Walking with quick strides, I look at the notifications.

The advanced skill branching from the skill I most frequently use, <Paralyze>.

However, contrary to its name, this skill doesn’t have an image of being any way more superior.

Far from that, this looks more like a basic skill than—-

[No, that’s not right.]

It’s still too early to measure my Abnormal State Skills based on the standard image.

At first glance, this skill may look useless.

However, this could change depending on how I could use this.

My other skills also held power beyond my preconception.

This is the “Failure Frame” Abnormal State Skill that has already saved me countless times.

There must be somewhere I could use this skill.

However, my first priority right now is to check if those guys are alright.

I rushed towards where Pigimaru and Slei should have been.

▽

Thankfully, Pigimaru and Slei are still alive.

However, Slei had her transformation released and is quite worn out.

Even after releasing her transformation, there’s still her wound on her left hind leg.

Bandaging her wound with a piece of cloth, I carry Slei on my shoulder.

If it’s in the size of her first form, I could still carry her.

Is it thanks to the status correction that she’s lighter than I thought?

I don’t know if it’s the effect of the <Attack> or <Physical Strength> status correction.

……Well, both of their numbers were the same anyway.

Either way, having this status correction is quite beneficial for me.

▽

[Paa…… kyuu……]

[That’s enough, just relax and rest already.]

Muddy water piling up on the ground.

I tread through that muddy ground one step at a time.

I was walking in the woods carrying Slei.

Pigimaru is taking some rest while he’s coiled around my waist.

Is it because he’s exhausted?

He isn’t coiled around my waist that tightly.

[I’m sorry for unreasonably overworking the two of you.]

The rain that had been violently crashing down on us has already stopped.

It’s as if the ending rain overlaps with the end of the battle.

The cloudy skies have begun to be dyed in clear reddish color.

It seems that the day is about to end.

Were Seras and the others still waiting in that cave?

……It’s not like I’m reluctant to walk all night when I’m alone.

I’m already used to the darkness.

However, considering Slei’s current state, I can’t afford to do anything unreasonable.

The sound of water dripping down from a leaf.

The sunset finished dying this complex maze-like sea of trees in its color…

“Drip, drop.”

A drop of water fell from the top of my hair down to my toe.

Those toes continued walking forward.

The ravages of our massacre continuously plunge into my line of sight.

Fallen and broken trees.

The ravages of the violent battle telling its story within this silence.

The nearby places I pass by as I walk back is brimming with monster corpses.

Occasionally, I could hear some groans coming from somewhere.

They’re probably some monsters still living even after being poisoned.

[Now then…]

The ruined path that I’ve been following…

I look ahead on this path.

[I wonder where my current place right now matches with the map I remembered…]

As one would expect, it’s impossible for me to be always aware of my current location even in the middle of a fight.

[Well, if I keep following this disastrous path, I should eventually be able to come back.]

[Pakyuuu……]

Then, Slei began waving her tail.

[Hmm? What’s the matter?]

Her tail keeps on swinging towards a certain direction.

[Should I go that way?]

[……Pakyuu.]

[You…… You could still smell Seras and the others’ scent even in this kind of situation?]

[……Kyunn.]

An affirming soft cry.

[—-I understand.]

Following Slei’s directions, I proceeded further.

On the way, Pigimaru asked if I’m alright.

“I’m alright”, I replied.

[I’m still the Hero-sama whose level exceeds Lv 2000 after all.]

I was a discarded one, though.

It’s good that Seras isn’t here right now.

If she were here, she would know that my “I’m alright” reply earlier was a lie.

[As expected, I never thought that I would defeat that amount of monsters unscathed…… However—]

The reason why I survived in that scramble of life.

The differences between the strengths of the Human-Faced were quite large.

Yes— there weren’t any of them that were as strong as the Soul Eater.

That one with the smiling face we met in the ruins we’ve passed by before.

Even that one wasn’t as strong as the Soul Eater.

If that Soul Eater were considered as just average among the Human-Faced I’ve encountered earlier, I would have already died.

[It’s probably because that one is already a veteran in his duty of acting as the lid, preventing the disposed people from coming out… That must mean that guy’s an exceptional one.]

Though I say that, there were some quick-witted monsters among those I’ve fought just now.

I’ve known their quick-wittedness with my own body.

However, those monsters that were drawn in by that scream……

[Perhaps, those ones which are the most atrocious and clever wouldn’t be drawn in by something like that.]

The Demon Zone is dotted with underground ruins.

Human-Faced different from the ones I’ve fought should still be living there, looking at the rampaging monsters aboveground.

I can’t discard such a possibility.

[It might be dangerous to think that the Soul Eater is the most superior among the Human-Faced……]

Absentmindedly walking for a while, I kept moving my feet.

▽

I take a deep breath.

[……………………………..Well, I already expected this.]

If they were to find a weakened prey, they’d naturally come out.

There’s no reason for them to overlook this opportunity.

The monsters gathered.

However, this could also be interpreted positively.

There’s an area where the monsters who deserted earlier carefreely loitered around.

And now, they’ve come back.

[………………….]

The strength of these monsters should be fairly well huh…

I am now carrying Slei.

I’m also quite exhausted.

Pushing through this amount of monsters would be quite tough but—-

[Well, their number and quality doesn’t matter. In that case…… Status Open.]

I could try my new skill.

Its MP consumption is <5000>.

The consumption of my other skills were just <10>.

……That’s quite a big jump there.

However, my remaining amount of MP is more than 60000.

It wouldn’t be a problem even after trying it once.

Whatever its effect is, if it’s no good, I could just deal with them with my other standard skills.

The excited voice of monsters quivered under the twilight.

Slei and Pigimaru tried to take action.

“Leave it to me”, or so I said as I stopped them.

[<Slow>]

Now then, I wonder what would happen—–

[………..,————-Wha!?]

My eyes opened wide.

The first thing that caught my eyes was my status display.

My MP entry.

It decreased at a frightening speed.

[What the heck… is this skill? This is as MP-consuming as Pigimaru’s connection technique… No, it could even be worse—–]

Suddenly, I noticed it.

The decrease rate of my MP is more than I expected.

Moreover, while I’m absorbed looking at it—–

Arrows and spears were flying towards me from all directions.

However, they’re not as skillful as I expected.

More particularly those spears that were completely off target.

I unsheathe the dagger on my waist.

There’s a wide difference if you compare their archery skill to Seras’.

I wouldn’t be killed by arrows like this.

It was at that moment when I finally decided and started moving.

[………….Ah?]

They’re slow?

Whether it’s the spears…

The arrows…

Or the monsters’ movements…

Even the beads of water falling from the leaves were slow.

Yes, it’s as if everything is subtly—-

Slow.

However, only I……

Only I could move normally.

I couldn’t feel any change or discomfort in my movements.

Therefore, it’s just me noticing the changes brought by <Slow> huh.

[Moreover……]

It’s not that slow like that so-called “Slow-motion”.

What about Pigimaru and Slei?

Calling out to them…

[Pii.]

[Pakyuuu~]

They just replied like normal.

Their cries didn’t slow down.

Is it because they’re quite close to me?

If that’s not the case……

There must be a certain meter of radius in which they’re unaffected, or something like that?

Or perhaps, both of those could be the answers……?

[……I’m going to let go for a few moments, Slei.]

I hold out my hand.

The speed of the approaching monster…

I have enough time before it could even approach.

I can’t feel any worry about this situation falling into crisis.

If that’s the case—- how about I verify it?

[<Paralyze>]

<Overlapping usage is not allowed>

It’s not possible for me to use this together with its advanced skill huh.

Then, next would be…

[<Dark>, <Berserk>, <Poison>]

<Overlapping usage is not allowed>

I can’t use any skill together with it.

[It could only be used alone huh. Well……]

Changing the grip on my dagger, I quickly close the distance with the monster.

[Depending on the way I use it, this could be usable in various ways.]

I get ready while walking.

I passed by the spear that had slowed down.

The word is still quite slow.

I finally came before the monster who threw that spear.

The monster looks bewildered.

Well, it’s no wonder why.

[I guess I need to confirm this later huh.]

My free left hand.

I walk forward with my left hand sticking forward.

Thereupon, when I got closer to a certain distance—-

[Gruu……? Gauuuuu—–]

The slowness of the monster disappeared.

But when I see that it’s going to move normally, I immediately pull away my hand.

The monsters were brought back into the world of slowness. (T/N: za warudo)

This means……

[The range, huh?]

When they’re within a one meter radius around me, their slowness disappears….

So, is that why Pigimaru and Slei weren’t affected?

[In that case……]

With a step, I quickly come close towards the monster.

Swoosh

I slash the monster’s throat with my blade.

Splllllaaaattttt!

I could now understand the range where the slowness disappears.

And, in this <Slow> state……

[It’s a lot slower for the enemy to move into defense.]

In other words, it’s easier for me to attack first.

With this, it seems to be easy to aim at their vital points.

This would be quite frightening for the other party.

An attack is drawing near in front of you.

However, moving into defense is delayed.

I turned back.

I still have other monsters to deal with.

There’s still three more monsters.

There was bewilderment and fear on the face of these three.

[………—–Wait.]

When I invoked that skill……

All four of them weren’t in my sight.

I was assaulted from the front, left, right and behind me.

Yes, the monsters came from “every direction”.

So far, the property of my Abnormal State Skills were as follows.

“If the target isn’t within sight, the invocation condition couldn’t be met.”

However, this new skill…

[Even if the target isn’t within sight, all targets within the skill’s range would be affected……]

I see——– “Advanced” skill huh.

I begin running my thoughts.

Just for instance…

I’m in a situation where I couldn’t attack first or had been surprise attacked.

At that time, I feel that is when this skill could show its true value.

Or perhaps, when I want to escape from the attack range of my opponent.

If I were to use it well, I can expect this skill to be active when I need to avoid or block attacks.

[I should verify the maximum range of my skill later. Next would be……]

Whether an object would still be affected by my skill after I touch it, and if I could move it myself.

Slei’s tail swayed.

I feel like—- it sometimes crosses over the one meter radius.

However, the speed of her tail didn’t slow down.

That means… Is it that a person could still normally move if they’re in contact with me?

[Hmm? What’s with these numbers……?]

I noticed the additional display next to my MP.

Balance: 1359 / 5000

Balance: 1313 / 5000

The numbers were steadily decreasing.

……Ah, so that’s how it is.

[The duration of the skill is until the 5000 MP was fully consumed and it falls down to zero huh…]

Then, a certain prediction came into my mind.

[……Perhaps, I may be able to see each of the duration of my skills.]

With that thought running on my mind, I quickly dealt with the remaining three monsters.

Before long, the numbers 1313 dropped down to 0.

The speed of the world returns.

[I still have plenty more MP remaining…… Now then—-]

I felt the presence of more monsters.

[Should I try it out with them too?]

I walk a little closer towards the approaching monster.

Verification starts.

[<Slow>]

<Still on cooldown>

(T/N: It was stated as cool time in raws, but I think more people would know what this means when I word it as cooldown.)

[Well, so that’s how it is huh.]

This new skill.

Each time you use it, a separator of “5000 MP” is already provided.

What does that mean?

“That means I couldn’t just use all of my MP for a single use.”

In other words, it’s not possible to continuously use this skill by consuming all of my MP.

The consumption of 5000MP for one use.

A separator.

Once you use up the 5000 MP, it will be automatically released just like earlier.

[That also means that I couldn’t use the tactics of repeatedly activating and releasing huh.]

“Cooldown”

There must be some kind of restriction for having such a convenient power.

That’s how society works.

No……

My Abnormal Status Skills are still too convenient even with that.

I look back and start moving forward.

[Anyway, I somehow understand the property of <Slow>—- to some extent.]

I would deal with the rest of the monsters the same as I usually do.

[Then, with this……, ——–Hm?]

I can feel my legs wobbling.

My knees gave in.

However, I stand firm and pick myself up.

……I can’t step any further soon huh.

I finish it off with my dagger.

I still can’t use <Slow> because it’s still in cooldown.

However, there’s no problem.

Putting strength into my body, I held out my arm just as I always do.

[It’s a bit tough fighting with this amount of monsters in this current state but…… I should be able to do it with the skill I’m most familiar with.]

Then…

[Pa- Pakyyuuu!]

Suddenly, Slei got excited.

[……I know.]

There’s an unusual one mixed along those monsters’ group.

It’s a bit troublesome in my current state.

It’s approaching this place at a tremendous speed.

………………….

If it’s possible, I would need to deal with this one first.

I turn my arm towards the direction of that thing.

Although there were still the other monsters approaching us, this one should be dealt with as soon as possible——-

Slassshhh!

The body of a fractured monster.

An arc of blood drawn out in mid-air.

[Gururu…… Garururururuuuuuuuuuuuu………]

I lower my raised arm.

[So that’s why…]

Is that why Slei was quite excited?

……I should have expected to see her here but…

[I’ve finally found you, my lord.]