Published at 27th of July 2022 11:37:18 AM

646 The Tower Door

With the death of the hecatoncheir, Aros level has risen from 102 to 106, whereas treants has risen a little more, going from level 102 to 107. Aro of course did more damage, but I guess either treants [Death God Seed] counted, or his disruption was recognised.

Ah, sorry about this! To think Id overtake you again, Aro-dono!

Treant stands up straight. Aro stares at him with an indescribable expression.

Sorry, Miia. I asked for something selfish and used up more energy than needed.

I bow my head down to Miia.

Its okay, you didnt exhaust yourself too much. This much is totally fine. Besides, Im glad to witness the growth of my new accomplice. Letting your sword get knocked away to catch the hecatoncheir by surprise was good.

Miia shoots me a thumb up.

Y-yeah, I also feel like I gained something from that.

I feel a little embarrassed It feels genuinely heartwarming to be praised by someone more skillful than me.

I look back over the Ngai Forest.

Its not just the hecatoncheir. I get the feeling that everybody here is asking me to kill Gods Voice. I need to carry their will with me as I escape to the surface.

Ive taken their proof of having lived by taking their experience points and combat experience. I cant let it go to waste. It would be unforgivable if I were to now be toyed around by Gods Voice before dying a miserable death.

Miia stares at the hecatoncheirs dead body in silence. Her expression is entirely blank. Sometimes she can appear chillingly expressionless like this.

Miia?

Yeah, thats right. I think so too.

Miia nods, then looks at the tower entrance.

Lets go. The pitiful guardian is no more. But dont know what could be waiting for us inside.

Thats true

This battle didnt exhaust us too much. I had thought it would be a bit closer, but apparently the hecatoncheir was particularly bad at fighting multiple opponents at once. Thanks to treants surprisingly effective disruption, Aro breaking it out of [Shadow Dance], and the hecatoncheir choosing an entirely inefficient strategy at the end, I still have almost eighty percent of my MP remaining.

Even if a second hecatoncheir comes out of the tower, I dont think wed lose. For that matter, Miia is so reliable that even if a dangerous monster is inside, I dont think well be in much danger. Shes a maximum level Legendary, and her sword skills are top-notch. Shes capable of overwhelming an opponent of the same rank, and can hold her own against a more powerful opponent. She didnt fight Gods Voice three times for nothing.

As the one most able to take a hit, Ill go first.

I say as I place a foreleg on the tower door.

Master-dono, in that case I could!

Youre not able to respond if something happens. You also cant fly away fast enough..

Treant slumps down in dejection. It seems he thought this was another opportunity to make use of his strengths. But the door is barely ten metres tall, so he couldnt fit through in his current form anyway.

Im opening it! Everyone, brace yourselves!

I push against the door. It doesnt move. I push harder. It still doesnt move.

The gazes on my back feel hot. I-is it a sliding door? I try pushing to the side with my claws, but it still doesnt move.

Whats wrong, Irushikun? Id rather you stopped the dramatic pause.

Miias words cause my spine to shiver. Even when shes saying something normal, it sometimes feels completely terrifying when she addresses me.

GuuOOOh!

Roaring, I punch the door. It doesnt budge.

Sorry, it looks like its not going to open.

Upon hearing me, the tension visibly fades from Aro and treant. Rather than being disappointed, I think just relaxed now they know nothings about to come barging out.

Miia, however, is staring at me expressionlessly, not moving an inch. Her eyes are cold! A forced smile suddenly appears on her face.

Hahaha To find out we dont fit the requirements to enter this late is a serious problem. We probably dont have long before my [God of Madness] progresses. It might just be stiff. Lets try attacking it all together.

T-thats right. It might just be a little resistant to opening immediately after the battle.

We stand in a line and face the door. I gather mana in my mouth to prepare [Gravidon]. My magic is more powerful than my physical attacks, and other than [Hellgate], this is my strongest magical attack.

Is everyone ready? Well do it together!

Im ready, dragon-god-sama!

Aro has split into three with [Darkness Kaleidoscope], and each copy is holding the light of [Dark Sphere] in their hands.

Im also ready.

Black light is gathered at the tip of Miias sword. Shes also using [Dark Sphere]. Shes better with physical attacks in combat, but I guess magic will provide more immediate damage.

Please wait a moment, master-dono!

As though startled by treants exclamation, one of the Aros fires off her [Dark Sphere] early.

Ah, the Aro triplets say together. Then, as though enticed by the first, another Aro releases her [Dark Sphere], and then the last Aro hurriedly releases her own.

D-doesnt it feel like one of her clones is always different from the rest!? What is [Darkness Kaleidoscope] doing!

At this point, its probably better if I join in. I release my [Gravidon] at the door.

are we shooting? Its okay to shoot now, right?

Miia hesitantly releases her [Dark Sphere]. Each of our attacks explode against the door. The black lights burst, scattering smoke and dust. I cover my face, enduring the backlash.

Did that do it?

The light clears, revealing the door without so much as a scratch.

No way Is it being protected by some sort of force? Do we need to go find a key?

Delayed, a red beam shoots from treant and strikes the door. Its his [Heat Ray]. The giant door suddenly shatters into pieces.

A moment of silence passes between us.

Was my [Heat Ray] always this strong?

Treant murmurs in surprise No, I think that was probably just a matter of accumulated damage. At any rate, it looks like weve avoided having to leave Miia behind.