The End of Aggro is Obsession (1)
Just as I was hacking my way through the forest, I heard the sound of flowing water.
I chased the sound frantically, and soon enough, a valley appeared before me.
I slowly made my way down along the stream.
The water meandered through the valley before merging into a wide, massive river.
At the end of the river, a colossal waterfall—reminiscent of Niagara—gathered all the water into one place and sent it plummeting downward.
"Whoa... the view is absolutely killer..."
I wanted to explore further downstream, following the flow, but I decided against it, reminding myself that I was currently in a war zone.
After taking a moment to survey the scenery, I noticed the sun was high in the sky.
"Better head back before it gets too late. I should return before they start throwing a fit about me being tardy..."
I grumbled to myself and began the slow trek back the way I came.
My body, pushed to its limits from running to avoid being late, was predictably spent.
As I approached the campfire, gasping for air, the outlines of six figures began to emerge in front of a boulder.
"Can't you get here any faster? Do we really have to wait around for someone like you?"
As expected, Merlin’s voice cut through the air, stepping forward to nag me—clearly, she didn't like me much.
"Haa... haa... huff... I'm... huff... sorry... haa..."
Gulp.
???????
Wait, I’m dying of exhaustion here, so why is there a sound of someone swallowing saliva...?
Don't tell me...
Merlin?
Did my behavior trigger something?
To test my hypothesis, I unbuttoned two buttons on my combat shirt, grabbed the lapels, and shook them back and forth to create a breeze.
Flap- flap-
"...Haa... it's... so... hot... haa..."
Gulp.
Gulp.
Gulp.
Damn it...
These crazy b*tches... and it’s not just one or two of them?
I’m literally dying of fatigue right now...
And they’re enjoying this?
Whew...
Having confirmed my hypothesis, I cursed inwardly, raised my arm, and wiped the sweat with my sleeve. Merlin, draped in the black robes that were the exclusive costume of mages, approached me.
"...?"
"...Here, take this."
"Uh... th-thank you."
I’m the type who never turns down a favor from a beauty... so I took it, but what is this?
What Merlin handed me was a round water bottle with luxurious-looking ornaments, filled with the water I desperately needed.
As I put the bottle to my lips and drank, I heard gulping sounds from all around me.
Gulp.
Gulp.
Gulp.
Gulp.
Gulp.
Gulp.
Damn it!
I can't even drink my water because I'm so self-conscious!
I’m going to choke on this water! Have you never seen a man drink water before!?
I forced myself to empty the bottle, handed it back to Merlin, and offered a smile of gratitude.
"Thank you. That was refreshing."
"Y-yeah..."
The Archmage Merlin, who until yesterday looked like she’d use her staff to exert physical force just with her gaze, was gone... replaced by this girl-acting Merlin... I don't know, it’s just... hard to get used to.
"Hey, move aside."
Just then, Cheonma pushed Merlin aside and stepped in front of me.
"Before we head to the battlefield, I’m going to introduce the other heroes. We aren't exactly allies yet, but who knows, we might become comrades."
She raised her right hand and began pointing at the heroes behind her, identifying them one by one.
"That one—the perverted woman wrapped in bandages—is a monk from the Shaolin Temple."
"Who are you calling a perverted woman and a monk! Young hero! Do not misunderstand!"
"Bullsh*t... I saw you just now, peeking at him drinking water, your throat gulping away."
"W-what are you talking about! No, young hero! I hope you do not misunderstand!"
The monk, who had a husky voice and wore a giant set of prayer beads on her back, wrapped in bandages that subtly emphasized her figure... was, surprisingly, a woman with short black hair.
???
Shaolin... but a woman?
And not even bald?
Anyone could tell her outfit wasn't exactly standard for a monk...
What kind of... chaotic development is this...
"I go by the dharma name Judang. I look forward to working with you, young hero. Amitabha—"
"Ah, yes... looking forward to it."
I found myself bowing in return to Judang, who was pressing her palms together. But wait, why is her dharma name 'Judang' (Alcoholic)? How good at drinking must she be to get a name like that...
I wanted to ask if she was named Judang because she was a heavy drinker, but I couldn't bring myself to ask it to her face.
"Forget the monk. Next is this one, from the Mount Hua Sect, the 'Tiger-Horse-Nose' Taoist, Hwaryeon."
"Who are you calling a Tiger-Horse-Nose Taoist!"
A fierce voice struck my ears.
The woman I looked at, following Cheonma’s hand, was wearing a white Taoist robe, her black hair in a ponytail. She had her hands on her hips, glaring at Cheonma as if to show just how angry she was.
"Haa— seriously... it’s no wonder you’re a foul-tempered member of the Demonic Cult, so unrefined..."
"What? You want to die, you little..."
"Then go ahead and hit me!"
"You're dead meat... move!"
"Now, now, heroes, let’s stop this! You’re making the young hero uncomfortable!"
"What? Hey, is the monk right? Are you uncomfortable?"
Cheonma, who looked like she was about to fight the Mount Hua Taoist Hwaryeon, suddenly turned her sharp gaze toward me.
"Ah, no, that’s not it..."
"Ah, I’m from the Mount Hua Sect..."
"Phew~ Forget it. Our side’s introductions are done."
"Who gave you the right to end the introductions as you please?"
"Shut up. It’s my choice."
"Y-you...!"
Our stubborn Cheonma, who had been bickering with Hwaryeon, dumped the rest of the introductions on Merlin.
"You finish the rest."
"Hmm, shall I? I’ll introduce our side."
Merlin continued, pointing at each person one by one.
The beings Merlin pointed to were all individuals who had once boasted incredible fame.
Because they were...
"This way... Arthur, and Lancelot."
"Hi!"
"..."
They were names so famous in the world I came from that anyone would have heard of them.
The legendary King Arthur and the Knight of the Lake, Lancelot.
King Arthur, who greeted me cheerfully, was wearing a lightweight, pure-white full-plate armor that clung to a typical female physique, much like the ones I’d seen in anime and manga.
In contrast, Lancelot, who didn't offer a single greeting and just stared at me, was also clad in pure-white full-plate armor with a helmet concealing her face. The massive shield on her back, which covered her entire body, was particularly striking.
Wow... this is a truly insane world.
I had some inkling since Merlin appeared, but... King Arthur, Lancelot, and Merlin are all on one team?
If beings like this have gathered into one team... just how strong is that Diablo who fought them solo?
The appearance and strength of Diablo I saw yesterday don't match up at all...
Anyway... I should greet them and say it's nice to meet them.
"It’s a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to working with you."
"Yeah. I look forward to it too!"
"..."
"Alright! Our side’s introductions are done! Shall we get going?"
Slide.
Squeeze-
As soon as she finished speaking, Merlin reached out and grabbed my hand tightly.
?
Huh?
Merlin-sang?
What is this...
No, seriously, why are you doing this, you're making me nervous...
Perhaps reading the anxiety in my eyes, Merlin’s golden eyes sparkled as she spoke to reassure me.
"You aren't our comrade yet, right? So I need to make contact to teleport you."
"Ah~ Oh? Teleport!?"
"Oh? You... do you know what teleportation is?"
"I’m not entirely sure, but... isn't it instant movement to a set coordinate?"
"Ohhh? How do you know that?"
"Ah~ there was no mana in the world I lived in. We just thought it existed in our imaginations. So, I wasn't sure, but I took a guess... I guess I was right."
"Is that so... I’m curious about the world you lived in. If we become comrades, let’s talk about it later, okay?"
"Yes? Wait, aren't you an Archmage? Don't you know almost everything about magic?"
"Huh? Just because I’m an Archmage doesn't mean I know everything. Magic has no end, after all."
"Wow... I don't know what I could possibly answer for you..."
"It’s fine. I’ll just listen to it all. My intuition is screaming that the worldview of the world you came from would be very interesting. I’m really looking forward to it."
Just then, Cheonma’s impatient voice cut in.
"Hey, are we not going? Open the portal quickly. If we’re late, that Archangel will call one of us and nag us. You want to go?"
"Ah, I don't want that! Alright. Let’s go quickly. Everyone, take your positions."
Watching the heroes gather in one spot with practiced efficiency, Merlin held my hand tightly with one hand, grabbed her white staff—embedded with an emerald orb—with her other free hand, and shouted with her eyes closed.
"MASS TELEPORT!"
Vwooom-
Simultaneous with a slight vibration, a circular magic circle glowing with green light began to form beneath everyone’s feet.
Soon, the magic circle began to rise slowly, scanning from our feet to the top of our heads, and a green membrane began to wrap around our bodies along the circle.
Float-
As my body lifted slightly, a static-like radio noise erupted.
Tzzzzzt-
A moment later, a magic circle was slowly drawn beneath my feet.
Once the magic circle was complete, my body slowly settled onto the ground, and the green membrane wrapping my body began to crack, eventually shattering with a sound like breaking glass.
Cr-cr-crack-shatter-crash-
That teleportation sound is really loud... are you advertising that we’ve arrived here?
I made a mental note to suggest some improvements to Merlin regarding this teleportation, and then I looked straight ahead.
What I saw was a shock in itself.
The Angels and Demons I saw yesterday were locked in an unpredictable war, with some battle zones being pushed back and others pushing forward, all to claim even an inch more of land.
Simply put, it was like watching a movie about a desperate high-ground battle in real life.
They were showing me a high-ground battle on a plain that I’d only expect to see at the end of a war movie.
Geez... no tactics, just bashing each other? Trusting in their superior bodies and abilities?
Well, that’s a relief...
Because such chaotic melee is the perfect stage to show off my abilities for the first time.
I have to use you all as sacrifices to survive...
It’s an ugly reality, but... I’m a selfish human being...
Before I could sink into self-loathing, I looked at Cheonma.
"..."
"Hm?"
Feeling my gaze, Cheonma turned her head to look at me.
Realizing what I wanted to say, she nodded and spoke.
"Ah~ Merlin and I will stay here. You guys go and exert some force on the Angel formation."
"Got it! Alright, let’s go!"
Dash-dash-dash-dash-
With the sound of nimble movements, the four heroes were swallowed into the battlefield.
"Aaaargh!"
"It’s the human heroes!"
"Quick, call for support from the main force!"
"Kyaaaargh!"
The effect of the heroes' surprise attack was certain; I could hear the Demon side scrambling, accompanied by sporadic screams.
I was staring straight ahead with a serious expression when I heard Cheonma’s provocation from the side.
"Why? Now that it’s time... are you afraid?"
"Excuse me? What for? Me? Why?"
"No? I was just wondering since you were standing still~ I was debating when I should split you in half. I really hate people who have no abilities but lie to survive while trying to get treated like royalty."
"Excuse me? I’m not lying."
"No? Then prove it. The basis for why you should move forward with us. Personally, I hope Merlin’s argument that we should take you along just because you’re a man is wrong. I hate seeing a man who is incompetent but still has the audacity to try and get welcomed."
"...Hmm."
"..."
It’s unpleasant, but... there’s some truth to what they’re saying.
The world I came from... was the same.
How could anyone stand someone who is incompetent but tries to lecture others from above and be treated like a VIP?
But you know... you’re making a mistake.
Because I’m not that person.
I looked at Cheonma and Merlin with a blank expression and continued.
"Cheonma-nim... you must apologize to me later. Okay? And Merlin-nim?"
"What...?"
"Hm...?"
"When I use this ability... I get exhausted and collapse, you see? Please, make sure to take care of me... I’m begging you."
I said it with a desperate expression, hoping they would take me seriously.
"Please... don't throw me away... I’ll be counting on you."
"...!"
"...!"
Having said my piece, I straightened my back, looked out at the battlefield, raised both hands, and took a clawing stance in the air.
"TSUNAMI! RED!"
No sooner had I finished speaking than the sound of a siren—one that would make anyone feel the danger—began to echo through the air across the battlefield.
WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-