Cracks appeared on the surface of the mask, and ominous energy seeped out.
Slowly, Shizuka stood up and began to chant.
"Summoning magic!?"
Eren exclaimed in surprise.
"Hey, really? What rank of summoning is it?"
"..., well, based on the scale of the magic circle, it's a 'B+' or higher rank monster!"
"Everyone, stop chatting and we need to stop it!!!"
Indeed, experienced adventurers.
They immediately ended their conversation and spread out.
"Earth, bind her! Mud Hands!"
"Ugh??? Ouch!!! Heavy Charge!"
Eren bound her feet, and Kabal charged with a body slam.
Gid, as a countermeasure specialist, quickly set up a barrier.
Hmm.
It's B-rank, but the combination is first-class. Their movements are efficient.
However,
"Haah??? Explosion!"
Shizuka flicked her finger from top to bottom.
That alone caused a small explosion centered on her.
My tent was shredded.
The tent is one thing, but I'm more concerned about whether the three of them were injured by that attack.
A small storm arose, but it didn't affect me. So, I looked at the three of them.
Kabal, who had been bound by the Mud Hands and hit by the body slam, was also affected by the explosion and thrown back.
Gid, who was on guard, sensed the danger and pushed Eren away, so they both escaped the danger.
"Hey, are you okay?"
When I asked,
"I'm fine!"
"Ow, my whole body hurts! We need to add danger pay!"
They both replied,
"Oh, you're in pain? ... You guys, worry about the leader!"
While complaining, Kabal got up and came over. He's a tough guy.
"Shizuka, I thought she was a mage, but to summon...?"
"More importantly, what is she summoning?"
"No, no, that's not the point. As far as I know, casting a spell without a chant during a summoning... I've never heard of it..."
Gid stopped speaking and then,
"Eh..., could it be... the Ruler of Flame...?"
Something seemed to dawn on him.
Shizuka continued her chant. Her whole body glowed red, and she began to levitate.
Her mask fell off, and her black hair, flowing out from under her robe, floated gently.
What's her goal? She suddenly looks strange...
"Rigald! Evacuate everyone! Don't let anyone approach this area!"
"But..."
"It's an order! After the evacuation, bring Ranga here!"
"Yes! Understood!"
Rigald quickly began to act.
However, in my opinion, goblins wouldn't stand a chance. I don't want to kill them needlessly.
But, I called Ranga not to fight Shizuka.
The reason is simple.
I considered the possibility that these adventurers might be trying to exploit a weakness in a one-man show.
If they had intended to wipe us out, their talkative behavior would make sense. (Though they could just be simpletons...)
If it was a one-man show, there was a possibility that they might ambush Shizuka from behind when she was at a disadvantage.
To prevent that, I called Ranga.
"Hey, Gid! What's this Ruler of Flame?"
Before Gid could answer,
"That's a hero who was active about 50 years ago," Eren said.
Is he famous? I thought,
When Shizuka's mask fell off.
Rising flames.
They enveloped Shizuka, and a flame giant appeared.
Summoning ritual "Flame Giant (Ifrit)"! It is a being that devours everything and rules over flames.
《Unique Skill 'Mutator' activated》
The voice of the world echoed.
Then, Shizuka's body merged with the Flame Giant.
"Ugh!!! An Ifrit, you're an A-rank Over Spirit! Ah!!!"
"Wow..., I've never seen one! It's so big, there's no way we can win!!!"
"There's no doubt... That's the Ruler of Flame!"
Whoosh???! Bang!!!
Shock and heat swept over us.
The three of them tried to block it with magic barriers, but were thrown back in one hit.
They weren't dead, but they weren't unharmed.
They seemed to be conscious, but unable to move.
This isn't a one-man show. They were genuinely caught off guard.
That means they didn't come here with the intention of destroying everything.
But, it's still a considerable power.
Without gathering mana, a single release of magic power created a 30-meter diameter heat wave centered on the Flame Giant.
If I don't fight, they'll all be wiped out.
But, something is strange.
In this situation, I don't feel fear. Is it because of the influence of becoming a monster?
Maybe the initial scare from Belldandy and the black snake was a good experience.
"Hey, what's your goal?"
"Huh???!"
Bang!
Shock!
Not from the explosion, but a heat wave was fired at me. However, I had already dodged out of the line of fire.
My perception speed can even detect supersonic speeds!
Thinking about it, it's fortunate the village isn't complete yet. Even in this situation, I thought that.
The trees have been cut down to create the current plaza. If it were in the forest, a fire would have started and caused a disaster.
But, I'm not going to be fooled!
Swoosh!!!
I aimed at the abdomen and released a "Water Blade."
The attack evaporated just before reaching the Flame Giant. A whirlwind of flames was protecting it.
Hmm... It seems "Water Blade" isn't effective.
Should I use full power water? But if a steam explosion occurs, it won't be a laughing matter.
I'll use my last resort.
Just then, Ranga arrived.
"Did you call me? My master!"
First, I ordered Ranga to retrieve the three.
Then,
"Do you understand? Evacuate to a safe place! I'll take care of this!"
He was about to argue,
"As you command, I wish you luck!"
He said, carrying the three away.
Now I can fight without restraint.
Roughly swirling flames.
My perception ability accurately detects the distribution of heat.
Even if the Flame Giant creates multiple flame clones and attacks simultaneously, predicting the danger based on the temperature of the flames is simple.
It's impossible for them to land an effective attack on me.
But, my attacks are also ineffective.
The flames are troublesome.
The ground is in a magma state... It must be incredibly hot.
To begin with, I need to get within 10 meters for "Paralyzing Bite" or "Poison Bite" to work.
I can't just say, "Excuse me, I'll step into that intense heat!"
I don't want to turn into a crispy slime.
What should I do...
I don't have a decisive attack.
If I had known, I would have eaten more...
Maybe because I thought that, a huge magic circle appeared at my feet.
Danger!
By the time I realized it, I was trapped.
A wide-area capture barrier. A special ability of the Flame Giant...?
A magic circle drawn instantly without a chant.
Within a 100-meter radius, it fills the area with superheated flames by vaporizing its body.
The ultimate flame area attack!
"Flame Burst Prison"
A voice that couldn't be identified as male, female, old, or young echoed.
This... There's no escape!
I prepared for death.
Ah..., I wasn't complacent, but I feel like I could have done more.
If only they had all attacked together without posturing...
Pretending to be a black wolf, teasing with speed, and biting despite the burns would have been good...
Instead of just watching, they should have used "Black Lightning" or something...
Etc...
But, even with a perception speed of 1000 times, the damage isn't coming...
Well, dying painlessly is a good thing...
But, isn't it too slow?
Is this a tease?
It's strange...
According to my perception, I'm already surrounded by flames.
Huh? Hmm...
《... Answer. Due to the effect of Heat Resistance EX, the flame attack has been automatically nullified.》
I had forgotten about Heat Resistance EX! I felt the same nuance.
Don't make me say every little thing? Idiot!
That's how I felt about the criticism.
Clearly, it's just my mood.
My loyal, unconscious "Great Sage" wouldn't...
Hahaha. It's definitely just my mood. Definitely!
So, ah.
Hey, hey, the flames were nullified?
What? Could this be ultra-easy mode?
Was everything planned?
I was tricked! Pretending to be caught and then turning the tables. A typical plot twist!
So, let's end the battle quickly.
"What did you do just now?"
I subtly wrapped the Flame Giant in "Sticky Steel."
Now, it's over for him.
"Sticky Steel" is one of the results of my daily research, possessing both the properties of sticky and steel.
Moreover, it reflects my resistance, meaning it can't be burned by flames.
Checkmate.
"Wh-What? Impossible!"
For the first time, I sensed hesitation in his voice.
I underestimated you, but you also underestimated me.
Forgive me, I'm just a simpleton.
So, blaming me is your freedom!
"Next is my turn, right?"
Kurt! Panicking, the Flame Giant tried to escape.
I expected that.
Naturally, it's impossible to escape with the "Sticky Steel" I set up.
I slowly approached.
To deliver the final blow to this guy.
This guy... is probably attached to Shizuka, controlling the Flame Giant!
There's no need to panic.
I can't run around frantically, and I can't attack with flames. I'm approaching this pitiful prey.
Then,
《Use Unique Skill 'Devourer'? YES/NO》
The answer is obviously YES!
A blinding light enveloped the surroundings... and suddenly disappeared.