Chapter 30

30. The Jester, the Hero, and the Parrot (12)

"Oh, I see! There was no need to act after all."

"That's right. He said that once we arrived here, we should follow the fragment of the devil. How can I assist you?"

Grinding.

The sound of Luna grinding her teeth could be heard from here. She also kept her distance from me.

"No, no way! Zero wouldn't do that!"

Even in this situation, Raymond stayed by my side.

I can't understand why he is so loyal.

I haven't done anything.

"Hehe, it's simple. You need to help me establish my roots here."

"Isn't that something you can do on your own? Even though you're in the early stage of corruption, I thought it was possible."

"Ugh! I had an accident before I fell asleep. A holy sword... I never imagined it. That's why I've lost most of my power."

"A holy sword? Where is it?"

"I'm not sure. It was there before I fell asleep..."

The fragment of the devil moved its single eye.

Everyone's gaze followed it.

There, human bones, clothes, and the remains of a broken sword were visible.

"Friend! Friend!"

The parrot let out a scream.

There was no need to hide anymore. It was the remains of Luther.

He fought a fierce battle with the fragment of the devil and died.

That was part of the story created in the game.

"Hehe, you look terrible. Well, I also suffered great damage and had to rest... but now it doesn't matter. You're here, after all."

"How much of your power has been restored?"

"About 20%, I think. The only abilities I can use are corruption and thorny tentacles. Damn, how did I end up like this..."

Black tentacles wriggled around the fragment of the devil.

Tentacles with sharp, needle-like ends. That was his method of attack.

"Can't you move at all?"

"That's right. The power of corruption isn't as strong as it used to be. I can't dominate a space all at once. If you weren't here, it would have been a real problem."

"Hmm, did he give you any other orders? Any plans for the future...?"

"Hmm? The plan was to complete me and then create a clone. I vaguely remember him mentioning another plan in the white plains to the north of the empire... Wait a moment."

The fragment of the devil moved its eye around.

It seemed to be thinking about something.

"But why are you asking about this? You must have more information than I do, being awake."

Ah, that?

Because...

"Hehe, because I am your enemy."

"......!!"

The fragment's pupil dilated.

We could all feel how shocked he was.

"Wh-What! You wicked human!"

"Hehe, you're so naive. Indeed, you are worthy of being called a devil. A race that can't lie as well as humans."

"What are you saying, you arrogant brat! Lying is the devil's domain!"

"Sure, let the next devil come out. Playing with a loser is no fun..."

"You...!"

The egg vibrated violently.

It was a clear sign of real anger.

As I watched it tremble, Luna stood by my side again.

"Good job. I believed in you from the beginning."

"...Didn't you grind your teeth just now?"

"Ahaha... Y-Yeah, it was acting! I would never betray my friend? How was my acting?"

If that was acting, he could become a great actor.

Next, it was Roderlin's turn.

"Zero, answer one question for me."

"Go ahead."

"How did you know that he was a fragment of the devil?"

Did I say that?

It was a mistake. But I had plenty of excuses.

"It was written on the door."

"...On the door?"

"Yes."

I'm not joking; it really was written there.

It said that the fragment of the devil would be temporarily sealed here to give it time to recover.

'There's also a note saying not to wake it for 50 years, but if I read that, it would have the opposite effect.'

The study of demonology is not as advanced as one might think.

Even a little research could get you burned as a black magician.

It's only recently that the need for this field has been recognized.

So, it's best to be careful with my words.

"Damn humans! I'll kill you all!!"

A black aura burst from where the fragment of the devil was.

The roar signaling the start of the battle.

At the same time, a blue window appeared before my eyes.

- Defeat the fragment of the devil.

Reward: 300 EXP, 30 gold

Penalty: Death

This game also has hidden quests.

After all, it's an old game that focuses on quests and dialogue.

This is a generous reward for Episode 1, but I didn't feel good about it.

'A death penalty already? The level difference must be significant.'

The fact that the penalty is death means that there's no worse penalty to give.

What's the point of imposing other penalties like stat reductions after death? After all, you're already dead.

In other words, it's too difficult to clear with my current stats, and it's close to a bad ending.

Perhaps it's a kind reminder to be extra cautious.

'Info Window.'

Level: 39

Strength: 58

Agility: 39

Intelligence: 18

Health: 350

Mana: 250

Alignment: Evil

A creation born from someone's research. It seems to have been made by a skilled individual.

It gradually corrupts and destroys everything around it.

It harbors immense hatred towards humans.

Due to the influence of the holy sword, many of its stats have decreased.

Skills: [Spatial Domination S], [Corruption B], [Demonic Arts B], [Corrosion D]

"I'll kill you all!!"

Whoosh!

A pitch-black thorn shot towards me.

If I were to be hit by that, I would die, as my level is only 12.

But.

'Our guys are pretty strong, you know.'

Clang! Clang!

Roderlin and Luna shattered the thorns heading towards me.

Luna, despite her low level, has stats comparable to a main character.

Since she and I defeated a hidden slime, her level is higher than usual.

'As an attack-specialized character, her attack power is strong.'

While her defense and health might be lacking, her attack power is abundant.

Moreover, the fragment of the devil is in a weakened state due to the holy sword's influence.

So, it's not surprising that Luna could break the thorn in one hit.

"Earth Flip!"

"Island!"

Crash!

Clang!

The earth flipped, and a sword strike flashed.

A stream of blood flowed from the fragment of the devil's body.

The damage was minimal.

The fragment of the devil had set up thorns to defend itself.

"Ugh!"

"Oof!"

At the same time, Roderlin and Luna stepped back.

Not only that, but their arms and legs were tinged with a light purple.

This was due to the fragment of the devil's [Spatial Domination] and [Corruption] skills.

'The [Corruption] skill is at a low level, but the [Spatial Domination] skill makes the damage stronger.'

Specifically, in the area declared as its own space, its stats and skill efficiency are increased.

The currently blood-red ground is the space where [Spatial Domination] has succeeded.

And this space will gradually expand.

'In the game, if you receive the damage from [Corruption] three times in a row, you die instantly.'

Three times in a row.

In other words, if you leave the area once, it resets.

Therefore, experienced players used a method of taking turns to distribute and attack damage with three characters.

'Of course, a minimum amount of health is also necessary.'

After all, you still take damage when hit by [Corruption].

Roderlin and Luna stepped back again.

It's dangerous.

Roderlin might be fine, but Luna's health is on the line.

"Kkkkk! I'll kill you all!"

"Luna, step back. I'll handle it alone."

"Damn...!"

But it's also time for Roderlin to step back.

She has been hit by [Corruption] twice.

As proof, the corruption had reached her neck.

"Everyone, come this way."

"Zero, the area of corruption is expanding. If we delay, ..."

"I have a plan. I'll explain it, so come this way."

Luna immediately stepped back, and Roderlin, after a moment's thought, approached me.

"Kkkk... Humans. It's useless. This body... "

"Could you be quiet? Can't you see we're having a meeting?"

"Arrogant human! I'll kill you right now!"

"I know you can't reach us. You can't move without legs."

"..."

Snap!

The thorn was pulled out but embedded 20 meters away from us.

The fragment of the devil said, "Hmm, it's been a while since I woke up. My joints don't feel the same. I should stretch."

It seemed embarrassed.

We also understood the situation and decided to give it some leeway.

"How is your body?"

"Actually, it's a bit dangerous... Hmm?"

Roderlin moved her body.

Before long, the purple color on her skin returned to normal.

"Since this is the initial form of corruption, it seems different from the one at the edge."

"That's right. The speed at which it consumes the body is fast, but its persistence is poor."

"Hehe, premature, huh. What a pity."

Roderlin's face turned red.

She really has no immunity to such things.

'I'm not premature; I'm just tired from waking up after a long time. Ah, just a thought, but remember it anyway,' a grumble came from somewhere.

Is the devil also sensitive to such things?

"I'll explain the strategy. If you're hit by corruption twice, you must step back. You need to wait outside the corruption area until you fully recover."

"I understand. But the problem is the attack."

"I'll remove the corrupted ground. Please protect me until then."

"...Remove the corrupted ground? That's impossible."

Roderlin was at the edge when the initial corruption started.

So, she knows that corruption cannot be removed.

Only with immense holy power can it be removed, so Roderlin's statement is correct.

But.

"That's not complete corruption. It's an initial type, so it can be removed."

"...Let's say that's true. How do you plan to remove it?"

I smiled and raised my right hand.

There, I held my weapon.

A very large and beautiful... mop.

"Surely, you can't be serious."

Roderlin's expression turned sour.

But she's right.

"Let's clean this dirty ground."

A skill I obtained by paying 100 potential points.

* * *

Parrot's Diary #4

"Friend!"

The ground suddenly collapsed. I flew towards Luther, who was falling.

He was falling much faster than I could fly.

'Damn, damn, damn!'

Thud!

"Ugh!"

Luther screamed.

Fortunately, he didn't die. There were layers of plants that cushioned his fall.

"Friend!"

"Ugh... I'm fine. But what is this place?"

Plants that had turned black.

The entire area was filled with dead plants.

The atmosphere was eerie.

"Huh? That's... "

The ground, dyed blood-red, had a black egg in the center.

"What is that?"

A giant eye popped out of the black egg.

At the same time, a black aura enveloped us.

Dying like this...

Whoosh!

Just as I thought I was dead, a light burst from the sword Luther held.

"Holy sword...!"

"Kaaaah!!"

The black egg let out a painful scream.

At the same time, hundreds of thorns shot towards us.

'Is that the devil...!'

Whoosh!

Whoosh!!

Luther swung his sword, releasing a holy light.

The hundreds of thorns melted and disappeared.

There was no need for further words. The battle had begun.

Clang!

"Damn!"

Luther couldn't get closer. He was only able to block the attacks.

Even though I'm a parrot, I've seen many sparring matches.

There's no chance of winning. We'll lose like this.

Perhaps Luther realized this. He said to me,

"Bring help. I'll hold on until then."

No, I can't. I can't leave you.

We can run together, you idiot!

Perhaps he sensed my thoughts.

Luther smiled brightly and said,

"The children mustn't get hurt."

"..."

"You'll definitely bring help, right?