## Chapter 649 – The Scent of Flowers

Tracking them wasn’t too difficult. When a large number of monsters move together, they inevitably leave very noticeable traces. Following those, I was able to catch up with the tail end of them before long.

“Katt-nim. I think that’s them over there?”

Climbing up a tall tree to survey the area, I spotted the heads of those crazy lizards in the distance, sitting around taking a break.

Even a quick glance revealed that there were dozens of them.

“Looks like it.”

Lizardmen with scales of deep blue or green were huddled together. No matter how skilled I am, it’s impossible to annihilate that many monsters alone.

They are a race honed by hunting and combat.

And it’s not like monsters can’t use mana. Even orcs have shamans who use primitive magic, and some chieftains enhance their bodies with mana. Or rather, they become chieftains because their bodies are enhanced by mana.

In any case, such individuals become abnormally large due to the influence of mana, or gain intelligence and strength to match.

That means they fight well.

The same would be true for lizardmen. If such individuals were to command their subordinates and fight, it would be impossible for an individual to stand against them.

“Well, at least I know their location.”

I’ll just have to whittle them down while continuing to track them.

If I attack in that way and reduce their numbers, I can inflict fatal damage, even if I can’t wipe them out completely. Thinking that, I climbed down from the tree.

“Katt-nim, I’d like to try luring a few of them with hypnosis or something, but I don’t think my magic will work on them. They’re too far removed from humans.”
“What? Aren’t succubi supposed to be able to seduce anyone?”
“No, seduction only works on races that are at least somewhat similar to humans.”
“Is that so?”

I wasn’t really planning on asking her to do anything anyway. Why would I ask a demon friend to help with something like this? It’s just a simple hunt.

“Then let’s go. You don’t really have anything to help with, so just watch.”
“Hehehe, I will.”

I moved around the outer edges, approaching them very slowly. There’s no way these guys wouldn’t use sentries or scouts. I could just catch some of those guys, skin them, and take their heads back with me.

And if things go well, kill even more.

“Hilde, don’t say a word from now on.”
“…”

Hilde nodded silently.

I expanded my senses and carefully walked through the forest. Being careful not to make any noise, I felt everything around me. Even if my sense of smell isn’t great, my other senses are better than those of most monsters.

—Rustle, rustle.

I moved while stepping on the grass and taking cover.

That’s when it happened.

—Ggrrr.
—Krrk, krrk.

A faint sound reached my ears, and I immediately lowered my body. Focusing more on the sound and crawling stealthily towards its source, I saw two lizardmen with light green scales walking towards me in the distance.

They were clearly scouts.

They weren’t wearing anything in particular, but they were carrying weapons. I thought these bastards would only use primitive weapons, but one of them had a spear, and the other had a sword. It didn’t seem like they made them themselves, so they probably stole or acquired them from humans. Those evil thief bastards…!

They were about my height.

Their reverse-jointed legs looked agile, and their muscular arms seemed to possess considerable strength. And the scales covering their entire bodies must be tough as well.

What if those guys had also cultivated mana like me?
Then they would become super-strong warriors.

—Gururuk. Kuk, kuk.
—Kuk kuk, goods cook.

Anyway, it seemed like they couldn’t speak properly due to their messed-up oral structure. They were muttering something as they slowly approached. Well, let’s kill them.

—Whoosh!

I immediately kicked off the ground and sprinted towards them.

—Kuruk?!

The one who reacted first tried to take a stance while pointing his sword.

“Too slow, you bastard.”

Faster than anything else, I thrust my sword into his chest.

—Thwack!

With a gruesome tearing sound, the Living Sword pierced the lizardman’s chest, and blood splattered everywhere. The thrust, executed purely with the power of muscle and technique, easily shattered his ribs and organs, pulverizing his body.

—Kweh!

No matter how much a monster warrior has been honed in the wild, they can’t react to my attack. That’s how great the difference in our physical abilities is. It took only about a second to kick off the ground and thrust the sword.

—Trickle!

As I pulled out the sword, the lizardman knelt down.

—Kwerararak!!

The one next to him quickly aimed his spear and tried to attack me, but I had already been preparing to deliver a follow-up attack to him since the moment I successfully landed the first blow.

—Thwack!

Using the chest of the first lizardman as a scabbard, the unsheathed blade blew off the other’s head. It was a very clean cut.

—Thud.

He also knelt down and collapsed.

Killing the two lizardmen was instantaneous. Even if these bastards had known about my attack in advance, the result would not have been different.

“As expected of Katt-nim…! You’re so amazing! How do you seem to improve every time I see you!”

Hilde exclaimed, jumping up and down.

“Is that so?”
“Katt-nim will definitely become a very strong knight!”
“Hehehe, I guess so.”

I’m growing very smoothly.

“After becoming a strong knight… a king? Katt-nim, are you going to become a king later? A man who becomes a king with just a sword! That’s definitely what’s going to happen!”

As befitting a succubus, Hilde’s skill in flattering men was top-notch.

“What king are you talking about, you idiot.”
“No, no. A man who dominates women is truly worthy of being called a king. Katt-nim, you were born with the qualities of a king!”
“What do you mean, dominate?”

Anyway, I cut off the heads of the dead lizardmen and skinned them.

The lizardmen’s bellies, necks, chins, and the insides of their thighs had no scales. It seemed that scales only grew on the outer parts of their bodies when they crouched slightly.

When I touched them, the scales were hard. If I made armor out of this, I could wear it pretty well. It would be good enough for D-grade equipment.

After finishing the preparations, I dug near a suitable tree root to create a natural plank floor and walls on the spot, and safely buried the heads and skins.

It was pretty much a deborah-style arrangement.

Making the planks was also very simple; with just sword energy and a dagger, I could easily carve out a nearby tree.

I hunted the lizardman scouts very easily and collected their heads and skins. No lizardman could stand against me. It definitely makes the work easier when you get stronger.

“Eung, Katt-nim? Just a moment.”
“Hmm? Why?”

I had just sliced up the eighth scout and was heading deeper inside when Hilde stopped me.

“I… I sense a strange energy?”
“Strange energy?”
“It’s like the energy of a demon… but it’s a little hard to distinguish.”
“What?”

The energy of a demon?

Is there a demon nearby?

Does that mean the lizardmen have allied with a demon? To take over the jungle? I don’t know for sure, but it’s a little suspicious. I don’t know if demons make contracts with or tempt monsters.

“Is it real?”
“Really, Katt-nim. Have I ever lied to you? I only tell the truth!”
“No, that’s true. Sorry. I was just asking.”
“Hmph, I’m going to pout!”

Hilde crossed her arms and turned her head away.

“Oh, Hilde. I was wrong.”
“If you’re going to apologize, do it to my pussy.”
“That’s a bit much. You’re not really mad, are you?”
“Ehehe, you caught me.”

Hilde smiled brightly and clung to me.

“Well, whatever. Anyway, you’re saying there might be a demon?”
“Yes. I think so. I didn’t know at first… but as I got closer to the lizardmen’s main force, I felt several presences.”
“Hmm.”

Then that means I can find out for sure if I go further in. Well, as a paladin, I can’t just ignore it if there’s a demon.

It’s worth investigating.

“Then let’s go further.”

I’ve definitely grasped the lizardmen’s skills. They’re an easier opponent than I imagined. Well, they would have been quite difficult in the past, but not now. I judged that I could escape even if I went into the heart of their main force.

I immediately advanced slowly towards their main force with Hilde.

Stealthily, so as not to be detected.

“…Ah.”

After moving for a few minutes, Hilde stopped again.

“Katt-nim. I’m sure of it. It’s a demon from Pandemonium. Judging by the location… it seems like it’s definitely with the lizardmen.”
“Good, thanks Hilde. I would have passed by without knowing if it weren’t for you.”
“If I was helpful… Ah, I’m so happy.”

Hilde rubbed her thighs together and was pleased.

Why are there only lewd women around me?

“Then, Katt-nim. I’ll hide your presence for now.”
“What? You can do that too?”
“Of course. Who do you think I am? But I can only hide your presence, so it’s not as versatile as you might imagine.”
“That’s enough.”

Hilde made a magic circle with her hands and shone the light emanating from it on me. I don’t know exactly what it did, but she said my presence was hidden.

I don’t really feel any different.

—Sneak, sneak.

Hiding my presence, I crept towards their base.

—Kurururuk…!
—Krrk! Krrk!
—Kyurururururut! Hiss!
—Hiss, hiss! Kyuuk!

As usual, I stuck branches between the gaps in my armor and observed while taking cover. I felt that the atmosphere was chaotic. The lizardmen, each holding their weapons, were moving busily, looking around, spitting as they jabbered in their language.

It was only natural.

I had sliced up eight scouts on the way. If they didn’t return, it was inevitable that they would become chaotic. But it didn’t seem like they were about to set off anywhere right away.

As I was observing.

—Flap.

Suddenly, something strange caught my eye.

“…!”

For a moment, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

A black reptile with large wings was wandering around in the center. It flapped its wings and flew low, looking around as it moved.

—Whoosh.

Then, it occasionally spewed black smoke from its mouth. The lizardmen nearby knelt down as they watched the bizarre being. As if worshiping and venerating it.

“…Mom, fuck.”

As far as I know, the only monster that looks like that is a dragon… Well, it’s a bit big. It’s a little small to be a dragon, but its height is about 2m. Could it possibly be a hatchling I’ve only heard about?

“A dragon? Holy shit, is that a dragon?”

I asked Hilde quietly, looking at her face.

I’m not lying, this is the first time I’ve seen a dragon. I’m screwed. This is not something I can handle. I have to run, forget about the skins I hid earlier.

As far as I know, dragons are monsters that are very proficient in magic, in other words, very proficient in killing.

Monsters that have reigned for a long time, feeding on the fears of humans, and professional serial killers with extreme killing talents.

They are true mass murderers and predators who have often clashed head-on with kingdoms or heroes and caused great damage.

In short, they are the kind of creatures that can be described as true motherfucking bastards, consistently ranked in the top three of all-time human butchers. Their very existence is a great harm to humanity, and they must be exterminated immediately upon sight.

But taking one down alone is overkill.

—Thump, thump.

My heart began to beat rapidly in an unprecedented crisis. It’s a smaller dragon than I thought, but this is definitely not an opponent to be reckless with. Dragons are a symbol of “strength.” Of course, there is no doubt that the “Heavenly Demon” is stronger.

But I haven’t completed the Heavenly Demon Divine Art yet.

Then I have to run right away, you bastard.

Heavenly Demon Divine Art, Heavenly Demon Runaway.

As I was about to run away, Hilde grabbed my wrist and said quietly.

“Katt-nim. That’s not a dragon.”
“…What?”
“It’s a demon, I think? Simply transformed into the form of a dragon.”

A demon transformed into the form of a dragon…?

Why would it do that?

—…

Upon learning the truth, my rapidly beating heart cooled down. And soon, a fierce rage began to engulf my heart and seize my mind.

“Grrr…!”

That bastard… dares to deceive me?

I can’t possibly let him live.

I can’t forgive him for trying to deceive me by transforming into a dragon, no matter what else. —Tremble, tremble. The trembling of my fist spread throughout my body. Even saliva was about to drip from my mouth. So this is what happens when a person gets really pissed off…!