In the deserted alley, Kurono Kureimu (Climb) and Arisugawa Brian (Brain) gradually came to their senses, one after the other. As their vision cleared and they looked at each other, the memories of what had just happened came rushing back.
"…I figured Ren-san had to be incredibly strong if he could defeat Shalltear Bloodfallen… but I never imagined he'd be this strong."
Brian let out a bitter laugh. Faced with such overwhelming power, what did his own strength even amount to? And if that was the case, why had he ever sunk into despair just because he had once been defeated?
This world was vast—far larger than he had ever imagined. Monsters like Shalltear Bloodfallen… or Ren Kuroda… might not be limited to just one or two individuals. If he continued to cling to the fear of the past, he would never grow.
That realization had been carved into him back in that cave, when he had stood on the brink of death. And now, seeing how Climb—who was weaker than him—had endured that killing intent even better, Brian could only admit one thing:
He still had a long way to go.
If he kept wallowing in self-pity, he would only fall further and further behind someone like Gazef.
"Ren-san really is amazing… I mean, he's an adamantite-ranked adventurer, after all…"
"No, Climb," Brian interrupted, shaking his head. "When I say 'strong,' I don't mean that level. I mean… something entirely different. A kind of strength that exists on another dimension altogether.
"Ren-san and Shalltear Bloodfallen… they're monsters. True monsters. Whether it's Gazef, me, or even the Blue Rose, none of us are even worthy of carrying their shoes.
"If you told me Ren-san is the strongest person in the world… I'd believe it without hesitation."
Brian had encountered two beings that defied all reason. Though he lacked the ability to accurately measure their power, the sheer aura Ren had released moments ago made one thing clear—
If anything, Ren might even surpass Shalltear.
The fact that the two of them had managed to remain conscious under that suffocating killing intent for as long as they did was already nothing short of miraculous.
After all, even Yuri Alpha, whose level far exceeded theirs, had been rendered completely immobile just from standing nearby.
Brian was barely around level thirty. Climb wasn't even that—perhaps only in the teens. For them to endure that pressure at all was already beyond expectation.
And yet, surviving that brush with death had not been without reward.
Having experienced such overwhelming terror firsthand, both of them had awakened a new ability—
[Cognitive Acceleration].
When they finally got back on their feet, intending to thank Ren for what he had done, they realized…
He was already gone.
However, beside Climb lay a small note—with a map attached.
"No need to thank me.But there is something I'd like to ask of you two.
The location marked on the map is one of Eight Fingers' smaller bases. Something urgent came up, so I'd like you to handle it in my place.
If it's too troublesome, feel free to refuse. I'll take care of it myself once I have time."
As a royal guard—and a boy driven by a strong sense of justice—Climb had no reason to refuse.
Brian, noticing Climb's gaze, stood up with a grin.
"We've been given a pretty big favor. Wouldn't feel right not paying it back.
"Besides… after brushing against death like that, I feel like I've gotten stronger. This is the perfect chance to test it out."
Meanwhile, Ren truly had left in a hurry.
Ainz had suddenly summoned him—the situation with the lizardmen had taken an unexpected turn.
Compared to Nazarick's affairs, Eight Fingers was nothing more than insignificant trash. Naturally, Ren had no hesitation in tossing that task to Climb and Brian.
Just to be safe, though, he had also ordered Sebas to secretly watch over them.
And so, carrying Yuri in his arms, Ren stepped through the teleportation gate Ainz had opened for him—
Arriving instantly near the lizardmen's territory.
On a raised platform, the skeletal overlord—Ainz Ooal Gown—sat at the center, flanked by guardians such as Shalltear, Demiurge, and others.
Even the Fourth Floor Guardian Gargantua and the Eighth Floor Guardian Victim had been brought out.
The surrounding undead troops were fully equipped with magic gear, and nearly half of the Death Knights had been mobilized.
The sheer scale of the formation made Ren pause instinctively.
"…What's with the overkill?"
But as Ainz and the guardians turned to look at him—
They froze.
No… not because Ren had arrived.
But because of how he had arrived.
He was carrying Yuri Alpha in a princess carry.
And the Yuri in his arms—her face flushed red, breathing unevenly—looked… incredibly suggestive.
Of course, Yuri was blushing from embarrassment.
And the heavy breathing? That was simply the aftereffect of enduring Ren's overwhelming killing intent earlier.
"Don't get the wrong idea," Ren quickly said, noticing their expressions. "Yuri Alpha can't move right now because of something I did earlier, so I had to carry her here."
…That explanation only made things worse.
Ainz immediately covered his face, silently cursing his own timing.
"…Sorry, Ren. I didn't realize you were… busy just now and still called you over.
"Well, I've heard that a woman's first time can be quite painful… If Yuri Alpha can't even move, you really should let her rest.
"And Mare and Aura are still children. You might want to be a bit more mindful…"
Even with his forced calmness buff, Ainz had clearly drawn some very questionable conclusions.
As for Shalltear—
Her expression had completely twisted.
The elegant façade she usually maintained in front of Ren and Ainz had shattered entirely.
Her mouth stretched unnaturally wide, nearly splitting to her ears, as she stomped the ground over and over, each step shaking the platform.
"Why wasn't it me for the first time?! Damn it! Damn it!"
"…Wait—hold on! That's not what happened!"
Even Ren, dense as he could be, realized just how badly things had been misunderstood.
"I mean, yeah, Yuri Alpha can't move because of me—but I didn't do that! Yuri, help me explain!"
Seriously—he might have had those kinds of thoughts before, but he hadn't even gotten the chance to act on them yet!
If his reputation in Nazarick was ruined now, what if all the maids started avoiding him like the plague?!