Chapter 25

The enemies that appear in this game are generally recognized as lacking any complex consciousness. After all, the opponents that have appeared so far have mostly been beasts, attacking instinctively. Therefore, it was nothing more than extermination or hunting, not a battle, but merely a game.

However, an existence that deviated from this norm has now appeared. The demon Geryon and the Undead Knights under his command. The man who led them, while being controlled by the demon, had not completely lost his self-awareness.

"Before I kill you, I have one question."

"You talk big... You really think you can beat me just by taking out those puppets?"

"Of course, what are you asking me for?"

I replied, but the demon's expression twisted again. Well, it doesn't matter. This pest is not an opponent worthy of respect. There's no reason to care about the thoughts of such an opponent.

"Those Undead Knights, were they the knights who challenged you before?"

"...So what?"

"Yeah, just checking."

In other words, this guy was killing those who challenged him and desecrating their bodies. Those knights, instead of dying honorably as warriors, were used by the demon to attack innocent people. I can't just dismiss this as a mere backstory. I can't reduce the suffering of that man who confessed his torment on his deathbed to such cheap words. I know the image of those men who suffered in the midst of battle. But still, this has given me a bit more motivation.

"This is not a duel, nor a hunt. It's just extermination. I won't give your death any meaning; just rot here pointlessly."

"Kuhahaha... You humans are so arrogant, ahaaa!"

Geryon raised his hand and shouted. A massive fireball, about three meters in diameter, appeared above his head. It seems he had been chanting during our conversation. Geryon, with a victorious smile, swung his hand down at me.

"Burn to ashes, you and your head!"

"---*Sword of Demon Slaying*"

The massive fireball hurtled towards me at high speed. I countered with a swift slash from a blade glowing with blue light. The shining blade cut into the incoming fireball, giving me a different, more solid feeling than before.

"Oooh!"

A metallic sound echoed. The blade, infused with force, cut the burning flame in half. The flames passed by me on both sides, not disappearing instantly as before, but burning on the ground behind me. I nodded in understanding as I sensed this.

"Ah, I see. The magic doesn't disappear if it's powerful enough."

"What...!?"

While Geryon was shocked, I checked my own status. It seems that the *Sword of Demon Slaying* can't completely nullify magic if it's more powerful. When cutting powerful magic, it can cut through, but it also takes through damage. Still, it's better than taking a direct hit. Once I understand the nature, it's not a problem. The key is to prevent him from charging up such powerful magic.

"Huff—"

"Shit!"

With a short exhalation, I stepped forward and charged. The distance wasn't that great to begin with. I closed in instantly, aiming to bisect his body, but Geryon leaped backward. However, I had anticipated this move.

*Step—Raging Shock.*

I leaned forward, converting my body weight into propulsion, and kicked off the ground. My speed was incomparable to before. I was already in front of Geryon the moment he landed.

"What!?"

"---*Sword of Life*"

The blade glowed with a golden light. The sword, swung down from a dragonfly stance, was absorbed into Geryon's chest—just before it, it cut off his reflexively raised arm. But the blade didn't stop there. Another swift slash, enveloped in a black mist, was released.

"---*Sword of Seizure*"

"Gah—Gaaaaah!?"

The blade, enveloped in *Sword of Seizure*, cut through Geryon's torso, causing blood to spurt from his left arm. At the same time, HP was restored, and I stepped in to deliver another blow—when a chill ran through me, and I switched the blade I was swinging.

"*Sword of Demon Slaying*!"

"Aaaaaah!!"

A ball of fire appeared between Geryon and me. It expanded instantly and exploded. The blade, glowing with blue light, cut through the expanding explosion, but the shockwave pushed me back. You, a demon of noble rank, are indeed formidable. The magic you cast on the spot is quite powerful.

"Ha, ha, ha... Sir..."

"Damn... Let's start over."

I looked at Geryon, who had lost his left arm and had his torso split. These injuries would likely cause shock in a human, but demons are quite resilient. I didn't intend to torture him before killing him, but he was quite stubborn. Well, it doesn't matter. I'll kill him next time, and if he doesn't die, I'll kill him again. Just a repetition of that.

I set the blade in a dragonfly stance, infused it with a single-cutting sword aura, and stared straight at Geryon.

"You, monster... Are you really human...!?"

"Yeah, I hear that a lot, for some reason."

For some reason, one in five humans who face me say the same thing. It's a foolish statement. The Eternal Divine Art is merely a sword technique for humans to cut other humans. If you want to cling to such words, go ahead.

"I don't need your talk, I'll cut you down."

"You... Let's see how you handle this!"

Geryon shouted and took something out with his remaining right arm. It looked like an ampoule or something. I don't know its properties, but if it's used, it will likely cause trouble. However, the explosion from earlier has opened up the distance too much. If I charge at him now, I probably won't make it in time. I have no choice but to observe for now—when a voice and healing magic came from behind.

"Quon!"

"Are you okay!?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Focus on him."

Ignoring the gathered mica jellyfish, Geryon injected the ampoule into his own body. It was probably some kind of drug. I thought it might be a healing potion, but the hesitation in his use suggests otherwise. What is it, then? I was focused and on guard, and I couldn't help but widen my eyes. Geryon's body suddenly expanded by a size.

"What!?"

"What is that!?"

Geryon's enlarged body tore through his clothes, and his exposed skin turned green. His hands grew into massive claws, and his somewhat neat face transformed into an ugly monster. It was a form that bore no resemblance to his previous appearance, but it was understandable as a demon. Even the arm I cut off and the abdominal wound I inflicted had regenerated, and he had fully recovered.

"Hahaha... Success. I am indeed a genius!"

"What is that... I didn't hear anything about turning into that form!"

"He probably didn't have anyone to push him to this point."

Geryon only used the ampoule when cornered. If he wasn't cornered, he wouldn't use it. The damage he received also regenerates, making him quite troublesome.

"Hahaha! This is the release of my avatar! It's something that only a noble-level demon can use... But thanks to your constant offerings, I was able to complete it!"

"...Ugh. Did it get stronger because players kept losing?"

"We didn't hear about that kind of setup!"

If what蓟 (Ji) said is true, how much has he been enhanced? No one knew, so it can't be helped, but I can understand why the mica jellyfish are complaining. I would have enjoyed it more if a better opponent had used this... Unfortunately, I decided to treat this guy as an 'enemy.' It's troublesome, but I have to finish him off quickly.

"If it looks tough, you guys provide support from the back."

"Quon, you're going to fight him!?"

"Of course, I'll cut him down. I'll use *Sword of Life* a lot, so I need you to handle the healing."

"...Understood, leave it to me."

"Ugh, if I join the front, the healing won't keep up... Sorry, Quon."

"Don't worry, just provide support from the back with magic."

Geryon's transformation was complete, and he moved again. I stepped forward, sword in hand, to meet him. He was now a giant, over two and a half meters tall. It will take some ingenuity to take him down.

"Hahaha, do you think you can win just by bringing along some grunts?"

"It's not necessary, but it does make things easier."

"Haha, let's see how long your confidence lasts!"

With that, Geryon charged at me. The attack was a sweeping slash from his right arm. If I were hit, I'd be blown away or torn apart by the claws—though such an obvious attack wouldn't hit me.

*Step—Phantom.*

I took a step back, kicked off the ground with my landing foot, and moved forward. By performing this without shaking my body, I could make it seem like the attack passed through me. Geryon's claws passed just above my chest, and in the next instant, I was in his guard.

"Huff!"

"Gah!? What—"

I slashed at his right side, but it was shallow. His body seemed to have increased in strength. A normal cut wouldn't be enough to inflict a fatal wound. The green blood was a bit unsettling, but there's no point in worrying about it. Geryon, confused by my speed, reflexively swung his right arm to fend me off. A common reaction for a novice, but with the size difference, it was hard to avoid. So, I crouched to dodge and moved to his knee, swinging my blade.

"Gah!? You—"

"---*Sword of Life*"

I swung my blade from above at Geryon, who was on one knee. I intended to cut off his head, but he reacted quickly, arching his back to avoid the direct hit. However, he couldn't escape the blade. The blade that bit into his shoulder cut through his back, causing blood to spurt. Using *Sword of Life* seems to deal more damage. I confirmed this and jumped back.

"Aaaaaah!"

Naturally, Geryon swept the area where I had been with his arm. It seems that wasn't enough to seriously wound him. However, this demon, while impressive in the upper body, seems somewhat weak in the lower body. He doesn't use kicks, probably because of this. His legs aren't that long, and his arms are much more powerful. Well, not having to worry much about low attacks is convenient for me.

"*Heal*!"

"*Fireball*!"

"*Wind Arrow*!"

"*Dark Cannon*...!"

As I opened the distance, the mica jellyfish launched their spells one after another. Lumin, taking advantage of the situation, cast spells as well. The attacks from the magic specialists were powerful, and the impact destabilized Geryon. His attention was also on them.

"Grunts...!"

"*Sword of Life*"

Of course, I wouldn't miss such an opportunity. I slipped through the explosion of magic and closed in on Geryon again. I wanted to pierce his heart with a thrust, but I wasn't sure if this giant body followed human anatomy. Pulling out a stuck blade would also be difficult. It's troublesome, but I'll have to wear him down gradually. First, the arm he had aimed at the rear.

"Oooh!"

"Y-You—"

Geryon's eyes widened as I approached, but his reaction was slow. He had already started casting magic. There was no way he could react in time. Without giving him a chance to react, my swift slash bit into Geryon's wrist and severed it in one stroke.