CH 54

(God of Calamity POV)

Kukuku, kuhahaha, ahahaha.

Oh dear, how unexpected, there is a model, and within such a short period of time, an individual with the status of a kin can perform outer skills, even if it is only a hollow shell and an imitation.

How fascinating. Indeed, it is fascinating. I would love to personally meet her at least once.

Well then, let’s make hay while the sun shines.

I have decided to head down to the girls.

(Third-person POV)

“What is that skill… I won’t tolerate that sort of skill…”

The “Crimson Scattering Spicy King” is watching the earlier battle in his room positioned in the innermost part of the “Red Tilt Taiji Cave”.

His expression is so vehemently wrathful that it frightens the Karajin at his side.

But that is also inevitable. This time, in order to suppress the rebellion of the slaves, the Spicy King dispatched not only his own kin, the Karajin, but also a whole range of other demons. The Spicy Thorn Lizard is the powerhouse of the demons that inhabit this dungeon that does not possess a high level of intelligence, and the Capsicaman is supposed to be the most formidable demon that the Spicy King could have created.

“How could such a cheat-like skill exist…”

However, these two demons were brought down by the skill of a single intruder.

Such a thing is unbelievable. Even if that intruder is actually a kin of another Demon Lord, there is no way for her to possess that kind of skill. This was what the Spicy King concluded.

In fact, he is not wrong in his assessment.

Whether this is the hobby of the God of Calamity who has introduced the skill to this world, or whether there is some other meaning to it, only she knows, but at least among the skills the God of Calamity has endowed the living beings of this world, there is “no skill that can 100% annihilate an opponent when unleashed without preparation”. Well, there is such a thing as “a skill that can 100% annihilate an opponent if it is unleashed with a substantial degree of preparation”.

Now, let’s return to the main subject.

Anyway, the Spicy King contemplates if it is possible to retaliate against these intruders if they approach here with slaves in tow.

Conclusively, if he engages the enemy with traps and fights, things could work out in his favor. However, it will cost him many sacrifices. Once that happens, another Demon Lord in the vicinity will invade. And could he fend them off as well?

In the first place, this notion is based on the assumption that the infiltrators do not hold any more tricks up their sleeves, and unless the identity of the skill that buried Spicy Thorn Lizard and Capsicaman is ascertained, he can never use the word “absolute” in obliterating them.

The Spicy King growls prolongingly by himself.

(Mugi POV)

“Withdrawal?”

“Yes, that’s right. As you can see, our most elevated force has exhausted her SP.”

After saying this, I look at Ichiko, who is being carried on Izumi’s back.

“Besides, we’ve already investigated everything about this hierarchy and saved those who could be saved. There is little merit in venturing further.”

“But if we challenge him with this number of people, we might be successful in conquering the Demon King… and there may even be people being held captive ahead…”

A single human being says such a thing while facing my direction.

Well, I can understand that some humans would have this kind of opinion.

But that’s totally naive…

“I’m sorry, but the Demon King is not as weak as you guys assume. Remember that lizard and pepper man we encountered earlier? The Demon King is multifold stronger than them. To be frank, with the current us, we would likely suffer a crushing defeat, no matter how many thousands of us we bring to the fight.”

At my words, several people let out a gasp and express their disbelief.

However, that is the truth. I had witnessed the actual strength of the Fox Princess-sama once.

Back then, Fox Princess-sama split dozens of military elite in half within a flash, and her speed was surreal, that even the military members didn’t seem to be aware of the fact that they had died.

And presumably, I suspect that the master of those two, the “King of the Devouring Black Fog,” and the master of this dungeon, the “Crimson Scattering Spicy King,” are capable of similar actions.

Yes, to defeat the Demon King, what is essential is not a group of ordinary beings, but rather an assembly of individuals who collectively can be praised as heroes. And irrespective of how many level 1 members are united, they cannot eradicate the Demon King. Not to mention, in order to challenge the Demon King, there is a minimum level of competence required.

That is what I learned through observing Fox Princess-sama’s strength in the battle that took place.

“The next floor is probably going to be a full-fledged intruder defense floor, as opposed to a user-friendly one like this one.”

“B-but… there are still people to be saved…”

So you’re saying there are still other humans that are alive beyond this floor huh?

“That’s impossible. It is true that the Spicy King is a guy who tries to hunt all the humans without any second thoughts, but considering that no reinforcements have come after the defeat of his two demons earlier, he is most likely fully prepared and waiting ahead of us. With such a character, I doubt he would let a living person past this point. At the very least, he would have made them into Karajin. Well, if you insist on casting aside your life, I’d rather you be a source of food for me and this girl, not the Spicy King.”

I pat Izumi on the shoulder, after which all of them are downcast in silence.

“If you understand, flee to the north at the earliest time. After all, with this many people, we have to expect that the Spicy King will be after us even after reaching the outside.”

“Y-yes!”

Upon hearing my words, all the humans begin running towards the outside at once. Then the others and I retreat from the “Red Tilt Taiji Cave”.