The Great Sword is not the Main Body!

"Ha, it's over."

Ruchi retrieved his sword and surveyed the area.

The bodies of monsters, at least three hundred, were scattered around here and there.

It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t hard either.

The monsters led by the leader were systematic.

The armored beasts at the front drew attention.

The crossbow-wielding monsters constantly harassed from the back.

In between, spears jabbed, rusty swords swung, arrows pierced, and maces swung.

Claws, fangs, teeth, fists, even stones.

The attacks were relentless, enough to drain the soul, with no time to rest.

Had it been anyone else, they would have been torn apart without a trace.

But Ruchi and Hainzel were different.

I was different too... Heh heh.

The two massacred the monsters, joking with each other as if they were just out for a stroll.

Moreover, the leader of the beasts was split in half by a single strike from Hainzel...

Clearly, they were platinum-ranked adventurers before they even faced a ‘Master’.

I wondered if I could have defeated them had I fought at my best.

I thought back to the previous battle and mentally visualized it.

Hmm... If I fought with everything I had, I could probably win in hand-to-hand combat.

Yeah. Just with simple ‘hand-to-hand’ combat.

But if I used my ‘unique ability’... right now, there’s no way I could win...

I might be an experienced player, but... platinum ranks are not to be underestimated.

In the game, the highest rank you could reach by hunting alone was gold.

To become platinum, you had to pass trials.

After passing these trials, each class would unlock their own ‘unique abilities’ and ascend to platinum.

Of course, the game and reality might differ, but Ruchi and Hainzel had unique abilities.

I saw them in the game.

It was so damn cool.

Ruchi would swing his sword, and whoosh—krrraang!! The monsters would fall.

Hainzel would swing his halberd, and the beasts would be crushed with crash-!

But... it’s frustrating.

I was an experienced player too...

I could use those abilities too, back in the game...

I couldn’t help but feel bitter.

I stabbed my greatsword into the ground with frustration.

Of course, they had reached that level through harsh training and life-or-death experiences in reality...

But still... something...

"Sigh..."

As I sighed, Hainzel, approaching me, surveyed the surroundings and spoke.

"So, Ruchi. How many did you kill? I’ve forgotten how many, I guess it’s because I’m getting older."

"Seems like your intelligence went with your hair. I killed about 90."

Hainzel patted his shiny bald head as he spoke.

"I killed fewer than that, but I killed the leader, so... Do you count the leader as 20?"

"Pfft! Not even close. You don't even know how much I spent on drinks."

"That's true..."

"By the way, Hainzel. Didn’t we say we’d use fake names?"

"Ah, right... Your name was 'Richa,' wasn’t it?"

"No, it was 'Richi.' Ugh, things got complicated... Heh... The client’s going to chew me out."

"We might not even get paid properly..."

"Is money the problem right now? Ugh, seriously."

The two of them exchanged idle chatter while quickly maintaining their weapons.

I followed suit and checked my greatsword.

"Haah..."

Now, it’s just a club. Just a big club.

It’s not even a greatsword anymore...

The blade is so dull, it’s practically gone.

The rattling hilt seemed ready to fall off...

And my body... wasn't normal either.

I kept feeling dizzy, and blood surged up in my throat.

The walking potion... I need Ailyn...

With my body aching like this, I started to miss the warm voice of Hermeela and Ailyn’s comforting touch.

I hadn’t seen Ailyn in just 20 minutes, but...

I slapped my cheeks, trying to refocus and look around.

I wondered if there was a greatsword among the equipment of the fallen knights, but, as expected, there wasn’t.

No choice.

I grabbed a few daggers that had fallen from the monsters and began to move.

The north gate was done, so I had to head to the west and south gates.

"Miss... where are you going?"

Hainzel turned around and asked.

"West gate. They’re coming there too. If we don’t go now, we’ll be late..."

"Are you really planning to carry that gear? Ugh..."

Ruchi clicked his tongue as he looked over my greatsword.

What can I do?

I can't repair it...

That’s why I grabbed a few daggers.

I tapped the daggers at my waist.

"It’s fine... A-uncle, please go to the south gate."

"Are they gathering at every entrance?"

Hainzel looked toward the south gate and spoke.

"Yeah. But there are only about three left here. So..."

"We can handle it ourselves? Ha, those knights don’t even treat us like people."

Ruchi laughed derisively as he looked at the knights.

Hainzel also mocked the knights and laughed.

They weren’t useless, but they weren’t much help either.

In total... Ruchi killed 90, Hainzel killed 70, and I killed around 60.

I could have killed more, but it’s a shame.

Anyway, we killed about 220 between the three of us.

Those nine knights killed 80... each knight killed just under ten.

If it had been a cute newbie like Ailyn, I would have laughed it off, but since those assholes were at the center of this mess, it pissed me off.

If it weren’t for Ruchi and Hainzel, Ailyn would have been in danger.

I might have survived somehow, but Ailyn would’ve... she would have died.@@novelbin@@

So I hated those knights.

They didn’t even look at us.

Even though their eyes were closed.

They can go screw themselves. Tch.

"Anyway, go to the south gate... I’ll go to the west gate alone."

Ruchi, who had been silently watching me, finally spoke up.

"I’ll go with you. It’s fine to leave that bald guy alone."

"You blind idiot..."

If Ruchi’s going with me... then that’s a relief.

Honestly, I was kind of hoping for that.

I could manage on my own, but it would’ve been a bit tricky.

I’m sure Hainzel could do it alone too.

Anyway, since Ruchi’s going, there’s no reason to turn it down.

"Then... the bald uncle can go alone, and Ruchi and I will go to the west gate—"

"Noah. Where are you going?"

A familiar voice cut off my words.

It was the voice I wanted to hear the most right now.

Ailyn!

With a burst of joy, I turned around quickly to face Ailyn... but, wait...?

Ailyn looks really pissed off...?

"A-Ailyn...?"

Ailyn, wearing a robe tightly pulled down, walked toward me, frowning.

I’m... scared...

"Noah."

Ailyn’s voice, heavy with frustration, made me break out in cold sweat.

"Y-yes...?"

She stopped right in front of me.

If we were the same height, her nose would have almost touched mine.

Is she going to cancel the request...?

I’ve already received the 15 gold, so... I should return it, right...?

We’ve gotten close in such a short time, but...

And I just... tried to protect Ailyn...

My body’s hurting, my equipment’s damaged, I’ve lost money...

And now, thinking that I might have to part with Ailyn... I felt a surge of frustration, almost tearing up.

"Noah."

"Y-yes, hic-yes..."

I bowed my head and waited for Ailyn to speak.

"How... how could you? A girl like you... seriously..."

"What...?"

But contrary to my concern, Ailyn wrapped her arms around me, gently stroking my back.

W-why...?

"I’m sorry, Noah... I’m really late."

"A-Ah, no... I... I was just... supposed to stay in the room... but... hey... if we keep standing like this, it’s... it’s covered in blood. It smells terrible..."

"It’s okay. Just wait a moment. Stay like this."

I pushed Ailyn away, but she hugged me even tighter.

I could have used more strength to push her off, but...

I stayed still.

I’m not sure why.

Maybe it’s because my heart feels warm, soft...

As we held each other, Ruchi and Hainzel stood with their backs to us, glaring at the knights.

Why?

"Uh, uh... Ailyn...? We need to hurry... we need to go to the west gate..."

Hearing my words, Ailyn gently pushed me away.

For some reason, I felt a slight sense of loss in my mouth.

So, it’s because of my chest...!

Big chest is the truth...?!

"At a time like this, you’re saying that? Are you doing this on purpose? Do you want me to cling to you, Noah? Huh?"

Ailyn’s words started to hit me one after another.

"Why are you acting like this? Last time, you told me to take you to a quiet place, and we went to the blacksmith’s shop. I thought you were teasing me. So, I got mad. And, honestly... I’m sorry for getting mad. And the coffee you made... I’m sorry, but it tasted really bad. But still! I thought you were rejecting the request because of those things! But now I know it wasn’t the case."

"Uh, eh...?"

"And then, last time, you took on the Black Bear all by yourself. From the crack of dawn! Covered in blood! You knew it was coming toward us, and you went alone, didn’t you?!"

"Ah, no... that’s..."

I was exhausted, and...

Well, it was the first time sleeping with others, especially a woman... I couldn’t sleep...

I picked a fight with the Black Bear...

"And earlier today, you killed all those monsters alone. It was so reckless! You were seriously hurt! Blood everywhere, burns too! Huh? Those wounds weren’t even healed yet, and you were in so much pain!! And now... sigh... huff..."

"A-Ailyn... breathe... breathe..."

"Earlier, you were bleeding from your nose and mouth, and what? You want me to just stay home and cook? Hah! You crazy, Noah?!"

"Uh... uh...?"

"You’re injured, suffering, and you want me to just stay behind? Of course, I’d say I’ll do it because I’ve paid you the right price, so you should go fight and come back and guard my precious body like a dog! Do you think I’d say that? Huh? Answer me!"

"A-ah, no... that... that’s not it..."

"Do you think just because we haven’t known each other long, and I tease you all the time, that I wouldn’t care about you? Do you think I wouldn’t care? No, that’s not it. Even with that small body, after showing me all those scars, you still tell me you’re fine with that face... Do you think I wouldn’t care? Do you think I don’t dislike it? If you don’t like it, just tell me! You tease me all the time... you might dislike it... I... I’m just... Noah..."

"A-Ailyn... don’t cry..."

I reached out to wipe Ailyn’s tears away.

"Don’t touch me! I’m not crying! I’m not crying... So, why... why are you doing this? Why do you fight so desperately... I’m here... there’s someone worrying about you... But why, why are you doing this..."

Ailyn, who had been so angry...

Suddenly hugged me gently...

Then, gradually, her anger flared up...

She yelled loudly in an angry voice...

And now, she’s crying.

But when I wiped away her tears, she told me not to touch her, but didn’t push me away...

U-uh...

My head can’t keep up with this situation.

W-what is this...?

Ruchi and Hainzel are still standing with their backs to us, glaring at the knights.

The knights, unable to do anything, were stomping their feet like dogs that needed to pee.

I really have no idea what’s going on.

I’m still dizzy, about to collapse, and I’m swallowing the blood that’s flowing back up because I’m so close to Ailyn...

The monsters are coming to the south and west gates... Carpens might wake up because of the smell of blood, and it’s really, really dangerously perilous...

But...

Should I calm Ailyn down...?

What’s the best way to calm Ailyn in this situation...?

Hmm... From experience...

"A-Ailyn... then... how about we go to the south gate together? We... let’s hunt monsters together. How about a competition? Who catches the most? That would be so fun... Heh."

Hunting weak monsters is the best.

Blocking the monsters, and clearing my mind!

Of course, it’s not a game, and this is reality... life’s on the line...

But with Ailyn behind me, I probably won’t die.

If needed, I can send Hainzel alone, and go with Ruchi!

Feeling proud of the idea I came up with, I smiled widely, but then I heard a chop-! sound from behind me.

It was Hainzel, sighing as he slapped his forehead.

Ah, right.

The south gate is Hainzel’s responsibility, right?

"A-Ailyn, we have to go to the west gate... The bald uncle is going to the south gate."