Chapter 50
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: The Youth in the Prophecy - 2
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"ROOOAAARRRR!!!"
A roar filled with murderous intent echoed beyond the heavens. The sheer force of it still made my entire body tingle. I gripped my sword tightly and called out to Rachel.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine, at least. But Bella's in bad shape. Why are we even here, though..."
"No time for chit-chat. Can you run?"
"I'll try... but I doubt it. Honestly, it seems impossible."
"Right..."
I glanced back briefly. There was Rachel, bleeding from one leg, cradling Bella, who was breathing faintly in her arms. She was still alive, but thin trickles of blood streamed from her nose and ears.
Was even the Minotaur's roar fatal to Bella? Just hearing it made my body tremble— I couldn't imagine the nightmare it wrought on that little girl. For now, I had to get them somewhere safe...
"Huff... huff..."
...No.
Such thoughts were a luxury.
I faced the Minotaur again. We'd clashed once before, and I'd managed to kill it. But past experience didn't guarantee it'd help this time.
Against any other of the Four Heavenly Kings, I might've inferred weaknesses from before. But this one was different. Its strategy was pure, overwhelming power. To beat it, I'd have to crush it with even greater strength.
...
Three hours. That's what I'd resolved—to end it in three hours.
It wasn't impossible.
If I went all out.
"Haa..."
Too late for regrets now. I repeated to myself what I had to do: Finish it fast. Win no matter what. Save Rachel and Bella.
Return in as good a condition as possible.
...
Why did that last part feel the hardest?
"Huff... huff..."
Its breathing echoed again. I realized there was no more time to think and exhaled deeply. Heat surged uncontrollably through my body for the first time in ages.
"ROOOAAARRRR!!!"
And as its roar rang out once more, I kicked off the ground and charged.
Sweat evaporated on contact with the scorching air, rising like steam. Amid the blurring scenery, the Minotaur's massive fist hurtled toward me at impossible speed for its size. Without thinking, I kicked off again, leaping to drive my sword into the back of its hand.
"Ngh...!"
I'd put real force into it, but its tough hide barely took damage. No matter. That wasn't the point. Using the recoil from yanking my blade free, I vaulted toward its head. With all my strength, I lunged at its eye.
"ROOOAR!"
But just as I thought I'd reached its eye, another fist came flying. I landed swiftly, dodging its descending palm by slipping under its groin. Then I swung blindly behind me.
Clang!
My sword clashed against its finger, ringing like metal on metal. No wound this time either, but I didn't care. I fixed my gaze farther along its body.
"Haa... haa...!"
There was Rachel, crawling away with Bella in her arms. Not fast, but steadily putting distance between them and the fight. I let out a sigh of relief. But no time to rest— another fist rocketed toward my head.
Boom!
I ducked just in time, but the air above me compressed and burst, sending shivers across my skin. Swallowing a breath I hadn't exhaled, I spun with my sword, slashing through a bulging tendon. Blood and fluids erupted, coating me.
"ROOOAAARRR!"
"Huff...!"
I exhaled the rest, jammed my sword deep into the severed tendon, and swung to sever its wrist clean. The blade tore through skin, flesh, and veins before grinding against bone, but I twisted my shoulder and sliced through. Half its wrist came off with a heavy thud.
Riiip!
With a sickening sound, more blood sprayed. I rolled aside to escape the flood, then glanced at Rachel and Bella. They were nearly far enough to be safe. Now I could focus solely on the fight. I took a deep breath.
"Huff......."
"Hufffff...!"
Suddenly, the Minotaur's bloodshot eye loomed before me. It met my gaze faster than I could register, then slowly followed my line of sight backward. It spotted Rachel and Bella fleeing. I held my unfinished breath and hurriedly raised my sword...
...
"ROOOOOAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!"
A blast of heat accompanied the monster's savage bellow, shaking the city. Enraged at my distraction, it unleashed its full fury. The shockwave warped the air, shattering everything around it.
"...!!!!!"
Hot, thick fluid streamed from my eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. Not debilitating, but so powerful my heart seemed to stop. I'd forgotten its raw might. As I gritted my teeth, a girl's figure entered my blurred vision.
A girl collapsing, bleeding, while clutching another.
"...!!!"
I held my breath and charged. It finally ceased roaring and swung at me.
"Hnnnghh...!!!"
I barely halted and leaned back, but my disrupted breathing crushed my lungs with pain. Before I could recover, another attack came. I abandoned countering, rolling into its guard— only for a razor-sharp kick to send me tumbling back. Then an elbow targeted my head. I dodged and raised my gaze to read the next trajectory.
And realized.
It was pointless.
I could read its paths easily—no tricks or feints made it predictable, almost stupidly so.
But those readable attacks came at me split into tens of thousands per second.
It was like dodging pouring rain. Breathe in, a fist flies. Dodge and exhale, another comes from the opposite side. No time even to breathe; every blow was lethal.
"Hnnngh...!!!"
With the party, we'd covered each other's moments. But alone, no one assisted my rhythm. Even rolling to evade stole counter chances.
Attacks continued amid my thoughts. Time ticked on. Far off, Rachel and Bella bled steadily.
...
No time left.
Boom!
I stomped, planting my feet. Drew the deepest breath possible.
"Huffff...."
Then smashed my sword into its incoming fist with everything I had.
Boom!!!
"ROOOAR...!!!"
"Ngh...!"
Bone-shaking impact like colliding boulders vibrated through me. But it created an opening. I thrust into the gap.
Boom!!!
It countered, slamming its fist down on my blade. More noise, vibration— tendons and bones straining. A few more, and they might shatter.
...No.
No time for that.
Block attacks with attacks. Thrust at openings.
Dodging's useless. Block or take it.
"Huff... huff... huffff..."
It seemed to think the same, halting to breathe deeply. Pure hostility gleamed from its pale eyes. I avoided them— no spirit in dead orbs. Instead, I watched its twitching shoulder and arm.
"Haa..."
"Huffff..."
We inhaled what might be our last breaths and moved simultaneously. No pre-fight roar, no eye contact. Fist and sword clashed savagely.
Boom!
The roar echoed. Before it faded, another explosion. Before that ended, yet another.
Clang!
Bones rattled, flesh quivered under relentless sounds. One impact pierced by another, crushing air endlessly. Like a snake devouring its tail, noise built until my ears rang deaf.
...!
...!
...!
Hearing gone, mind blanked in the haze. But eyes tracked instinctively. No sound, breath, sensation— like underwater, helpless. In this damned world, only me and it.
...!
...!
...!
Pain in shoulders and waist faded. Our fight was fierce yet serene, loud yet silent.
...
...
...
I'd anticipated such a battle at journey's end. But opposite me was supposed to be Leo— my true master, culprit of all. Instead, I poured everything into the Minotaur. Toward inescapable fate.
Freed from the curse, two choices: follow destiny or forge my path. Obvious which I'd pick.
But the world forced it. When I refused, it swept me back. Demanding I be the Hero, slay the Demon King. Then mocks my struggle: Isn't this what Heroes do? Deny it still?
Am I not the Hero, giving all to behead revived demons?
A rigged question. Tears welled from helplessness. You've always wanted to be the knight saving the world, right? Isn't that your dream?
The world turned away, answer in hand. Trapped in their shadows, I gaze at their backs.
What I wanted...
...
My hand froze. Breath ran out, maybe.
I...
...
"ROOOAAARRRR!!!"
I just wanted to see her one more time.
"...!!!"
Crack!
My gleaming sword shattered, sunlight fragments pouring into my eyes like punishment. Blinding beams amid shards piercing my face like arrows. Right vision blacked out, blood streaming. Salty blood seeped past lips.
"ROOOAR!!!"
Balance broken, it exhaled savagely, raising its fist. Lungs crushed, it gasped greedily.
I squeezed my last air, kicking skyward with all I had.
"Urghhh...!!!"
Prolonged breathlessness disrupted its rhythm. Before it reacted, I leapt to its throat, grabbed the spear shaft embedded there— the only wound. Rammed it deeper, twisted flesh, yanked out.
"ROOOAR...!!!"
Red blood and rotten chunks burst through hide. Its massive frame buckled. I kicked its lowered shoulder, soaring overhead. Sun stabbing my back, evaporating sweat in heat. Exhaling fully, I plunged the spear.
"RAAAAAGHHH!!!"
Crunch!
Skull shattering, blood soaked my vision. Final breath gone, strength fled. I crashed wretchedly.
Thud.
...
"..."
Wind. Cloth rustling. Body scraping ground. Senses returned slowly. Fatigue crushed me; body craved air, mouth agape.
"......Ah.... haaa...! Heuk...!"
Cold air raced into lungs. Hot wind soothed parched throat sweetly; vision cleared.
"Kuhk... haa... ah..."
I forced my eyes up to the Minotaur. Spear in skull, it teetered. Tough bastard, still standing. Tried rising— limbs refused. Damn it, move. As I urged myself, it twitched faintly.
"..."
Then collapsed its massive bulk.
Boom!!!
...
"Haa..."
I stared piercingly. No more movement.
"You fucking piece of shit..."
I spat curses, rising. Breath steadied, strength returned. Staggering close, I gripped a huge horn, yanked it, jammed into its pale eye.
"RAAAAAHHH!!!"
Crunch!
Blood and flesh sprayed; horn sank deep into skull. Strength gone, I slumped again. Really used it all now.
"Haa... ha..."
I gazed at its still form, then back. Rachel and Bella lay there, blood- and ash-covered but chests rising faintly. Alive.
Still.
"Haa... haa..."
I dragged my weary body to them. Painful, but had to get them to Vanessa.
"Rachel... Bella..."
I called hoarsely, praying for response. Rachel lifted her head slightly.
"Luca..."
"Haa..."
She still bled from ears but seemed okay-ish. Not safe yet. I knelt close, hand on her shoulder.
"Bella?"
"...She's holding on. But she's in terrible shape."
"If she's breathing, that's something..."
I bowed my head, sighing relief. Reached for Bella in her arms.
"Bella. Can you hear me?"
"Ah..."
A fragile moan. I stroked her blood-matted hair, feeling its faint warmth.
"I'll take you to Vanessa. Hang on a bit. Got it?"
"Ah... Va..."
"Don't talk, Bella. Not now..."
"Vaa... ah... aah..."
Her lips moved insistently. I leaned my ear close. Her soft voice whispered in my ear.
"Ah... aah... aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh"
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Suddenly, her voice resonated, dozens echoing at once. Grimacing at the eerie noise, realization hit. I whipped around.
"Damn it...!"
The Minotaur's maw gaped before me.
"Grraa..."
Blood and dark mana leaked from its head. Limp flesh, slack muscles, dead eyes— clearly dead. But its mouth opened, waves emanating. Not revived. Whatever controlled it squeezed remaining mana and life for a final spasm.
"Sto...p..."
Clear words leaked: "Stop." No time to parse. It's...
"Sto...p...!!!"
I tried rising to shove something in its mouth, but legs failed. Gripping useless limbs, I glanced at Rachel and Bella. Same immobility.
"Stop...!!!!!"
Skin quivered from waves. Twice clashed, I sensed this death throe. Fatal to them.
No.
"Huffff...!!!"
Air sucked into its maw. Too late to react.
"Rachel! Bella! Get down...!"
I crushed their fragile bodies in embrace. Before words finished, its final spasm tore space.
"ROOOOOAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Sound, waves rent air gaps, crumbling everything. Like exploding mountains, intent to pulverize flesh.
"Aaaagh...!"
Unguarded ears burst blood; guts twisted. Pain irrelevant. Eyes fixed on Bella.
Ah... aah... aaah...
No.
Rachel curled tight, enduring. Bella vomited blood from nose and mouth, trembling. Vibration? Or body sensing death? Unknown.
Ah... aaaah... aaah...
No. No.
I shielded desperately. But unstoppable waves dragged Bella's hand to death.
In my arms. Bella dying.
No! Damn it, please! God!
Blood from her mouth. No— eyes, nose, ears. Life leaked everywhere. Embrace futile; breath slipped fingers.
Ah... aah...
Last moment, eyes met. Her small mouth moved.
Ah... Da...
That enigma never voiced. Eyes closed like dying embers. Unshed blood trailed cheek.
Vibrations ceased.
...
"Gro...o..."
Behind, final corpse mana evaporated; forced breath ended. Heavy thud, but I didn't turn. Eyes on Bella.
"Bella."
Pointless call. No reply. Just blood-tears staining unopening eyes.
"Bella."
Hand to her nape, stroking thin skin for any pulse.
"No..."
My words echoed her tragedy. The girl who called me murderer died in the murderer's arms.
"No... no..."
I shook head, pressed her chest madly. Please, please, please. Pumped shoulders to restart heart. Fearing I'd shatter her, held back— yet thrashed insanely.
"Please. Bella. Don't do this. Please."
Please. God. I followed your fate this time. Did what you demanded. Why this? Why only me?
"Please. Don't do this. Please. Please..."
Just behead Demon King? Lose all grasped, as long as his blood stains my hands? That's my fate? That shitty thing?
"No... no, Bella. Not like this. Please..."
Drops hit hand. My nose and mouth bleeding. Realized my state. Didn't stop. Mind fogging, head spinning— repeated plea, striving to revive dead heart.
"Please... please... please..."
...
"Sh... she's dead."
Stranger's voice. Eyes up: battered guards approaching. One spoke again.
"That monster... dead?"
"Dead. Look. Total wreckage."
"For real. But who..."
Their gazes pierced me. I bowed head. Dizzy sans hearing.
"No way... that youth?"
"My god. Looks like it. He killed it."
"Heavens... so that means..."
...
You.
Why so cruel to me.
...
Mind faded. Yet Bella's lip-shape lingered. Her tragedy-filled life's last word?
Daddy? Brother?
...
Maybe just...
It hurts.