Chapter 97

It was a force that defied all norms.

The arm of the demon monkey, as hard as steel, swung to destroy not only the street but also Karia standing before it. The mere act of swinging the arm produced a thunderous sound, and the air was sliced.

Everyone who witnessed that strike understood.

It was hopeless. Clearly, it was something that existed beyond reality, beyond our comprehension. The disturbance in the air caused by the demon monkey's brute force seemed to warp the very world.

That strike carried no malice, no hostility. It was a simple slap to brush away an obstacle. The pressure alone could kill many.

In contrast, Karia remained unchanged. She shone her silver longsword as if it were a routine task, naturally accepting the demon monkey's slap.

The moment that deadly slap threatened to turn Karia into a mere lump of flesh, her silver hair swayed. Her body half-rotated to dodge the slap, and she slashed at the demon monkey's skin with the tip of her sword. At that moment, Karia involuntarily gasped.

—Clang

A dull sound, like the joining of metal, echoed across the battlefield. In reality, it was the contact between the sword and the skin.

Karia felt the threat of the creature before her through the sensation in her hands. Its skin was so hard that it no longer seemed like that of a living being. The feeling suggested that a mere slash with a blade would not even scratch it. Her eyes hardened, and she instinctively leaped away.

Instantly, the street was gouged, leaving only the shadow of the demon. It was not a mere gouging but a complete pulverization. The cobblestones that lined the street scattered and shattered like thin paper.

As if in response to this scene, a silver flash darted.

The moment the slap struck the street and came to a halt, Karia, having gauged the end of the attack, rode the wind with her longsword, aiming to sever the demon monkey's wrist. This time, it was not just a simple slash but a strike infused with all her might, intending to break the wrist itself.

Indeed, the entire sequence of movements was breathtakingly beautiful. Her steps showed no hesitation born of fear, and the tip of her sword moved smoothly as if riding the wind. All of this testified to Karia's innate talent and the relentless training she had undergone.

But it was still just human talent.

A more dull sound echoed across the battlefield than before.

The body, reminiscent of steel. Within it, the wrist, still fragile by comparison. It was impossible to fix it rigidly, as it needed to move. That was what Karia thought.

However, the reality was that Karia's hand only reached the demon monkey's skin. It was not even enough to tear the flesh, let alone the bone. Karia's silver eyes trembled with shock. Could such a thing happen? Could a situation that defies the very laws of the world occur?

When facing a demon beast, one must always keep in mind the possibility of the unexpected.

Karia understood this well and had never lacked this awareness. Indeed, when she attempted to sever the wrist, she had also considered the possibility that the blade might not cut through.

But it was different. The moment Karia's sword met the demon monkey's skin with all her might, she realized the indescribable solidity. It felt as if she were trying to cut through the earth itself. Even with hundreds of swords, it would be impossible to sever that body. She understood this.

It was hard to believe that this creature was part of the same world she inhabited. This was different. This was no longer a demon beast but something else entirely.

The moment Karia's brain registered the contact between the sword and the demon monkey's wrist, it issued an immediate command without any hesitation.

—Run. You cannot win. As a human, you cannot defeat the entity before you.

Her legs moved instinctively.

She did not think. Her legs acted as if they had a will of their own, leaping away from the spot. The next moment, the place where she had stood was pulverized by brute force.

Without a doubt, if she had remained there, she would have died. A few seconds later, the sensation of death made her forehead sweat. Her organs felt as heavy as rocks, and her fingers trembled as they gripped the longsword.

When was the last time this happened? Karia's lips twisted slightly, as if mocking herself. Her heart was gripped by fear, and her brain was overwhelmed by the instinct to flee.

Indeed, that was the rational choice, Karia's long lashes flickered.

In this situation, facing that creature alone was the height of folly. It was no longer an entity that a human could defeat. Even magic or sorcery seemed incapable of altering that embodiment of death.

Charging forward with a single sword, like a knight in a story, would be the act of a fool.

—Geeeaaahh!

The monkey's cry echoed again, shattering windows and splintering wood. The soldiers around, as if awakened, fled with their backs to the demon monkey. The madness of the battlefield had left their eyes, and they had remembered the value of their lives.

That was the most correct choice. This was no longer a battlefield for soldiers to fight. The demon monkey had transformed the entire battlefield. Now, the demon monkey was the master of the battlefield.

"So, if I can strangle that demon monkey, victory will be mine—wait for me, I will bring you victory, no matter what."

Karia's lips whispered happily, without addressing anyone.

At this moment, even though the path to victory was invisible, the option of retreat did not exist for Karia. Her silver hair, which had been tied in two braids, was now loose and flowing.

Even if the blade could not penetrate the skin, even if the creature was a clear manifestation of death, there was no reason not to face it. Moreover, Karia had been entrusted with the task of securing victory. In response to that wish, she had said, "I will do it."

Therefore, she could not retreat. She had to be the strong one, the ideal warrior. She could not let the one who trusted her regret it.

Karia was not called a hero solely because of her innate talent in martial prowess.

Her unparalleled spirit, which refused to yield, and her noble soul, which shone like the sun, were what made Karia Bardonic a hero. She trampled and severed the weakness within herself.

And, Karia couldn't help but smile.

—And, I will stand beside that fool. I must be a fool myself to balance it out.

A silver flash accompanied by a thunderous sound drew a line. Aiming at the fingers, feet, and joints, she approached the demon monkey with a dance-like gait.

A dull sound echoed multiple times. Karia could feel her beloved longsword groaning and screaming in pain.

There must be a weak point, a vital spot that could bring this creature to its end. She believed this and continued to slash at the demon monkey's body with relentless determination.

The demon monkey's brute force was undoubtedly vicious, but it lacked finesse. It was only natural. With its body, it could turn any prey into dust with a single swing. There was no need for technique or strategy.

One misstep, one moment of misjudgment, and she would die. Karia knew this instinctively. After all, her instincts had been sending the danger of death to her brain all along.

She had experienced this feeling before. The intense sense of helplessness, the bitter despair. It was when she faced a boar-type demon beast in the Great Forest.

How did she win that time?

Exhaustion filled her body. Her lungs, craving air, raged within her, continuously inflicting pain on her limbs. In this state, where she could not even catch her breath, Karia traced her memories as if they were a series of flashbacks.