Published: September 10, 2025
This time, I didn't have time to check thoroughly, so there are many typos. Please understand.
"This is a bit bad, de-su."
The yellow-skinned demon race tore off one of their own fingers and created three mid-rank demons and nine low-rank demons.
"We need to buy time, de-su."
The demons ordered by the yellow-skinned demon race started attacking us.
I defeated two mid-rank demons and five low-rank demons with ease, but the third mid-rank demon and the remaining low-rank demons kept their distance and focused on long-range attacks.
Taking advantage of this, I tried to slip through and approach the yellow-skinned demon, but they blocked my way.
Countless spells destroyed the terrain to prevent me from running; even when I flew up, violent winds blew me away.
If it weren’t for the rainbow-colored light, I would have been trapped and beaten to death long ago.
Time just kept passing.
This is bad.
I could feel the rainbow-colored power inside me fading.
"Get oooout of the wayeeeeee!"
I slashed through the rising terrain and cut through the gusts of wind trying to blow me away, closing in on the yellow-skinned demon.
I disposed of the low-rank demons who appeared to interfere, then defeated the third mid-rank demon who had set up a layered barrier to block my path—just as time ran out.
The rainbow-colored light disappeared.
The backlash from using superhuman power left my body immobile.
"As expected, this power had a time limit, de-su."
The yellow-skinned demon sneered.
I saw them create a vicious vortex of flames between their hands. I was in a desperate situation.
"It wouldn't be fun if I killed you instantly, would it? The longer despair lasts, the more interesting it gets, de-su."
My appraisal skill informed me that this already desperate situation was about to get worse.
The yellow-skinned demon extinguished the flames and began stacking support spells on the four surviving low-rank demons.
The four low-rank demons, strengthened to several times their previous power, slowly advanced.
Am I going to die here?
Unable to protect my comrades, far from fighting the Demon King, I was about to be crushed by the minions of high-rank demons.
"—Don’t give up, Hayato!"
A volley of arrows rained down on the leading low-rank demon.
"Siari!"
Siari stood, blood staining her bow a deep red.
"We’re here too—Burst Hacker!"
"Evil Slasher!"
Subak and Zayan, who should have been split in two, used their finishing moves to take down one low-rank demon each.
"…Just barely made it in time."
I saw Loleiya drop to her knees.
She was healing Subak and Zayan with Holy Magic.
"Hehehhehe, duesu."
The last low-rank demon slipped between Subak and Zayan.
With both hands transformed like a greatsword, it swung down over my head.
"Uooooooooh!"
A silver hurricane engulfed the low-rank demon.
A silver knight charged forward with a roar, plunging a Demonic Sword into the demon.
"Gerid!"
"Good grief, you’re always a half-baked rookie without me around."
Gerid gave a manly grin despite his near-death state.
At his feet, the low-rank demon began to collapse.
"A reliable partner."
With a barely raised hand, I high-fived Gerid.
"Such wonderful friendship, de-su."
Metallic claps echoed across the battlefield.
"We'll buy some time."
"Gerid, I’m leaving Hayato to you."
Subak and Zayan blocked my way, standing to protect me.
"N-No! We all have to make it back alive!"
"We want that too, but..."
"There’s no other choice."
They glanced back slightly, their eyes accepting death.
"Go! Gerid!"
"Leave this to us; get going!"
Subak and Zayan moved toward the yellow-skinned demon.
"—Sorry."
Gerid lifted me up and ran off in the opposite direction.
"W-Wait, Gerid!"
"Split up, Hayato! I can’t let you die."
I knew it was true.
The yellow-skinned demon was too injured, but still no match for them.
But...
"Subak... Zayan..."
I burned their figures into my mind until the end.
â—‡
As we escaped the demon lair, Gerid stumbled and fell.
"Lord Gerid!"
Loleiya, running right behind, applied some kind of magic potion to him.
I hadn’t noticed earlier, but Loleiya was carrying the unconscious Siari on her back.