I’m Telling You, I’m Not a Boss Monster!

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After realizing that the opponent was a Great Sage, Selina ceased her resistance.

He was undeniably the pinnacle of humanity.

She thought the only way to escape his grasp was through death.

To halt him, even the Lord of the Seven Lairs would need to intervene.

Naturally, the Death Knight, who reminded her of Lucas, came to mind, and soon enough, her imagination became reality.

“These women are my acquaintances. I’d love to kill you all, but I’ll show mercy. Run while you can.”

Thanks to his appearance like a savior, Selina managed to keep her life.

As expected of the boss of the Seven Lairs, he calmly retaliated against the Great Sage’s glares.

It wasn’t that he intended to confront the Great Sage idly; he had drawn his sword to save the witches.

Was it out of a momentary affection? Or perhaps for his subordinate, Charlotte?

If there was any other reason…

‘…that silhouette.’

The back view from ten years ago flickered in her mind like a hallucination.

A man saving witches against the Empire. Wasn’t that the same as the one she remembered?

Even the sword he wielded was the holy sword from her memory, glimmering just like she recalled.

Swish!

At that moment, a vial flew towards the Great Sage.

“I’ve seen countless monster corpses on my way here. It must surely be your doing. If I’m correct, drink this elixir.”

“…What are you up to?”

“There’s no more disgraceful victory than defeating an enemy who’s lost their strength. If you want to come at me, you better do it in top condition.”

“….”

“I’m curious if you’ll truly be my match.”

If that were poison, there was no way the Great Sage would willingly consume it.

The gaze of the Great Sage flickered as he looked at the vial.

It was a look that determined whether it was poison or some sort of trick.

Selina understood the famous Great Sage’s absolute vision.

The clear gaze of understanding determined if it was poison or a mere ploy.

Thus, if it were a scheme akin to poison, it would be nothing but a clever trick.

Pop!

Surprisingly, the Great Sage swallowed the elixir in one gulp.

In other words, it was not a shallow ploy but a genuine elixir.

‘Is that real?’

No matter how powerful the Lord of the Seven Lairs was, he was still facing the Great Sage.

In a situation where one should be on high alert, such recklessness was equivalent to courting death.

“O creature of the Lairs, you’ve made a regrettable choice.”

For the first time, Selina agreed with the Great Sage.

Recklessness is the shortcut to ruin. This logic applies even to the Lord of the Seven Lairs.

Whoosh─!

A colorful magic circle appeared from beneath the Great Sage’s feet.

The long-rumored 9-circle mixed spell, Cataclysm.

Selina’s complexion darkened with despair.

The moment Cataclysm was unleashed, everything would be obliterated, leaving not even ashes behind.

Did Barugore not recognize that, or was he simply unfazed?

“What a foolish expectation.”

“What?”

“It’s pathetic, really. I thought you might be my match.”

“Cough! Have you lost your mind? You’re about to die, and you’re acting tough—”

Whoosh─!

“…Huh?”

Selina involuntarily opened her mouth.

Just one syllable. Nothing more could come out.

Even that was enough to explain the situation.

Selina stared blankly at the spot where the Great Sage had stood.

She couldn’t believe it, even as she observed.

The Great Sage. The one standing at the pinnacle of humanity had burst like an insect.

At the very least, insects get squished when they’re stepped on.

But the Great Sage had been obliterated without any contact, just by Barugore’s gaze.

Until now, all his words and actions aligned tightly with his nonchalant attitude at the moment.

To him, the death of the Great Sage was an absolutely expected outcome.

Barugore sheathed his sword and surveyed the surroundings.

Being an undead, he originally had no expression, but there was an overwhelming weight in his blank face.

“This is why it’s pathetic.”

Huff.

It was only after she started gasping for breath that Selina inhaled deeply.

It was not recklessness.

Rather, it was the Great Sage who had paid the price for his audacity with death.

“Charlotte. Isabella.”

Only he could calmly assess the situation.

In the overwhelming atmosphere, there was a significant pause before any response came back.

“…Yes.”

“Yes, four!”

As soon as both finally regained their senses, Barugore gestured toward the lord’s corpse.

“Hold him down.”

There was no need to grab him forcefully.

He stood there, dazed, as if frozen in place.

After assigning the lord’s body to them, Barugore approached Selina, his holy sword in hand.

“Your wounds are severe.”

His gaze lingered on Selina’s neck and both ankles.

Blood flowed freely from those two wounds.

At that moment, the scarlet hue of the holy sword changed to pure white.

The instant he placed it against her wounds, they began to heal rapidly.

Selina only recognized this change once all her injuries were healed.

“Rest for a while.”

Barugore moved towards the injured children.

Selina stared at his back in a trance, then bit her lip.

Having only felt contempt for humans, she felt warmth from an undead.

No, she had felt such deep affection from humans too. And those two were the same person.

He had returned.

The one who turned the Empire into an enemy for the witches.

‘Ah, it was you, Lucas.’

It truly was you.

Just like ten years ago, you were here to show kindness and save us once again.

Selina’s face glowed with vivid joy.

While she felt overwhelmed, a corner of her heart began to flower with doubt.

Did he even recognize that he was Lucas?

Generally, undead forget their previous lives, but not all undead do.

High-tier undead like liches remember their past lives, so perhaps he knew who he was.

If so, wouldn’t he recognize that the young witch was Charlotte?

‘Is he hiding his identity knowingly, or does he really not know who he is…?’

Strictly speaking, the Death Knight wasn’t a supreme entity.

Thinking of it that way, he may truly not know, but she couldn’t be certain about either.

Selina gazed blankly at Charlotte.

This much was certain.

Charlotte did not know his identity, nor the tangled past connection.

“….”

Selina wished she would remain forever unaware of this truth.

If she learned it, she would undoubtedly crumble mentally.

Someday she would find out, but she couldn’t bear to speak it herself.

***

“Eek!”

The moment she got closer, the young witches were taken aback.

It was upsetting for her.

She came to heal them, yet they looked like they had seen a ghost.

‘These damn bony faces. I’ll have to fix them up later.’

After much trial and error, she healed all the children’s wounds and turned away.

The lord’s corpse still stared blankly at what used to be the Great Sage.

Without a body left behind after the explosion, it looked as if they were staring at the ground.

“Hold him down so he can’t move.”

I approached him while raising the holy sword.

He already had a gaze that had humbly accepted death.

Part of me wanted to let him go.

He wasn’t someone who tried to kill me, and I hesitated to take a life.

Taking a moment to think, the Empire had lost two heroes and the Great Sage now.

If the lord died here, it would be an irreparable situation.

However, letting him go might foster a desire for revenge, leading to great consequences later.

Also, what mattered to me most right now was leveling up.

Killing him would yield a significant amount of experience points.

I had to be cautious about worrying over my humanity, depending on the time and situation.

Feeling guilty, I had no choice but to end his life as painlessly as possible.

My well-being was more important than the chaos of the Empire.

‘I’m worried about Calandas, though.’

I trust Cecilia will manage somehow.

I let go of the holy sword from my hands to alleviate my guilt.

The sword that had been floating in the air laid flat and then suddenly dashed forward.

Swish!

With the sound of slicing, the lord’s head tumbled to the ground.

Thump. The body slumped down limply after losing its neck.

I silently paid my respects to him in my heart.

This too was selfishness to preserve my meager humanity.

My level had now changed to 74.

I had gained two levels from killing the lord, but I couldn’t celebrate too much.

“Thank you, boss.”

It was a voice from Charlotte that had approached without me realizing.

It seemed to be gratitude for saving her aunt and fellow witches.

Seeing her characteristic calm expression, my heart also calmed.

“Retrieve the body with Isabella.”

“Yes.”

The lord’s body could be made into a Dullahan, but the Great Sage’s loss would have significant ramifications.

Nonetheless, it was right to gather him as it could change depending on Charlotte’s achievement.

I turned my gaze to Selina and spoke.

“As you’ve seen, the Lairs are not entirely safe.”

“….”

“Come to the shrine for faith. I’ll ensure your safety.”

After this incident, Selina’s level became a deep green.

Though her level suggested she would naturally join, she seemed hesitantly unsure.

‘Perhaps she’s worried about the children.’

But really, there was no need for concern.

While she kept her distance, most were also of a light green level.

I had saved them and healed them; there’s no way they would dislike me.

They were simply keeping their distance due to appearances, but their feelings were favorable.

At that moment, Elin, who had been among the children, waddled over.

Finally getting close, Elin gazed up at me and hugged my leg.

“….”

Her little head was so cute that I unconsciously patted it.

Seeing this, the other children began to gather hesitantly.

“Umm… Mr. Skeleton. Can I touch your horn just a little bit?”

A little girl asked with shining eyes.

I leaned my upper body down and lowered my head so she could reach.

Pat pat.

“Wooow….”

In addition to that, there were requests for rides, to touch the sword, and to see a ‘broom’ (whatever that is).

My mind became hazy with their various demands.

Feeling pitiful about my own situation, unable to refuse their innocent wishes.

“What an impious sight…”

Charlotte gritted her teeth as she looked at the children climbing over my neck, shoulders, and head.

With just a glance, it seemed she would kill them all without a second thought.

I was so scared that I waved my hands dismissively, saying it was alright.

If they’re cute, I can let it slide.

As I gently placed the children back on the ground, Charlotte and Selina conversed.

Charlotte, perhaps having released her disguise magic, returned to her original form of magical pupils.

“Thanks to the boss’s grace, I’ve become a servant. Of course, serving you without a price would be an honor. However, the boss looks after us sincerely.”

“Support is great too! Everyone who comes here will enjoy my blood— I mean, it’ll be wonderful!”

While Charlotte was luring people into a cult, Isabella viewed the witches entirely as blood packs.

What a maddening sight.

“Ahaha… for now, just a moment. I need to consider the children’s thoughts.”

Selina requested the two and stepped back.

After finishing her conversations with each child, Selina smiled and walked toward me.

“Everyone said yes. May I ask for your favor?”

“Of course.”

That was all the conversation needed.

After collecting the bodies, Charlotte opened a portal.

It had taken a long time to arrive, but returning through the portal was swift.

Looking back, we had come by carriage as we had no medium for the portal.

“Um, may I ask if Lucas….”

Selina trailed off.

I wondered who she was talking to as she was looking at me.

Even when I urged her with my chin, she hesitated for some reason.

“Oh, never mind.”

In the end, she mumbled.

The act of starting to speak and cutting herself off is something that people dislike the most.

…Though I’m not a person.