I'm Actually Not Overpowered!

[The East]

The loud noise that emanated from the Western Region shook everyone—Lucy and her soldiers were no exception.

'I hope you're fine, Byron." Her whisper was barely audible, but her eyes glimmered with concern.

Her steely gaze returned, though, as she faced the challenge that stood before her.

The Lower Class demons were currently battling the Golems outside the East Gate, and her human allies were within the City, dealing with the demons who had managed to get in.

So far, things had been progressing pretty smoothly.

If they kept this up—though it would take a great deal of time to eliminate so many demons—Lucy felt quite confident that they could last long enough to pull it off.

'Still, it bothers me…' Lucy's eyes narrowed as she focused on the sight beyond the Lower Class demons.

The Middle Class ones were simply standing—all of whom were doing nothing but spectating.

'… Why aren't they attacking?' Her question was met with no response.

Rather, more confusion confounded her as she swung her blade.

'If things get dicey, I'll use the Taboo Skill… though I'm not sure how effective it'll be if so many Middle Class demons come hurtling at us.'

With these thoughts and intense considerations playing in her mind, the young-looking girl kept swinging her blade.

"Welp… I'm bored watching already." A voice suddenly came from above Lilith.

Her crimson eyes widened as she noticed two beings floating in mid-air.

'I-I didn't sense them until they spoke!' Sweat dripped from her face.

One of the demons resembled a pig—no, an orc. He had a shell like a tortoise, though, and spikes covered his dark brown body. However, he wasn't the one who had spoken earlier.

"Little girl… I've been watching your struggles for some time. You're the strongest among these people right? How about a little wager?" The second demon spoke.

She had bat-like wings, and strands of her dark hair coiled around her like snakes. Her extremely pale body, violet colored lips and eyes of the same color, accentuated the evil aura she emanated.

Her outfit was a dark violet gown, slit on both edges, and revealing so much skin, both on the upper and lower body.

The demon was beautiful, very much so. However, she also possessed the stench of evil…and death.

Unlike the first demon who hovered in the air through a special transparent board, she had wings and thus was able to fly.

"A wager… with a demon?" Lucy's eyes narrowed with distrust and rage.

If she could, she would slice up the demons in front of her to pieces. However, her experienced instincts told her not to even dare to think of it.

Even with [Taboo Skill], she was most likely going to lose to one of them. Taking on both at once was a fool's dream, at best.

Being honest with herself was something Lucy had always done, but this perception was based on far more than personal instincts.

'[Battle Perception] shows them as black. I don't stand a chance, uh?' Still, Lucy didn't want to give up.

"If you win, I'll spare everyone. How does that sound?"

Lucy knew this was nothing more than the sadistic trap of a merciless demon. However, the severity of the situation, and the enticing reward made her indulge her curiosity.

"What kind of wager?" The young redhead gritted her teeth as she asked.

"Hahaha! Smart girl! It's simple, really. If you can withstand three rounds of consecutive pain from me, without screaming or moving… I'll leave this place and spare everyone here."

"W-wha—?!" Lucy was flabbergasted by what she heard.

"Don't worry, you won't die. Also, if I spare everyone here, you can go and assist your comrades, no? What do you say?" The pale demon grinned with delight.

Her cunning eyes clearly indicated that she had an ulterior motive. Something in the gleam of her eyes displayed deep intrigue.

Lucy just couldn't figure it out.

"Make your choice, young human." The demon urged.

Lucy gulped.

What were her chances? She didn't know. A deal like this could be the chance they needed to win. If she won, then… then…!!!

"NO." Lucy's eyes hardened as she stared at the violet one with a deep fiery glare.

"Oh? May I ask why? Surely you don't think you stand a chance against me, do you?"

"I don't need to tell you my reasons… monster!" Lucy readied her blade and prepared herself for battle.

'Frankly, I don't think I have any chances with her, but…'

The floating female demon looked disappointed by Lucy's choice, and the Orc-Tortoise demon didn't seem the slightest bit concerned.

'… I'll never believe any words from their kind.' She grit her teeth.

The distant memory of her parents' demise at the hands of a Mid-Demon flashed in her mind. Lucy remembered the 'wager' that was made there as well—how it never mattered in the end.

'Demons can never be trusted.'

That was her ironclad rule.

>VWUUUSHHHH!!!<

"[Taboo Skill]!!!" She shouted, pouring in all the power she could muster.

>BOOOOMMMM!!!<

Her crimson form materialized, and she became an epitome of beauty and power. With Lucy's new form, she lunged straight for the floating demon, ready to give her all in the fight.

Her body was enveloped in crimson armor, bursting flames, and a beautiful amber color that made her look like an agent of death itself.

With both hands on her enchanted blade, and her eyes focused on the enemy, the young girl sought to leave a mark.

"How utterly boring."

>ZZZTTTTTZZZ<

A fine blaze of purple light suddenly appeared at the fingertips of the female demon, lunging at Lucy beyond the speed of anything she could conceive.

And then—

>FWISH<

—Before she could bring her blade down, both of Lucy's hands were cleanly sliced off from the elbow down.

The thin purple light was so intense and sharp that it tore through the young human's limbs in an instant.

"A-ah—!"

As the pain began assailing Lucy, she felt her body fall from the height she reached.

Paralysis and Pain.

The ultimate despair.

"AAAAARRRRGGGHHHHHH!!!"