Chapter 177: Hunt. (2) (1/2)

The Great Tiger was cunning, possessing intellect beyond most humans. Therefore, an elaborate and unsophisticated plan was needed: that was why I made a grenade. In the case where the initial volley failed, I prepared this for a surprise attack…

…And now, wind whipping against my skin and time flowing through the world like cold molasses.

Grrrrrr…

The wild beast’s bright yellow eyes met my own. This was probably the first time a human had their arm in his mouth.

Craaaaaaack—!

He tried to rip it off, shredding muscle and sinew. However, Strong Will and Iron Man were persistent. In the first place, this method was impossible if not for my characteristics. Enduring, I grabbed his tongue. And then.

—!

The grenade inside his mouth exploded. The extreme heat licked at my arm, and fragments of black steel scattered inside him. But I wasn’t done. I used Psychokinesis on the metal fragments in unison with all nineteen wood steel to pierce the tiger’s flesh.

Whaaaaack—!

The Great Tiger swung his front legs, moving fast enough to break the sound barrier and sending out a shockwave. I prepared for his next blow. The damage would be massive…

“Humph!”

Something small flew in like a mosquito, taking the blow for me.

“Ugh!”

The mosquito named Lia was sent flying away. But that was enough. The Great Tiger put his paws around my neck once again—

—Clang!

This time, a sword blocked it.

“Phew! I’m not late~!”

Syrio’s exhilarated cry spread out. Arriving like a burst of wind, he flashed me a toothy grin.

“Are you okay, Deculein? …Ohh. You don’t look okay.”

Syrio looked at me from head to toe.

—Grr!

The Great Tiger shook off Syrio’s blade in that short moment and sprinted toward the forest.

“Oh wow! I can see the tiger’s back?! He’s running away?! This is such a rare scene! Hey you, where are you going?!”

Syrio yelled while chasing after the Great Tiger, and another knight arrived from a little farther away.

Step—!

The newcomer halted.

“…”

We remained still, matching each other’s silence. But, after a moment, Julie spoke.

“…I heard-“

“Help Syrio. The tiger’s injured, so he won’t be able to run far.”

“…”

Julie, closing her mouth again, nodded. Then, she followed after Syrio’s tracks.

…Schwaaaa.

A cool wind blew, and the swaying leaves rustled in the song of nature. I looked at my arm lying on the rocky ground.

“…It was cut off in the end.”

Strong Will and Iron Man held out as long as they could, but this must also be the majesty of the Great Tiger. I took the arm and attached it using Duct Tape with the little mana I had left, and then…

“Uhhhh… arghhh… kuhhhhh….”

I glanced over at the young adventurer wriggling on the ground while clasping onto her stomach. That was the price of protecting me using her own body.

“…”

I moved closer to take a good look. There was no external bleeding, but her internal injuries were severe.

“Ughhhhh…!”

I made her pass out by pressing a point around her neck. Then, I used the wood steel to open her abdomen.

Spluuurt—!

Blood spilled out, revealing her burst intestines and torn muscles.

“…You even have the same personality.”

I wrapped tape around this reckless child’s injury.

*****

An hour later, Lia was blinking away her fatigue while sitting on the ground with Leo. The pursuit of the Great Tiger was still in full swing, but Leo was sent to protect the injured (Lia and Deculein).

“…”

The two children stared at Deculein. He had his arm bitten off by the Great Tiger, but he was amazingly standing straight up, regal as always.

“Are you… alright?”

Lia asked the question, and Leo was also curious. No one had survived being mauled by a Great Tiger to this extent. Lia had been hit in passing, but it was already game over due to the Great Tiger’s unique toxin.

“…”

Then, Deculein looked back. Leo and Lia flinched.

“…Oh, this is nothing. It’s not too serious. Right, Leo?”

“Yeah.”

This was the right time to cut down the sprout called Deculein. Deculein was not a bad person but a villain with no room for a new life. A villain of pure evil who only tormented players.

…But. Today, Lia found a possibility for persuasion. Deculein — of course, it was impossible to conclude that he wasn’t a villain still — was by no means the original Deculein.

“Why did you come here?”

“What? Ahh. We are going to Myeolji.”

“Myeolji.”

“Yes, there’s a way to purify Carlos over there.”

“…”

The moment Carlos was mentioned, Deculein froze with the unique aura of the Yukline. Lia continued.

“We thought to prepare for dealing with the devil’s blood. The key is probably in Myeolji.”

He stared at Lia, unmoving. Then, he added with a smirk:

“…You’re trying too hard. It’s useless.”

“Of course!”

Lia nodded. She was convinced again now. Just like how she saw the possibilities for the worst Named Deculein, there was also a possibility in purifying Carlos.

“Tsk.”

Suddenly, Deculein clicked his tongue. Lia tilted her head.

“What’s wrong?”

“Your face. I don’t like it every time I see it.”

“…”

She thought she knew the reason why. But it made her upset. Lia bluntly retorted.

“I feel the same way.”

Deculein was silent, scowling. Lia quickly added.

“…I’m joking.”

He shook his head. Then, he sat leaning against a nearby tree. Like he was about to pass out, he closed his eyes for a moment.

“…”

“…”

The forest suddenly became quiet. Leo whispered.

—…Lia, is he sleeping?

Lia looked at his face. Certainly, he appeared to be sleeping.

“Yup.”

Whew—

She felt more comfortable now. Lia let out a sigh and inspected her wounds, but there were no problems. Deculein’s opening and suture skills were flawless, and thanks to that first aid, she was already recovering.

“So amazing…”

Who would have thought that Deculein would heal anyone?

“…Wait.”

By the way, wasn’t Deculein’s injury quite serious? How did he treat it so perfectly in that state? Lia looked around the sleeping Deculein. Suddenly, his arm caught her eye.

“Oh.”

It was a treatment far from flawless. The tape reattached it, but it was too short, and the bleeding hadn’t yet completely stopped.

“…”

Lia, looked at her own very comfortable state and the incomplete state of Deculein in turn, suddenly becoming rigid. He treated her instead of himself in a situation where his mana was limited. His reason was probably…

Lia’s heart ached.

“Leo, give me the emergency kit.”

“Huh? Oh~, here it is!”

Leo reached out with his bag. Lia went to Deculein with the bandages and herbs.