CH 40

Some time after they stepped foot on the mountain, they encountered two giant monsters called Black Bears.

The length of their bodies easily exceeded four meters, and they were vicious beasts that would set themselves upon any human they found.

It was said that any regular person who encountered them should prepare themselves for death. They could easily outrun any person with their giant bodies.

It would be hard to deal with one, but two stood before them.

Usually, when someone found this monster they would go around it, trying not to let it see them. Even someone with relative faith in their strength could very easily lose.

But…

“I haven’t seen one of those Black Bears in a while.”

“Yes. I remember eating one of those, but the meat was hard and not good to eat at all.”

“…Weaklings.”

Three of them seemed unfazed by these monsters, and carried on like normal.

Xena and Celia thought back to other times when they met the same type of monster, and Helvi was completely uninterested.

“I-it’s alright, right…?”

Theo knew he would be alright with the other three around, but still stood behind Helvi.

If he was alone, he would be doing his absolute best not to let the monsters find him.

The black Black Bears suddenly spotted them, and got up on two legs and let out a loud voice.

“Eek…!”

Theo hid behind Helvi with tears welling up in his eyes upon seeing these monsters that were over twice his height.

(Ku…. Cute…!)

Helvi’s face became a little red as she looked at Theo, who was grabbing her clothes, perhaps unconsciously.

(They deserve a thousand deaths for scaring Theo, but I do thank them for showing me this.)

Helvi felt bloodlust towards these opponents she felt no interest in before, but was grateful at the same time.

“We’ll take care of this.”

“Yes. Just watch, Helvi and Theo.”

The two women stepped forward, and each faced one Black Bear.

The first ones to move were Xena and the Black Bear facing her.

The Black Bear raised its right arm and swung it down at Xena. Its arm was as thick as a tree trunk, and its swing carried a lot of force.

A normal person would be blown away for sure, and perhaps even die instantly, but Xena did not dodge this attack, instead casually blocking it with her left arm.

Her feet sunk into the ground slightly, showing the actual power behind this attack. However, Xena could easily take it with her steel magic.

The Black Bear seemed surprised about not finishing her off with one strike, but quickly attacked again with its left arm, swinging it sideways at Xena’s torso.

“Yoisho!”

Xena lifted her right leg, and repelled the monster’s attack with a kick, which made the monster stumble backwards.

Despite the monster’s arm being covered with hair and full of fat, it was fractured.

The Black Bear was overpowered, and its left arm was broken, but perhaps due to its wild nature, it showed no fear and attacked once again.

This time it opened its mouth hide, probably to bite Xena.

“Yes yes little bear.”

Xena swung her right fist and punched the monster as it approached her.

Her punch hit it on the left temple, and sent its big body flying with enough force to break trees in its path.

The Black Bear laid face down, completely motionless.

“Alright. I’m done!”

Said Xena as she turned around and showed Helvi and Theo a peace sign.

“Hmph, surely that much is nothing.”

“T-that was great Xena!”

“Yay!”

Xena looked happy to be complimented by Theo.

“It was too slow. Do it quicker.”

Next to Helvi stood Celia, who had already finished her fight, and sighed.

Celia’s fight lasted only a moment.

The Black Bear tried to lift its right arm to attack… But could not, because it had been cut and was falling to the ground.

The monster then tried to use its left arm, only to realize it was no longer there.

Before the monster could decide what to do next, its head was separated from its body.

All of it was caused by Celia’s wind magic.

Normal magic would be unable to penetrate a Black Bear’s body, but Celia easily cut it.

Normal people would be unable to stop a Black Bear’s attacks, but Xena easily blocked them and finished it with one hit.

They could not beat Helvi, but they were among the strongest in that world nonetheless.