The reincarnated mid-boss welcomes the protagonist with a level of 999 ~ It seems the hero is mistaken about having a max level of 99 ~

Episode 79: Zaus and the Sai Ninja

* Time rewinds a bit, to right after Kakgaridan lost consciousness.

~~Sai Ninja’s Perspective~~

I am Sai Ninja Saizou.

I am the leader of the Sai Warrior Legion, led by Kakgaridan, consisting of 2400 Sai warriors.

Sai warriors are warriors of the Sai tribe, a beast race.

This legion is commanded openly by Kakgaridan, the captain of the earth forces.

I am the shadow leader of that legion.

I never thought Kakgaridan would lose to goblins.

I must report this to the Demon Lord.

I slipped away without being noticed.

With my Sai ninja technique, it’s easy to escape without Zaus noticing.

And then, at that moment…

A black-cloaked demon appeared before me.

“Hmm!? Who are you!?”

Blue skin. A single horn on the forehead.

“You! Are you Zaus!?”

“Where are you going, Saizou?”

“Ngh. H-How do you know my name!?”

I am the shadow leader.

Kakgaridan was leading the legion.

I was suppressing my presence…

“Well, I kind of liked your character. I even had a figure of you, like Gaonga.”

“W-What are you talking about, Sai? This is our first meeting!?”

“Huh? Oh… No, that’s right.”

“But more importantly, how did you know about me, Sai?”

“Maybe… I sensed it. Somehow. One of the creatures in the pack separated. I left the Sai Legion to Goblin Tarou and came after you alone.”

“…”

That’s… I was supposed to conceal my presence…

This guy’s abilities are unknown.

I don’t feel like I’d lose in a fight, but right now, it’s more important to inform the Demon Lord.

There’s no helping it.

“Sai Ninja Technique. Instant Foot Beast Run!!”

With this technique, I can greatly increase my running speed.

I run at a speed of 120 kilometers per hour!!

Kukuku.

Now no one can catch up to me.

Among the Demon Lord’s army, Sai Ninja Saizou is the fastest.

“I’ll cut through in one go, Sai!!”

Alright.

I must have run at least 10 kilometers by now.

I’ve put quite a distance between us, Sai.

Huh!?

Th-There he is!?

“You’re slow.”

“Zaauuus!?”

Th-That’s absurd!?

My speed is unmatched in the Demon Lord’s domain.

And yet!?

“Oh… Level 3000. You’ve gotten quite strong. You were originally around level 300, right?”

“Grr… How do you know that, Sai?”

“You received a Level Breakthrough and Devil Awakening from Idream Dal, right?”

“Ughh…! H-How do you know even that!?”

“Well, it doesn’t matter. With that strength, you’re stronger than Kakgaridan, aren’t you? And yet, you were the shadow leader?”

“T-That’s none of your business!”

“No, it is. You want me as your subordinate.”

“W-What!?”

“It’s part of the deal with Kakgaridan. If Goblin Tarou wins, the Sai Warrior Legion will be mine. So, you’re my subordinate.”

“Hmph! If I were to become your subordinate, a master-slave contract is necessary. Until then, you are my enemy!”

“Sigh. Then, you won’t be satisfied until you see the strength of your master.”

“Hahaha! You seem quite confident in your skills! However, overconfidence is fatal. Carelessness leads to destruction, Sai.”

“Hmm. I don’t dislike that way of thinking.”

“Hey! Your composure! It irritates me, Sai!!”

I detonated a smoke bomb.

Dust danced in front of Zaus.

Sai Ninja Technique. Smoke Concealment.

I steal the opponent’s sight and act advantageously.

Escape or attack, I’m free to do as I please.

This time, I’ll be launching an attack.

If he lets his guard down, he won’t be able to avoid it.

Kukuku, the sword I drew is made of the strongest metal, Adamantine.

Its name is the Demonic Sword, Adamantine Katana. With this sword, I can easily cut through anything. Like slicing a ripe pineapple, it’s a clean cut. Kukuku. It’s an invincible sword.

And with this sword, I unleash a deadly slash…

“Take this!! Shatter Everything Slash!!”

Due to the blinding smoke, my slash is unseen!!

Carelessness is truly the enemy.

You’ll deeply regret making an enemy out of me, Sai!!

The Adamantine Katana zeroes in on Zaus’ forehead.

“Hahaha! You don’t even have time to defend!!”

It’s over!

There’s nothing this Shatter Everything Slash can’t cut through.

Zaakutooo──.

Clang…!?

What’s this sound of contact against his skin!?

Stopped…

The tip of the Adamantine Katana is stopped at Zaus’ forehead.

Moreover,

*Snap*!!

Wh-What…!?

D-Did it break!?

The Adamantine Katana broke!?

“Impossible!? It-It didn’t cut!?”

“Hmm. Carelessness is a great enemy. Defending takes effort. Energy conservation is the top priority to prepare for the next attack.”

Whaaat!?

Are you saying even defending is too much trouble!?

“Don’t mess around!!”

“No. I’m not messing around. I’m always on full alert. I never let my guard down… Never.”

Grrr!!

Then, I’ll use the next ninja technique!!

“Sai Ninja Technique. Afterimage Doppelganger!!”

“Oh. Now there are three of you.”

“Hahaha! You won’t know which one is real!!”

This technique creates afterimages at super speed.

“I’ve honed this secret technique through 100 years of training! It’s impossible to see through!”

“Oh… You trained for 100 years?”

Only genius Sai individuals can master it. It’s a legendary technique said to be mastered by only one out of ten thousand Sai.

The real one is on the right.

Kukuku. However, there’s no way an amateur would figure that out.

Zaus’ confusion is essential. Seizing that opening…

“You’re the real one on the right.”

“What!? Wh-Why!?”

“Why…?”

Zaus had multiplied into six.

Whaaat!!

“I just tried to imitate what I saw. …And it worked.”

“Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!?”