**Chapter 108: The Corrupting Evil Lion, Subnock**
“…There it is. That’s the Lord of the Demon Territory, Subnock.”
As Rest advanced deeper into the Magic Territory, he finally laid eyes on the massive beast that was the source of the disturbance.
The Corrupting Evil Lion… Subnock.
Its colossal form rivaled that of a blue whale, towering over him. It was a monstrous lion with six legs and multiple eyes.
Its pale blue fur stood on end as if ablaze. Drool, tainted by decay, dripped from its maw, and even from a considerable distance, a putrid stench assaulted his nostrils.
The ruler of the plains within the Magic Territory. Many powerful figures, including the former king, had attempted to slay this gigantic beast, only to meet with failure.
Surrounding Subnock were smaller versions of the same species. Were they its offspring or minions? Three times smaller than their master, the Corruption Beasts approached, spreading their foul odor.
“I can only imagine the devastation if something like that were to escape the plains…”
Countless lives would be lost. Among them could be those dear to Rest.
“…I won’t let that happen.”
No matter how reckless or foolish it might be… there are times when a man must act.
Rest was certain that this was one of those times. He had no choice but to fight; fleeing was not an option.
(I won’t let this creature pass into the plains where Viola and Primula are waiting. I will defeat it… at the very least, I’ll drive it back…!)
“GYAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
“GYAAAAAAAAAAA!”
“GYAAAAAAAAAAA!”
“GYAAAAAAAAAAA!”
Subnock and the surrounding Corruption Beasts roared in unison.
Their chilling cries sent shivers down his spine as they charged toward him.
“[Star Devourer]!”
Rest unleashed his original spell.
Before him, a pitch-black sphere materialized, one that would never reflect light.
A dark star. The [Dark Star] that could consume everything Rest envisioned and return it to nothingness.
“…!”
At the moment of casting, he felt an immense amount of magical energy being drawn in.
If he weren’t endowed with infinite magical power, he would have been drained dry in an instant.
“…As always, it’s an ugly and unrefined spell.”
No one would praise a spell that could only be used by someone with infinite magical power.
Yet, it was necessary to defeat this foe.
“Sorry, but… I have no intention of holding back. I bear no grudge, but you must vanish.”
This creature bore no sin.
It had merely lived within its territory, startled by something and forced to venture out.
Even so… it must die. He would eradicate it without a shred of mercy.
“Stars, turn. Dark star that devours even light!”
The dark star was about a meter in radius.
The farthest Rest could keep it from his body was the length of his arm; any further, and it would dissipate without a supply of magical energy.
“GYAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
Upon noticing Rest, several Corruption Beasts broke from the pack and charged at him.
They bore the same blue fur as Subnock, with six legs and multiple eyes, drooling decay from their mouths.
They were roughly twice the size of an ordinary lion. Terrifying, yet compared to their master, they seemed almost cute.
“Die.”
Rest swung the dark star toward the charging Corruption Beasts.
One that had lunged at him was consumed by the dark star, vanishing without a trace.
These Corruption Beasts were among the stronger varieties of monsters. Their corrosive saliva could dissolve swords and armor, and if ingested, it would rot the body from within.
Moreover, their pale blue fur granted them high resistance to both physical and magical attacks. Even elite knights and Court Magicians would struggle against such foes.
“Devour, dark star!”
One beast, then two, then three… Rest swiftly dispatched them one after another.
No matter how tough their fur was, contact with the dark star would obliterate them in an instant. Their strength was irrelevant.
“GYAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
“Whoa…!”
A Corruption Beast shot its saliva at him like a water cannon.
Rest raised the dark star as a shield, deflecting the corrosive attack.
“W-w-wait?!”
Other Corruption Beasts began to spit their saliva as well.
They kept their distance from Rest, attacking from outside the reach of the dark star.
“Could it be… they’ve learned?!”
While blocking the saliva with the dark star, Rest’s eyes widened in surprise.
It seemed they had realized that touching the dark star meant certain death after witnessing several of their comrades fall.
(They’ve assessed the danger of approaching and switched to indirect attacks from a distance…! These creatures are surprisingly clever!)
Their learning ability was higher than he had anticipated.
If they merely charged in like lemmings, he could easily deal with them.
“GYAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
“Ugh…!”
A scream reverberated through the air.
The sound was like a cannon blast, shaking the ground and threatening to rupture his eardrums, drowning out all other noise.
With a sharp pain piercing his ears, silence enveloped Rest’s world.
“Guh…!”
Moments later, the source of the scream… Subnock, struck at Rest with its thick tongue like a tree trunk.
The impact echoed like an explosion, sending shards of earth flying into a swirling cloud of dust.