[ Fine... you can come. Just make sure you leave the monsters to me. ]
Zero took a while of convincing him not to come, but Richard's eagerness and determination really didn't falter at all - leaving him with no other choice but to allow him to accompany him.
[ And don't make any trouble. ] he added.
[ I know, I know... ] and the downcast Richard nodded.
[ But, I will definitely help if there are too many enemies... I came here to rescue you after all... I can't let myself or you die now. ]
[ Whatever, keep your reasons to your self; I'm only here for the Chimeras. ]
'The Chimeras are what he came here for, and the well-being of Richard is unnecessary' - that statement boils down to that point.
And although he thinks that his movement would be limited a little with Richard coming with him, it wouldn't make that much difference at all if he helps him out a little - that is, if he would really be a help at all.
[ Zero-san... I don't know how strong you are... But I think you shouldn't underestimate these monsters... You know they're the strongest in this town, right? Did you not see what happened to me? I only fought two of them and I almost died. ]
Richard's story how he got injured goes like this:
He thought that Zero was already inside the cave and he tried to get inside it to get him. But then, after a few minutes of searching for him, he got attacked by two Chimeras and he unexpectedly got hit by one of their attacks. Of course, he fought back - injured and make one flee - and killed the other.
It was only then that a few minutes later that the light from Zero's magic reaches him and he called out for his help.
And because of that experience, he's now giving off Zero a warning to not go any further.
"I can take care of this myself" - Zero wanted to answer him, but he knows that he wouldn't understand and he will just keep on trying to convince him even if he did so.
And so, he just continued to ignore him and continue his path.
They search the now lit up cave for their targets.
At first, Richard would ask him many times how he was able to lit up the cave, and he only answers, "It's magic" repeatedly over, and although Richard didn't get it at all, he soon gives up knowing that he wouldn't get any further explanation other than that.
He just continues to follow Zero knowing that the entire cave is impossibly lit up because of his "magic".
And as they walk further, soon, they've encountered the monsters they were looking for. They entered a much further area of the cave and saw them -
The Chimeras.
With each of them having two heads of a lion and a goat, and with the body of a tiger, they glared at them with pure bloodlust.
Time seems to have stopped as Zero and Richard stood on their tracks.
And except the sound of dripping water, the sound of these monsters' snarls are the only thing that can be heard inside the lit up cave.
'This is impossible!' - was the first thought that came into Richard's mind as he sees their figure and their number.
[ Zero... There're three of them... I think we should run... ] Richard backs off a single foot as he saw their sight and he turns coward.
[ Ze-Zero...! ]
He turns to Zero hoping to see that he would have the same reaction, but yet...
[ Finally, I thought it would take a little longer. ] his casual remark dominated the fear that is growing inside him.
How can he say such a thing in this current situation? Is he not afraid to die? - these were the question that was summoned rapidly inside Richard as he looks at him.
[ Hey! Let's back off now! ]
[ Are you stupid or something? We came all the way here to find these monsters and we would just then suddenly back off after we just found them? ]
He said those words with his eyes flared up as if he just found some kind of treasure. And Richard couldn't be more surprised at his reaction to this deadly encounter.
[ That-That's...! ]
He couldn't find the words to reply to him - as he couldn't really also find his reason and point why they should stay in this place at all in the first place. He just stares at him blankly, shivering by the sight of the monsters in front of them.
[ There's no backing out now, we need to fight them. ]
[ Fight them!? ]
[ I'll handle two, you hold out one. ]
[ Wa-Wait!? I thought you'll handle them yourself!? ]
[ I can only fight two at the same time for now, even for me, it would be difficult to fight three all at once. ] Zero explains, still in his casual tone.
But as they stood there arguing and being confused about what they need to do, their enemy had already finished observing them and is now trying to get closer.
Their snarls became more fierce and their natural weapons - their claws and teeth, now revealed themselves, ready to wound and even impale the two of them.
[ Zero...! ] he called out to him for the last time, hoping that he would back out in fear as well, yet, like their enemies - he had only stepped closer as well.
He was not listening to him at all.
[ Richard-san, I thought you told me earlier that you would help out if there are too many enemies, well, there are definitely many enemies now. ]
That was right, he said that just after he was able to convince him of making him tag along. But seeing now how it had really turned out -
[ But this is - ]
He faltered.
*Swoosh! Crack!!!
Before he could blink another and could even complain again, the sharp fangs of the enemy came attacking him.
'Death' - he thought he had died.
But luckily, Zero blocked the attack just in time.
He turned to the enemy and immediately see its large fangs. It could impale his entire body in one strike, if Zero wasn't there, he's already dead.
But...
[ Zero... What is that...? ] but the weapon of the enemy was not the reason why he had a shock and fearful expression on his face.
But instead, it was because of Zero.
[ It's my magic. ] he replied to him.
[ But that's... ]
"That couldn't possibly be magic", he wanted to say it, but he couldn't.
He looks in disbelief at the transformed arm of Zero.
From his elbow into his hand, it was completely inhuman.
And it was now three times larger than its previous size. The end of his fingertips now has what can only be called 'claws', his skin also turns that of a reptile's - covered in steel-like, deep-blue scales.
It completely nulled the enemy's attempt to attack Richard.
Looking at it, he felt that it would be a much dangerous weapon than the fangs of the claws of their enemies.
[ Richard-san, you'll die if you do not focus. ]
As the enemy turned back, also in shock, Zero took that opportunity to say those words to him.
[ If you will not fight, even if it would be difficult, I can still handle this my own. ] he expected that he would say those words with his usual casual tone, but no, Zero is now completely different. He was like a very different person.
[ ... ]
He was the person he saw earlier of whom he thought was just an illusion.
He was the monster who gave him fear he had never experienced before.
[ ... ]
And seeing a more dangerous and terrifying monster than their three enemies combined, he gained enough courage to consider fighting. The person, no, the monster who is on his side is much stronger and fearsome than their enemies.
He made an empty smile as he gained confidence just above the fear.
[ Fine, I'll help. ]
[ Good, you can hold out one while I fight the other two, all you need to do is survive then I'll finish it for you. ]
[ No, I'll... I'll kill one myself. ]