When I Cleared the Death Game World, I Reincarnated as a Villainous Noble Even if They Talk About Doom Flags, I'm Actually Immortal. - Chapter 33

The black flames surrounding Lior and his enemies were clearly beyond the capabilities of a mere D-rank mage.

Even Ren, an A-rank adventurer, was struggling to get past them.

Judging by this magic alone, the caster’s power had to be at least B-rank, if not A-rank.

“…If you can use magic like this, shouldn’t you have been able to defeat the Land Wolf?”

“I couldn’t use it back then. But people continue to improve.”

“You shouldn’t assume we’re the same as we were yesterday.”

Just yesterday, these men had been soundly defeated by Lior. And yet, they now stood before him with absolute confidence.

The presence of this black magic only reinforced the fact that they weren’t bluffing. Something had changed.

As Lior remained on high alert, the sound of rushing wind filled the air from outside the flames.

Looking over, he saw Ren using wind magic to try and blow away the fire.

But it wasn’t working.

Every time he blasted a section of the flames apart, they would immediately reignite, sealing the gap.

“Lior! I’ll get you out of there soon!”

“Oh, I don’t think you’ll have the time for that, Ren.”

“Our leader isn’t exactly patient. If you keep him waiting too long, who knows what will happen to your sister?”

“…!”

The scout used Luna as leverage, forcing Ren to move ahead.

It seemed their true target was Lior all along.

Their strategy was clear: separate the two of them and deal with Lior first.

“Ren, I’ll be fine. Hurry to Luna.”

“B-but…”

“Didn’t you say you’d rely on me completely?”

“…Alright. I trust you, Lior.”

“Leave it to me.”

Lior gave her a reassuring smile, and after a moment’s hesitation, Ren nodded and took off running.

As she disappeared into the distance, a sharp click of annoyance echoed through the flames.

“Tch! That pisses me off.”

“Yeah, this brat is really getting on my nerves.”

“Did I say something to offend you?”

“…I’ll kill you.”

The scout drew a knife, and the mage pointed his staff at Lior.

The bloodlust in their eyes had grown noticeably stronger.

“I’ll crush you completely, you little sh1t!”

With a furious shout, the scout pulled a dagger from his belt.

It was elaborately decorated, looking more like a ceremonial blade than a weapon.

(Dual-wielding?)

That assumption was quickly proven wrong.

Squelch!

The scout drove the dagger straight into his own chest.

Bl00d poured from the wound, staining his clothes red.

(Did… did he just kill himself!?)

No.

This was no suicide.

The moment the dagger pierced his body, the scout’s magic power surged.

The weapon acted as a catalyst, altering the very nature of his mana.

Like a slime engulfing its prey, dark energy oozed outward, wrapping around his body.

His skin blackened, turning into something like polished obsidian.

(That power… that transformation… it’s just like a Goblin Demon.)

Lior had seen something similar before.

During a goblin extermination mission, an eerie ritual had transformed a goblin into a demonic entity.

Now, just like back then, the scout’s body had changed.

As the transformation settled, he panted heavily—but his lips curled into a satisfied grin.

It reminded Lior of an addict savoring the effects of a drug.

“…What is that?”

“Heh… We made a contract with a demon.”

“A demon…?”

“Not that it matters to you. You’re going to die here anyway.”

Boom!

Kicking off the ground, the scout lunged forward, kicking up a cloud of dust.

He was fast.

In an instant, he closed the distance and slashed with his knife.

Clang!

Lior’s sword met the attack, metal ringing against metal.

Their blades pressed against each other, locked in a struggle.

“Tsk, weak little brat, aren’t you?”

“…”

The scout’s sheer strength was overwhelming, forcing Lior’s sword backward.

He was losing in raw power.

Even after all his training at the Serpent Temple, which had enhanced not just his physical strength but also his control over magic, he was still being pushed back.

Compared to others his age, Lior was leagues ahead. He could even handle a strike from Laula.

And yet, against this opponent, he was outmatched.

(It’s not just magic—their physical strength has increased too.)

At this level, the scout could probably take down a Land Wolf with ease.

That made him the strongest enemy Lior had faced since coming to this town.

“…Why are you smiling?”

The scout frowned.

Somewhere in the middle of the fight, Lior had started grinning.

It had been a long time since he’d faced a truly strong opponent.

As an adventurer, he’d fought plenty of monsters, but due to his low rank, he was restricted to hunting weak ones.

Fighting small fry wasn’t exciting.

But now, out of nowhere, a worthy opponent had appeared.

How could he not be excited?

“I’m just happy. It’s been a while since I’ve had a real fight.”

“…!?”

Lior suddenly relaxed his grip on the sword.

The scout’s knife slid forward, throwing him off balance.

He stumbled forward—his neck wide open.

Lior swung his blade upward, aiming straight for his throat.

“Watch out!!”

“Oh?”

Boom!!

A black fireball hurtled toward Lior.

With a light step, he gracefully dodged it.

Taking advantage of that brief moment, the scout quickly retreated, putting distance between himself and Lior.

He regrouped beside the mage, and the two began strategizing.

“Damn, that was close. Thanks for the save. But that brat… he’s seriously creeping me out. Let’s take him down with everything we’ve got.”

“Yeah, I understand…!”

The mage suddenly pulled out a dagger and stabbed it into his own chest.

Just like the scout, his magic surged, and his skin darkened into a pitch-black hue.

“A two-on-one against strong enemies… I don’t mind. I’ve never disliked fighting multiple bosses at once.”

“You keep saying the weirdest sh1t…!!”

With a furious shout, the scout lunged at Lior.