– And thus, I declare death upon the target.
A truly absurd declaration from the Grim Reaper. The familiar pattern was engraved on the neck of the one saying that.
It resembled the pattern that appears on my neck when I revive the undead.
I realized, seeing others ignoring the Grim Reaper’s statement and continuing their attacks.
That’s it. It’s only audible to me. Just like how I can’t communicate with others, but can still command my undead underlings.
The language of the dead… No, even if I can’t understand it, I should at least be able to hear it.
It’s as if we’re on different channels. No matter how much I chatter on channel two, someone only watching channel one will never hear a thing.
The living and the dead are strictly separated. Yes. As the Grim Reaper said, breaking this rule is a serious crime.
But I can’t follow the Grim Reaper’s ruling. Repeatedly violating this is a problem, but… is it because my hair is pink? Or because I’m carrying the skeletal remains of a bizarre creature in my arms?
Why would I even bother listening to such nonsense?
The strongest of the Grim Reaper’s counterattacks were swiftly cut in two, yet the undead swarmed around nonetheless.
And I raised my hand high to the Grim Reaper, who was being besieged by the entire party of adventurers.
– I’ve died once, and it wasn’t particularly enjoyable.
– How insolent…
– Technically speaking, who is the insolent one? Anyway, you’re going to die by my hand today. No, since you’re already dead, I guess you’ll just be destroyed?
– Starting the forced execution…
– Oh. Come here.
The Grim Reaper started charging at me, taking hits from the surrounding attacks without a care.
With each valid strike, the gray energy wrapping around its body was being consumed. However…
That’s precisely the gimmick it’s meant for.
The Grim Reaper is a monster that appears when the accumulated energy of the fourth floor reaches a certain concentration.
Therefore, it’s always wrapped in this energy, which is a versatile power source exclusive to the Grim Reaper used for both offense and defense.
Using energy for attacks allows it to strike through an enemy’s defenses like a ghost passing through an object.
Conversely, when attacked, it can erase all impact as if nothing happened from the very beginning.
That’s why even my elite undead can get cut in half by a single scythe swing, and also why the Grim Reaper is flying straight towards me despite being swarmed.
However, as the energy diminishes, the Grim Reaper’s attacks and defenses become restricted, and the moment it’s completely depleted, it’ll revert to mere bone fragments.
It possesses the ridiculous skills of ignoring defense and resistance to staggering, but feels like it’s limited by the fact that all actions consume mana and it will die if mana runs out.
…Wait. Did I always know this?
Knowledge rose naturally. Just a moment ago, I didn’t know how the Grim Reaper was born and asked Ellie for an explanation.
A shiver ran down my spine at the unsettling feeling… but it’s been quite a while since my head stopped being entirely my own.
When I gain skills or powers, memories that are not mine have been forcibly etched within me, and once, when Benny was in danger, the Goddess of Love showed the future possibilities outright.
Surely the goddess must’ve done something again this time. But right now, I must respond to the Grim Reaper drawing closer.
I clicked my tongue silently and unleashed all the self-buffs I had been saving.
Divine Bloodline, Basilieus, Mini Sanctuary, Power Explosion, and finally, the highly precious Holy Water poured over my head.
In an instant, a sense of omnipotence washed over me, and my whole body felt ablaze.
Simultaneously, the Grim Reaper, covered in green energy, flew right into my vicinity.
– Forced execution…!
Unlike its shabby robe, the Grim Reaper wielded a well-maintained scythe. Quick. I can’t even block that. Even trying to block would just let it cut through me from the inside.
So I must avoid it.
– Hah!
As I held my breath for a moment, my body accelerated quickly. I can barely distinguish the sound of my aura functioning like an engine and the heartbeat from within.
Whoosh!
As the edges of my vision blurred, I sliced through the air. The scythe swung where my neck had just been.
If I had been just a moment late, my head would have been severed, but… there’s no time to be afraid or hesitate.
Without hesitation, I throw my body toward the Grim Reaper. Not straight on but at an angle that skims past its side. And then…
Swish.
The Unicorn Dagger sliced through the Grim Reaper, cutting through the gray energy enveloping it.
Boom!
The moment the pure white blade touched the energy, it emitted a blinding light like never before.
The unicorn is a virgin lovebird that only reveals itself to maidens, but it also serves as a purification being that drives away evil.
Once a deity of death, now fallen to become nothing but a monster, there is no more effective attack than this against the Grim Reaper.
Thwack!
Despite being cut by a dagger, the Grim Reaper sounded as if struck by a massive hammer.
It seemed there was no shock absorbed, and its waist remained erect, yet the energy at its waist was being stripped away in chunks.
– …Allegations of divine beast poaching. Potential conflicts with other gods in the future. The seeds of discord must be eradicated in advance.
– Poaching? It’s a lucky draw! I mean, I got it as a prize! And there’s no way I’m fighting with the other gods!
– That’s sacrilege.
– Ha… I’m losing my mind.
Is this the first time I’ve met a monster that can converse so openly? Thanks to that, I understand exactly why a monster is a monster.
Just because it can talk doesn’t mean a conversation can be established.
Clucking my tongue, I gripped my dagger again and charged in. This time, however, I rapidly grew the seeds I had sprinkled while we were talking, using Basilieus.
– I don’t have time to be caught up by someone like you, so hurry up and perish…!
Once more, accelerating forth. My body bounces with every step I take as I draw closer to the Grim Reaper.
An extraordinary movement occurs once physical abilities surpass a certain level.
Yet the Grim Reaper, seemingly uninterested, merely swung its scythe in silence.
This time I adjusted my grip on the handle to deliver a series of rapid strikes.
At this point, even I couldn’t maintain the same speed.
– Ugh, damn.
I twisted my body to dodge the scythe, and where an expected strike would land, I forced myself to twist away from it.
It was a near acrobatic act, but it wasn’t very taxing for me at the moment. I could do this all day.
While I did, the remaining undead and the adventurers were also coordinating their ranged attacks on the Grim Reaper.
Realizing its goal was me, and knowing I was relying on speed to win, the situation naturally solidified.
Rather than trying to hit me, the coliseum-like shape surrounding me and the Grim Reaper was a tactical choice made so as not to interfere with my combat style.
Unlike the Grim Reaper, who has the ability to pass through matter, I had to avoid obstacles.
So if they wanted to help me, that’d be advantageous to me.
– I’ll send you to the God of Death!
– How dare you use that name arbitrarily! Violation! By saying the God of Death is dead, you’re in violation again! You have pink hair and spoke without permission, that’s also a violation!
– What the heck.
Just existing with that ridiculous standard is a violation; am I supposed to ask for permission to speak?
I clicked my tongue at the warped standards and instantly grew the seeds I had prepared with Basilieus.
Bang!
In an instant, huge pillars surged from the ground.
Perhaps because I poured a bit too much divine power, a gigantic tree has grown as a result.
The Lightwood— it emits its own light, which oddly enough carries a certain power reminiscent of divine energy.
There’s no better precious wood for elves who have lost their World Tree. Even Eve, who can barely acquire materials directly from the Elven Forest, struggled to obtain this genuine rare tree.
The moment everything was filled with light, I used Basilieus to wrap myself in thorny armor. And then…
Swoosh!
I threw myself between the trees.
Bouncing between the trees like a rubber ball, I closed the distance towards the Grim Reaper.
By this point, the Grim Reaper’s energy was almost melting like ice cream. Startled, it swung its enormous scythe around, but…
It was too late. By now, my plan was already 80% successful.
Dodging the toppling trees, I activated Argetlam. The target for enhancement was, of course, my crossbow.
The silver, vibrating crossbow transformed to something resembling a gatling gun.
I poured all the remaining holy water I had into it and pulled the trigger.
Whoosh!
With a powerful burst reminiscent of lasers, the holy water shot forth. The Grim Reaper’s movements noticeably slowed.
The barrage of hits it received, the light from the Lightwood, and the holy water baptism had all drained its energy below half.
And I still had one more shot left.
– Violation! Violation! Violation…!
The Grim Reaper repeated the same phrases like a broken radio. Instead of charging directly at the rampaging figure swinging its scythe and cutting down the nearby trees, I concentrated on my last prep.
As most of the Lightwood was chopped away and I landed not in mid-air but onto solid ground, it was then.
Just as I’d been waiting for, the ranged attacks of the adventurers that had been obscured by the Lightwood rained down.
Concealing myself behind the cover, I activated the Transparent Cloak and my stealth skill, briefly becoming invisible.
Though I successfully concealed my presence for a moment, it wouldn’t last long. The Grim Reaper does not rely on sight but senses life directly to distinguish people.
But that brief moment is enough. If it’s a fleeting slip-up during its frenzy, then if I can drive my sword into the place I want even once…
That would be sufficient.
– Hah!
Carefully approaching, I pierce the Grim Reaper’s heart from behind.
A vague sensation like piercing through clouds. Enveloped in energy, I whispered softly to the Grim Reaper, who was turning around.
– Let there be light.
That was the last thing the Grim Reaper could hear.
Swoosh!
The world was engulfed in a silence of blinding light.
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