Arisugawa protected Kalm from the Wyvern’s corrosive liquid.
“H-hooo… Are you alright, Brave?”
Kalm was trembling in front of me, her face pale. I endured the pain in my back and stood up. There was no time to linger in pain. It was dangerous to show my back to the enemy.
“Come on, stand up and let’s create some distance!”
I crouched down and turned my body towards the Wyvern. The dragon, dripping corrosive liquid from its mouth, growled. This is bad, here it comes again!
I immediately grabbed Kalm’s clothes and dragged her along as we ran. Damn it, is it no use? Do I have to cut the threads myself? My legs are weak, and I can’t even swing my sword like this. No, wait, come to think of it, isn’t this normal? My companions are just too brave, and it would be strange to be sane when such a monster suddenly appears.
Because I’ve seen so many things, I’ve gotten used to it, but the first time I came to this world, I was surprised just by seeing a Piyo. Even if Kalm has been practicing sword fighting, she usually fights against seniors or training dummies. She has never seen a Wyvern before, nor has she ever fought for her life. It’s impossible to expect her to move when suddenly thrown into a battlefield.
“Kalm, go back to the hut where Pauline was. It’s safe there.”
“Eh, eh, but what about you, Brave? What will you do?”
“I’m going to cut the threads, so hurry.”
I pushed Kalm’s back and shifted my gaze back to the Wyvern. This time, it seemed to have targeted Veronica, who was nearby. It braced itself and, lifting its huge body, leaped forward.
“Veronica!!”
I kicked through the corpses piling up around her, crushing them. The ground trembled, and the screams of the guards could be heard. Sand and dust swirled up. Was she alright?! But unfortunately, this was my chance. It had lost its balance and was no longer focused on me, so I could attack from behind.
Guarding my face from the pebbles hitting it with my arm, I approached its hind legs. For a moment, I heard a zzz sound, and sand hit my cheek. A chilling sensation ran down my shoulders. Goosebumps rose, and my arms trembled.
Something is coming!! I instinctively covered my head and crouched down. But before my body could fully drop, my vision swayed violently. It took me a moment to realize that something had hit my head. My body, which was in a mid- Crouch, spun around and was thrown to the ground from my shoulder.
“Ouch, ouch, ouch…”
My eyeballs seemed to be rolling around. Then came the dull pain. I knew it was dangerous to be here, but I couldn’t stand up. Through my unfocused vision, I saw the Wyvern’s tail passing by.
I was hit by the Wyvern’s tail. With just a graze, it had this much power. If I hadn’t dodged, I might have died. As I picked up my dagger, covered in sand, I felt like crying. In the end, I can’t do anything. Without someone’s help, I can’t even fight as a member of this team.
I’ve traveled and fought for so long. Yet, I feel like I haven’t changed at all since the beginning. Everyone else is improving their skills and undoubtedly getting stronger. No, I can’t be pessimistic right now. I should be grateful that I managed to dodge it.
The tail passing by means it will come back again. I lowered my posture and waited for the tail to swing again. Just as I lowered my head, it swished through the air like a whip and passed overhead. The tail that passed by then slammed into the ground.
Seizing the moment when its movement stopped, I jumped onto the dragon’s tail. It immediately started moving up and down. Damn it, I’m going to be thrown off! And my vision is spinning, making me feel sick! Between the blow to my head and the pain all over my body, my stomach is about to turn inside out. I can’t find the threads.
As soon as it swung its tail up, I let go. I was sent soaring through the air. I could see the dragon’s bony back. The skin seemed thin, as black veins spread out like a spider web.
In a fit of desperation, I thrust my dagger into its approaching back.
“ARRRGH AAAA GOOOO!”
The Wyvern thrashed in pain, spraying corrosive liquid from its mouth.
