Overlord (LN)

Could it be that someone had been hiding in the room all along, using the [Invisibility] spell to conceal themselves?

Shocked by his own conclusion, Climb hurriedly looked to the source of the sound. It had come from the two-meter crate from earlier, the one that he could not open. One side of it was pressed up against the wall, and the boards opposite it had opened up.

This exposed the interior. It did not contain anything except two men. There was a hole in the back of the crate, opening up to a tunnel where there should have been a solid wall. It would seem the secret passage was linked to the crate.

A man emerged from the crate just as Climb was stunned with shock.

Cold sweat poured down Climb’s back.

One of them looked just like the man Sebas had described. That man was called Succulent. He was the biggest obstacle to this takeover operation, and the biggest prize of them all.

He was a member of Six Arms, whose prowess was comparable to those of adamantite-ranked adventurers. In other words, he was an unbeatable foe for Climb.

Succulent eased a blade out of its sheath as he looked at Climb, then narrowed his eyes and said:

“We knew there were intruders from the [Alarm] spell, and even took the secret passage to avoid meeting them... I guess we ought to make another one, huh?”

“What point is there in saying that now?” the man behind him replied in a shrill voice.

“Huh? Haven’t I seen that boy somewhere before?”

“Don’t blame me for getting mad if you tell me you bedded him before, at a time like this.”

“You’re so mean, Succulent. As if I would. Ah, I remember. He’s the minion of that damn slut, the one I hate more than anyone else in the whole world.”

“Oh, so he’s the servant of that princess, then.”

Succulent looked Climb over from head to toe.

The man behind him had a revolting look of lust in his eyes, but Succulent seemed to be appraising Climb’s strength as a warrior, much like how a serpent was sizing up its next meal to be swallowed whole.

The man behind him licked his lips and asked:

“I’d like to take that boy with me. Can you do it?”

The hairs on Climb’s back stood on end, and his anus itched.

So he’s that kind of guy!

“That will cost extra.”

Succulent turned to face Climb, ignoring the latter’s internal screaming. His stance exposed no weaknesses, and he seemed like an even more formidable obstacle to Climb now.

Succulent suddenly stepped forward.

The oncoming wave of pressure forced Climb to take one step back.

When there was a massive disparity of strength between two opponents, their battle would not take long. However, Climb had to take on that arduous task.

If I remain on the defensive and focus on blocking attacks, I ought to be able to buy time until they return.

But before that, he had to do one thing.

Climb took a deep breath.

“SOMEONE HELP ME—!”

He shouted with all his might, as though he were trying to dump out all the air in his lungs.

There was no way he could win if he fought alone. Capturing these people and preventing their escape would count as a victory for him. Allowing someone as strong as this man — in other words, someone who might know a lot of important information — to escape would be a complete loss.

That being the case, why should he hesitate in crying for aid?

Indeed, Succulent’s expression turned vicious at that moment.

Now that Climb had done this, Succulent was in a race against the clock. In other words, he might end up pulling out all his trump cards early on.

Climb continued to observe him, not daring to relax.

“Cocco Doll-san. Capturing him might be a bit difficult. I have to finish him off before his friends arrive.”

“How could that be?! Aren’t you a member of Six Arms? Can’t you beat a measly little brat like this? Doesn’t that disgrace the name ‘Illusion Devil’?”

“Now you’ve put me in a spot. Alright, I’ll do my best. But please remember that our win condition is that you escape, no?”

Climb remained on his guard and eyed Succulent, trying to find the reason why he was called the Illusion Devil. If he had chosen that name himself, it would probably not be too dissimilar from his actual abilities. That being the case, he could probably discern said abilities by finding the reason for the name. Unfortunately, he could not tell anything from his foe’s appearance and his equipment.

Climb knew the odds were stacked against him, but gave a valorous shout to steel himself.

“I will hold this door! You will not pass so long as I still draw breath!”