Especially Bad Weather Today
Was the weather especially bad today? It felt like a massive hole had ripped open in the sky—as I looked up, the heavens were barely visible through the torrent of white snow pouring down. If this world had a religion-crazed nation, they'd be throwing a fit, claiming the gods were furious. But where I stood, the cliff curved in jagged overhangs like natural awnings, shielding us from the worst of the snow. Visibility ahead was no issue, which meant I had a crystal-clear view of the chaos unfolding.
Shwing! Shwing! The sound reminded me of childhood, when Dad would sharpen his knife after fishing, gutting the catch—but twisted into something more comical, echoing in my ears. It wasn't an assassin's psycho blade; it was Asti, the maid who'd staked her life on pulverizing her foe for my sake, clashing swords with the Dragon Slayer.
Her movements against the Dragon Slayer were fluid and lightning-quick—far beyond what you'd expect from a little girl. Of course, considering the overwhelming power she'd shown when I barely resisted her knife attack earlier, it made sense she could hold her own now.
"Asti! Roll to the side!"
Without a word, Asti obeyed my command, dodging the Dragon Slayer's fan blade by a hair's breadth as it sliced toward her neck. Even a Greater Outer God like the Dragon Slayer furrowed her brow, glaring at Asti. Was it the synergy of her instincts and my directions? Still, Asti's dagger work was like performance art—unbelievably masterful.
"Petty tricks…!"
But her opponent was a Greater Outer God. No matter how human Asti was, properly challenging the Dragon Slayer wouldn't be easy.
"And what are you, interfering with me?!"
The Dragon Slayer spat the words laced with irritation, but Asti showed no sign of intimidation, swinging her blade relentlessly. Normally, a Greater Outer God's roar would make people clap their hands over their ears or writhe in mental agony. But Asti? She grew even calmer, circling the Dragon Slayer bit by bit, eyes locked on angles for a solid hit.
Was this human potential? Even White Mask had struggled against a Greater Outer God's roar. Asti, what are you?
"Asti, now!"
At my shout, Asti launched herself at the Dragon Slayer. The god predicted her trajectory and swung her fan—but it was a fatal miscalculation. Asti had already anticipated it, kicking off the ground and pivoting direction in an instant.
"What…?!"
The Dragon Slayer gaped as Asti closed in. In that split second, the maid dragons' orbs finished charging.
Pewwoooong!
A rainbow beam lanced straight at Asti. Luckily, her feet hit the ground just in time; she twisted sideways, evading it. By human standards, that dodge was impossible. Well, human standards.
"Ngh…!"
The Dragon Slayer exploited the brief opening from her own beam, slapping her palm toward Asti—and it connected squarely with her shoulder. The impact hurled Asti far away.
"Asti!"
I bolted toward her tumbling form, but I couldn't. The Dragon Slayer kept her eyes locked on me, advancing steadily.
"Enough games. For wasting my time, you'll pay dearly! So come quietly now."
I had no idea what "punishment" made her cheeks flush like that, and it wasn't my concern. How could I break through her? Asti was curled up, clearly in pain—it'd take time to recover. The Dragon Slayer was just a few steps away now, close enough to grab me. Her hand reached for my collar.
"…D-don't touch Tantun-ssi!"
Mu Yeon's scream-like cry rang out as her axe cleaved down on the Dragon Slayer's arm.
"Eek!"
The god yanked her arm back in surprise; Mu Yeon's axe slammed into the ground instead.
BOOM!
The impact thundered like boulders crashing from the cliff, shaking my body with the reverberation. Mu Yeon lifted her axe unfazed, gritted her teeth, and swung again at the Dragon Slayer.
"Hyaap!"
Clang! Clang! Axe met fan in explosive clashes, sparks flying like impact effects from a game. Was it her overwhelming talent as a knight? She wasn't dominating like White Mask had briefly, but she held her own steadily.
"D-don't do whatever you want!!"
Droplets scattered around Mu Yeon, trailing from her tear-streaked eyes—she was still gripped by terror. Mental and physical exhaustion, fear—all squeezing her mind. Yet sheer conviction to protect me drove her body forward. What heartbreaking, noble sacrifice.
"…Mu Yeon."
White Mask murmured, voice thick with guilt and sorrow. I imagined she felt the same as me—maybe worse. This extreme turn stemmed partly from her impulsive actions. But I understood her position. Her face, her subordinate, her comrades—all stolen. And the train holding her cherished memories? Blown to bits. Maintaining sanity must be torture for her.
Crash!
A massive collision sent Mu Yeon airborne.
"Kyaaak!"
She couldn't hold out, crashing softly beside White Mask, face twisted in pain before her eyes fluttered shut.
"Mu Yeon-ssi!"
No response to my shout. Exhaustion had claimed her consciousness.
"…You nearly scratched my perfect form. Why are humans so desperate to torment me?!"
The Dragon Slayer grumbled, stomping toward me. I tried to dodge, but she lunged, seizing my wrist. Her grip was iron—pure strength I couldn't break.
"Ngh."
"Finally caught you, slippery eel. Now…"
I didn't know why she'd shifted from killing to capturing, but things didn't go her way.
"Such…!"
Mu Yeon had bought enough time. Asti was back. She slashed at the Dragon Slayer's arm, forcing her to release me, then scooped my waist and leaped back.
The Dragon Slayer's face burned crimson with rage, speechless.
"A-Asti… you saved my…"
Seeing Asti, I froze. Her once-dazed eyes glowed vivid red.
"A-Asti…?"
"Master, please heed my words from now on."
Asti stepped forward slowly.
"Watch what I do next, and finish it for me. I'll… probably collapse after."
As she raised her dagger, a red aura cloaked the blade.
"And…"
She glanced back, expression blank but eyes brimming with unspoken plea.
"What I do, what you'll see… you might hate it. But… please don't hate me."
With that, Asti charged the Dragon Slayer.
"Y-you! That power…!"
The god panicked. Asti slammed her dagger down.
Space itself crumpled. Red distortion swelled, snaring the Dragon Slayer's waist despite her retreat.
"Ngh, release me!"
She thrashed, but it held firm. The red form solidified into a massive, pale white hand in my vision.
"Grrr…"
Even always-cheerful Bell growled warily at it, poised to pounce.
But the hand ignored her, simply slamming the Dragon Slayer skyward—
BOOM!
—then smashing her into the ground.
"Gahk…!"
Her first pained cry startled me. The hand crumbled to dust after one strike.
What had Asti summoned? I'd ask later. Now, seize the moment.
"Let's go, Bell!"
"Woof woof!"
Confirming the ominous aura gone, I rushed the fallen Dragon Slayer and mounted her.
"Ngh…!"
She glared furiously. I prepared to max out Bell's power. Yeah, those horns seemed like a weak point—her reaction confirmed it. At full power, I could snap them.
I gripped a horn firmly.
"Ah, ahn…!"
? Her weird moan made me raise an eyebrow. She looked utterly flustered.
What the—? Did I mishear? I rubbed the horn with my thumb to check.
"Hah, haahn! D-don't rub it like thaaat…"
…Huh.
Okay. How to describe this? The dignified Dragon Slayer was pinned beneath me, biting her finger, face flushed, head turned shyly aside—like a bride on her wedding night!
I'd just touched the horn!
"Um…"
"Wh-what?! You did it to my loyal subjects, now me? If you're gonna, get on with it!"
She'd watched the whole thing? Knowing that, why act like this? It was just a massage—why react so…?
Her flustered attitude left me baffled. Now I felt like the aggressor.
"…N-no, I just touched your head…"
What was she even saying? The weird vibe was bad enough—quiet, Bell!
Anyway. A 'Leydan Tantun' might've pounced excitedly, but I wasn't that guy. Solve things with talk first—that's my motto. No force!
Her eyes and demeanor seemed softer now. Maybe dialogue could work?
"…That's not it. I just… wanted to talk to you."
"Wh-what?! After coming all this way… just to talk…?"
Her eyes widened in shock, then her expressions shifted: irritation, contemplation, shadowed realization. Finally…
"…Heh heh heh. So that's it. Softer than I thought."
She pushed me lightly and stood. I kept the horn gripped, wary of attack. Blushing, she said:
"N-no more fighting, so… let go."
Trustworthy? Bell's power was untapped—if danger, blast her. I released cautiously. She rose, heading to a carved ice seat. A finger snap, and a lesser dragon zipped in, draping three layers of cloth atop it.
I stared blankly. She sat and beckoned.
"…What're you doing? Didn't you want to talk?"
What was in those horns to tame her like this? I'd investigate her too.