Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Demonic Being
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Mine.
A crescent moon rose.
On a night when the clouds were stained pitch black.
There was a man perched in a tree, wearing a mask.
That was me.
“......”
It was utterly mortifying.
But I had a mission.
The bastard disguised as a mine was masquerading as Celi. My goal was to take out both him and whoever came to make contact.
'If I could get some information out of them, that'd be ideal.'
But Ermé had said that wouldn't be easy.
And since she'd told me herself, it had to be true.
⚙ Rishiel ⚙ She's probably saying that because those bastards don't feel pain all that much. '......What?'
⚙ Rishiel ⚙ It's one of the costs of having their souls warped by the Labyrinth. Even so, in exchange for offering their futures to the Labyrinth's depths, their [Growth] and [Development] come to a halt. '......Isn't that a loss?'
Growth and development halting meant no more level-ups or stat improvements.
And they still went for it?
'Are they idiots?'
Rishiel let out a deep sigh.
⚙ Rishiel ⚙ That's why I call them fools. You won't have to worry about that, but whatever you do, never entertain such thoughts. 'Of course not.'
⚙ Rishiel ⚙ And... I'm not defending them, but entering the Labyrinth doesn't guarantee level-ups. 'I know.'
Some people lived their whole lives in the Labyrinth and never even reached Level 3.
The harsh reality I'd felt upon entering was the boss room on the second floor.
'Most of them hunkered down below instead of pushing up.'
The third floor gave good experience, but since it dropped inferior materials compared to the second, plenty stuck to the lower levels.
⚙ Rishiel ⚙ That's why you... 'Quiet.'
I silenced Rishiel just as she was about to offer more advice.
The reason was simple.
I sensed someone approaching.
Thud. Thud.
Cautious footsteps. The gait of someone unaccustomed to the dark.
⚙ Rishiel ⚙ That's the suspected mine, right? 'Yeah.'
Celi approached.
I watched her. I'd rarely seen her before, but I'd memorized her face because Ermé found her cute.
'Come to think of it, there was no resonance like with the hero candidates.'
Same with Clara.
There must be some condition for it.
'Maybe you need a bunch of Gifts.'
I stifled my presence even more and nocked an arrow, preparing to shoot.
Celi was fragile. If she was meeting someone, she had to be the first to go.
'The fact that Ermé was worried about me...'
She had an overly high opinion of me.
Ermé rated me so highly it sometimes made me wonder if she was right.
And she'd looked at me with genuine worry, saying she'd come as fast as she could.
Which meant this enemy was no joke.
I kept a close watch on them like that for a moment.
A robed figure was approaching Celi.
⚙ Rishiel ⚙ ......Suspicious bastard. 'Tell me about it.'
I focused on the robed figure.
'......Maybe I should avoid fighting if possible.'
Or if I had to fight, I'd need to land a big hit first.
I drew my bow and quietly took aim.
⚙ Rishiel ⚙ Planning to try it? 'I'd rather not.'
The guy looked dangerous. Taking him out now would be the best option if I could.
So.
Screech.
I nocked a poison-coated arrow and drew back the bowstring.
The best outcome would be dropping him.
'But I don't think that'll work.'
I couldn't say why.
But some strange certainty told me he'd dodge or block even my strongest shot.
So what should I do?
'What can I do?'
I'd have to fight either way.
Ermé was on her way, but rescuing Celi didn't look like it'd be easy.
So I'd kill them both.
I wanted to use Charging Shot, but the purple glow would stand out too much in the night.
I drew the bow fully.
And.
Whoosh!
Something sliced through the air and flew off. The arrow vanished into the darkness, heading straight for the robed figure.
Swish!
The robed man twisted his body before the arrow even reached him.
But.
Thunk!
The arrow struck his forearm.
'As expected, can't one-shot him.'
The higher the levels climbed.
The more people reacted to my arrows.
Let alone this freak who outleveled me.
'I wanted a better vantage point.'
The robed guy flung off his robe.
What appeared was a man with snake-like slitted eyes. He glared at me like he wanted to tear me apart.
'Scary.'
At the same time, he charged at me.
I drew the bowstring again.
This time, a paralysis poison arrow.
I pulled back with all my strength.
Whoosh!
I loosed the arrow, but.
Clang!
He swatted it away with the handle of his massive greatsword.
I stowed the bow in my subspace and drew Whisper of the Wind.
From experience, throwing multiple daggers was better than shooting arrows here.
But there was something I wanted to test.
I aimed at him and channeled mana into my arm.
Then.
Thwack!
Something shot toward him fast. He grimaced and smacked it away with the greatsword's hilt.
Whirrr!
I swung my arm downward hard. The weight at the end whipped around.
Thwack!
He reacted again, but the wire grazed his forearm.
“Petty tricks.”
He looked fine on the surface.
But I smirked inwardly.
'Paralysis and neurotoxin. Gotcha.'
Just in case, I'd slathered plenty on the wire and weight.
Two types of poison in him—he'd be a bit slower now.
⚙ Rishiel ⚙ —Unless he has a Gift related to poison, that is. Still, not a bad approach.
'......'
Not the best, huh.
Couldn't be helped. I wasn't much of a fighter.
⚙ Rishiel ⚙ You? Don't make me laugh. '......'
I raised my sword and quietly prepared.
*
Thump thump.
My blood ran cold.
The man with the greatsword was already upon me.
“Sneaky bastard.”
He spat curses the moment he saw me.
“From the looks of it, you seem to know what we're up to. But you made a mistake. You should've brought backup.”
“......”
“Not gonna talk, huh. Figures. A sneaky prick shooting arrows and throwing weird weights wouldn't know shit about a swordsman's fight.”
What the hell was this guy rambling about?
I just stared silently at him yapping to himself.
He was spilling info even though I wasn't saying a word.
“That mask means you're the one blocking our path. Come at me, then.”
Beckon.
The man taunted me with a curl of his finger.
“Th-this is weird. I heard the masked attacker was a woman.”
“Oh yeah, I remember now. Some weird group called Shadow Illusion or whatever.”
“......”
I thought of Ermé.
She was usually the model party leader.
'......Didn't know she had tastes like this.'
Couldn't help being a chuunibyou.
As that thought crossed my mind, the snake-eyed man spoke.
“My name is Diago. When they ask who sent you to the afterlife, give them that name.”
I had to wonder, even here.
A guy this confident—did he really run with a group called Rebellion?
'Something's off.'
Or maybe he was just dumb.
I got that he had no intention of letting me live, but did he have to broadcast it?
I looked at him.
Arrogant eyes looking down on me.
Different caliber from anyone I'd faced before.
'Winnable, though.'
Stronger than anyone around me.
Beyond Volkan, even Execution Princess Lucia... no, maybe not quite that far.
But in the same league.
And the even grimmer part was.
'......I have to hide my full strength.'
I grimaced.
Even going all out, he'd be tough to beat. But against a guy like this, I couldn't hold back.
'Not the type to measure blows anyway.'
So I drew Whisper of the Wind. And the Blood-Soaked Sword as well.
“Hm, dual-wielding?”
The man—Diago—eyed me with dissatisfaction.
“Not a fan of dual-wielding, huh. Talented guys go that route, but usually spear users or single-sword fighters are stronger. The empire's dukes, the adventurers guarding the Cradle... whatever.”
Diago grinned and raised his greatsword.
“You, nameless intruder. You'll pay dearly for attacking us.”
Diago swung his greatsword in a massive arc.
But it was fast.
I ducked immediately to dodge. Then his flying kick came at me.
'Uses martial arts too?'
The moment Diago kicked, I targeted his knee with Whisper of the Wind and closed in fast.
'Can't let him control distance.'
Weapons like that near-greatsword exploit distance the moment you give it to them.
He called himself a swordsman or whatever, but guys with reach fight the dirtiest.
“Nice reflexes!”
Diago said that as he gripped his greatsword and brought it slamming down.
Tch. I clicked my tongue and leaped back.
⚙ Rishiel ⚙ Troublesome opponent. 'Attack and defense... total unity of offense and defense.'
Seamless transitions between attack and guard.
The skill of a true sword master.
Diago stomped toward me, swinging his greatsword.
I blocked with both swords.
Boom!
He overwhelmed me in raw power. My only edge was speed.
'Or.'
Dark Moon.
And Black Sea.
Two sword arts said to be beyond human capability.
But even using them.
'He'd block them.'
That was my instinct. But I didn't despair. I pressed in close, pushing him as hard as I could.
Right sword for offense.
Left for defense.
“Hm?”
The moment I gripped my swords, Diago's reactions slowed a fraction. Like he knew my style.
Nothing strange about it.
It was my own creation, freely remixing Volkan's and Rishiel's swordsmanship.
The flow started shifting my way, bit by bit.
Diago narrowed his eyes.
“Annoying bastard. Now I see why you lot held out.”
Diago stomped hard.
Boom!
The ground cracked like a spiderweb.
My body felt heavy.
A delusion brought on by his overwhelming pressure.
⚙ Rishiel ⚙ What kind of vicious pressure is this...! You, this is wrong! This man isn't some mine...! I quietly assumed my stance.
I drew up my mana.
'Black Sea doesn't fit.'
Black Sea had wider range than Dark Moon. Because it was a massive slash.
Dark Moon, on the other hand, pierced like an awl, shining against a specific point.
Crackle.
Purple energy sparked around me. I even summoned my fighting spirit.
Fighting spirit suppressed foes while bolstering me.
Diago smirked at my actions, lifting his greatsword high. Mana swelled, and his arm bulged.
A stance betting everything on one strike.
He swung the greatsword in a huge arc.
And I.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Dark Moon The darkness sank in completely.
*
A clash of powers.
The instant Dark Moon met Diago's swordsmanship, I realized.
'Ah.'
I'm done for.
The thought hit me suddenly. Why had I even fought sword to sword?
'......I'm a thief to begin with.'
I hurled Whisper of the Wind. My stance crumbled as the enveloping darkness faded.
“Hm?”
Diago looked displeased as he watched me. He reached out a hand.
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Plunder (S) Steal.
Anything from him would do.
Ruin his stance, snatch his mana—whatever.
Fighting him head-on was the worst move.
'I got cocky.'
That's who I was from the start.
A guy obsessed with victory over fair fights.
My outstretched hand grasped something.
“What the—impossible technique...!”
Diago's shocked exclamation.
The sunken darkness swallowed his sword whole.