Huh? Why there? Did he look this way? No, that wasn’t it.

Something was happening. Climb stood up with an uneasy feeling.

“Hmph, it seems like the ant finally stood up. Stalled for enough time? Then let’s hear what you truly think. No, there is no need for words. Kneel or don’t, there is only one choice. Now Unglaus, make your decision.”

Brain snorted at Zero.

That was all.

“Then die!”

He put his left hand forward and pulled back his right hand to make a fist. He lowered his centre of gravity and stood steady. The way his muscles expanded, one would almost expect to hear the sound of ripping flesh. If one had to describe Zero right now with a simple description, he would be like a boulder, no, a mad bull. Brain also lowered his stance. It was similar to Zero, but also completely different. If Zero was like a rapid stream, then Brain was similar to calm and clear flowing water. If Zero was offense, Brain was defense.

“I told them not to kill the old man, but they are very lively. They might overdo it and kill him. That would put me in a difficult spot, because I’m supposed to kill that old man as an example for what happens to people who dare oppose us.”

Zero’s face crinkled with anger. It was as if his face was proof that rage could turn a person ugly.

“Unglaus, your death will be proof that I am the strongest. Your grave will serve as a reminder for anyone foolish enough to challenge the Six Arms! As for that whore’s slave, I’ll decorate his head and send it to her.”

Enough killing intent flooded the hallway to make Climb’s body shake. However, compared to what he felt from Sebas yesterday, it was nothing. Climb turned sharply and Zero showed the tiniest bit of concern at that.

“Is that it? Alright. Zero, I’ll take you on. Climb, take care of the one behind me!”

The only person who didn’t understand was Climb. The rogue threw a dart at Tsuare without hesitation, and the dart thrown by the former orichalcum ranked adventurer was sharp and fast.

Yet Tsuare was somehow able to dodge the dart almost effortlessly. From Sebas’ description, Tsuare was just a simple maid. Her movement just now was too agile for this to be a coincidence.

“Was I already seen through?”

The appearance was that of Tsuare, but the voice was that of “Devil of Illusions” Succulent.

“The reason why you didn’t say anything to someone who came to rescue you was because your voice would give it away, right? But if you try to stand behind someone, anybody would be suspicious. Even before that I was a bit hesitant, considering the possibility that she was either being mind-controlled or that someone was disguising as her.”

With that, Brain revealed Succulent’s trick while focusing on Zero.

“I also noticed something about the way you were running, but I couldn’t get any solid proof even until the very end... I have to admit you’re quite good. No wonder, even though I was injured, you were able to avoid my dart without saying anything.”

The rogue stopped talking and gave Succulent a grateful expression.

Zero tsked.

“Hmph... Succulent, it seems your little tricks were seen through. In that case the time for tricks is over. Now is the time where everything will be decided by strength! ... Succulent, take care of those two. You can do that much, right?”

“O, of course, boss.”

Tsuare’s figure melted away and Succulent appeared. He was still wearing a maid’s clothing. Succulent understood what Zero meant very well and stared at Climb.

“We meet again, kiddo.”

His voice was strangely tense, considering the fact that he had won against Climb yesterday. Eight Fingers was not a forgiving organization, and no further failures would be tolerated. Succulent’s back was against the wall and he could not afford to give any quarter.

“Was Eight Fingers capable of releasing someone imprisoned directly under the orders of the Royal Princess??”

Climb felt the extent of the Eight Fingers’ influence as he gripped his sword.

“...I can’t lose this time.”

Yesterday, Brain defeated him with a single strike but since both Zero and Succulent were present, it would be difficult for Brain to face against two of the Six Arms at once. Climb also couldn’t rely on Brain winning against Zero and focus only on stalling for time. He knew Succulent was better than he was. With some half-assed resolve, he would just lose again like yesterday.

This time he will win.

Climb resolved himself to not back away and stepped towards Succulent.

“Don’t worry, don’t worry~. I’ll help you out.”

The rogue spoke from behind him. The light tone was probably intended to prevent Climb from tensing up too much. He was thankful for the support, but the rogue had received a strike from Zero and still hadn’t fully recovered even after using a potion. He was also not sure how well the rogue would be able to support someone he had never fought side by side with before.

The rogue smiled as if he read what Climb was thinking.

“Don’t worry, I usually fill the support role. I’ll show you a way of fighting other than clashing with blades.”

“Thank you.”

The rogue had vast experience. Climb didn’t need to accommodate him, instead the rogue would support where Climb was lacking. Climb only needed to fight Succulent with all his strength. When he steeled his determination and turned around, Succulent was making clones like last time. There were several Succulents, and Climb couldn’t tell which was the real one. A bitter taste spread through his mouth. The moment the two of them slowly edged towards each other, an opened pouch flew from behind Climb towards Succulent.

“This is how rogues fight!”

The pouch exploded beneath Succulent’s feet and powder spread everywhere. Succulent covered his mouth to guard against poison, but this wasn’t poison, it was a magic item.

“It’s the ‘Powder of Will O’ Wisp’.”

The effect was immediate. Out of the five Succulents, only one had some milky, white light about him.

Succulent realized this and his eyes opened wide.

The ‘Powder of Will O’ Wisp’ was intended to be used against stealthy opponents like rogues or someone using invisibility magic. It only reacted to living beings.

Since ‘Multiple Vision’ copied the main body, even if one threw ink on it, it would be reflected immediately amongst the clones. Unless someone was really good at distinguishing, it was very hard to discern the true body. However, the effects from magic items were not reflected in the clones. If it was a high class spell, it would be able to deceive even magic items, but someone like Succulent, who trained to be an Illusionist and Fencer at the same time, couldn’t cast that kind of magic.