Chapter 1

【Zelfart the Steel King】

【The god of steel. The third monster. The pinnacle of all inorganic monsters. Bearing a name that means rejection in ancient language, it is the guardian of the holy maiden, the Spirit King. Possessing overwhelming power that renders all techniques, from technology to magic, meaningless, it is a creature capable of tearing apart a star with its own body, one of the mightiest monsters. It usually spends its time in the Grand Hall, its territory, but when the time comes to fulfill its mission, it will unleash all of its unparalleled martial arts, unmatched in this world.】

Oh no... Zeo's mind was filled with those words alone.

Its status is likely on par with Nodess, and the sheer number of high-level skills it possesses makes it ridiculous to even check. Its bright red eyes and the blue flames rising from the gaps in its armor. With not two but six arms, the oppressive aura this monster, resembling a suit of armor that moves on its own, emits is so overwhelming that it makes one feel as if the true god of war and calamity, Asura, has descended.

“Gobbuu…!”

Zelfart's oppressive aura is clearly understood by Gobmar. Despite holding his Goblin Sword, he is retreating step by step, drenched in cold sweat. Both Zeo and Gobmar can sense that if they turn their backs and run, they will be cut down.

（Goblin Sword... a nostalgic sword. It seems you are also one of those guided by the bond of that couple. You, who possess the potential of a Demon King.）

（You're saying things I don't understand at all, and we're completely left in the dark... Do you know Edward Crunch, who made the Goblin Sword, and his wife? ...No, more importantly, how do you know I have the potential of a Demon King?）

Responding to the telepathic skill echoing in his mind, Zeo spoke back in his head. In the stopped time, he lightly checked Zelfart's skills but found no skill that could reveal the other's skills or titles.

（From the beginning, the Green Goblins who possess the Goblin Sword have been told by Edward to assist those who hold the Demon King's proof, the Skill of Evil Tree. The fact that the current Gobmar is aiding you, a different race, means just that.）

（How do you know all this...）

Confused by how Zelfart knew all this, Zeo watched as Zelfart retracted the oppressive aura emanating from his body.

（...Since you don't even know why I know this... it seems you have come here without any knowledge. Then, this challenge is invalid.）

With those words, Zelfart turned his back.

（Leave now. Though you have the potential, there is no trial for those without resolve.）

（Wait, wait a moment!）

Zeo called out in a panic, but he flinched at Zelfart, who stopped and turned around. If he angered this one of the strongest monsters, he would almost certainly be killed. ...However, Zelfart was confident that he knew what Zeo wanted to know. Enduring the oppressive aura, Zeo asked.

（Edward Crunch and... probably his collaborator, Latias Maple, foresaw that I would come to the ruins, the nest of the Green Goblins, and set up a complex trap. I died in another world and was reborn as a monster in this world.）

“...”

（You knew that too, right? If you know that, you must know why I was reincarnated in this world.）

And the white woman who appeared in his daydream, everything. Zelfart, who possesses a description deeply related to the King's Authority Skill, must know. With such expectations and certainty, Zeo asked, but Zelfart cut off his gaze and replied coldly.

（It would be meaningless for me to tell you everything. Even if you heard the story, you wouldn't have any real sense of it.）

（That... well, maybe so.）

（...Have you faced someone with the Divine Authority Skill?）

“Huh? Ah, yeah, I know about the Divine Authority Skill. I fought one.”

（Then that's enough. If you want to know everything, go meet all those who possess the King's Authority and Divine Authority Skills. The answer you seek will be found at the end of that journey. What you think and do after obtaining it... is your freedom.）

...In the end, it's back to square one. It seems he has no intention of answering the core questions.

However, since he had the opportunity to talk, he didn't want to end it without any gains.

（Wait! I have more questions.）

（...What?）

As Zelfart was about to leave, saying the conversation was over, the Steel King sighed and sat down on a nearby rock. It seems he intends to answer, even if it takes a while. Despite his cold demeanor, he might actually be considerate.

...This guy, is he a tsundere?

Zeo had that impression.

（I want to ask various things within the range you think is okay... There's a big monster called Lukifugus that comes and goes in this Grand Hall, right? ...Is that monster the result of someone with the King's Authority of Rejection turning into a monster?）

（Indeed. Whether it's a King's Authority Skill or a Divine Authority Skill, an overly powerful skill is beyond human control. A skill that causes such a transformation, changing even the race, is unprecedented... but it only happens under certain conditions. If you've fought someone with a Divine Authority Skill, I assume you understand the signs?）

Recalling when Lily transformed into Metatron and when Watanabe became Raphael. Both times, Zeo continued to attack them...

（When cornered...? Do those with King's Authority or Divine Authority Skills go berserk when they feel their life is in danger?）

（...Half of it is correct. I don't know what that person thought or what led to such an end.）

（The other half?）

Zelfart remained silent. It seems he has no intention of answering the question... in his words, it would be meaningless to hear it now.

（Let's change the question. Is there a human ghost living in this Grand Hall, like Lukifugus? It seems to have the King's Authority of Indifference, but now it's been taken by a man with the Divine Authorities of Understanding and Compassion. I'm trying to contact that ghost, Mathias, thinking he might have some clues.）

（...I see.）

Zelfart lowered his gaze and folded his six arms as if deep in thought. The three short words he uttered seemed to carry a sigh of pity.

（...Are their souls imprisoned again in this life...?）

（Huh? Did you say something?）

（It's not something you need to worry about now. ...What you should be concerned about now is the battle with that man who wields the Divine Authority of Understanding, isn't it? Otherwise, you wouldn't think of training in this Grand Hall, and your eyes clearly show a determined fighting spirit.）

It seems he sees through everything. Nodding, Zeo was asked by Zelfart in a stern voice.

（But I also sense your urgency, as if you don't have time. It's not just the gap in strength with that person... don't you feel the need to become stronger immediately?）

It's very bad for Luana, whom Zeo has decided to save, to stay with Karl and Lukius, who are clearly up to no good. Depending on their mood and thoughts, she could be killed at any time.

Therefore, Zeo needs to achieve the next evolution and significantly boost his stats. If he does...

（Even then, you won't be a match for him. You need to evolve and level up further.）

Zeo felt as if his innermost thoughts had been read. By experience, evolving gives a chance to defeat Karl, but it's not certain.

Karl, a resident of the human world, wouldn't normally step into a place where monsters like Zelfart and Nodess, who possess extraordinary strength, reside. Although he seems calm now, once he starts his brutal acts, he will raise his stats to a level where no one but Zeo can stop him.

...If his target ever reaches Charlotte and Senel... thinking about that, Zeo can't afford to lose the next battle.

（Zelfart... no, Mr. Zelfart... no, Great God Zelfart.）

（...What are you doing? Suddenly becoming so humble.）

Time is running out. Time to become stronger. But Zeo, who came up with a way to solve it all at once, used the "Contraction" skill to shrink his body, lowered his gaze below Zelfart's, and assumed a kneeling position, touching his chin, stomach, and arms to the ground—Chimera-style dogeza.

Beyond the gates guarded by Angyou and Ungyou, at the deepest part of the Grand Hall, which has a status similar to Nodess's territory in the forest, stands Zelfart, the pinnacle. If he could get Zelfart's cooperation, it would definitely be possible.

A method often used in Earth's games to quickly level up low-level characters. A dream-like training method that is practically feasible in this world where level and strength are directly linked, and base stats increase with each evolution.

（Please level up me and Gobmar! I beg you!）

In simple terms, Zelfart would corner a monster stronger than Zeo and Gobmar, and they would finish it off when it's weakened, gaining experience points. This hyena-like behavior is only justified by kindness. Some might... especially someone like Zelfart, who seems to be a strict warrior, might reject it, but it's the best method to break the current deadlock.

Zeo wanted to level up through karma, but the conditions were unclear. He had significantly leveled up by punishing those who bullied Charlotte and Senel, but punishing Lukius, who bullied Luana, didn't raise his level. He couldn't keep trying uncertain methods.

Ignoring his pride and everything else, Zeo bowed his head in reality. Gobmar followed suit and did a dogeza. Looking down at the two monsters, Zelfart quietly asked—

（...What is "leveling"?）

（Oops. I accidentally used a term from Earth's games.）