Ch.86Midterm Exam (4)

There was a group of people watching Arigiri Shota’s party.

Yes, it was the organization Apocalypse.

“So these are the damn brats reducing the number of monsters?”

A man with a giant horn on his forehead said with a smile. Besides the horn on his head, it was obvious at first glance that he wasn’t human.

The red glow emanating from his eyes and his distinctive pink beard revealed that he wasn’t human. He was Pink Beard, a demon born in the hidden world.

“Yes. They’ve already destroyed two dungeons. They’re the main culprits ruining our plans.”

Shoji observed Arigiri Shota’s group through narrowed eyes as he spoke.

In reality, Arigiri Shota was the party’s leader. That analysis wasn’t wrong. Shota was the center of the party. While Sasitsu was the strongest, his strength was only fully utilized with Shota’s orders backing him up.

“Let’s just kill them. Problem solved.”

Pink Beard said.

“That’s… impossible. Direct murder is prohibited.”

Shoji shook his head.

“Why?”

“Because of this world’s law enforcement. The police don’t know about the hidden world. However, they’re quite good at investigating ordinary murders. The Japanese police aren’t fools. If we get involved, we’ll be tracked by the police.”

Shoji explained.

“We could just feed them to monsters in the hidden world. Then their cause of death would be ruled as heart failure, right?”

Pink Beard said with a puzzled expression.

“That’s true, but… they’re minors. When multiple minors die of heart failure at once, it becomes a major incident. Not just the Emoshita police, but the Metropolitan Police Department might get involved if they sense something suspicious. Japan is sensitive about the deaths of minors.”

Shoji said.

“That’s right. I almost got caught by the police after accidentally killing a minor.”

Emoto said while juggling a dagger.

“Coming from a serial killer, that’s quite convincing.”

Shoji said with a slight smile. Subtly getting on Emoto’s nerves was just a bonus.

“So… you limit your murder targets to elderly people living alone, recluses, or homeless people?”

Pink Beard asked.

“Exactly. It’s not strange if such people suddenly die of heart failure. Even if they go missing, no one really cares.”

Shoji replied.

“Tch… civilized society is such a hassle. Too many rules to follow.”

Pink Beard clicked his tongue.

“That’s why we’re trying to destroy this civilized society. With the power of the hidden world.”

Shoji said with a smile.

“I’d be satisfied with a society where anyone can freely kill people.”

Emoto agreed with a laugh.

“By the way… what should we do with this guy?”

Pink Beard dragged over someone who had been beaten to a pulp.

Yes, it was Jack, who had been defeated by Arigiri Shota.

“G-give me a chance to redeem myself!! Next time I’ll definitely bring you Arigiri Shota’s head!!!! That bastard just got lucky!!!”

Jack desperately begged for his life.

“Jack. Don’t you understand yet? You’ve shown your true worth.”

Shoji said to Jack.

“Ugh…!!”

“You’re weak, relying only on your psycho-robo. You’re not worthy of being our comrade.”

After saying this, Shoji nodded toward Pink Beard.

“Pink Beard. Just eat him. Devouring a sturdy man should sustain you for about three months, right?”

Shoji said, looking at Jack with cold eyes. There wasn’t a trace of camaraderie in his tone.

“W-wait!!!!!!!”

Jack shouted loudly.

“I’ve been waiting for that.”

Squelch-!!

With those words, Pink Beard’s arm transformed into a massive mouth.

“W-wait!! Stop!! Don’t!! Please!!! Damn it!! See how different you are from hell!!! Arigiri Shota is dangerous!!!! You’ll all suffer the same fate!!!!”

Jack’s pleas could be heard, but they were soon drowned out.

Crunch-!!!!!

The horrifying sound of Pink Beard’s arm tearing into Jack echoed all around.

“But leader. No matter how scary the police are, we can’t just let those guys keep running around. What are we going to do?”

Emoto asked Shoji.

“To hide a tree, you hide it in a forest.”

Shoji said with a cryptic tone.

“Let’s cause a major incident. While the police are confused by that case, quietly taking out a few high school students would be no big deal. We’ll hide small murders behind a big one.”

Shoji grinned.

“Hehehe. Finally!! We’re going big!!”

Emoto laughed loudly.

———–

At that time, back to Arigiri Shota’s perspective.

After spending happy moments with Eri, Umi, and Taiga who approached me one by one, I finally gained my freedom.

Surprisingly, I wasn’t the first to be knocked out anymore. This time, my girlfriends were the ones who gave in first. They were trembling like electrocuted frogs, unable to escape their ecstasy.

“Hmm… has my stamina improved?”

After all, sexual stamina follows physical ability. Perhaps because I reached level 24, I wasn’t having my energy one-sidedly drained anymore.

This is good. It seems I need to get stronger to prevent any unfortunate accidents.

“Well… time to sleep.”

I needed to practice lucid dreaming again today. I covered my half-unconscious girlfriends with blankets and squeezed myself between them. It was getting warmer these days, but I didn’t want to give up the comfort of skin-to-skin contact.

I closed my eyes. Immediately after, I fell asleep.

——–

“Ah. You’re here.”

Blue Beard greeted me right away.

“So… are you going to tackle the level 30 dungeon today?”

Blue Beard asked, as if testing me.

“No. Just the usual Kobold Mine.”

I was planning to grind the level 20 dungeon. It’s not like I wouldn’t level up by doing so.

“Coward.”

Blue Beard bluntly stated.

“It’s efficient!!! Besides, you said if I die here, I die for real!!!! What’s wrong with prioritizing safety?!”

I immediately shouted.

“Hmph. That single word ‘coward’ made you so eloquent. Good value for my provocation.”

Blue Beard smiled smugly.

“Argh!! Seriously!!”

I just kicked open the door to my usual dungeon.

I planned to just grind this dungeon until I hit level 30.

———

“Chirururu!! Chiruk!!!”

As always, Kobolds appeared to block my way. The same arrangement, the same level, the same behavior patterns.

I had already figured out the dungeon’s structure after countless runs. There was no chance of dying.

“Hyaaah!!”

I charged at the Kobolds with my sword.

Swoosh-!!

With a swing of my sword, the group of Kobolds was sliced apart.

“Rarararat!!!!!!”

Riding the momentum, I ran through the dungeon swinging my sword. Continuously running toward the shortest path helped save time. This is what you call a speedrun.

Before I knew it, I had reached the boss room.

“Grururururuk!!!!”

The boss mob, covered in layers of armor, stood in my way. I had already slaughtered this guy more times than I could count.

“Die!!!!”

I immediately swung my sword.

Cutting through the armor with a single flash was no big deal. I still needed to refine it, but I had gotten the hang of it.

Swoosh-!!!!!

The Kobold’s armor, along with its body, was split in two. The boss died a violent death without even having time to scream.

And so, I successfully cleared the dungeon. Completion time: 5 minutes. Half the time it took before.

———

“I’m back!!!”

I said as I opened the dungeon exit door.

“What… already?”

Blue Beard seemed surprised.

“Heh. I’ve already figured out how to clear it.”

I said with a smile.

“To think it would only take 5 minutes…”

Blue Beard looked at me in disbelief.

“Time to grind some more!!!!”

I immediately went back into the dungeon.

After that, I ran the dungeon about 50 more times.

I was starting to feel nauseous just looking at Kobolds. I had seen them so much that I was sick of them.

But there was definitely a reward for running it 50 times.

Ding-!!

I reached level 30 in one go.

Yeah, if I couldn’t reach level 30 after 50 runs, that would be truly unfair.

“To think you could become this strong in such a short time… even with my power.”

Blue Beard seemed unable to believe what he was seeing.

“Uwahahahaha!!!!!”

Unable to contain my joy at finally reaching 30, I burst into laughter.

This is it. The slow leveling before was truly unfair. This is the right speed. I finally felt like I was getting the proper incarnation bonus. I was now almost at the same level as Sasitsu.

“Even though you’ve gotten stronger… it would be best not to let your guard down.”

Blue Beard cut off my laughter with his words.

This old man… he’s really good at raining on my parade. Is it so hard to just give me a word of praise?

“The level of dungeons will gradually increase from now on. Moreover, your enemies are also becoming more powerful. Even if you’ve gotten stronger, things won’t be easy.”

Blue Beard stated firmly.

“Old man. You know what’s going to happen next, right? Give me a little hint. Please?”

I asked Blue Beard.

Being a veteran player, I knew the general storyline, but unexpected events like the incident with Jack kept happening. The so-called incarnation bonus couldn’t be trusted.

“That would violate our contract.”

Blue Beard stated firmly.

Geez. Such a stickler. If the contract said to die, would you do it? Of course not.

“Well, I’ll give you something like a piece of advice.”

Blue Beard opened his mouth to speak.

“Yes!! That’s what I’m talking about!!”

I immediately bowed to Blue Beard.

“Soon, a calamity will befall Natsukawa Taiga’s surroundings. When that time comes, don’t make a choice you’ll regret.”

Blue Beard made an ominous statement out of nowhere.

T-Taiga? It was an extremely ominous prophecy. Blue Beard wouldn’t just say nonsense to mess with me… I suddenly felt anxious.