Chapter 67: Their Own Choices #4

Chapter 67: Their Own Choices #4

A battle of spear and shield.

Mitchell, the sharp spear of our party, and Wagner, the sturdy shield.

The duel between these two unfolded in the way I had predicted long ago.

“You said you trained hard. You’re still so slow, bear?”

Mitchell laughed triumphantly and leaped over Wagner’s head.

CRUNCH-!

Wagner, without any change in his expression, silently blocked Mitchell’s kick.

Again, second and third consecutive attacks flew, and each time, Wagner calmly defended.

‘Even after all that special training, the difference in innate fighting styles is still hard to overcome.’

At first glance, it seemed like an unfair fight.

Mitchell delivered more than ten consecutive blows in a short time.

On the other hand, Wagner was focused on defense.

He raised his heavy, large shield like a fortress wall, concentrating on not giving Mitchell any openings.

Finally, an opportunity arose, and he swung his mace, but…

WHOOSH-

“No chance, you think I’d get hit? You’re so slow, I could take a nap and still dodge you, man.”

Mitchell sneered and casually dodged the mace.

And then Mitchell’s fierce onslaught began again.

If this were a game and I were controlling Wagner, I’d be so frustrated I couldn’t play.

We get hit ten times a turn, but when we finally manage one counterattack, it misses.

What can I do? I have to accept it.

If I didn’t like it, I should have trained my agility instead of increasing my body size.

“Hoo-“

Wagner gasped for breath.

His patience in enduring dozens of punches and kicks was admirable, but his endurance was clearly showing signs of reaching its limit.

No matter how much of a defensive wall like a mountain range you are, if you continuously allow attacks, you’ll eventually be worn down.

Wagner’s movements had become noticeably sluggish compared to when the match began.

‘It’ll be disadvantageous if it becomes a long battle.’

The one hitting also gets tired.

Mitchell’s forehead was also beaded with sweat.

However, as always, it’s easier to be the one hitting than the one being hit.

The one being hit takes significant damage from even a single mistake, while the one hitting only needs to focus on attacking.

‘Alright, Wagner. As we predicted, you’re in a disadvantageous situation. What are you going to do now?’

I crossed my arms and watched their fight silently.

The match hasn’t been decided yet because both are experienced B-rank adventurers.

They didn’t allow a decisive blow amidst the precarious tightrope walk.

However, both of them already knew that Wagner would fall first if this continued.

If I’m going to make a move, it has to be now. I need to act before my stamina is completely depleted.

The ‘decisive moment’ Flora mentioned has arrived.

“Are you going to keep cowering like a turtle? How long are you going to just block!”

Mitchell shouted sharply and stomped on Wagner’s shoulder with her heel.

CRUNCH-

Wagner gasped and bent his knees.

“Aren’t you ashamed? Come at me, you bastard!”

Swish.

The first opening Wagner had since the fight began.

Mitchell exploited the gap.

The target was the center of Wagner’s flank. If a point-blank punch landed there, it would pierce his armor and transmit the shock to his internal organs.

Mitchell pulled her fist back to her side, like a cannon about to fire.

Auras flickered around her fist.

No, even if she’s not holding back, isn’t that a bit too much?

‘You’re not planning to kill him, are you, Mitchell?’

I swallowed hard and waited for the next outcome in the tense atmosphere.

And Wagner’s response?

It was too late to block with his shield.

It was too late to swing his mace for deterrence.

“Mitchell.”

Instead, Wagner opened his mouth.

“I’ve always liked you!”

Pause.

Mitchell’s fist stopped right in front of Wagner’s flank.

Wagner’s sincerity effectively nullified Mitchell’s attack, more effectively than any shield.

“Hey, you big bear, w-what’s this sudden-“

Mitchell was flustered, not knowing where to put herself.

‘It worked.’

Flora’s secret strategy.

It’s called the “Confession Attack,” where one surprises the opponent with a declaration of love at a crucial moment to cause mental turmoil.

When I first heard it, both I and Wagner were skeptical…

You really can’t predict what will happen in life. I never thought it would work so well on Mitchell.

“I fell for your always spirited demeanor!”

THWACK!

With sweet words, Wagner kicked Mitchell with all his might, sending her flying.

The world of combat where words and actions are completely different.

It’s ruthless, but unavoidable. If love can’t win in a match, it’s doomed.

“Ouch- Jeez, how cowardly!”

Mitchell, sent flying backward, rolled on the ground a few times before regaining her posture.

Mitchell rubbed her kicked stomach and stood up.

“Are you going to be like this?”

“Mitchell, I told you to do your best, right? I’m doing just that. This is my true feeling.”

“Ha-“

Mitchell bit her lower lip.

It was Wagner’s first hit since the fight began.

It was slow and clumsy, but its power couldn’t be underestimated.

The kick, delivered after a long wait, seemed to have inflicted considerable damage on Mitchell.

“Aren’t you coming? Then I’ll come to you this time.”

“Whatever, lucky hit. Don’t get cocky.”

“Luck is also skill, you said that yourself a long time ago. I remember every conversation we’ve had without missing a single word!”

“Wh-what, what!?”

With another heart-fluttering line, Wagner charged forward with a thud.

Mitchell was slow to react again. Her mind was clouded by distracting thoughts.

CRACK-!

Mitchell rolled on the ground again.

“Ugh…”

Flames ignited in Mitchell’s eyes. She seemed angry about being hit twice, in addition to liking him.

‘The momentum of the match has shifted to Wagner.’

The special training was not in vain.

Wagner was not only effectively countering Mitchell’s fighting style but also skillfully using ‘surprise attacks.’

A perfect anti-Mitchell fighter, lacking in neither offense nor defense.

Mitchell eventually fell to the ground after allowing a few more attacks.

“You, you cheap bastard!”

Mitchell grumbled, sprawled on the ground.

Wagner approached Mitchell and offered his hand.

“I think this is not too bad.”

“Hey, fight me again. I was just surprised, that’s why I got hit. If we fight one more time-“

“Mitchell, do you really dislike me that much?”

“Wh-what?”

At Wagner’s serious question, Mitchell couldn’t finish her sentence and closed her mouth.

“Th-that’s not it…”

Mitchell’s voice became a barely audible whisper.

Mitchell, holding Wagner’s hand, stood up and buried her face in his chest, bowing her head deeply.

Finally, the owner had appeared for Wagner’s vast chest, as wide as a mountain range.

“It’s so moving…”

Flora said, her eyes welling up with tears.

Mitchell and Wagner, ignoring us who were watching, held each other for a long time.

‘It turned out well. It’s a good thing.’

I felt a sense of longing for some reason.

Of course, I wanted Wagner to win. I helped him with his special training for a week, and I’ve been aiming only for Wagner’s victory.

However, on the other hand, I also wished that this moment wouldn’t come.

I wanted to adventure with my party members forever, unchanged.

As I said earlier, Mitchell will leave the party.

However, with the outcome of this match, Wagner will now be with her.

It’s fortunate that I won’t have to let her leave the party alone and lonely. At the same time, it means I have to let Wagner go too, which is sad.

‘The battle of spear and shield ends like this.’

The spear and shield did not break each other.

They became partners, and from now on, they will complement each other’s weaknesses and be together.

***

After the match ended.

Flora and I decided to give the newly formed couple some private time.

We shouldn’t intrude on this wonderful atmosphere.

“I’m curious. I wonder what the two of them are talking about right now.”

Flora said with a wistful expression.

“Talking? Maybe not talking… Khum.”

I stopped mid-sentence.

They are both healthy young people in their prime. Their feelings have finally connected, and they don’t have to worry about anyone watching.

Will talking… be enough to satisfy the desires they’ve built up?

Well, it doesn’t matter to me. They’ll handle it themselves.

“Then, shall we get going too? I’m tired from worrying so much for a week, Senior.”

“⋯Yes.”

We turned off the gymnasium lights together.

As we were finishing up and about to leave, I suddenly felt something missing beside me.

Turning around, Flora was standing in the darkness of the gymnasium.

“⋯What are you doing, Senior? Just standing there blankly.”

“Estel-ssi, do you remember? I said I had something to tell you.”

“Ah, right. But why now?”

“I don’t think I can say it if not now.”

It was an expression I had never seen on Flora before.

Not excited, not beaming.

A calm face, as if she had finally made up her mind.

I could tell from the atmosphere that Flora wasn’t about to play a silly prank.

Flora is clearly about to say something important.

I suspect it’s something she’s been contemplating for a long time.

“Before Mitchell-ssi and Wagner-ssi’s match, I thought of something.”

Flora spoke quietly.

“I want both of them to be happy, and I want to be with them forever… but that’s probably my selfishness.”

I nodded silently.

It was a thought I had, not just Flora.

But in the end, the moment of parting has arrived.

What will Flora’s conclusion be?

“So I’ve decided. If Mitchell-ssi and Wagner-ssi leave the party- then, I will become independent too.”

“Senior?”

“I’m not the clumsy, mistake-prone person I used to be anymore. I can manage on my own.”

“Senior.”

“My party members are all wonderful people… but I’ve realized I’ve been relying on them too much. I think it’s time to change.”

I have to support her.

A baby bird is finally spreading its wings and about to fly out of the nest.

Flora was the first companion I chose, and a precious party member I raised, but that’s precisely why I shouldn’t coddle her too much.

That’s what I thought.

At least, that’s what I thought.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Senior.”

My voice, as it came out, was chillingly cold, surprising even myself.

“What independence at E-rank? Senior, you’re different from Mitchell or Wagner. You’re not there yet. Senior, don’t rush.”

Why are the thoughts in my head so different from the words coming out of my mouth?

Why am I angry?

Why can’t I let Flora go with a smile?

I don’t know.

Is it because I don’t want to be left alone?

Is it because I don’t want to leave her alone?

Or maybe it’s both.

“Don’t go.”

“Estel-ssi…”

“Stay with me until you reach C-rank, okay? No, just until D-rank.”

In the darkness, Flora’s face was momentarily tinged with sadness.