If an opportunity presented itself, he would kick him off the ladder, and even spread false rumours to destroy other’s evaluation of him. It was only because of this attempt that Igavaruji decided to travel with him.
As such, when Momon’s companion cladded in dark armor appeared, wanting to slaughter Igavaruji’s group, he was able to choose to retreat without hesitation. Even in fear he was still able to take action faster than any other person, because he driven by the malicious thought of reporting Momon— no, Ainz’ bad news to the Guild as soon as possible.
You deserve this. I will definitely make it back alive, and make public all that you have done!
Even knowing that in this moment, that terrifying weapon could chop downwards from behind — Even knowing that his life could be in danger, Igavaruji concealed his internal feelings and let out a jeer.
He was completely regardless of his companion’s survival. No, if they became meat shields to allow his own survival, that would be all the better.
I want to be the number one, then obtain orichalcum class, adamantium class, and become a hero everyone speaks of.
Apart from himself, there was no need for any other powerful individuals. Companions were all stepping stones for him to reach the peak. He would become a hero which saved the world just like the thirteen heroes in the past. This was the dream Igavaruji had after listening to the hero legends from the bard visiting the village.
Destroying this dream, and surpassing his group. It was even more unforgivable especially because he was the kind of person who would do odd jobs.
Run, run, and run.
Being able to continuously run through the forest without running out of breath, it was truly fit to call Igavaruji a mithril class adventurer.
However—
Igavaruji faltered. A ripple was made in his heart, and quite a large one too.
Where is this place? I feared that they placed an ambush… so I should have detoured…huh…?
Igavaruji’s sense of direction told him that he was correct, however, his sixth sense indicated otherwise. Even if it was his first visit to this forest, he could not have become lost. Yet for unknown reasons, he found himself not knowing where he was..
My senses must be wrong.
He determined that this was the case. However, he did not feel that his senses were wrong at all. It was ominous but he had no choice but to accept it.
“…Am I lost? How can that be possible… for a Forest Stalker like me to become lost?”
Igavaruji’s learned job was ranger, specialised in field operations. That also meant to say that forests were like his backyard. However, now an inexplicable unfamiliar feeling surfaced, as if this forest had transformed into the bloody gaping mouth of a carnivorous beast.
“It’s just like a maze…”
The supposedly familiar forest now appeared to have changed tremendously, making him feel unease and anxiety from the bottom of his heart.
At this moment—
A slight rustling sound could be heard.
Recalling the black executioner from earlier, Igavaruji frantically turned his head around to look at the source of the sound, and saw a child peering out from behind a tree.
It was a dark elf, a close relative of the forest elves, a race which lived in the depths of the forest.
Why would there be a dark elf here?
According to rumours, the dark elves’ large village was located in the depths of a huge forest further south, a place never visited before by humans. Dark elves were basically like that, supposedly living far away from civilisation. In this regard, they were vastly different from the forest elves who would trade with humans.
It gave off a strange vibe that such a dark elf, and a child on top of that, would appear alone, making Igavaruji feel suspicion. At this moment, the child came out timidly.
Ah, it’s a girl.
Wearing a female outfit, a frightened expression surfaced on that incomparably beautiful appearance, stimulating Igavaruji’s abusive desires. Although the thought that this girl was sent over by Momon had crossed his mind, the disparity in attitude between the two was just too great, therefore he felt that it was an impossibility and laughed.
More importantly, if this girl was a dark elf of this forest, it must know a safe route. Even if the black armored woman chased him, he could also use this girl to act as a meat shield. With this in mind, and figuring that intimidation was necessary to ensure her obedience, Igavaruji took a step forward.
“… Hey.”
He intentionally let out a deep intimidating voice, frightening the dark elf into taking a step backwards:
“That, s-sorry…”
Seeing that battled frightened appearance caused Igavaruji to let out a sneer, feeling that his plan should be carried out smoothly.
“No need to apologise. There’s just something I wish to ask you, so come here for a second.”
“Uh…uh, uh, that… s-sorry.”
Not knowing why the other side apologised again, Igavaruji was baffled, but the sandalwood wand in the hands of the dark elf girl was already being swung towards him.
Like chains, Igavaruji’s entire body was tightly bound by plants.
He was alarmed to the point that his entire body was trembling.
He was a mithril class, yet unable to block the magic cast by this girl?
Even if he used his entire strength to fight free, the plant did not budge one inch. Filled with anxiety, Igavaruji yelled out as a bluff:
“You sh-shitty girl! If you don’t let me go, I will kill you! Hey!”
The dark elf gingerly lowered its head and walked towards Igavaruji.
It was at this moment that Igavaruji realised that the other side’s dress was no trivial item. The clothing and armor was quite amazing, almost like excellent goods which Igavaruji would never ever receive. In addition, from her eyes— the memory of his forest elf friends’ words once again dreamily came to mind.
Except, just before this memory was fully formed, a shadow fell across his face.
The girl forcefully waved her wand downwards.
The girl’s face still had a frightened expression, but the eyes did not carry any emotion. There was no feeling whatsoever towards what was about to happen to Igavaruji. That timid attitude looked like it was a performance being instructed by others.
He mentally associated this girl and the demonic black armored woman from earlier.
“W-wait a moment! What are you planning—”
Albedo arrived just as Mare’s wand descended on the man’s head. The helmet hit by the wand deformed, and the skull underneath had also formed a depressed crevice, with the eyeballs squeezed out because of the powerful impact. The skull was completely smashed, just like playing watermelon bashing by the beachside in summer.
TL: This is an activity called Suikawari in Japan. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suikawari