One Punch Man belongs to One.
Rising of The Shield Hero belongs to Aneko Yusagi.
I own neither of them.
| Apex Predator |
"Umph…!"
Suiryu forced his eyes wide open. Half an hour hadn't even passed, but the shaking of the carriage lulled him for just a moment. Sitting beside him, Eclair tilted her head, facing him as a knowing smile graced her countenance.
"Please don't tell me that you lose to drowsiness."
"Uh, sorry. I almost conked off cause this trip is kinda…"
"Boring." She finished, stifling a sigh as she rested her sword over her backpack that laid beside her. "I thought that it was because last night you overdid it. But it appears that you genuinely are bored."
As Suiryu chuckled wryly, his awareness was kicking. His eyes warily scanned the reaction of other passengers. They mostly didn't seem heeding their hushed chat, but a few got smiles on their faces. He even saw a macho swordsman's lips curl into a sneer. Should one ask, there would be no denial about their sticky relationship.
'Every guy's a merc and every woman's a prostitute. Well, that sounds too acidic, but not entirely wrong when we're here. I hope they don't dig too deep into our life.'
"Lord Ryu?"
He emerged back into reality, turning his face at her. "Um, yeah. It's just that I can't bear the idleness for too long."
"But I saw you grew fond of the tranquility when we were aboard the ship."
"That's different. We're not in a rush for any jobs."
"Then why don't you enjoy it like you did. Were there an ambush, you can just jump right into action, I suppose."
"Then, can I leave that job for waking me up to you?"
She looked at him in the eyes for a second and shook her head, recalling his glaring weakness. "After I think about it, that would be a very difficult task. You are a hard sleeper, after all. Keeping you awake is far easier."
His smile bent into a sulky one. "I'm grateful and hurt at the same time. Thanks, Claire."
"You are welcome. Oh, would you take it as a jest? We still have approximately two days of travel ahead, so please take it leisurely."
"Yeah."
Their trip to reach the designated rendezvous point for their mission continued. Five carriages ran in convoy, speeding over the road that pierced deep into a remote region of the country. The air of the capital grew thin, and so with the presence of settlements.
Within that first day of their uneventful travel, they had reached a grassy expanse. There, they made a stop as the sun sank into the horizon.
Under the instruction of Loren and Larsazusa as the commanders in charge, they built their camp. They pitched the tents almost as soon as they unloaded the supplies and began making fires for cooking dinner.
Suiryu and Eclair also quickly made their tent over a rather secluded spot and pulled out their provision. After gathering some twigs, they made a fire and chopped some vegetables.
"I am impressed that you can build a tent this swift and neat, Lord Ryu."
"I lived on a mountainous region, you know. I often went out for hunting some games to cover our daily needs."
"Really? How fascinating! I supposed that you never lived in the countryside. A man like you looks fit to be some sort of nobleman who often bounces through his manors."
"I take that a compliment. Well, calling my old home a countryside is an understatement. It's in an almost unreachable fold of a sanctuary, far from civilization. Not that extreme actually, but I lived with my grandfather and my little sister there with the most basic tools to support our simple life."
The look on his face hinted a nostalgia. He recalled the sweet memory without pausing from tending to the fire and preparing their dinner. As a twig cracked in the flame, Eclair perked her head, looking at him with a tint of curiosity.
"That sounds very interesting. I wish you can regal me with your story as we have our dinner."
"That's cool. Guess I'll whip something light to warm us up." He spoke as he chopped some carrots and flung them into a little pan.
"More pepper, then?" She picked a small pouch from her knapsack.
"Let's use this local chilly, instead." He sliced a dried, tiny paprika-like vegetable and shoved them into the pan.
"Is that seasoning really good?" She stared at the red thing in scrutiny, picking up one.
"Trust me. It will be delish." He poured some water and hung the pan over the fire.
Some minutes passed in awkward silence. As he momentarily stirred the stew in casual obliviousness, she gazed at him in daze. The dinner hadn't even served, but she had began her feast, chomping down on the image of his perfect figure. His arms that was thick like a pair of logs moved fluidly, working on their dinner. Her eyes wandered to his broad back. Beyond that coarse hemp shirt, she had seen an excellent masculinity, chiseled like an impregnable fortress.
'Ahh… How would I not fall for you…' She propped her chin over her palm, staring dreamily at him. 'Every time you place me in your embrace, I can touch every tough curvature on your body…'
Her cheeks ran red as she relished over the rewarding sensation she earned every time they went into a bonding session. Though her first time was undoubtedly rough, she had learned to enjoy it. Whether he went the hard way or doing it in leisure, she loved them all.
'Truly, I cannot get enough of you! This is terrible! I am addicted at this point. Ah…!'
She soon realized that the place between her legs grew hot. As she squirmed due to the surge of agonizing pleasure, something leaked. Succumbing to her instinct, her hand crawled towards the spot to fend off the heat.
"Ahn~…"
"Hmm?"
Suiryu tilted his head and noticed Eclair's face was beet red. A knowing smirk crept over his face when he also saw where her hand had been. In that trance-like state, she looked like a beast in heat. A beauty that bared her feral side.
Without doubt, that raised his appetite for the second dinner. However, his self-restraint had won over him, clutching him from initiating an early strike. His consciousness had warned him about a putrid outcome should he follow his lust. Still, some tiny flirting isn't so terrible, right?
"Claire, if you really look forward to our second dinner so bad, better wait for it, alright?"
"Ah!" She yelped, gulping his soft insinuation.
"Don't be so surprised. I know you really like it." He pointed at her with a ladle.
"Unff… I-it is not like what it looks like!" She shot a mild glare of denial as she hid her hand between her thighs.
"Whatever it is, you like it, right?" His smirk didn't waver as he averted his gaze to the direction of the main camp. "And I guess you know why I took the privilege to build our tent here. Well, being gold rank surely is unfair, huh?"
She began to recollect herself and sat properly, registering only half of what he had said. "Y-yes. I suppose so."
As the stew released a mouth-watering aroma, he stirred it a little bit and prepared a pair of wooden bowls. His smile stretched wider as he inhaled the whiff.
"Neat. Now let's have our dinner. We can't rest when our stomach keeps howling, right?"
"You are right." She nodded meekly, taking a wooden bowl and a spoon. "Thank you, Lord Ryu."
"You're welcome." He inched closer to her ear as he poured the stew. "And make sure you're filled cause tonight, I'm gonna be really in the mood."
Her lips quavered in ecstasy as her cheeks burned redder. She stared at her stew for a moment and began her meal without warning, ravenously digging in the content. Bits of potato, carrot, beet, garlic and some tiny mushrooms sank into her mouth in no time.
"Hey, slow down." Suiryu admonished, but she kept on chowing down her share.
He was going to shot a mild scold, but when he recalled that she was a knight bound to heavy tasks, he turned down his desire. He understood that being a soldier is a tough job.
'Now I'm not surprised if she's like that. The battlefield is an unforgiving place. Eating peacefully in silence is a pipe dream. Now, we're in battle, after all.'
Such a silly misunderstanding and overestimation went on even for the rest of his life. But let's save that story for another time.
That aside, the taste suited her palate, prompting her face lighten in delight. She slurped her share to the last drop as the chilly substitute truly did wonder, heating her belly up to her body far faster than pepper. As her body grew hot, she began sweating, prompting her to open some buttons of her shirt.
"You can't handle this chilly?" Suiryu asked, furtively eyeing the revealed slit of her bosom.
"No, it does suit my taste. Its flavor is rich, but… I think hearing that you are in the mood makes me want to do it right away." She spoke then grinned with a speck of shame.
Suiryu couldn't help but stare at her in perplexity. A faint migraine threatened to sting his head as his brain raced to grab the answer. Did he turn her into an irredeemably lewd girlfriend? The thought itself sent a chill down his spine. That was an unfavorable development, however satisfied he might gain from it.
He glanced at her, examining her face again. The glint in her eyes implied a different color. It wasn't the look of a true carnal beast. It was soft. There were a longing and a simple adoration radiated from her face. His worry was absent, fortunately.
'Maybe she's not broken. She just really enjoys it cause she's… well, my girlfriend.'
"Oh you… What a helpless, thirsty princess! Let me finish my share first." He shook his head and continued his meal, bringing up his wooden spoon to his lips in a modest, yet elegant manner.
'Aah… What a refined gentleman you are! I am a soldier, tired of being a noble. Now seeing you, I cannot help myself but think that you are a prince!' She impatiently sat beside him as she savored the sight. 'Please, do not let your princess wait for too long!'
And once again, he failed to perceive how broken she was. It was true that he often could tell precisely his opponent's character through their eyes. It helped him to adapt his style of fighting. But Eclair was an exception. Trained through arduous training as a royal knight and her Majesty's aide, she could suppress her emotion from leaking too much through her face.
Simply put, her ecstasy often times only looked like a simple blush. He was fooled by her expression.
Taking her intense gawking into account, he turned at her. "Well, do you perhaps want a second portion? It's gonna be a waste if we left it."
"Y-yes, please." She gingerly offered her bowl and he poured the remaining content of the pan.
As their little dinner continued, their commander had been staring at them from the main camp. Loren momentarily fed his fire with some twigs in silence, a smile of melancholy spreading across his face. He regaled himself with the fact that he didn't hold any spare moment to have fun like what they did.
As the night grew late, he noticed the couple of gold-tagged retreated into their tent. He blinked and his sight suddenly could perceive the shadows that shuffled about in the tent, ready for their ritual. He was stunned by how he was able to see their most private moment, but a voice that echoed in his mind interrupted him.
(Mister, what are they doing? I've asked you several times, but you didn't let me know what that is.)
Sighing, he recalled a certain being who took residence in him. Time and again, that existence had saved his life, aiding him in many perilous combats. But sometimes, their innocence and curiosity put him in concern. After all, they were once a child, turned into a powerful astral being through an arcane magic ritual of most gruesome nature.
'I'm not into other's private matter, Scena. That'd be very rude to tell you what they're about to do.'
(Aww… Is it a truly forbidden thing? At least you can tell me why the do that, right?)
'They do it cause they have consent to do it.' He answered reluctantly, scratching his scalp.
(Oh… Then if you are willing, can I try it with you, Mister? I am curious.)
"Ghh!"
"What's wrong, Loren? I saw you kept on staring at that tent? Are you jealous cause you can't let your sword go wild like him?"
Accompanying the beefy mercenary, a certain female panda gave him a toothy grin. As she snacked on young bamboo stalks, she turned at the couple's tent that began to shake. Her smirk grew more sinister when her gaze nestled back on him.
"Tch! There's nothing to do with it."
"Oh, is that so?" She daringly approached, dragging her bulky body close to him. "Then why don't you bring your little priestess? She's quite the chick, though. Oh, or are you going to do me instead?"
"Are you out of your mind?" He shot a glare, enough to stop her bold teasing. "There's no way I can get away alive if I dare playing behind her. She can trace the weakest smell of another woman on me. She's a demon, for real."
"I-I see… Guess you got your end quite rough, eh? I thought she's just cute, but she's got a scary side. But, hey! Why don't you two just make bab–"
A colder glare pierced her like a blade made of ice, shutting her mouth. She froze then and there, her beady eyes lost their glow. His quiet anger was palpable, like a roiling wave that presaged a storm.
"I haven't touched her. Demon as she may, she's a pure maiden. Don't test my patience any further."
"O-okay… S-sorry for being rude. I didn't mean to poke you or anything, honest. Well, a little, perhaps…" She followed with a nervous laugh.
"Good grief."
With that, the commanders passed the night in silence, letting the chatters of their subordinates echo in the background as crickets chirped merrily.
The group of mercenary finally arrived at the designated location the following evening. It was approximately a kilometer away from the target's estate. As night was falling, the commanders gathered their troops. A group of people who were sent in advance to collect some intel delivered their reports. Loren soon faced his soldiers with stern look, waiting for them to quiet down.
"Guys, tonight we'll launch an attack on this estate owned by Rogias Rodin. Our sole objective is capturing him. You'll to attack in groups of six, each led by a silver-tag. The details have been given to them in advance, so you'll just need to follow your squad commander. Am I clear?"
"""Yes, sir!"""
The soldiers chorused in agreement. Though mostly roguish in appearance, they showed a good example of obedience and discipline. That probably partly due to Loren's charisma as a leader.
"Good. Now split and join your commanders we've assigned. I suppose you've brought all your need, so we'll set out when the moon…" He thrust his gigantic sword into the ground. "… reaches the pommel of my blade. We'll be waiting for you."
They quickly assembled into groups. Swordsmen, archers, lancers, mages, priests and those who can provide support followed their chosen chiefs. The compositions were relatively balanced.
On the other side, Suiryu and Eclair went straight to see Loren. They had gotten a special notice in advance. He saw them and beckoned them to come over his group of elites.
"Ryu, Claire, since you got gold tags, you'll gonna join us. We expect some traps and monsters, so we need you to lend us your strength. We'll be counting on you."
"Understood." Eclair nodded in compliance.
"Got that." Suiryu followed. "Still, can you explain more to us as to why we join your group?"
"I thought you already knew about it, but alright, I'll explain." Loren nodded. "Although you passed your test with a shocking result, we have no sure means to test your leadership. We don't wanna bet, so bunching up heavy-hitters like you is the best choice."
"I see. So it lies on the matter of experience, huh?"
"Yeah. Unless you bring us a legitimate proof of your exploit, we prefer to observe you through the feats you show in combat. I hope you're okay with that."
"No problem with that. So, what about you, Claire?"
"I have no objection about it. Even if you assign me to be a commander, I doubt that I can perform my duty well."
"I see. I hope that's clear enough, then." Loren glanced at his blade that stood proudly at the center of the clearing. "It's about time. Let's move out."
The short walk and break in ran smoother than they originally planned. They met no souls in their way. This ominous tranquility piled up their unease.
As soon as they entered the front yard, a lady with fox demi-human traits made her grand appearance, leaping down gracefully from the mansion's balcony. Clad in a quite scandalous geisha attire, she sported a crooked smile, baring her canines.
"Well, well, well… What a perfect time for attending a party. Now I wonder when the master of this house delivered the invitation for the ball tonight."
"Kohaku?" Larsazusa spelled out the fox woman's name, her eyes narrowing.
"You know her?" Loren turned at her.
"Yeah. A hired blade for several merchants with close ties to arenas. A sly and nasty beast-tamer, be careful."
Loren nodded and reached the hilt of his blade behind his back. "Okay. Just cut your nonsense already, lady. Move aside and we won't hurt you. We have some business with the owner of this house."
"Ah, fortunately, the master had tasked me to welcome you, dear guests. Now, without further ado, shall we start the party?" Her sly smile contorted to an evil one. "For our entertainer tonight, let me introduce you to my humble servant… Terra!"
The horse stable that stood at the left wing of the mansion moved. It shook bizarrely as if it dragged itself, stunning the mercenaries. When the building slid farther from its original place, it morphed into a giant brown lizard as huge as the building it assumed with rock spikes on its back.
"W-what the…!"
"I-is that for real!?"
"An earth dragon!"
The soldiers murmured in abject shock. For a beast-tamer to command a monster that powerful, it displayed just how skillful she was. But above all else, the fact that Kohaku had concealed such a large monster from their visibility had proven how terrifying she was.
The earth dragon's steps shook the ground, wedging fear into the soldiers. As it advanced towards them, some had already stepped backwards, ready to flee. Only then did a familiar dull clang cease them from stepping any further.
"Don't ever consider fleeing! I'll chop your head off once I find you turn tail!"
Loren's voice rang clearly despite clashing with the sound of the dragon's stomp. He shot a murderous glare at his men, strong enough to keep them frigid in place.
"My…! What a dreadful commander you are! And such words came from a mercenary, no less! I think I should honor you by granting you a bit of leeway, perhaps?" Kohaku outstretched her delicate arm, commanding her pet to make a stop before the group of aggressors.
"Is that a taunt? Fine by me, though. I'm a merc, remember? That makes my job easier, so, thanks." Loren shrugged.
"Oh? I'm afraid you have misunderstood what I said. But regardless, can you even pass the bare minimum of what I called as easy?" She waved her hand. "Feast to your heart's content, my children!"
A swarm of figures with glowing red eyes appeared from the shadow. They jumped in from every corner of the complex, surrounding the mercenaries as they growled in hunger. The monsters Kohaku held command were the most savage types, ranging from fiery ants to trolls, counting in Terra as the strongest. Their mistress truly had gone all out for Rodin's twisted sake.
"As people say, the more the merrier. So I have run into the trouble to fetch some companions for you." The vixen announced as she crossed her arms under her voluptuous bust, her golden-bristled tails swishing in delight. "Now, it would be rude to let my effort go to waste, yes?"
"Khh!"
The monsters were slowly approaching the large group of mercenaries. The bleak predicament had bogged them, leaving no choice but to fight. As the mercenaries were murmuring hopelessly, Loren and Larsazusa barked their commands.
"Guys, stay cool! Don't break from formation! Point your weapons at those pests!"
"Bailing out means you're ready to end up as their crap! You got that!"
Some people gulped in fear. For a moment, their chiefs sounded scarier than the impending danger before them. Reluctantly, they mustered whatever courage in them, poising their weapons at the incoming enemies.
"You're too harsh on our men, you know. They're scared witless by you." Loren threw a snide as he held his black blade of omen aloft.
"Heh! Says the one who's gonna behead them!" She smirked as she assumed her stance, a longsword in her stubby hands.
The monsters steadily stepped closer while the mercenaries held their ground. No one had engaged them. The beast-tamer truly wished to make a good show out their misery, instilling a sense of terror. Her malicious smile stretched wider as her children closed in on their preys.
That was where she had a fault in her reckoning. She didn't notice some exceptional individuals in their ranks, oblivious in her sadistic enjoyment.
Staying calm and composed since the beginning, Suiryu and Eclair were observing the grim situation. Although they were separated apart due to the little ruckus, never once did they falter. Their display of levelheadedness even banished the fear in the soldiers around them.
As the monsters opened their maws wide while staring at them, an idea twinkled in Suiryu's skull. To be honest, his manly part couldn't deny that the beast-tamer before them was hot. His hidden serpent also couldn't help but twitch in response, though not as violent as when he saw Eclair. His carnal engine was active. But above all else…
'Bad girl needs to be punished.'
It was his main motivation. To get the kick out of a fight, savoring the rushing adrenaline and acquiring a gratifying victory. It was his source of joy.
'Still, if I save as many as I could, isn't that also the work of a hero?' The image of a certain bald hero flashed in his mind.
At least, now there was a more noble cause that supported his conduct. He wasn't the opportunistic champion who loved pleasure and enjoyment. He had changed. Well, a little bit, maybe?
"Say, chief, if I can get you out from this tight spot, can I claim that fox as a pet?" Suiryu proposed, eyes scanning his surroundings.
"Are you joking?" Loren frowned. "That's insanely bold coming from a freshman like you."
"Oi, are you high on Rucolu? Even a fool knows it's impossible." Larsazusa chided, looking sharply at Suiryu.
"Then you're a failure of commanders for choosing a weakling like me."
Loren nearly snapped, but when he noted the eager look on Suiryu, he pondered about the new-recruit's capability. Loren hadn't learned the full-extent of Suiryu's power, but the fact that he could overwhelm a veteran mercenary like him, who had fought with various despicable beings along his career, was an enough proof. He nodded and smiled.
"Alright. We gave you a gold tag for no stupid reason. Go ahead. Don't die."
"Hey, Loren! Are you crazy?! He's–!"
"Stay calm and watch." Loren shot a deadpan, yet reassuring look.
"Thanks. I'm off." Suiryu left the group behind with a mighty leap, bounded to the biggest adversary.
He aimed his leg at Terra and landed a kick, shoving the rocky lizard's head aside. Ignoring gasps of utter bafflement from the mercenaries, he followed his first strike with one of his signature moves.
"You're tough! Now take this…!"
冥躰震虎拳
"[Void Shivering Tiger Fist]!"
"GRUOOOOOOHHH!"
His life-force imbued punch dented its skull, rupturing blood vessels that ran close to its wound. It's Purple liquid gushed out like a geyser as it limped to its side, disoriented from the shocking concussion. Its left eye bulged out, a dizzying pain violently choking its brain.
Amid the excruciating pain it suffered, Terra turned around to lash its massive tail at Suiryu. Its strike smashed its allies in its path. Suiryu easily dodged it by crouching as the blood of Kohaku's pets exploded, their mangled bodies falling in cacophony. The fellow mercenaries were too stunned to register the acrid red rain that sprayed them wet. The monsters that surrounded them were freaked out and began fleeing, following their instinct.
The earth dragon continued thrashing wildly at Suiryu, using all available weapons in its disposal to strike the infuriating puny human, smashing some unfortunate monsters again. Its opponent in response just evaded its stomps and whipping tail, swiftly driving it away from the soldiers. He intentionally did so to keep the distance from the main forces.
The earth dragon ceased its attack after a while. It stared as Suiryu with raging contempt, but didn't attempt any further move as if it tried to plan something.
Without doubt, its master was fuming. The sight had ticked her nerves.
"T-Terra! What are you doing?! Grhh!" The fox lady growled in fury. "Flatten that bug! Not your friends! A-and you! Come back here and smash those intruders!"
She clenched her fists and the magical brands that were stamped on her monsters' bodies glowed bright purple, emitting sparks of electricity. They wailed and hissed in agony, tormented for their subordination to their mistress. Reluctantly, they returned to the damned battlefield and faced the mercenaries.
"Damn. That's cruel." Loren dryly remarked, silently assessing the shift of tide without tearing his attention away from Suiryu's showdown.
"Should we butt in now?" Larsazusa squinted her eyes as her hand clenched her sword tighter.
"Are you itching for slaying them?"
"Damn yeah!"
"Right. There's no second chance." He looked at his surroundings. "Alright men, do you see those beasts? They're confused! Now it's our time!"
The mercenaries jolted back to reality. They looked at the monsters before them. True to his words, those creatures lost their drive to devour them, fumbling around like lost animals. Those who heeded Loren's words raised their weapons in ready. It was the opening they were waiting for.
"NOW CHAARGE!"
"""WOOOOOHHHH!"""
Loren led the assault, running while swinging his gargantuan black blade at a green bear, bisecting it in half. He drew his sword and swung it again, cutting down a white gorilla. The comeback of his second slash clipped a giant praying mantis. He pushed deep into the enemy's forces as his men were also thinning out the monsters in their directions, blades clashed with claws, flames burned flesh, rocks crushed bodies and ice froze furs.
As most of the mercenaries ran forward to fight with the horde of abominations, some new recruits were still shaking in their boots. Larsazusa slapped a scrawny boy's back with the flat of her sword and glared dagger at him. The other boys who fared no better than him saw it and stiffened.
"Are you gonna be a shame for us Fighting Falcon? If you're not cut for the job, just begone! Else, I'll cut you down here! Now go!"
"Y-yes, ma'am!" The boy and the reluctant bunch joined the fray.
"Good grief." The panda shook her head. "Now, let's see…"
Larsazusa muttered some lines of incantation and slammed her palms into the ground, a magic circle appearing on a spot beneath a horde of monsters. Some bamboo trees sprouted from it and impaled them. The bamboo lances then disappeared, leaving behind gored carcasses.
Eclair caught up with the leader and fought alongside him, mowing down monster upon monster with ease. Her clean strokes were a contrast to Loren's crude swings, but they slew their enemies efficiently the same, decimating Kohaku's minions swiftly.
"Neat swordsmanship. We're not wrong for taking you in." Loren complimented, drawing his blade from a troll's chest.
"Thank you. And you are also a mighty swordsman and a gifted commander at the same time. I am honored to be your subordinate, and perhaps slightly envious."
"The one you should be envious of is your guy over there, you know." He smirked, gesturing with his free hand at Suiryu who stood in the distance.
"Oh…? I think you are right." She blinked, finding her savior fell into a staring contest with the earth dragon. "Now I wonder why he paused."
"Is he tired?"
"I do not think so. Oh! It begins!"
Terra made its move for the second round, rushing at Suiryu like a boar. It opened its jaws wide, burying its lower one into the ground like a bulldozer's blades. The incoming plow for a moment bit Suiryu by surprise, but he readily dodged it, jumping into the air.
"You sure are hard to crack, but I'm not done yet!"
As Suiryu robbed a foothold on Terra's nape, he hopped and continued his merciless assault. He sent a barrage of punches and the torque of his attack lifted him, suspending him in the air as he spun like a cyclone. His fists hammered the dragon's already wounded head with a hundred blows a second. The thumping sound and whistle of his spin roared throughout the vicinity, shaking friends and foes alike.
冥躰空龍拳
"[Void Sky Dragon Fist]!"
"Wh-what is–?!"
"I-is that for real!?"
"L-lord Suiryu…!" Eclair widened her eyes.
"… Crazy. He can move insanely fast. Now this is something." Loren muttered, taking note of the monsters around that stopped in their tracks, overpowered by sudden dread.
"Oi, oi, oi… Is this a sick joke?" Larsazusa stared at the brutal mayhem with bulging eyes. "There's no way in hell he's a human!"
"H-how…!?" Kohaku muttered in disbelief through her gnashing teeth.
How could a cheap sellsword who used nothing but his fists smite her strongest pawn with such an unbridled ferocity? As Suiryu hailed Terra's rock-sturdy head with a torrent of punches, its skull finally gave in and burst, spilling bits of brain matter and gore, dyeing the paved yard in purple. Thus her mightiest vassal perished.
Suiryu ceased his strike the moment Terra lost its bearing and fell to the ground. He briefly gazed at his fallen adversary, casting solemn look. His enjoyment subsided, replaced by a sense of sour dissatisfaction. He had unleashed an almost one-sided beating like a bully does. However, he helped the people, allowing a smile of relief to unroll on his face.
"Whew… Guess this should do the job." He pulled out his halberd and waved it aside. "Wow. I even forgot to use this. What's left is cleaning up the rest, catch that Rogias and claim my prize."
Filthy lecher…
His weapon whispered indignantly. He stared at the floating message in perplexity and frowned.
"Oh, shut it! Can I at least take her? I wanna ruffle her tail." He protested, slowly letting his eyes take a chomp on Kohaku's tempting appearance. "I'll ask Eclair first, though."
"Eeep!" Kohaku yelped when she felt Suiryu's gaze ravished her, forgetting how her servants had been annihilated.
On the sideline, Loren looked at him in amusement. Their biggest obstacle had been dealt with in a spectacular fashion, no less. He was afraid that he couldn't give more credit to Suiryu. After all, killing a beast of that level with bare hands was outrageously insane.
"Heh! Hahahaha…! Did ya see that, guys?! Our friend Ryu is the real deal! He's proven his words! Don't even let his hard work go to waste! Now storm the house and catch Rogias!"
The mercenaries barged into the mansion. The stragglers fled in terror, and so did their mistress. She cast an illusion magic on her person and vanished into her employer's abode.
"Wha–! She disappeared! Where's she?! Ow, maaan…" Suiryu whined, losing sight of the vixen temptress the moment he turned his head away.
"What are you lamenting on, Lord Suiryu? Shouldn't this overwhelming victory be a joy?" Eclair came over him, stopping her jog just a couple of steps away.
"Huh? Eclair? Oh, uh… Good timing, I guess. I was going to chase that fox demi-human, but she suddenly disappeared."
"I see. Putting that aside, we are to catch up with the chief. He entrusted us with the rear." She relayed Loren's order, casting a serious look. "We are Fighting Falcon's indispensable asset. Let's make a haste."
"Oh, right. Lead the way."
The pair rushed into the mansion, leaving behind the remnant of carnage.
Unbeknownst to them, what awaited them was something even worse.
Suiryu and Eclair finally reunited with their leader after passing through the main entrance. However, the situation didn't allow Loren to spare any warm greeting upon Suiryu's overwhelming victory. He sported a grim look as he tended to some of his wounded men. As Suiryu and Eclair approached him, they found the main source of the trouble.
"The hell…?"
"O-oh… Dear Lord, what on earth is happening…?!" Eclair covered her mouth. "How repugnant!"
"They're the first group that burst straight through the ballroom. Something awful had slew them and… yeah, I guess you know the rest. Still, never thought this goes this terrible." Loren explained, eyeing the things before them. "Our enemies turned out to be more savage. Now you know why people need our service, right?"
Some people that a moment ago were still talking with them had been reduced into a dozen of revenants. The walking-corpses ambled limply toward the mercs with arms outstretched, no semblance of the people they used to be present.
Faced with such an unbelievably shocking event, the new recruits quivered over their standing spots. However, those who were brave enough tried their best to hold them back from pressing into Loren's line.
The situation turned when a select few of veterans stepped in. Their leader got a nod of approval from Loren and dove into the wave of undeads.
"If this runs any worse, we'll need to say goodbye to our reward." Larsazusa added, huffing after she skewered some zombified mercs with her bamboo spell.
"Is there no way to revert them back to normal?"
Suiryu's apprehensive tone only met Loren's resigned look. The wielder of black blade sighed tiredly, looking at the sluggish zombies he once called subordinates.
"If there's something as convenient as that, I'll surely take it with my job as the payment. I swear."
"So, there is no other choice…" Eclair trailed off when she saw a soldier cut off a zombie's head.
"Yeah. Putting them to rest is the best way to honor them. Nasty, huh?"
"Maaan… This gonna leave a really bad taste in my mouth." Suiryu complained, staring at the zombies as he scratched his head.
"If you don't like it, you can just leave it to my men. Some of them had dealt with something worse, fortunately." Loren shrugged as some mercs with heavier weapons like claymores and battle axes butchered their friends.
"Do you perhaps have any idea about who might be the perpetrator of this unspeakable crime, Chief?" Eclair asked.
"Vampires. Either a purebred or an Elder."
"What?! Vampire? So they also exist here?" Suiryu cocked his head, taken aback in utter surprise.
"Do they also exist on your homeland?" Eclair shot back his question.
"Kind of. They only exist in lore, but that's what makes them legendary."
"Legendary? So are they supposed to be powerful?"
"Mostly, yes."
"I see. Then I guess you got the idea of how troublesome they are." Loren spoke, holding his blade's hilt loosely.
"Calling them troublesome sounds too cute, I think. They're often depicted as… something infernal. Another kind of demon."
Despite the heavy atmosphere, Suiryu's words managed to diffuse the tension. Larsazusa in response laughed a little, lightly tapping Suiryu's back.
"Haha…! Don't scare me with that joke, come on! Me here haven't seen that thing, but good ol' Loren had fought with one in the past."
Suiryu turned at Loren and smiled after he read his face. The wielder of gargantuan black blade showed a sense of slight relief on his face.
"Thought as much. Laymen can even tell he's a tough guy with experience as thick as his build. Someone will get damned if he dares call him a second-rate. And after seeing how he solved the trouble this being had caused, those haters will eat potato through their noses. Cheers for you, Chief."
"I take it as a praise. Thanks." Loren smirked suggestively, his face reflected a genuine glee. "Hey, Ryu, I have a vacant job for you."
"What is it?"
"A soothsayer for some nobles in distress. It pays quite good."
"I'll consider to take it. Thanks a bunch." Suiryu rubbed his chin in interest. "Though, I think I'll stick with this one for now."
Eclair for a moment was at a loss, but when she recalled about the very hero who had saved her, a smile bloomed on her face. Just like what they said, his words in dire moments were calming. It was one among many things that she liked about him.
"Lord Suiryu…"
After the soldiers put their unfortunate comrades to rest, they regrouped and moved as a single platoon. Their morale had taken a pretty severe blow, but with a reliable veteran like Loren at the helm, they could maintain whatever courage in them.
With utmost care, they scoured the manse, beginning from the outermost chambers. Physical traps like flying darts with tripwires and barbed pitfalls dotted some spots. Random encounters with monsters like orcs and goblins also happened. That was when people with thief skills exhibited their ability, and so did the healers. Their assistance had kept their advance steady.
Oddly, they found none of the residents. There was even no visible traces that the abode had been used, the kitchen dusty, the bathing quarter dry. The simplest conclusion they could draw was Rogias only used this place as a last stand.
After moving for an hour without finding any people in their way, the group of mercenaries finally reached the master study room. By using [Detect Presence], some soldiers in Loren's rank caught a weak trace of a person beyond the door. Just when they were going to bust the door in, it swung open, followed by a foreboding presence. Much to their horror, it was Rogias Rodin himself, now nothing more than an empty husk.
"Ueeekkhhhh…." Rodin, walking limply, writhed hollowly.
Like most revenants, his eyes were devoid of lively glow, his face drooped, his jaw hung, his skin was dry and pale to the point of turning to ashen green. Added with his portly person, he looked like he dragged his chunky legs, his shoes squeaked against the shiny tiles. Compared to the mercenary zombies, his walk was terrifyingly sloppy as if it could kill the watcher due to how long it took.
And that's another reason that poured more dread into the mercenaries.
"H-hey, isn't he the guy?"
"N-no way…"
"I… don't wanna believe it, but…"
"… Well, damn. Will this even be counted as a work done?" Larasazusa muttered in bitterness.
"Whoever caused this must pay dearly. I won't give a fuck about this." Loren spat in rage, glaring at the door from where the former owner came out. "They've screwed up our job today."
"You sure are pissed off, huh, Loren?" Larsazusa cocked her head in surprise.
"Just don't pull my nerves again. We've got some of our men killed. The least I want is cutting down anyone near me."
"Whoo… scary. So anyway, what's the plan?"
"Do I need to spill it? I'm aware you're smarter than you look."
"Sheesh, Loren! Don't be a sleazebag!" The panda hissed in irk, slamming her paw onto his large back. "Okay. Let's find the culprit and screw him up so bad that he'll beg to be killed!"
The gold-tagged pair and most of the new recruits watched the exchange of their leaders with weird looks. Those who had worked with them for some time surely knew their jests and jabs, but the late-comers wold find it simply odd.
"Yeah, but first… Who'll gonna welcome our dear gentleman over here?" Larsazusa pointed at zombie Rodin.
"Allow me to do it."
Eclair volunteered, assuming a nearly flawless thrusting stance. Loren signaled with a nod and she bolted forward, charging at the zombie. She passed Rogias, the glint of her sword whizzing through his neck. The moment she finished her move, his head leaped from its rightful place and fell to the floor with a thud. He crumbled to his knees. The display left the men in awestruck.
"Well done." Loren complimented as Eclair sheathed her sword. "We can finally say a proper goodbye to our mission."
"You feel better?" Larsazusa snickered.
"Better." Loren nodded in relief, playing along with her jest.
Before Suiryu could give any congratulatory smile to Eclair, the glass windows along the corridor, where Rogias' carcass lied, shattered. A violent wind broke in, catching the invading forces off-guard.
Came next was a flock of bats. They flew around the mercenaries and gathered near the study entrance, coalescing to form a figure of a woman. The black mass finally assumed a perfect shape of a flame-haired lady. Bedecked in an exquisite dress befitting a noble, her form was imposingly tall. She bore a beauty that leaned to a malicious side, accentuated by the presence of two fangs that peeked from the edge of her upper lip.
"… Stoss!" Loren growled contemptuously. "So it's you all along!"
"Oh, of all people I wish to see, you are at the end of my list." She told him, grandiosely shrugging her exposed shoulders. "But regardless, I came here to finish whatever business I have with you, mortals."
"So what is it? Did you mess up your job that you ended up slaying your employer?"
"Pardon, but is that question suitable to be addressed to a person of my standing?" The heel of her shoe clicked ominously as she slightly frowned at dead Rodin. "Mind your tongue."
"Arrogant as ever. Then you came here to have a rematch with me, huh? Are you still mad cause I lopped off your head last time?"
"Now, now, come to think of it, where is that female imbecile of a companion you have back then? I have a score to settle, for she is the stain to my pride."
"You can ask me about it after I–"
"As the source of thy power, I command thou! Let the true way be revealed once more! Thunder and lightning! Eradicate those before me! [Drifa Thunder Burst]!"
A series of lightning hijacked their moment of conversation, zapping the soldiers. They failed to react and most fell victim to the magically conjured atmospheric phenomenon, toppling them down to the floor in a heap. Their screams echoed along the corridor, accompanied by writhes of anguish. They were not dead, but in no shape for combat as red HP bars were floating above their heads.
Instinctively, Suiryu managed to dodge in time, grabbing Eclair in a tight hug. He backed down close to the wall, glaring at the newcomer that managed to sneak behind the rear of their line.
"What the hell…! Ghh… My men! Lars–"
Loren grunted as he rose after being licked by a spark. Larsazusa had collapsed near his feet, the white of her eyes showing as smoke raising from her armored body. He pressed his giant sword into the floor as his eyes landed on the culprit.
"I see… So you're in cahoots with that bloodsucker, Nadia?"
"Oh, my! I think until a moment ago, I worked with her, but she seems to be betraying our employer, I think." The newcomer perked her head up to get a better look of Rogias. "Ah, it appears so. Well, that makes our contract void. Now consider I am neutral. And I feel bad for knocking out little Sasa, sorry."
"Tch! Don't play innocent. You've knocked my men out over here. I'll take you as a compensation."
"My, is that a threat?"
"A beast stays a beast. Do you think you will have a chance to defeat me should I join league with that woman?" The vampire pointed at the thunder-caster.
"Don't ask me. Still, I think I'll find a way to defeat you. Both." Loren held his blade in ready.
"Aren't you a bold one, Lady Stoss? After murdering our employer, shouldn't you turn against us?" Nadia sighed.
"I deemed him as a failure from the very beginning. He has outlived his usefulness. Nothing good comes from a swine like him. Am I not merciful enough for letting him see the result of my work?" She claimed, pressing the heel of her boot into Rogias' bulky stomach.
"Hmm… You have a point. But anyway, aren't we missing one more person here?"
Watching the exchange from the sideline, Suiryu and Eclair kept silent. They had no idea about how Loren and those ladies were connected, but it was clear that they were not in good terms. But whatever dour their relationship could be, one thing was obvious about the females.
'Man… they're hot. And that Nadia… Just what kind of thing she's wearing? A sarashi and a waist clothe? Really? Is she thinking every day is summer? But well, that only makes her look all the more alluring, honestly.'
True to his musing, Nadia was mystically tempting. If Eclair reflected sternness and devotion that drew him through benevolence, this girl was at the opposite pole. Simply speaking, she was the naughty, outgoing type.
"What a shameless seductress." Eclair commented as she appraised Nadia's outward appearance in exasperation. "Instead of the upper one, she lets the underside of her huge milk jugs spilling out for all men to see. And those thighs! I swear, even the lewdest whore at Black Rose Street has more decency than her!"
"That's one hell of a fashion commentary you got there, Claire. Well, she's what we might call an exhibitionist." Suiryu casually exclaimed.
"Judging by the tone, you sounded like you are defending her." Eclair frowned accusingly.
"Hey, I'm just talking about freedom in fashion taste, okay?"
"Are you sure? I get the feeling that your inner beast has woken up from its slumber. Okay, let us ask your lordly serpent." Her hand swiftly found its way onto his nether place before he could react.
"Uh, hey!"
"Ah… So your devil is at work." She smirked.
"Ugh…"
"Be at ease. I am not mad. What I need to do is getting rid of the trouble. Simple." She smiled, but her eyes got a homicidal flare when she gazed at Nadia.
"Oh dear! What a strong killing intent!" The temptress swung her bident aside, preparing for a battle earlier than she expected. "Are you going to be my opponent instead, little knight?"
"You are fast on the uptake, I am impressed. Allow me to fight you." Eclair challenged, her slim longsword floating at her front.
"H-hey, Claire! Are you kidding me?!" Suiryu panicked as he flicked his gaze at the remaining fighters in the corridor.
"Three against two. Guess we can still tip the balance." Loren smirked at Stoss.
"I see. So this is what people call as someone with devil's luck. I shuddered for a moment."
The vampire shook her head in joy, letting out a small chuckle. However, a dozen of magic circles with various colors appeared around her the moment she ceased her laughter.
"What!?" Loren widened his eyes.
"This is really bad…" Suiryu muttered as a cold sweat bead trickled down his cheek.
Stoss' MP bar only decreased slightly despite the insane spellcasting. The preparation of a spellcasting alone for an average mage could have drained a considerable amount of MP, but it didn't happen to Stoss. Meaning, her mana pool could be fantastically vast and deep.
Not to mention how varied the elements she mastered.
Suiryu didn't know what really happened in him the moment she cast magic, but Stoss' existence had rang a danger alarm in his mind. It blared at him, telling him that she was an evil existence, malicious in nature and deceitful in conduct. The feeling was nothing like he ever experienced before. If Gouketsu was honestly brutal, this one could be described as something insidious.
A part in him suddenly snapped. An unbound desire to crush the threat reappeared in him. Just like when he tasted Gouketsu's first shocking blow, his heart pounded hard, a desperate vigor to maim his enemy surged through his veins.
"But let me tell you, I am not the weakling I used to be, who could only send envoys to complete my agendas. After I reformed my body and blasted out from that ruin, I learned to do my work without anyone's help, perfectly. The result, not only do I earn more experience, but I also get stronger. Far stronger than– UGYUUUHHH!"
A knee to her right neck smacked her down, burying her into the floor. Suiryu decided to slash short her monologue, canceling out all her spells. The remaining fighters stared in bafflement, looking at how easily he hit the Elder with a dash-and-slam before she even noticed.
"O-oi, Ryuu…"
"Oh dear…" Nadia covered her mouth in surprise.
"Lord Ryu…"
"I got a pretty severe allergy with magic circles, you know. They make me sick, so I need to smash them before they vomit whatever magic they have."
Loren scratched his head. "Is that so? What I gonna say is she's not an average enemy you can defeat with raw strength. She even survived from beheading and regained her body."
"For real? That sounds awfully creepy." He raised a brow at buried Stoss. "Somehow, the more I look at her, the more she creeps me out. Then I guess I'll mesh her like a potato before she eats me."
"Good luck. Seems like a guy who could kill an earth dragon won't have any problem in dealing with an Elder. I'll take care of our friends over here."
"Thanks, Chief."
Loren turned to Eclair. "Claire, be careful with Nadia. She's a terrific coliseum fighter. An adept performer."
"Understood." Eclair tightened her guard, sealing any possible opening in her stance.
"Telling your lackeys about your opponents, is that a way that lets you win in mercenary business, little Loren? Tell me." Nadia cocked her head, allowing her lustrous black hair sway to the side.
"Yeah. So what?"
"Well, you sound like a person who lost your comrades in the past. You're soft."
"I am. And you're the last person I wanna hear that kind of comment about me." Loren helped a healer drink a potion.
"Oh, sorry 'bout that."
"No probs. Anyways, the one who'll gonna entertain you is the esteemed lady in front of you."
"Indeed." Eclair nodded in concurrence. "Shall we let our blades continue our conversation? We still have plenty of time, I suppose."
"Wow. You're a brave one, huh? Alright. The night is still young. So…" Nadia spun her bident. "Let's begin."
With that, the girls clashed before Suiryu could say anything. The moment Eclair initiated her first thrust, Nadia parried it with the shaft of her bident. She spun it and with with a backward leap, she evaded a slash and fled out through the window.
"Catch me if you can~!" Nadia winked and stuck out her tongue in mid flight.
"I won't let you run!" Eclair hounded her and jumped through the window.
"Ah! Hey!" Suiryu called out, only to receive nothing but the clashing sound of their weapons from the distance.
"It's okay. That Nadia never killed anyone." Loren spoke reassuringly as more of his subordinates revived from the quick treatment.
"You sure about that, Chief?"
"Yeah. She's the pacifist type. Perhaps she took this job out of boredom."
"Boredom, huh?" Suiryu muttered, recalling a certain bald hero who saved him.
Just when he reminisced about Saitama's wisdom, the vampire stirred. Suiryu in response put up his guard, and so did Loren.
"Rooaaaahhhhhhhhhh!"
A shrill scream marked her awakening. Stoss rose from her momentary internment and shook in vicious rage, her face was as red as her hair. She roared at Suiryu, her vampiric fangs seemingly elongated under the moonshine.
Suiryu recoiled slightly from the sight. He assumed a loose stance as Stoss' wrathful wail gnawed his eardrums.
"Yooouuuu! I WILL RIP YOU INTO SHREDS AND SUCK YOU DRY! GRAAAAAHHHH!"
Stoss lunged at Suiryu at a speed normal eyes could never register. She raised her hand, ready to slash her enemy with her fingernails. Time almost came to a halt as she brought down her clawing hand. The moment her strike was at a sure reach, he suddenly gripped her wrist with his left hand.
"Bingo."
"Huh?"
A slap with a force comparable to a hand grenade explosion struck her left cheek. He released her wrist and it launched her, hurtling towards a wall. She slammed and dove into it, her upper part ended at the chamber beyond while her rear and legs were left dangling for the world to see, revealing her frilly undies.
"As expected of a rich girl, huh? I've never been a sadist, but after I know you're the one who killed our men and messed up our job, I think I'm gonna be one. I wonder if I can get some fun from this play."
A sinister smile played on his face. A sudden exhilarating ecstasy upon seeing his enemy's suffering overwhelmed him. The thumping malevolent hatred had morphed into a desire to impose dominance over his foe that a moment prior had put him on edge. The situation had reversed, no one could tell who was the monster now.
He came over Stoss and ripped the last bastion to her guarded sanctum. What happened afterward was an act of punishment for misbehaved children, but its intensity was on a whole different level. As if to manifest hell's torment, he repeated his action, grabbing her leg to allow no chance of escape.
"HIYAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!"
A long, unholy scream shook the manse to its very foundation it stood upon. Loren and the recovered soldiers flinched. The earth dragon slayer's senseless savagery put them in mortifying stupor.
"Fuck! Even vampire won't have a chance if her butt got slapped that hard!" Loren remarked, averting his gaze away in disgust.
The spanking had enough might to rattle the wall. Before long, her lower cheeks had swollen red as her cry echoed from the other side.
After some minutes that passed almost like an eternity, he decided to pull her legs. His yank tore her from the wall, finally showing the most horrible look a woman could make after going through the most humiliating mayhem one could cast. The once haughty vampire's face was nothing more than a heap of tears, snots and drools.
"P-pweeshe…. Shtopp…!" She begged between her sobs. "Cheaashe thiss ack oncshe…! I-I weg of yaw…!"
"What? You want me to stop this? You've killed our men, you know? Do you know how long we can recover from the attack you've launched on us? This punishment isn't even enough."
"… Dh-dhen 'ell wo awything…"
"Did you say anything?" Suiryu perked his head up and sent a cold gaze.
As she nodded, the onlookers waited his answer with bated breath. They were curious at how he would resolve this case. Would he end it peacefully and raise their dissatisfaction, or would he settle it with a fair judgment? Their wonder only swelled to the climax as he parted his lips.
"Sorry, I'm a hellbent champ. Accepting your offer means losing. And losing isn't fun."
Suiryu sent a chop to her nape, shoving her into the floor. Che caked out cold. He glanced at Stoss once and dragged her by her leg.
"I'm done over here, Chief."
"Don't know how to say. At the same time, I wanna punch your face. But you've done the job quite well. Damn. You're a literal lady killer, huh?" Loren only gave a troubled look.
"Losing isn't fun. I've lost once so let me be a little greedy this time." Suiryu shrugged.
"For a winner of these difficult skirmishes, you have the right to claim the prizes. Think of it as winning big. Speaking about your victory, now I wonder about your lady friend fighting out there. Will she be overjoyed?"
"You make me worry about her. So, is it okay if I check on her?"
"Guess I have no choice, huh? Alright. Let's move. But you keep the front guard."
"Aye. Let's go."
Meanwhile, on another battleground, Eclair was putting up a fierce struggle. Nadia was a tough one, her swordsmanship barely fazed her. Whenever Eclair sent a blow from a normally unreachable angle, Nadia could draw any possible advantages from either the terrain or her weapon to deflect the attacks.
In retaliation, Nadia carved out openings and unleashed near-fatal attacks, forcing Eclair to keep her distance. That's when Nadia's thunder element magic came into play. She kept Eclair at bay by spamming some thunderbolts. Worse, she could cast some advanced spells by skipping the incantation completely and the intensity was just the same as the conventional ones.
Although she received no injuries, it was such a frustrating endeavor that Eclair grit her teeth.
"Cursed! I never thought you are this skillful! I should admit, you are leagues above me!"
"Oh, is that a compliment? Thanks, anyway. But a praise alone won't get you anywhere, remember?"
"You needn't to tell me!" Eclair held her sword aloft.
"[Zweite Thunder Arrows]!" Nadia spun her bident as jolts of electricity converged around her, forming some blue sparky balls that shot out at glaring speed.
"Ghh!" Eclair barely dodged the barrage of electric spheres.
She sacrificed her guard to avoid the strike and Nadia used it to close in on her. The adept fighter shoved her bident and gripped Eclair's sword between the prongs. Eclair tried to pull her blade as hard as she could, but it didn't budge, bending it instead.
"Ugh!?"
"Try harder, my dear!" With a simple twist, Nadia clipped Eclair's blade.
"Wha– Guhhh!"
A hit to Eclair's sternum sent her flying. The heavy swing of Nadia's bident knocked the air out of her lungs. The moment she crashed the ground and gasped for air, Nadia had pointed the harpoon end of her polearm at her.
"Incredible. Of all opponents I fought so far, you're the strongest and the most skillful, for real."
Eclair frowned at her enemy. She was aware that from the beginning, Nadia never had any intention to kill her. The absence of bloodthirst in her strikes confirmed so. The fight also felt like a spar, far from a battle of honor to the death. It made her wonder what was Nadia's motive.
"That praise holds no meaning. I still lost to you, but pray tell, what you wished to achieve from this fight?"
"What I want, huh? Hmm…" Nadia tapped her chin with her pointing finger. "Your boyfriend, maybe?"
"What!?"
"Hey, hey, no need to be so worked up, mkay? He looks really hot, so you must know girls out there can fall for him as easy as flipping hands." Nadia chuckled lightly as she crouched. "By the way, he's here. But wait…"
The color on Nadia's face slightly waned. Eclair was wondering what prompted her opponent to show such hint of sudden fright. She turned around, her eyes widening as she caught sight of her savior.
"Lord Suiryu…?"
"No way! There's no freaking way he could defeat that vampire, right?" Nadia stood on reflex.
"Seems like you get roughed up by the exhibitionist, Eclair. Are you okay?"
"I am fine. I can still run if I wish." She slowly rose, wincing a little as she straightened her back.
With leisurely stride and Stoss on his back, he went over Eclair and Nadia. He was alone, no sign of Loren and his men around him. He put on an easy smile, but his killing aura was palpable. Eclair stiffened as Nadia backed off, her bident in ready.
"My, you genuinely look pissed off. It's only a small bonk to her chest, okay?"
"You said a bonk, huh? Now I wanna know how a bonk could send her sliding this far." He checked on Eclair. "Still hurt?"
"Only slightly. Please, do not be reckless, Lord Suiryu. She is a very powerful foe."
"I know."
Nadia trained her sight at Suiryu's blue eyes. She read his gaze, finding out how sharp he was. He seemed to be fully wide open, but her heart banged her chest in alarm. Her battle instinct rattled rapidly, telling her that his stance was impregnable. No matter how many times she simulated her assault on him, he could always come up with a counter and reverse the outcome.
'This guy is stronger than I've estimated. Not to mention...'
Stoss' state as his hostage sealed her doubt. She heard that the bloodsucker was among many calamity-bringers who ever graced the land of mercenaries and merchants. Although her trail of mass-mayhem was renowned, he could bring her down with whatever ability in his store. Her prospect of grasping the littlest chance of victory turned grim.
"What's wrong? You suddenly turn quiet." He called out, his countenance softening.
"Ah, sorry about that. Maybe you're right. I shouldn't leave this early, but I suddenly remembered something."
"An appointment with a friend? We can accompany you instead, if you want."
"If you want to treat me for some swigs, I'd be in. Besides, haven't I said that I'm neutral already?"
She grinned, but a cold sweat bead trickled down her cheek. Her animal side rang an a alarm of flight as his presence grew more menacing. She begged more seconds, trying to make a sly opening for a decent escape.
"Lord Ryu, she tried to worm her way out of this." Eclair stated, glaring at Nadia.
"No need to be so concerned. She's just sc–!"
"SCRWEEEEEEEE...!"
A monster cockroach suddenly rushed in between them. It squealed, raising its filthy, hairy forelegs at Suiryu and Eclair. To Nadia, the distraction was a godsend she truly needed.
"Nadia, now!"
"Nice work, Lil' Kohaku!"
The wielder of bident jumped away, reuniting with her cohort and making a considerable distance from the gold-tag duo. Without sparing any goodbye, their legs soundlessly stomped the ground in their run. They rushed into a small forest that bordered the manse.
"Now let me cast an illusory magic!"
"Oh, that's cool! Do it, please!"
Kohaku was about to prepare her next layer of countermeasure, but a loud boom roared from behind them. What followed was a rain of thick, stinky white fluid. The upper half of her last servant's body then fell not far from their tracks. To add the shock, Suiryu made a brutal chase, ripping trees in his way into wood splinters with bare hands. He skidded to a stop beside them.
"W-w-what!?"
"This is a joke, right?"
"Where are you going, ladies? We haven't checked the dead guy's cellar yet." Suiryu's lips bent into feral smile.
"Yeah sorry, but next time." Nadia swung her bident, aiming for Suiryu's face.
He quickly pulled his sacred weapon. His grip was off, but with sheer power alone, he blocked her swing that blew a shock wave. As his hand was holding the lower shaft of his halberd, his free one curled like a tiger's paw. He rammed it at her bident's handle, unleashing another wind blast.
"Guhh…!"
"Nadia!"
The strike sent Nadia flying, but she reclaimed her balance mid air. She landed, lurching and using her bident to stop her slide. However, before she spilled her thoughts, his leg had been flying into her sight, shoving another blow she barely blocked with her bident. Her weapon received a severe punishment unlike ever before, bending under the push of his leg as her feet dove into the ground.
"You're strong."
"T-the same goes to you..." She replied, defending her ground. "Is it even proper to push a pretty lady like this?"
"You're the one who asked."
She twirled her polearm and he came up with a heavy swing from below. The weapons clashed, sending sparks of gnashing metals. They grated for a second and Suiryu's forceful push cast her bident aside.
Suiryu relentlessly followed the attack with a thrust. Nadia raised her bident and his ax blade bit the handle. The stalemate was longer than before, affording them a moment to learn each other's face from up-close.
"Hey, you're quite the looker, huh?"
"Thanks. And you're a bombshell. But don't think your praise can soften me. And I know you're not all-out yet. You can't fool me." Suiryu shoved her away.
"Hoho… You can see through me. Impressive. [Zweite Thunder Bolts]!"
Resorting to magic, a bluish magic circle appeared before her, discharging a series of lightning burst. Suiryu for a split second widened his eyes, but he pulled a counter fast. Slinging his halberd onto his back, he rotated his arms clockwise while pumping life force into them.
"[Void Fist, Third Stance: Cyclone]!"
His hands met with the thunderbolt whips. They bounced off of his shifting palms, some bending and following the movements of his roundhouse block. The move that emulated karate's mawashi uke dispersed the lightnings into thin air.
"… How? Is that a martial art?"
She supposed that the chance of encountering a martial artist over this land was extremely slim. The art that could overwhelm strong enemies through the use of immaculate bodily movements was among many stuffs lost in history.
And he had performed a martial art that reached a new height.
'I see. So he's using that technique to cover his pathetic ability in wielding his halberd. Now it does make sense.'
Her surprise was an amusing sight, inviting a smile of interest onto Suiryu's face.
"That's right. Finally, someone made a right guess." He switched to a new stance. "Now I think this mission is worthier than I'd hoped for. Not a waste at all. Now, entertain me more, pretty girl!"
Nadia gaped, then sighed. She studied his countenance once more. Any traces of killing intent wasn't present, unlike his previous chase. She came into a conclusion that he was the same type as herself, a playful one. After a moment of contemplation, she came to a decision.
'Guess I'll play with him. Just a little. He's not the type who'll kill a woman, right?'
"My… A delicate lady like me surely won't stand a chance against a naughty boy like you. You really gave me a hard time."
"Thanks. I take that as a compliment. I was still holding back, you know."
"I see. Then, will you give me a leeway to go serious?"
"Sure. A handicap isn't too much."
"Then I will take that as your agreement. Cool."
Nadia's body glowed. She grew in size, her skin went paler, then white. Her long locks melded with her back, turning black like the rubbery skin on her limbs. Her face contorted, elongating until its shape bent from human's proportion, resembling a water beast. The slit of her mouth stretched, revealing a row of neat, sharp teeth. No, it wasn't a shark. She was the predator above shark.
"… An orca? With limbs?" Suiryu's jaw dropped.
"Surprised? This is my true form. Now…" She flicked her bident aside with her sinewy hand. "Let's fight for real~."
Author's Note
After thinking about it, Suiryu's encounter with Sadeena looks lame. She's not the type who would complacently surrender to him just from Eclair's sweet talk, so a little fight to show who's the boss is absolutely necessary. Thus, I slashed the chapter and placed the next part into a new one. For the sake of my satisfaction.
So yeah, thanks so much for your visit, thoughts and support. See you again on the next update. ;-)
