Chapter 49

The situation of facing Erica at the entrance was refreshing.

“I saw some cigarette ash earlier.”

“I hid it. When did I get caught?”

“I hate people who smoke.”

“I need to quit right away!”

I slightly averted my gaze from the piercing look.

“Don’t worry. My kind can’t be addicted to nicotine. I only smoke occasionally.”

Still, it’s just an extract from the magic power bar.

“….Okay. I’m leaving.”

“Thanks for letting me know.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Click.

“Haah.”

A storm had passed.

I collapsed onto the sofa, feeling the weight of relaxation pressing down on me. My body, overwhelmed by tension, anxiety, relief, and pleasure, was difficult to manage.

“Is this even right…?”

Dragging my frail body along, Erica appeared. I thought she was an angel.

I imagined her with a halo. That was cute.

Thinking back, I only remember writhing in pleasure. In the swiftly flowing time, that was all I could do.

I blinked. So, has my house been discovered? Maybe I should move.

I twisted my flowing hair.

If it were that dangerous, I wouldn’t be gasping while clinging to Erica.

It’s contradictory, but Erica was very kind.

So what if I got caught?

I absorbed the scent remaining on the sofa and stood up. Stepping through the locked door, I activated the elevator.

Soon, I walked into a banquet of light meeting me. I surrendered myself to the buzzing noise that stimulated my ears.

I know very well that she can’t kill me right now. Even if she brings in personnel, the hostage situation would be unfavorable for her… Even if there were personnel, there wouldn’t be any. In any case, this house only seems to be mine on the outside.

I pondered for a moment. Anyway, it’s also time to redefine the relationship between her and me. I should investigate the outer situation due to the encroachment into the spirit world a bit more, and prepare for terror-focused on established other groups.

Every time, it brings me great joy to see Erica coming to stop me.

When the elevator arrived at the basement, I entered a space where various lights emitted glow. Holding the robe doll that was continuously supplied with energy through a small hose, I placed it in the glass bottle.

It’s a doll. Literally a substance. This materialization occurs when a spirit from another world loses its power.

[I should have killed it right at that moment. What a pity!]

I chuckled lightly while watching Bloody, who had slipped out of my pocket and disrupted the airflow.

Do you dislike it so much?

If I had cared a bit more about the spirit world, would I have disliked Seran too?

It’s not exactly an important thought.

Upon rising to the ground floor and exiting the house, I felt a slight shift in the air.

I gazed at the combination that had finished in the air, emitting a blue light.

3. The core of the beast, Behemoth.

The authenticity is certain.

It seems to directly derive its name from the amphibious beast mentioned in the Old Testament. Did this exist during our gaming days?

I didn’t engage in PvE, as I was too absorbed in PvP.

Anyway, to create a beast level entity, a gate or crack won’t suffice.

It has to be directly combined.

I turned my gaze while twisting my side hair.

A breathtaking view unfolded as the sun disappeared beyond the horizon. The expanse of terrain seemed to be filled with desolation, as if the effects of the invasion had not yet settled.

At times like this, I might encounter him. There are countless invisible corpses decorating the area.

There are many immediate goals to focus on, but the most pressing is Seran’s regeneration.

“I can’t imagine returning to its original form.”

[It looks nice. All an upgrade!]

Is that so?

“Is it a big deal for a spirit?”

[Not particularly. Even when I was in the spirit world, my body was small. Just like now.]

So, the original legion was that tiny? I’m curious to see it.

It’s been three days since the demise, so it’s a meaningless thought.

As I contemplated the materials needed for Seran’s regeneration, the path I was walking began to undulate slowly.

The earth faded to black, and the flowers and plants wilted.

Small patches of land were dug up in rectangular shapes, expelling soil. Graves engraved with unreadable letters started to appear one by one, and skeletons began to rise from the ground, creating noise.

A massive shovel struck the earth. Short, silver hair fluttered. The red scar etched in the right eye gleamed.

“Long time no see.”

“Gravedigger!”

He averted his gaze and tidied his hair.

“It’s the Lord.”

“Gravedigger!”

“Seems we can’t communicate.”

I twisted my side hair. In any case, he does look like a gravedigger.

“What about gender?”

“She’s a woman.”

“How fascinating.”

“I’m intrigued as well!”

The skeleton army surged forth, wielding shovels.

“Did you come to extract corpses?”

“Indeed.”

“That’s creepy! Necromancer Reaver!”

“I’m the Lord.”

Anyway, he’s quite a strong-willed individual.

The gray pupils turned to the side. The Reaver ruffled his hair.

“You’re noisy.”

“I don’t hear any sound.”

“Of course not. It’s a sound only I can hear.”

Aftereffects linger long. Just because a short war ends doesn’t mean everything stabilizes.

“It seems you managed well.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“What about Seran?”

“I’m in charge of that one.”

I pondered for a moment.

“Ah, is this an inducement?”

“How ridiculous.”

I chuckled slightly and turned my head. The skeleton was flailing around with a sword in the air. Is it going to slash even spirits’ corpses?

Anyway, it’s a good opportunity. The desolate land suits this meeting well.

“Seran has shrunk down.”

I pulled out the glass bottle. The doll had drooped.

“I see.”

“Huh? Isn’t it sad? At this rate, she’s going to die!”

“It’s not my concern. I feel no emotion.”

The Reaver swung the shovel. The surrounding black air flowed into his shovel.

“Do you dislike Seran?”

The Reaver turned his head. The doll was reflected in his eyes.

“I’ve never thought about it.”

“You’re a bad person!”

“I’m the mediator.”

The shovel split the air again. All the surrounding skeletons were crushed and disintegrated into dust.

“I’m merely a gatekeeper connecting the passage of life and death. I only follow the natural order.”

There was an icy chill in his emotionless tone. If this is a skill, then it certainly is a skill.

“That’s impressive.”

“You seem rather uninterested.”

“That’s true!”

I can’t just enjoy the moment without thought.

“You’re quite consistent.”

Everyone is like that.

“You seem a bit different.”

“Physically?”

“That and more.”

The Reaver subtly took the glass bottle. After eyeing the doll inside, he handed it back to me.

“I didn’t expect you to stop Seran.”

“Well… it just happened that way.”

No response came back. Perhaps it was due to a lack of interest.

A massive airflow surged once more. In the descending darkness, he struck the ground twice with his shovel.

“Regardless, thanks to you, I’ve made a good harvest. This is a reward for that.”

A black cube was handed over. I accepted it, tilting my head.

“If you’re talking about the spirit corpses, that’s not my merit.”

“Then return the cube.”

“What should I do? It’s already too late!”

I stuffed the cube into my bosom. The Reaver turned his back to me, tidying his hair with a blank expression.

He’s still a man of few words.

As I turned the cube over in my hands, I headed towards the association. Given how it seemed to contain all sorts of incantations, it probably required a different kind of magic power.

[Hoo! I thought I was going to die from suffocation!]

“He is a bit like that.”

[Is communication possible now?]

It is possible to communicate. It’s just that we have very little interest in each other.

“Somewhere in between being friendly and not being close…”

While I was chiming in with Bloody, I could see the association.

I entered and burst open the office door.

“Director!”

“That surprised me.”

The paper cup trembled. Coffee sloshed inside.

“If you drink too much caffeine, it’s bad for your health.”

“I’ve heard that twice today. Everyone’s too much.”

The director gave a slight smile. Seems like he looks a lot more relaxed lately, perhaps because things have been quiet.

“I found a way to regenerate Seran.”

“Oh?”

In an unexpected stillness, the director showed an intrigued expression.

“I can do good deeds too!”

I thought for a moment. Is bringing Seran back to life a good deed?

It seems more like a selfish desire not to sever ties.

It’s not exactly a problematic act. Once a spirit loses its strength, it cannot regain its original power. The spirit king is no exception. Moreover, she’s been heavily affected by the aftermath of the last battle.

I placed the black cube down.

“This just needs to be deactivated.”

I curled my fingers around it and lightly sprinkled blood-colored magic power. A red dagger was generated and stabbed diagonally into the cube.

“You’re not refusing, are you?”

“Once she regenerates, won’t this form be a limitation?”

“That’s true.”

“Then it’s perfect. It’ll be suitable to torment her.”

Watching the director set down his coffee, I pulled out the glass bottle.

The director’s red glint flashed. Black mist spread, filling the small space. A black dagger was generated and plunged into the cube.

From the cube, light began to shine, forming a magic circle. I gently placed the robe doll on top of it. A dark red energy temporarily surged and soared. Wind blew, and currents churned. Desks toppled, and furniture fell. Pieces of paper fluttered, creating noise.

Thunk.

“Ugh…”

The air settled. A deep voice was heard. Smoke soon dispersed.

The doll opened its eyes. The robe swayed, and golden pupils emitted a faint glow.

“What, what is this?”

I blinked and waved my hand lightly.

“Good to see you?”

“….Did you regenerate me?”

Being small, I couldn’t see their expression.

“Yes.”

Breaking the silence, the director grabbed Seran’s robe with his fingers.

“It’s perfectly sized to hold with one hand.”

“W-what…?!”

A line was tied to the window frame. The director held a clothespin. Soon, two clothespins pinched Seran’s arms and hung her from the line.

Dangling.

“How cute. I like it!”

“Ugh…! What is the meaning of this?!”

Seeing the director smile, I twisted my side hair. So, it seems to have worked. Now there’s no need to worry.

I blinked again. I looked around. A chill hit me in the chaotic office.

“Orly.”

I suddenly felt a burning sensation in my throat.

“You’ve turned the office into a wonderful piece of art?”

A chilling voice teased my ears. I quickly turned around.

“Hi there. You look beautiful today. Like an angel. Gorgeous.”

Erica squinted her eyes slightly and crossed her arms. Desperate, I hurriedly thought of my next words.

“Cute, lovely, and wait a minute! No violence!”

It was a meaningless struggle. A broom swung.

It hurt.