◆ Avangarde Castle, Ruins of the Research Facility ◆
【Destruction King’s Minister Belmund’s Tentacle Parade!】
Belmund’s writhing tentacles burst forth from the walls and floors, catching the Adventurers off guard and launching an immediate assault. The speed of the attack was such that only the A-Rank members could barely turn in time, while the rest remained oblivious to the danger they were in. If left unchecked, they would be decapitated without even realizing it. Of course, I had no intention of letting that happen.
【Rua’s Attack!】
Simply severing the base of the tentacles wouldn’t be enough. There were monsters in the Abyss Cave that continued to move even after being cut, and this one might be similar. Belmund intended to exhaust the other Adventurers while I protected them, but he was underestimating me. Even without Kurinka’s Speed Force, this was nothing. I had encountered monsters in the middle of the Abyss Cave that multiplied every time I struck them, but I had learned to cut them down just before they could reproduce. In other words, as long as I could strike faster than they could regenerate, I would be fine.
I challenged my limits as I sliced through the tentacles racing toward the Adventurers at high speed. One tentacle was about to strike the back of an Adventurer’s head, another was thrusting upward from below, and several more were attacking from all directions—none were spared. However, the last one was dangerously close. The distance between the Adventurer and the tentacle was barely the width of a finger; if I had been even a moment late, it would have been too late.
“The tentacles are disappearing…!”
So that’s what those writhing tentacles were called. The fact that the creature didn’t understand the cause of its tentacles’ vanishing meant it couldn’t keep up with my speed. But as it glared back at me, I could see it was adapting quickly. One thing became clear: cutting the tentacles didn’t inflict any damage on it. There were too many, and they grew back from where I had cut them. It was disgusting.
“W-what’s going on?”
“I see its tentacles are disappearing, but…”
“Did it self-destruct?”
“No, that doesn’t make any sense.”
They were oblivious to the tentacles that had attacked them, so it was understandable. All they could see was the result after I had cut down all the tentacles. I realized that if something was too fast, it was naturally incomprehensible. That was why I had always been misunderstood and ridiculed.
There had been those who challenged me in the past, but none could grasp the situation as they fell one after another. They couldn’t even understand how the previous challenger had lost, so they had no idea of the gap in our abilities. In other words, they couldn’t accept it. But I couldn’t afford to waste time here. At the same time, I couldn’t unleash my full power without risking collateral damage.
“I see, regenerating like this must be quite a struggle.”
【Destruction King’s Minister Belmund’s Tentacles Regenerated!】
In an instant, new tentacles sprouted from the severed parts at high speed. If I cut other parts, they might regenerate as well. The sight of this monstrosity caused another wave of murmurs among the crowd. Yet, they didn’t flee, perhaps out of a sense of pride as Adventurers.
“It’s futile, Lady Rua. Under my power, I can regenerate even my head. This is what a perfect body means.”
“Is that really how you want to become strong?”
“What do you mean by ‘that way’? The reason humans take on human forms is that they are inherently fragile. Many creatures that humans call monsters have transcended humanity. The incompleteness of humans is simply due to their being human. Lady Rua, the very vessel you call human is ultimately just an ego.”
“Ego? What does that even mean?”
Belmund shrugged mockingly, and realizing that his tentacle attacks were ineffective, he charged directly at me. The leap of his tentacles was extraordinary, and their speed had already surpassed Tiferia’s. Given the number of tentacles, he divided them into those targeting me and those aimed at the Adventurers.
【Destruction King’s Minister Belmund cast Speed Force! Belmund’s speed increased!】
【Destruction King’s Minister Belmund’s Paralyze Breath!】
【Destruction King’s Minister Belmund cast Explode!】
【Destruction King’s Minister Belmund cast Last Hurricane!】
“Simultaneous casting?!”
“Two ultimate spells?! Everyone, run!”
Kurinka and others who seemed knowledgeable about magic were astonished by the sight. As he spewed out a yellow gas, he didn’t forget to increase the damage from his tentacles. The explosion ignited the yellow gas, further expanding its range and engulfing the walls of the research facility. The force of the explosion was no gentle breeze; it was a storm of blades, and the explosive tempest was about to spread.
In the immediate aftermath, I ignored the tentacles attacking me and destroyed all of them just as before. However, they regenerated from where I had cut them, and if this continued, it would never end. Naturally, I had no intention of playing along forever. I gathered my strength and focused it into a single strike. This was a chance for me to grow even stronger. If I couldn’t take down something with that level of regeneration in one blow, I still had a long way to go. Instead of the Sonic Ripper, which tended to expand its range, I would finish this with a skill that had a higher lethality.
【Rua unleashed Sonic Spear!】
An even thicker strike was unleashed than before. I aimed to hit him directly with this spear-like attack, enveloping him completely. The tentacles that had already spread out were unavoidable. But as long as the main body was defeated, it wouldn’t matter.
【Rua dealt 8,543,159 damage to Destruction King’s Minister Belmund!】
Without uttering a single word, Belmund began to vanish. The severed tentacles hung in the air for a brief moment before falling one by one.
“I-I did it, Rua-chan!”
【Destruction King’s Minister Belmund has regenerated! HP 246,900】
【Destruction King’s Minister Belmund has regenerated! HP 246,900】
【Destruction King’s Minister Belmund has regenerated! HP 246,900】
【Destruction King’s Minister Belmund has regenerated! HP 246,900】
The fallen tentacles began to reform Belmund. As expected, he was incredibly tenacious. At this rate, multiple Belmunds would be born. That was unsettling and problematic.
【Rua’s Attack! Rua dealt 4,620,087 damage to Destruction King’s Minister Belmund! Belmund was defeated! HP 0/246,900】
【Rua’s Attack! Rua dealt 4,529,090 damage to Destruction King’s Minister Belmund! Belmund was defeated! HP 0/246,900】
【Rua’s Attack! Rua dealt 4,421,620 damage to Destruction King’s Minister Belmund! Belmund was defeated! HP 0/246,900】
【Rua’s Attack! Rua dealt 4,623,183 damage to Destruction King’s Minister Belmund! Belmund was defeated! HP 0/246,900】
I made sure to eliminate all the scattered tentacles. They were already trying to regenerate, and I couldn’t leave any remnants. After cutting them all down, I waited a few seconds, but there was no sign of further regeneration. This meant I had completely erased Belmund from this place.
“It seems the blast has settled down…”
“Belmund is gone. No, that child defeated him.”
“Did you see that? That one strike…”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“It’s over; the conclusion has been reached.”
With Gantetsu’s declaration, Seigel nodded in agreement. If those two A-Rank members said so, it must be true. Among those who were still confused, a few powerful individuals who understood everything began to clap their hands.
“Wonderful!”
One by one, applause began to spread, gradually enveloping the entire crowd. It had been a long time since so many people acknowledged me, not since the Combat Tournament. The mysterious exhilaration reminded me of that time. Yes, doing something good felt great. It was better to be liked than to be hated and envied. In this moment, I was overwhelmed with joy as I reaffirmed this simple truth.
“Rua-chan, you’re crying…”
“I-I’m not crying!”
“…It’s okay. Tears can come out even when you’re happy.”
“That’s why I’m not crying!”
“Ahaha, you’re so flustered!”
Kurinka laughed mischievously, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. But this wasn’t the end. It seemed Tiferia had thoughtfully left the door leading further inside intact.
“Goodness, that was quite a monster, but you’re still the same as ever.”
“What do you mean by ‘the same’? I’m not a monster!”
As I watched Lord Hast stand up with a grunt, I felt something was off. There was nothing visibly different about him, yet something felt strange. No, this was wrong. Lord Hast was standing straight, his back unbent.
“Hmm, it seems that as I receive her Heal, my strength is surging. It’s as if I’ve been rejuvenated, feeling as though I’ve returned to my prime.”
Watching Lord Hast perform gymnastics with such vigor confirmed my suspicions. Kurinka indeed possesses a power unknown to us. She seemed unaware of it herself, gently urging Lord Hast not to overexert himself.
“Hey! Let us through! There’s something dark lurking in that direction, right?!”
“More importantly, explain the King of Destruction! If such a being exists, the nation should be strategizing against it!”
“Alright, alright, but here you will follow my orders.”
“Get out of the way, S-rank! I’ll take you down with a single blow!”
“Oh? You think you can take me on here? You lot didn’t even grasp what happened in the last battle!”
Tiferia was keeping the rampaging Adventurers in check. Although I had shattered their armor, if she truly wanted to, she could slay them all with just a sword. No one could remain defiant under the gaze of such an overwhelming Beast. I was grateful they were reluctantly staying put.
“Lord Hast, our families and the villagers might be deeper in there.”
“Indeed, if they are exceptional test subjects, they should have been held for quite some time.”
“Eh, how do you know that…”
“Now, open it wide!”
In an attempt to cover something up, Lord Hast forcefully swung the door open. Beyond it lay a branching corridor that seemed easy to get lost in. The dim light flickered in the gloomy hallway as Lord Hast moved forward with a light step, as if he knew the way without hesitation.
◆ Avangarde Castle, Research Facility, Test Subject Storage Room ◆
The walls resembled a mix of piled stones and metal plates, lined with iron-barred windows on either side of the corridor. There was certainly something lurking within. A muffled sound, indistinguishable from a groan, faintly echoed.
“This place still reeks of mold. Now, let’s see how many test subjects we have here.”
“Lord Hast, you seem quite knowledgeable about this…”
“We can discuss that later. The real issue starts from here. From what I can see, most have lost their sense of self.”
“No way!”
I didn’t want to believe such words. But indeed, the dark shadows huddled behind the iron bars felt less than human. Some were scratching at the walls with their claws, others were banging their heads against the bars, and some lay sprawled out, motionless. Frankly, this was a dire situation for everyone in Ikana Village, including our parents.
“Dad! Mom! If you’re there, please respond!”
The only reply was the faint echo of my own voice. The musty smell seemed to embody the very essence of this experiment—dark, foul, and wicked. Even if I crushed the iron bars in frustration, it wouldn’t solve anything.
“After coming this far… I can’t stand this, I can’t, I can’t, I can’t!”
“Lua-chan, calm down! There has to be a way!”
“A way? Where is it?! Where?!”
“I don’t know, but crying here won’t help!”
“That’s right! Be quiet!”
The elderly voice, surprisingly fierce, steadied my turbulent heart. A single shout quelled my unending sorrow and anger towards this experiment. Yet, even as my breathing steadied, the tears continued to flow.
“Your partner must feel like crying too.”
“Y-You’re right…”
I felt guilty for Kurinka, who silently shook her head. I desperately wiped my tears with my arm, trying to pretend this moment didn’t exist. Kurinka was far more mature than I was. She was holding back her own overwhelming sadness while trying to keep me from breaking down.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”
“It’s alright as long as you’ve calmed down.”
“But what are we really supposed to do…”
“Hmm…”
As Lord Hast pondered, the situation must have been quite serious. Then, as if struck by an idea, he stopped crossing his arms and looked at us.
“Perhaps, just perhaps, there might be a chance. Roel, no, it’s Kurinka now. You might be the one who can do it.”
“Huh…?”
He was looking at Kurinka, not us. Even she seemed confused, so there was no way I could understand. Yet, the sage appeared to have come to a realization, his eyes wide beneath his white brows.
◆ Shin Report ◆
Y-You’re kidding, ugh…
It’s moving more than usual…
That Belmundo, it seems that as long as even a few cells remain,
it can regenerate itself completely, a terrifying creature indeed.
I wonder if there’s anyone among the demons with such regenerative power.
Thinking about it, the unfathomable horror of this experiment becomes clear.
If it were to be completed, it could take over the world.
If Lua weren’t here…
But I can’t shake this feeling. For such a primitive being, it doesn’t seem like it could have lived for several hundred years in this world.
No, no, more importantly, Lua’s crying face…
If I sketch this, it could become a secret weapon for when we fight,
or I could use it to intimidate and make those delicious shops treat me to dessert, hehehe.
No, no, I’m getting carried away. If this thing were to crush me,
I wouldn’t stand a chance. H-Hey!