Ch.339Changed Raid NPC. (5)

“…Master. Isn’t this what you often call a ‘broken character’?”

“Huh? Me? No way.”

No, it definitely is.

The sight of a Seven Deadly Sins demon—higher in hierarchy than the Greater Demon of Greed that Rei, Ira, and I had struggled so hard to defeat—being reduced to a lump of meat by Master’s punches was beyond absurd.

To begin with, humans without magical power don’t exist on this continent. Truly only one person—Master—is the exception. Who would have thought that the Demon of Greed “absorbs” based on the opponent’s magical power? I never imagined it. No wonder when my leg was torn off back then, it seemed excessively severe compared to the creature’s size. My MP was drained too, but the magical power consumption seemed greater. Moreover, since it absorbed magical power, it naturally absorbed Ira and Piyak’s attacks as well. That’s why its HP never decreased. Wait? Thinking about it this way, doesn’t it make Ira even more amazing for breaking through that effect and bringing it to the brink of death?

But if it can’t absorb things without magical power, then why did it easily consume buildings and other inanimate objects?

“That’s just due to spec difference. An ordinary person would have been torn apart in its jaws earlier.”

“…Did you know that would happen?”

“Well, sort of? After fighting with a 900+ level Elven Grand Elder, I didn’t think my body’s defense would lose to a 600-level creature.”

Master, who had pulverized Greed with his bare hands, ordered me to absorb the demon’s fragments, which I’m currently doing. Even as fragments, this thing is quite powerful. Oh? I even leveled up.

And once it’s completely processed, the undead blocking our path completely disappear. So those corpses were indeed under its control.

“…But the paladins who attacked earlier are probably different. Thinking about it now, it seems like a Sloth (Pigritia) pattern.”

“Then we need to escape quickly. How do we do it? Do you know how to get out of here, Master?”

If we’re trapped in this space because of the ep.7 boss he mentioned, Master should know the strategy. With that thought, I ask him, and Master scratches the back of his head awkwardly before reluctantly speaking.

“Well, I do know, but it’s really annoying.”

“Even if it’s annoying, we need to hurry. Ira is waiting.”

“…Right.”

When I tilt my head at Master’s reluctance to proceed immediately, he sighs deeply and explains.

“If the combined level of those who entered exceeds the boss’s level, you have to walk. The number of repetitions equals the excess amount. If I remember correctly, that thing’s level was around mid-700s, so you and I together will need to go around about 300 more times.”

“…What?”

Excess level? And the combined total of Master and me?

[-Occupation: Ira’s Brother- Level: 361 Name: Jack. Age: 21.]

[Slime Mime Golem: Level 673]

“I’m sorry. My level is…”

“It’s fine. Not your fault. This was known as a shit-boring gimmick that made even old-school players quit the game. Ugh, facing it in reality makes me really not want to do it. It was so hated that they patched it the same day to a fixed number of times, but it was still an insanely boring gimmick.”

If it’s the pre-patch version, we need at least 300 rounds. And this will repeat when we enter where Ira or Ragni might be. At least our levels are lower thanks to Master receiving some kind of trial, making it somewhat manageable, but Ira and Rei’s combined level exceeds 1200, and Ragni and the Chancellor’s combined level is close to 1000. This is truly an insane gimmick. I wonder if our opponents understand the concept of levels too? Anyway…

-Whoosh!

“Huh?!”

“Master’s feet are fast, but if we’re unlucky, we’ll have to run like hamsters on a wheel for over 300 rounds. I think it’s better if I carry you and run. I don’t get tired anyway.”

“I-Is that so?! But do you have to carry me like this?!!”

“Since it’s my fault, please consider it compensation.”

“Is that so?! But what did you do wrong?!!”

After picking up Master in a princess carry and getting his permission, I started running. I just hope the other party members don’t level up any further.

I regret having leveled everyone up before coming here.

*

“Hah!!”

-Slash!!

“Yap!!”

-Crackle!!

When I slash, Ira freezes. Ira’s specialties are fire magic in conjunction with Piyak and spirit arts, but she can’t use them because we can’t break the windows. Even so, her support is perfect. Especially…

“Sis! Above!!”

“Got it!!”

-Swish!

In this narrow space, the “empty armor” type monsters keep appearing no matter how many we cut down. They attempt to ambush us from all sides—left, right, behind, and even dropping from above—but they can’t escape Ira’s detection, making them relatively easy to subdue. However…

“This is troublesome. If they keep appearing like this, it’s going to be difficult.”

“Should I stop freezing them? Is it too cramped?”

“No. The cramped space actually makes it easier to intercept them. It’s just that…”

We can’t reach the exit. I want to get out quickly, but how are these monsters being summoned endlessly? This isn’t even a dungeon, so how are they appearing like this? Even dungeons don’t spawn monsters this rapidly. There truly seems to be no way out. Without conveying my anxiety, I vaguely explain while defeating the monsters. During a brief lull, Ira, who’s been sticking close behind me, tugs at my clothes.

“Sis, sis! Let’s go underground! I think we should rescue the people!”

“That’s…”

These monsters aren’t particularly strong. The problem is their sheer numbers. If they continue to be summoned while we’re trying to rescue people, protecting everyone while fighting would be difficult. So…

“No! If we rescue the people, we can stop this! I think that’s how the magic works!!”

“…If we rescue the people? Ah!”

[The Empire’s ancient artifacts operate on human magical power and life force.]

I recall what Ragni said before we entered.

Certainly, I’m not a mage, but it’s strange that monsters keep pouring in without any visible magic stones or summoning medium. Could they be using people’s life force to summon these monsters? If so…

“Ira, do you know the way down?”

“Yes! Behind that platform over there!!”

In this large room that resembles a chapel, Ira points to a platform on the opposite side from the entrance. I steel my resolve.

There’s no benefit in continuing to fight these endlessly spawning monsters, and forcing our way through using my newly acquired [Herald Release] or [Connector] skills might leave us vulnerable afterward. So!

“Ira! Get on my back!!”

“Yap!!”

With an adorable sound, Ira jumps onto my back and wraps her arms tightly around my neck. I put my sword at my waist and visually target all the monsters in our path.

“[Swift Sword] Wind Riding Form 3. Wind of Exclusion!!”

I slide across the ground, creating an autumn-like gust from my initial draw, precisely piercing only the enemies in the shortest path as I advance toward our target. Making sure Ira on my back isn’t caught up, ensuring the enemies can’t block our charge! Focusing on not letting enemy attacks stop my legs! Running quickly!!

“Location!!”

“There!!”

-Swish!!

After bypassing rather than defeating about twenty enemies, I reach our position and shout. Ira immediately points to the entrance leading down at the platform, and I smoothly slash it open before dropping down. Wait, this is quite deep…?!!

“Piyak!!”

“Piyeet~!”

-Boom!!

We fell from a considerable height without preparation, but Ira noticed and called Piyak, who created an explosion below us, using the blast to reduce our falling speed. As soon as our speed decreased, I immediately stabbed my sword into the wall and kicked off it to adjust our landing position.

Whew, that could have been bad without Ira!

“Wow! Sis, you were super fast!!”

“Hehe. Thanks to Ira and Piyak, we’re safe. Thank you.”

“Piyeet~”

Ira, who was on my back, looks at me with wide, sparkling eyes, making me feel a bit proud. Ah, all that effort to level up was really worth it!

After briefly checking each other’s condition, we look around to find ourselves in what appears to be a massive cave or mine shaft. But why is it so bright without any torches…? Oh? Piyak is glowing like a torch!

“Piyak~”

“Sis, that way! Let’s hurry before the monsters catch up!”

“Ah, yes!”

Ira pulls at my clothes, and I take the lead. Piyak flies low in front of me, illuminating our path. Really, I would have been in trouble without Ira.

After advancing for quite some time, the tunnel gradually widens, and we start seeing torches mounted on the walls. And there…

“”””……””””

“…People.”

“Oh, sis.”

A natural prison. That’s impossible, of course. Countless holes with unnaturally clean stone bars blocking their entrances. Inside, an enormous number of people lie collapsed, with roughly 50-60 people visible in each cell just from a quick count.

Looking at the number of holes, there must be at least thousands of imprisoned humans. I swallow dryly and immediately take out a handkerchief from my pocket, handing it to Ira to cover her nose.

The smell of excrement and… the occasional scent of blood—these aren’t aromas Ira should be exposed to.

“Q-Quickly, let’s get them ou…”

“No, Ira. Let’s go further in first. We’ll rescue the people later.”

I want to tear apart these bars immediately too, but I can’t. If the monsters we saw earlier chase us from behind, these people will have nowhere to escape. Moreover, it doesn’t make sense that there are no guards for this many prisoners. Perhaps they didn’t expect anyone to come down from that direction, or…

“The only escape route must be that way.”

The entrance we came down from wasn’t one that could be climbed up or down without magical abilities or other special powers. Even for someone with my level of physical ability, it wasn’t an easy height to climb. Therefore, it’s reasonable to assume these people were captured from the opposite direction from where we entered. Which means…

“…Sis, there’s a demon.”

“Just one demon?”

“Mm-mm, there are people too. Lots of them.”

The enemies who captured these people are in the opposite direction. That thought was correct, and as we quietly approach to avoid being detected by the enemies Ira sensed…

“…Any signs of the barrier being broken?”

“None.”

“Could they possibly have run toward the entrance by the platform?”

“Impossible. That entrance is completely concealed by holy power. There’s no way it could have been discovered.”

“One, even if there’s a possibility, we should send trackers toward the tunnel now.”

“Tch, managing the sacrifices is already difficult enough. Why did High Priest Torrens send enemies this way too!”

“He probably trusted the defensive holy spells we prepared. I’ll send trackers right away.”

“Tsk. Because of that useless demon and the high priest, what a troublesome situation this is.”

Humans in white priestly robes having a conversation completely unsuited to their attire, and one massive demon that appears to be in a deep sleep with its eyes closed.

It was clear they were talking about us, and equally clear that they hadn’t noticed our presence here. So…

“Ira, use half your maximum skill output to crush the demon’s head.”

“Okay. Half.”

Quietly lowering my voice as I instruct Ira, she responds softly and begins to concentrate her magical power to create Jack’s form.

I don’t know what kind of demon it is, but there’s no reason to wait for it to open its eyes or fight it head-on with honor. Moreover, there’s even less reason to show mercy to those priests just because they’re human!

After directing Ira to use her skill, I immediately…

“[Connector.]”

“Brother…”

I created a duplicate of Ira to execute the same attack.

“”””Huh?””””

“Punch!!”

The giant form of Jack, simultaneously unleashed by both the real Ira and her duplicate, mercilessly struck down the demon and the priests.