Published: July 4, 2025
The world turned upside down.
Ryo could only express it that way.
The presence of people around him had completely vanished.
However, the scenery remained the same.
For example, the cobblestones of the City of Run were still beneath his feet.
(It feels like I’ve entered subspace… as expected of a fantasy setting.)
Yet, there was a strong sense of danger in the air.
(Should I do what the submarine captain says and "fire a single ping?"... It’s certain that something is there, but since I don’t know where it is or what it is, I may have no choice...)
Taking a deep breath, Ryo envisioned.
(Activate [Active Sonar])
At that moment, an "impulse" spread through the air around Ryo, using the water vapor that drifted around him as a medium.
(I found it. About two hundred meters ahead, its size is almost the same as that of a human, but the reflection reaction is unusual...)
Just as he analyzed that much, he sensed something abnormal approaching from the front.
([Ice Wall Layer 10])
A magic that splits like a Sonic Blade struck the ice wall and exploded.
(What tremendous power...)
Until now, he had received numerous attacks from monsters using Ice Walls, but this one had an overwhelmingly high destructive capability.
"Hmm? Did it consume a human?"
The voice came from a not-so-distant place.
The response from the active sonar showed it was about two hundred meters away, but the voice sounded much closer.
Then, the voice gradually approached, and Ryo could see its figure.
It was about 175 cm tall, almost the same height as Ryo.
Bipedal.
There were two arms.
At first glance, it appeared to be a human wearing clothes.
But upon closer inspection, it had a tail.
And something resembling horns as well.
The body was, by human standards, female. Since the chest was larger than a male's.
The face... was that of a beauty.
Although she was beautiful, Ryo felt no attraction whatsoever.
The first impression he had upon recognizing her existence was...
(...a demon?)
In the "Monsters Encyclopedia: Beginner's Edition," there was a section labeled "Demon" that Michael (alias) had apparently added.
Note: Pray not to encounter one.
(Yes, it seems I may have encountered one... and in an unusual space at that...)
The presence of this "demon" was overwhelming.
Perhaps akin to a Behemoth or Griffin class.
If this encounter had been in a normal space, Ryo would have fled like a rabbit without looking back.
Without a doubt, it would have been a genuine escape like a true rabbit.
However, this was a space where escape seemed impossible.
At that moment, cold sweat dripped down Ryo's back.
"Well, it’s fine. If I kill it, there will be no problem."
Saying that, a massive amount of magical power converged in the demon's hands.
(This is bad! [Layered Ice Wall 10 Layers])
Ice Walls were generated in succession before Ryo, stacking atop each other.
Ten layers, twenty layers, directed towards the demon.
The infernal flame released by the demon struck the stacked Ice Wall 10 layers and pierced through, barely losing momentum.
(Will it stop?)
Ryo, sweating even more, poured magical power into the layered Ice Wall to strengthen it.
Halfway through, it was consumed. The speed was somewhat reduced.
It was consumed further. The speed was significantly reduced.
At the last Ice Wall layer... finally, the demon's infernal flame extinguished.
(It stopped...)
At that moment, Ryo felt a sense of relief.
And then...
In an instant, the final Ice Wall layer shattered.
Following his instincts, Ryo desperately twisted his body to dodge the Wind Spear that was coming straight for his heart.
But it was too late.
He avoided a direct hit to his heart, but the spear stabbed into his left shoulder... and then shattered.
However, propelled by the spear's force, Ryo was blown backwards while spinning.
"The Wind Spear didn’t penetrate…"
The demon was surprised.
"It was shocking that you defended against the infernal flame, but to also defend against the Wind Spear... No, that robe of yours... is it the Robe of the Fairy King?"
The demon squinted, looking at the robe Ryo wore, which had defended against its Wind Spear.