Thwomp!
As the boss room I opened closed on its own, the doll standing before the crimson wall turned its body.
She lifted the gray robe she was wearing with both hands and unleashed a sharp, piercing voice.
“Have you come to interfere with me?”
Burning scarlet eyes. Long scarlet hair matted with grime, making its original color hard to discern.
Her messy appearance gave off a homeless vibe, yet her presence radiated a tremendous intimidation.
As if a ferocious beast were opening its jaws right in front of me, the word “fear” continued to etch itself into my mind before eventually dispersing.
The Overcoming Fear had activated.
“Looks like you don’t know your place.”
At that moment, I regained my rational thoughts, leading me to one clear conclusion.
Why on earth is that thing still alive?!
It should have been reduced to bones, trapped by the Evil God’s curse, yet here it was, preserving its flesh and warmth!
What the hell could have caused this change?
A petty move by the Evil God? No, he can turn the dead into undead, but he can’t resurrect the dead!
A change caused by me? That’s not it. That person should have been dead before I even intervened. So why…
Ah.
Benedict.
Benedict Allen.
A person who shouldn’t even exist in the original Soul Academy worldview.
He was the one who clutched the merits that should have belonged to another for the existence of Lucy Allen to take shape.
Anyone who knows that name would feel awe and terror at his overwhelming prowess as a knight.
“Alsatine…”
“Information peddler. Did your master work with my fool of a father?”
“…What?”
“Answer me!”
“Answer!”
“Yes. Together in an S-rank dungeon…”
Upon hearing Alsatine’s response, the realization hit me of where the source of this situation began.
Originally, Karia was supposed to receive a fatal wound while tackling the boss of the S-rank dungeon.
Instead of taking down one of the minions of the Fire Evil God, she was supposed to gain a limited life as a cost!
However, there was no reason for her to be fatally wounded in this world.
Because Benedict was by her side!
The hero of a kingdom that originally did not exist was protecting her!
So now, even after being cursed from killing that boss and appearing here, she was still alive and well.
Ha.
Hahaha.
Damn it. This is absurd.
How was I supposed to predict that?!
How can I foresee an event that doesn’t even exist in the game!?
If I had known this, I at least should have received a warning from that damned shoddy god!
[Young lady, I know you’re confused, but this isn’t the time for such thoughts.]
While I screamed inwardly, the grandpa’s words brought my senses back. He was right.
Right in front of me was a monster glaring down at me with eyes filled with hatred.
“Ah. You’re not just a mere obstruction, are you? You’re someone favored by the hateful Armadi.”
I surveyed the situation.
The numerous items I had prepared thinking of a grand undead battle had turned to trash.
The various tricks I had planned to hunt her after weakening Karia became useless.
The only things that could still be useful were those I had prepared against the Evil God and for fire magic.
But would that be enough?
“Did Armadi send you to stop me?”
Despite my thoughts, Karia, having succumbed to the curse and become a minion of the Fire Evil God, was taking steps closer to us.
Gripping my shield tight, I took a deep breath.
After all, the door to the boss room had closed.
If I can’t go back, then I have no choice but to move forward.
This was an opponent I had taken down with bare hands in the game.
If I wanted to, I could.
I even have means for the worst-case scenario.
Let’s give it a try for now.
“You’re an unfeeling and foolish god. There’s no way you can defeat me at your level.”
“That’s history, old hag♡”
“…What?”
“An old hag entering menopause is just pathetic trying to act all high and mighty, huh?♡”
“…”
“The wrinkles are wrinkling♡ The eyes are venomous♡ The hair’s thinning♡ Hahaha♡ Really ugly, old hag♡ At this point, even an orc would vomit and run away!♡”
Facing her eyes mixed with anger and hatred, I tried my best to stay calm.
This isn’t a joke.
It feels like there’s a boulder on my shoulders.
Is this what having killing intent feels like?
“You’re so conceited. Do you think being loved by the god makes you special?”
“You’re so chatty♡ Looks like your lips loosen up when you get older, huh, old lady?♡”
“This lady…”
“Calling you old lady is quite rough, huh? A lady of your age should be treated with respect. Sorry?”
“Now, trying to take back your words is completely pointless…”
“Old hag♡ If you’ve lived this long, don’t you think it’s about time you showed some decorum?♡ How can you be less mature than a teenager? It’s pathetic so you end up believing in a quack like the Evil God, huh?♡
Karia trembled her lips and pulled out a dagger from her sleeve.
The thrill rising in my body indicates that the provocation has definitely hit its mark.
So this is how the first button is fastened.
‘Get ready.’
“Get ready, you shoddy ones.”
“Yes.”
“…Yes.”
‘And Alsatine…’
“Information peddler. That old hag isn’t your master anymore. She’s just a fool swallowed by the Evil God. Don’t hesitate.”
Even saying this wouldn’t help me regain my composure.
If she appeared in an undead state, I could shout that her master should be comfortable! But Karia is alive now.
How can I stay calm when someone’s face I’ve been searching for is right in front of me?
If that were possible, I’d be a lunatic.
It’s okay. No problem. I just need to move considering that too.
As Karia lifted her dagger off the ground, her new form vanished from this world.
What?! Shocked by the overwhelming speed that seemed to be teleportation, I realized it wasn’t a sword.
She swung her blade towards a spot where nothing should exist.
And just as the sound of swords clashing echoed through the air, Karia revealed herself.
“Interference.”
“I can’t let you through!”
The two swords were thrust towards each other.
At my current level, I was completely outmatched, but the balance was evident just from looking at their expressions.
Karl’s was desperate, while Karia seemed relaxed.
Ha. No matter how skilled Karl might be, I thought he couldn’t win against Karia in a 1:1.
But I certainly didn’t expect he’d be pressed down like that.
Considering Karl’s strength, I thought he would at least face the situation with a bit of a disadvantage!
Damn it. It’s already a tough boss, and now she’s even stronger than in the game?!
[Young lady! You need to move!]
‘I know that!’
Benedict! Forget the thanks! When this is over, I’ll shout “Papa no senpai!” when I go back!
“Old hag♡ After getting so old, you still obsess over young men?♡ Hahaha!♡ No way would they take interest in you!♡ How pathetic♡”
“Do you wish to die that quickly?!”
Even that strong one fell victim to the Mesugaki Skill’s provocation.
In that moment when Karia glared at me, having lost herself completely…
Karl seized on the tiny gap that opened up. His blade leaped forward while Karia reacted too slowly.
It worked. I was certain of it as I watched, but that was wrong.
Once again, Karia’s new form vanished.
As Karl’s descending blade cut through the void, the Iron Wall threatened danger.
My instincts moved faster than my rational mind.
The moment I placed my shield in trust of the Iron Wall, a shock reverberated through the shield.
Damn it! She’s disgustingly strong!
Even having barely withstood the shock, my arm shook.
In a hurry, Alsatine shot her arrows toward Karia.
Had she not done so, I would have been in serious trouble.
Damn it. At this rate, I can’t continue battling. I’m just being worn down.
My grand strategy against Karia was based on combining Karl’s strength with my provocation to maintain the front line.
If Karia had been in undead state, my preparations would have allowed Karl to face her alone.
Even if my preparations failed, had she been at her game level, we could have faced her with Karl’s skill, my provocation, and Alsatine’s support.
But now? Karia’s strength, having never experienced death, far exceeded my expectations.
Again, the Iron Wall warned of impending danger.
The moment I raised my shield, Karl appeared at my side, intercepting Karia’s sword.
“Mmmm.”
Determining her attack had failed, Karia once again concealed her form.
“Lady. At this rate, we will lose.”
[What this guy says is true. Right now, we're barely maintaining a standoff since the opponent is toying with us. If the opponent puts forth their full strength, this standoff will shatter.]
Variables.
Unforeseen variables.
That’s what ruined all our plans.
I knew I was going to be in for a rough time.
Every time I was trying to do something, it never went as expected.
Be it that petty god or the Georg family or whatever, I had anticipated they would come to threaten me.
But I never anticipated I’d have to deal with something that happened before I even possessed this body!
Right now, I have items that could help me escape from this crisis, so it’s fine, but next time, I’ll have to double-check everything.
Realizing I was trapped in a scenario with no way out, I touched an item in my inventory.
Dungeon Escape Ticket.
An item the shoddy god gave me to shove me forward when I was asked to save Adri.
An item that sends all party members to the entrance.
The force that allowed me to wander the dungeon without worry.
[I will use the Dungeon Escape Ticket.]
First, let’s get out and re-strategize.
Defeating that girl now seems impossible.
Hah. But can we really defeat Karia with our full force now? That seems tough.
As I waited for the effect of using the Dungeon Escape Ticket, bizarrely, it triggered no phenomena at all.
[…Casting time needed until completion / 03:00]
What? Unlike the game, it needs a casting time?
I have to endure until then?!
“Alright. Let’s see if you can take this. You’re young, so must be able to, right? Kid?”
Karia appeared before the altar, holding her dagger high.
Then, from behind her, a giant composed of flames materialized.
Damn it. Has the Evil God’s magic been enhanced too?! This is too much! This is imbalanced!
Even if Alsatine disturbed her with magically engraved arrows, I was sure he couldn’t completely offset it, so I covered my shield with Divine essence.
Ha! Of course that damned shoddy god has never done anything right!
I’ll hold out!
That’s what I do best!
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