"The heck—who is that woman? Did she just pin that demon down by herself? Amazing!"
Kazuma blurted out. Moments earlier he'd been terrified of the demon; now he saw it being pummeled by a blonde beauty and felt a lot braver.
Admittedly it wasn't a total beat-down—the blonde knight's armor was cracked and she bore plenty of wounds.
"Won't she be in trouble? Should we help her?" Yunyun asked Shichen anxiously.
"Yeah, we should lend a hand." Shichen nodded. In truth he wasn't worried about that woman; he knew all too well how sturdy she was—and, frankly, she might even be enjoying the beating.
In this world, only one female knight liked taking hits that much.
"Darkness," Shichen recognized her at a glance. Compared with his memories she was even more striking in person: long golden hair tied in a ponytail, tall figure in yellow armor, a cool profile—if you ignored the faint upward curve of her lips.
Just then a short-haired girl in white darted up to bar their path. "You there! It's dangerous—get away from here!"
The girl was pretty despite a scar on her cheek. In a cropped top and short pants under a green cloak, she looked every bit a thief.
"And you are…?" Shichen asked, playing dumb.
"I'm Chris. That's my partner Darkness over there. We're here to subjugate the demon. Please leave!"
"I'm afraid we can't," he said with a smile.
"Huh? Why not?" Chris blinked.
"Because we're here to subjugate it too."
"You're hunt—Wait, isn't that the famous High Priest over there?" She finally noticed Aqua and looked flustered.
"You know me?" Aqua tilted her head. "You seem familiar…"
"Haha, I must've seen you in the guild when you registered." Chris laughed it off.
Aqua accepted the explanation, letting Chris exhale in relief.
"Let's help out," Shichen said.
"You're the adventurer 'Shichen' everyone's talking about, right?" Chris looked him up and down. "With every stat maxed… yeah, you could beat a high-rank demon."
"Doesn't your companion have it covered? She doesn't look badly hurt," Shichen nodded toward Darkness.
"Trust me… no," Chris grimaced. "Darkness is a Crusader, but she spent all her skill points on defense. Incredible tank—no real offense."
"Classic 'max-defence hero,' huh?" Kazuma muttered.
"Actually… she's not even afraid of pain," Chris added awkwardly.
"Total weirdo," Shichen said.
"Your world has shield-maidens too?" Shichen asked Kazuma.
"Of course—love that series. But in this world? Kinda scary."
"Enough chatter—Darkness can't hold forever!" Chris urged.
"Fine, stay here. I'll fetch her." Shichen vanished and reappeared beside the knight.
Darkness stared in surprise. Up close she was stunning—almost Aqua's equal—and her figure was impressive even in armor.
"I'm Shichen. My team's here to take this demon down."
"I-I see." Darkness hesitated a moment. "You attack from afar—let me draw its fire… H-haaa…" She was visibly excited.
Yep, still the masochist, Shichen thought.
Just then the demon spoke: "Human, why do you carry Wolbach-sama's aura?"
The demon was massive—three or four times a man's height—blue-green skin, bull horns, wings: like an oversized goblin.
"So you are looking for Wolbach. Guess our connection?" Shichen replied casually; the demon's tone was oddly polite.
"Is Wolbach-sama with you? Hand her over!"
"No can do—she's the familiar of my Megumin over there."
"Megumin? That name—"
"See her?" Shichen pointed.
"Hey, what do you mean 'my' Megumin? Stop making stuff up!" Megumin called, amused.
"Hush, the demon's staring now," Yunyun whispered.
"Wait—those eyes… Crimson Demon Clan!"
The demon straightened dramatically, striking a pose. "I am Host, no mere overgrown goblin, but a High-Rank Demon destined to serve a certain youngster!"
Silence. Everyone gaped.
"Well? How was my introduction?" Host asked Megumin and Yunyun proudly.
"Uh… what is he doing?" Kazuma broke the silence.
"Wh-who knows," Yunyun muttered.
"You're Host, right? Ready to be defeated?" Shichen ignored Kazuma.
"Such bold words, human. Think you can best me?"
"Why not? You know Arnes? That little girl over there took her down."
"Who're you calling 'little'!" Megumin shouted.
"So Arnes is back in Hell already…" Hoost drew himself up. "Very well—show me your strength!"
"Darkness, we'll—"
"No, let me block its attacks here! H-hehe…" she answered, breathing hard.
"Oh, cut it out." Shichen kicked her lightly in the butt; she toppled forward, gasping.
"You kicked my butt?! What a… depraved man!" Far from angry, Darkness looked thrilled.
Shichen dragged her back to the group. Chris hurried over, "You okay?"
"I'm fine… but who is that man?"
"That's Shichen—the max-stat adventurer."
"So it's him! Not my usual type, but he might just—"
"Stop talking nonsense," Chris sighed.
"Aqua, heal her," Shichen said.
"No need!" Darkness protested. "Save your mana for the demon!"
"Whatever." Shichen knew she lusted after the pain anyway.
"Big Bro, what's the plan?" Kazuma asked.
"Simple. Aqua could exorcise it solo, but today we'll showcase Megumin."
"Aqua's that strong?"
"She is a goddess."
"Right… so I can stand back?"
"No. Throw a weapon, scrape some EXP."
"Got it!"
"Megumin, get ready. Aqua, bind Host—no exorcism yet. Yunyun, toss a couple spells for extra damage."
"Ready!"
"OK~"
"Understood!"
"Prepared, humans?" Host spread his wings.
"You hardly take us seriously," Shichen said. "Attack with full respect, please."
"Crimson Demons, eh? Then I'll oblige. Flames of Purgatory!"
A blast of scarlet fire roared toward them.
"Sacred Flame."
Golden fire rushed from Shichen's palm—and ate the purgatorial blaze.
"What is that?!" Hoost cried.
"Now's not the time to gape. Aqua!"
"Seal!" A magic circle shot out; Host froze, paralyzed.
"This—!?"
"Enjoy the same end as Arnes." Shichen grinned. "Yunyun, Kazuma, Megumin!"
"Flying Knife!" Kazuma hurled a dagger.
"Fireball!" Yunyun added. The hits barely scratched—but above Hoost, rainbow mana spiraled from Megumin's staff, rune circles stacking in the air.
She chanted: "From the primordial flame to the final blaze—past, present, and future—let forbidden power beyond the world converge! O Death, I am the Destroyer of Worlds…"
Host actually chuckled at the gathering power.
"EXPLOSION!"
A prismatic spear of annihilation slammed down—blinding light engulfed the demon.
~~~
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