Karl stared blankly at the antlers, like withered branches, right before his eyes.
He was utterly stunned.
He had never imagined that someone he had never met would risk their life to save him, especially now that he had become this monstrosity.
"W-why?"
Looking up at that gentle smile, Karl asked the question. Though he could no longer speak in actual words, even his "voice" trembled.
"Because this was never pain you should have had to bear."
The Upper Evil Spirit spoke and slashed backward with its hand.
Bzz!
Its palm was like a sword drawn from its sheath, vibrating the air as it cleanly severed the monstrous deer's "antlers."
The monstrous deer had tried to dodge, but it was simply not as fast as the Upper Evil Spirit.
Watching the Upper Evil Spirit pull its "antlers" out of its chest and casually toss them to the ground, the monstrous deer fell silent for a moment before its voice grew even more ominous.
"Chosen of 'Mist,' do you intend to stop me?"
The Upper Evil Spirit was not at all surprised that its opponent had identified it.
That ability resembling "withered branches" was clearly of the same origin as the creature it had encountered earlier. Nothing could convince the Upper Evil Spirit that the two were unrelated.
As for how its opponent had learned so quickly?
The technological side had fast means of communication, such as mobile phones.
The Mystery Side had even more convenient methods.
More precise ones, even.
For example...
A contract!
Its opponent carried an aura resembling that of a contract.
Clearly, these creatures had joined forces in the truest sense.
To deal with the Temple of the War God and the Calamity Lady!
These guesses flashed through the Upper Evil Spirit's mind in an instant, but