episode_0113

“No shame.”

Hector said that with his whole body bandaged.

“Who is not? I can’t believe I was attacked by that monster. I guess you’re older now too.”

Looking at Hector, Max clicked his tongue with a disapproving look on his face.

“That’s right. I guess I’m getting closer to retirement age.”

Hector just laughed at Max’s harsh words.

“… Well, anyway, I’m glad it wasn’t a fatal wound.”

Max’s expression sank a little, as if steam had leaked from that reaction.

“Well, I have a strong body.”

Max raised his arms exaggeratedly.

It was a somewhat unconvincing statement to make with a body covered in bandages, but it was not wrong.

The wounds he received were life-threatening for an ordinary person.

However, Hector is not only an excellent mercenary, but also an excellent warrior.

His body was also different from that of an ordinary person, and thanks to this, he was able to survive even after receiving fatal wounds.

However, it was clear that it was a serious wound, and since there was no priest among the group, it was difficult to treat the wound with potions and medicine as quickly as possible, so it could not be said that the wound was completely healed.

It may not be appropriate to say that he is in critical condition, but he is in a state where vigorous movement should be avoided for a while.

For that reason, Hector was practically a non-existent person on this journey.

It will be difficult to proceed with the request normally, and you may be in a situation where you may have to pay a penalty fee.

“What about requests?”

“Don’t worry about that. It was a request I received together with someone else in the first place. Normally, it would be dangerous if only I were left out, but in this situation, that wouldn’t be the case.”

“… Well then, I’m glad.”

Max nodded quietly.

“I don’t think I can help catch him anymore. I’m sorry.”

“What. In the first place, I can catch enough without your help. Don’t worry and just think about getting better.”

After saying something with an indifferent expression, Max turned around and left the tent.

“Take care of yourself.”

Johanna also left a note of concern for Hector.

Wade, who had been quietly listening to the story behind him, followed.

***

“… … .”

As soon as we left the tent, Max’s expression sank.

It looked completely different from how he had been joking all along just a moment ago.

What I felt from him was vivid anger.

Naturally, the target of that anger was the monster that hurt Hector.

Up until now, he had been thinking about killing that guy, but he only did it out of necessity, and there was no sincerity in it.

However, because of this incident, he truly harbored murderous intentions toward that bastard.

“The momentum is good, but are you okay? Hector was also hit.”

Johanna asked, sensing Max’s anger.

“You have to be careful. but… Anyway, I can’t take any more time.”

“That’s definitely true.”

Johanna nodded.

“I really have to end it now.”

Max declared so with cold eyes.

However, despite Max’s declaration, the results he hoped for did not come out.

Because he avoided meeting Max at all after that.

Of course, Max also turned on the light in his eyes and rushed at the guy, but each time, the guy escaped like a loach with his unique movements and speed.

Max gritted his teeth at that behavior, but there was nothing else he could do.

If he decided to run away, there was no way I could catch him from here.

In the end, Max had no choice but to just suck his finger and chase after the guy, and the guy ran away as soon as Max showed up, and the strange game of tag continued for a while.

However, that game of tag also came to an end.

The day finally came when he didn’t pull away even when Max appeared in front of him.

That’s how he and Max collided again—

Kaang!

The aspect was different from before.

“… You guy.”

Max’s expression hardened.

It wasn’t because of anger.

What made his expression hard was embarrassment.

In a moment of conflict, Max noticed.

That guy has risen to a completely different level than before.

His strength and speed were also incomparable to before, and more than anything, he was now starting to master technology.

He was performing martial arts with the tips of his claws.

Wow ─

White teeth emerged as if torn from the black shadows.

Max noticed that he was smiling.

“… I’ll rip your head off.”

With a hard expression on his face, Max strengthened his fighting spirit.

Apart from the fact that he and the group had been bothering him all this time.

Apart from causing serious injury to Hector.

Max felt it.

This guy must be dealt with here.

I shouldn’t give him any more time.

Then, a truly unstoppable monster could be born.

So, Max pulled out all the power.

Ugh—!

His hatchet trembled with a loud cry.

Max swung the hatchet filled with destructive power towards the shadow.

The hatchet was swung towards him with such force that it seemed as if it could crush even a huge tree in one go.

Quang!

It made a sound that was close to an explosion, and was blocked by the shadow’s claws.

“… … !!”

Shock flashed across Max’s face.

I never dreamed that my power would be blocked so easily.

And at the same time, I realized.

That guy, the shadow, was hiding his skills.

Max knew well that he was growing up.

However, Max decided that it was still not up to his level.

Although he has made a big deal, he says that if he gives his all, he can easily win.

But it wasn’t.

The guy knew that Max was measuring him, so he was hiding his skills.

Just for this moment.

Hearing the fierce warning bell ringing in his gut, Max hurriedly tried to pull away, but it didn’t work out as he wanted.

Because his body’s balance began to fall out of his control.

At that moment, Max opened his eyes wide.

It was because I realized what the cause was.

It all started with the hatchet touching the guy’s fingernails.

The guy swung the hatchet with his claws as he wanted, momentarily throwing Max off balance.

And that was a familiar technique to Max.

Because it was the technique he used in his first encounter with the shadow.

Wow ─

The shadow laughed.

Since Max is also an advanced martial artist, his balance does not completely collapse due to this and can be quickly corrected, but in situations like this, even disruption of such delicate balance can lead to fatal results.

Its strangely long fingernails sparkled, reflecting the sun.

And that sparkle was about to swing towards Max’s body.

Huh ─

The wind blew, and someone literally rushed towards the two at the same speed as the wind.

The identity was none other than Johanna.

Johanna closed the distance in an instant like a gust of wind and swung the two daggers in both hands towards the shadow.

A moment where even a warrior who has reached his peak cannot help but be mesmerized, and the speed.

The shadow right before receiving that fatal blow.

He was quietly looking at the tip of Johanna’s sword without any sign of embarrassment.

From that gaze, Johanna felt something was wrong.

However, even though I felt that way, I couldn’t pull away right away.

No matter how much she does, she can’t pretend that an attack with all her might didn’t happen.

In the end, her dagger continued its path indifferently.

The body of the shadow moved as if dancing.

And the nail that was swinging towards Max changed its path and swung towards Johanna.

At that moment, Johanna felt her own death.

however.

Tuk─

With the shock she felt next to her, her vision changed.

Johanna’s gaze naturally turned to the side, and her eyes grew bigger than ever.

Because I immediately realized what had happened in that brief moment.

That Max had pushed him.

Because his balance was broken, he decided that it was impossible to keep the shadow in check with an attack, so he threw his body and pushed it away.

“Not… !”

A cry almost like a scream tried to escape her mouth.

Sigh!

The sound of something being cut echoed even faster than that.

Blood splattered.

And, a long scar was engraved on Max’s body.

“Max… … !!”

Johanna screamed Max’s name as if the wound was unusual at first glance.

However, Max did not answer.

He just looked at her with a calm expression.

As if he was not the least bit dissatisfied with this situation.

And then, the shadow’s claw swung at Max again… It should have been done, but for some reason the attack did not continue.

Rather, the shadow quickly began to leave, at a speed that had never been seen before.

Even though she felt great doubt about that fact, Johanna ran towards Max.

Because right now, there was no time to worry about that.

***

The shadow ran through the forest with all its might.

What was in that shadow’s heart was a bitter cold fear rather than the satisfaction of having finally surpassed its intended prey.

That fear came from a certain energy felt during the hunt.

A ray of sharp energy that I felt right before the shadow was about to finish off its prey.

The energy was so thin and faint that only the shadow could feel it, but the shadow was visible.

The overwhelming and irresistible power hidden there.

When it realized that fact, the shadow followed its instinctive cry and ran away with all its might.

Until you are far away from your original area.

The fear the shadow felt was heavy and huge.

It’s something I haven’t felt since the shadow was born.

After running away for a while, the shadow stopped in place.

There was no question as to what that energy was or where it came from.

Just thought.

I told him not to approach them from now on.

My instinct was telling me to do so.

was shouting

Never get close to me again.

It would be a lie if I said I had no regrets.

I had finally surpassed the prey, and now all that was left was to hunt them one-sidedly, eat them, and become stronger.

However, I knew that I needed to endure the shadow.

Humans are common anyway.

Even if it was disappointing right now, the shadow had the confidence that if it waited patiently, it would one day become strong enough to eat all humans.

Therefore, the shadow swallowed its regret and slowly tried to return to its territory.

It was that moment.

“I ran away a long way.”

A voice came from behind me, and the shadow turned around at lightning speed and pulled out its claws.

And I could see it.

A man with brown hair was looking at him.

“Where, did you finish running away?”

With a very calm face, the man asked that question.