I, the “Clock User”, Was Kicked Out of the Craftsmen’s Guild for Being Incompetent, but at the Dungeon’s Depths, I Awakened My True Power – Even Though I Was Told to Return Because They Couldn’t Handle the Work, It’s Too Late Now, and I Will Live Freely as an SSS-class Adventurer V11C10

      Translated by Hamster

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### Volume 11: The Eastern Frontier

**10 A Little Trouble After the Battle**

— A group was rushing towards the wasteland where the DEM stood.

They were clad in uniforms the color of the dry earth, equipped like scouts.

Unresponsive to the DEM that was beginning to fade into light, they silently ran across the wasteland.

"--- What's the rush?"

At this call, the group immediately stopped and took a defensive stance, alert to their surroundings.

Surrounding them, Karim, Alice, and Mist had taken positions on three sides.

"..."

"Silent, huh? Well, after preparing such a monster, what you wanted to do isn't clear."

Nodding, Karim drew his sword.

Seeing this, the group quickly turned and tried to retreat.

But there, another figure was already in place.

"...! A demon!!"

"Hmph. That's your first reaction?"

Baal was there, already with his spear at the ready.

"If it were Cyclo Owen, he could subdue you even in this state... But, we can't risk any mishaps."

Saying this, Baal stepped forward, and the group stepped back, intimidated.

"Moreover, we haven't thanked you for sending that monster yet. Let's invite you as captives to the Demon Army."

With Baal's words, the battle began.

Meanwhile, back with Cyclo.

The magical energy used to generate and control the DEM was enormous, leaving him quite fatigued.

However, not to the point of collapse—after returning the DEM to magical energy and dissipating it, he was walking around the remains of the Behemoth, checking for any lingering dangers.

"...What's that?"

Cyclo said, approaching the center of the Behemoth's corpse where the torso should have been.

There, hovering, was a sphere made from rock similar in color to the Behemoth's scales.

Or rather, it was more of an egg-shaped oval than a perfect sphere.

"I can feel a faint magical energy, but..."

As he poked the floating rock with his finger, cracks suddenly appeared in it.

"Whoa, crap!"

Then, the rock split in two, and something burst out.

"--- Kuon!!"

With a cry, it charged at Cyclo.

"Woah!?"

Catching it with both hands, Cyclo held it up to his face. If one were to compare it to an animal, it resembled a sheep.

However, it had an almost spherical body covered with an unusually soft and fluffy coat, legs so short and small they seemed unfit for walking, round red eyes, and two tiny horns on its forehead.

At a glance, it was clearly far from being the mightiest, more akin to a pet than a monster.

"What are you... a sheep? No, it has magic, so it must be some kind of monster, but..."

"Kuon!"

When the sheep-like creature cried out, Cyclo somehow understood what it was trying to convey, likely due to some skill that communicates intent.

According to this creature, it was, in fact, the Behemoth itself.

It claimed to have nine lives, but the Dead End Nails from the DEM had taken eight of them. In panic, the Behemoth had resorted to a survival strategy.

Why was it about to be killed? Because it tried to kill others, of course!

So, by becoming the weakest, most useless creature, it wouldn't have a reason to be killed!

Thus, the Behemoth had transformed its last life into this pitiful pet-like form.

"...You're not seriously repenting, are you?"

"Ku, Kuon!"

It wasn't repenting but would behave to avoid being killed. The ancient monster, Behemoth, was quite cunning.

"Ha... Well, I guess I understand. Your magic now is less than even a goblin's, making you about as dangerous as a slightly weaker stray cat?"

"Kuon!"

It retorted that it wouldn't lose to a cat, but Cyclo guessed it would undoubtedly lose.

Without magic, it might not even beat an insect, its body barely enhanced by a pitiful amount of magic to fight on par with a cat, only to lose.

"Moreover, no one died in this battle... So, there's no need to kill you, I suppose."

"Kuon!"

It seemed to understand, somewhat arrogantly for a former Behemoth.

"But, we can't let you roam free."

"Kuon!?"

"There's no guarantee you'll stay this weak forever. So, I'll take you with me."

"Ku, Kuooon!!"

The former Behemoth was in a panic, as it had planned to regain its strength later and cause havoc.

"...What are you doing, Cyclo Owen?"

From behind Cyclo and the creature, a voice called out.

Turning around, Cyclo saw Baal standing there, with Karim, Mist, and Alice approaching.

"Wow! That one is so cute, Master!"

Mist rushed over, seeing the former Behemoth in Cyclo's hands. She naturally took it and enjoyed petting its fluffy fur.

"Wow, so fluffy! What's this one?"

"Well... I found it under the Behemoth's corpse, or rather, how should I put it?"

Cyclo struggled to explain. He lacked confidence in succinctly conveying that this was the survival strategy of the monster known as Behemoth.

"I see, you're going to protect it, right?"

"Ah, well, I suppose so?"

"Then we must give it a name!"

"A name, huh?"

At Mist's urging, Cyclo thought. Since he had to deal with this hassle, he wanted to give it an embarrassingly bad name out of spite.

After some thought, Cyclo decided.

"Alright. In honor of Behemoth, its name will be... 'Pepemos'!"

"Kuon!?"

"Pepemos... Then, I'll call it Pep-chan!"

Mist petted Pepemos, now called Pep-chan, with delight. Although Pepemos seemed displeased with the name, it couldn't protest, fearing potential extermination.

Thus, the former Behemoth, now a pet and fluffy mascot named Pepemos, joined Cyclo's traveling party.

Author Notes:

    A pet and fluff mascot is a must for any monster!

    Slow to get the act together? Don't worry about it!

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