I'm the Only Totem in Another World - Chapter 74

Chapter 74: Pride of Humanity （1）

It was about time a blessing like this came out.

I did expect two blessings since I caught a near high-ranking demon, but thinking about it again, that was a bit shameless.

Anyway, I feel a bit more Loa-like. Now, if only I had one offensive skill, it would be perfect.

I read the details carefully, and it doesn’t seem to be a simple strengthening blessing.

Instead of making me stronger or faster than my current state, it clearly indicates the extent to which I can be strengthened by becoming a bear, deer, or hippopotamus.

Then, that would make this blessing meaningless for Rake or Kanto, who have better physical abilities than the animals listed earlier.

Ah, I get it. This is a general unit buff skill.

It must be a blessing that makes ordinary warriors who don’t have special abilities as strong as the enhanced gladiators I saw earlier.

The battle is still raging outside. Let’s hurry and go support the warriors.

“I can’t find anything that fits…”

After briefly explaining the situation to Rake, who was diligently searching for outerwear and armor, I transferred my consciousness to Totem No. 4.

Rake will figure out how to find clothes that fit and follow me.

Even if it’s not clothes, she needs to rest. She’s still panting from the recent fight, so she must be exhausted.

Ugh, using ‘Bond Totem’ dozens of times a day is making me dizzy.

I checked the condition of Totem No. 4. There are cracks all over it, probably due to the continuous use of blessings.

It’ll probably break after today’s battle.

Since the Healing Totem, which covers a range of over several hundred meters, is still active, it has served its purpose.

“You mean you killed the Tunnel Demon?”

Harry, who was fiddling with the golem controller next to me, asked.

━ That’s right. How’s the situation?

“Their offensive has weakened. But there are so many of them that…”

The berserk（?） buff that the Tunnel Demon had been casting on the Worm-humans disappeared.

However, the order to kill us was still in effect, and they were attacking the Tribal Federation warriors without much confusion.

An army that moves even without a commander. Maybe the Tunnel Demon trained them well.

━ I have regained the blessing. It’s a powerful blessing that allows me to ignore the number of followers.

“Phew. I think we can take a breather.”

‘Strengthening Tattoo’ is still at the lower level, so I can only strengthen twenty people at a time.

I looked around the battlefield to find suitable candidates.

Denzo, Kanto’s right-hand man, who was pushing back the Worm-humans while swinging a sledgehammer.

Una, who was throwing spears at the beetles that were ready to drop stones from the sky.

Dodo, who was assassinating enemies one by one using his dual swords.

“Haaaa~!”

Even Noah, who was blocking the enemies’ attacks with her shield while shedding tears.

I bestowed the ‘Strengthening Tattoo’ blessing on them and the other warriors at the front line.

Black dragon tattoos are engraved on the warriors’ shoulders.

Suddenly, it feels like a Yakuza movie.

“T-This is irezumi?”

Noah was startled.

It seems like a tattoo was also engraved on her body, although it’s hidden by her armor.

It’s fortunate that the Paladin is also considered an ally.

It’s just a shame that I don’t get points.

“Ooh!”

“I feel the power!”

“Malak-nim is with us in the form of a drawing?!”

“He has blessed us too!”

The warriors, noticeably strengthened, roamed the battlefield.

It seems like they’re about 0.3 Rake now.

“You!”

Crack!

With a single swing of Denzo’s sledgehammer, the Worm-human’s head was smashed like a watermelon.

It’s a scene that automatically brings to mind the phrase ‘Keep quiet!’

Paya and Tteunteuni’s aerial combat was also spectacular.

They moved around like they were performing a circus in the air, tearing apart the bugs with their claws and beaks, looking more like eagles than pigeons.

That bastard might not even be a pigeon.

He was a monster even before he became a spirit. Maybe someday he’ll become a giant monster.

I endured my fatigue and watched the battle.

I really used up a lot of energy today. Blessing or whatever, I can’t use it anymore.

If I use it just one or two more times, I might sleep for 24 hours straight.

“Malak-nim!”

Rake, wearing female gladiator armor, joined us.

Perhaps because the armor prioritized the audience’s entertainment over practicality, it was made of a material that clung to her body like tights, except for a few plate armor parts.

Whoever made this, they knew how to make money.

The Tribal Federation, having decisively gained the upper hand, pushed the enemies back.

Screech!

It was after they had dealt with the last enemy.

“Victory! We caught the Tunnel Demon!”

Kanto, who seemed proud because he had steadily accumulated Berserker stacks, raised his axe high.

“Wooaaaah!”

The Barbarians cheered. They were all soaked in green blood, but they seemed excited as if they had forgotten their exhaustion.

It was a roar filled with the exhilaration of victory.

“Yaaaay!”

“We won! We won!”

“We drove out the demons and reclaimed the arena!”

The civilized people, with tears of joy in their eyes, cheered like the Barbarians.

Unlike the Barbarians, their cheers seemed mixed with a bit of relief and sadness.

“…Long live the Loa! Long live Malak! Long live… Sob!”

There was a civilized person who was crying and shouting “Long live!”

Tears and snot were dripping from his nose and into his mouth, but he didn’t even think about wiping them.

Was he remembering the people he had lost because of the demon apocalypse?

The civilized people were the ones who suffered the most from the demon invasion. There must have been a lot of pain that I don’t know about.

I took a moment of silence for the residents of this world.

…Ah, I almost fell asleep. No. Stay focused.

Should I transfer my consciousness first? Totem No. 4 is on the verge of collapsing.

I switched to Totem No. 3.

“Before we collect the spoils of war, how about visiting the research facility?”

Harry, who had approached stealthily, spoke in an earnest tone.

“The golem scholars might have left behind a secret weapon. There might even be blueprints for mass-produced golems.”

Grandpa, don’t be so impatient. I’m going there even if you don’t tell me.

━ Alright.

We headed to the so-called secret research facility, taking a few warriors who said they could still fight.

It’s two hours away from the arena.

Ha. I need to get some shut-eye. I can’t go on like this.

━ I’ve used too much power. My consciousness is fading… Wake me up when we arrive.

Noah also whined about running out of mana and passed out right after the battle ended.

I’m in the same state right now.

Just like Paladins recharge their mana, I need to recharge my mental energy.

“Rest well.”

As soon as I heard Rake’s voice, I fell asleep.

▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄ ▄

Ah, what a tiring day. I thought I was going to die from all the calculating and serving customers.

Why are dozens of people flocking to a neighborhood convenience store? They could just go to the nearby Daiso.

Was it a special day today? I didn’t hear anything about a festival.

Anyway, I just made our boss’s pockets a lot fatter.

I collapsed on my bed as soon as I got home.

I need to sleep for at least 12 hours to recover.

“Malak-nim.”

…

“We have arrived.”

Ah, who’s making so much noise?

Even if my studio apartment has poor soundproofing, the sound is too loud.

Sigh. I’ll let it slide because the voice is pretty. Now be quiet…

“Malak-nim?”

Damn it, why are they looking for this Malak or whatever his name is in front of my house?

Is it your boyfriend’s name or something?

Do I really have to open the window and yell at them to be quiet?

I opened my eyes and got up… What the!

Where are my arms and legs?!

“You’re awake. We have arrived at the so-called secret research facility.”

Ah, right, I’m Malak.

“Are you alright?”

Rake, looking at me with worried eyes, comes into view.

She’s an unrealistically beautiful woman. Beautiful enough to remind me that this isn’t Earth.

━ …We’re here.

I answered, holding back tears. I don’t know why, but I felt like crying.

Maybe it’s because I had a long dream about Earth? Maybe I’m homesick.

━ …

Let’s face it. I’m exhausted right now.

All the things I’ve been holding back must have exploded now.

Maybe I just woke up from a deep sleep and was momentarily out of it.

“You seem distressed. Did something happen?”

Rake stroked the totem. A soft and warm sensation spread throughout my body.

This is why I hate perceptive women.

━ I’m fine. Just tired.

I answered, taking a deep breath. Even though I no longer have the physical organs to take a deep breath, I felt like I needed to do something similar to calm down.

Okay. Let’s stop whining now.

Dwelling on negative thoughts and engaging in self-pity and self-loathing will get me nowhere.

Get a grip. You’re a freaking Loa.

Now you’re a utility totem capable of area-wide buffs and debuffs.

…Why does it sound so pathetic?

━ Where’s Harry?

I looked around.

Quick mental recovery is one of my few strengths.

“He’s over there. He said he’s trying to decipher the code.”

A little distance away, Harry was manipulating an abacus attached to the side of a steel door.

It wasn’t a real abacus, but something that resembled one. It was probably a magical lock.

“Ugh…! My calculation speed has slowed down with age. There, it’s done.”

The door opened automatically with a creaking sound.

━ We don’t know what’s inside, so move carefully.

It’s time to claim the final legacy left behind by the golem scholars.