The Great Sword is not the Main Body!

The damp smell I had been accustomed to for the past two days was replaced by a dry scent that filled the air.

"Let's be careful from here on out."

"...Okay."

In case of any unforeseen situations, we decided to dismount and continue on foot.

Crunch, crunch...

Small pebbles rolled around, scattering as they were kicked here and there.

"It's strangely quiet..."

Ailyn mumbled, holding the reins with her left hand while looking at the map with her right.

But wait, has Ailyn been here before?

"By the way... have you been here before?"

"Ah, yes. I passed through here briefly a while ago."

"Why here...? It's dangerous..."

"Well... I had some business to attend to, so I passed through."

Did the group accept a commission or something?

I nodded, accepting it.

"So, Noah, have you been here before?"

Of course, I have. I've been here more times than I can count on both fingers and toes!

I started nodding... then stopped and shook my head.

"Ah, no...!"

Phew... that was close.

If I said I’ve been here before, someone who can’t even ride a horse or prepare supplies for long trips like me would sound like an idiot...

Ugh... just imagining it is terrifying.

"I see... you're not scared?"

"...? Scared of what?"

"Just... isn't it a little scary going to a place you've never been before?"

"Umm... I'm a little nervous..."

This feeling... how should I describe it?

It doesn't feel like fear, but more like a fluttering sense of anticipation.

Of course, if I imagine waking up Carpen or being surrounded by wild beasts, I’d be very, very scared.

But, somehow, I feel like if I grit my teeth and fight... it will somehow work out.

So, the feeling of anticipation is stronger than fear.

It’s a world I loved.

It's a shame I can't see it with my eyes, but...

"Huh... that's surprising."

"Huh...? What's surprising?"

"Heh heh... nothing. Are there any monsters around?"

"There are some... but... at this distance, it should be fine, right?"

There were about three wild beasts clustered together, maybe around 20 meters away.

But their noses aren’t that great.

We’re not going near them, so it’s no problem!

"Noah. Can you sense people, not just monsters?"

"Uh... Detecting them?"

Ailyn nodded.

"Yeah... but if they’re too far, I can't tell who they are..."

"You can tell who they are?"

"Among the people I know...?"

Ailyn fiddled with the corner of her mouth.

"Then, except for Hermeela, you wouldn't sense anyone else, right?"

...Wait, is that true? No, but...

That's a bit harsh!

"Ah, no."

"Really? Is there someone else? Oh... no way."

Ugh...

Hey! You, you!!

Don't make jokes like that to someone with no friends like me!

It really hurts...

"...There is, you know?"

"Who?"

Who do I have as a friend in this world...?

Uh... well, the only people I've really spoken to are Ailyn and Hermeela...?

Two people. That’s it.

It’s driving me crazy.

Is this better than my past life...?

"Uh... Her, Hermeela and... Ah... Illin, I guess..."

"Heh...! And?"

"No one else..."

Ailyn’s shoulders shook violently.

Seriously... this is too much...

I wanted to make friends too!

But!! But!!

It's just that my social stat is zero, and that's why it's hard for me!

If I were more like a man and fought a fair match.

Then, smoke a cigarette afterward!

Though I don't smoke...

That’s how I would’ve made friends!

But no one ever picked a fight with me...

Though... who would want to pick a fight with a blind girl under 150cm...

Ah... I guess there was that guy.

The one who tried to take my weapon the first day...

But I haven’t seen him since the next day.@@novelbin@@

Did he go somewhere far like me?

But for someone who tried to take my weapon, he’s been gone for over two months.

Well, he must have gone to another village since he’s an adventurer.

Anyway.

Ailyn, that was too much.

"So, Ailyn, do you... have any friends?"

I said, trying to convey as much defiance as I could.

She looks like someone with no friends!

Her personality is pretty rough.

She probably doesn’t have friends, just like I didn’t in my past life.

"Hm? You mean ‘friends’ not just people we know? So you consider me a ‘friend,’ Noah?"

Ailyn’s response... was not what I expected.

"No... no! Just... Hermeela!"

It was the loudest voice I’ve heard in the past two months.

Maybe I’ve grown a little...?

"Well... so I’m not your friend?"

Ailyn said in a voice that seemed to slump, her whole body expressing dejection.

You... really wanted to be my friend? Seriously?

Then, you should have said something!

I thought you hated me because you always get mad!

"Uh, well... we’re... friends, right?"

"Really?"

She nodded.

"Then, as friends, can you do one thing for me?"

"Yes...!"

"Then, instead of ‘Ailyn,’ call me ‘big sister.’ Because we’re friends, right?"

"Ye-yeah...?"

Big sister? Bi...g sister?!

No way!

My pride will never allow that! I can’t do it!

Not ‘big sister,’ not ‘older sister’... just no!

It doesn't make any sense. Tch.

"I can't do that...!"

"Sigh... I see... so Noah doesn't even listen to her friend’s request... Oh well..."

Again, her whole body expressed the dejection.

No way. I’m not changing it. Go back.

This is absolutely not happening.

"Also... between friends... you don’t use such, such terms."

"But I’m older than you, Noah. If I don’t call you ‘big sister,’ what should I call you?"

"Ailyn... how old are you?"

"Twenty-five."

Huh... we’re the same age?

You really look young, huh...?

"How old are you, Noah?"

"Me? Well..."

Uh... I told them I was 20 at the Adventurer's Guild.

But in reality, I’m 25... though I look younger than that...

"Twenty...!"

"Twenty? You? With this face?!"

Ailyn grabbed my cheek.

"Wow, you really do look younger...? The way you act too, you don’t seem like twenty..."

What?!

I swatted Ailyn’s hand away.

"What’s wrong with the way I act?!"

"Huh? Ah, no... it’s just... kind of cute."

Cute?!

Ugh.

"I’m not cute."

"Okay. Then, I guess I’ll go with ‘not cute’ Noah. But that means I’m your big sister, right?"

Ugh... that’s true.

But... but I’m a guy...?

Calling you ‘big sister’ is something my pride will NEVER allow.

"Ugh... just... let’s call each other casually, Ailyn... I’ll just call you ‘Ailyn.’"

Crack-

I unsheathed the greatsword from my waist.

"Twelve wild beasts. They’re coming from the right passage, about 20 meters away."

"Twelve...?"

"And."

Normally, wild beasts travel in groups.

The ones coming toward us were all holding close-range weapons.

Which means there’s an entire rear guard.

I expanded my Giga Sense.

"The rear guard... about twenty-four."

"Twenty-four...? No, Noah. We should retreat for now."

Ailyn’s trembling breath was audible.

My job was to protect her.

I had to keep Ailyn safe.

I hid her behind me.

"Don’t worry. Just stay behind me."

I narrowed my Giga Sense and focused my mind.

The first strike targets the two closest beasts.

Next, the three behind.

The rest...

I trusted my instincts.

Rrrr-

Grr-...

The two leaders of the group appeared.

"Ailyn. I’ll leave it to you. Hh-!"

I gave her a brief instruction and then charged ahead.

Combining the force of my charge and the strength of my steps, I swung my greatsword.

With a loud crack, the two heads burst open.

I quickly spun my body.

The greatsword followed my movements.

I didn’t try to stabilize the recoil. Instead, I added more power.

Blood sprayed, and the greatsword continued its swing.

The bodies of the three following beasts were torn apart.

I expanded my Giga Sense.

The rear guard is about 15 meters behind.

A hastily assembled group. There’s no leader.

I can take them.

"Noah!"

"Please give me support."

In my mind, I visualized the path the wild beasts were taking.

The alleyway is too narrow for my greatsword.

Instead of swinging it, I thrust it.

First one.

I ran forward, holding my sword upright.

The beast’s belly was torn open.

From the right, a wild beast’s mace swung at me.

I twisted the hilt of my sword and blocked the blow.

I shoved my shoulder into the beast charging from the left and slammed my knee into the beast’s chest.

With my greatsword, I pierced the face of the beast in front of me.

My right hand swung.

I struck the beast’s chest again.

The crunch of the ribs breaking was heard.

"Noah!"

I could feel Ailyn’s presence.

I retracted my right hand and gripped my greatsword.

I reached out with my left hand and grabbed the beast’s neck, pulling it forward.

"Ailyn!"

I bent my body low.

With the sound of wind tearing, the two beasts in front of me exploded.

I thrust my greatsword into the heart of the beast still clutching its ribs.

I took a deep breath.

The remaining three from the front.

I drew my greatsword from the beast’s heart.

The terrain wasn’t favorable.

I needed to push forward.

Ailyn had about ten seconds to prepare.

Time was running out.

"Ailyn. Get ready. Use the widest range spell. Aim for the ones in the rear."

Grrra-!

The beasts charged forward.

The narrow passage was not ideal for using my greatsword.

I strapped the sword to my waist.

I checked the two potions in my inner pocket.

Then I charged at the beasts bare-handed.

I gripped the hilt of my sword with my right hand.

With my left, I grabbed the beast’s chin.

Twisting my shoulder, I swung my left arm to the ground. The beast’s jaw cracked.

I gripped the sword’s hilt with my left hand.

I swung my right hand upward, striking the beast’s jaw.

Then, I turned my body and shoved the other beast on the left.

Just a little more.

I stomped on the fallen beast’s neck, feeling the vertebrae shatter.

As I turned to face the next beast, I felt its fangs sink into my left arm.

It was too late.

My left hand still held my sword.

I reached for the hammer on my thigh with my right hand.

I swung the hammer at the beast’s skull.

It wouldn’t let go. Again.

Again. Again. Again. Again.

Its eyeballs burst out.

Its brain matter splattered.

The muscles in my left arm tore.

The strength in my left hand gave out.

But the beast’s jaw remained intact.

Again. Again. Again. Again.

Again. Again. Again. Again.

The beast’s skull finally collapsed.

Its fangs remained embedded in its flesh.

I tore the fangs from its flesh.

I pulled out a potion from my pocket and poured it onto my left arm.

The searing sensation and the bleeding stopped.

I expanded my Giga Sense.

The rear guard is just around the corner.

Ailyn finished her preparations.

"Ailyn. Follow me carefully."

Ailyn nodded.

I moved my left arm.

It still hadn’t fully healed, but...

I can do this.

I’ll protect Ailyn.

I have to.

I gripped the hilt of my sword with my right hand.

I charged toward the passage ahead.

The warm August sun cast its light on the eastern ruins, where vibrant red flowers bloomed.