Chapter 108: The Corrosive Evil Lion Sabnock
“…There it is. That must be the Master of the Demon Realm, ‘Sabnock.'”
As Rest advanced deeper into the Demon Realm, he finally laid eyes on the colossal magical beast that was the source of the disturbance.
The Corrosive Evil Lion… ‘Sabnock.’
Its massive form rivaled that of a blue whale, towering above him. It was a grotesque lion-like creature with six legs and multiple eyes.
Its pale blue fur stood on end as if ablaze. Corrupt saliva dripped from its maw, and even from a considerable distance, the stench assaulted his nostrils.
The master of the plains within the Demon Realm. Many powerful figures, including the previous king, had attempted to slay this gigantic beast, only to fail.
Surrounding Sabnock were smaller versions of the same type of monster. Were they its offspring or minions? The ‘Corrupted Beasts,’ significantly smaller than Sabnock, 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 seemed… there are times when a man must act.
Rest was certain that this was one of those moments.
He had no choice but to fight; retreat was not an option.
(I won’t let this thing pass into the Plain Entrance where Viola and Primula are. I will defeat it… at the very least, I will drive it back…!)
“GYAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
“GYAAAAAAAAAAA!”
“GYAAAAAAAAAAA!”
“GYAAAAAAAAAAA!”
Sabnock and the surrounding Corrupted Beasts roared in unison.
Their chilling cries sent shivers down his spine as they charged toward him.
“Star Eater!“
Rest activated his original magic.
Before him appeared a pitch-black sphere that reflected no light.
A black 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 power being drawn in.
If it weren’t for Rest’s Infinite Magic Power, he would have been drained dry in an instant.
“…As always, it’s an ugly and unrefined spell.”
No one would praise a magic that could only be used with Infinite Magic Power, no matter how ingenious it was.
Yet, it was essential to defeat this foe.
“I’m sorry, but… I have no intention of holding back. I bear no grudge, but you must disappear.”
This monster bore no guilt.
It had merely lived in its territory. It had only been startled by something and ventured out.
Even so… it must die. Without a shred of mercy, it must be exterminated.
“Stars, turn. Dark Star that consumes even light!”
The Dark Star was about a meter in radius.
The distance Rest could maintain from it was only the length of his arm. If he moved it any further away, he would be unable to supply it with magical power, and it would vanish.
“GYAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
Upon spotting Rest, several Corrupted Beasts broke from the pack.
With blue fur like Sabnock, six legs, and multiple eyes, they drooled corrosive saliva 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 at the charging Corrupted Beasts.
The beast that lunged at him was sucked into the Dark Star, vanishing without a trace.
These Corrupted Beasts were among the stronger types of monsters. Their corrosive saliva could dissolve swords and armor, and if ingested, it would rot the body from the inside out.
Moreover, their pale blue fur granted them high physical and magical resistance. Even Royal Guard Knights and court magicians would struggle against them.
“Consume, Dark Star.”
One by one, two, three… Rest annihilated the powerful monsters in quick succession.
No matter how tough their fur was, touching the Dark Star meant instant obliteration. Their strength was irrelevant.
“GYAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
“Whoa…!”
A Corrupted Beast shot corrosive saliva at him like a water cannon.
Rest raised the Dark Star as a shield, blocking the corrosive attack.
“W-w-wait?!”
Other Corrupted Beasts began to spit saliva as well.
They kept their distance from Rest, attacking from outside the range 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 would lead to their demise after witnessing several of their comrades fall.
(They’ve judged that getting close is dangerous and switched to indirect attacks from a distance…! These creatures are surprisingly clever!)
Their learning ability was higher than he expected.
If they had simply charged at him like lemmings, he could have dealt with them easily.
“GYAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
“…!”
A deafening scream reverberated through the air.
The sound was like a cannon blast, rupturing his eardrums and drowning out all other noise.
With a sharp pain in both ears, silence enveloped Rest’s world.
“Ugh…!”
Immediately after, the source of the scream… Sabnock, struck at Rest with its thick tongue like a massive tree trunk.
The impact resonated like an explosion, sending shards of earth flying into a cloud of dust.