Silence.

The White Wolves, which had been rampaging moments ago, disappeared in an instant.

Even Yuya.

Even Ray.

With his mouth slightly agape, he looked back and forth between me and the corpse of the White Wolf.

“Well… um, you see,”

Unable to withstand the heavy silence, I muttered softly.

“I might have gone a little overboard. Ahaha…”

“‘A little’ isn’t the right word!!”

Everyone chimed in at once.

No, really.

I never expected that a single technique would be enough to annihilate an entire horde.

I mean, think about it.

There were over a hundred of them, you know?

And they were wiped out in an instant… The guy who did that must be crazy.

“Haa… Seriously, what kind of person are you…”

Blinking in disbelief, Yuya, the B-rank adventurer, questioned me.

“Yesterday’s battle was shocking enough, but… what exactly did you do this time?”

“Well… I just swung my sword…”

“You swung your sword, and the entire horde of White Wolves vanished?”

“Yes… that’s what happened.”

“I see. Yeah. This just confirms how abnormal you are!”

I had the feeling I was being misunderstood, but really, all I did was swing my sword.

If I tried explaining further, I’d probably just dig my own grave, so I kept quiet.

“Ufufu♪ As expected of Arios!”

Only Ray clasped her hands together in delight.

“Hah!? Arios, you say!?”

That was when a sharp, menacing voice rang out.

Turning around, I saw a rugged-looking adventurer. Judging by his demeanor, he was quite confident in his abilities.

“I remember now! You’re Arios Macba, aren’t you!?”

“…That’s right.”

Sensing something unpleasant, I answered truthfully.

“Oh-hoh. So, you’re that Arios, huh?”

The man pursed his lips, deliberately provoking me.

“I heard Lord Leon was lamenting back in the royal capital. Said it’s been a real struggle having such a disgraceful son. You’re just a worthless nobody, so stop being a nuisance to the Silver Sword Saint.”

“…………”

“You’re only doing all this to restore your tarnished name, aren’t you? Too bad for you—I’m not so easily fooled. You just cheated, didn’t you?”

“Cheated…?”

Certainly, 《Cheat Code Manipulation》 is overwhelmingly powerful.

However, it’s still a legitimate skill.

“That’s enough, Eujess.”

Yuya stepped forward to defend me.

“His strength may be an enigma, but he saved us. We should be grateful, not chastise him.”

“Hah! You’re chickening out even though you’re also B-rank?”

The adventurer, now identified as Eujess, clicked his tongue in irritation.

“I’m not chickening out, but…”

“Anyway, the one who defeated the White Wolves wasn’t Arios—it was me. That’s how it is, right?”

What the hell?

So, after all that talk, he just wants to take the credit?

Fine.

If that’s what he wants, he can have it…

Or so I thought.

“Hm—?”

I widened my eyes in surprise.

Something was off.

This presence… could it be…?

Turning around quickly, I saw another pack of White Wolves behind us.

Fewer than before, but still around twenty.

“What’s going on…?”

This is strange.

There was no sign of them earlier.

If anything, it’s as if they just appeared out of nowhere—but is that even possible?

The Black Grizzly, the Giant Orc… Something is definitely wrong.

Wait.

Could it be that something… is lurking?

From the distant undergrowth, I could sense something watching us.

As soon as I locked eyes on it, the presence vanished. It ran away.

“Huh? What the hell, there were still some left?”

Noticing them much later than I did, Eujess finally spotted the White Wolves.

“Hah, just as I thought—Arios is useless! I’ll crush them myself!!”

“Yes… please handle this. Let’s go, Ray!”

“Eh? O-Okay!!”

I don’t know who or what that figure in the shadows was, but—there’s no way I’m letting it escape.

I’ll leave this to Eujess and the others. As for us…!!

“Oi! That coward Arios ran away! What a weakling!!”

Eujess’s triumphant voice echoed across the battlefield.