Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 112: South Zircon Conquest – Confrontation.

Seeing—no, hearing that the entity knows how to converse, I breathe out a sigh of relief. At least, it can teach me if I win.

Feeling as though I won't be attacked immediately, I take a step into the temple's ground. In an instant, a brief chill runs through my body, indicating that I've entered the entity's territory.

''Come out.'' I speak up.

After a short silence, the old door of the temple's building creaks open. Leisurely, a faint silhouette of someone appears, cutting through the faint fog.

The somber-looking man has long black hair tied into a ponytail, an unkempt beard, and strangely hollow eyes. At first glance, some will inevitably mistake him for a ghost—a swordsman ghost since two Katanas are hung on his waist.

However... I can clearly sense his heartbeats, and the blood pumping through his veins doesn't seem fake either.

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Name: Kyomu              

Race: Human                    Title: Fate's Severer

Level: 68

HP: 204/204                    MP: 254/254

STR: 7.0                     INT: 6.0

AGI: 6.8                    STA: 6.6

Skill: [Swordsmanship Lv.10], [Inspect Lv.8], 
[Acceleration Lv.8], [Status Condition Nullification Lv.7],
[Physical Nullification Lv.7],
[Super Concentration Lv.7],
[Auto Regeneration Lv.6], [Fixed Hit Lv.6],
[Pain Immunity Lv.5], [Domination Lv.5],
[Inventory Lv.3].

State: Normal.

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He's a human, through and through.

...This guy is ridiculously strong, though. Thinking about confronting someone approaching the level of a grandmaster makes me falter.

Moreover, it is the first time I've seen a proper 'pure' swordsman. I've never encountered [Physical Nullification], [Super Concentration], and [Pain Immunity] either. According to what Chloe told me, the latter two are evolved versions of their previous skills.

Still, to think that such an incredible guy is guarding this deserted graveyard...

''Are you done looking at my status screen?''

His rather deep voice snaps me out of my trance. Facing his hollow gaze, I gather my courage again.

''Introduction.''

''...?''

''I'm Silaerob, the one ruling West and North Zircon.''

''...Minamoto no Kyomu. A... former wandering swordsman.''

''Minamoto.''

He looks slightly surprised when I call his family name instead of his given name. I heard they often do that in Japan. It's a good thing I've been educated about this.

Either way.

''Do you have any intention of joining under me?''

A bit puzzled, Kyomu only scratches his chin.

''Why?'' He asks.

''To save the world,'' I reply bluntly. ''I want to gather forces to prevent the end from approaching.''

''How can I believe that?''

Hm? Is he testing me?

''If you are in this godforsaken place, surely you must have noticed something, no? From the spirits.''

''...Indeed, it seems you are the real deal.'' Kyomu lightly nods, muttering. ''However, why should I follow someone as weak as you?''

''...''

Prick.

My pride is being hurt.

Right. It seems I've been too arrogant these days. Technically, I am not even considered a master just yet.

However... that does not to say I cannot defeat this man.

''Showing you directly is faster.'' 

Kyomu moves his right hand slightly, which is rested on his sword's hilt from the beginning, as I reach out into the air. A pitch-black portal appears behind me, through which my friends slowly make their exit, one by one.

''Are you so confident in your ability that you would risk facing me alone?''

In response to Kyomu's slightly irritated tone, I keep my silence. When I pull out my new sword—the Dark Dawn, the boss of South Zircon also unsheathes his katana.

''...'' 

''...''

[Blink].

Accompanied by a familiar sense of disconnect, my vision abruptly changes. A sharp metallic sound echoes through the desolate place as the two swords collide. Justifiably, I can't seem to be able to push him back even one bit. The gap in our strength is simply too large.

''Is this all you have got?'' Kyomu taunts.

''Of course not.''

I've not used an ounce of magic just yet, and...

''?!''

Kyomu tries to react to it, but it is too late. Spreading from my blade, the substance linking the outside world to the Backrooms spreads, engulfing both of us.

Logically, there is no reason for me to fight in his domain.

Seeing the stoic man surprised at the seemingly endless room, I can't help but feel a little proud. 

[Title: 'Queen of West Zircon' equipped]

Since the Backrooms is an auxiliary dimension, when I place the entrance anywhere in West Zircon, titles such as this one will activate when I'm in it. With this, I should gain sizable chunks of stats.

I know that I can easily defeat this guy by collapsing the walls on him, but somehow, I feel like I shouldn't do it. I want to earn his respect.

''Minamoto no Kyomu.'' I call. ''Do you know what I have that you don't?''

The opponent doesn't reply. Nevertheless, the relaxed stance he had earlier has been replaced by a cautious one, and his hollow eyes gaze only at me.

Slowly, I raise my hand in the air as the tension reaches its peak.

''An army.''

snap—!

Following the snap of my fingers, a gate big enough to rival a castle is opened behind me. From it, creatures of unknown origin begin to pour out.

Leading the bunch is my usual crew. Each of them silently takes a battle stance, focusing on our opponent.

Mister Slen has his tentacles out, clutching a knife in his hand, while Smiley growls fiercely, his surroundings turning an ominous red. The undead siblings both have pre-cast magic on their palms, and 049 calmly stands with his hands behind his back, directing a colossal dragon reeking of death.

Trailing behind such entities are even more bizarre creatures—the natives of the Backrooms. Small to large entities with different levels of danger, all lining up to expel the 'intruder,'

Of course, one cannot forget the immense army of Orcinus Nova, who has already positioned themselves in the air.

Compromising the usage of [Teleportation] and [Blink], I gain the opportunity to isolate my opponent and use the strength of numbers on them. Moreover, I have the absolute card—the guaranteed kill method of crushing them with indestructible walls as well.

If I had been able to catch Valstein, he would have been dead long ago. Alas, he is more proficient at teleporting than me, so shoving him inside here is hard.

But for now... I have to seize my victory first.

''I hope you are prepared, Minamoto.''

My pitch-black sword quickly gleams a shade of light blue, and a dense cold is released to the surroundings. Gradually, my soldiers begin to charge up their attacks simultaneously.

For the first time, I see a moment of reluctance in Kyomu's eyes.

However, with a mere deep inhale and exhale, he regains his composure. As it is, his blade exudes a white and... ghostly sort of smoke, one that makes my survival instinct scream almost instantly.

That's dangerous.

By this time, numerous Backrooms natives have charged toward the man, stalling for Nova's force to cast a more potent barrage of magic. They probably won't last long before this near-grandmaster, so I should be going soon—

————————!!!

...What just happened?

How did they get wiped out in one swing?!