The forest’s commotion is unusual.
Where did it go?
“Huh? Huh? What’s this mark on the ground?”
The ground is unnaturally gouged.
I could see it from the observation deck, but up close, it’s clear something sharp was slammed down.
Did Fei and those guys have a sword fight?
There are bloodstains. Judging by the amount, it’s a light injury.
Given how dry they are, has it been a while?
My knowledge of investigation skills has dulled.
It must be because I’ve been spoiled by fantasy novels lately and haven’t been exposed to modern science.
Do I have to use magic…?
“Sigh, detection magic.”
The magic power wave slowly permeates deeper into the bushes in front.
Every time it catches a life sign, the distance and direction are noted on my mental map.
Hmm, these small animals are a nuisance.
Well, well, are those… Fei and the others wrapped up?
There are few of them. And their movements are strangely coordinated.
“Are they planning a night raid on me? Or the males who escaped?”
Did they rendezvous? Or did I just happen to detect one of them?
I don’t know.
“They’re making me go through all this trouble.”
For now, I push through the rustling plants towards the clustered signals.
“Oh?”
There shouldn’t have been any movement other than mine.
Was I attacked?
I’m staring at McGillis’s headless body.
So, I was just decapitated in one blow by someone.
Who dared to attack my McGillis (enhanced with high-performance magic modifications)!!
Damn it, as expected, I can’t see them.
“Hound (Doc One), Leader. This is three. We’ve eliminated one child approaching from the fortress. Report.”
“Understood. Communication terminated.”
A voice in a space where there should be no one?
It’s not Tartarian.
Are they those black guys? No, it’s not their language either.
“Well, whatever. Now that I know the enemy has Stealth Ability.”
Dealing with it is simple, you see.
Possession.
“…?!”
“I am the earth! Fall into hell—!
Moving the entire ground around here, as if the abyss had manifested in the present world, I pulled back the ground where the stealth users were likely to be.
The trees, plants, and flowers rooted in the ground fell one after another into the faint light (lava flow) at the bottom of the pitch-black hole.
I’m sure the stealth users are among them.
“Ngh! Hound (Doc One), Leader!? This is an emergency!”
The sensation of kicking off the wall of the pit, trying to catch myself.
Then, the voice I just heard.
“I found yooouuuu! Die,
“Leader! Please respond!? Report! Report! Re-port? Wha—?!”
“Tch, don’t dodge!”
From the walls of the pit where the stealth user is, spears made of rock and minerals protrude.
But, intuition, huh? It dodged that.
But that’s the center of the hole.
“Can you even use aerial walking?
I seal the exit of the pit with bars.
This way, it’s obvious when they try to escape.
I’ll target you. Come on, attack me and sever my head.
That will be your end. Hmm?
Kicking off the falling trees, I grab the wall again… No, this time I thrust something sharp. This must be the weapon that attacked me.
I try to grab the blade and fix it.
“Ngh!! Can’t pull it ou—?! Damn it!”
As expected, it seems to specialize in cutting.
Is it vibrating slightly? Could it be, a boy might imagine.
Is that weapon (that thing) it?!
“Leader! This may be unbelievable! But it’s true! Suddenly, the ground I was on disappeared over a wide area!? Report.”
“There was no reaction to magic activation, report.”
Oh, they’re communicating again with what looks like a radio magic tool.
I can tell your position well!
I’ll restrain your body.
“Ngh!! The ground is attacking me!? Re-port—!”
“U-understoooood!”
Ignoring me and communicating, they’re looking down on me.
Thanks to their conversation, their stealth ability is not very effective.
Towards the direction of the radio voice, I grasp their body with countless earth hands that sprout from the walls.
Judging by the pitch of the voice, it’s a man.
Anything other than that equipment is unnecessary.
“Die,
With you having discarded your weapon, it’s impossible to deal with these countless hands.
“Gyaaaaaaaahhhh!”
“Arm? Or leg? I crushed it. Hahaha! Suffer more… Oh! Your stealth has been released.”
It’s quite bizarre. A sci-fi body suit in a fantasy setting is strange.
Ah, I broke it, but it’s okay. If it’s an object, I can understand its structure and abilities instantly by possessing it.
After you die, I’ll recreate and repair it slowly.
“See ya! ”
“—! ”
First enemy, one.
I’ll go kill the one on the radio.
Wait, a reaction (footsteps) on the outer edge of the pit~~♪
“Sigh,
If you look into the pit or try to descend, you’ll be impaled for sure.
…No sensation of dripping blood. Did it dodge? Or was it intentional?
I am the ground. The enemy is, after all, only human. Can you defeat the ground?
“Whether you’re on a tree, fall into the lava flow at the bottom of the hole, all of you!”
