The Banished Villainous Noble Son Who Was Used as a Stepping Stone in the Original Work Awakens to Combat and Destroys the Laws of the World - Episode 42: The String Monster

Episode 42: The String Monster

――An ice blade is released. The chill that freezes even the air sharply severs the string crawling on the ground.

(An ice blade… So that really was just a feint.)

Last time we faced off, it launched a giant ice mass. That strike was certainly a threat, but…

(If it intended to attack from the start, it could’ve used this instead back then.)

This current blade is nothing like that. Accurate, sharp, and filled with killing intent.

(Then that really should be seen as a “feint.”)

Behind that puzzling action, there’s clear intent.

The ice monster isn’t just a beast—it seems like it was trying to assess something.

――The severed string collapses to the ground like a dried-up vine. But that was only a small portion.

From the ceiling of the cave, the walls, the ground… strings are crawling everywhere.

They run through the area like bl00d vessels. They were pulsating faintly.

(They’re absorbing… the magic power in the air!)

I narrowed my eyes. I was scanning the entire terrain.

The origin of the strings seemed to be deeper inside. But structurally, it didn’t necessarily move as a single “core.”

Like having multiple “heads,” countless tentacles moved independently.

One of them silently crawled along the ground. Trying not to stand out—but unmistakably aiming for the feet.

I instantly leapt back. The moment I landed, the string pierced deeply into the spot I had just stood on.

(…Fast. But there’s a sign.)

A slight flow in the air, a faint disturbance in magic—if I sharpened my senses, I could sense the signs of movement.

Should I cut it? Or retreat? While considering that—

At the edge of my vision, a sharp ice blade grazed past.

The string that had been aiming at me—was slashed apart by a flash of ice.

When I looked back, the ice monster was in the shadow of a rock on the other side.

However, its eyes weren’t on me.

Its gaze was locked on the root of the next “string.”

(Too perfect for a coincidence… but it doesn’t seem like it’s trying to help me.)

Still, I can use this—

I gave a small nod and looked around again.

(If the enemies split into two directions, that alone makes it easier to move.)

The ice monster is handling one side.

Its movements were confident. It was steadily reducing their numbers.

Then, my target is—the other side.

If I can create a pincer attack… maybe.

Just as I thought that, the tip of the string that should’ve been cut twitched slightly.

“Tch!”

Then, like it sprang to life, it leapt—and wrapped around my feet.

I kicked it away immediately and took distance.

But in that moment, a strange sensation crawled up my spine.

《HP: 97%》

《MP: 94%》

Considering I hadn’t performed any MP-consuming actions, that felt strangely fresh.

“…Hah.”

I exhaled and twisted my lips.

It wasn’t pain. But there was definitely the sensation of being touched.

(Getting something stolen is a pain. But… interesting.)

When I looked up, the ice monster was attacking the strings from a different direction.

At the same time, several strings split off. They responded separately to me and the ice monster.

We were both being recognized as “enemies.”

Still, the ice monster continued to completely ignore me.

Its movements were efficient—without waste, it simply and coldly “processed” its next targets.

I didn’t know why it was here. But—

(For now… it’s not an “enemy.”)

I made that judgment and readied my sword again. I leaned forward.

A faint purple glow shimmered along the strings.

It looked like a pulsating “core” of magic.

It was as if each and every string had a will of its own and moved with its own magic.

(Regeneration? No…)

Not regeneration—division. Cloning.

The string that had been one now had become two.

And those split parts were squirming in different directions.

(They’re increasing in number.)

I exhaled from deep in my throat.

I had known from the start that this enemy wouldn’t rely purely on numbers.

But this… this was even more troublesome.

(If I can’t read them properly, I won’t be able to keep up.)

The flow of presence. The movement of the wind. The trembling of the ground.

One by one, the “targets to read” increased.

It was like weaving together the invisible whole through the depths of the five senses.

(…This is fun.)

My lips lifted slightly.

Even cornered, my mind felt sharp.

This is the feeling I had been waiting for.

At that moment, suddenly, the ice monster launched another ice attack.

But the trajectory—wasn’t toward me.

It was toward the tip of the string that had just split. It was diagonally to the left.

The paths of ice intersected. And several of the severed strings froze in midair.

Then, in the next moment, they shattered with explosive force.

(…I see now.)

Rather than simply attacking physically, it freezes and shatters.

That probably deals damage more efficiently.

Clearly, it has the advantage here…

I shifted my gaze. I quietly regulated my breath.

(That last move… it avoided my movement path before firing.)

It seemed like it “considered” my position so our targets wouldn’t overlap.

Coincidence? No, it was too precise.

Again, a string on the ground squirmed.

From across the gap, the ice monster leapt lightly and unleashed an ice blade. It slashed from the side.

(It’s not coordinated teamwork. But—)

I drew my sword and dashed.

Reading the flow of wind and pulse of magic, I cut down one of the strings by getting ahead of it.

――Our eyes met.

The ice monster looked this way. It was just for an instant.

No words. No communication.

Just for a single second, as if silently confirming each other’s “targets.”

(Just for now—)

I can fight without taking a single step back.

That’s the certainty I held in my heart.

Original Author’s Comment:

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Thank you so much for reading this far……!!

I’d be really happy if you could join me for the next part too!!☺️

(Here’s the link if you want to support the Author: https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818622176303375188.)