Benefactor (2)
The monster's claws ricocheted off, gouging chunks from the rock wall as debris rained down.
Kugugugu.
Veronica, watching the whole scene from a safe distance, let out a dazed noise.
"…Huh?"
It should have ended in one strike, no question.
Yet the boy had taken that massive bulk and speed head-on.
And Luin was casually flicking his wrist clean, face utterly unfazed.
"Whoa, heavier than I thought."
The Ammo Black Monkey's red eyes narrowed.
Plaything's getting cocky… That was the extent of its perception.
In truth, that last attack hadn't even been full power.
"Kurrrrk—"
This time, it dropped all carelessness, its demeanor shifting like a predator with prey in sight.
Muscles twisted and swelled along its back, fur bristling like needles.
Bam!
The Ammo Black Monkey, primed for the hunt, launched forward like a cannonball.
Veronica's pupils dilated at the sight.
"Dodge—!"
But before the saintess could finish, a flash of sword light erupted from Luin's thrust.
Kagagang!!
A bluish Mana Blade traced an arc through the air.
Luin parried the onslaught of claws pouring in relentlessly.
Short, concise strikes without waste.
Less parrying, more deflecting at angles.
Enraged by his skill, the Ammo Black Monkey doubled its speed.
It kicked off the ground, walls, ceiling—attacking from every direction.
Bam! Clang! Kwajik!
The cavern shook as if it might collapse.
Yet Luin didn't yield an inch.
Veronica watched, forgetting to breathe.
"Impossible…"
Adventurer skill theory held that 'blue' mana was merely the 1 realm level.
The blade cloaking the boy gleamed a deep ocean blue, confirming it.
Which meant he was facing a [Rank 45] monster at just 1 realm.
Like pitting a twig against an iron mace.
Veronica rubbed her eyes in disbelief.
But no matter how much she did, the scene didn't vanish.
"This isn't a dream…"
The saintess wasn't the only one who couldn't believe it—the Ammo Black Monkey growled low, as if refusing reality itself, fury laced in its roar.
"Krrruk!"
This time, it swung both arms in a full-power strike.
Kwaaaang!!
The counter, backed by its massive frame, sent Luin's feet skidding back across the floor.
Veronica gasped.
"…Ah."
For the first time, his balance wavered.
Then, with a light tick, the blade's edge chipped and snapped, blue mana scattering into the air from the break.
Luin halted his slide.
And raised the shattered hilt again.
"Ah, this again…"
The monkey's eyes changed at his words.
No hint of conceding defeat in the boy's irritated mutter.
His attitude implied the problem wasn't the monster's strike, but something else.
Even after that blow had pulverized his sword.
How arrogant a delusion!
That indifference—as if unworthy of effort—scratched at the Ammo Black Monkey's instincts.
From that moment, the assault's intensity surged.
Claws whipped, gray afterimages slamming the ground.
Kang! Bam!!
At the center, the boy flowed like water, threading through the onslaught like a silk thread.
Dodging a half-beat before claws stabbed down, ducking low as it rebounded off the wall.
Even using falling debris from the ceiling as footing, twisting midair to evade at the last instant.
But no counterattack.
Without a proper weapon, no finishing blow.
Dodging forever wouldn't work; a graze from Rank 45 was lethal.
Veronica's hands clenched.
The monkey's arms targeted his blind spot.
"N-No!"
As her heart sank, blue light erupted from Luin's broken hilt.
Flash!
Shapeless mana formed a line, coalescing into a sharp edge.
Pure mana manifesting a blade where none existed.
Veronica's thoughts froze.
"…Eh?"
Light condensed to substance, holding form.
She'd never seen it, but it had to be the realm only swordmasters wielded: Aura Blade.
The saintess lost her composure at that legendary feat.
"N-No way…?"
Whether her eyes lost focus or not, Luin tilted his head, glancing at the glowing blade.
"Tch, been a while since I pulled this out…"
He added with a sigh, like unpacking an annoying tool.
"Sorry, but using this means time's short."
Luin stepped forward.
A blue arc slashed straight through the air.
Schwick.
The Ammo Black Monkey's massive body froze.
Then upper and lower halves slid apart, a delayed roar echoing through the cave.
"Kyrk."
The roar cut off, and the blue light faded from the blade.
The boy flicked it clean as if nothing happened.
But unlike his calm, Luin collapsed like a puppet with cut strings.
"Ah, shit. Head's spinning…"
⁕ ⁕ ⁕
I wasn't just slacking before heading to the capital.
I trained diligently, in my own way.
If no talent, find another path—that mindset.
My limits were clear, as you know.
So with just Mana Blade, I honed it obsessively.
No sign of breaking 1 realm? Compromise and seek survival.
Can't get stronger? Focus on getting less weak.
Like how to fight without getting hit, where to aim for one-shot kills.
I racked my brains there.
Then I noticed something odd.
Same Mana Blade, some days it tired me after a few swings, others it lasted decently.
First thought: condition.
Not enough sleep? Dehydrated?
Big mistake.
Cause was the blade's 'intensity'.
Late realization: even same blade felt sharper some days.
Recall training on the dragon's bones.
Grinding those tough remnants, clenching teeth…
Why so thirsty, why exhaust so fast? Now it clicked.
I'd unconsciously ramped up intensity.
No wonder the sword shattered…
But the real issue came after.
Back to facing Thomas.
Forcing mana on a broken sword kept my body fine then.
But against the burrowing beast in the forest? Sliced it, then blacked out.
Woke to a half-set sun, crawled back to the village.
Conclusion: crank intensity with damaged sword, both sword and I blow.
So post-that, no blind intensity boosts.
Didn't wanna die young.
But that ends today.
Am I passed out now?
Or already dead, dining with Yama?
Warm, fluffy feel at my head's back says alive…
…Fluffy?
I cracked my eyes slyly.
First sight: not cave ceiling, but golden hair.
Strands shimmering softly, golden eyes gazing down.
"……."
Saintess Veronica.
Why.
Why's she on top of me.
Precisely: my head pillowed on her lap.
"…Uh."
Recap.
Sliced Ammo Black Monkey, then memory gap.
Now: lap pillow from saintess. Key point.
"A-Are you awake?"
Veronica's voice floated down cautiously.
No saintly dignity—hesitant vibe.
I shifted my head slightly.
…Soft.
This is real.
"Yeah, still kicking."
"G-Good…"
Her face flushed for some reason.
"You collapsed so suddenly—scared me half to death! Breathing fine, but eyes shut—th-that…!"
Ah, did pass out.
Intensity too much?
"Heh, honestly a miracle I'm alive."
I muttered at the ceiling.
Mouth moved, but body felt disassembled and reassembled.
Tried lifting arm—heavy as a log, numb.
Legs worse. Barely sense them.
"Damn… feels like every bone's busted."
Alive at all is the wonder.
Max mana squeeze always hits like this.
I barely fought a grimace.
No choice—shamelessly stay put.
"Saintess… if I may be so bold, mind if I impose longer?"
"O-Of course! Make yourself comfy."
Her thigh tensed subtly.
She offers, so fine.
Decided on more rest.
'Ah, but…'
One late worry.
That stench on the way here—hygiene of this pillow thigh concerns me.
No musty smell, though?
Sniff sniff.
"Gasp! …"
I sniffed again for show.
Short inhale from above.
Under-head feel shifted.
Fluffy support turned tense-firm.
Hm?
I tilted head a tad.
Thigh clenched tighter.
"……."
Gaze from above stung oddly.