Chapter 50: The Two Are Problem Children But The Strongest

The beastfolk usually have a strong reflection of human lineage.

Therefore, they typically only have ears and tails, and if their beast lineage is slightly stronger, their hands might be covered in fur, which is about the limit.

However.

Among them, there are those born with a stronger beast lineage, individuals with human bodies but beast-like forms.

Naturally, they are much more powerful, larger, and closer to monsters than humans.

They do not hesitate to call themselves by the grandiose name of “Dragonkin.”

Deep within the Great Forest.

There exists a sacred land where the Dragonkin reside.

Named.

The Sacred Land of Furijoah.

But unfortunately, with the emergence of the Tower and the distortion of dimensions between the Great Forest and the Tower, Furijoah has fallen and become a forward base for the demons.

And the leader of those demons, as well as the administrator of the 20th floor of the Tower, is none other than the Sloth Demon, Neb.

Today, she was lounging in bed, rolling around, munching on potato chips, and carelessly scattering crumbs all over the sheets—a true act of atrocity.

“Hmm……”

Her daily routine was simple.

Lie in bed and roll around.

When given food, eat it in bed.

When given snacks, eat them in bed.

And sleep.

She didn’t need to sleep, but she slept anyway.

It was a perfect routine that made one wonder if there could be a being more fitting of the title “Sloth Demon.”

But did she neglect her duties as an administrator?

Not entirely.

Neb was an elite sorceress and alchemist among the demons.

Despite her laziness, she went through the trouble of creating “Charms of Obedience” and scattering them across the Great Forest.

Watching the conflicts over these charms from her bed made her potato chips taste like honey butter.

“Oh.”

Just as an interesting scene was about to unfold, Neb burrowed deeper into her blankets.

Normally, one charm would be enough to see an effect.

But occasionally, some beastfolk would be overly influenced by the magic or accidentally attach multiple charms.

Fools.

They would become truly, truly foolish.

Hehe.

Laughing at them, she used her administrator privileges to observe the Tower, where amusing incidents and accidents always seemed to happen.

This time, even the main actors and the heralds were involved.

Neb grinned from ear to ear and began to focus on today’s audiovisual material.

***

“Kyaaaaaah -!”

A nearly monstrous, yet somewhat familiar voice echoed loudly.

It was Renatel’s roar.

She had clearly gone to interrogate the prisoners.

“Our mission objective is to subdue the rampaging Renatel.”

After quickly briefing the heroes and rushing out.

“Hey, what about me……?”

Enya, who had just escaped from Rumi’s powerful polar bear massacre party, asked in a trembling voice.

“You’re a prisoner. Stay locked up for a while.”

A perfectly logical response.

We’re not on such familiar terms yet.

“Really, what a beastly man…………! That’s what makes him so charming…………….!”

Ignoring the nonsense, no, the wolf howls coming from behind, I hurried outside to find.

“I’ve been waiting for you, vile kidnappers…………!”

Renatel, with half-crazed eyes, greeted us.

Even with a real sword drawn.

“Hey, calm down.”

I tried to negotiate first.

“How dare you trample the noble Queen Enya so mercilessly and think you’d get away with it! This is blasphemy against Lady Neb!”

“Ah, damn.”

This isn’t going to work.

It seems the charm has taken too strong a hold.

And to make matters worse.

“Ow ow! Ow!”

“Grrrr!”

Just a moment ago, they were eating sweet and sour pork, giggling about how much they liked humans.

Now, they’re baring their teeth and growling as if they’ve caught rabies.

They started attacking with the charm stuck somewhere on their bodies—hands, arms, or any body part.

It’s not polite to have mobs intrude during a boss fight.

“Rumi, you handle Renatel. The rest of us will take care of the mobs, no, the Dalandae first. Be careful not to kill them!”

Even though they were just wrestling with wooden swords earlier.

Now, they’re all armed and ready for UFC, no, a life-and-death battle.

Those insolent creatures.

“Johanna, take care of it. As always, you’re the most important. Make sure no one dies. Understood?”

“Yes……!”

The saint, who is particularly weak to praise, was encouraged.

Combat begins.

“It’s about time we disciplined them, woof!”

Rumi, grinning from ear to ear, immediately pounced on Renatel, engaging in a scuffle.

Ari skillfully shot arrows, neutralizing the surrounding archers one by one.

Fortunately, no bad guys charged at me and Johanna.

“The sun is setting…………….”

I pulled out the aggro-debuff-revolver from its holster, recited the line, and slowly aimed at Renatel.

It wouldn’t do much damage, but at least I could debuff and support.

And Rumi would bark to draw aggro back.

Renatel and Rumi were moving so fast.

With intense concentration.

Bang!

“Grrrr……!”

Every time I fire the revolver.

It’s a bit scary when the friends I hit turn their heads sharply towards me.

“Woof woof!”

But Rumi barked at the right moment, turning their heads back.

Turning their heads back…………?

What, why isn’t it working?!

“Gasp?!”

“Ark!”

Seeing Renatel charging at me at an insane speed, I instinctively hesitated, hesitated, then rushed!

Swoosh.

Just as Johanna grabbed the back of my neck.

A chilling sensation as the blade narrowly missed my head sent shivers down my spine.

If Johanna hadn’t pulled me back, if I hadn’t ducked my head, if I were just a bit taller, I would have definitely triggered a job change event from shopkeeper to Durahan.

Even though I have a resurrection artifact.

I still don’t want to experience death!

“You crazy wolf! Woof!”

Fortunately, Rumi quickly caught up and pinned Renatel to the ground with a thud.

“Meow!”

Tina’s timely use of charm dispersed the aggro focused on me.

……I almost died………

As I rolled on the ground three times, calmly organizing my thoughts.

Among the 5-rank equipment sets given to our heroes.

There was an option that provided a 10% chance of status ailment immunity.

Was this a disaster of my own making…………….

Feeling the lament covering the sky, I calmly returned to my original position as if nothing had happened.

Johanna, with an expression on the verge of explosion.

I could feel her barely holding back something rising from the depths of her chest.

This is a bad omen.

Better be careful…………….

***

This wolf is trickier than I thought, woof.

Feeling Renatel’s sword graze her clothes again, leaving a hole, Rumi growled.

Compared to that insolent kidnapper Enya, Renatel’s speed and overwhelming strength were beyond reason.

Even though the wolf was swinging her sword wildly with intent to kill.

Rumi couldn’t bring herself to kill the wolf.

Though it felt a bit unfair.

Because the master said so.

Swoosh-

“Gah……!”

The sword dug deep into her arm, and Rumi couldn’t help but grimace.

Fortunately, Henna’s healing quickly closed the wound, but pain was still pain.

The strange sensation of flesh regenerating was more distracting.

However.

“Woof!”

Forcibly deflecting the sword persistently aiming for her chest, Rumi punched the wolf’s arm!

It felt like a solid hit.

But the wolf’s body felt like a rock, and Rumi gritted her teeth as her fist throbbed.

I can’t kill her.

Where is the charm? 

Where is the charm, woof……………!

Sniff sniff.

Amidst the strong scent left by the kidnapper, Rumi tried to recall the original scent of the charm, piecing it together bit by bit.

“Gah!”

Dodging the sword strike, she rolled on the ground.

On all fours, Rumi felt the hem of her dress fluttering uncomfortably for the first time and gritted her teeth.

It’s frustrating, but she realized she couldn’t subdue the wolf alone.

“Rumi! Tina will help you!”

Seeing Rumi at a disadvantage, Tina flew over and landed beside her with a thud!

“Tina!”

Joy bloomed on Rumi’s face.

“Hmph, just because you have one more doesn’t mean you can win!”

Renatel, feeling a sudden ominous premonition, shook her head sharply.

A beam grazed her ear.

“Demons using magic are so cowardly……………!”

And the battle continued.

This time, the situation changed significantly.

Whenever Rumi was in danger, Tina’s sharp magic would strike, narrowing Renatel’s movements.

Unaware of the goal to subdue her without fatal wounds, Renatel found every attack increasingly irritating.

Truly, the Demon of Charm.

Her mere existence had already charmed Renatel’s mind.

Deciding that leaving the little demon alone would be more troublesome, Renatel twisted her body and leaped with all her might.

“Huh?”

The little demon, with a startled expression, stammered.

The opportunity is now, this moment, this instant.

Without hesitation, Renatel swung her sword vertically at the little demon, from the top of her head down to her groin!

“O……?”

Renatel’s expression showed confusion for the first time.

The little demon, who she thought she had cut down, disappeared like a bubble.

“Kyahaha, where are you looking? That was my clone, hee~♡”

With words that sparked anger, Renatel turned her head.

The canine hero was charging at her exposed neck from an unavoidable angle.

While flying towards Renatel.

Rumi’s brain went into overdrive.

If I bite her neck now, Rumi wins!

But then the wolf would be seriously hurt.

I can’t disobey the master, woof.

Baring her fangs, Rumi clenched her mouth shut.

And instead, headbutted Renatel’s chest.

“Guh……!”

Renatel, momentarily breathless, staggered.

Sniff sniff.

“Bruise……!”

Rumi’s keen sense of smell created the charm.

While Renatel was still off balance, Rumi pounced again, grabbed her waist, and slammed her to the ground with a crash!

After pinning her down.

For the first time, Rumi extended her claws and tore Renatel’s top, revealing two large mounds.

Seeing the charms neatly placed on each, Rumi recalled Henna’s earlier advice.

– If you touch them in their intact state, Rumi might also lose her mind. So, if you find them, tear them off or leave them to Tina.

“Tina!”

Rumi, who had headbutted the struggling wolf again to subdue her, called Tina.

“Nya!”

Tina quickly scampered over.

“Kyahaha, silly! If sticking those could make your chest bigger, Tina would have stuck a hundred, no, a thousand by now!”

Though her voice was cheerful, there was a hint of sadness as she tore off the charms on Renatel’s chest.

“Kyaaaaaah!”

From the indescribable pain.

And the feeling of her soul being freed from the charm’s grip.

Renatel’s eyes rolled back, and she fainted.

“Woof!”

“Tina!”

The triumphant heroes.

They’re troublemakers but the strongest!

Turning to the master, expecting praise, Rumi saw.

“Woof?”

The master, with eyes covered by Henna, begging to see, tilted her head in confusion.

And at that moment.

[Hidden conditions have been fully met.]

– Subdue Enya and Renatel with Rumi in the party (Achieved)

– Rumi achieves MVP in both stages (Achieved)

– The herald possesses two or more ‘5★ Hero Contracts (Rumi)’ (Currently 2)

– Affection level is 100 or higher (Currently 65535)

[B-Side Story Unlocked]

[Descendant of the Canine Tribe, who has subdued the strongest warrior and queen of the Wolf Tribe. You are worthy to challenge the throne of the Beastfolk.]

Before Rumi’s eyes.

Strange windows, like those seen when clearing areas without Ark, floated up with bizarre messages.

“Ok……?”