Chapter 80: The Revived Dead and the Enraged Demon

“Aww, whoops.“

The undead I thought had been killed by the Demon was, incredibly, alive. Why would he go to all the trouble of playing dead for so long?

“Hup.“

The undead that stood up knelt on the floor, then lay right back down and resumed playing dead.

“…“

No, no, no, wait a minute, wait a minute.

“What are you doing, playing dead again?! It’s too late for that!“

“Tch.“

Called out, the undead clicked his tongue and got up. Seriously, “tch”…? You…

“But still, weren’t you dead?“

“Th-That’s right! I’m sure I cut you down from behind and killed you!“

At Rodi-san’s question, the Demon shouted as if snapping back to his senses.

“You idiot. Do you think an undead with the results of his research right in front of him would die that easily?“

Well, I can’t say I don’t understand the undead’s point. Undead are beings who cling to the mortal world because of obsession or grudges. If he’s the undead of a researcher from this facility, it’s only natural he couldn’t die with such a huge regret right in front of him.

“But in that case, why play dead? Having your research stolen by a Demon should be unforgivable, shouldn’t it?“

“Exactly! Why did you just lie here and not even try to escape?!“

I mean, it’s a weird sight, seeing the Demon, our enemy, agreeing with us.

“Mhm, it was pretty tough, staying perfectly still.“

“No, that’s not what we’re talking about…“

“But actually, I was changing my pose every day! Moving my body little by little so you wouldn’t notice. My pose now is completely different from when you first ‘killed’ me! How about that, you didn’t notice, did you!“

“Wh-What did you say?!“

Yeah, I really don’t think that matters at all.

“Hey, that doesn’t matter!“

Ah, he’s back to normal.

“In the end, why were you pretending I’d killed you?! What are you scheming?!“

Yeah, I’m curious about that too. Why would he do something that let the Demon steal his precious research?

“…Very well. I shall tell you.“

The undead’s voice lowered, and tension ran through the air.

“…“

“You must already know that this laboratory is a facility for researching chimeras, and the White Calamity that once threatened this world.“

The undead gestured with his hand, indicating the chimeras around us.

“And we, at great sacrifice, obtained a fragment of the White Calamity. We were ecstatic. With this, our research into the White Calamity would leap forward. But the research was not easy. Not a few of our comrades lost their lives to rampaging chimeras. There are limits to extending life with magic. Some, like myself, continued their research even after becoming undead, but they all gradually lost their attachments, and finally, I was the only one left.“

The undead looked down, as if lost in thoughts of the past.

“But at the end of that hardship, I finally completed the research to subjugate a chimera created using the fragment of the White Calamity! And just when all that was left was to actually create the chimera… it happened.“

The undead’s movements stopped. And he trembled, clenching his teeth.

“I… could not perform the experiment.“

“Why not?“

“That’s because…“

The undead turned his gaze upward, as if looking into the distance.

“Because?“

“…Because it was too precious to use!“

“……Huh?“

Um, what does that mean?

“Until now, every single chimera experiment using a fragment of the White Calamity has, without exception, rampaged and failed. And each time, a fragment was lost! And now, we only have one fragment left, enough for one experiment… Using something like that… it’s just too precious, isn’t it!“

“Whaaaaat?!“

What is that?! You didn’t want to experiment because it was too precious?! Isn’t that getting your priorities backward?!

“…I understand.“

Eh? You understand, Ramis-san?

“One tends to want to collect rare items rather than use them. I understand completely.“

“Ooh, you understand, young’un! That’s right, of course I wouldn’t want to use it!“

For some reason, Ramis-san and the undead started hitting it off.

“However, my lingering regret is to use this fragment to complete our research. I was struggling, wondering how I could bring myself to do it. That’s when… he showed up.“

Saying that, the undead turned his face to the Demon.

“Wh-What?!“

The Demon flinched, like, “Huh? Me?“

“I thought it was a revelation from heaven. I would have this Demon use the White Calamity fragment. If I couldn’t use it myself, I thought I could come to terms with it by having someone else use it! For that reason, I generously taught him my research results and manipulated him into using the White Calamity fragment himself!“

So, does that mean… this undead was the cause of everything?

“But still, what’s precious is precious. To be honest, I can’t tell you how many times I thought about attacking him from behind to stop him…“

Uwaah… This Demon almost had the exact same thing he did to the undead done back to him. That’s karma, I guess.

“Y-You, you let me steal your research for such a ridiculous reason?!“

“‘Cause it was too precious!“

“Don’t give me that ‘’cause’…“

Rodi-san interjected with an exasperated tone.

“Well, it was good that I let him try, but honestly, his work was so clumsy. His technique was unbearable to watch, so I readjusted and redid things while he was sleeping.“

“Wh-What did you say?!“

“My, my, it was truly precarious. He almost wasted countless valuable materials.“

“Ghh!“

Uwaah, he’s saying whatever he wants. That Demon’s pride must be in tatters right now.

“But thanks to him, I was able to have the chimera using the White Calamity’s materials produced. The quality was subpar, but well… I was about to say ‘good work’…“

And then, the undead turned to us… no, he glared at me.

“You killed the chimera we finally completed without even letting it fight! You’re an outrageous brat! This calls for some punishment.“

“Isn’t that just taking your anger out on him?“

“If anything, your failure to supervise that Demon has caused a disaster on the surface!“

Foca-san and Rodi-san protested, but the undead looked like he couldn’t care less.

“Hmph! The fulfillment of my research is more important!“

Geez, I thought we’d beaten the chimera, and now this. What a troublesome researcher.

The air between the undead and us became explosive.

“Th-That’s enough, all of you! Mere humans and an undead, ignoring me!“

Ah, the Demon who’d been ignored got angry. Well, it’s only natural… I guess?

◆

“Chimeras! Slaughter every last one of them!“

Following the Demon’s hysterical command, the dozen or so chimeras sleeping in the crystals opened their eyes and burst out, shattering the crystals.

With a ferocious light in their eyes, the chimeras lunged at us. Sheesh, just when Big Eater took down the giant chimera, it looks like the crisis isn’t over.

“We’ll intercept them!“

“Got it, Boss of the Twin Great Fangs!“

We each brandished our weapons and began to intercept the chimeras.

“Guoooh!“

“Ugh?!“

I barely managed to block the claw of a chimera that lunged faster than expected with ‘White Fang’, but I was pushed back by strength far beyond my estimation.

“Guu!“

Deciding I couldn’t possibly withstand a direct hit, I half-turned my body to deflect the claw I’d blocked. Dammit! If only I could use White Fang’s power. But unfortunately, White Fang’s power as a magic item was used up in the fight with the courtyard chimera. It would take several days before its power could be used again.

“Kukuku, these chimeras are high-order chimeras, created to accompany the chimera that used the White Calamity fragment! They’re on a different level from that failure in the courtyard!“

“What did you say?!“

The image of that grotesque chimera we fought in the courtyard flashed through my mind. The chimeras that just emerged from the crystals are all around 2 meters. And yet, he’s saying they have more power than that giant chimera?!

How long can I fight without the power of White Fang and ‘Black Fang’? And that’s not all. Even if we defeat the chimeras, that Demon is behind them. A Demon, an enemy of humanity spoken of only in legends. We’re far too unprepared to fight a monster of that legendary class. But we have to. Whining comes later!

“Saintess, Sky Archmage, requesting magical support! Seiran, the undead, and I will take down the chimeras.“

I gave the order instantly, my gaze shifting to Big Eater.He is the key!

“Big Eater, I’m entrusting the Demon to you!“

“Eh? Me?“

Big Eater cried out in surprise at being singled out. He looked like he wanted to ask if it was really okay for a newcomer like him to take on the most formidable boss.

“You’re the strongest one here! The rest of us will devote ourselves to supporting you!“

That’s right. It’s frustrating to admit it, but this kid is strong. He defeated that giant chimera, which almost took me out with one swing, in a single blow. Not just that, but there wasn’t a single time on the way here that he wasn’t the key player. There’s no doubt, he’s strong. There have always been many mighty warriors hidden in the woodwork. But even among them, he’s in a class all his own. If ‘heroes’ truly exist, they must be talking about guys like him. If it’s him, he should even be able to win against a Demon!

“…Got it, Risou-san! Please leave it to me!“

His resolve set, Big Eater dashed toward the Demon. The chimeras stood in his way, as if to stop him, but Big Eater dodged their attacks with ease and pushed forward to the Demon.

Alright, now I can see a glimmer of victory. If we can defeat the Demon giving the chimeras orders, their command will fall into disarray, and they’ll show an opening. Now we just have to hold out against the chimeras until then…

“By the way, am I fighting with you?“

The undead asked me in a carefree tone.

“The Demon already sees you as an enemy anyway. So, lend us a hand.“

“Hmm…“

The undead put a hand to his chin, showing a slight gesture of contemplation.

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend, is that it? Well, very well. It’s unpleasant to watch him get all conceited showing off his poorly made chimeras.“

“Silence, undead! Be devoured by my chimeras and die for real this time! Chimeras, tear that undead to pieces!“

This is a help. The chimeras’ target is now focused on the undead. He’s the one who belittled the Demon so much. He must want to kill him first.

“Good grief. I’m not good at roughhousing. I’ll leave the barbaric stuff to you lot. High Area Enchant Boost. High Area Protection. High Area Mana Boost.“

As the undead cast his spells in succession, our bodies were wrapped in a strong light three times.

“Guooh!!“

Just then, a chimera leaped in without a moment’s delay.

“Kuh!“

I met its claw with Black Fang, intending to parry the chimera’s attack. It was at that moment.

“What?!“

I hadn’t just blocked the chimera’s claw; its arm had been sliced clean in two along my Black Fang.

“Whoa, what is this?!“

I looked, and Seiran had also slashed a chimera’s leg clean in two with his sword. What in the world happened? I turned back to the undead. If anything, it had to be the magical light that enveloped us just now.

“Hoh hoh hoh. I cast support magic on you all. With this, you should be able to handle mere chimeras.“

“This is support magic?!“

Did magic this powerful exist in the ancient era?!

“Gaoh!!“

I didn’t block, but simply slashed away the attack of another chimera that lunged at me. Just as the undead said, my attack cut through the chimera’s body like butter.

“I see. With this, we can definitely do it.“

“Air Lancer!!“

The Sky Archmage’s magic tore a hole through the chimera’s torso.

“Support magic that enhances magic?! Did such magic really exist in the ancient era?!“

“Hoh hoh hoh. Well, it’s just this sort of thing.“

I don’t really get what the Sky Archmage is so surprised about, but regardless, this is a welcome reinforcement. Though, I am scared about what’ll happen after Big Eater defeats the Demon. I just hope we can negotiate peacefully… In any case, I have to focus on the enemy in front of me. I’m counting on you, Big Eater.

As I cut down the chimeras, I watched Big Eater’s retreating back.

◆

“Taaah!“

I dodged, cut down, and knocked aside the chimeras blocking my path, heading for the Demon.

For some reason, Risou-san told me to defeat the Demon, the root cause of all this. But why? If that Demon is the cause of everything, we should all fight him together. To be honest, the chimeras getting in the way aren’t much of an enemy. The only one we need to be wary of is the Demon.

…Maybe this is also a test to see if I’m worthy of being an S-Rank adventurer? Before we came to this cave, when we were attacked by monsters on the way from the capital, Risou-san and the others told me to show them what I could do as an S-Rank. If that’s the case, then this battle… no, this whole request must be a test for that! Otherwise, they’d never entrust such an important role to a new S-Rank like me, right?

“Hm? In that case, maybe they were just acting like they were struggling against the chimera in the courtyard?“

I see, so that’s what it was! When I think about it, there’s no way S-Rank adventurers, the strongest of the strong, would struggle against a chimera like that. They must have been fighting while deliberately holding back their true strength. This entire request was set up from the beginning as a test of my suitability as an S-Rank adventurer!

S-Rank is the strongest adventurer. That must mean that just because I was promoted to S-Rank, I’m not necessarily acknowledged as worthy of S-Rank. That’s just how much responsibility comes with being an S-Rank adventurer!

“Now it all makes sense! In other words, Risou-san and the others are telling me to try and defeat a Demon all by myself!“

As I moved forward, the Demon moved back, and the chimeras stood in the way to form a wall. But chimeras of this level are no match for me. I cut down the group of chimeras that came at me all at once.

“Voooh!!“

A chimera leaped out from cover, trying to strike me in the opening I left after defeating the swarm.

“Gyuun!!“

But Fluffy leaped out from behind me, pouncing on the chimera to intercept it.

“Gyaun!!“

The poor chimera was slammed to the ground and became Fluffy’s meal.

“Kuh, the chimeras can’t even stall you?! Who in the world are you?! And what is that white thing?!“

“I’m just an adventurer! And this is my pet, Fluffy!“

I left the approaching chimeras to Fluffy and leaped at the Demon. But just then, the Demon gave a sinister grin.

“Chimeras! Become my armor!“

The chimeras leaped onto the Demon, who had jumped back, and swarmed him. The swarming chimeras’ bodies transformed, enveloping the Demon’s body and taking on the appearance of armor… or clothes. This is, if I remember…

“Wh-What is that?!“

“Oh, that’s an Armed Chimera.“

“Hey, undead! What’s an Armed Chimera?! I’ve never heard of a chimera like that!“

And Rodi-san pressed the undead, his voice unable to hide his curiosity.

“An Armed Chimera is a living weapon that becomes armament itself, dramatically strengthening its master. It has a lot of problems, but the overwhelming enhancement from an Armed Chimera is more than enough to make up for them. You lot, who are struggling with these chimeras, will be no match for it.“

“A chimera like that existed?! But why are there no records of this chimera left in the modern age?“

Ramis-san is so laid-back, even in the middle of a battle.

“This is bad. That brat must have some skill, seeing as he beat the White Calamity fragment chimera, but that was only because it wasn’t moving. Against a Demon equipped with an Armed Chimera, he has no chance of winning… Maybe we should run?“

“Is it that bad?! Kuh, Big Eater! Fall back!“

I got the order from Risou-san to fall back, but as if to block it, normal chimeras blocked my escape route.

“Hmph, even for you, who defeated the chimera made from the White Calamity fragment, you have no chance against me, clad in a full-body Armed Chimera! Curse your own carelessness for advancing to a position where you can’t receive support from your allies!“

Apparently, the Demon fell back to lure me in. Still, I’m surprised a Demon is using an Armed Chimera.

“Die, brat!“

The Demon thrust out his right arm, and a mass of mana bullets was spat from the mouth of the Armed Chimera fused to his arm.

“A magical attack from an Armed Chimera like that is the same as a dragon’s breath; it requires no incantation. It’s a type of chantless magic.“

“Ooh! Chantless magic!“

“Is this really the time to be talking about that?!“

Ignoring the comedy routine from Ramis-san and the others behind me, I continued to evade the rain of mana bullets fired by the Demon.

“It’s useless, useless! It’s impossible to completely evade this rain of mana bullets!“

Just as the Demon said, the rain of mana bullets grew denser and denser, until there was no room left to dodge.

“Can’t be helped. Mana Protection Boost!“

I boosted my magic defense with enhancement magic and leaped into the rain of mana bullets.

“Fuhahahaha! You’ve finally given up…“

“Ah, that’s no good, gotta run…“

“Wait, whaaat?!“

The Demon and the undead cried out in shock as I ran through the rain of mana bullets without even trying to defend myself.

“A-Are you a monster?!“

“Is that brat a monster?!“

“How rude. I’m a normal adventurer.“

“What part of you is normal?!“

“Yeah, we get it.“

I feel like I heard voices of agreement from behind me… Oh well.

“Kuh! But can you keep up with my speed?!“

The Demon tried to create a disturbance by leaping off the walls of the wide facility, using the enhanced leg strength from the Armed Chimera fused to his legs.

“Wh-What speed and jumping power!“

“Is this the power of the Armed Chimera?!“

In that instant, the inside of the facility was plunged into darkness.

“He turned off the lights. This is really it. He’s done for.”

As my vision was enveloped in darkness, the Demon’s voice echoed.

“Dieeee, bratttttt!!”

With minimal movement, I dodged the Armed Chimera’s blade extending from the Demon’s right arm, took half a step forward, and thrust my sword. I felt a dull thud in my arm.

“Gofu?!”

In the darkness, I heard the Demon’s voice.

“Lights, light.”

When the undead spoke, light returned to the facility. And before me was the figure of the Demon, my outstretched sword buried deep in him.

“N-No way… Why were you able to dodge my attack in the darkness…? Not only that… you countered… and pierced my body, which was protected by the Armed Chimera’s armor…?!”

The Demon stared at me with eyes full of disbelief.

“The answer is detection magic.”

“Detection… magic?!”

“That’s right. The moment the facility was plunged into darkness, I activated my detection magic and sensed the direction you were coming from, and that you had grown a blade from the Armed Chimera on your arm. After that, I just dodged that signature.”

The Demon’s eyes widened in shock.

“Impossible… You switched to detection magic instantly in that moment and even perceived the change in the Armed Chimera’s shape?!”

“Furthermore, an Armed Chimera devours its user’s mana. That’s why, when operating one, the wearer will quickly run out of mana unless they absorb it from an external source, like being fed a large number of core stones… no, magic stones. Without even realizing it, you were overusing your mana, and your movements had become sluggish.”

Yes, that’s the reason Armed Chimeras never became a major weapon. Plus, they’re living things. Maintenance is a huge pain, so they’re costly in that sense too. If that’s the case, magic items that are easier to maintain are just in higher demand.

No matter how much more mana a Demon has than a human, if you equip a full-body Armed Chimera, the mana drain is no joke. If this Demon had seriously studied the chimera research he stole from the undead… if he had at least read the documents, he would have realized that and been able to take proper countermeasures.

“After that, I just aimed a counter at the opening you showed when you were convinced of your victory.”

Yes, it was just a simple counterattack, nothing more.

“Kuku… You say it as if it were so easy… Gopu.”

The Demon spat blood from his mouth and collapsed.

“Uwah, what’s with that brat. Isn’t he a monster after all?! He defeated a Demon clad in an Armed Chimera bare-handed.”

“Hey, hey, you’re one to talk, after using that ridiculous support magic.”

“I’ll say it as much as I want! That’s impossible for a normal human. How much combat experience do you need to instantly switch to detection magic and fire a counter in the dark without hesitation? If it were me, I’d have been dead in an instant the moment it went dark.”

“You’d die, even though you’re undead…?”

I feel like they’re saying whatever they want behind me.

“Anyway, this is the end. Risou-san, the subjugation of the Demon, the cause of the mass monster outbreak, is complete. Please confirm.”

“Ah, ah… You did well.”

When I turned around, it looked like Risou-san and the others had also finished subjugating the chimeras safely. They’re barely injured. As I thought, the incident with the chimera in the courtyard must have been an act to gauge my abilities. As expected of my S-Rank adventurer seniors. I didn’t notice at all.