Chapter 52: Tension (Part 1)

A huge explosion erupted from beneath the creature’s feet.

The explosion, along with the intense flash and noise that obscured my vision, made me cover my ears and create a

shield of shadows, hiding behind it to avoid the blast.

It was a bit dangerous, but this was the surest way to finish off an unknown entity, so it couldn’t be helped.

“It wouldn’t be strange for a magical beast of this dungeon to ambush us.”

I had been thinking it was strange that the difficulty of the dungeon suddenly dropped.

It wasn’t strange at all.

Throw strong magical beasts at the beginning, and if the opponent dies from them, the game is over.

If those magical beasts are defeated, release weak magical beasts from the middle to make the opponent feel that

there are no stronger magical beasts, and at the end, a hidden strong magical beast ambushes the player.

I frowned, thinking it was probably this kind of dungeon.

It’s vicious.

As expected, the purpose is to kill humans, just like the previous Demon King.

Srrr.

I watched the shadow return to my feet and shifted my gaze forward.

Anyway, the creature was hit directly by Leticia’s magic just now, so it must be dead…

Ka, Kagagak…!

“…It’s not!”

I can’t see it with my eyes.

It was a good thing that I reacted to the sense of crisis that my instincts screamed, making the shadow into a sword-

like shape and holding it in my hand, instantly taking a defensive posture.

The ‘thing’ that reached me in front of me at a speed I couldn’t follow with my eyes, breaking through the black

smoke, swung its sword from top to bottom.

Clang!

The swords collided, creating a harsh grinding sound.

In a situation where neither side was backing down, I could clearly see the appearance of the ‘thing’ that emerged

from the darkness.

The eyes of the ‘thing’, dressed in black from head to toe as if it were one with the darkness, were burning red.

Only the eyes are visible.

While I was momentarily distracted by the strangely captivating red eyes, the guy’s sword dug a step further into my

embrace.

“You’re looking away while our swords are clashing? Do you think I’m that easy?”

“You, you can talk…!”

“I can. Haven’t you seen a magical beast that can talk? If so, that’s a shame. Well, I’m not a magical beast.”

That’s not what’s important right now.

After clashing swords a few more times and engaging in a power struggle, the guy added in a fierce tone.

“You should know. Looking away during a battle with a skilled opponent is an act that leads to losing your life.”

“That’s funny. It sounds like you’re saying your skills are above mine.”

“…In both strength and swordsmanship, you are below me.”

“Is that so? I may have become a little weaker, but I’m not in a position to be looked down upon in swordsmanship.”

Well, there are occasionally such demons.

Stupid demons who are intoxicated by their own skills and don’t properly understand the difference in skill with their

opponent.

“You’re a demon, aren’t you?”

Different magic from magical beasts, an appearance similar to humans, red pupils, and excellent language skills to

the point of being able to communicate with humans.

Then there’s only one answer.

He’s in league with the demon who made this dungeon.

Of course, I should capture him alive, but I don’t have to worry about that right now.

It’s just a shame if I kill him. With a chilling gaze, I glared at the guy, wrapped my hand in shadows, deflected

his sword, and swung it Greatly  from bottom to top.

The ‘thing’s’ two eyes widen.

As if repaying what he did earlier, my sword, leaving a long wound across his chest from bottom to top, scattered

blood at its tip.

“Cough!”

“I’ll acknowledge your skill in hiding your speed and presence. But if you want to say you’re above me, at least kill the

Empire’s Sword Saint first.”

Because if it’s not like that, it’s not fun.

I wanted to say something like this at least once, and the corners of my mouth were raised high.

It’s not something to brag about, but even a Sword Saint had to yield before Damian Radius.

Damian Radius of the Heavenly Demon.

Embarrassingly, the alias meaning ‘demon sent by the heavens’ was a source of teasing from party members,

including Leo, but it was a name and executioner that inspired awe and respect in other humans, and fear and hatred

in demons.

I additionally kicked the ‘thing’s’ empty abdomen.

I was worried that my legs, which had become shorter since becoming a woman, might be a hindrance at times like

this, but there was no need for such concern.

Because I have skills.

The shadow that wrapped around my leg like armor accurately kicked the ‘thing’s’ abdomen.

Cough. With a shallow groan indicating a significant blow, it flew away and crashed into the wall with a loud crash.

Unless you look closely, you won’t know, but the area presumed to be the lips, covered by a black mask, was stained

red, indicating that it had coughed up some blood.

Moreover, it was hit directly by Leticia’s explosion magic.

If it were an ordinary magical beast or demon, it should have stopped moving, let alone breathing.

But the ‘thing’ is alive.

And it’s in pretty good shape.

The black clothes stained with scorch marks, cuts, and blood are noticeable, but the ‘thing’ is still moving.

Watching the scene quietly, I didn’t approach the ‘thing’ hastily.

It looked like it was about to die, breathing heavily with its chest heaving, but I couldn’t let my guard down.

It should have ended with that blow.

I used all my strength, even using shadows, to land a blow on him, but I couldn’t kill him.

And although I spoke confidently, when I swung my sword from top to bottom, he subtly twisted his body and

avoided my sword.

A fatal wound that is not fatal.

That’s why I didn’t swing my sword for the next blow, but kicked him away.

If I had swung my sword, he might have counterattacked.

If you let your guard down for even a second, your life is gone.

That’s what a fight with a strong opponent is like.

I stood there and observed the ‘thing’s’ movements.

And suddenly, the ‘thing’ burst into laughter, staggered, stood up, looked straight at me, and said.

“……Kuh, haha. Sword Saint…?”

“….”

“Yes. I was puzzled when my master told me to be careful. If we ambushed and killed just the sage, the plan would be

partially successful. I was puzzled when my master suddenly told me to be careful of you, who wasn’t in the plan.”

But now that I’ve fought you, I understand.

“Thank you for letting me realize that you, whose origin, race, and even past are all suspicious, are a dangerous

existence, as my master said.”

The ‘thing’s’ red pupils curved roundly.

It was disgusting to see him smile as if he was genuinely grateful, but I asked.

“Who is your master that he would tell you to be careful of me? I’ve been living as an ordinary academy professor all

this time. Well, I have a rough idea of who it might be, but I wonder if I’m right?”

“I wonder. I’m not one to speak loosely, but when it comes to my master, my lips are sealed.”

“It doesn’t matter. There’s a magician here who can extract memories from your corpse after you die, so all I need is your corpse.”

“……!! Ha! Leticia Lisyantus!”

At the same time as he spat out those words, the ‘thing’s’ body began to be crushed to the ground.

Cough. Leticia quietly appeared next to the ‘thing’, which was emitting painful groans, looked at it coldly, and raised

the corners of her mouth crookedly.

“I’m offended you forgot about me.”

“…Cough…Da, mn…you…!”

“You’re amazing. To be able to talk while enduring that, you must have quite the endurance. Well, considering you

endured Charlotte’s sword head-on, you do have good endurance.”

Seeing Leticia’s expression as she spoke with an eerie smile, I was once again thankful that I wasn’t her enemy.

If I were her enemy, I would have gotten goosebumps all over my body the moment I saw that smile.

I thought I would have been so scared that I would have run away immediately, and I watched Leticia and the

‘thing’s’ actions from a step away.

Leticia, who had been staring down at the ‘thing’, slightly waved her staff to increase the intensity of the gravity

pressing down on him, then took a few steps back and bent her knees to match the ‘thing’s’ eye level.

Regardless, Leticia asked the ‘thing’, which was now struggling to breathe due to the increased pressure crushing its

body, a question.

“You, what’s your name?”

Magical beasts may not, but demons have names.

Leticia added, to which the ‘thing’ scoffed.

“……Hmph. Cough, you dmned btch…! A…hunting…dog……doesn’t…have…a…name……!!”

“What a bad master. If someone asks your name, you should answer. He’s not a good master if he can’t even teach

you this basic courtesy.”

“…Don’t…insult…my…master……Don’t…insult……my…master!!”

The ‘thing’ glared at me and Leticia with bloodshot eyes.

Then, it suddenly burst into mad laughter and shouted.

“You don’t know. This…is just the beginning……No matter how much you try to stop it, the determination of those

who want war is beyond what you know…!”

The words were not continued.

Splat. With the sound of something squishing and bursting, the ‘thing’s’ body exploded.

As if she couldn’t listen to any more of his bullsh*t, Leticia, with a deeply furrowed brow, increased the intensity of

the magic, and the creature’s body, unable to withstand it, squished and burst.

It was a gruesome sight, but neither of us showed any reaction beyond frowning.

We’ve seen worse sights during the war, so we’ve become accustomed to it.

Bodies exploding and dying are actually quite common in war.

Still, it’s not a pleasant sight.

The ‘thing’s’ body exploded, and purple blood splattered everywhere, but both of us were fine.

I was already a few steps away from Leticia and the ‘thing’, and Leticia had multiple layers of defensive magic around

her body.

“Leticia. Wouldn’t it have been better to capture him alive?”

“No, even if we had captured him alive, we wouldn’t have gotten any information. A curse was placed on his heart

that would stop its function if he said a certain word.”

“……These guys are serious.”

“They are serious.”

I didn’t expect them to thoroughly engrave a curse on their subordinate’s body to prevent information from being

leaked.

In the end, we couldn’t even find out his name.

The creature must have known that the curse was engraved on his heart.

And knowing that, he still shows such loyalty.

Moreover, if there are many guys with that level of strength, this war might be more intense than I thought, I

thought, looking at the sunken ground and adjusting my clothes.

Demons and humans can never get along.

My mouth felt bitter for some reason.