Chapter 81: A New White Calamity and a Light of Salvation
“What sorcery is this? To think he struck down a Demon strengthened by an Armed Chimera…”
I, who have persisted for centuries as an Undead, have never in my life—though I am dead already—seen such a powerhouse. And I have not stepped outside since my undeath.
An Armed Chimera is a fearsome beast, drastically enhancing its host. True, its immense magic consumption led to a near-suicidal outcome for the Demon this time, yet at the battle’s start, the Demon possessed ample magic and should have utilized the Armed Chimera’s full power.
Yet, that brat instantly slaughtered the Demon with such an overwhelming disparity in strength.
His very presence reminded me of the legendary ‘Hero’ of old. The legend speaks of a ‘Hero’ who crushed mountains of monsters, pierced deep-sea beasts, and felled a sky-fleeing creature with one arrow.
If such an absurd existence were real, he would be like this brat… No, surely such a preposterous being would not appear so casually.
Yet I have a more important task…
Aye, the vital duty of retrieving the Fragment of the White Calamity from the Demon’s chimera, and escaping this place, away from that brat.
That brat cut down the chimera housing the Fragment of the White Calamity without hesitation. Given he is here to investigate the monster surge, he is unlikely to condone my research. But this is the precious research I—no, we—have dedicated our lives to. I absolutely cannot permit interference.
Fortunately, the brat’s focus is on the defeated Demon. I must retrieve the Fragment of the White Calamity now!
I quietly approached the chimera, taking care not to be noticed.
And then, I saw it.
A strange, white, and incomprehensible Fluffy creature was ravenously devouring the chimera…
“Wha—What in the world are you doing!!”
You! Why are you eating that without permission! And eating the nuclear core, the heart, first—what in creation are you thinking! Are you saying you picked the best part because it was sliced in two!! I always save my favorite things for last!!
“Hm? Is something the matter?”
Confound it! The brat noticed me! Now I must quickly grab the Fragment of the White Calamity…
Just then. The white Fluffy thing before me suddenly let out a ghastly moan.
“Gyu-vuvuvu!!”
“Wh-what is this occurrence!?”
The Fluffy thing’s body rapidly swelled before my eyes, transforming into the shape of a massive magical beast.
“What!?”
I was astonished. Not by its sheer size. But because I recognized that utterly transformed, accursed shape.
“Im-impossible, that form…!?”
There is no doubt, this form is none other than the White…
“VAAAH-OOOWWW!!!”
The magical beast roared and lunged at the brat.
“N-No, stop! Run, brat!”
I called out without thinking, but the beast was already inches from the brat’s face. The brat, his guard down after defeating the Demon, could not possibly dodge the strike.
CRUNCH!!
A gruesome, unbearable sound echoed out.
What is this, that brat who fought the Demon to a standstill is so easily struck down… No, that is only natural. The foe is the White…
“That was startling.”
Startling, it was…? Huh? Did I just hear a voice that shouldn’t be there?
“You’re Fluffy, right? You’ve gotten huge, is this a growth spurt?”
That’s impossible! I barely managed to swallow the retort that almost escaped my mouth. But what is going on!? Why can I hear the brat’s voice!? The brat’s ghost!? Though I am the specter here.
“Gyu…”
Then, the magical beast’s body began to tremble, and in the next instant, its massive form flipped over with tremendous force.
Wh-what in the world is happening!?
“GYUUUN-GYUUUN!!”
And unbelievably, the beast was showing its belly like a frightened animal, even wagging its tail! Looking closely, the magical beast’s face was perfectly caved in, as if struck by something.
And beyond the beast, that brat was looking down on it, his fist still thrust forward. Could this magical beast have been flipped by a single punch from that brat!?
Im-impossible! Just who is that brat!? And why was that brat with this magical beast!? Even now, the beast wags its tail and nuzzles the brat, fawning over him. With that gigantic body and power, you still cannot defeat that brat!? You, the scion of the White Calamity!?
“Could it be… is that it?”
At that moment, I arrived at a single conclusion. The relationship between that brat and this magical beast. Is this not the realization of the dream we sought? Namely, to tame the White Calamity with human hands.
“What is this. While I hid underground for centuries, the surface dwellers succeeded in taming the White Calamity…”
How foolish I am. To think I continued my research, unaware that our deepest desire was already fulfilled.
“That brat must have mastered the art of controlling the White Calamity’s kin, just as I did.”
Hah, hah… that terrifying magical beast is having its belly rubbed by a human brat, wagging its tail. I see, if he can make the magical beast so utterly obedient, my research is but a worthless child’s game.
While I watched, the magical beast’s body rapidly returned to its original size. Likely because the power of the Fragment of the White Calamity the beast consumed was lost.
Ah, it wet itself. Hey, who in the blazes do you expect to clean this floor! But still, when tamed this perfectly, I cannot even feel jealousy.
“Hm?”
I suddenly noticed the sensation of my body growing faint. At the same time, the obsession I had desperately clung to was becoming surprisingly irrelevant. Ah, yes, before my eyes is the pinnacle of the ideal we pursued. Then, there is no longer reason to cling to life or to this research. For we, humanity, can now live without fear of the White Calamity’s threat…
“So you finally decided to join us.”
“!”
Just then, a voice I should not have heard echoed in my ears as I was being freed from my body.
“Honestly, we grew tired of waiting.”
No mistake, I truly hear it. That nostalgic voice.
“Seriously, if you leave the Director alone, he’ll just keep working forever.”
“…What is this, all of you waiting for my return?”
“Once this is over, you’re going to grab a drink, right, Director?”
“Indeed, that’s right…”
I see the light. And at the end of that light, familiar faces awaited me.
“It has been a while. Shall we make a big commotion?”
“Yes, that would be good. She is waiting for you too.”
“Oh…”
Emerging from behind the familiar faces was the precious person I could not save.
“Welcome home, my dear. Now, let’s all go home together.”
“Yes, yes… I truly made you wait.”
I see, you too… you were waiting for me.
Ah, now all my lingering attachments are finally gone. Brat, I thank you. Thanks to you, I have been freed from all my bonds.
“Huh?”
The brat noticed my presence as I was about to find peace. And with a look of surprise, he rushed towards me.
“I caused you trouble, brat. But worry no more. I no longer have any attachments to this world’s ground…”
“Hold on a minute—!”
Just then, the brat’s hand grabbed the crown of my spirit body, which was leaving my flesh, and forcefully slammed me back into my body.
“EHHHHHHHHHH?!”
Slammed back into my body, my comrades’ voices instantly grew distant.
“Gah!? H-hold on, I was about to ascend! Wouldn’t a normal person not interfere!? Also, how did you even interfere just now!?”
“You can ascend, but only after you give a detailed explanation to the person in charge.”
“What is that!? You stopped my peaceful rest for that!?”
“Just do it! Please ascend only after explaining the details of this incident!”
“Hoo-hoo, I’ve gotten involved with one outrageous brat…”
And so, not only was my chance for peaceful rest blocked, but I was dragged off somewhere by the brat. Hey, everyone, please wait just a little longer for me.
Fluffy’s Perspective
Kuhahaha! Splendid! Power is splendidly overflowing!
When my Master defeated the warped monster before me, I was intensely drawn to something sleeping within it. And the moment I devoured what was sleeping inside the beast, a tremendous power coursed through my body!
This power is so magnificent it cannot compare to that feathered thing lying there!! And is it because I absorbed this power that my body is rapidly growing!?
Wonderful! This body holds dozens of times the power I had before! No, that is incorrect—this is my true power! The flesh of this beast was merely the catalyst to awaken my power!
Fuhahahaha! With this, my Master—no, that human brat—is no longer a threat! You shall become my very flesh and blood!!
“…!?”
SMACK!!
GYAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!?
A counter-attack of tremendous force struck my brow. It hurts so much! It hurts a lot! It truly hurts!
“…”
Ah, this is bad, Master is angry. I can tell, super angry. Q-Quick, show the belly! Belly show time! See, Master, I have no rebellious intent toward you. I’m super obedient.
Washa-washa.
Ofun! Ah, that spot is nice! Incredibly pleasant! Kyufuu, Kyufuun…
I somehow succeeded in calming my Master’s anger by appealing with boundless cuteness.
It was then.
Pshuuuuuu…
A-ah, the power is draining away… What a thing—I have returned to my original form, after and before. Ugh, it was a fleeting dream…
