The monster had resistances, yes, but the scythe also had an armor-piercing effect. With a single, brutal slash, Kumoko tore a massive gash in the creature's side.
And from within the wound, peeking out from the monster's innards, was the head of Pontiff Gyazo.
He never would have imagined it. The invincible Abyssal Monster, before an even greater monster, had turned out to be so utterly pathetic, unable to withstand even a single blow.
"Lightbringers, kill her!" Gyazo shrieked, desperately calling for the two robots to aid him, to hold back Kumoko's relentless assault.
But the robots didn't move. Their optical sensors were recording everything, transmitting the footage back to Potimas in the Village of the Elves.
And from Potimas's perspective, this failed Pontiff no longer had any use.
So, with a simple command, Potimas recalled his machines. They were technology that humanity did not possess; he had no intention of letting the Word of God's Pontiff get his hands on them.
The two robots received the signal from headquarters and were instantly teleported away.
"No!" Betrayed and abandoned, Gyazo screamed in agony.
Kumoko's great scythe descended, slicing through his head and ending his life.
"Phew—" Kumoko leaned on her scythe, feeling an immense sense of satisfaction. Being watched by the Evil God D was creepy, but this new scythe… it was really nice to use.
Just as Kumoko finished off the heretic Pontiff, Elliot, along with Kanna and the others, arrived.
Kumoko couldn't help but grin. "Elliot, you're late."
Seeing the Pontiff dead, Elliot finally let out a breath of relief. He had been genuinely worried.
But thankfully, Kumoko was strong enough to handle the situation without being outsmarted. It was a happy ending for everyone.
But before they could celebrate, an old man slowly began to walk towards them.
In an instant, the smile vanished from Elliot's face. His eyes turned cold, his posture tensing. An icy chill seemed to descend upon the clearing.
Kumoko, using her Appraisal, saw that this old human's stats weren't particularly high. But Elliot was wary of him.
Why? Anyone who could put Elliot on guard had to be more than they appeared. She trusted Elliot unconditionally, so she too entered a combat stance.
"There's no need to be alarmed," the old man said, his voice calm and unbothered as he approached. He acted as if he were among old friends.
To remain so composed in the presence of so many beings far stronger than himself… this old man was no simple character.
Kumoko had never seen him before, but he seemed too kind, too benevolent. He didn't look like a good person at all.
This old man was, of course, the Pontiff of the Word of God, Dustin.
Their "cooperation" earlier had been a matter of convenience, a temporary alliance against a common foe. But Elliot didn't believe for a second that the Pontiff was here now with good intentions.
Not a single one of them was fully human. Kumoko was half-spider, Elliot and Kanna were dragons, Mera and Sophia were vampires.
Only Emilia was half-human.
The old saying, "those not of our race must have a different heart," echoed in his mind. Most creatures fought for survival. Humans… their conflicts were always far more complicated.
And it was humans who posed the greatest threat to them all.
Even though several people present could have killed the Pontiff in an instant, Dustin remained completely unfazed.
"Come with me," he said, his voice warm and inviting. "I know a small shop in a nearby town. The food there is truly excellent."
Kumoko, Mera, and the others all turned to look at Elliot. In their small, strange family, he had become their unspoken leader.
"Let's go," Elliot nodded.
For the moment, the old man didn't seem hostile. If he refused this invitation outright, it might close the door on any future cooperation.
Their journey was long; they would have to cross through countless human kingdoms and towns. If they ran into trouble, having the Pontiff on their side could be a useful safety net.
Besides, Elliot knew Dustin's ultimate goal was the eternal survival of humanity. As long as they didn't show any direct malice towards humans, he was unlikely to attack them. Making enemies of several mythical-level beings for no reason wasn't Dustin's style.
"This way, please." Dustin's gaze lingered for a brief, almost imperceptible moment on Sophia, cradled in Mera's arms, before he turned and led them towards the human settlement.
The path was strangely empty. It was as if Dustin had sent someone ahead to clear the way; they didn't encounter a single other person.
Elliot expanded his senses, scanning the area for any signs of an ambush, but found nothing. He relaxed slightly.
Kumoko did the same. With the power of her [Ruler of Wisdom], she could perceive all targets within a ten-kilometer radius. She called this ability her "Clairvoyance."
The Pontiff led them to a dark, narrow alley. At its end was a hidden restaurant. If he hadn't brought them here, they never would have noticed it.
"The owner of this shop is a very good friend of mine," the Pontiff said, a nostalgic tone in his voice.
"This place existed long before I became Pontiff. I believe it's his great-grandson running it now. How time flies." He pushed open the small door.
The shop's owner was an incredibly old man, looking to be well into his nineties, his back bent with age.
"Your Holiness," the old man said, his voice a dry rasp, bowing respectfully.
He recognized the Pontiff but showed no particular surprise. His gaze swept over Elliot's group. When he saw Kumoko's half-human, half-spider form, he didn't even blink.
He had likely seen the Pontiff bring even stranger guests here over the years. Nothing surprised him anymore.
The old man shuffled off to prepare their food, and the Pontiff led them to a secluded table. Besides them and the owner, the restaurant was empty.
Kumoko stared at the strange old man, finding it all hard to believe.
On the way here, Elliot had filled her in: this unassuming old man was the Pontiff of the Word of God. He looked like an ordinary grandfather, dressed in simple clothes, thin and frail.
What surprised Kumoko even more was that he had come to meet them completely alone, without a single guard.
Is this old man not afraid we'll just kill him right here and now?
Just then, the Pontiff spoke, his eyes twinkling. "You must be the one they call the 'Nightmare of the Labyrinth,' Miss Spider."
….
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