Chapter 55

End of the Night

I’ll protect you huh? Those are some big words coming from me. My sister is far stronger than I am, and yet I’m boldly saying I’ll defeat the beast she failed to beat. I honestly didn’t think I was this prideful.

“!!!” The behemoth lets out an agonizing wail as he approaches me.

There’s no way this thing should be alive. Blood endlessly flow from where its arm used to be and its body was half engulfed in flames. I’m sure even an experienced hunter will lose their confidence if they saw such a heavily wounded beast headed towards them.

I look back at my sister who laid motionlessly on the ground.

Right now, I don’t have time to worry. She can pass away any moment now. I need to quickly deal with him than treat her.

“Stay right here, I’ll be back soon.” I place my sister’s sword in my mouth while pulling out an arrow out my quiver.

The cut I receive from using his sword against him is making it hard for me to hold the sword properly. Looking at how the deep the wound is, I'm surprised I’m not crying right now. I guess being so close to death, my mind blocks out unnecessary feelings like pain. Perhaps that’s how I’m also able to stand in front of this beast. The intense fear I felt earlier is fading away. Now the only thing going through my head is how exactly do I kill him?

My question was answered when the behemoth threw itself at me. Despite its large size and super human strength, it fell to reach me.

Just like I thought, he’s on his last leg. Good, I’ll end this quickly.

I plunge my arrow directly into its eye. Ignoring its scream, I climb on top of its head. I felt a bit of relief when I saw the awful wound my sister left on its head.

Since the eye I took out in our first fight heal, I was afraid all wounds my sister left on him would eventually heal, but it seems like his regenerative ability also reach its limit.

I plunge my sword directly into the open wound, the sword bounces off something hard.

Talk about having a hard head. I can see why my sister couldn’t beat him now. She was already severely injured when she entered the fight, there’s no way she had enough strength to break through this thick skull of his.

I tightly grip the sword and struck the open wound with all my strength.

“!!!” The behemoth body suddenly started to give off a strange reddish glow. The air around me grew hotter as his body glow brighter.

“you're trying to burn me off you, aren’t you?! Sorry, but that’s not going to happen!” Ignoring the blazing heat, I repeatedly stab the behemoth’s head growing more frantic with each strike. “Fucking die already!!” I roared out of anger and fear.

Blinded by the intense light and heat I focus solely on my sword striking his skull until I felt it hit something soft. The light faded away the moment I pierce his skull.

“What happens? Did, did I win?” I plunge my sword deeper into his head to see if I could get a reaction out of him.

No response. A second ago he was shaking me fiercely when I stab him. Now he’s not flinching, plus the magic that he was about to fire off vanish.

“I really did beat him.” For a second I sat on top of him in disbelief. “I actually did it,” I repeated to myself. I thought I would feel disgusted killing another human being, but right now I felt overwhelming joy.

“Sis, did you see that?! I actually manage to…” My voice trail off when I look at my unconscious sister.

Right, if it wasn’t for you I would’ve lost.

I slid off the behemoth’s head and ran back to her. Gently, I lift her body off the ground.

“How light,” I whisper to myself in disbelief. Even though I’m using enhance magic to make sure my bleeding arm don’t give out on me. It’s still amazing I was easily able to pick her up I’m holding the world greatest evil.  

Seeing her peacefully resting in my arms, made it even hard for me to believe that this girl was once known as the Demon King.

 In the history books, they said the Demon King was a cruel man that would destroy cities and kill anyone that got in your way. You’re the exact opposite of that sis. You’ve protected me more than dad ever did, and raise me when mom was unable to. All the kindness you showed me, makes me wonder how much of history is true.”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

As I continue carrying my sister to the lodge, little balls of emerald light circle around us. Watching them playfully dance reminded me of the time I was trap in that endless field with Athena.

“When I asked her about your past. She gave me a look that filled with pain and regret. What happened between you two? And why are you so hell bent on trying to conquer the world?”

“….” I let out a sigh as I watch my sister peacefully rest in my arms.

No idea why I’m asking you this question. Even if you were awake you wouldn’t answer it. That pride of yours prevent you from opening up to me.

I’ll admit when I was a kid I admire that side of you. How you’re able to stay calm even in the direst situations. But now I’m starting to wonder if that’s a good thing.

 I never saw my sister cry my entire life, nor have I ever seen her truly happy. Every day she looked lost in her thoughts like there’s something deep down in her memory torturing her.

Perhaps that’s the reason why I follow you. While I do want you to accomplish your goal, I think more than that I just want to see you happy.

“So, sis, I hope one day you’ll open up to me. I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to help, but I hope that I can at least lessen your burden just a little.”

“What the hell are you mumbling about.” My heart nearly leaped out my chest when I heard her speak.

“You’re awake?”

“Hard to sleep when you’re talking.” After shooting me a cold glare, she takes a quick glance around the area.

“What happens to the hairy pervert?”

“I…. I beat him.” I felt a bit guilty for claiming my sister’s victory. If it wasn’t for her I would’ve never beat him.

“I see so, you saved me huh?” She closed her eyes and let out a small sigh.  “I really have fallen, haven’t I?”

“No, not at all!” You’re the one that really beat him. If it wasn’t for you, we both be dead.”

“Relax Aaron, you don’t need to downplay your achievement.”

“But!” Sis place one of her fingers next to my mouth to prevent me from talking.

“It’s true. I did weaken him, but you dealt the final blow. Which means you’re the one that beat him. If you weren’t here he would’ve killed me.” She slowly lifts her hands up and clapped while giving me a smile that made it hard for me to tell if she was being genuine or was teasing me.

“Congratulation, you save your precious sister. Isn’t that what you always wanted to do?”

“Y-Yea.”

“Well then hold your head up and be proud of your achievement.”

“Right!” I puff my chest out and look straight ahead, trying to look as tough as possible.

“Good, now put me down.”

“No.”

“The hell you mean no? Put me down this instant.” She started to squirm around in my arms. After a brief struggle, she paused and gasp for air like she ran just ran a marathon. “Fine, do what you want?” After shooting me another glare, she crossed her arms and look away from me.

Is she pouting? How cute. Seeing her like that makes me want to tease her a bit. No, bad idea. She’ll kill me if I do that, she’s probably going to kill me anyway since I’m carrying her in such embarrassing way.

“I still don’t know how gravely injured you are, so it's best if I carry you until we find out”

“So, you say, but you’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you?” She looks deep into my eyes like she was trying to pry an answer from my soul. I turn my head away from her unable to handle the intense gaze.

“I mean it is kind of fun, but I’m really am doing this out of concern for you.”

 “Whatever.” She said coldly while looking away from me. I guess I won’t be able to explain myself out of this. That pride of hers is really something. Despite her severe injuries, she still refuses to accept help. I guess it’s going to take a while for her to open to me.

“Aaron stop.” Following her order, I immediately stop in my track. “What’s wrong?”

“…. Was that always there?” I follow her eyes to see a bag was right in front of us.

“I don’t know, I really wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings when I woke up.” Sis continues to stare at the bag like it was an enemy.

“What’s wrong? Am I missing something?”

“Back when we were fighting ghouls I heard someone scream when I fell on a bag. I wasn’t sure before, but now I’m positive that someone been following us, this entire time.”

“Who would follow us all the way out here?”

“I don’t know, I doubt its bandit or a monster. They would’ve been attacked us.”

“Maybe it’s a fan.”

“A fan…...? Oh no…” Sis froze like she just realizes something horrifying.

“What’s the matter?” She tightly grabs my arm and looked up at me shaking in fear.

“Aaron, quick, kick the bag into the pound and make a run for it.” I wanted to ask her why, but seeing her so scared I knew it was best to act first, then ask questions later.

 I turn attention back to the bag, to see it was closer to us now. I at least think it got closer. Thanks to sis freak out, I’m now terrified of it. What the hell inside of it that’s scaring her?

While I try to figure out what was in the bag, it started hopping towards us.

“Sis, the bag is moving. What do I do?”

“Kick it away, before it can get closer!”

“Right!” I cocked my leg ready to send to the bag flying into the pond.

“Wait, wait! It’s me, Claire!”

“Huh, Claire? Sis, you heard that? I think it's….”

“I know who it is, now kick her away before she breaks free!”

“So, cruel. Even though we went through so much effort to follow you, you want to abandon us again?” The bag started to shake fiercely. After a few seconds of awkward struggling, a flaming red headed girl pop out from the bag.

“Fwahhh~ Finally! Real air!” Salt fell out of Claire’s hair as she raises her hand to the sky and deeply inhales. How long was she in that bag for her to act like that?

“Oh wow, it looks like two you got trampled by a horse.”

“Well you’re not wrong,” Sis said.

“Heh, heh just like thought. Trouble follows you guys wherever you go.” A wide grin spread on Claire’s face. Seeing that childlike and energetic smile of hers made it feel like the nightmare we just went through, was just merely a nightmare. “So, what I miss?”

Claire wants to rejoin the party

Accept?

Accept.