The Strongest Onmyoji and the Shikigami With AI are Unparalleled in Another World ~ A Second Life Properly Enjoyed Using Artificial Intelligence ~ - Chapter 40

“Master, I can see the forest ahead!”

As AI-chan said, a forest is visible in the front.

“Watch out, there’s enemy attack coming.”

“Yes!”

AI-chan nods and clings to my back.

Flying forward, the number of monsters in the forest gradually decreases.

“Master, it’s over there!”

Certainly, it’s the place I tried linking with Crow-chan.

Which means…

“Down!”

Feeling magical energy, I jump off from Bee-san while holding AI-chan.

Then, Bee-san gets pierced by a mysterious beam and disappears.

“Oh! Bee-san!”

No time for that now.

Next is our turn.

I quickly take out a talisman from my pocket.

As expected, a beam flies towards us, so I create a barrier with the talisman.

The beam hits the barrier but doesn’t penetrate it, stopping instead.

However we naturally still fall into the forest.

Along the way, hitting branches was quite painful, but somehow we managed to land, or rather, crash onto the ground.

“Ouch…”

I hit my back…

“Are you alright!?”

AI-chan, without a scratch, asks.

“I’m fine. But now that I think about it, there was no need for me to protect you.”

Trying to shield AI-chan, I ended up hitting more branches and failing the landing.

“That’s true. I’d rather you use me as a shield.”

No, using a child as a shield is difficult.

“Well, never mind. More importantly, someone’s there…”

“Yes. I certainly feel an incredible amount of magical power. Probably the one who emitted the beam earlier.”

Was that also magic?

“Let’s go. This way.”

“Yes!”

I stand up and walk towards where I feel a strong magical presence.

“The monsters have disappeared…”

I don’t sense any monster’s magical power around.

There’s only one massive magical power I can feel.

“They seem to be focusing their efforts on dealing with us. It seems this stampede was artificially created to generate monsters.”

I think so too.

And seeing they’re not hiding their magical power, it seems like an invitation.

As we continue walking, we emerge into a slightly open area.

There stood a man.

The man had a pale complexion, looking quite unhealthy.

Moreover, his hair was white, making him look like a grandpa.

However, his facial features and skin resembled that of a young man, somehow different from any human I’ve seen before.

“So, it’s you from that time… quite impressive to block my magic,” the man chuckles.

“Who are you? Sorry if we’ve met before.”

“No, I happened to see you once before. You probably haven’t realized.”

“Ah, yesterday…”

I just noticed, but this guy is the cause of yesterday’s discomfort.

It felt strange, but it’s the same feeling I’m getting from him now.

“Tch! So you’ve noticed…”

The man clicks his tongue.

“Master, this individual is a demon.”

“Oh…”

The man is impressed by AI-chan’s words.

“A demon? What’s that?”

“Didn’t I mention before that there are several races in this world? One of them is demons. They are born with high magical power and are cruel, merciless enemies of humanity.”

Well, he doesn’t seem like a good person.

“Demon, huh… So, you were behind the stampede? Summoning the monsters?”

I ask just to confirm.

“That’s right. There’s a mirror over there, right?”

The man points behind himself.

Indeed, there’s a mirror lying there.

“I see it.”

“That’s a teleportation device. It’s used to summon monsters from various places.”

Very convenient.

“I want one.”

“Even if you had it, you couldn’t use it. It can only teleport beings with magic power like goblins or orcs.”

So that’s why there were only orcs and goblins.

If they wanted to destroy the town, they should’ve summoned stronger monsters.

“I understand the cause. Should we destroy it…”

“It’s a rare item, I’d rather you not.”

“Rare or not, it’s a nuisance.”

“I see. Well then, let’s resist.”

The man gets ready.

“Resistance? Sounds like I’m trying to kill you or something.”

“Isn’t that the case?”

“Isn’t it the other way around? You’re the one trying to kill me. You’re talking so openly because you intend to kill me, right? How about hiding your murderous intent a little? Cruel and merciless demon-kun.”

As I say that, the man grins.

“Flames!”

The man gestures, and flames attack us.

But before the flames reach us, I throw a talisman, and the flames vanish in an instant.

“Using strange magic as expected… Who are you?”

“I’m an adventurer. I don’t know what you mean by ‘who are you’, but I guess I’m one of those reincarnated folks.”

“Tch! I see… Seems like you got a nice gift. But don’t get cocky with that.”

Saying so, the man lowers his stance and charges at us.

As he comes in for an attack, I dodge by moving my body aside.

“Die!”

Although the man’s balance is thrown off by my evasion, he points his finger towards me.

Then, his finger glows, and the beam from before shoots towards my face with force.

However, since I sensed his magical power, it was obvious, so I easily dodge by turning my face away.

“Tch! Seems like you’re not just relying on your gift after all.”

This guy clicks his tongue a lot…

“M-Master, are you alright?”

AI-chan sounds worried as she speaks.

“I’m fine. Stay back, it’s dangerous.”

“Yes…”

AI-chan turns her back to us and runs off, hiding behind a tree.

“Cruel demon-kun, it’d be wise to take a hostage.”

I advise the man, glancing briefly at AI-chan.

“Not falling for such an obvious trap.”

“Oh, I see…”

Well, a hostage wouldn’t make sense anyway. They can be erased anytime, and if they die, they can just be brought back.

“It seems you have more strength than I imagined… Let’s show a little more effort.”

“Indeed. It seems I’ve only put out about 10% of my power so far, so let me put out a little more. At this rate, I won’t be a match.”

Saying so, the man squints his eyes.

“Alright! I’ll show you the terror of demons! Die!”

Saying that, the man backs off.

Then, he extends both hands towards me.

“Dark Flame!”

Black flames appear from the man’s hands, and in an instant, the area around me is engulfed in black flames.

“That’s some impressive magical power.”

“Die!”

The black flames surrounding me rush towards me in an instant, and my vision is dyed pitch black.