Arisugawa, clinging to Piyo, soared into the sky to rescue Sharin.
If I can land as I am, I can jump onto the centipede’s shoulder. From there, I can attack Sharin’s arm. But just as I was about to land, the centipede stopped digging and raised its head. Immediately, a giant hand appeared from the side and grabbed my torso.
“Gahh!!”
What kind of grip strength is this? The air is being squeezed from my lungs, and my ribs feel like they’re about to break. I c-can’t breathe.
“Kuh, hah, hah, Sharin. Hey, it’s me.”
“A-Arisugawa… why are you here…?”
Sharin, slumped over, had a pale face. I have to save her as soon as possible. I showed her the enchanted weapon in my hand.
“Sharin, take this, and escape.”
“B-Before you, be c-careful.”
What’s going on? At that moment, a warm, stale wind brushed against my cheek. I turned to the side and there was the centipede, its mouth wide open, approaching. From its mouth, which was split almost to my ears, folded scissors protruded. I involuntarily choked. Isn’t this similar to the aliens I saw in movies? But this isn’t the time for such carefree thoughts.
Its teeth are thin and few. Instead, it probably shreds its prey with these spiky pincers and swallows them whole. To be cut in half while still alive… No, this is a chance. Her attention is diverted from Sharin right now.
“Sharin, take this and escape!”
I threw the dagger towards her. However, it did not reach Sharin’s hand and instead fell in a parabola.
“I’m sorry, Arisugawa, hah, hah, I…”
“You have Sharin’s dagger, right?”
“I already tried that. I’m sorry for making you go along with my selfishness… I’ve done something irreversible, I’m sorry…”
Sharin sniffled and wiped away her tears. It’s true that I could have acted more calmly. But she had her own reasons for doing what she did. Even if those reasons didn’t reach anyone else.
Suddenly, I looked down and saw Kia standing with the bandit group. Sharin’s recognized best friend. Though she seemed to see her only as a romantic rival.
But I can’t give up now. Especially if our feelings aren’t understood. We have to live, for Tomoe who is devastated.
“Piyo! Pick up the dagger and shoot it towards the enemy’s mouth!”
“Heheheh, Roger that.”
Piyo, who appeared with a gust of wind, dropped my dagger from its feet. It was then caught between Piyo’s wings. With a pop, like a gunshot, the dagger shot straight into the enemy’s mouth.
“Guggaaa, Ga, Gaa.”
The centipede, with the dagger piercing deep into its throat, writhed in pain. The hand that was restraining me also loosened.
The centipede’s body swayed violently. I escaped from it and stood on its arm.
“Sharin, wait for me!”
Dozens of meters above the ground, a jump without a safety rope. Strangely, I felt no fear. All I could see was the horizon of the vast wilderness stretching out endlessly in the distance. And Sharin, still being restrained.
Taking a chance, I kicked off its arm and threw myself into the air.
“Arisugawa! What are you doing?!”
“Ugh, hahaha, I came to save you.”
I somehow managed to cling to the other arm. I clung to Sharin, trying not to fall off the swaying centipede.
“Here, grab onto me, let’s get out, ready, set, go.”
Slowly, her body slipped from my grasp. But in my haste, we were both knocked off the arm. Despite the emergency, I found myself starting to enjoy it. For some reason, there was no panic or fear, just a feeling that everything would work out.
“W-We’re falling! Waaaaa– Hey, we’re falling, Aris…”
Don’t worry, if I fall beneath you, Sharin will be safe. My arms naturally extended, and I hugged Sharin tightly. The sky receded further and further. *Squish*. Along with the sensation of something crushing against my back, a dull ache spread throughout my body.
“Gmph-gmph, Itai-itai, Sharin, are you okay?”
“Idiot! What are you doing?! We were about to die! You really are…”
Looking down, I saw the corpse of a stray dog lying there. Could Lauren have saved us? See? My intuition that things would work out was right. But pain is pain. I might have pushed myself too hard.
“Sharin, are you okay? Your complexion is terrible, but you’re the one who’s bright red. Wipe your nosebleed.”
I smiled sheepishly and took a towel from Nina.
