The silver-haired woman standing before me was a complete stranger.
Within this mental space, she was an obviously alien presence.
I raised my staff, preparing to invoke my magic.
During my long journey through this place, I had already confirmed that I could cast spells without issue. The sensations were identical to those in the real world.
Though a fair distance separated us, she was well within my range. I could unleash a deluge of magic upon her in an instant.
As if sensing my intent, the silver-haired woman hugged her shoulders and trembled theatrically.
"Oh dear, please don't look at me with such a scary face. I think I'm going to cry."
"Answer the question. Who are you?"
I spoke without a trace of emotion.
The woman ceased her fearful act and gave a graceful bow.
"I don't have a name, per se... but for convenience, you may call me Gwen. I am what you refer to as a Beast of the Outside World. I’m currently visiting you in the form of a spiritual body."
Gwen—the silver-haired woman—introduced herself with nonchalant ease.
I had suspected as much, but this confirmed it: she was a Beast of the Outside World. She had used the eyes of the spies to infiltrate my mind and had been eroding my physical body ever since.
Wearing a repulsive smile, Gwen questioned me.
"Dwight Harvelt. I’ve been watching you from here. You've come to kill me, haven't you?"
"Not just you. I will eliminate every last Beast of the Outside World. That is my purpose."
The Beasts were appearing all across the lands. Their presence had triggered the world's defense mechanism. In other words, they were a threat directly linked to the destruction of this world.
The Beasts were the destroyers of peace. From my position, they were enemies that had to be eradicated.
Suddenly, Gwen began to skip about. She danced joyfully, her movements so light it was hard to believe she was treading on desert sand.
"The immortal Demon King, shouldering the burden of the Sole Absolute Evil... I’m truly impressed."
"......"
"You have the look of someone wondering how I know that. It’s only natural—I’ve seen your memories, after all. I have a thorough grasp of your entire life, Harvelt! I’m confident I could answer any question about you."
Gwen placed a hand over her heart. Her every gesture and expression was designed to provoke irritation. She was likely doing it on purpose, hoping to grate on my nerves and disturb my composure.
"My, oh my, what a disaster it was—to be executed after saving the world. A tragedy this textbook is quite a rarity, wouldn't you say? When I saw that memory, I almost burst into tears myself, truly."
"Why did you target me? What is your goal?"
I ignored her prattle and pressed her again.
Gwen slumped her shoulders in mock disappointment.
"My attempts to rattle you aren't working... Or rather, do you really think I’d just tell you that easily? I’m not that honest, you know."
Watching Gwen laugh loudly, I realized that further conversation was a waste of time. No matter what I said, she would only dodge the question. She had no intention of dealing with me sincerely.
I channeled magic power into my staff and manifested a blade of pure energy in my empty hand. Upon seeing this, Gwen’s smile deepened.
"Oh, so you still intend to fight? How barbaric. Truly fitting for a Demon King. But be warned—I'm surprisingly strong, you know?"
"It doesn't matter. I will simply do what must be done."
"Hehe."
Gwen let out a low chuckle. The corners of her mouth curled up so sharply they looked as if they might tear. She looked up at the sky and exhaled a long breath.
"Such firm determination. It’s wonderful. I really... WANT TO EAT YOU UP."
In an instant, Gwen’s voice distorted. Her silhouette blurred, losing its three-dimensionality until she looked like a flat shadow. Just as her edges began to fade, they sprouted into several tentacles.
Her humanoid form was now a mass of countless, writhing limbs. They squirmed and pulsated eerily. Not a shred of humanity remained in her. She was a manifestation of pure chaos, framed by malice.
Then, the tentacles vanished.
Returning to her human form in the blink of an eye, Gwen put a hand to her mouth and gave a wry smile.
"Oops, my apologies. My true nature slipped out. It’s so embarrassing to have a maiden’s secret exposed."
"......"
I stared at her, unresponsive. She looked like a normal human again, but her essence was that of a monster from beyond reason. She was hiding a visage perfectly suited to the name "Beast of the Outside World."
"Now then, let’s end the small talk and get to the point. It seems a fight is unavoidable."
Gwen clapped her hands and began to spin on the spot. Using grand gestures, she started to lay out the terms.
"If you defeat me, I’ll tell you everything you want to know. Consider it a special service. However, if you lose, Harvelt, I will take your body. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes. No problem."
I nodded as I invoked a spell. A chain extending from my fingertips wound itself around Gwen’s neck before sinking directly into her skin.
She stroked her neck, though the chain was no longer visible. I gave her a warning.
"It is Covenant Magic. I activated it using our verbal agreement as a catalyst. Violate the terms, and it will curse your very soul."
"Uwah, you really went and did it. You don't give an inch, do you? Now there's no turning back."
Gwen grumbled as if it were a minor inconvenience. A person with her personality would never keep a promise willingly. She was untrustworthy and would undoubtedly use any cowardly means at her disposal. That was why I had taken the initiative to force her compliance.
Judging by the sensation of the spell, Gwen was indeed bound by the covenant. If she tried to flee, the curse would strike her immediately. While she might possess the ability to dispel it, her reaction suggested that doing so would be difficult.
I had felt some slight anxiety, but it was now clear that magic worked on the Beasts of the Outside World. This was a significant discovery. My chances of victory were more than favorable.
We faced each other in the nocturnal desert. A dry wind blew between us.
Amidst the silence, Gwen spoke first.
"—Well then, let us kill each other to our hearts' content."
Gwen’s presence shifted. The killing intent that seeped from her was aimed directly at me.
Beaming with delight, she waved her fingers as if she were dancing.