Epic Of Caterpillar

Chapter 2887 - 2888: The High School Girls

-----

The forest surrounding Mount Takao teemed with people who had slipped in under cover of night.

Dozens of candidates of every shape, size, age, and gender moved through the dark woods, all heading toward the hidden cave that led deep inside the mountain.

Tonight held immense significance for anyone hoping to carve out a name in the Underworld. An Entrance Trial would open very soon.

Those capable, strong, and clever enough to pass the Three Trials would earn membership in the most prestigious, infamous, and powerful criminal organization—not just in Japan, but perhaps the entire world.

Chaos Gate.

Founded by a formidable God of Chaos—some called him a Demon, others a Deity of Destruction—Lord Chaos was both an unbeatable force and a surprisingly kind boss. He offered generous pay, paid vacations, bonuses, and genuine worker protections.

Even in the Underworld, he was renowned as an exceptional employer whom everyone dreamed of serving.

Thus, every ambitious soul wanted to join Chaos Gate.

”Wow, there are so many damn people here... Itʼs suffocating.”

A tall, slender purple-haired woman with glowing pink-red eyes yawned as she walked in her school uniform, scanning the crowd.

Beside her walked her four friends.

”Hehe, it isnʼt that bad, guu! I like the nature...!”

One was an adorable schoolgirl with fluffy blue hair cascading to her hips and a bubbly, endearing personality. Her eyes shimmered with rainbow light.

”So weʼre climbing a mountain for the entrance trial? I guess itʼs nothing too hard.”

Next to her stood a bronze-skinned beauty—another schoolgirl—with a tall, muscular frame, long wild blonde hair, and piercing golden eyes.

”Hm, I believe there is much more to it. We just spoke with her, and she told us to simply sweep through the competition. The real trial begins once the enemies theyʼre baiting finally arrive.”

A refined young lady with long silvery-white hair and glowing red eyes spoke in a calm, knowledgeable tone far beyond her apparent years.

”So many contestants though... I bet there are over a hundred...”

Lastly, an adorable tomboy with pink hair and big yellow eyes surveyed the surroundings while happily munching on a pork cutlet sandwich and sipping soda. Among these ”schoolgirls,” she loved this worldʼs food the most.

Naturally, they were no ordinary schoolgirls. They were powerful cosmic beings disguised as such—or rather, they had ”reincarnated” into this world, merging with their parallel selves.

Nesiphae.

Rimuru.

Brontes.

Zehe.

And Lilith.

Unaware of their true nature and strength, many participants approaching Mount Takao saw them as easy targets. Those who had grasped the deeper purpose of the long trek eyed the group with predatory smiles.

”Heh, those foolish schoolgirls. Do they really think they can join the greatest criminal organization in the world?” laughed a man concealed in the shadow of a tree. ”Many have already figured it out and are doing the same as me. The true reason for this long walk is that Lord Chaos wants us to eliminate the weak. Only the strongest will reach the mountain!”

Smirking at the sight of the young girls as easy prey, the black-haired assassin leaped out. A Chinese man who had entered Japan illegally and worked for various Chinatown criminal syndicates, his aura surged with the power of a Cultivator and Martial Artist. A Golden Dragon mark glowed on his palms as he launched himself forward.

”Donʼt blame me. Blame your own weakness!”

He moved like a shadow; palms aimed at the closest girl—the bubbly blue-haired schoolgirl with rainbow eyes and a sweet smile.

She looked truly beautiful, yet so naïve and innocent.

Easy prey!

”Huh?”

”Golden Dragon Fist Style – Heaven Claw!”

The man roared. Golden power erupted from his hands as he struck to eliminate the schoolgirls in one swift motion and clear his path.

Their magical auras were decent, so they were clearly not ordinary civilians.

That was exactly why he held nothing back!

CLAAASH!

A blinding explosion of light engulfed Rimuru. For a moment, everything turned golden. The man laughed triumphantly. An assassin exiled from his own country, he had found in Japan the perfect place to indulge his greatest passion: killing.

”Hahaha, how weak!”

He watched the girlʼs body burst apart, her torso crashing to the ground amid blood, guts, and torn flesh.

”...!”

The other schoolgirls gasped in horror as they saw their friend massacred without mercy. The man didnʼt even flinch at her innocent appearance.

”Iʼll take you down swiftly, girls. Stand still!”

As he laughed and charged toward the largest one to prove his overwhelming superiority over mere women...

BAAAM!

”Wha...?!”

His eyes widened. His palm struck her stomach, but no power flowed from him anymore.

In fact, her abs seemed to absorb the impact and energy like a sponge.

The schoolgirl—Brontes—narrowed her eyes and seized his arm.

”U-Unhand me—GAAAAHHH!”

The assassin screamed in terror as her bare hand snapped his arm like a dry twig. Brontes released the broken limb as he leaped back in panic.

”W-Wha...! What are you?!”

”...Just a cute schoolgirl,” Brontes replied with a calm smile.

”Cute my ass! Iʼve never seen a schoolgirl this muscular before!” the man shouted.

”Is that so?” Brontes mused. She shrugged off her jacket, revealing her powerful arms, and summoned an axe crackling with thunder. ”Iʼll take care of him. I needed some warmup.”

”...Magic? It exudes divine power! What sort of—”

Before he could finish, Brontes blitzed forward. Her axe descended in a devastating arc. The man barely had time to react, dodging just enough to escape a massive explosion that shook the entire forest.

BOOOM!

”Damn it! Sheʼs strong! At least I killed one of... them?”

When he looked back, the corpse of Rimuru was gone. Slowly, he realized a figure was rising behind him.

”Eh?”

His mouth fell open as he watched her reform—bits and pieces reconnecting, composed of glowing blue and rainbow-colored slime.

”Heheh... Youʼre a naughty one, guu...”

”Wha...! M-Monster! Youʼre not human!”

As the man leaped away, a tentacle snaked out and seized his leg, dragging him back. He plunged into her body, slowly beginning to dissolve.

”Kuaaaaaggghhhhh!”

He unleashed his millennia-old technique in a desperate bid to break free, but it was futile.

”Yummy.”

Rimuru licked her lips as the man dissolved completely inside her.

She was usually a very kind slime, but this assassin had blown her apart without hesitation. She felt no guilt devouring him alive.

”Oh well, thatʼs done then.”

Brontes had wanted more action, to test what he could do, but Rimuru finished him before she could engage.

”Guu, sorry. I got angry.”

”Itʼs fine. You were justified.”

Brontes and Rimuru rejoined the others as the group continued their leisurely approach to Mount Takao.

”How many has it been already?” Lilith wondered, finishing her sandwich.

”I think that was the twelfth who tried to assassinate us,” Zehe replied with a small smile and a shrug. ”Ah, weʼre drawing closer... I can feel his presence. Heʼs really there... my son. Mama is coming for you.”

-----