Book 3: Chapter 8 (1/2)

Shit! I’m scared! This is dangerous! I’m terrified! What do I do?!—My body collapsed.

My brain became cold as if it was numb, and my whole body started shivering. Despite shivering, the pores of my skin released sweat, and it became increasingly more difficult to breathe.

(World Ruler, World Ruler, World Ruler, World Ruler, World Ruler, World Ruler! It’s time for your debut!)

When I forcibly concentrated on【World Ruler】, the fear that dominated my head diminished.

With just the words “Be consumed by fear”, everyone went down to their hands and knees. Leaving aside Dante-san, who was standing firm through sheer will alone, Zerry-san was in a sliding dogeza state. The same was true for the Golden Brigade party over there. But Mimino-san, Muge-san, and Non-san who took distance seemed to be okay.

(The distance?)

But what kind of mechanism can instill fear?

「D-DAMNIT!!!」

Dante-san roared as he blocked the automaton’s spear with his great shield. His face was distorted, and also sweating profusely. I suppose the spear attack from a giant automaton would be heavy, but that should be no problem—for the usual Dante-san.

(What is this abnormal mental attack?)

Using【World Ruler】, I found out that this phenomenon is caused by magic techーor maybe a magic spell. Dante-san and I were more or less good for now, but for Zerry-san, who had her forehead rubbing on the ground, her bracelet became darker red with every passing moment.

(What should I do?)

There is no other way but to defeat it. But my movements are reduced by half.

And right then–

「Shoot!」

Two【Fire Magic】exploded on the back of the automaton. Shot by a mage from the Golden Brigade.

The Golden Brigade, who were a bit further from the automaton, seemed to be in a much better state than us.

Magic, huh. It’s true that we are not in a situation where we can prioritize loot.

(For now, we just have to get out of this situation!)

I punched myself on the cheek.

Don’t be afraid! Don’t be afraid! Don’t be afraid! Don’t be afraid!

That day, the day the mine collapsed—I dread not taking my sister’s hand on that day more than anything else.

I don’t want to relive that horror again.

Like hell I’m gonna succumb to the fake fear caused by this thing!

『–Intruder–』

The automaton made a U-turn on the spot by rotating its wheels in the opposite direction and changed targets to the Golden Brigade–turning its back on us.

「Don’t look down on humans, you machine!」

I activated【Fire Magic】on each finger of my right hand and【Wind Magic】on the fingers of my left hand.

Doing this, eats quite a bit into my mana, but — no regrets.

「Flame Tornado!」

The 5 streaks of flame and the 5 gusts of wind shot from both hands combined together, forming a huge tornado of flames and engulfed the automaton.

The name of this magic was taught by Mimino-san to me, as it seems that there was a person who used magic with such a name in the past.

『–Intruder……–』

When the flames stopped, the wheels of the automaton had stopped and only the upper body was turned around towards me. The body was black with soot, but it was not hot enough to melt.

Dante-san forced his way in front of me and readied his shield. …Is this automaton still working?

Right then, the jewel embedded in the body of the automaton cracked and broke. Two of the three had already broken, and the last one seems to have just broken. Then, I felt that the feeling of “fear” that filled the surroundings disappear right away.

The automaton fell forward, with a loud noise. Perhaps having deteriorated due to heating, one of the arms broke and rolled away, slipping off the stage and disappearing into the abyss.

「Phew… that was dangerous.」I said.

「Y-Yeah… it was quite dangerous. I didn’t expect an attack like this… Are you okay, Reiji? How is Zerry?」