“This is valuable data.”
I wouldn’t have to wait for a long, slow death by poison.
I wonder if I’ll even have to use Sleep? Best if it dies quick, I guess. I don’t have all day.
The Soul Eater kept staring with fire in its eyes. The torturer never expected it’d end up on the other side of the fence.
You always believed you were the strongest thing down here, didn’t you? The other heroes who came before me who couldn’t beat the Soul Eater…but in the end, they all helped me defeat it. Their losses made the monster arrogant. Proud. The heroes who came before me led the way and laid the path to my victory with their sacrifice.
A great crack formed in the stone face. Half of it crumbled away, exposing black and pink writhing meat and blue blood within.
“Khhhhh…!”
It kept its furious eyes on me all the while. As I waited, the yellow gauge began to taper off.
“That’s enough.”
The last words I spoke weren’t to the Soul Eater, but to all the captive souls it had held in torment for so long…
“Be at peace…”
“Sleep.”
The Soul Eater breathed its last.
Level up!
Level 1229 → Level 1789
Now it was just a heap of rubble and twisted meat.
The zombies were gone too—dissolved into formless puddles of sludge on the ground next to their fallen master.
I got a few skill levels from that fight, didn’t I?
My Paralyze and Poison skills had leveled up.
Do I have to use them a set number of times before they get better? Do they improve based on the number of targets I apply them to, or is the strength of the target a factor?
There was still so much I didn’t know about my skills and how this whole system worked.
I wonder…
“When I used my abilities on the Soul Eater, did it also apply them to all the souls it was keeping captive? That’d be a lot of targets…” I didn’t feel good thinking that I might have made all those captive souls suffer my Poison ability.
“Sorry if I hurt any of you…hmm?”
The Soul Eater’s body started glowing with a pale white light.
A torrent of spirits came rushing out of its corpse, whirling up into the air. It looked like nature videos I’d seen on TV of fish schooling underwater in beautiful synchronicity. They circled above me for a moment before charging directly into the stone ceiling and floating down in tiny flecks of pale light, like snow on a quiet winter night.
“…………”
A voice.
“Oh, hey! You met me first, right? I was so relieved when you got away from that minotaur. Nice work, man!”
I found half a skull when I first arrived in the caves.
“Apologies that my axe didn’t serve you better against those terrible four-armed bird creatures… You did well to survive. I’m proud of you.”
I came upon an axe and tried to cut through that bird-head’s tough skin with it… It didn’t work.
“Seems like my old overcoat did you some good! I can’t believe such a ratty coat of mine ended up being worn by the Great Sage! Well…thank you.”
That black overcoat I borrowed from that skeleton…
“That was a good shortsword, you know! I guess the monsters ’round here were a little too much for her, though! I was suprised to see you try to eat that minotaur eye, pfft heh heh! Thank you so much for defeating the Soul Eater…”
The shortsword I used to gouge out that minotaur’s eye…that was from a skeleton, too.
“I can’t believe you took down a zombie dragon! You kicked its butt! Great work, man! You’re awesome!”
I remembered the skull floating in the swamp back in that limestone cave.
“E-excuse me…”
A pale, transparent figure floated before me.
I recognized her dress immediately—how could I forget? She was the skeleton those lizardmen had toyed with in the caves. The girl’s spirit looked soft and kind, and it hurt to think of what had happened to her. She clenched her fists tightly.
“I-It might sound barbaric of me to say, b-but…when you gave those lizardmen a good thumping, it… It really cheered me up! Thank you for giving them a taste of their own medicine!”
She bowed, and I reflexively smiled in return.
The girl smiled back, then faded away into nothing.
“It cheered me up as well! Never thought I’d see the day those lizardmen got what was coming to them… Thank you for taking our remains out of their reach. I wish you the very best of luck on your journey, young man.”
I recognized this spirit’s clothes, too—the man those lizardmen had been mocking, pretending to be burned alive.
“U-us too! Those leopardmen did such terrible things…”
“You took apart their toys and put us to rest, didn’t you? Thank you so much. You’re a very kind person.”
The two skulls from those nunchucks the leopardman had used.
“I hope our treasures can help you when you get up to the surface. They should last you for quite some time…as long as the economy didn’t crash or anything! Anyway, use them in good health!”
“Ha ha, I can’t believe you hunted down all those monsters in the ruins, you’re incredible! Stay safe out there, won’t you? Good luck!”
A boy and a girl, holding hands—I recognized them immediately as the two skeletons lying next to each other in the sealed room.
“Last…of course it’s you,” I whispered.
Five figures appeared before me. I recognized the one standing at the head of the group.
He wore the same robes I did, after all.
It was the Great Sage Anglin, Hero of Darkness, with his four companions behind him.
“”
He was trying to say something, but I couldn’t hear. I caught him mouthing “thank you,” but I didn’t catch the rest. It felt like there was a mist over my eyes keeping me from understanding.
The Great Sage continued to talk, undeterred.
Soon, their forms began to fade.
“”
The Great Sage said something to me, then turned back to his companions, who greeted him warmly. The whole group waved to me, more thank-yous on their lips. I raised my hand a little in response.
“…”
The Great Sage’s last words were the only ones that came across loud and clear.
“Please… must… Goddess…”
***
“…?”
I flinched and shook myself awake.
Did I doze off?
A wave of fatigue slammed into me.
“What was that…?”
Was I hallucinating? It’s strange…I thought I was wandering through these ruins alone, but…I was never really on my own, was I? Those who came before me were always there, quietly watching out for me.
I didn’t know the whole truth—I likely never would. But it still felt good. It was the same kind of warmth my foster parents gave me.
“…”
The last words of the Great Sage rang in my ears, echoed in unison by every soul that had been discarded in these ruins.
“Please. You must defeat that Goddess.”
“Hey, I don’t owe you guys anything. That said…you can all rest in peace.”
I made a fist with my left hand and clasped it with my right. The Goddess’s face appeared in my mind’s eye.
“It might take a while, but before I leave this world…I’m gonna settle things with that foul Goddess in my own way.”
I took the golden crystal from the Soul Eater’s corpse and slowly got to my feet. I retrieved my leather pouch and made my way up the stairs to the large door. Then, for a moment, I turned back.
“See you.”
Who am I saying goodbye to? I don’t really know, myself.
I shoved the crystal into the slot in the door and it rumbled open.
The first thing
that greeted me on the other side was the warm, soft light of the sun, like an old friend I hadn’t seen in weeks.
Chapter 5:
Avenger(s)
Sogou Ayaka
SOGOU AYAKA walked cautiously through the forest in the Southwest corner of the kingdom, keeping her eyes peeled for threats. She’d been in this new world for several days now, and she was still getting used to her new life.
Branches snapped in the underbrush nearby. She quickly jumped to attention and raised her long spear.
“Grrr… Graarh!”
It was a mouth-dog.
The creature’s mouth was large, deformed, and lined with gleaming, crooked teeth. Its eyes flashed gold. Sogou had never seen anything like it before…it had never been clearer to her how far from home she was.
The dog monster took a step forward.
“Do you…want to fight?” she asked, directed as much to herself as to the monster.
“Grrh…!”
It bared its fangs.
“Where’d you run off to…?! Freakin’ dog!” Oyamada Shougo’s voice called out from nearby, and the rustling of leaves got louder and louder as he approached. He jumped out of the brush, swinging his greatsword.
When it saw Oyamada, the dog turned tail and dashed off in the opposite direction. Ayaka froze—at this distance, she knew she’d be able to cut it off, but…
“That one’s mine, Sogou! Stay outta my way! Only the Elites get the good prey, got it?!”
Oyamada clearly didn’t want her help.
“Well, I guess I could let you have it if you came with me and joined our group! Think it over, huh? You gotta think about your future!”
Leaving these condescending words hanging in the air, Oyamada disappeared into the brush. Ayaka was alone again. She checked her surroundings—not a sound to be heard—then finally let herself relax a little, and sighed.
The heroes of 2-C were working on their combat skills in a training area prepared for them on the outskirts of the kingdom. A towering stone wall surrounded an area of the forest, and then ferocious monsters, matched to their current strength, were added for them to fight.
Saving the world from evil, huh?
Ayaka sat down on a nearby rock and gripped her spear tightly. It had been several days since the Goddess first made them kill those monsters in the castle. She’d wanted them to get used to killing living things, she said. Ayaka had slept through that part, though.
By the time she woke up, the initiation ceremony was over. Some students didn’t pass the trial—no matter how hard they’d tried, they couldn’t kill their monster. Some were paralyzed, others nauseous, crying, catatonic or confused.
Of course they were.
Everyone in 2-C grew up in a peaceful world. Just the concept of taking a life with your own hands was completely foreign to them. Sogou was no exception to that, either.
When she regained consciousness, she’d gone to see the Goddess, who filled her in on what she’d missed.
To Sogou’s horror, the Goddess explained that any who couldn’t go through with their first kill soon would be disposed of.
“It is a true shame,” the Goddess began, “but it is necessary, Sogou-san. I am afraid any dropouts will have to walk the same path as our unfortunate friend Too-ka Mimori-san.”
The Goddess also briefly told her of Mimori Touka’s last moments among them. His final words sounded strange to her—not like the Mimori Touka she knew.
She…she hadn’t been able to save him.
“I am so sorry, Sougo-san. It pains me to have to do this, but these are the laws of the Kingdom of Alion, and they are absolute. I am truly sorry…but there’s nothing I can do,” the Goddess had said, tears welling up in her eyes.
Ayaka knew what she was trying to do.
“If I may speak freely, Goddess…”
“Yes? Speak as freely as you please.”
“I don’t like the way you do things. Not one bit.”
“Hmm~? What do you mean by that?”
“You throw the weak away when they stop being useful to you. It’s horrible.”
“Ah. I suppose that’s one way of looking at it~! You know, for a Goddess I am actually a generous spirit. I can even be persuaded on occasion! And yet…those who cannot fulfil their heroic roles in this world are not long for it…”
“My rank…S-Class. That means something here.”
“Oh, of course! It makes you quite important!”
Ayaka had no choice. She gave the Goddess what she wanted.
“I’ll fight for you…but the heroes who couldn’t pass your initiation ceremony are under my protection. I’ll join your side as long as you let them all stay here.”
“How wonderful and courageous of you! It is a fine thing when an S-Class hero stands up for her ideals. You may have some reservations, but you are willing to put them aside to save the world!”
“Yes, I am.”
“How delightful~! Let us shake on it, then, to celebrate our newfound friendship! Oh, and although I believe it was necessary in the moment, I am rather sorry for punching you in the stomach~!”
Ayaka took the Goddess’s hand. It was cold as ice.
Cold hands, warm heart? Not likely.
I know I’m still confused…it’s only been three days, and I don’t really understand anything…
But I have to do this. I have to save them.
In Ayaka’s opinion, the students who hadn’t passed the initiation ceremony were some of the kindest people in class. She’d heard that Zakurogi had taken on a leadership role among them, though he was also struggling to adjust to their new reality.
At one point, when he’d tried to reassert himself as a leader and authority figure, Oyamada had given a vicious takedown.
“Ha! You really think I’m gonna accept a D-Class hero as my teacher? You can tell me to respect you, but it’s not like you can back it up! Oh, by the way…sorry, but our group’s gonna have to pass on you! How ’bout you go see if they need help washing dishes in the castle kitchens, Zakurogi-kun? Might be a better use of your skills!”
Ayaka had scolded Oyamada for going too far and tried to counter with something to encourage their teacher, but he just brushed past her, stumbling out of the room in shock. Since then, he seemed like a broken man.
“I have to be stronger…” she’d heard him mutter under his breath.
They’d been allowed to take whatever weapons they liked from the castle. Kirihara chose a katana, Oyamada a greatsword, Hijiri a longsword, Itsuki a rapier, and Yasu two swords to dual-wield. Swords were apparently common in this world, though they were originally brought here by summoned heroes from the past.
Ayaka had immediately gone for a spear, the weapon she was most accustomed to wielding. Her grandmother was a master of the “Kisou” style of ancient martial arts, and even after she met her wealthy husband, she continued teaching. Ayaka had been her student since she was very young. “Kisou” wasn’t only spear-work—it also had techniques for times when your opponent was too close for a spear—but for most combat it was her favorite weapon.
Ayaka had studied and trained hard every day, and the lessons were her beloved routine. She’d train every night, then shower and read before bed.
Now, all that seemed so far away.
I never imagined I’d be using these techniques in a real life-or-death situation… I can’t be satisfied with my pathetic accomplishments so far. An S-Class hero needs S-Class results, otherwise all the dropout students will be in danger. They’ll end up like Mimori-kun…
Discarding the weak…that was wrong, no matter if anyone tried to convince her otherwise. The term Noblesse oblige came to mind. The strong have a duty to protect the weak—an obligation.
First, she had to kill some monsters and “level up.” Apparently, killing monsters would give you “experience points,” which were a kind of energy, perhaps? Kill strong monsters and you’d become powerful, too.
“Status open.”
>
Ayaka Sogou
Level 1
HP: +700 MP: +300
Attack: +1300 Defense: +300 Vitality: +500
Speed: +700 <+500> Intelligence: +700
Title: S-Class Hero
The Goddess said that these stat things will increase as we level up.
Summoned heroes were the only ones in this world with this “levels” and “experience” framework applied to them—regular people and monsters couldn’t do things like check their stats.
Ayaka lightly ran her fingertips over her earrings—the bonus to her “Speed” stat was tied to them, her unique item. They’d been told that most of those special items were just raw stat boosts, and hers were no exception—she did feel a little faster than before, she thought.
Experience points…
Killing another person wouldn’t give you experience or make you level up. Ayaka supposed that made sense—you wouldn’t want heroes going on murderous rampages across the kingdom, killing the people they were meant to protect. She shook her head at the disturbing image.
Instead, they had to stick to killing monsters to level up. The monsters apparently came in a few different types, and the ones that gave the most EXP had golden eyes. Unsurprisingly, they were also the strongest and hardest to kill.
Let me see, what else…
She opened her skill list, already getting used to the flicking motions required.
The words Unique Skill were displayed in grey, as they always were.
Will I be able to use magic spells someday?
She hadn’t killed a single monster yet, and was still stuck at level 1.
Can I really do it…? No, I don’t have a choice. I couldn’t save Mimori Touka, but…I have to save the others. I won’t let that Goddess take anyone else. I’ll protect the powerless so that Mimori Touka didn’t die in vain.
I need to find another one of those monster things.
Ayaka got back to her feet and began to walk.
She wasn’t wearing her uniform anymore. In its place was an outfit right out of a fantasy movie—flashy armor that accentuated her figure a bit more than she was comfortable with. It was beautiful and elaborate…and Ayaka had spent last night carefully adding fabric to the more over-exposed areas.
Failure Frame: I Became the Strongest and Annihilated Everything With Low-Level Spells Vol. 1 Page 14