Sugar (1)

“I wish you’d make a cold expression.”

I took one step forward.

“And I wish you’d point a knife at me.”

Then I took two steps forward.

And I brought both hands forward.

A fly gets burned by the streetlight, makes a meaningless noise, and turns to dust. The vast light is not amenable and still exudes loftiness.

It’s just the natural order of things.

“I love this moment when the crushed fatigue closes the curtain and ends the stage, and that lingering feeling constricts my head.”

I spilled out mixed emotions. Yet it’s thrilling to expose my mind, still not cleared, to the cold knife-like wind.

“Don’t you think so too?”

I force a smile with blurry vision.

[If that’s what you think, I’ll think so too.]

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

I exhaled. I felt my head rotating slowly.

I squeezed my eyes shut from exhaustion, then opened them again thinking of the planned task.

I floated the scroll in the air. I checked the sentences following the engraved formula.

Whether it was for me or not, the basic ingredients were already prepared. Horns, armor, wings, skin, etc. of the necro race.

It was worth the wait. The necro-related materials that make up the majority of the Behemoth’s ingredients would have been overwhelming to obtain.

The gain was sufficient.

“First, I need to adjust the size.”

Since it’s not specified in the glowing text, it shouldn’t matter, but what I’ve learned from achieving goals so far is that more quantity is needed than what’s written.

It’s unkind, but it can’t be helped.

[Wouldn’t about the size of a building be enough?]

“That seems fine.”

As I kept walking, I saw a power facility. It was a building of about 20 floors, not very tall. Judging by the light coming from some windows, it seemed there were some people there.

I stepped onto the street. After a brief breath, I blinked slowly.

The ground shook. A red river invaded from alleys all around. Along with the sound of falling water, a light rain began to fall.

First, we need to lay the foundation. Let’s use knowledge as a stepping stone under our feet.

[Size: 20MP.]

I drew a round magic circle. Sentences containing the formula emitted light and filled the border. Not too big, not too small, just the right size.

I amplified the blood-filled body. A color different from the surrounding red rivers was spewed from my body.

Fresh blood dyed the letters of the magic circle red. The magic circle flashed and spread magic power like lightning. The invading rivers began to rise in whirlpools, mixed with magic power.

A huge storm arose. Red rain fell and lightning struck. Cold magic power devoured the air and emitted a murderous aura.

[Body 50, Berserk 30, Spirit 20.]

I calmly wrote down the sentences. I spat out blood while suppressing the unpleasant stickiness of my body.

A roar echoed. A huge shadow was cast beyond the fog that had swallowed the ground. The sound of a sharp wind was heard.

“I hope you’ll like it.”

A cold sensation came, and the city began to be soaked by waves. Along with the great flood that arose, all the surrounding landmarks were swept away, forming rapids.

The dust that had risen was instantly swept up by the moisture in the air. Black-tinged storm clouds covered the sky.

“What if you don’t like it?”

A roar echoed.

The direction of the wind that had been blowing my hair changed.

Hot heat invaded my body.

Flames that attacked the area spread widely, devouring the sea. Pillars of fire rose up everywhere. Smoke dominated the area along with dry air.

Light flashed.

As meteors fell, magic power spread like lightning.

As magic and flames mixed, they drove out all the moisture in the air. The cement floor was exposed and the earth shook. Murky air and dust dominated the sky, signaling disaster.

The red flames that had reached the edge created a huge ring and burned strongly.

A giant foot stepped on the ground. A long tail rose up. Purple skin moved and the dragon’s head and body flaunted their presence.

A howl filled the air and steam spread once more.

The Behemoth opened its eyes.

“It’s cool.”

The first thing I did after a long concentration was to slump down on the ground with a thud.

It was a sensation where cleanliness and coolness coexisted, as the water had swept through once.

My body was tired, but my clothes didn’t seem to be. My coat had more wrinkles as it had been soaked in water and then dried by flames.

Anyway, in line with the adjusted size, its footsteps also seemed slow, but it doesn’t matter. After all, I adjusted the stats too.

[It’s cool.]

“Thanks for helping.”

[Why are you saying that all of a sudden?]

“You know, there are times like this.”

I muttered that while watching the Behemoth slowly moving away, shaking the ground.

[Didn’t I say I’d help as much as I could?]

“Did you?”

Bloody sighed softly. Red particles floated in the air.

“It seems like just yesterday you were making a fuss about not killing people.”

[That’s that.]

I stood up.

[Your business is your business.]

“You’re a completely bad spirit.”

[You’d understand if you were in my position.]

I roughly spat out blood. The flowing fresh blood soaked my clothes.

I spread my wings and jumped onto the roofs of nearby buildings, matching the path the Behemoth was walking. Looking around more, I found a taller building.

I stepped hard on the ground and jumped once more. I stood on top of a tower with a view of the entire city.

Collapsed buildings and split earth formed a lightless landscape. Only the paths around the Behemoth were devastated, and the further away from that area, neat buildings could be seen without problems.

And Erica was noticeable in the distance.

Breath was spewed out and a huge shield touched the ground. The pillar of fire was blocked by the shield and scattered to both sides.

“She’s working hard.”

[Didn’t you say she needs to get stronger?]

“That’s right.”

Although I didn’t particularly induce it, I’ve adjusted the stats quite a bit, so it’s also an opportunity for Erica to raise her stats.

Light flashed in the sky.

“Kyaaaah!”

A green-haired girl screamed as she fell riding a cannonball. The speed of the black tool increased more and more.

After roughly gauging the trajectory, I took three steps to the side.

“Th-this time, I won’t get huuurt!”

A small cushion was summoned on the rooftop. The direct-hitting cannonball crushed the cushion and dented the roof of the building.

Jekyll slipped neatly into the hole below.

“Ow! Ow! Ouch!”

Thud. Bang. Crash.

“That must hurt.”

[Go help her.]

“Why should I?”

[Isn’t that what a good child should do?]

I think that’s an inconsistent thing to say at this point, having summoned a monster in the middle of downtown.

Fluttering my wings, I went down the hole and found Jekyll staggering and groaning on the floor.

“Are you okay?”

“Ugh… Ah! Aureli!”

Jekyll’s face immediately brightened as she raised both hands and flapped them.

“I came to watch! This wonderful sight!”

“Is that so?”

There doesn’t seem to be any need to go back up to the roof.

I opened the first-floor door of the building and went outside. There were still two beings fighting, spewing sparks.

Jekyll nodded her head triumphantly.

“I believed it. That Aureli would create a masterpiece!”

The Behemoth roared. Erica rushed in and thrust her sword into its abdomen. Sword strikes whirled from all directions, tearing the Behemoth’s skin.

“Well… it’s part of my plan.”

“I see! As expected, my eyes weren’t wrong!”

The Behemoth swung its tail. Erica, who was hit, slammed into the back wall. The air shook and all the buildings in the tail’s trajectory were destroyed and collapsed.

“People will tremble in fear. Those crazy bitches will curse, saying it’s another fit. But you won’t care, will you? Aureli, you and I… hihik.”

“It’s okay. I’m used to those gazes.”

I wiped off the sweat that had run down. After coughing a few times, I focused my gaze on Erica again.

“That’s not right! You shouldn’t get used to it!”

“No?”

“We should make them submit.”

Another roar was heard. I blinked, watching Jekyll who had instantly changed her expression and smiled brightly.

“We need to let the world know about our grand plan!”

“Are you including me in that plan too?”

“O-of course! Naturally, Aureli is…!”

“Ah, just a moment.”

Although I could talk to her if she wanted, there was a bigger concern in front of me now.

Because Erica was lying there, unable to control her body.

“I’m a bit busy now. See you next time.”

“What? What?! Aureli!”

I opened my wings and jumped from the ground.

What’s this now?

When I raised my head from the collapsed debris, groaning in severe pain, the Behemoth was burning the city, spewing breath around.

Erica tried to get up after steadying her ragged breathing. However, her whole body trembled, as if even that was difficult.

Why is a top-tier monster suddenly appearing? Isn’t that a Behemoth?

Urgh.

As if struggling to vomit out what was inside, a lump of blood was spewed out.

…I want to rest.

One of the passing thoughts constricted her head, but Erica stood up again, pressing on the ground.

If she doesn’t stop it, who will?

She didn’t know if it was misplaced heroism, but giving up here was like denying the path she had walked so far.

She couldn’t do that.

Fighting lonely with a body that felt like it would break was becoming familiar, but it didn’t matter. Even when unexpected dangers swallowed peaceful daily life and revealed themselves, she was someone who calmly faced them.

Happiness. Future. Freedom.

It’s been a long time since she abandoned those shining things.

It’s been a long time since she rejected warm touches.

Sometimes she felt resentful, but she endured. Wasn’t life determined to be like that?

She leaned against the wall and stood up.

Then what’s left?

What can she believe in and walk on this path where darkness has arrived?

Isn’t an adult who can walk steadily without crying turning into a child in an instant?

This kind of life will continue in the future. She must endlessly overcome the enormous walls facing her.

She must step barefoot knowing it’s a thorny path.

Erica raised her head and looked at the Behemoth again.

The thick smoke scattered by one snort ruined her breathing. Erica groaned at the intense pain that came with coughing, then glared and rushed in.

Breath poured down. Her body was crushed by flames. Her skin was mashed, delivering endless pain.

Another impact hit her back.

Unable to control her body that had fallen headfirst to the ground again, she slumped down.

“…Argh.”

It hurts.

I’m tired and exhausted.

My body trembled.

It’s cold.

I want to stop. I want to put everything down.

But I can’t do that, can I?

She frowned. And she raised her legs.

But her body’s strength, which seemed already drained, didn’t seem to allow it.

Now, what to do?

“You look good.”

When she unknowingly raised her gaze at the end of the voice, there stood a girl whose silver hair suited her very well.

Erica glared at her and moved her lips, but they didn’t move easily.

She just wanted to pour out curses, but it was difficult because her head wasn’t working either.

Aureli smiled slightly seeing her like that.

“You did well.”

The wind swirled around. Aureli opened her wings and flew straight up into the sky.

Aureli circled around the Behemoth once, sprinkling drops of blood. Those small condensed drops exploded after a moment of silence, shaking the space.

The Behemoth roared and staggered. Flames arose and breath poured out. She went straight through the flames and swung her knife.

The Behemoth’s mouth was torn wide open and pieces of skin scattered in all directions. Amidst the ear-splitting scream, Aureli deeply thrust a blood-colored sword into the Behemoth’s neck.

Holding the sword that had pierced the skin, she circled the creature’s neck once. A reddish line flashed on the Behemoth’s neck and blood splattered. Fluttering her wings once, she glided behind its back with the sword still embedded.

A scream rang out. Thick blood dominated the space. A huge line was engraved all over the Behemoth’s body.

The raging monster roared and spread its huge paws.

Aureli held up her knife.

She lowered her body low and kicked the space. She raced through the air, fluttering her wings. She pierced through the Behemoth’s heart and passed by.

A breaking sound arose. Flames were drawn and pieces of the Behemoth’s skin flew in all directions. Blood rained down from the sky and smoke rose.

Aureli smiled faintly. Her silver hair fluttered. The knife flashed.

Erica laughed dejectedly.

“…We were fighting just today.”

But.

Why are you saving me?