Chapter 7

"Ha!"

"GAHHHHH!?"

Shinya's attack was extremely fierce. The Red-Faced Oni not only received the attacks passively but also tried to crush Shinya with its powerful arms. However, none of the attacks hit him. Shinya saw through them and dodged them with certainty. The attacks from the powerful arms, even the aftereffects, caused considerable shock to the surroundings, but Shinya defended against all of them with talismans.

"That's too weak."

Indeed, the Oni's strikes were fast and heavy. If hit directly, a human body would burst like a pomegranate.

However, Shinya had various combat experiences in another world. He had also received training from the Warrior King of the Hero Party and was praised for his natural talent. On the other hand, he was told that he was below average in handling weapons, including swords, which left him with a somewhat mixed feeling, though he kept it a secret.

Shinya's main attack method was striking with his fists. He had foot techniques, but he rarely used them. It wasn't that he couldn't use them, but he felt more comfortable with his hands, which was just a matter of preference.

Moreover, since he couldn't release his spiritual power externally, using his hands allowed him to directly apply it to his opponent, making it more effective. Using his feet would risk damaging his clothes and shoes, which could lead to injury.

Furthermore, there was a reason why Shinya was called the guardian of the Hero Party in the other world.

"!?"

"Try to break through this talisman if you can."

When Shinya raised his palm, a talisman moved to it and created a massive defensive barrier. The talisman formed a geometric pattern like a magic circle in front of him, completely blocking the attack from the Red-Faced Oni's right arm, which was enhanced by demonic power.

"Amazing! To block that attack head-on!"

Suzu couldn't help but exclaim. Having experienced that strike herself, she clearly understood how excellent Shinya's defense was.

This talisman not only blocked the shock but also dispersed and neutralized it. Otherwise, even if he could block it, the shock would have blown Shinya backward.

However, most of the Red-Faced Oni's attack's power was dispersed, and Shinya received no shock or damage.

In the other world, Shinya had taken on the role of a tank. Whether he was at the front or using talismans to defend his allies from a distance, he could protect the rear, including the Holy Maiden and the Great Mage, while being at the front. His defensive power was the best in the Hero Party and the strongest in history.

"With this defense, I can easily block your attacks. And for the attack..."

He clenched his left fist and slammed it into the Oni's side.

"GUHAA!?"

"That's a bonus!"

He then concentrated spiritual power in his right hand. The concentration of spiritual power made Shinya's fist glow.

"GUHIGAA!?"

He pulled back his fist, which had been driven into the Oni's abdomen, causing the giant body to rise and be blown backward.

"No way!?"

Suzu was astonished by the unbelievable scene. A human, even a demon hunter, could not punch a top-tier Oni and send it flying.

"Why can you punch an Oni and send it flying with your bare hands!?"

"Anyone can do it if they infuse their punch with spiritual power, right?"

"There's no way! Even Father and Uncle can't do that!"

Suzu shouted in anger at Shinya's words.

Using brute force with spiritual power might not be the most commendable, but its simplicity made it extremely powerful.

"Well, at least I know this is an effective attack. This should be enough to handle most demons."

"No, it's clear that you're stronger than us. And you don't even have a spiritual weapon, yet your attacks are more powerful than mine or Mizuha's?"

Shinya had overwhelmed an opponent that they couldn't defeat even with amplifiers. It was obvious that Shinya was stronger.

"GAHHHHH!"

But the Red-Faced Oni, which had been blown away, roared again. Its demonic aura intensified, and its muscles swelled as if trembling with anger.

"No way!? It's still getting stronger!?"

"Sure. I'll see this through."

For Shinya, waiting for the opponent to power up was unheard of, but he judged that he could handle it even if it became stronger, and he still had a hidden ace up his sleeve, so he decided to let it happen.

He wanted to determine the cause of this abnormal growth, or rather, evolution.

(This thing is clearly off. The cause is probably that gem on its forehead. I need to investigate what it is and how far it can go if it keeps getting stronger.)

That's why Shinya deliberately let it happen. However, the transformation would come to an abrupt end.

"GUHIGAAAAAA!"

Suddenly, the Red-Faced Oni began to suffer. It held its head with both hands and vomited gastric fluid.

The swollen muscles rapidly shrank, the overwhelming demonic aura dissipated, and its body shrank to the size of a human before collapsing.

The gem on its forehead shattered, and the Red-Faced Oni died. Its body crumbled like sand, turning into a mass of demonic aura that scattered. Only the blackened ground remained.

"What happened?"

"There are a few possible reasons, but one is that the gem on its forehead caused it to become too powerful, and the backlash from that overpowered it. Its body couldn't handle the rapid enhancement."

"So what was that gem on its forehead?"

"Who knows. If Rikuki is right, this thing was originally a mid-level demon. It grew, or rather evolved, to the highest level at an incredible speed. It was probably an amplification device to increase the demon's power or some kind of food."

But all of this was speculation. The evidence had all disappeared.

"If it didn't originally have it, then someone or something must have implanted it."

"Who could have done that?"

"There's not enough information to make a judgment. But whoever it was, they're extremely dangerous. Not only could they create such a thing, but they also implanted it in a high-level demon and thought it through. It's all just too dangerous."

Suzu agreed with Shinya. If this could happen elsewhere, it would be a threat to demon hunters.

"I'll report this to Father immediately."

"That's a good idea. As for the Star Guardians, I'm not sure if they'll believe me."

Whether they would believe him was questionable. If he explained, he would be asked how he survived such an encounter.

"Let's do this. This thing self-destructed, and you bought us time. If you report it that way, the Star Guardians will accept it. Please do that."

"Huh!? What are you saying! We're alive because of you! Why should I take credit for your work! And there are things I need to ask you!"

Suzu confronted Shinya. She had a lot of questions.

"Calm down. I'll explain everything, including why I have this much power. But for now, let's say it's your work. It will make things smoother."

It was obvious that the other clan members and demon hunters would be more convinced by Suzu, a member of the main branch of the Hinono clan and a spiritual weapon user, than by Shinya, who was called a dropout.

"Besides, they didn't see me fight. No one would believe me even if I told them."

"Are you doing this on purpose?"

Suzu suspected that Shinya had intentionally kept them unconscious to hide his strength. Shinya didn't say anything, which only deepened her suspicion.

"Ah! I knew it! Why are you doing this! Show them! Show them how strong you are! Make those who looked down on you realize it!"

"I don't plan to do that. I'll reveal it eventually, but not now. Besides, isn't it embarrassing? Showing off your strength to those who looked down on you?"

"Why not? Aren't you upset? And if you're strong, you don't have to hold back. It depends on how you became strong, of course."

If he had gained his strength at the cost of others, it would be a problem, but if it was through effort, he should be proud.

"Shinya, did you gain your strength through some unspeakable method?"

Suzu's gaze became more intense. She didn't think he would do such a thing, but she had to ask. She couldn't figure out why he was hiding his strength.

"Don't look at me like that. I didn't gain my strength through any unspeakable means or by eating innocent people."

Whether people would believe him was another matter. Explaining that he was summoned to another world by a god, spent four years there, and became strong, and that he returned younger and with only five minutes passing in this world, would be hard to believe.

If someone told her such a story, she would seriously wonder if they were mentally stable and suggest they see a doctor.

If Suzu said such a thing, people would look at her with pity.

"I'll explain everything later."

"Really? I won't forgive you if you lie."

"Understood. But whether you believe me is up to you."

"Depending on the content, I might not mind if you publicize it. I don't think it's embarrassing to be proud of your strength."

"I have my reasons. For now, let's say it's your work. You can consider it a favor."

"Actually, I think I did you a favor."

Suzu sighed and reluctantly agreed.

"Fine. I'll do it, but you have to explain everything when we get back."

"Sure. Let's lift the barrier. But be careful."

"What for?"

"I have a feeling we're being watched."

"Really?"

"I'm not sure, but it's possible. Stay alert even after the barrier is lifted."

"Got it. We'll be careful with our conversation too."

She was perceptive, which was helpful.

"Right. I'll also put a talisman on you. This talisman has a concealment spell. When you use it, you'll be invisible, but for now, it will just hide the talisman."

"That's a high-level spell, isn't it? How can you use it so easily? I'm starting to doubt if you're really Shinya."

Shinya chuckled at Suzu's skeptical look.

"An imposter, huh? How about I tell you something only Shinya and you know? Like when we first met, and you were in the park..."

"Ah! No! We agreed not to talk about that!"

"Then how about this: in my family's bath..."

"Wait! Please! I said I'd forget about that! I get it! You're definitely Shinya! Yes, it's decided!"

Suzu's face turned red as she shouted to stop Shinya from saying more.

"I'm glad you understand."

"Ugh. I feel like I dug my own grave."

"Don't worry. Just be careful. We might be attacked suddenly."

"Got it. I'll stay alert. What about them?"

"Let them sleep. I'll wake them up if nothing happens."

Shinya attached a talisman to Suzu's back and lifted the barrier.

"..."

"..."

Suzu looked at Shinya silently, and he nodded, indicating that they were still being watched.

But after a while, the feeling of being watched disappeared.

"It seems they're gone."

"What was that?"

"I'm not sure. It might have been a surveillance of some sort, but I don't want to get involved in anything more troublesome."

Shinya sincerely hoped so, but unfortunately, they were already caught up in a man's revenge plot, though they didn't know it at the time.