Sousetsuka

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."

Previous 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!

Previous Chapter

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.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

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!

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

612 Busted! There's No Escape!

But sometimes you just can't avoid accidental encounter no matter how prepared you are.
Like right now.

"Wha! How come that magic beast is heading straight here!? Dammit! We haven't finished all the preps yet! ...No, it can't be!? Did it shake them off? Are our watchers safe!?"

This seems to be one clever magic beast, it's shaken off the annoying men tailing it and now making a beeline here.
It must have inferred from its watchers' movement that this spot is where they're gonna bait it to.
Which tells how smart this magic beast. This is no accident. It was all precalculated.

"Is that thing far in the distance, our target? Ah, that's a..."

(The head of a red-colored monkey, the body of a... tiger I think? And the tail... Ah, must be a scorpion. It's a...)

Manticore me think? The creature is making an earsplitting 'Gyaa' voice while running this way at tremendous speed.
It looks real repulsive. The mismatched parts make it all the more terrifying. And it gets more and more clear just how big it is as it gets closer.

"Oh crap! We gotta run for it! Hey!? What the hell are you tryina pull! Get to it!"

I think it's about as big as an elephant? No wait, maybe a bit smaller but it's still huge all the same.
I fetched my katana from magic bag. Berume told me to run but that's probably impossible now.
Running here is a bad move. No humans can outrun a magic beast capable of outputting that kinda of speed.
I can, but then what's even the point of me coming all the way here.
Besides, the contact guy and Berume would fall to this magic beast if I didn't take care of it here.
Its bloodshot eyes are showing anger toward the contact guy.
It must know that he belongs to the same group of people who have been prowling around it.

Despite looking deadly pale, the contact guy seemed to have steeled his resolve as he held his ground with a round ball like thing in his hand.

(Something like, 'Who's gonna do it if not me!')
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"You two stay behind me. You're in the way. Get back to that tree over there, and don't move you hear me?"

The beast that looked so far away just earlier is only around 20 meter away now.
I've already entered Acceleration by this point. You can't make light of a wild beast's explosive power. Gotta secure a huge safety margin.
A strike to my vital is probably still gonna kill me, this power notwithstanding. There's also a chance of me surviving considering my monstrous body, but I absolutely am not gonna test it out.

(Ah, guess I could just cut its neck off? Or maybe split its face? What's the best way to reap this thing's life anyway?)

Since I never checked for it, I ended up having a weird thing to contemplate on at a weird timing.
No answer would come up regardless. Left with no choice, I decided to do it in a way that minimize the wound best.
I don't know how you're supposed to use a Manticore's materials.
What if it turned out that the neck skin is the most valuable part and I cut it off. It'd be unusable because I didn't think it through.
I could also stab it in the heart but what if the opening was on the most valuable part and I damaged it.

There's no end to 'what ifs'. As such I decided to cut off its face.
I sliced its forehead down, from the side, not ahead.
I had focused into Max State Acceleration. My katana made a clean cut of the time stopped-like Manticore and its evil face.

Not wanting to collide with the Manticore, I first took some good distance away before undoing Acceleration.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter

War Where Lives Fall

Hm, I sense lots of massive life forces popping up where Reina is.
What are those anyway?

<<Demons have summoned hundreds of dragons via Forbidden Magic. Virtually all of which equals to over S-ranked magic beasts in term of Status.>>

Hundreds, and pretty much all of them is Rank S? To hell with that.
Where'd you find that many dragons anyway. Were they breeding them?

<<Negative. It can be assumed that they have been summoned from a continent ruled by dragons and magic beasts in this world. Such continents are not an object of invasion to demons however neither are they safe for humans.>>

...New information after all this time. I thought there were only five continents in total.
Can't we ask for those dragons' cooperation in our quest to defeat Demon King?

<<Dragons are a fundamentally neutral party. They do not ally themselves with humans or demons, exceptions being individuals with personal circumstances such as Black Dragon.>>

<<However, in case of forced summoning such as this, there is a high chance of them deeming it as a hostile action and laying waste on the surrounding area.>>

Those demons summoned them! Take it to them, dangit!
Ah geez, I'm busy dealing with these giants too.

Should I fetch Reina here with Fast Travel? No, out of question. It's more dangerous here.
I can't afford to go there either. This entire continent could very well perish if I did.

Eh, what am I fighting against you ask?


『Shaaa...!』

『Gyafushururu...』

『Gegyababababa...!!』


Oh just some venomous serpentine magic beasts like  『Jormungand』, 『Yamata-no-Orochi』, and 『Hydra』, what about it.


...These world-ending monsters ended up here summoned by demons who got so cornered from me slaughtering them they resorted to that usual Forbidden summoning magic.
They sacrificed so many strong beasts the magic called forth some stupidly powerful magic beasts. All of three of them are over Lv90.

Their size and Status are bad news enough as is, they also keep spreading powerful lethal venom all over the place.
...I got hit directly by those venom a few times too. Don't wanna imagine what's gonna happen to me if I didn't have Abnormal Status Resistant earring on me.

<<The venom will be detoxified in a few seconds even without earrings due to Kajikawa Hikaru's current RES.>>

Ah, it's all swell... Or is it? I'm kinda scared of myself.
But these enemies must be hopeless to most people.
Or rather, only me or Fusion Hero-kun can handle these beasts.


No choice, I'd take Reina to another continent if things get real dicey.
I'm gonna focus massacring these snakes up until that point.


『Shagyaaaaaaa!!』

『Varuaaaaaa!!』

『Gojavaaaaaaaa!!』


The mountain-sized snakes hissed hysterically as they came at me.


"Bring it oooooooooooooooooooon!!!"


I screamed with enough volume to drown out their hisses as I bit off a Hydra's head, grabbed a Jormungand's head and slammed it down the ground, and broke open a Yamata-no-Orochi's snake face with High-powered Pile Bunker.
Every one of them got way too many heads. It's gonna take a while dealing with them all.

Guys, please survive till I'm done beating all of these.


Reina is  Shadow Diving here and there while protecting people from the dragons attack, but she can't hold out for too long.
...That was when I noticed 'them' heading there which put me at ease.
There's also a Special Job holder nearby, they should manage okay now.


Speaking of which, what about Hiyoko. A whale swallowed her up right?

<<Hiyoko escaped by breaking through the whale magic beast's stomach. Hiyoko has also evolved from leveling up. To a Unique Magic Beast after clearing the prerequisite condition.>>


Oh, I did hope she'd get the job done from the insides when I found out about it. Well done.
Gotta say, I didn't expect evolution to a Unique Magic Beast though. Wonder if this particular evolution is strong enough to deal with the rest of the whales.


Hmm, Alma seems to have arrived at the resistance's hideout.
...It's supposed to be the safest place, yet I have the worst premonition about it.
I'll go join up with Alma after taking care of these snakes.




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


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







I have arrived at the Resistance hideout but I don't see other adventurers or Anti-Demon Army members here.
Demons must have ambushed them too.


"Incoming magic beasts, get ready to fight back!"

"Dammit, those demons gonna notice flashy moves but we got no choice."


The hideout doesn't seem to be a perfectly safe zone as they have to deal with raiding magic beasts sometimes.
I have to give them a hand.


I shot down bird magic beasts with magic.
And disposed of orc-type beasts running on land with Magic Sword.

We managed to finish eliminating all hostiles in about ten minutes.
Those raiding magic beasts were neither high leveled or had numbers with them so it wasn't much work.


"O, ooh, you were the one who did those cover fires. You were a great help."

"Yer' dang good for such a cutie. You an adventurer?"

"Yup. Adventurer, Almatina. I've come to help from Continent 4. Nice to meet you."

"Ah, right, we were getting reinforcement from Continent 4... Ain't there nobody else?"

"I was teleported here with some other people but then I found myself stranded alone here before a group of demons ambushed me. I believe the others were under the same circumstances."

"What...!?"

"Oy, bad news! I just got a message from Continent 4's Royal Capital. Things ain't looking good!"


Looks like these people were feeling pressured from the reinforcement that never came. Wonder if they never got the message.
That message came just after I told them which solidified my story.
Neora probably passed it over with Fast Travel.


"I believe there's many more people getting ambushed out there. Please lend them your hands."

"Hmm... They were supposed to help us though. I'm gonna work y'all to your bone once we're done."

"But man, can't believe those demons resorted to teleport jamming forbidden magic. We never got so much as a hint on that stuff as late as yesterday..."

"It's like they knew help was teleporting in from other continents...!?"

"No way, we got leaks...?"


...Looks like there's a demon spy lurking in this hideout.
But I don't feel a single demonic mana.

Do those demons have magic tools that can intercept communication or perhaps


The spy, isn't a demon, human...?







~~~~~~~~~Reina's POV~~~~~~~~~~~







『Guruaaaaaa!!』

『Eff you for ruining my beauty sleep, you piece of tuuuuuuuurd!!』

『How dare ya summon me willy nilly, you dregs! Gimme 100 human sacrifices dangitall!』


The dragons are running wild while shooting breaths everywhere.
Contrary to my imagination, some of them don't just growl like ordinary magic beasts, they also talk. Guess they turned smart after enough growing.
All of them seem like the rough type though. Like petty thugs.

But there's no comparing their strength to mere thugs.
Every single one is a Rank S-tier magic beast complete with Dragon species inherent skill set.
They don't seem as strong as the Black Dragon Kajikawa-san fought earlier, but this is already way more than I can chew.

The town is getting destroyed further and further with every breath.
Demons, humans, they're all getting indiscriminately burned down.
...Wonder if the town where our orphanage was turned into this too after the Stampede.

Wait no, this is no time to space out!
I've got to retrieve our folk with Shadow Dive and get away from here!

...Saving the people detained underground, probably this town's original populace, will have to wait.
They might get even more debilitated if they have to wait more, but I really can't afford to just yet.
...I'm sorry. I promise I'll be back to save you all, so please hang in there just for a little bit more.


"U, uaaa...!"

『Hyahahaha, burn, burn you trash! My flame's gonna get rid of y'all!』

"Stop, save me...!"

『Ain't no one's coming! Die!!』


Another person burned.
These dragons are enjoying their time killing humans like children crushing ants.

...Calm down me. Acting impulsively here is only going to create more victims.
What I need to do now is collect as many as I could and take them to safety.


I've been pulling people into shadows created from the wreckage, but I couldn't make it in time for a few.
People's lives are so cheap. I had no idea how easily people die.


"A, aaa..."

『Oho, are you lost, little lady.』


A silver haired mage-like girl is surrounded by dragons.
Oh no, the shadow there isn't connected, I can't pull her in.


"N, no...! Fifra-chan, Shiuru-chan, save me...!"

『What did I tell ya, ain't nobody coming!』

『Ya got nothing to worry about. It's only gonna be a lil' hot for a teensy bit!』

『Hyahaha! Curse those dumbarse who summoned here if ya gotta!』



"Screw that."


『...Eh?』


I closed in on them while using Stealth Skill 'Invisibility' to avoid detection.
I then stabbed my lightning-charged dagger on the forehead of a dragon that surrounded the girl.

My dagger changed shape while emitting light.
Looks like it met the Evolution conditions.
I can feel an enormous power incomparable to what it was before.


"Those demons were in the fault, sure. But you guys are no better for going on a blind rampage while blaming everybody else."

『T-the hell are ya!!』

"Right back at you! I absolutely won't forgive you!"


I'm sorry, Kajikawa-san.
I realize that I'm a huge moron.

But there's no way I could stay calm and watch those dragons taking delight in reaping human lives.
I've brought the people I gathered somewhere safe. Next up, I'm gonna take down many dragons as I could down to my last breath!

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611 How Shortened Can it Be?

Now that the situation is clear, I asked to get a move on but the contact man told me to wait.
Aren't we in a hurry? If they want to minimize damage, getting me there asap is preferable.

"We need some preparations. We cannot afford to have that beast run wild and escape our monitoring. The more wounded a beast the trickier they become. Some will go on a rampage even if it means risking their life. It's not contradictory. Their chance of actually surviving is better when their enemies are dead. It's fierce like nothing you've ever seen."

"Ah, you're saying we gotta encircle it and keep it from running away?"

I quickly digested the contact's explanation. They're currently making prepwork to ensure the magic beast doesn't escape their watch.

"We're setting up traps in the forest. We must be thorough to account for unforeseen circumstances. The village needs to be evacuated if it comes down to that as well."

He's saying that there's no telling what might happen.
Despite being told that the person tasked to kill the magic beast is strong, they're not willing to cut corners with their jobs.
<TLN: Catch the latest updates and edits at Sousetsuka .com >
"Moving out early is not a bad thing. We should go now and do a rehearsal for the decisive battle now. I'll lead the way. Come along."

He said he'd tell me the rest later and left the hut.
We're going on foot while another personnel will take care of our grudoses.

We were in the forest when the contact guy demanded to give me a 'trial'.
It's always like this whenever I go. I'm used to it by now. Probably shouldn't though.

"Sure, feel free to go all out as you 'lead' me to the site. I'll follow you along."

Saying no here will get me nowhere, might as well just accept and get it over and done with.
Better to make him recognize me now than opening up a possibility of him dragging me down later.
Do what I can now, it's important. No matter how trivial the things seem.

After running for about an hour, we arrived at an open space.
The clearing is around 10m in diameter. This place is the only spot with no trees inside this vast forest.
It's similar to Griffon's turf.

"This place is? ...Are you guys planning to lure that beast and let it settle down here?"

They're luring the magic beast here to keep it in check. Surrounded in all directions, it'll be like a trapped rat on the d-day.
The magic beast must have wandered for a long time. Thus it must grow attached to this place, lowering the chance of it running away.

"You're sharp. Our personnel also carry all sorts of magic tools with them. If, I hope it doesn't come to it, you fail and get yourself killed, we have ways to deal with it. Beasts that fought and won against humans are more dangerous, though not quite at the level of a wounded beast. If we don't kill it right there and then no matter what, it could lead to a sharp increase in casualty."

(Well it's gonna be just fine though. I won't get killed unless it's a perfect ambush that gives me no time to enter Acceleration.)

I believe in my power. I'm probably gonna Accelerate the moment I catch a sight of the magic beast and kill it in one hit.

"I ran with all my might. Forget getting shaken off, you're not even losing a breath following me at that speed. I expect great things from you now. That's how it got to be. What was it again? That proverb from Hinomoto country? 'Failing to prepare is preparing to fail'."

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