Reincarnated as a Dungeon Master, I Became Unstoppable by Doting on My Monsters—My Gorgeous Monsters Have Started to Conquer the World on Their Own!

The black nails that descended rapidly were parried and defended by an old, worn-out dagger.

However, unable to fully withstand the shock, Saryu took several steps back before retaking her sword.

The situation was at a stalemate.

Onibird understood that Saryu’s short sword could only inflict wounds to the extent of its head. Hence, it continued with relentless claw attacks.

This led to a battle that lasted for 5 minutes between a small quadruped wielding a sword and a raptor with the face of a demon.

The fight had always been slightly in Onibird’s favor, but its facial expression was gloomily symmetrical.

This was because, even though there were still more than two hours left, there was always a time limit, and because Saryu was juggling a fight while holding an antidote in one hand.

(If it’s just one-on-one, it’s a good match! I could win if I call my allies!)

Those who have won it for themselves are the only ones allowed to drink the medicine. Forced into a one-on-one fight by this rule, he was highly frustrated.

Having always engaged in group fights, they weren’t trained for individual combat. To them, being isolated like this usually meant death.

Additionally, his killer move was rendered ineffective.

Onibird’s skill was called “Grudge Cry, ” which added a mental attack attribute to its cry.

But even that skill was invalid, as it was drowned out when Saryu made a similar cry.

There were no effective attacks from his side… yet the despair he felt when they first met was no longer there.

(I’ll do it! I’ll get you!)

Onibird soared high into the sky once again.

(I’m starting to feel the fatigue from the prolonged flight. It’s time to settle this.)

Onibird, while diving down, confirmed that the opponent was ready to counter. Instead of aiming for the antidote, it targeted Saryu’s belly, readying its beak for the attack even if it meant chopping its head off.

However, its desperate strategy was in vain. Saryu quickly pulled her chin back and dodged the attack, slipping under Onibird’s neck faster than the beak could strike.

(What’s with this reaction speed!)

Onibird, having exposed such a large opening, anticipated an immediate counterattack and braced for pain.

Yet, no counter came. Saryu just took some distance and assumed the same stance as before.

It was as if all the previous exchanges of blows had never happened.

Only after that did Onibird realize.

(Why are neither I nor my opponent injured at all?)

Indeed, I made it a point to avoid direct sword attacks. However, I should have taken at least one strike by now.

Moreover, for some reason, the opponent doesn’t have a single scratch either. No matter how skilled the opponent is, can one fight for so long without getting injured?

(Could it be he has some prediction skills? And on top of that, is he planning to mock me as he watches me die from running out of time without obtaining the antidote?)

That was the only possibility that came to mind. Then, it would explain why there’s no attack from him at all.

Realizing he might have been toyed with, anger surged within him, blurring his vision momentarily.

And then, after a moment’s hesitation, Onibird shouted,

“The antidote is here! The antidote is here!”

Seemingly no longer caring about his survival, he laughed.

“Hahaha! See! Never underestimate our unity! I’ll get back to you! Who cares about an antidote? I’ll strike back!”

Onibird said this excitedly, but Saryu didn’t alter his sword stance.

From this perspective, Onibird felt that even that stance was to mock him.

After all, Saryu was a creature perfectly adapted for quadrupedal movement. The sight of him holding a sword was utterly ridiculous.

Onibird didn’t have the words for it, but if a human from Earth saw him, they might think, “He looks like the hero of a symbolic, childish picture book about animal adventures.”

(Damn him for mocking me!)

Onibird’s rage reached its peak. His face tensed up, and he realized his intimidation skill was activated unconsciously.

“You lowlife, without any sky-reaching techniques! You wait; I’ll gather my comrades and devour you!”

That wasn’t for survival, nor his comrades. It was pure, murderous resentment. There was no honor in it nor any hope for life.

And then, he soared into the sky to gather his allies.

(As long as I have time, I’ll gather every living thing, abandon the game, and kill this guy. We’ll snatch the medicine, and if even one of us survives and gets out of this forest, it’ll be our victory.)

…When Onibird took off, he heard Saryu say a small “Ah.”

(“Ah”? What does that mean? Is something wrong?)

It’s no good. I can’t be bothered by this.

Onibird soared higher and higher, ruling the skies above the forest. He wasn’t of an exceptionally high rank within the flock, nor did he possess any unique talents, but he had many friends.

(That’s right. Him. If anyone would join me in a retaliation plan, even if it means risking our lives, it would be him.)

Having evaded the enemy, a sense of calm returned to him, mixed with specific hopes. He wasn’t alone. If they don’t compete, there’s still something they can do.

…However, at that moment, Onibird realized something. There wasn’t another Onibird in the sky beside him.

(Come to think of it, I called out loudly for my friends earlier. Why? Why isn’t anyone coming?)

Then, scanning the forest below, he noticed a spot deep in the shade of the trees where Saryu had been hiding was stained with blood. Moreover, the scent of blood he had faintly seen while flying now overwhelmed him.

He flew towards the spot, trying desperately to quell the unease growing in him, to find out the source of the blood.

And then, he saw a mountain of bodies hidden from view in the tree shadows.

Bludgeoned. Poisoned. Stabbed. Shot. Crushed. Blown up. Burned. Strangled. Drugged. Gouged.

The corpses of his friends, killed in every way imaginable, lay in a line.

And then it finally hit him. The scent he had been picking up during the fight was that of the blood of his family and friends. He might’ve realized it earlier but chose not to think about it.

Seeing this, his anger vanished. It wasn’t replaced by fear. Such feelings weren’t important now. Onibird had forgotten entirely his rage.

What remained was the dizziness caused by the blood rushing to his head, now receding, which continued endlessly.

The next thing that came to mind were numerous questions. Onibird no longer felt like fighting.

Instead, he felt it was far more vital to understand the full extent of this wickedness and finish his life’s story without any disorder.

Onibird landed near the site of the lined-up corpses.

And from behind, he heard the beast who likely committed these atrocities awkwardly say, “Ah, if you need time to calm down, I can wait.”

“…Tell me one thing. Why do this?”

I don’t understand. Why was I targeted to be killed? I don’t understand. Why are we left discarded in the forest without even being eaten?

“It’s the second time you’ve asked that question. Fine, I’ll answer as many times as you’d like. I want to become an apostle for my master, Yuuto.”

The first time, I didn’t ask who it was. It might have been a friend, an acquaintance, or even family.

“…Apostle?”

“Think of it as someone who spreads the martial arts techniques I learned from my master, Yuuto, to the public.”

Even if he didn’t want to, “Yuuto’s techniques” echoed in Onibird’s mind. Yuuto’s techniques… Yuuto’s techniques… But although it resonated, it wasn’t something he could comprehend.

“Is this some sort of… demonstration?”

He squeezed out the question, trying to find an answer.

“It’s entirely different. Demonstrations are done by those who aren’t yet great to intimidate or show off.”

Saryu said with a deadpan expression, playing with the knife in his hand as if to say he found it absurd.

“I’m trying out various fighting styles to digest and understand my master’s teachings. To share the greatness of my master’s teachings with everyone, as a missionary and saint, I first have to understand them and systematize them. But, to fully understand the martial arts taught by my master, I first need to be familiar with all forms of combat…”

And then Saryu said, “You’re the last one left, so I have some time. I’m practicing with a knife, which I’m not very good at.”

Oddly, Onibird didn’t feel disgust or fear. Those who sacrifice others for their dreams are terrifying, and those who justify such actions are even more so.

However, Saryu’s words seemed mechanical, like he was fulfilling a duty, like flushing the toilet after use.

Taking those words as his last conversation, Onibird flew towards the setting sun. He didn’t listen to Saryu’s plea, “Wait! My training isn’t over yet…”

(Come to think of it, I’ve always wanted to see the lands beyond the sea.)

And so, Onibird left the forest and headed for the distant lands he had dreamed of as a child.

Believing that if everything could go back to how it was in childhood, even poison would become a dream.