Sousetsuka

Condemn Me Not At the End

This chapter is from Radia's POV

『It's your fault! Your fault! All, you, youuuuuu!!』


Aniki (monster) lunged at me, baring his wolf-like fangs.
Screaming blaming me all the while.


『Aaaaaaaaaaaa!!!』

"Radia!"


Alma-neechan stopped his magic beast-like extended claws swung at me.
An intense explosion-like shockwave swept through the surrounding area the moment her sword and the claws clashed.


"Guuu...!"

『Get, outta my waaaaaaaaay!!』


He swung his arms around like a child throwing a tantrum in an attempt to send Alma-neechan flying.
It's obvious at a glance that his strength and speed have shot through the roof, incomparable to how he was before.

The remaining visage of his face is warped in anger. Looking at it almost makes be break down in tear.
Why, how come, it's so...


It's, my fault?


Is it because I cornered him so much Aniki turned into that...?


『Gill! Gammit! ...Why, why is it only me! I just wanted, to keep living!』


He kept shouting as he clashed with Alma-neechan.


『What's wrong with snatching cash from my own home!? I only wanted to cover my expenses! I was gonna pay it back, once I made it big one day!』

『And what's so bad about leaving my party without telling!? Everybody else got their brand new equipment. I felt like crap dragging them down with my crappy old stuff!』

『So I, joined the military for its huge pay, but then I got stranded and swarmed by demon, by myself, there was no other way, to survive even if I had, to sell out military, secrets...』


He recounted what he did while sobbing as if he was confessing out.


『I didn't wanna die! I don't want to die! Who would want to?! Of course everyone would think that! Is it wrong to cling on to life no matter what!? Or what, am I not allowed to keep living ooon!』

『...It's, over! I thought I could get off easy if I went back to the military with demon's intel! Ah, damn, dammiit!』

『The moment I saw Demon King, I knew it was 'over'! Nobody can win against, that! Humans are all gonna die off! Not a soul left!』

『No! I don't wanna die! I don't wanna die, do you even know the hopeless despair, creeping at the sheer terror, of certain death!? Y'all can die if got no clueeeee!!』

"!!"


He sent Alma-neechan flying with a large swing and went for me again.
Nee-chan managed to guard that so she wasn't hurt bad, but she'd need time to regain her balance.


"Radia, run! That person is, no longer, your brother!"

『Radiaaaaaa!! Die! Please! Die with meee!! I don't wanna be alone anymore...! Someone! Someone! Save meeeee!!』


No.

You're mistaken, Alma-neechan.


And you too, Aniki.


"...Aniki."

『Aaaaaa!! Dieeeeeaaaaa!!』


Aniki's claws are closing in on me.
My heart would be pierced in less than half a second.

I don't feel hatred in Aniki's eyes. Just a wish, to let me die, with him.



"I'm sorry, Aniki."



I used all of my energy with 'Energy Control' to fill my entire body with power if only for an instant.
I swatted the incoming claws and broke Aniki's wrist along with it.


『A, aaaa...?』


I drew the 'Dagger of Black Dragon King' Kajikawa-san gave me and swung it with all my might.


"Giyiigaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!"


I unconsciously shouted out loud. I did the unimaginable, I wouldn't be able to bear it if I didn't.
Aniki stood dumbfounded as he was cut in two from shoulder to waist down.

His body gradually slipped and fell down.



Cut.
I cut, Aniki, with these, hands of mine.



"U, u, gu, uuuuuuu...!"


My brain, my body is trembling.
Even though the hand I used to cut is burning hot, I can't stop the chill.
I feel like throwing up. No. The sensation on my hand sticks, it won't go away.


『Ra, diaa...!』


Aniki's looking up at me while growling using the remaining half of his torso.
...He, won't be long in this world.


"Sorry, I'm sorry, Aniki. I know how lonely it gets, to be by yourself. I know, the feeling of wanting to have a fun life. I also know, how desperate it is to cling on to dear life. I'm, just like you. I wanted to live on, even if it meant cutting down, my crying brother."

『A, gu, uu... Hey, Radia... What, should, I have done... Nobody, came, to save, me... Hahaha, well, guess that's my just dessert. I never, saved anybody after all.』

"No, you're mistaken, Aniki. You might have been a selfish bastard. But, your timings were just off by a tiny bit."

『What...?』

"Mom and dad had been setting things aside for the day you set out as an adventurer. Equipment, potions, all sorts of stuff that would help you out once you came of age. You never figured that out and took their savings on your own the very day before you came of age...!"

『W, what did you...』

"This adamantite knife I hid in my shoe is something I got from your former party members as an apology. 'Sorry for not getting you new stuff earlier', they said."

『Lies...!』

"It's not. As for that time you got left alone during Firie Kingdom's anti demon operation. They were mobilizing a rescue squad that would have made it in time to get you if only you held out for a little bit longer, they said..."

"Lies, it's all lieees...!! Like, I'd, believe all that...! You're telling, me, I've been, the moron, all along..."


Seeing my brother weeping like a child makes me hopelessly pity him.


"Yea, you're a moron. You're a big moron... Why, why didn't you bear it in, just for little bit more...!"

『...Higu...! Guuu...!』


Aniki sobbed while covering his eyes with his remaining hand.
I can tell he's feeling regret, nothing else but regret.


"There's no saving you now... But I can at least keep you company until the end..."

『Radi, a...』

"I won't blame you anymore. Just, rest, in peace."


His sobbing voice suddenly ceased, replaced with agonized breathing.
After a pause of several seconds, Aniki spoke.


『...Oy... Listen...』

"...What."


『The citadel, of this continent's demons, isn't above ground, it's under...』


"...Eh?"

『There's a, deserted, rockface, near the, town of, 『Harkaba』. One of, the rocks, there, is, an illusion, made of, magic. Pass through that, rock, and go under, then...』

"What, are you saying..."

『...See, ya... Snot-nosed... Ra... Di...』

"Aniki...? Oy, Aniki...!"





With that last mutter, Aniki's voice could no longer be heard.
He looked so at peace despite his transfiguration into a magic beast.




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


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







"Radia, are you okay...?"

"...Ah, sorry. I feel bad asking your help to bury someone like this."

"Un... I might have said that earlier, but this person is truly your brother in the end..."

"...Right. Thank you."


Radia wiped his teary eyes as he stabbed a dagger on the ground.
Looks like he's going to use the adamantite knife he was going to give to his older brother as a gravestone.


"He might have been the worst, but he was still my older brother... Looking back, I never even got a meal together with him."

"...I see."

"But we ain't got no time to waste no more. Dunno if it's the truth but we gotta tell everybody that message Aniki left behind."


I believe, it's true.
That was the one and only time I could sense brotherly love from his word.



"Ya done with the burial? We gotta get going to save other folks. Oh man, lost both my left arm and leg. Ouchie ouch, gonna be sore for a while..."


Leader came to fetch us hopping on one foot after getting his wounds bandaged.
He looks a bit pale likely from blood loss, but his life doesn't seem to be in danger.


"You're Resistance Leader, aren't you. Sure you're gonna be alright with those limbs?"

"Sure as hell I ain't, it super hurts! Argh, am I gonna keep hoppin' round like this forever now, tohoho..."

"My party leader, can probably fix you up."

"Eh, for real!? Your party leader's some sacred job bigwig or sumthin', missy?"

"He's not, but he can heal you. I'll try to ask him once he's here."

"Hm, can't say that filled me with confidence, but eh, I ain't got nothin' to lose... Not gonna get my hopes up tho'."


Despite losing an arm and a leg, he doesn't look too down. It does look like it's gonna be hard though.
...I suppose he can't show a weakness as the resistance leader.


"We've got contacts from our other hideouts. Let's hurry to reachable spots first. Make sure you don't get close to danger zones."

"Danger zones...?"

"Yeah, say there's a big skirmish going down between giant legged whales and a stupidly huge chicken at the highway to the east from here. Ain't no escaping that unscathed."


...Chicken? Wonder if it's Hiyoko.
But, 'stupidly huge'? Maybe not.


"Oh, and ya better off staying away from town of 'Jangu' a bit off from here. Lotsa dragons are flying above the town, which is in ruins now."

"We also got creepy reports about people getting dragged into shadows one after another. Just stay clear off that place till things calmed down."


Dragged into shadows... That's probably Reina.
She must be rescuing people into her shadows. I wonder if she's okay with that dragon thing.


"Apparently a man is marching through a nearby ranch with a swarm of magic beasts, overrunning all demons in their wake. Guy seemed to take control of magic beasts raised by demons."

"Damn, simultaneously whittling down enemy force while adding to his own, guy's dang good. Might be a good idea to join up with him."


I guess it's a tamer taming magic beasts raised by demons.
Could it be Ranaia Souma... Hope he got out okay.


"...Lastly you absolutely don't wanna get anywhere near the continent's center."

"Eh, what's wrong?"

"We've confirmed the sightings of three 'Apocalyptic Calamity'-class magic beasts there. 'Jormungand', 'Hydra', and 'Yamata no Orochi'."

"W, what the hell!? If those beasts run rampant all over the place, this continent won't..."

"No, uh, we've got an even weirder intel on that..."

"Eh?"

"Some nonsensical stuff about a flying black haired man beating, throwing down, biting off and getting swallowed only to tear through those beasts' stomach, then he proceeded to chase down the fleeing Jormungand with the look of an ogre..."

"...You sure our wireless magic comm devices weren't having a breakdown?"


That's Hikaru. Can't be anyone but him.
I was wondering what was keeping him. Looks like he's been going wild someplace else.
...Is this continent going to last, I wonder.

Previous Chapter 

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615 Frontal Attack is a Poor Plan

I fetched and drew my katana from my magic bag while they were busy not jumping at me.
My action further made them jumpier and prolonged their inaction.

"...What's up? Not coming at me? Can't you get lost then? You're in the way. I'll let this slide if you do."

I moved my head to look at all of them to see a reaction.
That was when I noticed a man whose mouth was moving ever so slightly.
I immediately entered Acceleration.

(I've seen that already. It's an old story now.)

It was at the magic coliseum. The man is casting a spell.
This means they're trying to kill me with magic.
That guy's speech earlier was merely a bluff. A trick of mind to draw my attention away from a magic strike.
They've always been aware that coming at me frontally is an awfully poor plan.
Hence their inaction.

But unluckily for them, I've seen mages casting spells in a match already.
I've got a hunch that the magic wouldn't hit me even if the ambush succeeded.
But Berume might get dragged in it. She could suffer a grievous injury even if she escaped death.

Thankfully I noticed before the man managed to cast. I walked up behind the man in question.
In Accelerated state of course, so nobody else was moving. They can't.
I swung my sword diagonally from above in the position.

And then I contemplate on my next plan.
Should I just cut them all now, or should I undo Acceleration and watch their reactions first.
They've lost one man. Would make things easier if they got cold feet from that and scampered away.
Otherwise, it's gonna be a massacre. Then might as well just cut them all down while I'm in Accelerated State.

(I shouldn't overthink it. Should I let the justice system deal with their punishment? ...Capturing them is gonna be a pain... so does bringing them back...)

There's too many of them to drag back to town.
Gotta have to tie up every one of them. Also they'd likely attempt to escape, another headache.
But I feel like I'm gradually turning into a brute with all the killing I've done to people I deem evil as of late.
This world may weigh life lightly but I still think I may be splattering too much blood on my hands.
With that in mind, I decide to undo my Acceleration and see where 'let's try not killing them' policy leads to.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
The mage man fell down with the sound of spilling liquid. Cut in two.
Smell of iron wafted as fresh blood began pooling on the ground. The mage man didn't even get an opportunity to regret.
He could only die in confusion.
In fact realizing would only lead to despair. He might be better off straight up dead without feeling any pain.

"Dammit! How! He disappeared! But I saw him! He was in my view! Yet I never saw the cutting part! How did our man got cut down!? He didn't even swing crap!? What the hell's up with that!?"

They're in a disarray. Their guy got slashed even though there was no slashing. Or so they perceived.
Of course not, nobody could perceive me in Accelerated State. Only the end results are clear. Their reaction is understandable.

Several of them look terrified but none makes an attempt to run or at least surrender.
Guess I should praise their guts at least? Even though the only thing awaits them in the end is death. Don't they get that?
They can't seriously think they're special and they alone won't die like a child would believe, can they?

"I won't pursue this matter further if you learn anything from this and swear you will live a honest life from now on. Leave. But if you still wanna have a go..."

I don't care whether they uphold that kind of promise or not. I don't plan on meddling with the life of those who flee.
No matter if they turn to banditry or a new leaf, all that I care is for them to disappear from my sight right this instant.

But I was only wasting my breath.

Previous Chapter 

Next Chapter

That's My Line

This chapter starts from Radiasta's POV.

"Diee! You failure of a brother!!"

"You got no right to call me that with all the destruction you're sowing, you garbage human being!"


Shrill sounds echoed whenever our daggers clashed.
We're both seriously going in for the kill. I can tell from the impact transmitted to my hands.
...And we're supposed to be brothers.


"You bastard musta be the one who destroyed my portal! Quit getting in my fricking way, blast it!!"

"Sure am! I found out from demons before I killed 'em! That you've been playing spy for them here!"

"Damn, dammitall! How dare 'em sell me out!"

"You've got the galls spouting that! You toxic trash!!"

"Shut uuuuuuup!!"


He swung his daggers around like a child throwing a tantrum.
He's always been like this. Whenever something unpleasant befell him, he'd blame everyone but himself even if he brought it upon himself, and then he got mad about it all on his own.
Regardless of age, his mental hasn't grown in the least. It's a brat in an adult's body doing as his pleases without thinking about other.


Mental-wise aside however, his physical prowess is the real deal.
His Base Level is clearly above mine. I'm Lv54, he's probably ten, no twenty level above.
Both his Strength and Agility are so much higher. Not something mere 'Qi Clad' can overcome.


"Haha, you're as weak as ever! You ain't no match for me since your diaper days!"

"Gwuh...!"

"And ya seriously believed ya coulda get one over me!?"


CLANK, a strong metallic sound echoed as my dagger flew off my hand.
Aniki (trash) flicked my dagger away, leaving me wide open.


"Dieee!!"


He thrust his dagger at my chest.
No dodging this. It's gonna hit.


Just as planned.


I punched Aniki's dagger with my Mana Control-coated fist.
Another metallic sound reverberated as Aniki's dagger as well as his arm got swung in the other direction.


"Wha!?"

"Oraaa!!"


I hit the fumbling Aniki with the gauntlet Kajikawa-san gave me and popped off the internal Lightning elemental engine.
Lightning shock ran through Aniki's whole being.


"Guagagaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!"


He made an earsplitting sound so loud I thought his throat was done for.
I was gonna get another punch in but he started swinging his dagger around again.


"B, bastard...! The, hell was that...!!"

"Nice gauntlets ain't they. I'm not giving you."

"Eff that craaap!! Kill! You're dead meaaat!!"


His face warped unsightly as blood seeped out of the holes there. You've got what you deserved.
...That's the taste of 'get back' from all the people you betrayed in multiple folds.


"Gaaaa!! Die! Die! Dieeeeaa!!!"

"Tch!"


He enlarged his reach with 'Extended Mana Blade' and 'Mana Blade Split Strike'.
His swings are so rough and predictable. Dodging his attack is a simple matter, but I can't get a hit in.

His base stats are definitely higher than mine.
I'm guessing through a power leveling of some sort.


"Oraa!!"

"Gwu...!"


We locked both our daggers against one another.
I'm holding the dagger with the gauntlet, so I can't activate its effects.

Our daggers are grinding each other.
His dagger is made from Hihiirogane.
While mine is of mithril.

Not only does he get the Strength, his weapon is sharper too.

My dagger is getting sliced off.


"Kuuuuh...!"

"Better start counting till your knife breaks cause that's gonna be yer' last! You darned persistent trash...!"


My dagger will only last for a few more seconds. His dagger will then stab my head, which will be my end.
I can't do Mana Control Fist like earlier without prior preparation because I'm still an amateur at it.
He's got my arm gripped hard too so I can't get away.


"Now, dieeeeeeee!!"


The sound of my mithril knife breaking reverberated.


"Ga, ha...!?"


Fresh blood is spilling out.

Of my trash brother (Rajivia)'s mouth, not mine.


I activated 'Extended Mana Blade' on the adamantite knife I had inserted in my shoes and stabbed it through Rajivia's stomach.
He was focusing on my arms he overlooked my legs.


"W, why..."

"Nothing stops you from wielding a dagger with your foot. Just a little parlor trick!"

"D, damn you, you cheater...!"

"That's the last thing I wanna hear from you, trash!"

"Gigaa!?"


I walloped his lower jaw hard while canceling Extended Mana Blade.
He didn't get up, either that knocked his brain off, or it was due to the stab to his stomach.


"This is the end, Rajivia. Choose, let me capture you or die here."

"Daamn...! Damn, damn, dammit...! How could you do this to your own brother...!"

"Aa? That's my line, you sleeptalking trash. Who'd think someone who used his little brother as bait for magic beasts his flesh and blood anymore."

"Let bygones be bygones...! You're alive and well anyway, let that one slide will yaa..."

<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
...Ah, this guy hasn't changed in the slightest.
He thinks absolutely nothing about troubling others.
Forgetting favor while holding on to grudge until he exacts his revenge. Trash all the way down.


"There he is! He's downed over there!"

"Hm, he's with someone else. His friend!?"

"...No, that's an ally. Adventurer, Radiasta. Part of my group."


The Resistance members finally caught up to us. Ah, Alma-neechan is with them.
There's absolutely no escape for him now.


"You did a great job capturing that guy!"

"Alright, tie him up real good! We can stop the bleeding after!"


Rajivia got tied up roughly.
He seemed to have given up, he offered no resistance.

All we need to do is to bring him back to the capital and let the law judge him.
...It's probably gonna be the capital punishment. At best, they're gonna turn him into a criminal slave destined to hard labor till death.


I wanted to drag him back home and make him apologize to everybody.
No matter how shameful, how embarrassing and how unforgivable he is, I'll make him say sorry to them all.
That should let me, and this foolish brother of mine, to finally move on.

Why did it come to this, I wonder.


"Leader, we're done tying him up!"

"Great, let's bring the guy back to hideout. We'll think about how to deal with 'im after rescuing those teleported reinforcements of... Hm?"


The Resistance leader suddenly stopped moving mid sentence.
...? What's going on?


"? Leader, what's up?"


"!! Get awaaay!!"


Leader shoved off the resistance member who was holding my foolish brother's arm.


"Ouch!? The heck you're playing at Leader! Quit playing around and... Eh...?"

"Gwa... A..."


The resistance member froze before he could finish complaining.


Because he saw the leader had lost his left arm and leg.


"Le... Leader!!"

"Wh, what happened!?"

"O, oy, the rope, on that guy...!"


Everybody could hear the sound of something breaking while we were all dumbfounded.

Aniki is tearing off his rope with brute force.
Where's he hiding all that power...!?


"...Ah, damn, dammit, I went and did it, I really did it, hahaha..."


Aniki laughed like he was regretting and ridiculing himself.


His eyes went from the same green color as mine to red.
The way he stands is changing to be reptilian-like.

His fangs and nails grew longer.
Wolf-like fur formed all over his body.
His muscles swelled up, enlarging his whole body.


Aniki (that thing) is changing into something that isn't human.


"W-what the hell, is this...!?"

"...It's, 'Magic Beastification Drug', those, demons gave me, I stored, in my, back teeth."

"'Magic Beastification Drug'!? The forbidden drug said to be in circulation during the previous great war against demons!?"

"Ah, the very, same. A drug, that transforms, human into, that of, a beast, irreversibly. There ain't, no goin', back for me. I'm gonna, be engulfed, by the magic beasts inside, me one day, and live as, one."


Why, why, why would you use that...!?
How is that any different, there's no saving you now! Why...!!


"Why...! Tell me why, aniki!"

"W,h,y? That's, my, line...!"


His eerie oblong-shaped red eyes glared at me as he bared his fang while roaring out.


"Why did it come to thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisss!!! It's your fault, that I'm, I'm!! I, turned into this!! Kill! Kill! You! For damned sure! Kill, ki, a, aaaaaaaa!!"


He poured his bloodlust at me while roaring and lamenting in anger.


Rather than a frenzied beast... He looks more like a wounded child throwing a tantrum.

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614 Got Ya

The Manticore got put in a magic bag the contact guy had and Berume was in charge of holding it.
Contact guy left us to check up on the other surveillance members. We found out they were all safe. Apparently they opted to get away from the magic beast just in case when it started acting abnormally.
The plan for us today is to stay at a nearby village overnight and go home tomorrow. It's a whirlwind tour.

(I did wonder if that magic beast was a Nue for a moment when it showed up in my vision. But I mean, it got a scorpion-like tail.)

While I was having that late thought on our way to the village, Berume spoke up.
The village is close by and our Grudoses are going to be used by the contact guy to run around all over the place, so we're moving on foot.

"Hey? Turned out you really are strong huh. Still kinda find it hard to believe though."

Berume is still looking at me dubiously even now.
She never saw how I 'fought' the beast after all. Only the result, so I suppose her reaction is normal.
Not everybody can accept the reality presented before their eyes. Berume couldn't shake off her suspicion because she couldn't grasp the mechanism behind my strength.

'His slash was imperceptible, perhaps he's simply superhumanly fast?'
'Maybe he used some sort of magical traps?'
'Or maybe he deployed some sort of special mechanism unrelated to all that?'

The moment I cut the beast was not visible to her, she had no idea how it was done.
She likely just can't shake off the feeling of 'Did he really do it?'

As for me, since we likely will never meet again after this, I just can't be bothered to explain.
I know she won't believe me anyway.
Then again, it'd be annoying if she kept pestering me about it on the trip back.
I get that Berume probably won't pry deeper but I can't help feeling kinda conflicted about her thinking of me that way.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
That was when those guys showed up. Just ahead of the village we were planning to stay on. Ten people, some looking familiar.

"You bastard, finally got ya. Oy, guys, stay on your toes. Surround him. He uses some sorta weird magic to suddenly appear and disappear. Get in the formation to cover your blind spots!"

They were the guys I beat up when I was entering the Coliseum City. There were only six of them back then, it's increased to ten now. Guessing they all got fired together.

"Dunno what the hell you came all the way here for, but we're gonna beat you to a pulp! I'mma turn you into beast fodder! You made a fool out of us all and even got us all fired... you won't die easily! We're gonna put you under the cruelest torture imaginable before we kill you! ...Aa? We're keeping that woman as our plaything. Gonna pawn her off to some slave trader for some pocket change once we're tired of her."

"...Well that's one big unjust grudge you're holding. Recall what you said back then. It's all your own doing, curse yourselves if you have to. You garbage human beings all share one track mind huh! And what the heck is up with this template pattern... I'm so done with this crap!"

The phrase 'reaping what you sow' doesn't exist in these kinds of folk's dictionary. Even if it were, they would never pin the blame on themselves.
It's always somebody else's fault to them.

I'd be fine with driving them away if it was just a light scuffle but these guys have stepped over the line I set in my mind.

They belonged to the committee back then so killing them would have been a problem but not only they unjustly put the blame on me, they even tailed and declared their intention to kill me.
That's not all. They're also dragging Berume who got nothing to do with all this. These guys are criminal scums.
Kidnapping, violating and even slave trading. They're no difference from bandits.

As such, there is only one option left. My maximum permissible dosage is quite low. If they're going in for the kill, I'll simply repay in kind.

"Fine, come at me head-on. I'll take you on. I'm not gonna show any mercy, get ready."

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Next Chapter

Cornered Foolish Spy

This chapter starts from Alma's POV

Everybody is starting to doubt everybody else once it's clear that there might be a demon spy lurking in this hideout.
Normally, this would be the time to listen to everybody's alibi.
But we need to prioritize saving the stranded teleported people.

As we were about to head out for the rescue while leaving a minimum number of people here... Somebody threw an accusation toward me of being on demon's side.


"Think about it, this girl used both sword and magic in the battle earlier! Only demons can do that!"

"That's the trait of Paladin-line of Jobs. It's tough to clear the requirements but anybody can do it if you Job Change correctly from Apprentice Paladin."

"Who's gonna believe that nonsense!"


...This man hiding under a hood has been trying his hardest to paint me as a demon's underling.
I understand that he'd rather believe in his friends but neither does he have enough evidence to point me of being a demon.


"If that's what you think, you may confirm this Appraisal Paper."

"Anybody can forge that crap!"



He tore and threw my Appraisal Paper without even looking at it.
It's no use, he's too angry to listen to reason.


"Oy, cool it. This girl wouldn't have acted in a way that drew suspicion to her if she really was a demon. She wouldn't have used both sword and magic earlier."

"Tearing up that Appraisal Paper without even looking. you're acting way too barbaric..."

"Guys, don't be tricked! Besides, there's no way she could have come out unscathed if she really was ambushed by twenty demons! Can you believe this little girl pulling that off?!"

"That's why I handed you my Appraisal Paper. It should have those demons in my Kill Log, do have a look."


I handed my spare Appraisal Paper to another person.
The hooded man was going to wrangle it, probably in an attempt to tear it again, but I stopped him with my hand.


"...There are dozens of demons in this Kill Log. Her level is pretty high for her age but her race does say 'Human'."

"I'm telling you! That crap is easily forged...!"

"No, this Appraisal Paper is made by 'Master Appraiser' Filsdaim-shi. No Skill in this world can forge the maker's name, and nobody can forge a paper made by a 'Master Appraiser'."

"That is to say this appraisal result is the real deal. Good enough for you?"

"Kuh...!"


...Weird.
It feels more like this hooded man is trying to paint me as the culprit rather than him being suspicious of me.
He won't listen to a word I say and his ripping my Appraisal Paper feels more like an effort to erase evidence.


"My bad, young lady. Our man doubted you."

"It's understandable in this situation... More importantly, I need to check on something."

"...What now."


I pointed finger at the hooded man who doubted me and asked.


"Who are you? What's your name? Your Job? Since when have you been here?"

"..."

"I showed you my Appraisal Paper to prove my innocence. It's your turn now."

"...Oy oy, you wanna get back at me cuz I doubted ya? What the hell, are you a brat?"


Hood shrugged his shoulders while making fun of me.
...I think I got a hit.


"I'm not mad. I just want to know you better."

"Speaking of which, this guy's been at our hideout before I realized. Anybody knows him?"

"...?"

"Uh no, who's that guy..."


I can tell the face under the hood sweating.
Hood sounded flustered as he tried to make a case for himself.


"H-hold it! Haven't I been fighting alongside you all to protect this hideout from magic beasts!"

"Yeah, you were with us during the last raid and the one before that. I personally saw it."


A brown haired man who seemed to be the leader affirmed Hood's word.
Hood spoke with a look of relief.


"R, right, of course you'd get it, leader...!"

"But I don't know you. Why not use this chance to tell us about yourself?"

"Eh?"

"I know all about Resistance members, from their birthplace to their favorite food, but it's been so hectic as of late, I haven't asked you, and only you, anything."

"Wha...?"


Leader resumed with a crafty smile.
...He's got quite the personality.


"So, you who showed up outta nowhere in the evening five days ago before mingling with us. Who are you really?"

"...Tch!"


Hood ran out of the room while clicking his tongue.
He must have deemed there was no worming his way out with word and chose to flee.


"Don't let him run, after him!"

"Oy leader! Don't tell me you already knew who the spy was from the start?!"

"Yeah but I didn't got no proof! I thought he was some wandering adventurer with no place to live anymore, who could've guessed it was a spy! What a shame! ...Dammit!"

"You shoulda discussed with us if you found anything the least suspicious!"


Leader looked truly disappointed as we chase after Hood.
...Maybe the plan could have been a success and nobody had to be stranded if only he had consulted with them.
Nothing can be gained from lamenting the past. We have to catch Hood quick.



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



~~~~~~~~~Spy under hood's POV~~~~~~~~~~







Run, run.
And everything was going swimmingly until this point too. It's gonna be the end of me if they caught me...!


"Damn, damn, dammit! Everything's a wreck cause of that woman!"


I keep running with all my might as I cursed out.
I thought for sure she was a demon disguised as human seeing her use of both sword and magic, but no.

Demons may be able to disguise their skin to look human, but not their hair.
The only black haired demon in existence is Demon King. That woman can't be a demon.

But only those who side with humans know that little tidbit.
S'why I tried to establish her being the spy and make my life easier.


Why won't anybody move as I wanna!
Why am I the only one suffering like this!


"Over here! He's heeere!"

"Get him!"

"Damn it! Drop dead!"

"Guh!? T, this is nothing...!?"


I took a throwing knife and threw it at my pursuer's throat.
He managed to quickly block but still went down from the paralyzing toxin I coated the knife with.

Like hell I'm lettin' y'all catch me here! No way I'mma die!
I'm gonna keep living on! Live if even a second longer than anyone!


I can get outta here if I just get to that teleport portal I set up nearby.
Those demons should still see my worth if I gave them intel on this hideout.



...Really, when did I turn out this way anyways.



The portal should be at that rocky area.
...Phew, looks like I managed to shake 'em off.


"Don't think bad of me guys, this is just part of my job desc. Later."


I realized something amiss just before I stepped inside the portal.

The thread to detect intruder I set up at the entrance has been cut off...?


"!!"


I sensed a violent chill.
I got hit by a flashback of many detestable memory of me nearly dying.

A moment after, I reflexively got away from the portal with Ground Shrink.


A huge explosion alongside the shockwave blast shook my entire being.


"Uwaaaaaaaaaaaa!!?"


What the hell's going!?
The portal I set up had been blown to bits along with the rocks there.
My pursuer's Offensive Magic? No, I knew I lost 'em already. Just, who...



"...Found you, you piece of dirt aniki."

"...!?"


A figure came out of the dust cloud.
Same green hair and eyes, like me. And, daggers.


"Y, you bastaaard...!!"

"I won't let you get away anymore. I'm gonna take you down for sure this time! Rajiviaa!!"

"Get the hell outta my way, Radiaaaaa!!"


My persistently surviving brother lunged at me with daggers in hand.

...I shoulda finished him off for good back then.
Damn! Dammitall! I'mma kill ya dead!

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613 No Good Response to Their Response

The Manticore leaped about five meter ahead before sliding on the ground and plopping down just like that.
The face I cut splatted down the ground like a mask.
The cross-section looks gross. After a slight pause, blood spurted out of it splattering everywhere.
The cut face remained in the screaming expression. Seemingly not realizing its own demise.
The beast has been sliced right in the middle of its head. Not even a magic beast could survive getting its brain diced off like this. The spurting blood saw no sign of stopping too.
Its enraged contracted muscles must be pumping all that blood.

And thus the Manticore hunt ended in but a moment. All that's left is to drain the blood away, store this thing in a magic bag and go home.

"Is this your doing...?"

Berume asked like she couldn't believe it.
Of course, to her I did nothing between the time I entered Acceleration and now.
It can't be seen or recognized, moreso with my Max State Acceleration. There's simply no way for anyone to perceive me.
She cannot not ask that. I mean, I am the only individual capable of slaughtering Manticore here.
And yet, to Berume it must look like I simply changed spots instantaneously. She couldn't see what I did during Acceleration.
Hence, she couldn't help herself asking. 'Did you do it.'

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

"I couldn't see anything... what's going on?"

Contact guy spoke. He must be still trying to process 'what and how did he did that beast in'.
I'm the only personnel who got dispatched here to kill the beast. He's taking that into account.
But even if he managed to process that fact, he couldn't fathom how it was done. It's only natural.
He couldn't have possibly perceived me moving.
The only objective fact he can confirm is that the beast was cut by a katana, an unusual weapon. That's the only trued and tried information he got.
And that I somehow changed spot from where I was originally before he realized it.

"Ah, there's no more need for prepwork is there. Err, maybe go contact the other guys? The beast is dead and all, we're done here right?"

That's the only thing I could utter.

Three days to get here, and then several more days to prepare, hunt, collect, retreat and return.
They must have thought it would take around ten days or so. Since everything just happened to luckily falls into places, I guess that's ten day shortened? I didn't think we'd be that lucky though.

Yet we were and finished the business on the second day. Impossible yet that just happened.
That's supposed to be a very good thing.
Yet, there's no shred of joy on Berume's and Contact guy's faces. They're looking terrified instead. At me.

(Aw, gotta change the mood. How do I go about it?）

"C'mon! Get to it, chop chop! I dunno what I'm supposed to do here. We'll have nothing done if you two don't get a move on!"

My voice pulled them back to reality, as they resumed moving with conflicted looks on their faces.

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Misting Effort

This chapter starts from Reina's POV

『You darned lasssssssss!! Don't think you're gonna die easy, puny humaaan!!』


The dragons got mad after watching one of them dying.
Their roars almost made me stop in my track, but like I'd let them get the better of me.

I'm the one angry here!


『Die in agony!!』

"You will!"


They all shot breaths my way.
Fashioned like giant balls of flames. These breaths look similar to Alma-san's Offensive Magic but the firepower is on a whole other level.
I could have used my dagger to absorb lightning elemental breaths but against flame, my only choice is dodging.

Or so it was before my dagger evolved.


I swung my dagger at the giant flaming balls.
Once, twice, thrice, the balls turned smaller each time before vanishing entirely.


『...What!?』

『Our breaths, disap--』

"Haa!!"


As the dragons were all dumbfounded by the phenomenon, I shot 'Mana Blade Farslash'.
The dragon hit by it got cut in two just like that.


『B-bastaaaard!! What have you dooone!?』

"Figure it out yourself with that needlessly big head of yours!"


...This dagger's evolved ability is terrifyingly powerful.
Which is just an ability to absorb ranged elemental attacks other than lightning.

It's kinda like Hiyoko-chan's Eat Beak, but this dagger then converts the absorbed attack into lightning element.
Its only weakness is that it loses the added attack power if I don't attack within 10 seconds after absorbing an attack.

This ability should let me take on these dragons.
The more breaths they shoot the more I can absorb, simply perfect in this situation.


『Y'all, gather rouuuuuund!! Gang up on this darned braaaat!!』

『Gugaaaaa!!』

『Gegyaaaa!!』

"U, uwaaa...!"


...Yet there's only so much I can do by myself with this huge difference in number.
Hundreds of dragons have gathered here. This is the result of me coming to save a scared blond mage girl without thinking first.

Looking back, opting to abandon her and escape with the people I saved before regrouping would have been the sensible action.
It may sound heartless but this is war. You can't let your emotion overtake your decision.

And yet look at me now.
Plunging myself in this situation for the sake of someone I don't even know, so stupid.


"Well, I'll just do what I can. Mage onee-san, please cling to me if you don't wanna die."

"E, eh...?"

"Just do it!"


I Ground Shrink with the mage-san toward the building wreckage in order to Shadow Dive.
Dammit...! The buildings are all wrecked beyond belief I can't find a good shadow to hide into.


『You ain't goin' anywheeeeeere!!』

"Wappu!?"

"Hiyi!?"


The roaring dragon shot breaths all around us instead of directly at us.
Oh no, that blew away all the nearby wreckage.

I do know an ability, 'Ground Escape no Jutsu' that lets me slip underground but it only works on me. No no, where'd that put mage-san then.
I can't just abandon her after coming this far, what do I do.
Wait, mage-san seems to have fallen from that breath, and won't get up.


"Stand up! Go and run!"

"I-I can't do it...! Please just leave me be and run by yourself...!"

"What are you saying now! You're gonna die for real if you keep dawdling!"


She wouldn't budge despite me urging.
Show me your guts onee-san! ...Wait, is it just me or the ground around her seems wet?
A, aah... Yeah of course, she won't get up. Un... My back's gonna be a mess if I tried to piggyback her...


『Oho, you done running?』

『Time to die!』

"Shut up! You stupid lizards can kick the bucket yourself!"

『Bark all you want you lass bogohaa!!?』


Just before the angry dragon could shoot a breath at us, someone punched it hard from the side.



"Agreed. That was a nice bark ya let out, young lady."


I almost mistook him for Kajikawa-san for a moment.
A musclebound man with red fluttering hair and lion-like facial hair is standing there.

...W, who? The fact that he saved us and all, must be an ally at least.
Heck, I can feel incredible power from him. Kinda like Alma-san's parents.


"Ha, how could I keep sneaking around when these little ladies gave it their all out there. Nah that ain't me."

"Err, who might you be?"

"Hm, yer' askin me? I'm 'Jurou', just yer' average brawler. Lemme have at 'em now. You ladies can go find safety somewhere."

"T-that's absurd! I can tell you're strong but they've got the number on them!"

"Hahaha! Man, when was the last time anyone got worried over me. But you don't hafta help me or worry no more."


He looks fearless even in the faces of so many powerful dragons. Like this scene is nothing new to him.
That seemed to hit a nerve on the dragons as they changed their target to him.


『More moth to flame, annoying...!』

"Come at me. I'mma play with ya."

『Drop dead!!』


As Juurou-san beckoned the dragons with his fingers, they responded by swinging their claws at him.
Dragon claws have enough power to tear up mithril and adamantite lumps like a piece of paper. Human body can't take them on.

Yet, he did head-on, grabbed the dragons and supplexed them hard.


『Gohaa!!』

"Ooraaa!!"

『Gabyoo!!?』


He headbutted a dragon and crushed their face open.
What a battle of brute force. Kinda like Kajikawa-san when he snapped.


"Oy oy, that all ya got? What a letdown."

『Kuh... This guy's pretty good...!』

『No choice, call Leader!!』


Is this 'Leader' like the boss that rules over this dragon swarm?
...! Uwah, yeah there is one individual with much stronger mana than other dragons. It's at least 2-3 times as strong.
This strong mana seems to perceive its subordinates' trouble and started heading here.


『Hwo, I see someone worth a salt here.』


The owner of that presence is a white dragon several times larger than other dragons.
It's so clearly on a whole different level. Way above Black Dragon-san before he switched over to Demon King's side!
...I, I think not even Juurou-san can handle that...!


『Leader! We need your help with this one!』

『Please lend us your claws, White-aniki!』

『Say no more, he is a dead man walking. Prepare yourself, o red-haired male.』

"Ha, quit yapping and bring it on!"

『You guys clean up this area with breaths in the meantime. Do not miss a grass.』

『『『Ha!』』』


Oh no, oh no no!
Even if that white dragon got beaten, the people I saved would get killed by these dragons!


『Let's do... th?』

"...Eh?"

"...There he goes."


Just as the dragons were about to shoot out breaths, they started falling down in quick succession.
Upon a closer inspection, their heads have been cut off.

Someone is flying in the sky and reaping those necks...!?
I was sure it's Kajikawa-san for sure, but nope.


Checking the person flying in the air with Clairvoyance, it's a small yet boing boing girl with a mix of red and silver colored bangs and blond long back hair. She's swinging around a weirdly shaped sword.
Feels like I've seen that face somewhere before... Kinda look like Neora-san...?

Ah, maybe that's...



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



~~~~~~~~~Boing boing TS Hero's POV~~~~~~~~








『Wh, whaggoha!?』

『Too fast! The hell's her deal!?』

『Darn it! Take this gyabaa!』


These dragons are full of openings whenever they're charging for Breath. I wouldn't miss the chance to cut them with my Katana.
Slow, too slow. I can get five, to six slashes in the time span they're charging.

These dragons are way weak. Wait no, my Brave Fusion self is just too strong.
...Fufufu, I'm finally experiencing this sense of OP-ness like a hero should for once.

I don't feel like losing to anyone now.
Most of my Attributes are around 6000-7000 since it's a combination of my, Levia's and Olivie's Status.
I can double that with Energy Control Buff, and Kajikawa-san has taught me Mana Flight which makes me way more agile than these dragons.

Eh, am I getting ahead of myself?
My life here has been nothing but deaths and barely any feat worth mentioning. At least let me have this one...


...But man, I like being strong and all but I can never get used to this body.
They keep swaying everywhere whenever I make any move and my body's got a weird balance to boot.
There's nothing fun about groping my own breasts too.

...Rather, Levia would beat me up once I undo our Fusion if I tried to even touch it once. Yep.
It'd be like I'm groping Levia and Olivie too after all, understandable...


I responded Kajikawa-san chat message asking for my help to save Reina who was in a dire strait since I was close by and all.
Thankfully I managed to reunite with Levia and Olivie pretty early. Would have been a toughie to deal with this many dragons at my base spec.


『Don't let her get close! Shoot 'em down with breaths!』

『Haha, dunno how strong you are, ain't no way you survive us all!』


Oops, I guess swords won't reach them now.
Well, nothin' to it tho'.


"【Saint Laser】!!"


An Advanced Spell of Light Elemental magic shot out of my finger.
A super heated laser mowed down the dragons one after another.
My magic saw a huge firepower boost too. I'm not just about close quarter combat.

Heck, dragon slaying sure nets you lotsa exp.
I'm Lv80 now. Ah, got a new Feature. Fast Travel's Expansion? Looks pretty handy, but I'm gonna save it for later.

Kajikawa-san told me to level up as much as I could during the war and all. Might as well exterminate every last dragon here.


『Oh crap, gal's real bad news! She must be the so-called humans trump card, hero or somethin', ain't no way!』

『How the hell she's so strong...!』


Fuhahaha, these dragons are akin to garbage!
I fear no one besides Kajikawa-san and instructors now! Also, Levia when she's mad and drunk Olivie.

<<...So like, the whole gang.>>

Chut up. I mean can you blame me? Those people aren't normal in all senses of the word.
Now then, time to beat the pulp outta the remaining dragons--


"U, uooooooooo!! Hero-chaaaaaaaaaaaan!! It's meeeeeeeee!! Marry meeeeeee!!"


....

Oh darn, I must've gotten hit with a mind attack. I'm hearing things.
Menu, fetch me a Status Abnormal Cure from Item Screen.


"You kept saying you were a man, but you really were a woman all along!! No, that's good too!! I love you either waaaaay!!"


Menu, what are you doing! Get to it, now! The symptoms' getting worse!

<<The cure will do nothing. Let's look at reality... I do wonder how come that bald old man is here...>>


"L.O.V.E!! HE.RO!! Hero-chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!!!"

"Shut the hell uuuuuuuuuuuup!!! Get lost you baldieeee!!


I don't want this. I don't wanna be here anymore. I wanna go home.
Oy, you dragons, feel free to burn that one down. Actually, do it. Right here, right now!

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