Chapter 57
But at that moment, the monster suddenly crouched low and leapt. In an instant, its huge body crashed down where Talia had been standing.
“Damn—!”
Talia rolled aside just in time, and the monster’s body slammed into the magic tool.
KRAAAR!
The impact tore half of its thigh apart, leaving bloody flesh dangling. Even with half a leg gone, the beast staggered back up. It bared hundreds of sharp teeth and charged straight at Talia.
SPLAT—
At that moment, a venom sack burst over its face. Strong acid melted its eyes, and the monster screamed, stumbling backward.
Kraaagh! KRAAAGH!
While it reeled, Dering’s sword slashed through its already torn leg. The beast lost its balance, its huge body swaying.
THUD!
Melody didn’t waste the chance. She tied a rope to her hammer and hurled it with all her strength.
— Please, save us.
The hammer spun through the air and struck the monster’s head dead-on. CLANG! A heavy sound rang out.
“Cut off the head! Use the rope!”
At Melody’s shout, Talia dashed forward. With quick movement, she grabbed the rope tied to the hammer and looped it tight around the monster’s neck.
Blind and frantic, the monster only scratched at its melted eyes, never thinking to tear off the rope.
— Sever it.
CRACK—!
CRASH!
The beast’s body split into two and collapsed heavily to the ground.
“…Is it dead?”
As Talia spoke, the headless monster twitched and raised an arm.
“Ughhh!”
But then it fell once more, this time for good.
All three let out a breath at once.
“Don’t say things like that!” Dering scolded, though his voice trembled.
“I owe you both my life,” Melody said, looking at them.
Talia grinned wide, and Dering, panting heavily, gave her a shaky thumbs-up.
“I’d say our teamwork was pretty amazing.”
He opened a flask, wetting his lips, and continued:
“Imagine it—three of us taking down this thing. I can brag about this for the rest of my life.”
“True.”
While the two caught their breath, Melody began gathering up the magic tools she had set around the clearing. Then she walked off toward the forest.
“Where are you going?”
Talia followed, asking. Melody checked her bracelet again, then turned her head.
“…This way.”
She pointed with her finger. Talia’s eyes widened when she looked—the direction led to a sheer cliff. Far below, faint shapes of rocks could be seen.
“That’s a cliff!”
Melody looked down into the depths, then shut her eyes tight.
“He fell there. The Duke.”
“Best not to keep going.”
Deonis’s voice woke Awhin. Dim light filled his vision. When he had closed his eyes, it was still day. Now, darkness had fallen, the hazy moon shining faintly over the land.
They couldn’t stay here forever. For now, no monsters could be sensed, but in a closed-off cave, if a monster appeared, they could be trapped and die.
Awhin looked at the monster-detection tool. Red dots glowed thick around them.
“This… you got this from my magic tool maker?”
“Lady Melody gave it to me. It shows the monsters’ locations.”
At his answer, Deonis’s brow arched, displeased.
“I’ll take the lead.”
Though the moonlight was bright, it was barely enough to push back the dark. The air was damp, carrying the smell of rain. But what stood out most was the heavy scent of blood clinging to Deonis.
“Your wound—”
“As long as I can hold a sword, don’t worry.”
“The smell might draw monsters.”
“Monsters will come anyway, blood or not.”
Deonis’s lips curled in a bitter smile. As Awhin turned his head, his eyes caught the crude bracelet on Deonis’s wrist. Its round bead was covered in messy magic lines.
“Another gift from Lady Melody?”
“She told me to come back alive.”
Deonis twisted his wrist as if to show it off. Awhin frowned slightly, not knowing why discomfort rose in his chest.
“What does it do?”
“Already used it. Up there. It blocked a monster’s strike in my place.”
So it had been a defensive tool, reinforcing armor. Awhin looked at the bracelet once, then gripped his own tool tightly.
“…Monsters are coming.”
“Let’s just hope it’s not another oversized bear.”
Deonis brushed back his hair and raised his chipped sword.
Squelch—
He stabbed into a monster’s heart. The two caught their breath only briefly before another came. Each time they killed one, another appeared from the shadows.
“Are you tired?”
“Hardly. But you, I doubt you could beat a firefly now.”
Their eyes met. Then both turned back, swinging at more beasts. His blade was so ruined, it was more like clubbing than cutting.
Crunch, crack! Bones shattered under the blows.
“Haah…”
Awhin glanced at Deonis. His breathing was rougher now. His divine power was already drained, and his body hadn’t recovered.
“We need to find shelter.”
“And where would that be? Better to stay here. At least we can see them coming.”
With that, Deonis sat heavily beside a corpse. Pride was meaningless now. Awhin also slumped against a tree.
It was still a long way to the barrier stone. Climbing the cliff might have been faster.
As he thought this, he noticed Deonis’s body sway, almost collapsing.
“Your Grace!”
“…Quiet.”
Deonis steadied himself quickly, brushing it off. Awhin clenched his trembling fingers into a fist.
“Please, let me heal you. This will be the last time.”
But his divine power was nearly gone. Recovery would take one or two days, leaving him powerless. Still, he had to use what little was left—if they didn’t know when they’d escape this forest, Deonis needed treatment now.
“No.”
As if nothing had happened, Deonis stood and walked ahead. Awhin lowered his hand, his chest heaving with a deep sigh.
“Why so stubborn…”
His words trailed off. Blood trickled down Deonis’s arm, dripping onto the ground.
Tsk. Deonis tore his cloak and tied it tightly around his arm. Why he refused healing so fiercely, Awhin couldn’t understand. But there was no time to think.
Grrr—!
The sound of monsters was close.
“Stay back.”
“Think you can handle it alone?”
“You’re in worse shape than me.”
Awhin stepped forward, pouring his remaining strength into his white blade.
“Grant me courage not to flee. Grant me strength to do your will. Grant me faith that will not fade.”
But his sword was already dull. His movements slowed. The wolf-like monster’s claws grazed his body again and again.
Deonis knew at once—Awhin couldn’t hold out much longer.
If I use magic… maybe we can escape this place.
