A huge shadow runs through the underground canal.
　Two pairs of small shadows chasing the giant shadow are engaged in a fierce battle.
　Sparks flew in the dimly lit sewers and black blood mixed with the stench of decay splattered, overriding the stench of the sewers.

This guy's stubborn. Most of the time, they go down quickly, but this one's pretty tough to kill.
"You're giving me a hard time. As for me, I'd rather not be in a place like this.

　They were dressed in an Eastern style that was incongruous in this continent of medieval Western culture.
　One of them was a man in his fifties carrying a sword, and the other was a woman dressed in a dignified dress.
　They are the mercenary and bounty hunter, [Sakaki Genma], and his wife, [Sakaki Kozue] (maiden name: Kozue Farfen). To put it bluntly, they were Kaede's parents.
　They are both mercenaries, specifically hunters of bounty hunters.
　But mercenaries can't make a living by themselves. Sometimes they have to kill demons like this.
　Hardship is an inseparable part of a mercenary's life, and Genma and the others were no different.
　They happened to be in Metis, and were investigating the underground with a party of mercenaries when they were asked by the Mercenary Guild to kill a mysterious creature living in the sewers.
　By chance, they encountered the creature and went into battle.
　The other mercenaries who had left Genma had already been eaten, and the rest were still investigating the sewers and had yet to join up. In effect, he and Kozue had fallen into a situation where they would have to take the fight alone.

"Kozue, you just focus on the chase. I'll kill him.
You ....... I'd like to take a bath soon, is there a bath at the inn I'm staying at today?
Are you ...... worried about the bath at a time like this?
It's important, you know.　We are working in a dirty place like this, if we don't clean it at the inn, we will get sick.
Well, that's true. ......

　The underground canal is a channel for discharging domestic wastewater, but of course, sewage and other filth will flow into this sewage, and there is no doubt that a large amount of bacteria is breeding.
　It's not a very clean place, to say the least.

What is it?　What is this monster? ......
It's not rude to call someone a monster or a monstrosity!　I didn't choose to look like this!
And it speaks fluently. I've never seen such a monster-bookie creature in my life!
Did you just say that again?　Who's creepy?
Miss, we're creepy as hell.
It's the thought that sticks in your mind.
It hurts, it hurts my heart!

　Each of the countless mouths on my body spits out a different word.
　After all, it looks like a hundred feet, and a woman's body is growing out of its head. And it's huge.
　The body is not a crustacean but a human skin, but there are numerous eyeballs and mouths in various parts of the body. In addition, its legs are human limbs.
　If this isn't creepy, I don't know what is.
　It is truly a magnificent creature.

"Well, what you are doesn't mean much to me. I don't care as long as I can slay you.
You have no hesitation in slaying women?
You think so?　How many have you eaten before you got here? If you want to be human, why don't you just go f*ck yourselves?
What's wrong with killing people who are trying to kill people?
On the other hand, what's wrong with killing a monster-bookie creature that eats people?
I don't care!　I've decided that I'm going to amass a tremendous fortune and spend the rest of my life being pampered by nice men!
"......... in that form?
"Ugh. .........

　The harsh words that I have no words to reply stab me in the back.
　It is true that no other man can approach you in your current form, and even if you accumulate a fortune, it will only be enough to attract mercenaries. Before that, she is not even human, so it is meaningless.
　In reality, it was just a dream that would never come true.

"Well, now the time for talking is over. Let's start again.
"d*mn, ...... is a pain in the ass. I'll just go to .......

　The leg of the monster enlarged for a moment, and then detached from the body with a sickening buzzing sound.
　The leg - a lump of flesh - wriggled and writhed eerily as it changed shape, transforming itself into a misshapen humanoid.

"Hey, hey, hey. ....... I'm sure you'll be able to figure out how to do it.
I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for you.　There's plenty of material for your pawns.
Are you talking about the people you ate?
Yes. Your friends are here, they'll play with you. I'll let you get away in the meantime.

　The monster's alter ego was born from a growing mass of flesh.
　Some of them have two human lower halves connected, and some have two separate upper halves, and each one is slowly approaching Genma with a weapon made of bone in its hand.


　Instead, the body looked like it had shrunk about two sizes.

"......, you're actually a pain in the ass, aren't you?　You've shrunk even more than before.
But I'm a lot lighter for it. I've got to get out of here as soon as I can.
"Wait for me... oh!

　A body with eight arms sprouting from its torso attacked Genma with a spear made of bone, trying to skewer him.
　He dodged and counter-attacked with a flash of sidewalk cleave.
　The other lumps of flesh began to move, all closing in on Genma at once.

It's a nasty ....... But this is getting interesting!

　There were many of them, but they didn't seem to be very strong.
　I'm not sure what to make of it.

It's useless, there's no way I can be stopped by these little guys!
"How about that?
What?

　Suddenly, she felt a presence from behind her.
　I'm not sure if that's a good idea, but it's a good idea.
　No, each of the cut down humanoid forms sprouted arms, legs, heads, mouths, eyes, etc. in the same way and attacked Genma, trying to eat him.

What the heck is ...... this thing? No, I've had a run-in with one just like it before. Could he be a victim of that drug?
It's true they're weak, but what happens when they multiply in large numbers in this subterranean canal?　It's too late.
Oi, oi, ....... If you do that, you'll just keep shrinking, too.
I don't mind. The smaller you are, the easier it is to escape. Besides, you can do this, right?

　The hundred-legged monster shrank to a lump of flesh in an instant, then slid like a rope into a drain just barely big enough for a child.
　It moved like a snake.
　I quickly slashed at it with the snow wind, but the detached parts reunited and it was able to escape.
　It had mass but seemed to be able to move freely. Finally, it said, "If you can kill me, kill me," and fled without a trace.
　All that was left was a bunch of flesh and blood fish.

I'm not sure I'd be able to do something like that. Is this a failed request?

　As he sliced through the jumping masses of flesh, Genma realized that his request had failed.
　However, the small but troublesome monster still existed here.
　He couldn't just leave them like this and swung his sword desperately trying to reduce their numbers.
　However, slashing them would not kill them, but they would regenerate into other individuals or fuse with each other and never stop attacking.
　If he continued like this, he would be forced to fight for a long time, and he would lose the main body.

How are these things going to die?　Are they just going to keep going until they run out of nutrients like the zombies before them?　They've left us with a messy souvenir. ......

　Genma knows about the sacrifice of a drug that has been declared forbidden in the magical kingdom of Solistair and surrounding countries.
　Not only does it turn the user into a monster, but it eventually coalesces into a single entity that transforms into a giant demon.
　It will continue its predatory activities indefinitely until it is burned without a trace, and its threat is as dangerous as that of a dragon. It could easily wipe out an entire country.

If that's the case, we should probably leave now. ......

　Gengma could easily retreat.
　But now there's a reason why this fleshy monster can't be left alone.

"......co,......te,......re,......
"Mom, ......doco......?　I'm not sure if it's ...... ...... or not.
"Cynacete ...... is a bad .......
"Tsk, ......, that's not very nice. But how can I make it go away? This lump of meat will regenerate as soon as you cut it.

　I'm not sure what to make of this. If it were possible, I would even want to make him comfortable.
　They were similar in nature, but somehow they didn't seem to be the same as the zombies he knew.

I wish I could burn them all down at once, but I'm not very good at magic.

　Despite being an elf, Genma was not very good at magic, and could not even use attack magic properly.
　Even with his high magic power, Genma specializes in sword-fighting techniques and is basically only capable of slashing.
　The swarming humanoid misfits were being controlled by a will other than their own, and they continued to attack, and he thought desperately as he dodged their attacks.

"Hey, Kozue. Can you help me with ...... Kozue?

　For the first time in a long time, he decided to ask for Kozue's help.
　My wife, Kozue, is good at magic, but she is a ninja and I haven't seen her use magic in over twenty years.
　But at the critical moment, she was nowhere to be found.

"Hey, where'd she go?　Kozue, Kozue!
There's so much treasure back there!

　Kozue came back to me with her eyes sparkling.
　In his hands were several thin books: .......

I'm not sure what to say.　Why do you have such a thing in your hand? ....... I'm not sure what to make of this.　I'm not sure what to do.
I'm not sure what to make of this. Are you a demon?


"What if it gets sick?　What if I get sick?
"Yes, it's a bit gritty, but it's not unreadable if you try hard enough.
Sick in a different way. ....... Who's the idiot who made this immoral book popular? ...... Whoa!

　Flesh Lump Tentacle Attack.
　I know it's dangerous to look away in the middle of battle, but I still can't help but notice your wife's sick behavior.
　Kozue goes to dump him back where he came from, but he keeps glancing back at Genma.
　However, as a man and a husband, I can't overlook BL books. If I could, I would even get rid of them all from this world.

"You ...... are .........
"Okusan, Byouki......Dana......Bizin, Nano, Ni............
"Tashkani, anohon ha ...... kyouiku ni yoroshiku...nai.

　Some of the victims were sympathetic.

Are they ...... good?
"It's good, but if it's not good for you, it's not ...... good.　It's not ...... good.
"Danjo sabetsu yo!　I'm not going to be able to do it.
"Gay demo no yai, ningen dama mono ......

　And then there was the criticism from some.

You guys can still afford to look like that: ....... It's okay if you don't become a Buddha, isn't it?
「「「「「「 soehakomaru!　」」」」」」

　It seems that you want to get comfortable as soon as possible.
　I'm sure you've heard of it. I'm sure he wants to get comfortable as soon as possible.
　But Kozue, who could save them, remained dejected and disappeared into the back. In the meantime, the attacks continued.
　It was easy to avoid them, but it was mentally frustrating to have to keep doing it over and over again.
　Mr. Kozue came back from the back of the room.
　I don't know if she was holding back her hair, or if she was feeling desperate, but the way she stopped and glanced at the back of the room over and over again was quite irresistible.

Sorry for the wait. ......
"Oh, sure, I've been waiting. I've been waiting for you for a while now, but I need you to make them comfortable, because I can't do magic.
All right. I will turn my grief into anger and burn them to the ground, leaving no trace, not even a speck of dust.
「「「「「「 Rifzin!　」」」」」」

　It seems that the poor victims will be destroyed by the rotten mistress's remedy.
　I'm sorry to hear that.

I'm not sure what to do.

　This is the first time that I've ever seen such a thing.
　It's strengthened by magic, so the thread is as strong as steel.
　However, the lump of flesh wriggled around trying to escape the binding while cutting itself down.

[Hellflame] [Flare Burst].

　Red flames swept through the underground canal.
　The mass of flesh was instantly turned into charcoal, and the blast accelerated through the narrow space of the lower channel, blowing everything away without a trace.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

　The two of them ran as fast as they could to escape the blast, Genma and Kozue desperately trying to keep their distance from the area of effect.
　I don't remember where they ran, but when they saw the exit, they nodded to each other and flew left and right, taking advantage of the moment they were outside.
　In the blink of an eye, an explosion passed by and a heat wave burned their skin.

The heat wave burned the skin of both of them. "Hahaha, ......, that was a close one.
"Oh ...... now that treasure is ashes .......... I was going to pick it up later. ......
Is that the last of it?

　Lately, my wife seems to have gone somewhere far away from me.
　In any case, the two of them failed to defeat the demons living in the underground canal.


　You can't do that.


　The other mercenaries who were commissioned to defeat the demons living in the underground canal had encountered the mysterious Centipede woman.
　More than half of the party of dozens of mercenaries were turned back, and many were killed, eaten, or became part of the monster.

"Huh, don't come ...... here!

　The mercenaries were caught by the countless arms that sprouted from the centipedes' bodies, their limbs were torn off, and they disappeared into the countless mouths that opened everywhere.
　The eyes all over their bodies capture their prey, and one by one they are captured and devoured.

It's also a monster. ...... Agh!

　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for, but it's not always possible.

I'm not sure what to do.　It's not a joke.
No way, I can't deal with this monster!
Run!

　The subterranean canal was filled with the smell of blood.
　The underground canal was filled with the stench of blood. Rats were rushing in droves to take advantage of the scattered pieces of mercenary flesh.



Huh, I don't like the idea of a bunch of girls chasing each other around.
Miss, what the hell kind of woman do you think you are?
She's a monster.
You're still hungry in this form. ......
Shut up!

　I'm not sure if you've heard of this, but I'm sure you've heard of it.
　I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it.
　The mercenaries themselves were not that bad, but the problem was that some of them were skilled. The monsters - Sharanra and the others - were legion, and they were not strong at all, just unusually vital.
　They have acquired many skills from those they have taken in, but they do not use them all. To put it bluntly, they are less than dexterous.
　For example, Sharanra is able to use Shadow Dive, but at the moment she is unable to use it because the skills of the others she has taken in are in the way.
　It is as if those who have taken her in are dragging her down.
　The only skills she can use are [Splitting], which she newly acquired by becoming a monster, and [Metamorphosis], which changes her appearance. The only thing she can use is the [Strong Acid].
　The useful abilities of the heroes did not work at all, with a few exceptions.
　With their current bizarre appearance, it is nearly impossible for them to escape without being seen.
　In fact, bounty hunters and mercenaries have formed a strike force and are attacking Sharanra to destroy her.
　She was willing to sacrifice others for herself, but she couldn't stand the thought of sacrificing herself for others' livelihood.

We'd better get out of this sewer. I can't be bothered to deal with all these death squads and I don't want to deal with them all the time.
Where are we going when we get out of here?
Where are we going?　We can't just hide in the city.
It's desperation. We're going to raid every town and village we can find and build up our power!　Don't you want to take revenge on this joke of a world?
「「「「 Indeed, ...... 」」」」

　It's just a collection of rotten souls like thieves and ruffians.
　What they have in common is that they are more selfish and violent than anyone else. They are social misfits who do not fit into the general society and are shunned by those around them.
　Their thinking is, "I'm not wrong. Their thinking is 'I'm not wrong, it's the world that doesn't accept me that's wrong.
　To put it succinctly, they are a collection of rotten consciousnesses that have lived their lives blaming others for their bad behavior, such as "It's society's fault that I'm poor," "It's my teachers and parents' fault that I'm stupid," and "It's the people around me that I can't accept.
　They are self-centered people who put the blame on others without realizing that people who impose their own spoiled sensibilities on others will never be trusted.
　But what happens when the soul of such a thinker, even if it is only a soul, is integrated into a group?
　The answer is that they take extreme actions.

"I was kicked out of my village for beating up a weak man. If it hadn't been for that, I wouldn't be on the street. ......
I want to kill that woman who dumped me. ......
My father abandoned me because he thought my brother was better than him. ....... All that money was mine!
I can't forgive the owner for firing me for borrowing his sales money. ......
That's right!　You're a monster now, and you're going to take revenge on the people who have wronged you!　Why do we have to be unhappy, it's unreasonable!

　It's unreasonable!
　But their grudges are amplified by self-justification, and their negative power is further strengthened by synchronizing the grudges of other victims.
　The trouble is, even if it's just a grudge in the eyes of the public, they believe it's a legitimate one, and there's nothing they can do about it.
　Their bloated, self-centered desire to show off rewrites their perceptions to deny everything but themselves.

　--Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

　The twisted, ugly creature began to act.
　It wandered through the underground canals, and when it couldn't find a way out, it forced its way through a manhole and crawled out into the city.

"What the hell is that?
Monsters!
Run!

　The city is in a panic.
　It attacks the fleeing crowds and begins to prey indiscriminately.
　It was a hellish scene of screaming.

　The Jabberwock is free to fly.

　The Jabberwock was enjoying the freedom of the sky.
　The Jabberwock was enjoying the freedom of the skies. It was enjoying its air travel gracefully despite its ghastly appearance, raiding temples and churches of the four gods as if it remembered them, and repeatedly retreating when it was satisfied.
　The holy knights, unable to catch the Jabberwock's trail, lag behind, watching their futile efforts and appearing as if to mock them, ridiculing their desperate efforts to attack.
　If you call me a bad character, that's all I'll say, but I'm a victim who was summoned as a hero, and when I was done, I was killed by assassination. That level of revenge is acceptable.
　After all, they are victims who have been summoned for their own reasons and buried in the dark. .......

"Where should we hit next?
A large temple would be nice, wouldn't it?　There's nothing like the moment when a historic structure is reduced to rubble in an instant.
The priests must be in a state of panic.
Let me kill the Pope!　That old bastard's not going to die easy!


"Iwata-kun ...... was killed. But I can't let Ichijo-san see me like this!

　The Jabberwock was slowly growing in power.
　The Jabberwock, incarnated from a grudge and strengthened by the power of Alfea Megas, is now the most powerful demon in the world.
　Of course, he would inevitably be defeated if some great sage or chemist attacked him as a duo, but even though they were out of his league, they would not be his enemies.
　On the contrary, I'm sure they'll cheer for us to do more.
　Well, the Jabberwock, who had not yet made contact with them, had completed his task of crushing two churches with his huge body and was moving to another city while the Holy Knights were making noise.
　They were flying at night, so their figures were inconspicuous, but the lights of the city were noticeable enough.
　As they were discussing the possibility of doing some more work, they noticed something strange in the city that they could see from the sky.

"Is that a fire?
No, something's wrong, isn't it?
"War?　Revolution?　A revolt?　A revolt?
They're not all alike. What do you think it is?
Do you want to come by?
「「「「「「 I like it!　」」」」」」

　By unanimous vote, the former heroes agreed.
　They descended slowly from high altitude and circled along the outer wall of the city.
　What they saw there was...

"What the hell is that?
The monster. ......
No, we're monsters enough as it is.
That's disgusting. ......
Ugh, ......, I'm gonna throw up.
I can't stand it. What is that creepy creature that seems to appear at the end of the world ......?

　In a word, it resembled a centipede.
　However, its appearance was hideous and physiologically disgusting.
　The Jabberwock was a similar creature, but if anything, they were more decent looking. At least they have a biological form. .......

What do we do?
Oh, I think we can leave them alone. ......
"It's kind of gross just to look at it. Why don't we just kill it?
There's a chance he'll get in our way in the future.
I don't have anything against people in the city, so you might as well help them.
Haha, Sasamoto's so naive. But I agree with you. It's a good way to pass the time.
Who's Sasamoto?
There are so many, I don't know who they are. There are at least five of them. ......

　The Jabberwock - or rather, the former heroes - circled and checked out the city.
　The creature was eerie, bizarre, and horrifying.
　It seemed to be slowly growing, devouring the city's inhabitants as it captured them.
　Above all, they felt physiological disgust at being so close to them.
　They make a decision.

「「「「「「「 I'm going to make this disgusting feeling go away!　」」」」」」」

　The Jabberwock gets a little distance, flaps its two pairs of wings, accelerates, and charges at the hundred-legged monster.
　The battle of the demon dragon vs. the ugly monster begins now.

　I've been a gatekeeper in the city for 20 years.

　The man who has served as the city's gatekeeper for 20 years was on duty as usual that day.
　It was the same old routine.
　It was after noon when it was broken.
　Mercenaries from the Mercenary Guild had gone underground since the morning to defeat the demons that lived in the underground sewers, and despite some commotion, the day had been peaceful as usual.
　That was the thought, but that routine was suddenly broken.
　At dusk, a monster suddenly emerged from underground and attacked the residents of the city, beginning a hell like the end of the world.
　Screams erupted, the smell of blood filled the city, and many residents rushed to the gates.
　Worst of all, the city's gates were too narrow to prevent enemy invasion, and there were only two gates, one on the east and one on the west. The people who came to the city were stuck in a situation where they could not escape.

　To make matters worse, the pieces of flesh separated from the monsters became humanoid monsters and attacked the people, and the victims also became monsters and attacked other people.
　The growing number of humanoid forms fused with the main body, which looked like a hundred pairs of legs, and gradually grew larger.
　Yes, the monster that emerged from the underground canal was eating the inhabitants of the city.

It's a ...... nightmare.

　Acquaintances, residents, mercenaries, and colleagues were all being eaten.
　It's a hell on earth.
　Fortunately, the guard's family succeeded in escaping, but there was no guarantee that this monster would not pursue them. That is why I stayed here and tried to buy as much time as I could.


　The other coworkers were the same, but one by one, they were eaten and their numbers dwindled.

Bad luck for both of us, old man.
It's part of the job. Is the west gate safe?
I saw some Eastern-looking mercenaries, male and female, fighting well, but I'm not sure about them now. Either way, we're doomed to end up here.
The only thing that saved my life is that I got my wife and daughter out of there. ....... I was hoping to at least see my grandchildren.

　I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's worth it.
　There was no turning back now.
　He was surrounded by the humanoid masses that used to inhabit the city, and the gates were completely closed, blocking his way out.
　All the man could do was to take out as many of the monsters as he could.
　There were only three of his fellow guards and five mercenaries left. And the approaching hundred-legged monster. He decides that it's over.

I'd like to at least put a sword in that monster. ......
"I agree. I'll show that disgusting monster what he's made of!
「「「「「「 Oh!　」」」」」」

　The surviving guards and knights were about to begin their last ditch effort.
　That's when...

　--Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

　A roar echoed from the heavens.
　And then, a jet-black giant shadow that hit the hundred-legged monster with tremendous speed.

Oh, that's ......
Dragon?
Why is ......... this happening?

　It's the jet-black dragon that's been causing a ruckus in the Metis Holy God Kingdom lately.
　It attacks only the temples and churches of the Four Gods, and I've never heard of any human casualties.
　At best, some unsavory priests and cardinals get caught up in it and are killed.
　Priests also suffer some casualties, but most of them are the first to flee when they hear the alarm bell that the dragon has appeared, so the damage is minimal.
　Even so, it is undeniable that only the priests suffer badly, but the damage to the general public is next to nothing.
　The dragon was attacked by a hundred-legged monster.
　With its long tail, the dragon cleaved the swarming humanoids and roared again, sending them flying in a shockwave.
　As if to protect them, the dragon stood in front of the hundred-legged creature.

"No way. .........
"Is this a dream?　You saved me. ......?
"Nonsense, it's a dragon!　I don't think the beast has that kind of intelligence. ......

　The guards and mercenary men had no idea what had happened.
　But all they knew for sure was that a miracle had happened here.