Awakening to a Special-Grade Explorer

A translucent, bluish thin sheet appeared in the ground around one meter ahead of the snow demon. It was octagon-shaped---no, if Tenji were to describe it, it bore semblance to the snowflakes.

Though it wasn't that big, it was like a wall, just big enough to hide a person.

(Bluish sheet...... translucence. What kind of effect does it even hav------)

Just as Tenji wondered that, the Flame Demon on the other side suddenly drew his sword and activated his ascension skill as if to give him an answer. Shiiin! Once again, the strange shrill sound echoed.

"Pardon me, Master. ------«Hell Flame Bloom»"

Flame Demon shot its explosive flaming orb toward the snow demon at a point-blank range---the distance between them wasn't even 6 meters. Whoosh! With a loud whooshing sound and an impressive fiery display, the fireball approached the Snow Demon.

The sudden movement left Tenji completely floored as he eyed what was about to happen.

"......Holy crap."

Tenji, seeing the result, couldn't hide his surprise anymore.

The fired flaming orb exploded the moment it came in contact with the thin crystalline wall, creating a huge burning flower visual. What remained was simply a thin, translucent wall standing in its place.

Ascertaining the result, Snow Demon slowly broke off his praying stance and canceled his ascension skill. His expression was as casual as it could be, as if to say it was an obvious matter attack wouldn't be able to penetrate.

"I want to go back......my ascension skill creates a 'wall' that stops the dead advances."

"Just the dead? But didn't it manage to block an earlier attack?"

"I want to go back...... the dead here means it keeps out those whose actions are filled with malicious intent. This is my «Hell Snow Sutra».......It's so hot."

After explaining that much, Snow Demon briskly walked towards the shade of the boulder to seek refuge in a slightly cooler spot. He sat down there and brought his knees closer to his chest. From there, he shot a gaze at his master, Tenji, as if implying to 'just let me go back quick'.

However, Tenji instead fell into his thoughts without paying him any heed.

To be more accurate, Hell beasts were prone to suffer from homesickness, that's why Tenji had learned the skill to ignore their murmuring. Well, skill was just a fancy way to say, he was simply ignoring them. When he does that, they no longer push and keep their silence.

Tenji crossed his arms and let out a contemplative grunt.

"Could it be that red demons are specialized in offense while blue demons are specialized in defense?"

"Um~......it is indeed as you have said. Each hell species has their strong points and weak points. We would appreciate it if, as a king, you could organize squads like the goblins based on these strengths."

"So that's how it is......alright, I understand."

"Um~......thank you very much."

"I understand, but I would appreciate it if you could explain what's with this 'king' stuff?"

"Um~......I'm sorry, but we can't provide an answer at this time."

"Of course, just as I thought. Same response as yesterday..."

"Um~...... I'm truly sorry."

'It's alright, you aren't able to answer if you want to, right?' Tenji replied.

Indeed, both the Flame Demon and Snow Demon were hell beasts capable of holding conversation but they just couldn't explain about the 'Hell Beast Summon' or 'King' stuff.

Like, what exactly was a King?

What exactly were the hell beasts?

What exactly was calling?

What did special grade mean?

Were there other types of hell beasts outside of red or blue demons?

None, they spoke about none. No, they said they couldn't answer. Maybe someone at the top had their tongue tied, or perhaps an unspoken rule, it was a mystery. But if anything was uncertain, then it was 'not yet' as they said

'Not yet' means there would be a time where they would be able to answer. Maybe they were restrained due to the level, or becoming the king could release these restrictions. Everything was shrouded by a thin veil of fog, the answer was close yet so far.

"How many fire demons and snow demons can I consolidate at once? I was thinking of rearranging some units and wanted to know how many could be grouped together."

"Well, I think around 20 to 30 would be a good range. If you need to handle more, you can assign leaders to manage multiple squads."

"I see, a leader to command the squads huh."

The total count of hell beasts Tenjo could command were 215. It was a number that had gone beyond what Tenji could handle at a time. That's why he had unified all the goblins to create a squad previously and was calling them by the unit's name.

"How about this? Let's create a group with a minimum of 10 hell beasts, it will be called 'Squad'. Then three squads will make a 'platoon' and three platoons altogether will make a 'company. What do you think?"

"Um~......That's an impressive idea. Can you leave the organization to us?"

"Ah, you will do that? Of course, that's even better. After all, Flame Demon-sensei are more knowledgeable about hell beasts than myself. Please."

"Um~......I will do my best."

"Alright, then both of you, Flame Demon-sensei and Snow Demon-sensei, will be the leader of each company and organize them."

"Um~......I will give my all to the max."

"At your pace~, I am glad that we can have a conversation. This saves me from the hassle. Well, then------"

Tenji reached out and grabbed the Book of Enma that was floating in the air and thrust his hand forward. His expression turned serious as she said out in a somber voice, "All Hell Beast, Summon."

In rhythm with his shout, one hell gate after another appeared around him as if beesching him. Instantly, a total of 215 of hell beasts showed themselves; in which, 41 were goblins, 77 fire demons and 97 snow demons.

Tenji stared at these hell beasts and gave them his orders.

"Following is my first request---move under the command of Flame Demon-sensei and Snow Demon-sensei and form a squad. Then start hunting on the 62th floor as a squad. Though I doubt there would be any, just in case, flee away at the first sign of other explorers. Do not engage them under any circumstances."

"Um~......I will give my all."

"I want to go back, but......I will also give my all."

In this way began the second growth phase of enji Amagi.