Crazy.

　This is my honest opinion.

　When we first were united, I touched that “Abyss” just a little.

　What the heck was that? It seems my Second still isn't aware of it, but as a matter of fact, evoking each other's memories is a simple task.

　However, I couldn't comprehend those memories I called forth.

　A deep, dark heart. One that was beyond comprehension was driving my Second's body.

　No, maybe should I call that my Seven?

　My Second has lived a different life previously―― I've reigned as the Great Spirit King for so long that I can't even remember, and in that time, I've caught glimpses of  life on a few different planets. However, I've never seen or heard anything like that of his previous life. The honorable Second, he who was the first human I served under, was a very special existence. He stood atop a world that was similar yet different to this one. That's what I don't understand. I can't understand. I can't understand the darkness that resides in that heart.

　……However, only this I understand. Only this thing is clear.

　My Second is crazy. The way his mind works is exquisitely deviated.

　It's somehow weird that he has memories which exceeds the scope of my understanding.

　And so, my Second happily went ahead. To fight against an opponent whom in my eyes, the eyes of the Great Spirit King, was judged to be way over his league.

　And currently, he was completely overwhelming that Darkness Wolf.

　He has yet to receive a single attack from the other party, and has continuously connected his attacks at every opportunity given, almost as if he could see the future. A technique stepping on the divine was repeated over and over again, like threading a hair through a needle's hole from a few meters away.

　Impossible. I wonder what is going through his mind right now?　As I was concerned about these events, I took a peek inside his mind.

　……And I regretted it. Rather than comprehending it more, I was further away from that understanding.

　My Second wasn't thinking about anything.

　Not quite so, on the surface he was thinking about the best response to the different patterns of the Darkness Wolf.

　But deep down…… there was a strong, crazy “pleasure”.

　My Second was pleased to be able to be alive right now. It was not a shallow thought either, but an uncontrollable emotion that gushed out precisely because he was alive.

　Why?

　I thought he was enjoying the thrill of the fight, but it was something different.

　For my Second, the meaning of being alive was in the fight against the Darkness Wolf.It was even the very meaning of his existence. And at the same time, this deadly fight, he saw it as nothing but a “game”. No, this wasn't only a simple thought. He had carved in his self the fact that he could no longer turn back, inscribed it so deeply in his mind and body that it could no longer be erased. That was the reason why he “only thought of this as a game”. And that's why his mind and body one-sidedly felt pleased.

　――『The top in the world』――I suddenly remembered. This was my Second's wish. However, I knew he wasn't just aiming at it. He wanted to someday “Get it back”. That spot. That resolution was genuine and my Second was truly risking his life, steeling himself in order to return to being the top in the world without fail.

　…………I was taken aback.

　Maybe my Second really was “betting his life for the game”……?

　To play in order to live, the meaning of his existence was to continue reigning as the top in the world, and…… right now, he wasn't the top in the world.

　In order to regain “his own existence”, that's the reason my Second was standing here right now.

　Even if it was so helplessly crazy.

　Even if it was a fight n.o.body could win.

　He was fighting all alone, making full use of those weird and strange strategies that even me, the Great Spirit King, couldn't imagine or even completely understand.

“（My Second……!）“

　I felt something burning deep inside me.

　What an obsession!　How tenacious!　What a solitude……!

　I was deeply impressed by this lonely and sublimely crazy man, wis.h.i.+ng to be stronger than anyone else, doing everything in his power to make that wish come true no matter the cost……!

“（My Second! !）“

“Just shut up and keep quietly possessing me! “

　Okay. I'll gladly keep it up!

　But my Second, you should know this for sure. You're not alone anymore. This Angolmois is with you, and I'll walk along your path as you risk your life!

“（Ahahahahahahaha）“

“Shut up! ! “

　I wonder if it's been an hour already? Anko's HP finally went down to below two tenths.

　This was something easy to tell. When the Darkness Wolf's HP falls below 25%, the whole body is engulfed by dark flames, signaling the change to “Berserk Mode”. And by calculating the number of attacks it took up until the moment she entered berserk mode, you can approximate the number of attacks needed to drop her to 20%.

　And. Now, for the way to tame. The best moment to use 《Tame》 is when she uses Rush. It was with this timing that I was able to tame her in my previous life.

“……And, it failed.”

　Well, I expected that.

　Letting out a sigh, I took out six high-grade potions from my inventory and threw them at the biting Anko.

　The potions' bottles cracked when they touched the dark flame of the Berserk Mode, and the liquid splashed all over her body. And so, in the blink of an eye, Anko's HP was completely recovered.

“（Was that okay! ?）“

“Like I said. It's more efficient this way.”

“（So that's how it is……）“

　Like a flame extinguished by dousing it with water, the dark flames covering Anko's whole body went out with a similar sound, abruptly ending the Berserk Mode. Anko was also making an expression as if saying “Ehh?　Huh?　Why? ” or at least that's how it looked to me―― she's a monster after all. That's why she can't break out the predetermined pattern, following bite comes a Darkness Howl.

“Alright, let's start over again.”

　I have to shave off eight tenths of her health again.

　About one hour…… It took over twice as long as back then.

　Well, can't do anything but be patient.

　Slapping my cheeks to pump myself up, I went at Anko again.

“Uff, so tired……”

　After that, I fought with her and failed to Tame her nine more times, then I went back to the tent, exhausted. There're no worries about being chased, since the Darkness Wolf can't leave the Underground Grand Library in Isoreus after all.

“You kept overpowering that creature for ten hours. It's no wonder you're tired.”

　After a long time, Angolmois finally materialized. He then proceeded to pour some alcohol into a cup for me, as if telling me that I've worked hard. I wonder if I'm the first human in the world to ever receive this treatment from the very own Great Spirit King.　I felt really good with myself after thinking that.

“I'll keep doing this every day though.”

“……I see. Well, if the fights continue just like today, I think there won't be a problem doing this daily.”

“No, I was just lucky today. She never used False Shadow at the time of Darkness Summon.”

“Ohh? “

“After Darkness s.h.i.+ft into human form, it's either Darkness Summon or Darkness Magic. During the transformation, you just need to prepare Dragon King Swordsmans.h.i.+p to stun her, then bring her down with two critical shots of Rook at her feet. That way you can fight safely without having to worry about Darkness Summon or Darkness Magic.”

“I see. So, the risk of the Darkness Wolf using Darkness Summon or Darkness Magic increases if you aren't able to stun her due to her using False Shadow after you unleash Dragon King Swordsmans.h.i.+p.”

“Yeah. Darkness Magic poses almost no problem. As for Darkness Summon, if it summons a shadow cane and switches to Jojutsu Mode, it's fine. But if it switched to the Dark Flame Spear, the strongest mode……”

“……What happens then? “

“I might have to use that…… my hidden card.”

＜Status Details＞

Named after shogi pieces (The word in bold is the one being used in this translation). From easier to acquire to harder.

Swordsmans.h.i.+p

s.h.i.+eldmans.h.i.+p

Archery

They use the “Form” or “step” system of martial arts. From lower to higher.

From lower to higher, then it changes to the “Dan” system of martial arts, which means Grade.