The Giant Centipede finally appeared, clashing with the flock of Manticores.
A large male Manticore, his mane flowing, looked down at us from a high rock. Was he here to help? Well, if his own flock was in danger, he’d have to help. Tomoe turned and grinned.
“Alright, they’re here.”
With such a powerful ally, we gained a significant fighting force. She was quite clever. However, it wasn’t the flock’s king who moved his legs.
“Oh, hey! Where are you guys going? Come back!”
For some reason, the females who had been fighting alongside us moments ago had all run off towards the male. He was the one who grinned.
“Did you really think I wouldn’t notice anything? Hahaha, you fool. Know your place.”
“Damn it! You guys, why? Do you really think he’s good enough? He’s just someone who does next to nothing and is only obsessed with the females he picks up!”
“Watch your mouth when you speak to the King.”
An old female emerged from behind the male. Seeing her, Tomoe’s expression turned regretful.
“It was you… meddling. What king? You’re just a big, empty doll! You are someone who should be chosen by us, I don’t recognize you!”
Shouting this, she broke away from the Giant Centipede and ran towards the rock. She charged in from the side at full speed. Her companions simply stepped back and watched.
The King met Tomoe’s clawed leap in mid-air and slammed her to the ground with his front legs. She rolled on the ground, helpless. Yet, she got up and glared at him.
“It’s fine if you don’t recognize me. These ones chose me. Besides, you could never beat me. Who do you think repelled the centipede?”
Could it be that he was the one who chased off the Giant Centipede? Tomoe looked frustrated by the difference in strength. The King laughed mockingly and left with the other females.
“Wait, it’s not over yet!”
“You’re persistent!”
As Tomoe tried to pounce again, a blow from his front legs, laden with his weight, struck her. Her body was sent flying and she fell from the large rock. And where she fell…
“What a shame. I thought you were a good female.”
“This is bad! Tomoe, get up quickly!”
As the prey was thrown before him, the Giant Centipede slowly raised its body. Due to the impact, she couldn’t get up. Just then, several arrows flew from behind. Most missed or were deflected by her armor, but a few pierced her back. The stimulated centipede let out a roar and turned towards the bandit group.
“Everyone calm down! Don’t break formation!”
Knowing the centipede was heading their way, the bandits panicked and scattered. The Boss’s voice was lost amidst the screams and the rumbling ground, unheard by anyone. I had to stop it somehow, but there was no time.
Then, Tomoe, who should have been defeated, got up.
“There’s nothing she can do that I can’t do!”
Letting out a lion-like roar, she leaped onto the centipede’s back as it ran and scrambled all the way to its head. Then, she bit its neck from behind. Even the great centipede stopped, trying to pry her off with its four arms. Alright, now was our chance.
“Lauren, go retrieve the next corpse. I’ll hold it off here.”
“Uh, yes. Be careful.”
I turned my gaze to Sharin and Nina, who were waiting with the bandit group. They nodded, weapons in hand, and began their attack.
“It’s finally my turn, then.”
Nina slipped beneath its legs and began slashing. Meanwhile, Sharin signaled to Piyo, who was flying.
“Pillon, lift me to the centipede’s face.”
“Hii, grab on!”
She grabbed onto Piyo, who had flown over, and quickly approached the enemy’s front. But just as her sword tip was about to reach, one of its four arms extended and caught Sharin. Damn it, with four arms, its offense was overwhelming. The remaining three arms pried the biting manticores off and slammed them to the ground.
As expected, it wasn’t going to be easy. Just then, Nina climbed up along the centipede’s body.
“Nina, watch out for its arms!”
“I know, Eek!”
Suddenly, the centipede twisted its long tail and began to move. Sand swirled up with a rustling sound. Nina was thrown off by it. It then headed towards an anthill and began to dig. Was it planning to escape by burrowing into the ground? That would be fine with me, but it was still holding Sharin captive. I couldn’t let it escape now.
I grabbed the string extending from the arrow stuck in the centipede’s back. My body was pulled forward with a jolt. No, my legs couldn’t keep up with the speed.
“Arisugawa, what are you doing? Let go! Don’t worry about me, I’ll manage it myself, Ugh.”
I heard Sharin’s pained voice from ahead. Was it planning to crush her, not just escape? To it, Sharin must be no different from crushing a raw egg. Still holding the string, I was dragged along helplessly.
But if I let go now. Suddenly, something emerged from the dust cloud and rushed towards me.
