Chapter 35

【Jae's POV】

The「Overlord」System.

I had briefly heard about it before from the sins.

Apparently, it is similar to whatever「Greed」is, in that it has absurd potential.

Not like I ever heard any real features about either of them though, so I can't comment on that yet.

The guys were, supposedly, never allowed to tell me any of those sorts of details for whatever reason.

So I have no idea what they actually do.

Well.

Until today.

―As soon as I gained access to the system, my mind went blank.

Knowledge overcame me; countless memories and experiences filled my brain, and it took a short while to process.

Once it was finished, I was amazed.

It felt like my mind had expanded hundred-fold.

My brain itself was enhanced by many orders of magnitude compared to before―I could now calculate infinitely faster, as well as being able to remember things even like what I had eaten for breakfast on a random day 9 years ago on Earth.

Because of this, I suddenly acquired many mental-type skills like「Thought Processing」,「Memory」,「Super Memory」,「Thought Acceleration」, upon others.

With this new, superhuman memory, I recalled things―long-forgotten things―that seemed pretty important, like suspicious events within the royal palace, that one shady locked door in the palace, the red-haired knight captain, the princess...

I recalled my old girlfriend, Amelia Rannuel...

...With how much things have changed since then, I wonder if she would even recognise me.

Everything that has happened...

I might as well be a completely different person, though my core personality has, for the most part, remained the same.

I try not to think about her, as the memories only make me feel dejected.

I could even recollect everything I felt during those moments in great detail, as if I was living the moment.

Physically, mentally and emotionally―I could feel everything.

Every breath I took.

Every gust that brushed against my skin.

And then, the negative sensations.

The pain I felt to the point of agony.

The anger I carried to the point of deep-seated resentment.

The jealousy I held towards my old classmates, such as Chris, that was to the point of making me want to vomit out my insides.

It was all so long ago, and yet...

It now feels so very genuine.

Years had passed since those moments, and yet I can remember it so vividly; again, as if I am breathing and living these times.

The events that had occurred afterwards, too.

Like when I awoke in the forest, when I survived by fighting and eating goblins, when I was faced by the Goblin Lord...

...And when I found myself in the Pride Dungeon.

At that time, it seems I was half-insane, and, as if I was drunk at the time, I couldn't remember anything about it afterwards.

It had confused me, but as Aphy never mentioned anything about it, I didn't ask.

But now, it's different.

I can distinctly remember what happened during that time.

I remember, there were several things that followed my wake:

I was inside a drake's stomach at first, couldn't escape, then died due to Aphy's attack.

I woke up once again, completely deranged, and even gained titles and skills that befit my condition at that time.

Including something like「Pain Nullification」,「Unpredictable」,「Insane」and「Corrupted Soul」, none of which I seem to currently posess.

Then, I met Aphy, and somehow, she cured me of everything.

That is why I can still be affected by pain, and why I am not currently mentally insane.

She saved me in more than one case.

Aphy has my eternal gratitude for that.

Anyway, after all of that, I can remember my entire time in the Pride Dungeon.

It was a terribly bland place when I think about it, but it was okay at the time thanks to the training I did, as well as travelling with Aphy of course.

I eventually left the dungeon, saved Rena from the bandits, and brought her to Bahgwud Village―you get it.

Since I couldn't go back to the Pride Dungeon, I wandered and found the Sloth Dungeon, quite coincidentally.

Clearing that, I spent more or less two years researching and honing my skills.

I killed the Sloth clone and tamed Death God's Scythe.

After that, the dungeon collapsed, and I became the「Ruler of Sloth」.

I seem to have also acquired something called『Sloth's Authority』at that time, but I still do not know what that is.

I guess I will find out in time.

Anyway, I met Jiyeru before leaving the Cursed Zone.

And here I am now.

Fighting Reon Midas, a Squad Captain of... something.

Some sort of squad.

A Seronian force for sure.

Since he is this strong, it is most likely a unit that's connected to the royalty.

Those guys that I so heavily despised...

Well, whatever.

They say that the opposite of love is indifference, and that is exactly what I am feeling right now.

Well, they also say the opposite of every feeling is indifference, but you get what I mean.

And it's not like he did anything to me personally anyway, right?

"Love goes hand-in-hand with hate"

"Love and hate are two sides of a coin"

These are true.

To me, at least.

When I was in the palace, I naively fell in love with the fantastical nature of it all.

But then, I had gotten a bad feeling, automatically assumed the worst would happen if I stayed, tried to escape to save my life, and was, subsequently, killed.

After being granted a new life thanks to my Title, I then loathed those in the palace.

However, as I said, it is completely different now.

Eventually, my hatred had faded over the years, and I had pretty much forgotten everything.

I guess Aphy could've had something to do with it, or it was simply my natural maturation, but it doesn't matter either way.

I, quite frankly, don't care.

Why should I?

Even if, for them, not even a year has passed; for me, it has been more than six times longer.

With the event, my 'love' had turned into 'hate', and then, with the passage of time, 'indifference'.

Even though I am technically not a human, I feel like that is a very 'human-like' occurrence, no?

In any case, that is something unrelated.

After all, I am still in a battle.

What is interesting, is that, all of the time that has passed during all of these thoughts, is only a few seconds in reality.

It is thanks to the newly-acquired skill,「Thought Acceleration」.

As such, my opponent, Reon Midas, is still recovering from--huh?

I blinked my eyes in bewilderment.

......He's gone?

Shit!

I let him out of my sight for a mere few moments and then this happens...!

Even with these accelerated thoughts, I stand at a disadvantage.

A huge disadvantage, even though it may not look like it.

These wounds; the fact I can't heal, that magic is useless against him, and that I'm physically inferior, too.

I have yet to fully grasp the「Overlord」system's abilities.

There is the expansion of my mind and the enhancement of its ability, but what else?

I have heard a few things about Pride's system, but nothing important like what it actually does.

Even this mind expansion was completely unexpected.

Why does he not tell me anything, the bastard?

All I know is that it is supposed to be the most powerful system next to Greed's.

With a name like 'Overlord', its power should be incredible...

Well, it would just be a scam if it wasn't powerful, wouldn't it?

He even said it himself.

"Don't be too overwhelmed by this fraction of my power"

Though, I can't rule out the possibility that he was just being a cocky dickhead.

Maybe...

Could it have something to do with ruling over people?

Overlord is a name for a ruler, isn't it?

Perhaps... something like mind control?

I have no idea.

Since I don't know what the system does, I can only use it and find out.

And considering that using it now doesn't seem to do anything, it seems it'll only work when a target is specified.

Like「Envy」.

I am thinking all of this as I search for said opponent with numerous detection skills.

Still firing of the occasional [Flashbang] to hinder sight, I'm now only really using utility and enhancement-type magic.

There are a few reasons for this.

For one, any offensive magical attacks I want to use would have to have a big enough range to also hit me if I want to get Midas with it, or else it won't actually hit him.

It would need to be an attack with the kind of radius that I wouldn't even be able to use Sloth to escape from.

And even then, he can use his technique to escape the range.

So I can't use magic attacks.

I could still use the Death God's Scythe, but I am not confident I could control its power, so I don't want to risk it.

Most importantly, I have no time.

I will die soon if I don't find and kill him quickly.

Well, I have a backup plan just in case, but I can't guarantee its success.

As I was searching, I could find no sign of Midas anywhere within a three-kilometre radius.

He completely disappeared.

Did he run away?

No, he was winning.

There's no reason for him to run in this scenario.

He knows that.

He knows that I know that.

So the only place he could be is hiding, right?

―I suddenly felt something odd suddenly appear behind me, and as I hastily blinked away with Sloth, I felt it disappear before I could turn around.

......

What?

Skill「Aura Sense」has levelled up [Lv.8]→[Lv.9]

A sinister feeling crawls down my spine as I think of where my opponent could be.

It's very uncomfortable.

How chilling...

Then, I felt a searing pain on my back.

―A large, horizontal slash wound appeared behind where my lungs and heart would be.

......That's annoying.

Tch.

So he was there.

But how?

And where did he go?

...He must've used his technique on me.

Damn it.

This is my fiftieth wound.

It's the largest one yet, going horizontally all the way across my back and shoulder blades.

It's shallow to the point where I can still move well enough to continue fighting, but it is awkward moving.

I'm not scared or worried.

After all, I won't die or anything, so I will win eventually.

The only reason I have survived this long is because my HP and Health stats are so high.

I also have that「HP Auto Recovery」skill from way back.

...Now that I think about it, I'm like a raid boss.

And yet this guy is still beating me single-handedly, without even having trouble.

Furthermore, the situation has just become that much more dire.

I suddenly got another odd feeling.

Like I was about to get attacked.

...Hm?

This is strange.

I don't know what it is, but something's about to happen.

I can feel it.

Skill「Instinct」has levelled up [Lv.1]→[Lv.2]

「Instinct」......?

I've never seen such a skill before?

I've had an instinctual feeling many times, but I've never acquired the skill for it.

And it's only now reaching Level 2?

I didn't acquire it recently, so what the hell?

What is this?

I thought this.

And suddenly―

"Hup--K-kaughkh...!?"

―I began to vomit blood.

It felt like a blade was piercing through my left lung.

No, there was a blade in my lung.

It twisted and turned, giving me excruciating pain.

But I could endure, albeit with tightly grit teeth.

Because I have already experienced pain multitudes above something like this.

The「Pain Nullification」and Resistance might have been removed by Aphy, but I still have a maxed「Pain Tolerance」.

Impairing only one of my lungs wouldn't kill me, even if it was filled with blood.

「Enhanced Lung Capacity」also helped reinforce my remaining lung, so it wasn't like I couldn't breathe.

The only problem was the constant blood rising up my throat.

Bearing this pain, I quickly tried to find out the location of the enemy, but he was nowhere to be found.

Midas, you dirty bastard.

Hiding like a rat...

--!?

Suddenly, I sensed something.

There was no time to use Sloth.

*Slice!*

Following my severed right arm, blood flowed through the air in a trail.

And before I could even react―

*Slice!*

―My right leg―everything below the knee was separated from my body.

I was sent out of balance by how quickly everything had occurred.

Using Sloth to get far away, I belatedly noticed that, at some point, the sword in my lung had vanished.

Everything was too intense to think about what was going on, and now I could only move on instinct.

I acted quickly.

I already cauterised most of my wounds with fire magic to stop the bleeding, before freezing them with ice so that they wouldn't open back up.

I was stuck on what to do next, when the blade reappeared in my lung.

Withstanding the pain, I figured out the angle at which it was stabbing me.

Doing so, my mind cleared up a tiny bit.

But the way in which this sword is ripping apart my left lung...

It hurts like all hell, of course, however...

The wound on my back.

Although it's now cauterised, and it was shallow initially, but if Midas were to stab me there...

Is it another hidden skill?

Why is that guy so fucking overpowered?

Fuck, it hurts...

It really fucking hurts.

The pain is indescribable, and all I can do is curse.

I don't think I can win...

There's still enough soldiers left around for him to comfortably use that swapping ability, and even if I will never die, I don't know if I can beat him.

Is all I can do run him out of soldiers before using a wide-range magic attack to kill him?

No, that'd take too much time.

Two subsequent wide-range attacks probably wouldn't work either―he'd realise my plan and just get out of the radius.

Even with a dragon's magic, it'd take some time to cast a spell of that magnitude.

Vomiting copious amounts of blood, my time was running out.

Shit.

I don't think I can even do that before I die, too.

And once I die for the first time, the battle will change completely.

There's a significant enough amount of time before I wake up again after dying.

He'll then know that I'll keep reviving and then nobody can win.

He can use that time to either trap me or escape.

For example, by cutting off my limbs without killing me.

Of course, I could then just kill myself with magic, so I would technically not be fully incapacitated, but that is still a stalemate.

Nobody could win in those conditions, and it'd only end when he either gives up and leaves, takes my body to someplace, or calls for reinforcements to do something.

The only things I can do to win...

Death God's Scythe.

「Pride」.

And the backup plan.

...I don't think I can use the scythe yet, if ever possible.

It's literally a weapon of the gods, not for someone like me.

Way too powerful, and can easily get out of control.

What will happen if I use it and then die?

I can't risk it.

I'd want to rely on「Pride」if possible, but to use it I need to directly see my target.

And, I still can't be certain of its effect.

Since it's only Level 1, too...

Ah, thinking about it is making it less reliable.

...Well, what can you do.

I have Plan C.

―I'm just gonna go for it.

Alright, Midas, you fucker.

Where are you hiding?

I attempt to trace the blade in my body to the one using the technique―Reon Midas.

And, I succeeded.

Specifically, what I did was trace the technique he used to have the blade piercing my body from so far away.

It was like a miniature portal, so I simply followed the connection to the other side and found his location.

Over in the outpost, huh.

Then, sit tight.

You bastard.

After promptly giving myself a makeshift prosthetic leg and arm using Earth Magic, to stabilise myself (of course, I can't move it like I can a normal leg, but I use mana to make it move), I use Sloth to quickly make my way over to the soldiers' outpost.

Once I made it over and saw how Midas was still hiding in the outpost, I realised that I could take him out right now.

Him and all the guards, simultaneously, since they were all taking refuge in the outpost.

That way, he wouldn't be able to use that shitty technique to get out of it.

I won't need to put my faith in the unpredictable Plan C, either.

...Hah.

All you spineless suckers.

I hope you're ready.

I prepared for my greatest magic attack to date.

I would collapse the entire outpost with this, at least.

And the outpost was large.

I gathered not only the mana in the atmosphere for this attack, but also my personal mana.

It was the only way to make the attack work.

―At least, I tried.

But, no matter how much I tried, I was unable to gather the mana inside me to form a stable strength.

Now, I couldn't even use the attack, because there was not enough magic energy in the surrounding area.

The reason for this was because I had already died most of it up during our fight.

My personal mana capacity alone also wasn't enough, because I had been using skills like Sloth,「Wrath」and「Envy」, which are all exceptionally expensive.

But even then, I can feel something wrong with me.

For some reason, it feels difficult to manipulate the magical energy within me.

I've never had this problem before.

What the hell is it this time!?

I was infuriated and confused, when I realised that it was from the sword inside my chest.

As if it was under anaesthesia, it felt like my mana was gone in that area, and none of the mana in my body would move how I wanted.

At least I could still move the prosthetic limbs, but this could be a problem.

What the fuck is this?, I thought, but there is no time for such wondering.

As soon as I realised that the idea was completely negated, I rapidly made my way to where Midas was.

Fuck, the entire universe just wants me to go with Plan-fucking-C, huh!?

Once I arrived at his location―a room of stone brick within the outpost, where there were no soldiers―I slowly walked towards the man.

Although he was as expressionless as always, I could tell he was inwardly surprised from the extremely minute changes in his expression.

Well, and「Envy」of course.

Midas sat on a wooden crate with his sword sticking through a strange rift in the air.

It was an identical portal to the one in my lung.

Fucking asshole.

I stopped a few metres away from him, and we stared each-other in the eyes.

We didn't attack each other for some reason, as if we were both just tired of everything.

"..."

"..."

Although no one muttered a syllable, we could tell what the other was thinking just by looking.

This was the result after battling for half a day straight.

......Or, maybe it was only possible between two monsters like us.

...Nah.

'You are still alive?'

'So it seems.'

'You cockroach-like fucker.'

'You're not unlike a shitty little rat, yourself.'

It is said that skilled swordsmen communicate by clashing blades.

A similar thing occurred today, between me and the guy in front of me.

'You sneaky fuck. What are those techniques, huh?'

'Well, I can't be fucked to explain anything, and why the hell should I, stupid? Just figure it out by yourself if you care so much.'

'Bastard. Who do you think you are talking to?'

'A completely monstrous anomaly who escaped from Hell.'

'...A monster. Says the guy who mercilessly sent over a hundred of his own subordinates to Hell himself? And who's the one who single-handedly thrashed said monster?'

'It was a necessary sacrifice. It wasn't single-handedly.'

'You're delusional.'

'At least they died doing something useful.'

'What, keeping you alive?'

'Yes.'

'Hah.'

―Honestly, it wasn't bad; in a strange, twisted sort of way.

Eventually, I spoke using telepathy, as blood blocked my throat.

[So.], I pointed to the sword in his hand, which was still stabbing me, [You mind taking that out?]

Reon Midas glanced at his sword, before turning his head back to me, [...I can't do that.]

My brows furrowed.

[What? Why?]

[You've put me through more work than I've ever done in my life in one day.]

Surprised at his selfish answer, I glanced at the blue aura around him and muttered telepathically.

[...Lazy fucker.]

He only looked at me like a dead fish before eventually saying, [......Can't tell me you're not tired of this bullshit too.]

[...]

Who the hell was this guy?

Well, he's not wrong though...

Both mentally and physically, I am completely exhausted.

Being the「Ruler of Sloth」certainly doesn't help either.

Once this is all over, I'll have a long rest.

Being said「Ruler of Sloth」allows me to put off my own feelings of sloth for a while, though it does mean I have to compensate for the amount I skipped at a later date.

It's basically just postponing my sloth.

Perhaps that is what was meant by『Sloth's Authority』?

Maybe I can do it with other people then...?

I'll try it later.

Thinking of various things, I made a suggestion.

[Hey.]

[...?]

[You belong to Seronia, right?]

[...]

[You've been busting your damn balls all your life for those guys.]

[...]

He said nothing, but I knew I was correct.

[So, work with me.]

――This was the real Plan C that I had come up with.

[......That's a bit of a leap.]

I knew he knew what I meant, but it seems he wanted me to spell it out for him.

I spoke frankly.

[Fuck those guys, right? Work with me; a give and take relationship. Neither of us are above or below the other. Wouldn't that be a lot better for you?]

[...]

I was entirely correct with my assumptions.

This definitely isn't the type of guy to be loyal to his home country.

And he definitely isn't the type of guy to deny a chance to work less.

I could guarantee that, because of Sloth.

I knew this and used it as leverage.

Hence, there was no seemingly reason for him to refuse my offer.

He then held up his index finger.

[It's a real give and take.]

―It was a condition.

Of course, I accepted it.

[Of course. Our power in this purely-work relationship will be exactly 50-50, no more no less. Anything else you want? I can guarantee a lot of things.]

[...]

He seemed to be thinking.

I was confident in this plan, yes.

However.

If there was a risk, it would be one thing.

There was the chance that the man in front of me, Reon Midas, had a very specific reason to listen to the country.

After all, someone of his strength is unquestionably hard to come by.

For him to work under someone, especially with his personality―there must be something that compels him to do so.

For example, if he only wanted money and to be lazy, then I'm sure that being an adventurer would be perfect.

But there is something different.

Something he can only get where he is now.

Worst case, it might not be something that I can offer or provide him.

It could very well cost me the deal, and my life.

As I was thinking this, Reon Midas stuck up a second and third finger.

[Two more conditions.]

[Give it to me.]

Pulling his hand back down, Midas spoke.

[First, we both need to ensure that the other is not betraying the other in any way, and will not betray the other. I think this is rather obvious.]

Ah.

Of course, such a thing is indispensable.

[Okay. It's insurance, right? It's not disadvantageous towards me. So, how do we go about that?]

[A magic contract.]

Contract?

I felt a little surprise at the sudden proposition.

I have never heard of such a thing before?

Well, probably because it was unnecessary information.

[There should still be some in this building somewhere.]

[Alright. Then, we'll do it after the third condition.]

[Sure.]

[So, what's last?]

[Protection.]

Hm?

This guy doesn't need protection, right?

He's stronger than even me in most aspects, after all.

[What exactly do you mean by that?]

What would he need that for?

[A relative. I'm assuming this is something you can provide for multiple people.]

Oh...

I was kinda right then?

Being an adventurer wouldn't be safe for his relatives, would it, if they are with him most of the time.

But this isn't bad.

On the contrary, this is a perfect opportunity.

If I can guarantee the safety of his family, then he'll be much more likely to want to work together.

He doesn't doubt my strength either, and probably realises that he hasn't seen all there is yet.

If he didn't think I could provide that for him and whoever he requires it for, then I doubt he'd even think of asking for my protection.

I replied with a smile.

[Well, obviously. If there is anyone you need or want guaranteed protection for, then it's only a matter of course that I'll assist in any way I can. And, whatever the case, I'd also like for you to do the same if I need you to lend some assistance.]

[......]

I said everything with a semi-serious face, and as Reon Midas looked me in the eyes, he could tell I meant all of it.

Soon, he stood up, withdrawing his sword, and spoke aloud.

"Alright. As long as you can guarantee those three things, I'll work with you."

I felt overcome with relief at the words.

Clearing and cleaning my obstructed throat and lungs with magic, I feel like I can now speak a little easier.

Such a guy as my ally...

I was concerned at first that people of his level might be everywhere, but now I am certain that isn't the case.

I really have nothing to be afraid of now.

"I always hated working for those cruel bastards anyway. It's more fitting to be paired with a monster like you, who won't overwork me."

Ah...

He's still calling me a monster.

Haa, well, now that it's confirmed, I walked a little bit closer and stuck out my hand (the flesh one).

Midas... No, Reon reciprocated, holding his hand out too.

We shook hands, and I spoke with a gratified smile.

"It's a pleasure."

Like so, a connection had formed between me and the one and only, Reon Midas.

――And no one could have predicted the severe consequences that inevitably arise thanks to this event.