Chapter 347 - Path to Strongest

As we passed through the woods, a single Human-Faced approached us at a tremendous speed.

It must have noticed our presence by the light when Seras activated her Origin Regalia.

……It’s that one that moved like a slug huh.

Looking at it closer than earlier, I can see numerous small legs on the bottom of its flat body.

There were also a few tail-like things on its buttocks area, looking like insect legs.

Looking at its back, I can also see multiple arms growing out of it, all of them reaching skyward.

The fingers of the hands at the end of the arms were moving about like they were trying to grab something.

In the hands of some of the arms though…… were headless human corpses.

[Ueeeenenenogyaaaaahhhhh—————!]

On its frontal face———– from the Human-Faced’s mouth, an organ that looks like a mixture of its intestines and a blade is ejected.

The blade, which was spat out with great force, shot towards me, but I ducked low to avoid it.

Behind me, Seras also gets down on one knee.

Seras, watching for the right moment, swings a white sword of light———— her Spirit Sword on her horse.

The solidified light brandished by the sword annihilated the blade that had been released from the Human-Faced’s mouth.

This leaves the front of the enemy’s body———— completely defenseless.

Seeing its preemptive attack easily blocked, the enemy was caught in surprise.

Immediately after……

The arms, which had been pointed towards the sky, shot up into the air.

Just like missiles.

The arms shot into the sky emitted a ringing sound and began to glow.

Judging that we were different from its previous prey, it decided to bring out its trump card huh.

However, for a defensive reaction to protect its life————– It’s already too late.

My usual combo……

[————]

———–is already in place.

The Human-Faced exploded, spewing blue blood around.

And then……

It’s been a while since I’ve last leveled-up.

[……That was splendid.]

Blue blood pours down.

The arms that were ejected into the air also fell down together.

Perhaps because the main body died, the arms that had lost their light fell to the ground.

With such a rain of blood and arms behind me, I had Slei running toward the Demon Zone.

If we get surrounded on flat land with few obstacles like around this area, we will be at a disadvantage.

If we are to fight cleverly, it’s better to fight in the somewhat cluttered Demon Zone.

……How ironic.

It was a special-class dangerous area that no one would normally want to step into for fear.

However, for me————-

It was now a hunting ground to draw in prey.

Anyhow, seemingly drawn in by the earlier sound, the bipedal Human-Faced ferociously rushed towards me with a fast walking motion.

If I had to liken it to something, I would say it was walking like a racehorse.

It was about 5 meters tall.

The Human-Faced’s body parts could be seen on both shoulders.

The head, which would normally have the face for humans, was shaped like a dried plum.

As the speed of the Human-Faced increased, the swing of its arms became wider and wider.

[Petupetupetupetupeeeee!]

On both of its shoulders was the Human-Faced’s mouth.

From that mouth, human arms and legs are being spat out into the air along with spit.

……The way both the cheeks on its shoulders were swollen up resembles that of a squirrel.

It stuffed its mouths with human corpses huh.

[Iyeehhohohohoohhhh?]

The Human-Faced exhilaratingly exclaimed.

Then, it grabbed the limbs that had been thrown up into the air and threw it our way like a projectile.

[That’s just creepy———— Nothing’s exhilarating about that at all.]

The eyes on the face of the shoulders are steadily watching Seras’ sword.

Seems like it was vigilant about it.

The limbs are just barely out of range of her earlier sword strike.

However————–

It is already in my range.

The presence of Seras, clad in her Origin Regalia———- was a major factor.

Until now, there have been many situations that require me to become reckless and formulate strategies due to my inferior combat ability.

However, with Seras in her Origin Regalia, there are more and more situations that can be handled without “those”.

[]

And once again, I unleashed my sure-kill combo.

Human-Faced———– eliminated.

[…………………..]

If these guys really are the Human-Faced from the Northern Demon Zone……

I see.

No wonder they’re so tasty.

Just like that……

[]

I continued attacking the normal Golden eyes that were gathering around.

The slightly larger Golden eyes were struck by .

The large Golden eyes then began to attack other Golden eyes around————

Busha!

[Uhyohohyohohyooon! Hyoooon!]

The Human-Faced that was moving about in a bridge posture.

It had cleaved that large Golden eyes that had been afflicted by .

Using its massive hand like a knife, it separated the upper and lower halves of the large Golden eyes.

……Its hand doesn’t seem to have any blade at all, but its chop had quite the frightening sharpness.

With only its upper body left, the Golden eyes continued squirming around and attacking the following Golden eyes.

The Human-Faced in the bridge posture just leaves it behind and chases after us.

The base of its neck was directly connected to its face.

In other words, there was no head above the neck, with the face just directly on the end of the neck.

The body was in a bridge posture, but the face wasn’t upside down.

……………………….

What caught my attention was the horribly vulgar smile that Human-Faced has.

The breathing on its nose is unusually rough.

Red blood is also running thinly from its nostrils.

The Human-Faced originally had blue blood.

The red blood they shed is just for show.

This is the same for that Soul Eater.

In any case, its nosebleed flowed into its eyes, making them look like tears.

The expression on its face is close to ecstasy. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

It even seems to be————- blushing with embarrassment……

Its eyes are just staring at one point————

……Seras huh?

Yes.

Its attention has always been on Seras.

[……………….]

I mean, that Human-Faced, could it be……

Does it have eyes for no one but Seras?

It’s not paying attention to me, to the extent that I even think that was the case.

[……In other words……]

So that’s how it is……?

[Touka-dono.]

[Yeah.]

[It seems like that Human-Faced can only see me.]

[You noticed too huh.]

[I realized when I observed it. And I thought of the strategy of making people concentrate their attention on me———— It was one of your best tactics.]

I snorted.

[Hmph————- You sure can read what I think.]

Seras changed her horse riding posture and went down to one knee on Slei’s back again.

And then———— She set up her Spirit Sword with its blade wrapped in light.

Even when she stands on Slei’s back, she won’t be shaken off thanks to Slei’s ability.

Slei transforms her body, assisting in fixing Seras’ footing.

This also ensures her flexibility.

Therefore, even on horseback, the rider isn’t swept off their feet and if it’s for a little bit, they can even do some over-the-top actions.

[Seras.]

[Yes.]

[I was right.]

At that time……

As my guard, we dived together at Mills Ruins.

I made the choice to save her from the Black Dragon Knights.

[The decision to choose Seras Ashrain…… As I thought, I wasn’t mistaken at that time.]

At my words, I could feel Seras flinching from behind me.

And then……

“Thank you.”

She mumbled, just barely loud enough for me to hear.

A brief moment of silence passed.

Seras, facing the Human-Faced which was about 40 meters away……

[I too…… am glad. I’m glad that you chose me. And…… being able to meet you————]

The light of her blade increases in momentum.

[———-is something I’m really happy about.]

▽

After the third Human-Faced was killed, we went straight into the Demon Zone.

This is where the real battle begins.

More hordes of Golden-eyed Monsters were chasing us from behind.

They had noticed the battle earlier and were chasing after us.

There are also other Golden-eyed monsters who were seemingly just dragged along with them.

I can see that a considerable number of them were falling behind, though they still continue to rush into the Demon Zone.

Ahead of us———– From within the Demon Zone as well, I could feel them gathering towards……

We set a course and proceeded forward.

If it’s the fort near the Anti-Demon War Castle……

————–The battle against Ashinto and Duke Zuan————–

Yes, if it’s the Demon Zone, which is where we entered after that battle……

I would be somewhat familiar with that area.

No.

It doesn’t really matter if we can’t get there.

If the terrain is just similar to that area……

The ease of fighting them would considerably change.

While looking around, we ran.

We grasped the terrain and ruins that we could use.

Repelling away the Golden eyes that had attacked ahead of us……

[Pigimaru, your actual stage is still ahead. I’ll save our combination technique with you until Seras has to withdraw…… However, be vigilant as always.]

[Piggi!]

Next……

[Seras, we’ll go just as I told you. If you can see the endurance limit of your Origin Regalia, you and Slei will withdraw. Of course————- After ensuring our safety as much as possible first. After a short time after you two leave———– The rest will be gathered by Pigimaru using the Loudspeaker Gem.]

[Understood.]

There was no more gloominess or hesitation in her short answer.

Changing the stance of her sword……

[Touka-dono.]

[I’m counting on you.]

She slayed a medium-sized Golden eyes that leaped at her without a second thought.

[It’s not good to randomly unleash my Skills and unnecessarily occupy my target limit slots…… From here on out, I’ll leave the small and medium-sized ones to you.]

[Please leave them to me. Touka-dono wants to increase your level here, right?]

[Yeah.]

My purpose now is different from that time when we were with Eve and Liz, heading for Erika’s house.

This is not a battle aimed at recovering MP by leveling up.

————–The Human-Faced, Civit, Eingrantz————–

————–Heroic Sword, John Doe, Drunken Sword Party, Kirihara————–

The many battles that I have been through.

It’s true that some of them were won thanks to the status revision.

Most particularly———— my stat.

I think there are also stat revisions related to presence detection and reflexes.

Without these…….

This bet as difficult as threading a needle might have been lost.

The importance of status has been especially evident recently, especially in the battle against Kirihara.

The way I fight paired with Seras in her Origin Regalia……

I’m not keeping up with Seras as well as I should.

In that battle————- I was dragging Seras down.

At that time, Seras was moving in a way that made it easier for me to move.

However, if I were able to “move” more……

I’m sure Seras would have been able to move more easily.

I thought the same thing when I first entered the Demon Zone with Eve and the others.

The same goes with the other stats, there is meaning in raising them.

[According to Hijiri, even the level of them S-Ranks had slowed down from around Lv 100.]

Even Sogou, who had defeated one of the Confidants, couldn’t even reach Lv 500.

[However———- I’ve raised my level to Lv 2500.]

On the contrary……

Those three Human-Faceds from the Northern Demon Zone that I just killed……

A premonition that was born in me is turning into a certainty.

Even one of them may not be as good as a Confidant like Eingrantz.

But at the moment, I feel that I have gained a lot of EXP.

If I had to describe them, these Human-Faceds from the Northern Demon Zone are like the Big Boss Army among the Human-Faced.

[Status Open.]

Lv 3121

HP: +9363

MP: +102993

Attack: +9363

Defense: +9363

Endurance: +9363

Speed: +9363

Wisdom: +9363

It continues making progress.

My levels are far further than theirs.

I don’t know if it was in the shape of an upward curve.

However———— I don’t think my level-ups have slowed down as much as I heard from Hijiri.

There’s no sign of it reaching its peak either……

Hijiri said that as the level increases, the growth of the status also slowed down.

However……

My status is still growing at a fixed value.

In that case……

If I put more EXP into it……

I can still aim for a “higher” level, right?

Of course, it’s doubtful if my status is comparable to S-Ranks in terms of numerical value.

However, if I can still grow————

I might be able to bring the difference between us closer.

A growth rate that doesn’t fit into the framework of other Heroes———– A level-up rate that is disconnected from the frame placed by others.

[The enemy is that sh*tty Goddess. I had been thinking about somehow increasing my levels before the decisive battle with her. For example, while heading towards Alion, I thought about diving into some underground ruins or somewhere to search for Human-Faceds…… However, as you already know, it didn’t look like I was going to have that opportunity.]

[And this was that opportunity, wasn’t it?]

[Yeah…… I feel like the time will come when this becomes necessary———– No, perhaps this is something I should do in advance.]

Assume the words and do the very best.

The increase in status would help me out as a result.

I have a feeling this will come into place when the time comes.

These Human-Faced are to feed me up to a higher level.

……Depending on the outcome, I may even thank Kirihara for leading them here.

[Well then, as planned, so that you can gain EXP———– I will move to contain these Human-Faced.]

[……Civit. Do you remember when we confronted Civit?]

[The time we confronted Civit?]

[At that time———– when Civit demanded to make me reach the “perfect form”.]

Civit’s exact words back then……

“Yeah…… That woman would weaken those Golden-eyed Monsters, while you will deal the final blow.”

Seras reacted when she remembered what I was talking about.

[I was…… to accompany you to the Demon Zone as your collaborator to improve Touka-dono’s level…… and deliver you to Civit when you have reached your “perfect form”…… That is————-]

Oddly enough……

[Looking at our situation…… I just thought this was kinda similar to what we talked about back then.]

[Pfft…… That’s certainly true.]

[Well then, for me to reach my “perfect form”———— I’m going to need all the help I can get, Deputy-dono.]

The sound of trees being felled came closer and closer……

[Giyeeooohhhhhhh————-!]

—–and a Human-Faced appeared.

[You can count on me, Touka-dono…… It’s exactly at a moment like this————

The output of Seras Ashrain’s Spirit Sword increased further.

[Putting all my soul, my everything in wielding my sword———– all of it, for your sake.]

□

The Human-Faceds that attacked us.

———-We kill, keep on killing and have killed them.

So far……

We haven’t had a hard fight.

First of all, the presence of Seras wearing her Origin Regalia is quite a big factor.

There were several instances where we could have defeated them without going to such lengths in planning.

In some cases, Seras simply outperformed me in terms of pure combat ability.

In this way, it became easier for me to finish them off.

And then, there’s the combination of my Abnormal State Skills and Seras’ close-to-medium range offense and defense.

This fits perfectly.

We didn’t let any of the enemy’s attacks come close.

At times, we also made use of the terrain and structures of ruins.

If these monsters are from the Demon Zone, they must not be familiar with this area.

In other words, this isn’t their home base, and they don’t hold a geographical advantage.

This was probably a factor in our favor.

We hide in the terrain and buildings, draw them in———— and then go for the kill.

We have experienced fighting many battles against many opponents.

Thanks to this, we may have become accustomed to battles against large numbers.

Tricking, trapping and killing.

I feel that I can do these more easily than before.

Even though our opponents are Human-Faceds from the Northern Demon Zone, which are renowned for being particularly vicious.

Or perhaps……

I guess it’s also significant that I have “learned” about the Human-Faced to some extent huh.

Moreover……

One can even say that the evil I’ve encountered so far may have been a big part of it.

I could tell.

Their evil nature————- Their thoughts……

To some extent…… I feel like I’ve traced that.

I’ve fought against people who seemed to be bathing in the mud of evil.

I think Humans, Monsters, and Human-Faceds are different from each other.

However, they all seem to have a lot in common in terms of evil within them.

The thoughts———— the actions of those who seek to torment their prey.

Wouldn’t it be possible to trace the thoughts of the enemies through that?

This is what I felt after fighting with some of the Human-Faceds earlier.

Seras couldn’t understand the extreme evil we had encountered.

On the other hand though…… That wasn’t the same case for me.

I was able to understand them.

Hence……

I can trace their evil thoughts and make use of it.

Yes.

In some ways, we are definitely getting stronger.

We are indeed growing.

However, that is why……

It is exactly in times like this……

That we should keep searching for the possibility that the enemy will exceed our expectations.

We should continue to assume the “worst” that comes up in our minds.

Never underestimate the enemy to the very end.

When I fought the Soul Eater before, I struck those words in my mind……

That moment when one thinks they are better than their opponent……

That moment when one thought victory was assured……

It would be the moment that brings forth their greatest enemy————

Negligence.

If one aims to become the strongest……

It would no longer be a word to slap at a conceited enemy.

That word————–

It becomes a reminder to oneself.

And if one doesn’t forget this self-admonition, then they would definitely—————

▽

[Seras.]

[Yes.]

[We will definitely be the strongest.]