[ Zero-san... Why did you use your sword...? Can't you just do what you did earlier...? ]
[ I can only use it periodically every day; I need to recover energy before I can do it again. ]
Amidst the silent yet bright cave, the voices of Zero and Richard can be heard. They walk behind a few corpses of the Chimeras they've taken down and they are not looking back.
[ I can only sell their horns and fangs, right? ] he had already answered Richard's question so it was now his turn.
[ Ah, yea... Their bodies are not edible, so other than those... ] he paused for a moment and started to think.
And now that he thought about it, there really isn't much anything to gain from killing these Chimeras. It would be worth it if they worked and accepted the task of its subjugation in the guild - but since Zero is still not allowed to take it, it wouldn't be possible. The only thing they will gain from them is the decent price of their horns and fangs.
So, what could possibly the reason why Zero wanted to kill and hunt them so much? Is It just because of the money he would gain from it? Or is it something beyond his thoughts? Perhaps he really the kind of person who would enjoy hunting monsters for sports, but, whatever his hidden reason might be, there is no chance of him knowing it for sure.
[ Zero, isn't this already enough? Are we really still going far ahead? ]
[ Of course, it's better if we can keep going. You may not know about this, but this is actually going to be the last time I will hunt here. ]
He answered those words while looking at the window in front of him that is invisible to Richard.
( Showing Stats >>> ... )
Level: 29
Health: 523
Stamina: 439
Strength: 278
Magic: 265
Physical Defense: 70+13
Magic Resist: 62+13
Zero is now only one level away towards his goal. He wouldn't go back now just because someone had asked him to - there is no way he would abandon the chance today.
[ What...? You're really leaving the town...? But I heard it's not even been two weeks since you arrive here? ] with a rather shock expression, Richard replied and questioned back at him.
[ Are you perhaps giving up on being an adventurer...? ]
( ... ) Zero stares at him in disbelief to what he just said.
At this point, it should already be obvious why he is leaving the town. And he expected everyone he had met in the city so far to know it.
And that is -
[ I need to become much stronger. I need to fight enemies tougher than these Chimeras. ] he answered him with two phrases. But other than that - the reason why he needs to become much stronger than he already is - he did not add to his answer.
Because even he doesn't clearly know what he's going to do yet, all he knows for now is that he needs to get stronger.
[ Stronger... - ]
But then, as soon as Richard whispers the word that caught his attention, the ground shook and they heard a strong roar coming from their soon destination.
[ That is... ]
They paused their pace as soon as they heard it and prepared their weapons.
They know what the sound Chimeras make and this roar is not one of those. In conclusion, this must be a different kind of monster.
[ Zero... I forgot to mention this but... This cave is not yet completely explored... So, far ahead, it shouldn't be a surprise to see monsters stronger than these Chimeras... ]
[ Even stronger than Chimeras, eh? ]
[ So, are we still going or not? ]
[ If this is really stronger, then shouldn't you already be begging me to retreat now? ]
[ Seeing your strength... I guess I gain confidence... You already saved me once so I'm confident that you will save me again if I get into trouble. ] he replied with his honest thoughts.
[ Is that so? Then, if this is really stronger than these Chimeras, then this will be the last enemy we will fight. ]
***
With just a few steps, they were able to arrive at their target location.
And immediately, they saw their enemy -
Definitely, it was a Chimera - but this one is totally different from every of its kind that they fought yet.
The monster also has two heads, but unlike the others, this one has only one head to the front - A lion's head, and in its back, its tail, growing is a huge snake which hisses as it looks at the two of them with its two split pupils.
It observes the two of them and it seems to be taunting them to go closer.
[ Zero, is just another Chimera, right...? ]
Looking at it, they could only turn their foot a step back.
Both the two of them, it was the largest monster they have seen in their lifetime as adventurers so far.
[ You can still defeat that, right? ]
[ Of course. ] Zero was confident as ever.
Though in reality, he was a little anxious.
( Appraise. ) he mutters the word inside his head.
( Can't Appraise - Level is too high. )
The monster has a higher level than him. No, it has a higher level than both of them.
Despite Richard being the best adventurer in town, his level only compares to Zero - at level 28. It was just earlier that he was able to out level him.
So, he was not confident of their win this time.
But - it's not impossible.
To win it, he just needs to get Richard's help.
[ Richard-san, I'll go on the offensive and you back me up. Attack when you see an opening. ]
[ Un. ] to his plan, Richard nodded.
As the stronger one between the two of them, it was natural that he was the one who should attack first and if possible, bait it.
And so, Zero came forward and prepared his weapon - a sword.
But this sword was completely different from what he first had - it's completely clean, sharp, and sturdy. It was a Class-D sword than can deal with most of the monsters near the town of Azir.
[ I never dealt with monster larger than this before, but... We just need to injure it enough and it will die like the others, right? ]
He rushed towards it and Richard ran to the side, looking and waiting for an opening for his chance to attack.
[ Take this! ]
As soon as Zero was able to get close enough, the monster threw its huge claws at him. Surely, if he was hit by it, he would gain serious injury and he will even probably be thrown off the walls.
But he dodged it and jump over on top of its head, burying his sword onto its head.
He was probably the only person Richard saw jump that high.
( Tha-That was so reckless! ) Richard could only shout inside as he looks at what had happened.
The move that Zero made was too 'reckless', but nevertheless, it was not wrong.
But -
The sword didn't sink deep enough and their enemy was immediately able to recover. Its snake-tail immediately countered Zero who's on top of its giant lion head and tried to bite him with its huge fangs.
Luckily, Zero was able to pull his sword out and cut the snakehead that was coming towards him - but just as before, the cut was not hard enough to take the snake's consciousness away.
[ This is my chance! ] Richard saw a chance.
[ Sword Flash! ]
Because he was not able to jump as high as Zero and he won't be able to properly reach its two heads, he decided to go for its legs.
As he swings his sword and shouted the name of his attack, a swift wave of light traveled towards the enemy and wounds all of its four legs.
The ground shook as the enemy cries in pain.
With both its top and bottom being attack, the monster could only cry.
( This... This is totally winnable! )
The anxiousness he has earlier disappears.
[ I guess this would be easier than I thought... ]
Zero - who already jumped down spoke.
They look at their enemy as it agonizes in pain. It was easy to see the ray of victory.
[ [ ...! ] ]
But clearly, the fight is still not over.
They felt on their skin the thunderous and blaring sound of the roar of the enemy.
And it looks at them with more bloodthirst and anger than before. With its eyes completely red, it roars and tried to intimidate them more.