Chapter 162
Chapter 162
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 162
Chapter Title: Ray Carter
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‘About fifty of them?’
The dense demonic energy made it hard to get an exact count, but that seemed about right.
If I were alone, escaping this chaos would be a simple matter.
I could just conceal my presence with Soul Shadow Evasion and slip away.
But I was stuck with three damn pieces of baggage.
I didn't care if Johnson lived or died, but Camil and Rhys had to make it out alive.
‘The key is figuring out their combat strength...’
To Claude the Black Sand, they might have been nothing more than annoying pests, but not to me.
If these eye-monsters were on par with the colossi, my best bet would be to escape alone.
But there was no need for such worries.
*Swish! Thwack!*
As I deflected dozens of tentacles that flew at me almost simultaneously, my first thought was this:
‘This is manageable.’
Whether there were many or few of them didn't really matter.
There was a limit to how many tentacles could attack at once.
It seemed their primary attack was lashing out with elasticity and recoil, which caused this phenomenon.
"The problem is how long these guys can last."
A quick glance back showed Rhys Ganiol focusing all his energy on maintaining his defensive magic.
The Island of the Dead was a place where the effects of sustained magic were drastically reduced.
Even though he was only using an 8th-tier spell, Vice-Commander Rhys was sweating profusely.
Meanwhile, Camil and Johnson stood back-to-back, deflecting tentacles just like me.
They were such bitter enemies that they would slit each other's throats given the chance, yet here they were, cooperating.
‘They won't die while I'm on the move.’
They were all formidable in their own right; it seemed I had worried for nothing.
With a much lighter heart, I swung the Black Dragon Sword.
Even as idle thoughts filled my mind, my body moved with agility.
As expected, I've reached a master's level in pointless actions...
‘No, why am I calling my own actions pointless? I should at least be proud of myself. Right?’
*Swish! Clang!*
As if sensing my distracting thoughts, the tentacles' pattern changed.
It seemed they realized that simply lashing out wouldn't be enough to stop me.
Now, the eye-monsters began to stiffen their tentacles like spears and thrust them wildly.
This naturally made it much trickier to defend.
The number of tentacles involved was far greater than before.
But that wasn't the best they could do.
"Hmph! Fools. What good is increasing the number of attacks? They've just become more monotonous."
I snorted and swung the Black Dragon Sword explosively.
Their change in pattern had actually presented a great opportunity.
Now's the time to unleash a big one and slice them to pieces.
"Aargh! Do something!"
Just as I was about to get serious, a scream came from behind me.
It was Rhys Ganiol, who had been struggling to maintain a mere 8th-tier shield spell.
While the increased number of tentacles was an advantage for me, it was a disaster for him.
Just standing there and taking the hits, he had no way to withstand the impact.
‘My desire to save him is quickly fading.’
He was an enemy I'd have to kill someday anyway.
I wasn't merciful enough to put up with his whining.
For a moment, I considered letting him die, but I quickly shook my head.
If Rhys Ganiol died here, things would get complicated.
‘Damn it, I'll let it slide this once.’
*Shwaaa!*
The immense power unleashed by the Demonic Soul formed hundreds of grayish-white orbs.
The fourth form of the Heaven-Severing Demonic Chain Sword, Ten Thousand Heaven-Severing Spirits, was unleashed.
The sword spirits spread out in all directions, beginning to overwhelm the bundles of tentacles.
*Thud! Thudududung!*
Before the legion of highly condensed aura, the eye-monsters' attacks vanished in an instant.
To say they simply melted away would be the most accurate description.
The group watched with astonished expressions as the Ten Thousand Heaven-Severing Spirits raged like a tidal wave.
They feared they might be swept away by that massive gray tide.
But surprisingly, the sword spirits perfectly avoided Camil, Johnson, and Rhys Ganiol.
Though it seemed to pour out chaotically, the Ten Thousand Heaven-Severing Spirits was actually under my complete control.
‘Ugh! My head hurts.’
Controlling each of the numerous sword spirits was no easy task.
Normally, I wouldn't care if they collided and exploded, but right now, I had no choice, even if my head felt like it was splitting open.
"Hup!"
As a result, I even let out a kiai, something I rarely did.
*Kwakwakwakwa!*
Finally, as the effectiveness of the Ten Thousand Heaven-Severing Spirits began to wane.
No more suspicious presences could be felt nearby.
It was the result of pressing the attack until the enemy fell silent.
‘Phew... This feels even harder than the Heaven-Severing Annihilation or the Nine-Ring Annihilation.’
Trying to delicately control such a wide-range secret technique consumed an extreme amount of aura.
It also took a tremendous amount of mental energy.
For dealing with about fifty eye-monsters, it wasn't a very cost-effective exchange.
At this rate, I'd rather face Hol Shivas again.
Of course, I made sure not to show any sign of exhaustion.
‘I'd rather die than look uncool.’
I faced the wind whipping through the forest, letting my cloak flutter naturally.
Looking around with an indifferent gaze, I saw that the surroundings were in utter ruins.
Not just the eye-monsters, but the entire forest had been completely obliterated.
It was the result of the Ten Thousand Heaven-Severing Spirits destroying and grinding everything to dust.
Then, my eyes suddenly met with the others'.
Johnson and Vice-Commander Rhys were gaping, their eyes wide.
Their expressions were ones of utter disbelief.
‘But what's with that guy?’
Camil Felton, however, looked no different than usual.
A nonchalant expression and an uninterested attitude.
His eyes seemed to hold a flicker of interest, but only for a fleeting moment.
‘I still don't get him.’
Just like back in Venderford, I had no idea what went on in his head.
Tearing my gaze away from him, I turned to Rhys Ganiol and spoke.
"What is it? Have you fallen for me? Ah, but I don't accept the affections of men. This is quite the predicament."
"You were quite impressive until a moment ago. But that comment just ruined your image."
"Wasn't my image already shattered? Not many people see me in a good light, you know."
"..."
Vice-Commander Rhys squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head.
* * *
After that first battle, we were subjected to countless ambushes.
The number of monsters increased the closer we got to the island's center.
Eventually, even colossi began to appear.
Thanks to my efforts, we managed to defeat them, but advancing further was impossible.
We were too exhausted to fight anymore.
In the end, the group had to find a suitable spot to make a shelter and wait out the night.
"Hey, didn't you say there was nothing here?"
I said in a slightly reproachful tone, turning to Camil.
But even in his exhausted state, he retorted without fail.
"I said I'd never seen a building like that. I said nothing about monsters."
"Wow! Look at you, weaseling your way out of it."
"I only stated the facts as they were. Aren't you the ones who misunderstood?"
"Yeah, right. You've got big balls."
"You speak so crudely of things you've never seen."
"Why, I oughta..."
I sounded like I was about to pummel him, but they were just empty words.
I was on the verge of collapsing myself.
‘If I'd known it would be like this, I would've asked that bastard Azis for more troops.’
It was a mistake to just come here, trusting those Felton idiots who said there was nothing in the center of the island.
If I make it back to camp, I'll make them pay for this, with interest.
Through brutal revenge.
"Here."
As I was sprawled carelessly on the ground, Rhys Ganiol suddenly held out his right hand.
He couldn't be asking for a fist bump in this situation.
When I lifted my head, I saw four small sticks poking out.
"What's this?"
"We're drawing lots for the night watch. As the one who made them, I'll abstain."
I carelessly reached out and pulled one out.
Bringing the twig before my eyes, I saw the number 3 written on it.
Meaning I had the third watch.
"Tch, what rotten luck."
I crushed the twig and let out a long sigh.
I was dead tired, and now I had to wake up in the middle of my sleep.
A deep, justifiable anger welled up inside me.
Meanwhile, the question of why we couldn't just set up a warning spell and sleep dominated my thoughts.
But even if we did, it would just collapse quickly due to the demonic energy.
It would be a pointless gesture.
Damn this godforsaken place.
"Well then, everyone, please rest well."
As I was cursing internally, I heard Rhys Ganiol's voice.
He must have gotten lucky, as the last stick left was for the first watch.
‘Time to sleep.’
This was not the time for useless scheming, but for accepting reality.
The sooner I fell asleep, the better.
Perhaps because my fatigue had reached its limit, drowsiness washed over me the moment I rested my head on my rolled-up cloak.
How long had I slept?
Sensing someone approaching nearby, my eyes snapped open.
It was the result of keeping my senses open even while sleeping.
"You're next."
It was Camil's voice, echoing softly.
It felt like I'd just fallen asleep, yet so much time had already passed.
‘This is a scam.’
I suspiciously checked the moon's position, but unfortunately, the time seemed about right.
If anything, he had probably stood watch for a bit longer than required.
I shook off my rising irritation and shot up from my spot.
"I'm up. Go."
As I waved my hand dismissively and leaned my back against a tree trunk, Camil quietly turned to leave.
It was a camp without a bonfire, for fear of an ambush.
The night here was cold enough to give one chills.
I cast a simple heating spell and shivered once as I felt my body warm up.
The magic faded quickly, but it was enough warmth for now.
But, it was right at that moment.
"Could you cast one on me as well?"
I looked forward with a questioning gaze and saw Camil standing there.
It seemed he had turned back on his way to his spot.
Rhys Ganiol already knew I could use magic, so it wasn't a big deal.
I flicked my fingers lightly and cast the heating spell on him.
*Snap!*
"There."
"Thank you. Ray Carter."
"...?"
As I was absentmindedly adjusting my cloak, I wondered what I had just heard.
Did this bastard just...
‘Did he just call me Ray Carter?’