episode_0159

Crrr─

Listening to the unpleasant crying that began to come from around me, I slowly raised my magic power.

And, as soon as I finished preparing.

Crunch!

Something jumped out of the bushes.

Sigh!

Without panicking at all, I indifferently slashed the ‘thing’ running towards me with a swing of my sword.

Then, I took a closer look at ‘it’.

A beast-like monster with black hair all over its body that was split in two exactly around the waist by the sword I swung.

Its appearance and size were similar to ordinary beasts, but there was one major difference.

That’s his face.

It had six eyes, and its mouth, which should have been horizontal, was erected vertically, splitting its face in half.

It had such a bizarre appearance that anyone who saw it could not help but frown.

However.

Suddenly!

“It’s nothing compared to what it looks like.”

As Ethan calmly muttered, compared to its bizarre appearance, its combat power itself was not that high as a monster.

So much so that I was able to defeat everyone except Ethan and me without difficulty.

“Well, this is adequate.”

At Ethan’s next words, I nodded silently.

It wasn’t a bad thing for us that such a monster appeared at this moment.

Since nothing had happened since entering the tent, the tension in the group was gradually dissipating.

At that exact moment, these monsters appeared.

Thanks to this, the group tightened the knot of tension again.

It is not uncommon for a moment of inattention to cost a life.

In this situation and this space, there was always a need to maintain tension.

“Let’s move forward again.”

Soon the monsters were cleared away, and we began to move forward at a more cautious pace.

***

“There are so many.”

Ethan frowned slightly and complained.

“Sure.”

I also agreed with what he said and went forward.

Since our first battle with monsters, we have been frequently attacked by monsters.

After clearing out a group of monsters, after walking for a while, another group of monsters would appear again and again.

“… The level of monsters is also increasing.”

Alexis added with a heavy expression.

It was as he said.

The level of monsters we encountered was increasing as time went by.

Those who first appeared were at a level that even academy freshmen could easily deal with, but now they have risen to a level that would be too much for even an academy student to handle.

Rachel and the others were outstanding talents within the Academy, so they were not struggling yet, but some signs of exhaustion were now showing on their faces.

Perhaps, the further we advance, the higher the level of monsters will become.

Perhaps because they had guessed that fact, the expressions on the group’s faces were not very bright.

On the other hand, I had a slightly different perspective from them.

‘This is fine.’

If it’s like this.

Even if the monster’s level gets stronger, it’s okay if it’s at this pace.

You can handle it well and keep your party safe.

That’s what I decided.

In conclusion, my judgment was not wrong.

Even after that, the monster attacks continued, and the level gradually increased, but the level was within the scope of my expectations.

So moving forward, I hoped.

I hope this trend continues until we reach the end.

but.

Unfortunately, that wish did not come true.

I was the one who announced the start of the incident.

“… Wait a minute.”

At the sound of my heavy voice, the group immediately stopped in their tracks.

It was a natural movement, as if listening to orders from a superior.

Except for Chris and Wilhelm, the group originally did not show much resistance to listening to my instructions, but now Chris and Wilhelm were also naturally following my instructions.

This is probably because I have gained some understanding of my own strength through the battles that took place on my way here.

“Yes. I was wondering when it would come out.”

Not long after, Ethan started staring straight ahead.

The look in his eyes and his energy were clear and sharp, unlike anything he had seen before.

“Everyone, step back.”

Ethan gave a brief instruction, and the group stepped back without expressing any questions.

and.

Boom─

I felt a vibration.

A heavy vibration that makes you swallow dry saliva without thinking.

Boom─

As time passed, the vibration got closer, and eventually the cause of the vibration revealed itself to us.

“Eup… … !!”

Rachel screamed.

It seemed like he was trying to suppress it as much as possible, but it seemed like he wasn’t able to suppress it all.

I understood her reaction.

To that extent, the appearance of the guy who appeared before my eyes was extremely bizarre.

Its form itself resembled the monsters that had appeared in front of us so far.

However, other than the shape, there were many other aspects that were different.

Unlike those that walked on four legs, this one walked on two legs and was as big as more than fifty of them combined.

And above all, eyes and mouth.

Unlike ordinary individuals, which only had six eyes on their faces, it had hundreds of eyes all over its body.

In the case of the mouth, it started vertically from the forehead to the stomach.

It is truly a monster with a bizarre appearance that seems to exist only in the hell people imagine.

It was such a terrible sight that normal people would lose their will to fight just by looking at its appearance.

Of course, this guy didn’t just have a bizarre appearance.

“… It’s a disaster.”

It was an entity that possessed power commensurate with its size.

Because it was a disaster-level monster.

The first disaster-level monster encountered after entering the tent.

Naturally, the atmosphere in the group became heavier, and tension oozed out from their faces.

Disaster level monsters are not given the modifier disaster level for nothing.

A monster that can shake a country. That is a disaster level monster.

It was natural for them to react this way.

however.

That wasn’t the case for everyone.

“That guy looks really creepy.”

Ethan, who was facing the guy in the front, had an extremely calm complexion.

It wasn’t like bragging.

He actually wasn’t nervous at all.

It was leisure.

The monster in front of me.

A monster so terrifying that it is said to be a disaster.

The composure that comes from the confidence that there is no threat to oneself.

Crunch─

The monster cried lowly.

And then, the eyes of the whole body turned towards Ethan.

Those eyes and that expression seemed to say that Ethan, who was not afraid even in front of him, was arrogant.

Ethan responded.

“Where are you going to dazzle?”

I jumped straight towards him.

Ethan was moving at a speed that was momentarily beyond the realm of perception, so much so that it seemed as though he had moved through space. The next moment, Ethan was already within a stone’s throw of that guy.

And then, Ethan’s sword swung like a flash of light.

Suddenly!

Wow!

I cut off one of his arms.

He easily cut off the arm of a disaster-level monster that a normal warrior would not even be able to fully heal.

It wasn’t strange to call it an achievement, but Ethan’s expression was actually filled with joy.

“Chet.”

Rather, he clicked his tongue with an expression of displeasure.

“The response is quick.”

Originally, it was an attack aimed at the head.

Ethan tried to cut off the guy’s head with one blow.

However, at the last moment, the guy realized Ethan’s intention and twisted his body to cut off his arm.

However, that regret never lasted long.

“This time it will be awesome.”

After adjusting his sword with an indifferent expression, Ethan rushed forward again.

This time, in order to suffocate that monster.

However, in the end, Ethan’s wishes were not fulfilled this time.

Kaang!

Suddenly, a human spirit stepped between Ethan and the monster and blocked Ethan’s sword.

“… … .”

Ethan furrowed his eyebrows after confirming that the attack was blocked and immediately widened the distance.

Then, he looked at Inyoung who had interrupted him.

“… What is this again?”

Ethan rarely narrowed his eyes and glared at the uninvited guest in front of him.

“Shadow… ?”

Aira muttered softly.

As she said, the identity of the uninvited guest was a shadow.

A shadow in the shape of a person.

“Monster… ?”

Someone muttered.

It is true that this is a strange and gloomy space, but that does not mean that light does not exist.

There is just enough light to see ahead.

However, despite the presence of such light, the shadow in front of my eyes continued to exist.

Since this was an impossible phenomenon according to common sense, it was not strange to assume that the being in front of one’s eyes was a monster.

However.

The speculation was quickly denied.

“ cannot pass from now on.”

By the shadow speaking.

“… … .”

Ethan, who normally would have jumped out and swung his sword at the opponent, whether it was a shadow or something, but for some reason, he was standing still and staring at the shadow.

I knew why.

The shadow blocked Ethan’s attack.

Even though he intervened and blocked Ethan’s attack, he clearly blocked it.

That, too, was a blow filled with sincerity in its own way.

Even then, he didn’t seem to be suffering much.

This meant only one thing.

The shadow in front of my eyes is a warrior with ten sword level skills.

“… It’s a shame.”

Ethan, who had been staring at the shadow for a while, spoke.

“If it weren’t for this situation, I would have stuck with it.”

Hearing that voice, I took a step forward.

Then, he slowly pulled out his sword.

Sereung─

Whatever the identity of the shadow, its intention was clear.

Something that keeps us from moving forward.

Of course, I had no intention of joining in there.

“I will take care of that guy.”

I had to resolve this situation as quickly as possible and move on.

The analysis has already been completed.

It was clear that the shadow in front of my eyes was a warrior who had reached the state of consciousness.

The state of intention. It’s definitely at a great level.

But, so to speak, that was exactly it.

Even if I were a Ten Sword level warrior, I had the confidence to organize it without difficulty.

It was then.

“… Wade Heblon.”

The shadow called my name.

At that fact, I inadvertently furrowed my eyebrows.

“Yes, even if you were me now, it would be difficult to make time.”

He obediently acknowledged the gap between him and me.

Also, the fact that it would be difficult to even make time for yourself.

However, I frowned even more at his words.

Even though he was discussing his defeat, his tone was so calm.

“So, I have no intention of fighting with you.”

I felt an ominous feeling.

I rushed towards him before I could even organize my thoughts.

however.

Just─

He could snap his fingers faster than I could reach him.

And, the next moment I

“… … .”

I was standing in a space I had never seen before.

***

“Wade… !!”

Rachel screamed in surprise at the sight of Wade suddenly disappearing from sight.

The reactions of the other party members were not much different.

Everyone looked for Wade with their eyes wide open.

However, no matter how much I looked around, there was no sign of Wade.

In such chaos, only one person had a stern expression on his face.

“… This is making things a little more difficult.”

At the same time Ethan muttered heavily.

Crunch─

Crumbling─

Crying began to be heard from all directions.

And then, the shadow declared to the group who were slowly becoming aware of the situation.

“You can’t go any further.”

Calmly and heartlessly.