It was over in several minutes.
All that was left was the heaps of corpses lying around.
There were some who came at me desperately, while some ran away. The ones that came at me showed strong killing intent, so I didn’t hold back.
We needed a person for testimony, so I quickly brought down some people that seemed to be leading figures.
They were still alive, more or less……but because there was no rope for tying them up, I dislocated their both hands and legs, and bone fracture and *mumble mumble*.
The reason I did it『quickly』was because if I left it Sherry-san, they would, without any doubt, die in a second.
Sherry-san normally has leniency against people who come at her with killing intent. She kills them in a single stroke, as if to say an eye for an eye. Because, I knew about that from the bandit subjugation we did while coming here.
But I, particularly, don’t have thought to say anything about that.
If other side came to kill one, they should be prepared to be killed. Cruel or going too far, were words that nobody had the right to say, and no one had the reason to tell. If one were to be aimed, then it didn’t matter if there was any danger or not based on their abilities, but it was up to the person to do whatever they wanted.
Even I try my upmost to not kill, but if needed I would also kill.
But if one asked what time it was『needed』, then sorry but I don’t think I could give out an immediate answer.
Of course, it wouldn’t be enough an excuse that they weren’t bandits but hunters, I also wouldn’t give a shit if they told me they had families in their hometown. I didn’t think that as pitiful. So I wouldn’t hesitate.
But just because it would’ve been problematic if people who would give out testimony, died, so I was in a hurry.
Moreover the people who ran away, Zari took care of them. I don’t think they were able to run away, but don’t the exact details of what happened to them.
And incidentally, after threatening a bit we squeezed information out of them, and apparently the daughter of town head was truly taken as hostage. To support in keeping adventurers at a distance for not hindering in their abduction plan.
At the time threatening, maybe because of terror one spoke out desperately『We can even raise demons, it’s fine for us to attack you peace idiot people’s village!』
They lined up demons for threatening including the one demon, that is politely known in『South』as……『Wing Boa』.
And the demons on that night’s attack were ones who got agitated because of a side effect of some sedative. The town head must’ve truly thought that for threatening the people of『North』would send some of their own demons. The coincidences overlapped.
……Well then,
Now that everything to was over, I ignored the frustrated gazes at me, and dragged them to their companions inside the forest, and arrest all of them, then finish them off. After that, the left demons were also killed, like this case closed……
『Gaaaaoooooooooo!!!』
「「……!?」」
……Or so I truly wanted……
Apparently, it had turned into a situation that wouldn’t end like this easily.
I heard something.
From the area where adventurers were fighting against the monsters, an unpleasant growl came.
It just felt like……one scene of carnage stopped, but now another truly terrifying stuff was waiting for us……!!
☆☆☆
The guards of village came at the best time, we handed over the several people of『North』for the purpose of testimonies, and both Sherry-san and I dashed in the direction of that growl.
During that time,
「What what!? Minato-kun you’re so fast! Hmm, Elk-chan is always going here and there with such a comfortable transport vehicle!? Nooo, so envious!」
「No, the person herself feels bad, even nauseated. Or rather, if you keep on talking, you will bite your tongue, okay?」
I said.
For reducing the time taken, I casted『Another Person Enhancement』on Sherry-san and, just as I had done with Elk, gave her a piggyback ride, then dashed with a speed more than a car, but,
Err……the two big parts, that were even bigger than Elk’s, unintentionally hit my back……and from the feeling it could understood that they were deforming a lot.
Currently I thought rationally that it would be have been easier to carry her in my arms.
Well, we would reach the destination in less than several minutes, so persevere it endure it.
Moreover……it was truth that this situation wasn’t something I could be so relaxed.
And,
When I reached the place, where adventurers and bodyguards were dealing with demons who had become ferocious due to the side effect of the drug used by people from『North』,
There was big panic there that made me think that the people weren’t veteran warriors.
There was a……big, green-coloured, lizard-like『something』.
Walking heavily on its two legs, it was moving down everyone in its direction of travel and pushed them into their mouths. Its height was more than 10 metres high, and it looked like a lizard, that『something』.
Seeing the scene of grasses being mashed under its legs meant that it probably came out from the forest.
「Something amazing came out, right……what is that? Lizard? Or a dragon?」
「No, that is probably……a plant」
Certainly, the scene of that big lizard walked on two legs, dragging a tail (seeming) along with it……made it look like a theropod dinosaur or maybe a monster from a monster film.
But looking carefully……although it was hard to see clearly from this far distance, aside from its appearance it was completely a『plant』.
Its hands and legs were clad in roots of trees. The tails was also the similar.
Its mouth (at least it looks like that) also had pointy roots inside in place of fangs. Are they not for biting off, but chewing and absorbing the nutrition? Or rather it seemed like it could absorb from places other than mouth also.
And the green-colour covering its body wasn’t scales but leaves. They were closely packed seeming like an armour, giving out a profound pressure. The leaves armour seemed more tough and thick than normal armours.
……No, in fact I couldn’t deny that possibility.
However its movements weren’t as dull as they looked like……the power hidden its every single attack wasn’t something sweet thing like『It’s fine if it doesn’t hit me』.
And its, in the end, a『plant』……is it truly that? The destruction god that Elder women told us the other day, that guardian deity of the forest? Was it woken up by the barbaric acts of North?
But well it was useless to think about things I can get any certain authenticity for, so I decided not to think.
Incidentally, among the people trying to run to escape were people with different clothing than the people of village. Are they spies of『North』?
Maybe they were attacked that among them were some injured people too……I felt that it wasn’t the time to worry about them, so I left them on their own. It was for making them pay for their mistakes.
Then, in the side of eyesight appeared Elk, Neil-chan, Zari and Alva, perching on Elk’s shoulder. They probably just came out of the forest.
Then noticing me and Sherry-san they ran up to us.
After confirming the safety of both sides, we all let out a sigh of relief.
「Minato, you done? 」
「Yeah, it’s good that you are fine. Well, I didn’t worry about the current Elk, though」
「Haha, you’re trusted a lot, Elk-chan. Well then, thank you for providing information Sherry-san, thanks to that I was also able to resolve all the problems」
「You’re welcome, information broker. And……that girl is, the Dryad? No, redhead means, is it Alraune?」
「Y-yes! E-err……are you a Dark Elf?」
「Nice to meet you. But well this atmosphere doesn’t seem good to be doing self-introductions, let’s talk with each other later」
Saying that, the conversation closed, and everyone again looked at the plant monster rampaging among the demon horde.
It was surely scary, but they couldn’t let it get near the city that the adventurers were using magic and arrows for long-distance attacks.
But……the effect wasn’t favourable.
Numerous arrows and fire magic that worked the best against plants were fired at it, but those scale-like leaves didn’t even had a scratch. The leaves were truly tough.
In contrast it made me worry that it would be angry and the attacks only stimulated it. Currently it was rampaging greatly and eating food.
Zari said while seeing that scene.
「I see. That is the『Green Lizard』. Well it certainly is a『Lizard』……well it certainly is great enough that even Minato-kun was vigilant against it」
「Eh, what, did you two know about it?」
「No, I’ve only heard about it. Only Minato-kun has seen it in truth. Minato-kun was vigilant against it saying『That is dangerous』, in truth I doubted if there was such a thing……but now seeing it myself I can agree to it. Isn’t that right, Minato-kun?」
「……Nope, it’s different」
「「「？」」」
I said.
Zari gave a blank expression to the unexpected answer from me. Including Sherry-san and Neil-chan.
But……unfortunately, that is the truth.
The『Green Lizard』I was talking about……wasn’t this one in front of me.
「Eh? It wasn’t that monster? The one Minato-kun was being vigilant of」
Yeah. It was different.
Certainly this one too looks like a『big green lizard』and gives out a dangerous feeling……but it is not the one I was talking about.
The two hoodlums that died in the forest.
Had a shape……as though they were sliced from limb from limb in a second by a sharp blade or claws with same sharpness.
This plant monster sure had overwhelming and fierce offensive ability……but I couldn’t see any sharp parts like that.
I would learn if that big body moved in the forest, first of all, moreover after it moved, it would only leave mess in its wake.
Certainly there were traces of rioting currently……but if that moved, it would even mow down the trees from root and branches and all. Unless it had an ability to change its size and shape to be able to move from the narrow places.
Neil-chan and Zari who had seen the scene, except Sherry-san, made an expression say “I see”. For inadvertently sharp Zari to not notice it would be unnatural.
To begin with, if the Dryads witnessed that『lizard』, it would mean that it had been in this forest for quite some time.
In that case, no matter what, even the city people would notice it. Even the forest would be messed up.
I realized that other than those three, Elk didn’t reply saying an『Eh?』.
Well she had seen that scene, so it must be natural to feel anxiety, but……what happened?
How to say it, her body seemed to have stiffened and her expression was also stiff……
But it wasn’t like she was scared of the monster in front of her……but it was like she remembered something even more dangerous.
Then,
「Minato, was the guy you were talking about……a『big green lizard』?」
「? That’s right, why?」
「Is its body as big as a human with large build, has long hands, a tail seeming like whip, has a scary face and has its body closely packed with scales?」
…………!?
「Elk, don’t tell me……you saw it!? In the forest!?」
「……Yeah. While I was fighting with those from『North』, it just barged in. Like that it massacred the hunters……after I wasn’t able to move from fear, it seemed to have lost its interest in me and left」
「……You serious?」
「Serious」
……Now that is quite……
I was careless. I shouldn’t have Elk go by herself in the forest when that things was in the forest……although Alva was with her, but that guy’s danger level wasn’t anything normal.
Shit, I hate myself for not thinking it out thoroughly……!
But, although I don’t know the reason, but it seemed to have let her go……based on results, it was good.
While apologizing Elk for that point, I kept on thinking how to get through this situation when that thing was near us, we couldn’t let down our guar——…………
…………
「Hey, Minato-kun? That……the monster you regard as dangerous is different from this one, right? Then does that mean, it has come near the forest?」
「……How to say it, near, err……」
I beat later.
「……It just seemed to reached there, just now」
「「「!?」」」
I said while pointing my finger in a direction……opposite from the plant monster. That direction seemed normal without anything, and the other three looked over there.……
When I thought that from the other side of the grove of trees came out the sounds of someone stepping on branches……
It suddenly came out while splitting through the bushes.
Its body was covered with scales that seemed even more profound than armours.
Its body build was near to that of humans figure. However its body was bent in a forward-bent posture, it hands were quite long. They were divided in five fingers, just like humans, and in front of it were long sharp claws.
The tail of about 2 metre looked like a strong whip, and its end was pointed while being covered by even more hard and strong scales, making it a pointed spear.
That fiendish face was, seemed more like a dinosaur than lizard……and a snake-like tongue peeked out of it. On its forehead, a gold, no an amber coloured horn was sprouted out. Looking closely, the claws were of the same colour.
That human dinosaur was bigger than an adult with large build……and the intimidating air emitted from it wasn’t a joke.
That appearance was……certainly of『that demon』whose name I didn’t know, but surely was vigilant from.
However there was just one thing different from the one in my memories.
(It’s scales are……black?)
The one I saw once a time ago had, green-coloured scales. No doubt about that. And the horn and claws were, red like blood.
But the scales of this one before me……were black, albeit with some indigo blue added, while its horn and claws were amber-coloured.
……Well it didn’t change the fact it was a dangerous shit.
「……Minato, is that one?」
「Yeah, it is the『Lizard』I was talking about」
「Hmm, so that is the demon Minato-kun was saying……so is it strong after all?」
「Well it sure is strong. After all……」
……A little self-boasting here.
……It was the only demon I wasn’t able to win against while in my training period within those Woodlands.
☆☆☆
It was probably 4 years before from now.
The me of that time was already at the level to take on the strongest in woodland, a giant snake, no a group of it and still deal with them. One day, as usual, I went in the forest to train and capture the food for evening meal, when……I met『it』.
It was a demon I had never seen, a dinosaur human……no, if I had to say it was more of a human dinosaur. That guy was fighting the demons of woodlands by itself.
It was torment, tearing, beating down the demons, which looked like a bear with a horn, completely one-sidedly. At that time it noticed me, and without any warning and hesitation, it attacked me.
I accepted the challenge immediately……but the moment I confronted it, I understood.
That this guy was the real shit.
And that intuition that couldn’t be called as a guess was proven as truth in a couple of seconds later.
That demon, which I had never seen or met, had a fighting strength that made the demons of Woodland seem like babies.
Its speed, power, technique……everything was terrifying, I had confronted it with my full power and full guard, but I still remember that I wasn’t able to do anything in front of it.
The numerous attacks that were sent out by that body with honed muscles, all had speed and power off the charts. Even with my enhanced eyesight, I wasn’t able to see the trajectory of its attacks.
Its defensive power was also high, even after I was punching and kicking with all my power, it didn’t falter a bit and sent out counterattacks. I was slapped by its arms and tail, scratched by its claws……it was truly terrible.
Fortunately, my defensive power was also high since that time, so there was no bone fracture, even my body wasn’t torn from limb to limb, even so the injuries that were all severe had spread all over my body, I wasn’t in a state that could be fine.
“I will die like this”, having that hunch, I dashed away in full speed.
En route an idea came to me and I crossed over my favourite hunting grounds, where the giant snakes territory was present. Like that, I made the lizard attack the sakes that were trying to annihilate the intruders.
As expected, the snakes were one-sidedly killed easily when confronted with that fighting strength. In that time, I gained distance and hid myself, and succeeded in escaping.
After that, I asked mom while she was treating me, according to her……surprisingly, even she hadn’t seen a demon like that in the woodland, and neither she had any idea of that demon’s identity.
In short it was an wandering demon without any particular territory, and it accidentally came to the Woodlands, and by chance met me and attacked me, or so was mom’s opinion.
After that, for a few days, mom was worried about me and kept my training with just a sparring match with her, she even took time off to search around the forest.
As expected I didn’t leave the house in that time, and there was surely one or two of mom’s pet guarding the house. Especially Stork.
In the end, after that incident……I never met with that human dinosaur, who species even mom didn’t know about, and so we called it『Unknown』. Like that I never met it again.
……Until today.
☆☆☆
The moment it came out of the forest,
Everyone’s gazes were nailed on that Unknown……because of its excess sense of presence. There were even those who stopped in their tracks.
If more than half of the demons weren’t attacking that plant monster, currently one or two of the people would have surely died.
Of course even we weren’t able to avert our eyes from that dark big lizard, walking over with firm steps.
I understood that Zari had an expression of shock and bewilderment, Sherry-san had shock and arousal, as for Elk and Neil-chan it was only terror.
「……Err……what is that?」
「Who knows? I don’t know its name or any other information. But it is strong……to a freakish extent」
「It is obvious after seeing it, this much is……obvious」
While others were speaking those words to confirm its existence,
Some demons came out of the forest, noticed the unknown, and head towards it.
Maybe they thought it was more easier to attack than the plant monster, or maybe they didn’t give a damn about it in their agitated state. Like that, several wolf-type demon and two of the scaled gorilla attacked it. If I remember correctly it was called『Lizard Kong』, probably.
And the next instant,
Its tail moved at speed unperceivable by the eyes and mowed down the wolves attacking at it.
As a result,
The wolves, were blown away and crashed into ground and trees……well that didn’t happen.
In turn, the front half of their body that was attacked by the tail flew off in pieces, and those demons that had now turned into lumps of blood and meat, and fragments of bones, were scattered on the ground with a *pitter-patter* sound.
The wolves were exterminated in an instant, and the back half of their body jumped a little bit forward while abiding with the law of inertia……and with just that much, they dropped on the ground, and never moved again.
And, one of the Gorilla that didn’t even falter with the current scene, raised its fist one beat later, to hit the Unknown……
The next instant, with the claws that swung with a speed unperceivable by eyes, lopped off the raised hand of Gorilla.
In the next instant, another flash of Unknowns other hand hit the head of Gorilla.
Maybe it was because of being chopped by 5 claws, or maybe the arm strength was just too much, that the Gorilla now didn’t had any upper body.
As for the other Gorilla, it had its heart pierced the moment the first Gorilla head his head gone off.
It all happened in less than 3 seconds. The demons died without even knowing how they died.
Seeing the one-sided violence and killing……the people there, including us, weren’t able to let out even a single voice.
『Lizard Kong』was a C Ranked demon. Its scales had toughness like that of steel. It was a demon that could be defeated by an skilled adventurer that had completed hell training.
And the Unknown that defeated it with an attack that couldn’t be seen by eyes now became a target of wariness on the same level, or maybe a higher level than the plant monster.
The Unknown removed the blood on its claws and tail in a flash, and abruptly glared at us. However, it didn’t show any signs of coming at us.
We, including the adventurers and bodyguard group, took on that stare without speaking any word or anything.
However, they were silent……because they were scared. They were at a loss for words.
However, thinking about the situation that would happen the moment they return to their senses was obvious……
「W-WaaaaaaaaaaahHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!」
……It would become like this.
Panicked State. Well it could be called whatever. Either run away from fear……or desperately try to kill before being killed and attack the demon. They only had the two options.
Several chose the latter and came attacking at the Unknown with weapons in their hands.
The Unknown watching it, squint its eyes as if saying『new preys』, and poured the power in its tail that had just before turned those wolves into mincemeat……at that instant,
In the whole battlefield, the『Magic Pheromone Intimidation』I used before in『Crimson Forest』was released in full throttle power.
「「「――!!?」」」
「……Oops, excuse me」
Because of the abrupt shock, the panicked adventurers, Elk and others and even the rampaging demons from before, even that Unknown stopped their movements for a moment.
And the Unknown……that was about to intercept the adventurers avert its eyes, and slowly looked at the origin of that『something』similar to intimidating air, in short, me!
That eyesight, made me remember of that time several years ago, it still had the usual severe intimidation in them.
Its body colour was different, so it wasn’t the same individual from that time……but how to say, it still made me feel nostalgic.
However this nostalgic feeling of having cold sweat perspiring out of me and having my breathing disordered, wasn’t something I felt good and or any shit about.
In the eyesight of the Unknown making groaning voice from deep in its throat, made me think it was trying to grasp me, as if observing me, and it made me even think it had an will inside of it, how strange.
It was like being asked『Are you the opponent?』.
……Alright, come at me you bastard, just bring it on!
「Elk, Zari and Neil-chan」
「「「……？」」」
「I will take on that lizard by myself. So I plead to take care of that plant monster there with the help of Sherry-san and others. Elk and Zari need to provide cover and help in rescuing the injured people」
「……No problem, but are you fine? Can you win?」
「Well, I surely can’t lose here. I have only enjoyed 16 years of my life till now」
「Now this is unusually the meek Minato-kun, or what……how to say, isn’t this way of speaking by keeping his confidence in moderation, an impossible thing for Minato-kun? It won’t become into something like, these were our last words, right?」
「Don’t say any jinks. ……Even I know that this guy is the real deal」
「Hey Minato-kun, then what would you do if I said to fight that lizard?」
「……You wanna die?」
「……I’m just joking, yeah just joking……Although I’m interested, but taking that as my opponent, I can’t even imagine having a decent fight against that, with my current level. Hey, I leave it up to you this time」
「Thank you for understanding」
The talk ended with, to each their own way……and after leaving the other works to others, I neared the Unknown in way to not agitate it any further and also to emphasize on the fact that it would be fighting me.
While walking, I indeed felt……something like intelligence in that eyes of that Unknown.
At the same time I remembered the talk Elk said before.
Although they met with Unknown, it only killed the hunters from『North』, and left Elk and others on their own.
Even its attitude of not attacking even when it had so many preys in front of its eyes……does this guy only fight against those who attack it?
In that case, we would not be harmed if we ignored it……but confirming this idea was dangerous. There was also the possibility that it put『priority』on the person attacking it.
When I was walking near it thinking that,
『GaaaaaaaoOOOOOOOO!!』
The moment I heard a growl from my side, the plant monsters was coming near me, after having dealt with the demons attacking it.
As if to say “The next prey”, it extended the roots from its root-made hands, and attempted to capture me and the Unknown for eating us.
However, frankly speaking it was a hindrance, so the moment I thought to pulverize it by kicking,
An intense magical energy swelled up from behind me, and suddenly, an arrow clad in burning flames hit those tentacle-like roots.
Like that it burned them……no, it blasted all of the roots approaching, into small pieces.
Shocked, I turned back and saw Sherry-san holding an bow, and in a posture of just after firing an arrow. She was still on her guard, but where did she had that bow, or maybe she borrowed it from an adventurer near her.
Eh, Sherry-san could even use bow and arrow? Or rather it was an arrow made from magical energy, right?
「Well there are reasons for it. I will tell later. We will make do some way here……so I leave that way to you」
Saying that, magical energy knead in Sherry-san’s hand……and in a second, an arrow made out of magical energy was gripped.
It was the same magical energy arrow like Suura-san used. Although this wasn’t ice, but fire.
Sherry-san was strong in close combat too, with this it would be fine.
But for just in case,
「Alva! Go back up Sherry-san and others. Like seriously!」
PIIIIiiiIIIII!!
Alva raised a sound as if agreeing and flew up above.
Alright, everything fine now. Alva was still a child (just one month old), but still strong, it could even use barrier-type magic, so it would be a help over there.
……Well then, pulling myself together……
「Well then……I made you wait. I don’t know how to call you……but let me finish this fight as soon as it started, now shouldn’t I?」
While I was talking with others, I had a part of awareness on it too……but unexpectedly it waited for me. And right now made a growling sound from its throat as if saying, finally eh?
My guess about it attacking people that attack it might be true, but what could this be called, this guy has some parts that made me feel that it had reasoning power and intelligence…….what a strange demon it is.
Well but,
The thing that would start now was a dangerous battle that didn’t had any shit related to that……so there was no need to think about it.
My first formidable enemy ever since leaving the house.
This time……if I let down my guard, I will die. Bracing my spirit, I resolved to go all out.
It was over in several minutes.
All that was left was the heaps of corpses lying around.
There were some who came at me desperately, while some ran away. The ones that came at me showed strong killing intent, so I didn’t hold back.
We needed a person for testimony, so I quickly brought down some people that seemed to be leading figures.
They were still alive, more or less……but because there was no rope for tying them up, I dislocated their both hands and legs, and bone fracture and *mumble mumble*.
The reason I did it『quickly』was because if I left it Sherry-san, they would, without any doubt, die in a second.
Sherry-san normally has leniency against people who come at her with killing intent. She kills them in a single stroke, as if to say an eye for an eye. Because, I knew about that from the bandit subjugation we did while coming here.
But I, particularly, don’t have thought to say anything about that.
If other side came to kill one, they should be prepared to be killed. Cruel or going too far, were words that nobody had the right to say, and no one had the reason to tell. If one were to be aimed, then it didn’t matter if there was any danger or not based on their abilities, but it was up to the person to do whatever they wanted.
Even I try my upmost to not kill, but if needed I would also kill.
But if one asked what time it was『needed』, then sorry but I don’t think I could give out an immediate answer.
Of course, it wouldn’t be enough an excuse that they weren’t bandits but hunters, I also wouldn’t give a shit if they told me they had families in their hometown. I didn’t think that as pitiful. So I wouldn’t hesitate.
But just because it would’ve been problematic if people who would give out testimony, died, so I was in a hurry.
Moreover the people who ran away, Zari took care of them. I don’t think they were able to run away, but don’t the exact details of what happened to them.
And incidentally, after threatening a bit we squeezed information out of them, and apparently the daughter of town head was truly taken as hostage. To support in keeping adventurers at a distance for not hindering in their abduction plan.
At the time threatening, maybe because of terror one spoke out desperately『We can even raise demons, it’s fine for us to attack you peace idiot people’s village!』
They lined up demons for threatening including the one demon, that is politely known in『South』as……『Wing Boa』.
And the demons on that night’s attack were ones who got agitated because of a side effect of some sedative. The town head must’ve truly thought that for threatening the people of『North』would send some of their own demons. The coincidences overlapped.
……Well then,
Now that everything to was over, I ignored the frustrated gazes at me, and dragged them to their companions inside the forest, and arrest all of them, then finish them off. After that, the left demons were also killed, like this case closed……
『Gaaaaoooooooooo!!!』
「「……!?」」
……Or so I truly wanted……
Apparently, it had turned into a situation that wouldn’t end like this easily.
I heard something.
From the area where adventurers were fighting against the monsters, an unpleasant growl came.
It just felt like……one scene of carnage stopped, but now another truly terrifying stuff was waiting for us……!!
☆☆☆
The guards of village came at the best time, we handed over the several people of『North』for the purpose of testimonies, and both Sherry-san and I dashed in the direction of that growl.
During that time,
「What what!? Minato-kun you’re so fast! Hmm, Elk-chan is always going here and there with such a comfortable transport vehicle!? Nooo, so envious!」
「No, the person herself feels bad, even nauseated. Or rather, if you keep on talking, you will bite your tongue, okay?」
I said.
For reducing the time taken, I casted『Another Person Enhancement』on Sherry-san and, just as I had done with Elk, gave her a piggyback ride, then dashed with a speed more than a car, but,
Err……the two big parts, that were even bigger than Elk’s, unintentionally hit my back……and from the feeling it could understood that they were deforming a lot.
Currently I thought rationally that it would be have been easier to carry her in my arms.
Well, we would reach the destination in less than several minutes, so persevere it endure it.
Moreover……it was truth that this situation wasn’t something I could be so relaxed.
And,
When I reached the place, where adventurers and bodyguards were dealing with demons who had become ferocious due to the side effect of the drug used by people from『North』,
There was big panic there that made me think that the people weren’t veteran warriors.
There was a……big, green-coloured, lizard-like『something』.
Walking heavily on its two legs, it was moving down everyone in its direction of travel and pushed them into their mouths. Its height was more than 10 metres high, and it looked like a lizard, that『something』.
Seeing the scene of grasses being mashed under its legs meant that it probably came out from the forest.
「Something amazing came out, right……what is that? Lizard? Or a dragon?」
「No, that is probably……a plant」
Certainly, the scene of that big lizard walked on two legs, dragging a tail (seeming) along with it……made it look like a theropod dinosaur or maybe a monster from a monster film.
But looking carefully……although it was hard to see clearly from this far distance, aside from its appearance it was completely a『plant』.
Its hands and legs were clad in roots of trees. The tails was also the similar.
Its mouth (at least it looks like that) also had pointy roots inside in place of fangs. Are they not for biting off, but chewing and absorbing the nutrition? Or rather it seemed like it could absorb from places other than mouth also.
And the green-colour covering its body wasn’t scales but leaves. They were closely packed seeming like an armour, giving out a profound pressure. The leaves armour seemed more tough and thick than normal armours.
……No, in fact I couldn’t deny that possibility.
However its movements weren’t as dull as they looked like……the power hidden its every single attack wasn’t something sweet thing like『It’s fine if it doesn’t hit me』.
And its, in the end, a『plant』……is it truly that? The destruction god that Elder women told us the other day, that guardian deity of the forest? Was it woken up by the barbaric acts of North?
But well it was useless to think about things I can get any certain authenticity for, so I decided not to think.
Incidentally, among the people trying to run to escape were people with different clothing than the people of village. Are they spies of『North』?
Maybe they were attacked that among them were some injured people too……I felt that it wasn’t the time to worry about them, so I left them on their own. It was for making them pay for their mistakes.
Then, in the side of eyesight appeared Elk, Neil-chan, Zari and Alva, perching on Elk’s shoulder. They probably just came out of the forest.
Then noticing me and Sherry-san they ran up to us.
After confirming the safety of both sides, we all let out a sigh of relief.
「Minato, you done? 」
「Yeah, it’s good that you are fine. Well, I didn’t worry about the current Elk, though」
「Haha, you’re trusted a lot, Elk-chan. Well then, thank you for providing information Sherry-san, thanks to that I was also able to resolve all the problems」
「You’re welcome, information broker. And……that girl is, the Dryad? No, redhead means, is it Alraune?」
「Y-yes! E-err……are you a Dark Elf?」
「Nice to meet you. But well this atmosphere doesn’t seem good to be doing self-introductions, let’s talk with each other later」
Saying that, the conversation closed, and everyone again looked at the plant monster rampaging among the demon horde.
It was surely scary, but they couldn’t let it get near the city that the adventurers were using magic and arrows for long-distance attacks.
But……the effect wasn’t favourable.
Numerous arrows and fire magic that worked the best against plants were fired at it, but those scale-like leaves didn’t even had a scratch. The leaves were truly tough.
In contrast it made me worry that it would be angry and the attacks only stimulated it. Currently it was rampaging greatly and eating food.
Zari said while seeing that scene.
「I see. That is the『Green Lizard』. Well it certainly is a『Lizard』……well it certainly is great enough that even Minato-kun was vigilant against it」
「Eh, what, did you two know about it?」
「No, I’ve only heard about it. Only Minato-kun has seen it in truth. Minato-kun was vigilant against it saying『That is dangerous』, in truth I doubted if there was such a thing……but now seeing it myself I can agree to it. Isn’t that right, Minato-kun?」
「……Nope, it’s different」
「「「？」」」
I said.
Zari gave a blank expression to the unexpected answer from me. Including Sherry-san and Neil-chan.
But……unfortunately, that is the truth.
The『Green Lizard』I was talking about……wasn’t this one in front of me.
「Eh? It wasn’t that monster? The one Minato-kun was being vigilant of」
Yeah. It was different.
Certainly this one too looks like a『big green lizard』and gives out a dangerous feeling……but it is not the one I was talking about.
The two hoodlums that died in the forest.
Had a shape……as though they were sliced from limb from limb in a second by a sharp blade or claws with same sharpness.
This plant monster sure had overwhelming and fierce offensive ability……but I couldn’t see any sharp parts like that.
I would learn if that big body moved in the forest, first of all, moreover after it moved, it would only leave mess in its wake.
Certainly there were traces of rioting currently……but if that moved, it would even mow down the trees from root and branches and all. Unless it had an ability to change its size and shape to be able to move from the narrow places.
Neil-chan and Zari who had seen the scene, except Sherry-san, made an expression say “I see”. For inadvertently sharp Zari to not notice it would be unnatural.
To begin with, if the Dryads witnessed that『lizard』, it would mean that it had been in this forest for quite some time.
In that case, no matter what, even the city people would notice it. Even the forest would be messed up.
I realized that other than those three, Elk didn’t reply saying an『Eh?』.
Well she had seen that scene, so it must be natural to feel anxiety, but……what happened?
How to say it, her body seemed to have stiffened and her expression was also stiff……
But it wasn’t like she was scared of the monster in front of her……but it was like she remembered something even more dangerous.
Then,
「Minato, was the guy you were talking about……a『big green lizard』?」
「? That’s right, why?」
「Is its body as big as a human with large build, has long hands, a tail seeming like whip, has a scary face and has its body closely packed with scales?」
…………!?
「Elk, don’t tell me……you saw it!? In the forest!?」
「……Yeah. While I was fighting with those from『North』, it just barged in. Like that it massacred the hunters……after I wasn’t able to move from fear, it seemed to have lost its interest in me and left」
「……You serious?」
「Serious」
……Now that is quite……
I was careless. I shouldn’t have Elk go by herself in the forest when that things was in the forest……although Alva was with her, but that guy’s danger level wasn’t anything normal.
Shit, I hate myself for not thinking it out thoroughly……!
But, although I don’t know the reason, but it seemed to have let her go……based on results, it was good.
While apologizing Elk for that point, I kept on thinking how to get through this situation when that thing was near us, we couldn’t let down our guar——…………
…………
「Hey, Minato-kun? That……the monster you regard as dangerous is different from this one, right? Then does that mean, it has come near the forest?」
「……How to say it, near, err……」
I beat later.
「……It just seemed to reached there, just now」
「「「!?」」」
I said while pointing my finger in a direction……opposite from the plant monster. That direction seemed normal without anything, and the other three looked over there.……
When I thought that from the other side of the grove of trees came out the sounds of someone stepping on branches……
It suddenly came out while splitting through the bushes.
Its body was covered with scales that seemed even more profound than armours.
Its body build was near to that of humans figure. However its body was bent in a forward-bent posture, it hands were quite long. They were divided in five fingers, just like humans, and in front of it were long sharp claws.
The tail of about 2 metre looked like a strong whip, and its end was pointed while being covered by even more hard and strong scales, making it a pointed spear.
That fiendish face was, seemed more like a dinosaur than lizard……and a snake-like tongue peeked out of it. On its forehead, a gold, no an amber coloured horn was sprouted out. Looking closely, the claws were of the same colour.
That human dinosaur was bigger than an adult with large build……and the intimidating air emitted from it wasn’t a joke.
That appearance was……certainly of『that demon』whose name I didn’t know, but surely was vigilant from.
However there was just one thing different from the one in my memories.
(It’s scales are……black?)
The one I saw once a time ago had, green-coloured scales. No doubt about that. And the horn and claws were, red like blood.
But the scales of this one before me……were black, albeit with some indigo blue added, while its horn and claws were amber-coloured.
……Well it didn’t change the fact it was a dangerous shit.
「……Minato, is that one?」
「Yeah, it is the『Lizard』I was talking about」
「Hmm, so that is the demon Minato-kun was saying……so is it strong after all?」
「Well it sure is strong. After all……」
……A little self-boasting here.
……It was the only demon I wasn’t able to win against while in my training period within those Woodlands.
☆☆☆
It was probably 4 years before from now.
The me of that time was already at the level to take on the strongest in woodland, a giant snake, no a group of it and still deal with them. One day, as usual, I went in the forest to train and capture the food for evening meal, when……I met『it』.
It was a demon I had never seen, a dinosaur human……no, if I had to say it was more of a human dinosaur. That guy was fighting the demons of woodlands by itself.
It was torment, tearing, beating down the demons, which looked like a bear with a horn, completely one-sidedly. At that time it noticed me, and without any warning and hesitation, it attacked me.
I accepted the challenge immediately……but the moment I confronted it, I understood.
That this guy was the real shit.
And that intuition that couldn’t be called as a guess was proven as truth in a couple of seconds later.
That demon, which I had never seen or met, had a fighting strength that made the demons of Woodland seem like babies.
Its speed, power, technique……everything was terrifying, I had confronted it with my full power and full guard, but I still remember that I wasn’t able to do anything in front of it.
The numerous attacks that were sent out by that body with honed muscles, all had speed and power off the charts. Even with my enhanced eyesight, I wasn’t able to see the trajectory of its attacks.
Its defensive power was also high, even after I was punching and kicking with all my power, it didn’t falter a bit and sent out counterattacks. I was slapped by its arms and tail, scratched by its claws……it was truly terrible.
Fortunately, my defensive power was also high since that time, so there was no bone fracture, even my body wasn’t torn from limb to limb, even so the injuries that were all severe had spread all over my body, I wasn’t in a state that could be fine.
“I will die like this”, having that hunch, I dashed away in full speed.
En route an idea came to me and I crossed over my favourite hunting grounds, where the giant snakes territory was present. Like that, I made the lizard attack the sakes that were trying to annihilate the intruders.
As expected, the snakes were one-sidedly killed easily when confronted with that fighting strength. In that time, I gained distance and hid myself, and succeeded in escaping.
After that, I asked mom while she was treating me, according to her……surprisingly, even she hadn’t seen a demon like that in the woodland, and neither she had any idea of that demon’s identity.
In short it was an wandering demon without any particular territory, and it accidentally came to the Woodlands, and by chance met me and attacked me, or so was mom’s opinion.
After that, for a few days, mom was worried about me and kept my training with just a sparring match with her, she even took time off to search around the forest.
As expected I didn’t leave the house in that time, and there was surely one or two of mom’s pet guarding the house. Especially Stork.
In the end, after that incident……I never met with that human dinosaur, who species even mom didn’t know about, and so we called it『Unknown』. Like that I never met it again.
……Until today.
☆☆☆
The moment it came out of the forest,
Everyone’s gazes were nailed on that Unknown……because of its excess sense of presence. There were even those who stopped in their tracks.
If more than half of the demons weren’t attacking that plant monster, currently one or two of the people would have surely died.
Of course even we weren’t able to avert our eyes from that dark big lizard, walking over with firm steps.
I understood that Zari had an expression of shock and bewilderment, Sherry-san had shock and arousal, as for Elk and Neil-chan it was only terror.
「……Err……what is that?」
「Who knows? I don’t know its name or any other information. But it is strong……to a freakish extent」
「It is obvious after seeing it, this much is……obvious」
While others were speaking those words to confirm its existence,
Some demons came out of the forest, noticed the unknown, and head towards it.
Maybe they thought it was more easier to attack than the plant monster, or maybe they didn’t give a damn about it in their agitated state. Like that, several wolf-type demon and two of the scaled gorilla attacked it. If I remember correctly it was called『Lizard Kong』, probably.
And the next instant,
Its tail moved at speed unperceivable by the eyes and mowed down the wolves attacking at it.
As a result,
The wolves, were blown away and crashed into ground and trees……well that didn’t happen.
In turn, the front half of their body that was attacked by the tail flew off in pieces, and those demons that had now turned into lumps of blood and meat, and fragments of bones, were scattered on the ground with a *pitter-patter* sound.
The wolves were exterminated in an instant, and the back half of their body jumped a little bit forward while abiding with the law of inertia……and with just that much, they dropped on the ground, and never moved again.
And, one of the Gorilla that didn’t even falter with the current scene, raised its fist one beat later, to hit the Unknown……
The next instant, with the claws that swung with a speed unperceivable by eyes, lopped off the raised hand of Gorilla.
In the next instant, another flash of Unknowns other hand hit the head of Gorilla.
Maybe it was because of being chopped by 5 claws, or maybe the arm strength was just too much, that the Gorilla now didn’t had any upper body.
As for the other Gorilla, it had its heart pierced the moment the first Gorilla head his head gone off.
It all happened in less than 3 seconds. The demons died without even knowing how they died.
Seeing the one-sided violence and killing……the people there, including us, weren’t able to let out even a single voice.
『Lizard Kong』was a C Ranked demon. Its scales had toughness like that of steel. It was a demon that could be defeated by an skilled adventurer that had completed hell training.
And the Unknown that defeated it with an attack that couldn’t be seen by eyes now became a target of wariness on the same level, or maybe a higher level than the plant monster.
The Unknown removed the blood on its claws and tail in a flash, and abruptly glared at us. However, it didn’t show any signs of coming at us.
We, including the adventurers and bodyguard group, took on that stare without speaking any word or anything.
However, they were silent……because they were scared. They were at a loss for words.
However, thinking about the situation that would happen the moment they return to their senses was obvious……
「W-WaaaaaaaaaaahHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!」
……It would become like this.
Panicked State. Well it could be called whatever. Either run away from fear……or desperately try to kill before being killed and attack the demon. They only had the two options.
Several chose the latter and came attacking at the Unknown with weapons in their hands.
The Unknown watching it, squint its eyes as if saying『new preys』, and poured the power in its tail that had just before turned those wolves into mincemeat……at that instant,
In the whole battlefield, the『Magic Pheromone Intimidation』I used before in『Crimson Forest』was released in full throttle power.
「「「――!!?」」」
「……Oops, excuse me」
Because of the abrupt shock, the panicked adventurers, Elk and others and even the rampaging demons from before, even that Unknown stopped their movements for a moment.
And the Unknown……that was about to intercept the adventurers avert its eyes, and slowly looked at the origin of that『something』similar to intimidating air, in short, me!
That eyesight, made me remember of that time several years ago, it still had the usual severe intimidation in them.
Its body colour was different, so it wasn’t the same individual from that time……but how to say, it still made me feel nostalgic.
However this nostalgic feeling of having cold sweat perspiring out of me and having my breathing disordered, wasn’t something I felt good and or any shit about.
In the eyesight of the Unknown making groaning voice from deep in its throat, made me think it was trying to grasp me, as if observing me, and it made me even think it had an will inside of it, how strange.
It was like being asked『Are you the opponent?』.
……Alright, come at me you bastard, just bring it on!
「Elk, Zari and Neil-chan」
「「「……？」」」
「I will take on that lizard by myself. So I plead to take care of that plant monster there with the help of Sherry-san and others. Elk and Zari need to provide cover and help in rescuing the injured people」
「……No problem, but are you fine? Can you win?」
「Well, I surely can’t lose here. I have only enjoyed 16 years of my life till now」
「Now this is unusually the meek Minato-kun, or what……how to say, isn’t this way of speaking by keeping his confidence in moderation, an impossible thing for Minato-kun? It won’t become into something like, these were our last words, right?」
「Don’t say any jinks. ……Even I know that this guy is the real deal」
「Hey Minato-kun, then what would you do if I said to fight that lizard?」
「……You wanna die?」
「……I’m just joking, yeah just joking……Although I’m interested, but taking that as my opponent, I can’t even imagine having a decent fight against that, with my current level. Hey, I leave it up to you this time」
「Thank you for understanding」
The talk ended with, to each their own way……and after leaving the other works to others, I neared the Unknown in way to not agitate it any further and also to emphasize on the fact that it would be fighting me.
While walking, I indeed felt……something like intelligence in that eyes of that Unknown.
At the same time I remembered the talk Elk said before.
Although they met with Unknown, it only killed the hunters from『North』, and left Elk and others on their own.
Even its attitude of not attacking even when it had so many preys in front of its eyes……does this guy only fight against those who attack it?
In that case, we would not be harmed if we ignored it……but confirming this idea was dangerous. There was also the possibility that it put『priority』on the person attacking it.
When I was walking near it thinking that,
『GaaaaaaaoOOOOOOOO!!』
The moment I heard a growl from my side, the plant monsters was coming near me, after having dealt with the demons attacking it.
As if to say “The next prey”, it extended the roots from its root-made hands, and attempted to capture me and the Unknown for eating us.
However, frankly speaking it was a hindrance, so the moment I thought to pulverize it by kicking,
An intense magical energy swelled up from behind me, and suddenly, an arrow clad in burning flames hit those tentacle-like roots.
Like that it burned them……no, it blasted all of the roots approaching, into small pieces.
Shocked, I turned back and saw Sherry-san holding an bow, and in a posture of just after firing an arrow. She was still on her guard, but where did she had that bow, or maybe she borrowed it from an adventurer near her.
Eh, Sherry-san could even use bow and arrow? Or rather it was an arrow made from magical energy, right?
「Well there are reasons for it. I will tell later. We will make do some way here……so I leave that way to you」
Saying that, magical energy knead in Sherry-san’s hand……and in a second, an arrow made out of magical energy was gripped.
It was the same magical energy arrow like Suura-san used. Although this wasn’t ice, but fire.
Sherry-san was strong in close combat too, with this it would be fine.
But for just in case,
「Alva! Go back up Sherry-san and others. Like seriously!」
PIIIIiiiIIIII!!
Alva raised a sound as if agreeing and flew up above.
Alright, everything fine now. Alva was still a child (just one month old), but still strong, it could even use barrier-type magic, so it would be a help over there.
……Well then, pulling myself together……
「Well then……I made you wait. I don’t know how to call you……but let me finish this fight as soon as it started, now shouldn’t I?」
While I was talking with others, I had a part of awareness on it too……but unexpectedly it waited for me. And right now made a growling sound from its throat as if saying, finally eh?
My guess about it attacking people that attack it might be true, but what could this be called, this guy has some parts that made me feel that it had reasoning power and intelligence…….what a strange demon it is.
Well but,
The thing that would start now was a dangerous battle that didn’t had any shit related to that……so there was no need to think about it.
My first formidable enemy ever since leaving the house.
This time……if I let down my guard, I will die. Bracing my spirit, I resolved to go all out.
