Chapter 18: Slap in the Face

"It looked awesome when viewed from a distance."

Following inside Sato Hikaru's [Super Magic Shield], they walked along the edge of the giant pit where the explosion magic hit.

Yunyun was a little bit startled when she saw the bottom of the crater bombed by Sato Hikaru was completely crystallized by the high temperature.

"This shocking feeling after getting closer…"

"Isn't it!"

When Megumin, who was being lifted in the air by Sato Hikaru's telekinesis, heard Yunyun surprised, she immediately raised her thumb and smiled: "Explosion magic is the best!"

"Ah…"

Sato Hikaru, who was walking in front, chuckled disdainfully when he heard her and pointed towards the right side where Megumin's magic exploded, the crater's diameter was only slightly more than 20 meters: "You can speak those words in front of others, but in front of me…"

Sato Hikaru did not say the rest of the words, merely pointed at the left side where the crater's radius was over 100 meters, which would turn into a lake once it started to rain.

"Guh!"

However, when faced with Sato Hikaru's ridicule, Megumin's face only stiffened for a while before immediately becoming excited again.

"But this also proves that explosion magic is the strongest! As long as I practice hard, one day I will also be able to use such powerful explosion magic!"

"Hehe…"

Seeing the excited Megumin, Sato Hikaru still did not speak the truth to her that she would not be able to reach that kind of power just through practice.

For Sato Hikaru to be able to reach this level was due to many external factors.

Other than the maxed out magic power and intelligence, the artifacts he took from Aqua, such as staffs, rings and even the mage robe he currently wore provided significant bonuses.

In addition to the cheats and innate skills, only then could the explosion magic reach this kind of level.

If the bonuses from equipment and skill were excluded, merely depending on his own magical power and attributes, at most he would be twice as strong as Megumin.

"Do your best."

In the end, Sato Hikaru only said these words to Megumin.

Of course, Sato Hikaru did not tell the truth to Megumin, not because he was afraid of hurting her.

It could even be said that to be able to attack this evil loli with only explosion magic in her mind, Sato Hikaru would be very glad to do so.

However, …

If he informed Megumin the truth, this person would definitely eye his artifacts.

Even if he declined, she would never let go and continue to pester him!

Just for a moment of attack, and a fleeting happiness.

The price was to be pestered by this loli, and be harassed from today onwards.

This deal was not profitable.

"Mr. Sato, look!"

Just when Sato Hikaru was thinking about taking an opportunity to release three consecutive hits to kill Megumin after she had lost her strength from releasing explosion magic.

Yunyun, who was constantly observing the surroundings carefully, suddenly pointed while shouting: "there was another holy magic being released over there!"

Sure enough, looking at the direction Yunyun pointed at, immediately there were three pillars of holy magic that shot diagonally towards the sky.

"How many times has this happened?"

"Counting from the beginning, this would be the seventh time."

"Seven times…what a fierce fight, what kind of monster did Aqua encounter?"

Seeing this scene, Sato Hikaru suddenly felt that releasing Aqua to run around by herself seemed, probably, should, maybe…not so appropriate.

If there was only one holy light that was previously seen by him in the distance.

Basically, monsters and undead below the level of [griffon] would be evaporated by that move.

But to be able to withstand Aqua's seventh attack and from the looks of it, might now be dealt with yet, what level of monster was it?

Upper-level demon?

Lich, the undead king?

The duke of hell?

General of the demon king's army?

"Additionally, if I remember correctly, in a nearby lake, there was a multi-headed water snake sleeping in it…"

Remembering the enemies that might appear in Axel in the future, Sato Hikaru could not help but complain in his heart.

"So, there really is something wrong with this world, why are there always final-boss-level enemies appearing near the novice village?"

"Although I have no idea what you are talking about, I think it is about time you came to your senses."

Megumin, who was by the side, gave a timely reminder: "The battle fluctuation can already be felt, we should be able to see the enemy after going over that slope."

"Don't worry."

Waving his hand carelessly, Sato Hikaru said confidently: "Unless we meet the demon king or evil god, there is basically no one who could break through my super magic shield."

While speaking, the three people had gone over the slope, before they could even properly see what was going on, a dazzling holy magic beam rushed towards them.

The moment the beam landed on Sato Hikaru's super magic shield, it immediately melted away like snow.

"This!"

Seeing this beam attack, Sato Hikaru's expression suddenly changed, raised his hand and showed a ring: "Holy absorption!"

A magic circle appeared in front of the ring.

The beam that had broken through the magic shield hit the magic circle and was absorbed by it, and eventually turned into energy by the ring which can readily be absorbed by Sato Hikaru.

However, although the attack was blocked, Sato Hikaru's face was still ugly, because…

"Ahem~ it seemed that someone just said that, his magic shield could not be broken unless he encounters the demon king or evil god~"

That's right!

Because this was truly a slap in the face!