Demon-Hunting Genius Mage

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]

Chapter 56

Let's think calmly.

When the hell did this happen?

'...It was fine until we caught the Demon Turtle.'

Yes, it definitely started then.

After catching the Demon Turtle.

However,

'Could the Demon Turtle have caused this situation...?'

As far as I know, the Demon Turtle didn't have any mental or hallucinatory abilities.

It's a guy who can only deal physical damage with his strong jaw strength.

'Then... maybe during the last 100 years...?'

Did the Demon Turtle evolve?

…Well.

Honestly, that seemed unlikely.

No matter how long 100 years is, it's a ridiculously short time from the perspective of a creature evolving.

Moreover, a physical type monster turns into a monster that inflicts mental debuffs?

'That's ridiculous.'

There was definitely something else.

Something else that drove the party members crazy.

The hint is…….

'It must be there.'

I looked at the Demon Turtle's cave where my colleagues had entered.

If there was a problem there, it makes sense why only the survivor lady and I are fine.

Because we never set foot there.

In other words, everything fits perfectly.

The problem is that even if I know this, there is nothing I can do about it.

I can't even go into the cave myself.

'What if I go crazy too?'

Then it's all over.

There will be no turning back.

'Hmm, what can I do...'

And then.

Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.

-Do you think this is some kind of game? These are demons, demons!

-Say that again. Who's going to die? Who's weak?

-…Where are you going, leaving us behind, fuck

Barundel, who is presumed to have lost his family while working as a demon hunter.

Thompson, who said it took a really long time to become a wizard because he had no talent.

And Kayla, who has terrible memories of being abandoned.

The moment their anger exploded seems to strangely overlap with the deficiencies they each have.

And if this thought is correct.

'…No way.'

It's not some turtle.

There was only one being capable of this.

'...Asmodeus?'

Legion Commander, Asmodeus, Demon of Desire.

[TL/N: Asmodeus is female. I assumed she was 'male', based on the mythos but that’s not the case and so, from this chap I'll address Asmodeus as a 'Female' ]

It was clear that she was involved in this matter.

In some way or another.

Thump! Thump! Thump...!

As if to support my thoughts, my heart races.

Only then did I realize the gravity of the situation.

'...There's no time.'

Asmodeus's abilities can be broadly divided into two categories.

One is the ability to forcibly realize a target's desires.

The other is the ability to amplify a target's shortcomings.

And the most important thing is that these two abilities have the effect of gradually consuming the target.

The more time passes, the more people exposed to Asmodeus's abilities become unable to escape from their deficiencies or desires, and the end of those who reach that point is....

'...I've already seen it.'

They become fanatics who will stop at nothing to achieve their own goals.

Like Dercion, the Tower Head of Aldeon's Magic Tower.

That was the scary thing about Asmodeus's ability.

"Miss, what the hell are you dissatisfied with?"

"What am I dissatisfied with? Are you really asking that because you don't know?"

"Arguing in the middle of a battlefield... Are you deliberately trying to act pathetic?"

"What? Dwarf, you're the one picking a fight right now!"

The party members, with bloodshot eyes, gradually raise their voices.

"Sigh..."

Watching them, I closed my eyes tightly.

And

'I have to resolve this as quickly as possible.'

Starting with Asmodeus's characteristics, personality, weaknesses, countermeasures, and so on...

I started to recall all the information about her.

There must be a way to resolve this situation.

Eventually.

'That's right!'

I came up with a way.

Flip!

I immediately unfolded the map and checked our current location.

After that, I checked the location of the nearest dungeon from here.

We were already moving with the dungeon as our destination.

Fortunately, there was a dungeon not too far away, and with this...

'I can stop Asmodeus's encroachment.'

It was enough to turn the situation around.

***

Thump! Thump! Thump!

A heartbeat clearly different from usual.

Thompson put his hand on his chest and thought.

'What's wrong with my body...?'

It wasn't just his heart that was strange.

His breathing, muscles, his uncontrolled words and actions.

He was even filled with rage as if a fire was burning within him.

A situation where nothing goes his way.

'What the...'

How did this happen?

While looking around to find the answer, he made eye contact with Barundel.

"What are you looking at?"

He frowned with a disgruntled face, and seeing that, he got angry again.

Only then did Thompson realize why he was pissed off.

'...Yeah, that look. He's ignoring me right now.'

Being ignored by someone was the thing Thompson hated the most.

That's because he had been ignored to his heart's content since childhood.

His birth, his bloodline, his talent...

He had been discriminated against countless times simply because he lacked resources and power.

Of course, Thompson didn't stay silent.

He made huge efforts to avoid being ignored by people.

He invested time consistently every day to build up his small body, he didn't avoid fights if someone picked on him, and he changed his personality to avoid being looked down upon.

And after gaining strength... he even learned magic for status and honor.

This was the result.

A massive physique that doesn't fall short even when standing next to a barbarian.

Fighting skills that can subdue even a decent assassin with one hand.

A 3rd Circle mage who had mastered his own unique attribute.

Now, Thompson had become someone whom no one can treat carelessly.

Yes, he had come this far...

'...How dare you ignore me?'

Thompson gritted his teeth as he looked at the dwarf in front of him.

He didn't know how strong the small dwarf was, but he couldn't just stand being treated like this.

'Alright, let's have a go. You short-legged bastard!'

Thinking that, Thompson clenched his fists.

"Mister, are you serious?"

Someone walking in front turned around abruptly.

It was Yuhan, the man Thompson had vowed to protect with his life.

"...Ah."

Only after hearing his voice did Thompson realize that he had almost made a mistake.

To think he was about to fight with his own comrade just because there was a little trouble.

How could he be so pathetic?

'...I almost went astray. As expected of Mr First Place. To think he set me straight.'

Just as a sense of respect was about to arise.

"Hey, that's not right. Do you want your nose to get broken?"

"What...?"

Yuhan let out a chuckle, saying something unexpected.

"You're not being very self-aware."

With a look that clearly said, 'Do you think you can win?'

It was definitely a look of disdain.

"Mr First Place... are you ignoring me right now?"

"Ignoring you? I was just stating the reality."

"Reality?"

"Yes, reality. What can you do if you fight Barundel? I think you'll just get beaten up."

Thompson felt a deep sense of betrayal.

He never dreamed that Yuhan would say such a thing, that he would think of him that way.

"...Do you really think so? Mr First Place?"

"Do you think differently, mister?"

"Of course. I'm not someone who just gets beaten up anywhere."

"Really?"

Yuhan tilted his head and pointed behind him.

"Then show me yourself. Don't just talk."

Behind him was a lone building that looked like some kind of ruin...

"It's a dungeon. We can't fight here. You're not thinking of attracting all the demons nearby, are you?"

A dungeon. That place, said to be a space of a different dimension.

'Good, if it's inside there, I can fight without worry.'

With that thought, Thompson nodded.

"Is Barundel okay with this?"

"Of course. I wonder if I'll be able to loosen up my body."

Finally, the duel was set.

Thompson made up his mind.

He would take this opportunity to properly show them what kind of person he is.

***

I breathed a sigh of relief as I watched Thompson and Barundel glare at each other as if they were about to kill each other.

'Whew... those two are settled for now.'

The trickiest part was getting those two into the dungeon without breaking up the party, but with appropriate provocation and stimulating their competitive spirit, I succeeded without any problems.

Now all that's left is Kayla.

I looked at her and asked casually,

"Kayla, you're coming in too, right?"

"There? What for?"

"It'll be fun even if you just watch."

"What fun. I'm not interested in that kind of thing. Let them fight and die or whatever."

But as expected.

Currently at the peak of sensitivity, she wouldn't easily go along with anything.

Of course, it wasn't a problem.

I had devised a method in advance just in case this happened.

"Really?"

I shrugged with an indifferent expression.

"Ah, you're more comfortable being 'alone'? I didn't think of that."

"What?"

When I emphasized the word 'alone', Kayla frowned as if she was offended.

Her face looked like she would throw a fireball at the back of my head if I took my eyes off her for even a moment.

But I didn't back down and provoked her once more.

"As expected, people should live the way they've lived."

"...What do you mean?"

"Well, you know. Except for those people wearing masks in front, you've been alone your whole life, so how can you suddenly join us now?"

"...."

"I think I had unnecessary expectations for you."

I could provoke her more, but... she has a trauma of being abandoned by someone.

This should be enough.

I stopped talking here and called Thompson.

"Mister, let's go in now."

"Okay, I was waiting so long my neck was getting stiff."

Crack, crack, crack.

Thompson and Barundel walked briskly, stretching here and there.

'Please let there be no other variables...'

I also took a step forward, praying earnestly.

And I stopped with the survivor lady at the entrance of the building that looked like ruins.

It was so dark that I couldn't see an inch ahead, as if no light could reach this place.

'What kind of dungeon is it?'

That thought did cross my mind, but... well, it didn't really matter what kind of dungeon it was.

Right now, it just needed to be a dungeon.

Thump, thump.

Thompson walks into the darkness first.

Whoosh.

He had only taken one step in, but his figure soon disappeared.

Fortunately, it seems to be a dungeon.

Next, Barundel went in, swinging his axe, and I immediately followed him.

Tsssss!

A strange energy, like the one I felt when I entered the maze dungeon, enveloped my body.

At some point, my vision brightened, and I looked around.

The first thing I saw was...

"Oh, um..."

Thompson, lost in thought with a blank expression, as if he had realized something.

And...

"Yuhan... What in the world happened?"

Barundel, with his eyes wide open as if he didn't understand the situation.

Fortunately...

The madness I had seen in their eyes before was gone.

"...Huh?"

I turned my head at the exclamation from behind.

There, Kayla was sitting down, looking dumbfounded and exhausted.

"Are you feeling a bit more sane now?"

"..."

Kayla nodded, looking embarrassed.

It was the moment when all the party members returned to their senses.

[Translator - Prøks]

[Proofreader - Prøks]