The reincarnated mid-boss welcomes the protagonist with a level of 999 ~ It seems the hero is mistaken about having a max level of 99 ~

Episode 20: Ultimate Evolution

~~ Zaus’ Perspective ~~

There’s only one year left until the hero arrives.
Including me, my subordinates have become incredibly strong.
Arjena is a human like the hero, but she’s cooperative. She understands the situation well.

“Hey, Zaus. How do you know the hero will attack in a year?”

It’s hesitant to answer that question.
I can’t say I’m a reincarnated person and that this world is a game world.
For them, this world is reality.
Let’s just make up something.

“There’s a prophecy. The accuracy of that prophecy is high. According to the prophecy, I’m supposed to be defeated by the hero.”

“What?! That’s bad!”

She turns pale.
What, didn’t she know?

“Well, according to the prophecy, my level was 66. Now it’s 230. And I have the strongest weapon, the Demon Sword. The situation of the prophecy is changing.”

“There’s no monster stronger than Zaus in the castle. He’s the strongest around here. If he’s gotten that much stronger, it’s reassuring.”

“…”

The problem is that the hero’s situation is changing too.
I’m trying to prevent strong weapons from reaching the hero, Cea.
However, his base strength is increasing through intense training.
If the enemy gets stronger, there’s no problem if I get even stronger.
But there is a concern.
That’s the protagonist’s privilege given only to the hero.
The hero has protagonist’s privilege, special actions set aside for other characters.
That’s the Brave Critical, which occurs with a low probability.
When this occurs, the power is more than double that of a normal attack.
The multiplier ranges randomly from 2 to 5 times.
It rarely occurs, but if a 5 times critical happens, it will be a considerable firepower.
My father, Demon Duke Gozack, was defeated by this Brave Critical.
So, never underestimate the hero.
Even with a slight level difference, this Brave Critical puts me at a significant disadvantage.

“You look worried.”

“…No, it’s not like that.”

“Sorry. My level is 120. It’s not the skill to train Zaus, who is level 230, anymore.”

“Arjena has done enough. That’s right. It’s a bit early, but shall I let you go back to the village?”

“Eh?”

“The contract was for five years. There’s one year left. Thanks to you, I’ve become stronger. The bonus is substantial. You can rest slowly.”

“N-No way. Zaus is in trouble. I can’t just go back!”

I’m in trouble?

“What do you mean?”

“T-There’s no deep meaning to it! D-Don’t misunderstand! I can’t ignore a friend in trouble! A-And if you were defeated, who would rule Zaus Town! That town can’t exist without you!”

“That would be taken care of by other royal or noble families.”

“They can’t do that! Other rulers aren’t as kind as you!”

“No… I don’t have any intention of being kind.”

“You’re hopeless… You’re really kind. …Well, I like that about you…”

“Huh?”

“N-No, it’s nothing! Idiot!”

I was scolded for something.

“A-Anyway, Zaus Town needs you! Don’t lose to the hero no matter what!”

“Yeah. I’ll handle it.”

“I’ll help as much as I can too. Let’s do our best together.”

“I appreciate it. Thanks.”

“I-It’s not for your sake! It’s for Zaus Town!”

“I see.”

“T-That’s right! Don’t misunderstand! Hmph!”

I feel at ease when I’m with her.

“By the way. I noticed something while educating monsters. Recently, something’s a bit strange.”

“What is it?”

“Gobtaro and Hapie-chan, for example. They seem to be faintly glowing. There are other monsters shining too.”

“Oh.”

I called Gobtaro.

“Do you need anything, Gob?”

“Hmm. Gob’s level hasn’t increased. Gob wants to become stronger for Zaus-sama. It’s tough, Gob.”

I see.
About level 150.
It’s growing quite a bit.
Then there was an unfamiliar display on the screen.

[Ultimate Evolution] Released by the authority of the ruler.

What’s this display?
It’s flashing, appealing. Should I press it?

“Do you want to perform Ultimate Evolution? Yes/No”

Huh?
Could it be…?

I select “Yes.”

In an instant,
Gobtaro emits light.
“Gob?! What’s happening, Gob!?”

Engulfed in intense light,
soon, a goblin about 160 centimeters tall appears.
“Huh? What happened to me, Gob!?”

That voice was Gobtaro’s.
“Did you grow?”

Checking the status, the species had changed to “Ultimate Ultimate Goblin.”
This is an enemy that appears in the level 100 infinite dungeon of endgame content.
The level is–
“It’s 250!? It’s suddenly inflated by 100!”

“Whoa! Have I become stronger, Gob!?”

It seems so.
Normal goblins might have a cap at level 150.
Since monster settings were something even players of Breque didn’t know.

I never thought that Ultimate Ultimate was an evolution from a normal goblin. This will surely send shockwaves among fans.
But this is good.

“Arjena. There were others glowing too, right?”

“Yes. There were a few.”

“Bring them all here.”

“Got it. We’re going to evolve the monsters that are glowing!”

Good flow.
I proceed to perform Ultimate Evolution on the gathered subordinate monsters one by one.
In front of me are level 250 monsters.

“Indeed.”

It’s magnificent.
With only one year left until the hero’s arrival,
monsters with levels higher than mine have been born.
It’s just right. There were no opponents strong enough to spar with in the castle.

“Gobtaro. Let’s train.”

“Eh?”

“Attack me with all you’ve got.”

“B-But my level has surpassed Zaus-sama’s. If I go all out, you’ll get hurt.”

“If you hold back, you won’t grow. Injuries can be healed with recovery magic. Come at me.”

“U-Understood. If it’s your command, I’ll go all out.”

Gobtaro swings his club.
Boom!!
Fast!
I can’t even see it.
There’s no room to use defensive magic.
Truly, level 250.

“Ah, it hit, Gobuuuu!! Direct hit on the face, Gobuuuuu!!”

As soon as he shouts, the club stops just a few centimeters from my face.
Thud!!

“What!? W-What happened, Gob!?”

“…I don’t know either.”

Gobtaro hits me with his club multiple times.
Bang! Bang! Bang!!
…But it doesn’t hurt at all.
“Being repelled by an invisible wall, Gob. Attacks don’t hit, Gob.”

…Ah, I see.
“It’s the authority of the ruler. Since Gobtaro has a slave contract with me, that authority is activated, so the attacks don’t hit.”

“Oh, it’s true, Gob. The ‘slave mark’ on the back of my right hand is glowing, Gob.”

“With this, Gobtaro can attack with peace of mind.”

“Yeeeah! As expected of Zaus-sama, Gob!! The strongest Gob!!”

“All right. Now that we know that, come at me with all you’ve got!”

“We’ll do it, Gob!!”

That’s right.
“Hapie. Orczou. Riza, come along too! Everyone, attack me! It’s the start of our training!”

A tremendously loud sound echoes through the Demon Duke’s castle.
The vibration was enough to make the surface of the tea carried by Meel tremble. It was a sound as if predicting the end of the world, so large.
One year left.
I’ll become as strong as I can.

—

Next time: Cea goes to buy a Magic Steel Sword.