[Gotcha by Harpas.]
So, he made the first move, huh?
No, it’s absurd that the Phoenix got cursed before that. Since when could Harpas pull off such stunts?
Cursed specialization isn’t Harpas’ thing…
[What a face that wonders how Harpas cursed me.]
“Right. How on earth—”
[A month ago, I encountered Harpas, radiating an ominous energy unlike his usual self. Clearly, he was in a different state than usual. I tried to chase him off by picking a fight, but… he attacked first.]
So, it was a preemptive strike?
Harpas?
What kind of nonsense is this? Harpas’ true abilities are nothing compared to a Phoenix; he would normally avoid direct confrontations. It’s absurd for a support character to take on the front line!
What the hell did that crazy Harpas eat to smash a Phoenix in a head-on duel?
[Even if he got stronger, he still shouldn’t be able to beat me. But… this wild dog, acting differently, left wounds on my body that I couldn’t regenerate.]
“Can’t you just resurrect?”
[The wounds weren’t on my body, but rather on my soul. It was an attack of a form I’ve never seen before. At this rate, even if I resurrect, I’ll just come back weaker.]
I can hear the level-up sound effect screaming that the difficulty just shot up. If he could inflict wounds like this on a Phoenix, it meant the difficulty had doubled. Seeing my expression warp, the Phoenix looked down at me with a strange gaze and said.
[I knew the world was being invaded by some unknown ominous force, but… I never imagined he would get consumed by it. A curse that eats away at a demigod? I’ve never heard of such a curse.]
Thanks for the TMI, but… it’s hard not to feel like the world is determined to screw me over.
With the news that Harpas wasn’t just Harpas but Super-Harpas now official, my mind began to spin wildly.
At this rate, I’d have to redraw the whole strategy from scratch.
[Hmm…]
“Rue. Do you have any thoughts?”
You’ve been acting weird for a while now, whining like a puppy needing to go out.
[What a peculiar magic book. It contains knowledge not of this world.]
That’s news to me. I thought it was just a hidden magic book. But considering it was in a bizarre place I’ve never seen before, it wouldn’t be strange for it to have a backstory.
Although that backstory might be a lot more complicated than I imagined.
[Um… I want to take a look at the wounds. It gives me a nostalgic feeling.]
Nostalgic feeling?
“Can I see the wounds up close?”
[I’ll allow it.]
I cautiously approached the Phoenix and lifted Rue. Rue, now at my chest level, rolled her eyes around inspecting the wounds before speaking to me.
[I feel like I sort of understand… but I can’t quite recall.]
[A binding spell is at play. A very complicated one.]
A binding spell? On this lousy magic book that a cat is playing with?
[Of course, I’m an extraordinary magic book!]
Really? I shot a cold stare at Rue and put her back on my waist. Now that the business was done, I didn’t need to carry her around anymore. I locked eyes with the Phoenix again.
…What’s this?
The Phoenix’s eyes contained a look of confusion as if pondering something.
[Strange, huh? Are you feeling dizzy, disgusted, or unpleasant?]
“I do feel a bit dizzy.”
[Hmm…]
The Phoenix stared at me intently, seeming to leave a string of thoughts hanging. I stood quietly waiting for the Phoenix’s contemplation to end.
[Human child. What is your name?]
“It’s Johann Quartz.”
[Quartz… are you a descendant of that guy? Clearly… (!@)(#$)!(…]
Wait, what was that?
I think there was some noise in that statement—
[You have a strange expression. Is something bothering you?]
“Can you say that again?”
[Are you referring to !@!(#&!*$?]
[New Mission]
– Don’t listen.
“…”
…What?
[New Mission]
– Not yet.
What the heck is this? What’s happening?
I feel nauseous. My status window is filling my vision. Strange noise. An unexpected situation altogether.
My head spins. I can’t hold on any longer and collapse onto the ground.
[Hey, what’s up?]
“I’m just a bit dizzy, that’s all.”
[New Mission]
– Kill Harpas.
Reward: 10 Trait Points
[…Hmm.]
The Phoenix looked down at me with a knowing gaze before glancing up at the sky, as if watching someone above it. I was almost lying flat as I waited for the Phoenix to speak.
[…Human child, it seems there are stories not yet permitted for you to know.]
“I guess that’s how it is.”
What on earth are they hiding? Is there a trigger that leads to a bad ending if I find out?
[That’s troublesome. But I can’t sit back, so… we need to subdue Harpas first.]
So it’s about hunting down Harpas.
Is that even possible?
Not just any Harpas, but a powered-up one?
“A bad world…”
[What?]
“Nothing. Can you bestow me a blessing perhaps?”
Maybe that will help? Thankfully, the Phoenix nodded happily at my words.
[That much I can probably manage.]
The enormous beak opened wide. Flames surged within, ready to burst forth toward me, and I stared at those flickering flames in a daze.
It’s a fact I know those flames won’t harm me.
[You’re not afraid, child.]
“Because those flames won’t hurt me anyway.”
[You know well.]
In that moment, my vision filled with pure white flames.
Normally, I would be writhing in agony from being burned alive, but the white flames wrapped around me as if a soft blanket.
It’s warm.
This feeling makes me forget all the worries of the world.
I closed my eyes and enjoyed the peaceful warmth.
————–
My body feels light.
I can guess how Lewis, the original protagonist, managed to take down Harpas with the blessing of the Phoenix.
With this kind of buff, even the somewhat weaker Harpas should be killable for the Demon Slayer protagonist.
In the game, stats typically boost significantly, and I could mix the Phoenix’s flames with my aura.
Though I wish to see Lewis in action, sadly with the current Lewis, even with the Phoenix’s blessing, he’d fall victim to Harpas in an instant, forcing me to step up.
I just need to somehow beat Harpas and bring him back to receive the blessing.
[This too is fate; I bestow upon you the strongest blessing I can. Thanks to that, you may have to fall into slumber for a while… but I wish you victory. If I’m not mistaken… you can certainly do it.]
With those final words, the Phoenix curled its body.
Guess it’ll be in slumber for a while now.
Once Harpas is dead, it’ll most likely wake up quickly… but whether I can actually pull that off is uncertain.
Harpas has become a being equipped with raw power, unlike before.
“I’ve got more homework now.”
How should I take down this boosted Harpas?
Since I received the Phoenix’s blessing, there’s at least some possibility.
My body feels light, but why does my heart feel so heavy?
I closed my eyes, watching the Phoenix’s flames diminish.
I need to revise the plan.
A significant revision.
“This is now my world!”
Don’t bounce around on top of the Phoenix’s body. I grabbed Wendy, who was bouncing up and down in delight on the gargantuan Phoenix, and set her down on the ground.
“Don’t jump around while I’m resting.”
She may be nothing more than a speck next to the colossal Phoenix, but…
“What the heck! Don’t disturb me!”
[Contractor, are you going to head back now?]
“I guess I have to.”
I gazed down from the summit. The view of the continent from the towering peak reminded me of the map that appeared each time I pressed M in the original. At the same time, it conveyed that this world was a living, breathing place.
“Wendy. Take care.”
“Hmm? Are you leaving?”
“Yes.”
“See you! Human!”
[Now it’s goodbye to the Snow Mountain.]
Rue murmured with an oddly bittersweet voice.
“You’ll have a tough time going down.”
Without delay, I began my descent.
——————
“You’re back sooner than I expected! How did it go? Did you get what you wanted?”
“…I got about half of it.”
I may not have received direct aid from the Phoenix, but at least I got the blessing, so I achieved my minimum goal.
“Half is still fortunate! Better than not getting anything at all! Do you know how much I worried about you?”
Tom patted my shoulder, laughing heartily. His attitude showed he was genuinely happy that I had returned safely.
“So what’s the plan? Are we heading back right away?”
“Let’s set off immediately.”
I’ve been away from the Academy for far too long.
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