Chapter 2

The clang of steel was oddly soothing.

With pride and defiance channeled into my blade, I swung—each collision reverberating with a dull thud.

I was fighting desperately, having snatched a weapon from a demon that lunged at me, shielding the sorceress behind me. All to buy time for that frail girl to escape. To give my life meaning.

The enemies were four beast-like demons clad in leather armor. My bare fists wouldn’t deal lethal blows to them, so stealing their weapons was a necessity.

First, I feinted a punch toward a demon’s face, forcing it to flinch and guard. They couldn’t counterattack—only defend.

As it raised its arms, its grip on the sword loosened. Perfect. I seized the blade without hesitation.

In one motion, I drove the stolen sword through its armor, impaling the demon. One down. Without pause, I lunged at the next foe—and here we were now.

Mid-clash, I noticed something.

…Only two enemies remained. One had slipped away.

Had it fled in fear? Unlikely. Demons weren’t that weak. More probably, it went to call reinforcements.

Bad news. If this dragged on, we’d be overwhelmed. Our only chance was to break through now, while their numbers were thin.

"Go ahead—try to cut me down."

A gamble, but the only move left.

Deliberately, I turned my back to one demon. Exposing myself like this meant certain death if it struck.

But I remembered the zombie woman’s words. To her, I was a prized test subject. These grunts wouldn’t dare kill me without hesitation.

"…!?"

Just as planned—the demon froze in confusion. In that split second, I swung my blade at the remaining foe with pure instinct.

"Zweaaagh!!"

The demon jerked its sword upward to block. Too late. I twisted my wrist, evading its guard, then carved a diagonal arc from right to left—

—A kesagiri slash.

The resistance told me everything. This one wouldn’t get up. One left. Just a little more—

"Ah! I-I’ll help!"

"Wait, damn it—"

A sweet voice rang out—followed by an explosion at my back. Scorching heat licked my skin.

Whirling around, I saw the last demon crumpled, smoke rising from its body.

Behind it stood the sorceress, staff raised, grinning triumphantly.

"…Huh. You did that? Not bad, kid."

"Um, yes! A-and thank you for protecting me!"

I flicked blood off my sword. Fight over. Grabbing a scabbard from a fallen demon, I sheathed my stolen blade.

Meanwhile, the sorceress let out a soft "Hweh?" and blushed. Cute—no, focus.

Reinforcements could be coming. We had to move. If they surrounded us outside, we were done for.

"L-let me introduce myself properly—"

"No time. We’re leaving."

"Eh? O-okay!"

At my urgency, she flinched, shoulders trembling. Yeah, still adorable.

Keeping her close, I muted my presence and crept toward the door, scanning for threats.

No signs of reinforcements yet.

Now was our chance. With a hand signal, I led the sorceress into the hallway, and we slipped away.

.

.

.

Outside the room stretched only a dim path lit by flickering torches. As I suspected—this was likely a base built inside the very cave where I’d been killed.

As we crept through the darkness, the distant snarls of demons echoed from somewhere in the caverns. They were searching for us.

"……"

"……"

Even the slightest sound carried here. The petite sorceress and I moved in silence.

"…Um, can I ask you something?"

Her voice was barely louder than a mosquito’s hum. When I turned, her anxious sapphire eyes met mine.

"What?"

"…Why were you even in that place? If I’m not mistaken, it seemed like the demons were… holding back against you."

"Holding back, huh. Yeah, guess they were."

"…What does that mean?"

She was referring to how I’d deliberately exposed my back mid-battle, exploiting their hesitation. A clear handicap.

Truth was, fighting three demons at once was beyond me. Even that earlier swordplay—they must’ve been careful not to fatally wound me. I’d scavenged a pathetic victory by banking on their constraints.

"I get your suspicion. You’re wondering if I’m colluding with them, right?"

"N-not that far! You saved me, so I trust—"

"Don’t. Never trust shady strangers in a demon stronghold. …Relax. Once I get you to the exit, we part ways."

"…Huh?"

"I’ve still got business here. But don’t worry—I’ll guard you until you’re safe."

The sorceress let out a confused squeak. Surprised, maybe.

But my mission was destroying this facility—not surviving. Hell, I’m already a dead man walking. Even if escape seemed possible, I couldn’t take it.

Who knows what modifications they’ve made to me? Returning home would only endanger my family.

And their conversations proved they can brainwash me. If it’s through magic, a single spell could turn me into their puppet.

Once they perfect mass-producing human puppets, humanity’s doomed.

So I have to die—but only after razing this place to the ground.

"…You’re… resolved to something terrible, aren’t you?"

"Whoa, where’s this coming from, kid?"

"I just… felt it. A dreadful aura. Like you’ve already accepted ruin… like your life means nothing to you."

"Tch—"

Had my resolve leaked into my expression? This girl, younger than me, had seen right through it.

"…Won’t you tell me?"

"Heh. Overthinking, little lady. Just focus on finding the exit."

"I see."

Though I forced a grin, cold sweat dripped down my back. Her eyes—so unbearably sad—pierced through me.

…Because I’m already dead.

A life that shouldn’t be saved.

So please… don’t look at me like that. The girl I saved last will be my only living proof.

I just wanted you to smile when you left me behind.

—Fwip. A sound sliced the air.

Then—a spray of crimson.

The moment I clung to that selfish, cruel wish—

An arrow, pale brown, lodged itself in the girl’s neck.

"Gkh—!"

A stupid, wet gasp escaped her lips. My "living proof" collapsed, blood gushing.

"—Ah."

I whirled toward the arrow’s origin, shielding her. A hidden side-passage swarmed with over ten demons, crossbows in hand, grinning.

"Looking for the exit? Figured you’d come this way, human."

"Nice shot, boss. The bitch’s done for."

She was dead.

The life I swore to protect—the vow I’d staked my entire martial pride on—ended this easily. This pointlessly.

"Uh… Ah…"

"Don’t scratch that one! Unless you wanna die by Jaliba-sama’s hand, capture him unharmed."

"AAAAHHH!!"

The demons roared, charging.

Tears streamed down my face as I stood before the sorceress—her body now just a hollow, whistling vessel—and screamed.

"YOU BASTARDS—YOU FUCKING BASTARDS!!"

"Grab him!! Human bodies are fragile—lock up the joints and he won't be able to move!!"

"Swarm himmmmmm!!"

The narrow corridor crawled with demons. To me, they were the embodiment of despair—my sworn enemies. I lashed out with everything I had, fought back for real, with no regard for the means.

I snapped the neck of one. Tore open the throat of another. That was the extent of my resistance.

And then, just like that, I was subdued—after taking down only two of them.

"Tch. More damage than expected. Any weaklings who got killed by a human—dispose of them before Lady Jaliba gets back."

"Let go of meeeee!"

"Also, I’m authorizing the use of a sedative. That human can stay asleep until Lady Jaliba returns. Say he was a flight risk—she’ll understand."

"Understood."

"You bastard! Let go of me! Let me go, I'll kill you, I swear!!"

Blood welled on my lips.

I bit down, trembling with frustration. Salty tears and snot mixed with blood, filling my mouth with a metallic taste.

So this is how it ends for me. Couldn’t even protect one girl. Now I’ll be used, a puppet for the enemy, made to fight for them.

How could I not be bitter?

"Aaah... I curse you, I’ll kill you, may the demons be smitten by divine wrath!! May calamity fall upon the Demon Lord’s army!!"

"What an amusing outburst. Human, your blood will nourish us, your hatred will become the foundation of our prosperity. Hate us all you like—your hate only feeds our pride. There will be no calamity, no divine punishment. Your curse is our sustenance."

"May the demonkind’s future rot! May the Demon Lord himself suffer retribution! May you all writhe in pain and die screaming!!"

"And yet, nothing is happening, human. No curse, no punishment, no calamity, no divine wrath. This is reality. Our prosperity is the only truth."

The one who seemed to be their commander sneered through a muffled voice. His subordinates broke into grins and laughed in unison.

Frustration tore at me. It was unbearable.

But then—

"No... the calamity, the wrath, the curse, and the retribution—they’re already here, demons."

Just as my cries turned into voiceless screams, a cocky voice rang out through the cave.

"Mei, you're okay?"

"Honestly, I thought I was going to die. Took you all long enough."

And then—her voice. A girl’s voice I knew well, striking my ears once more. I looked up.

There she stood, clutching her neck, eyes teary. The same girl who had taken an arrow and died before my eyes. Beside her stood a nun I didn’t recognize, supporting her by the shoulder.

"Mei, who’s that swordswoman?"

"I don’t know her. But she saved me. She protected me all the way here."

"I see. Then we’ve got to return the favor."

It wasn’t just Mei’s voice I recognized. The man standing in front of the girls, speaking in that ridiculously flamboyant tone—I knew that face better than anyone.

"Hear me, demons."

He raised a sword far too big for his frame, grinning with fearless confidence. His name—

"I am Rex! Sword Saint of the Pedia Empire, the strongest adventurer in this land—‘Hawk-Eye’ Rex!"

…He was the swordsman I’d parted with years ago. My childhood friend. My best friend.

The man who was now said to be the strongest in our entire kingdom.