Elqueeness [EN]: Chapter 77

Chapter 77

Boo-ooo-ooo—

As I stepped out of the inn, a strange, trumpet-like sound echoed from all directions. People in the streets were rushing to get inside buildings.

“It’s an emergency signal. The soldiers must have informed the lord,” Trowel explained, seeing my bewildered expression. Soon, soldiers in the same uniform as those on the walls rushed out and began moving busily. Although their style was different from the Grand Duke’s soldiers, they seemed to be the town’s security forces, judging by the protective gear they wore. They climbed onto the walls surrounding the entrance and exchanged signals. The Champagne Mercenaries clicked their tongues.

“They’re planning to block the gate first.”

“If a Mana Beast enters the town, it’s over. They have no choice but to be diligent.”

“Well, let’s get out before it’s completely sealed off. It’ll be a pain if we get caught inside,” Harold said. The group nodded and started moving. Then, Mighty looked back at me with a troubled expression.

“By the way, El, are you sure you can come with us? You said you were a priest candidate, right? You don’t seem like you can fight. Even if you’re worried about your younger sibling, are you really okay?”

“Yes, I’d rather come along than wait alone. I promise I won’t be a hindrance.”

“Seriously. I’m telling you in advance, it’ll be hard for us to protect you. Mana Beasts are nothing like the small-fry monsters we’ve faced so far. You have to protect yourself.”

“I know. Don’t worry too much.”

When I readily nodded, the group looked even more uneasy. They were worried about whether I, without a decent weapon, could even run away properly. Then Harold asked in a subtle tone.

“But, if you’re a priest candidate, you’re not an official priest yet, right? Can you switch to another god in the middle?”

“Well, I don’t know. Why do you ask all of a sudden?”

“No, just wondering. In a book I read before, the gods are quite picky about choosing priests. They even fight to make beautiful humans their priests, and forcibly take other people’s priests. Seeing that, I was wondering if the priest themselves could change the god they serve.”

“Hee, maybe so.”

Since I wasn’t particularly interested in the topic, I just nodded along. Then Harold looked at me with shining eyes, as if he had been waiting for this.

“Right? You think so too? Then why don’t you switch to the Goddess of Beauty this time?”

“Huh? The Goddess of Beauty?”

“Yeah. I’m just saying, but honestly, the title of Priest of Punishment doesn’t really suit you. A face that looks like it can’t even kill a bug, yet you’re all about harsh punishment—doesn’t it seem a bit off? On the other hand, the priests of the Goddess are all handsome. The Goddess of Beauty would gladly accept you as her child with your looks. Yeah, no matter how I think about it, that suits your face better. It doesn’t look out of place at all. Isn’t that great? Don’t you think?”

“Ahahaha…….”

I laughed hollowly and brushed off his words. I don’t even get angry at these kinds of comments anymore. I’m starting to get used to it, which is scary.

As we left the castle gate, a long slope stretched out between wide fields. The road connected to a dense forest in the distance. The place the workers told us about was near that area.

How long had we been moving? Suddenly, an unpleasant smell reached my nose. I unconsciously covered my nose, and the group also hardened their faces and looked at each other. A bitter and stuffy smell, like rusty iron. It was definitely the smell of blood. We were close to the scene.

“Ugh…….”

“Umm…….”

The sight that began to reveal itself made me and the group hold our breath. What unfolded before us were horribly mutilated corpses. The extent was so severe that it was difficult to even distinguish the gender of each body we found.

“This is really gruesome.”

As if proving a one-sided massacre, the bodies were scattered everywhere. They all died while trying to escape. All that was scattered everywhere was red blood and flesh. It seemed like there wasn’t a single living person.

I thought I had become quite accustomed to cruel scenes after experiencing many battles, but seeing human corpses made my face automatically frown. Even the Champagne Mercenaries, who had a lot of experience with this kind of thing, couldn’t hide their disgusted expressions. But the Mana Beast, the real deal, was nowhere to be found.

I was secretly anxious, wondering if it had moved to another place in the meantime. If it entered the castle gate, there would be a huge number of casualties. At that moment, Hussen, whose face was even more rigid than before, opened his mouth in a low voice.

“……Killing intent. It’s nearby. Everyone, stay alert and watch your surroundings.”

At those words, the group lowered their stance and began to watch their surroundings. Although it was not visible, it was very easy to grasp the identity of the killing intent. It was pressing down so heavily as if all the surrounding air had stopped.

Just standing still made my whole body feel prickly. If I, a Spirit King, felt this much, the other members would be feeling even greater pressure. As proof, Isana’s face was already covered in cold sweat.

Harold, while looking tense, twisted the corners of his mouth as if enjoying the situation.

“Tsk― As expected of a Mana Beast, it’s incredibly fierce. Good, that’s how it should be.”

“Are you laughing at this moment?”

“It’s better to fight a strong opponent if possible. Doesn’t it excite you? It feels so good to cut down a guy like that.”

“That’s just for combat idiots like you. Ah, damn it. I should have eaten beforehand. I skipped lunch to have a proper dinner. I hope that food isn’t my last supper.”

At Mighty’s words, the group glared at him all at once. They couldn’t possibly look kindly on him for ruining the mood from the start when they should be doing their best. As everyone’s cold gaze focused on him, Mighty smiled awkwardly with a flinch.

“Ah, sorry, sorry. I didn’t mean it that way.”

“Anyway, you’re famous for not reading the atmosphere, Mighty.”

“You’re going to be ruined by that light mouth someday.”

“Geez, you’re really picking on me. I’m just saying.”

“Everyone, quiet!”

Just then, Hussen’s roar echoed. At that moment, a low rumble began to be heard on the passing wind.

“Krrr…….”

“……!”

It was the cry of a beast. It was hard to believe that the sound was coming from just one creature. The cry dominated the entire space. The group swallowed hard and tightened their grip on their weapons, forming a circle with their backs facing each other. The Mana Beast’s cry was getting louder and louder.

“Krrr…….”

Is it exploring this way? Despite clearly expressing its intention to attack, the opponent showed no movement. Harold licked his upper lip and readjusted the handle of his axe.

“Come on, don’t just test the waters. Hurry up and attack.”

It was then. A red light flickered in the forest on the left, which I glanced at absentmindedly. In the moment I was startled, Trowel quickly took out a dagger from his chest.

But the place where he threw the dagger was not the forest, but the sky above. Only then did I discover a huge shadow flying towards the sky. The Mana Beast’s speed was so fast that I didn’t even realize its position had changed. Trowel’s dagger accurately pierced the shadow’s forehead.

Swaaaak― Kwajik!

“Kwaaaaang!”

“Ugh!”

With a terrible scream, the shadow staggered greatly in the sky. Then, the group, who had not been aware of the Mana Beast’s attack until then, stepped back in shock.

“Wh, what!”

“Damn it!”

While the group was panicking at the late reaction, the shadow quickly twisted its body and landed on the opposite side. Only then could I accurately recognize the appearance of the Mana Beast.

It was a white beast with a huge body like a majestic mountain. Its overall appearance resembled a leopard, and two fangs protruded from its mouth, stretching out long like ivory. Its claws were very large and sharp, as if they could break rocks in an instant. It was an overwhelming sight just to look at. Similarly, the group who confirmed the appearance of the Mana Beast let out a low groan.

“It really is a Behemoth.”

“How could a Mana Beast from the upper ranks of the Demon World be here…….”

The Behemoth had three eyes on its head. Something was stuck in the eye on its forehead. It was the dagger that Trowel had thrown a little while ago. Red blood flowed from it, dripping down its nose.

To think it would still be alive even after being hit in the eye with a dagger. It shook its head wildly as if in pain, but it didn’t seem to have suffered much damage. The group also made disgusted expressions at the sight.

“Kwaaaaang!”

“Get down!”

“……!”

At that moment, I felt another shadow passing over my head and bent down in horror. The one that was just here had crossed over to the other side in the blink of an eye. A streak of blood flowed down Hussen’s cheek, whether it had grazed him in that instant.

“Damn it! What’s so big and fast!”

Harold, who had missed two attack opportunities already, cursed. Today, the axe in his hand seemed heavier. The Behemoth dripped yellow saliva between its fangs and emitted a bright red light. It seemed to be contemplating who to hunt first. This time, the first to move among the group was Trowel.

“Hap―!”

Trowel, who had instantly separated from the group, flew towards the Behemoth. Then, the Mana Beast, noticing his movement, quickly dodged to the side. People were shocked at the sight. Trowel’s back, who had missed the attack chance, was completely exposed.

“Tr…… Matthew!”

But the surprise was only momentary. As if he had expected it, he immediately turned his body and took out another dagger from his chest, stabbing the Behemoth’s side.

“Kwaaaaang!”

Trowel didn’t stop there and spun around, lifting one foot and slamming it down on the Behemoth’s head, which was in pain. In the meantime, he didn’t forget to lightly dodge the forefoot that was being swung at him. It was a clean movement without any unnecessary actions.

“Yay! Nice! This is doable?”

As Trowel led the fight leisurely on his own, confidence began to revive on the faces of the other members who were watching blankly. Harold, who was excited, swung the axe blade he was holding and ran out.

“Iryatcha! Harold the Elder is coming!”

“Ah! Wait, you idiot!”

Iril screamed in horror, but his axe had already been swung wildly. However, the attack he confidently struck did not work. The Mana Beast’s movement was much faster than the speed at which he rushed in. The Behemoth, dodging the axe quickly, charged straight at Harold’s exposed back.

“Ugh!”

“You idiot! That’s why I told you to wait!”

Iril hurriedly swung her whip and tied up the Behemoth’s body. Thanks to the temporary halt in movement, Harold barely managed to roll away. At the same time, Mighty, who had been waiting in advance, shot an arrow at the Mana Beast. As the sharp arrowheads pierced through the leather and were densely embedded, even the fiercest Mana Beast had no choice but to falter. It was a perfect teamwork that boasted many years of experience.

However, as a result, their attack made the Behemoth even angrier. The moment I felt the red light intensify, the Mana Beast twisted its body greatly and bit off the whip that was wrapped around its neck in one go. As a result, Iril, who had been suppressing it, staggered greatly and fell backward, and the Behemoth, not missing the gap, immediately pounced on her. It was truly a moment’s happening.

“Kyaaak!”

“Iril!”

I don’t remember how I moved at that time. When I came to my senses, I was already standing in front of Iril, holding onto the Behemoth’s ignorant [unthinking] fangs. A tingling sensation and Iril’s horrified voice echoed in my ears.

“Oh my god! El!”

“Get out of here, Iril! Hurry!”

I thought it would be okay because I was dulled by the weight, but it was a misjudgment. Was it because the pressure was accelerated? Just holding on was making my whole body tingle from the tremendous force.

The Behemoth thrashed wildly, angry at being disturbed. As its claws brushed against my shoulder, I felt the sensation of my clothes being torn and a cold pain rushed in. When I glanced at it, a considerable portion of my skin was torn, and red blood was flowing down. I gasped for a moment.

‘Blood! Do spirits bleed?’

The body in the middle realm is not a real body. So maybe this blood is just a trick and not real. But even if I know it in my head, I can’t ignore the visual shock. My non-existent heart was pounding and my head seemed to be turning white.