CH 282

Episode 282 – Swarm of Monsters

Author’s Note: This chapter is from Ahmed’s POV.

The number of monsters slain began to climb by the dozen, but as far as I could see around me, their numbers didn’t seem to be decreasing. Just as I was starting to get bored of one-sidedly slaughtering the outrageous number of monsters…

“Just… hold out a bit longer!” (Dion)

“I see her. We finally pushed through!” (Smash)

When I heard their voices, I glanced over in their direction. I could only see a Skeleton Warrior standing in the direction of their voices. But soon after, Dion and Smash came flying out from the swarm of monsters, pushing that Skeleton Warrior over in the process.

Their bodies seemed all battered up, but it seemed that they had managed to make it over here.

“You’re late.” (Ahmed)

“No, no, we came here in a straight line!” (Dion)

“Yeah! We didn’t even care if we got attacked… hey, what’s up with these piles of corpses! If you could mow them down alone, we could’ve just run away, couldn’t we?” (Smash)

“Shut up. Stop moving your lips and start attacking the monsters instead. We’re going to rush through in one go. I’ll leave the rear to you.” (Ahmed)

“Wait a minute! Take a break for just a―” (Dion)

“It’s not like we can take a break when we’re surrounded by a swarm of monsters. Come on and just try your best to keep up with me.” (Ahmed)

After dismissing the wave of complaints they had given upon grouping up, I turned my attention to only the front and prepared to push my way forward. This time would be different from before when we just had to kick the monsters out of the way. Attacks could fly in from outside my field of awareness, and we probably wouldn’t get out of this unscathed.

“Huu…. Alright, let’s go.” (Ahmed)

I exhaled deeply and released my concentration that had been raised to the peak. From here on, Smash would be on enemy detection duty, while Dion would cover the rear. All I had to think about was moving forward.

I charged at the approaching monsters, trampling on the corpses of the monsters I had slaughtered.

It was a complete wall of monsters, without a single gap in the formation.

If I was up against human opponents, I might have had to think twice, but a disorderly mob like this could easily be pushed aside.

“[Raging Stream Slash].” (Ahmed)

At the same time that I swung my greatsword down, a visible glowing azure sword light flew out from my blade. It ripped through the Orcs in front and kept going until halfway through the swarm of demons, slashing through everything in its way before disappearing.

This Skill only had a narrow frontal range so it didn’t seem all that powerful, but it was suitable for taking out small fries from a distance.

I immediately pushed forward into the space that had been cut open by the [Raging Stream Slash].

“Eliza! There’s a strong reaction on the right. Keep going, but angle left!” (Smash)

The moment I charged into the crowd of monsters, I heard Smash saying that he sensed something. Honestly, I would’ve loved to fight against a strong opponent, but my first priority right now was pursuing the fleeing Demon. I did as he had said and angled towards the left as I continued to tear and slash my way through.

No matter how much I slashed and cut, all there was before me were monsters and more monsters. My sense of smell was stronger than most people, and the stench of the monsters was starting to numb my nose.

Since my greatsword was beginning to become increasingly damaged and chipped the more I used it, its sharpness fell, and I started being unable to one-hit kill some of the monsters. But despite this… my feet never stopped.

I had used this trusty greatsword for many years. I was resolved to use it to the end here―so I swung my greatsword around in a spinning attack to forcefully raise its ability to cut.

“We’re almost out. After we make it out, I’m going to make a dash for it in one go!” (Ahmed)

It was a statement that was more of an encouragement to myself, and I picked up the pace at once.

Five more, four more, three more… I continued to mow through the monsters in front, and I was on the brink of pushing my way through the swarm of monsters.

“[Full-Body Slash]!” (Ahmed)

I stepped in with all my might and delivered a full body overhead swing.

The monsters in front of me were blown away, opening a path leading to the fleeing Demon.

“The path is open! We’ve shaken off the monsters behind us!” (Smash)

We rushed towards the depths of the forest. Though Dion and Smash had stopped replying halfway through, they still managed to keep up. The other half of the remaining monsters were chasing us, but they didn’t leave the clearing and stayed where they were, as if there was an invisible wall. Perhaps they were instructed not to leave the clearing or were only showing their will to attack.

“Phew. We’ll be fine here.” (Smash)

“Pant, pant. I-I thought we were… g-going to die for sure this time.” (Dion)

“M-Me too. I’ve never gotten this many injuries before.” (Smash)

When I looked over at the two of them, they certainly were the most injured I had ever seen them be. Similarly, I was also the most wounded I’d ever been, mostly from attacks that came from outside of my field of attention.

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“Pour some recovery medicine on yourself. After a short rest we’ll immediately give chase.” (Ahmed)

“Ehhh…. Isn’t this far enough? The adventurers who came before us were all killed, and the enemy made a run for it. Ahmed-san, you’re also in an unusually injured state.” (Dion)

“Shut up! I’m not going to let that Demon get away.” (Ahmed)

“Even if you say that, we’re almost at our limits. If that demon has another swarm of monsters waiting for us, we’ll be dead for sure.” (Smash)

It wasn’t that I didn’t understand what they were saying. My greatsword was also battered, and even though I had it under control, I was feeling fatigue for the first time in a long time.

…However.

“No. We absolutely have to finish that guy off.” (Ahmed)

“…….In order to protect Landaust? Or is it just for your own pride, Eliza?” (Smash)

“Of course, my own pride.” (Ahmed)

At my immediate reply, the two of them chuckled drily as if they had resigned themselves to their fate. They immediately began to make preparations and treat their wounds.

Honestly, it would also be fine to leave these guys behind since they wouldn’t be able to keep up in the fight against the Demon. But I was hesitant, because in my mind, they were my last bastion.

I did some simple maintenance on my sword and treated the injuries I had sustained earlier. Then, I began walking in the direction where the Demon had disappeared to while searching for signs of its presence.