Editor : Amethyst00



"I see. So the dispelling magic doesn't work?"

Giath stroked his chin.

The magic Leo had just used was a spell Giath was also familiar with.

Back in the Age of Calamity.

It was a spell that had hunted countless giant demons.

It was the unique magic of the Hero of the Beginning, Kyle.

The giant demons, with their massive builds, possessed weight as overwhelming as their size.

The heavier something is, the more it is affected by gravity.

Kyle took advantage of this, using gravity magic to hunt giants.

But it wasn't simply a spell that multiplied gravity.

Tartaros, too, knew of this weakness and had prepared countermeasures. When a giant demon is subjected to gravity beyond what its body can endure, the Blessing of Erebos is activated.

The blessing of the Flame of Calamity bestowed upon the giants.

Because of this, gravity magic powerful enough to destroy the body normally wouldn't work.

However, the reason Kyle could still hunt giants with his magic was because his mana attribute destroyed Erebos's blessing.

Of course, it wasn't magic that worked on all giant demons.

Some could endure the gravity with strong dark mana.

Others adept in dark magic could respond with Dispel.

But if they lacked such defenses, they had no choice but to succumb.

That was why Giath spent years researching Kyle's magic.

But Kyle, after being revived in the present world, had steadily developed his magic further.

That's why Giath's dispel spell didn't work.

Of course, that didn't mean Giath's research was worthless.

The foundation of Leo's spell was what Giath already knew.

In that case, all he had to do was recalibrate the dispel code to match.

'Besides, it's impossible to keep using large-scale magic like that repeatedly.'

Unless you're the Poet of Star?

Even the Hero of the Beginning has limits.

'Especially if he hasn't regained his former power yet.'

Giath's eyes gleamed.

He continued to observe the battlefield from the rear.

Giant King Giath.

He was a cautious demon.

The complete opposite of the warlike Monster Queen, Sillatna.

At a glance, he seemed similar to the Lich King who enjoyed crushing enemies with traps and schemes, but he was different.

Giath would never enter a fight unless he was absolutely certain.

He simply observed the situation.

On this battlefield, Giath was confident he could defeat the Hero of the Beginning and Dweno.

But that didn't mean he would recklessly charge in.

The opponent was no less than the Great Hero.

One who killed a god and thwarted the ambitions of the demons.

One who turned countless impossibilities into reality.

Even if it was just two of them, utmost caution was required.

Moreover—

'Where is Dweno?'

The most troublesome enemy, Dweno, was nowhere to be seen.

'What are you scheming, Hero of the Beginning… Divine Blacksmith…'

There was definitely a scheme.

It was highly likely to be a trap targeting him.

He was surely hiding somewhere, waiting for the right moment to strike.

'Do you think I'd fall for such a shallow trick?'

The army could be rebuilt if lost.

But if he, the legion commander, fell—then it was all over.

Weaken the prey.

And in the moment they feel assured of victory—

'I will sever your heads!'

Giath's eyes flashed again.

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"A-Amazing! Black Rabbit!"

Aru raised both hands and jumped up and down.

"You're starting to seem almost human!"

"Is that a compliment or an insult?"

Leo clicked his tongue, glancing back.

But only briefly.

He focused again on the Giant King's army.

He could feel the unrest among the troops.

They likely didn't expect that many of their forces would be wiped out by a single large-scale spell.

Especially when it involved the giant demons, known for their high defense.

But the confusion only lasted a moment.

The chaos in the army was quickly brought under control.

Only a small portion had died instantly from Leo's magic.

While an unexpectedly large number were taken out at once, that was it.

'Casting such grand-scale magic repeatedly is impossible unless you're Luna.'

Even more so with his current power.

'Not that it matters.'

Leo's goal wasn't to instill fear in the entire army.

"Ahh……"

"This magic…!"

Several demons fell into panic.

They were the high-ranking members of the Giant King's army, survivors of the Age of Calamity.

Just their delirium from fear was enough to say the spell had been effective.

Causing a crack in the previously solid army— That was Leo's goal.

"Leo!"

At that moment, Enniha ran over urgently.

"Where's Dweno? I don't see him!"

"If you mean Dweno, he went to retrieve the sacred weapons!"

"Sacred weapons?"

"Yes!"

Aru gave a confident nod.

"He'll be here soon."

Leo answered calmly as well.

"Until Dweno gets here, prepare. It'll take the enemy some time to recover from the chaos."

"What? The spell was powerful, sure, but… enough to throw the army into chaos…?"

Now was the time to strike the crack.

"We're about to stir things up."

"What are you talking about?"

"Aru, follow me."

"Huh? Okay!"

Leo leaped off the wall without hesitation, and Aru followed him.

"What?!"

Enniha looked down from the wall, shocked to see them leap.

As Leo fell, he kicked off the wall.

Using the rebound, he launched himself directly at the enemy army.

Groooaaaar!

Behind him, Aru let out a howling roar.

She too kicked off the wall and charged forward.

"What kind of maniacs are they?!"

Charging straight at the enemy army, even if you're confident in your skills?!

There's a limit to recklessness.

"To save the world, maybe you really do need to be that crazy… No! She's not even a cat! What is she?!"

As Enniha stood dumbfounded, one of Ivaldi's warriors approached.

"Lady Enniha! We must provide support—!"

"…No."

"Excuse me?"

"They didn't ask for help. If those two went alone, they must have a plan."

"B-But!"

"Let's believe in them."

Enniha gazed at Leo and Aru.

"Just like we believe in Dweno. Let's trust that person too."

Dweno trusted Leo.

Then they must believe too.

"Everyone, prepare to defend the wall."

"Yes ma'am!"

Ivaldi's warriors sprang into action.

While directing the troops, Enniha saw the dwarf boy working the defense weapons and spoke.

"Deet."

"Yes! Lady Enniha!"

Deet rushed over.

"Watch Leo carefully."

"Huh? I've been watching, but…"

"That kid… survived multiple times on the battlefield thanks to weapons your father made."

"…What?"

Deet's eyes widened.

"You remember your father saying he wanted to help save the world, right?"

"…Yes."

As Deet clenched his fists, Enniha patted his head and smiled.

"I'll tell you, Deet. Your father… saved the life of a hero who will save the world."

"Huh? Save the world?"

"Yes, that's why you need to watch."

Enniha looked toward Leo.

"This is the fight of the man who will save our world."

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Fwooooosh—!

Leo dashed forward at incredible speed.

The Giant King's army could be clearly seen from atop the fortress walls.

But that was only because they were giants.

In truth, there was a great distance between the wall and the army.

Yet Leo closed that distance in an instant.

"Fiora, Kiran, Alty."

Vooom—!

At Leo's call, the three mythical beasts responded.

Not a summoning.

Their blessings cloaked Leo's body.

Fwoooosh—

Crackle!

Voooom!

"Whoa!"

Aru looked amazed.

The Gauntlets and Greaves forged by Divine Blacksmith, Dweno, were now infused with the flames of the Phoenix and lightning of the Pegasus.

A barrier enveloped Aru's body as well.

Same with Leo.

His sword, his feet, and his body were all protected by the mythical beasts' power.

And that wasn't all.

Runes flowed from Leo's mouth.

Star mana surged, filling him with vitality.

The divine beasts' blessings and starlight magic enhanced his power.

"This is amazing!"

Aru's eyes sparkled as she looked at her fists.

"Activate Hypersensory perception! Cover me!"

"Leave it to me, Black Rabbit!"

With a grin, Aru stood behind Leo.

Fwoooosh—

BOOOM!

A blade of crimson flame sliced through a leading Gigantes.

GRAAAAGHHHH!

Leaving behind its shriek of pain, Leo cut down another massive beast beside it.

He wasn't heading for the center of the army.

He was peeling back the outer layers like the skin of a fruit.

Slashing through the outer ranks to halt the advance.

Leo's Hypersensory perception erased blind spots.

Of course, even if he could sense all incoming threats, he couldn't block everything targeting him.

But Leo wasn't alone.

He had a comrade watching his back.

"Hrrraaagh!"

BAM!

Aru kicked away a giant crossbow bolt aiming for Leo's back.

A monstrous bolt like something from a ballista.

As it bounced back and spun through the air, Aru kicked the fletching and sent it flying toward the giant who shot it.

Thwack—!

"Gurk?!"

The bolt pierced the giant's forehead, killing him instantly.

Aru crouched as another Gigantes approached.

Fwoooosh—! Crack!

Flames and lightning swirled at her fingertips and toes.

Her flame-coated claws tore the Gigantes unit apart and incinerated them.

Her kicks exploded enemies' heads and cooked them on impact.

Her ears twitched nonstop.

Movements within the Hypersensory range became sharper.

'They're all focusing on Black Rabbit. I can see their movements clearly!'

One step, then another.

She advanced further into her Hypersensory zone.

The more she fought, the more immersed she became.

'This one…'

Leo's eyes widened at Aru's movement behind him.

'She's growing stronger?'

It reminded him of someone— Someone who always gave him courage.

Gripping his sword tighter—

FWOOOSH—!

A massive sword suddenly appeared before him.

'It slipped through my blind spot?'

An attack beyond his Hypersensory range.

Leo looked up.

'Giant Knights.'

As Leo braced—

"Not so fast!"

BAM!

"Aru?"

Aru had reached the area even Leo's perception couldn't react to.

TAP—!

"As long as I'm here, not a single hair on Black Rabbit will be touched!"

Aru snorted proudly.

"Amazing, truly."

Just then, a figure appeared in the air, smiling.

"Nareda."

"It's been a while, Hero of the Beginning, Kyle. You've got a fearsome little pet cat there."

"Who are you calling a pet cat?!"

Aru bared her teeth and growled.

"I'll rip you to pieces!"

She clenched her fists with fury, then glanced at Leo.

"Huh? Hero of the Beginning?!"

As Aru stood in shock, Leo talked.

"You've picked up a few more cheap tricks over 5000 years."

"Heh, those cheap tricks are what kept me alive until now."

As Nareda bowed politely, Leo narrowed his eyes.

"Your master's cowardice hasn't changed, I see."

"Watch your tongue. He is cautious—because he sees through your devious trap."

"A trap, huh…"

Leo smirked.

"Well, I appreciate the compliment."

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'…Why? Why hasn't he shown himself, Dweno?'

Giant King Giath's face twisted.

The Hero of the Beginning had charged in.

Then the strongest shield, Dweno, should have taken the lead.

The role of that fledgling called the Brave's successor should have been Kyle or the real Brave.

But Dweno's role was being played by Leo.

And the Brave's role was being filled by a mere rookie.

'A pathetic impersonation of Dweno. It's a trap.'

At first, Giath had laughed.

It was obviously a shallow trap.

But now, something felt wrong.

Giath's expression warped again.

'Could it be… Dweno isn't even on this battlefield? No! Impossible!'

No one knew Dweno better than Giant King Giath.

His eyes widened.

'What are you scheming, Kyle! Dweno!'