Chapter 43: Serial Runaway Event (6)
“I’ve finally found it.”
Wood roots sprouted through the buttons of his white shirt, and his pupils trembled as it glowed red. His pants were torn, and the blood flowing from his split skin soaked the ground. Bit by bit, wood bark wrapped around the man’s jaw, which was heaving heavily, and soon, the human form disappeared, leaving only the form of a monster.
Ent.
-Quaking in fear, stained in red, what are you trying to find?
This was a line from a poem known to have been written by the first human who ever saw an Ent. I didn’t know why such a monster existed, but it did not look good to my eyes.
“Hehehe.”
-Aaahhh!
-Pl, please save me!
The man could no longer use human language. The street that harbored the Ent was nothing less than a pot of madness. A vulgar scene unfolded where people pushed each other, trying to survive.
“Heh.”
The man, whose body had swelled enormously, bowed his head and laid his heavy arms on the asphalt. His appearance somewhat resembled an orc or a troll wrapped in armor. It was impossible that such a monster would have consciousness. It just kept shouting something continuously.
“…Medicine.”
The flow of energy changed. The air grew heavy, and a massive pressure pressed down on the bodies.
“Dad…sob, dad?”
The child, murmuring in despair, was blocked by Sansuyu’s hand and could not see forward. Sansuyu signaled me with her eyes, and I nodded my head.
First of all, we had to get out of here.
“Yaaaaah!”
He began to run towards me, screaming like a beast.
I bent my legs and lowered my center. As I gathered mana throughout my body, the surrounding energy began to swirl.
The invisible power rode the wind and soared into the sky. The dust and sand on the ground floated into the air, riding the current.
-There are three important things in suppressing an Ent. One is to avoid casualties, the second is to deal with the Ent, and the third is to prevent facility damage.
I scanned the surroundings, tensed my legs, and jumped forward.
-Baaang!
“Heh!?”
A wave of air exploded behind me. The baffled Ent sent a fist my size flying toward me, and just before the fist reached me, I stepped back.
-Whoosh!
The bark of the tree brushed against my nose. A drop of blood hung on the tip of my nose and scattered on the pavement blocks.
Whether it was due to the excitement of battle, it didn’t hurt. I gathered my center and returned a blow to his chest.
“Kehehe!”
The disgusting scream of the Ent filled the air. However, due to his massive size, he didn’t get pushed back. I was thinking of kicking him away, but the attacks weren’t effective due to the difference in weight.
“Kraaaa!”
His fist brushed past my hair.
‘If I had a sword… No, it would be the same even with a sword.’
The part of his body that was bleeding had long since regenerated.
He clenched his fist. So did I.
The fists, filled with each of our mana, collided with each other.
-Bang!
Intense vibration and pain wrapped around my entire arm. The split bark of the creature climbed up my arm and reached my shoulder.
“Kuh.”
With a short groan, I kicked the ground, lifted my chin, and hit him. For a very brief moment, I floated in the air and strongly sent him flying backward with the palm of my left hand.
“Krhaak!”
The Ent was sent flying backward. My right hand was throbbing, and my fingers felt dislocated. I couldn’t put strength into them. I intermittently used healing spells as I walked toward the Ent.
Before long, I couldn’t see Sansuyu and the child anymore. The collapsed creature had lost all signs of life, his eyes lifeless.
Just as I was about to finish off the Ent,
“Kyaaah!”
A commotion erupted next to me.
“Heheh, creee.”
“Kuuuuh.”
Two Ents. They were emitting tremendous energy and destroying the commercial street. A chill ran down my spine.
“One…no?”
I found myself blurting in surprise. Seeing a young man being targeted by that Ent, I found myself rushing faster than I thought.
“Sa, save me!”
The young man closed his eyes and reached out helplessly. I kicked the Ent’s face hard as it was about to punch him.
The Ent’s body tilted and fell over.
-Zing.
“…Damn it.”
Due to moving too quickly, I couldn’t properly control my mana. Pain from torn muscles visited the top of my foot. I grabbed the young man by the nape, sent him flying away, and allowed the poised Ent to attack me.
-Bang!
The creature’s fist struck my face.
I didn’t back off. Flesh cut by the bark fell to the ground, and blood gushed out. Thanks to the mask, my face didn’t get crushed, but it hurt like hell.
‘When is she coming?’
While I was silently grumbling, footsteps sounded from behind.
-Tadak!
A sound of familiar footsteps. A pace I knew well.
Sansuyu.
The petals of the bright yellow flower tickled my nose.
-Swoosh!
“Krhaaaa!”
The arm of the one who struck my face fell off.
“…Serves you right.”
“Siwon.”
“Oh, I’m fine.”
I stepped back, holding my nose. The bleeding had already stopped, thanks to healing spells and my natural regenerative abilities.
While Sansuyu bought some time, I caught my breath and scanned my surroundings.
Broken streetlights, a ruined building sign. Shattered glass covered the sidewalk. I spat blood and refilled my fists with mana.
-Ung ung.
A surge of energy rose above my shoulder. The blackened mana maintained a brightness similar to when I confronted Lee Seonghan.
Excluding the one fighting Sansuyu, the remaining one was smiling as it destroyed buildings.
It turned its head and captured my figure in its eyes. Yuck. The Ent formed a twisted smile.
“Krhaaaaa!”
Thump, thump, thump, thump.
The ground resonated as if there was an earthquake. The tense vibration in the chest didn’t bother me anymore.
I simply followed my body’s lead, moving instinctively.
-Whoosh.
Two meters.
When it swung its fist at me.
I kicked the ground and soared.
The fist didn’t reach me.
A strike imbued with a lot of black energy pierced through its forehead.
“Kerk-.”
Its massive body crumbled, and I also confirmed the death of the Ent that Sansuyu was fighting.
Finally, the fight was over.
After the battle, we regrouped with the members of the organization. The situation started resolving quickly. The dead Ents were transported somewhere by Hwangdo’s magic, and the damaged street scenery began to be restored one by one through magic.
I was mindlessly leaning against a collapsed streetlight. Seeing me, Roshi approached with a faint smile.
“You did a good job, junior.”
Encouragement came from Roshi. I took the water bottle she handed me and unscrewed the cap.
“Three Ents. It seems there’s a reason you’re the disciple of the master. It’s quite remarkable at your age.”
“At this age? How old are you, Roshi-”
“Shut up if you don’t want to die.”
“-Ha ha. I want to live long.”
I laughed lightly. I sipped the water. It had a slightly sweet taste.
“Why does this taste like this?”
“Don’t ask. It’s processed properly, so no problem.”
I held water in my mouth, and my eyes traveled to her lower half for a moment. I remember P mentioned Roshi sold fluids several times.
‘…So is this also?’
-Gulp.
“This is a reward.”
“…What are you saying? You’re not normal, junior. But do you know?”
“What?”
“It’s said some potions sold contain fluids from male Ents.”
“What the hell?”
It was creepy. Did I just drink that? Suddenly nauseous, I bent over and retched forcefully.
“Kheuk! Gag, gag. Bleah!”
“Ah, no… Why are you reacting like that! It’s normal!”
“Normal or not, why would I drink male fluid?”
Repeating the act of vomiting, blood started dripping.
“Junior, why…”
“…I will never drink male fluid, even if I die.”
“Was drinking blood that bad?”
“Blood? It’s not that.”
Roshi tilted her head.
“No, you keep saying fluid, so I was sure it was semen-”
“Shut up, junior! Don’t say that here. No sane male Tree Person would sell such disgusting things! Most potions below superior level are made with a Tree Person’s sap!”
Roshi covered my mouth and scolded me. Embarrassed, I scratched the back of my neck.
“But below superior level? Above that is…”
“That is… no comment. It seems those do have better effects.”
I made a resolution in my mind. Never drink potions above a superior level. But then, other questions arose.
“Do potions made by Senior Roshi circulate in the market?”
Roshi’s face slowly turned red.
“…Well, search well. It might exist. But our mercenary group doesn’t usually drink those potions.”
“Yes?”
“What do you think is in the one you’re drinking? It’s made from the sap of the best Tree.”
I looked at the bottle in my hand. It didn’t look like a mass-produced product. Did that mean… really?
“Perhaps.”
Trying to ignore the fact, I responded, and Roshi giggled.
“Anyway, it’s been resolved without major problems. Junior, you’ve done a big thing.”
“Ei, a big thing.”
I responded cheekily to Roshi’s compliment. People who owed me their lives were expressing their thanks to me. It was natural since I protected them at the risk of my injury, but honestly, I never thought I’d receive sincere thanks in this world.
‘Just until recently, I was cursed for my appearance.’
Did those bastards know I had become like this?
Thinking about being dragged to the police station because of my face still boiled my blood. Ah, by the way, was that security lady okay? If I had a chance to go back near the lodging, I had to buy her a drink.
In the midst of concluding the task, Hwangdo ran towards me, waving her hand.
“Brother!!”
Hwangdo hugged me as I was sitting leaning against the streetlight. P, watching us from afar, whistled.
“You’re kind, our Brother~. You did great. Hehe.”
Hwangdo, messing my hair, looked at me and giggled for a while.
“Should I give you a reward?”
“I look forward to it.”
Hwangdo, licking her upper lip enticingly, received a stern reply from me, and I pushed her away and stood up.
“Can I ask for something as a reward?”
“What is it?”
Hwangdo nodded affirmatively. Then, I could finally pay attention to a child who was avoiding my gaze.
Today, in this fortunate disaster with no casualties, there was a child who lost her father.
I asked her for a favor. Hwangdo agreed with a smile.
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