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125
It was an indescribable noise. Numerous sounds intertwined to create a deafening roar that seemed to split the ears. It was enough to make one feel as if the ground was shaking.
No, was it really just an illusion?
Thump, thump. As the large reverberation drew closer, tension settled on the faces of those in the middle of the forest. The mercenaries who were preparing to subdue and drag away the fallen attackers were frozen in place, unable to move. They felt an overwhelming pressure from the approaching roar.
Gulp. When the surroundings became so quiet that one could hear someone swallowing dry saliva.
“Dein, take the mercenaries and leave this place quickly.”
“What? But we can’t leave you two behind…!”
“We’ll be fine, hurry.”
From the moment the unidentifiable noise was heard in the distance, Dein had already felt an ominous feeling. His instincts were screaming that they needed to leave this place immediately. However, like the others, his body was stiff with tension and unable to move.
It was Rohan who broke the precarious atmosphere. His added voice was unwavering and thus resolute. Dein, who had been standing awkwardly, only felt sensation return to his limbs after meeting Rohan’s eyes directly. The vague threat became a reality.
“Leave this place as quickly as possible!”
Dein, gritting his teeth, gave the order again to those who had hesitated. As if coming to their senses at those words, the mercenaries who had been unable to leave their spots began to move swiftly.
Before leaving the forest through the path they had come, his gaze lastly turned towards where Rohan and Arpel were. The two were still standing in place without wavering.
“Aren’t you two coming?”
What was the intention behind this last question? Perhaps it was a hint of guilt at leaving those two behind.
“If we delay any longer, we won’t be able to escape.”
Arpel answered calmly to this. Dein could only bite his lip with an awkward smile. He seemed to vaguely understand what those dry purple eyes were thinking.
Although no one said it out loud, the thought that staying here would only be a hindrance kept filling his mind. Perhaps he had guessed that he would be unnecessary in the upcoming fight. It was probably true. The presence felt from afar, which seemed capable of easily crushing a person, was beyond what he could handle.
Staying here would only result in a dog’s death. So he wasn’t unable to understand that decision.
But knowing this didn’t mean he could completely shake off the overwhelming sense of doubt and guilt. His expression naturally sank.
“Instead, please visit the nearby temple and relay the situation. It would be even better if you could bring reinforcements.”
“…! Yes, I’ll definitely do that!”
It was Rohan who set Dein straight. It was just a simple request that wasn’t too difficult, but his words brought color back to Dein’s gaunt face.
Dein only started moving again after hearing voices urging him from behind. He kept muttering greetings like “You must stay safe!” Unable to hide his lingering attachment, he was the last to leave the place.
And so, in the middle of the forest where the commotion had subsided.
Only after confirming that the mercenaries had safely escaped did Rohan turn his gaze to stare beyond the forest exuding a gloomy aura. Fierce killing intent was intertwined with the noise that made ears buzz. The unknown being was still targeting them.
“Arpel.”
Rohan called Arpel softly. As if waiting for that call, Arpel’s form immediately distorted. Grasping him tightly in one hand as he transformed into the familiar form of a sword, at the moment of heightening vigilance.
Crash—!
With a sound that seemed to shake heaven and earth, the trees opposite them snapped and fell. They had broken, unable to withstand the immense, irresistible force. As half of the dense trees had broken, the being hiding beyond them could also be quickly discovered.
“…This, I didn’t expect.”
An ambiguous smile spread across his face. It seemed to be tinged with a bit of difficulty. The being that had sprung out of the forest was that sudden and unexpected. Rohan swiftly dodged the giant fist that flew at him as soon as he adjusted his grip on the sword.
The unstoppable fist struck the ground directly. The shaking of the earth, a sound like something exploding, and the ground rapidly cracking from where the fist had touched. Just from this, one could infer how enormous the power contained in ‘that thing’s’ fist was. Moreover, because it was imbued with the aura of a wraith, the shattered ground gradually turned black.
<Rohan, be careful. That’s…>
“Yeah, I know. Another executive of the Salvation Church… right?”
A massive body about three times the height of an average adult male, thick arms that seemed to match a tree trunk, and alien green skin. Just looking at these listed characteristics, it wouldn’t be wrong to say it was a newly discovered monstrous life form completely unrelated to humans… but the two facing it easily recognized ‘that thing’s’ identity.
An aura of wraith so thick it was suffocating was leaking from the giant monster. Additionally, the familiar shape of the mask covering its face, and its inhuman, heteromorphic appearance.
Like the Salvation Church executive who had met his death at Leriana’s hands not long ago, this too was undoubtedly one of the seven executives.
“Grooooar-!”
However, the situation wasn’t so simple. Not only was there a question of why an executive had appeared so blatantly here, but its condition also seemed quite strange.
<…Something’s off.>
A roar resembling an animal’s cry poured from it. Yellow saliva dripped from its widely opened mouth. Unlike the previous executive who had been able to communicate, the giant before their eyes seemed unable to speak, only letting out huge roars.
Its actions were also slow. Although its strength was unbelievably powerful, the path of its punches was excessively simple. An ordinary person would die in the blink of an eye, but for those who could move their bodies as quickly as Rohan, it was possible to dodge even a beat late.
Not only Rohan who was directly avoiding its body, but Arpel who was quietly observing the situation also felt the strangeness. Like a beast without reason… The thought that had been continuing suddenly stopped. He seemed to have had this thought earlier as well.
<Could it be…>
“Arpel, did you see?”
That guy, his eyes are red.
Red eyes dripping with gloomy and sticky killing intent. Only after confirming this at Rohan’s words could Arpel be certain.
Perhaps, he thought, there might be a connection between the earlier attackers and this guy. However, there was no time to discuss this in detail now. Even if its speed was slow, the power contained in the executive’s fists was unimaginably strong, and it was imbued with the power of a wraith.
For now, they needed to focus on the battle before their eyes.
After taking a moment to assess his opponent, Rohan easily avoided the fist flying towards his brow and moved his sword. The elegantly drawn sword sliced through the giant’s skin in an instant.
“Gaaah!”
Compared to the executive they had faced before, its body’s durability seemed better, requiring a bit more force. Once the sword had cut through the outer skin, it advanced without hindrance and was able to half-sever the creature’s arm. Perhaps due to the magical power abundantly contained in the blade, a painful scream immediately leaked out.
“Was I too shallow?”
Contrary to his intention to completely sever the arm, he ended up only inflicting a wound. As he stepped back half a step with a frown, the creature swung its injured arm. The swing was so strong that as the arm brushed past his face, a fierce wind swept by.
That wasn’t the end of it.
“…Regeneration?”
The half-severed, dangling arm began to heal rapidly. The skin that had been cut and split reattached without a trace, as if it were a lie. Only the blood flowing over the skin remained as the sole evidence that the previous situation wasn’t a dream.
Biting his lip, Rohan moved his body again. The opposite arm, the side, the leg… he cut many places, but the situation didn’t change. The executive before his eyes was recovering from wounds as soon as they were inflicted. To make matters worse, as if being repeatedly cut all over its body had fueled its anger, its already seemingly mindless behavior became even more violent.
Irresistible enormous power, and monster-like regenerative ability that didn’t end no matter how much it was cut. It might have been a situation where someone would feel hopeless, but at least Rohan didn’t.
He slowly caught his breath and his eyes shone. There was a way to bring it down.
<Don’t overdo it. I’ll help you.>
“Thank you. As expected, only Arpel will do.”
Arpel, who had immediately noticed Rohan’s plan, added, and Rohan readily accepted his kindness. His eyes curved prettily as if pleased. While uttering words tinged with aegyo as a bonus.
It was quite a cute action. It wasn’t the kind of impression one should have in this situation, but imagination is free, isn’t it? As he had no intention of withdrawing his impression, Arpel didn’t bother to stop the laughter that leaked out. A small regret that he should have been in human form rather than sword form to capture the smiling face with his eyes also passed by.
Authority mixed with the blade that had been filled only with magical power until now. The even more blackened tip of the sword rippled like mist.
Grasping that sword tightly, Rohan stepped towards the giant.
If it keeps recovering endlessly no matter how many wounds are inflicted…
All he had to do was surpass its recovery speed and make it so there wasn’t even time to attempt recovery.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
