The Boy Who Fell to the Lowest Level of the Dungeon, Becoming the Strongest and Returns to the Surface After 10 Years~He Just Wants to Live a Quiet Life, but His Childhood Friends Who Have Risen to Prominence Won’t Leave Him Alone~ - Chapter 30: The Only Childhood Friend

“Good job.”

As soon as that voice reached him, something like a monster’s tongue stretched out from somewhere.

The tongue captured Schuma and took only the White Dragon’s abilities.

“Just as I thought, it turned out like this.”

“…Huh?”

When Elta turned around, he couldn’t help but widen his eyes in surprise.

The owner of the voice was someone he knew well.

“Yo, Elta.”

“I-is that you, C-Callum…?”

Removing the black hood, Callum revealed himself.

He is a childhood friend of Elta and the others, and he is the one they were looking for.

In contrast, Callum wore a wicked smile.

“That’s right. It’s been quite a while.”

“…”

Elta was so bewildered that he couldn’t speak.

However, he gradually began to take small steps towards Callum.

To inquire about the truth of that matter.

“Hey, where have you been all this time?”

“…”

“What did you just do?”

“…Haa.”

However, he won’t answer the question.

Even so, Elta tries to get closer.

“Hey, say something──”

“Elta!”

What stopped such an Elta was the girls who suddenly ran out.

Grabbing Elta’s shoulder firmly, they turn to face Callum.

With a wary expression.

“Callum…”

“You’re going to explain that outfit, right…!”

Celia and Leone point their swords at Callum.

It had been a long time since they last met, but there was something even more concerning.

The hood he was wearing is from “Scar.”

“Ah, I’ll explain it.”

Callum quickly took off his coat and finally spoke.

“I’m Callum, Scar’s strategist.”

“”””…!””””

It was the moment when their bad feeling turned out to be true.

Of all people, the “strategist” who set a trap for Elta was none other than Callum.

Then, a flustered Celia raises her voice.

“Did you also suggest this plan?”

“No, taking over the royal capital was the boss’s wish from the start. But maybe I’m the only one who thought it would turn out like this.”

Elta brushed off the top-tier sleeping pills and rushed over.

Even Schuma would be defeated just like that.

It seems that everything up to this point has gone exactly as Callum predicted.

Continuing, Jura asked unusually with an angry look.

“So, what were you doing earlier?”

“You’re still the same big sister type, Jura. Someone like you should be able to predict things to some extent.”

“…Well, yeah.”

“I fused with ‘Alco Chameleon.’ I used its ability.”

──Alco Chameleon.

It is an S-rank monster also known as the “Chameleon of Seven Colors.”

By consuming the monster, one can steal its abilities.

Just now, what Callum extended from his arm was a chameleon’s tongue.

As a result, he took away the power of Schuma’s “White Dragon.”

Additionally, it possesses chameleon-like abilities such as a long tongue and the ability to blend in with its surroundings.

The reason Callum has been able to disappear instantly until now is due to this ability.

“So, you got your hands on the ‘White Dragon’?”

“Hah, that’s not all.”

With a malicious smile, Callum spreads his arms wide.

“After the boss left the base, I systematically took away the seemingly competent abilities.”

“C-could it be…?!”

“Ah, that’s exactly it.”

From Callum’s body, many parts of the demon floated up.

“I am currently hosting ten S-rank monsters within my body.”

“””…!!”””

It’s the worst-case scenario they could have imagined.

The “White Dragon” is probably the best, but Callum has nine other monsters of equal caliber.

The girls had no chance of winning.

Then, as expected, the boy stands up here.

“Everyone, it’s okay now.”

“””…!”””

Supported by the girls, Elta regained his composure.

On top of that, it seems like he has made up his mind.

“A few hours ago, it was you I talked to at the bar, right?”

“Ah, your usual insensitivity saved me. Well, it seems the special knockout drug didn’t work.”

From Callum’s outfit, it seems he has finally realized the truth.

But that’s not the main point.

“Then, you remember what you said back then, right?”

“Of course.”

Elta shot a fierce look at Callum, who was smirking.

“I’ll listen to you. But──”

“…Hah.”

“I will give you a good punch!”

At that moment, an unprecedented aura emanates from Elta.

“””…!”””

Even the girls who are not being targeted instinctively pull back.

For his childhood friends, this was also the first time.

Seeing Elta genuinely angry.

“Everyone, it’s dangerous, so step back.”

The words of Elta naturally change.

It was for the sake of the girls, but now it sounded like he was saying, “Don’t get involved with me.”

They have no choice but to back down.

And in the sense of being men, an uncompromising showdown with his only childhood friend begins.

“Callum…”

“Come on, Elta!”

Raising their voices is the signal to start the war.

The one who launched the attack first was──Callum.

Using the ability stolen from Schuma, he emitted beams from all his hair.

It’s the “White Dragon” diffusion beam.

“I’ve already seen that!”

“Ah, I know.”

“!?!”

But there, he incorporates the chameleon’s ability to become invisible.

Then, without a sound and unseen, the completion of over a hundred thousand scattered light beams.

Of course, the power remains the same. If he touches it, he’ll be scorched.

“Ugh…!”

“Seriously, you dodged that?”

Elta quickly distanced himself and managed to avoid it with his wild instincts.

However, it’s a technique that goes beyond being heinous.

With this, there’s no way to get close.

“Then!”

Still, Elta is more than eager to close the distance.

Even after measures were taken to counter the frontal assault, he attempted a frontal assault anyway.

“The Strongest Race Series, Part Three──”

“…!”

“The Barrier of the Phoenix’s Blessing.”

Elta crossed his arms and gained invincible resistance.

Then, just like that, he charged in like a bullet.

“I will definitely get closer!”

“Ahahaa! That’s more like it!”

“….!”

In contrast, Callum erects an earthen wall and further splits it into illusions.

He probably used the abilities of other monsters.

Once again, Schuma watched the back-and-forth struggle with vacant eyes.

“…”

She couldn’t move because of the ice from Celia, but she was able to grasp the situation of the battle.

(Callum, what incredible mental strength…)

There are corresponding disadvantages to monster fusion.

First of all, the success rate is extremely low.

However, more than that, the “spirit of the fusioner is on the verge of being possessed by a demon.”

If it’s a high-rank monster, then it’s even more powerful.

(Even with just two types, it’s almost impossible.)

Even Schuma’s fusion was limited to a single White Dragon.

Constantly being tormented by the White Dragon, it was judged that having more than two would be dangerous in order to maintain normalcy.

But now, Callum is like a fusion of ten different types of demons.

(What makes him go that far?)

Callum has a cool expression on his face, but inside, he is far from calm.

Ten S-rank monsters are rampaging fiercely, trying to take over Callum’s heart.

Even so, Callum continues to fight.

“What’s wrong, Elta?”

“You’re the one who’s getting sluggish!”

With a strong mental fortitude.

For one’s own purpose.

However, the disadvantages are gradually starting to emerge.

“…! Tch!”

The monster is seriously trying to take over, gnawing at Callum.

Amidst all that, what caught his eye was his childhood friends who had drifted apart.

“El-kun!”

“Elta!”

“El!”

“Big brother!”

However, they were all gathered together, cheering for his opponent, Elta.

Callum gritted his teeth.

(It’s always been like that…!)

Remembering his time in the orphanage, Callum’s hatred intensified.

Turning that into strength, he somehow managed to keep his body together.

However, against Elta, not even a moment of carelessness is allowed.

“Callum down!”

“Guh!”

Elta’s fist passes right in front of Callum’s eyes.

It was just a few centimeters short, but Elta was definitely closing in.

“I’ll get you right next time.”

“…!”

“Are you still doing it?”

It’s Elta’s final warning, given because they were childhood friends.

Still, Callum doesn’t back down.

“Of course!”

Callum has a purpose that must be fulfilled.

(I’ll never give up on Mother…!)

With those feelings, the memories of his childhood with Elta and the others come flooding back──.