When I Tried Strengthening 【Rusted Sword】, It Evolved Into An Overpowered Magic Sword

Chapter 25 Silent Anger

“…Who are you talking about?”

I heard a name I had never heard before, “Kuroinu,” and I responded with a question.

“A magical being like a dog with black fur. It wields a dangerous and jagged greatsword and uses enchantment magic that imbues black flames. You used the exact same enchantment magic just now. Is that just a coincidence?”

“…”

In response to this statement, I squinted slightly.

A magical being resembling a dog with black fur.

I had an idea. In fact, there was only one magical being I had encountered so far.

Moreover, if it had a dangerous greatsword and used enchantment magic that imbued black flames, it was almost certainly the same one.

The Kuroinu this person was talking about was most likely the ‘Black Wolf Demon’ that I had fought before.

However, just to be sure, I decided to confirm.

“Are you talking about that foul-mouthed, wolf-like demon?”

“Oh, that’s the one, nya! How do you know about it, nya? So, do you know where he went, nya? I’m in the same group, Legion, as that one, nya. The leader told me to ‘bring him back,’ so I’ve been searching everywhere, nya. That guy is so self-centered and always wandering around somewhere, so it’s a real struggle to find him, nya~”

The cat-like demon sighed as if exasperated.

Legion, a group formed by demons coming together for a common purpose. I recalled that it could be a small group consisting of a few individuals or a large legion with nearly a hundred demons.

This cat-like demon was part of the same Legion as the one called Kuroinu. Realizing this, I reluctantly revealed the truth.

“I defeated that one.”

“Huh, nya? You defeated him? You took down Kuroinu?”

“Yeah, about two weeks ago.”

Upon hearing this, the cat-like demon burst into laughter.

“Nya-haha! If you’re joking, it might be wise to retract that statement right now for your own sake, nya. Our leader is the type who absolutely won’t overlook any harm done to the Legion. If what you’re saying isn’t a joke, we’ll chase you to the ends of the earth, inflict every conceivable agony on you, and undoubtedly kill you, nya.”

The cat-like demon laughed heartily and then scrutinized me as if assessing my credibility.

“Besides, that guy was certainly foolish, but his strength was top-notch even within our Legion. The idea that a skinny kid like you defeated him is nothing but an obvious joke…”

“It’s not a joke. I defeated that demon with my own hands. If you’re looking for him, unfortunately, you’ll never find him again.”

“…”

I declared with confidence.

I had defeated that wolf-like demon, and I had confirmed its disappearance.

If they were searching for him, they would never encounter him again.

The cat-like demon, whether believing my words or not, continued in a slightly lowered voice.

“In that case, you better be prepared. Our Legion consists of hot-blooded individuals, nya. If the leader gives the order, they’ll undoubtedly come to kill you all at once, nya.”

It didn’t sound like an empty threat. The slightly pitying look in her eyes conveyed the truth.

Coming to kill me all at once, huh?

“Well, leaving that aside, let’s go back to the initial question, nya. How can you use Kuroinu’s power with that beaten-up sword? If you’ve just defeated him, there’s no way you should be able to use his power.”

Asked again, I replied indifferently, “I don’t have any obligation to tell you more than I already have.”

“Hmm, well, that’s true, nya. I was a little curious about your artifact, but now that you’ve killed Kuroinu and it’s confirmed, that’s enough, nya.”

The cat-like demon said only that and concluded the conversation.

Her attitude made my heart restless without me realizing it.

That restlessness unknowingly moved my mouth.

“…A fellow demon from the same Legion got taken down, and you don’t feel anything about it?”

“Nya?”

“You were working together as part of the same Legion, right? The person who killed him is right in front of you now. Doesn’t that make you feel anything?”

It felt absurd to ask such a question after I had already killed someone. However, I couldn’t help but ask.

What kind of emotions was this person harboring while maintaining such a composed attitude?

I knew that the leader or whatever they called it wouldn’t overlook harm to the Legion.

But what about this individual? Was there any anger towards me, any thoughts of revenge?

I didn’t know the relationship between this person and Kuroinu, but couldn’t she at least show a hint of sentimentality?

“Well, um… I can’t say I have no thoughts on the matter, nya.”

In response to my inquiry, the cat-like demon showed a slightly contemplative expression.

Seeing that, I secretly felt relief and guilt.

Even among demons, it seemed there was some capacity for empathy towards comrades.

Humans and demons might have an inherently incompatible relationship, but they still shared the commonality of interacting with others. While their connection might have been severed by my actions, I wanted to extend a word of apology to the cat-like demon.

I’m sorry.

But…

“Nya-ha!”

“…?”

Suddenly, she grinned with a creepy smile.

“It’s a shame I couldn’t witness that idiot’s death up close, nya. Truly regrettable.”

“…”

…The death of that idiot? Regrettable?

Why are you smiling like that?

Why are you enjoying this conversation so much?

You were supposed to be part of the same Legion.

Aren’t you supposed to be “comrades” gathered for the same purpose?

“Weren’t you comrades?”

“Comrades? What are you talking about, nya? Instead of that, I wonder how that idiot’s face looked as he died. What interesting last words did he say, nya? That’s all I’m curious about, nya~”

The cat-like demon wagged its tail happily, and eventually, its face flushed with excitement.

Eyes gleaming with overflowing curiosity, cat ears wildly swaying, I had to reassess my understanding.

“…Maybe.”

“…?”

“Maybe, I thought there might be some respect or consideration—’kindness’—towards comrades among demons, but it seems I was wrong to expect that from you after all.”

The Legion was merely a “means” for achieving their goals.

There was no sense of “comradeship” like in an adventurer party.

I was reminded of that fact once again.

I was still just a child.

“Expecting something like that is truly foolish, nya. Respect for comrades? Consideration? It’s because people cling to such things that they’re weak, unlike demons Just like that one from earlier…”

“…That one?”

That one.

I realized a bit belatedly that the cat-like demon was referring to the ‘Amethyst group,’ with whom it had been in a battle until recently.

They consider them weak?

What’s weak about having respect and consideration for comrades?

“That one from earlier should’ve just abandoned her comrades and run away. If it was just her, it wouldn’t have been difficult to escape, but because she tried to protect those two burdens, she ended up needlessly suffering. That’s what I call pointless consideration, nya.”

Hearing those words, I recalled the battered appearance of Amethyst.

Considering that she claimed to have let the scythe-wielding sisters escape from here, it’s easy to imagine she was trying to protect them.

Those two lost their artifacts and were unharmed only because of Amethyst.

Additionally, from the conversation with Dia, it was evident that Amethyst couldn’t ignore someone following her.

Surely, Amethyst must have desperately struggled to protect the sisters from this cat-like demon.

And this person…

“Oh, and what that one with the shield said. What was it, nya?”

“Huh…?”

“I believe it was something like ‘friend’… Wasn’t it, nya? That was quite an embarrassing line too, nya!”

I couldn’t believe my ears.

Now Dia was being insulted.

Dia, who had finally reconciled with Amethyst…

The warmth of the word ‘friend’ that Dia had spoken in the joy of their newfound friendship…

There was no reason for this person to make a joke out of it.

A faint fire kindled within me.

“It was really hard to hold back my laughter, nya! Why do humans casually utter such foolish lines, nya? Human connections are probably not that significant anyway, nya! Yet, there she was, saying ‘friend’ with such a serious face…”

The cat-like demon stifled a chuckle.

Eventually, as if unable to contain it any longer, she burst into laughter.

Then, in a tone mixed with laughter, she continued…

“I’m getting chills just remembering it now, nya! Really, that one was a creepy individual, nya!”

Something snapped inside me.

“…That’s enough.”

“…Nya?”

“I said it’s enough. No more talking. I’ve understood that you’re an annoying person, so it’s fine.”

I tightly gripped the rusty sword in my right hand.

Simultaneously, I clenched my back teeth unnoticed.

And, without saying it to anyone, I muttered in a small voice.

“…Evolution.”

The rust on the sword started to disappear, revealing the form of the Cursed Magic Sword. Not only did I feel the benefits, but an overwhelming surge of power coursed through my entire body fueled by boundless rage.

It’s not like I’m angry on behalf of Amethyst. I have no right to feel indignation for her being hurt.

But…

“What’s that, nya? Are you planning to defeat me, too? Just because you defeated Kuroinu, don’t think for a moment that you can beat me, nya.”

The resolve that Amethyst showed to protect her comrades…

The secret feelings Dia harbors for Amethyst…

The warm empathy that people have for each other…

Insulting all of these is something I absolutely won’t forgive.

“Well, you might be more entertaining than that purple weakling from earlier. So, let’s get started with a fun fight, nya!”

Unaware of my inner turmoil, the cat-like magical being cheerfully readied her weapon. She raised her right hand with hooked claws, pointing the tip at me.

“First, I’ll tear you to shreds and throw you in front of those guys from earlier! Then, I’ll kill all three of them and that shield user from earlier, everyone will become nourishment for my artifact…”

Casually continuing her chatter.

I quietly passed by…

Swiftly and silently, almost soundlessly, I swung the sword while crossing beside her.

“…Nya?”

In an instant…

Her right arm fell with a soft thud.

“…I already told you to stop talking.”

“Nya, aaaaaaah!!!”

Belatedly, the cat-like demon’s scream echoed. She fell to the ground, clutching the cut section with her left hand due to the pain. Glancing at her right arm, still equipped with the hooked claws and lying on the ground, she sent me a furious gaze.

“M-My arm…! How dare you…!”

In response to the cat-like demon’s glare, I directed the tip of the Cursed Magic Sword towards her.

Through using the Cursed Magic Sword, I’ve come to realize something. Not only is it challenging to endure the “curse,” but more importantly, I haven’t fully mastered the extraordinary capabilities of the ‘Blessing Value 500’ it possesses.

Having used the ‘Rusty Sword’ with a Blessing Value of 0 until now, I still struggle to grasp the sensation of relying on blessings. The immense power of the Cursed Magic Sword remains somewhat elusive to me.

However, I’m gradually figuring out how to wield it.

The swift strike just now is the perfect evidence of that.

While pondering this, the cat-like demon continued to direct a pained expression toward me.

Then, she removed the hooked claws from her right hand, re-equipped them on their left, and shouted.

“Enchantment Magic – Dark Thunder Cry!”

Instantly, a black thunderbolt manifested on her hooked claws, emitting intense sound and light.

It was evident at a glance that it was a powerful Enchantment Magic.

“Dieeeeeeee!!!”

So, I chanted the same.

“Enchantment Magic – Black Flame Helflare.”

The blade of the Cursed Magic Sword became imbued with jet-black flames.

Simultaneously, I readjusted the grip on the Cursed Magic Sword with both hands.

This is my current full power.

A strike of maximum power.

The cat-like demon charged at an incredible speed.

In contrast, I remained in place, silently preparing the magic sword.

And…

“Haaah!”

The black thunder-clad claws and the sword infused with black flames collided.

At that moment, an ear-piercing roar… didn’t ring out.

The sound of the artifacts clashing, the chaotic resonance of thunder and flames, the agonized screams of the demon—all of it was completely inaudible to my ears.

Because…

“Nya…gh…”

Her body was bisected from the middle along with the hooked claws.