Tilea's Worries

I selected evolution according to the keywords in my mind.

Cells rapidly reconstructed themselves.

Precisely, appropriately.

Not like the trial-and-error changes until now. Cells rearranged themselves, finding the optimal solution toward the destination point.

And then...

I transformed.

I am not myself.

No, I know this is the real me. Like a chrysalis changing into a butterfly. Until now, I was a larva. I clearly recognize that this form is my adult body.

Human Queen...

It's like the humanoid version of King Goblin, which is occasionally designated as a disaster. Even a weak goblin that could be defeated by a single adventurer can become a threat capable of destroying an entire division once it evolves into a King Goblin.

The emergence of a King Goblin triggers a nationwide extermination campaign.

Looking through history, there were times when King Orcs and King Ogres appeared, causing disasters great enough to destroy the dynasties of those eras.

The threat level increases as goblins, orcs, and ogres get closer to human form.

So what about humans? Just how threatening would a Human Queen be?

Nobody knows.

Because historically, such a species has never existed.

Anyway, I've just transformed.

First, let's check my bodily functions.

I stand up smoothly and try stretching and bending my joints.

Luxembourg looks a bit surprised at my sudden movement.

"Kyaha♪ Did you give up on pushing the switch? Yeah, it's painful, right?"

I return Luxembourg's mockery with a cold stare.

"What are you acting so smug about?" "..."

I don't answer her question. Checking my body functions comes first.

After confirming my joints, I clench my palms to test my strength.

Yes, my body is in excellent condition.

When I became a High Human, I thought I was perfect.

How little I knew of reality!

Looking back, High Human was just an incomplete halfway stage. A rough, fragile, weak existence.

Far from perfect.

Now, here I am. This existence is perfect.

It's not self-importance or conceit.

Even a single movement like standing up is different. This body possesses everything that humans left behind in their primal state.

What is movement? What is combat?

The optimal method for moving the body is ingrained in every single cell.

It's like the highest quality gemstone, compressed to the extreme.

I understand now.

I finish checking my body functions.

I lightly brush off the dirt on my uniform and retie my ponytail, which had come undone without me noticing.

"Tch, ignoring me? Well, whatever. The fun starts now anyway♪ By the way, you've recovered again. How much healing magic did you put into that staff? I think I'll completely destroy the staff first♪ It's annoying to have you recover so often."

Luxembourg goes to pick up the staff.

Of course, I won't let her destroy it.

It's perfect for practicing my physical abilities.

I put strength into my legs.

After optimal weight transfer, I immediately dash toward the staff.

With godlike speed, I outmaneuver Luxembourg and secure the staff first.

"What!? N-no way."

Luxembourg stares at me in shock as I stand there holding the staff.

She probably never thought she could be overtaken from behind by a mere human, even though she was off guard.

"H-hmm, even though I wasn't serious at all, you managed to outpace me. You were quite fast. Kyaha♪ Maybe the switch had some effect after all."

I have no interest in keeping up with Luxembourg's banter.

My physical check is complete.

Next is confirming my magical power.

I return a slight smile to Luxembourg and circulate magical power throughout my body.

It's elegant.

Countless spiral vortices rotate with order.

It draws magical curves that would be exemplary in the magical texts of the highest academy, no, curves that not even geniuses could imitate.

If experts among experts saw this, they would think that the magical curves they spent their lives perfecting were child's play.

"Huh? What's with you? Are you mocking me?" "..."

I silently respond to Luxembourg's intimidation.

Checking my magic circulation comes first.

But to her question about whether I'm mocking her, I'll raise the corner of my mouth to mean yes.

I show a grin.

A blue vein pops on Luxembourg's forehead.

She emanates an evil aura, spreading killing intent.

She's coming at me in anger.

I can tell from Luxembourg's muscle movements. I can sense the tension in her thigh muscles.

Meanwhile, I finish checking my magic circulation.

Yes, the magic circulation is fine too.

Battle preparations complete.

"Well, aren't you coming?"

I turn the back of my hand toward her and wiggle four fingers.

Provoking Luxembourg.

"Aha♪ Just when I thought you finally spoke... I see. For you, it's better to be beaten to a pulp than to watch others being killed. Of course, my main objective hasn't changed. I'll pile severed heads in front of you. But you know, I said I wouldn't torture you, but it's troublesome if you move around freely. So-I'll-break your limbs. I'll bend your arms and legs and stick them into the ground. Kyaha♪ You need to be immobilized as a powerless spectator."

Luxembourg charges toward me.

As always, with lightning speed.

She raises her right leg and launches a kick.

The kick approaches my face.

It's a quick kick.

Flexible yet powerful. A strike that could shatter even diamonds.

But there are too many wasted movements.

The trajectory is predictable.

With my insight that's close to future prediction...

I move.

I avoid Luxembourg's kick and counter with a punch.

I hit her square in the bridge of the nose.

Luxembourg groans, holding her nose.

Blood drips from it, drop by drop.

A nosebleed, as they call it.

"Y-you!"

Luxembourg howls. She glares at me with eyes full of hatred.

Not once but twice now, she's been injured by a mere human.

Her pride must be severely wounded.

"You really piss me off! I'm going to torture you after all. Breaking your limbs is too mild. I'll torment you until you're on the verge of death, then restrain you!" "I see, but..." "Huh? I'm saying I'll play along with your scheme. Just press the switch when I attack. What a waste of effort, good job. Ha! I'll suppress my hunger by listening to your miserable screams." "No, listen..." "Listen to what—guhah!"

I drove my fist into Luxembourg's face.

"Listen, why are you spacing out? There's no time for chatting. This is my fighting distance!"

I take a step.

I continue launching consecutive jabs aimed at Luxembourg's face.

"Gahoo! Bogya! Ugoe!"

Luxembourg screams every time she takes my left jab to the face.

"Y-you. Don't get cocky, damniiiiit!!"

Luxembourg raises a furious voice while bleeding from her nose.

Using her extraordinary physical abilities, she launches high-speed punches.

She delivers dozens, hundreds of consecutive blows in the blink of an eye.

Amazing.

The Six Demon Generals are truly formidable demons.

To deliver such fast attacks with such wasteful form...

While somewhat amazed, I was still able to see through her movements.

I narrowly dodge Luxembourg's attacks one after another.

As I continued to avoid her attacks, a change appeared in Luxembourg, who had been showing composure despite her angry shouts.

She glared at me with an expression of disbelief as I kept dodging her attacks.

"D-did you really evolve?" "Seems like it." "But research said evolution was impossible..." "Hmm, is that so? Well, it's demon research. It was probably full of mistakes and waste. Just like you." "What did you say?" "Don't you understand? Your attacks are fast, but too wasteful. With attacks that rely solely on physical ability like that, they wouldn't hit me even in ten thousand years." "Ha, ha... a mere human looking down on me... y-you're underestimating me!"

Luxembourg gets angry.

She frantically delivers high-speed punches. Persistent, fierce attacks that don't give a moment to breathe.

I admire that enthusiasm.

Unfortunately for her, all those attacks were cutting through empty air.

"Haa, haa, haa, damn it! Why can't I hit you?" "I've been hit plenty by you. Your habits and movements are in my head. Besides..." "Gobah!" "Did you know? The fastest punch is a jab."

I deliver more than ten punches to Luxembourg's face.

Luxembourg's nasal bone is broken, and her face is covered in blood.

Even though it must be painful to breathe, her fighting spirit hasn't diminished. Her eyes still gleam with dark murderous intent.

Just like a wounded beast.

"Hmm, you're quite tough." "Huh? Bleh!"

Luxembourg glares hatefully and spits blood-mixed saliva on the ground.

"Don't underestimate me. Don't get cocky just because you evolved a bit. I haven't lived thousands of years for nothing. I'll show you the difference in our class!"

Luxembourg roars.

At that signal, Luxembourg's magical power keeps rising.

Ten thousand, fifteen thousand, sixteen thousand...

The air trembles. The ground shakes.

This is the true power of a Demon General...

It's clearly different from before. She was definitely holding back earlier.

"Kyaha, how about that? Surprised? I wasn't just sitting around until now. Like Kamira-chan and the others. I was training and suppressing my magical power. You know, that thing called magic control? Fufu, since ancient times, my maximum amount has greatly improved." "...About twenty thousand, I guess." "Correct answer. You seem to have luckily evolved, but you're still just a human. You seem to be excited about reaching the same realm, but you're completely mistaken. You're naive!" "About twice my magical power, huh." "Yeah, that's right. Despair and die!"

Luxembourg charges with a ferocious smile.

Then, she launches a high-speed fist.

The air creaks.

It's a blow so powerful that everything before now feels like a gentle breeze.

If it hits, it would likely destroy a mountain over a thousand meters tall without a trace.

But that's all it is.

Learning enhancement.

One of the characteristics of a High Human is collecting an opponent's habits and attack patterns to predict attacks with high accuracy.

As a Human Queen, I can predict attacks with even higher accuracy. It's called the Emperor's Eye, almost like future prediction.

With that near-future sight, I trace the trajectory of the attack.

There is no error in the calculation.

If the enemy's magical power has increased, I just need to adjust accordingly.

In sync with Luxembourg's attack, I delivered a cross-counter to her stomach.

"Gafuuu!"

Luxembourg writhes in agony, clutching her stomach.

I also delivered a right hook to Luxembourg's lowered jaw.

"U-uguh, w-why... I-I should be s-superior." "It's just about twice as much. Humanity has exterminated monsters and harmful beasts even with greater disparities. With wisdom, ingenuity, and courage." "Ah, aguh, n-no way..." "Well, you probably can't speak properly. I've rattled your head quite a bit."

Luxembourg showed me an expression mixing shock and fear while staggering unsteadily.

She was counterattacked using full power.

The shock must have been immeasurable.

"Haa, haa, haa, what are you?" "Just a human. You know that too." "K-kuh. Y-you're not just a human..." "More importantly, your spirit is dropping. Are you scared? Afraid of retaliation?" "What!? Y-you, don't underestimate—" "Relax. I don't have a hobby of torturing enemies like you, nor do I have time for such trivial things. I'm kind. So, I'll remove the parasites from my beloved one. I'll take care of that after I kill you."

Luxembourg looked puzzled for a moment, then her face quickly flushed red.

"Uooooooo, you bitchhhh! Calling the Demon Lord a parasite! I'll never forgive youuuu! I'll kill you with everything I have!"

Luxembourg screamed as if to shatter eardrums. She contracted her pupils and bared her fangs. Her eyes were bloodshot, giving off a sense of madness.

The change didn't stop there.

Her magical power increased further. The muscles covering her entire body bulged, nearly bursting through her clothes.

She's becoming more beast-like.

Her height is about twelve shaku. Like the legendary monster Gotsutotsukotsu. This abnormal transformation. She's probably sacrificing her life to increase her power.

Luxembourg let out a loud roar to the heavens, then got down on all fours and took a forward-leaning posture.

Four-legged walking?

For beasts, that's their natural style.

A wild beast in its natural state with no openings. Supporting that theory, once Luxembourg went on all fours, almost all the wasteful forms were improved.

From her beast-like stance, Luxembourg leaps high into the air at once.

Fast.

She's reaching her top speed now.

"Gauruaaaa! Die! Ultimate technique, Super Magical Hand Strike!"

Luxembourg launched ultra-high-speed magic bullets from above.

Like a meteor.

A massive power cluster comes attacking like a shooting star.

I see. As befitting an ultimate technique, it would be quite bad if it hit.

But if I dodge it... does it have a homing function?

It would probably chase me wherever I go.

I can't avoid it. I can't let it hit me either.

Then, the decision is clear.

I'll counter an ultimate technique with an ultimate technique.

One of the Evil God's 777 techniques.

The Locust Kick.

I gather fighting spirit in my right leg and charge forward. I leap to meet Luxembourg's ultimate technique.

"Locust Kick!"

While doing a somersault in mid-air, I use the centrifugal force to extend my right leg forward and launch a kick.

Its power is incomparable to when I was a High Human.

It would destroy armor made of diamond, no, even orichalcum, like paper craft.

The collision between my Locust Kick and the Super Magical Hand Strike.

The winner is... me.

My kick blows away Luxembourg's ultimate technique.

And it violently strikes Luxembourg's solar plexus.

"Gehooo!"

Luxembourg coughs up bloody vomit and rolls her eyes up.

For several seconds...

But the situation quickly turns dark.

Just when I thought she had fainted, Luxembourg suddenly opens her eyes wide and firmly grabs my right leg, which had kicked her, with both hands.

"I-it hurts! Haa, haa, b-but, I caught you. Haa, haa, serves you right. I stopped your ultimate technique. Now, what should I do with you?" "What are you misunderstanding? The ultimate technique starts now." "W-what!?"

I forcibly pull out my trapped leg and deliver another kick.

"Ataaa!" "Gohah!"

I tore through Luxembourg's right side.

"Ataaa! Ataaa!" "Goboh! Geheh!"

I tore through Luxembourg's torso and left side.

"Ataaa! Ataaa! Atatata!" "Goboh! Geheh! Gahah!"

I tore through Luxembourg's lungs, heart, and solar plexus.

"A~Atatatatatatatatata! Fowachaa!" "Guhahgohoggahoggaboreroegaaaa!"

I tear through Luxembourg's vital points.

I destroyed all of them in a cross pattern. A combo attack from Locust Kick to Northern Star Kick.

This is the Evil God style's strongest ultimate technique.

Luxembourg's body is torn to shreds in a cross pattern, scattering blood.

"Gahah! Haa, haa, aguh, t-to think that I, by a mere human. Haa, haa, this d-damage... am I g-going to die?" "Yes. I pierced your vital points in the shape of the Southern Cross. You will die soon." "N-no way..."

Luxembourg's face clouded with fear and despair.

At that moment, Luxembourg's body convulsed violently. Blood gushed from her entire body, and she fell to the ground.

Ah, that reminds me...

The continuation of my earlier question.

What happens when a human evolves into a Human Queen...?

What will happen?

It's a species that doesn't exist in history. It's not in documents or oral traditions. We can only know through the history we're about to create.

But I can say this much.

A Human Queen might be an amazing existence capable of defeating one of the Six Demon Generals.