Chapter 78

Chapter 78

78: Blood Born Living in the city, you sometimes hear that kind of cry. A sharp screech echoing from the sky. The roar of a griffin and a wyvern. The moment we heard the screech, our faces hardened. Of all things, a griffin. We had guessed, but we didn’t expect it to come so quickly. “What is that…?” The griffin’s cry that rang in her ears seemed to make her forget even her embarrassment. Elle quickly erased her dazed expression and replied curtly. “…It’s a griffin.” Not as strong as a wyvern, which belongs to the Dragonkin, but a griffin was still a formidable opponent. No, if it wasn’t a wild griffin but a griffin rider, they would be a terrifying opponent. “Is there anywhere to take cover?” Elle muttered urgently, but contrary to expectations, the surroundings were barren. It was a terrain where it was difficult to even counterattack, let alone take cover. I regretted not stealing a crossbow from the soldiers. I’d never shot one before, but having a weapon capable of ranged attacks against a griffin made a world of difference. – Screeeech!! The second sound echoed from closer. At that point, we could assume we’d already been spotted. For a griffin with excellent eyesight, spotting figures running across a plain in the moonlight was not difficult at all. I bit my lip slightly and looked back. Was it a mistake to trust too much in the power struggle between the East and West? Or should we have taken more time to escape? Various thoughts crossed my mind, but they were all belated regrets. Glancing up, I saw the figure of a monster walking through the sky against the backdrop of the full moon. The griffin, half-bird, half-horse, was carrying two people on its back and flying towards us. Suddenly, I remembered the story about the Kilkard Kingdom Air Force that a former soldier had told me. “Do they have fire lances?” “We can only hope not.” Elle muttered calmly, but her tone wasn’t very hopeful. I agreed with her. This wasn’t the city, where there were many things to get in the way, but outside the gate, in the middle of nowhere. Since they weren’t out here for fun, they must have come prepared. It wasn’t good to have too much false hope. “Um, huff, what is that?” Emily was the weakest in martial arts among us, so her breathing was a little rough. She didn’t seem tired yet, but she would be if we kept going like this. She asked fearfully, but there was no time to explain. I omitted all the details and told her only the one fact she needed to know now. “You’ll see when you see it. Just remember this one thing for now. When I signal, jump to the side and roll.” “O-okay.” We continued to run across the field, but a griffin’s pursuit couldn’t be outrun by mere human legs. – Screeeech!!! Once again, a screech rang in my ears. The distance to the griffin was now quite close. Close enough to see the rider’s figure clearly in the bright moonlight. I focused my gaze and examined the rider’s appearance. The griffin rider was holding a long spear in his hand. “…Damn it.” Why is it that my bad premonitions always come true? I muttered briefly and slowed down, keeping my eyes fixed on the griffin. Now, timing was more important than running away. If we couldn’t shake off the pursuit anyway, we had to take down the opponent here. – Whoosh!! “…Ro Golbas.” The unfamiliar voice mixed with the sound of the wind and rang in my ears. I shouted loudly to the two of them. “Jump to the left!” I shouted in Korean so the opponent wouldn’t understand, and Emily and Elle flinched. – Flash! Almost simultaneously with my shout, a faint red light emanated from the spear the rider was holding. A sphere of fire, ejected as if leaking from the tip of the spear, flew towards us. Watching the two of them change direction to the side, I stopped running and quickly threw myself away from the sphere of fire as far as possible. – Whoosh! The blazing sphere of fire fell where we had been running. Quietly, as if seeping into the field. But the quiet was short-lived. Soon, a bright light soared from where the sphere had fallen, and an explosion and hot wind enveloped us. – KABOOM!! // In war, anti-army magic starts with fireballs and ends with fireballs. There are various types of magic used in war, but few are as versatile as fireballs. I had heard about this once in Lakers, so I asked Mienne why while I was learning magic. The reason she gave for using fireballs was simple. Because it’s the most efficient. The instability of fireballs results in high explosive efficiency, making them highly destructive, and the heat that accompanies the flames is deadly to living things. The range of destruction in proportion to the explosive power was also superior to other magics, so it was almost universally accepted that no magic was as efficient as fireballs in terms of magic power. Of course, it was extremely rare for a mage to use this fireball magic. Only mages can research magic, but anyone can use it. Ironically, it was dragon knights and griffin riders, not mages, who mainly used fireballs. Their fire lances were weapons that had the same principle as magic swords, and in modern terms, they could be called portable cannons. In other words, the main purpose of dragon knights and griffin riders was to be battlefield bombers. Bombers in an age of crossbows and ballistae? It sounds like nonsense, but that kind of thing actually exists in this world. Still, one good thing was that the range wasn’t very long due to the instability of fireball magic. That was the only chance we had to win. – Crackle. “Cough, cough!” “Hack, cough!” The heat rising from the flames tickled my cheeks as it rode the wind. The sound of coughing coming from a little away from where the flames had risen told me that the two were safe. – Screeeech!! The griffin rider had already distanced himself again. The way he was circling high in the sky didn’t give the impression that he would let us go easily. If that’s the case, there’s no choice. I slowly gathered my inner energy and drew my sword. – Sring. I had about 20 to 30 percent of my inner energy left. Considering my usual amount, it was almost empty, but I could still use it to seize an opportunity. I fixed my gaze on the circling griffin and shouted to Elle. “Elle, take Emily and get away from here!” “What…? Are you going to fight it alone?” “Yeah, I think I can take it down if I do well.” That is, if I do well. Ironclad Armor makes the body as strong as steel, but it’s still just flesh and blood. The physical defense is excellent, but it still burns and chars. I had a higher resistance to fire than ordinary people, but that didn’t mean I would be fine if I was hit by a fireball. I hadn’t learned any martial arts to block fire energy, and my life would still be in danger if I was hit by a fireball. “….Damn it.” Elle seemed to know that too, and bit her lip as she looked at me. But she knew there was nothing she could do, so she didn’t stop me. Her expression was pained. I smiled wryly at her face. That pained expression represented her desire not to burden us. I smiled at Elle and said as if driving a wedge. “Don’t look at me like that. Just come and help me later.” “But, that’s….” There’s no need to worry so much. It’s not as low a chance of winning as you think. – Screeeech!! The griffin was already approaching us again. The rider, wearing a helmet so his face couldn’t be seen, aimed his spear once more. The direction was aimed directly at me. Now I understand why there are two people riding it. The person in the back must be that knight with the magic sword. From his point of view, it would be a priority to deal with me first, since I can’t be easily cut by the magic sword. – Inhale. I took a small breath and opened the Demonic Yin Art. The inner energy circulating throughout my body enhances my physical abilities. I activated Light Footwork to make my body as light as possible, and then infused my sword with inner energy. I only have one chance. Since I only have one chance, I pour all my inner energy into the sword. I’ll probably be out of inner energy after this one shot, but that’s better than failing halfway. “…Ugh.” As the inner energy circulated throughout my body, the slight poison that was contained within spread throughout my body. I’m used to it now, so it’s just a bad feeling… This is getting a little tiresome. How long is this going to go on? – Whoosh!! I thought of my bitter feelings and looked at the descending griffin. The spear aimed at me was glowing red. The distance was about 30 meters. Taking the previous experience as a stepping stone, was he trying to land an unavoidable blow even closer this time? “….” The rider’s face was hidden by his helmet. And the knight in the back was also invisible. What kind of expression was he making? Was he laughing at me? I hope so. The opponent’s carelessness was the best weapon a weakling could use. A griffin rider and an adventurer with a sword. It’s a predictable match. Without even a crossbow, which could be a threat, an ordinary adventurer can’t guarantee victory against a griffin, let alone a griffin rider. “Hoo.” However, that’s only true in this world where there is no martial arts. For us, who have knowledge from another world, there is the power to break through the gaps in solid common sense. – Swish. With my left arm extended forward, I held my sword at my waist as if I were sheathing it. At first glance, it looks like a preparation for drawing the sword, but the sword is not in the scabbard. It’s like preparing for a horizontal slash. The griffin rider didn’t slow down. Remembering that we had dodged quickly earlier, he was trying to get even closer to me than before. – Screeeech!! I could see the griffin’s eyes were fiercely bloodshot. Perhaps he thought I wouldn’t be able to resist since I was holding a sword. The griffin had descended to a point only 5 meters above the ground. If so, that’s good. – Flash! From the tip of the red-hot fire lance, the familiar fireball rose and rushed towards me. At the same time, I swung my sword horizontally with all my might – and threw the sword at the griffin. – Swoosh! Flying Sword Technique. It’s not so much a sword technique as it is a throwing technique, a heretical technique that is rarely used, but it’s enough to be used as a last resort in case of an emergency like this. Especially with a sword infused with inner energy. As soon as I threw the sword, I gathered the remaining inner energy in my body and threw myself to the side. The rushing fireball was already close at hand. The distance was so close that I would be swept away if I didn’t use inner energy. – KABOOM!! An explosion rang in my ears, and another hot wind swept over me. – Thud. Amidst the rushing hot wind, a faint sound of flesh tearing rang in my ears. ———= Author’s Notes ———= I’m posting multiple chapters to finish the chapter quickly