"Phew…

"

I exhaled in front of the split rocks, still in my Super Transformation Sally-san form.

I was tired, but I'd managed to successfully learn the rock-splitting technique.

Sally-san straight up had the muscles to cut through rocks while ignoring the technique in her half-human form—that is, her normal form as a Living Armor… can I still say muscles even if she didn't actually have any?

Then on top of that she had the technique for it, too. That's Sally-san. Like I get she's one of the Four Heavenly Kings and all, but isn't she too strong? She could handle it from either a power or technical approach, let alone a combination of the two.

Still though, just relying on power wouldn't be enough for me to defeat Leona.

I deliberately tried to cut the rocks without using any skills in Sally-san's human form… Relying on the fact that she could do it in her humanized form, I'd repeated my attempts through trial and error to get it done. I had to keep fixing the iron sword as it broke, but I finally managed to figure it out.

And since I could just use Super Transformation again to recuperate, I could keep practicing without becoming fatigued.

"Good vibes you got going there.

"

"Leona? When'd you get here?

"

"Just now really.

"

She'd just come and go whenever she wanted despite it being my dungeon… She used Teleportation, obviously.

"Kehma-san, undo your Super Transformation and try cutting a rock in your own form.

"

"Huh? There's no way… wait, maybe I can?

"

"If you have enough strength, you should be able to. You've been cutting rocks in a humanized form, so you should know.

"

Although what Leona said was annoying, she was right.

So I gave cutting the rocks once more in my own form a shot—

—and, with a thud, succeeded in cutting through the rock.

"… Ohh.

"

I couldn't help but let out a strange sound. Deeefinitely didn't think I'd actually be able to do that without Golem Assist.

"See? You can do it if you put your head down to it, as expected of a hero.

"

"Right, I'm a hero too, huh.

"

I'd almost forgotten… but I was technically a hero.

With that being the case, it's only natural that I'd become stronger as I trained.

"If Kehma-san is a hero, does that make me the Demon King? Different from the Demon King faction, though.

"

"Aren't you an Evil God—Miss Chaos God?

"

"Oh my, that's true. Hehe.

"

For some reason, Leona smiled happily at that.

"A young hero girl and an Evil God in a romantic relationship—that's so chaotic, isn't it?

"

"I'm gonna punch you.

"

"You'll have to get stronger if you want to do that, then. Should you call Niku over now?

"

Heroes are supposed to work together with their companions to overcome powerful foes. But what about solo players like Wataru? Is he like the protagonist of Dragon Quest 1?

"What about you, Leona? Have you ever had any experiences where you cooperated with allies to defeat an enemy?

"

"Well, it's an old story. Before I merged with the Core Number 4, I was called a Saintess… and I changed the name of the Light God Decree's headquarters to Kuromaku and had some fun—

"

"Wait, wait, wait, that's way too much crucial information.

"

Don't just casually start talking about such dangerous information, c'mon!

"It's fine, Core Number 10's already long gone… Well, never mind that. Anyway, you can also support your allies in battle with Super Transformation.

"

"… Rokuko, please call Niku.

"

"Okay!

"

With that, Niku was both called for and had quickly arrived.

Niku looked displeased on seeing Leona. It was a very unusual reaction for the usually expressionless Niku.

"…

"

"Hello, Niku. You can attack however you like, okay?

"

"Very well.

"

Immediately drawing her Knife Golem, Niku slashed at Leona, who managed to stop the attack with one hand. Pinching the blade between her index and middle fingers, she twisted and threw Niku away.

Niku didn't hesitate at all just now. Well, not like she was an opponent who could be easily killed by a single slash.

"See, Kehma-san? You should help too.

"

"But I don't want to mess things up by joining in and doing something wrong.

"

"Hmm, that's true.

"

As Niku regained her footing, she attacked Leona again. Despite coming from behind, she did a half-sidestep and tripped Niku with her leg.

"Niku, you need to cooperate with your Goshujin-sama properly.

"

"Muu…

"

Niku glanced at me. Well, let's give it a try. I'll support her with magic.

"Here I go…!

"

"Fireball!

"

"Hmm, although Fireball is a decent choice here, I'd expect a lance-type spell to deal more damage. Also, I could tank these sort of attacks all day and not break a sweat at my level.

"

As if to prove her point, Leona dealt only with Niku's attack. The Fireball hit her and burned out with a puff, leaving no trace. Leona's hair wasn't even singed.

"… Fire Lance!

"

"To—-riyaah!

"

"Ah, hey now. That's dangerous~

"

Leona knocked away the Fire Spear I shot out. Niku had jumped in right where I'd aimed and was almost hit.

"Sorry, Goshujin-sama. I got in the way.

"

"No, it's my fault. I couldn't even attack her openning properly. Sorry, Niku.

"

"… What, no thanks for little old me? Well, it's fine. As long as you don't die, I'll heal any injuries with a complete recovery potion. Feel free to try whatever you want.

"

Saying that, Leona repeatedly used Super Alchemy to create potions out of thin air.

"Yeah, what the heck? What about the law of conservation of mass?

"

"It's obviously pretty late to bring it up, but it's that, you know? You know how The sky is air? I'm just transmuting the air into the potion bottle and its contents.

"

That's too absurd. It's like a cheat… Well, it was a hero's skill, so I guess it being a cheat was the point.

"Hey, Leona, can you heal yourself indefinitely or something?

"

"Well, these consume magical power to make, but I'm also wearing accessories that helps with my natural recovery, so you could say I can heal indefinitely.

"

It also appeared there were only some special conditions that she wouldn't be able to heal herself continuously.

"The ultimate point of this training is for you, Kehma-san, to become strong enough to defeat me or Haku-chan… Well, I wouldn't be using Super Alchemy, but still.

"

How the heck would I ever be able to beat her if he did use Super Alchemy?

… And what sort of special conditions would disable her automatic recovery?