Night fell, and Princess Renner dismissed the gathering. Everyone split up and began moving according to the plan.
According to Renner's intelligence, the strongholds were either hidden in densely populated central districts or located in the deserted outskirts.
The base assigned to Naohara's group was in the suburbs. Intelligence stated that this was a hidden stronghold of [Six Arms], staffed with numerous powerful fighters. A dangerous place.
"So this is the [Six Arms] base?"
Naohara clicked his tongue as he looked at the three-story building before him. It wasn't particularly grand, but compared to the mansions of Kingdom nobles, it was not inferior.
Criminal organizations were this bold nowadays?
"For a criminal group to reach this level, you have to admit they're impressive."
Recalling the intelligence, Herohero sighed. A criminal syndicate capable of influencing a nation's fate. Was it that they were too strong, or that the Kingdom was too weak?
"It doesn't matter. This country has nothing to do with us."
Momonga shook his head. He was just here for a casual stroll and to enjoy clearing a dungeon.
The three of them walked straight toward the main entrance without any attempt at concealment. The patrolling mercenaries quickly noticed them.
[Grasp Heart]
Momonga activated the spell he was most familiar with. A phantom heart appeared in his palm. With a slight squeeze, it burst.
The patrolling mercenaries didn't even have time to react. A sharp pain struck them, and they collapsed to the ground.
"Hey, Momonga, leave some for us!"
Seeing dozens drop in an instant, Naohara felt a twinge of regret. His eyes shifted to the remaining figures.
[Dragon Aura]
Under precise control, a terrifying pressure descended. Bodies burst apart like fireworks, exploding in midair.
There was no hesitation. Since they were killing, there was no need to hold back.
"Life really is fragile."
Herohero's figure vanished, turning into a breeze that swept through the crowd.
Behind him, humans wailed as their bodies gradually dissolved. Herohero sighed softly.
One by one, the mercenaries fell. Hearts crushed. Bodies exploding. Flesh melting.
Momonga savored the pleasure of death.
Naohara enjoyed the thrill of slaughter.
Herohero reflected on the fragility of life.
Before long, flesh and blood were splattered everywhere. Crimson flowed across the ground.
A piercing alarm rang throughout the stronghold. From beyond the main gate, hurried footsteps approached as several figures stepped out.
Battle Demon—Zero
Thousand Kills—Malmvist
Undead King—Davernoch
Spacial Slash—Peshurian
Dancing Scimitar—Edström
Phantom Devil—Succulent
"It's you!"
Zero's expression changed the moment he saw Naohara's group. His face darkened instantly.
"So you've come to us. We had no intention of provoking you, yet you delivered yourselves to our door."
He glanced at the slaughtered subordinates around him. Killing intent surged from his body. Something was clearly wrong.
There was no way their base had been exposed by accident. Someone was pulling the strings. And within the Kingdom, there was only one force that would dare move against [Eight Fingers]…
Having guessed the reason, Zero's expression grew even more twisted.
"Kill them. Then head to the other bases. The royal family has made their move."
After giving the order, Zero charged forward.
The other members of [Six Arms] followed, weapons drawn.
"I'll take [Battle Demon] and [Phantom Devil]."
Naohara swept his gaze over them and spoke calmly.
"Then I'll choose [Undead King] and [Thousand Kills]."
A red glint flashed beneath Momonga's mask as he spoke with interest.
Undead King?
An undead transformed from a human, retaining self-awareness. This was his first time encountering such an existence in this world.
Herohero spread his hands helplessly.
Looks like whatever was left would be his.
"We really were underestimated."
Seeing how brazen the three of them were, the members of Six Arms were so angry they almost laughed.
"Kid, I'll show you what true power is!"
Cheetah, rhinoceros, eagle, lion, wild bull...
Five different lights surfaced around Zero, forming totems as the roars of beasts echoed from within. In the end, all of it converged into his right fist.
"Oh? A Shamanic Adept?"
Naohara wasn't unfamiliar with the skill Battle Demon was using. In the early stages of the game, it had been a solid build with formidable melee capabilities.
But the Shamanic Adepts Naohara knew wielded beast spirits like Dragons, Giants, Vampires, or Demons. Animal-type beast spirits like these... only an idiot would choose them in the game.
"Die!"
Seeing Naohara stand there without moving, Battle Demon felt a surge of delight. Not even dodging his full-power strike? He really was too young.
Suppressing his excitement, he unleashed a punch carrying all his strength, aiming straight for Naohara's head.
At the same time, Phantom Devil split into multiple illusions, surrounding Naohara.
[Multiple Vision]
"Can you tell which is real, which is fake, which is illusion, and which is reality?"
Phantom Devil's laughter echoed from all directions. While creating interference, he coordinated with Battle Demon, drew his sword, and thrust straight at Naohara.
On the other side, Momonga and Herohero were also being attacked from both directions.
[Undead King] cast Necromancy, attempting to kill Momonga.
[Thousand Kills] forcefully thrust his rose-scented rapier, clearly intending to pierce a hole straight through Momonga.
Meanwhile, [Spacial Slash] and [Dancing Scimitar] moved in tandem, one in front and one behind.
[Spacial Slash] drew his weapon, a razor-thin thread-like blade. Its terrifying speed and reach had earned him the name [Spacial Slash].
[Dancing Scimitar] moved like a dancer, twirling the six curved blades at her waist. Coordinating with [Spacial Slash], she prepared to behead Herohero.
To an outsider, the situation looked extremely dangerous. Yet the three of them remained completely calm. Well, the three of them only had one face between them.
Boom.
A heavy echo rippled through the hall. Battle Demon's fist stopped just short of Naohara's face, firmly caught in a single hand.
"Fancy tricks."
Feeling how powerless the punch was, Naohara shook his head. At the same time, he grabbed Phantom Devil, who had been trying to ambush him.
"And you. Is spinning around that fun?"
Without giving him a chance to respond, Naohara tightened his grip and crushed his throat.
"Forget it. I don't care to hear your explanation."
He flicked his hand, tossing the mangled remains aside.
Turning back, he saw Battle Demon still struggling desperately against his grasp.
"Shamanic Adept is a good class. What a waste."
Under Battle Demon's despairing gaze, Naohara extended a blood-stained index finger and lightly tapped his skull. After a muffled groan, Battle Demon collapsed to the floor.
If someone were to tear open his flesh, they would find that while his brain remained intact, his skull had already been reduced to bone powder.
Glancing at the blood covering him, Naohara cast a cleansing spell, instantly restoring himself to a spotless state. He then looked toward Momonga and Herohero.
The two had already finished their fights.
Momonga was examining [Undead King], seemingly curious about how this sentient Undead differed from himself.
Herohero had returned to his true form. He held the severed heads of [Spacial Slash] and [Dancing Scimitar], slowly absorbing them into his body.
He was still holding two hearts in his hands, idly playing with them.
Naohara handed the corpse at his feet to Herohero to devour, then looked at Momonga.
"Let's go. In a while, Kingdom soldiers will come to take over this stronghold."
Hearing that, Momonga sealed the corpse and soul of [Undead King] into a Storage Scroll, intending to study them further once they returned to Nazarick.
Herohero nodded, continuing to eat enthusiastically as they walked.
When they returned to their previous rendezvous point, the speed of the operation was so astonishing that Princess Renner, who had been waiting there, was stunned.
"Um… did the three of you forget something?" Renner asked, puzzled.
"No. It's already over."
"Huh?"
Renner wondered if she had misheard. She glanced at the time. Only half an hour had passed since the operation began. And it was already finished?
Weren't they supposed to be the Kingdom's strongest dark organization? Didn't they have hero-tier powerhouses?