CH 204

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I couldn’t hide my agitation at Aiba’s words.



It wasn’t just because he admitted that he was a monster.



It was because his words were so ‘normal’.



Even Ono and those intelligent zombies had some color of emotion when they said they were monsters.



Ono was frightened, and the intelligent zombies were proud.



But this person was neither.



He admitted that he was a monster as naturally as if he was breathing.



I found it very creepy.



“……Is it so surprising? I just admitted that I’m a monster.”



“No, that’s….”



Aiba was smiling as if he was enjoying my reaction.



“Well, you’re right. If I were in the opposite position, I would be creeped out too. You can’t help but be on the lookout for something fishy, something that’s definitely suspicious.”



“Aiba……, you used to be ‘human’ right?”



“…… Yes, that’s right.”



After a short pause, Aiba nodded at my question.



“I knew it.”



“…… From the way you talk, I take it you know other people who have become monsters?”



“…… Yes, I have a friend who became a monster.”



“Oh, I see. That’s why you’re so calm, isn’t it? Well, I’m glad. To tell you the truth, I was wondering what I would do if you attacked me without asking any questions.”



Aiba released a sigh of relief, as if he was truly relieved.



“Ever since I became a monster, I’ve been sensitive to any strong presence. To tell the truth, I’ve been worried ever since you came here.”



I wonder if Ono also felt the same way when he saw me…



It’s strange to be treated like a monster by a monster.



That’s how strong we’ve become, I guess.



…… It’s only been about a month since the world became like this.



“… By the way, I’d like to ask you, what on earth do I look like?”



I was so curious that I couldn’t help but ask him.



Aiba put his hand on his chin and thought for a moment.



“That’s right….. I found a giant tree monster not too long ago, and it scared me just as much as you did.”



I’m as terrifying as Peony….. It’s hard to be happy about that.



But I’m glad he seems like a good guy.



I was wondering what I would do if it turned out to be hostile.



“Aiba-san, I’d like to ask you a few questions …….”



“What would they be?”



“Actually, I have a friend in my group who knows the woman I just saved, and I’d like to ask you some questions about her and her mother……”



“The woman you saved – that would be Goshogawara, right? I was so delighted when I received the news. With the state of the current world, I am extremely happy to hear that her family member is still alive. I hope they can reunite again soon.”



“Yes, I feel the same. But there’s something that’s been bothering me a bit…..”



“What do you mean?”



Aiba stared at me.



I’m not sure if I should be asking this question or not, to be honest.



If it was someone like Nishino here, he would be able to lead the conversation naturally and get the information he needs, but I’m not that good at it.



So, I’ll just ask him directly.



“……She and her mother lost their memories of the days after they were attacked by a monster. Do you know anything about it?”



“—“



When I asked this, Aiba’s expression changed.



The good-natured smile that he had on his face a moment ago faded and he turned serious.



“……If you’re asking that question, then you must know the characteristics of the Treant monster, don’t you, Kudou?”



“……Yes.”



“Is that so….”



Aiba folded his hands on the table and let out a deep sigh.



“…… Kudou, let me confirm one thing with you. The person who defeated the big tree monster, was that you?”



“Yes, it was. But it wasn’t just me, it was the result of all of us working together.”



“So that really is the case huh….. That’s right. If Goshogawara’s family is also there, it would be better to talk to them…….”



This response ……. This person really has something to do with it …….



As I waited for Aiba’s reply, I could feel my own heart racing.



It may be inappropriate, but I was secretly hoping that he had it.



I wondered if he might have that skill.



A skill that could be a hope for us – or for everyone.



Yes, the forbidden power that can bring dead people back to life – the “resurrection” skill.



“Get the hell up.”



Meanwhile, Rebel was looking down on Nishino and the others with a tree branch in her hand.



Rikka, Shibata, Goshogawara, Ono, and the other high school students were all crawling on the ground.



Everyone was covered in wounds and breathing hard, they were barely able to stay conscious.



The war with the otherworlders would start in about six months.



By then, we must have the strength to fight the otherworlders.



This is why they are training, but their abilities are far below Rebel’s expectations.



(……shit, I didn’t expect them to be this weak….)



They were all unexpectedly weak. 



Even with everyone’s combined strength, they would not stand a chance against Kazuto alone.



She was impressed that they had survived with this level of strength.



It wasn’t just a matter of level or status.



It was the sheer lack of actual experience in battle.



They probably had never even fought properly before the world became like this.



(……This world must have been so peaceful……)



It was not that she thought it was a bad thing. In fact, she even envied it.



The lack of hostile forces such as monsters allowed this world to develop its culture and technology remarkably. Exchanges between countries thrived, and it was easy to experience the culture and food of other countries.



Of course, underneath the surface, there would probably be conflicts between countries, but still, looking at them, Rebel could see that they have lived a very peaceful life so far.



–I feel really sorry for them.



She felt extremely apologetic for dragging such a peaceful world into the turmoil of her world.



Normally, they would have grown up, married, started families, and died of old age without ever being exposed to such a desolate world.



“…..Get up quickly. Stand up, defeat him as quickly as you can.”



That is why Rebel glared at them ruthlessly.



She knew it was a selfish thing to do.



‘But now that I’ve gotten involved, I have to fulfill my responsibility as best I can.’



In order for them to survive as long as possible, she had to use the knowledge, experience, and power she had to prepare them as much as she could in the limited time she had.



“Hah …… hah… let’s do it!”



The first one to come back to life was Rikka.



She clutched the machete in her hand, her fighting spirit burning brightly.



“Good eyes you have there….. Come on, Ifrit, don’t hold back. Beat that girl to death.”



“Gooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”



In response to Rebel’s voice, the flaming giant that had been waiting behind her let out a yell.



–Ifrit, the Fire Spirit



It’s a spirit-type monster summoned by Rebel’s summoning magic.



It is a dark-skinned giant who was over two meters long, with arms, legs, and back covered in high-heat flames.



The skill is in the same line as Toka Igarashi’s spirit summoning, but there is a clear difference in the strength of the monsters it summons.



More than anything, there is a distinct difference between this giant Irfit and the spirit that Toka summons.



“Uryaaaaaaaaaaaa!”



Rikka transformed into a ‘demon’, grabbed her machete and charged forward.



At the same time, she activated the “Blood Art,” a skill that only demons possessed.



Geometrical patterns appeared on her skin, and her physical abilities and the power of her weapons surged exponentially.



With the combination of these skills and “madness”, Rikka could easily slaughter even a golem.



But…



“–You rely too much on your skills. Points deducted.”



“……! Kyaa!”



Irfit easily dodged Rikka’s attack and countered with a fist.



Rikka was blown away and slammed into the wall.



“’Madness’ enhances your physical abilities, but it also reduces your thinking and makes your movements more predictable. Your judgment will be clouded, and if your friends don’t support you in this situation, it could be fatal.”



“Uuu… ouch…”



With blood pouring from her head, Rikka stood up.



(….. with all that said, you’re remarkable when it comes to resilience…..)



Rebel’s summon, Irfit’s attack power far exceeded the power of a Titan.



She was surprised that even though Rikka took that attack head-on, she was able to get away with only that much.



(Maybe this girl was responsible for all the fighting in this group. ……)



While ‘demons’ are originally a race with excellent resilience, this girl is still in the early days of her evolution.



It must have taken a lot of practice to get to this point of evolution.



The skin that had been burned by the Irfit’s flames healed quickly.



“Your next task is to synchronize madness with reason. If you can do that, your power will grow by leaps and bounds.”



“Well, let’s try again! I’ll do better next time.”



“But first you have to put this on. You’ve burned your clothes to a crisp.”



“……?　Oh, that’s right.”



Rikka finally realized that she was almost naked.



Irfit’s flames had burned her clothes.



Her private parts were barely covered, but even so, her appearance was definitely quite sensational. In fact, it was more erotic than being naked because it was on the verge of being exposed yet it was hidden.



Fortunately, Nishino and the others were unconscious, so she was not seen by anyone, but she did not seem to mind the situation at all.



“You’re a girl of…. you should have a little more shame.”



“Ah, I’ve heard that a lot. I’ve been lectured by Nacchan a lot of times before.”



As she put her own robe on Rikka, Rebel sighed in her heart.



The person who falls in love with this girl will have a hard time, she thought.



“But, if I’m going to burn my clothes every time, should I wear a bathing suit or something instead?”



“Don’t worry. As your ‘Blood Art’ skill level increases, your control will become stronger. And when that happens, your clothes won’t burn anymore.”



“Wow, skills are really useful…”



Rikka checked the robe on her body.



The chest area is a little tight, but other than that, it’s fine.



“So, do I have to train all the time and not kill any monsters? I have to level up, right?”



“Didn’t I explain that to you before? Defeating the monsters I summoned is much more efficient than defeating the monsters outside. For you guys right now, that is the case.”



Yes, that was the clear difference between the monsters summoned by Rebel and those summoned by Toka.



They could get experience by defeating the monsters summoned by Rebel.



And since they were much stronger than normal monsters, the amount of experience obtained was enormous.



This is the main reason why Rebel is conducting this training.



However, you can’t get experience if you just let the monsters fall without resistance.



You can only gain experience if you properly subdue the summoned monster and make it admit defeat.



In addition, this method only works if your opponent is weaker than the monster you summoned.



So even if Kazuto, Sora, or Momo, who are stronger than Irfit, defeat Irfit, they won’t be able to gain experience.



You can’t level up endlessly by defeating summoned monsters.



“Then, I’ll take a break and try again… oh, there’s a mail.”



Suddenly, Rikka heard an announcement in her head: “A mail has been received.”



She opened the status screen and saw that it was, as expected, a mail from her best friend.



“They’re outside the base and you can still contact them?”



“Yeah. Hold on, I’m checking. Wait a minute, I’ll check it out. Let’s see, I found …… Goshogawara’s wife and daughter.”



“Wait, what’s wrong?”



Suddenly, Rikka’s expression changed, and Rebel tilted her head in confusion.



“Re, Rebel. Wait a minute. I got a really great mail from Natsu saying that Goshogawara’s wife and daughter are alive and that I need to tell this to Goshogawara right away.”



“….?”



She didn’t know what it meant, but for now she knew that something had happened outside.



Rikka immediately went to Goshogawara, who was unconscious.



“Goshogawara, wake up! This is no time to be fainting while holding a log! Nishi! Nishi, wake up too! Hurry up and wake up!”



“……! …..!?”



She slapped him and forced him to wake up. It looks very painful.



Rebel stood at the side, watching everything that was happening leisurely. No, don’t do that to him.



(…… Did they find any survivors?)



If they have found the family that others were separated from, that’s a good thing.



Without a second thought, Rebel looked towards the direction Kazuto and the others had gone.



And then…



“……ara?”



[T/N: Yes fellas, she said ara]



Suddenly, she felt a sense of discomfort.



She could feel Kazuto and his party’s presence from far away.



And there, she felt a strange presence near them.



“Is that just my imagination? ……No, it’s not.”



She immediately switched her thoughts and activated her advanced spotting skills.



In order to accurately grasp what the presence is.



And then



“…! This… what is it?”



When she realized what the presence was, her face twisted and her eyes widened.



It was impossible– there was a presence there that was not supposed to exist.