Volume 5 Chapter 33 It Looks Like A Trash Meat, But...
Reed must be referring to this guy as the 'troublesome ones' he's wary of.
"This is quite a stroke of luck. Whether it's unexpected good fortune or unforeseen misfortune, it's a very vexing situation. For both of us."
"Huh?"
With a suspicious look in his eyes, I furrow my brow.
"Your notoriety resonates particularly strongly among us."
"I haven't done anything that I can't justify to the heavens... probably."
'He does quite a bit of sneak attacks and ambushes. I'm aware that I can't say for sure, but it actually puts me at ease.'
Since the opponent was not exactly good-natured or polite, the heavens should forgive me.
What I understand is that I'm strangely resented by the googly-eyed man. Reflecting on recent events, aside from the Kahlua Family's affairs, I can't think of anything else. If it were just individuals or small fry, it would be one thing, but to earn the grudge of such dangerous people──
'Put your thoughts aside for now, partner.'
I realized painfully from the first contact that you are not someone I can accompany while thinking about unnecessary things. After receiving Gram's scolding, I discarded my contemplation.
"I'm sorry to my fellow 'countrymen,' but this is also the result of fate."
The fierce glare in the eyes swelled up all at once.
"I apologize, but this 'Bael' will take your life."
"I'm fine with that kind of thing!"
After a slightly cool line, the googly eyes suddenly popped out... I shouted while blocking the slash from Bael's claws. The high-pitched sound of friction proves that the strength of the claws is steel or even greater. It's chilling to think about being torn apart by something like that.
Unfortunately, I don't think my life is cheap enough to be given away for reasons I don't remember. Even if there were noble reasons, I would never agree.
"Take thisss!"
I crouched down and performed a sweeping attack with the spear before the counterattack could come. Of course, it was evaded, but that didn't matter. I swung forcefully two or three times, thoroughly escaping from the claws' range.
'Yeah, this guy's agility and those claws are impressive, but at the moment, it's no different than his bare hands! Right now, you need to focus on keeping your distance!'
Just from observing at the tavern, Gram said he's at least on par with a 2nd rank mercenary. Honestly, I'm at a major disadvantage at this point.
And as Gram pointed out, Bael's weapon might not just be those claws. It's more likely that he's hiding other tricks up his sleeve.
If it seems like the opponent is underestimating me, I'd want to take advantage of that and end things before he can play his hand, but Bael's expression shows no signs of underestimating or arrogance towards me.
First, I need to focus on revealing what cards the opponent holds.
"──Shahh!"
"Huh!?"
──However, the biggest issue is whether I can hold out until Bael reveals his hand.
Dodging the sweeping strike of the Black Spear, the claws of Baal danced at me. I avoided a flash that aimed to sever my neck by turning my body and head, but my cheek was slashed, sending a sharp pain through me. Regardless, I continued to swing the spear. Though it was a difficult position, it was effective in dislodging Baal.
'Tch, you still lack experience in one-on-one combat, partner. It becomes instantly challenging when facing an opponent with such speed and skill.'
Perhaps it might be easier to face a monster with a body several times longer. Or if they come at me with brute force due to carelessness, there might be a chance to turn the tables by seizing the opportunity.
"You seem sloppy, Black Blade. Or perhaps you're just not in top form yet?"
"Shut it, I'm already at my limit here!"
I retorted instinctively to the words that could be taken as a form of concern depending on how he was heard.
"In that case, die."
As the claws were carelessly raised, I reflexively moved to defend with the spear.
'That claw is a feint!'
When Gram's shout reached my head, Bael's sideways kick had already dug into my side. Feeling the sound of dry wood breaking from within myself, my body was sent flying. Using its claws as a decoy, the real attack was the kick.
I bounced off the ground a couple of times and finally managed to stop by colliding with some delinquent nearby. While feeling a bit sorry for the person I involved, most of my consciousness was occupied by the intense pain running through my side.
"Ooo... I-Is my torso still connected?"
The impact that seemed to pierce through from the spot where I was kicked to the opposite side of my side brought intense nausea. While enduring the feeling of choking, I touched my stomach, but apparently, my body was not split in half yet. Additionally, I got some bruises from tumbling on the ground, which also hurt quite a bit.
'Don't just stand there dazed! Dodge with all your might if you don't want to die!'
Startled by the cry of Gram, I looked up to see Bael coming towards me. "Oh no!" I panicked and rolled away, narrowly avoiding Baal's claws.
"""Aaaaaarrghhh!"""
Suddenly, a scream was heard. Baal, who had lost me as a target, was slicing through the nearby delinquents with sharp claws.
"Seriously?"
Despite that, Baal, with blood flowing, openly clicked his tongue while looking at the fallen delinquents, shaking off the blood on his claws. Even though he was just hired, he was definitely on the Narinki side. Still, Baal's reaction was too cold.
Leaning on the butt end of the spear, I stood up while also casting healing magic on my side.
'Fortunately, you're trained, partner. Otherwise, not just your ribs, but even your spine would have been shattered.'
When I turned my gaze towards Narinki, despite witnessing the miserable state of the delinquents, he still had a scowl on his face. I was condoning Bael's atrocities. To him, delinquents were nothing more than disposable pawns that could be bought with money.
"That guy is truly a piece of trash, that pig."
With a feeling of disgust welling up along with a sob, I muttered quietly. Suddenly, a long, slender object reflecting light at the corner of my vision extended out. As it reached Narinki's feet, the sound of a hard object piercing through could be faintly heard.
Turning towards where something had flown from, I involuntarily widened my eyes.
From the gap in the crowd still in the midst of a fight, someone leaped out at a furious speed.
It was Reed, with his arm outstretched.
Something was extending from his hand, and in a posture that seemed almost like gliding, he was approaching Narinki in a straight line.
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