A Bottom-Tier Adventurer Devoted to Supporting Their Idol Activities: Every Time, They Offer Rare Materials and Stir Up the Elites - Episode 17: Fell From the Sky

Episode 17: Fell From the Sky

“You’re not getting away now.”

Tomage’s voice was low and cold. It was laced with menace. His sharp gaze pierced through the hooded figure before him.

“Haa… haa…”

Ragged breaths melted into the darkness. The robe, shredded by slashes, now revealed the figure beneath—a tall, lean, and flexible body. But the face was that of a grotesque Goblin. Yet the light in its eyes was strange—there was intelligence in them. It was clearly different from a mere beast.

“You… you’re no ordinary Goblin. Don’t tell me…”

There was both wariness and surprise in his voice. The tall Goblin leaned against a large tree behind it. It curled its lips into a slow smirk—oozing mockery and composure.

“Hmph! Acting tough won’t save you. You’re going to die.”

Tomage glanced back to his two companions and gave a signal. One of them cast [Boost], and Tomage’s body was wrapped in a pale glow.

The other threw a dagger from his waist to Tomage. Catching it with ease, Tomage held his longsword in his right hand and the short dagger in his left.

“Dual-wielding…!?”

The tall Goblin’s eyes widened.

“Don’t think it’s just dual-wielding! [Fire Blade]! [Wind Blade]!”

In a flash—*BOOM!*—blazing flames engulfed the longsword in his right hand. While a green wind danced around the dagger in his left. The magic from both swords intertwined. It swirled into explosive power. The flames fanned by wind twisted and surged—gradually morphing into a raging tornado.

“[Flame Cyclone], huh…”

“Correct…!!”

The tall Goblin murmured just as Tomage swung both swords. The unleashed whirlwind of fire rapidly expanded. It devoured everything in its path—and mercilessly engulfed the tall Goblin.

“Gwaaaaaaaaahh!!”

Swept into the air by the flaming tornado, the tall Goblin was burned alive. Its robe turned to ash in an instant. And its green skin charred black.

*Thud.*

A dull sound rang out as its body slammed into the ground.

Its charred body lay still, like a log burnt to ash. Its blackened skin cracked. And only the faint movement of its chest showed that a spark of life still flickered.

Tomage slowly approached, sword lowered. But there was no pride of victory in his expression—only a sorrow born from battle.

“You picked the wrong opponent.”

“……”

The tall Goblin didn’t respond. It simply stared upward. It was gazing into the jet-black night sky, as if lost in silent thought.

“Any last words… Demon King?”

“…Fufufufu…”

It began as a faint sound. But it soon grew into a mad cackle.

“Hahahahaha…!”

The sudden laughter made chills run down Tomage’s spine. He tightened his grip on both swords. His guard was fully raised.

“You think… *I’m* the Demon King? Don’t flatter yourself. I’m just a Goblin… who gained knowledge.”

“What…!?”

As Tomage shouted, the air began to tremble. The entire forest buzzed with a grating, electric hum in response.

The three adventurers turned their heads in all directions. They were trying to locate the source.

“There…!”

The air warped. The darkness of the night twisted into something alien.

Standing beside a massive tree was a robed figure.

It had pointed ears, a beak-like nose, and a mouth split wide to its ears. At first glance, it resembled a Goblin. But this creature had no eyes. Only a disturbing, eyeless void where the eyes should have been.

“Who… are you!?”

Tomage’s voice trembled. He was overwhelmed by the creature’s oppressive presence.

“I… am the King.”

The voice seemed to crawl up from the depths of the earth. Though eyeless, the being known as the King spoke directly. And unerringly, it was directed at Tomage.

“You easily disposed of my right hand… Was it you who erased my followers?”

“It’s only natural for adventurers to hunt monsters. Even more so if they serve the Demon King.”

Tomage responded, crossing his two swords.

“So it was you. One who dares stand in the way of my conquest… I shall bury you here!”

“That’s my line! [Fire Blade]! [Wind Blade]!”

Once more, Tomage’s longsword was engulfed in crimson flames, and his dagger in green wind. Magic surged into both blades. It was glowing intensely.

*BOOM!* The atmosphere roared. And the flame whirlwind surged toward the Demon King.

“Hmph.”

The Demon King snorted through his high hawk-like nose. He thrusted out his right hand. In his palm was a single, red, murky eye—which narrowed, almost as if laughing.

“[Absorb]”

The King murmured. Instantly, the flame whirlwind that had been right before him was sucked into the eye in his palm—without a trace.

“Wha…!?”

Tomage and his two companions let out dumbfounded gasps. What they had just seen was too unreal to process.

The Demon King now extended his left hand—also bearing a red, murky eye in its palm.

“[Release]”

With that word, the flame whirlwind reappeared—this time launched at Tomage. It expanded rapidly and swallowed the three of them whole—

“UWAAAAAAAHHHH!!”

—before soaring into the sky. Eventually, the whirlwind calmed and scattered into mist.

Moments later:

*Thud.*

*Thud.*

*Thud.*

Three scorched bodies fell to the ground.

Barely alive, the three adventurers could no longer fight. They could only await death.

“So easy. Humans… are fragile creatures.”

The Demon King muttered with boredom. He slowly approached Tomage and his companions—to finish them off. Death marched with each step.

But then—

*Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.*

A series of heavy impacts rang out. As something began falling from the sky.

They were monster corpses. Goblins, Orcs, Ogres—an endless rain of slain monsters poured down. It was piling up into a mountain.

“…What is this…?”

The Demon King looked up. His eyeless face was tilted toward the sky. From the pitch-dark heavens, the bodies kept falling… until, finally—

*BOOM!*

A powerful impact shook the ground.

This time, it wasn’t a monster’s corpse.

Someone had descended—kneeling—and now slowly stood up.

Facing the Demon King…

Was a young human man with gray hair.