Chapter 13

Chapter 13

"..."

I wasn’t exactly saying that elite monsters would be popping up one after another, Ian muttered to himself.

"So it's one of the monsters that have troubled the kingdom for so long, that they became the subject of rumors," Mev said in a subdued voice.

"Today will be the last day," Ian swallowed his next words as Mev nodded and drew her sword.

"I'll take the lead, Ian," said Mev.

"I'm more than happy to yield that position to you..." Ian added with a peculiar look in his eyes. He continued, "How about we just observe for now?"

"Observe?" Mev asked.

"Something feels off," Ian gestured toward Dullahan. He went on, "It's like it's waiting for us to attack."

Mev's gaze shifted to the hill. The Dullahan stood there, its ominous presence only indicated by its tainted magic and silhouette.

After a moment of contemplation, Ian continued, "I know you're skilled, but there's no need to walk into a trap."

"My lord, I also think the mercenary's advice is sound," Philip chimed in.

Mev finally nodded, "Right. Overconfidence is dangerous. Alright, Ian, I'll follow your lead."

"Wise decision," Ian said with a slight smile, looking back at the Dullahan. Its appearance was no different from in the game, even the standoff situation was the same.

...So, if we attack first, it'll be just as troublesome as in the game, he thought.

The Dullahan, in the game, would start in a defensive stance when the player attacked first, initiating a difficult and dangerous pattern of defense. Conversely, waiting for it to attack first was an easier strategy, as its attack pattern was much simpler. Ian was confident he could handle it either way, but there was no need to choose the harder path, especially when the rights to the loot were at stake.

"...." And so, a silent standoff continued; even Philip didn't speak. The silence was broken when Ian thought it was about time.

"It's all done! Finally!" A rough voice suddenly burst out from the direction of the tomb.

"...!" Ian raised an eyebrow and turned his head. The voice belonged to Miguel, who approached cheerfully, waving a shovel.

"I did my best. Now, all that's left is to pack up and leave...." His smile stiffened as he saw Mev in her helmet, Philip with his mouth agape, and Ian with a cold gaze.

"Is there, uh, a problem...?" Miguel blinked blankly.

"There wasn't until just now," Ian replied with a sigh, turning his head. He continued, “...Now there definitely is."

The silhouette of the Dullahan sharpened in his eyes. It was now violently flickering like flames. As expected, Miguel's shout was taken as a declaration of war.

"What on earth is... Eek?!" Miguel, turning his head late, also froze at the sight of the Dullahan. The headless horseman raised one arm. In its palm, only visible as a black silhouette, a pair of bright red lights flickered in a sphere.

"■■ ■■■■- ■■■■-!" A strange voice, a mix of high and low tones, echoed. Though the language was incomprehensible.

"Aaaah!"

"Eek...!"

Just from the sound waves, Miguel and the mercenaries clutched their heads, staggering. Philip also grimaced. The only ones unaffected were Ian and Mev.

"What is this...? A spell?" Mev softly murmured.

"Just ancient language. It said humans cannot be forgiven. Invaders who trampled upon the land of the fairies, the humans," Ian responded calmly.

"You understand that?" Philip, catching his breath, looked up at him.

"Somewhat," Ian replied.

"How on earth..." said Philip.

"Well, it just happened." Ian shrugged nonchalantly at Philip's exclamation.

Ancient Linguistics. A trivial skill he had acquired for ancient civilization events in the game, leveled up to two. To Ian, it was just one of many skills he had mistakenly acquired, and even in this reality, it was hardly useful. He had no interest in knowing that the Dullahan was the ghost of an ancient swamp fairy.

"■■! ■■■, ■■ ■■■■!" The strange voice spoke once again.

"Do you understand that too?" Philip asked.

But it didn't seem like a useless skill at all to Mev and Philip.

"It's cursing. Saying that all humans who steps on this land will never be free, even in death," Ian replied indifferently.

Swoosh.

Ian swung his sword, releasing the head of Andolf which was strapped to his saddle, then immediately whipped his horse forward.

"...This won't be easy," said Mev.

Mev circled her horse, clicking her tongue. The impact of the collision had been unexpectedly light. That's when she heard a hissing sound behind her, like a snake cutting through the air. Realizing the danger, Mev twisted her body acrobatically on the saddle. The horse, moving as if one with her, performed a sharp turn that would normally be impossible. Mev immediately swung her sword.

Slash!

Blue sparks flashed right before her, illuminating the scene. The black trail that had nearly reached her was cleanly severed. Her horse kicked up clouds of dust as it was pushed back by the force. The trail that had fallen to the ground quickly evaporated, vanishing in an instant. Among the remnants, several mysterious black bone fragments were revealed.

Then, the bone fragments flew in one direction, drawn into the running black silhouette. The Dullahan had, seemingly, returned to its original form as if it had never been pierced by Mev. It still appeared as a pitch-black silhouette. This wasn't merely a shadowy disguise; it was the true form of the Dullahan, a mass of curses and vengeful spirits.

Despite Mev running in parallel to it, the Dullahan's hooves made no sound. The black trail, having returned to its original form, now enveloped the Dullahan. Just as she had experienced before, it was a whip with an incredibly long range.

"■■■, ■■■!" With an annoying roar, black thorns sprung up in a line along Mev's path.

"...!" Mev ducked low and pulled the reins. The horse nimbly dashed left and right, dodging the thorns. Of course, she couldn't avoid all of them.

Swoosh!

Mev unleashed the holy power in her sword, cutting through several thorns blocking her path. As the severed thorns evaporated...

Whoosh—

The black whip shot through, aiming straight for Mev's forehead. Without time to retrieve her sword, Mev leaned back to avoid it. The trail, missing her, coiled back like a snake, returning for another strike.

"...!"

Mev quickly raised her left arm. The whip, initially aiming for her helmet, coiled around her forearm instead, emitting a metallic clashing sound and dazzling blue sparks. The magic-infused whip pierced through the holy energy enveloping her gauntlet. At that moment, Mev clenched her teeth and readied her sword.

Swoosh—

A sudden gust of wind, and the taut whip lost its strength. The magic that had been seeping into her arm evaporated like a mirage. Clutching a falling bone fragment, Mev reflexively turned her gaze.

"Ian...!" said Mev.

Her voice revealed her relief, even though she might not have realized it. She saw Ian, who had cut through the whip and moved past it. Ian also turned to look at her, and his voice, filled with magic, reached her.

"Strike it one more time, with all your strength," said Ian.

Without waiting for a response, Ian turned his horse and left. The black whip fell to the ground behind him. Mev then turned her attention back to the Dullahan, which was now focused on Ian, the unexpected intruder.

With determination in her eyes and crumbling the bone fragment in her hand, she muttered, "To the ends of this humble blade..."

Swoosh!

Her sword, previously dim, shone brightly again. The holy energy on her armor became clearer, and she felt a surge of strength throughout her body.

The horse, previously panting, now breathed steadily. Mev gripped the reins tightly, spurring the horse, which forgot its fear and charged. The Dullahan, following Ian, came closer.

"Haah—" Mev, with a shout, unleashed her holy power and collided with the Dullahan again.

Boom!

The Dullahan shattered into pieces. Despite piercing it once more, Mev frowned.

Another failure? thought Mev. It felt too light again. It was then she heard the sound of Ian's horse's hooves. Turning the horse's head and looking toward Ian, she saw him charging toward the disheveled form of the Dullahan. His sword, imbued with faint magic power, flashed momentarily.

Swoosh—

A sharp curve cleanly sliced off a corner of the Dullahan's form. An inexplicable location.

"...!"

But in the next moment, Mev's eyes widened.

Swoosh.

The Dullahan's silhouette vanished like a mirage. All that remained in the air was the small piece Ian had cut.

Immediately after, Ian kicked off the saddle and leaped up, raising both hands and holding the sword above his head. Reaching right in front of the black fragment in a single bound, he forcefully brought down both hands.

Crack!