Vol-05 Ch 5 – The Power of Evil

Part 1

"───Now, let's start training seriously today."

"Woof."

"Fugo."

About a week after Yuti started school, I decided to intensify my training, as the situation had finally started settling down. The reason for this was that with the fight with Yuti, I realized I was not strong enough. I knew that if I kept things as they were, I wouldn't be able to feel safe in the other world.

It's not that I'm interested in having great power, but I've been caught up in the battle between the "Holy and the "Evil," and gotten involved with Yuti's case…

"Sigh… I wish I could be in peace in the other world, but… not everything goes the way I wanted."

"Woof."

"Buhi, buhi."

Night and Akatsuki put their paws on each of my legs as if to comfort me in my depression. They are adorable.

Just as their appearance began to soothe me, I suddenly realized.

"Huh? Speaking of which, where is Ouma-san?"

To be honest, another reason I decided to train this time was because of the appearance of a super-powerful entity in my vicinity, Ouma-san.

Although Master Usagi is also powerful, he would come over and teach us about kicking, then take a magic lesson from me and go away again. For this reason, I'm very thankful to have a super-strong presence who is always present…

"Answer. Ouma-san, he's sleeping."

"Eh?"

When I turned around, I saw Yuti standing there.

"What's wrong? Earlier I heard that you're going to study…"

That's right, although Yuti was able to perform well in physical education classes at school, she couldn't keep up with the other classes. Now she not only prepares and reviews for the classes at home but also studies the contents from elementary school.

Luckily, the act of learning itself seems to be fun for her, and Yuti is constantly absorbing more and more knowledge.

I've always hated studying, but that's about the only thing that I could reflect on through my efforts… I do study properly now…

Although I had properly tried dieting and doing muscle training all my life, I never lost any weight nor gained any muscle until I leveled up.

To my question, Yuti told me with a straight face.

"Training. I'm going to be Yuuya's partner."

"Eh?"

"Discomfort. Since yesterday, I've been feeling strangely unwell. That's why I move around."

"So you want to take a break from studying?!"

How did she jump to the conclusion to move her body?

"Negative. I feel restless when I'm not moving. My chest is all buzzing…"

"Even though you say it's buzzing, it's just…"

"I had been a disciple of the "Bow Saint" before Yuuya learned about it. Seniority. That's why I'm going to take care of Yuuya, too."

"H-huh…? I appreciate that, and it's good if you want to move around and maintain your body condition during your break… By the way, is Ouma-san really sleeping?"

"Affirmative. After lunch, he said he felt sleepy and went to sleep."

"He really does as he pleases…"

Ever since Ouma-san arrived at my house, he has been lazing around at home, eating and sleeping all the time. Although, he has always praised all the food I cook for him as being delicious.

If it were up to me, I'd take him outside the house, but that would cause a big commotion, so I had no choice but to ask him to endure.

This is why it's difficult for me to complain about Ouma-san slothenly life of eating and sleeping. To begin with, he is a strong legendary dragon, so there is no need to train him.

"Well, if that's the reason, then it can't be helped… So is Yuti going to help us?"

"Affirmative. There are the reasons I mentioned earlier. But I want to practice, too. Even now, the buzzing in my chest is getting stronger and stronger…"

"Eh? What does it mean───."

At the moment I was about to say that.

"Ugh!"

"Yu-Yuti!"

Suddenly, Yuti was in pain and collapsed in place. When I held her in my arms, her eyes opened widely. And her eyes were──completely bright red.

"Wha!?"

""It took a long time, but I recovered and finally got out.""

I hear two overlapping voices coming from Yuti's mouth. Night steps in between Yuti and me to separate me away from her.

"Grrrrrr…"

"N-Night?"

"Fugo, fugofugo."

Then, not only Night but also Akatsuki showed signs of alertness, so I turned my gaze once again to Yuti.

Then Yuti stood up unsteadily and looked at me with her red eyes.

""Hey, hey, don't stare at me like that. I'm your precious friend, aren't I?""

"What are you talking about…? Who the hell are you to begin with? You're not Yuti!"

The body and appearance were completely that of Yuti, but the Night and Akatsuki's reaction made me realize that the person inside was entirely different.

In response to my question, Someone in Yuti's appearance grinned and said…

""Is this vessel really that important to you? Then… I'll give it back to you…!""

"!?"

In the next moment, a black haze erupted forcefully from Yuti's body, and it gradually took shape. The black haze that escaped from Yuti's body took a form which looked exactly like Yuti's – becoming a "Black" Yuti, so to speak, in contrast to the characteristically white Yuti.

"Eh, Yuti!"

""Nay? I'm "Evil." Well, I'm just a piece of it…""

Whereas Yuti had characteristic white hair and white eyes, the black haze that escaped from Yuti's body was similar to Yuti in shape, but the hair was black, and the eyes were red.

When the black haze──the Evil──had escaped from Yuti's body, Yuti suddenly lost her strength and collapsed on the spot.

"Yuti!"

"Oops, it makes me sad that you are ignoring me."

With a grin, the "Evil" in Yuti's appearance produced a bow from its body and shot an arrow at me.

"Ugh!"

"Woof!"

"I-I'm fine."

That blow was comparable to Yuti, the disciple of the "Bow Saint," and if I had continued to stand there in a daze, I would have been killed.

However, the "Evil" looked down at its own hand bitterly.

"Tsk… It's already made me so exhausted with just one attack. I've got to find the next host as soon as possible."

"A new host?"

My guess is that this black haze is the "Evil" power in Yuti's body. As for why it came out of Yuti's body, I suppose…

"Why are you coming out of Yuti's body now?"

"Oh? Of course, that's because she's no longer useful, you know?"

"No longer useful?"

"Yeah. She was pure and full of dreadful negative emotions. You guys have ruined it, you know. That's why I waited to recover my powers and came to seek out a new host like this."

The "Evil" laughed and stared at Yuti, then produced an arrow in its hand and aimed it at Yuti.

"Well… let's get rid of the unnecessary stuff quickly!"

"Huh! I won't let you!"

I instantly equipped my [Bloody War Demon Series] with the effect of [Bracelet of Replacement] in an instant. While at it, I also took out my [Omni-Sword] and immediately activated my [Magic Attire]. I was able to instantly move between Yuti and the "Evil."

Then, after catching the blow from the "Evil," I cut at it immediately.

That attack was easily avoided. But Akatsuki was waiting for it and activated his [Sanctuary] skill.

"Buhi!"

"Ha! You succeeded when I was still inside that immature host, but it's not strong enough to deal with me, a pure piece of "Evil," pig!"

"Buhi!?"

"Woof!"

What's more, as Akatsuki was shocked that [Sanctuary] didn't work, the "Evil" shot an arrow at Akatsuki. As such an attack is unavoidable for Akatsuki, I hurriedly tried to rush over to him, but Night, who was waiting nearby, instantly took Akatsuki in his mouth and left the spot.

"Woof."

"Fugo. Buhii…"

"Woof woof."

Akatsuki, who was now somehow safe, thanked Night, But he was depressed that his [Sanctuary] didn't work. Thus Night comforted him.

I was also surprised to find that Akatsuki's [Sanctuary] failed… But, from the word of the "Evil," it seems to be related to the host or something.

If the immature host it described was Yuti… I think Akatsuki's power could keep it in check when it's inside a host, similar to the time when it was in Yuti. If so, the "Evil" in front of me now couldn't be suppressed unless it is inside someone's body?

As I was thinking about this and that, and the "Evil" glared at Yuti again.

"Tsk… I thought about destroying this useless vessel as soon as possible, but it would be a waste of my energy to do so. Then I guess I should get out of here quickly."

"What? Do you think I'll let you go?"

"Hey, hey, are you trying to beat me?"

"That's…"

To be honest… I mean, it's pretty tough.

I have already used the [Magic Attire] technique a while ago, so there is no other way to catch it off guard. Besides, if it's true that it has stayed in Yuti's body, it should have some idea of my moves…

I couldn't answer its question, and as it had implied, this was the only answer. Its smile deepened.

"Hmph. Then, I will quickly get out of here and seek out a more suitable host."

"Wait!"

At this rate, the power of the "Evil" is really going to escape. There will be more people like Yuti who will be corrupted and run amok…

That has to be stopped at all costs…!

As soon as I thought of this, I naturally replied.

"Then use me!"

"Woof!"

"Buhi!?"

"…Hoo?"

At my suggestion, the "Evil" gave a wicked smile that lived up to its name.

"Sure, I was watching from inside Yuti, but you're that rabbit's apprentice, aren't you? You looked pretty strong and───. The stronger the host, the better. Well, whether you can fit in or not is another matter…"

As the "Evil" stared at me to observe me, Night and Akatsuki seemed agitated at my suggestion, but I did not say that without a plan.

If a host is greatly affected by this "Evil" power while it is in the host, I thought that by putting it in my body, it could be suppressed by Akatsuki's [Sanctuary]. But my plan seemed to be noticed by the "Evil" as well, and the "Evil" deepened its smile.

"By putting me in your body, you're planning to suppress my power with you… But, you know, even Yuti couldn't hold me down. Nevertheless…"

As soon as it said that, the "Evil" eye was blazingly bright and the dark haze came into my body at once.

"You will regret how naive your idea was…!"

"Guh!"

"Woof!"

"Fugo!"

Night and Akatsuki tried to prevent the "Evil" from entering my body, but the process was over in an instant. Then, a somehow unpleasant force swirled around inside my body, as if trying to invade my body from the inside──.

＊＊＊

"What a stupid guy. How dumb of him to give himself up!"

The "Evil" power that jumped into Yuuya's body made a vicious smile inside Yuuya.

"The idea of containing me inside his own body wasn't a bad one, but how could he think that… I don't have any countermeasures after all this time?"

Not only was the "Evil" power restored while inside Yuti's body, it also took measures to avoid repeating the same mistake the next time.

"Well, there is a limit as to what I can do… if his very soul is dyed black… he might die."

As the "Evil" power said, if Yuuya's soul itself had become pitch black due to the influence of the "Evil" power, then purifying it with Akatsuki's [Sanctuary] would end up erasing Yuuya's heart itself.

"Now, let's dye this guy's soul black right away…"

While licking its own lips, the power of the "Evil" reached out to Yuuya's soul.

But…

"Ah? …W-what's this?"

The power of the "Evil" couldn't help but shout.

Because──.

"W-what the hell is this… I've never seen a soul like this… it's all white! There is not a single black stain! What am I supposed to do with this?"

It's also unexpected for the "Evil." There was not a single black stain in Yuuya's soul that could be used as a catalyst to influence it.

"No way… I can't do anything with this…!"

In order for the "Evil" power to corrode the heart of the other party, the soul of the host needs to contain dark factors. In order to turn the soul dark, negative emotions are required in order to instigate corruption. But Yuuya, who is gentle in nature, has no negative emotions. So to speak, he has no factors for the "Evil" to manipulate.

Therefore, the "Evil" can't touch Yuuya's soul devoid of any dark elements.

"This can't be happening… I have to get out of here quickly…!"

The "Evil" power desperately tried to escape from Yuuya, but the surroundings were as blank as Yuuya's soul, and it found itself trapped without a way out.

"Oh, hey, are you fucking serious?"

The "Evil" was dumbfounded and realized that its power was nearing the limits.

"I can't do anything about this… Haha, how can there be such a person…"

The "Evil" was unable to do anything inside of Yuuya and gave up powerlessly.

Part 2

"…Huh?"

"Woof…?"

"Fugo…?"

The "Evil" entered my body and the dangerous presence swirled within my body, but it subsided in an instant. And the next thing I knew, nothing happened.

I had Akatsuki remain on standby with [Sanctuary] in case something went wrong…

"Maybe… I don't need it…?"

"That's right! I can't believe there are people like you in this world! God damn it…!"

"Eh!?"

Suddenly, I heard the Evil's voice from earlier, and I hurriedly looked around, but I could not find it. Then suddenly, I felt as if the inside of my body was being struck.

"W-what is actually happening?"

"That's because I'm here!"

"Eh, inside of me!?"

"That's right."

Ah, that's right. I'm the one who let it into my body.

"Uhm… I'm kind of scared. Would you mind if I ask Akatsuki to use his skills to purify you?"

"I don't want that. Why should I choose to disappear voluntarily?"

Well, no one wants to disappear, do they? I don't know if I can call it a person though.

While I ponder about that, the Evil shouted in a shifty manner.

"Keh… I thought I would take over your body from your soul, but I couldn't do anything with a soul that didn't harbor any negative emotions. I'd rather be inside that woman lying there…"

"Ah, right… Yuti!"

The Evil's words reminded me of Yuti's condition, so I rushed over to her. After a short groan, she quietly opened her eyes.

"Mmm… where is this…?"

"It's in my house garden. Are you okay?"

"…Affirmative. My body aches a little. But I feel better than before."

Yuti inspected her body as she struggled to stand up on her feet. Then, when I explained to her about the events with the Evil that had just occurred, she said…

"Understood. The black mist, a piece of the power of Evil. I wanted to take revenge on the Evil, and the Evil sensed it. So it came out of my body."

"I-I see…"

"Question. Is that power inside you now?"

"Well, yeah."

When I answered, Yuti's eyes widened, and then her expression immediately clouded.

"Worried. Are you okay…?"

She looked up at me with a somewhat anxious look.

I wish I could reassure her, but…

"To be honest, I don't know. There's nothing unusual at the moment. Although that Evil talked to me from inside my body, it seemed to have failed in taking over my body. I mean, is it really possible for an Evil to talk to you when it is inside your body?"

"Affirmative. I heard that voice all the time, too. I kept hearing that voice telling me I should take revenge on humans, that I should hate them, etc…"

"Whoaa…"

It must be sickening to hear those voices all the time.

"Result. I couldn't ignore the voices. And I couldn't suppress my revenge."

"Well… if it's being this loud, I guess I can't ignore it either."

"What do you mean by too loud?"

That's what I mean.

However, it seemed that Yuti could not hear the words of the Evil, and she spoke with a serious expression.

"Prediction. It has been inside of me for a long time. Perhaps that's why it took on my shape. It is now inside Yuuya. It will call out to you."

"I see…"

The Evil's power has been inside Yuti for a long time, so maybe Yuti's form was the easiest for it to create. Even so, while that form was a complete replica of Yuti with minor changes in hair and eye color… it could be made to look much more human.

When I thought of such a trivial thing, Ouma-san came out to the garden while yawning.

"Fuwaahh… somehow, there's something strange going on here, Yuuya."

"Ouma-san."

Ouma-san started calling me by my name since he started loitering at my house. In the beginning, he called me "kid," "you," and quite a few other names, so I'm kind of moved by the change…

"I used to smell the Evil from Yuti before… but now I smell it from Yuuya. What the hell did you do?" asked Ouma-san while sniffing me.

"That's…"

Although I told Ouma-san about what just happened, he didn't seem very interested and gave a big yawn.

"Fuwaahh… Good grief, those Evil bastards only do unnecessary things. What do you think, should we just go and destroy them?"

"Oy, could it be that… that guy is the legendary dragon…!?" said the Evil with a surprised voice.

"Huh? What about it?"

Then, I noticed that the Evil who was so noisy inside me before had been very quiet in front of Ouma-san. So I involuntarily called out to the Evil inside me, and it replied with an impatient tone.

"Y-you! It is not fair to call on the legendary dragon! Or rather, the legendary dragon really exists!?"

"Not fair, you said? …Well, I can only say that it does exist. As I don't know what the Evil is planning, it can't be that big of a deal when Ouma-san is by my side, right?"

"Ouma? No one thinks that the legendary dragon actually exists!?"

That's not surprising. We thought so too at first.

While I'm talking with the Evil, Ouma-san turned his back and went back into the house.

"I'm just kidding. I'm not going to go through all that trouble. I don't give a damn about human circumstances."

"What do you mean you don't care?"

"But if you try to mess with this house, I'll… think about it."

"Ouma-san…"

I hadn't expected him to say that, so I was unexpectedly touched as Ouma-san left quickly, looking embarrassed. Then, just before entering the house, Ouma-san seemed to remember something. He turned around and called out to me.

"Yuuya."

"Yes?"

"Don't let that Evil take over your soul."

"Eh?"

"If you're captured by it… You'll die."

"Eehh?"

I-I will die? No, I know it's a dangerous power, but…!

While I was surprised, Ouma-san snorted.

"…Well, if you know how to use it, you can get stronger. At the very least, you should make an effort to use it to your advantage."

After saying that, this time, Ouma-san entered the house.

"I can use it, you said… eh, how can the Evil power be used to my advantage?"

"Hah! Who would want to be used by you…!"

"Excuse me! Ouma-san, this Evil is…"

"Yes, yes, I understand! Of course, it'll be up to you, but it seems like some people can master it."

Oh wow. To my surprise, the Evil power seems to be something I can use at will. Even so, it's convenient in the sense that I can make it cooperate in a straightforward manner just by mentioning Ouma-san's name.

"You're a demon… or rather, you're a fraud… How can your soul be so white with that attitude?"

I don't know about that either.

Putting aside the curses that the Evil is spitting out, I asked Yuti.

"Ouma-san said that I can learn to use the power from the Evil… Do you know how?"

"Unknown. I know how to activate it. But I can't use it. It's out of control."

"Then can you tell me how to activate it? I feel like it's better to know in case of an emergency…"

When the original owner of this Evil power, the so-called main body, attacked us, I could do nothing with my current power alone. Therefore, it's important to know about this power to prepare for this threat in the future. And if the Evil power inside me goes out of control, I might be able to restrain it with my own power.

These days, in addition to the usual muscle training and practice with Master Usagi, I've been doing many things, like the [Magic Attire]. Now I'll even be adding another training to master the Evil power…

To be honest, I don't know how much time I have left today. But considering the events that occured, I was indeed tired.

Yuti was supposed to accompany me in my training, but I'm worried that having lost the Evil power might affect her in some way, so I think we should just rest for the day.

Just as we were about to enter the house following Ouma-san, something suddenly fell from the sky into my garden.

My garden had some kind of barrier put up by Sage-san, so whatever fell was supposed to be harmless to us, but…

We were startled by the sudden intrusion, but when the dust cloud cleared, a familiar face appeared.

"Master Usagi!"

(It's been a while.)

It was Master Usagi, who we hadn't seen for a long time. Master Usagi tried to approach us, but sensing that something was off, he distanced himself from me.

"Eh, Master Usagi?"

(…Answer me. Why is there a presence of Evil coming from your body?)

I cringed from the tremendous killing intent from Master Usagi, but Master Usagi shifted his gaze to Yuti and gave her a suspicious look.

(Hmm…? Why is the presence of Evil drifting out from Yuuya, but the presence of Evil in Yuti has disappeared?)

"T-that's…"

I managed to endure the pressure from Master Usagi and explained what had happened.

Then…

(Hah… you are the most idiotic person in the history of humanity. How can you offer yourself…)

I had no words to reply.

When I thought about it, I could have done more. But the spur-of-the-moment decision to give myself up can be called a stupid move. But I didn't agree with being the most idiotic person in the history of humanity.

Master Usagi sighed as he erased the intimidation he had been directing towards me.

(You haven't even mastered a single power yet, and yet you keep trying out new things one after another.)

"You are absolutely right, sir."

(…Though what was unexpected was that the Evil power that entered you couldn't do anything to you. This can be considered good news. If you can master its power, it will undoubtedly help you. But don't let it steal your soul.)

"I-I'll be careful…"

I can't begin to imagine what kind of situation would let the Evil power take my soul, but I'll be careful. As I was reminded of how vicious and difficult it is to handle this power inside, I suddenly asked something that caught my attention.

"Speaking of which… did you come here for something?"

(Hmm? Ah… well, I had some business around here… so I wanted to drop by and check on you.)

"Business?"

(…There's no need for you to worry about it. Just work hard on your training.)

"Yes…"

I don't really understand, but if he says so, I shouldn't ask about it.

Well, as long as Master Usagi was aware of the situation, there's probably nothing wrong. As soon as I came to this conclusion, Master Usagi turned his back on me.

(Well, sorry for the interruption.)

And then he jumped up into the air, and just like before, he used the air as a foothold and flew away.

＊＊＊

(…..)

After leaving Yuuya's house, Usagi moved about in the sky above the Great Devil's Nest for several days. And as he moved through the air, he recalled a certain piece of information which was the reason for his visit this time.

(Fist Saint…)

The "Fist Saint," who also bore the name of "Holy," had fallen to the "Evil," and at this very moment, he was still continuing the "Holy Hunt" to kill the "Holy" one after another.

Usagi, who was the top of the kicking world as the "Kicking Saint", had always competed with the "Fist Saint" who was the top of the hand combat world. In order to stop this, Usagi was on his way to find the "Fist Saint."

And now, it seems that the" Fist Saint" has also been looking for Usagi and was informed that he was in this "Great Devil's Nest." That's why Usagi spent many days looking around the vast land of the Great Devil's Nest from the sky, searching for the "Fist Saint."

After moving around in the sky for a while, a tremendous killing intent struck Usagi suddenly.

(Ugh!)

In response to that killing intent, Usagi stopped abruptly by unleashing a powerful kick against the direction of movement to change directions in midair. And then he plunged at breakneck speed at the source of that killing intent.

And then──.

(──Gilbert.)

"──Yo, Usagi."

There stood the "Fist Saint"── Gilbert Fister, with a fearless smile on his face.