18-18. Go through the loophole

Yay, I beat you!

After defeating the Giant Golem, Raina screams with joy.

Immediately after, Lenya's 【Beast Mode】 is released.

''Ah, fuyah.''

Raina, who had returned to her original form, seemed to lose her strength and sat down.

“That’s good, that’s good. It's only a short distance away and we're already outside.

Well, thank goodness.

At any rate, I feel a little relieved that I'm going to be able to get out of the valley.

Come to think of it, can that golem be absorbed?

I don't think I can, because I'm under the impression that golems aren't creatures.

I'm going to touch the stone. Oh, it looks like I can do it.

It's one of the categories of living things, isn't it?

I absorbed a giant golem.

HP increased by 50, MP increased by 8, Attack power increased by 10, Defense power increased by 20, Speed increased by 5, Skill points gained by 4.

Skill [Weakness Warding (Core Guard) Lv 1] acquired.

【Weakness Warding (Core Guard) Lv 1】?　

A warding skill that he used to use to protect his golem core, huh?

If I used it, would it create a ward that would protect my heart or my head?

You'll have to try it, but it could be a pretty good skill.

'Okay, let's get out then!'

Nya~, Tetsuya~, I need a shoulder to lean on, I can't walk alone.

It seems that under the influence of the [Beast Mode] being released, it has become difficult to walk on its own.

I was about to help Raina with her shoulder, when...

Gasha.....

I heard the sound of the black knight walking, which I heard just a moment ago.

The moment I heard that sound, I shuddered and froze. The sound is getting closer and closer to us.

I regain my composure. I look around quickly and find a place to hide. There's a large rock nearby. I take Rainier and try to hide behind that rock but....

"...and...?

I take a breath.

This is because the black knight, who should have been at a position so far away that you couldn't see him until a moment ago, was right in front of us.

Can this thing do instantaneous movement?　Oh, this is just too much.

Nyan~..........

I can't see what's going on because I'm behind her, but Lenya is making a sound like she's about to cry.

The Black Knight is staring at us in silence. I'm too scared and nervous to move.

Then, the eyes of the black knight's full facemet glows red for a moment.

The moment I see that light, my whole body goes numb.

My entire body goes numb and I can't move without fear or tension.

After that, for some reason, my right hand begins to move on its own, regardless of my intentions.

The hand is held out in front of the black knight. The black knight holds my hand.

And this time, the black knight's eyes glowed blue. At that moment.

An intense pain ran through my right hand.

'Ahhhhhh!'

It hurts so much, I scream out.

It hurts!　Ouch!　Ouch!　Ouch!

It hurt like being stabbed in the back of my hand with several needles at the same time.

Ouch, ouch, ouch! What are you doing?　What the hell?

Tetsuya!

I could hear Lenya's worried cries.

The pain continued for as long as the Black Knight held my right hand.

It was actually about thirty seconds, but for me the pain continued for a near eternity.

Then the black knight removes his hand from my right hand. He instantly holds my right hand and I cower in place.

Before I knew it, the numbness had dissipated, but I didn't have time to notice it because of the pain in my right hand.

And then the Black Knight.

Resist.

That's what he whispered to me.

I didn't know what it meant, but as I was confused, the black knight was enveloped in darkness and then suddenly disappeared.

'Ki, he's gone?'

You're not going to make it?

I mean, she's gone?

I check to make sure he's gone, shaking with a buzz.

What was that guy?　Was it just a matter of inflicting severe pain on a person's right hand?　What a pain in the ass.

So I looked at my right hand, which was still in pain.

Hmm?

There's something black on the back of my hand. I'll wipe it off. It does not come off.

It seems to be engraved like a tattoo.

Did the black knight from earlier wear it?

It is a strange pattern that a small eye is drawn in the center of a black circle.

When I look at these eyes, I feel as if my soul is being sucked into them. I look away.

Underneath the pattern is a mysterious character. I can't read it because I've never seen these letters before.

'What's that?'

Mek asked.

'I don't know. Maybe the Black Knight from earlier followed me.

There's some kind of engraving... I've never seen it before.

There's some writing at the bottom. Can you read it?

I can't read it. I've never seen those letters before.

Hmmm, what is this? It's creepy.

I stare at the engraving and try to appraise it.

This time, it doesn't even say that it's unappraisable. It doesn't even try to appraise it.

I look at the status, but there's nothing written on it.

'What is this...? What do you mean?

I don't know. Maybe the curse will kick in later and you'll wake up in the morning looking like me?

Don't say something horrible.

I shiver slightly.

'Nya~, will Tetsuya be like his master?　It's cute, but I don't want you to stop petting me.

Lenya says this in a carefree manner.

I don't know what it is, but it's a relief. I'm not sure what that is, but it's a safe bet he saved my life. Now get out of this cave.

Yeah.

Nya~ I'm finally getting out of that valley~. It's been a long time~

At any rate, there's no real damage so far, so it might not be a good idea to worry too much about it.

We walked around a bit.

The exit is just around the corner and we left the cave.

Outside the cave was a grassy field.

As far as the eye could see, the grass was all over the place. I was slightly impressed by the magnificent view.

Hah, that was good. We were able to get out....

I'm starting to feel a little relieved. Because the first time I was dropped into that valley, I was seriously in despair.

'Nya~ I made it out!

Lenya is running around in the meadow, happy to be there.

Lenya has been in that valley for longer than I have, and she's probably happier than I am to have gotten out.

"We're out at last....

Mek said, sounding very emotional.

Lenya runs around for a while and then comes back to us.

We'll see what happens now. I intend to resume my journey back to my body. What do you plan to do?

Mek asked me that.

Okay, so once we're out of the valley, there's no reason to stay together, so we're going to split up here?

I hadn't figured out what I was going to do since I left.

Well, I could give a reason for looking into the meaning of the mysterious engraving that was engraved earlier, though. Since I didn't find anything when I appraised it, it could be nothing, but I still feel bad as expected to leave it alone like this.

Nya~........is this our farewell?

Lenya said with a forlorn look on her face.

'No, no~ I want to be with my master, and I want to spend more time with Tetsuya and have him pet me a lot.

Lenya says, with tears in her eyes, "Well, wait, Lenya, I'm not leaving you here.

But wait, Lenya, I'm not going to leave you here. I don't want to leave you alone. It's not like I'm going to find a way to get back on my feet all by myself.

Yeah?　What about Tetsuya?

I am, yes. I was just wondering if I could find out what this imprint means or not. There's no reason why I shouldn't be on my own and I'll come with you.

'Yes!　I'm coming with you!

Raina's teary eyes lit up.

Then I guess we'll go together. There is a loophole that leads to the south of Lukasto Grassland. I'm sure you'll find a lot of people in the area. Let's go there first.

'Yes. If there's a town, let's go there.

I'm going.

Thus, we were to travel together and head to our first destination, Mestos.