Cedric was hit by a powerful counterattack after delivering a single blow.
Doubled over and unable to breathe, Cedric clutched his back, having taken a vicious blow. This was bad, and something had to be done. But for Piyo and me to even touch the opponent seemed unlikely. He wasn’t sure if even the Enchanted Sword’s electric current would have any effect. It looked like Cedric had stabbed the creature in the side earlier, but he wondered if that damage was also taking its toll.
The Minotaur turned its attention towards them, confirming Cedric’s immobility, and cracked its neck.
“So, what will it be, human? Surrender?”
He desperately searched for a way to land a decisive blow of his own. His eyes landed on a stone lying at his feet. Nearby, there were also stones so large that it would take both hands to carry them. He thought maybe he could win if he could hit the enemy with something like a blunt weapon. But it would be impossible to approach the enemy with such a weapon.
“Cedric! Snap out of it, get up. I’m counting on you.”
It was painful to say this to him while he was down, but he was the only one they could rely on now. The other members were engaged with different enemies.
“Hey, he says. Give him a response, Satyr.”
With that, the Minotaur grabbed Cedric by the neck and lifted him. Cedric’s face contorted in pain as his airway was constricted. He dangled limply, swayed back and forth.
“As expected, you’re no match for me. Hmph, always so full of yourself. I wonder how you’ve managed to survive the Dark Elves until now.”
“Th-that’s… that’s because I have more guts than you!”
Cedric grabbed the arm around his neck and buckled his body, landing a powerful kick to the Minotaur’s cheek. Caught off guard by the unexpected counterattack, the Minotaur released him and clutched its face.
“Gah! Ouch, ouch!”
“Piyo, hit him in the head with this!”
I hurled the stone I found at my feet towards the Minotaur’s head. Noticing this, the Minotaur tried to deflect it. But Piyo was faster, lunging at the stone.
With a muffled explosion, the stone struck the Minotaur’s forehead directly. The powerful impact made its head jerk back. But he doubted such an impact would do much damage. The Minotaur would recover from the pain instantly and attack. If so, this was the time to press the advantage.
His legs moved before he could even think. He sprinted with all his might towards the enemy’s backside. He had to end this before the opponent regained consciousness!
“Cedric, here we go!”
For a split second, the Minotaur’s attention wavered, and I drove my full body weight into a tackle against its back. Even its massive body, caught from behind, stumbled forward.
“You got it! You’re not the only one with hooves!”
Cedric’s two feet struck the Minotaur’s chin as it lunged forward. Cedric, who had been lying down, kicked upwards, using the ground to propel himself. The horned head twisted with a sickening crack.
“Grr… Hrrg…”
The Minotaur’s movement stopped instantly. It emitted a pained sound and then fell to its side. No matter how strong it was, it was unlikely its neck bone was as tough.
“Donah! Lord Cedric, Donah!”
Riana, a Servitaurus, was the one who shouted from a distance. She was currently fighting Elana. Hearing her voice, the attention of the other companions turned towards them. The Hunter Harpy, who had been fighting Philiana, was the first to react.
“I’ll go.”
“Oh, are you distracted? You’re too confident!”
The moment she tried to approach them, Philiana turned her back and delivered a kick with her hind legs. For a fleeting moment, it didn’t look like a particularly strong impact from afar. After a light slapping sound, the Hunter Harpy staggered sideways. Then, she held her wings as if trying to endure the pain.
Upon closer inspection, the blades she wore were bent. Horse kicks were responsible for no small number of deaths. Though they might look gentle and timid, the power of their hind leg kicks was enough to take a human life.
The Hunter Harpy seemed to be enduring the pain desperately. Sweat beaded on her brow, furrowed in agony.
“Skyla too! Lord Cedric, what do you intend to do?”
“Puuchi, go to Skyla’s aid immediately.”
“Woof, leave it to me.”
The dog-beastman fighting Nina disengaged and rushed towards them. However, Sharin stood in her path to aid her companion. He had been down earlier, but was he alright?
“Get out of my way!”
“I will not let you pass. I can still fight.”
“Then I will force my way through.”
It seemed Sharin was managing to hold her off somehow. But he knew this wouldn’t last long. He had to move Cedric to a safe place while he still could. As if understanding, Pauline hurried over.
“Pauline, I’m leaving Cedric to you.”
“Yes, can you move now?”
“Ugh… It hurts. It’s really starting to ache now.”
Cedric took out a small flask from his pocket and took a sip. Then he handed the rest to me.
“Heh heh, you’re quite capable too, Brother. Well, not as much as me. Here you go, the fight isn’t over yet, so keep at it.”
I took the flask from Cedric’s dirt-covered hand.
