Want to read ahead? Join my Patreon for just $7 to get early access to all upcoming chapters!
› Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations
───────────────────────────
Chapter 41: Rescue
"Chigusa!!"
"Look out!!"
Almost simultaneously, Yamato Mikoto and the captain of the Familia, Kashima Ouka, spotted the terrifying monster.
They watched helplessly as the Blazing Axe Mitachurl raised its flaming giant axe high. With a howl that tore through the air, it chopped down toward Chigusa, who was frozen in place.
"No—!"
Both let out a roar, their eyes nearly splitting with rage as they charged forward with reckless abandon.
In the nick of time, Mikoto, the most agile of the group, shot forward like an arrow released from a string. With a desperate dive, she tackled the petrified Chigusa, holding her tight as they rolled away to the side.
Meanwhile, the burly Ouka chose to use his own body to build a wall of steel for his companions.
"Stop... right there!!!"
Standing at 1.9 meters, Ouka was a giant among humans. His strength far exceeded that of adventurers at the same level; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to wield a heavy greataxe as his main weapon.
But in front of the Mitachurl, which stood over three meters tall, he looked like a mere child.
Clang—!!!
The deafening roar of metal colliding rang out, and blinding sparks exploded like fireworks.
Ouka felt an irresistible, terrifying force transmit through the handle of his axe. The web of his thumb burst instantly, blood splattering.
His beloved axe let out a wail as it flew from his grip.
As for Ouka himself, he was launched like a cannonball struck head-on by a battering ram. He tumbled miserably across the ground for over ten meters before coming to a stop, the blood he coughed up forming a grim arc in the air.
With just a single strike, this powerhouse of the Takemikazuchi Familia, who was on the verge of leveling up to Level 2, was completely incapacitated.
"Sir Ouka!"
Mikoto, having just saved Chigusa, turned pale with horror at the sight.
The other members of the Takemikazuchi Familia, who had just been preparing to rush in and help, froze in their tracks. They stared blankly at the Blazing Axe Mitachurl standing like a demon god, despair written all over their faces.
"Y-You've got to be kidding..." a young member groaned, trembling. "Why would a monster like this... appear on the Upper Floors?"
"Run!"
Yamato Mikoto shouted at her dazed companions. Drawing her katana, she charged at the Blazing Axe Mitachurl alone, her eyes filled with resolve.
She knew someone had to hold it back.
But in the next moment, the Blazing Axe Mitachurl let out a furious roar. A terrifying shockwave swept out, causing Mikoto's charging body to stiffen, pausing for just a fraction of a second.
In a battle between experts, life and death are decided in an instant.
Moving with a speed completely disproportionate to its massive frame, the Blazing Axe Mitachurl appeared in front of Mikoto instantly.
It was so fast she couldn't react in time.
Relying solely on her honed combat intuition, Mikoto rolled awkwardly to the ground.
Boom!!
The flaming battle axe chopped down, grazing her body. A deep gash was cleaved into the hard ground, its scorched edges smoking.
Mikoto could feel the heat washing over her face. She had no doubt that if the axe had hit her squarely, her light armor would have offered no protection, and she would have been split in two instantly.
Seeing Mikoto in mortal danger, the other Takemikazuchi Familia members finally broke free from their fear.
Summoning their last ounce of courage, they roared and charged at the Blazing Axe Mitachurl.
"Come back! Don't throw your lives away!"
Ouka, his face covered in blood as Chigusa helped him up, saw this and screamed hoarsely, despair in his eyes.
But it was too late.
The Blazing Axe Mitachurl didn't even look back; it simply swung its arm in an impatient backhand.
Wham! Thud! Bam!
Like ragdolls swat away, the young adventurers were sent flying into the air screaming, blood spraying.
The crisp sound of breaking bones was piercingly loud in the silent cavern.
"Everyone..."
Mikoto, having barely dodged the attack, looked up to see this heartbreaking and despairing scene.
Chigusa, supporting Ouka, covered her mouth tightly. Her eyes were filled with tears of sorrow and fear, her body shaking like a leaf.
"Aaaaaahhh!!"
Ouka let out a roar of utmost fury. He shoved Chigusa away, telling her to run, then picked up his battle axe that had fallen nearby. Dragging his heavily injured body, he stumbled forward, charging again with grim determination.
"No... someone... someone please save us..."
How could Chigusa run away alone? Her legs gave out, and she collapsed to her knees in despair, letting out a heart-wrenching wail.
...
"Riveria, did you hear a cry for help?"
In another tunnel, Tiona, who was searching for traces of the Kairagi, suddenly stopped. Her sharp Amazonian hearing seemed to have caught something.
Riveria, walking at the back of the group, also stopped. She closed her eyes, extending her elven perception fueled by magic power.
A moment later, she snapped her eyes open. "It's an adventurer's cry for help. Let's go."
The High Elf of the Loki Familia didn't hesitate. She turned immediately, leading the group toward the source of the sound at full speed.
The Loki Familia held such immense prestige in Orario not just because of their strength, but because they had fought in blood to protect the city against the Evilus during the Dark Era.
Leaving people to die was not their style.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
A green figure was slowly walking down the stairs leading to the lower floors.
Ryu Lion, having just finished paying respects at her comrades' graves, also heard the despairing wail that penetrated the layers of rock.
Her footsteps stopped abruptly. A complex light flashed through her azure eyes, which usually held a distant detachment.
Although she believed she was no longer qualified to speak of "justice," the instinct of kindness engraved deep in her soul compelled her to make a choice.
Without any hesitation, Ryu's figure turned into a green gale, rushing toward the source of the sound.
Just as the giant axe, burning with ominous flames, was about to split the charging, bloodied Ouka in two—
"Gospel!"
An invisible cannon blast of sound, carrying destruction beyond common sense, roared forth.
The Blazing Axe Mitachurl's reaction speed was astonishing. Instinctively sensing the threat, it abandoned the prey in front of it in a split second, turning its massive flaming axe sideways to use as a shield.
BOOM—!!!
Like a true artillery shell detonating, a terrifying shockwave spread out in a ring, lifting all the gravel and dust on the ground into the air.
The Mitachurl, with its incredible weight, was knocked back several steps by the immense force, each step crushing deep cracks into the hard rock floor.
But it was unharmed.
There wasn't even a scratch on the flaming battle axe.
However, that brief pause was enough.
───────────────────────────
Support this fanfic by leaving reviews, comments, and Power Stones!
For advance chapters, visit:
› Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations