Chapter 87

Continuous updates up to this point.

After defeating the baron-level demon Barzest, it was inevitable that a mopping-up operation would follow. In this battlefield, we hadn't properly used the Ghost Cry technique, so the demons were still somewhat aggressive. However, their morale had plummeted since their commander, Barzest, had been defeated. Still, it was preferable that they showed some hostility towards us; chasing them around to slash their backs would be inefficient.

"Hey, you guys, try harder! If you keep being so timid, I'll take all the credit!"

"Hey, Mr. Teacher, you're too fast! Lumina, has it always been like this?"

"Yes, Sister Hizuru, Father was like that just a moment ago."

Leading Hizuru and Lumina, I repeatedly charged into the crowd of demons. This battlefield, unlike a formal battle, had no prior treaty. Surrender was not an option, and even if they did, they should be killed off. I would continue to kill until not a single demon remained in this battlefield. While it might be for the world and for the people—though I wouldn't go that far—this was simply my own desire.

(Though I didn't face any strong opponents, the numbers are satisfying. It's been years since I've been able to vent like this.)

Smirking, I slashed and killed the demon in front of me, then crushed the one I had knocked down. There were still plenty of enemies left, so I wouldn't run out of targets. However, it seemed that some of the enemies were gradually fleeing.

"Teacher, the Slave Beasts are starting to run away!"

"Huh? ...Is it because the demons controlling them are dead?"

"From the names, it seems that's a high possibility."

If the Slave Beasts were indeed controlled and enslaved by the demons, it makes sense that they would flee once that control was gone. Honestly, it's not an ideal situation as it reduces the number of targets, but chasing fleeing beasts is difficult. Moreover, it would take too much time. I decided to focus on the Lesser Demons, feeling slightly disappointed.

Just as I was focusing on the Lesser Demons, a mechanical voice reached my ears.

"Baron-level demon Zelf has been defeated by player [Raison]."

"The demon army within a certain range will be weakened."

"Hey, Hizuru, do you know which direction?"

"The avatar name just now is the clan master of 'Clifot Gate.' That means—"

"West side, I see. I wonder what kind of demon it was."

In terms of time, it seemed reasonable. I hadn't seen other players fight against titled demons, so I had no standard to compare. If it were Altrius, it would have been finished about 10 minutes earlier, but I wasn't sure if this report was fast or slow.

"Anyway, the remaining ones are on the south side... Who's in charge there?"

"The 'Sword Saint Alliance'? They're a solid, reliable group. I think they're the most normal in terms of strategy."

"...I won't deny that I'm not normal, but what about the west... 'Clifot Gate'? What are they like?"

"Ah..."

While continuously slaying demons, Hizuru and I continued our conversation. Lumina, who was still not used to this, was focused on her opponent and didn't have the spare capacity to join in. Hizuru, who had some spare capacity, frowned slightly as she hesitated to answer. Her unusual reaction made me raise an eyebrow.

"What's wrong? Are they a tough group?"

"Yes, they have some... game skills, but in a bad way, like a typical high-level clan."

"Huh? I don't understand, what do you mean?"

"Well... they have quotas within the clan that need to be met, and many of them play for long hours, which is fine, but some of them think they're great just because they log in for a long time..."

"Ah, I see... those kinds of people."

In this game, the longer you play, the stronger you become, which is natural. However, it's clearly not great to think you're superior just because of that. People who boast in the game without doing their real work aren't worth discussing.

"That clan has no joining conditions, so even those who were kicked out of other clans for bad behavior gather there. The clan master doesn't seem to have any intention of governing... it's almost a lawless area."

"Maybe it's better that the leader isn't actively causing trouble, but it's also quite irresponsible..."

In a game with many players, such groups are bound to exist. On the other hand, it's easier to deal with them when they're all in one place. They don't seem like a pleasant group, and there's no reason to actively engage with them. It's best to leave them alone. As I stabbed a demon's chest and pulled out my blade, I sighed lightly.

"To be honest, I'm most worried about this free-style defense quest with those people. It's fine up to a full raid, but beyond that, they start to act without coordination... I'm concerned about whether the city will be damaged."

"Ah, I see. Altrius must have anticipated this."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Nothing, it's not our concern."

The clans that made the agreement can't interfere in other battlefields unless requested. However, this only applies to the battlefields, not to guarding the city. Altrius probably intended to protect and rescue the locals in the western part of the city. If the city is damaged, it's the fault of the clan guarding that area. No matter what the 'Clifot Gate' people say, the responsibility lies with those who couldn't protect it. Complaining after being helped would only add to their shame.

(Indeed, to move to a guard position, they must have defeated the titled demon quite early... meaning they adjusted their actions based on my movements.)

I don't know which came first, but it's likely that Altrius aimed for a two-for-one deal. While it might sound bad, his primary goal seems to be protecting the locals. If he hadn't specified the battlefield format, the situation would have been much more chaotic. Whether the capital would have been damaged or not is uncertain, as I can't handle all the enemies alone. While I think we would have won in the end, the city would have been damaged.

(Well, even if it was according to his plan, I was able to move and wreak havoc as I pleased... I should be grateful for that.)

Even though the battle wasn't as satisfying in terms of strength, defeating two titled demons was a significant achievement. Such a large-scale battle is a rare opportunity. It was highly beneficial for me. If I can do this, I should listen to his proposals in the future. Whether I accept them or not will depend on the situation, but it's worth considering. Anticipating what he might say next, I continued to slash through the demons—just as the voice rang out.

"Baron-level demon Miafa has been defeated by player [Satsuki Mori]."

"All titled demons have been defeated."

It seems the battle on the south side has also ended. I expected the demons on the south side to be weakened, but what followed was a different announcement. All the demons around us, whether moving or dead, began to collapse into black dust, rising into the air.

"Is this...?"

"Father, look over there!"

Following Lumina's voice, I saw black particles rising from the other three battlefields. It seems this phenomenon is happening in all battlefields. The black particles rose into the sky, forming a vortex, and then began to converge into a single point. The vortex gradually shrank, and the presence it emitted grew larger. I couldn't help but hold my breath and smirk.

—I recognized that presence.

"Human, you've done well."

In the vortex of black particles, a demon appeared. Wearing a black leather-like outfit, with white skin visible through the gaps and burning red hair, the demon—Romperia—stared at me with sharp crimson eyes.

"You said you could handle it, so I left it to you... truly disappointing."

"So, did you come to clean up after your subordinates, Romperia?"

"Hmph, it doesn't matter. You and your kind, whether you are destroyed or not, make no difference in the grand scheme."

I narrowed my eyes slightly at her cold words. As expected, this demon's attack was happening worldwide. If her words are true, defending a small country wouldn't make a difference. However, Romperia added something. Her previously cold expression now bore a fierce smile.

"But—you are different, Quon."

"Really?"

"I admit it—no, I acknowledge it. The king's words were true. A human who embodies them does exist. Therefore, you are our true enemy."

These were not fabricated words, but Romperia's personal thoughts. Despite being overwhelmingly superior, she recognized me as an equal enemy.

"Therefore—"

"——!"

Romperia's presence was still faint, but it was more tangible than before. Her figure wavered, and I felt a chill, immediately swinging my blade.

Sword technique—Soft Form, Flowing Water.

In an instant, Romperia appeared in front of me—no, she had teleported. She wielded a red blade of magic and swung it. Reacting immediately, I met her blade, and the weight made me frown. It was an incredible weight, like a massive rock falling. I slightly shifted my position to avoid the blade and immediately counterattacked.

"Blade of Demon Slaying—!"

Her red magical blade was ultimately just magic. If I could cut through it with the Blade of Demon Slaying, I judged and swung. It barely bit into Romperia's blade and stopped. My attack was completely overpowered. My current strength wasn't enough to dispel her magic. The blades locked, and we both stopped moving, but Romperia didn't try to push harder.

As expected... just now, that strike could have killed anyone but you. The 'valuable human' the king spoke of is you.

"What are you saying?"

"It's simple—"

I considered letting go of the locked blades to attack, but if Romperia's blade was free, I would be in trouble. If she wasn't going to attack, I had to endure. As I made this decision, Romperia leaned in close.

"—You will be defeated by this Romperia. My enemy... my sole archenemy."

The blades were still locked. I could make a move now, but I spat and let go of the blade, preparing to attack from close range—just as Romperia disappeared. She reappeared in the sky and surveyed the area.

"You humans have no future. You are destined to be destroyed by us demons. If you think you can resist—continue your futile resistance."

She spoke as if to a stone on the road, likely uninterested in anyone but me. This is the true purpose of our game and our world—defeating the demons who seek to destroy it and reclaim a place for people to live. This is the first and last goal.

"—Farewell. Struggle as much as you can."

The world quest "Demon Invasion" has been completed.

The grand quest "Human-Demon War" has begun.

Battle experience during the event will be reflected in your status.

Event results are being compiled. They will be announced by the GM later.

Rewards will be distributed after the results are announced.

Your level has increased. Please allocate your status points——

Romperia disappeared, and a flood of information began to flow. I picked up my fallen blade and stared at the sky where she had vanished, listening to the announcements.

■Avatar Name: Quon

■Gender: Male

■Race: Human

■Level: 30

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 6)

STR: 24

VIT: 18

INT: 24

MND: 18

AGI: 14

DEX: 14

■Skills

Weapon Skill: [Sword: Lv.30]

Magic Skill: [Enhancement Magic: Lv.20]

Set Skills: [Dead Point Strike: Lv.19]

[MP Auto Recovery: Lv.16]

[Plundering Blade: Lv.16]

[Identification: Lv.17]

[Life Blade: Lv.19]

[Blade of Demon Slaying: Lv.12]

[Tame: Lv.15]

[HP Auto Recovery: Lv.16]

[Life Force Manipulation: Lv.12]

Sub Skills: [Mining: Lv.8]

Title Skill: [Blessing of the Fairy]

■Current SP: 36

■Avatar Name: Hizuru

■Gender: Female

■Race: Human

■Level: 29

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 4)

STR: 24

VIT: 17

INT: 21

MND: 18

AGI: 16

DEX: 16

■Skills

Weapon Skill: [Sword: Lv.29]

Magic Skill: [Fire Magic: Lv.25]

Set Skills: [Battle Aura: Lv.18]

[Spell Charge: Lv.17]

[Fire Attribute Enhancement: Lv.16]

[Healing Proficiency: Lv.11]

[Identification: Lv.16]

[Dead Point Strike: Lv.19]

[Combat: Lv.18]

[Combat Skills: Lv.17]

[Endurance: Lv.17]

Sub Skills: [Gathering: Lv.7]

[Mining: Lv.10]

Title Skill: [Scarlet Sword Maiden]

■Current SP: 34

■Monster Name: Lumina

■Gender: Female

■Race: Valkyrie

■Level: 3

■Status (Remaining Status Points: 4)

STR: 25

VIT: 18

INT: 32

MND: 19

AGI: 21

DEX: 19

■Skills

Weapon Skill: [Sword]

Magic Skill: [Light Magic]

Skills: [Light Attribute Enhancement]

[Light Wings]

[Major Magic Resistance]

[Medium Physical Resistance]

[Major MP Auto Recovery]

[Wind Magic]

[Magic Circle]

[Boost]

Title Skill: [Servant of the Spirit King]