A silver line crossed the void.
A brilliant beam of light left scars on the world. The blood of the monsters, gushing and spilling, dripped down.
As if trying to hold onto its missing head, the monkey monster’s hand groped around its neck. But no matter how hard it looked, its head had long fallen to the ground.
One monster flopped down. It was already an opponent I had defeated countless times.
I shook the blood off my sword without a hint of emotion. Looking around, the forest seemed to have been tidied up somewhat.
Beside Senior Delphine, there were five or six corpses of monkey monsters lying around. The smell of burned flesh wafted from the sword marks engraved like a bell.
I drew several sword paths in an instant, organizing the monsters that charged at me all at once.
It was the Golden Lionsword. Normally, the sword paths would mix the real and the void, but as my skill level increased, the ratio of the real path would rise.
For example, Ceria could draw three lines of sword path simultaneously, of which two would be real. If she honed her skills further, she could draw a sword path composed entirely of the real without any void.
If she became even more skilled, she would be able to handle five lines of sword paths.
That was the level Senior Delphine had reached. The Golden Lionsword she drew produced five lines of sword path simultaneously, with three being genuine.
As proof, the corpses of the monkey monsters sprawled in front of Senior Delphine each had one line of sword mark left. The appearance of three extending at once indicated they had been subdued in one fell swoop.
In contrast, the monkey monsters that had fallen in front of Ceria were down in pairs. This was because only two of the sword paths she wielded were real.
Looking at the panting Senior Delphine and Ceria, I clenched and unclenched my hand.
I didn’t know how, but I could also wield the Golden Lionsword. My proficiency was higher than Ceria’s but lower than Senior Delphine’s.
Three lines of sword path and three real paths.
That was my level.
Yet, at certain moments, I was merely relying on the memories imprinted in my body.
No matter how much I thought, I couldn’t understand. How could the future ‘me’ have learned the vision techniques of the Yuridina Clan, even having mastered the vision arts of the Holy Kingdom and the Sword Circle?
For now, it wasn’t a problem that could be solved just by thinking, so I shook my head and put my thoughts aside.
My eyes turned towards the depths of the forest. The cave was now right in front of me.
“I’ll move again once everything is sorted out. Be cautious of ambushes, as Flesh Seeds may appear near the cave.”
Just as I was about to take a step forward, I suddenly looked at Celin.
She appeared incredibly tense. Her trembling arms and legs, along with her pale face, made it questionable whether she could continue in this battle.
After all, for Celin, today was practically her first real combat experience.
However, we were headed towards the lair where monkey monsters, mythological beasts, and the Dark Cult was conducting secret experiments.
It was only natural for her to be scared. I placed my hand on Celin’s shoulder in silence.
Startled, Celin stiffened, but upon seeing me, sighed in evident relief.
Her hazel eyes had sunk wearily.
“……I-an oppa.”
“Are you scared?”
At my plain question, Celin’s eyes trembled slightly. After a moment’s hesitation, she shook her head weakly.
“……No.”
Hearing that, I chuckled softly. It was obvious to anyone, but it seemed she wanted to have some pride.
“If you’re scared, it’s okay to step back.”
“Y-Yes, but…”
“Instead, there will be many more life-and-death situations ahead. I don’t know for sure, but being by my side will make it even more so.”
Celin’s hesitant mouth clamped shut. She looked up at me with sad eyes.
She looked like a soaking wet puppy. I smiled faintly and ruffled Celin’s hair.
As I pressed down on her head, Celin let out a faint sound of discomfort and shot me a reproachful glance. Nonetheless, she didn’t reject my touch.
“Celin, once you wield a sword, there’s no choice… it’s either kill or be killed, only those two options. You’ll have to get used to it.”
“……Yes.”
Celin replied with a sullen expression. All I could do was turn my back with a bitter smile.
It was a problem Celin had to figure out on her own. There was no way she could come to understand it just because I said so.
But wait, why did I feel qualified to give Celin advice?
I took hold of my chin. After some thought, I realized that my own real combat experience was woefully lacking. If anything, Senior Delphine or Senior Elsi likely had more experience than I did.
However, my contemplation could not continue. Suddenly, a brown head of hair popped into my view.
It was the petite Senior Elsi.
She had been hesitating for a while, glancing at me nervously. When I looked at her with a puzzled gaze, Senior Elsi seemed to have made a decision, squeezing her eyes shut and shouting.
“I-I did well too!”
After staring blankly at Senior Elsi for a moment, I quickly grasped her intention and couldn’t help but smirk.
It seemed she mistook my ruffling of Celin’s head as a reward. Perhaps she was showing her jealousy in response.
Of course, it was merely a one-sided misunderstanding from Senior Elsi. The only person who considered being patted on the head as a reward, among everyone I knew, was Senior Elsi.
Her expectant gaze, peeking at me from the corner of her eye, was rather adorable, and I couldn’t help but pet her head.
With that, her face relaxed and a grin appeared.
“I-an, Hehe… I like you….”
Like a puppy expressing affection, Senior Elsi clung to my arm and rubbed her cheek against me.
It was a shocking sight, but even Celin and Ceria didn’t pay attention anymore. They had become accustomed to it.
Senior Elsi’s displays of affection were that enthusiastic. It made me wonder what I would do when we returned to the Academy.
Still, I didn’t feel bad about it at all.
Senior Elsi trusted and followed me. Even knowing it was a life-and-death matter. Originally, she was someone who wouldn’t bother with commoners, making it hard to agree with my cause.
Not just Senior Elsi.
Celin, Ceria, and Senior Delphine felt the same way.
Somewhere along the line, numerous companions had gathered around me. In other words, it meant there were many more people I needed to protect.
I quietly calmed my heart. Sharper than anyone.
My eyes sank deep. I recalled the murmurs of a man I had seen one day.
“I will never regret it again.”
That phrase echoed heavily in my chest.
The cave was now right before us.
Inside the cave, it was still humid and cold.
After all, it had not been long since we left, so the climate wouldn’t have changed. It was merely late afternoon, and the chill felt all the more eerie.
Nightfall was approaching.
When the time of Evil God Omelos arrived, her retinue became stronger and more ferocious. This would surely apply to the Flesh Seeds as well.
We had to finish this quickly. This was the reason I hastened my steps despite my companions expressing fatigue from the prolonged battle.
I moved as carefully as possible, but there had been no attacks from the Flesh Seeds yet. As I emerged from the long passage, I soon found myself faced with a pit.
I glanced back. Representing our group, Senior Delphine nodded.
We slowly stepped into the chamber where the pit was.
There, the Flesh Seeds were walking around, making grotesque sounds. Many of them had been asleep when I first witnessed them, but that was no longer the case.
Dozens of monsters writhed, running around the pit. Among them, some were screaming for reasons unknown.
And at the center, the Flesh Nest churned and expelled the Flesh Seeds.
The membranous walls, opened like fruits, were torn away, and the newly born Flesh Seeds staggered to rise. The horrifying sound of “Kieeeek!” echoed, mixed with terrified voices.
These were the voices of humans used as materials.
It was a scene that incited an instinctual aversion. My companions’ expressions had long been twisted, and as for me, I could feel a simmering anger within.
They must not be allowed to live.
Once again, I realized my judgment had been correct. I whispered to Senior Elsi.
“Senior Elsi, enter the spell circle right away. Delphine and I will take the lead…”
It was then that a strange presence caught my senses.
My gaze slowly turned up towards the ceiling. There, a single Flesh Seed was crouched, eyes trained on Senior Elsi. It was signaling a pounce.
I cursed inwardly. Now that I think of it, the Flesh Seeds could climb walls with their claws. It would not be strange for them to have ambushed from the ceiling.
I immediately pushed Senior Elsi away, and the sword I had drawn fell to the lower left.
Then three vertical lines were drawn in the air.
“Kieeeeeeeek!”
The Flesh Seed that passed through the silver bars was divided into four quarters and rolled on the ground. Soon enough, a cleaving line ran from its crown, spewing blood.
One Flesh Seed’s movement came to a halt.
Yes, it was merely one.
I hurriedly scanned the ceiling. There, hanging like bats, were Flesh Seeds glaring at us with their fiery-red pupils.
In the moment when my companions were struck with confusion, I shouted.
“Everyone, prepare for battle!”
It was time for blood-soaked myths to be reenacted.
