◆ Kingdom of Avangarde, Libeard Port ◆
【A horde of Vampire Beasts has appeared! HP 1120】
【A horde of Red Horns has appeared! HP 610】
【A horde of Soldier Leos has appeared! HP 805】
“Fortify the front lines! We must prevent their invasion at all costs!”
The ones attacking this port, often referred to as the gateway to the Ballad Continent, are the Neo Demon Lord Army. Led by a figure of authority, there are approximately fifty to a hundred of them, all likely classified as beasts. Compared to the monsters in this area, they are on an entirely different level of ferocity and strength.
In contrast, Libeard Port boasts a dense population of Adventurers and a well-organized militia. While there is only one A-Rank Adventurer, there are about twenty B-Rank and over sixty C-Rank Adventurers. Adding the militia to the mix brings the total to over a hundred. Judging by numbers alone, we seem to have the advantage, but in terms of quality, it’s frankly despairing. For instance, even a single Red Horn, with its twisted red horns, would pose a significant challenge to a B-Rank Adventurer party. Soldier Leo possesses both greater strength and ferocity than the Red Horn, and two of them together could easily decimate a B-Rank party. And then there are the Vampire Beasts, which seem to plunge us into despair.
These four-legged beasts resemble Soldier Leos but are capable of preying on Poison Salamanders that are much larger than themselves. Any creature pierced by their fangs is left completely drained of blood, with not a single drop remaining. They don’t touch the flesh; blood is their sole sustenance.
“Silva, Jijinia. Brace yourselves.”
“Not that I need you to tell me.”
The militia here is composed of capable fighters, but they are primarily organized to maintain order within the city, making them inexperienced against monsters. Thus, along with the C-Rank members, they will have to focus on rear support. Watching the beasts charge toward the port, kicking up clouds of dust, makes me feel as if the storm that attacked us at sea just days ago was nothing to worry about.
The Neo Demon Lord Army has been wreaking havoc across the world since they first attacked the Kingdom of Avangarde. Some nations have already lost contact, overwhelmed by the need for defense.
“Bottom! At this rate, they’ll definitely break through!”
I know that all too well. Even the rain of arrows from the rear is barely managing to take down any of them. Especially the Vampire Beasts—they are a serious problem. These four-legged creatures, resembling a mix of a cat and a dog, are built with muscles like a human. It’s evident that they are not just for show; even regular magic spells barely scratch them. We finally managed to take down one with concentrated fire, but it feels like a drop in the ocean.
“Come here, my lovely pets! Those filthy humans over there are your next meal!”
【Beast Tamer Karma has appeared! HP 1300】
【Blood-Eyed Savage Beast has appeared! HP 2200】
A man rides atop a grotesque beast resembling a pig, with a round body and short limbs. His slim figure is clad in what could only be described as a woman’s swimsuit, clinging tightly to his skin, making it uncomfortable to look at. To top it off, he is covered in thick hair and has purple skin. He is likely the leader of this group, skillfully wielding whips in both hands to command the beasts.
“Target that disgusting Whip Man! He’s probably the leader!”
The mixed forces of Adventurers and the militia clashed with the beasts. However, the outcome was nothing short of tragic. Some were pierced by the fangs of the Vampire Beasts, drained of every drop of blood, their lifeless bodies discarded. Others were impaled by the horns of the Red Horns, while some had their heads bitten off by Soldier Leos.
One could excuse this as a result of facing high-level monsters. But in the face of life and death, such words hold no meaning. The strong hunt the weak. This has been the way of life since the dawn of time. Watching them reminds me of the primal law that we humans have long forgotten.
“I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you all!”
“Stop! Focus on that man!”
【Bida, Level: 26, Class: Swordfighter, Rank: B】
【Adventurer Bida unleashed a Double Slash!
He dealt 43 damage to the Red Horn! HP 567/610】
Ignoring my orders, the young man charged bravely toward the ferocious bull with glowing red horns. However, even his best strike failed to pierce the tough muscles of the beast. The Red Horn, unfazed by the shallow cut, charged straight through Bida.
【The Red Horn charges! It dealt 130 damage to Bida!
Bida has fallen! HP 0/122】
“Damn it… I couldn’t protect… them…”
Whether he had a loved one at the port or not, Bida fell without leaving a final message. But that was just a fraction of the tragedy. In my line of sight alone, I could see five or six lives extinguished.
As one of the few A-Rank Adventurers, I should be the one to rally and inspire them. Yet here I am, feeling just like during the encounter with that Ghost Ship. My body, my instincts, yearn to flee.
“In the end, am I just a coward…?”
“Bottom, we can’t hold on much longer!”
Silva and Jijinia, you’ve fought valiantly up to this point. There were times we shared drinks, times we faced life and death together. They’ve been good friends, sticking with me for so long. If possible, I want to keep these two alive.
“Heh, it’s so boring when the hunt is this easy.”
【Beast Tamer Karma cracked his whip! The monsters’ attack power has increased!】
“But this is all for my beloved Pansard. Don’t take it personally.”
Before I knew it, the Adventurers and militia were nearly wiped out. Bodies lay scattered, limbs torn apart, and the scene was more fittingly described as a sea of blood. Few remained in any recognizable form, and most had their dignity as humans utterly shattered.
“Silva, Jijinia. I’ll handle this…”
“Don’t be foolish. Do you think we would respond to such a plea?”
“But if we continue like this, we’ll be wiped out…”
“Oh dear, have you come up with a plan to escape?”
A monstrous pig stood before us, with Karma proudly cracking his whip atop it. By the time we looked up at it, the pig’s front legs were already looming over us.
“I’m sorry, both of you…”
As I prayed, the thick front legs were about to crush us, turning us into a mass of flesh and blood. But the pig was gone. Instead, Karma was suspended in mid-air, bewildered by the sudden turn of events. The pig he rode had vanished, leaving only the remnants of its hind legs behind.
“Gyabin!”
Karma let out a pathetic cry as he fell.
【Rua unleashed the Sonic Ripper! She dealt 451,022 damage to the Blood-Eyed Savage Beast!
The Blood-Eyed Savage Beast has been defeated! HP 0/2200】
“How terrible…”
Despite the enormity of my actions, the girl with short blue hair, who once saved me, covered her mouth in shock as she surveyed the area. Behind her, another girl mimicked her gesture; I believe her name was Roel.
At this moment, I finally grasped what had transpired. I had been saved by these girls twice. I had no idea why they had come to Libeard Port, but it felt like a miracle. I never expected to see them again.
“Roel, are there any survivors?”
“I’ll do my best, but there are hardly any left…”
The girl, with her golden hair flowing, rushed to the side of the injured. I wanted to shout that the remaining monsters were the real threat, but the words never came.
【Rua’s attack!
She dealt 321,089 damage to the horde of Vampire Beasts! HP 0/1120】
She dealt 368,431 damage to the horde of Red Horns! HP 0/610】
She dealt 359,974 damage to the horde of Soldier Leos! HP 0/805】
The horde of monsters has been defeated!】
Is this what they mean by “in the blink of an eye”? No, it didn’t even happen that quickly. All I could see was the monsters being severed and exploding in front of me. Whether it was a skill or the result of that girl’s physical prowess, I couldn’t tell anymore.
Before I knew it, the girl was standing beside me, glaring at Karma, who was finally trying to get up while rubbing his backside.
“What just happened…? Oh, who are you?”
“As the King said, if this continues, the world will be thrown into chaos.”
Rua, the girl who looked too weak to be called strong, now directed an immense power toward Karma, despite her frail appearance.
“My… my pets…”
Karma seemed to finally realize that all his minions had been defeated, surveying the remnants of his obliterated beasts.
“Lua-chan, I’ve managed to heal the living. Area recovery magic is truly convenient, isn’t it?”
“Thank you, Roel. Pansard, I’m sorry, but please cooperate with the survivors and get everyone to evacuate to the port town. I’ll handle the rest.”
“Understood… That would be a great help.”
“Hey?! Did you just ignore me?! Hey, you!”
Karma suddenly erupted with a deep, booming voice, striking the ground with both whips with all his might. The sand, rocks, and dirt exploded around him, a testament to his monstrous strength. Regardless, I felt no concern. All that remained was to tend to the injured.
“State your name.”
“Me? I’m Lua.”
“Lua… The one who single-handedly defeated five of the Twelve Demon Generals, as Pansard-sama warned… I never expected to meet you here.”
Having regained his composure, hearing Lua’s name seemed to excite him instead. The proof was in the way his voice shifted back to a more unsettling tone.
“Lua-chan, hurry up and finish so we can help carry them. There are too many for us to handle…”
“Okay, got it.”
“You are mistaken on two counts! First, the Demon Lord Army is not just the Twelve Demon Generals! Second, the End is not their exclusive privilege! Fine, I’ll end this! If I kill you here, I’ll finally be recognized among the Twelve Demon Generals! Then I can be closer to that person!”
【Beast Tamer Karma has transformed! The Color Beast of Massacre, Karma, has appeared! HP 3570】
【Lua’s attack! She dealt 381,027 damage to the Color Beast of Massacre!
The Color Beast of Massacre, Karma, has been defeated! HP 0/3570】
“It’s over. I wonder how many are left?”
For Lua, this was hardly a battle. Even the transformed Karma, with his pink fur and massive size, was no match for her. With a mere flick of her right hand and a swing of her sword, she brushed him aside as if he were an annoyance. Was this truly a fight? A group of over a hundred fierce warriors had been unable to stand against him, leaving behind a mountain of corpses. Yet, Lua dispatched them in mere seconds without a second thought.
“Stop dawdling, Pansard! Help out too!”
With a slightly sulky expression, Lua waved at me as if this were an everyday occurrence. She had no idea of the fear I felt. Her innocent gestures were enough to make one forget this was a battlefield.
Unreasonable.
If I were to explain her strength to someone, there could be no better answer. In the decades of my life, the experiences and skills I had accumulated seemed trivial compared to her. Perhaps it wasn’t just a matter of years; it might be something beyond that.
◆ Ballad Continent, Libeard Port, Inn: Sea Friend Tavern ◆
“The Neo Demon Lord Army is still expanding its influence. I never expected them to attack even here…”
The damage caused by the Demon Lord Army had reached a serious level. Groups of monsters like the one we just faced were attacking towns and villages worldwide, and while other nations were attempting to coordinate a response, they had yet to achieve any notable results. The survivors from the destroyed towns were flowing into various countries, creating a significant problem. Of course, there were wild monsters along the way, making it impossible for those without the strength to fight to survive. The fate of those left with nothing was all but predetermined.
There were even those who preyed on others in similar circumstances or on traveling merchants, making the immediate threat not just the Demon Lord Army. While some regions had yet to be affected, it was only a matter of time.
“Thanks to your unexpected arrival, we’ve been saved. I never thought I’d be rescued twice.”
“If only I had come sooner, maybe no one would have died…”
The girl who had just displayed strength beyond comprehension now appeared weak, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Looking at her now, she seemed like an ordinary girl. Despite the loss of so many lives, her ability to mourn for strangers was a form of strength in itself. If I didn’t think that way, I would lose sight of where her power truly lay. Level 999—such a number was simply unfathomable. Most adventurers hit the level cap before reaching level 40. For some, it marked the end of their careers, while others fell into despair and lost their way.
Conversely, only A-Rank adventurers surpass level 50. Natural talent, barriers—how many people had tried to break through them? No matter how far one reached, they could never grasp that existence, which was named the Five Elites out of respect and envy.
Among them, Mugen, said to be the strongest of the Five Elites, could likely hold his own against that horde. With status ailment skills, self-healing and enhancement skills, and a one-hit kill skill, he was the envy of all adventurers. Yet even he did not reach level 100. If we look higher, there was that A-Rank first place man who went missing ten years ago. It was said that if Tiferia hadn’t been around, he would have undoubtedly held the S-Rank position. However, his level remained uncertain. There were rumors that he exceeded level 100 as an A-Rank, but no one had ever seen his Adventurer Card. I had only seen that man once long ago, and he had an air of mystery about him. I heard he never formed parties, likely because he didn’t want to interact with others.
Then there were the S-Rank adventurers, whose levels easily surpassed 100. Unlike that man, Tiferia could chat casually with anyone and would even show her Adventurer Card if asked. When I saw the numbers on hers, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
To be honest, when I saw Lua and Roel’s Adventurer Cards, I was half in disbelief. It couldn’t be true; it was impossible. My mind couldn’t process it within the bounds of my understanding, and I struggled to accept the reality of having repelled a high-ranking member of the Demon Lord Army, Dridon.
“Pansard, what’s wrong?”
Unaware of my confusion, the girl tilted her head. Just sitting across the table from her, I couldn’t grasp even a fraction of her unfathomable power. Because, in this moment, she looked like an ordinary girl to anyone who saw her.
“With so many people killed, the Demon Lord Army is truly a dangerous foe…”
“I can’t forgive them… I…”
In the end, only about 40% of the people survived. Many lives were lost among the adventurers who participated in the fight, including the self-defense force. Most of the survivors were likely being rushed to the Heal Center, where they would be busy tending to the injured. Some would suffer lasting effects that rendered them unable to fight, while others would carry emotional scars for the rest of their lives.
The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to deny the existence of the unreal being before me. Just like when I abandoned the passengers and fled, I felt the urge to escape again—from that unreality, from my own weakness, from everything.
“Thank you so much for today. Now, I’m sorry, but I need to rest…”
“Are you okay?!”
As I stood up and began to walk, fatigue hit me, causing me to stagger. Just in time, Lua caught me. It was a comforting warmth, a reminder that despite scattering the Demon Lord Army, she was still human. No matter how unreal her strength was, I had to acknowledge her existence.
“I’m sorry for everything…”
“Can you walk to your room?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
◆ Sea Friend Tavern, Second Floor, Pansard’s Room ◆
I returned to my room, feeling pathetic and unsteady. I had heard that those girls were aiming for Azuma. I knew about the Millennium Herb, but whether it truly existed was uncertain. One thing was clear: the King of Avangarde intended to exploit those girls thoroughly.
If the Millennium Herb existed, there was no way the kingdom would let it go. I couldn’t imagine foreigners being allowed into Mount Daigami, and if that were the case, they would have no choice but to resort to unconventional means. The fervor surrounding Daigami in that kingdom was already extreme. If something went wrong, the Demon God Clan might intervene.
Of course, those girls would likely not lose against them. However, the issue was the ripple effect spreading from country to country. Foreigners breaking the taboo of Daigami and taking away the precious Millennium Herb could lead to an all-out war, depending on how the other side reacted.
I felt a sense of dread towards the king who would send them on such a perilous mission. I had gently warned those girls, but I wondered how much of it had truly registered with them.
“You must nurture young sprouts with care… Oh, King.”
What does it mean to be an adventurer? It was a question I found myself pondering often.
Vampire Beast – HP 1120
A quadrupedal bloodsucking creature with long fangs. It feeds exclusively on the blood of living beings, extracting it with its sharp teeth. Often seen moving in packs, its ferocity allows it to charge at even larger monsters without fear, instilling terror in many Adventurers.
Red Horn – HP 610
A carnivorous bull with striking red horns, said to be stained with the blood of countless prey. More resilient than it appears, it poses a significant challenge for even the most seasoned front-line fighters.
Soldier Leo – HP 805
A lion that hunts its prey with remarkable speed. Its agility is so great that it can even evade magic. There have been reports of it leaping over front-line fighters to devour back-line magic users first, showcasing its high intelligence.