First Rapport (3)
"...Urk."
How many minutes had passed!?
No, maybe I'd blacked out for a few dozen seconds.
Just the force from the troll's half-severed fist had sent me flying dozens of meters.
I lifted my head and looked toward the troll.
Rada had thrown her handaxe, striking it in the head, making the troll turn.
Ssu circled behind and stabbed its back before darting away.
Lirisa's fireball... Ah!
The troll caught the flames in its palm and smothered them against the ground before they could even ignite—like swatting a mosquito.
Way more battle-savvy than I'd expected.
Soon, the troll glared in the direction the fire had come from.
Lirisa and Ashushikara were there together.
This wasn't the time! My sword was still in my hand. Shake it off, even if it hurts...
It doesn't hurt!?
Far off, I could see Ashushikara murmuring a spell at her ring.
Healing magic from that distance. I owed my life to the Connection Ring.
I charged at the troll again and checked my magic sword's status.
[Slice!] I shouted in my mind.
"Slice!"
⟨ Sharpness ⟩
...
The Sharpness duration had halved from before.
Now I got it.
Agnes had said you couldn't infuse infinite mana into small objects.
This wasn't some special magic weapon like Reshi's Drasoner spear—it was mass-produced junk.
Damn, out of mana battery already?
Still, some effect remained.
Ashushikara spotted me charging and stopped her chant, grabbing her mace.
As the troll swung its palm down at her, she swung back with a shout.
"Kalderan's light shall purify!!"
Wham!!
Kalderan's purification packed a punch. Not just light, but raw physical force smiting away evil.
I'd figured she could handle it herself with that confident stance—no need for my ability. But I hadn't expected such a brute-force cleanse over sanctuary or blinding light.
The troll recoiled in shock, palm bouncing back as it stood dazed for a moment.
I dashed in and slashed shallowly at one leg. Just a sting, probably.
"Kyaaaak!! I'll kill you!! Eat you!!"
Huh, it talks. Pain and wounds teach manners to monsters too, it seems.
The troll locked eyes on me again.
No more carelessness this time. It was switching tactics for a sure kill.
"Ssu! Rada! Fall back!"
"Kirgil, you okay...?"
"Now!! Get to Lirisa!! Hurry!!"
Ssu and Rada hesitated at my sudden order but followed without questioning.
The troll, enraged at me, showed its fury...!?
"Damn! Ashu!! Cover that spot!!"
Ashushikara grasped my intent and prayed swiftly.
"[Where Kalderan's light touches becomes the cathedral!!]"
Thud!!
A boulder smashed into bright light and crumbled.
The troll had feinted at me while hurling a rock at Lirisa and Ashushikara.
"Urk... Ashu, that's concise and clutch in a pinch. Call you that from now on."
Reading monster emotions was creepy but handy.
I'd caught the fake-out because the troll glanced their way with a sly grin.
With that mug, you'd suck at poker.
Ashushikara's expression suggested her mana was running low—that telltale feeling.
One more hit like that, and she'd be in danger.
Grrr... keh heh heh!!
Pissed its sure-kill failed? Let's make it worse!
Kaaak!!
I used my ability to sever its pinky in a flash.
"Nuuuuaaaarghhh!!"
Now it gets me! Come on!!
Swing your arms, throw rocks, clap like thunder—you won't touch me.
But I couldn't dodge forever.
My mana was down to half. Saving it with minimal stops.
"Lirisa!! On Ssu and Rada's weapons!!"
"Y-Yes!? Ah!! Got it!!"
Lirisa's my star pupil. Spot-on every time!
"Ssu! Rada! Bury your blades deep in it!! As far as possible!!"
They looked confused at first.
"[Here I leave my burning heart.]"
⟨ Enchantment ⟩
They got it once they saw Lirisa's enchantment.
Meanwhile, I kept its attention. Sliced off another finger when I could.
"Nu-nu-nu! Kill-eat! I'll kill and eat!!"
So oblivious to Rada hurling flame-wrapped axes at its back.
Kraaaaaah!!
Trolls hate fire, just like in fantasy lore. Lirisa's fireball got smothered hard, and it targeted her first.
Rada's full-power handaxes sank into its back—one, two, three.
As flames burrowed deep, it clawed desperately at its back like an unbearable itch.
In that instant, hidden Ssu lunged... Whoa!?
Stabbed a flame-wrapped dagger right into its most sensitive male spot.
Oof, that looked brutal.
Your twisted human-like face said it all—crumpled in agony.
Kwaaaaaah!? Kaaak!! Keuughaa!!
Yeah. No tensing up from that pain.
My moment had come.
I stopped time, grabbed or kicked the axes in its back, climbed up, and stood on its shoulder.
Thought it'd be a 2-3 story climb, but Ssu's crit halved the height—easy.
From atop its head, I plunged my sword vertically.
[Slice!] Sharpness infused!
"Ke... uh?"
Time resumed. The blade burst from the troll's mouth with a spurt! before everyone's eyes.
Brain-pierced, it lurched up on reflex and staggered a few steps powerlessly.
"Whoa!? What the—!? Too high!"
Big trouble. Couldn't jump from here. Even time-stop wouldn't stop my fall.
This guy... is, falling...
"Uwaaaaaah!!"
Chomp!!
Something engulfed my face.
"Kyaaaaah!!"
"Kirgil Dad!!"
"Uwaaaah!!"
"Everyone! Huddle up!! Hurry!!"
Desperate voices amid being half-swallowed.
Wait, am I still alive?
Or numb?
Darkness in my vision.
Eh, light!? Hit the ground.
What... this silver...
"Baetgegi!?"
Grr~ The white wolf nuzzled and licked my face.
I hugged its huge head after so long.
"Eh!? Master?"
"What what what!? What happened!?"
"Eh, Kirgil's safe?"
"......"
Ashushikara paused her ring-prayer, mouth agape at me.
Late-arriving wolves leaped from the brush, encircling us.
"Kyaaa!!"
"What what!? Surrounded again!? Who are these!?"
"Eek! Incoming!"
I raised a hand to halt attacks.
Perfect wild wolf hunting formation.
"Husky! Erbe! Karde! Parde! Heide! Whole family's here! Family reunion without Feed? You all move like grown hunters now."
The other five wagged tails joyfully, barking as they mobbed me.
They'd grown to full wolf size. Kids grow fast.
"No wonder I always heard wolf howls when leaving. It was you guys.
That was close, but Baetgegi saved my bacon."
Baetgegi had dashed and caught my fall in its jaws.
Its mouth was huge and warm—like being reborn.
Urgent as the pursuit was, we weren't infinite on stamina and mana after this brawl.
"Kirgil Dad's amazing! But I get nothing. How'd you dodge? Wolves from where? When'd you climb? What sliced what? How'd it stand and uwaaaah, dunno, glad you're safe but ugh, head hurts! No clue!"
Ssu's mental meltdown meant we needed a break.
"Master!! Waaahhh!!"
Had to stop to hug tearful, troll-traumatized Lirisa celebrating my survival.
"Kirgil... these wolves won't bite?
They could swallow a sheep whole.
Fierce enough to raze a ranch.
...You sure it's fine?"
Needed to explain to terrified Rada about Baetgegi and kin.
"Ashushikara."
"Call me Ashu while we're at it. Nice and snappy."
"Why move the ring to your left ring finger?"
"Heh heh heh..."
Even to scrutinize Ashushikara's shady performance.
What did ring placement mean here?
Anyway, they'd all have questions after my fight style.
But troll, giant wolves—chaos left them dazed.
First, chat with Baetgegi.
It wouldn't roam loyally without reason. Great friend, sure.
"Baetgegi, out walking or hunting the pups?
No.
Searching something?
Ah, got it."
Baetgegi couldn't talk but was smart—nodded or shook for yes/no.
"Looking for Feed?"
Nod. Knew it.
Bonus greeting on spotting me.
"Feed's with Reshi. Didn't know?"
Whoa... it gaped in shock. Better human rapport now.
"Agnes Village is like your home. Why skip it?"
Hmm... reason. Tail twitch meant something scary.
Village battle? Or Katona's scent?
Chatting more, I was picking up wolf lingo.
"Feed's playing fine with Reshi. Don't worry."
Awoo~
Short howl in reply.
"Yeah, Baetgegi. Sorry, but got a favor."
I whispered privately to it.
Usually, taking a troll needed a full knight unit.
Five adventurers slaying one? They'd be heroes, not blamed for ditching pursuit.
Epic battle and win.
"So, everyone head back to Prosek Castle."
I gathered them before the corpse.
Mana depleted pre-enemy. Weapons damaged. My magic sword recovered, but it'd be normal soon.
"...If Kirgil says so."
"I'll follow Master."
"Mm. Don't get Dad, but trust him."
Three agreed, but Ashushikara bowed prayerfully.
She spoke softly after a pause.
"I said I'd follow the light you point to. But this way, it'll fade.
I won't allow it."
She'd sniffed it out.
I'd track solo. With Baetgegi's help.
Honestly, others were baggage.
"...I'll push on despite your objection. Follow, and I'll ditch you."
"Your sacrifice now brings us not inspiration, but pain. Why hurt friends, not foes?"
"No way!? Master alone!? I hate it! I can still cast!"
"Wait! Ditching cute kids to run!?"
"Not running—solo tracking."
"Same thing!! No! Can't go!"
Priestess charisma riling the party was scary.
No detailed explanation or persuasion planned.
My call stood.
"Baetgegi."
A huge wolf blocked their path, silencing protests.
I grabbed my pack and mounted like a horse.
"What!! No goodbye!? Kirgil Dad! Don't go!!"
"Master!! Please!!"
Damn, weakening my resolve.
"Not off to die. Solo's safer and faster. You saw me fight."
Ssu and Lirisa seemed to get it—pouty but quiet.
Ashushikara... creepy. Why this obsession? Divine vision?
Certified saintess acting up felt ominous.
Eh, ignore.
"Rada. Secure troll proof.
Ssu, grab teeth if possible. Worth money.
Lirisa, rest mana fully. You pick departure."
Final orders done, eyed Ashushikara.
No chat vibe. Had to bounce.
Signaled Baetgegi.
"Kirgil, you swore an oath. I won't abandon my calling."
Blessing or curse from behind—I shouted back.
"I won't remove the ring!"
I'll keep my vow, Saintess.