A flash of the sword cuts through the air, and the giant deer-like monster crumples to the ground.
After putting her sword away, Lilia steps forward to the fallen monster and, with a knife, cuts off its antlers as proof of the subjugation.
Just then, Lunamaria-san and Sieglinde, who had been hunting nearby, approached.
[My Lady, I think it’s about time we return… What do you think?]
[I can’t say we’ve done well. We’ve managed to hunt a few thanks to the Search Magic, but it’s troubling that we still “can’t find most of the Black Bears.”]
[It seems the same for My Lady. I’ve only fought against one Black Bear… Too few, given the time of year.]
[………………..]
This hunting tournament also serves to help thin out the Black Bear population, which is considered a nuisance. As a result, Black Bears earn higher points than other monsters.
Naturally, the tournament is scheduled for the time of year when the Black Bear numbers peak in the forest, and although it’s the first time Lilia and the others have participated, they could feel something wasn’t right.
[Well, anyway, if there are hardly any Black Bears here, they must be gathering somewhere else—!?]
[ [ ! ? ] ]
Lilia was about to continue speaking, but her words trailed off as if she sensed something.
Lunamaria and Sieglinde seemed to do the same.
[……What was that? That strange feeling I just had.]
[……Is Miyama-sama in danger?]
[You felt it too, Luna?]
[Y-Yes, there was a sudden feeling of unease……]
Kaito has received the blessing of Shallow Vernal, the God of the world, and is loved by the world.
Therefore, aside from “the Underworld King, against whom Shallow Vernal’s powers do not apply,” any crisis Kaito faces would be conveyed by the world as a foreboding to those close to him.
[I felt a bad premonition. It seems we should return to Rigforeshia immediately.]
[Yes, I agree.]
[Is that fine with you too, Sieg… Wait, she’s already started running ahead of us!?]
Unable to ignore the uneasiness they were feeling, Lilia and Lunamaria decided to head back to Rigforeshia right away. They tried to call out to Sieg, who should’ve been nearby… but Sieg was already far ahead, running toward Rigforeshia.
A massive paw swung down.
This blow, capable of crushing a human body with ease if it lands, is deflected with my left hand and countered with a clenched right fist.
The punch strikes the Black Bear’s face, as if catching it mid-air, but unfortunately, the weight difference between us is just too much for the hit to have any real effect.
[Guuoooohhhhh!!!]
The Black Bear, enraged by my unexpected counterattack—coming from someone it thought was weak prey—lets out a furious roar. It then swings its paw, attempting to wipe me out, but it’s still too slow.
I bend my body to dodge, then swing my right leg up, kicking the Black Bear under the jaw.
[Guohh……]
I’ve heard that feet are several times more powerful than hands, and it seems that’s true, because even the Black Bear is slightly thrown off balance by the kick to its chin.
But only for a moment. It glares at me with fury and starts swinging its paws recklessly again.
I fight back, dodging the storm of attacks, but despite the outward show of offense and defense, my mind is anything but calm.
It hurts… it hurts… My right arm is definitely broken! A strange sound came from the joints in my legs, and the pain was so intense I began to sweat.
Yes, my body is currently moving on its own, regardless of my intentions, due to the effect of Auto-Counter.
In other words, this magic is essentially putting my body on autopilot, and reading the enemy’s attack with my Sympathy Magic, my body responds with predetermined movements.
On the surface, this might sound like an incredibly useful magic… but in reality, it comes with some serious drawbacks.
First off, my body, enhanced by this magic, is in a state where its limiter is disabled. So to speak, I’m always in a state of superhuman strength. Even I, someone who’s not particularly good at using Body Strengthening Magic, managed to stagger a Black Bear. Naturally, removing the limits on my body comes with consequences.
The arm that punched the Black Bear is probably broken, and the pain that’s coursing through my body feels like my muscles are being shredded every time I move.
As I endure an absurd amount of pain coursing through my body, the second drawback… is that once I activate Auto-Counter, everything but my thoughts moves without my control. No matter how much it hurts, my body won’t stop, and I can’t even scream because my mouth won’t move.
It would have been better if my thoughts were frozen too, but then I wouldn’t be able to cancel my magic… so I’m stuck just enduring the pain running through me.
The third drawback… is that this magic drains a ridiculous amount of my magical power.
Right now, my body is releasing magic power like a broken faucet just to increase the accuracy of my Sympathy Magic.
I don’t have a lot of magic power to begin with, so this magic will only last a few minutes. Once my magic power runs out, it will be forcibly released.
It’s a high-risk magic , originally meant to be used in critical situations. But thanks to this magic, even someone like me—who has almost no combat experience—can fight.
Still, as I expected… it’s impossible to defeat it.
The Black Bear staggers occasionally, but the damage is minimal. Even if I could maintain this magic for an hour, it still wouldn’t be enough to defeat it.
That said, the chances of victory aren’t zero.
I can’t defeat the Black Bear myself, but with all this commotion, if I can just buy enough time, the guards should arrive.
The only question is… how much longer can I keep this up?
[Guuuooooohhhhh!!!]
The attacks were so devastating that a single hit would have been enough to end me, but I kept dodging and counterattacking relentlessly.
Ouch, that hurts… This magic still has a lot of room for improvement. Specifically, when fighting an opponent as tough as iron, counterattacking ends up hurting me too, so I’ll need to adjust that part as well…
About a minute into my confrontation with the Black Bear, I noticed armed figures rushing toward us at the edge of my vision.
Are they the Guards? Or perhaps participants in the hunting tournament… Either way, it looks like help is on the way…
[……Ah.]
But right after, my strength left me, and I collapsed to my knees.
This is bad. The magic’s effects have already worn off…
[Guuoohhhh!!!]
[Ahh, gah!]
[Miyama-san!?]
[Nooooooooo!?]
The massive arm, which had been swinging at me, finally lands a hit, sending me flying through the air as though struck by a car.
With the sounds of Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san’s voices ringing in my ears, I crash into a nearby stall, smashing it to pieces, before falling face-first to the ground.
……Wow. I’m still alive after that… Could it be because of these clothes? If I remember right, Alice guaranteed the protection they provide… so… once we’re back, I’ll need to thank her properly…
Ah, but I think I’m still in trouble… I’m not sure if I can’t feel anything anymore, but my body, which hurt so much before, now feels almost numb…
I slightly move my head and glance at the Black Bear that sent me flying.
It would’ve been nice if it had let out a triumphant roar, but instead, the Black Bear turned toward my fallen body and raised its massive arms again.
I thought the distance between us was too far for it to reach, but the Black Bear kept raising its arms into the air. Then, its hands glowed faintly, and blades of magical power were released, following the trajectory of its claws.
So, this guy can attack from a distance, huh… That’s cheating… Ah, this is bad. If that hits me… I’m done for.
Just as the flying claw strikes seemed to approach in slow motion, I resigned myself to my fate. And then, a flash of red hair, like flames blazing, entered my vision. The claw strikes, which had been hurtling toward me, were suddenly torn apart in the air.
With twin swords wrapped in red flames, the figure that stepped between me and the Black Bear looked like a crimson rose blooming on the battlefield.
[……Sieg……-san.]
As I finally see Sieg-san standing there, as if she’s protecting me, a moment later, from behind the Black Bear… Lilia-san’s figure suddenly crashed down from the sky.
Holding her slender greatsword above her head, it looked as if Lilia-san had “kicked the air” and swooped down, slicing the Black Bear in half with a single strike.
Incredible… Just one strike to that Black Bear, which seemed like a walking lump of steel… Or rather, Lilia-san, I should’ve known… you really are the power type… But that’s amazing. You made it in time…
With the arrival of Sieg-san and Lilia-san, it felt like all the tension drained from my body, and my consciousness began to fade.
[Luna! Go check on Kaito-san!!!]
[I’m on it!]
As soon as she slices through the Black Bear, Lilia shouts, and Lunamaria immediately rushes over to Kaito to check his condition. After feeling for injuries and assessing his state, Lunamaria… exhales in relief.
[…He’s fine. His injuries are serious, but they’re not life-threatening.]
[…Thank goodness.]
[However, if we don’t use Recovery Magic soon…]
[Leave that to me.]
[Rei-san!]
[Sorry, I’m late. I’ll use Recovery Magic right away.]
Rejnhardt and Sylphia arrived a bit later than Lilia and the others, and Rejnhardt, skilled in magic, extends his hand to cast Recovery Magic on Kaito. His body briefly glows, but just as quickly, a sound like shattering glass rings out, and the light vanishes.
[What!? No way, o-once more…]
Rejnhardt’s eyes widen at the sight, and he holds out his hand again, but… the shattering glass sound echoes again.
[This is impossible… The Recovery Magic is being “nullified”…]
[…!?]
[It can’t be!? In that case, what about Kaito-san…?]
[I-In any case, we should apply first aid first—!?]
For some reason, the Recovery Magic they were casting on Kaito was being nullified, and Lilia and the others quickly tried to treat him without using magic. But just as they were scrambling, Kaito suddenly radiated a brilliant light, and a white sphere appeared just above him.
After the small sphere emitted a strong burst of light, Kaito’s red, swollen arm returned to its normal color. Not only that, but his torn clothes, the dirt on his cheek, and even the smallest of injuries—everything reverted back to normal.
[……What… is this magic…? This is beyond anything, even God’s miracles…]
The magic crystal Shallow Vernal had given Kaito the night before. It was filled with the Creator God’s “Shallow Vernal’s Recovery Magic.”
A gift from Shallow Vernal to ensure Kaito’s survival. This absolute healing spell automatically activates some time after Kaito is injured. It bends the laws of cause and effect, regenerating his body even if it’s shattered into pieces.
In other words, as long as this crystal exists, Kaito won’t die from anything—aside from “Kuromueina’s power, which can nullify Shallow Vernal’s power.”
Lilia and the others, though still unsure of what had just happened, exhaled in relief after confirming Kaito was safe for the moment.
Then, Lilia, her expression now serious, adjusted her sword and turned to Rejnhardt.
[…Rei-san. The one who attacked him was a scout, right?]
[Yeah… And honestly, you don’t even need to check to know the answer.]
Almost at the same time as Lilia and Rejnhardt exchanged words, multiple Black Bears emerged from the crumbling wall.
The sheer number of them is almost absurd… and further in the back, the figure of a massive Black Bear stands out conspicuously.
[…As I thought, a “Special Individual.” I’m not sure how many times I’ve seen this happen in the past, but I’m fairly certain it was 400 years ago when they last appeared. Of all the times for one to show up…]
One of the reasons for the mass appearance of monsters is the emergence of Special Individuals.
In rare cases, a Special Individual is born among certain monster species, like orcs or ogres, which have their own race names. These individuals are far stronger than their counterparts, and their characteristics vary depending on the species.
Take, for instance, the Blue Ogre Acht, a Special Individual of the Ogre race, who became a symbol of fear among the Ogres and was even persecuted by his own kind before joining Kuromueina’s family. Similarly, High Orcs, a Special Individual of the Orc race, are revered as leaders of their species. Each Special Individual is unique.
And the Special Individual of Black Bears are similar to the Orcs in nature. They have the ability to lead the normally solitary Black Bears, causing them to form large groups.
The appearance of this Special Individual is nothing short of a disaster for the elves.
[I was just a child when they appeared 400 years ago, but I heard that, at the time, they nearly wiped out half of Rigforeshia.]
[……They sure have an extravagant number on their side.]
Lunamaria-san muttered in response to Rejnhardt’s words, anxiety clearly visible on her face.
The swarm of Black Bears emerged from the broken wall, numbering well over two hundred. Each of them possessed power on par with a wyvern, and their sheer numbers were enough to make anyone watching despair.
[Luna, stay here and protect Kaito-san, Aoi-san, and Hina-san!]
[Yes!]
Lilia, gripping her sword tightly, gave Lunamaria the task of protecting Kaito and the others.
The elven guards and the participants of the hunting tournament started to rally, preparing to face the Black Bears.
[Ooooohhhh!!!]
With a roar from the Unique Black Bear, the rest of the Black Bears charged forward, clashing with the vanguards. A sharp sound echoed through the air.
[I’ll be going in to attack too! Raz-san, cover me!]
[Leave it to me!]
A figure dressed in jet-black, among the group of humans… Neun darted forward, heading toward the pack of Black Bears with incredible speed.
[So fast!?]
Amid Lilia’s astonishment at Neun’s speed, Neun conjured a black spear in midair and hurled it as a projectile while continuing to run. The spear sank deep into the black bear at the head of the pack.
Without breaking stride, she sliced off the bear’s neck with the sword that had materialized in her hand. Then, she grabbed a one-handed axe that appeared in the air and tossed it aside, all while continuing to swing her swords, striking down another black bear.
The black bears, caught off guard by the sudden turn of events, hesitated for a moment, but quickly raised their arms to intercept Neun as she slashed through their group.
However, their raised arms were pierced by a flurry of arrows.
[Neun! Don’t worry about what’s around you, just keep fighting as hard as you can!]
[Yes!]
With her bow ready, Razelia skillfully shot an arrow through the arm of one of the black bears targeting Neun, making a precise and peerless shot.
With her support, Neun ramped up her assault, cutting down one black bear after another.
[A-Amazing… With them here…]
[No, the situation is still dire! Neun and I can’t use wide-area Annihilation Magic either. No matter how strong Neun is, there are still too many of them to deal with.]
At the words muttered by one of the guards who had witnessed Neun-san’s strength, Razelia bit her lip and uttered those words.
As Razelia said, Neun certainly is strong… However, her strength was most effective in one-on-one combat or against a small number of opponents. There was no way for her to defeat a swarm of over 200 Black Bears before they could cause damage to the city of Rigforeshia.
The proof of this was that Neun was always taking on three or more Black Bears, and while she was certainly overwhelming them, some of the Black Bears had already ignored her and started moving toward the city.
[!? This is bad, a couple of them got through.]
[Everyone! They’re coming!]
The confusion among the Black Bears, caused by their surprise, had subsided, and dozens of them began to march toward Rigforeshia.
Hearing Razelia’s voice, Lilia, the others, along with the guards and the participants of the hunting competition, all readied their weapons to intercept the oncoming Black Bears.
After just a few seconds, a large-scale battle, one that could be called a battle royale, began. But just as everyone thought this was the start—The movements of the Black Bears, all heading toward them, suddenly halted at once.
[……Eh?]
For some reason, as Lilia looked at the Black Bears that had suddenly stopped, a listless voice escaped her lips.
A moment later, the sword she had been holding slipped from her hand… and Lilia realized her hand was trembling uncontrollably.
An eerie silence blanketed the area, and then… some of the warriors who had been standing fell to the ground unconscious, like marionettes whose strings had been cut.
As if triggered by this, the Black Bears turned their backs in unison and began to flee with even greater urgency than before.
But they couldn’t escape. A massive ice wall appeared before them, piercing through the heavens, blocking their path.
And then, before they even had time to comprehend it, “she” appeared beside the fallen Kaito.
Her hand, as white as snow and glowing faintly, gently caressed Kaito’s cheek in an almost tender way, before she slowly stood up.
[……give you…… won’t forgive you…… won’t forgive you…… won’t forgive you, won’t forgive you, won’t forgive you, I will never forgive you!]
With each word she spoke, magic power surged like a raging storm, causing the very air to tremble and the ground to shake.
That’s right—the Black Bears had attacked someone they should never, ever have touched.
[All of you!!! Not a single drop of your blood… will remain in this world!!!]
Accompanied by the great sin they’ve committed, the executioner of death sweeps away these foolish beasts.
With an intensity never seen before… cloaked in the most vicious and powerful magic power of death…
The enraged Death King—has descended.
===========================================================================
<Author’s Notes>
Notification: The Black Bears have been annihilated. The title is actually something like “Wrath of the Death King”. (T/N: which I already edited, the original title was DEATH KING OF WRATH.)
Next Chapter: “KILL THEM ALL”
As it’s important, I’m saying this once again. The Black Bears have been annihilated.
T/N: 4/9. God, that’s long. Last chapter for the day. Tomorrow’s chapter might be a bit late, coz this chapter took up lots of time.
T/N: Shameless Advertisement: How about checking out Saikyou Juzoku Tensei Cheat Majutsushi no Slow Life?