Chapter 151

Chapter 151

Walking with quick strides, I look at the notifications .

The advanced skill branching from the skill I most frequently use, .

However, contrary to its name, this skill doesn’t have an image of being any way more superior .

Far from that, this looks more like a basic skill than—-

[No, that’s not right . ]

It’s still too early to measure my Abnormal State Skills based on the standard image .

At first glance, this skill may look useless .

However, this could change depending on how I could use this .

My other skills also held power beyond my preconception .

This is the “Failure Frame” Abnormal State Skill that has already saved me countless times .

There must be somewhere I could use this skill .

However, my first priority right now is to check if those guys are alright .

I rushed towards where Pigimaru and Slei should have been .

▽

Thankfully, Pigimaru and Slei are still alive .

However, Slei had her transformation released and is quite worn out .

Even after releasing her transformation, there’s still her wound on her left hind leg .

Bandaging her wound with a piece of cloth, I carry Slei on my shoulder .

If it’s in the size of her first form, I could still carry her .

Is it thanks to the status correction that she’s lighter than I thought?

I don’t know if it’s the effect of the or status correction .

……Well, both of their numbers were the same anyway .

Either way, having this status correction is quite beneficial for me .

▽

[Paa…… kyuu……]

[That’s enough, just relax and rest already . ]

Muddy water piling up on the ground .

I tread through that muddy ground one step at a time .

I was walking in the woods carrying Slei .

Pigimaru is taking some rest while he’s coiled around my waist .

Is it because he’s exhausted?

He isn’t coiled around my waist that tightly .

[I’m sorry for unreasonably overworking the two of you . ]

The rain that had been violently crashing down on us has already stopped .

It’s as if the ending rain overlaps with the end of the battle .

The cloudy skies have begun to be dyed in clear reddish color .

It seems that the day is about to end .

Were Seras and the others still waiting in that cave?

……It’s not like I’m reluctant to walk all night when I’m alone .

I’m already used to the darkness .

However, considering Slei’s current state, I can’t afford to do anything unreasonable .

The sound of water dripping down from a leaf .

The sunset finished dying this complex maze-like sea of trees in its color…

“Drip, drop . ”

A drop of water fell from the top of my hair down to my toe .

Those toes continued walking forward .

The ravages of our massacre continuously plunge into my line of sight .

Fallen and broken trees .

The ravages of the violent battle telling its story within this silence .

The nearby places I pass by as I walk back is brimming with monster corpses .

Occasionally, I could hear some groans coming from somewhere .

They’re probably some monsters still living even after being poisoned .

[Now then…]

The ruined path that I’ve been following…

I look ahead on this path .

[I wonder where my current place right now matches with the map I remembered…]

As one would expect, it’s impossible for me to be always aware of my current location even in the middle of a fight .

[Well, if I keep following this disastrous path, I should eventually be able to come back . ]

[Pakyuuu……]

Then, Slei began waving her tail .

[Hmm? What’s the matter?]

Her tail keeps on swinging towards a certain direction .

[Should I go that way?]

[……Pakyuu . ]

[You…… You could still smell Seras and the others’ scent even in this kind of situation?]

[……Kyunn . ]

An affirming soft cry .

[—-I understand . ]

Following Slei’s directions, I proceeded further .

On the way, Pigimaru asked if I’m alright .

“I’m alright”, I replied .

[I’m still the Hero-sama whose level exceeds Lv 2000 after all . ]

I was a discarded one, though .

It’s good that Seras isn’t here right now .

If she were here, she would know that my “I’m alright” reply earlier was a lie .

[As expected, I never thought that I would defeat that amount of monsters unscathed…… However—]

The reason why I survived in that scramble of life .

The differences between the strengths of the Human-Faced were quite large .

Yes— there weren’t any of them that were as strong as the Soul Eater .

That one with the smiling face we met in the ruins we’ve passed by before .

Even that one wasn’t as strong as the Soul Eater .

If that Soul Eater were considered as just average among the Human-Faced I’ve encountered earlier, I would have already died .

[It’s probably because that one is already a veteran in his duty of acting as the lid, preventing the disposed people from coming out… That must mean that guy’s an exceptional one . ]

Though I say that, there were some quick-witted monsters among those I’ve fought just now .

I’ve known their quick-wittedness with my own body .

However, those monsters that were drawn in by that scream……

[Perhaps, those ones which are the most atrocious and clever wouldn’t be drawn in by something like that . ]

The Demon Zone is dotted with underground ruins .

Human-Faced different from the ones I’ve fought should still be living there, looking at the rampaging monsters aboveground .

I can’t discard such a possibility .

[It might be dangerous to think that the Soul Eater is the most superior among the Human-Faced……]

Absentmindedly walking for a while, I kept moving my feet .

▽

I take a deep breath .

[…………………………… . . Well, I already expected this . ]

If they were to find a weakened prey, they’d naturally come out .

There’s no reason for them to overlook this opportunity .

The monsters gathered .

However, this could also be interpreted positively .

There’s an area where the monsters who deserted earlier carefreely loitered around .

And now, they’ve come back .

[………………… . ]

The strength of these monsters should be fairly well huh…

I am now carrying Slei .

I’m also quite exhausted .

Pushing through this amount of monsters would be quite tough but—-

[Well, their number and quality doesn’t matter . In that case…… Status Open . ]

I could try my new skill .

Its MP consumption is .

The consumption of my other skills were just .

……That’s quite a big jump there .

However, my remaining amount of MP is more than 60000 .

It wouldn’t be a problem even after trying it once .

Whatever its effect is, if it’s no good, I could just deal with them with my other standard skills .

The excited voice of monsters quivered under the twilight .

Slei and Pigimaru tried to take action .

“Leave it to me”, or so I said as I stopped them .

[]

Now then, I wonder what would happen—–

[……… . . ,————-Wha!?]

My eyes opened wide .

The first thing that caught my eyes was my status display .

My MP entry .

It decreased at a frightening speed .

[What the heck… is this skill? This is as MP-consuming as Pigimaru’s connection technique… No, it could even be worse—–]

Suddenly, I noticed it .

The decrease rate of my MP is more than I expected .

Moreover, while I’m absorbed looking at it—–

Arrows and spears were flying towards me from all directions .

However, they’re not as skillful as I expected .

More particularly those spears that were completely off target .

I unsheathe the dagger on my waist .

There’s a wide difference if you compare their archery skill to Seras’ .

I wouldn’t be killed by arrows like this .

It was at that moment when I finally decided and started moving .

[………… . Ah?]

They’re slow?

Whether it’s the spears…

The arrows…

Or the monsters’ movements…

Even the beads of water falling from the leaves were slow .

Yes, it’s as if everything is subtly—-

Slow .

However, only I……

Only I could move normally .

I couldn’t feel any change or discomfort in my movements .

Therefore, it’s just me noticing the changes brought by huh .

[Moreover……]

It’s not that slow like that so-called “Slow-motion” .

What about Pigimaru and Slei?

Calling out to them…

[Pii . ]

[Pakyuuu~]

They just replied like normal .

Their cries didn’t slow down .

Is it because they’re quite close to me?

If that’s not the case……

There must be a certain meter of radius in which they’re unaffected, or something like that?

Or perhaps, both of those could be the answers……?

[……I’m going to let go for a few moments, Slei . ]

I hold out my hand .

The speed of the approaching monster…

I have enough time before it could even approach .

I can’t feel any worry about this situation falling into crisis .

If that’s the case—- how about I verify it?

[]

It’s not possible for me to use this together with its advanced skill huh .

Then, next would be…

[, , ]

I can’t use any skill together with it .

[It could only be used alone huh . Well……]

Changing the grip on my dagger, I quickly close the distance with the monster .

[Depending on the way I use it, this could be usable in various ways . ]

I get ready while walking .

I passed by the spear that had slowed down .

The word is still quite slow .

I finally came before the monster who threw that spear .

The monster looks bewildered .

Well, it’s no wonder why .

[I guess I need to confirm this later huh . ]

My free left hand .

I walk forward with my left hand sticking forward .

Thereupon, when I got closer to a certain distance—-

[Gruu……? Gauuuuu—–]

The slowness of the monster disappeared .

But when I see that it’s going to move normally, I immediately pull away my hand .

The monsters were brought back into the world of slowness . (T/N: za warudo)

This means……

[The range, huh?]

When they’re within a one meter radius around me, their slowness disappears… .

So, is that why Pigimaru and Slei weren’t affected?

[In that case……]

With a step, I quickly come close towards the monster .

Swoosh

I slash the monster’s throat with my blade .

Splllllaaaattttt!

I could now understand the range where the slowness disappears .

And, in this state……

[It’s a lot slower for the enemy to move into defense . ]

In other words, it’s easier for me to attack first .

With this, it seems to be easy to aim at their vital points .

This would be quite frightening for the other party .

An attack is drawing near in front of you .

However, moving into defense is delayed .

I turned back .

I still have other monsters to deal with .

There’s still three more monsters .

There was bewilderment and fear on the face of these three .

[………—–Wait . ]

When I invoked that skill……

All four of them weren’t in my sight .

I was assaulted from the front, left, right and behind me .

Yes, the monsters came from “every direction” .

So far, the property of my Abnormal State Skills were as follows .

“If the target isn’t within sight, the invocation condition couldn’t be met . ”

However, this new skill…

[Even if the target isn’t within sight, all targets within the skill’s range would be affected……]

I see——– “Advanced” skill huh .

I begin running my thoughts .

Just for instance…

I’m in a situation where I couldn’t attack first or had been surprise attacked .

At that time, I feel that is when this skill could show its true value .

Or perhaps, when I want to escape from the attack range of my opponent .

If I were to use it well, I can expect this skill to be active when I need to avoid or block attacks .

[I should verify the maximum range of my skill later . Next would be……]

Whether an object would still be affected by my skill after I touch it, and if I could move it myself .

Slei’s tail swayed .

I feel like—- it sometimes crosses over the one meter radius .

However, the speed of her tail didn’t slow down .

That means… Is it that a person could still normally move if they’re in contact with me?

[Hmm? What’s with these numbers……?]

I noticed the additional display next to my MP .

Balance: 1359 / 5000

Balance: 1313 / 5000

The numbers were steadily decreasing .

……Ah, so that’s how it is .

[The duration of the skill is until the 5000 MP was fully consumed and it falls down to zero huh…]

Then, a certain prediction came into my mind .

[……Perhaps, I may be able to see each of the duration of my skills . ]

With that thought running on my mind, I quickly dealt with the remaining three monsters .

Before long, the numbers 1313 dropped down to 0 .

The speed of the world returns .

[I still have plenty more MP remaining…… Now then—-]

I felt the presence of more monsters .

[Should I try it out with them too?]

I walk a little closer towards the approaching monster .

Verification starts .

[]

(T/N: It was stated as cool time in raws, but I think more people would know what this means when I word it as cooldown . )

[Well, so that’s how it is huh . ]

This new skill .

Each time you use it, a separator of “5000 MP” is already provided .

What does that mean?

“That means I couldn’t just use all of my MP for a single use . ”

In other words, it’s not possible to continuously use this skill by consuming all of my MP .

The consumption of 5000MP for one use .

A separator .

Once you use up the 5000 MP, it will be automatically released just like earlier .

[That also means that I couldn’t use the tactics of repeatedly activating and releasing huh . ]

“Cooldown”

There must be some kind of restriction for having such a convenient power .

That’s how society works .

No……

My Abnormal Status Skills are still too convenient even with that .

I look back and start moving forward .

[Anyway, I somehow understand the property of —- to some extent . ]

I would deal with the rest of the monsters the same as I usually do .

[Then, with this……, ——–Hm?]

I can feel my legs wobbling .

My knees gave in .

However, I stand firm and pick myself up .

……I can’t step any further soon huh .

I finish it off with my dagger .

I still can’t use because it’s still in cooldown .

However, there’s no problem .

Putting strength into my body, I held out my arm just as I always do .

[It’s a bit tough fighting with this amount of monsters in this current state but…… I should be able to do it with the skill I’m most familiar with . ]

Then…

[Pa- Pakyyuuu!]

Suddenly, Slei got excited .

[……I know . ]

There’s an unusual one mixed along those monsters’ group .

It’s a bit troublesome in my current state .

It’s approaching this place at a tremendous speed .

………………… .

If it’s possible, I would need to deal with this one first .

I turn my arm towards the direction of that thing .

Although there were still the other monsters approaching us, this one should be dealt with as soon as possible——-

Slassshhh!

The body of a fractured monster .

An arc of blood drawn out in mid-air .

[Gururu…… Garururururuuuuuuuuuuuu………]

I lower my raised arm .

[So that’s why…]

Is that why Slei was quite excited?

……I should have expected to see her here but…

[I’ve finally found you, my lord . ]