lecan to bathe himself in blood.

Like say, Landslides, they boast a body so huge it fills a room, it would have required Lecan to go inside its disgusting muddy dead body if he wanted to fetch its magic gem.

But with <Move>, he doesn't even need to make a cut to fetch the magic gem.

Still, this time he's got worst luck with treasure chests.

They rarely appeared and even when one did spawn, every one of them had a potion inside.

Lecan took a break in front of the stairway leading to floor 30.

Shira's wound slave he smeared yesterday had definitely taken effect. Big wounds have healed down to the deep part, and only faint scars remain from small wounds.

He smeared more wound salve on new wounds.

Then had a meal nice and slow before going to sleep.

He took another meal and a nice long nap after.

His wounds have healed. Mana fully recovered.

He took his Overking Bear overcoat off and dusted it off. Then specks of blood of his opponents and his owns fell off as small lumps.

When the <Self-Restoration> of this overcoat takes effect, blood seeped within and stuck outside will coagulate and get driven out. Afterward, he simply shakes it off easily like he just did. Once blood has fallen off, the overcoat turns back to its flawless and spotless state. However, it still discolors with times, bringing about a false impression of a well-used yet well-maintained coat.

Bwosh, Lecan wears the coat and takes one step toward the stairway.

It's finally the last floor next.






Previous Chapter

Chapter 274 Strongest Sage, Speaks with the Perpetrators

 

"...It's my loss."

After saying that--the man takes a sword and thrusts it toward his neck, to end his own life.
Losing equals death huh.

But I stopped that sword.
There's something I need to ask from the last one.

"Wait... Tell me about the guy who revived you before you go and die."

"...Eh fine. The one who resurrected me was--"

The man shut his mouth when he was about to say it.
Looks like this man has been put under silencing magic as well.

Can't he just write it instead then?
Right when I was about to take out pen and paper from storage magic... I could hear a voice.

--Comm magic.

"Oh I'm gonna tell you aaall about it even without you asking!"

A raspy weirdly enthusiastic sounding voice.
Looks like this comm magic is coming from inside a bag hanging on the [Warmonger] man.

"Who?"

"I am! The little brother of the world's best magic researchers and the one who revived [Warmongers]! Lunat Anmorr! Pleased to have you acquainted!"

"...And I'm the elder brother of the world's best magic researchers, Saikia Anmorr... We offer you our gratitudes for participating in our experiment."

Anmorr brothers...
They were known as mad scientists in the past era.

I know little about these guys... But they got revived as well huh.

"Experiment?"

"That's right! Resurrection of [Warmongers] is the first phase of our [Broken Star Experiment]! We will proceed to the second phase right here and now!"

Just as the raspy voice said that--the [Warmongers]' man began to emit light.
At the same time, the man's mana also swelled up.
<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka .com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel.>
"W-we should finish him off quick!"

Alma readied her bow in an attempt to shoot [Warmongers] man after saying that.
But--I stopped her.

"Hold it! Let's wait and see for a bit more!"

We're currently up against abnormal magic.
It's a combined spell art between [Magic] and [Supra-rational Art] by way of [Broken Star].
Carelessly interfering here could lead to a worsening situation like it going berserk.

Besides--there's probably no point in killing the man.
After all, he's not the only [Warmongers] who's spreading mana while giving off lights.

There are 10 [Warmongers] in total. Nine of them have died.
All of them are giving off lights while spreading mana to surroundings.
Then the bodies of [Warmongers] who should have died stand up one after another.

A few seconds have elapsed since we started observing carefully.
Suddenly, bodies of those [Warmongers] disintegrated and turned into particles of lights.

And then those particles gather in one place--forming into a human body.
--It's a fusion.

"This is the result of our research, composite test body number 1!!　...By fusing the knowledge and experience of powerful warriors, we have successfully created the best warrior eveeer!"

I see.
They made a composite human by making use of [Supra-rational Art] the [Broken Star] possesses.
The reason why those [Warmongers] had incomplete resurrections was probably because they had this spell art slotted within them.

...These guys sure have some bad taste.





Previous Chapter

13



It was really huge.

Even an ordinary Wrinkle Man was big enough to reach the ceiling.

This giant variant is twice as big as that. Of course, unable to stand, it's sitting down. This Wrinkle Man occupies practically the whole room.

Wrinkle Man moves slowly. And they won't proactively attack until they are attacked.

Lecan kneaded his mana on top of his already kneaded mana.

With his right eye shut, he opened both his hands wide up as if he was receiving something from heavens and generated mana from every tips of his fingers. No, not only from fingers on his hands. But also from the toes inside his boots.

Then he circulates his mana in his entire body. As it circulates, it also sucks in all mana concealed in every corners of his body. His mana turns into a violent torrent, flowing into the point below his navel. As if engulfing the mass of mana he kneaded earlier, a whirlpool of mana comes anew.

Lecan is unable to even open his hands anymore. He's strongly gripping both his hands while trembling as if trying to push down the raging power.

Lecan draws his right leg and right arm back, opens his right eye wide and ascertains his target.

Move.

Move.

The enormous mana is slowly moving from his navel toward his right hand.

Hot.

Hot.

His whole body feels hot.

His entire body gets bent back as the last stage before the upcoming eruption.

And then.

"<Flame Spear (Bandroux)>!!"

With that shout, Lecan opened his right fist and thrust it forward.

A dazzling light burst out, and just as a spear of light emerged, it immediately bolted straight toward the mountain-like magic beast. Were someone spectated this, the afterimage would surely be burned in their mind from the overwhelmingly high heat.

The fatal strike accurately went for and hit the monster's neck. Exactly where this giant of rock's weak point is.

Once the explosion and dazzling flash went away, the Wrinkle Man's head shook before breaking and falling apart.

Lecan jumped back to dodge the flying splinters. He landed in the previous room.

He went back to the room where the Wrinkle Man was, there the magic beast's body was breaking into pieces, eventually only leaving a huge magic gem behind.

Lecan picked that up and put it into <Storage>.


<TLN: If you're reading this novel at any other site than Sousetsuka .com you might be reading an unedited, uncorrected version of the novel.>
14



Suddenly, he was assaulted by dizziness.

Lecan sat down on the spot.

It will be a while before another giant variant spawn. And he's gonna make use of that time effectively.

He took out a Large Blue potion.

Most of his mana has been used up in that attack earlier. He wanted to test out the most powerful magic he could muster up with that attack, but he never imagined it would be that powerful. Nor would it consume so much mana.

Mana reserve is one big problem he needs to tackle in the future.

He tried to drink the potion but his body rejected. A strong sense of disgust welled up from within. He endured and consumed it nonetheless.

A rejection occurred as if he had consumed poison. He wasn't able to move until it calmed down a bit.

His body somehow managed to accept the potion, but the mana starvation remained. In other words, even a Large Blue Potion is not at all enough.

He took mana recovery pills he got from Shira and drank them.

Since he was also feeling hungry, he took out some food and water and had a meal.

Shira's pills may not give an instant recovery, but Lecan can feels his mana gradually getting restored. Best thing about them is how he could easily take them in despite being in a condition where he couldn't accept potions.

As he chewed on some tasty jerky, Lecan was puzzled at the information <Life Detection> signaled him.

Some people are coming here.

At first Lecan thought he was just imagining things, but they were unquestionably heading here while avoiding spots with magic beasts.

He thought maybe the group were aiming for the giant variant here, but they've only started heading here after he had defeated this giant variant, and they're avoiding all other spots with different giant variants as they make their way here.

What's definite besides that they have a map is that someone among those six must posses some kind of detection ability. Since two among those six posses mana, it must be either of these two.

Are they hostile. Or friendly.

Right as Lecan pondered that, they can't be friendly since he doesn't know anyone here.

He'd better regard them as hostiles.

They're going to come into contact soon.

Just when he thought that, they stopped somewhere away.

He's bothered by the identities of these six, but it's about time for him to prepare for the giant variant's respawn.

Lecan put away his flask after drinking water one last time, stood up and took out a battle hammer from <Storage>. It's a hammer of finest quality from his former world. It doesn't have an enchantment in particular, but it's sturdy with a good balance, just really easy to use.

He originally planned to fight the second battle with magic once again, but he cannot afford to exhaust himself from using too many magic when there's unknown enemy approaching.

A mist-like black haze began to swirl inside the room before eventually forming a giant variant of Wrinkle Man once again.

They're coming.

Those six hostiles are coming here.

At this rate, Lecan would have to deal with new enemy behind him while he fought a tough one ahead.

Lecan squinted his right eye and laughed.

--Interesting. I dare you to come.

Thus his second match against Wrinkle Man began anew.





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