389 Death Mage V13 Side Chapter 49

Side Chapter 49
The end of lying low


In a world where entry by others was strictly off-limits, Vandalieu was making preparations with countless humanoid creatures.

"The improved resurrection device and the chunks of meat can survive perfectly fine in this space without any problems."

"The experiments with magic circles are also complete. They have a 100% success rate."

"The medical facilities and residences for accommodation are ready."

"The power generation unit is also ready."

Vandalieu's ‘Body World’ had become an extraordinary place as a result of his preparations.

Inside a giant dome-shaped structure, there were buildings with architectural styles not commonly seen in the world of Lambda. The ceiling was painted blue, and spheres that emitted warm light floated in the air.

"Clothing, consumables, medical supplies, furniture... Everything needed for living is ready."

"Do you want me to bring food from the other side?"

"For now, it shouldn't be necessary. I’ve become able to reproduce most of the foods with my cooking."

"The issue lies in entertainment, doesn't it? While I can copy the books from the other side, what should we do about games?"

"I suppose we'll have to endure for a while."

"It's regrettable, but it can’t be helped... According to Mari, it seems that we're running out of time."

The humanoid creatures talking to one another were Demon King Familiars. They looked like humans as they were wearing protective suits that enveloped their deformed bodies.

Near the magic circles engraved in the Open Plaza, there was Vida's resurrection device, which was in the basement of the royal castle of Talosheim, and capsules filled with chunks of meat created by the resurrection device.

"With this, let's consider all the preparations complete. Now, all that's left to do is to move."





About a week before Vandalieu declared the completion of his preparations, in Origin, Rokudou Hijiri of ‘Avalon’, along with his trusted subordinates, received a report from his researchers regarding the results of the experiments conducted on Shihouin Mari of ‘Metamorph’.

"She has achieved remarkable results, Rokudou-san. She has obtained a complete aptitude for the death-attribute."

(Note: -san is a Japanese honorific used to express politeness, though not overly formal)

The researcher, unable to hide his excitement, operated a tablet device and continued the report, pointing to an image displayed on the screen, which showed Shihouin Mari.

"It’s not like an imperfect aptitude possessed by 'The 8th Guidance' or previous test subjects. She possesses a complete perfect aptitude, identical to that of 'Undead’. We have already succeeded in replicating many death-attribute magics.”

(Note: If you haven’t already realized, ‘Undead’ is what they call Vandelieu or Amamiya Hiroto in Origin.)

Shihouin Mari, who was displayed on the screen, was wearing a helmet-like machine that covered her nose up, and was moving according to the received orders precisely.

Using death-attribute magic, she transformed deadly poison into harmless liquid and ordinary water into deadly poison.

She enhanced the lethality of small-caliber guns to the point where they could kill bears, which would normally stop bullets with their fur and muscles, and she could also stop bullets fired at her by creating a barrier that absorbed their kinetic energy.

"This is how it is. We have even managed to reproduce magic items created by the country that possessed 'Undead’, although their quality is somewhat inferior. However, that can be attributed to the fact that Metamorph's mana is overwhelmingly less than that of 'Undead’. Once we mass-produce enough death-attribute magic users and compensate for the lack of mana and establish a production system, this issue will be resolved. Congratulations, Rokudou-san. The research is a success."

The male researcher genuinely believed that the research had been successful. The organization that dispatched him and the influential figures from the political and business circles who provided various forms of assistance might indeed be satisfied.

More than a decade ago, the disappearance of ‘Undead’ caused various magic items that were previously possible to be created to become no longer manufacturable.

The benefits from this endeavor are immeasurable. It could more than make up for the support given to Rokudou's research, assuming the quantity of production is the same as that of  ‘Undead’.

"I see. Thank you for the report. You may leave now," Rokudou responded.

"Y-Yes. Excuse me!" The researcher, taken aback for a moment, quickly bowed and hurriedly left under Rokudou's gaze.

Once the room was left with only Rokudou and those familiar with the situation, they exchanged wry smiles and let out sighs.

"The research is considered a success, huh? But I can't help but question the quality of the researchers."

"Don't say that. Thanks to incidents caused by 'The 8th Guidance' and Rokudou-san's plans, there are hardly any death-attribute researchers left. He’s just a researcher in charge of operating and maintaining the inspection equipment."

"Yes, Moriya is right. It would be harsh to expect too much from him... Especially since he's unaware that mass-producing users of death-attribute magic is impossible."

‘Metamorph’, a reincarnator, had a mana pool of over ten thousand, approaching thirty thousand. In a world where ten thousand mana was considered first-class, it was an exceptional number among the humans in this world.

However, the mana of 'Undead'... the mana of the now deceased Amamiya Hiroto was one hundred million. The difference in magnitude was four orders of magnitude. To compensate for that, they would need more than three thousand ‘Metamorphs’, but that was an impossible scenario.

Because the maximum number of death-attribute magic users was at most a hundred.

"The condition for obtaining a complete aptitude for death-attribute magic is to be someone who has died completely without possessing aptitudes for other attributes. Not someone who has been revived after the heart and lungs stopped, but someone who has experienced a complete death and undergone the Circle of Reincarnation. In other words, it is only possible for reincarnators."

That was the method Rokudou deduced to obtain a complete aptitude for death-attribute magic.

The members of 'The 8th Guidance' had only obtained incomplete aptitudes for death-attribute magic since they had received death-attribute mana from 'Undead' while being on the verge of death.

The previous test subjects were the same. Even if their hearts and lungs were completely stopped and they were later revived, they didn't truly die.

However, it seemed that the order in which the conditions of "not possessing aptitudes for other attributes" and "experiencing a complete death and undergoing the Circle of Reincarnation" were fulfilled didn't matter. The fact that Metamorph, a reincarnator who had undergone the Circle of Reincarnation, could acquire the aptitude for death-attribute magic by erasing her innate aptitudes for other attributes supported that theory.

For over ten years, Rokudou hadn't realized that the condition was "experiencing a complete death and undergoing the Circle of Reincarnation" as it was something he considered ordinary. Reincarnators like him are aware of the existence of the Circle of Reincarnation through their own experiences. In this world, every individual has a past life, and when they die, they are reborn in the next life.

The only difference between reincarnators and others lies in whether they retain the memories and personality of their past lives.

The members of 'The 8th Guidance' and the subjects that Rokudou had discarded in the past have been reborn in the present world through the Circle of Reincarnation from their previous lives.

Therefore, the condition of “experiencing the Circle of Reincarnation” was something Rokudou didn't even need to take into consideration.

"Never would I have thought that the condition was to maintain the memory and personality of the previous life while experiencing the Circle of Reincarnation... In summary, death-attribute magic can only be used by those who have experienced death completely."

If it were ‘Undead’, who, like Rokudou, was a reincarnator and did not possess any inherent aptitudes for attributes from birth, he would have been able to use death-attribute magic simply by continuously using magic without giving up.

"However, what about Amemiya Mei in that case? Of course, it is still a speculation to say that she has the aptitude for death-attribute magic..."

"Well, it is likely that she met the conditions by being killed by Pluto during a delicate stage that could be considered as a fetus and then being revived. We still haven't been able to observe how the Circle of Reincarnation works, and we don't know what criteria define memory and personality, so that's the only possibility to consider."

Amemiya Mei died as a fertilized egg and returned to Rodcorte's Circle of Reincarnation system, but since she was revived, the same soul might have returned to the fertilized egg again from the system. If Rokudou knew that the reincarnation is carried out by the system, he might have conjectured that way.

As for the condition regarding preservation of memory and personality, even Rokudou was clueless. After all, it's unclear to what extent memory and personality are considered to be preserved.

Even Rokudou himself didn’t remember everything he experienced on Earth. He had forgotten things before he could remember, and there was no way he would remember every single casual conversation with his parents, siblings, or classmates.

The same would likely apply to ‘Metamorph’. Her current personality might not be exactly the same as her past life’s. Some reincarnators became afraid of the sea or ships due to the fear and shock they experienced when they died from the terrorist attack.

Scientifically speaking, it was questionable whether Amemiya Mei, who at the time had not yet fully developed her eyes, ears, or even her brain, had memories and a personality. However, Rokudou and the others know that the concept of a soul existed.

Is the soul not capable of thinking? Is memory not possible? Or is it just that reincarnators like themselves were simply special, and ordinary souls do not possess such abilities? Such things have yet to be confirmed.

Therefore, it was also impossible to deny. Only when they acquire Amemiya Mei and thoroughly examine her would they be able to find the answers.

With that in mind, Rokudou discarded the documents containing reports about 'Metamorph' and declared:

"However, what is clear now is that 'Metamorph' is incomplete. It's not just about mana; she can only use a portion of the magic that 'Undead' was capable of. She cannot create golems or undead. And the magic that caused 'Undead' to go on a rampage and slaughter the scientists and security personnel in the research facility, as well as the magic that restored 'The 8th Guidance' and gave them fragments of death-attribute mana, she cannot use them either."

It was as the male researcher had mentioned earlier that 'Metamorph' could not use all the magic that 'Undead' used. Even considering proficiency in magic, it was strange that 'Metamorph' could not create golems or undead, which 'Undead' could create in his early days.

If Vandalieu... if Banda, who was attached to Amemiya Mei, were to learn about this, he would likely be amazed at how obvious the reason why she couldn’t was.

Rokudou and the others could manipulate 'Metamorph' through machines and drugs, but ‘Metamorph’ was unable to control the spirits of the dead. When Vandelieu was 'Undead’, he was able to do so because the spirits of the dead followed him of their own free will. The magic used during the massacre in the laboratory also borrowed the power of spirits. Therefore, 'Metamorph’, who couldn’t charm the dead, could not use that magic.

Furthermore, there was another condition that Rokudou and the others had yet to realize in order to fully master death-attribute magic. However, there was no way for them to know as they were unable to analyze the condition of the soul, even though they had confirmed its existence.

"This is not enough. Even if I obtain the power of death-attribute magic, I am still far from achieving my goals."

Unable to realize this, Rokudou continued with his statement, but one of his close associates frowned with unease.

(If Rokudou-san can obtain the power of death-attribute magic, it must mean that he himself will be able to use death-attribute magic. But then...)

He had created pawns like 'Metamorph' who could use death-attribute magic and Rokudou could manipulate them to exert its power. Of course, the subordinate understood the power of death-attribute magic. However, he was skeptical about whether it was worth sacrificing other attribute magic to obtain it.

As far as he knew, Rokudou's mana, with his Cheat Ability 'Unlimited Development’, is several times greater than that of 'Metamorph'. It exceeds the limits of humanity. However, even then, it is no match for the 100 million of 'Undead'. There is also no guarantee that he could fully master death-attribute magic in the same way 'Undead’ did.

"Still, we need to analyze Amemiya Mei. To become a one-of-a-kind existence... to obtain eternal power and stand at the pinnacle."

However, he couldn't bring himself to ask that question as he felt a strong obsession with Rokudou's words. And he noticed that Moriya and the other close associates, as well as himself, were filled with a sense of superiority inspired by Rokudou's words.

They betrayed their fellow reincarnators, killed them directly or indirectly, and sacrificed them in inhumane human experiments, like 'Metamorph'. Of course, they had also killed other humans in this world that were not reincarnators.

They did all of that not for self-defense, not for justice, and not simply because they followed orders. They had betrayed, used, and killed the 'Bravers' of their own will.

(It’s impossible for us, but if it's Rokudou-san, he can surpass the limits of humans and even reach the level of gods. By obtaining the power of death-attribute, Rokudou will become a god, and we will become the privileged class of the new era that serve God! We don't care what happens to the humans of this world or fools who follow human leaders like Amemiya!)

Their brakes had long been broken.

Rokudou had orchestrated it to be that way... Although there were circumstances where he wanted his subordinates to be convenient for him, it was a trivial matter for them.

When Rokudou operated the tablet device, the screen switched from 'Metamorph' to some kind of incubation device. Inside a cylindrical capsule, a humanoid creature continued to sleep while submerged in liquid.

"I already have everything I need to obtain the power of death-attribute magic, but since there is no room for mistakes, I want to proceed with caution. And when the time comes, the 'Bravers' will not only be unnecessary but also a hindrance."

"Then... we will secure Amemiya Mei, eliminate the 'Bravers’, and dispose of the trash at the same time, right?"

Rokudou nodded at Moriya’s words, declaring the start of their operation.

And Mari, who noticed that only the sensors were monitoring her, smiled faintly.

"Fufufu... Just a little longer..."

Since the freedom of her body was deprived of her, her lips didn't move at all. Therefore, she continued to laugh with her soul alone.





About a week after the conversation between Rokudou and his close associates, Banda was teaching Mei magic behind the scenes.

"Nnn~! Unnn~!!"

"Meh-kun, you don't have to voice it out loud, just say it in your mind."

Several spirits gathered before Mei, wearing wry smiles.

Mei was currently attempting to use ‘Telepathy’, a rather basic death-attribute technique that allows one to communicate their thoughts to spirits and undead without making any sound.

"Mmm?"

"It seems surprisingly difficult to consciously use ‘Telepathy’. I can't teach you exactly how either."

As Banda stroked Mei's hair while she looked up at him and pouted with her mouth closed and her cheeks puffed up, he anxiously tapped his six Arthropod Legs on the ground.

He had come up with ‘Telepathy’ when he was still alive in this world. At the time, he had lost control over his body to the scientists, and it was necessary for him to communicate with spirits.

However, it was under the condition where he couldn't move his mouth even if he wanted to. Rather than him developing the skill, it was more of struggling and desperately trying to find a way to do it, and before he knew it, he was able to do it. Therefore, he couldn't provide specific instructions or tips on how to learn it.

"Isn't it similar to the feeling you have when you're talking in a dream?"

Hiroshi, who had paused his no-attribute magic practice, spoke up. He was about to turn nine this year and was currently on spring break from school, so he was at home.

"That's true, but recreating the sensation from a dream while being awake is..."

"I did it! Banda, Nii-chan, I did it!"

"Looks like you’ve done it."

Banda was about to continue explaining how difficult it was, but it seemed that Hiroshi's advice was enough for Mei.

"Wow, that's amazing!"

"What?! I hear a voice in my head!? Am I dreaming right now!?"

However, it seemed that Mei had used Telepathy to convey her thoughts without narrowing down the targets, causing panic for the guard outside the room. Ulrika Scaccio, a reincarnator known as ‘Echo’, who was outside the room acting as a guard for Mei and Hiroshi, and who was aware of Banda's existence like Joseph. Ulrika rushed into the room where Mei and the others were, creating a commotion.

Ulrika had been unable to let go of her medicine, but since encountering Banda, Mei, and Vandalieu in a dream last autumn, she had recovered enough to live her daily life without any problems. However, she tended to panic whenever she experienced something out of the ordinary, even if only slightly.

"Ahh! As expected, Mei-chan is here. This must be a dream. If it's a dream, I'm fine. I'm not going crazy, I'm not going crazy..."

Upon seeing Mei's figure, Ulrika collapsed on the spot and continued muttering to herself.

"Ulrika-obasan, are you alright!?"

(Note: Obasan means aunt.)

"Are you okay? Sorry for surprising you, Uru-obasan."

The children hurriedly rushed to Ulrika, rubbing her back and patting her head, expressing their concern. Ulrika is a tall, well-built woman in her thirties with a nordic background, but her spirit had been significantly injured from over a decade of grueling rescue operations in disaster areas and battles against terrorists and criminal organizations.

That's why she, like Joseph of ‘Druid’, was able to encounter Vandalieu and Mei in a dream.

For the same reason as Joseph, because she hadn't fully recovered yet, she was assigned missions that kept her away from the front lines, such as being a guard for Mei and Hiroshi, so it was rather convenient.

"Ulrika... Would you like to take a break for a while?"

"I'm fine. I've recovered... I lost thirty kilograms, recovered from my metabolic syndrome, my blood sugar and blood pressure are normal... I no longer have hallucinations or auditory hallucinations, and I can sleep without taking sleeping pills. Ufufufufu..."

"Oba-san, this is not a dream, it's our living room."

"Huh!? I-is that so!? Then, was what I just heard an auditory hallucination!?"

"No, what you heard earlier was Mei's ‘Telepathy’. Sorry for surprising you."

"Is that so... Then there’s no problem."

Ulrika stood up and spoke in a firm tone, as if the previous precariousness had been a lie.

"So, what was the phone call about?"

"Joseph was supposed to switch places with me, but he can't come due to a sudden mission. Instead, Johnny Yamaoka of ‘Balor’ will be coming."

Recently, there have been increasing occurrences of disasters and incidents in various places, leading to the frequent mobilization of the ‘Bravers’. At the time of Mei's third birthday celebration, Rokudou Hijiri... or rather, Shihouin Mari of ‘Metamorph’, displayed a state of madness. But this madness was attributed to "mental impact due to overwork," which significantly reduced the amount of time Rokudou spent on the front stage.

As a result, the entire ‘Bravers’ organization became busier. However, aside from natural disasters like earthquakes, Banda and the others suspected that some of the incidents were self-orchestrated that Rokudou and his collaborators caused.

“‘Balor’... I've heard the name, but it's my first time meeting him. Is he one of Rokudou's companions?"

Johnny Yamaoka, who was reincarnated as a Japanese-American, possessed the codename and ability of ‘Balor’. He was mainly active in suppressing terrorists, criminals, and extinguishing large-scale fires.

His cheat ability allowed him to "steal the energy of a target" and "convert the stolen energy into his own mana." He could drain the energy from explosives of gunfire to render firearms useless, or absorb heat energy to extinguish flames. Of course, since magic magic is a type of energy, he could steal it as well.

Additionally, Johnny himself was born to parents who were part of the military for several generations, so he received combat training in martial arts and firearms long before the formation of Bravers, and possessed excellent combat ability.

While there was a limit to the amount of energy he could drain at once, he was an excellent soldier who compensated for the shortcomings of his cheat ability with his own combat abilities. His fighting style was similar to Asagi, who nullifies attribute magic using ‘Mage Masher’.

"I'm not sure. He was a ferry operator just like Mao on Earth, but after reincarnating in this world, he doesn’t try to get deeply involved with anyone and only talks about mission-related matters."

However, his personality was the exact opposite of Asagi's, as he seemed to be a person who does not try to get involved with others more than necessary.

"I haven't met him either. He's not featured much in the media."

"Yeah, he seems to be uncomfortable with the mass media. There aren't many reincarnators who excel in that area... Anyway, I'll switch the sensor back on before he arrives, so let's limit the magic practice to no-attribute magic only."

“ "Okaaay." ”

Currently, the Amemiya household has sensors installed that can detect death-attribute mana. However, while members like Joseph and Ulrika who knew of Banda's existence were serving as guards for Mei, the sensor switch was turned off.

Only during that time, Mei could practice death-attribute magic.

At that moment, the alarm of the intercom rang.

"Well then... Hm? He’s here. It’s quite early."

At that very moment, Banda and Mei sensed danger.

"Oba-san, reflection!"

"Huh!?"

Ulrika instinctively followed Mei's words and activated her ability. The bullet that came flying through the wall and was about to pierce her forehead was reflected by Ulrika's ‘Echo’ ability.

A sound of something collapsing could be heard from outside the house, as if it had been hit by the bullet that turned 180 degrees and was redirected.

"Nii-chan, over here!"

"Y-Yeah!"

Mei called Hiroshi over to Banda's feet, and Hiroshi quickly rushed over. With this, even if missiles were fired at them, the two of them would be safe.

"What's going on!?"

"The enemy. According to ‘Detect Life’, there are around a dozen individuals. It appears that they have us surrounded on both sides. The reason they haven't killed the neighbors is likely to prevent them from turning into spirits and warning us, or to avoid them turning into undead and increasing the number of enemies."

"—! ...The results of ‘Echo’ are the same. However, there are several military golems deployed. The one that shot at me earlier was also a golem. Though the bullet was rendered useless due to the reflection."

Ulrika's ‘Echo’ is not just an ability to reflect attacks; it creates the phenomenon of reflection.

It can sense echoes of sound, allowing her to detect her surroundings like a sonar, or create reflections of light and use it like a mirror to compensate for blind spots.

Though as expected, it is rare and thus hard for her to be able to reflect and converge light to the extent of shooting lasers.

"Bringing military golems that cannot be detected by ‘Detect Life’ is quite a move. It seems that ‘Balor’ is serious about eliminating both Ulrika and me, the mysterious presence in the Amemiya residence."

"That's right. I have a bad compatibility with ‘Balor’.. If we were to fight, I would most likely lose."

While Ulrika's ‘Echo’ allows her to reflect any attack, unlike Ereshkigal's 'Counter’, she cannot return the damage she receives. If Johnny of 'Balor' engages in close combat and attack while continuously stealing the kinetic energy from her arms and legs, it would undoubtedly result in a one-sided loss.

Johnny's combat skills were that formidable.

"What should I do..."

As Ulrika clenched her teeth in frustration, Banda calmly spoke to her.

"For now, let's go out and deal with them, shall we?"

Johnny Yamaoka of ‘Balor’ was confident in the success of this operation.

"As a result of hiding the fact that I was Master Rokudou's subordinate for many years, the mission feels somewhat too rough..."

There were seventeen skilled subordinates composed of former military mercenaries. There were also ten autonomous military golems equipped with heavy firearms, with the golems containing crystals that served as the magic medium for military magic technology.

In particular, the military golems were the latest models deployed at the United States military bases in Japan. It’s powered by mana, and its sensors and operating system were constructed with only magic items. Their appearances were completely like robots.

Their combat power surpassed that of tanks.

Though one of them was partially damaged by the bullet reflected by ‘Echo’. The redirected bullet had entered through the muzzle and caused the built-in firearm to explode.

"However, ‘Echo’ too is quite capable. To think she would notice a surprise attack... Or could it be due to that unknown entity mentioned in Moriya's report? Well, it doesn't matter. We're already on the move. The time for sneaking and hiding around is over. We're here to capture Amemiya Mei and, while at it, Amemiya Hiroshi. Until I’ve dealt with Echo, all of you, go and expose the unknown monstrosity and stop it!"

Under normal circumstances, Johnny and his subordinates had caused an incident that would have resulted in the police and military rushing over, but they didn't do so. It was because things were already in motion.

By now, the police and military were in a state of paralysis due to the disturbances and sabotages caused by Rokudou's collaborators, based on the information received. And any organization that still possessed power and hadn't been paralyzed was under Rokudou's control.

The ‘Bravers’ were also scattered throughout the world to cripple their power as an organization, and it was planned that they would defeat troublesome enemies like Amemiya Hiroto one by one.

Hearing his subordinates' words of approval, Johnny started to move with the golems.

At that moment, the entrance of the Amemiya residence exploded.

"Ugh!? Shit, they're attacking head-on! ‘Echo’, you’re more daring than I imagined... What?"

As Johnny shielded himself from the flying debris with the golems, he looked at the figure that appeared through the destroyed entrance with astonishment.

A white face with four eyes and a mouth that extended up to the ears, four arms with claws covered in black exoskeleton. Its body bulged like a black fur coat, and peeking out of its hem were six arthropod legs reminiscent of insects.

"Since you've come and attacked this openly, there's no point in hiding my appearance anymore, I suppose."

Said a voice that was high-pitched but had a flat and calm tone, completely contrasting his grotesque appearance.

Johnny and his mercenaries had heard about the "unknown entity," but Banda's monstrous form was unexpected. They felt fear and loathing instinctively, but they were trained soldiers.

Before they could panic, they pulled the trigger and gave attack commands to the golems.

Banda was exposed to bullets, magic bullets, grenades, and offensive magic. However, for him, it was like being struck by a light rain that couldn't even scratch the tip of his little fingernail.

Bullets that could penetrate armored vehicles? Intense heat that could melt iron? Lightning strikes, wind blades, or freezing cold? If such weak attacks could damage a clone created from Vandalieu's soul, the gods of Alda's faction would have eliminated Vandalieu long ago.

"We're done with sneaking and hiding around. Now it's time to wield your power, Ulrika."

"Roger that!"

A voice came from the inside of Banda’s torso, as bullets and magical attacks continued to be fired and they suddenly turned 180 degrees and returned to the attackers.

The heavy firearms exploded, mercenaries screamed in pain, and golems stopped functioning one after another.

"Was ‘Echo’ hiding inside your body all along!? But my ‘Balor’...!?"

Fear and disgust paralyzed his ability to think, and for a few seconds, Johnny forgot about the existence of ‘Echo’. As a result, his subordinates and golems were almost completely wiped out.

He scolded himself for not paying attention. But with his combat skills and cheat ability, Johnny believed that he could defeat that monster.

Banda rapidly approached Johnny with a terrifying force, sweeping away the remains of the golems like falling leaves.

“‘Muscular Strength Super Increase’! ‘Full Defense Power Increase’!"

Thinking quickly, Johnny casted magic and activated the magic-powered suit he had worn underneath his clothes. After that, he planned to steal various energies from Banda and convert them into his own mana, all while casting self-strengthening magic and engaging in hand-to-hand combat. That was Johnny's winning strategy.

"Ugh!?"

However, Banda's claws severed the arm Johnny had raised for defense. His face froze in shock, as the pain was so swift that he couldn't even feel it.

But Johnny desperately activated ‘Balor’ to drain Banda's kinetic energy and immobilize him.

Yet, it was impossible.

(It's no use! Its movements are too fast... too strong! I can't steal its energy!)

Banda’s physical abilities far exceeded Johnny’s expectations.

"To think that I... as a man who can destroy a tank with my bare hands... was defeated in hand-to-hand combat..."

After having his arm severed and receiving several blows, Johnny, who was on the verge of death, heard Banda whisper near his ear.

With Johnny on the verge of death after receiving several blows after having his arm severed, Banda put his mouth close to Johnny's ear and whispered to him.

"My main body has fought and won in hand-to-hand combat against Elder Dragons and Colossi that were a hundred meters long."

"....? Wh…at...?"

"It's a piece of advice. Wherever you’re going, be careful not to make the wrong choices... But before that, I'll need you to share some information with me."

Saying that, Banda's snake-like tongue extended from his mouth and penetrated deep into Johnny's ear canal.

"Ugh!!!?"

"Don't worry, you don’t feel any pain, do you? There's no need to say it out loud either. I will jack into your brain nerves and extract the memories directly. As thanks for knowing such information, I’ll spare your soul. You can rely on ‘Calculation’, ‘Inspector’, and ‘Oracle’ for assistance."

Quietly, to ensure that Mei and the others hidden inside his fur couldn't hear, Banda extracted information from Johnny Yamaoka's brain.

The sight was far too ominous for an imaginary friend of a child.