Chapter 118
Chapter 118
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Floating Island Siege Battle
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The Outsiders'—the users'—communication hub. The community.
It was always a bustling chat room, but right now, no one was saying a word.
They were all just grappling with their own emotions in the face of the utterly surreal scene unfolding before them.
The Outsider Killer.
Denial, distrust, fear, awe—the emotions varied wildly, but they shared one thing in common.
They felt utterly alien, as if they weren't directed at a fellow user at all.
💬 Community Chat — Maiya Almiraz... way more impressive than I thought. — Pristan Heard he got control of the Floating Island's authorities. Maybe that's boosting his power? — Maiya Didn't you hear, Pristan? He's using those authorities right now to control the island and suppress the instructors. Taking down the Murderers was pure skill. — Pristan Hmm. — Kobski More importantly, what's that guy's goal? We know the Murderers invaded for mass points, but Almiraz doesn't even have a designated target, right? 🔔 Ding! [Paltra has entered the chat room.] — Maia Late as usual, Paltra. — Paltra Continental Sword vs. Almiraz showdown hasn't started yet? — Maiya Still just talking it out. Maybe he'll explain his goal like those types who love monologuing? — Paltra Does that guy even have goals? I figured he was just an indiscriminate killer. 🔔 Ding! [Adel has entered the chat room.] — Adel Eguu. Got held up watching something super fun. Everyone see that giant Demon King? Looks stronger than the one we all teamed up for before. — Maiya That stuff's interesting too, but focus on Almiraz right now. Can't take our eyes off him. Yun Hye-mi pulled her eyes from the community chat and gulped.
Straight ahead stood the clan's de facto leader, Kang Geom-il.
He was facing off against Almiraz.
Kang Geom-il always had this unreliable, scatterbrained vibe, but when it came time for battle or real work, he transformed into the most dependable warrior of all.
He'd always delivered results before, so she trusted he'd do it again this time.
She trusted him, but...
The memories of the Murderers and Veil they'd just suffered against flashed vividly in Yun Hye-mi's mind.
Veil's rank was 7th.
Kang Geom-il was... 4th.
Just a three-spot difference from Veil.
Would that gap really make a meaningful difference?
"Don't worry."
"Y-Yes? What?"
Shin Jin-pae was smiling gently.
"Mr. Kang Geom-il won't go down easily like Veil did. I guarantee it."
"...Okay."
Won't go down easily? Didn't that still imply he'd lose in the end?
Far from reassuring her, his words only deepened her anxiety.
If Kang Geom-il fell... what would happen to the clan...?
What am I even thinking, Yun Hye-mi?
She caught herself there and felt ashamed.
She should be worrying about him, not the clan first.
She didn't know why that damned Outsider Killer had suggested Kang Geom-il leave the clan, but the fact was, things had changed since then—just as the killer said.
Hating to admit that bastard Outsider Killer was right, Yun Hye-mi decided to take action instead.
"Hey. Figure out some way to help Geom-il right now."
"Warp gates to each nation are under strict control, and the distance to the capital Sers from here is huge. Plus, the Floating Island's in the sky..."
"You just gonna complain?! Do something!!"
Normally, her clanmates would at least pretend to hustle at her outburst, but they just stood there.
Almiraz's slaughter had weighed heavily on their minds, and realistically, helping Kang Geom-il now was impossible.
"Word is he even took control of the Floating Island's warp gate and defense spells, so even with gliding skills, getting close would be tough... In my humble opinion, Almiraz is holding back his power to suppress the instructors who haven't shown up yet."
Shin Jin-pae spoke in a dry tone, warning that rash moves would just rack up casualties.
Yun Hye-mi mumbled without refuting him, but she couldn't help her anger.
Were they really just supposed to sit here?
As she swallowed her rage, a clanmate cautiously asked,
"That... Demon King over there is a problem too. What do we do?"
Almiraz was terrifying, but the 1st Circle Demon King was trouble as well.
Thankfully, it seemed to lack intelligence, but just its movements alone were a natural disaster.
Purely in terms of raw power, it dwarfed even Almiraz.
Yun Hye-mi decided to reassure her uneasy clanmates first.
"What else? If Geom-il takes down Almiraz, we can handle a guy like that somehow. No time to worry about it."
Normally, a 1st Circle Demon King descent would top the community charts in real-time, but nothing mattered more than Almiraz right now.
Of course, purely by strength, that Demon King might be the worst threat on the Floating Island at the moment.
But the natives of Elryanar might care—the users couldn't afford to.
They needed to figure out why Almiraz was pulling this madness, what his goal was.
Long experience told her massive events like this were often tied to powerful hidden quests that could sway the world.
So the users, fixated on Almiraz, didn't notice.
What was happening in Zone 8, where the 1st Circle Demon King had descended.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"No."
Lady Frostia rejected it flat-out.
Sharp as ever.
"What?"
I put on a menacing tone, but unlike usual, Lady Frostia didn't flinch.
She looked even more displeased—no, wronged—and let out a shrill squeal.
"Do you think you're in any position to ask me for favors?! Don't you have something to say first?!"
"......"
I get it.
Even I have a conscience. I know I screwed up.
Not that we were close, but leaving her on ice for a week? Yeah, I'm the asshole here.
Situation's urgent, so I figured apologize later and gloss over it now... but hearing her voice, she's seriously pissed. Gotta apologize for real.
Only she can smash that monster.
Even with her power sealed, it's toy-level for her.
Who's scared of a toy moving on its own?
.....
...Wait, that's actually terrifying?
Bad analogy.
Anyway, time to apologize.
"My apologies, Lady Frostia. I've had so many circumstances holding me back..."
"What circumstances justify shoving aside someone as noble and great as I? Worthless worm—if you value your life, don't even think it!"
She's livid.
To think sweet, sulky Frostia would snap like this...
Hurts my heart when my queen's mad.
I pointed again at the giant stone monster—the 1st Circle Demon King.
"It's because of that bastard!"
"Hm? The demons?"
A faint flicker of her anger eased from Lady Frostia's face.
"I got intel they were attacking the Floating Island. My comrades dragged me off to stop them—I had no choice."
I bit my lip, feigning suppressed sorrow.
"I wanted to see you right away, but I had to make excuses to them. Mess up, and they might learn about you..."
"Then just kill all your comrades."
"......"
......??
"Even weakened as you are, that should be doable. Right?"
"Well..."
Damn.
Kill my comrades? All of them?
Her mindset's not human.
Pure law of the jungle.
"As you know, our matchup was bad back then, but I'm not as strong as you think. One of my comrades was stronger than me—that's why I couldn't come to you."
Her self-esteem perked up at the "bad matchup" line, and she smiled warmly.
Ah, so pretty and noble.
"True, if I'd had full magic, I could've killed you... but someone stronger than you?"
"Yes. The current Hero."
No sooner had I spoken than the night sky flashed like daytime, and the monster bellowed in agony.
Glancing over, its arm was crumbling from the elbow down.
Kaits... damn, he's good.
She noticed my glance and asked,
"That guy?"
"Yes. That's him."
"Impressive. Not your average human, as you say."
Curiosity sparkled in her eyes.
This could be useful... but then her gaze hardened with anger again.
"But that's beside the point! How will you atone?!"
"......"
Damn, this lizard queen.
If she weren't the one who made my dream come true, if she weren't so pretty and noble, I'd smack her.
Last resort time.
Build-up!
"What should I do?"
"Offer your life!"
"......"
Fuck...
I thought she'd say something like "I haven't decided! You figure it out!" but straight-up executioner.
No buildup needed. Go raw.
She hates being ignored, right?
"No."
"What?!"
"I messed up, but not enough to die for."
"Wh-what?!"
"If you won't help, fine. I'll handle it myself."
I turned coldly for real, and felt her reach out.
I hopped aside, glaring sharply, and Frostia raged too...
"...Sniiff..."
"......"
"Hiiing..."
Oh no.
Now I look like the total asshole.
I panicked and waved my hands.
Planned to stroke her pride and get her fighting the Demon King, but nothing's going right.
Tears welling in her eyes—guilt hitting hard.
Coax her and she'd probably fight, but I'm not that scummy.
Something to soothe her...
.....
Alright... no choice.
My fault too.
"Lady Frostia."
"......"
Sulking, no reply.
Still, I pressed on.
"Noble, beautiful, merciful Lady Frostia. I won't beg forgiveness, but may I make one proposal?"
"...Proposal?"
She glanced over—finally looking at me.
Why's she so cute when pissed?
"Yes. If you defeat that Demon King, I'll grant any one request."
"Hm? Anything?"
"No taking my life or body, or anyone else's. No lifetime slavery or anything beyond my power."
Added that quick, but she was lost in thought, no reaction.
She heard me, right? Won't try to kill me later claiming "anything!"...?
Next instant, the noble red-haired beauty grinned wickedly.
Ah, love that smile. Wanna step on it.
M tendencies? Maybe a bit now.
"Anything?"
"...Except the limits I mentioned."
"...Heh heh, heheheheh."
Whatever she's imagining, her creepy chuckling turned to mad laughter.
"Hahahahaha! Don't ever forget those words!"
"Uh, sure..."
Unsettling...
"Fine. Just wipe out that thing?"
"Can you?"
Kaits' crumbled arm was regenerating with a rumble.
How the hell do you take that down?
Severing Sword might stop regen, but area too big.
Galactic Sword overkill, not sure if usable now.
Barely anything AOE besides the flame greatsword I used on her before.
Feeling undertrained.
Lady Frostia puffed out her ample chest.
"My power's at 3% of true strength now, but that's enough to put the whole world at my feet."
"As expected of Lady Frostia!"
Sounds like bravado, but hype her up.
"UHAHAHA!! Stay there and witness my might!! Watch me effortlessly slay what you can't handle!!"
"Ahh, Lady Frostia!!"
Personally, I'd love fighting jiggle and pretty views, but can't.
Something super important nearby.
Handle that first.
I hid my thoughts and smiled.
"Yes. Please handle it for this lowly one, Lady Frostia."
"Hmph!"
Her body glowed red, red mist forming a dragon shape around her.
BOOM!!
She rocketed toward the monster.
Good.
Now, my turn.
As I stepped forward.
🔔 Ding! [#150's ? has issued you a quest.] What now.
Busy.
📜 Multiple Quests 📜 Complete each for separate rewards. Multiple completions grant bonuses.
📍 1. Recapture the Floating Island's Core
📍 2. Steal the Sacrifices
📍 3. Almiraz's Death
.....
Sacrifices?
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KUAAA!
A pillar of light from the sky shone down on the giant monster.
Majestic sight, devastating power—but compared to the colossal stone beast, the beam was too small, merely singeing its head.
[Ooooo...]
The giant stone monster reached for the Hero party.
Like a whole island flying at them. Marie gritted her teeth and invoked a miracle.
She zipped to Kaits' side like light.
"Lord Kaits!"
"......"
Serious-faced Kaits.
He didn't look tired at all.
One punch from that Demon King would spell disaster, yet Kaits blocked every one perfectly.
His unshakable strength amid such onslaught comforted Marie.
With him, surely they could stop this horrifically powerful Demon King...
Meanwhile, Kaits appeared calm but was deeply rattled inside.
At this level, I can't fully take down Gorgar.
Gorgar—the name of this giant golem.
A destruction robot born when the Demon King imitating a giant infused it with true demonic authority. Nicknamed "The Automaton Demon King."
Among 1st Circle Demon Kings, top-tier in size and regen.
Current attacks couldn't finish it.
Moreover, fresh from the demon realm, it was restricted on the surface, not at full power—but regaining strength over time.
Killing Gorgar requires tons of conditions. It'll take ages, and by then Almiraz will complete his goal.
Kaits' biggest worry: not knowing Almiraz's objective.
What's that guy's goal?
Almiraz had shaken the Floating Island before, but never grabbed sacrifices like this.
His pattern was always killing Outsiders meeting certain conditions—tricky, but predictable.
But... this dissonance.
His regressor—no, reincarnator—instincts screamed danger.
Let Almiraz be, and something irreversible would happen...
But ignore this Demon King, and it'd fully descend, wreaking havoc on the surface.
Kaits closed his eyes.
No solution, no matter how he thought.
Just suicide?
Respawn and restart...
That moment.
Sensing power fiercer than the Demon King—far fiercer—Kaits' eyes snapped open, sword flashing.
But ignoring him and Marie, something soared past to hover over the giant stone monster.
"...Dragon? No... smoke?"
A dragon of red smoke.
Kaits knew it.
Rare even across countless regressions, unforgettable...
Not greatly shocked amid the crisis, but now he was stunned.
Why the hell is that here...!
Before thought finished.
KUAAAAANG!!
Ferocious flames engulfed half the giant stone monster's body—tenth of the island-sized thing.
Nuke-like inferno dyed the blue night red.
The monster, ignoring all attacks to reach out, screamed and crashed to the ground.
The red-haired noble beauty looking down smirked.
"Kneel, demon."
[KuoOOO...]
"Greater than your master has come. For my purpose..."
"Hey."
Frostia glared at the interrupter who'd approached—blond pretty boy. Kaits.
Dead serious, gripping his sword tight, he asked,
"Why are you here?"
"What? When did you ever see me to act like you know me, Hero of the era?"
"......"
"No time for you. I'll fulfill my promise with him and claim my prize."
"Him?"
Frostia grinned slyly.
"Fellow named Yedre."
"......"
That name again?
Kaits couldn't even guess how the situation was unfolding anymore.