─Grim Reaper.
“What’s the matter?”
─The signal from the Stone of Reversing has been cut off.
Splash!
A space stained with blood.
The Grim Reaper, who was slaughtering the members of the Extreme Spear Faction and gazing into the void, received a premonition that struck him like lightning.
Surrounding him were corpses made of blue particles, but once he stepped outside the space, the number of corpses increased dramatically.
– Cawkk!!
– Kyaaah!
– Hahaha! Kill them all! It’s an experience point paradise!
– Hey, you bastard! That’s mine!
– Please spare me!!
Users slaughtering civilians in the Southern Continent, including members of their sect.
All of them were subordinates granted “the Stone” by the Grim Reaper but were not elite members of the guild.
Every single one of them was a newly recruited raider selected by the Grim Reaper for this incursion.
‘Always ready to be tossed aside.’
“Where is it?”
─It’s a signal from the Extreme Scythe Faction. Someone has cut part of the knot of the Stone of Reversing.
“Extreme Scythe Faction? That’s where Kalhim is.”
Does that mean Kalhim betrayed them?
Though he just joined as a newcomer, it wouldn’t be strange for him to betray, but Kalhim lacked that ability.
It means he cannot waver under power, nor can he handle or cut it off at will.
‘They only picked such guys for this expedition.’
If there were any possibilities, it would be the intervention of someone else.
As if recalling something, the Grim Reaper tapped his blood-stained scythe and opened the guild system window to summon someone.
Immediately, a blue window floated in the air, and within it was a guild member dressed rather ruggedly.
– Did you call for me?
“Has ‘Lily’ started her broadcast?”
– Are you talking about Lily?
“Yeah.”
– I will check.
After a brief silence, one of the guild members connected to the Grim Reaper nodded.
– Yes. She was just at the Extreme Scythe Faction until a moment ago. She came into contact with Kalhim during the operation…
“I thought so.”
Lily had arrived.
After receiving an offer from ‘That Existence,’ he had suspected that if someone interfered with his plans, it would surely be Lily.
It wasn’t that there hadn’t been times he had failed or lost as a raider, but his biggest failure came from Lily.
Even though he couldn’t defeat her now, she had made him vow that he would take revenge when they met again someday.
‘Well, should I be thankful that I got stronger since that incident?’
The Mythical Item, Yellow Raider, was a symbol of strength as well as a suppressor that hindered growth potential.
Since losing the Yellow Raider, the Grim Reaper had grown stronger and had reached a point where he was discussing contracts with a being that could potentially grasp the hegemony of a whole world.
That existence voiced a question.
─Lily?
“That woman I mentioned before. You must know her too.”
─Are you talking about the Usurper of the Earth? I can’t believe she’s back.
“What are we going to do?”
The Stone of Reversing is a potion close to being a scam.
With just that lousy skill and miserable stats, even the weakest can gain strength comparable to a top-10 ranker just by gulping down the Stone of Reversing.
Even though their actual skills or control over power may be lacking, their specs would skyrocket dramatically.
Because of this, upper rankers and strong NPCs could manage a few of those who ate the stone, but Lily was different.
Lily was a powerhouse who could easily crush even monsters called ‘Reverses’ beyond the Stone of Reversing.
Having a few pathetic guys rush at her would be nothing more than a paint party.
“Lily is strong. I don’t think just throwing in a few stones will work.”
─That doesn’t mean I can give up on my grand plans, Grim Reaper.
“So, you’ve got a good idea? Just so you know, I’m not taking her on. Am I crazy enough to face that woman?”
─……
The being sending the transmission fell silent.
This was the first time a presence approached the Grim Reaper, who was living a sect life with thoughts of flipping the table at any moment.
It seemed to be an NPC from the ‘Darkness’ side wrapped in an unseeable robe, but it also didn’t seem like that.
After all, even when the ‘Darkness’ side was wiped out by Yena, this being didn’t bat an eye.
A being with no name was simply called the Nameless.
Nameless seemed to come up with a good idea and sent another transmission.
─The Usurper of the Earth possesses the power of the Earth and holds immense strength that can rival it. Ordinary Reverses will not be enough.
“So?”
─I need many of your dolls.
“What?”
The Grim Reaper turned his head.
The guys laughing maniacally while slaughtering resident NPCs in villages across the Southern Continent.
They were pathetic beings who found joy in beating weaklings, but right now, they were effectively his hands and meat shields.
Even though it was annoying that NPCs called him ‘doll’, they weren’t that precious to the Grim Reaper either.
─The Stone of Reversing is a stone created after killing a Reverse and condensing its essence. If we gather enough of that stone’s power, it might be possible to face her.
“What? There’s no shortage of guys wanting to do it. How many do you need?”
─100.
“What, what?”
100???
No way. Is this insane?
The Grim Reaper glared at the direction from which the transmission seemed to echo, utterly bewildered.
No matter how many aimless guys there are, 100 of them is just ridiculous.
Of course, the Grim Reaper Guild has numbers exceeding 300, but what the Nameless Man is talking about isn’t just any 100 people.
‘Disposable trash.’
Whether they’re broken, lose all their experience points, or face penalties.
It’s about preparing 100 people to use and toss aside in any manner whatsoever.
Currently, the number of Grim Reaper subordinates entering Teshiniria is just under ten, so I needed to prepare ten times that number.
‘Should I gather even the guys from the crafting circles? But those guys are too valuable to throw away.’
“What do you need 100 people for? No, more importantly, Lily doesn’t play by numbers, you know?”
─ There’s a way.
“So what’s this way?”
─ By utilizing the doll’s properties, we can change the direction of power. Just fill the numbers, and I’ll take care of the rest.
“Come on, 100 people aren’t just any house dog’s kids! And can you seriously get that many stones…”
─ Or are you going to face them yourself?
“……”
─ There’s no time. The Grim Reaper… the Usurper of the Earth will be here soon. The stones have already been sent to the promised place, so you don’t need to worry about that.
The Nameless Man isn’t wrong.
According to the information pouring in, Lily and Yena, who was nearby, are flying to the location of the Stone of Reversing.
There’s something the Nameless Man is preparing over there.
And if that something gets ruined, it won’t be good news for the Grim Reaper either.
The Grim Reaper let out a deep sigh and crushed a corpse that was in his way, then spat on the ground.
“If you don’t do it right, you’ll end up dead.”
─ …Just prepare.
“Damn it! Hey!”
Zing!
– Yes, you called?
“There are those classified trash lists, right? Send the entire roster here.”
– Yes? But they haven’t been trained yet…
“Just send them. And those whiny kids asking to join after looting before? Don’t reject them; just accept them all and send them over.”
– Even those who don’t meet the conditions?
“Yeah. All of them.”
– …Understood.
Zing.
The spear floating in the air closed.
100… I might not be able to gather that many, but I think I can round up a similar number.
This will significantly tarnish the reputation of the Grim Reaper Guild and stir up chatter among raiders, but I really don’t care.
After all, the Grim Reaper, as a raider, is an enemy to everyone.
In a situation where we already have large guilds as enemies, I’m not too concerned about a few more being added to the list.
It wasn’t something worth worrying about.
However, as the ‘king’ ruling a region, the disruption in talent acquisition was a bit painful.
“…Tsk. I want a smoke.”
■
“I’ve been here before.”
Yena and I flew over to the Eastern Continent across the mainland.
The center of the Eastern Continent was generally dark, but Yena said it used to be even darker than this.
The location was informed by the surviving elder of the Extreme Scythe Faction, and once this matter was completely settled, I decided to spare the entire faction if they truly had no special sins.
[Oh]
[It’s pitch black]
[Is something gonna jump out?]
[Is it like a black hole?]
[Spooky, huh?]
“There’s nothing here.”
“There used to be a lot. But during some fights, everything got smashed… Ugh. It was really tough back then.”
Yena recalled that day’s memories, gazing around as she spun in circles.
The area where the Extreme Scythe Faction was located had been completely stripped, and now resembled flatland.
I stood at the location indicated by the elder and called upon the power of the ‘earth’, causing the ground to slowly split apart.
Rumble rumble…!
“Meow?”
“Oh.”
As the ground cracked open, a deep space emerged.
Without hesitation, I jumped into that space, and Yena quickly followed, exclaiming, “I’m coming too, meow!”
Whoooosh…
The space was wider than I expected.
No matter where I looked, it was endlessly deep, and also deep darkness.
Yena, sensing the chilly energy flowing out, got a bit tense and pulled out the Green Hermit, surveying her surroundings, but I felt the exact opposite.
“Ah…”
‘Seriphed.’
A dragon with the attribute of darkness.
The energy of the Black Dragon, Seriphed, was profoundly felt.
This place must be either within the black dragon’s body or something equivalent.
‘It’s really true, huh.’
I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling nostalgic like when I was with Sugarado, recalling that day’s memories.
When I opened my eyes again,
Blink.
Over 200 eyes were watching us.
