I summoned an army of undead and wiped out the swarm of Devilpaths and set out to explore the Sides Cave.
　Normally, Char and I would be able to attack the cave bit by bit, but I didn't want to spend time on it if possible.

　It was a crowd of more than 1,000 undead that came in handy here.
　I ordered the undead to split up and search the cave.
　In short, it was a manpower-based strategy.
　Thanks to this, we were able to quickly find the shortest route to the lowest level of the cave.

　The lowest level of the cave was an open space, with a secret passage hidden in the back.
　According to Charu's story, the passage led to an underground city.

　In the underground city, the mastermind of this time would probably be waiting for them.
　There's no doubt that he's a ...... bad guy who can manipulate the mercenary guild from behind the scenes and ramp up the Devil's Path.　
　Let's feel free to beat him up.


　* * *　

　The aisle was about two meters wide and three meters high.
　It's not a problem for a small group of people to pass through, but if a large number of people try to creep through, there will definitely be traffic jams.

　I thought about it for a while, then said to the undead army gathered at the lowest level: "Everyone, thank you for your efforts.

"Everyone, thank you for your hard work. Rest for a while.

　Unlock the Necrodark.
　The undead bowed to me and with a swoosh, they scattered as dark-colored particles and disappeared like a mist or an illusion.
　Only two people are left, me and Char.

''I'll go first. Charu will come from behind.
I understand. Mr. Ko, please take care of yourself.
I know. I'm very careful.

　We stepped into the passageway.
　The passageway is a gently descending tunnel.
　We walked onward, looking for signs of our surroundings.

　After about five minutes of walking, the exit of the tunnel came into view in the distance.

　I stopped for a moment.
　I stopped because a bad possibility had crossed my mind.

"Ko-sama, what's wrong?

　Charu asks curiously.

'There could be an enemy ambush just outside the tunnel. If I'm on the side of the mastermind, I'll make sure of it. I could send ...... undead out to scout for them.

　I'm going to activate the NecroDark.
　Now, what shall I summon?
　After thinking about it for a few seconds, I say the words.

'Come, Black Dragon of Extreme Destruction.'
"--gasp.

　The darkness of the abyss spread out at my feet, and a two-meter-long black dragon popped out of it.
　This time, I dared to summon it at a miniature size.
　If I summoned it at its original size, the tunnel would be packed tight.

''Gau?''

　What can I do for you?　The black dragon tilts his head as if to say.
　It's kind of cute.
　I didn't expect the impression to change so much just by being mini-sized.

''Go ahead and scout for any enemies.
Gah!　Gah!

　The black dragon nodded coyly and headed towards the exit of the tunnel with a flutter of wings.
　When she suddenly looked at Charu, she had a look of surprise on her face.

''Ko-sama, you said earlier that you were the Black Dragon of Extreme Extinction ......?
Yeah.

　I nodded.

'I was collecting souls when I defeated the black dragon. I can call it up anytime with the Necrodark.
''So Ko-sama is not only a [disaster killer] but also a disaster messenger: ......!　It's lovely: ......!

　Disaster killer and messenger of misfortune.
　It's a name that sounds kind of like a chunky name.
　I'm not sure if I'll ever really be able to get the skill to use it at ....... Maybe.

　While Char and I were talking, the black dragon had arrived at the exit of the tunnel.

''Gahhh!''

　He moved his wings wide and went out of the tunnel at a brisk pace.
　It was then.
　A flash of red light struck the black dragon from all directions.

　...... Apparently, just as I had predicted, the enemy had placed an ambush army just outside the tunnel.

''Gawd!

　The black dragon let out a surprised cry and quickly turned back into the tunnel and came straight to me.
　Despite being attacked by the enemy, not a single scratch was on its body.
　A disaster is a disaster even when it's mini-sized, and it's a reliable presence to have on your side.

''Gau, gau!''

　I see, I don't understand.
　While patting the black dragon's head as it complains about something with tears in its eyes, I release the Necrodark.
　The black dragon's body is quickly reduced to dark-colored particles, and its soul is collected in the item box.
　At the same time, what the black dragon has seen and heard flows into my brain.

'...... So that's what it means.'

　When I nodded alone, Charu, who was next to me, asked me a question.

'Ko-sama, what on earth happened?'
It's an enemy ambush.

　It seems that a total of eight Orihalcon Golems, four on each side, are waiting in ambush across the point just outside the tunnel.
　The red flash that struck the black dragon was probably the magical lasers of the Orihalcon Golems.
　However, the black dragon's scales are equipped with 《Magic Power Reflex S+》.
　So it did no damage.

Well, let's see what we can do.

　I could charge through the army of undead and force my way through with a materialistic strategy, but let's be a little smarter here.

　I opened the item box.
　I change my equipment from the Diabolos Armor to the Fenrir Suit.

''Char will wait here. I'll take care of the Orihalcon Golem.
'What ......!　Master Ko, please wait!　It's too dangerous!
I'm fine. I'm fine.

　As I run, I take out a hikino wooden sword from the item box.
　It's been a long time since I've used this weapon.
　It's probably the first time since I defeated the black dragon.

　We exited the tunnel.
　Four Orihalcon Golems were waiting for me on the left and four on the right.
　Each one's eyes glow red and they align their magic laser sights with mine.

''Let's go.''

　I activated Fenrirsuit's granting effect ...... 《God's Speed Blessing S》.
　My thoughts sharpened and accelerated, and time was stretched to infinity.
　In a world of slow motion, only his own body moved as usual.

　The Orihalcon golems unleashed their magic lasers.
　However, at the point where the concentrated fire rushed in, I was no longer in sight.

''Haaaaah!''

　My first target was the four Orihalcon golems to my left.
　I flesh out one of them and cut it down under a single sword.
　It's cut in half, left and right.
　Sparks scatter from the smooth cutting surface.

　There are seven left, and I still can't let my mind wander.

　I attack the second one with the same momentum.
　It kicks the ground and leaps, cutting off its head as it rubs against the ground.

　I swing my wooden sword down just in time for it to land.
　The third Orichalcong Golem is severed from his right hand and right leg, causing him to lose his balance significantly.
　It unleashed a stab as it fell to the ground and pierced its head.

　I let go of the wooden sword and take out Hikino's wooden mallet.
　It's the one that removed the [Grant Effect Removal] to remove [Handful S+] before.

　The five remaining Orihalcon golems fired their magic lasers, so I approach the fourth one while avoiding it with a paperweight.

''Ryaaaaah!

　Full swing with speed.
　Bagong!　The body of the Orihalcon golem shattered into pieces with a roaring sound of "I don't know what to do!
　...... My own terrifying power.

　The Orihalcon golem on the left was annihilated.
　The next one is on the right.

　By the way--!
　Do you remember the armor you used the materials of the black dragon to [create] before?

　The black dragon's shield.
　It was turned into a black bracelet by the granting effect 《Disguised S》 and fitted into my right arm.

　The four Orichalcon golems on the right side released magic lasers all at once.

''...... Do you want to use your shield once in a while?''

　I deactivate the "Disguise S".
　The black dragon shield returns to its original shape.
　I used it to catch the laser.

　The black dragon's shield has been granted 《Magic Reflection S+》 just like the scales.
　The magic laser reversed as it hit the shield and attacked the Orihalcon golems.

　Explosion.
　It seems that the armor of the Orihalcon Golems is very strong, but they can't withstand their own lasers.
　All four of them were half-destroyed by a direct hit from the magic lasers.

　The winner is now decided.
　I took out a new wooden sword from the item box and cut down the four Orihalcon golems in rapid succession.

　Hmph.
　That was an easy win.

　As I was taking a breath, I heard a voice inside my head.

''Do you want to use the [Master Code] against the underground city's management system?''

　The mastermind has used the facilities in the underground city to create a horde of devil paths.
　If the second or third wave comes, it will be tricky, and we should take away the master rights here.
　I activated the [Master Code].

''I will now forcibly take away the master rights of the underground city.
　...... process ends. The master of this city is now Kou Kou Koussaka.''

　You're still fast as always.
　Within one second of activating it, I became the master of this underground city.
　Next, I activate 【Ravaged Site Control】.
　Information about the underground city flows into my brain.

　I see.

　Now I know where the mastermind is, all that's left is to catch him.