At the entrance of the path leading out of the cave, seven people stood tense-faced.
To be precise, five people stood while two women were being carried by Senior Delphine and Celin, respectively.
Notably, both women being carried wore expressions of dissatisfaction. In contrast, the two women carrying them had rather satisfied expressions.
Regardless, I had my eyes closed, carefully gauging the situation. When I sensed that the Flesh Seeds were further away, even by just a little.
A shout erupted from my mouth.
“Run!”
As soon as I said that, the sound of feet pushing off the ground echoed simultaneously. The five figures surged ahead, condensing the space in a single breath.
That was the signal.
A ghastly scream reverberated from behind.
I could feel the frantic movement of something climbing out of the pit. It seemed like dozens of Flesh Seeds were embedding their nails into the slope.
Despite their sluggish movements earlier, they were now moving at an unimaginable speed. Like they had been struck by lightning, the Flesh Seeds chased after us with terrifying speed.
However, their intelligence seemed low. Since many of the bodies slipping on the slope, no one had yet managed to climb up.
Thinking that we had successfully distanced ourselves.
One Flesh Seed clawed its way out of the pit, trampling on its fallen comrades.
Its eyes were not visible, but it was glaring in our direction. After a moment of stillness,
The Flesh Seed twisted its entire body and charged. A grotesque howl echoed off the cave walls.
It was an extraordinary speed. Even with enhanced strength through magic, the distance was visibly closing.
At this rate, we were sure to be caught. And Senior Delphine was carrying Senior Elsi while I was the only one who could respond in the rear.
“I’ll handle it, keep running!”
Though the group hesitated for a moment, they finally began stepping forward again after I urged them once more.
At the same time, one Flesh Seed attacked.
It was a terrifyingly fast strike, matching its speed of running. Black liquid dripped from its unnaturally long nails.
With a hissing sound, the stones it touched began to dissolve. I quickly realized what it was.
“These bastards, they carry acidic venom!”
Just in case, I shouted to inform everyone about the Flesh Seeds and immediately swung my sword to knock its nails away.
With a clang, sparks flew into the air, along with the acid that dripped from the Flesh Seed’s nails.
The drops that splashed around seemed acidic. I didn’t bother to confirm just how potent it was.
My vision cleared. As I manipulated and twisted the space, the surroundings distorted.
Droplets traced warped parabolic lines as they passed by my body. My blade didn’t miss the opportunity.
With a clean slicing sound, one of the Flesh Seed’s arms fell to the ground. It let out a pained cry to the sky, but it was too late.
A silver line pierced its neck.
It was a beautiful cut, drawn in the optimal trajectory. Immediately after, a gush of blood and water burst forth.
The monster’s head rolled across the floor.
They spoke of mythical monsters, but they were nothing special compared to what I expected. Thinking this, I let out a sigh of relief.
After all, I was now among the upper echelons of the third year at the Academy.
Even among knights, I stood out. Any mythical era monster wouldn’t stand a chance in one-on-one combat with me.
I thought this in that moment.
There was a crunch as something grabbed my ankle tightly. Confused, I glanced toward the ground.
It was the severed arm of the Flesh Seed. Even separated from its body, it continued to move with power.
Lacking vision, it couldn’t swing its nails, fortunately. That was lucky since touching the venom would have been fatal.
Of course, this didn’t mean I wasn’t still in danger.
While flailing, the Flesh Seed’s body attempted to attack me with its one remaining arm. Clenching my teeth, I swung my sword downward towards the hand gripping my ankle.
In response to the pain, the Flesh Seed’s hand uncoiled. Taking the opportunity, I quickly stepped back and slashed its other remaining limbs off with two strikes.
In the end, the Flesh Seed was left with only one leg.
Struggling to keep its balance, the Flesh Seed fell to the spot. And yet, it persisted to crawl forward to try and kill me, evoking a vivid sense of fear in me.
And alongside that fear, an even greater sensation of excitement.
It was a peculiar adrenaline rush. Something that filled and drained me, with an intense coloration.
Inadvertently, my gaze fell on the Flesh Seed’s head.
Despite being cut off from the rest of its body, it persistently wriggled trying to reunite with its torso. It moved differently from the severed limbs.
That must be the core controlling it.
Realizing this, I took slow steps toward the Flesh Seed’s head and plunged my blade into it.
A screech, akin to something tearing, echoed through the air. After much writhing and shaking, the Flesh Seed’s body finally ceased its movement.
It had ended. The Flesh Seed was dead.
All that was left was to leave.
Yet, as I prepared to turn my steps, I found myself hesitating for some unknown premonition.
My heart pounded, making my head buzz. Some instinct would not let me go.
Eventually, I turned around. Slowly, I approached and knelt.
On the ground lay the Flesh Seed’s head, the wound from where I had pierced it clearly visible.
Blood and brain fluid poured out from the cut. And yet, strangely, the Flesh Seed’s head continued to move.
It wasn’t the kind of significant movement, but it was definitely making some sound.
As if it were pleading for something.
“…! …!”
Through the lumps of its throat, a muffled sound resonated.
My hands trembled as I summoned aura to the blade. With the precision of a surgeon, I cut into its flesh.
My chest tightened. Troubling memories were mingling.
They were all screams. Biting my lip, I couldn’t identify the nature of this voice.
After some time,
My blade finally rested. What was concealed within the lump began to reveal its shape.
It was the face of a child. Covered in grotesque, colorful veins, it was crying blood tears.
“Please, kill me… Kieeek! Please, kill me…”
Each time the veins pulsated, it made monster-like sounds.
My body froze.
Seeing the child’s face, my mind went blank with a white shock. My heartbeat soared.
There was a snap.
In my mind.
For several minutes, I-an did not catch up.
The group, worried, opted to backtrack along the path they had just escaped.
There, they found the scattered remains of the monster, evidently defeated by I-an in the short span of time.
A flicker of relief graced the faces of the group. But soon, they couldn’t help but frown.
I-an’s posture, kneeling and looking down at something, was not ordinary.
It was daunting to even ask a question. Such a heavy and oppressive atmosphere weighed down I-an’s shoulders.
It was ominous. Gradually moving closer, the group gazed at what I-an was looking down at.
The bodies were frozen in horror. The women, including the Lady Virgin Saint and Celin, widened their eyes and covered their mouths.
It was a grotesque sight. The face of a child, crying blood tears amidst the pile of flesh, stared at them with bloodshot eyes.
“Please, kill me…”
With a crack,
The sound of a head being crushed rang out. Only then did the child’s blood tears stop.
It was a hatchet. I-an, who had shattered the child’s fragile skull, finally stood up.
For a while, he stayed silent.
Soon, we’d have to confront the Flesh Seeds chasing after us. Just as Celin, the closest to I-an, was about to speak,
“…It’s already too late.”
A strangely weary voice emerged. Under its solemn tone, Celin couldn’t help but shiver and take a step back.
Yet, I-an turned his back to the group, not even glancing at them.
He only issued a low command.
“Everyone, prepare for battle. About ten are approaching.”
At that signal, an eerie cry echoed from afar. As the cries drew closer, the group trembled but instinctively prepared for battle.
I-an hung his hatchet back at his waist. Through clenched teeth, a bitter voice escaped.
“…Today, I’m going to kill all of you bastards.”
A brilliant silver aura erupted, and from the darkness, a Flesh Seed soared toward I-an, beginning its attack.
That was the start of the battle.
