NOVEL NEXT Chapter 148
148. Emergency Situation
“What are we supposed to do now!? That guy got crushed!”
“This is bad! Without the tamer, no one can control the Behemoth!”
As Laura rushed to ready herself for battle, she suddenly collapsed to her knees.
“…That’s right! I got poisoned earlier!”
With her steps unsteady, Sierra-san helped her up and brought her over to us.
“Hang in there! I’ll make an antidote with my alchemy slime right now!”
“Thanks… But even if I rejoin the fight, it won’t solve anything. Use warp to escape and report this situation to the kingdom.”
There was no choice but to agree. Having fought the Behemoth before on the 40th floor, I knew firsthand how terrifying it was. And now, it’s much larger.
“Hey, Arx! Hurry up and get the warp to slime out! If you dawdle, you’ll get crushed too!”
Prodded by Raize, I hastily began preparing the warp. This is way beyond us—
“Wait! That monster is heading somewhere!”
At that moment, Rurika-san shouted. I looked over to see the Behemoth, roaring with explosive volume, beginning to move.
…Wait, it’s heading towards Ortia!?
“Why is the Behemoth going toward Ortia!? Gerda’s supposed to be dead!”
“…Wait! No, Gerda said she was sending the Behemoth to Ortia!”
And then we remembered what Gerda had told us.
[If you want to stop this beast, surrender to me! Otherwise… I’ll send it straight to Ortia and crush the city!]
In other words, Gerda’s command was still in effect. The Behemoth was following her orders to head to Ortia.
If that’s the case… the situation just changed drastically. If we let it run wild, the people in Ortia will be in danger!
“We can’t let this thing go any further!”
“Are you insane!? Think about it! This is nothing like what we faced on the 40th floor!”
Raize’s words stopped me, and I looked around again.
Our assault team was in tatters. Laura looked like she could pass out any second. There was no way we could win in this condition.
“But we have no choice! If we don’t stop it here, Ortia will be doomed!”
There was no longer an option to flee. After glancing at the Behemoth thundering ahead, I turned around.
“Rurika-san! Warp to Montloria and request reinforcements! I’ll hold it off here!”
“Y-yes!”
Rurika-san and the
“Oooohhhhhhhhhh!!”
“Arx! Wait!”
Ignoring Raize’s cry, I charged forward, sword drawn, slashing at the Behemoth’s legs.
But before my blade could reach it, the ground shook violently, throwing me off balance, and I tumbled to the ground. My vision blurred. Crawling on the ground, I finally understood my situation.
I had exhausted myself in the previous battle. Now that I realized it, a heavy weight seemed to press down on my body.
“Damn it… I can’t do anything!”
I tried to stand, but my strength failed me. I understood the reality all too well. The Behemoth didn’t even notice us, and I could only bow before its immense presence.
“Why… why am I always so powerless?”
“That’s not true!”
Sierra-san’s voice cut through my despair. Despite the trembling ground, she rushed over to me.
“Arx, you’re not powerless!”
“Sierra-san…”
“Arx, you’re the one who changed my life! Because of you, Laura, Fran, Raize, and even Irena found a way to move forward!”
“But… I can’t beat this thing! The people of Ortia are in danger!”
At that moment, I felt something soft envelop me. Sierra-san was holding me close.
“I’m here with you.”
A sweet scent filled my nose. Gentle warmth wrapped around me, and I could feel Sierra-san’s heartbeat.
“You’re not alone, Arx. I’m with you. How long do you think I’ve been watching you? You’ve never been able to do anything by yourself.”
Is that true? It feels like a long time ago now… but Sierra-san had always cared about me when I was alone.
“Not being alone… that’s what you taught me. So rely on us. We’re all fighting together.”
Slowly, I lifted my aching body and stood. The Behemoth had moved quite a distance away by now, and its back looked smaller.
But… I felt closer to it than before, thanks to Sierra-san.
“…Thank you. I’m okay now.”
After thanking Sierra-san, I faced the Behemoth again.
“…Everyone! Lend me your strength!”
Raising my hand to the sky, I shouted with all my might.
That’s right, I’m not alone. Which means I’ll defeat this thing in a way only I can!
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