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Translator: Hidamarisou
Editor: Silavin
Metal Moon Hell was originally a research facility built by the ancient civilization.
Its objective was to develop various drastic measures to clear miasma, the source of the outbreak of monsters. These measures included magic items and magic dolls, but the most dangerous item being developed there was the sacred sword ‘Sword of Evolution’.
Swords with magic properties were called magic swords, and sacred sword was the term used to describe particularly excellent magic swords. But even sacred swords were separated by quality.
Particularly sacred swords, each had a theme, rather than simply being powerful. They needed to do something else when their incredible power was unleashed.
The Sword of Evolution was forged to quite literally make humans evolve.
There were a lot of different beings in the world, regular humans, beast people, dwarves, elves, etc, but in the end, they were nothing more than undersized mammals. Because of this, it would be advantageous for humans to be able to adapt and evolve further.
No matter how much the miasma spread and how many monsters were spawned, they would not be a threat to beings that could adapt.
The theme of the Sword of Evolution was to evolve its user to adapt them to any situation, and destroy monsters.
But drastic evolution was not that much different than going berserk.
Even if it was temporary, people feared this sword that would forcibly evolve something that was nothing more than a single living being.
Because of the dangerous light and abilities that this sword possessed, it came to be known as the Mad Moon Sword.
“W-what!?”
“A sword!? A sword jumped out all of a sudden!”
As if it had a will of its own, a sword burst inside the Order of the Sun’s interrogation room.
No one was cut, but witnessing this abnormal situation made many people shudder, as they stared at the sword.
“Leon, it has been a while. I see you finally want to use me. Good grief, it took too long.”
“Shut up. I know what happens if I use you.”
“And yet, you have been cornered to the point where you are left with no choice, correct?”
Calmly said the Mad Moon Sword, but Leon felt delight and alertness behind its voice.
“…I don’t care, but I have one condition.”
“What is it?”
“There are people I want to kill, an adventurer named Nick, and one of my former partners from the Silver Tiger crew.”
“I cannot find someone with a name alone… But you remember their smell do you not? Let me sharpen your five senses to put them on par with a beast. That way, you yourself can look for them.”
“Go ahead.”
Leon talked to the sword in front of him.
The knight that was interrogating him had no idea what they were saying, but he sensed danger looming.
These perceptive instincts and diligence became his worst enemy in this situation though.
“H-hey! Don’t move! Get away from the sword…!”
But the Leon ignored the knight’s warning, and tightly grabbed the sword’s handle.
《Evolution》
As the spell was spun, a golden light started gushing from the sword.
“Gugah!?”
The knight in the heavy armor was blown away, and he lost his consciousness.
◆
“Where… Nick…! I can smell you…!”
A monster that looked like a black tiger was rampaging inside the casino, but it was not like a simple tiger. If a human with tiger ears and tail was a tiger person, this was the opposite. It was as if human characteristics were added to a big tiger.
It stood on two legs, and was holding an aura blade magic sword, but its face was very clearly that of a tiger’s, and above all else, its body was twice the size of a regular human’s. It was clearly a monster.
The casino employees boldly tried to stand against it, as the guests ran away in panic, but the tiger monster was just too strong. It sent big men flying as though it was swatting away insects.
“W-wait, Nick!? What is that!? That thing is calling you!”
“I don’t know anyone that looks like that!”
Tianna and Nick were at a complete loss. But still peeked from under the table under which they were hiding.
For some reason, the tiger not only spoke human words, but it was calling for Nick.
They could not move around carelessly.
“Y-you two! Something a little bad is happening!”
Bond jumped beside them, and Nick complained about their cramped hiding spot.
“Idiot, this is too small! And be quiet…! I don’t need you to tell me this is bad, we need to get out of here.”
“Wait, do not run! That is the same Leon that challenged you to a duel!”
Nick was taken by surprise, and he peeked at the rampaging tiger.
“…No, he clearly looks different, doesn’t he?”
It was not a tiger person, it was a tiger with a body bigger than a wagon.
“I remember this. This is most likely the result of magic called 《Evolution》. It has the power to evolve humans into several forms.”
“Evolution…? Are you telling us that thing is a human?”
“Isn’t it pretty much a monster…?”
“No, it is no monster, its soul is without question human… But this magic affected his personality. When a body is changed specifically for battle, violent impulses become stronger, and the instability of a fresh evolution weakens self-control…”
“So it’s pretty much a monster!”
“It is more dangerous than a monster. It has human intelligence, and above all…”
“Nick!!! Where are you!?”
“He becomes a bit of an idiot, and starts rampaging. It is only a matter of time until he finds you, so it is now or never.”
“Seriously…”
Nick whispered with a somber tone.
“Well… It’s not like we don’t have any options.”
“Correct.”
“Eh, so…”
Tianna looked at Nick and Bond.
“Should we do that?”
“I don’t think we have a choice.”
“But we’ve never succeeded… And I’d feel bad for Karan…”
Tianna seemed concerned, and Nick’s face became red.
“D-don’t worry about that sort of thing. Don’t make things awkward.”
“Hurry up!”
Bond spun around and disappeared in an instant, and in his place was the Sword of Bonds.
“Alright then, let’s do it!”
“We have no choice!”
““Union!””
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