120 Administrator
[Got the scales off!]
Well done.
{Should I praise them?}
〈Well, passable, I suppose.〉
[Why are you all acting so smug?]
The body specialist has finally finished removing the scales.
Now, the fire dragon can be enjoyed properly.
So then, what of the fire dragon's taste?
Spatial perception: activation detected.
Spatial distortion?
First time experiencing this, but I understand it intuitively.
This is teleportation.
Something is attempting to teleport here.
Cannot interfere.
My spatial magic level is insufficient to block a teleport from an opponent capable of such advanced spatial manipulation.
The entity attempting to teleport here, based on the spatial distortion detected, is highly skilled in spatial magic.
In pure spatial magic, they are far superior to me.
And the greatest concern is that the opponent is using magic.
That means nothing more than possessing the intellect required to wield magic.
No monsters have used magic before.
The fire dragon we just defeated was the first to possess a skill at all.
Even that dragon did not activate magic.
As expected.
Magic requires the cumbersome process of constructing a spell.
Intellect sufficient to perform that process is necessary.
For the fire dragon, generating fireballs through innate skills was far more efficient than constructing a spell.
Some monsters may be capable of magic, but powerful and simpler skills exist that surpass it.
Yet the one teleporting here now is performing complex spell construction.
This indicates a firm will to arrive here.
For what purpose?
There is no one else here.
If so, the purpose can only be me.
It is impossible to consider arriving here by accident.
Conclude within the span of a comma through accelerated cognition.
Prepare.
The space splits open. A man appears.
A black man.
So black that no other description fits.
A slender set of armor fused to his body.
Even his face, the only part of him not covered, is a deep tan.
His hair is black.
Only his eyes are an unnatural red.
The moment the man's form is seen, comprehension dawns.
This cannot be defeated.
The difference is dimensional.
And something that confirms this.
‘鉴定不能’
The characters.
Yet, no sense of danger arises.
Instead, a vague sense of familiarity emerges toward the man.
Simultaneously, a subtle irritation surfaces.
Why?
This man is a stranger. It must be the first time meeting him.
Such an unnatural presence appearing suddenly— I should not feel this way.
What is this emotion?
“————————？”
The man speaks something.
But the language is unfamiliar.
I cannot help but tilt my head slightly.
“————————？”
The man speaks again.
No— speak Japanese.
Otherwise I cannot understand.
I can't speak any other language.
The man frowns.
Hmm.
For now, he does not appear to intend hostilities.
But what now?
Frankly, I cannot comprehend what he says. Even if I could, I cannot speak.
I might manage written communication, but I only know Japanese.
In either case, communication is impossible.
Troublesome.
The man seems equally confused.
An awkward silence hung in the air. Something dropped with a soft plop between me and the man.
A smartphone.
Huh?
No way.
I have no idea why a smartphone is here, but how did it appear in front of me in the first place?
It just materialized—completely undetected by my awareness?
『Hello? This is Administrator D.』
A voice suddenly came from the smartphone.
Double-layered.
One in Japanese. The other in a language I’ve never heard before.
Ah—wait. Was that the language the man just spoke?
「＊＊＊＊＊＊＊！？」
Ah—sounds like the man just reacted in shock.
So the second voice must be the language the man used—the native tongue of this world.
『Yes. D here. Spider, please wait a moment.』
Ah—yes.
I wait, as instructed.
The smartphone’s voice is now conversing with the man in the foreign tongue.
The voice is female.
Her voice is remarkably beautiful—but listening to it induces profound unease.
That is the effect.
The lack of inflection. The complete absence of emotion in her tone. That is what unsettles.
What is this?
As the conversation progresses, the man’s expression shifts.
Not drastically. A furrow appears between his brows. His eyes widen slightly.
Then, after a pause in the dialogue, he lets out a long, theatrical sigh and turns sharply.
He vanishes through spatial magic.
Left behind are me and the mysterious smartphone.
『I have spoken to him. He will not approach you again.』
Ah, I see.
Or rather—what exactly are you?
『D.』
Ah, yes.
!?
Wait a moment!?
You just read my mind!?
『Yes. I did.』
This is a violation of privacy!
『You cannot speak. This was a temporary measure. I do not normally access your thoughts.』
Even my mind? So you're monitoring my actions?
『Monitoring is not the right term. Observation fits better.』
Either way.
You're basically a stalker.
『Indeed. You're a sight I never tire of watching.』
D. I remember.
The name I heard when I acquired wisdom.
『Yes. It was a reward for your efforts. I'm glad you're putting it to good use.』
What's your goal?
『Pure entertainment.』
Huh?
『Simply entertainment. Nothing more. No deeper meaning or purpose.』
Serious?
『Yes. After all, I am the world's worst demon.』
...This one's hopeless.
He's genuinely dangerous.
My body trembles just from listening to him.
He's a true, unapologetic demon.
My life is nothing to him—just a disposable amusement.
『Harsh words, but accurate.』
Is this world made solely for your amusement?
『That is incorrect. From within this world’s perspective, I am an outsider.』
What does that mean?
『Further details cannot be provided. Sharing them would render the experience meaningless.』
Treating people as toys.
『Yes. Therefore, continue struggling with all your might. Entertain me. Perhaps, beyond that, you may find the answer you seek.』
You always speak however you please.
『Then, until next time (・・)』
The smartphone vanishes.
No sensation of spatial distortion. No ripple in the air.
This was how Administrator D met the Administrator known as Black.