Chapter 69

“I’m hoping you can show a cold expression.”

I took a step forward.

“And I’m hoping you can point the knife at me.”

Then I took two more steps.

And brought my hands forward.

A fly, singed by the streetlight’s glow, becomes nothing more than dust, making a trivial sound. The vast light, unyielding, continues to exude its aloofness.

It’s just an inevitable order of things.

“I love this moment when the crushed fatigue closes the curtain and ends the stage, this lingering feeling tightening around my head.”

I spat out my mixed emotions. Even so, revealing my still-muddled mind to the cold wind is exhilarating.

“Don’t you think so too?”

I forced a smile through my blurred vision.

[If you say so, I’ll think so.]

“What is that?”

I exhaled. I felt my head spinning slowly.

I squeezed my eyes shut against the sense of fatigue and reopened them, thinking about what was to come.

I hovered the scroll in the air. I checked the sentences according to the engraved spell.

The basic materials were already prepared, whether for me or not. Horns and armor from the Necro species, wings, skin, and so on.

It was worth the wait. Obtaining the core materials related to Necro from the Behemoth would have been a challenge.

The gains were sufficient.

“First, I need to adjust the size.”

It wasn’t mentioned in the glowing sentence, so it shouldn’t matter, but I knew from my accomplishments so far that the amount of information needed was more than what was written.

It’s unkind, but it can’t be helped.

[Wouldn’t one building be enough?]

“That seems fine.”

As I continued walking, I spotted a power facility. It was a building around twenty stories tall, not too high. It seemed there were still people around, as light was spilling out from several windows.

I set my feet on the street. After a moment to breathe, I blinked slowly.

The ground trembled. A red river invaded from the alleyways. With the sound of splashing water, a light rain began to fall.

First, I needed to lay the foundation. Let’s use the knowledge beneath my feet as a stepping stone.

[Size is 20MP.]

I drew a round magic circle. The sentences embodying the spell glowed and filled the border. Not too large, not too small; just the right size.

I amplified the body filled with blood. A different hue than the surrounding red rivers burst forth from my body.

Fresh blood stained the letters of the magic circle red. The circle flashed, spreading magic power like a shockwave. The encroaching rivers mixed with the magic power and began to whirl.

A massive storm erupted. Red rain fell, and lightning struck. Cold magic power consumed the air, exuding a deadly energy.

[Body 50, Frenzy 30, Spirit 20.]

I calmly wrote the sentence. I suppressed the sticky sensation of my body and spat out blood.

A scream echoed. A massive shadow loomed over the fog that had swallowed the ground. I heard a swishing sound.

“I hope you like it.”

A cold sensation approached, and the city began to soak in the wave. With the onset of the great flood, everything around was swept away, forming a rapid current.

The dust that rose was swiftly swept away by the moisture in the air. Blackened clouds covered the sky.

“What if you don’t like it?”

A roar echoed.

The wind, which had been whipping my hair, changed direction.

A hot heat consumed my body.

The flames that attacked the ground spread widely, engulfing the sea. Columns of fire erupted from various places. The dry air was dominated by smoke.

Light flashed.

As the meteor fell, magic power spread like a shockwave.

Blending magic with flames expelled all moisture from the air. The cement floor was exposed, and the ground shook. Stale air and dust seized the skies, heralding disaster.

The red flames reached their climax, creating a massive ring and burning fiercely.

A gigantic foot landed on the ground. A long tail rose into the air. The purple skin moved, and the dragon’s head and body asserted their presence.

A howl filled the air, and steam spread once more.

The Behemoth opened its eyes.

“That’s impressive.”

After a long period of concentration, the first thing I did was to plop down on the ground.

It was a sensation of cleanliness and coolness, a place wiped clean by the passing water.

My body was tired, but my clothes didn’t seem to reflect that. My coat, soaked with water, had dried in the flames, creating deeper creases.

In any case, my footsteps seemed slow, adjusted to the size I’d prepared, but it didn’t matter. After all, I had also tweaked the stats.

[That’s amazing.]

“Thank you for helping.”

[What’s with the sudden appreciation?]

“There are times like that.”

I murmured as I watched the Behemoth slowly move away, shaking the ground.

[Didn’t I say I would help as much as I could?]

“Did you?”

Bloody sighed softly. Red particles swirled in the air.

“It feels like just yesterday you were making a fuss about not killing people.”

[That’s separate.]

I got to my feet.

[Your business is your business.]

“You truly are a wicked spirit.”

[You won’t understand until you’re in my position.]

I spat out some blood carelessly. The trickle of fresh blood stained my clothes.

I spread my wings and jumped onto the rooftops of nearby buildings, matching Behemoth’s path. After looking around more, I found a taller building.

I leaped once more, firmly planting my feet on the top of a tower that overlooked the city.

The ruins of collapsed buildings and the cracked ground formed a view devoid of light. Only the areas surrounding Behemoth were devastated, and as I moved further away, I began to see buildings that appeared clean without issues.

And then I spotted Erica in the distance.

Breath was released, and a massive shield slammed into the ground. A column of fire collided with the shield, dispersing to the sides.

“You’re really working hard.”

[Didn’t I say I need to get stronger?]

“That’s true.”

I hadn’t particularly directed her, but the opportunity to raise Erica’s stats was now available, considering I had adjusted them quite well.

Light flashed in the sky.

“Ahhhhh!”

A green girl dropped while riding a cannonball, screaming. The black projectile’s speed continued to increase.

I gauged its trajectory and took three steps to the side.

“I-I won’t feel pain this time!”

A small cushion was summoned to the rooftop. The cannonball that had been heading straight hit the cushion, shattering like the rooftop’s ground.

Zhukyl neatly fell through the hole beneath.

“Ah! Ah! Aaaaah!”

Crash! Bang! Thud.

“That must hurt.”

[Go help her.]

“Why would I?”

[Isn’t that what a good child should do?]

It seemed a bit off to say that after summoning a monster right in the middle of the city.

Flapping my wings, I descended through the hole to find Zhukyl on the ground, groaning.

“Are you okay?”

“Ugh… Ah! Lord Orly!”

Zhukyl’s face brightened instantly as he raised his hands and flailed about.

“I came to see the spectacular scene!”

“Is that so?”

There seemed no need to return to the rooftop.

I opened the door on the first floor of the building and stepped outside. The two beings were still engaged in battle, continuing to spit flames.

Zhukyl nodded with confidence.

“I was certain, Lord Orly, that you would create a beautiful picture!”

The Behemoth roared. Erica lunged and thrust her blade deep into its abdomen. Slashes from all directions tore into Behemoth’s flesh.

“Well… it’s part of my plan.”

“I see! My eyes were not wrong!”

The Behemoth swept its tail. Erica, struck, crashed against the back wall. The air shook as buildings that were in the tail’s trajectory collapsed entirely.

“People will tremble in fear. The madwomen will call out curses again during their fits. But you wouldn’t care, would you? Lord Orly, you, and those like me… heehee.”

“Don’t worry. I’m used to those kinds of gazes.”

I wiped the dripping sweat away. After a few coughs, I redirected my gaze back to Erica.

“That can’t happen! You mustn’t get used to it!”

“Really?”

“You have to crush it.”

Another howl echoed. I blinked, startled by Zhukyl’s sudden grin.

“We have to let the world know our grand plan!”

“Are you including me in that plan?”

“Of course! Naturally, Lord Orly is…!”

“Ah, just a moment.”

While I could engage in conversation if she wanted, there was a more urgent matter at hand.

Because there, in front of me, was Erica, who had collapsed and could not get up.

“I’m a bit busy right now. Let’s meet again next time.”

“Huh? Huh?! Lord Orly!”

I unfurled my wings and leaped to the ground.

#

What’s this again?

As I groaned in pain and lifted my head from the rubble, I saw the Behemoth scorching the city with its breath.

Erica tried to rise, panting heavily. But perhaps the effort was too much, as her entire body trembled.

Why is such a powerful beast appearing all of a sudden? Isn’t that Behemoth?

A wave of nausea surged within me, and I painfully spat blood.

…I want to rest.

Among the fleeting thoughts, one tightened around my head, but Erica stood up again.

If I don’t stop it, who will?

Whether it was a foolish hero mentality or not, giving up here would mean denying the path I had walked thus far.

I could not allow that.

Fighting alone, feeling as if my body might snap, was becoming familiar, but it didn’t matter. When unexpected dangers swallowed my peaceful life and revealed themselves, I became the one to face them calmly.

Happiness. Future. Freedom.

It’s been a long time since I turned my back on those dazzling things.

It’s been a long time since I rejected warm touches.

Though I sometimes felt wronged, I persevered. Isn’t life supposed to be this way?

I leaned against the wall and stood up.

So what remains?

On this path where darkness descends, what can I believe in to move forward?

Will I, who can walk steadfastly without crying, suddenly turn back into a child?

This way of living will continue. I must endlessly break through the immense walls in front of me.

Knowing it’s a thorny path, I still have to step forward barefoot.

Erica raised her head and looked at the Behemoth again.

The exhaled breath scattered a thick fog that disrupted her breath. Erica coughed and, with the echoing pain, glared as she charged forward.

Breath was unleashed. Her body was pressed by the flames. Her skin crumbled, presenting endless agony.

Another impact struck her back.

Once again, her body crashed to the ground, unable to maintain balance.

“…Ugh.”

It hurts.

I’m exhausted, tired.

My body trembles.

It’s cold.

I want to stop. I want to let go of everything.

But I can’t.

I grimaced and lifted my legs.

However, the strength in my already weakened body didn’t seem to permit me.

Now, what to do?

“You look good.”

At the end of that voice, I involuntarily lifted my gaze and saw a girl whose silver hair suited her perfectly.

Erica glared at her, but movement didn’t come easily.

I just wanted to hurl insults, but my brain was too foggy to articulate it.

Orly chuckled softly at my state.

“Good job.”

The wind swirled around her. Orly unfolded her wings and shot vertically into the sky.

Orly circled around the Behemoth, sprinkling droplets of blood. Those small droplets, after a moment of silence, exploded, shaking the space.

The Behemoth stumbled, roaring. Flames erupted, and breath poured forth. It charged through the flames while wielding a knife.

The Behemoth’s mouth widened, and pieces of its skin scattered everywhere. Amidst a scream that threatened to rip eardrums, Orly buried a crimson sword deep into Behemoth’s neck.

Holding the blade that pierced its skin, she twisted it around Behemoth’s neck. Crimson lines flashed across the Behemoth’s body, and blood splattered. With a flap of her wings, she soared behind it, keeping the sword lodged in.

A scream echoed. Thick blood dominated the space. A massive line was etched across Behemoth’s entire body.

The frenzied beast let out a deafening roar and spread its gigantic claws.

Orly raised the knife.

She lowered her body, piercing the air. Flapping her wings, she raced through the void. She pierced the heart of Behemoth and flew past it.

A piercing sound erupted. As flames roared, pieces of the Behemoth’s skin flew in all directions. Blood rained down from the sky, and smoke billowed.

Orly smiled faintly. Her silver hair rippled. The knife glimmered.

Erica let out a hollow laugh.

“…You just fought with me today.”

But.

Why are you saving me?