My legs wobble beneath me as I tightly clutch the sword, sheer panic gripping my mind. A horde of charging kobolds hurtles directly toward me, their malicious intent palpable in the air. Meanwhile, Ruby grapples with her incantation, her voice quivering in distress.

She appears just as frantic as I am, desperately attempting to maintain her focus.

This predicament couldn't be less favorable. The longsword I wield feels more like a hindrance than an asset. Piercing techniques that might work well against a single adversary become impractical when facing dozens of them. By the gods, the moment I strike down one, I could very well meet my demise at the hands of the others!

Summoning every ounce of courage, I draw in a deep breath and try to ignite my sword by scraping it forcefully against the ground, imitating Alpha's technique in order to burn the sword. But to my dismay, my attempt fails miserably. All I manage to do is exacerbate the situation. The screeching sound of the sword scraping against the earth only serves to enrage the kobolds further, and their furious cries grow even more deafening.

With my options dwindling, I reluctantly opt to follow Ruby's strategy of taking the offensive while avoiding becoming their prey. I assume my familiar stance and set myself in motion, charging straight at the oncoming horde.

"[Riselite Slash!]"

I swing my sword from lower left to upper right, the front kobolds clashing their spears against it. I swiftly spin my body, launching another combo attack.

Clang!

...

Crap.

The sword is too long for me to maneuver.

The kobolds in the front maintain their relentless assault, their spears jabbing towards me, while their counterparts in the rear bellow with unbridled fury, eagerly anticipating their chance to join the fray.

I muster all the agility I possess, desperately attempting to evade their thrusts, but in an unfortunate moment, one of the kobolds manages to pierce my right leg. Agony surges through me, and I let out a sharp cry of pain as I seize the spear and forcefully kick the offending kobold away, sending it tumbling.

Swiftly, I snatch the spear with my right hand, my fingers clenching around the wooden shaft while my left hand keeps the sword ready. As one of the kobolds lunges at me, its spear clashing against my sword, my instincts kick in, and I thrust my right hand toward another assailant.

Regrettably, my right hand lacks the raw strength that my left possesses, a fact that becomes painfully apparent in this dire moment.

"Ruby!!"

"I'm almost done!!"

I nod, my resolve unyielding, and I employ every ounce of skill to evade the ferocious barrage of their attacks. Pain, once an all-consuming sensation, becomes secondary; survival takes precedence. I willingly subject myself to injuries, turning them into opportunities for swift retaliation. My sword becomes a frenetic blur, parrying their strikes and seizing openings to thrust the spear into their vulnerable eyes. But...

A sudden fit of coughing racks my body, and I expel a gruesome spatter of blood. It's an ominous revelation - they've managed to pierce nearly every inch of my body and torso. My trusty armor, a once-stalwart guardian, now offers only feeble defense against their relentless onslaught.

I'm outnumbered…

...

"[CHAIN LIGHTNING!!]"

Suddenly, blue sparks of lightning flash past my right ear. The chains of electricity crackle and surge through the bodies of each kobold, delivering merciless electrocution.

They sizzle and smolder, the unmistakable stench of burnt flesh emanating from their eyes and gaping mouths.

In mere seconds, the once-deafening and maddening cacophony of their attacks falls abruptly silent.

Huh.

What an extraordinary spell.

...

A wry smirk creeps onto my face, albeit a feeble one, as I find myself kneeling, utterly overwhelmed by the searing, unrelenting pain coursing through every fiber of my being.

And then, as if by some miraculous decree, there's silence. Absolute and profound silence fills the corridor, a stark contrast to the chaotic cacophony that had reigned just moments ago.

I inhale deeply, the weight of gratitude washing over me like a comforting tide. The tormenting screams that had echoed relentlessly in my ears have, at last, subsided.

"Raiken!!!" Ruby's voice pierces the stillness, her staff cast aside as she rushes toward me with a fervor that borders on desperation.

"Ruby... If you were even a few seconds late, I would've..." My voice trails off, my words swallowed by the intensity of the moment.

Ruby enfolds me in a tight embrace, and for a fleeting second, I'm caught off guard by her choice of action.

!!!

Oh, come on!

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Out of all the things she could do, she chooses this?

In this moment, though, I can't find solace or joy in the touch of her embrace. My body is an orchestra of agonizing pain, each note resonating with excruciating clarity.

"Stay with me... Stay with me... S-stay with me...!!" Ruby's voice trembles, her words desperate as she clings to me, her grip unwavering.

But as I slowly lose my grasp on consciousness, I can't help but feel that I can no longer bear the tormenting pain that engulfs me.

…

"on..."

...

I feel a weight lifting from my chest.

...

"...e..."

Am I... dead? Is this what death feels like? A sensation of weightlessness throughout my body?

I can't see anything. I only feel a sense of calm enveloping me.

"io..."

...

Come to think of it, did Amy find peace after all she went through?

"gen..."

...

I don't have a clear image of her face. She told me to live, but I think I just...

...

Huh?

...

"[Regeneration!!]"

I gradually blink my eyes open, the world around me coming into focus once more. Before me sits a girl in a black gambeson and red bright gem in front of her chest, her staff pointed in my direction, tears streaming freely down her face as she gasps for breath.

"Finally..."

"Ruby...?" I manage to utter her name with a mix of disbelief and relief.

"Y-you made it...!" Ruby's voice trembles with emotion as she can no longer contain her tears, crying bitterly as she buries her head in my chest.

Strangely, I feel no more pain coursing through my body, but instead, an overwhelming sense of exhaustion washes over me, like a heavy shroud.

"Hate to admit it… But your plan worked," I say, offering her a gentle pet on her head.

"I-I'm sorry for pushing you back then..." she sobs, her words heavy with remorse.

"I'm just glad I'm still alive somehow..." My voice carries a mixture of gratitude and amazement at the sheer luck that has allowed me to survive this ordeal.

We then linger in each other's embrace as I sit down in front of her, until her tears gradually subside, the tension in the air easing.

…

"Feeling better now?" I inquire softly, concern etched across my features.

"Mm." She nods, making an effort to wipe away her tears. "Sorry about that..."

With a gentle smile, I release her, moving to retrieve her staff beside her. Carefully, I hand it back to her.

"I believe we've managed to eliminate all of them," I observe, a weariness settling into my bones. "Should we take a brief rest before continuing? I can't explain it, but I feel utterly exhausted." I sit down, my gaze shifting upward as I search for a comfortable position to rest, and Ruby kindly offers her thigh as a makeshift cushion.

"Sure… I forgot to mention, Rai… This [regeneration] spell can certainly mend your wounds, but it does come at a cost to your stamina..." Ruby reveals with concern.

"No wonder," I chuckle weakly, shielding my eyes with one hand, the exhaustion beginning to weigh on me.

"After we leave here, what are your plans?" I inquire softly, my curiosity piqued by the enigmatic girl at my side.

"I don't know... I'm not sure myself..." Ruby's voice carries uncertainty as she shakes her head.

"Where are you from, then?" I press further, trying to glean some insight into her past.

Ruby's reply is filled with a palpable sense of confusion. "I've been wandering aimlessly for... months? Or was it years? I'm not even sure myself..."

Amnesia? The thought flickers in my mind, and I can't help but release a sigh, realizing that there may be more to Ruby's story than meets the eye.

A sudden recollection of my mission to confront magical creatures floods my thoughts. Considering Ruby's proficiency in magic, she might possess valuable information.

"I have an idea," I begin, "How about we journey together for a while? There's a magical cave approximately two days' travel from here. If you're interested, I can take you there, and we can explore what lies within."

Ruby tilts her head, intrigued by the proposition. "What do you mean?"

"The last time I ventured into that cave, I discovered a multitude of sculptures depicting magical creatures adorning the walls. At the cavern's end, there stood an enormous stone. However, nothing happened as I venture inside. I think it’s not going to work for a warrior without any magic such as me," I explain.

"I see... I have nowhere else to go, so I suppose I'll follow you for now!" Ruby responds cheerfully, her optimism contagious.

"It's settled then. Once we're out of here, we'll make our way there," I confirm.

"Mm!" She responds with an adorable smile that warms my heart.

With a sense of newfound camaraderie, I allow myself to slowly drift into a brief nap, laying my head on Ruby's lap. Her gentle caresses and the soothing rhythm of her touch create a remarkably calming sensation. It dawns on me that I'm beginning to genuinely appreciate this girl's presence in my life.

…

Not long after, I rouse myself from my brief slumber. The lingering exhaustion still weighs on me, but it has lessened significantly, and I believe both of us can press on into the next room.

Ruby remains by my side, although unease is clearly etched across her features. "Are you... awake already, Rai? I think my legs are starting to feel sore..."

A sudden realization washes over me. I've been laying on her lap for quite some time now without even realizing it.

"S-Sorry!" I stammer, immediately lifting my head from her lap.

Ruby lets out a soft chuckle in response. "It's okay... Give me a bit of time to... ease this soreness."

I sigh in relief, grateful for her understanding. Shortly after, I extend my left hand to her, and she clasps it firmly. Together, we make our way towards the door at the end of the stairs, passing the door in which we just arrived earlier.

The room is awfully quiet now. There are just shattered eggs with fluids all over the room, and the assuming female kobolds are all fried from the chain lightning effect that Ruby casts back then.

Both Ruby and I decide to just skip this room while covering our noses, since we can’t stand the rotten egg and fried scale smell coming out of it.

#

End of Chapter 29~