The group struggles against Earthworms that suddenly appear from under their feet.
“Everyone, let’s stick together and break through.”
With Philiana in the lead, they intend to push through this swarm of Earthworms. However, no matter how many they cut down, new ones keep appearing one after another. One of them twists its body and drops from overhead. I reach for my dagger, wondering if it will be enough to repel it.
“Use this!”
The cloak I had lent to Elana flies through the air and returns to me. I instinctively grab the edge and swing it widely towards the approaching Earthworm. Water sprays out, and the surprised Earthworm tucks its head to the side. I then plunge my dagger in with all my might.
“Fugiiiii!”
It lets out a disgusting shriek and retreats into a nearby hole. *Haa*, I managed to repel one somehow. But that one was quite small.
“Earthworm bodies are hard, and swords have difficulty penetrating them, but they will pass through their stretchy segments.”
“I know, but these guys are endless!”
Nina is also struggling. I take Pauline’s hand and run. Lauren follows behind, panting. If we evacuate first, everyone else won’t have to fight.
“Be careful of holes, Pauline…”
As I start to say that, Cecilia rushes past right in front of me. Her light body is blown away and rolls on the ground several times.
“Cecilia!”
“Cecilia, hang in there.”
Pauline and I rush to her side. Her pale face is even more so than usual, and her breathing is shallow. Her shining Elven sword is dulled by the Earthworm’s bodily fluids. That’s right, she’s been working non-stop since yesterday. Cecilia stopped the fight between Philiana and Nina, then she paid for the inn and apologized, searching for me all night.
Even Cecilia, who is strong in both spirit and body, has her limits. When I pull down her lower eyelids, the normally red area is tinged with white. I’m not well-versed in medicine, but I can tell she’s in a dangerous state right now.
“Cecilia, are you okay? Grab onto my back. Pauline, support me from behind.”
Her limp body seems to have trouble even resting on my shoulder.
“Come on, let’s go this way!”
Lauren, who had been following behind, runs ahead. We follow her. However, I’m stopped by Karubene’s voice.
“Big Sis, are you okay?!”
I look back to see Veronica kneeling. It seems she’s in the same condition. Even with her cloak, she’s been active for too long in direct sunlight. She should be resting. She doesn’t appear to have a sunburn, but her eyes are vacant.
“Hey, snap out of it! Waaaah—”
It seems she managed to drag Veronica away from an Earthworm that appeared from the side at the last moment, narrowly avoiding it. The recoil sends Karubene rolling on the ground. He tries to put his arm around her shoulder to help her up, but he’s too heavy and they tumble together.
“I’ll… I’ll go on ahead. You two go on.”
Lauren goes to help Karubene. We can only trust her to do that. Just then, an Earthworm bursts out of the ground. Lauren’s feet are swept out from under her, and she’s thrown up with the dirt, falling down.
The Earthworm that burst out then charges towards the two of them, who are unable to move.
“Ah, no!”
Lauren, who had fallen, reaches out with her dirt-covered hands. It’s too late, I can’t make it in time to get Cecilia to a safe place first. Please! Somehow, escape. Veronica grabs Karubene by the collar and throws him into a nearby bush. But she doesn’t escape herself.
At that moment, a small shadow appears with a gust of wind. Sharin is faster than the approaching Earthworm. Kicking up dust and sand, she heads straight for the enemy.
She stabs the dagger she holds to her side. It pierces the thick hide, and thick blue fluid spurts out. However, the dagger she holds is too short and lacks power; it bounces off.
“Daaaaaaah!”
“Gyiillll!”
She plants her claws into the ground and with a war cry, forcibly cuts through. The scattered fluid drips down, dyeing the ground blue at her feet. The Earthworm, having suffered a major wound, retreats into a different hole.
“…Get to the shade quickly.”
A low groaning voice. Karubene, without a word, takes Veronica and leaves. The Earthworms, having suffered a painful counterattack, seem to have learned their lesson, and after that one, all of them disappear.
Her small back heaves up and down. The veins protruding from her forearms, her wet shirt, her disheveled hair. Thank you, I should say, but the words catch in my throat. The surrounding sounds fade, and only her ragged breaths fill my ears.
Sharin slowly turns around as I reach out. There, I see him with a face I’ve never seen before. His bloodshot eyes are like those of an excited beast. I can’t help but gasp. I shouldn’t meet his gaze right now, my instincts tell me so.
But he’s Sharin, and no matter what his appearance, he’s a precious companion. I pull up the corner of my mouth and take out a handkerchief.
“Here, you’ve got blood on your face too.”
“—!”
Sharin takes a step back from the hand I offer.
