ăThen, Iâll help you, but⌠where is this Evil Spirit King fella?ă
So I asked the Netherworld.
ă âŚIâm sorry⌠Because I have started the preparation to produce a new gatekeeper, my consciousness is leavingâŚă
ăYouâre kidding me!?ă
I still havenât heard any detailed explanation you know!? Just where is he!? The Evil Spirit King!
ă âŚIâm sorry⌠Iâm sorry⌠Well then, Iâll leave it to youââă
ăEh!? Ah, Hold up!ă
Even though I tried to call it out for several times, in the end the Netherworld never answered me back.
ăDidnât the difficulty suddenly rise? I donât know where is this Evil Spirit King, but before all that arenât Iâm lost?ă
Eh? This, if you think normally, Iâm the end already?
ăThe development is too rapid I canât follow itâŚă
This absurd and messy feeling⌠reminds me of ăForest of Endless Sorrowă.
Thinking about it again, quite the excellent feat I pulled back then, surviving a place like that after getting casted away without receiving any explanation! My Status for Luck and such was only 1 though!
As I was stumped about what to do in the middle of this desperate-looking situation, the skill ăWorldâs Eyeăâs Enemy Search unexpectedly sensed a presence.
When I turned my eyes towards its direction, what greeted me were a pair of eyes that didnât radiate light on a pitch black body, and white teeth that peeked out from its hanging mouth, a terribly horrifying entity was staring at me.
ăJiiiă
ăScaryscaryscaryscary!!!ă
What the hell is that!? Which hellâs hole did it appear from!?
This ominously frightening being really did appear suddenly within my Skillâs search range.
ăJiiiă
ăW, what is it⌠Who the hell are you⌠Rather, your gaze will make a hole on me if youââă
The moment I stopped in mid-sentence, the enigmatic creatureâs eyes glowed, then lasers fired at me.
ăBloody hell!?ă
While I was unintentionally spook in a Kansai dialect, I bent my body to a [ă] character, then dodged the laser.
ăA hole was literally about to be made in me though!? What the hell are you!? Having such an eerie face and all!ă
ăJiiiă
ăI told you stop firing lasers!ă
The enigmatic creature ignored my words and shot several lasers at me.
And I avoided all of them with weird postures.
ăHold on, what the hell are you really!?ă
I exercised the skill ăAdvanced Appraisală.
ăEvil Spirit Lv: ???ă
ăSo you are the evil spirit!?ă
I reflexively shouted so.
Moreover the level is unknown! Itâs that, I havenât seen something like that ever since the UMA from the Monster Sales Outlet operated by Balzas in Telbert! That UMA⌠what happened to it I wonder?
But before that. Evil spirits are, so to speak, a spirit, so that allow them to suddenly appear inside ăWorldâs Eyeăâs Enemy Search?
If that was the case, then the Evil Spirit King also hold the same ability⌠wonât it be impossible to find him? Finally itâs the endgame isnât it!
I unsheathed the ăSword of Swirling Hatred (Black)ă and ăSword of Overflowing Compassion (White)ă that rested on my hip and brandished them.
ăIf youâre an evil spirit, then, sorry about this, Iâll defeat you.ă
That probably wasnât heard by my opponent, but for the time being I gave it a heads up, then leapt at the evil spirit.
I recalled about having to control my power to some degree back when I was about to strike at the Labcoat man back in the Barbadora Magic Academy, so I swung Black with an amount of power that wouldnât deal damage to world. In addition of that, I also had the skill ăEndless Hell/Avici Hellă, so it would be okay. âŚHaving to consider about the Worldâs fare, my head is strange.
With my eyes looking in the distance, I was about to connect the attack to the evil spirit.
The evil spirit couldnât catch up with my speed, still looking at the place where I was until a moment ago.
And then, when Black touched the evil spiritâs body, it was then.
ăEek!?ă
The evil spiritâs body texture was springy, the moment Black touched it, the impact shook the body as if it formed a wave.
Just when I thought the impact had reached the bottom of evil spiritâs body, I could confirm that it suddenly directed away then headed towards me.
The moment I affirmed it, a bad hunch went through me, so I hastily moved my feet from there.
And thenââ.
ZUDON!!
A tremendous impact sound rang.
An outrageously huge crater was gouged out in the place where I stood just a little while ago.
ăOi, youâre kidding meâŚă
Cold sweat streamed on my cheek.
The evil spirit only stood on the spot as if nothing had happened.
ăThat⌠No matter how you slice it, that was my attack that bounced back just as is, wasnât it?ă
My attack was redirected, and even more than that, the opponent was uninjured.
To an outsiderâs perspective, it might seem that I was afraid of such opponent.
However, my head was filled with something else.
ăSo my attack is that fiendishâŚ!?ă
There might be people who thought of it as âNow, of all time?â, but now I got to experience the threat of my own attack, I was made to realize the abnormality of my attack even more strongly.
My attack doesnât work? That can go to hell for all I care! More than that, Iâm shivering because I have been swinging around disaster-class attacks here and there!
ăCrap⌠I have to think the way to use my power more seriously from now on⌠ă
ăJiiiă
The evil spiritâs atmosphere seemed like turned into a sullen one.
Actually, it had an eager air around it before, looking forward for when I fell into despair after my attack didnât work, but apparently the evil spirit sensed I was being bothered by other things instead. Itâs a problem of life and death for me you know!
However, it seemed like the evil spirit didnât take a liking to it, so it rapidly shot a laser at me.
ăJiii!ă
ăThatâs dangerous, hey!? Calm down a bit!ă
Without lending me an ear, the evil spirit didnât loosen its attack.
For the time being, physical attacks donât work, but⌠what about magical attacks?
I then used a fire attribute beginner magic, ăFireă.
ăThere!ă
An outrageous mass of fire that couldnât be called a beginner magic at all fired off at the evil spirit.
And then, the evil spirit stopped shooting laser, received the ăFireă magic with its body, then as expected, it bounced back right at me.
ăOi oi⌠Just what the hell should I do about this.ă
How can I fight against an opponent who nullifies physical and magical attacks?
Strange enough, despite facing that kind of opponent, my head was clear.
However, I suddenly noticed other presences, so while I didnât turn my attention away from the evil spirit before me, I turned my eyes, thenâŚ
ăJiiiă
ăJiiiă
ăJiiiă
ăJiiiă
Numerous evil spirits were gazing at me.
Rather, Iâm terrified you know!? In the first place I canât stand ghosts and any kind of horror you know!? I want to go home! I donât have a home to go though!
As I unintentionally floated a cramped smile, all the evil spirits shot their lasers.
ăJiiiă
ăThat wonât even be a joke!ă
As I hurriedly crouched down, numerous lasers passed over my head.
However, with me avoiding it, the lasers would only hit another evil spirits and repeatedly bounced back, so even if I wanted to stand up there was only lasers flying about overhead.
ăIsnât this really the endgame already!? Isnât it impossible to defeat the Evil Spirit King-sama in this situation!?ă
I shouted while holding my head so it wouldnât get hit.
Just how can I defeat them in the first place!?
ăIâm sick of it! HALP!! HAALLP MMEEEEE!!!!!!!ă
ăCopy that.ă
ăHeh!?ă
When I voiced my SOS that wouldnât reach for anyone, an answer came from a place I couldnât tell.
ăJiâ!?ă
And then, I could hear the muffled sound of the evil spirit.
Turning my eyes towards it, from around the chest? of the evil spirit, a sword resembling my ăSword of Swirling Hatred (Black)ă I had protruded out.
When that sword pulled out from the evil spirit, that evil spirit turned into particles of light then disappeared.
As I was astonished by that sight, a single ikemen appeared.
A silvery long hair divided from the middle⌠Was it called curtained hair? At any rate, he had that hairstyle, and his emerald like eyes were looking at me gently.
ăLong time no see, Seiichi-dono.ă
ăFuah!?ă
Who!? I donât have any ikemen like this as my acquaintance you know?!
Disregarding the confused me, the ikemen walked closer.
When I look closer, he was wearing a jet black robe resembling mourning clothes and a good quality shirt which was somewhere familiar to me. It was the outfit befitting for aristocrats.
Surprised by the ikemenâs arrival, the surrounding evil spirits were agitated.
ăJiâ!ă
ăJiâ!ă
ăJiâ!ă
ăGeh!?ă
As my voice reflexively rose from seeing their state, all of a sudden, a jet black spear penetrated several evil spirits.
ăShould we join the fun too?ă
ăIâm sorry⌠I canât fight⌠ă
ăAhahaha! True that⌠Then, go wait with the maid over there.ă
The voices of a carefree man and a gentle woman came into my ears.
ăUun⌠Itâs a battle after a long time, but the opponent is like that⌠Good grief, how troublesome.ă
Turning my sight, there was a man with black hairs and eyes and a calm expression on him.
Right near to him, there were a woman who wore an apron and another one who wore a maid dress.
Putting that aside, I was taken aback by the man with black hairs and eyes.
As for why, from the manâs forehead, two splendid horns were growing out. That was the same feature with Bell and his group I met before. That means⌠a demon? If I look closely, thereâs also a horn on the woman in apronâs foreheadâŚ
Although the physique wasnât as good as the ikemen, the black-haired black-eyed well-featured demon wrapped himself in another gorgeous attire based on black, with a deep crimson mantle hovered above it.
ăNow, well thenââFarewell.ă
When the demon man lightly spread his hands, countless jet black spears rose to the sky, then flew to the evil spirits.
Even though my attack was absorbed, the Ikemenâs and the demon manâs attacks easily penetrated the evil spirits, gradually reducing their number.
That sight was precisely like that of a ăDemon Lordă .
ăWeâre going as well!ă
ăOu!ă
ăUnderstood!ă
ăIâll do my best!ă
Even though I couldnât keep up with the current situation, a party of four made their appearance this time and started to attack on the evil spirits.
One was a big brawny man wearing a heavy armor, defending from the evil spiritâs lasers with his thick shield.
The blue haired young man who wore plain clothes and brown close just like a traveller, was attacking the evil spirits with a sword in the gap where the big man was defending the attack.
Wearing lightweight equipment resembling a hunter, a red haired woman with unyielding spirits, ranging down the evil spirits with her bow and arrows.
The last member, a blonde girl in pure white robe, bestow magic on the big guy and his group, boosting their offensive power, while also utilizing offensive magic to defeat the evil spirits.
I could no longer tell what is what.
There was also a fact that my attack didnât work, even though the attack of the people who suddenly appeared worked just fine, but even more than thatââ.
ăWho the hell are you guys!?ă
Really, who!? Just when I thought they appeared, they instead helped me⌠Wait a minute. If I think about it carefully, this situation in itself is scary! This, wonât come with money right!? I have a lot money, but thereâs only fear in my heart you know!
When I noticed it, the evil spirits that surrounded me were completely obliterated by the people who suddenly appeared.
I was scared by the horror before, but now I was scared due the worry of my money being extorted.
Neglecting my feelings, the ikemen came to the place where I was.
ăItâs the first time we meet when Iâm in this form, isnât it.ă
ăY, yea⌠Umm ⌠Who might you me? Is it money? Is it money that you want?ă
ăM, money!? Seiichi-dono, arenât you misunderstanding something?ă
The ikemen floated a troubled face. Un, no matter what they did, ikemen will stay as an ikemen huh! Iâm jealous!
As I was thinking of such a thing, the maid girl who stood near the woman in the apron walked over towards the ikemen.
ăZeanos-sama⌠Seiichi-sama doesnât appear to recognize Zeanos-samaâŚă
ăMu? That would be soâŚă
The ikemen nodded after got convinced. Rather, did she just say Zeanos�
As I was staring at him with a doubt in mind, he elegantly bowed.
ăI shall name myself once again. ââThe head of Zeford Duke household, Zeanos Zeford. It was since theăForest of Endless Sorrowă, wasnât it? Seiichi-dono.ă
The ikemenââZeanos said so with a gentle smile.
In response to that, IâŚâŚ
ăHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!?!?!?!?ă
Was shocked with my everything.
I mean! I mean!? Itâs Zeanos you know!? The one I fought in the ăForest of Endless Sorrowă, Zeanos the Darkness Noble you know!?
He was only a skeleton at that time! But now what? A super ikemen!? Not even I know what am I talking about!
Th, then, the girl beside him is�
Maybe I had wore my heart on my sleeve, the maid girl also bowed with a polished movement.
ăA pleasure to meet you. Iâm someone who serves Zeanos-sama, Mary.ă
ăMARYYYYYYYYYYYY!?!?!?ă
As I expected! I have a feeling itâll be her!
The gallant maid Mary whom I know from reading Zeanosâ life.
As my jaw was about to drop from all the surprise, the people who had been defeating the evil spirits with Zeanos gathered up.
ăSeems like you safely met each other, Zeanos.ă
ăYes⌠Iâm glad it was on time. I appreciate your help.ă
ăDo not mind. We also regained our ego, and itâs not bothersome offering some help.ă
As the demon man and the traveller like man talked with Zeanos, they suddenly looked at me.
ăYou must be Seiichi-kun.ă
ăU, umm⌠Why do you know about me?ă
ăThatâs because I heard it from Zeanos and those two people.ă
ăEh?ă
ăWe fully understand your current condition, Seiichi. Because the existence named Seiichi, weâre able to regain our ego after all. Those kind of people are gathering together and came to help you.ă
ăI, I seeâŚă
What should I do. I canât follow it with my stupid brain.
In other words, what does that mean?
Looking a me, the demon man broke into a smile then taught me.
ăMuch like the evil spirits we defeated just now, weâre also originally wandering this Netherworld as a ghost who had no ego. However, because an existence named you came into the Netherworld, we who more or less have a fate with you become able to bear our ego.ă
ăFate?ă
I know Zeanos. I directly fought him after all.
But, I donât know anyone other himâŚ
As I thought so, the demon man began his introduction.
ăFor the time being, shall I introduce myself? I am Lucius Arsahl. The first Demon Lord⌠is it easy to understand if I say it like that.ă
I donât know.
Like hell I know!? The first Demon Lord!? Isnât it skipping too much from the beginning!?
N, no, calm down. Itâs not decided yet that heâs the genuine one!
ăYou may not aware of this, but at the time when the country of Demon still hadnât existed, I founded a country where everyone could live in harmony along with reliable companions, like the Black Dragon God. All the other companions have died due to their life span, but I wonder how the Black Dragon God is faring.ă
Heâs the real deal!
ăWell then, itâs our turn. Iâm Abel. Abel Stardia. Tentatively, Iâm a Hero.ă
ăHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHH!?!?!?ă
ăIâm his companion, Garus Roccard. A Warrior.ă
ăHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHH!?!?ă
ăIâm Anna Ryuld the Hunter.ă
ăHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUHH!?!?ă
ăIâm Liliana Morst, a Sage.ă
ăHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHH!?!?ă
I should add ăHOOOHH!?!?ăhere, but I canât, any more than this and my head will explode!
Abel is that Abel isnât it!? The person from the diary Saria has at the ăForest of Endless Sorrowă!?
What fate!? Just how much the fate we have between us!?
As I was at six and seven, the woman wearing apron introduced herself with a bitter smile on her.
ăI am Nachuriahna Gleend. Iâm not some amazing person in particular, and even they say the fate we share, I canât think of any of itâŚă
ăH, Haa.ă
Indeed, I also havenât any faintest idea as for who Nataliana-san is.
I still could hear Abelâs and his groupâs name every here and there, but for Nataliana-san, I donât know about her in the slightest bit. Just where did our fate connect?
As I tilted my neck in wonder, Lucius said with a smile.
ăNow then, we have finished introducing ourselves, but there are still people you have to meet.ă
ăP, people I have to meet?ă
Who are they�
But before thatâŚ
ăSay⌠Is it fine, Lucius-san? For, umm⌠acting together with Abel and his party⌠ă
The impact was too strong for my mental that I forgot it, but Lucius-san was the first Demon Lord and Abel and his party were heroes.
Wouldnât normally they will clash with each otherâŚ
ăThatâs fine. I was certainly burning with anger that time, but after I fought against them who defeated me, I became to know that the Heroes are also another victim.ă
ăThat was also the case for us, after we defeated the Demon Lord at that time, we were betrayed by Pierre, and only then we figured out the real appearance of the Demon Lord. We were too indulged in ignoranceâŚă
ăâŚLetâs drop it here! Rather than that, I said there are people whom you have to meet, didnât I?ă
ăEh? Ah, yes. Err⌠Who might they be?ă
ăNo need to be panic, theyâre coming soon. It was dangerous before, so I placed a guard on them and told them to stay away. Theyâre way weaker than Natalia and the maid girl after all.ă
ă?ă
As I got even more confused, I followed Zeanosâ group while being urged by them.
ă⌠Waited for you.ă
ăHeh!?ă
What stood there, was the Treasure Box I met in the dungeon when I defeated the Black Dragon God.
ăW, why are you here!?ă
ăâŚI, have fate⌠You, defeated meâŚă
ăYou still have that grudge!?ă
ăâŚNo, no more grudge⌠More than that, quick meet⌠ă
ăI just canât understand any of this!ă
The scopeâs too vast I canât understand! Even though Treasure Box is here, I canât see Sandman or Clever Monkey which I defeated as wellâŚ
As I proceed with a question mark floating above my head, I turned my eyes to the people who waiting before me, and thus my mind went blank.
ăWe missed youâŚă
ăHave you been doing well?ă
The people who were waiting for meââWere my own parents.
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