グランディール王国と桔音のやってきた街の間には、舗装された道が設置されているが、その周囲には当然の様に森があれば、岩山だって存在する。
無論、そういう場所には必ずと言って良いほど、魔獣が存在しているのだ。
―――森から現れる影があった。
ソレはこの近辺を縄張りにしていて、同じ種の中でも一際大きく育った屈強な肉体は、幾多の生存競争にて勝利してきた証だった。ソレには自信があった、自分は強いという自負があった。
現に、この縄張りの中では負け無しで、強く、もっと強くと必死に戦ってきた過去の自分が、今の自分を支えている。
ソレの名前は、『
猿型の魔獣で、その体躯は通常の物でも地球のゴリラを大きく上回る。数体で群れを成して行動する習性を持った魔獣だが、ソレは突然変異だった。
生まれて、成長して、戦えるようになった時から一匹で戦ってきた。身体は一回りも二回りも、周囲とかけ離れて大きくなり、その力は本来格上であった筈の種族でも上回っていた。
所謂、亜種と呼ばれる存在であり、ソレは格上の魔獣を倒し、喰らうことで更に強くなった。本来はEランクの中堅クラスである魔獣ではあるが、突然変異のソレの実力は確実に、Dランクの中堅クラスにまでその手を届かせていた。
自分に勝てる者など、存在しないとばかりに、己の胸を叩く。ゴリラのドラミングと同じ行動で、その音は空気を振動させ、周囲にいた魔獣や動物達に恐怖心を植え付ける。
今、此処に居る自分こそが―――最強だと。
銅鐸を鳴らす様な音と、亜種に生まれて大きく成長したその身体から打ち出す様な咆哮、その二つが混ざり合って、凄まじい迫力と威圧感が周囲に振りまかれた。
「――――ッ!?」
だが、その次の瞬間だった。
「......何やら騒々しい奴がいるなぁと思ったら......君かな? さっきから近所迷惑......は違うか......僕に迷惑な騒音を立ててたのは」
目の前に、小柄な人間が現れた。黒い服を着て、両眼で色が違う少年だった。
猿も、魔獣である以上冒険者と戦ったことは幾度かある。そのどれもが自分のランクがEだと判断し、油断して死んでいった。猿は魔獣にしては頭が良い、冒険者が身に付けている鎧や小手が身を護るものだと理解していた。自分の厚く堅い毛皮と同じ様な鎧を身に付けているのだと、理解していた。
死なない様に防御力を上げるその知恵と、防具の利便性は認めていたというのに、目の前の少年はなんの防具も身に付けていない。一見すれば、自分の敵ではない相手だった。
だというのに―――
「大きいねぇ、何を食べたらそんなに成長するのか知りたいもんだよ」
―――この少年が言葉を紡ぐ度に、猿の身体に走る悪寒が理解出来なかった。
猿に少年の言葉の意味は理解出来ていない。頭は良くともチンパンジーレベル、言葉を理解し、操ることは出来ない。故に、その言葉がどんなものなのかを理解出来ないまま、ただ目の前で言葉を紡ぐ少年に、『恐怖』を抱いていたのだ。
「さて......やるか」
少年の手に、黒い瘴気が集まってナイフになり、左の赤い瞳が翡翠色に輝くのが見えた。そして、少年から発せられる不気味な威圧感が増す。
猿はまず最初に、『逃走』の念が浮かぶ。だが、それは直ぐに振り払う。これまで戦ってきた自分の実力は強い、こんな小さな少年に対して逃走するなど、自分自身が許さなかった。
「グルルルルル......!」
唸り、猿は全身に力を込めて、臨戦態勢を整えた。少年も、薄ら笑いを浮かべながら猿を見据える。
そして少年の足下から砂をじゃりっと踏む音がした。瞬間、猿が地面を蹴り、猛スピードで少年に突撃した。
戦闘が、火蓋を切って開始する――――
レイラちゃん達と話して方向性を決めた後、僕は街を出て魔獣と戦ってレベルを上げることにした。
ミニエラに居た頃、人の住む場所に近い場所には雑魚魔獣がいたから、今回もそういった魔獣を相手にしようと思っていたのだけど、明らかに実力のおかしい奴が出てきた。
ステータスを覗いてみると、本当にヤバい。
◇ステータス◇
種族:猿型魔獣・亜種 Lv54
筋力:3230
体力:5400
耐性:890
敏捷:4900
魔力:100
でも、『不気味体質』を発動すれば逃げる素振りを見せた。精神的には、やっぱり僕の方が高いらしい。まぁ大した魔獣じゃないってことか。ステータスは幾らか僕よりも上だけどね。
向こうも僕と戦う気になったようで、全身に力を込めているのが分かる。でも、『先見の魔眼』を発動させると、猿がどう動いて来るのかが見えた。見えているのなら、幾ら速く動けるんだとしても、対応出来る。
地面を踏み鳴らすと、勢いよく飛び込んできた。
「―――見える」
でも僕は迫りくるラリアット気味の腕を事前にしゃがむことで躱す。僕の頭上を丸太よりも太い剛毛の腕が通り抜けていく。
なるほど、これは確かに凄い力だ。攻撃が分かれば事前に躱す事が出来る、躱す事が出来れば隙が出来た魔獣に攻撃出来る。常に後の先を取れる力、今の僕にとってとても有益な力だ。
「ふっ......!!」
「ガァァァッッ!?」
そして、通り過ぎて行く腕を追って、僕は黒いナイフを突き立てた。瘴気で作ったナイフの鋭さは凄まじく、猿の耐性値を超えて毛皮を貫き刺さった。でも、力の差が違う。腕の勢いのままにナイフは持っていかれてしまった。
でも、瘴気を解除して再度手元にナイフを形成する。後に残ったのは、猿の腕についたナイフの刀傷。
「最初の一手は僕の勝ち、ほらもう一回だ」
そう言って、くいっと手招きする。するとそれだけで、腕を傷付けられて少し頭に来ている様子の猿にとっては十分な挑発になったようで、再度全身に力を込めていた。
それから何度かの衝突を繰り返し、僕と猿の命の削り合いは30分程続いている。結論から言えば、勝負は僕の方が優勢だ。『先見の魔眼』を使って先を読むことで、僕の攻撃は当たるけれど、向こうの攻撃は当たらない。
故に、今なお僕の身体には掠り傷一つ存在しない。逆に、猿の身体には幾つもの刀傷があった。毛皮には溢れ出た血液が滲んで、毛が赤く染まっている。このまま行けば、出血多量で猿もいずれ力尽きる。僕は初めて、強敵に対して一人で勝てるかもしれない。
そう考えた時だった。
もう何度目になるかとばかりに、突撃の体勢を取る猿を見て、僕は『先見の魔眼』を発動させる―――いや、させようとして、発動しなかった。
「ッ!?」
発動しないことで、先は見えない。襲い掛かってくる猿の拳が、今度は未来を見る感覚ではなく、現実のものとして目の前に見えた。
「うがッ......ッ......ぁあ......!!」
完全に、完璧に、猿の大きな拳は僕の顔面を捉えた。ミシミシと、骨が軋む音がする。
上体が仰け反り、吹っ飛ばされるというよりは、地面に叩きつけられる様に僕の身体はその場で地面を跳ねた。
一瞬、意識が飛んだ気がする。
「ッはぁ......! やっば......鼻血出た......!」
痛みは無い、でもこの一撃で脳が揺れたらしい。身体が上手く動かせない。耐性値が高かったから死なずに済んだみたいだけど、一撃で形勢逆転だ。これは不味い......!
さんざんやられた鬱憤が溜まっていたのか、一撃入れられたことが嬉しかったらしく、猿は雄叫びをあげて歓喜している。
猿がドラミングでドコドコと胸を叩いている内に、僕はこの状況を整理する。身体を起こして、立ち上がりながら『先見の魔眼』を発動させようとする。だけど、発動しなかった。
「ッ痛ぅ......!」
もっと言えば、左眼にズキッと痛みが走る。
「後は瘴気での勝負か......武器にする以外に何か使い道はないのかな......」
このままじゃちょっと死ぬかもしれない。元々雑魚探しに来たのに猿だもんなぁ......災難だ。まぁ近づいたの僕の方だけどさ。
な訳だけど、その正体は細胞レベルで極小な細菌だ。
そしてその特徴として、遺伝子を有してはいるものの細胞は持っていない故に、非生命体であると定義されている。ある意味、非科学的存在ともいえる。生命に喰らい付き、その命を削って生きる最強にして最悪の脅威。
そして、その性質は―――ッ!
少し考えて、そして思い付いた。
試してみる可能性は、十分ある......レイラちゃんの、というか『赤い夜』の特徴も
そこはまぁ、レイラちゃんを信じよう。Sランクの、脅威の力を。
「......さぁ......もう一回だ、お山の大将」
此方を見ている猿に向けて、ふらつく身体を支えつつ瘴気を生み出した。
ナイフの形にはしない。たった一回、この瘴気をあの巨体にぶつけることが出来れば......それで勝負は付く!
一歩、一歩と、僕と猿は距離を取りながら、相手の出方を窺う。『先見の魔眼』が使えない今、まばたきの一瞬ですら見逃してはいけない。一挙手一投足、地面を蹴る瞬間を見逃してはいけない。
じりじりと構えて、睨み合う。
そして――――猿が地面を蹴った.........!
トドメとばかりに、今まで以上の咆哮と共にその腕が迫る。躱せるような速度ではない、僕は地面を蹴ったと理解した瞬間に、『直感』で横に跳んだ。それでもしっかり―――腕から視線は離さない。
幸いなことに、猿の腕は僕の顔のすぐそばをすれすれで通り過ぎる。その瞬間に、僕は猿の腕に瘴気を全て纏わり付かせる。
そして猿は腕に黒い瘴気を付けたまま、僕の後方へと猛スピードで通り抜けて行き、地面を削る勢いで停止する。
追撃は無い。猿は自分の腕に付いた瘴気を振り払おうと腕をぶんぶんと振っていた。
でも、ここからは僕の反撃だ。
「―――あまり動くなよ......喰らうぞ?」
そう言って、僕は瘴気を操作する。『猿の身体の中へと侵入するイメージ』で、瘴気を猿の身体へと押し付ける。
すると、体毛の生えている毛穴から瘴気が侵入するのが分かった。空間把握の応用なのか、血管に入った瘴気が血の流れで動いて行くのが分かる。漠然とした感覚だけど、体内に浸食出来たことが重要だ。
瘴気とは、ウイルス。そして
「が、ぁ......ぁぁぁぁ......ぐっ......るぁ.........!!」
その証拠に、猿の3mもあろうかという程の巨体が壊れた人形の様に固まる。そして、その大きな口や耳、鼻から黒い瘴気が溢れ出てきた。その量は、僕が生み出せる瘴気の量を大きく越えている。
そう、猿の細胞を喰って瘴気が増殖しているのだ。
僕の予想が正しいのなら、僕が最初から生み出せた瘴気の量は、多分僕がこの世界に来て食べた肉の量に比例した量だ。レイラちゃんは幼い頃から毎晩毎晩人も魔獣も喰らって生きてきた故に、その食べてきた細胞の分だけ瘴気を生み出せるんだと思う。
だからあれだけ大量の―――それこそ、巨大なギロチンを生み出せるほどの瘴気を生み出せるんだろう。レイラちゃんはあくまで、摂取した細胞を瘴気へと変えることが出来、それを自在に操ることが出来る魔族なんだ。
つまり、そのレイラちゃんから生まれた瘴気にも、細胞を喰らって瘴気を増殖させる性質がある筈。
そしてその予想は当たっていた。体内に浸食させた瘴気は、見事に猿の細胞を恐るべき速度で喰らい尽くし、その細胞の分だけその量を増やした。
遂には猿の体中の毛穴から瘴気が溢れ出て、猿の姿が黒い瘴気で見えなくなった。
それからしばらく待つと、瘴気が全て僕の下へと戻って来る。その量は、3mの猿を瘴気で形作ることが出来る程の量。これならナイフを百本作ってもお釣りが出そうだ。
そして瘴気が離れて、猿の居た場所には―――何も残っていなかった。
肉も、皮も、骨も、内臓も、何もかもが全て瘴気に変換された。その結果、この縄張りに於いて最強を誇っていたあの巨大な猿は......その存在そのものが無かったかのように、姿を消したのだった。
「つくづく規格外だなぁ......レイラちゃんは......」
僕は周囲をふよふよと浮遊する瘴気を消して、苦笑気味にそう呟いた。
Between Grandile Kingdom and the town where Kitsune was, paved road had been established, however along with it forest that grew as if a matter of course, there was also rocky mountain around.
Of course, there were demonic beasts; which were suitable to those places; living there.
--a shadow appeared in the forest.
Having the vicinity as its turf, even among its kind, it had a considerably large and robust body, that was the proof of how many victories it had accumulated during its struggle to survive up until now. Moreover it had a great self-confidence, and it had also high self-esteem as to how powerful it was.
And now, the past it which desperately fought to become more and more powerful, so that it wouldn't lose to anything in its turf, had become the foundation of the current it.
Its name was "Crazy Monkey".
Monkey type demonic beast, they commonly had bodies that were bigger than usual earth's gorillas. They usually formed and lived in a group, however, this one was a mutated one.
From born, then grew, and ever since it was capable of fighting, it was always fighting alone by itself. Its body was even almost twice as their usual size, it was greatly different from the other from its kind, and its power exceeded even those of higher rank demonic beasts.
It was akin to a subspecies, and upon defeating and eating those of higher rank demonic beasts, it grew even stronger. Normally, they should be grouped as top of E class demonic beast, but upon mutation, its power was surely no less than those of top D class magical beasts.
Since there was none that could defeat it, it held its chest high. Drumming it like how gorillas did, when its sounds reverberated in the air, all demonic beasts and animals around would cower in fear.
Currently, of all existence there, it was surely... the strongest.
With thunder like sounds, the roar from its huge body was filled with two components, terrific force and intimidating air to its surroundings.
"--!?"
However, the next instant....
"...just when I thought there was this seemingly noisy guy around here... was it you, I wonder? The one that kept making that annoying sounds, it was disturbing the neighbors... ah, I mean, it was disturbing me, you know?"
Before it, a small human appeared. Donning black clothes, and his eyes were of different colors.
The monkey, as a demonic beast, it had fought adventurers numerous times already. They all thought it was of E rank, dropped their guard down, and died in its hand. As a demonic beast, it could be considered as quite a clever one, it could learn and understand that it could protect itself by wearing an armor and gauntlets. It understood that it could wear an armor that was no less sturdy than its thick and robust skin.
From that wisdom, it understand that by increasing its defense power it wouldn't as easily to die, and also how convenient to had one, however the youth before it didn't wear any protective gears whatsoever. Just with a glance, he was surely nothing before it.
However--
"You sure are huge, I seriously want to know what you ate to grow up to be that huge."
--even while speaking as such, there was no hint of fear toward its huge body.
The monkey didn't understand what he said. It was surely a clever one, but only at chimpanzee level at most, it didn't understand human tongue, and it also could speak. Thus, still not understanding what his words meant, toward the youth that was speaking before it, it bore "fear".
"Well then... let's do it."
At the youth's hand, black miasma gathered and turned into a knife, and his left red eye shone jade green light. And then, from his tiny body, intimidating air was growing.
The monkey, all of its senses urged it to "run". However, it immediate shook them off. After surviving battles after battle thus far, it was without a doubt powerful, to run away from such tiny human, its pride couldn't allow that to happen.
"Gururururu....!"
Growling, summoning forth its full strength, it was prepared to the battle. As for the youth, he was staring at the monkey with faint smile on his face.
And then, with the sound of the youth's step on the ground, that very instant, the monkey kicked the ground, and charged toward the youth in terrific speed.
The battle, had begun commencing--
After discussing together with Leila-chan and the other and deciding what to do, I decided to immediately leave the town to hunt some demonic beasts to raise my level.
Back when I was at Miniera, there were many small fry demonic beasts around human's settlement, so I was intending to go leveling by hunting such demonic beasts, but I happened to meet this clearly abnormally powerful fellow.
When I peek at its status, it's really dangerous.
*Status*
Race                           : Monkey type demonic beast - subspecies  Lv.54
Strength                   : 3230
Stamina                    : 5400
Resistance               : 890
Agility                       : 4900
Magic Power          : 100
However, when I invoked{Eerie Constitution} , it showed a hint of intention of running away. Mental power-wise, as expected seems like I'm the superior one. Well, that only means this demonic beast isn't that of a great deal, huh. Its status is somewhat higher than mine, though.
Seemingly intending to fight me, I can feel that it focusing its full power. However, when I activate {Demon Eye of Foresight} , I can see what moves it intends to make. As long as I can see it, no matter how fast it moves, I'll have a way to deal with it.
When I stamp my leg on the ground, it vigorously rushes toward me.
"--I can see it."
However, having foreseen its upcoming lariat-like arm, I crouch down and evade it. A bristle arm that's thicker than even a log passes by just overhead my body.
I see, this is surely an amazing ability. If I know what attack coming next, I'll be able to evade it, if I can evade it, I can use the opening to counterattack. The ability to foresee what happens next, for the current me this ability sure is very convenient.
"Fu...!!"
"Gaaaa!?"
Then, pursuing the passing by arm, I stab my black knife on it. The sharpness of the knife made of miasma is simply amazing, it can easily pierce through its thick skin. However, our strength are world apart. With its arm powerful momentum, my knife is stuck and taken away.
However, I then release the miasma and remake in on my hand. The one left on its arm is a knife cut.
"The first move is my win, come on, once again."
Saying so, I beckon it to come at me again. And then, just like that, after getting slightly irritated over the injury on its arm, seems like such words are enough to provoke it further, it puts its whole strength into its body again.
After that, we repeated such collision numerous times, and thirty minutes has passed since the battle began.
Thus, right now I still have no injury on my body. On the contrary, there are numerous injuries on its body. With blood flowing out from those injuries, its furs are dyed in red. As the stance goes, its power will surely deplete from the blood losing. Perhaps it's the very first time for me to be able to fight a powerful opponent by myself.
Exactly when I think as such...
For the xth-time, seeing that it takes the stance of charging in, I activate {Demon Eye of Foresight} -- no, I try to activate it, however it doesn't activate at all.
"!?"
Since I can't activate it, I can't see what happens next. The monkey's approaching punch, however this time it isn't the sensation of seeing it in the future, but seeing it approaching in the reality itself.
"Uga... aa...!!"
Perfectly and precisely, its huge punch lands exactly on my face. I can hear cracking sounds from my bones.
My upper body is bent backward, rather than blown away, as if thrown to the ground, my body smashed down directly on the ground.
I feel like I lose consciousness for an instant.
"Haa...! It's... bad... I've... a nosebleed...!"
I don't feel hurt, but seems like my mind is shaken by that single attack. I can't move my body properly. Seems like I'm still alive only thanks to my high resistance, but the table surely has been turned with that single attack. This is bad...!
Perhaps having anger accumulated after being injured numerous times, seems like it's very happy that that attack connected perfectly on me, the monkey rises a delightful roar.
When the monkey drumming its chest, I'm assessing our current situation. Moving my body, I try activating {Demon Eye of Foresight} again while standing up. However, it doesn't activate.
"Ouch...!"
Moreover, sharp pain runs through my left eye. Seems like my {Demon Eye of Foresight}  isn't a convenient tool that can be continuously activated infinitely. Thirty minutes, perhaps it's because I've been activating it continuously, if I put some interval between activation then perhaps it can last longer, but be that as it may, most likely one hour is already pushing the limit. After using it for such duration, I have to rest my eye for a while, huh.
"Next is battle using miasma, huh... is there any other use aside from turning it into weapon, I wonder...."
At this rate perhaps I'd die for a bit. I originally came here for the small fries, but to meet this monkey... what a terrible luck. Well, I was the one who approached it first, though.
Miasma-- that means virus, but in reality it's a miniscule cell-sized germ.
As for its traits, it doesn't have cell that possess genes, so it's not a life-form. You can even refer it as an unscientific existence. Devouring the life, living without a life as the strongest and the worst threat.
And then, that nature is....!
Upon pondering about it a bit, I stumble upon a certain thought.
The possibility of trying it out, it's plenty enough... it matches Leila-chan's, or rather "Red Night"'s traits and conditions. Should I be able to perform it well, it's depending on the miasma, but perhaps I can decide the victor by the next attack.
For that sake, well, let's put our trust in Leila-chan a bit. In S rank's threatening power.
"...well then... once again, king of the mountain."
I face the monkey that's staring at me, and then I release miasma from my staggering body.
I don't form it into a knife. Just once, should I be able to strike these miasma onto the monkey's large body, victory is practically mine!
One step each, I and the monkey take some distances, and analyze what move the opposite side might make next. Now that I can't use{Demon Eye of Foresight} , I can't overlook even a single millisecond. I can't afford to overlook the very moment it moves and charges toward me.
It slowly makes it stance, while glaring at me.
And then... the monkey kicks the ground...!
With intention of putting the finishing blow, it throws its large fist along with the fiercest roar I've ever heard. That isn't a speed I can evade, the moment I sense that, I kick the ground and my {Intuition}  says to jump sideway. Nevertheless... I keep my eyes locked firmly on its arm.
Fortunately, the punch passes by exactly next to my face. That very moment, I wrap all the miasma on that arm.
And then, still with miasma on its arm, the monkey moves in a lightning speed to my rear, the ground is shaved where it stops.
There's no pursuit. The monkey shakes its arm to shakes off the attaching miasma.
However, now it's my turn to attack.
"--I think you better stop doing that... it'll eat you, you know?"
Saying so, I control the miasma. With "The thought of invading the monkey's body", the miasma are forcing their ways into the monkey's body.
Then, I can sense that the miasma are entering through the hole where the furs grow. Perhaps thanks to its space sensing trait, I can even sense the monkey's blood pulse from the miasma that invade its vein. It's a very vague sensation, but the most important part is the ability to corrode its inner body.
Miasma is virus. Then this virus has a certain nature from its structure and trait.
"Ga, aaaa.... Gu.... Ruaa......!!"
Evidently, the monkey's around three meters tall body is solidified as if a broken doll. And then, from its large mouth, ear, and nose, black miasma are overflowing. The number are way more abundant than the one I released before.
That's right, the miasma are multiplying by eating the monkey's cells.
If my conjecture is true, then perhaps the miasma I could release before was equivalent to the amount of meat I've eaten up until now in this world. I think the miasma Leila-chan can release is also equivalent to the amount of cells she's eaten every night ever since she was still a child.
That's why she could release such massive amount of miasma, enough to make a large sized guillotine, right? Ultimately Leila-chan is a demon that can turn the meat she eats into miasma, and then control it at will.
That means, these miasma that were born from her, they should have the nature of multiplying by devouring cells as well.
And then, seems like my conjecture is spot on. The miasma that are corroding the monkey's inner body are admirably devouring the cells at an astonishing rate, and the amount are increasing in accordance to how much cells devoured.
In the end the miasma are even overflowing from the monkey's pores all around the body, and its whole body is completely covered by the miasma.
After waiting for a bit more, all of the miasma return and gather around me. The amount is, enough to imitate the three meters tall monkey's body. With this, seems like I can make a hundred of knifes with ease.
After the miasma dispersing, at the location where the monkey was there... nothing's left there.
Either it meat, pelt, bone, innards, everything has turned into miasma. As the result, that huge monkey that boasted as the strongest in this area... has disappeared, as if it never existed in the first place.
"She's really out of ordinary, huh... Leila-chan, I mean...."
Dispersing the floating miasma around me, I murmur so while floating a bitter smile.
I Kinda Came to Another World, but Where’s the Way Home?
【書籍化】異世界来ちゃったけど帰り道何処？
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/i-kinda-came-to-another-world-but-wheres-the-way-home/
Action Adventure Comedy Drama Fantasy Harem Shounen Slice of Life
Apathetic Protagonist Bullying Calm Protagonist Demi-Humans Demon Lord Demons Dense Protagonist Fairies Game Elements Ghosts Heterochromia Knights Level System Male Protagonist Murders Naive Protagonist R-15 Royalty R*pe S*aves Sword And Magic Transported to Another World Weak Protagonist Yandere
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