Dark Fantasy: Super Coward Mode

Chapter 110

I gazed up at the wall.

A mass of Foreign Entities climbed it, grinning brightly as they peered down at Londan from above.

At a glance, they looked like beautiful people merely visiting Londan. But no Foreign Entity with any goodwill would scale the wall just to enter the city. The truth was simple: these Entities were hostile, intent on slaughtering humans.

With this conclusion in mind, I pondered the best way to handle them.

The Gardener’s power?

Since we were inside Londan, any bodies would be promptly disposed of. I could use the Gardener’s abilities, but it would overtax both her and me, draining my life force considerably.

This left only the Dragon Slayer and Bell, but I was already borrowing power from the Dragonling. With just that, there was no way to handle such a massive number of Foreign Entities. Bell’s detection abilities couldn’t cover such a wide area given the enemy’s supernatural nature.

While racking my brain, I remembered the Inquisitor’s power to absorb pain, a skill that could be applied with surprising versatility. Maybe I could redirect the pain I’d absorbed to these Foreign Entities.

I had accumulated quite a bit of pain, after all.

To test it out, I focused a crimson aura on the leading Entity and sent it forward.

As soon as the red energy touched the Entity—

“...?”

At first, it was confusion. It was clear the Entity was beginning to understand that something was wrong.

Then came cold sweat, pouring down.

“...Gahhhhhh!”

And finally, it collapsed to the ground, clawing at its own hair before its eyes went blank.

Dead.

Uh...

This power was stronger—and crueler—than I expected. To kill something through pain alone...

...This might be a power I shouldn’t use often. Just witnessing it was enough to make me feel my own heart race in dread.

While I was caught up in these thoughts, two shots exploded on either side of the Entity I’d killed, ripping through the ranks. Hunter had fired her gun.

Every time I saw her shoot, the power seemed stronger than before.

I glanced at Hunter in surprise, and she merely snorted.

“So, that’s the Inquisitor’s power you absorbed? It seems you can kill with it.”

“...Yeah, I suppose.”

“If you know how to use it, then stop dawdling. This situation isn’t exactly in our favor.”

Hunter was right. More Foreign Entities were pouring in, like a tidal wave from behind. If I didn’t act soon, Londan would face complete annihilation.

I couldn’t let that happen.

I blew the party whistle. Hunter grimaced at the sound but nodded, understanding my intent, before focusing on her own task.

Almost immediately, I felt a weight on my shoulder, followed by a faint prick at my neck. I winced at the slight pain, sensing the fangs retract.

Then, the one who had bitten my neck wrapped her arms around my face.

“Do well, my beloved.”

The Dragon Slayer whispered before pressing a gentle kiss to my temple and disappearing.

Her sudden affection caught me off guard.

「That fox...!」 「Woof! I want to lick a human too!」@@@@

...My head was spinning with confusion, so I chose to ignore it.

Alright, with the Dragonling’s energy recharged, it was time to take action.

Landing beside Hunter, I noticed her gaze fixed on me.

“...No.”

“What?”

“...Never mind.”

Pretending not to understand, she kept her expression blank.

Phew. I think I was developing PTSD.

Still, we had successfully eliminated the Foreign Entities with Hunter’s help.

Footsteps sounded from behind.

“Tanton!”

Agarta reached me before Asti, examining me head to toe for injuries.

Huh. Was this normal?

Asti, meanwhile, watched with a pout, clearly annoyed that her role had been “stolen.”

Once finished, Agarta sighed with relief.

“Thank goodness. You’re unharmed.”

“...Yeah. Thanks.”

“If you’re grateful, treat me to a meal sometime.”

With a playful grin and a thumbs-up, Agarta was unmistakably herself.

I couldn’t help it. I flicked her forehead, making her wince and yelp, “Hey!” I wanted to mess with her more, but with so many eyes watching, I refrained.

With the rebellion quelled and the Foreign Entities defeated, Londan regained a tentative peace.

Peeking out from their shelters, people began to cautiously emerge, confirming the ordeal was over. Slowly, they resumed their daily lives.

A sign that peace had returned to Londan.

“...You did well, Hunter.”

“There’s still more work to do.”

Suddenly, Hunter’s eyes flared with an unsettling intensity.

Oh, come on.

I bolted as if my life depended on it, with the sound of her quick steps right behind me.

“Stop, Raydan Tanton!”

“You think I’ll stop just because you said so?!”

I shouted back, sprinting for dear life.

But before I could get far, a strange weakness spread through my legs, and I stumbled, my balance slipping away.

“Huh...?”

Worse yet, the strength in my body seemed to fade completely, and my vision blurred.

Had I overused the Inquisitor’s powers, straining my body?

No, this couldn’t be happening. If I passed out now, Hunter would catch me.

As that bleak thought crossed my mind, darkness overcame my vision.

“Raydan!”

Asti’s voice was the last thing I heard before I lost consciousness entirely.