Chapter 18: Imperial Capital – Martial Arts Tournament – 48
From the Gate to Another World, over a hundred small Demons emerged.
The troubling part was that some of the flying types turned their faces toward the audience and began to open their mouths. This was a prelude to casting magic, and if it continued, the spectators would suffer significant harm. There were still about half of them who hadn’t managed to escape.
“Freinir, use Divine Light once more!”
“Yes, my lord Soushi!”
Once again, the surroundings were enveloped in light. The small demons momentarily halted their movements, and in that brief window, the adventurers launched a coordinated offensive. However, they couldn’t adequately deal with the flying types. The flying demons regained their stance and began to prepare to cast magic again.
Larni and Karma unleashed Flying Blades, while Sfenia, Shizuna, and Geshura fired magical spears to shoot down the flying types. Of course, other mages were also taking them down one after another, but both the flying and insect-like demons continued to pour out from the Gate to Another World. As the chaos escalated, I couldn’t use my Shockwave skill. It seemed I would have to focus on being a shield.
“I’ll draw all the magic attacks!”
As I shouted, I activated both the Provoke and Absorption skills with all my might. The nearby small demons turned to face me, opening their mouths to unleash magical spears. The flying types did the same, but the magic aimed at the audience was forcibly redirected toward me by my Absorption skill.
Hundreds, nearly a thousand fire, ice, and rock spears struck the Immovable Fortress Wall, as if they were being drawn in. Each individual strike was insignificant, but when dozens hit simultaneously, and especially when they came in a continuous barrage like a machine gun, the impact was considerable.
However, it wasn’t enough to shake me. Several adventurers, including Princess Marishielle, were trying to come to my aid, but upon seeing me remain unmoved, they widened their eyes in surprise and then turned back to their own targets with looks of understanding.
The small demons, whose focus and attacks had been diverted, were swiftly eradicated by the adventurers. This was indeed the A-Rank; each of them was an elite warrior.
But naturally, the emergence of demons didn’t end here. Considering Isunani’s words, this was merely the beginning.
Next to emerge was a six-legged Centaur-type. The first one appeared and was immediately blown away by a Shockwave, but due to its height of nearly ten meters, chunks of flesh scattered dangerously close to the audience, almost injuring them. I never expected my weapon would be restrained in such a manner.
Following that, eight more Centaur-types burst forth, leading to another fierce battle with the adventurers. One of them was single-handedly defeated by Princess Marishielle, while the members of Soul’s Guidance took down two more. I wanted to help with the remaining five, but a powerful presence from the Gate to Another World forced us to redirect our focus.
Two enormous arms protruded from the Gate to Another World. They were terrifyingly massive. The palms alone were about three meters wide. Truly, they were the arms of a giant.
To our astonishment, these gigantic arms didn’t stop at two; they continued to emerge one after another from the Gate.
More than ten giant arms flailed about in the air for a while, but realizing they couldn’t grasp anything, they placed their hands on the edge of the Gate. Then, they began to push it open wider, attempting to pull the main body lurking behind the Gate into our realm.
What emerged from the hole was a massive gray head. It was a flat, bald, expressionless human head. From the crown to the chin, it was over ten meters long. Such an outlandishly large head was beyond comprehension.
And it seemed that the creature was trying to pull its body out of the hole. However, its body appeared to be larger than the Gate, causing it to get stuck. The giant’s face twisted grotesquely, and it emitted a metallic-sounding roar of anger, “Guh, gii, gii, gii!”
“Count Okuno, what should we do?”
Princess Marishielle, momentarily stunned by the surreal scene before her, finally regained her composure and readied her sword.
“For now, let’s send it back behind the Gate to Another World. I’ll strike it with a Shockwave.”
I instructed the members of Soul’s Guidance and the princess to fall back, positioning myself in front of the giant’s face. As it noticed me, the enormous face looked down at me expressionlessly. Suddenly, it opened its mouth, a prelude to casting magic.
“Shii!”
But I was faster. At this angle, even if its face shattered, everything would be blown back into the Gate to Another World. I swung my mace down with all my might.
The invisible Shockwave slammed into the giant’s face, causing the center to cave in, and the massive head was blown back into the depths of the hole.
However, the dozens of hands still gripping the edge of the Gate remained intact. This meant the main body hadn’t been blown away yet.
As I held my stance, strange sounds began to echo from around the Gate. It was a grating noise, like rusty sliding doors being forced open.
“Hey, Soushi, isn’t the Gate to Another World widening?!”
Larni shouted.
Indeed, it seemed the giant’s hands were forcibly trying to widen the Gate. And it was slowly succeeding. I could see the width of the Gate expanding before my eyes.
“Attack the hands!”
At my command, Freinir, Sfenia, Shizuna, and Geshura unleashed their magic. Following them, Larni, Karma, Mariane, and Sakurahime charged in with Swift Run, slicing and severing the hands and fingers.
I too rushed in and smashed two of the hands. Now only three hands remained, high above. But I could feel a sudden surge of strength in those hands.
“Get away from the Gate!”
At my repeated command, the members scattered without hesitation.
Just a moment later, the giant’s head burst forth from the Gate to Another World. This time, it didn’t get stuck; the entire body slithered out behind the head.
“What a grotesque demon! It sends shivers down my spine!”
Princess Marishielle grimaced, furrowing her brow.
The strongest adventurer of the Empire uttered those words, and indeed, a bizarre demon revealed itself in the arena.
The massive head had dozens of arms sprouting from around its neck. Behind it was a stout, snake-like body resembling a Tsuchinoko, likely measuring 70 to 80 meters in length.
Even more unsettling was that the scales covering its body were all human faces. In other words, hundreds, if not thousands, of faces enveloped its form.
I sincerely apologize.
The next update will be on November 30 due to personal matters.
Thank you for your understanding.