Chapter 24

Returning to the town of Riblem was, in the end, a matter of timing.

The reason was, of course, that I had been trying to push Lumin's level to the limit.

Naturally, with the gates closed, it was impossible to challenge the boss right away.

Therefore, I logged out that day and planned to coordinate the time for the next day to tackle the challenge.

And on the following day, after changing the date, I waited at the North Gate of Riblem with the mica jellyfish.

"But... taming monsters is quite interesting, isn't it?"

"―――?"

Lumin, who was sitting on my shoulder, tilted her head at my words.

Smiling at her, I recalled the moment just before I logged out yesterday.

I was a bit worried about what happened to Lumin while I was logged out.

However, when asked, Lumin landed on my hand as if to say there was no problem, and her body transformed into a crystal ball with a white tinge.

It seems that tamed monsters can be taken out and put away in this way.

Well, large tamed monsters can't be taken everywhere, so such measures are necessary.

"There's still a bit of unease about challenging the boss... but I guess it's fine if Lumin supports from the back."

Lumin's level is still low. As a fairy, her health is inherently weak.

If she takes even one hit, she might die.

While she has some resistance to magic, her low base health means she can't afford to be careless.

In short, it's safer if she stays in a position where she won't be hit by enemy attacks.

I chuckled as Lumin pressed her cheek against my palm while sitting on my shoulder.

"Well, you can just sit on top of the thistle hat. It's safer that way."

"... Shouldn't that be on top of my head, Quon?"

"You'd make me too worried about Lumin and slow me down."

In response to the voice from the side, I shrugged.

When I looked over, Rino was glaring at me with a somewhat resentful expression.

I can understand her feelings, but it's troublesome if she's too focused on my head during the boss battle.

"Alright, everyone's here now."

"Sorry, I'm a bit late."

"You're still on time, so it's fine. It takes longer to prepare with four people, after all."

After confirming that the four of us were together, I moved away from the gate where I had been leaning.

I had already bought the amulet for myself the day before, and there were no other items I needed.

The preparations for challenging the boss were complete.

"Let's go, then."

"Yes, please take care."

We exchanged pleasantries and set off towards the area where the boss awaited.

The distance wasn't that far, but it would be a waste to exhaust ourselves before the battle.

I reminded Lumin to be careful as we moved forward.

After a few minutes, something changed.

"The sky... it's getting eerie, isn't it?"

The sky, which had been clear in the town of Riblem, began to be covered by dark clouds just a few minutes after we started heading north.

However, it didn't look like it was going to rain; the thick clouds only blocked the sunlight.

It was a scene that didn't seem natural at all.

This could be just a stage effect, or perhaps a manifestation of the demon's power. If it's the latter, it could be troublesome.

I sensed something approaching and turned my gaze in that direction.

"Hmm, enemies? I don't think we're in the area where demons appear yet."

"... Why do you notice enemies before I do, big brother?"

"I'm sensitive to hostile intent. But this is a rather ominous presence."

A hostility that seemed to hate everything, not just me.

It was a feeling I hadn't experienced much before. I rarely encounter beings that emit such indiscriminate hostility.

Well, the fact that it's not entirely absent makes me reflect on the depth of human malice.

As I thought this, I focused on the direction of the hostility and saw three figures approaching unsteadily.

No, those are—

"Zombies, huh."

"Yeah, undead appear around here."

■Zombie

Type: Monster, Undead

Level: 10

Status: Normal

Attribute: Dark

Battle Position: Ground

From the identification results, it seems they are exactly what they appear to be.

Their slow, unsteady movements don't seem particularly threatening.

However, the hostility in their murky eyes was different from that of previous enemies.

It was a feeling of hatred, as if they viewed all living things as enemies.

While they don't seem dangerous as enemies, they are more like pests. I tightened my grip on my sword—

"―――!"

Before I could strike, Lumin had already fired a series of light arrows.

The light arrows, which became available after leveling up, are fast and have good penetration.

The arrows, which cut through the air and are efficient in terms of MP consumption, pierced the zombies' chests and heads one after another, rapidly depleting their HP.

"Light magic is effective against their weakness."

"Ha... I guess I don't need to do anything."

I didn't sheathe my sword but lowered its tip and sighed.

For Lumin, these slow-moving zombies on the ground were easy prey.

I was confident that she could defeat them all without my intervention.

While the undead that appear near the boss might be tougher, it's still useful to exploit their weaknesses.

By the time I finished thinking this, the zombies, which had been writhing like puppets pierced by light arrows, had fallen to the ground with their HP depleted.

"―――!"

"Good job, Lumin."

When I poked her with my finger, Lumin seemed pleased and playfully nuzzled me.

Rino, who was watching from the side, had a slightly embarrassed expression, but I ignored it—

"But Lumin, be careful of your MP. Even if it recovers, you'll run out if you don't pace yourself."

"―――!"

"Right, be more careful next time."

Satisfied with Lumin's nod, I collected the items dropped by the zombies.

The girls seemed reluctant to get close, but leaving the rotting corpses around would be a nuisance.

While they would eventually disappear if left alone, it's not a pleasant sight.

However, I didn't find any significant items. These monsters seemed to have no real benefits other than being easy to defeat.

"Maybe we can just ignore the zombies? We can run and avoid them."

"Well, that's true... using Lumin's MP would be a waste."

In response to the mica jellyfish's suggestion, I shrugged and nodded.

While they might be good for leveling up Lumin, there's no real benefit for our party.

We need to consider the others since we're acting as a group.

Our goal is the demon, and there's no reason to engage these enemies.

So, we can just move forward. I decided and started walking north quickly.

As we moved forward, the sky gradually darkened, and the air became heavy.

In the oppressive atmosphere, I noticed the stone pillars ahead.

But—

"What is it?"

"Quon? Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing in particular..."

Lumin, who was running beside me, asked, but I couldn't answer and furrowed my brow.

Looking at the stone pillars, I felt a sense of unease. It felt different from the last time we fought the wolves.

But I couldn't explain what was different.

At least, there was no visible change.

"I can't explain it well. I feel something is off, but I can't pinpoint what it is."

"Is that so? I don't feel anything special."

"... I don't feel it either."

It seems the others didn't feel anything.

While it might be just my intuition, I can't do anything if I can't explain it.

For now, I decided to ignore it and quickly approached the stone pillars.

"Alright... are you ready?"

"Yes, anytime."

"We've come this far. Let's be the first to defeat the boss."

"Yay! We'll be the first!"

"... We have a good chance. I'll do it."

The girls were enthusiastic and determined. It's natural to be motivated when aiming for a goal no one has reached yet.

Satisfied with their readiness, I picked up Lumin from my head and placed her on the thistle hat.

Despite her usual cautiousness, she seemed a bit pleased when I put her down.

No matter what, she's still a girl. I smiled slightly and turned my attention back to the front.

"Then, let's go."

"Understood!"

Laughing at their synchronized response, I led the girls through the stone pillars.

In an instant, several figures appeared in our field of vision.

Five figures in armor, and beyond them, a man in a white robe.

The armored figures wore the same design, and four of them had helmets.

But the one standing in the back, in the center, revealed his face—his murky eyes filled with the same hostility I had felt earlier.

And the man in the white robe, standing at the back, smiled at the sight of us.

"Oh, oh, oh. I thought I wouldn't see you for a while... but you're visitors from another world, aren't you?"

"... A demon."

"Indeed. I am the 114th Baron, Geryon. Remember me."

Saying this, the demon—Geryon—bowed politely.

But the malice in his gaze was directed at us without a hint of hesitation.

Indeed, demons are enemies of humans.

"I appreciate that you can communicate. Thanks to you, I understand a lot."

"Hmm, what do you understand?"

"That you are nothing more than pests, like the rotting corpses outside. Keeping you alive serves no purpose. It's best to dispose of you quickly."

Geryon's cheek twitched at my words.

It seems that insults do have some effect. In any case, this level of analysis is sufficient.

I focused my mind and prepared to cast a spell, slowly stepping forward.

"Me, a puppet...? Don't be so disrespectful, human."

"Your polite demeanor is crumbling, low-level demon. You are exactly the same, causing nothing but harm. Die quickly."

"Hahaha! You insolent fools! You will die... and I will play with your bodies, just like those puppets!"

Shouting, Geryon spread his arms.

Instantly, a black magic circle appeared at his feet and spread rapidly, covering the entire area.

It was impossible to avoid. This is probably the debuff we were warned about. If we take it, the battle will be difficult—but it will also reveal if we meet the conditions.

As I thought this, my chest glowed. It was the holy seal I was wearing.

"What... is that—!?"

The holy seals and the amulet rings we all carried began to glow.

The bright light illuminated the dim surroundings and created a golden emblem above our heads.

It was the emblem of the Admina religion.

The glowing emblem illuminated the ground where we stood and erased the black magic circle at our feet.

"Impossible... you, mere humans! My research—"

"【Sharp Edge】, 【Hard Skin】"

I ignored Geryon's rant and, enveloped in a faint red and blue glow, ran towards the undead blocking our path.

■Undead Knight

Type: Monster, Undead

Level: 14

Status: Normal

Attribute: Dark

Battle Position: Ground

■Undead Knight Leader

Type: Monster, Undead

Level: 19

Status: Normal

Attribute: ???

Battle Position: ???

It seems our opponents are all higher level.

But thanks to the light, their movements seem much slower.

Even without that, I'm confident I can handle five of them—our goal is the demon. Let's finish this quickly.

Sword technique—Gentle Form, Flowing Water, Finger Cut.

I struck the handle of my sword against the sword of the Undead Knight who was swinging it down.

Using the impact to change the trajectory, I slid my blade inside and cut off the Undead Knight's wrist.

This technique, originally used to cut off the opponent's thumb with a short sword, still works effectively.

I then crouched deeply and kicked the ground to pass under the severed arm.

As I did, I cut the Achilles tendon of another Undead Knight and continued forward.

"Quon!"

A warning from the mica jellyfish behind me, but I had already sensed the attack.

Sword technique—Gentle Form, Flowing Water, Flowing Change.

I entangled my sword with the sword thrust at me, pulled the opponent closer, and swept his feet.

Diving under him, I made the Undead Knight spin and fly away.

He flew towards another approaching Undead Knight, causing them to collide and fall.

Only the leader remained. I swung my blade at the motionless opponent—

"―――!"

Just before cutting off his head, I stopped.

I could sense a hint of rationality in his gaze, which was fixed on me.

Glancing at my chest, I saw the holy seal of the Admina religion.

It seems this power allowed him to retain a slight consciousness even after death.

"W-What are you doing! Kill that man!"

"G, G..."

The man's body was trembling. It seems he was using all his strength to control his movements.

If he was resisting the demon's command, he probably wouldn't last long.

Then—

"Is there anything you want to say?"

"――! My daughter, the captain... I'm sorry, I—"

"I'll take care of it."

Sword technique—Gentle Form, Zero Cut.

I thrust my sword and, using only the strength of my waist and upper body, completed the execution of the proud knight.

The severed head, eyes wide with shock, closed peacefully in the next moment.

As the remaining body fell, I repositioned my blade and addressed the stunned group.

"Hey, you guys. I'll leave the remaining four to you."

"Ah... I'm sorry! Quon—"

"Of course, I'll take care of that dust."

In front of me was the demon, glaring at me with disdain.

Let's see—let's cut down that arrogance.