Ch.74Chapter 74. Pride of Humanity (1)

Chapter 74. Pride of Humanity (1)

It was about time for a blessing like this to appear.

I had hoped that killing something close to a high-rank monster might yield two blessings, but thinking about it again, that was probably asking too much.

Anyway, I feel a bit more like I’m in Roa now. If I just had one offensive skill, it would be perfect.

Reading the details carefully, it didn’t seem like a simple enhancement blessing.

Rather than making me tougher or faster than my current state, it clearly indicated strengthening values based on bears, deer, hippos, and so on.

That means this blessing would be meaningless for Lakye or Kanto, who already have superior physical abilities compared to the animals listed.

Ah, I get it. This is a regular unit buff skill.

It must be a blessing that makes ordinary warriors without special abilities as strong as those enhanced gladiators I saw earlier.

Outside, the battle is still raging. Let’s hurry and support the warriors.

“There’s nothing that fits my size…”

After briefly explaining the situation to Lakye, who was busy looking for outerwear and armor, I transferred my consciousness to Totem #4.

Lakye will follow once she finds suitable clothes.

Even without clothes, she needs rest. She’s still panting heavily, probably exhausted from the recent fight.

Ugh, using “Binding Totem” dozens of times in a day is making me dizzy.

I checked the condition of Totem #4. It has cracks all over, probably from continuous use of blessings.

It’ll break after today’s battle is over.

The healing totem covering a range of hundreds of meters is still active, so it’s served its purpose.

“Did you kill the tunnel demon?”

Harry, who was frantically fiddling with his golem controller nearby, asked.

– Yes. How’s the situation?

“Their offensive has weakened. But there are still so many of them…”

The berserk(?) buff that the tunnel demon was giving to the insect people has disappeared.

Still, the order to kill us must have remained valid, as they continued attacking the tribal federation warriors without much confusion.

An army that moves without a commander. Perhaps the tunnel demon trained them well.

– I’ve recovered a blessing. It’s powerful enough that we don’t need to worry about the number of worshippers.

“Phew. We can breathe a little easier now.”

“Enhancement Tattoo” is still low-rank, so it can only enhance twenty people at once.

I surveyed the battlefield to find suitable candidates.

Denzo, Kanto’s right-hand man, swinging an iron club to push back the insect people.

Una, throwing a javelin at a beetle preparing to drop rocks from the sky.

Dodo, using dual swords to assassinate enemies one by one.

“Huaaah~!”

And Noa, blocking the enemies’ attacks with her shield while crying.

I bestowed the “Enhancement Tattoo” blessing on them and other frontline warriors.

Black dragon tattoos appeared on the warriors’ shoulders.

Suddenly, it feels like we’re in a yakuza movie.

“I-Irezumi?”

Noa was startled.

Though covered by armor, it seemed a tattoo had been engraved on her body as well.

Good thing the Paladin is recognized as an ally.

It’s just a shame I can’t get points for it.

“Ohhh!”

“I can feel the power!”

“Is Malak with us through these drawings?!”

“He has bestowed his blessing upon us too!”

The noticeably strengthened warriors dominated the battlefield.

They seem to be about 0.3 Lakye strong now.

“You!”

Crack!

With one swing of Denzo’s club, an insect person’s head was smashed like a watermelon.

It’s the kind of scene that makes you want to say “Keep it down!”

Paya and Toughie’s aerial battle was also spectacular.

Moving around in the air like circus performers, they tore apart the insects with their claws and beaks, looking more like eagles than pigeons.

That guy might not even be a pigeon.

He was a monster even before becoming a spirit. He might turn into a giant monster someday.

I watched the battle, fighting off fatigue.

I’ve really used a lot of energy today. I can’t use any more blessings or anything else.

If I use them once or twice more, I might sleep for 24 hours straight.

“Lord Malak!”

Lakye, wearing female gladiator armor, joined us.

Since the armor prioritized spectacle over practicality, it was skin-tight like tights except for a few metal plates.

Whoever made it certainly knew how to make money.

The tribal federation, having clearly gained the upper hand, drove the enemies back.

Crunch!

After dealing with the last one:

“Victory! We’ve killed the tunnel demon!”

Kanto, looking satisfied after diligently stacking his berserker status, raised his axe high.

“Woaaah!”

The barbarians roared. Though they were all soaked in green blood, they seemed excited, forgetting their fatigue.

It was a shout filled with the exhilaration of victory.

“Yeaaah!”

“We won! We won!”

“We drove out the demon and reclaimed the arena!”

The civilized people, with tears of emotion in their eyes, also cheered like the barbarians.

Unlike the barbarians, their cheers were mixed with relief and a hint of sadness.

“…Hurrah for Roa! Hurrah for Malak! Hurrah…sob!”

Some civilized people were cheering while sobbing.

Tears and snot were running into their mouths, but they didn’t bother wiping them away.

Perhaps they were remembering acquaintances who died during the demon apocalypse.

The civilized people suffered the most from the demon invasion. There must have been much pain that I don’t know about.

I took a moment of silence for the inhabitants of this world.

…Ah, I almost fell asleep. No, I need to stay focused.

Let’s transfer my consciousness first. Totem #4 is on the verge of collapse.

I switched to Totem #3.

“Before collecting the spoils, how about we visit the laboratory?”

Harry approached quietly and spoke in an earnest tone.

“The golem scholars might have left secret weapons. There could be blueprints for mass-produced golems.”

Grandpa, don’t be so impatient. I was going to go there anyway.

– Let’s do that.

I gathered a few warriors who said they could still fight and headed to what was supposedly a secret laboratory.

It’s a two-hour journey from the arena.

Hah. I need to catch some sleep. I really can’t go on.

– I’ve used too much power. My consciousness is getting blurry… Call me when we arrive.

Noa also complained about having no mana and collapsed right after the war ended.

I’m in the same state now.

Just as the Paladin needs to recharge mana, I need to recharge my mental energy.

“Rest well.”

I passed out immediately after hearing Lakye’s voice.

***

Ah, what a tough day. I thought I was going to die from calculating and dealing with customers.

Why do dozens of people crowd into a neighborhood convenience store? There’s a Daiso nearby, go there instead.

Was today some special day? I didn’t hear about any festival.

Anyway, I just helped fill my boss’s wallet.

As soon as I got home, I collapsed like a dead person.

I’d need at least 12 hours of sleep to recover.

“Lord Malak.”

…

“We’ve arrived.”

Ah, who’s making such a racket?

Even though my studio apartment has poor soundproofing, this is too loud.

Sigh. I’ll let it slide because the voice is pretty. Now please be quiet…

“Lord Malak?”

Damn it, why are you looking for someone named Malak or whatever in front of my house?

Is that your boyfriend’s name?

Do I need to open the window and yell at you to be quiet?

I opened my eyes and got up… What the!

Where are my arms and legs?!

“You’re awake. We’ve arrived at the so-called secret laboratory.”

Oh, right. I’m Malak.

“Are you alright?”

Lakye looks at me with concerned eyes.

She’s unrealistically beautiful. Enough to remind me that this isn’t Earth.

– …We’ve arrived.

I answered, holding back tears. I don’t know why, but I felt like crying.

Maybe it’s because I had a long dream about Earth? I might be homesick.

– …

Let’s admit it. I’m exhausted right now.

What I’ve been holding back all this time has finally exploded.

Or maybe I’m just disoriented from being woken up when I was trying to sleep deeply.

“You seem troubled. Did something happen?”

Lakye stroked the totem. A soft, warm sensation spread throughout my body.

This is why I don’t like perceptive women.

– I’m fine. Just tired.

I answered after taking a deep breath. Though I no longer had physical organs to breathe with, I felt I needed to do something similar to calm myself.

Alright. Let’s stop whining now.

If I get too deep into negative thoughts, self-pity, and complaints, there’s no end to it.

Pull yourself together. You’re an awesome Roa.

You’re now a utility totem capable of wide-area buffs and debuffs.

…Why do I feel so pathetic?

– Where’s Harry?

I looked around.

Quick mental recovery is one of my few strengths.

“He’s over there. Said he’s decoding a password.”

A short distance away, Harry was turning an abacus attached to a steel door.

It wasn’t actually an abacus, but something resembling one. Probably a magical locking mechanism.

“Ugh…! Getting old has slowed down my calculation speed. There, it’s done.”

The door opens automatically with a creaking sound.

– Move carefully. We don’t know what might be in there.

It’s time to retrieve the final legacy left by the golem scholars.