The moment Shīna saw Nozomu rise from the rubble after he blew the burning hut away, She was startled by Tiamat's immense power that suddenly strengthened, and Shīna's field of vision was instantly dyed black.

"~...!"

As her field of vision dimmed, a surge of storm-like power passed through her body. A burst of power hit her which made her entire body feel like it was falling apart. The scariest thing she felt from it was the hatred and condemnation towards the entire world. Her whole body trembled and turned cold. As she felt the enormous embodiment of death, she fell to the floor like a sinner begging for forgiveness.

After a moment, her pitch-black field of vision suddenly turned into blazing flames. The crimson flames that spread out in front of her illuminated the already burnt buildings and some things that were once humans lying around. It was definitely the sight of Arcazam that Nozomu currently seeing.

"Ugh~!"

The smell of burning flesh in her nose made her nauseous.

"T-this is..."

Shīna tried to use spirit magic to help Nozomu get out of the burning hut. However, because she originally possessed the power to respond to spirits, and because she was sensitive to the power emitted by Tiamat, she also caught a glimpse of what Tiamat was showing Nozomu right now. She was taken aback by the sudden occurrence, but at that moment she heard a man's voice in her ear.

"Everyone! Where are you!!"

"No-zomu-kun?"

Shīna looked around in search of the source of the voice. Then, she found him standing a little away from her.

"Nozomu-kun!!"

Shīna raises her voice and heads for Nozomu. She keeps running even though she was out of breath, the burning flames makes her breath stuffy. She could see his figure gradually grows bigger. Perhaps Nozomu felt the presence of Shīna approaching, he turned around and turned his gaze toward her. She was relieved and soften her expression as Nozomu's eyes caught her.

Shīna raised her voice and headed for Nozomu. She kept running even though she was out of breath, the burning flames suffocating her. She could see his figure gradually growing bigger. Perhaps Nozomu sensed Shīna's presence approaching, he turned around and turned his gaze towards her. She felt relieved and softened her expression as Nozomu's eyes caught her.

"Nozomu-ku..."

"...So you want to get in my way..."

However, Shīna's expression froze in an instant due to the bloodlust released by Nozomu in the next moment.

She didn't understand why he was so hostile towards her.

(Why...)

When she reached out her hand to reach him, she was at a loss for words after her own hand came into her sight.

"......Eh?"

Her hands were covered with shadows like the black demon beast.

She immediately checked her body, and she was very surprised. Her entire body was covered with the same shadow as her hands.

"...I don't have much time. If you get in my way, I'll make you retreat by force!!"

Nozomu pointed his katana toward Shīna.

At that moment, Shīna's eyes caught a giant mountain-like shadow with six wings reflected in the shimmering flames behind Nozomu.

"No way ..."

(... Elf, I'll use you as nutrients for my resurrection.)

At the same time as the voice of someone other than Nozomu echoed in her head, Nozomu moved towards her. Seeing Nozomu's crimson eyes, her spine froze.

===============================================

On the other hand, in reality, Nozomu was also glaring at Irisdina and the others with his crimson eyes, releasing his bloodlust towards them.

"~! Nozomu!!"

Irisdina's sorrowful voice echoed in the air where sparks danced.

The worst-case scenario came back to her mind. Her premonition that Nozomu might have been swallowed by Tiamat pierced her heart. Her chest tightened and felt painful.

(That's impossible!)

She desperately raised her voice and kept calling his name.

However, her voice didn't reach the current Nozomu. What Nozomu saw was the revival of the nightmare he had seen since he killed a dragon. Burning Arcazam and voices of people calling for help. And humanoid shadows standing in front of him, and the scent of death that enveloped him.

(I need to find everyone as soon as possible!)

While being rushed by such impatience, Nozomu was desperately trying to find his disappeared companions in that hellish place.

"Oooooooooo!"

Nozomu glared at them with his crimson eyes and moved with his legs.

Blood dripped from his entire body without stopping, dyeing his entire body red. It was due to the accumulation of the backlash from yesterday's and today's battles with the Undead Dragon and the release of ability suppression. No matter how much damage could be minimized, his body's limit was near. Still, Nozomu didn't stop. Apparently, he couldn't see Irisdina and the others in front of him.

This makes sense. To the current Nozomu, Irisdina and the others were not seen as irreplaceable friends, but as humanoid shadows that stood in his way as he tried to find his companions. Nozomu moved towards Irisdina. However, Irisdina couldn't move because she was currently supporting Shīna's body.

"Kuh~!!"

Seeing Irisdina unable to move, Mars used his greatsword and cut in between Nozomu and Irisdina. However, Nozomu had activated [Phantom -Clad-] on his katana blade, and if Mars received Nozomu's attack as is, his entire greatsword would be severed.

As long as he couldn't take the attack head-on, he had no choice but to hit the side of Nozomu's katana and divert his slash. Mars desperately tried to predict Nozomu's slash direction.

"Get out of the way!!"

However, Nozomu's movement was too fast, exceeding Mars' expectations. Along with Nozomu's scream, an explosive sound was heard again from Nozomu's feet, further accelerating his speed.

"What~...!"

Nozomu closed the gap with his instant acceleration. Mars' response was delayed as the distance to the other party suddenly changed. And the current Nozomu wouldn't miss this opportunity to launch his deadly attack. Nozomu's slash approached Mars' nape. The moment when the blade was about to cut through Mars' neck.

"~!!"

*bang!*

A flash of lightning exploded in the air with such a sound. Nozomu's katana was parried towards the opposite direction in an instant for some reason. In the next moment, a single shadow leaped towards Nozomu.

"Te~eiyaaaa!"

A knife was thrust in together with a shout. The one who leaped in was Mimuru, one of the people who had stopped the Undead Dragon earlier.

She saw Nozomu rushing at Irisdina, and she immediately rushed following the thunderbolt that Feo reflexively fired. Feo tried to get Nozomu's attention to help Irisdina and the others who couldn't move.

For that reason, Mimuru made herself stand out by shouting. Sure enough, her knife was easily blocked by Nozomu. Nozomu's murderous crimson eyes were directed at Mimuru now.

"I-Irisdina-san! Immediately, bring Shīna...a, uwa~!"

As her eyes met Nozomu's murderous eyes, Mimuru seemed to back off on reflex.

Nozomu, who saw her falter, tried to push her away at once.

Nozomu pushed her back with his katana. The katana blade enveloped by [Phantom - Clad-]? encroached into Mimuru's knife and tried to slash the blade with her arm.

Mimuru let go of the knife handle she held in her hand and took a distance in a hurry. The next moment, her knife was cut in half by Nozomu's slash and fell to the ground.

Fortunately, Mimuru was able to escape from Nozomu's attack range before her knife was cut. However, Nozomu showed a pursuit stance.

Nozomu tried to activate his [Instant Move] by stomping his legs.

However, in the meantime, Mars, who had regained his posture, swung the greatsword from behind.

"Teyaaa!"

Mars aimed at the belly of the katana so as not to hurt Nozomu, and Mars sent as much Qi as possible into the greatsword and swung it downwards.

However, Mars' attack was repelled by Nozomu's scabbard. Mars was taken aback when the attack that looked like a casual blow sent shock into his arm. Nozomu turned around and swung the scabbard down at Mars' head.

"Kuh!"

Forcibly suppressed the numbness that ran down his arm. Mars quickly pulled back his greatsword and placed it over his head. He filled his entire body with Qi, strengthened his body to the limit, and tried to block Nozomu's scabbard.

"Gah~hhhh!!"

Even Mars' full strength couldn't withstand Nozomu's slash from the front.

*Bam!!*

Along with a roaring sound, Mars' arms were pressed down as if they were weighed down by a large rock falling on him, and he knelt on the ground involuntarily.

"Th-this is too heavy...!"

If Nozomu had swung down the katana with [Phantom -Clad-] activated, Mars' body would have been cut in half together with his greatsword.

But soon Nozomu swung his katana again, trying to slash Mars, who was looking up while he knelt on the ground.

"Ku~.... ga~a!"

Mars desperately tried to escape Nozomu's attack range. However, he was pressed down from above by Nozomu's scabbard and couldn't move. His arms alone couldn't withstand Nozomu's strength, and his greatsword gradually dug into his shoulders.

Nozomu and Mars' eyes crossed, and cold sweat ran down Mars' face as he looked into Nozomu's crimson eyes. The katana that was swung is about to slash Mars.

At that time, Nozomu's eyes trembled, for some reason, the power holding down Mars weakened for a moment.

"~!... Ooo!"

In that short gap, Mars pushed Nozomu with all the strength he put on his legs.

"Mars-kun!"

Next, Tima released [Driving Mass of Wind] from the side to help Mars.

The mass of wind moved like wild beasts running across the ground's surface.

Nozomu who saw the scene quickly jumped back. He immediately cut the orbit of the wind mass approaching him and avoided the wind with minimum movement. Nozomu, who avoided the mass of wind, immediately ran as soon as he landed, and dashed towards Tima, who had just launched an attack.

"~!"

Tima reflexively swallowed her breath due to Nozomu's piercing gaze and bloodlust. In such a feeling of tension, she tried to activate [Sharp Rock Dance]. A huge rock spear gradually formed in the air.

However, Nozomu quickly traversed the distance. He tried to reach her with his katana before Tima completed her chant.

"Uuu......!"

Tima was startled by Nozomu who was heading towards him at an unusual speed. The control of the magic she was trying to cast became unstable, and the rock spear that was still forming in the air stopped.

However, even if she continued to chant, she couldn't make it in time. Nozomu was already swinging the katana in his hand. Originally, Tima who could barely do close combat had no way of escaping from Nozomu's slash.

Judging that the humanoid shadow was an enemy that should be defeated immediately, he pointed his katana at Tima and swung his katana down.

"~!!"

"Eh?"

However, Nozomu's appearance changed again. Nozomu stared at Tima's face for a moment. Along with that, the trajectory of the katana he was trying to swing slightly deviated, and for some reason, the katana just grazed Tima's cheek. Nozomu missed the chance to kill her. At that moment, silence filled the place.

=============================

Nozomu missed his chance to defeat the humanoid shadow. He was confused. He didn't even know the reason himself.

"....Take this!"

He flipped the katana he had swung upwards and tried to slash at the humanoid shadow in front of him again. A half-finished rock spear could be seen beside this humanoid shadow. A huge rock spear that was still not fully formed, but it was already gigantic enough. Considering its size, the magical quality of this humanoid shadow was definitely comparable to an S rank.

No matter how much the ability suppression was released, this humanoid shadow's magic could not be ignored. Moreover, his blood continued to drip. The wound that had been closed had now reopened, and the amount of bleeding increased over time. The severe pain that engulfed his entire body could no longer be felt, and instead, a numb sensation covered his entire body.

(I don't have much time left. I need to find everyone quickly...)

While thinking so, he swung his katana upwards.

However, he felt a sense of incongruity again in his head. While having such thoughts, his katana that was swung upwards only passed through the tip of the nose of the humanoid shadow.

Meanwhile, the mouth of the humanoid shadow in front of him moved as if chanting a spell. In the next moment, the half-finished rock spear exploded and a myriad of rock shards attacked him.

"Kuh~!!"

Nozomu jumped sideways to dodge the large number of rock shards that attacked him at close range. However, the gap gave the previous humanoid shadow a chance to retreat. Furthermore, a shadow with staff in its hand attacked this time to replace the previous one. If Nozomu continued his assault, he would miss the timing. But, on the contrary, he was still trying to head towards the retreating shadow. But the moment he focused his Qi on his leg and activated his [Instant Move], the staff-wielding humanoid shadow was throwing something. Coupled with his own accelerated speed, something was approaching in front of him at high speed. It was a throwing dagger.

"Tch!"

Nozomu immediately dodged the thrown knife with his [Instant Move -Curve Dance-]. The moment he tried to slash the staff-wielding humanoid shadow with the same momentum, a wall of sand emerged from the ground in front of him. It was the [Castle Wall built on Sand] magic that created a barrier made of sand. Probably it was the magic of the humanoid shadow that retreated earlier.

"Haa!!"

Nozomu swung his katana enveloped in [Phantom - Clad-] towards the sand wall that appeared in front of him. The [Castle Wall built on Sand], which was a wall made of sand, was torn apart in one slash in front of Nozomu's katana slash. However, it soon returned to its original state.

Then, he backed away and took some distance. He held his katana and took an archery-like stance. He slammed his katana blade with his extremely compressed Qi and turned it into a shining blade He took aim. The aim was the center of the sand wall. He intended to destroy the humanoid shadows hiding behind the wall with the Qi technique [Core Piercing].

Qi that was compressed to the limit would easily penetrate the walls made of sand. Countless exploding blades would slash through the humanoid shadows hiding behind the sand walls and turn them into a fine dust.

Nozomu tried to take a step forward, ignoring the fact that both of his legs were spewing blood. However, the moment when Nozomu was about to start running.

"~, gah!!"

This time he was electrocuted and felt a thunder-like sensation run through his head. Nozomu's body staggered. He was still able to move his legs forward, but then something approached from behind with incredible speed.

"Kuh!!"

Nozomu turned around and swung his katana intuitively. The katana he swung managed to deflect the thrusting greatsword as it let out a high-pitched sound. It was the greatsword-wielding humanoid shadow that rushed in. Perhaps because the momentum was too strong, it passed through Nozomu's side and his back was left exposed.

"Give me bre-...! Kuhh!!"

Nozomu tried to slash at the greatsword-wielding humanoid shadow's unprotected back, but once again, the sensation of being electrocuted hit Nozomu's head.

"~! This is nothing!!"

Ignoring the headache that kept running through his head, Nozomu tried to launch another slash, but the humanoid shadow managed to dodge and escape from Nozomu's attack range. Nozomu's slash cut through the empty air without reaching the humanoid shadow's body.

Furthermore, a gigantic rock spear was launched into the sky from within the sand wall in front of him.

The [Sharp Rock Dance] that was launched into the sky fell towards Nozomu parabolically due to gravity.

Nozomu tried to quickly escape from the place with his legs, but this time, he noticed that the ground beneath his feet glowed blue, and a bolt of lightning struck him through the ground's surface.

"~!!"

The numbness that ran all over his body deprived Nozomu of his freedom for a moment. Nozomu thought something was wrong, so he looked around. A staff-wielding humanoid shadow was slamming a talisman on the ground with its hand. The numbness that attacked Nozomu earlier was probably due to some kind of talisman technique.

In the meantime, the falling [Sharp Rock Dance] exploded. It became a countless number of rock spears and attacked Nozomu.

"Kuh~!!"

Nozomu decided that it was no longer possible to escape from the rock spears that fell like heavy rain. He sent his Qi into his katana and scabbard, which he held like a dual sword, and confronted the oncoming cluster of rock spears that were falling down towards him.

"Oooooo!"

A katana and scabbard swung at a speed that couldn't be followed by the eyes. The brilliant traces of Qi infused into it ran endlessly in the air, repelling countless rock spears that fell like walls falling from the sky.

However, Nozomu's body was already nearing its limit. His movements gradually slowed down, and it was impossible to repel all the rock spears that fell towards him. The rock spear that slipped through his slash hit his body.

"~!! Aaaaa!!"

With such a loud shout of fighting spirit, Nozomu activated [One Billion Severance] from both the katana and the scabbard in his hand at the same time. Countless blades crushed all the approaching rock spears.

Nozomu further continued to send his Qi into his katana and scabbard, and continuously released [One Billion Severance] towards the rock spears.? Katana and scabbard that swung at high speed, and a myriad of blades that released from it, combined and developed into an offensive barrier with terrifying power. All the rock spears that touched the blades turned to dust.

However, the continuous use of Qi further burdened Nozomu's body. The sound of his muscles tearing could be heard by his ears.

His heart was beating so fast that it nearly exploded, pumping excess blood throughout his body.

The blood that had accumulated in the capillaries of his eyes filled his field of vision in red and combined with the red color of the blazing flames, the scene before him was dyed black.

Eventually, the rock spears that fell like an avalanche disappeared.

Perhaps because the countless rock spears were crushed, smoke was billowing around Nozomu.

"Haa, haa, haa ..."

Nozomu kept breathing roughly. His breathing was more turbulent than ever. The limits of his body due to the release of ability suppression caused constant headaches and it further drained his mind and body significantly. He tried to calm his breathing, but a humanoid shadow broke through the smoke and attacked him.

Nozomu swung his katana to fend off the opponent's weapon that was attacking him. Since Nozomu handled countless rock spears earlier, his body limit was near. Nozomu thought it was still possible for him to defeat the humanoid shadow in front of him. However, the exchange between Nozomu and that humanoid shadow.. still continued.

"Haa, haa ... !!"

As he clenched his teeth and endured the pain running through his head, Nozomu felt a fierce sense of discomfort within himself.

(Why do I feel so hesitant about slashing at these humanoid shadows...)

A headache that never went away.

A feeling of resistance and discomfort that can't be erased.

If he were to activate his [Phantom - Clad-] while slashing at the humanoid shadows, he should be able to kill them easily, but for some reason, the current him hesitated to use Qi on his katana.

Something didn't feel right. The questions that popped up in his head grew further at an accelerating pace.

The flash of his katana trembled, and he couldn't control his slashing strength.

(Why, why, why...)

Nozomu kept swinging his katana without finding an answer. The two humanoid shadows joined hands and combined their attacks. Three weapons interlocked at the same time, and it became a fierce battle. However, at that moment, Nozomu saw a humanoid shadow standing at the edge of his field of vision.

The humanoid shadow had not attacked him so far, so he left it alone, but apparently, this humanoid shadow was also going to participate in the fight.

The humanoid shadow slowly wielded its weapon. It had a rapier in its hand. The rapier shone brightly, reflecting the blazing fire.

"~!!"

At that time, he had an unprecedented headache. The rapier-wielding humanoid shadow in front of him. It had a slender outline that is so feminine and something flowed on its back like long hair fluttering in the wind.

"U-uu....!"

While holding his head, Nozomu's field of vision became blurry due to the headache that kept coming like a sandstorm. At that moment, the humanoid shadows in front of him suddenly retreated. The rapier-wielding humanoid shadow rushed towards him as if to take their place. While watching its figure, Nozomu was still able to hold his katana.

Within his raging field of vision, Nozomu felt the discomfort he had felt since earlier spread explosively inside his head.

======================================

"Nozomu! Stop it!! Can't you recognize us!"

Irisdina cried while supporting Shīna's trembling body beside her.

(Even though it was just a little bit more .....)

She thought that they would be able to reveal their true intentions and feelings that they had hidden from each other, make up for it, and walk side by side again..

Sadness and regret brought tears to her eyes.

As he had said before, there was an existence different from himself within him.

She thought Nozomu had been swallowed up by Tiamat, a legendary existence on this Arkmill Continent.

She couldn't stop crying when she saw him pointing his blade at the people who wanted to be friends again with him.

(Why is this happening .....)

Nozomu unilaterally hunted down Mars and the others. Although anger arose due to the unreasonable reality, Irisdina could only bite her lips while crying.? However, at that moment, Nozomu's blade barely grazed Mars and the others...

"...Did what we said reach him?"

At that moment, a question popped up in Irisdina's head.

"...Why? Nozomu's blade didn't hit Marus-kun and the others?"

Nozomu is in the state of releasing ability suppression. And in that state, he can overwhelm Rugato before. At the very least, what Nozomu was currently using was undoubtedly his katana technique.

If Nozomu's will disappeared and was replaced by Tiamat's will, it was unlikely that Tiamat, who was originally a dragon, would be able to use the swordsmanship used by humans.

That's not all. If Nozomu was swallowed up by Tiamat's will and completely dominated, at least one of those who fought him now would have been killed.

Irisdina carefully watched Nozomu's fight.

Nozomu's two consecutive attacks on Tima cut through the empty air, and even when he tried to cut the back of the rushing Mars, his katana didn't hit Mars. Despite the power gap, his blade couldn't hit Tima's body.

"... Perhaps"

One hypothesis came into Irisdina's mind. When she tried to get up to ascertain it herself, she felt her arm was being pulled hard.

"Haa, haa... I-Irisdina-san..."

It was Shīna, who was by her side, who pulled her arm. While staring at Irisdina, she was sweating profusely and breathing wildly.

"~! Shīna-kun! Are you alright!?"

"Y-yes. I'm alright... I just got hit by a bit of Tiamat's power... And more importantly, right now Nozomu is trapped in an illusion created by Tiamat..."

Irisdina supported and helped Shīna who was about to stand up.

However, she frowned at Shīna's sudden words.

"Illusion ..."

"Yes, within the illusion, Arcazam has collapsed and we disappeared. He is now desperately trying to find us in the burning Arcazam..."

Shīna saw the battle unfolding in front of her.

Nozomu used the katana and scabbard in his hand to repel the myriad of rock spears that had poured into him.

Shīna was originally a girl who had the extraordinary ability to connect with spirits. At the same time, because of that ability, she was exposed to Tiamat's power. She caught a glimpse of what Tiamat showed Nozomu, albeit in fragments.

Nozomu's uniform was dyed bright red with blood pouring out of his body, and blood clots formed at his legs.

"Now we can only be seen as obstacles standing in front of his eyes. Our appearances look like shadow beasts, and our calls are also interrupted. He couldn't hear us..."

The current Nozomu's body is so full of wounds that it is difficult to find a place where he isn't injured. At this rate, he would definitely die.

"Tiamat's purpose is probably to resurrect itself... For that reason, it is trying to destroy Nozomu, along with the chains that currently bind it. Both mentally and physically..."

If Nozomu were to be killed, the chains that bind Tiamat will also disappear. Perhaps Tiamat was trying to destroy his spirit by making Nozomu kill his friends with his own hands. If that were to happen, it wouldn't be difficult to kill Nozomu who had fallen into despair.

Perhaps he would continue to use his powers with anger and hatred until he died, or he would commit suicide.

Irisdina once again stared at Nozomu, who was trying to point his blade at them. Certainly, as Shīna said, that was Tiamat's aim. But when Irisdina heard Shīna, she still wondered if she could do something about it.

"...Shīna-kun. He hasn't been completely swallowed up by Tiamat, but he can't see us. In that case, Mars and the others who fight him won't be safe."

“........”

While listening to Shīna's impatient voice, Irisdina told Shīna about the doubts that she just felt.

"Also, there's some hesitation in his slash since earlier. Maybe we can still make it in time..."

Unlike when fighting the Undead Dragon, Nozomu's movements seemed to be hesitating. If he hesitated even when Tiamat showed him an illusion, that hesitation might be a factor that could break through the current situation. The question is how to get rid of Tiamat's illusion.

"....What should we do then?"

"...We should call out to him"

Irisdina returned a very simple answer.

"That's not possible..."

However, their call couldn't reach Nozomu. That alone rendered that option meaningless.

Irisdina herself understood that, and she nodded obediently to Shīna's words.

"I know. Even so, we should somehow deliver a word to him ..."

Even so, she still told Shīna her intention to deliver words to Nozomu once again. Hearing Irisdina's words, Shīna put her hand on her chin with a difficult expression. She was pondering for a while, but she eventually faced Iridina and opened her mouth as if she had decided something.

"... I understand. I'll do something about it."

Shīna puffed out her chest and proudly declared so.

Looking at Shīna's face approaching hers, Irisdina asked a question.

"What on earth are you doing?"

What spread out in front of Irisdina's eyes, who spoke about her doubts, was Shīna's face.

"....Eh?"

"N~..."

A soft touch transmitted to her lips. Magical power flowed into Irisdina's body along with a rusty iron-like taste on her tongue. The slimy sensation that invade her mouth made Irisdina reflexively leak a shocked voice.

"W, wh, what are you doing all of a sudden...!"

After she regained her consciousness, Irisdina instinctively yelled and distanced herself from Shīna's body. Both Irisdina and Shīna had bright red faces and their bodies trembled.

"D-don't get me wrong! There is a reason to it!"

"Wha~, reason?..."

(Y-you can hear me, right?)

Shīna shouted as if coming up with an excuse. Irisdina listened to it involuntarily, but at that moment, Shīna's voice echoed in her head.

(W-what is this?)

(I-I made a simple contract between you and me. I will become the bridge between you and him, so take this opportunity to call him out.)

(I-I see...)

It was a spirit contract executed by Shīna, the elf.

Originally, she used contract magic to share her magical power with spirits and made a contract to cast spirit magic.

However, because the other party was human this ti-->>

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