Chapter 125: Excel the Strange
~Side ???~
Time rewinds slightly. While Mist and Ochcho were fighting in the final match, down in the lowest level of the Devil’s Gate, Jabberwock was battling two intruders.
“Alright, now that we’ve come this far, it’s only a matter of time!”
“Indeed. Now that we’re here, I should be fine on my own.”
Just as their conversation suggested, the two intruders were almost unharmed. In contrast, Jabberwock was covered in wounds.
“Guh, the ancient races… The Goddess created some troublesome beings… But for a survivor to be at such a high level… Goff“
Jabberwock, covered in countless wounds, glared resentfully at the intruders.
“Oh? Got a message from my subordinate. Looks like the Martial Arts Tournament is over.”
“Oh my. In that case, the ‘strong person who reached this far’ that Jabberwock let slip earlier might show up on a whim.”
“Yeah. I doubt it’ll happen, not even a one-in-a-million chance, but if that guy brings Otto along, it’ll be a pain. Should we crush him now?”
“Indeed. I can handle things here on my own now. Go settle things with Otto already. He must be tired from that Martial Arts Tournament.”
“Alright! I’ll take you up on that offer! This time, I’ll make that stubborn swine fodder for my magic!”
Leaving those words behind, the clown-like man teleported to the Arena where the Martial Arts Tournament was currently being held.
~Side Mist~
“Yes, yes, just as planned, the strong fighters from every country have gathered. Let’s turn them all into Experience Points for us!”
A demon who suddenly appeared started saying such things. Who the heck is this guy?
Race: Greater Demon
Name: Excel
Rank: SSS
Level: 165
HP: 2312/2312
MP: 2155/3384
Attack Power: 2211
Defense Power: 2326
Magic Attack Power: 3331
Magic Defense Power: 3315
Agility: 2307
Skills
Appraisal Jamming Lv25
Magic Detection Lv30
Bewitchment Lv30
Dark Magic Lv30
Fire Magic Lv30
Wind Magic Lv30
Earth Magic Lv30
Space-Time Magic Lv21
Holy Resistance Lv30
Dark Resistance Lv30
Fire Resistance Lv30
Water Resistance Lv30
Lightning Resistance Lv30
Earth Resistance Lv30
Wind Resistance Lv30
Confusion Resistance Lv30
Paralysis Resistance Lv30
Charm Resistance Lv30
Sleep Resistance Lv30
Petrification Resistance Lv30
Curse Resistance Lv30
Titles
Ancient Race
Apostle of the Evil God
Aha, I see. So this is Excel the Strange, the survivor of the Demon Lord’s Four Heavenly Kings. And his race is Greater Demon. An ancient race, just like me and Ochcho-san. What’s more, his level is quite high. His stats lean towards magic, so Ochcho-san might stand a chance in a physical fight… I see, so that’s how it is.
He really did have the Bewitchment skill. This must be why Zmey said it looked like attacks were passing right through him.
But with such a high level, defeating the people here wouldn’t give him much Experience Points. Does that mean he has another objective? Well, I guess it’s probably about eliminating obstacles.
“Yorumungan, Ajidaha, I leave dealing with these weaklings around here to you two. Also, the Empire’s 2nd and 3rd Princes should be here. Make sure you kill them. You understand, Samuel.”
Whoa!? I thought he was charging into the middle of enemy territory alone, but he actually brought companions. The two Dragonkin and Samuel… Samuel? Oh, that narrow-eyed Samuel?
Come to think of it, didn’t they say he escaped prison? I can’t believe he was connected to someone like this.
Samuel jumped out from the spectator seats and summoned three Summoned Beasts in quick succession.
The first was a Poison Spider, the second a Shadow Mantis, the third… is that a Dragon? But I can’t tell what element Dragon it is. Because it’s a Dragon Zombie.
“Hey, Theodore, you’re here, aren’t you! Show yourself, or I’ll slaughter these spectators!”
With the three Summoned Beasts under his command, Samuel, his eyes bloodshot red, shouted while spitting saliva. Seeing his clearly unhinged state, the spectators, who had been stunned and unable to keep up with the unfolding events, began to flee, scrambling over each other.
Still, for someone who doesn’t look sane, he’s quite cunning. If you say it like that, the highly responsible Theodore has no choice but to come out.
“I am here! I will be your opponent, so come at me!”
Theodore leaped out from the spectator seats. Behind him were all the members of the ‘Sword of the Hero’. And standing beside Theodore were Aurora and Snow.
(What is this? I feel a little… uneasy.)
Seeing Theodore and Aurora standing side-by-side made me feel a bit unpleasant. I hate myself for being so petty.
Well, they have Snow over there, so they should be fine. I need to switch gears and focus on what’s happening here.
“So it’s Excel. Looks like you’re incorrigibly plotting the Evil God’s revival again.”
Oops, looks like Ochcho-san knows Excel. Being fellow ancient races, it seems they might have some history.
“Otto, is it? Someone like you, who doesn’t respect God, probably wouldn’t understand. You interfere every single time. But this time, I won’t let you get in the way.”
What does he mean, he won’t let us interfere this time? They’re the ones who showed up themselves. I felt something was slightly off about Excel’s words, but dealing with the current situation comes first.
Aurora and the others had already entered combat. Snow was holding back Samuel’s Dragon Zombie, the biggest threat, while Spark was dealing with the Shadow Mantis.
It seemed Theodore and his older brother Darius were teaming up against Samuel and the Poison Spider.
Furthermore, Jack and the others from ‘Sword of the Hero’ were fighting a group in black robes that had appeared out of nowhere.
Meanwhile, Hayato, Lusar, and Ignito-san stood against the Dragonkin Yorumungan and Ajidaha.
Guild Master Grandール and Brian, the captain of the Twelve Legions Under God’s Command, were helping the spectators evacuate. Oh? An Adventurer Party that looks familiar is helping guide the spectators too. I recognize those figures from behind immediately, even without Appraisal. So they came to watch this Martial Arts Tournament.
Then, when I looked back towards Ochcho-san and Excel, it seemed like their fight was about to begin any second. I hurriedly stepped in between them. There was something I absolutely had to confirm with Excel before the fight started.
“Who’re you? Haven’t seen your face before? If you’re gonna interfere, I’ll make you disappear first.”
Perhaps because I interrupted his fated confrontation with Ochcho-san, Excel glared menacingly, not hiding his irritation. But honestly, being glared at by Excel, who’s weaker than me, didn’t scare me at all. Does this guy not know that I beat Ochcho-san?
More importantly, as someone who also possesses the Bewitchment skill, there was something I absolutely had to ask. My voice trembling, perhaps from nervousness, I asked Excel.
“Are those clothes you’re wearing real?”