Chapter 79
“Lord, what do we do?”
At the Eastern Fortress — inside the prison on its upper floors — Eric found the captured Cardinal.
At Leona’s question, he glanced at the two Named monsters standing guard nearby and shrugged.
“What else? Whether it ends up as soup or rice, we fight — and win.”
He hadn’t expected there to be multiple Named monsters stationed here, but even so, this was within his predicted range.
At least there weren’t additional minions under their command.
“Given that our goal is to protect and rescue the Cardinal, this is actually better. No more, no less — we just need to deal with two.”
The Long-Armed Rungus and Giant-Armed Magnus.
Coincidentally, both of them were creatures Eric knew well.
Then again, what seasoned player who had cleared the game multiple times wouldn’t recognize these two?
Among the Demon Ape King’s Named subordinates, these two were special.
Whether the Ape King was invading someone’s land or being hunted in turn, the “Twin Arms Brothers” were never apart.
“That’s exactly what makes them so tough together — but it also means their patterns are clear.”
“Hero, the Demon Ape King will come running once he hears the commotion. Can you defeat them before that happens?”
Ventus, sword drawn and eyes fixed on the enemies, asked in a low voice.
“That won’t be a problem. He won’t get here that fast.”
His concern was valid — after all, they were in enemy territory occupied by the Demon Ape King himself. He couldn’t be far.
But that only mattered if the king could pay attention to this fight right now.
“Hey! What’s with all the whispering? Didn’t you come to rescue the old man? I’d rather get this over with so I can take a break! Or should we just—”
BOOOOM!
RUMBLEEEE—!
Before Rungus could finish his taunt, the fortress suddenly shook violently — as if struck by an earthquake.
“It’s begun.”
“Wh-what was that?”
As the monsters turned in alarm toward the noise, Eric thought of the Duke’s mage battalion positioned outside the Oblium Fortress.
“Something’s happening outside! We should go help!”
Wuuuuuung—
The first volley of high-tier magical bombardment shook the air. The faint sound of war cries followed — and Eric smiled faintly.
But the moment was brief — Magnus suddenly swung his enormous arm with a roar, forcing Eric to gasp and dodge instinctively.
KRAAAASH!
“Eek!”
“Ugh! What strength…!”
The massive arm, thick as a man’s torso, smashed through the iron bars like paper.
CRASH!
The wall collapsed under the impact. Eric grimaced, pain shooting through his arm.
“This brute…”
The bars barely missed him — and instead tore through the chains binding the Cardinal’s arm.
The Cardinal, dangling limply from the half-broken chains, looked at his freed arm in shock while Eric wiped cold sweat from his brow.
If that had been just a little closer, the Cardinal might have lost an arm.
“Hey! You’ll crush the hostage at this rate!”
Eric’s shout cut through the haze of dust.
“We don’t have time to dawdle! We have to finish this and go help outside before the captain—”
SMACK!
“The captain said to guard the hostage, you idiot! If the old man dies because of you, you’ll pay for it!”
“Uuugh…”
Even the monsters seemed flustered — Rungus’ irritated yell made it clear they didn’t dare harm the hostage either.
“Makes sense. A hostage is only useful if he’s alive.”
“Lady Lillian.”
“Y-yes?”
“Prepare a big one — something powerful enough to bring the place down if needed.”
While the two apes bickered, Eric found Lillian amidst the settling dust and instructed her calmly.
“B-bring it down? But the Cardinal—”
They had to rescue him safely, yet Eric wanted her to unleash destructive magic?
“…Alright. I’ll do it.”
Though she hesitated, she soon nodded firmly and gripped her staff tight.
If it were anyone else, she’d question their sanity — but Eric always had a plan.
“Tch. Fine, let’s just end this quick. Be careful not to hit the old man!”
“Okay. No hit hostage.”
Eric sent Lillian behind the broken wall, tightened his grip on his sword, and faced the two reemerging Named monsters.
Even one would be deadly. Facing both — especially in this cramped space — was a nightmare. But they had no other choice.
“Then here we go! Uuukiiik!”
SWOOSH!
Rungus’ long arm lashed like a whip toward them.
“Leona!”
“Yes, my lord!”
Before the arm could strike, Leona dashed forward and slashed at it.
CLAAANG!
“Grr… What’s with this woman? She’s fast!”
The clash sounded nothing like flesh meeting steel — more like metal on metal.
Momentarily startled, Leona pressed her attack, thrusting her blade toward Rungus’ body.
“Gah! Where do you think you’re going?”
As he swung his other arm to swat her away—
FWIP!
Ventus drew his crossbow and fired at Rungus’ exposed armpit.
“Huh? An arrow? When did—”
THUNK!
“Ha! Thought I wouldn’t notice?”
Magnus’ giant arm suddenly blocked the shot, taking the arrow instead.
WHAM!
“Ugh!”
The next instant, Leona was sent flying by the returning swing.
“Leona!”
“Hero! The knight is—”
WOOOOSH!
“Damn—ugh!”
BOOOOM!
Magnus’ arm came crashing down, sweeping Ventus off his feet and slamming him against the wall.
THUD!
“Ugh… Damn it…!”
He’d blocked the hit with his crossbow, but blood dripped from his lip as he groaned in pain.
SWOOSH—!
“Sorry, but this ends—”
THUNK!
“Ugh?”
Rungus suddenly froze mid-swing.
SHHHK!
“Ukkiik! My… arm! What the—?!”
“R-Rungus?!”
His scream echoed through the prison.
A large hole had appeared clean through his arm — with nothing seemingly causing it.
SPLASH—
“Leona, Ventus — can you stand?”
While the apes reeled in confusion, Eric crossed the wet, debris-strewn floor and checked on his allies.
“I-I’m fine.”
“Ugh… I knew sneaking in with just five people would be rough, but this is ridiculous!”
Thanks to Malefica’s quick healing, both could still move.
“Careful! They’re coming again!”
Malefica’s warning made Eric dive aside just in time.
KRAAAASH!
“Graaaah! I’ll kill you all!”
Magnus, enraged by his brother’s injury, swung wildly, shaking the entire floor.
BANG! CRASH!
“My lord! The floor won’t hold much longer!”
Eric glanced toward Lillian — hidden behind the collapsed wall, power swirling around her.
She was almost ready.
“Just a little longer… but how do we buy time—ah!”
Dodging blow after blow, Eric noticed the heavily damaged chains dangling nearby.
“Leona! Help me a moment!”
CLANG—
Together, they cut through the last chains binding the Cardinal.
“W-what are you doing?! Get out while you can!”
“Get out? With two Named monsters staring at us? We can’t leave them alive.”
The Cardinal collapsed weakly to the ground as Eric continued with a shameless grin.
“So please, help us a little.”
“H-help you? Wh—huh?!”
THUD—!
A massive fist came crashing toward them — and Eric grabbed the weakened Cardinal, holding him up like a human shield.
The punch froze inches from the Cardinal’s face.
Eric exhaled in relief.
“H-horrible! You came to rescue me, not kill me!”
“Rescue you I did. If we don’t beat them, we’re all dead anyway.”
“Rescue?! You almost got me killed! What if he hadn’t stopped?!”
The Cardinal, pale as a sheet, shouted furiously, but Eric didn’t even blink.
“C-can’t hit hostage… or Captain will scold me…”
Exactly as he’d hoped — Magnus wouldn’t dare risk his commander’s wrath.
“You cowardly human! If you’re a warrior, fight fair!”
“Sorry to disappoint you. I’m not a warrior.”
Eric smirked.
He set the Cardinal gently on the ground and added,
“Don’t worry, I’m done fighting dirty. Holding you up any longer might get me scolded later. And besides…”
He looked back and grinned.
“…there’s no reason to stall anymore.”
“Wha—!”
The Cardinal had barely stepped away with Leona’s help when a massive fist crashed down.
BOOOOM!
Eric dove aside, barely dodging.
“Lillian!”
“On it!”
From behind the rubble came her clear voice—
FLASH!
“Aaagh! My eyes! I can’t see!”
Blinding light filled the prison. Eric squeezed his eyes shut and let Malefica pull him to safety.
FWOOOOOSH!
Then — a raging vortex of flame.
“Flame Storm!”
Lillian’s spell erupted, engulfing both Named monsters in a blazing inferno.
