"Master, it seems Kokone has hit the jackpot."

At the end of Kokone's gaze was Galdur.

One of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King's Army from Another World, and the leader of this commotion.

Slowly revealing himself, Galdur confronted Kokone.

"Isn't that what I should say?"

"Is that so?"

The Four Heavenly Kings from Another World VS. Kanata's Familiar.

This place was expected to become a fierce battlefield.

In that case, Kokone calls out to the nearby Romen.

"Please disappear because you're in the way."

"...!"

Except for Kanata, Kokone is basically harsh with her words.

However, Romen worshiped Kokone, conveniently interpreting it.

She is just "being shy."

"Kokone-taso! Th-thank you very much!"

"...It was really annoying, though."

Romen bowed deeply and walked away from the battlefield.

Kokone was true to her word, but she thought, "Well, whatever," and turned back to Galdur.

Then, Galdur lets out a small laugh.

"Are you done with what you needed to do?"

"I didn't know him from the start."

"Then, is this okay?"

"...!"

Galdur emits a purple aura towards the fleeing Romen.

They are still within the attack range.

Kokone quickly stepped in.

"Ugh, [Ice Wall]...!"

"Kokone-taso...!"

"Hurry up and go!"

"Y-yes!"

Thanks to Kokone blocking the attack, Romen managed to escape.

Galdur bursts into laughter again.

"Hahaha! As I thought, aren't you acquaintances?"

"...I really don't know. But I just thought that if an ordinary person got involved, it would make you sad."

Romen was completely unknown.

Also, Kokone gains confidence with the current attack.

(As expected, did he have the master's [Competition]?)

The lost hero Kanata's skill [Competition].

He can share abilities and skills with his peers.

The level of ability that can be shared depends on the proficiency in [Competition].

The recent attack was a long-range attack by a certain A-class monster.

They probably shared it for convenience.

"The fact that the monsters were able to invade the surface was also due to the effect of [Competition], right?"

"Oh, to understand it with just this much information."

The Four Heavenly Kings Galdur had a humanoid form, so he had resistance to the ground.

They shared that resistance with the monsters and launched an invasion on the surface.

So much so, [Competition] is a powerful skill.

Then, this time, Galdur's eyes shone purple.

"Then how about this? ─[Hypnotic Eyes]."

"...!"

What he unleashed was a "hypnosis-type skill."

He can control those whose eyes meet his.

It must have been shared by the monster.

However, it shouldn't work on Kokone.

"Do you think something like that would work now?"

"Fuhahaha! As expected of the familiar of that hero Kanata!"

"Kokone needs nothing as long as the Master is here."

Hypnosis skills take advantage of the gaps in the mind.

If one's mental strength is weak, their thoughts can easily be controlled.

However, Kokone is, in every sense of the word, "the master is everything."

That feeling overcame even hypnosis.

In response, Galdur plays "a certain card."

"So, does that master really like you?"

"...Ah, of course!"

"Oh, quite the confidence you have."

A card that digs up old wounds.

"Are you talking about the former slave?"

"...Ugh!"

★

Near the southern entrance of the Crimson Dungeon.

"It's all cleaned up."

"Yes, Kanata-chan!"

Kanata and Mika-mama take a breather.

Just now, they have completely annihilated all the invading monsters.

Thanks to the incredibly swift resolution, human casualties were avoided.

Then, voices can be heard coming from the east.

"Kanata-kun!"

"Kanata-samaaa!"

"Oh."

The ones who joined were Luzeria and Elvi.

Luzeria spreads her red wings, and Elvi rides a demon on a skateboard towards her.

The issue near the east entrance must have been resolved as well.

Kanata's ongoing stream is also receiving a huge response.

[Whoa, the Demon King's Army is the strongest!]

[They seriously wiped us all out.]

[That's way too soon, isn't it... lol]

[Despair-san has disappeared.]

[Are the older sisters also so relaxed?]

[Elvi's way of moving is insane lol.]

[Thank you so much, Demon King's Army ; ; ]

Kanata calls out to the reunited Luzeria and the others.

"Impressive, both of you."

"Hehe. I'm the big sister, you know."

"...But, he wasn't there... was he?"

"That's right."

The monsters invaded the eastern, southern, and western entrances of the Crimson Dungeon.

Eventually, he expected that the Four Heavenly Kings, Galdur, would be somewhere.

Since two places have been resolved, the remaining area is near the west entrance.

"He's at Kokone's place. Let's hurry."

"Yeah!"

"Ah-ha!"

"That's right."

Just before splitting into three directions, Kanata made the divisions.

However, since all four familiars threw a tantrum saying they wanted to team up with Kanata, it was decided based on their positions at the time.

Little did they know that this would create the "most undesirable enemy."

★

"I see it!"

A little further ahead, the eastern entrance of the Crimson Dungeon comes into view.

However, the invasion of the monsters had stopped.

The army of monsters was frozen in place.

There is only one person who can pull off such a feat.

"Just as expected, Kokone!"

Kanata thought that Kokone had won.

But at that moment, Kanata's [Super Sensory] detects something.

"...! Everyone, defend!"

"""...Huh!?"""

From the eastern entrance, an immense attack has been detected.

Along with Kanata, the three familiars also deployed a defensive barrier.

However, Kanata and the others cannot fully absorb the shock.

"Guh...!?"

"Ahhh!"

The flames of Luzeria, the blood barrier of Elvi, the wave of Mika-mama.

The three overlapping barriers are being overwhelmed.

What has been blowing in is ice.

(T-this technique...!)

Kanata was thinking it was impossible as he slowly raised his face when the attack stopped.

"Ko, Kokone...?"

"..."

The one who appeared from the sky was Kokone.

She had pointed a blade at him.

[Is that Kokone-chan!?]

[Did Kokone-chan do that just now!?]

[Why?!]

[What happened?!]

[Isn't that the Master over there?!]

Of course, the comment section was in an uproar, and Kanata was also shaken.

"What are you doing, Kokone!"

"..."

"─!"

However, he noticed when he looked into Kokone's eyes.

Kokone doesn't have a heart right now.

Then, another person appeared from behind Kokone.

"Good day."

"You...!"

Riding a floating chair, the Four Heavenly King Galdur made his entrance.

Because of the person he killed once, he was half in doubt about his existence.

However, upon actually seeing it, Kanata becomes convinced.

(No doubt about it. That's Galdur...)

Seeing Kanata's gritted teeth expression, Galdur smirked.

"Fuhahaha! I never thought you would make such a face!"

"...Ugh."

"It seems like this familiar is quite the favorite."

"Hey!"

Galdur gently strokes Kokone's chin.

However, Kokone doesn't move an inch.

Kanata almost reflexively raised his voice.

"Don't touch Kokone anymore...!"

He unleashed the [Spatial Disruption] fueled by that anger.

However, Galdur snapped his fingers.

"Oops. Kokone."

"Yes."

"...!?"

Then, Kokone stepped in.

He protected Galdur from Kanata's attack by putting herself in harm's way.

[Kokone-chan!!]

[Say it's a lie, say it's a lie...]

[Isn't this a nightmare?]

[Whoaahhhhhh!!]

[Our Kokone-chan...]

[Please, just tell me it's a prank!]

However, the people around him won't stay silent about it.

"Oh, Kokone. This older sister is so disappointed."

"..."

"I did acknowledge you to some extent, you know!"

Luzeria unleashes flames.

Elvi and Mika-mama follow her.

"If you lay a hand on Kanata-sama, I won't stay silent!"

"Koko-chan, you're being too naughty."

The three familiars launched a merciless simultaneous attack.

It's at a level where even a nearby army would be blown away.

However, it doesn't reach Kokone.

"[Permafrost]."

"""...!"""

Kokone erected a thick wall of ice and thwarted the simultaneous attack.

An overwhelming power that doesn't fall short of the combined firepower of three people.

In this scene, Kanata bites his lower lip.

(Kokone... Ugh.)

Usually, Kokone doesn't show much emotion and is rather quiet.

However, Kanata understood.

Her potential ability is the highest among the familiars...

Due to her personality, she can't always give 100%.

However, when she can unleash her full power, she will likely be the strongest among the familiars.

Perhaps, she possesses such high potential that she might be the only one capable of defeating Kanata from the hero era.

Kokone is the "most undesirable opponent."

[Isn't Kokone-chan too strong...?]

[Is this really her true strength...?]

[Hey, no way...]

[I thought the monster invasion had stopped...]

[This is just ridiculous!]

[Even the Demon King can't really cut it...!]

Kokone has shown them a hellish scene until now.

Since she was under Kanata, it was just a joke, but now that it's like this, it's a different story.

The terror of becoming an enemy is beyond measure.

On top of that, Galdur himself is here.

"Fuhahaha! Are you just going to stand there dazed?"

Galdur gathered his strength with a "Koooh."

The direction my hand points to is Dungeon Street.

"Experience despair as it is─"

"Disruption."

"...!"

However, that attack was cut in half.

It was Kanata who prevented it.

Kanata quietly informs those around him.

"Luzeria, Elvi, Mika. Can you take care of Galdur?"

"""...!"""

The three familiars also nodded in agreement.

Rather, the familiars also understood.

Right now, Kanata won't stop, no matter what they say.

So much so, Kanata was filled with anger.

"I'll stop Kokone."

And then, Kanata turns to face Kokone.

"Kuon Kanata, I will eliminate you."

"...I see. You were exploited because of your anxiety."

However, the anger is directed solely at Galdur.

He faced Kokone, who was pointing a spear of ice at him, with nothing but seriousness.

"I'm sorry, it was my fault."

With the promise of the past in his heart.

"I will never leave you alone again."

Chapter 26: The Opponent He Least Want to Face