Chapter 22 – The Hidden Demon (2)

I spoke up.

「Excuse me. Mind if I ask something?」

Every eye turned toward me.

Buros narrowed his gaze and asked me.

「Hah? The hell you want, punk?」

「I’m just a traveler.」

「A traveler?」

「Yeah. So, let me ask—this village is under the rule of demons like you?」

I needed confirmation.

Buros grinned, baring his fangs.

「Damn right it is! These Hiko Village rats are livestock to us demons!」

At his words, Flemia and the villager uncle hung their heads.

Their faces screamed resignation—they wanted to argue but knew resistance was futile.

I continued.

「I see. One more question. Your kind’s stronghold… it’s Logos Fortress at the mountain’s base, correct?」

In the game, the crumbling Logos Fortress served as the Hidden Demon’s base.

Buros’ smirk faltered slightly.

「…The hell you askin’ about our base for, huh?」

「Isn’t it obvious?」

I paused for effect, then declared:

「I’m going to slaughter every last one of you demons.」

「……!?」

「Right now, I’ll storm Logos Fortress, tear it down, and massacre every demon inside. Not a single one escapes.」

Flemia and the villager uncle gaped in stunned silence.

Even Buros froze.

The air turned icy.

Then—

「Pfft—」

Buros burst out laughing.

「BAHAHAHAHAHA!! This traveler’s got jokes!! Kill us all!? A full massacre, he says!?」

「Yes. Every. Last. One.」

「GYAHAHAHAHA!! This guy’s a riot!! Never thought I’d meet such a suicidal dumbass!!」

Buros howled with laughter.

I shrugged and continued.

「What’s so funny? I’m killing you first, you know?」

「Hah?」

His laughter cut off.

After a dramatic exhale, Buros sneered.

「You… your magic power level is pathetic. You really think you can kill me?」

「Yeah. Won’t even take ten seconds if I try.」

「Tch… You’re too stupid to even grasp the gap between us. Quit actin’ tough!!」

With a roar, Buros lunged.

His fist, wreathed in magic power, shot toward me—a punch carrying enough force to instantly pulp a normal human.

But before Psychokinesis, all force is meaningless.

Buros’ fist connected with my stomach.

「……」

Yet, an instant before impact, I’d activated Psychokinesis.

His strike dissipated harmlessly.

Unaware his attack had been nullified, Buros gloated:

「How’s that, huh!? That’s my punch! Talk shit to a demon, get wrecked!」

I sighed.

「Weak.」

「…!?」

「Your punches are too feeble to even tickle my abs.」

I played it off as sheer physical endurance—a convenient cover for Psychokinesis.

Buros paled, cold sweat beading.

「No way… My punch… did nothing?」