Chapter 144

Mud violently flung everywhere.

However, the kick of the black horse’s hooves pierce through the mud and our pace was reliably steady.

Has the temperature gotten lower?

The breath leaked out from Slei’s mouth like a white smoke as it drifted to our backs.

Seeing us suddenly turning and heading straight towards them, the monsters showed bewilderment for a moment.

However, they were now already…

“Did the prey finally decide to stop running away?”

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—delighted as they too advanced towards us.

Tugging on her bridle, I directed Slei to turn to the left.

With Pigimaru’s tentacles, I scattered out my Abnormal State Skill diagonally to the right.

A group of monsters followed suit as we changed our direction.

Some of the monsters magnificently slipped in the mud.

Everytime the monsters rolled over, mud wrapped around their body as if forming a shell around them.

However, the monsters who had fallen were just a drop in the ocean compared to the amount of monsters following behind them.

There were only a few of them who have fallen to the side.

……This would be a tough battle just for one person.

[Do you like acting like a human that much, you bastards?]

Perhaps, these Golden-eyed monsters really like them— Humans, that is.

At that time back when I was in the Disposal Ruins, I had vaguely noticed it.

Those monsters’ attachment to humans.

It may not just be limited to the monsters in that ruins.

“Humans” were mouth-watering toys for monsters and the Human-Faced.

They have high intelligence.

Sometimes, they would possess a sacred noble will.

Some other times, they would express their ugly, evil emotions.

Whether it’s breaking them…

Damaging them…

Playing with them…

They’re the perfect toys that they could ever have.

Their targets may even include Elves or Leopardkins.

[Well, there are also Humans that want to make other Humans into their toys……—– <Dark>]

The monster who has lost its sight falls down on the mud.

Splasshhhh!

Abnormal State Skill.

Range.

Effect.

Within these two points, <Paralyze> would be the easiest one to use.

The skill’s maximum range.

There’s a wide range of choices I could pick on how to deal with them after I paralyzed them.

However, this skill has a weak point that would sometimes become fatal for me.

In order to activate a skill, it is necessary for me to speak the skill name with a certain volume in it.

And, <Paralyze> is the only “three syllable skill” among my skills.

(T/N: Originally five character skill for pa-ra-ra-i-zu)

That means— It takes more time to invoke this skill compared to my other skills.

I have tried rapidly speaking its name before to invoke it in the past.

However, it didn’t invoke.

I need some adjustment in the speed when you speak of this skill’s name.

In short, “quick-casting this skill by rapidly speaking” isn’t possible.

And that slight difference of seconds uttering that “single syllable” could distinguish victory and defeat against a formidable enemy.

For this reason…

[<Dark>]

Regardless of the effect of this skill, the skill that I could invoke the fastest would be <Dark>.

In fact, <Dark> would be the only skill that I would be able to hit the Human-Faced after changing directions.

They had already assumed that I would use <Paralyze> or <Berserk>.

However, a “single syllable word” suddenly came out of my mouth.

Naturally, their reaction was delayed.

As a result, I took away their sense of sight.

Confused, they fell down on the ground and dragged the monsters around it.

This is also a result that I had expected.

After they got used to the 3 syllable word and 2 syllable word, I suddenly attacked them with a 1 syllable word.

The reason why I have held back on using <Dark> before is for this moment.

This is one of my hidden cards.

It seems that I’m successful with this plan.

However, <Dark> only takes away the target’s sight— it can’t kill them.

Attacking with all that I can, I flee, run, scamper and ride away— while shooting my skills towards them.

However, I feel like the amount of monsters hasn’t decreased from what I’m seeing.

More and more, the distance away from the monsters had been getting closer.

However, it will be just for a bit longer.

The number of trees that have been knocked down is beginning to be noticeable.

I’ve finally returned to the area that we’ve passed earlier.

Slei, who had been showing fatigue, squeezed out her remaining strength and sped up even more.

Just a bit more.

And then…

[We made it.]

We’re finally within range.

This is the spot where I’ve scattered my paralysis a while ago.

This is where I’ve paralyzed dozens of monsters that have been stuck.

———Badump———

An intense heartbeat resounded.

I dislike this.

A Human-Faced.

I could see a Human-Faced that appears to have been paralyzed.

The monsters surrounding it must have been trying to intercept or delay any hindrances huh.

Or is it that its abilities were lower than before?

No, it doesn’t matter.

The reason why doesn’t matter.

All that matters is the fact right in front of my eyes.

It’s only the fact that there’s a Human-Faced paralyzed over there.

I observed the Human-Faced for the time being.

Exuding anger, filled with frustration, and overflowing with hatred.

Based on what I see, I’ve judged that the probability that it’s just a camouflage is quite low.

It’s not pretending to be paralyzed.

Therefore…

[<Berserk>]

Without reservations, you could now die.

With the Human-Faced leading the group, I invoked Berserk on the other paralyzed monsters following it.

Ear-piercing hoarse screams arose around the place.

A geyser of blood sprayed towards the skies.

The spouting blood mixed along with the rain, making the nearby area rain in monster blood.

<Your level has increased.>

Like a black bullet bathing in the bloody rain, we continued running.

<Lv 1903 → Lv 1921>

I took a glance at my status display.

My MP has completely recovered.

[………………….]

The crystal ball behind Slei’s neck caught my eyes.

Its light has slightly weakened.

I had been worried about this for a while now.

Perhaps, her third form gradually consumes the magic energy she had stored.

She would need sustained magic energy in order to maintain this form.

It’s not just the combination technique with Pigimaru.

Slei also needed to be continuously supplied with magic energy.

I poured my magic energy into the crystal.

After injecting my magic energy, her running speed slightly improved.

Lowering my posture, I whispered into Slei’s ear my instructions.

After I finished saying my instructions, I said.

[The crucial moment is about to come. Can you endure it for a bit more?]

[Bururururuuuu!]

“Leave it to me!” or so I feel like she cried out.

I gently caressed Slei’s neck.

[……………….]

Are you both ready?

I asked Pigimaru and Slei.

However, Pigimaru and Slei could escape when they needed to.

They’re a monster and a magical beast.

If they were to get their distance from me, the two of them might be able to successfully escape from these monsters.

Poke poke

I could feel Pigimaru’s slightly tough tentacles poking my shoulders.

[Hmm?]

[Piii!]

A cry that sounds like he’s rebuking me.

……Don’t tell me… DId he guess what I’m thinking about?

The worst thing that could happen would be that I would make Pigimaru and Slei escape.

I loosely held Pigimaru’s protrusion.

As if I’m making him feel relieved, I gently caressed him with three of my fingers.

[You understand it yourself, don’t you? I’m a gentle person… I rescued you back when you were being bullied.]

[Pyuuuu…]

“Funnnn….” I snorted.

[Idiot, why are you thinking like I’m going to die?]

[Puii?]

[It’s just that I was thinking about one of my plans until it’s the end. Moreover… Until I could make that f*cking goddess cry out until she can’t anymore, I will not die…]

[——Puiii!]

The startled Pigimaru suddenly signalled.

There’s also some of Pigimaru’s “roots” on my back.

Up until now, he had been telling me the direction and distance from the monsters behind my back with his roots.

[……They’re near.]

They can’t be avoided,

I can’t escape from them anymore.

I look up in the sky.

[………………….]

This heavy rain could possibly be fortunate for us.

The rain washes away our scent.

It makes it easier for us to avoid the monsters that track us by scent.

Depending on the method, we could even easily erase our presence.

The strategy that we will be using from here on out would be to repeatedly raid and retreat.

We will disperse the enemies little by little as we withdraw, then assault the isolated enemies when we find an opportunity.

It’s a strategy that’s quite similar to crushing enemies one after another.

I make Slei turn around.

It’s a really splendid turn filled without any wasted movements.

The efficiency of her eight legs were quite astonishing.

Her multiple legs allowed movements that wouldn’t be possible for a four-legged animal.

Her eight legs were assisting each other.

What’s noteworthy though is her tight turn earlier.

A tighter turn allows her even finer movements.

Therefore, it increases the efficiency of our evasion.

[……Fuuu.]

I stabilized my breathing.

For the time being, refining magic energy takes a toll on my body.

However, I don’t have the leisure to worry about the fatigue it brings.

[My MP should be enough…]

After that…

[—would be us, killing each other.]

▽

While the mud soaked in rainwater splashed about as Slei leaped through…

[Gyoruuueeehhguegyoooruuuaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh——-!]

Screams of monsters resounded around one after another.

Slei dashed through the curtains of rain as we sweeped enemies aside.

The leaves flying around stuck on my mask.

I quickly cleared them away with my hand.

The situation in the area has now turned into a semi-melee battle.

As a result of our repeated raid and retreat, the flock of monsters has considerably dispersed.

Is it because we had repeatedly appeared and disappeared?

It appears that the monsters started to be confused.

Running away as we conducted scattered attacks also functioned as a constraint for them.

The monsters that felt like they were strong had stopped taking it easy and began getting closer to each other.

However, the fact that I’m surrounded still hasn’t changed.

Because of the heavy rain, I could no longer sense the distribution of monsters around me.

While moving, I found an area brimming with bushes around.

This area should be easy to hide in, right?

……Though I say that, it’s not a hiding place where monsters would overlook.

The sound of ruffling leaves resound as the raindrops fall on them.

There aren’t any signs that the rain would stop anytime soon.

[Hufff—–…. haaahh…. haahhhh……—–ffuuuuu.]

I’m also a little short on breathing.

There’s a small wound on the back of my hand.

It was a scratch from a branch that cut me while we were moving.

These small scratches were more severe especially when we’re moving through the thickets.

[……There’s two huh.]

There are two of them chasing us from behind…

It feels like the both of them were Human-Faced huh.

Then…

[Guruuuaaahhh!]

Suddenly, a monster jumped out from a thicket a few distance in front of us.

[—-!? Tsk!]

I paid too much attention to the two monsters in the back.

Our response towards it is delayed.

At that moment…

[Hiihhhyyyyyyyiiiiinnnnnnnnn!]

Slei raised her large forefeet.

And then….

Splat!

She kicked the monster’s face with her huge hooves.

Slei’s kick pushed through the monster’s head and crushed it.

And as her forefeet touched the ground, Slei raised her speed again.

Fwoooosssshhhh!

[……Well done.]

[Bururururu!]

▽

Fwish!

Slei jumped out of the thickets.

After a brief moment, two medium-sized Human-Faced also jumped out of the thickets and chased behind us.

[Behind us.]

Pigimaru’s protrusions flew out towards the two Human-Faced following us behind our backs.

Taken by surprise, the two medium-sized Human-Faced tried to step away from my range.

However, I’m faster.

Pigimaru’s protrusion flew in between them and separated the two of them.

[<Paralyze>]

Kneeling on the ground, I hid behind the bushes.

There were some simpletons within the Human-Faced.

Even though I wasn’t riding on Slei, they didn’t notice it immediately.

They were trying to chase behind the black horse running through the rain without any doubts.

That was— the opportunity that I needed.

I went towards the collapsed Human-Faced and put an end to its life by making it go berserk.

<Your level has increased.>

<Lv 1921 → Lv 1929>

My MP that was less than half fully-recovered.

If I needed to kill them without wasting time, I could only use the Paralyze and Berserk combo.

On the way, I invoked <Poison> to some of the monsters that still haven’t died but…

I quickly ride back on the returning Slei.

[……There were still some of them coming closer while waiting for the others to approach.]

I don’t know the exact distance from where they are though.

I lightly exhaled.

It’s quite hot.

It’s because I’m sweating buckets.

As a matter of fact, there had already been some close calls since the start of this melee battle.

Our opponents are those monsters that the Golden Demon Zone were famous for.

If someone were to relax their guard, they would be quickly eaten.

Riding on Slei, we immediately ran away.

The presence of those monsters that I’ve felt has started to get far away.

But first, we need to think about how to break through this encirclement—-

——-Shudder——-

[——!!! Slei, lower your head!]

While saying so, I also lowered my body as much as possible.

Swoooooosssssshhhhhhhh!

[———Ah?]

Something… popped out of our way?

For instance, that could be—

A huge scythe.

Looking back around, I saw that thing shred through the trees around us.

The trees that have lost their support began losing its balance and started falling down one after another.

Slei jumped forward, avoiding the trees fallen on the ground.

Something reaped through those trees.

[Gyorurururururururuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii——-!]

A gigantic monster with both hands resembling the blades of a scythe bellowed from a distance.

The tip of its tentacles also had a sickle-like form.

Beyond the rain, I could only see the silhouette of its main body.

[This f*cker… It managed to reach where we are even in this distance?]

There were only the corpses of the two monsters I met before nearby.

The rain was washing away the blood of those corpses.

I saw a humanoid monster stumble about as it walked with its head missing above its neck.

In the slashed section of its neck, blood ceaselessly flowed out…

[Pii!]

[Yeah, I know…]

A sickle flew towards me.

This time though, I had already sensed it coming.

Just like before, I threw my body to the side and avoided its attack.

While dodging to the side, I kept a lookout on its two scythes.

Then…

Thuddd!

All of a sudden, a gigantic Human-Faced appeared.

It’s a humanoid Human-Faced.

It has a large mouth with strangely thick lips.

Its face looks like it’s screaming out its sadness.

It has a bizarrely thick body hair.

There appears to be countless amounts of earthworms in the part where its hair was supposed to be.

……I think Seras would faint when she sees this.

The nails in the end of its rugged hands were large and sharp.

[Tsk… Another one appeared huh.]

However…

[Ugurugiiieeeeggaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa———–!]

[Gyorururururururuuiiiiiiiii———!? Gyoruuuu!? Gyoooo….]

That one—– began attacking the monster with two scythes.

The Human-Faced bit on the gigantic monster.

Looking closely, the attacking Human-Faced is bleeding on its flank.

[Ah, I see. That Human-Faced got mad after being wounded by that monster’s scythe huh…]

[Kaburuuaaahhhh! Gabuuuuu! Buchhiiiii!]

The monster with two scythes’ body were being bitten off one piece after another.

[Guooo…… Gyoruueeeee……]

The voice of the monster with two scythes began getting weaker.

“Fuuuuuu…” I exhaled.

[A good opportunity…]

▽

[—-<Paralyze>—–]

Without the two of them noticing, I erased my presence and I took a roundabout path

[Higiieeehh!?]

[Gyoruuu….!?]

Human-Faced.

The monster with two scythes.

[I’m sorry for this…]

The fisherman would be the one profiting from this.

[I’ll be fishing away both of your experience points.]

Invoking <Berserk> towards them…

As blood spouted out like grand fireworks, I got past both of them.

<Your level has increased.>

<Lv 1929 → Lv 1966>

I felt the nervousness loosened out of my body.

[Haaahhh…… Haaaaahhhhh….. Fuuaaaahhhh….]

Even as I level up, the fatigue in my body won’t disappear.

……That would be too absurd in that case.

Originally, my combination technique with Pigimaru would be the decisive battle and it would last for only a really short time.

The burden on our bodies has been becoming more severe that it’s become as visible as looking at a raging fire.

[Hmm?]

The forest with the cut down trees in the opposite direction caught my attention.

I could see the silhouettes of the flock of monsters behind it.

Were they drawn in by the sound of the monsters that I’ve just killed?

Or were they drawn in by the gruesome geyser of blood?

Perhaps, these guys were now licking their tongues as they waited for me to weaken.

I could feel the oppressive atmosphere of a prey being cornered out towards the wall.

[Fuuaahhhh… Fuaaahhh…. Haaahhhaaahhhh….]

Is it because the temperature has dropped?

The breath I exhaled out was white.

[……………..]

There’s no particular reason.

Somehow, I turned my attention towards my status display.

<Touka Mimori>

Lv 1966

HP: +5898

MP: +64478 / 64878

Attack: +5898

Defense: +5898

Physical Strength: +5898

Speed: +5898

Wisdom: +5898

<Title: E-Rank Hero>

E-Rank Hero.

It all started because of this idiotic title.

Slei’s speed increases.

Pigimaru spread out his tentacles even further.

Therefore, hereafter, with this idiotic power I have—-

[I will trample everything down.]

We started charging towards the flock of monsters.

This would only end with a massacre.

[I will kill you all.]