Neck Hunter Enkal – Near the Royal Capital of Noibranz
My brother was an exceptional Adventurer. I loved hearing the stories of his adventures, especially the ones about monster hunts. On days when he recounted those tales, my heart would race, making it impossible for me to sleep. There were times when he was away on expeditions for what felt like ages, but he always returned with souvenirs for me.
With the A-Rank advancement exam coming up next month, our parents urged him to take a break from his activities, but he never listened. I adored my brother’s stories so much that I even wished for him to go on more adventures. I believed without a doubt that he was the strongest in the world, and my dreams for the future revolved around him.
But seeing my brother’s severed head left me unable to comprehend anything. Just a day before the advancement exam, he had gone out on a hunt and was brutally decapitated by a vicious monster. A comrade who fought alongside him managed to bring back only his head, barely escaping with his life.
I couldn’t even cry. I should have felt sadness, but instead, I was left wondering what was wrong with me. Rather than grief, a strange impulse surged within me as I gazed upon the head of my once-mighty brother.
――――No matter how strong you are, if your head is severed, you die.
So that’s it. Even my brother could die if his head was cut off. It was such a simple truth, yet I wondered why everyone else failed to realize it. They lamented about being unable to defeat strong monsters or how weak humans were, when the solution was so straightforward—just sever the head.
From that day on, I honed my skills. I sharpened my blade with a singular focus. This was not about revenge; I was determined to grow stronger. It became a desire, a need. To kill by severing heads. To show the monsters that I believed myself to be the strongest. Of course, humans were no exception. The world boasted about S-Rank Adventurers, but in the end, a severed head meant the end of the line. How could such fragile lives act so high and mighty?
Heads. Just heads. That was all I needed to sever.
“Flash Strike Girl! Heads! Heads! You’re going to die the moment your head is cut off!”
“W-What is this person…?”
“Heads, heads, heads! Head, head, head, head, head! Head… Ahhh…”
Suddenly, my vision spun, and the sky opened up before me. I felt my consciousness fading as my body lost its freedom.
“That’s right. Once your head is severed, it’s all over.”
That statement felt like a twisted form of revenge. So, I am—
Warrior Shim – Near the Royal Capital of Noibranz
I never had anything I wanted to do. After my mother fell ill in my childhood, I became a puppet to my father’s whims. I took the entrance exam for a magic academy just because it was suggested to me, but of course, I failed. I drifted from job to job until I found myself in construction, where my boss praised my strength.
When I told my father about it, he told me to aim for the Warrior class. Looking back, I can’t help but think he pushed me into becoming an Adventurer just to get rid of me. I ended up becoming a Warrior without even realizing it. I joined someone else’s party, went through the motions without a care, and collected my rewards. I’ve forgotten why I ended up with Enkal.
Enkal was a competent guy who had a strong presence in the Adventurer community, so I thought it would be easy to stick with him. I followed his orders, and now I was part of the Avangarde Special Operations Unit. The title of Assistant Vice-Captain felt so good that I had developed a sense of self I never had before.
“Why?! Why can’t I hit anything?! Why…”
“With that ballista-like projectile, you can’t even utilize your level properly!”
“Shut up! My level is 1600!”
There shouldn’t have been anything enjoyable about this, yet here I was. I was supposed to be following Enkal’s lead, so was it his fault that things turned out this way?
“Ugh, haah…!”
“That’s it for you.”
I was wearing armor, yet a blade pierced through my abdomen. The searing pain and despair overwhelmed me, and though I felt a scream rising in my throat, no sound came out. Something surged through my mind, and I realized this was what it meant to die—
Sniper Aida – Near the Royal Capital of Noibranz
“Was it the cursed tree? It’s an incredible skill, but if you hold your breath while fighting, it should be safe, right?”
“…I give up.”
“Got it.”
The green mage Nokiri raised his hands in surrender. What kind of monster can continue fighting without any drop in potential while holding their breath? Baste never had any intention to fight, and Captain Argil still hadn’t regained his fighting spirit after being killed twice. It was understandable.
The remaining team members attempted to coordinate their attacks, but it was all in vain. Some had been obliterated, half their bodies gone, and each had experienced death multiple times. All of this happened in just one assault, taking down several of us at once.
“Ah, ahh! It hurts! It hurts!”
“Ugh… bleh…”
Even after returning from the brink of death, their bodies still remembered the pain, writhing in agony. Some couldn’t even get back up after vomiting from the intense pain. Memories of reading a book about the underworld in my childhood resurfaced. There were illustrations depicting humans enduring every kind of torture, suffering for eternity.
“I worked so hard to become strong, and for what?! Why can’t we win?! What did those damn old fools teach us?! They lured us in with convenient words about reaching the truth, and this is all we get?!”
“Rua… um, hey…”
“Shut up, you ugly brat!”
“Mi…!”
If there was any chance of victory, it lay with the youngest, Mi. While that kid was lost in the battle, I secretly secured her. I pulled her away from her sisters, completing my hostage plan. Who would fight against such a monster? No matter how strong she was, it didn’t matter. No matter how fast or powerful she was, I would kill this ugly girl at point-blank range.
Serves her right. She may be intoxicated by her strength, but that kid’s time was up. From here on out, it would be Aida’s stage. Enkal and Shim were left dumbfounded, but I hadn’t given up yet. I had sacrificed my appearance, my nail care, and my entire life as a woman to become an Adventurer. I didn’t need to polish myself to attract men; I could just hit the jackpot and live without them. The foolish women of the world would only realize their mistakes when it was too late. The men who once ignored me would come to their senses, regretting the foolish lives they led. Women like me were destined to become the companions of dull men, throwing their lives away. Ah, how foolish. Hehe, right now, I am—
Near the Royal Capital of Noibranz
“No matter how fast she is, killing the kid at this range will be faster. Now, you ugly brats over there, if you understand, hurry up and help me!”
“Um…”
“Can’t you listen to what the older Adventurer says?! You’re so slow!”
“Mi… I’m over here.”
“…Huh?”
“You’re safe now.”
I took my eyes off her for just a moment, and things had escalated. As expected of an older Adventurer, her sharpness came from experience. But while I was babbling, I managed to regain control, perhaps I had let my guard down too much.
“Wh-What?! How?! When did this happen?! I was sure I had secured her tightly!”
“It’s because you were slow, Landlady.”
“Are you saying she slipped through my fingers?! This isn’t just a matter of speed! What skill did she use, damn it?!”
I had merely moved my arm that was holding Mi, yet she hadn’t even noticed. It was ridiculous to call someone a Flash Strike Girl and then not believe it. While she thought she was sneaking away with a hostage, nearly everyone else had lost their will to fight. Argil was slumped over, not uttering a word, and Enkal and Shim were still sitting there, recalling the pain of near death.
The only ones left were those who had surrendered, like Nokiri and Baste. Given that they had surrendered, they wouldn’t attack. It was a rather lonely sight. They had leveled up, yet they were powerless. I understood that feeling all too well from my experiences in the Abyss Cave. But if I gave up there, I would only die. There was nothing more I could say. No matter how impossible it seemed, I had to survive.
I couldn’t ignore the fact that Ai and the others had been tormented by that adventurer named Aida. Without thinking, I crept closer to Aida, who trembled and backed away like a small animal.
“W-What do you want? You planning to kill me too? Fine, go ahead! You’ll just bring me back to life anyway, right? Unlike Enkal and Shim over there, I’ve got guts! I’ve experienced enough pain to know it’s nothing to worry about!”
“Don’t worry, I will kill you,” I replied coldly.
“H-Hah! You’re bluffing!”
“You won’t come back this time.”
“That’s a bluff! If you kill me, the ugly ones over there will remember it! They’ll see the image of you killing someone! Go ahead, if you can!”
I silently shook Disballade, contemplating where to strike. The moment I halted, Aida lost her strength and fell to the ground, her lips turning pale.
“I-I can’t believe you’d kill me… Y-You really have the resolve to do that?”
“I do. On the count of three!”
“Ugh…!”
I slipped past Aida and thrust into the ground. The first strike was a threat; if she bullied Ai and the others, I wouldn’t forgive her. This was my anger. I wouldn’t kill her easily. I intended to threaten her again, but then—
“Lua-chan… that person is unconscious.”
“Oh, you’re right… and this means…”
“She wet herself…”
The intimidation had completely knocked her out, and bubbles were frothing from her mouth. Moreover, a trickle of urine was seeping from between her legs. Lying on her back with her legs bent in a foolish position, she looked the most miserable among everyone here. This might be bullying too, but I couldn’t forgive her for tormenting Ai and the others, especially after calling them ugly.
“What’s ugly about Ai and the others? If you do something like that again, I’ll really kill you!”
“I don’t think she can hear you…”
“Hmm…”
I didn’t intend to say I did this for Ai and the others, but they were tilting their heads in confusion. I couldn’t say I felt completely relieved. Perhaps because I was inherently kind, I didn’t like this kind of thing very much. Especially not something I should show to Mi. Now she was cowering behind her older sisters.
“We don’t want to become like that person.”
“Mi once had her hair pulled! It was the worst, and I had to stop it then!”
“This Aida lady, she’s older and experienced, yet she doesn’t even use polite language with me. Isn’t that contradictory? It’s totally contradictory!”
“Tiferia, stop blending in so naturally.”
I had seen them coming from the Royal Capital but chose to ignore it, and this is what happened. I wondered if this was a skill in itself. Speaking of which, this person was appointed as the captain of the Special Operations Unit. Being here means she’s doing her job properly.
“Tiferia, were you in the Royal Capital?”
“Yes, because I’m the captain. Sigh…”
“Y-You left these people behind all alone…?”
“Yikes, eek!”
Just as I was about to talk to Tiferia, a person named Shim suddenly stood up and began to run. His heavy armor creaked as he desperately fled, only to be blocked by me.
“Running is fine, but you need to talk first, okay?”
“Please let me go! I was just following Enkal!”
“Sh-Shim! You bastard!”
Enkal glared at Shim with a look of hatred. Shim didn’t focus his gaze anywhere and offered no further excuses.
“Is it true, Enkal?”
“Shim… you’ve betrayed me!”
“I’m asking if it’s true!”
“…!”
I dashed from in front of Shim to Enkal. To these people, it must have looked like I teleported, moving at a speed that seemed impossible. Even with levels exceeding 1000, the gap was still vast. Even if they could see it, they couldn’t react. Their reflexes couldn’t keep up. It was that kind of level difference.
Enkal didn’t answer my question and muttered something under his breath. The moment I stood before him, he said:
“…Your head.”
“What?”
“Hey, Flash Strike Girl. If you got your head chopped off, you’d die, right?”
“Well, I think I would.”
“Then it’s simple! Life is that easy! No matter how tough you act, if your head gets chopped off, you die! Humans are just like that!”
“What’s with the sudden outburst… Want to try chopping it off?”
“I’ll chop it!”
“Okay.”
I foolishly offered my neck to Enkal. He licked his lips and pressed the curved blade against my throat, applying pressure.
“Haahhh! Nnngh!”
“You can’t do it, can you?”
“Then how about this!”
He began to saw up and down like a saw. I wasn’t made of wood, so I wished he’d stop. It was starting to itch.
“Haah… haah… haah…”
“Is that enough?”
“Yup! It’s the weapon! If I had a good weapon, I could chop it off! Hey, give me your sword!”
“Sure. Here.”
“Lua-chan!”
I tossed Disballade in front of Enkal, and he lunged for it like it was bait. If anyone else touched it, they’d die, but with Kurinka around, it was fine. Just as I thought that, Kurinka rushed in to stop him. I wondered if regeneration wouldn’t work on this.
“There might be things even I can’t heal! Especially since there’s so much I don’t understand about Disballade!”
“I’m sorry…”
“You’ve been getting a bit carried away! These people are already broken, so it’s fine, right?!”
“I’m sorry, I get it, so please don’t be so angry…”
“Seriously…?”
It might have been strange that I, who had pushed them to death multiple times, was now being scolded by Kurinka and feeling down. Shim let out a hoarse voice as if he had given up on everything.
“I’d like to let this slide, but will the Special Operations Unit back down?”
“If that’s the case, you don’t have to worry. I’ve already talked to the King in the Royal Capital.”
“You went to the Royal Capital alone, Tiferia?”
“Yes, because I’m the captain.”
“Y-You left those people behind…?”
“Yes, here. This document states that Avangarde and other nations will never invade again, right? It’s stamped with the royal seal. And this and this…”
She pulled out paper after paper, explaining various things. Essentially, she was saying she had talked to the King, but it seemed she had half-threatened him into promising not to cause trouble again. Even so, it was a bit pitiful since they hardly had any power left.
“So, in the end, this battle is a victory for Avangarde, right? Even if Avangarde has become the invading nation…”
“Details don’t matter. As long as nothing else happens, it’s fine.”
“But what about that Naked King?”
“That pervert will be dealt with by Lua, right? Yes, she will. Sigh…”
Why is she assuming that and sighing? It feels like she’s implying it won’t be a conversation if I don’t do it. As I struggled to find words, Aboro approached, his massive frame shaking. Even Tiferia furrowed her brow and looked up at him. This person could probably sense the difference in presence.
“Are you hesitating to rebel against the nation?”
“W-Well, I guess I am.”
“Then what will you do? Will you accept the current situation? With such power?”
“Just because I have power…”
“Ridiculous!”
Aboro slammed one foot into the ground, causing a tremor that could be felt all the way to the Royal Capital. I wondered what had irritated him, as he tightened his lips and looked down at me.
“Someone who has defeated me shouldn’t be troubled by such trivialities!”
Ordinary people would probably be paralyzed with fear just from that roar, unable to maintain their sanity. The force behind that single statement was overwhelming. As proof, Enkal and Shim were both unconscious alongside Aida.
It was a selfish way of speaking. But if I were in Aboro’s position, I might have thought the same. Aboro had pride too, and he probably hadn’t lost to anyone other than me. He didn’t show it, but he might have been quite shocked. If that were the case, it would mean I had wounded his pride regarding his strength.
“Sticking to what you want to do is tough, isn’t it? Pablo and the Circus Troupe too.”
“…Right now, it’s becoming difficult to act as adventurers. But if you want to be an adventurer, you need to do something about this situation first. If anyone can do it, it’s only Lua.”
“Yeah. It’s different from Pablo and the others, but I want to believe in what I want to do.”
Aboro closed his eyes in satisfaction and fell silent. There might be smarter ways to go about this, but all I could think of was to defeat the King. If that’s the case, then it’s already decided.
“We’ll drive that King out of the Kingdom of Avangarde.”
“Hey, hey, hey! I’m being completely ignored here!”
Formas clapped his hands to draw attention to himself. I had indeed forgotten about him.
“I don’t have time to deal with Formas right now.”
“Then just ignore me, right? I’m going to crush the Nation of Kashiram and rebuild the Matere Trading Company.”
“What did you say?!”
“It’s my life plan. If my father’s company had been intact, I could have risen to the top, but someone ruined it all. I have the right to win and dominate everything.”
“Oh, I see…”
“So, how about it? Fight me, Lua-chan.”
“F-Formas-san?”
Ai and the others were taken aback by Formas’s sudden change. This was his true nature all along, and he had been putting on a facade in front of Ai and the others until now. It seemed he had no intention of hiding it anymore. He stuck out his tongue and raised his middle finger in a crude display. There was no way he would back down now, and if it came to this, I would take him down thoroughly.
Steeling myself, I readied Disballade, but then Kurinka stepped in front of me.
“Kurinka?”
“Lua-chan, I’ll fight this person.”
“Huh?!”
“…Is that not okay? Am I not strong enough?”
“No, that’s not it! Why the sudden change?”
“I’ve been thinking about it for a while. If I hadn’t been in this person’s party from the start, maybe I wouldn’t be so hated. I’ve caused trouble for so many people because of him…”
Kurinka gripped her staff tightly, staring down Formas. He was left dumbfounded, still sticking out his tongue. What was with that expression?
“That’s fine.”
“Thank you.”
“Huh? Why?”
Kurinka never denied what I wanted and quietly followed me. If that was the case, I would do the same for her. Still, if it were a fight with no chance of winning, she would have stopped me long ago. My decision to let Kurinka step forward was undoubtedly the right one.
“What is this? Am I being underestimated? Roel-chan?”
“Formas-san, I’ll take you on.”
“Answer my question, you damn Roel! Do you even understand what you just said?! Are you too stupid to get it?! Oh right, you’re an idiot! Always clumsy and a nuisance, and yet you act like a country girl no one would want to touch!”
At this point, I wanted to fight in her place, but if Kurinka could endure it, then so could I. Kurinka was actually quite popular, and we occasionally received love letters in the village. I wasn’t sure if they knew we were married, but there were quite a few. Kurinka was adorable enough that I wanted to hug her, and I could only think that Formas’s mind was completely twisted. No, it was probably already gone.
Unfazed by Formas’s provocations, Kurinka held her staff firmly with both hands. Perhaps it only fueled his anger further, as he dramatically drew the Demon Sword Doomnate from its sheath. At that moment, a strange air filled the sealed room, as if the stench had been unleashed.
“Lua, you can join in if you want. You’ll just end up crying and regretting it soon enough.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“You really have no idea why I’ve been watching your little play all this time, do you? You’ve already lost at that point.”
I could clearly sense the confidence emanating from that Demon Sword. As the ominous aura it released began to fill the space, I noticed something was off.
“I’ve already taken control. Over everything. Damn Roel, you won’t be able to do anything but cry and beg from now on.”
I see, my body wouldn’t move. So this is the power of control. Impressive.
◆ Shin Report ◆
It feels like Rua’s true nature has emerged.
Originally, the blood flowing through her veins is not human, so perhaps this kind of brutality is lurking within her.
Kurinka is similar.
If those kinds of people find out that I ate fluffy custard, they would definitely torment me to death.
Now, I need to devise a strategy carefully.
First, my body won’t move.
I can’t write a report.