Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Floating Island Counteroffensive
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[Fun, was it...?]
"Yeah. It was fun."
Almiraz, who had been groaning in a cracked voice, soon let out a self-mocking chuckle. "Kuh-kuk-kuk-kuk."
[To you, this battle might have been mere amusement, but to me, it was everything.]
"Hmm."
Dre exhaled as if uninterested and looked around.
Even though Almiraz had been subdued, the monsters created by the blue moonlight were still rampaging, causing destruction.
"It's over. Why not get rid of all those things?"
[...Impossible.]
"Hm?"
[I didn't summon them, nor do I have the right to control them. Those mimicking demonic power especially—they'll destroy everything in sight until they naturally dissipate.]
It was at that moment, as Dre stroked his chin in frustration.
"Smashing up this damn floating island I hate so much? Now that's to my liking."
The sudden interloper was truly an unexpected figure.
Veil.
He, who had been skewered by the divine power spike, appeared perfectly fine.
The other Murderers were still impaled on their spikes.
Though visibly weakening to the naked eye, the spikes still emanated powerful energy, proving they remained intact.
How had Veil escaped?
"Curious how I'm unscathed? Simple—I pulled the same stunt as that rabbit bastard."
[...I see. So you killed yourself.]
At Almiraz's words, Veil let out a mad cackle, "Ki-hi-hi-hat," his eyes gleaming with insanity and murderous intent.
"Rabbit bastard. I'll make you suffer tenfold what you did to me!!"
[If you can.]
Veil's brow twitched at Almiraz, who showed no fear whatsoever.
"Because of you, I wasted a precious resurrection. Can't have you mouthing off anymore..."
"Hey."
"Huh?"
Turning around, he saw Dre grinning broadly.
"Perfect. I was regretting not getting to beat you up."
"What? Ha. A worn-out punk like you talking big..."
Roar!
Crimson flames erupted from Dre's body, silencing Veil.
It was the same technique that had overwhelmingly crushed Almiraz.
"...Wasn't that effect over?"
"Says who?"
His flames were still burning.
No— they seemed even fiercer.
Veil swallowed hard, recalling Dre's dominance over Almiraz.
"H-Hey... No need for us to wear each other down, right?"
"Bullshit, you moron. You think that's reasonable?"
"What the fuck? This prick thinks just 'cause I bowed a bit...!"
"Don't bow—come at me, asshole."
As Dre geared up to charge for real, Veil backpedaled.
This wasn't the plan.
He'd figured to lightly attack the exhausted Dre and instructors, snatch Almiraz, and bolt— but Dre looked nowhere near tired.
[What an idiot...]
Almiraz muttered.
Why else had he used the floating island's power to intimidate the instructors?
He had zero confidence handling them alone.
And with an irregular like Dre? What overconfidence was this?
"You. Take a beating first."
"Fuck! Fine, you bastard. I'll kill you all... Gahk?!"
No need for Dre to even attack— darkness enveloped Veil.
Alfred extended a hand with a look of utter disgust, as if eyeing filth. Veil spewed darkness in resistance but couldn't budge.
'W-What the hell? So strong?!'
He'd thought Alfred manageable after seeing Almiraz overwhelm him— but even one Alfred was too much.
"Damn it... Summon!!"
Out of options, Veil played his hidden ace.
A mighty demon beast would manifest via his divine authority.
A pitch-black vortex swirled in the sky...
Gulp.
A massive fish-shaped holy beast swallowed it whole.
"...Huh?"
"Ah..."
The holy beast from Dre's memories. Holyfish.
Whatever it was, Veil had exuded massive demonic energy— yet the beast devoured it unfazed. Dre marveled at its prowess.
Its owner, Gijaier, was... inexplicably by Rena's side.
"Miss Rena."
"Y-Yes?"
"Care to help this old man for a bit?"
Gijaier, who moments ago had been grotesquely mangled.
Now back to normal, chuckling softly— Rena felt uneasy.
But.
Her master was striving so hard; as his subordinate, she couldn't stand idle.
Witnessing his feats and results, Rena felt compelled to act.
Out of respect for her master, she replied.
"If there's anything I can do, I'll help with all my heart."
"Heh-heh. No big deal. It'll be over quick."
With a gesture from Gijaier, a bizarre hexagonal object appeared in the sky.
He stepped onto empty air, pointing beside him. Hesitant, Rena followed, and they ascended.
"......"
Dre, watching, sensed no malice from Gijaier and refocused on Veil.
"Damn...!"
Realizing he was screwed, Veil twisted to flee, pouring all his power into escape...
"What're you doing?"
Kwachik!
"Gaaargh!"
Dre closed in, smashing Veil's chest with his sword hilt, shattering bones and pulverizing innards.
Flashes ensued, and blood fountained from Veil's limbs.
"Guhk...! Kek... guhk!"
A punch to his agonized face dropped him to his knees.
Dre didn't stop, pummeling more before gazing at the battered visage with satisfaction.
"Now you're matching her. Right?"
Dre glanced at Clarier as he spoke.
Her swollen, ruined face— healing, but it instantly soured his mood, evoking "that time."
Veil, grotesquely mangled, begged.
"W-Wait! I have top-secret info...! So let's negotiate... Gaaah?! Aak?! Uwaaaaaah!!"
Roll, roll.
Veil writhed on the ground in agony.
It seemed over-the-top, but unavoidable.
In Dre's hand tumbled two orbs carelessly. He crushed them, muttering.
"No need for eyes in interrogation, huh..."
Approaching the still-rolling Veil, Dre mercilessly demolished his limbs.
Now convulsing without proper groans, just gagging— Alfred addressed Dre, looking down.
"Any more and he might die. Enough."
"He seems to have strong regen, so probably fine— but got it. Hand the rest to the Blizzia family. Then do as you wish, Instructor Alfred."
Arrogantly deciding the fate of the floating island invasion's mastermind— but without Dre, the island would've collapsed.
Alfred nodded readily.
"Understood."
"He's insanely strong. Easy to subdue now 'cause he's worn out— be careful."
Dre meant it.
In the fight with the Alien Killer, sustained dark AoE would've given Almiraz trouble.
With special seal, Veil would've lost anyway— but not so humiliatingly.
He'd fought stupidly, but the man was a powerful monster.
"P-Please... s-stop... I-I'm sorry..."
Coldly eyeing the pitifully begging Veil, Dre nodded toward distant Clarier. She'd suffered most from him— fitting she finish it.
Finishing, Dre approached Almiraz amid awed stares.
[No matter what you do, I have no right to stop those. Even if I did, I wouldn't.]
Almiraz smirked.
[Those moon monsters will grow, form an army. Someday... slim chance, but they might link to the Forgotten God.]
"I see."
[Indeed...]
"But your tone doesn't sound like you want them spreading."
Silence.
But Almiraz soon spoke grudgingly.
[...Don't act like you know me. Kill or interrogate— your call.]
"Nah, I just wanna talk, nothing else..."
"Then let's do that."
Alfred stepped forward.
Dre turned, baffled— not just him.
Mari, Raeband, and Blurt.
All glared at the Alien Killer with thick hostility.
"Can't just let him go. We'll interrogate his exact plans and punish accordingly."
Dre muttered at Alfred's words.
"Says who?"
"......"
Alfred's silent gaze weighed heavy enough to crush any normal person.
But Dre held firm.
Unyielding eyes met, tension brewing.
Then Blurt intervened.
"Your merits are immense, but this is separate."
"Blurt."
"Didn't you see what he did to the floating island? Just now, could've ganged up on Almiraz— but insisting on solo was reckless. Still, you handled it, so fine."
Blurt paused for breath, continuing.
"But opposing interrogation? You can't be shielding this fiend."
"Not shielding... Yeah, he altered the island's shape, but no one died, right?"
Dre nearly added he'd saved it— but stopped at Blurt's eyes.
Words aggressive, but eyes apologetic toward Dre.
He seemed concerned for Alfred, reason unknown.
"Step aside, Alien Dre."
Mari's eyes blazed.
"We'll escort him to HQ for full details."
"Says who?"
Not Dre— Alfred answered.
Mari eyed him, saying.
"In the hero's name."
"The hero doesn't seem keen."
True enough.
Kaiz, ever commanding presence, sheathed his sword, observing.
"A companion's will becomes the hero's?"
"Then detain him here?"
"Of course. Victims are the island."
Dre, who'd subdued Almiraz, was dumbfounded but listened.
Meanwhile, lurking instructors gathered one by one.
One: yawning amid chaos, baggy-clothed gray-haired woman with sunken eyes.
Another: priestess garb, smooth-topped wild-bottomed blonde beauty jaw-dropping on sight— clutching a booze bottle unbecomingly.
'Glquong and Mullin, right?'
Recalling colleague instructors, Mari suddenly turned on Mullin.
"Mullin! Your thoughts? Who should custody him?"
"Tch. Asking me here...?"
Voice crystalline, tone husky.
They seemed acquainted.
Mari's earnest gaze burdensome, Mullin chugged her bottle, wiped her mouth, and spoke.
"Dunno. He's mega dangerous— better off dead."
"Y-You..."
A priestess suggesting instant death? Unbelievable.
But Blurt agreed.
"Right. Skip interrogation or custody— just end him now. Who knows what next?"
"Much to extract yet. Too soon."
Blurt hesitated briefly, then firm.
"Stand down, Alfred. And stay alert. Won't gloss over your rapport with him."
Blurt's strictness hit Alfred too.
He'd seemed supportive earlier, but deemed Almiraz too risky.
Alfred replied coldly.
"And if I don't? What then?"
"What?!"
Blurt and Alfred glared.
"Whaaat... Why fight among ourselves..."
"Shut it, Glquong! Stay put! Emily! Your take?"
"I..."
The witch glanced at Dre, shut her mouth, shrugged.
Bickering erupted.
Almiraz's future looked grim.
Salvo-worthy talk from his view— yet he stared at the blue moon unmoving.
That instant.
Kuuaaaah!
Ground quaked—not earthquake— mana surged, space crack! shattered.
Mari and Raeband tensed; instructors nonchalant.
Emerging: childlike girl in witch/sorceress garb, like a succubus. Principal Renea.
"Principal!"
Glancing pleased Blurt, she eyed Alfred, tone stern beyond her voice.
"No interrogation. Too risky— execute now."
"But."
"Alfred. One more word, and you'll taste dirt."
"...!"
Pride stung, Alfred nearly retorted— Blurt blocked, shaking head worriedly.
Principal was unprecedentedly furious.
Her aura so potent, top elites silenced.
Just emitting power made ambient mana and Ryunar tremble, space crumbling.
This was one of three world-class archmages: Empress-class.
Pryunar Academy Principal Renea.
Yet one stood unflinching: Dre.
Principal's brow twitched.
"...Let you fight earlier 'cause you begged— not now. Instructor Dre."
"Why?"
"Why? Truly asking? Think of his deeds."
"Altered island shape, caught criminals, tussled with instructors and me."
Renea blinked twice.
"What? Tussled?"
"No deaths. Must we kill?"
"......"
Staring blankly, she sighed.
"Can't fathom why the hardest worker shields him."
"Just want proper crime weight. No deaths, yet killing...?"
"Quest? If reward-motivated, I can personally... uh... offer plenty in my room."
"Pardon?"
Irritated retort— myriad system windows popped before Dre.
📜 NEW QUEST 📜 Slay Almiraz!
Kill him and erase even the Forgotten God's fragments from the world.
🎁 Reward: Directly bestowed by the gods.
Myriad similar windows flashed before vanishing.
Not one urged sparing Almiraz.
"......"
Dre couldn't comprehend.
Not a hero, but not pure evil either.
No innocents killed today, no intent to— no death penalty warranted.
Then, flushed and huffing principal spoke.
"What was that? Almiraz killed no one? Then what of the Murderers?"
"Those vermin count as lives?"
"...Serious?"
Principal's voice laced with dismay.
"From experience, they deserved death."
"Not the point. Almiraz dwarfs them in danger. End it quick."
"I cleave any energy. Fool around, I'll step in..."
"Instructor Dre."
Principal sighed.
Just parallel lines.
She didn't want this.
But honor and convictions existed.
No villains here— she knew.
Most pushing punishment prioritized institution honor, future safety over personal glory.
Principal had taken the villain role.
"Step aside before I revoke your instructor status."
All fell silent.
Instant revocation— rare even for her authority, last resort.
All knew her sincerity.
Dre grimaced.
"......Fuck."
"...Pardon?"
Renea blankly repeated.
"Fuck."
Dre drew his sword.
Clear battle stance— all blinked in disbelief.
"What're you doing?"
"Hate do-nothings claiming ownership after just getting beat. Revoke me. Never cared much for instructor gig anyway."
"...You."
Insulting academy's honor— principal's eyes flared fury, then flinched.
Dre held Rosario.
Renea gaped.
"That's..."
[...Light-fingered bastard.]
Almiraz was incredulous.
Archmage's legacy sealing the core.
When'd he snag it from her bosom?
Principal hesitated— Blurt stepped up.
"Instructor Dre!! Why shield this criminal?!"
"You do as you please; so do I."
Blurt chided.
"We know your strength, but exhausted, it's mere bravado. Thanks to you we're safe— postpone disposal as you say. With this..."
"I'll handle it here, my way."
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ [??? ? sends a message.
>Have you lost your mind, human? Kill him now.] [Water's ? sends a message.
>Kill him before I kill you.] Notifications persisted awhile.
And...
"Shut up!!!!"
Floating island reverberated.
Eardrum-shattering roar staggered instructors and hero's allies, eyes turning hostile.
Sudden sonic attack from their view— natural reaction.
Mari stammered protest.
"Alien Dre...! You...!"
"See? Told you he's nuts."
Ignoring Mari and Raeband, Dre drew sword.
And declared.
"This technique, 'Flames of the Self,' has no limit."
"What?"
Raeband grimaced queryingly.
Dre continued.
"Mana, Ryunar— none consumed post-initial activation, no penalties. Overexert, maybe muscle ache— but willed, it sustains forever. Limit? My lifespan."
Dre surveyed all.
"You're strong, but note: Flames has four stages. Stage three alone slays everyone here. Principal, Kaiz excepted."
Arrogant claim— none dared move.
Unknown stages implied huge cost.
His earnest expression, post-rescue resolve— no one wanted to risk it.
Almiraz, shielded by Dre, looked baffled.
[Why protect me?]
"Not protecting— claiming rightful ownership."
Spitting it out, Kaiz closed distance.
Mari brightened at the one who might fully subdue Dre.
"Hero...!"
"Do as you will."
"?"
Mari gawked, mishearing.
Kaiz crossed arms, no takebacks, eyeing Dre.
Dre soured.
"Acting all considerate? Pisses me off."
Kaiz silent.
"H-Hero?"
"Miss Mari. We've done nothing this time. No oracle either. Clearly, the gods want Dre handling Almiraz."
To Dre, hearing real-time god-kill orders— obvious lie, but whatever.
Suddenly Mullin approached Dre.
Dre tensed— but she leaned elbow on his shoulder, amicable.
"I back him too."
"Mullin?!"
Blurt shouted.
"Frankly, without him, we couldn't stop it."
"Yeah... let's just go with that..."
Even Glquong agreed— Blurt's eyes widened.
"I acknowledge Instructor Dre's merits! Not dismissing them!! But this concerns academy and island honor!"
Amid it, alerts pinged in Dre's ear.
He blocked all, stepped forward.
"I stopped the Alien Killer. Admit I hindered you mid-way— but without me rescuing principal, none could've done shit."
Instructors silent.
No— Emily joined Dre, nodding.
"Sorry principal, but I support Dre."
"Emily."
Principal's eyes narrowed, then sighed.
"Instructor Dre. Not denying rewards— best we can give. But Almiraz is non-negotiable. Alien Killer overstepped."
"He killed no people."
"Not the issue. Some things outweigh lives..."
"What outweighs life?"
Before finish, oddly expressive principal startled.
Then.
Kuuaaaang!
Far off, explosion roared.
"Ah, crap! Gorgar!"
Mari cried.
Gorgar.
First Purgatory Demon King.
Pure strength far outstrips Almiraz.
Mari urgently.
"Not time for this. Dispose Gorgar fast, or he'll grow, bigger disaster...!"
"It's fine."
Before querying Kaiz, crimson silhouette flew toward them.
Shuuu. Kwang!!
Dust cloud from landing— something laughed heartily, parting dust.
"Great stress relief after ages."
Red-haired noble beauty holding golem-head-like thing.
All speechless.
Her presence overwhelming.
Ignoring surroundings, she tossed it at Dre's feet.
"That's the oversized demon king's core! I kept my promise!"
...Demon king?
"This... Gorgar?"
"Huh? Yeah? He doesn't start big— absorbs surroundings to grow."
Red-haired beauty answered Mari's mutter.
Raeband warily.
"Who're you?"
"What? You?"
Mistaken hearing— red-haired noble beauty Kuang! flared flames in rage.
"Filth dares address me so casually?!"
Kuaaa.
Aura rivaling principal's.
Raeband, never ignored anywhere, gulped.
Sudden mystery powerhouse— all tensed.
Raeband's answer from unlikely Almiraz.
[Prostia... Indeed...]
Prostia.
Some clueless, some thought fairy-tale dragon namesake, some realized, cold-sweating.
And.
"Stia."
Dre called her.
"Hm?"
"Can we amend our pact's terms now?"
"What? Amend how?"
"Originally, no killing unless attacked first, right?"
All stared at Dre.
Unyielded, he continued.
"Agree with me— allow killing some. Change it?"
Prostia blinked, then grinned deeply.
"Pleasing."
Air froze.