Chapter 5

The Demon God –

It is a transcendent being summoned from another world.

Only a select few magicians of the Gaiaus Empire can summon and control it.

The power of a Demon God is said to be unparalleled, and it is rumored that a higher-level Demon God can destroy an entire city on its own.

"That's the underling of a Demon God, huh."

I muttered.

"Yeah. You can imagine its combat capabilities."

Liza nodded with a serious expression.

"You're planning to join the front lines ahead as reinforcements, right? I won't let you. That's why I was dispatched."

The Manticore smiled on its wrinkled face.

"I'm different from the knights who ambushed you earlier."

The moment he said that,

Crack!

A sound rang out, and the sword in my hand broke and flew away.

"What–!?"

What just happened!?

Crack! Crack!

Furthermore, the swords of the knights in other places shattered one after another.

Was this the work of the Manticore–?

"That's a dangerous one. Captain, this guy is dangerous!"

Tack said to Liza with a frightened face.

"We should retreat and look for a detour."

"...No, it's too late."

Liza shook her head.

"If we run recklessly, we'll be attacked from behind."

"Then... I'll buy some time..."

Tack ran forward.

"It's dangerous. You should fall back."

I hurriedly called out to him.

This is the same pattern as before.

Moreover, the enemy is much tougher than the knights from earlier.

"...I'm a member of the knight order too. I can buy some time–"

Tack's face was filled with determination.

Even though he's young, he's a knight.

He's ready to fight, I guess.

But– that's why I don't want him to face the danger.

He's still a young man in his teens.

"I'll buy the time. You escape with Liza."

I chased after Tack.

This is the role of the older ones.

But Tack shook his head when he turned around.

Suddenly, a bad feeling ran through me.

"Run, Tack. I'll–"

"Marius is a key combatant. The enemy is unknown, so I'll go first."

He was unexpectedly stubborn.

Tack raised his sword and charged at the Manticore.

I ran with all my might, but the ten meters or so felt incredibly far.

"Hmph, overconfident. Don't think you can easily buy time."

The beast smiled.

"I'm just fulfilling my duty– [Quadruple Thrust]!"

The weapon skill activated.

Crack!

The tip of Tack's sword, which had split into four at super high speed, shattered into pieces.

"Ugh...!?"

"It's over– [Rending Void]"

The beast smiled and muttered.

"Stop it!"

My scream was too late.

Puff...!

A strangely light sound rang out, and Tack's head flew off.

So easily–.

The young knight was reduced to a headless corpse, lying on the ground.

"Tack...!?"

I stood there in shock.

Suddenly, the reality hit me.

This is war.

The person I was talking to just a moment ago–.

It's not strange for them to die in the next instant.

"I know... damn it...!"

My chest hurt.

I could feel how shaken I was.

This is a battlefield.

If I let my emotions get the better of me, I'll be the next to die.

I need to pull myself together.

As quickly as possible–

"Tack!"

Liza shouted.

"How dare you harm my subordinate!"

She raised her sword in anger.

"[Plasma Blade]!"

A shining slash wave shot out from the blade she swung down.

"Hmm, a Rank 3 attack skill. But–"

The Manticore smiled.

"[Rending Void]"

The skill activated again, and the light slash wave was easily dispersed.

All the times it shattered our swords, when it decapitated Tack, and now when it countered Liza's skill, it was all due to this [Rending Void].

I finally understood completely.

"That's a Rank 3 skill that can attack through space. A versatile skill that can be used for both offense and defense– your attacks won't reach me."

The Manticore gloated.

"Who's next? I'll kill you one by one."

The beast stared at us.

"Damn..."

Liza took a step back.

The knights behind her also had frightened faces.

"Attacking through space–"

Indeed, it was a terrifying ability.

No matter how much I could grow with my skill, could I really deal with such a superhuman attack?

–No, wait.

When I leveled up after fighting Tack, I gained a new skill.

"I'll take him on."

I stepped in front of the Manticore.

"Marius?"

Liza and the other knights looked surprised.

"Hmph, to not be intimidated even after seeing that. Did the death of your comrade make you lose your head? You're just a foolish human."

"Comrade...?"

I muttered.

I only met Tack an hour ago.

He might as well be a complete stranger.

His death might not have anything to do with me.

"But... but–"

He was mustering the courage to fight the empire.

He had his own reasons to fight.

But he was killed so easily.

"The living must– carry on. His thoughts– his will."

"What are you talking about?"

"You wouldn't understand."

I glared at the Manticore.

"Everyone, don't interfere. I'll take care of this."

I declared to Liza and the Second Squad knights.

Right, I'll settle this one-on-one.

...Watch from the other side, Tack.

"Hmph, take care of me? Don't get too cocky."

The Manticore sneered.

"I decapitated the man earlier, where should I cut you?"

Boom!

A sound rang out, and the ground at my feet exploded.

That was another [Rending Void] attack.

I couldn't see the attack coming.

Reacting after seeing it wouldn't be fast enough, and there's no way to defend against an attack that travels through space with normal means.

A transcendent attack befitting the name of a beast.

But–

"Arm? Leg? Or internal organs? I'll let you choose your favorite part."

I took a casual step forward.

"First, the leg– [Rending Void]!"

The Manticore shouted.

The space-jumping attack that took Tack's life.

I couldn't sense anything, but an invisible blade was supposed to cut my leg–

Crack!

At that moment, sparks flew from my feet with a popping sound.

"What...!?"

The Manticore looked surprised.

"Defense skill [Defender]– for 184 seconds after activation, a defensive barrier covers the target."

I smiled back.

And its effect is to completely defend against attack skills up to Rank 5.

"Your space-jumping attack won't work."

I noticed it after seeing it a few times.

[Rending Void] comes when the Manticore smiles.

Whether that's the skill activation condition or just a habit, I don't know.

"No matter how powerful a skill is, showing it too many times is a mistake."

If I can predict when the attack will come, I can defend with a skill.

"Hmph... A time-limited defense skill is nothing to be afraid of. I'll just use [Rending Void] again after the effect wears off."

"Then I'll kill you before the time runs out."

Saying that, I kicked off the ground.

"Ha! Even in close combat, I have the strength of dozens of humans!"

I easily dodged the claws and tail that were slammed at me.

"What, too fast–"

"See you."

I countered with the broken sword, slicing off the Manticore's head.

One strike– and it was over.

"To take down the Manticore so easily–"

"I can't believe it, to defeat a beast alone–"

The knights were amazed.

"...I've avenged you, Tack."

I looked at the headless corpse lying beside me.

"Tack..."

Liza murmured with a somber expression.

But she quickly regained her composure,

"Let's move on. The Third and Fourth Squads are likely struggling."

I and the other knights nodded quietly.

At that moment, a message appeared in the air again.

'Victory over 1 beast, gained 2500 experience points'

'Skill effect increases experience points to 2,500,000'

'Total experience points increased from 1,626,000 to 4,126,000'

'Level increased from 45 to 61'

'Experience points needed for next level: 40,400 remaining'

'Obtained weapon skill. Check details in a separate window'

"This time, it's a weapon skill."

I checked the details and moved on with the knights into the forest.