Chapter 72

An unexpected intruder, or rather, A-rank adventurer Soeides.

He and I once opposed each other over a promotion exam in the Rubrum Kingdom.

Since then, he had disappeared, and no one knew where he was...

Now, he appeared here to fight alongside me!?

But his attitude doesn't seem to be that of a comrade.

"Stay back, <Skillless>! I will defeat that demon!"

It feels more like he's trying to steal the credit.

There's no sign of repentance.

"By the way, what have you been doing all this time?"

You, who almost caused the Rubrum Kingdom to sink into the sea, are now wanted in his country.

...To be honest, you're treated like a wanted criminal.

"Stop making my mother cry and turn yourself in?"

"Exactly because of that...! If I repel the demons here and save the Guild Headquarters, the credit will be invaluable...! It might even erase all the failures I've accumulated in Rubrum...!"

His intentions were clear.

"Recalling the Recolis Councilor's help would result in being locked in a hidden room like a prisoner. I won't rely on anyone! I will brush off the sparks that fall on me with my own strength! I should have the power to do so! I am an A-rank adventurer!"

Though he speaks as if he's been unjustly involved, most of it is due to his own actions, isn't it?

The collapse of Rubrum's dungeon and the arrival of Okeanos with a tsunami were all due to your discrimination against <Skillless>, weren't they?

"Hmph, and these demons don't seem to be much. One was easily defeated by <Skillless>, another is being toyed with helplessly, and the last one stands there like a giant tree. The demons that the world fears are nothing more than this. It's just a bluff."

"Is this your first time seeing a demon, Soeides?"

"Then, with my strongest skill, I shouldn't lose! <Skillless>, stay back! The hero of this place will be me!"

Well, if he can drive the demons back and claim the credit, that would be the best for him.

This is a chance for Soeides, who has fallen to the level of a criminal, to turn things around.

But it seems too reckless...

'Why are humans all so stupid?'

The demon Senitansa's comment is understandable.

'Everyone thinks they can defeat us demons. Their foolishness is laughable. They will soon realize their mistake.'

"Shut up, evil demon! Witness the skills of Soeides, chosen as an A-rank adventurer!"

Alright.

I'll just watch for a while.

I don't want to be accused of stealing credit.

"My shoulder, broken by <Skillless>, has been fully healed by recovery magic! No one can defeat the perfect me! Not even demons are an exception!"

"You were in perfect condition when I defeated you, weren't you?"

"Shut up!"

Perhaps annoyed by Soeides' out-of-place performance, Senitansa looked exasperated.

'Why are humans so stupid? Well, it doesn't matter. Since I have to kill you anyway, it's the same amount of work. I will boast of killing you with my own hands to prove it.'

He concentrated some power in his outstretched hand...

"<Wind Cutter>"

He released it.

A blade of air manipulated by wind. An attack spell.

But Soeides didn't flinch as he received it.

"<Vector Reflector>!!"

The wind blade he received with his body reflected like light off a mirror, returning in the opposite direction.

It headed towards Senitansa, but as a demon, he simply waved his hand and the magic dissipated like mist.

'Hmm...'

"My strongest skill, <Vector Reflector>, reverses the direction of any force that touches me and reflects it! This reverses any force that tries to harm me back to the enemy! It doesn't matter if it's a physical or magical force!"

He explained his skill proudly, as he did when he fought me. It's indeed impressive.

"That's why no one can hurt me! With the skill that makes me the strongest shield! Not even you demons! How about it, are you starting to fear humans!?"

'Indeed, it is terrifying...'

The demon said with a confident tone.

'...But your naivety in thinking this is the strongest is what's truly terrifying.'

"What...!?"

'Can you call it the strongest defense just by perfectly blocking physical attacks? There are many ways to destroy someone besides just hitting them. For example...'

Senitansa muttered something.

Immediately, its effect appeared, and Soeides groaned in pain.

"Ooohh! Gaaaahh!"

'If physical attacks don't work, switch to another method. Haven't you ever fought an enemy who thought of such things? Even lowly humans can use skills or magic that affect the mind, right? Of course, my <Confusion> is far more powerful.'

A skill that affects the mind... or rather, an ability?

When I checked Senitansa's status, there was indeed a <Confusion> ability among his many abilities.

It likely affects the enemy's mind, causing hallucinations or confusion.

But if a demon uses it, it has enough power to destroy a human's mind, which is inferior in terms of race?

"Ugh? Haa... haa...!"

It seemed the <Confusion> was lifted, and Soeides panted as if waking from a nightmare.

...Did the demon lift it?

'Breaking a human doesn't just mean smashing them. It's a method that a shallow and narrow-minded human could never think of.'

"But what...!"

'However, it would be a shame if you thought the power of demons was only this much. Let me show you another way to break your proud skill.'

"Ridiculous! My skill is the strongest! I am confident it is on par with the hero of the church! The idea that it can be countered so easily...!"

...

...

It's cold.

Not in the sense of being boring or uncomfortable, but literally cold.

The temperature around us seems to be dropping.

My breath is turning white.

It's definitely getting colder.

'Humans probably find it hard to understand higher-dimensional concepts. Heat is the movement of molecules that make up matter. Do you understand?'

No, not at all.

'The more intense the molecular movement, the higher the heat; the slower, the lower. Cold air means the molecular movement of air or matter is slowing down. The movement slows until it stops. This is the ultimate low temperature, <Absolute Zero>.'

I don't understand what the demon is trying to say.

But somehow...

Soeides' skill, <Vector Reflector>, reverses the direction of any force coming towards him.

So, to use the skill, a direction of force is needed.

But if the coldness, as Senitansa says, is due to the slowing and stopping of molecular movement...

There would be no direction of force in something that has stopped...

'Your proud reflection ability is useless if you can't define the direction of the force to reflect. Freeze to death in shame for your naivety.'

"Ah, aaaaaah...!?"

'<Absolute Zero>'

The demon Senitansa's ability activated.

"Kyaaaaaaah!? Freezing? Freezing!? My body is freezing uuuuuuuhh!?"

'Ahahaha! The low temperature I control as a Duke-level demon is not like the ice on a pond! It's <Absolute Zero>! The ultimate low temperature that completely stops molecular movement! Nothing can withstand it! This is the power of a high-level demon!'

Even so, it takes time for the temperature to drop, and Soeides' body is turning white.

His body is covered in frost.

If this continues, Soeides will freeze to death in a few seconds.

No matter how strong his skill is at repelling all attacks, it can't handle the temperature that constantly covers his body.

'Freeze and shatter. This fulfills one of the divine decrees.'

However, Soeides didn't freeze to death.

I interfered.

I quickly rubbed his body to warm it up.

Friction heat!!