Solo Max-Level Newbie - Chapter 451
A feather glowing with a soft yellow light.
Eyes as red as rubies.
If one had to compare its appearance to something, a phoenix would come to mind.
“Mi-yoooo!”
A tiny ancient species, small enough to fit snugly in one’s arms, tilted its head.
For the first time since hatching, it was gazing at the being who had become its master.
“Damn it, already…!”
Guntafer cursed as he lunged forward.
If he killed it before a proper bond or contract was formed, there was still a chance.
However—
“Your opponent is me, you two-horned bastard.”
As if waiting for the moment, Berial’s spear shot out like lightning.
Kwa-kwa-kwang!
The Black Spear Kishan pierced through Guntafer’s black armor.
As if that wasn’t enough, the force blasted away the trees standing behind him.
“Krrrgh….”
Squirm.
The pierced area instantly regenerated to its original state.
“You don’t have to beg to be killed so desperately. Berial… it’ll be your turn right after this.”
“Oh? That’s amusing. Stop running your mouth and show me some action instead. And quit bothering our apostle.”
“……So you really want to see this through to the end here.”
“It’s about time we put an end to this tiresome connection.”
Clang!
Swish….
Guntafer and Berial locked eyes, facing each other head-on.
A battle between two Demon Kings, pillars of the Demon Realm.
A fight that would only end when one of them was dead had begun.
Berial took the initiative.
Boom!
Massive crimson spheres, each over five meters in diameter, rained down from the sky.
Each one carried enough magic power to obliterate a small hill.
In that moment, Guntafer’s axe became cloaked in a black aura.
From below—
—To above.
A slash that severed space itself sliced through the spheres.
Kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa-kwa!
Countless flashes of light flickered.
As expected—
Since it was a clash between divine beings, the battle far exceeded the bounds of common sense.
However, even among divine beings, a hierarchy existed.
Jinhyuk carefully assessed the situation.
‘As I thought, Berial is at a disadvantage.’
The power gap was already fivefold. But now, with Guntafer obtaining the Divine Relic of the Demon God, the gap had widened even further.
Had it not been for Berial’s vast experience and authority as a Demon King, the fight would have been decided long ago.
“Mi-yoooo!”
“Yeah, I know.”
Jinhyuk stroked the yellow phoenix’s head.
For some reason, it stirred the same emotions he had felt when he first met Goguma.
He had gone through a lot to obtain it, after all….
Of course, he had to give it a name worthy of that effort.
One name had been circling in his mind ever since he first saw it.
“Fried.”
A name full of affection, reminiscent of golden fried chicken.
It was easy to remember, and he had never met anyone who disliked it.
More importantly, the golden feathers and red eyes looked just like crispy fried chicken with spicy sauce.
“What do you think? You like it too, don’t you?”
“Mi-Miyo?”
Fried shook its head violently from side to side.
That probably meant it liked the name.
No, it definitely meant it liked the name.
“Alright. From now on, your name is Fried.”
Jinhyuk grinned.
“Mi-yooooooo!!!???”
—
Boom! Boom! Kwa-kwang!
A relentless storm of sword winds.
“Kyahaha!”
Behemoth, consumed by madness, wildly swung her greatsword.
“Bug!”
Goguma weaved through the air, making full use of aerial maneuvers.
His tiny wings flapped rapidly.
By riding the wind and accelerating as much as possible, even Behemoth struggled to land a direct hit.
Once, twice….
As her attacks repeatedly missed, Behemoth grew increasingly frustrated.
Just out of reach. That teasing distance made her anger boil over.
“I wasn’t planning to fight you seriously… but now you’ve pushed it. I might not care about most things, but I will catch you.”
[Behemoth activates Lv?? ‘Storm Stride’!]
A skill that generated storms with every step.
Rumble—!
Tempestuous winds began sweeping across the ground.
“Mo-Mogi?!”
Goguma lost his balance and was caught in a tornado.
As he spun at high speed, his eyes started to swirl.
“Mogi-i-i!”
“Finally, I’ve got you. This game of tag ends here, little lizard.”
A massive greatsword, glistening red.
A sacred relic crafted specifically to slaughter Ancient Species.
If he was struck while unable to balance himself, there would be no escape.
Checkmate.
But then—
Fwoooosh!
A fierce heatwave surged through the battlefield.
[Fried activates Lv1 ‘Crispy Blazing Gale’!]
“Mi-yoooo!”
Scorching winds engulfed Behemoth.
It was a heat she had never felt before.
“Graaaaagh!”
The excruciating pain forced Behemoth to retreat.
Where had that attack come from?
More importantly, ordinary fire-based attacks shouldn’t have been able to scratch her.
Unless… it came from a higher-ranked deity or another Ancient Species….
Her glaring eyes shifted sideways.
There, standing together—
Was Jinhyuk and the golden-feathered Ancient Species.
Now, everything made sense.
“So… you actually managed to hatch the egg.”
“I get along pretty well with Ancient Species. Guess it’s my domestic nature. They just naturally like me. Right, Fried?”
“Mi…yoooo….”
Fried hung its head low.
“Even from here, I can tell it hates its name. First, you called that dragon ‘Goguma’… If I were the one who contracted with you, I would’ve killed you first.”
That… that bastard.
How dare she try to drive a wedge between them?
“Isn’t that right, Guma? Tell her how well I treat you guys.”
Jinhyuk turned to Goguma for support.
However, Goguma was too busy patting Fried on the back.
“Mogi-mogi.”
“Mi-yoooo….”
Fried gazed at Goguma with teary eyes.
As if asking if there was any hope for a decent name and a happy future.
Goguma silently shook his head.
As if he fully understood the hardships and suffering Fried would now endure.
And along with that resignation… everything else as well.
It was all included in that shake of the head.
—
‘Damn it. Why is everything getting more complicated?’
Guntafer, watching the situation on Behemoth’s side, finally revealed his impatience.
The newly awakened Ancient Species had tied Behemoth down.
His certainty that they would be able to sweep the enemy away was now gone.
Instead, he found the entire situation increasingly uncomfortable.
‘If this battle drags on, our chances might drop to fifty-fifty.’
Bringing only his direct legion into this fight, he had no reason to push things unnecessarily.
If he mobilized the main forces stationed in his territory and launched another battle, there wouldn’t be such a close contest.
His decision didn’t take long.
“Everyone, retreat.”
Guntafer ordered a withdrawal.
“But, Lord Guntafer…?”
“If we push just a little more, we can end this!”
His direct subordinates shouted in shock.
“I was just getting into the fight! What do you mean retreat?!”
Behemoth was equally dissatisfied.
He didn’t want to waste the opportunity to unleash himself fully.
However, Guntafer had already made up his mind.
“Consider it lucky that you get to live a little longer, human.”
“Running away and saying that makes you look even more pathetic… but, well, if you’re tucking your tail, I won’t chase you down.”
“…You will regret those words.”
Guntafer gritted his teeth, but did nothing more.
And just like that, a pause was placed on the intense battle.
“Everyone, retreat to the stronghold!”
“The Demon King has spoken! Cease combat! Stop fighting!”
Higher-ranking demons secured the rear while swiftly gathering their soldiers and withdrawing from the battlefield.
“You think you can just leave…?”
“You don’t get to decide when this ends!”
A few Heavenly Demons attempted to pursue them but failed to achieve much.
The retreat was executed with such flawless formation that there was no gap to exploit.
—
At the moment—
A modest gathering was being held at Berial’s temporary residence for the members of the new temporary alliance.
“Hmm. It’s not much, but dig in.”
Berial chuckled as he gestured toward the table.
Honestly…
It wasn’t an exaggeration to say there really wasn’t much.
A soup made from a withered Mandrake on its last breath.
A dried-up meat dish whose original species was better left unknown.
A fruit covered in thorns, served alongside some ice cream.
If it had been any other Demon King hosting this meal, one might have thought it was an assassination attempt.
“This is an insult… no, a disgrace to food itself.”
Alice gripped her fork tightly.
“I find myself missing the Wall-breaking Pill…”
Beauregard, representing the Heavenly Demons, wore a troubled expression.
“Mogiii!”
“Mi-yooo!”
Goguma and Fried were outright struggling to escape from the table.
There was no way this could turn into a proper meal.
There was no helping it.
Forcing anyone to eat this poison would be too cruel.
Jinhyuk quietly set his utensils aside and spoke.
“Looks like your stronghold isn’t doing too well. Even the fortress seems like it’s falling apart….”
Crackle—
As he spoke, part of the ceiling collapsed.
The dim candlelight flickered weakly.
“Ahem! Given the circumstances, we’re just a little short on resources. But once this war ends, we’ll be able to live in prosperity… so just bear with it until then.”
“No, I wasn’t really complaining….”
It was just… odd to see a Demon King in such a pitiful state.
He had been so grand and dignified when they first met.
“More importantly, what’s your plan? We all assumed you’d fight to the end in that last battle, but instead, you suddenly let them retreat.”
Beauregard furrowed his brows.
Jinhyuk had let them go so easily that he assumed there must have been a plan.
But looking around, all he saw was a broke Demon King and a crumbling stronghold.
Even the so-called ‘legion’ was laughably underwhelming.
Meanwhile, their enemy had plenty of forces waiting for the right moment.
“I get what you mean. But if we had kept fighting, we would’ve been in trouble. Not just Guntafer—other Demon Kings are starting to take notice.”
“So you’re saying… new variables could interfere?”
“Exactly.”
“But isn’t that a constant risk? From my perspective, all we’ve done is give them more time to prepare.”
“You’re not wrong, but we’ve gained time too.”
And if both sides had more time—
It wasn’t Guntafer who would use it better.
“Now then, what do you think he’s doing at this moment?”
Jinhyuk’s lips curled into a deep, knowing smile.