(God of Calamity POV)

Kukuku, kuhahaha, ahahaha.

Oh dear, how unexpected, there was a model, and within such a short period of time, an individual with the status of a kin can perform an Outer Skill, even if it was only a hollow shell and an imitation.

How fascinating. Indeed, what a fascinating event. I would love to personally meet her at least once.

Well then, I should make hay while the sun shines.

I have decided to head down to the girls.

————–

(Third-person POV)

“What is that skill… I won’t tolerate that sort of skill…”

The “Crimson Scattering Spice King” was watching the earlier battle in his room positioned in the innermost part of the “Red Tilt Taiji Cave”.

His expression was so vehemently wrathful that it frightened the Karajin at his side.

But that was also inevitable. This time, in order to suppress the rebellion of the slaves, the Spice King dispatched not only his own kin, the Karajin, but also a whole range of other demons. The Spicy Thorn Lizard was the powerhouse of the demons that inhabited this dungeon that did not possess a high level of intelligence, and the Capsicaman was supposed to be the most formidable demon that the Spice King could have created.

“How could such a cheat-like skill exist…”

However, these two demons were brought down by the skill of a single intruder.

Such a thing was unbelievable. Even if that intruder was actually a kin of another Demon King, there was no way for her to possess that kind of skill. This was what the Spice King concluded.

In fact, he was not wrong in his assessment.

Whether this was the hobby of the God of Calamity who has introduced the skill to this world, or whether there was some other meaning to it, only she knew, but at least among the skills the God of Calamity has endowed the living beings of this world, there was “no skill that can 100% annihilate an opponent when unleashed without preparation”. Well, there was such a thing as “a skill that can 100% annihilate an opponent if it was unleashed with a substantial degree of preparation”.

Now, let’s return to the main subject.

Anyway, the Spice King contemplated if it was possible to retaliate against these intruders if they approached here with slaves in tow.

Conclusively, if he engaged the enemies with traps and fights, things could work out in his favor. However, it will cost him many sacrifices. Once that happened, another Demon King in the vicinity will invade. And could he fend them off as well?

In the first place, this notion was based on the assumption that the infiltrators did not hold any more tricks up their sleeves, and unless the identity of the skill that buried Spicy Thorn Lizard and Capsicaman was ascertained, he can never use the word “absolute” in obliterating them.

The Spice King growled prolongingly by himself.

————–

(Mugi POV)

“Withdrawal?”

“Yes, that’s right. As you can see, our most elevated force has exhausted her SP.”

After saying this, I looked at Ichiko, who was being carried on Izumi’s back.

“Besides, we’ve already investigated everything about this hierarchy and saved those who could be saved. There is little merit in venturing further.”

“But if we challenge him with this number of people, we might be successful in conquering the Demon King… and there may even be people being held captive ahead…”

A single human being said such a thing while facing my direction.

Well, I can understand that some humans would have this kind of opinion.

But that’s totally naive…

“I’m sorry, but the Demon King is not as weak as you guys assume. Remember that lizard and pepper man we encountered earlier? The Demon King is multifold stronger than them. To be frank, with the current us, we would likely suffer a crushing defeat, no matter how many thousands of us we bring to the fight.”

At my words, several people let out a gasp and expressed their disbelief.

However, that was the truth. I had witnessed the actual strength of the Fox Princess once.

Back then, Fox Princess-sama split dozens of military elite in half within a flash, and her speed was surreal, that even the military members didn’t seem to be aware of the fact that they had died.

And presumably, I suspected that the master of those two, the “King of the Devouring Black Mist,” and the master of this dungeon, the “Crimson Scattering Spice King,” were capable of similar actions.

Yes, to defeat the Demon King, what is essential is not a group of ordinary beings, but rather an assembly of individuals who collectively can be praised as heroes. And irrespective of how many level 1 members are united, they cannot eradicate the Demon King. Not to mention, in order to challenge the Demon King, there is a minimum level of competence required.

That was what I learned through observing Fox Princess’ strength in the battle that took place.

“The next floor is probably going to be a full-fledged intruder defense floor, as opposed to a user-friendly one like this one.”

“B-But… there are still people to be saved…”

So you’re saying there are still other humans that are alive beyond this floor huh?

“That’s impossible. It is true that the Spice King is a guy who tries to hunt all the humans without any second thoughts, but considering that no reinforcements have come after the defeat of his two demons earlier, he is most likely fully prepared and waiting ahead of us. With such a character, I doubt he would let a living person past this point. At the very least, he would have made them into Karajin. Well, if you insist on casting aside your life, I’d rather you be a source of food for me and this girl, not the Spice King.”

I patted Izumi on the shoulder, after which all of them were downcast in silence.

“If you understand, flee to the north at the earliest time. After all, with this many people, we have to expect that the Spice King will be after us even after reaching the outside.”

“Y-Yes!”

Upon hearing my words, all the humans began running towards the outside at once. The others and I then retreated from the “Red Tilt Taiji Cave”.