kscans

Chapter 22 - # The Reincarnated Hero Confronts the Boss of the Troll Clan

The deepest part of the volcanic dungeon.

Countless bones and torn scraps of cloth covered the floor, and ancient Troll inscriptions were carved into the walls.

In the center of a large chamber filled with the stench of dampness and blood stood a giant, his entire body covered in armor-like muscle.

It was the Troll King, a being radiating overwhelming pressure. He was Koni-chan's older brother.

Countless scars from battle-axes ran across his back, giving him the dignity of an ancient warrior.

Ares swung his sword with a laugh.

"Oh? So you were the one hiding in here... you the boss?"

The Troll King's dark red eyes glared at Ares.

"You... are Ares... the 'human with the spear of light and lightning'..."

"So you know about me? Guess I'm getting famous, eh?"

The Troll King let out a low, growling voice.

"...'Mamoru' told me. That one day, a human destroyer would appear... Was he talking about you?"

Ares's smile twitched.

"That name again... Mamoru, Mamoru, I've been hearing it a lot lately. The Lizardman and Orc bosses said it when they died, too..."

The Troll King's expression twisted in pain.

"Mamoru... was 'human.' The same as you... a 'reincarnator.'"

"...What?"

Ares's expression froze for a moment, and in the next, he burst out laughing as if his emotions had exploded.

"Hahahahahahah!! You serious! So I wasn't the only one! Does that mean there are a ton of others? Are they still hiding somewhere!?"

"You... what's so funny...!"

Ares's eyes were bloodshot.

"This is the best!! Finding all the other 'reincarnators' like me, one by one, and slaughtering them... I wanna see the looks on their faces with my own two eyes..."

Seeing his bizarre excitement, Lumina furrowed her brow.

"...What a sick hobby. You're the worst."

Ares, oblivious, charged forward with his gleaming sword.

"Alright... let's see how many hits it takes to put you down!!!"

The battle began.

The Troll King swung his colossal arms, unleashing a shockwave powerful enough to shatter the ground, but Ares leaped into the air and hurled a lightning spear from above.

"Lightning Lancer!!"

The spear struck with a clap of thunder, boring a large hole in the Troll King's chest.

"Gunuooooooh!!!"

But the giant did not fall. The Troll King instantly converted his own blood into magical energy, creating countless fireballs in the air.

"Flame Mass Magic Bullet. Full release!!"

Lumina quietly began to chant.

"O spirits of water, blessed by the heavens, become a pure stream and pierce all creation. Come forth, Aqua Javelin Fall."

Spears of water rained down from the ceiling, extinguishing the fireballs.

Zdoon!!!

Explosions and pillars of water intersected, and the chamber was filled with flame and steam.

When the view cleared, the Troll King was on one knee, breathing heavily.

Ares walked toward him to deliver the final blow.

"Is that Mamoru guy gonna have a face like yours when he dies... I'm looking forward to it... Die..."

The sword of light swung down, and the Troll King's life was extinguished.

Lumina spoke coldly from behind him.

"...A human like you will really be on the 'dying side' one day."

Ares didn't even turn around at her words. He just gave his bloodstained sword a light flick.

"Until then... it'll be fun to see how many reincarnators I can kill, don't you think?"

With deepening madness and twisted pleasure, the infamous name of the 'Reincarnated Hero' Ares was steadily being carved into this world.