Chapter 29 - The Misfire

The fact that the monster before us was basically twice my level, and owns a pretty intimidating title scared me.

("Well then… First thing's first, Spirit Guide, please help me.") [Solace]

There was no reply.

("Spirit Guide, tell me everything you can about Baresilver Demons please.") [Solace]

"Response: Baresilver Demons are born with the color of silver as their skin. Their habits are bullying the weak, including their own kind. Their intelligence is parallel to children, so they are somewhat capable of speaking if effort was put in. They are also capable of wielding weapons." [Spirit Guide]

("Okay, cool. What are their weaknesses?") [Solace]

"Response: Baresilver Demons are rated in between D to C rank in threat level. They are highly resistant to physical damage and poison. It is recommended to use overwhelming force." [Spirit Guide]

("...") [Solace]

I had no words. If I had remembered correctly, D rank required about ten people to beat. C is twenty. There was no way in hell that I was going to beat it using overwhelming force.

"I'll just… try to find an opening or something I guess." [Solace]

Fina and the others watched the monster with anxious eyes. They probably felt like prey being watched as the giant stared down at them.

"...No choice, but to fight." [Fina]

"Anyone know how to fight this guy?" [Jai]

"It's usually barraging it with magic, or stabbing it repeatedly with spears." [Fina]

"And the recommended magic level for it?" [Medley]

"Level 5." [Fina]

Judging from the look on their faces, the two didn't seem very happy to hear that.

"So, we're screwed then?" [Jai]

"Most likely." [Fina]

The Baresilver Demon released a low growl before moving, allowing Fina and the others to react.

"It's going to swing right! Duck!" [Fina]

The Demon swung low, as if trying to sweep the heads of the students. Luckily, all three went down low enough for it to go overhead.

"Catch it while it's off guard!" [Fina]

She ran at the demon with a dagger in hand, forgoing the thought of retreating.

"I'll handle the axe!" [Jai]

Dropping Nash to the side, Jai lunged at the demon's arm and tried to hold it back. Though it was pretty heroic, it didn't seem like a good idea when the demon turned its attention to Jai.

"Oh no." [Jai]

The demon let go of the axe, swinging its arm as Jai flailed about.

"WAAAH!!" [Jai]

He screamed while holding on for dear life, giving an opportunity to Fina.

"|Physical Boost|!" [Fina]

Fina climbed up the demon by bolstering her physical prowess, surprising the demon when she appeared before its eyes.

"Sorry about this, but you're going to have to let Jai go." [Fina]

She spun the knife in her hand before plunging it into one of the demon's eyes. I would give her style points for that, but it just got super gruesome since green blood began to spray everywhere.

The demon bellowed in pain. It grasped at it's face as it staggered backwards, almost flinging Jai off its arm in its frenzy.

("Fina, jump off!") [Solace]

The demon's skin changed color to a dark red hue, which gave me a sense of dread.

"Warning: A hostile entity is now |Enraged|." [Spirit Guide]

"Regroup!" [Fina]

As soon as she issued the order, Jai let go of the demon's arm and rolled back to Nash. Unfortunately for Fina, her leg got caught before she jumped off the demon's face..

"Medley! Support!" [Jai]

"Wh-what do I do?!" [Medley]

Medley panicked. It was like seeing a newborn lamb walk or whatever the saying was.

"Hit it with something!" [Jai]

"P-|Paralyze|!" [Medley]

"You have acquired the spell, |Paralyze|." [Spirit Guide]

She fired the spell with shaky hands, striking Fina in the back.

"Urgh…!" [Fina]

("What?!") [Solace]

I was absolutely stunned. As I saw Fina go limp I felt something inside me boil.

"Medley! What are you doing?!" [Jai]

"I-It wasn't on purpose!" [Medley]

"She's going to die!" [Jai]

"S-So what?! She's a forsaken! You should actually be thanking me! We can just run while she distracts the monster!" [Medley]

"..." [Jai]

Jai faced Medley with a probably very scary face. His back was turned towards me, so I could see his expression, but I did see Medley's reaction when looking at him.

"...Go. I'll save her myself." [Jai]

He passed the unconscious Nash to Medley and turned to the demon.

"You can't! You'll just die!" [Medley]

"So? At least I won't die with shame." [Jai]

"Think of Nash! What will he feel if you die! She's just a forsaken!" [Medley]

Jai went silent. He looked at Fina with a pained gaze and turned around.

("No… Jai… Don't do this man…") [Solace]

The boiling feeling inside me surged, not enough to surface, but it most definitely grew.

"I'm… sorry…" [Jai]

It was then that he picked up Medley and Nash with an arm each before running away.

("They… They left…?") [Solace]

The feeling inside of me grew even more. It felt like I was being constrained or something that made my heart ache with something indescribable. Seeing Jai leave like that, was all it took to make it blow.

"Alert: You are now |Enraged|." [Spirit Guide]