Clearing an Isekai with the Zero-Believers Goddess

At the very start, Isaka came at me head-on as I swung my greatsword.

And at an unbelievable speed.

…This is beyond what I imagined. You’ve gotten pretty strong, haven’t you?

“Raa!”

“Haa!”

The greatsword I intended to sweep sideways with and finish Isaka in a single blow ended up clashing against the longsword in his hands.

The screech of metal against metal, a moment of balance…and yet…

I twisted the blade, not missing the opening. Isaka, who had put his full strength into the clash, faltered for just an instant.

I stepped in closer, closing the distance to a range where swords couldn’t be swung at all.

I drove a body blow into him without hesitation. My fist sank in, an impact that seemed to ignore his thin abs and nearly reach his organs.

“Guhhh!!”

“You’ve got some skill after all, brat!” (Shizuma)

Isaka’s body was blown back, but he twisted midair and landed firmly.

…Strong. He’s undeniably strong. His stats have grown enough that he can exchange blows with me on equal footing. What the hell did you do? You’re on a completely different level from Kazunuma.

“I see… So he’s Shilent. Incredible. You’re still overwhelming him even after strengthening him.”

“I’m not being overwhelmed. I just haven’t gotten used to this power yet. I’ll be the one to defeat Shilent here.” (Isaka)

“Yes, I’m counting on you.”

No mistake about it. That gentlemanly-looking man must have strengthened him somehow, probably the same way he was involved with Muraki’s monsterization.

Which means… “The mastermind himself is witnessing Shilent’s strength right now.”

…The conditions are set.

“Come on, next round already! You’re not beating me!” (Isaka)

“Keep talking!” (Shizuma)

We clashed again.

Our speed in stepping in was equal. A greatsword backed by momentum against a longsword with a clear difference in weight and quality.

Isaka’s sword was apparently quite the masterpiece as well… It wasn’t nicked or chipped despite clashing with mine.

“Tch.”

“You’re starting to lose composure.” (Isaka)

This time, my greatsword was knocked aside.

I pulled it back to guard against Isaka’s follow-up, but my defense was just a moment too slow.

I released the greatsword mid-swing and caught Isaka’s sword barehanded.

“Gh…”

“This is…my power!” (Isaka)

My palm split open, blood dripping down.

Even so, I ignored the pain, grabbed hold of the blade, and swung, flinging Isaka’s entire body aside.

“Don’t get cocky, brat!” (Shizuma)

I charged toward the thrown Isaka, who had crashed into the ruined throne, picking up the greatsword I had discarded along the way.

…I’ll end this exchange here. I activated a skill.

I slammed my elbow forward into Isaka instead of swinging my greatsword.

I blocked his countering sword strike with my elbow. Using the recoil, the momentum of the charge, the inertia…the greatsword followed a beat later, cleaving toward him.

[Return Break] was a counter technique. Both sides took damage from the first strike, but immediately after, the damage received was reflected back as a second blow.

The drawback…temporary loss of defense and becoming more easily blown away.

In other words, I take more damage and lose knockback resistance.

But if it hits, it’s devastating. It’s among the strongest single hits out of all skills.

The problem was…it had limited use…in PvP, it basically never lands.

Which means…

“Too naive!” (Isaka)

“Gaaaahh!!”

The second hit failed.

Isaka avoided the oversized follow-up swing.

He didn’t miss the opening I showed, and in the exact moment when I was at my weakest, he landed a lethal blow…just as expected.

“Guh…”

Isaka’s sword pierced deep into my abdomen.

A rush welled up, passed my throat, and spilled from my mouth.

“…Damn it…” (Shizuma)

I staggered past the ruined throne struck with what looked like a fatal wound.

“Not bad at all…” (Shizuma)

“You’re not getting away!” (Isaka)

The chase pressed on. Isaka’s follow-up pierced me again as I tried to escape through a collapsed wall.

…Strength drained from my entire body. I fell along with the broken wall of the castle.

This battle, Isaka…it’s your win.

And at the same time…it’s my strategy that wins, Isaka.

What’s wrong, even with everything set up, you couldn’t kill me?

Keeping up this act isn’t easy, you know. What, not even my [Survival Instinct] triggered.

Rubble from the collapsed castle rained down as I hit the ground.

And I slipped out through the gaps in the debris…

“…I’m trusting on you, Still.” (Shizuma)

From the menu, I chose “Change Character” and transformed into Still…

—————-

“I did it… I defeated Shilent!” (Isaka)

“O-Ohh! Isaka! Isaka! You actually defeated that monstrous man!”

“You’re amazing, Isaka-kun!” (Inami)

In the ruined throne room, Isaka, the king, and Inami raised their voices in joy.

The once overwhelming Shilent, who had monopolized their expectations with his impossible stats, had been defeated by Isaka, who until recently was just a student.

Their joy, their astonishment, was so great that even Isaka himself could hardly believe it.

And Fus Fan fell into deep thought at the fact that his “work” had defeated even an otherworld hero.

(Defeated… Maybe it was the effect of that man slaughtering all the soldiers in the capital. Even with such a sudden surge of power…to be this strong already…) (Fan)

Doubt, joy, and a tinge of regret.

Regret that Shilent, who surely had the superior base, had died.

But for now, he decided to be satisfied with these results…with this experiment’s outcome.

“Isaka-kun. You’ve proven your strength. You can already stand on the battlefield. Go forth, trample them, and gather even more power. There’s already…no one who can stop you…” (Fan)

That was when it happened. A knock sounded on the door that had been broken and no longer served its function.

All eyes turned toward it. Standing there was a man who seemed utterly out of place… He looked like a priest.

“My, this is splendid! A truly marvelous talent! Who would’ve thought, who could’ve imagined, that someone would actually defeat that madman!!! …As expected of an otherworld hero!”

With a gentle smile that didn’t match the mad glee in his tone, the man, Still, appeared in the throne room.

“Who are you!”

“My apologies, Golda King. You see, I was pursuing that man as well. I expected he’d enter this country to stack military exploits… You’re not the only one who desires that, you know?” (Still)

Still cast a meaningful glance at Fus.

“But well well, this other summoned hero… If this is all, I don’t really want him. What does interest me is ‘how you managed to make him this usable.’” (Still)

Still’s gaze swept the area as if seeing something hidden.

It was the power of [Divine Guidance], a skill similar to Shire’s [Appraisal Eye].

“I see…so he’s a vessel. He’s already filling up quite nicely…” (Still)

“And you are…who?” (Fus)

“Broadly speaking, perhaps a comrade? I am one who also has the resolve to die for my faith, that much only.” (Still)

Fus and Still locked eyes.

Suspicion and caution against curiosity and joy.

Opposite gazes clashed, raising the tension.

“However…first, a gift is in order.” (Still)

Still calmly approached Isaka, who had been keeping his weapon raised in vigilance.

As if it were nothing more than idle chatter.

“Stay back!” (Isaka)

“Oh, don’t worry… This won’t hurt.” (Still)

Still reached out gently.

His hand touched the very source of Isaka’s power, the center of his chest.

“Isaka-kun! Run!” (Fus)

Fus shouted sharply…but it was already far too late…

—————-

The frail young body collapsed against me.

“Ahh, he’s already dead.” (Still)

A burning lump pulsed in my hand. A precious jewel, brimming with blood and life gathered from the battlefield.

I dug my fingers into the lifeless body, “mining” the gem from his flesh.

With a quick flick of my hand, I cleaned the jewel and stored it in my item box.

Now it would never be stolen back. Depending on how it was used, this power could “do anything.”

“Consider it payback. He killed the man I was after. So I had to ruin and take your achievement to make it even.” (Still)

“You bastard… Hand that back!”

The gentlemanly man raised his voice in anger.

A faint black aura clung to his body…some kind of divine blessing or magic.

The same kind as mine? Similar to my power? I’ll have to test this.

He lunged with a hand-shaped strike, and I countered barehanded as well.

A perceptive man would stop after one exchange.

It seemed this man was indeed perceptive.

“! W-What did you do…”

“Ah, you touched me, so I ‘killed your hand.’” (Still)

The main reason My Lord calls me one of the “Three Strongest.”

It’s due to my skill. [Weak Must Perish]…it means exactly what it says.

Those weaker than me, those not special, have a chance to be killed instantly.

What counts as special in this world, I don’t know. But…at least you all are not special.

Otherworld hero? That title isn’t “special” to me.

That’s why it was so easy…just a touch, and that young man’s heart was dead.

“We’re retreating. Inami-san, come here.”

“Y-Yes!” (Inami)

“You mustn’t.” (Still)

As Inami ran toward Fus to withdraw, I reached out and touched her back. Thɪs chapter is updated by N0v3l.Fiɾe.net

But…whether from luck or because she was “special in a way”…instant death didn’t activate.

Well…she’ll probably wish she had died, eventually.

[Weak Must Perish]

Adds instant death effect to attacks. Activation chance depends on the strength difference between self and target.

Up to 70% chance to activate. If not, target is inflicted with severe poison. Instant death does not trigger on bosses.

Targets with status ailment resistance instead receive permanent DoT damage (very minor).

A skill that exudes the will to absolutely kill. A violent ability that doesn’t suit me at all.

But My Lord will be pleased. He prefers torment over mere killing, after all.

“This country is finished. King Golda, thank you for your hospitality.”

“W-What are you saying, Fus! Take me with you as well!”

“No, you’re unnecessary.”

“Oh! So your name is Fus-san! Fus-san, let’s meet again, shall we? I’m very curious about your faith! About your purpose in bringing this country to ruin! I think we could be good friends! Every time you look at that crippled hand, remember me! Next time, where shall I touch? Your face? Your chest? Or perhaps… some other place you’d like?!” (Still)

I carefully observed the gentleman’s still robust body.

Clearly, he had lived a good life, fortified in both body and spirit by his faith.

“…Madman. Tell me your name.” (Fus)

“Oh, you’re interested in me! I am a devout believer of faith itself. I deny no creed, but believe in belief itself. My name is Still.” (Still)

“That name…know that I will never forget it.” (Fus)

“Nor will I forget you, Fus-san. Do calm yourself though. Your tone is growing rough.” (Still)

“Tch! I’ll kill you. I swear it.” (Fus)

…In that instant, Fus and Inami vanished in black flames.

Teleportation? Or some sort of concealment skill?

Even my [Divine Guidance] couldn’t track them.

So…they left this world temporarily? How intriguing.

[Divine Guidance]

Reveals field gimmicks and renders self immune to traps.

Can identify the leader within enemy groups. Against single enemies, can add weak points as extra attack targets.

Up to three weak points can be revealed per enemy.

So there truly are other worlds. My Lord’s theory was correct.

Perhaps…this is closer to our true relationship with him.

“…Well then. I should collect my souvenirs.” (Still)

I turned to the panicked king, who had nowhere left to run.

“S-Stay away! I’ll give you money, gold! The treasury!”

“Oh? And where is that? Show me.” (Still)

The king, in truth, was unnecessary. A worthless fool bound by greed, with no faith.

But…it seemed he was needed.

In the treasury he led me to, I “killed” both his legs.

“Gyaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!”

“You won’t be running anywhere now. The others must be hiding in the castle, yes? Don’t worry…I’ll bring them all here.” (Still)

And while I’m at it, I’ll take the contents of this treasury too.

My item box has plenty of room.

…Such splendid spoils. My Lord will be delighted.

To this king, even valuable magic formulas and research notes were no different from treasure.

I gathered vast amounts of gold, scrolls, and documents, and set off to search the castle.

…It won’t matter where you hide. After all, everything is as guided by God.

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