Chapter 58

I couldn’t understand.

I clearly said I wouldn’t just sit back during this operation.

Yet, the sight of Erica confidently stepping forward and reciting the plan was nothing short of bewildering.

“The point to be aware of is the level of resistance from the enemies in unexpected situations. Given their necromancer characteristics, the exposure of the sun in the afternoon puts them at a disadvantage in a confrontation.”

I followed the hunters who were intently listening to her words while twirling a strand of hair.

Or is my bewilderment at such a sight part of their strategy? Is she planning to proceed with the operation so confidently without giving me a chance to think it through?

Does that even make sense?

“If we say we won’t kill anyone, they might easily surrender. But then it just ends there…”

“Is setting explosives a last resort?”

“That’s about it.”

Erica drew a line in the air with her finger. A glowing blue light outlined several spells.

“Anyway, just borrow the saturated stats to infiltrate from the underground to the first floor, handle them lightly, and come back.”

“Should I aim for a manufacturing stat of… saturation at 90 and closeness at 10?”

“As long as you can open the saturation to 90 or above, the rest of the materials don’t matter. The primary objective is to blow up the building.”

Suddenly, I saw a teacher with glasses holding a stick in front of a blackboard. I felt like attending class.

Will I get scolded if I don’t do my homework?

I quickly shook my head. I don’t know what I’m thinking, but I’ll definitely disrupt the battle in the middle. Let’s create chaos as boldly declared amidst this confusing battle situation.

“I have a question too! Teacher Erica!”

Erica shot me a sideways glance while maintaining her pace.

“What should I do?”

“You just…”

“I’m confident in anything! If it’s a battle, I’ll fight! If it’s a hostage situation, I’ll handle that! If it’s terrorism, I’ll do it!”

Silence fell.

Oh, I didn’t mean to say that.

I really do feel flustered.

Is this a strategy after all?

Reluctantly waiting for an answer with a hint of expectation, a soft voice reached my ears.

“…Just stay next to me.”

“Huh.”

Is this a confession?

I’m willing to accept it.

Really?

Am I really willing to accept it?

Being killed by a beloved partner isn’t a bad outcome.

No, it’s more than acceptable.

No, wait. No.

It’s thrilling.

Yeah, that’s about it.

For a moment, my mind drifted slowly.

“I didn’t think you would say something so embarrassing, Teacher.”

“Why am I your teacher?”

“You suit being a teacher. Teacher!”

“Stop calling me teacher. You’re not even a student.”

Is it better to call her master?

Sorting my thoughts haphazardly, I resumed walking.

When we encounter them, the necromancers must feel like the sky is falling. They were gradually raising their meager stats thanks to the spirit world incident, but it would all turn to bubbles in an instant.

There are many creepy people who gather human corpses or animal remains to collect souls. Raising many creatures using souls and creating terror is an example of what that future might hold.

Could this group be scheming something as well?

In that sense, their resistance might be fierce.

I saw Erica finishing her explanation and stopping as she walked forward.

Thanks to the recent three instances of blood suction and several trainings, Erica has probably become quite strong. How about those hunters, then?

As we got out of the vehicle, a distant rectangular building appeared before us.

“You get it, right? There’s no need to engage in close combat unnecessarily. If it gets tough, you can fall back. If you want, you can also gather and start a full-scale battle.”

“Understood.”

As soon as the hunters answered, their bodies suddenly darkened and disappeared quickly towards the building.

“What do we do now?”

Do we just watch?

“We need to draw attention.”

Saying that, Erica held three glowing spheres in her hands.

Suddenly, I was temporarily entranced by the brilliant light.

The spheres, which had been contracting and expanding in her released hands, rapidly dissipated into the air.

The sound that followed was a huge explosion. The spheres that reached the building emitted enough force to distort the air, but the building quickly stabilized after a brief tremor.

“That had no effect, did it?”

“Well, it would make sense. They wouldn’t just leave their base weak without reason.”

In that sense, the hunters who infiltrated need to buy time until they can set up spells to bring the building down.

As expected from Erica’s predictions, a few individuals fully cloaked in dark capes burst through the entrance.

“Oh…”

It was only natural for them to discover us, who were not far from the entrance.

Erica drew her sword. The moment they alternately looked at me and Erica, they were startled and quickly retreated back inside.

“What’s going on?”

“I wonder. Should we just break through?”

Isn’t that something you shouldn’t ask me?

I blinked.

Why am I accepting this as a matter of course?

Why are you calmly reciting your future plans to me without a hint of resistance?

“If the hunters who just went in are detected, it’ll be a big problem, won’t it? It might actually be alright to stir things up inside.”

I couldn’t say anything.

And it didn’t take long before a man, draped in a blue cloak, burst through the entrance.

“Ah, esteemed guests have arrived! Are you from the association?”

“If you simply surrender quietly, I have no intention of swinging my sword.”

Erica said this emotionlessly. In an instant, the man’s face turned to surprise.

It felt like I had a duty to lighten the atmosphere.

“That’s right! We won’t tear you apart or pierce your hearts!”

“Haha… It seems there is some misunderstanding. We’re not an evil organization like other necromancers or undead groups that create monsters.”

“Then, may I check inside for inspection?”

Erica remained expressionless.

“Of course. Please come in! I’d be glad if our misunderstanding is cleared.”

Watching the man turn around, I twisted my hair.

What I saw were dazzling stained glass windows. Like the pictures etched on the windows of a cathedral, various colors blended with sunlight to paint the floor red.

The indoor flooring was also carpeted. With stairs leading to the second floor, it seemed the space was not limited to what was visible.

Since it’s a group, there must be facilities for accommodation as well. Moreover, if they are necromancers, a place for research is essential.

“I assume you might be wary of us due to the necromancer groups you’ve encountered until now. But we are different.”

“In what way?”

As Erica began to focus, I stealthily leaned against her arm. Fortunately, she didn’t shake me off.

“I just barely scrape by thanks to support from the government.”

“You seem to be trembling quite a bit.”

I tilted my head.

“Haha… I’d appreciate your understanding. I always become like this in front of higher-ups.”

“That’s understandable. I’ll sympathize with you!”

As I followed her, I found a space with a long dining table.

“I know there are rumors about consuming human souls. There are crazed individuals committing inhumane acts, using the remains of other creatures and corpses for research…”

The man bit his lip as he spoke.

“But we’re not like that. We work together with wandering hunters or Awakened Ones to conduct small-scale research that doesn’t affect life.”

“Then how do you raise your stats? Given the nature of necromancer studies, I can’t imagine your stats are low.”

They require corpses. Necromancers are that kind of being. They easily commit crimes to endlessly develop their power.

“Y-You know well…”

Viewing the nervous man as he stuttered, I gently brushed my cheek against Erica’s hand.

Observing him closely, she suddenly jerked her hand away.

“Can’t you just stay still?”

“Sorry!”

But I’ve always been like this.

“So please answer!”

As the man, scratching his head, turned to look at us with a detached gaze, commotion arose from behind.

“Representative! We’ve found the intruders! Quickly, to use them as research materials…”

After a brief silence, the closed door burst open. Three blood-soaked hunters, with their eyes half-closed, were being dragged by several men.

Even they, cloaked in capes, seemed to struggle to pull the hunters, gasping for breath.

A gust of wind blew.

What I felt was the emptiness of the seat next to me.

When I blinked once,

Three out of the six were spitting blood from their wounds.

When I blinked again,

The other three fell from her kicks.

And chaos ensued.

The ground trembled. The air stuttered, and the ceiling began to collapse. Bones fell one by one, and tombstones poured down at regular intervals, creating a scene.

“I’m sorry.”

The man, still staggering, steadied his body. Then his eyes lit up.

“I’m afraid I’ll have to use you as research materials.”

The earth shook. From where the tombstones stood, the soil began to erupt. A gray-gloved hand pressed the ground. An armored knight rose from the earth. An axe formed in its hand.

Black smoke lingered around the knight’s head. Through it, a red glint was visible.

The knight legion was awakened.

“Oh…”

I clasped my hands together while twisting a strand of hair. It seemed the necromancer tribe had combined with the remains of the spirits. What looked like fog was a steam-type necromancer, which is difficult to create due to its intricate build.

“Impressive!”

The man flinched. I pulled out a knife and swung it.

“I’ll create the battlefield!”

A swirling wind gathered. I slightly pricked my finger, letting a drop of blood fall. The currents began to swirl and twist in the air, eventually forming a red vortex.

A fierce wind erupted. Crimson rain poured down.

A storm raged.

The knight legion was swept away, and everything around was caught and collided. The walls crumbled, and windows shattered. The surroundings trembled.

“AAHH!! My legion!! My beloved…!”

From the middle of it, his voice was swallowed.

I closed my eyes. The sharp wind roaring in my ears and the occasional screams were all that remained.

There was also an intense smell. It felt fragrant. The scent of red flowers.

I couldn’t see ahead.

In moments like this, it felt good.

It was nice not to think about anything.

Chaotic, yet serene. Confused, yet calm.

When my eyes opened again,

The storm had settled, and a shallow rain was falling.

I looked around. Things were shattered and scattered, lying in a corner. There were shards of broken glass and remnants of walls.

Thanks to the many things that had filled the floor being swept away, it resembled a wide plaza. A few knights, wielding axes, staggered back to their feet.

Only the stronger ones among the legion have survived.

Though only about three remained, well, I’m satisfied. Weaklings are unnecessary.

I turned my gaze to the opposite side. Erica raised her sword, grimacing. Three hunters were with her.

If it’s the situation I’d been hoping for, it’s now.

I quickly swung my arm. A huge claw scooped up the three hunters, sweeping them to the center of the plaza. With a faint scream, Erica’s eyes widened.

In a brief moment of silence, the knight raised a massive axe in front of them. The hunters hesitated, trembling before instinctively crouching down again.

The axe slammed down.

A dull sound echoed. A shield was raised. Before long, Erica grimaced, further tightening her lips in a frown.

When steel met steel, sparks flew. The blade curved. The axe was deflected, and the knight shattered.

I quickly pushed off the ground and lunged at Erica, generating a massive scythe to break her shield.

“Orly!”

“Let’s go!”

I smiled at Erica, who looked at me with a fleeting gaze.

Soon, the second knight charged. The raised axe glinted in the light. With no means to defend, Erica leaped, parrying the axe and rolling on the ground.

The knight that had also fallen rolled over with a creak. The blade penetrated its core.

“That must hurt.”

I spread my wings. Taking off, I created a dagger in the air and launched it at her. As Erica struggled to get up, it pierced her chest repeatedly.

“Perfect! Direct hit!”

“Ugh…”

I could see her contorted face.

That look is pretty, too.

For a moment, my mind staggered.

My abdomen was pierced by a white blade. A spurt of blood spilled out. The pain stung a bit.

“Isn’t it a bit much to use your beauty as a weapon?”

“You crazy… bitch! What’s so funny about this?!”

“The pain you give is pleasant.”

I chuckled as I landed. Watching the last knight charging toward her, I reached out slightly. Soon, red horns sprouted, and I let out a mighty roar.

If I take down that one, I should end this training.

Watching Erica, her gaze sharp as she pointed her sword at the knight, I slowly pulled the knife from my abdomen.

With a shallow pain, suddenly, thoughts spun in circles.

After all, isn’t this enough to be satisfied with?

Just being able to spend this daily life with her feels like more than I deserve.

At this moment, when I can even reduce my self-loathing a bit, I guess I should just be satisfied.

It hurts.

It hurts.

Suddenly, I saw Erica. She, drenched in sweat, having taken down the last knight, looked pained, her shoulders hunched. Erica reached out to me.

A heavy sound reverberated. I saw an axe blade soaring in mid-air. My shoulder felt lighter.

Suddenly, I looked down. A huge wound had opened near my shoulder, revealing a glimpse of bone. I turned to see.

The knight swung its fist at me. One blade flashed as it swung. The fist suddenly stopped. The knight’s neck was severed, and black liquid gushed out.

“You should have been more careful.”

Golden hair fluttered. The familiar smell of blood tickled my nose. I felt warmth.

I saw a hand wrapping around my shoulder. When I turned to look back, a pure face greeted me.

My heart fluttered.

“Are you not paying attention?”

“…”

Why is it that you are protecting me?