072. Curse Devil Gentleman
The Curse Cus Devil Gentleman was a devil-type monster that wielded curses. The battle between it and Squad 1 dragged on for quite a while. In a standard 2-on-1 matchup, it would've ended quickly, but in reality, it was closer to a 1-on-1.
Medical Mushroom-004 specialized in healing and wasn't built for combat, so it stayed by Psycho Clown-005's side, providing support to block curses.
Psycho Clown-005's mad superpowers clashed against Curse Cus Devil Gentleman's insidious curses. The devil's main curse summoned countless black hands bursting from the ground. They rotted flesh on contact—but Medical Mushroom-004's healing fluids constantly shielded Clown, preventing serious damage.
"Hm. Doesn't look like Clown's gonna lose."
In my eyes, Clown was a cut above the devil. Even without Mushroom's support, it could've won. Probably the difference in experience. Psycho Clown-005 had existed for ages.
"Still, this draggy fight's making me uneasy. Should I send reinforcements now?"
I glanced away from Iris/Vision and scanned the other monsters in the shelter. The other squads had all returned. Most were giving me these heavy, expectant stares. Probably because of the Evolution Ticket news. It was written all over their faces.
"Guys, staring like that won't get you picked for evolution, so knock it off."
I'd already decided on candidates in my head: Jellyfish-002 and Melody Fox. Jellyfish was an early member, and while Kinogine Arachne and Black Magma Slime-003 had hit SS-grade, it was still stuck at S-grade. It seemed quietly miffed about it.
Melody Fox was a no-brainer. It buffed the others. Evolving it to SS-grade would mean stronger buffs for everyone, easier SS-grade evolutions across the board, and maybe even pushing some to SSS-grade.
In short, evolving Melody Fox benefited all. They'd get it once I explained.
Anyway, evolution talk later. Reinforcements for Squad 1 first.
"Squad 1's not struggling exactly, but the fight's dragging. Anyone wanna reinforce?"
Hands shot up.
［Peep! Peeep!］
［Explorer! I'll go!］
［Duumba! I'll goyot!］
［Ororororo! Chiiik!］
［I wish... for evolution... no, to reinforce.］
A ton of S-grades jumped at it. They wanted evolution bad. Not really worried about Squad 1—just sucking up for a ticket. So transparent.
"Then maybe everyone..."
I trailed off, glancing at Iris/Vision. A massive impact echoed.
─［Yohohoho...］
Hm. No need for reinforcements anymore. It was over.
"Guys, we're good. It's done."
［Peep...］
［Ahh...］
［Dumdum...］
［Orororororo! Chiiiiik!］
［Regrettable... no, fortunate...］
As my flat tone suggested, Psycho Clown-005 had won. Curse Cus Devil Gentleman lay crumpled, arms and legs blasted off, head raised with a creepy smirk at Clown.
Why's the loser grinning?
─［Kiirik. A worthy foe.］
─［Beep!］
─［Yohoho...］
Clown approached the fallen devil.
─［Won't kill you. Gauntlet wants more tamed. Kiirik.］
─［Yohohoho...］
I got the allies' reactions. That laugh grated on me too. Mocking, belittling—like a sneer that got under your skin after a while.
─［Kiirik. Gauntlet's waiting, so back to base to tame...］
Clown reached out. The devil's eyes curved like crescent moons.
─［Yohoho!!!!］
Mad laughter tore through the cave, followed by an ear-splitting boom. The devil's body swelled—then boom! It exploded.
─［Kiirik...?］
As Rise Nova said, Clown was fine—just drenched in the devil's blood.
The blood was cursed? I panicked briefly, then ordered Mushroom fast.
"Mushroom! Clown might be in danger—spray all your fluid!"
［Beep!!! Beepbo beepbo!!!］
Medical Mushroom-004's thick goo enveloped Clown.
Back at our base in the Central Chamber. A massive pink jelly floated in the air. Psycho Clown-005 floated inside the translucent goo, breathing raggedly and irregularly.
［Kiirik, kiii...］
As Elris had warned, the devil's blood carried a vicious curse—one completed by the caster's death, the ultimate malediction.
［Beep...］
［Kyuuwu...］
Medical Mushroom-004 sniffled. Melody Fox paced anxiously. Every monster watched Clown with worried eyes.
Healing and decay tugged endlessly. The curse rotted Clown's flesh; Mushroom's fluid reversed it. But the curse edged ahead slightly, making Clown's condition precarious—like a sinking ship.
"Why're you apologizing?"
Elris was blameless. If anything, it was my fault. Clown got careless, but I'd overestimated our monsters and judged too casually. Should've been more cautious with orders.
［Gau, ntlet...］
Clown called me. Trembling inside the goo, it reached out an arm. I stepped up, plunged my hand into the pink fluid, and gripped Clown's.
Beat this curse.
Then Art Pega Unicorn, who'd been rubbing its chin thoughtfully, approached slowly. It alternated glances between me and Clown.
［Explorer. Use an Evolution Ticket on Clown.］
"Evolution Ticket?"
［Yes. Not certain, but evolution might purge the curse.］
Not baseless. Evolution rebuilt the body.
"...Yeah, if it's not soul-bound, evolution could wipe it."
Maybe the only way to save Clown now—Mushroom's healing wasn't enough.
"Guys."
I scanned the others.
"Heard that? Using one ticket on Clown. Objections?"
Strength instinct vs. friend's life—uncomparable. But they might not value Clown that much. Tamed around me, loyalty to me first.
"None?"
Silence. No objections. They nodded like it was obvious.
"Picked some good ones."
I chuckled, looked away from them, and used the Evolution Ticket on Clown without delay.
Black sludge erupted from Clown's body, engulfing it instantly and forming a massive egg.
Time remaining until evolution: 24:00:00