Chapter 15: Encounter – Part 22
“Soushi-sama, something powerful is approaching from that direction. It’s likely the Kin of Twilight,” Freinir said, pointing towards the sky as she hurried over to me. The other members began to gather around us.
As Geshura emerged from the house a moment later, Larni leaned in to whisper to me.
“Soushi, could this be a trap set by the Kin of Twilight?”
“No, it seems the pursuers are coming for her. I was told to leave this place immediately.”
“Then should we run, or should we fight?”
Glancing at Geshura, I noticed she was ignoring us and gathering the Twilight Hounds, preparing to face the pursuers.
“Geshura-san, do you think you can defeat the pursuers?”
“I cannot say. It depends on their strength, but it may be difficult. However, even if we lose, they should not take our lives.”
“So they came to abduct Geshura? For what purpose?”
“There is one named Rendurm. A fool who seeks to unite the Kin of Twilight and devour humans. He desires my power.”
“Wha…?”
Even more shocking information spilled from Geshura’s lips.
As I struggled to withstand the dizziness threatening to overwhelm me, I contemplated what to do in this situation.
If Geshura’s words were true, her abduction would pose a significant problem. That technique involving the Item Box falling into the hands of a force that seeks to attack humans, especially the Kin of Twilight, would be far too dangerous.
But why was I suddenly faced with such a grave decision? It felt like I was experiencing the maliciousness of Bad Luck once again.
“I will protect Geshura. Everyone, prepare yourselves.”
“Eh~? So, Soushi, are you saying you’d go after a beauty even if she’s from the Kin of Twilight?”
As she drew her sword, Larni shot me a cold glance.
“Just as expected of you, Soushi-sama…?”
“Soushi-san, is that true?”
“We need to report this to the Grand Master.”
“Soushi-dono is quite bold.”
“Ha~. So that’s what this is about. I see I was targeted too.”
“No, that’s not it. There’s a proper reason for this, which I will explain later.”
I was being accused of something terrible, but even so, I felt a sense of composure in the face of the Kin of Twilight, thanks to Soul’s Guidance.
“Geshura-san, we will assist you. Shall we drive them away?”
“You’re quite the odd ones… They won’t flee, and even if we drive them off, they will likely attack another human. It would be better to eliminate them.”
“Understood.”
Before long, three shadows appeared in the sky. At first glance, they resembled winged humans, but their bodies were covered in scales except for their faces. They also had tails reminiscent of lizards, suggesting they belonged to a fantasy race known as Dragonkin. Judging by their physiques, they all appeared to be male.
As they flew closer, they gracefully landed on the ground.
The one in the middle stepped forward. He was significantly larger than the other two, easily surpassing two meters in height. The horns protruding from his temples gave him an imposing presence, yet his narrow eyes gleamed with a cold cruelty.
“I am Argi, the messenger of the Absolute King. Geshura, come forth to Rendurm-sama.”
The massive Dragonkin, Argi, addressed Geshura without even glancing at us.
“I have long since declined that offer. I have no intention of becoming a fool’s tool.”
“Is that so? Subjugation or death, that is Rendurm-sama’s will.”
“Your foolishness knows no bounds. Further discourse is pointless.”
“I see. Then die.”
Argi brandished the long-handled axe he held. The two other Kin of Twilight behind him also readied similar weapons.
Geshura had said that our lives should not be at risk, but it seemed that Rendurm was quite a ruthless individual.
I stepped between Geshura and Argi, raising my shield and mace. I needed to make my presence known, or they might not acknowledge me.
“You trash.”
Finally noticing me, Argi spat out his words with contempt.
At the same moment, he closed the distance with a swift strike of his axe aimed at my neck. My shield absorbed the blow, deflecting it thanks to the Immovable Fortress Wall.
However, the impact was tremendous. He must have intended to send me flying along with my shield.
“You blocked my strike? A mere human!!”
His expression twisted with rage, Argi launched a series of attacks. Unlike Zaikal, he seemed to rely on sheer power.
“Kill them all! Including Geshura!”
As I defended with my shield, Argi commanded the two behind him. This confirmed that they were all enemies.
“Cast magic!”
I shouted, and Frei, Sfenia, and Shizuna, who had already completed their Mental Concentration, unleashed their spells.
A barrage of fire spears surged towards one of the Kin of Twilight soaring in the air. The Kin attempted to dodge, but was struck by two beams of Holy Light from above, freezing its movements, and it was then bombarded by over ten spears, crashing to the ground.
Even as it struggled to rise, Larni and Mariane struck with Swift Run.
As I scanned for the third Kin, I saw it gliding rapidly towards Geshura. She was unarmed. Realizing the urgency, I watched as a bolt of lightning shot from Geshura’s hand, striking the approaching Kin head-on. Lightning magic, indeed.
The Kin, hit by the direct lightning strike, fell to the ground but attempted to rise, axe in hand. Karma dashed in, delivering a powerful blow with her great sword, sending it flying.
“You insolent humans! You are nothing but creatures to be tamed by us!”
Argi continued to swing his axe, relentlessly striking my shield. He seemed to possess skills akin to Slash, Heavy Impact, and Honshin. His relentless assault was indeed formidable, and I found myself gradually being pushed back, each strike carrying the momentum of that massive Demon.
However, just as I thought he was relying solely on brute force, Argi suddenly leaped into the air, moving at high speed above me, and swung his axe down from behind.
“Die!!”
Ah, so his explosive power in the air was his hidden technique.
As I turned around, I raised my mace and unleashed a Shockwave with maximum force. The invisible power, enhanced by the Super Impact skill, sent Argi flying like a leaf.
“Guh…!?”
Argi soared through the air in a parabolic arc, crashing into the forest. He was spitting blood, so it was clear he wouldn’t escape unscathed.
Turning back, I saw Larni and Mariane skillfully maneuvering against the previously downed Kin. The two’s ultra-fast coordination left even the Kin struggling to keep up.
After taking several hits, the Kin’s movements froze. It was Mariane’s Status Ailment Infliction that caused Paralysis. As Larni’s Mithril Sword glimmered with silver light, the Kin’s head was severed from its body.
Meanwhile, Karma was locked in a fierce battle with the other Kin. While the Kin seemed to possess greater raw strength, Karma matched it in swordsmanship, and her reaction speed appeared superior. The physical prowess of the feline beastfolk was indeed remarkable, but the Kin had likely suffered damage from the earlier lightning magic.
However, in this close-quarters combat, it was difficult to provide magical support. Sfenia and the others seemed hesitant to intervene, but at that moment, Shizuna’s Spirit sprang into action. A partially metallic rock golem rushed in from both sides, sacrificing itself to restrain the Kin.
“I’ve got you!”
Karma’s great sword came crashing down from above, cleaving the Kin in a diagonal strike, sending it to the ground. It felt somewhat underhanded for a warrior’s battle, but we were adventurers.
Now, what had become of Argi?
Looking towards where he had been blown away, I saw the massive Kin emerging from the trees.
His wings were broken, so he could no longer fly. He had lost his axe and seemed to be in a dying state, yet his eyes still burned with fierce anger and disdain.
“What are you… a mere human, pushing a Kin of Twilight like me this far… I cannot allow you to live…”
“I think it would be best if we simply stayed out of each other’s way.”
“Silence… You are nothing but livestock to us… Do not overestimate yourselves…”
His words were fluent, leading me to believe he could communicate like Geshura, but it seemed he was of a type that could not be understood, much like Zaikal.
“Then let us settle who is superior. Come.”
I stored my mace and shield in the Item Box and took a fighting stance with my bare hands. It wasn’t that I wanted to fight honorably; I simply disliked the idea of smashing a mace against a bare-handed opponent.
However, upon seeing me, Argi bared his fangs, his expression one of pure rage. I realized I had inadvertently provoked him. Larni would surely tease me about this later.
“You livestock dare mock me… First, die! Then die!!”
As Argi charged, raising his arm, his sharp claws aimed for my throat. His speed and power were impressive.
But I seized his arm with my left hand, crushing it, and delivered a thrust with my right hand to his heart. I felt a hard object beneath my fingertips. Grasping the Magic Stone, I yanked it out of Argi’s chest in one swift motion. I recalled that the Kin of Twilight would revive unless their Magic Stones were taken.
“Guh…!”
Argi’s massive body crumpled to the ground.
Yet, I found myself feeling nothing after killing someone I had just met.
However, hesitating could endanger my companions. I could only think of this as a necessary act.