Chapter 25

“Around here, huh… It’s my first time going further upstream than the cave.”

To fulfill a request posted by the Adventurers’ Guild—a request that seemed to be a kind of test—I was heading upstream, following the river toward the summit of the mountain, where sightings of a “mysterious, giant monster” had recently been reported.

“This cave… doesn’t look like it’s been touched by humans. But, given its location, it might not be entirely unrelated…”

It was the cave along the river I’d often used when changing appearances—a place I’d grown quite familiar with.

However, there were no signs of human presence, nor were there traces of beasts or monsters.

But… upon closer inspection, I noticed faint signs suggesting someone may have been storing or transporting goods here—small patches of sand and pebbles that had clearly been swept clean.

“…A temporary storage site? Or maybe a drop-off point?”

If someone had continued using this place, it might have actually been quite dangerous for me.

After finishing a quick investigation of the cave, I continued further upstream.

The elevation was fairly high, but if there was a water source ahead, it would be an ideal location for living creatures.

Of course… if there happened to be a group raising monsters, it would also be a convenient spot for them.

“But if that were the case, it should be easy to find. And yet, no such information has been reported to the Guild. Which means—”

Just then, I sensed something suddenly flying toward me from the forest.

Instinctively, I shifted the greatsword I carried on my back to shield myself and blocked the attack.

“…Damn, my sense detection is sharp.”

As expected of Sillent. As a seasoned warrior and mercenary, my instincts, sensory perception, and survival abilities are on another level.

And of course, my body has the specs to back it up.

“…A spike? A monster, then.”

Rolling on the ground was something like a thick sewing needle—a spike.

It didn’t look man-made. Judging by that, I figured it was likely part of a monster. I readied my weapon and focused on the forest in the direction it came from.

“…But I can do this, too.”

No way I’m just going to sit and wait. If it’s hostile, I’ll kill it all.

Holding the greatsword low at my waist, I swung with full force, recalling a technique from my gaming days.

“Gale… Break!”

Even front-line fighters have ranged attacks.

From the greatsword, a massive whirlwind erupted—an enormous vacuum blade spinning violently as it tore through the forest, mowing down everything in its path.

Naturally—it caught whatever was hiding in the forest as well.

『GIGYAAAAAAAAAH! GI! GI!』

A grotesque death cry rang out amidst the sound of falling trees—so strange that I couldn’t even tell if it was from an animal.

Judging by the volume, it was definitely large.

I immediately moved to check the body.

“…Incredible power. The range… about 20 meters?”

About 2 meters wide—the same as the sword—and 20 meters long. Every tree in that area was mowed down, and in the middle of it lay a monster I’d never seen before.

It looked like a dragon—or maybe a lion—but its body had been cleanly sliced in half.

“What the hell…? A lion covered in scales instead of fur…? And it has wings…”

I’d never seen this kind of monster before. But it didn’t seem like a naturally occurring one that had just happened to settle here.

On its forehead was a metallic ornament—clearly crafted by human hands.

No, it wasn’t just embedded. It looked parasitic—like it had taken control of the creature.

“…So someone can control its will? Or maybe this thing mutated because of that implant… Either way, it’s someone’s doing.”

The lack of information about the mountain summit probably came from the fact that creatures like this were keeping people away.

And now I understood—why such a dangerous mission had been assigned to a drifter like me.

“They thought I might be part of the conspiracy. Or even if I wasn’t, sending an unknown nobody would attract less suspicion. And if I died, the Guild wouldn’t lose anything. Not a bad plan, Adventurers’ Guild.”

I was sharp right now. I knew this deduction was coming from Silent’s veteran mercenary instincts.

Now, from here on out—it would be my deduction, as Shizuma.

“Hey. I guess this proves I’m not involved, doesn’t it?”

I spoke toward a faint presence I’d sensed behind me—someone breathing quietly, hiding just outside the range of my attack.

…You’re there, aren’t you? Some Guild watchdog, here to monitor me under this shady test of a mission.

“If you don’t show yourself, I’ll use the same technique on you.”

“…Impressive work, Silent-sama.”

As expected, someone dropped down from the treetops.

It was a woman. She moved incredibly lightly and had clearly undergone training in hiding her presence.

Probably some kind of elite agent—trained as a Guild observer or enforcer.

“Check the monster’s body. What do you make of this?”

“…Pardon me.”

The woman, her face hidden behind a mask, inspected the metal embedded in the monster’s forehead.

In that brief opening—I drew my greatsword and thrust it toward her back… stopping just short.

“But I have no way to verify if you’re really with the Guild.”

“That goes both ways. I still don’t know if you’re connected to this monster.”

“No—that’s not what you should be saying right now. Because from my perspective, I could still claim, ‘While on a mission, I encountered a suspicious woman during a monster encounter and dealt with her accordingly.’ I’d be totally justified in killing you.”

This was unnecessary intimidation. But from both Shizuma and Silent’s perspective, it was absolutely necessary.

“Reveal your identity and beg for forgiveness. That’s your only option. Argue—and you die.”

I unleashed true killing intent. Silent could kill. So could I—Shizuma.

I felt a change in the woman’s breath and body tension through the sword.

But I pressed the blade even harder, as if to say “Don’t even think about it.”

“…My apologies. I’m a member of the ‘Dark Division’ under the Unified Guild. I’m loyal not to the Adventurers’ Guild, but to the body that oversees all guilds.”

“Show proof.”

Finally surrendering, she revealed the back of her neck—where she wore a collar marked with strange symbols.

…From the engravings and crest, I couldn’t tell if it was real or not.

“Take this to the Guild. Until then, I will accompany you.”

“…Fine.”

I took the removed collar and lowered my sword.

This much had to be done. Silent can’t afford to be underestimated.

He’s my lifeline.

“So, what’s your plan now?”

“Head to the water source. Leave one person alive who might have information. Kill everyone else, including any monsters living there.”

“Kill everyone… huh.”

“That’ll leave the fewest loose ends. Have the Guild detain the one with info. The mastermind will likely send someone to silence them. Capture that guy, and we can dig even deeper.”

“That’s… quite the violent solution.”

“I’m just being efficient. If you want, I’ll kill the mastermind too. One or two nobles, or even—”

It was a bluff. But in this situation—where she was gripped by fear—it would work.

“—even a whole country or two, I’ll wipe them out.”

If she saw me as a lunatic capable of something like that, all the better.

There were methods to approach a nation’s core—like Same, the identity I used to bring dungeon cores to the country and get close to its leaders.

But it was smart to have a backup plan too, right?

If I could get close as someone feared to possess “a power that could threaten a nation,” that’d work just as well.

Would a nation want to keep me close and tame me—or banish me?

Either way, they’d try to make contact.

Friendly involvement as Same, feared involvement as Silent.

If I could establish both—nothing would give me more leverage.

I could become someone who knew both the “front and back” of the nation.

“…What’s scary is, I can’t even say that’s an exaggeration.”

“Right?”

Still gripped by fear, the woman followed behind me as we headed for the summit.

Actually—maybe it was time I asked…

“Your name?”

“Mine? I’m surprised you’re interested.”

“If ‘woman’ works for you, fine by me.”

“…It’s Remiya.”

“Got it. Remiya, we’re heading to the water source. If it’s contaminated, how will that impact the local lives?”

“If we’re going to massacre them all, then it’s inevitable that the water source will be tainted with blood.”

“If the resulting damage is too great, then we might need to be more creative with our approach.”

But the response that came back was—

“In that case, it’s not a problem. We’ll close the sluice gate and divert the river water directly to the sea instead of letting it flow into the populated areas. The purification of the water source can be completed in two days, during which we’ll issue a decree to use well water.”

“I see. Sounds like your country has a rather well-developed water system.”

“Yes, after all, our nation’s magic technology is the best on the continent.”

So, it’s magic, huh… Magic that can manage water quality and maintain hygiene—that’s way too convenient, isn’t it?

“…Silent-sama, based on your mannerisms, I sense something more than just a bloodthirsty beast.”

“…I won’t say much. Just think of me as a beast with a bit of intelligence and knowledge.”

Damn it, I made the same mistake I did with Same.

As a modern Japanese person, I can’t help but think about the inconvenience to others… I mean, it’s the water source—we’re talking about something that’s directly tied to people’s daily lives.

It really is hard to become completely heartless, isn’t it?

As I headed upriver toward the source, a large lake finally came into view.

It looked like a kind of caldera lake. Did this mountain erupt in ancient times?

But now’s not the time to be pondering ancient history. I should be focusing on imprinting the vast, beautiful scenery of this caldera lake in my mind—no, no, that’s not the point.

“It’s a makeshift base. Not something like tents you’d tear down in a few days. Looks like they plan to establish themselves here for the long haul.”

By the lake stood a simple, yet somewhat fortress-like structure.

“…This is… beyond what I imagined.”

Remiya muttered with a slightly troubled tone, then suddenly turned to me.

“Silent-sama, the test request ends here. You’ve already defeated a monster that posed a threat and discovered the base behind it. That should be more than enough to fulfill the request criteria.”

“I see. In other words, ‘The guild will take care of it from here, so back off,’ right?”

“…You may interpret it that way.”

“Then from here on, my actions are personal. Pure revenge. Retribution for having monsters sicced on me. I won’t accept complaints. If you want to stop me, kill me.”

No, there’s no way I’m backing off here.

Even for my own plans, I need to accomplish something potentially problematic right here.

Besides… if I don’t handle this now, it’ll be bad. One of their monsters has already been killed, there’s no way they’re sitting around calmly.

They must be ready to run the moment they sense danger.

And the fact they’re controlling the water source… that can’t just be for convenient monster breeding.

They’re definitely… waiting for something. An opportunity to launch some kind of scheme.

That’s just a hunch. Silent’s instinct.

“…No objections, right? Then… kill them all. Leave one alive.”

“…!”

I don’t even bother to hide. I walk straight toward the base, boldly.

Passing by numerous monsters clearly kept under control—chained up—and others locked in cages, seemingly ready for transport.

And to kill every single person inside this base, I raise my sword.

“Gale… Break!”

The same attack that wrought destruction in the forest is now unleashed on the base.

The building collapses with a single blow, and the screams and roars of the humans inside echo out.

Naturally, the survivors come running out in a panic.

“We’re under attack! Release the monsters—!”

I decapitate the man who first appeared and tried to issue orders.

His appearance is plain. Not expensive gear or fancy clothes.

Someone who went to the trouble of building a base this thoroughly and was up to some operation couldn’t possibly be this low-ranking.

There must be a commander—or someone in communication with higher-ups—hiding in the shadows.

“Come on, come out, you bastard in charge! I’ll kill every last one of you if I have to!”

I’ve already killed several people. My blood is pumping.

This is it—this surging joy, excitement, ecstasy—this is Silent’s emotion.

I can’t… bear it. This hellish sight—

“Well, well. Quite the formidable human, aren’t you? Who are you?”

“You must be the leader… no, more like the liaison. You, I’ll capture alive. Give up quietly.”

“You say the strangest things.”

As expected, the man who appeared wasn’t equipped for combat, nor was he in plain clothing. He wore something that resembled the attire of an executive working in a merchant guild or something similar.

“I’m just a beast running wild for glory. I don’t care about whoever’s backing you. But I’m going to capture you as my trophy. You’re the only one I’ve decided not to kill.”

“Hmm… You’re a troublesome kind of man. Clearly no room for negotiation or carelessness. But unexpected developments are always a possibility.”

At that moment, the man’s chest glowed brightly.

Should I have knocked him unconscious before he could do anything—?

“GRAAAAH! GRRRAAAAH! GRRAAAAAAH! AAAAAAH!”

“KII! KIIIIIEEEE! KIIIIIIAAAAAAAH!!!”

Suddenly, the surrounding monsters let out deafening shrieks.

And then—

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