I hate being wed in a fantasy world!

For some reason, the king won't receive visitors or guests right now. Masahiko asked where the minutes of the council are held, but they seemed to be not finished yet, which is highly suspicious, even the guard he asked is surprised by this.

As the guards are all over the ruling building, they tend to know what happens inside and they banter all day. That's how, after some questioning, Masahiko found out about the minutes. The guard was was very helpful, though Masahiko suspects his [Persuasion]-attribute was at work.

However, how should he proceed from here on... This question leads him to the temple, as one of their people was the secretary. “Excuse me,” he asks the first one he meets: “I have a question.”

“Yes?”

“My name is Masahiko Inoue, I like to see the rough copy of the council meeting. Where can I find it?”

“Ah, the human who was invited to the council and Father. The copy's still withheld as it contains secret information.”

“I just need to see what I missed, while I was meeting Father.” He decided to refer to Kragg that way to not offend anyone.

“I'm sorry, but I cannot help you.” The way he talks is like: Please don't bother me.

“Don't worry.” Masahiko decides to ask another one, and then another one, but it's always the same.

Could it be that it was decided to not show it to Masahiko or his friends, despite their involvement in the case? Why the sudden change?

Masahiko keeps thinking about it for a while, and while it still seems unreasonable, he can't help but think of this being connected with Nikaws. Something is amiss in Kraggwas, and it may be because Masahiko is young, or may be because he's a human, but he was sent to the sideline. Still, from there he could sense that something is wrong.

Then a thought emerges from his less precious memories... mind-control. What if someone is holding the strings here?

He needs to see Kragg. The moment this thought has formed, Masahiko feels the stone floor suddenly goes liquid under his feet. After a moment of panic, he steels his resolve. He doesn't fight back, he lets the floor swallow him..

Dark. It's dark and cold. Masahiko can't breathe. «You wish to see Us?» Kragg's voice is the only thing that fills him, it's like a beacon of warmth and light, the opposite of what his body experiences, though he can't still see anything. «Let Us in your thoughts.»

No. Masahiko's thoughts are his own! He won't share them. Headache, as if someone shattered his head, may this be because of that resistance?

«You won't. We see.» There is neither blame nor disappointment in this voice, it's like a sober observation. «So We will let you talk.»

For Masahiko it feels like the ground vomits him out, he gasps for air the second he feels surrounded by it, though his body still needs to adapt to its new environment. He slowly opens his eyes, but he sees nothing. He must be in an unlit cave, maybe even within the temple. “Was there not a less extreme way?”

«We sought efficiency, though We don't mind taking Our time for you.»

“Thanks?”

«We shouldn't have taken this approach, We usually just look into the memories of Our followers to get the most accurate knowledge of what concerns them.» There is no apology here, but maybe something like remorse?

“Where are we?”

“A cave We just created between the levels of the temple. Do you want Us to create some light? We sense your feelings of insecurity.”

“It would help.” The sound of something growing predicts a weak light fills a small cavern, crystal formations on the wall emit the purple-pink glow. This somehow feels like a prison cell. Also, Kragg is nowhere to be seen. “Where are you?”

A swift motion in a corner and the rock-body of Kragg stands before Masahiko, the golden hands and silver eyes glimmer in the light. «We still feel you're uncomfortable.»

“Well, this should be enough. Don't go all the way to make me feel better, I just want to talk.”

«So speak, Hero.»

Masahiko's tongue feels much lighter compared to last time. While the last time felt so heavy, this time Kragg seems to be less... imposing. He talks about Nikaws, about what they have found out, about the chiefs, and the thing with the protocol, even though he planned to ask only a few questions. “Is something really going wrong here? Are demons here?”

«Yes.» The banality of the answer shocks Masahiko: «A demon hero is here.» Just a statement, no emotions involved, though something important was said. «The hero influenced the council, while We were absent.»

So many questions are hammering into Masahiko's brain: “Wait a minute, I don't even know how to react!” He breathes in and out, several times so that the fog in his head could clear up a bit.

Masahiko didn't know that demons also have heroes. So there is another world, which has demons in it, which could be summoned as heroes to this world? Is the reason why he was summoned into this world, to counter those heroes!? His own existence in this world is suddenly questioned.

Is Nikaws the demon hero? How? Can she transform into other people? Is she just a puppet of the real demon hero, who is still hiding? How did the hero influence the council? Mind-control? [Persuasion]? By having someone else do her work?

Is the army outside Kraggwas just a distraction to let the demon hero smoothly operate inside Kraggwas? Why didn't anyone notice anything? Especially seeing how fast things are developing... or is it too fast for the dari to even keep up?

Still, there is that one question that needs answering: “Why didn't you do something, you're a god!”

«Because We are a god.»

“How does that makes sense!?”

«Hero, We are Kragg, the Father. We give the dari advice, while the dari respect Us. It is not Our task to rule Kraggwas, this falls to the mortals We are guiding. They made the decision by themselves, We will let things unfold.»

“By themselves? So they aren't controlled?”

«They are just influenced. The demon hero fanned their desire for wealth and battle,»

“For what reason? Are they trying to weaken the dari so much that they can't help Feuerberg anymore?”

«Will that influence what you will do?»

Masahiko is about to yell 'Of course,' but in the end, he realizes that it really won't change anything, because he already made up his mind: “No. Please tell me how I can stop the demon hero.”

«You won't listen to Our advice.»

“I see.” So what Masahiko has in mind and what Kragg would do is different. “Then please send me back.”

«Hero, you're young and stubborn. These traits are your strength and your weakness. Farewell.» Masahiko again feels swallowed by the ground, only to emerge from a corridor in the temple. At least nobody is there, so Kragg had a little mercy for him.

He hurried to the forge as fast as the tunnels let him, he couldn't run because of the number of dari, and if he switched to the other lane, then someone will surely hold him for breaking one of the most basic rules inside the city. After painful minutes of wasting his time, he finally arrives: “Daichi, Katsuo! We’ve got to go!”

““Yes!”” Without even batting an eye or asking questions, they pack up their things. This shows how urgent Masahiko sounds.

“Here are your swords, Masa.”

“Thanks.” The weight of the weapons and the gleam of their freshly sharpened edges strengthen Masahiko's resolve even more. “We're heading to the Borhro-Enclave. I'll explain everything there.”

The moment they arrive there, Teruko and Eri join them. Nikaws should still be in there. Masahiko explains in short what he learned from Kragg While the behavior of the god puzzles his friends as much as it did him, they listen to the end: “So my plan would be to get in there, grab Nikaws, and ask her a few questions.”

“Erm, Masa,” Eri speaks up, “that's a stupid plan.”

“I know, but whatever happens in there, I want to stop it as soon as possible. So while the plan is stupid, we can do whatever it takes to make it work.”

“Alright... then I insist on bribing the guards.”

“I don't know if this will work.” While bribing itself is a crime, it's still better than attacking and hurting the people who are just doing their job.

“We could look for another way, but bribing is easier. [Persuasion] only makes them more likely to believe me. So if I explain them our conspiracy theory, and yes, it's still a theory, it'll be much harder to convince them compared to just saying that we want to enter quickly because we'll be too late for a business meeting otherwise and will lose an opportunity.”

“This... makes sense.” He has to admit that a story like that is less challenging to believe. “OK, but even if we're in, we need to get our priorities right. We need to look for Nikaws, we need to stop whatever happens here, and if we can, we'll corner the demon hero and defeat it. Our foremost priority is saving lives, understood?”

““““Yes!!!!””””

“Good.”

―○●○―

Akiyama Eri has some tricks up her sleeves. She's still in her [Trader]-class and looks at the two guards at the gate. There will be more in some guard room, but both out here are tinted red for her, as she activated her [Trade]-skill [Pad]. The [Trade]-ability contains many skills that have anything to do with money; [Pad] for example shows her who she can bribe and how easy it is.

Then she has the [Bribe]-skill which enforces the bribee to hold true to his word, even if things go wrong.

She never shared the skills with anyone, as they're a bit problematic in nature. Masa is a bit naive, so she has to shoulder anything that needs a bit more of an open mind to make things work smoothly. He doesn't need to know this, which is why she never told anyone because Masa tends to learn every 'secret' that is shared within the group.

Her party is clearly visible from the entrance, as Eri heads there. “Hello, my name is Akiyama Eri, and I'm part of the human heroes that are training in Kraggwas.” First something true. “We're sorry, but we're in a hurry.” Then something true which can be misleading. “We have a meeting with Tenropp, and we're really, really late.” Then something they want to believe. Eri knows that name because she asked about Ophwizz' tailor when complimenting her clothes. “I know that there are rules concerning security and all, but we really need that business opportunity.” Then something the other party wants to hear, like business. “I know you two do a great job, so can we come to an agreement?” [Conversation]-ability, [Sweettalk]-skill. Another one no one needs to know.

“Erm,” the guards exchange looks, “sure, there's something we can do.”

“Really? Thank you! This will spare me a small fortune.” Again the money talk, she takes out a prepared purse. “Here, buy a drink on me after work.” One guard takes it and looks inside it, passing it to the other one, both of them nods. [Bribe]. Now they have to let them through.

With just the right set of [Skills], everything can be solved.

―○●○―

The problem with dar homes is that you can't just look for the most prominent building, as everything is tunnels and caves. Fortunately, the dar made a habit of putting up signs for that particular reason. So everyone heads to the 'Chief's Room.'

Teruko feels strange. She doesn't know why, but something is always tingling right above her skin. If it were under her skin, she might know what's up, but it's like something is tickling her a centimeter above her skin. She shouldn't feel it, but she still can imagine the tickle.

She walks a few meters before the group acting as the scout who will detect anyone coming in their direction. Not here, not here either. There she hears someone, but the steps are fading away, there must be a crossing. She looks around the corners, seeing the back of a dar woman, an open door at the other side, so most likely she will return soon, or others will follow her.

“Quickly,” Teruko hisses at her friends. None of them are as quiet as her, but she's also the only one who even has [Stealth] in her repertoire. So the rest just have to be as stealthy as possible. Surprisingly, the big, armored Dai-kun makes the least sound, maybe because he's used of shifting his weight as he's a former judo-club member.

Eri is the loudest, as the hard soles of her boots make a click sound. Though Katsu and Masahiko make enough noise with their armor as it is--and their weapons hitting against their armor plates.

Teruko has her spear ready in her hands, she thought about switching to her shortbow, but that choice of weapon inside tunnels is questionable. She just has to change to [Knight] the moment she enters battle.

While the rest of her party might not see it that way, trying to get her friends through the corridors is the real challenge here. They don't need to hide exactly, but the moment they're caught, there may be questions they would like to avoid, unless they want to bribe even more people.

Her own steps vibrate through her body, her senses have to be so keen right now, that she feels with her whole body. Though she doesn't have any [Skills] related to her hearing, the [Perception]-ability in itself enhances all of her senses to a degree.

It's the same with [Spear] when she's a [Knight]. As a [Scout], she can use the spear like someone who used it for the past few months, as a [Knight], moving and using it just feels easier, more natural, like it's an extension of her body.

While moving through the corridors, something is bothering her: Why are so few people here? Is it because the workshops are somewhere else and the people who are managing the clan are mostly holed up in their offices? Or maybe because they're in a meeting?

There it is, the door to the chief's room. Teruko presses her ear on the metal door: “A woman is talking... I can't make out what she's saying, maybe they're in the far corner, or the acoustics aren't working in our favor.”

Masahiko says his thoughts aloud for everyone to follow: “This makes things difficult. If we knew what she was saying, we could decide whether charging in is the right option. There might be guards inside, so opening the door might make them attack us without asking any questions.”

“Maybe,” Eri joins in, “we can find another way? I mean, things are working like normal here.”

“Just open the door, we'll handle it,” Dai-kun adds his opinion.

“...” Katsu hesitates.

“Well,” Teruko speaks up: “We're here right now and waiting is a waste of time, right?” She was the one who was on edge all the way here, she wants some conclusion. For some reason, Dai-kun scuffles her hair. “What's that for!?”

“Glad to have you back.”

Ah, he means in contrast to when she has a mopey moment. “This is not the time, Masahiko-kun, we'll we apologize later, but right now, there is no reason to wait.”

“OK,” Masahiko decides. “We're already being rash, so let's follow through all the way. Katsuo, try to take out as many of the guards as possible, they can be even more difficult to deal with than the demons. Daichi, you'll open a way for Teruko and me. Eri, start your [Slow]-chant right away, we need to get that spell out as fast as possible. Arm yourself. Daichi, you'll open the door. On the count of three... One. Two. Three!”

“Hy---...” The moment Dai-kun was about to open the door, with a battle cry still on his tongue, they hit an obvious yet unexpected complication: The door is locked.

“OK,” Masahiko tries to gloss over that awkwardness, “has anyone of you picked up lockpicking? Because forcing that metal door open might take a while and lose us the element of surprise.”

While there was a [Thief]-teacher in Feuerberg, a convicted criminal who was given the opportunity to lessen her sentence by teaching the heroes, none of their party has trained under her. What a blunder.

“If someone could heat up the lock, I could break it with my smith's tools in a single strike,” Daichi suggests.

However, Eri puts this idea to rest: “I don't have a fire-spell powerful enough.”

“Ah, Eri!” Masahiko looks like he has a good idea: “You do have that spell that shapes stone, right?”

“[Stonemeld]! Of course!”

With her spell, Eri makes the stone kneadable, forming it away from the lock on their side.

“OK, again. One! Two! Three!”

“Hyaaaaaah!” Dai-kun kicks the door open runs into the room. Teruko changes to [Knight] and follows. She instantly sees the four guards, the first one is hit by Katsu's [Arrowblow]-skill, which takes the piercing away from the arrows without cutting into their force.

Dai-kun changes to [Grappler] to throw the second one across the room, then back to [Knight] to swing his axe in a wide arc to disrupt another one.

Teruko's gaze is set behind those guards on a meeting of dari at a long table. Nikaws is there with five of the chiefs, in addition to a figure which is surprisingly human, discounting the cat's tail, fangs, and needle-like hair. Other than that, she looks like a human woman: “Oh,” she says, “I thought you would just lay low... I didn't expect this, I'm really, really happy!”

What does that mean? Teruko ponders her words for a moment, but then all of the chiefs stand up: “Humans, this is a dari-matter. Stay out of it.”

“Guys!” Dai-kun is struggling against one of the two remaining guards, while the second arrow Katsuo-kun just shot does nothing against the braced shield of the last one. Yet, instead of asking for help: “Push through!”

Teruko charges: “[Speethrust]!” She aims at the demon, but something is strange, the tip of her spear is trembling. Maybe a chief is using the [Metalmancy] Masahiko-kun mentioned, trying to throw her off. Still, she just needs to push onward, no need to-

“I like you.” The demon says gleefully to her. “I'll take you.”

“Huh?”

A red glow surrounds the demon, stretching out to Teruko, like a tentacle--a light only Teruko could see.

―○●○―

Masahiko kicks Chief Lurdowf, but she's tough and takes the hit like it's nothing. He rushed forward with Teruko, but as she was aiming for the demon, he wanted to take care of the other ones. Yet, there is something strange going on, Teruko's movements are becoming more and more cumbersome.

“Hahahahaha!” The demon laughs out. “Poor heroes, charging in without a plan.” For a moment, her whole body seems to pixelize. “Oh, a strong surface. However, this feeling... there! Oh my, oh dear!”

Masahiko raises his swords, sadly not to hurt the demon, but to fend off Chief Lurdowf and Chief Afwas at the same time. There are also Chief Phorrwo, Chief Ghawizz, and Chief Kennthu, each of them an opponent. “Why are you helping her!? Don't you see what she's trying!?”

None of them answer, as though they were hypnotized. The demon doesn't even care about him, her attention is all on Teruko: “How could you? I mean, leaving your friend. Why didn't you help her?” Is she speaking about Kyou? How does she know?

On the other hand, Teruko looks like she's about to break into tears.

“Teruko! Snap out of it!” Masahiko has no time for the chiefs, yet his swords and armor are nudged from side to side; it's way weaker than what Braxas is capable of, but makes it hard for him to put any power into his stances and attacks.

What's happening to Teruko? “[Slow]!” Masahiko sees how the movements of the chiefs suddenly start to slow down. Seizing this opportunity, he kicks Chief Ghawizz into her face, while he uses the blunt sides of his swords to hit the chiefs Kennthu and Afwas over their heads, the dar hardiness is a disadvantage here, as they're still not out of cold. At least the [Slow] makes it impossible for them to get him with their [Metalmancy], as long as he keeps moving.

Following the advice of his shishou, Masahiko will make most of this situation by hitting them so often and so hard, that they can't move anymore: “[Exquip]!“ He sees a menu, showing him his weapon sets, he changes to the two clubs: “[Double Flurry]!” Both of his weapons begin to blur, as he unleashes a myriad of attacks with this skill, most of them rather weak, but this makes it better in this scenario: He just needs to cancel the skill the moment he sees his opponent faint.

[Exquip] is a [Maneuver]-skill, allowing him to quickly exchange and equip weapon sets, a skill vital for the [Fighter]-class, which is more about using fighting-styles instead of specific weapon-types. After hard training, Masahiko unlocked all of his abilities of this class, which makes him a combat Swiss army knife. Lurdowf isn't capable of keeping up with this onslaught, yet Masahiko had to use the whole skill and an elbow in the face to seal the deal.

“Next one!” The [Maneuver]-ability is about movements, taking advantage and adapting strategies. So he uses [Stepping], which is the first [Maneuver]-skill he learned, he dances around the chiefs, making him a hard target for their [Metalmancy]. “[Dual Thrust]!” [Dual Wield]-skills works no matter what kind of weapons they are, as long as they're two of them. With both clubs before him, he rushes to the demon, trying to break whatever she is doing to Teruko.

Surprisingly, it hits. “Ouch!” If Masahiko had known this, he would have used [Exquip] first, he seriously thought that the demon would defend herself and that he would instantly return to the chiefs, as long as they're still under the effect of [Slow]. “How rude. I mean, I like it, but I'm still playing with her.” The demon rubs her stomach, the place Masahiko's clubs struck while licking her lips.

Teruko's movements are now at a halt, her lips are trembling, her body shivers. “What did you do to her!” Not only words but also clubs are used. “[Wolf Fang]!”

This time, it doesn't work that well. The demon suddenly is turning upside down, no, it's Masahiko who suddenly loses the ground. “[Roundabout]!” However, Masahiko's attack is only half-disrupted, the first club still strikes. “Ouch! Eh, what?”

[Roundabout] is a [Grapple]-skill, Daichi also has it. It's just flipping someone with one hand, it's a simple skill, which has the potential to throw someone to the ground at a strange angle. However, Masahiko swings his leg to add more power to the turn, enough to let him land on his feet. “Not so fast!”

“[Wallsmacker]!” Another [Grapple]-skill, however, the demon's hand pierces through Masahiko's body. Or rather, his [Afterimage]. “What!?”

[Afterimage] is a [Maneuver]-skill, doing it in succession is a surefire way to burn through all his SP, but once in a while, it's an excellent way to gain an advantage. In this case, Masahiko is back to the chiefs, as they're still slowed, he has to seize this opportunity, as too many dari in this battle will be the end. From what he saw, the demon isn't that well-versed in fighting, normal-speed dari are much worse.

A quick look at Daichi shows him how this can be too true. While he has two of four guards down, he's easily thrown against a wall by a single dar, like he weighs nothing. Dari are physically strong and can manipulate metal. Though the guards aren't heroes, they most likely know a [Skill] or two, most likely related to battle.

“[Gust]!” Eri's spell pushes against the other dari, throwing him a few meters back. “Katsu-kun!”

“[Arrowblow]!” Katsuo is sweating like crazy, he has used the skill too much. An empty bottle is already at his feet, showing that he replenished some SP again, but he's most likely the one knocking the hardy guards down.

Holding back is much harder than fighting with all they’ve got! Time for Masahiko to follow their example, still four chiefs to go. “[Wolf Fang]!” A combo-attack at the feet and the torso of the opponent: “[Double Flurry]! Sorry, Chief Phorrwo.” Doing this to a woman hurts Masahiko as well, but better that than the alternative. Another [Stepping]-sequence, he needs to be in the flow.

Just three more to go and the demon, maybe Nikaws as well. Masahiko sure hopes, that his friends will be able to take out the last two guards as well, but in the end, the guards may be the most dangerous of them all right now.

What about Teruko? She's grinding her teeth, while she stabs at the demon with her spear: “Out of my head!!!”

“Ah, Sweetheart. It's my head now, you can't just steal it from me!”

Mind-control... is this what will happen when they face Katsuragi directly? Or is all of this a misunderstanding after all. No matter, Masahiko feels how his mind hardens: “No time.” Chief Kennthu is also down, he's less of a fighter than the former two.

Two more to go.

Also, time's up. The movement of both dari chiefs begin to speed up, and Chief Ghawizz lifts her arms: “[Metallock]!” Suddenly, Masahiko can't move his armor, it's like it's locked onto the air. Not only his armor, every metal! “You're mistaken, hero.” Chief Ghawizz rubs her nose, Masahiko hopes it's still intact, though things are looking bad.

Still, something about the chief is off. Like she's not talking in any way he believes a mind-controlled person would speak: “Where am I wrong?”

“You're acting like we're enemies, but Feuerberg and we do have an alliance, after all. Still, there're things to consider, that's why we listen to the demon's side of the story.”

Maybe she's right. However, Masahiko knows from Kragg, that something is up... or is it? He said the demon 'influences' the chiefs and the king, not outright 'control' them. “But then why are you attacking the demon army in the tunnels?”

“Ain't it obvious? You can attack an enemy'n still make business with 'em.”

Masahiko feels like hurling. This way of doing one thing why preaching another, this is just wrong! However, Chief Afwas doesn't lose time to punch Masahiko in the stomach: “Ugh!” A dar is powerful, despite their size! Counting in folkmen, why are small folk so strong!?

He turns his head to Teruko, who's already at the ground, the spear some meters away. The demon has different [Grapple]-skills, Masahiko luckily only had a short clash with her.

The demon lies on top of Teruko and stares into her eyes: “Yes, yes! Ah, that pain, how delightful. Ouch! Still struggling, huh!?” Teruko resists with hands and feet, her fingernails just left some marks on the demon's skin. “Back to your pain... there!”

Teruko silently screams, the anguish is visible on her face. “Stop! Out!” Her body can't muster the strength anymore, it's a total lockdown!

Another look, back to Daichi, Katsuo, and Eri. Still two guards, but Katsuo is drinking another potion... why doesn't their strategy work... of course, the arrowheads! They're made out of metal, maybe the guards can soften them, considering the thick armor they're wearing, this might be enough!

A fool. Masahiko feels like a fool again. He should have told everyone, but what was the alternative? To fight without their proper equipment? To fight with the intention to kill? Was there another way that wouldn't betray his reason and conscious? Even if they all knew, would that have made a difference?

Nonetheless, it's no reason to give up! “HAAAAAAAAAA!” Masahiko tries to move his body, but his metal armor holds his body tightly. He can't move his hands and clubs, which are locked down by his gauntlets.

“Hero, it's futile.”

“Mark my words! Effort is never futile, it builds up!” Maybe not how you expect, but something is always left. Masahiko believes in this, always trying his best! It has built up to something! “I can sense it! Now I will break it!”

“What do you mean!?”

“This!” Masahiko opens his class-select menu, he concentrates on [Fighter] for a moment, just to see possible class-ups. One of them is selectable now. “I'm a [Vanguard]! I don't falter!” He picks up his new class-up, accepting that this choice isn't reversible. Life never is!

Masahiko's first class-up felt like flames burning away his old self, his old class. This time, it feels like he's diving into the earth, very similar to the time when Kragg pulled him through the floor. Though this feeling only lasts a split-second, as he feels more and more layers earth put on him, the sensation changes, as if the layers are being hammered, like he's being forged into something else, something better, like iron that's forged into steel.

Masahiko's muscles expand, his armor takes this into account and also expands to fit him. Power is surging through his body. Also, the world feels different, while he had an inkling before, he knows why: Because of the metal. He can feel it!

A quick look at his stats, every [Attribute] had a bump, especially his [Vitality] and [Strength]. Though his skill-list is the most important thing now and Masahiko already knows that it has what he needs. [Metalmancy]-skill, [Block Metalmancy]. He uses it and the [Metallock] suddenly has no power over him, as his own [Metalmancy] is shielding himself from others'. “Sorry. [Wolf Fang]!” The power of his [Skill] has risen as well, Chief Ghawizz is down while she's still puzzled about what exactly happened.

Only Chief Afwas is left, the dar looks shocked. “I won't go down that easily!”

“Step down.” This is no order, this is a request. Still, the chief falls to his knees. “Thank you.” Masahiko has no time for the chiefs anymore, now that he can block their interference, he better take on the demon. “[Exquip]!” He changes to his swords and faces the demon, who's now embracing Teruko for some reason.

Suddenly, the demon vanishes. No glow, no other kind of forewarning, she just disappeared. Teruko's limbs start to tremble, as she has a seizure.

Masahiko has a bad feeling about it and a guess what's happening. He doesn't like it.

Teruko starts standing up, moving all awkwardly: “Wha-” She looks pale and about to hurl: “And I thought dari are strange... oh god, what... ah, this... ah, there, a good one. No, it turned bad, what's that...” Slobber runs down Teruko's chin, while her voice sounds strange.

“Get out.” This is no order, this is a threat. A cold threat Masahiko is giving, as he sees how a parasite is inside his friend.

However, he's not even heard. “Ah, this! This hurts! Why does it hurt! Or is it actually the best? What are you humans!? Urgh, I want to leave, this makes me sick. Why does it make me sick, wearing a dar or human? This doesn't make sense!”

“Sorry, Teruko!” Masahiko runs towards Teruko and kicks her into the stomach. This hurts him, this hurts him so much, but doing nothing while this thing is inside her would hurt much more. He will apologize later, but for now, he needs to find a way to get the demon out!

“Uh... ah...” The demon seems to be unable to bear the pain: “Why doesn't it feel relieving!? I hate this! I hate this world! I hate these people!”

Will hurting her work? Masahiko thinks so, even though he has to be careful to break nothing. Actually, Teruko's body should be sturdy, she's a [Knight] right now, but when he kicked her, it was like there was no tension in her body to resist his blow.

“Aaaaaargh!” Suddenly, Daichi comes flying, missing Masahiko only by a hair's width. Masahiko turns around, just to see another dar who comes through the door. It’s the old dar Nikaws was speaking with those two times.

The dar scratches his beard while sighing. “Seriously, Iekasa? Didn't you learn anything when possessing the other girl? You're showing the trash a pathetic side.” Without even looking, the dar catches an arrow that was aimed at the back of his head, just to use it as a toothpick, though it's way too big: “Ah, dar.” Throwing the arrow away, the dar starts circling its shoulders. “Iekasa, just leave her already.”

Masahiko doesn't like it. The way that person speaks makes it clear that this is another demon which only looks like a dar, maybe possessing it like the female demon does. “So you're the real demon hero?”

“Oh god, it's speaking to me. Well, considering the circumstances, it can't be helped. So you know about a demon hero? Aha. Interesting. Not me though.” His voice sounds so disinterested and wooden that Masahiko feels not taken seriously.

Luckily, Eri is currently chanting, most likely another [Slow], as this spell is a good way against any kind of opponent and easy to control. Masahiko looks at Daichi, who's back to his feet, they exchange looks, and Masahiko’s guess that this dar just hurled his friend is right.

The two dar guards who remain are also using this opportunity to carrying the unconscious chiefs out of the fray with Chief Afwas helping them. Maybe they will call for help, which might be good or not.

Another arrow, the demon in dar-disguise catches it as well. This time, the demon hurls it, but not back at Katsuo, but at Eri, who breaks her chant, as she was just pierced through the shoulder. “Aaah!”

“ERI!” Masahiko runs to her.

Daichi, on the other hand, charges the enemy: “[Sunder]!” The dar body doesn't even move to evade, it only lifts its hand to catch the skill-empowered weapon, then with a snort, Daichi is flung against a wall again, though he nimbly climbs up his feet: “You won't take me down that easily!”

“Aha.” The same wooden voice, as if he's only answering because it's expected of him.

Masahiko is at Eri's side: “Breath, Eri!” He reminds her, the pain for her must be unbearable, as she's unable to focus on anything but the wound. “Change to [Exorcist], heal yourself!” She might not even think about this obvious idea right now.

Who is this guy!? Kragg mentioned a demon hero, but the one who he meant is the one still inside Teruko, while the real threat is someone who claims not to be a hero. If this is true, has Kragg not noticed this one or did he just not tell Masahiko?

“Katsuo, take care of Eri until she's better.” Teruko or Daichi? Both of them need his support, but he's only one person. As he has no idea how to help Teruko, Masahiko decides to take on the demon instead, at least he just needs to beat it. “[Dual Thrust]!”

“[Treesplitter]!” Daichi supports by using his own skill, two sides, three weapons!

The demon catches the axe with the left hand, the first sword with his right, and the second sword with his third hand. Yes, his third hand, as suddenly a big, purple arm breaks through the skin of the dar. “...I liked that skin.” Then the dar ruptures, Masahiko and Daichi quickly get some distance.

A three-meter, four-armed, and six-legged thing emerges from within, pieces of dari-skin still hanging onto its relatively slender body. While the arms are human-like, the legs are three pairs of limbs, a giant insect pair, a lion pair, and an eagle pair. Instead of a head, it has its face in the middle of its torso with two large, fanged mouths above and under its big, yellow-glowing eyes. Masahiko has never seen something like that before. “Who are you!”

Both mouths answer: ““I'm Demon Lord #8.”” Number eight!? What kind of naming is that!? ““Well, I used to be 'Demon Lord of the Crags', but when the demon king arrived and beat us, we were numbered by the pecking order.””

Oh god! Masahiko doesn't even know what to think! First, there are at least eight demons stronger than this one, counting in the demon king, but this exposition on how the demon king changed things in the demon realm is giving Masahiko headaches.

From what he learned about the country of demons, the demon lords lead large groups of demons by strength. Before the demon king appeared, each of them had their own territory, and they used to fight among themselves. Now the demon lords are vassals of the demon king, who started to form the place they lived into a proper nation.

All Masahiko knows was taught to him by the tutors of Feuerberg, who admitted that they knew very little about the demons, as going into their lands was always considered quasi-suicide. Masahiko was at the borders of the demon realms, and it was an infertile mess of a land.

However, another matter is still relevant: “Don't you have another name? I mean, I can call you Eight, but that... feels wrong.”

““Annerammarannae.””

“Then I'll call you Ramma.”

““Hah...”” Ramma looks puzzled, as if he's thinking of something. ““Doesn't matter anyway.”” Ramma's pairs of arms are on his chest and his back respectively. Suddenly both arms at his chest are clapping, unleashing a gust of wind right at Masahiko.

Strong! It's like a windstorm, Masahiko's feet are leaving the ground, and he flies against the ceiling, only to be at gravity's mercy a moment later. However: “[Gyrodash]!” His skill makes him spin around with his two swords, like a spinning top of blades. As the skill also moves him, he can control the direction he's falling at.

Daichi changes to [Grappler]: “[Bear Hug]!” Both his arms lock around Ramma’s lower torso. The demon lord's hind-arms clap together, creating a burst of fire,, engulfing both of them, but Daichi, unfazed by this, keeps his grip. He has the [Toughness]-ability after all, which has skills to decrease damage.

However, as immobile Rammas is, he can still catch Masahiko's weapons with his forehands. “Time to-” An arrow flies at his back, this time all of his hands are busy, two creating flames, the other keeping Masahiko at bay.

“...not good,” Katsuo comments, as the arrowhead is buried deep into Ramma's flesh, but elicits no reaction at all. “[Quadruple Shot]!” Four more arrows have the same effect.

Eri's fine again, but she seems unsure how to act, as her strong offense spells will most likely catch her friends. So she decides to try [Slow] another time.

The worst of all is... “Uh... my lord, I want to be part of the fun, too.” Teruko is limping to her weapon.

“No time to hold back, I guess...” While [Vanguard] is his most recent class-up and he got some new skills there, neither the class nor those skills could be tested. Now without any dari here to interfere, it's time to use his strongest class.

Back in Esse, every one of them had their own tutors when they trained for the class-ups. Masahiko, Teruko, and Daichi were trained by retired knights. However, Masahiko's shishou was a strange one who was only willing to teach Masahiko after seeing him personally. After a short exchange of words, Masahiko had a training experience like those on TV and in games. Like he said to Daichi before, the memory is fond, but he wouldn't want to live through it again.

Yet, Masahiko did not want to class-up his [Fighter] to [Knight], as he had a little project of his own. He attained the [Adventurer]-class before, though adventurers aren't as popular as he had suspected. However, he desired to create the ultimate [Adventurer], so he wanted to combine it with certain elements.

Maybe it was this choice. Maybe it was because of who his shishou was. Nonetheless, Masahiko didn't become a [Knight]. He attained another [Class]. He opens his menu, chooses that one class, that nobody had heard of before, though his shishou was in a sense the embodiment of this: [Champion].

Power surges through his body, not the stoutness of earth, but the fire of justice. Rammas may have a tight grip on his weapons, but there are still plenty of options: “[Drillkick]!”

As a [Champion], Masahiko can use [Brawl], his shishou always mixes unarmed combat into his crazy sword skills. This nasty skill is a kick which drills the heel upon impact, creating a very painful and piercing experience of pure force at work. It's aimed at Ramma's body.

Ramma's hands are all opening, he's surprised by this shock, now the flames disappear, and Masahiko's weapons are free. So no need to stop: “[Steel Slicer]!” [Adventurer] already had the [Sword]-ability, so it's no surprise that [Champion] keeps it. The powerful strike follows the moment the first blade is free. “[Steel Slicer]!” The advantage of having two weapons is, when you use a skill that only needs one weapon, you can do them in swift succession.

“Katsuo!” Daichi shouts out: “Use the thing!” What is he talking about? “Masa, we'll keep that thing busy, you have to take care of Teruko-san!”

“Alright!” Daichi has a plan, Masahiko will trust it. So he steps before his friend in need: “Teruko!” He still has no idea how he can break that possession, but he believes in the power of friendship! “Fight her!”

“I feel...” In a reflex, Iekasa puts Teruko's hand before her mouth. It seems to have an effect! So Masahiko has to keep going!

He tries to blend out the sound of battle, as he takes Teruko's hand. He just has to try everything he can think of!

―○●○―

“You can do it!” 'I know, I know, geez!' Currently, Teruko is struggling against the demon named Iekasa, but this is not the kind of struggle between bodies, but between their selves. Their memories, their determination, and most importantly, their feelings.

It feels a lot like punching someone with things that aren't supposed to be used as a weapon. Teruko uses the good feelings and memories of winning races in elementary school only to be blocked by Iekasa’s feeling of power and dominance in possessing Nikaws, while the demon counters with her feeling of glee hurting Teruko emotionally earlier when it reminded her of failing to save Kyou-chan.

This way, Teruko has learned a lot about Iekasa and her recent doings. She's a demon which is capable of sensing and controlling emotions and slowly taking over other people by using their own feelings against them. However, since Iekasa was summoned into this world to counter the heroes of Feuerberg--Teruko and her classmates--it didn’t work as it used to, something is wrong about it in ways even Iekasa can’t understand.

After two failed attempts to use emotions and impressions from prior to the summoning, Iekasa used only post-summoning memories to get the better of Teruko. While Iekasa does control her body to some degree, Teruko’s struggle makes the demon lose more and more of it.

However, while Iekasa's attacks are running out, she always hits against Teruko's awareness of the Kyou-chan-situation, about her frustration about it, how helpless she feels, everything that reduced her to the sorry state she's in. It's like stepping on someone's broken arm, it hurts so much, and she's about to faint because of this intense torture. It becomes harder and harder to call any useful emotion for this kind of battle.

Now Masahiko-kun is here, she's happy, but can't help but feel a bit annoyed, as she causes him trouble. Instead, he should help Dai-kun, who is trying his best to holding the demon lord still while being reduced to a pulp.

'Ouch!' She should just be thankful, complaining and self-pity makes her even weaker! She hates how she can't do anything right now.

“Teruko, you're strong! Unbelievably strong!” Masahiko talks to her, his touch feels like fire, the sensation is not only painful for Iekasa, but for Teruko as well. “You just have to forgive yourself!”

'Forgive myself...' How pathetic. He had to speak it out for her to understand. No one is blaming her for what happened with Katsuragi and Kyou-chan. Her friends are all on her side, even Kyou-chan won't blame her... at least not that much. The one who puts all the blame on her is herself.

“Do it better next time!”

'Next time...' There will be no next time if she lets that demon control her; she will end up like Nikaws, whose personality is pushed into a corner, too hurt to come back to the surface, even after Iekasa left her. 'No.'

Another blow to her memories, another try to hurt her guilt. However, it's the guilt which is just a memory now. Teruko has unloaded that weight on her mind, now she's back! When she's finished here, she will make that frustration she felt up to now into strength.

For now, though, she has to get rid of that demon. For what she learned, any kind of positive emotion will do. There is a treasure inside her mind that only her best friend Kyou-chan knows of. She summons the picture of Nissy. He's so damn hot!

“Ugh!” Iekasa can't handle it, right? Too bad, she has plenty of fantasies here. How about the daydreams she had about Ikuta Touma? “Agh! Stop, what-!”

'Hehe, don't like it? Then you will hate the next one.' Did anyone notice how close Masahiko-kun and Dai-kun are? Masahiko-kun is the seme here.

“...buee...” Teruko's body falls on its knees, as Iekasa can't handle this picture.

'This is nothing!' How Katsuo-kun seems a bit off in this boy-mix, but what if he's trying to netorare Masahiko-kun here, turning him more and more into an uke? Masahiko-kun can be both, after all!

“...stop it!”

In the end, all three of them will-

“NOOOOOO!”

Teruko eels like a weight is lifted from her mind, both figuratively and literally, as Iekasa is kicked out of her body. The demon hero reappears right next to her, lying on the ground. Teruko and Iekasa come back to their feet at the same time, however- “Take this!” Teruko punches with all her might. “Masa-kun!” She decides it's the best time to finally use his nickname: “Go!” She knows how sinister her face must look, as she cracks her knuckles: “She's mine!”

The look on Iekasa's face is priceless.