The knights of Sacrada met the spears that came towards them with their shields and counterattacked with their own. It was a back and forth where Belica was being effectively played with.
''Spread out!''
The dark-haired woman's voice echoed and the knights of Sacrada backed away from the gates. The group of Belica's knights at the front tumbled forward into the town.
The woman screamed at her knights:
''Again!''
Another explosion happened at the gates, and the knights that had entered the town were wiped out by the explosion in less than a second, leaving behind only a curtain of smoke and sawdust.
''Shit, at this rate we're gonna get wiped out!''
I bit my lips while watching the scene unfold. This isn't gonna get us anywhere, we're gonna get wiped out before even being able to enter the town!
''---Hey, Elisa, wake up!''
I screamed at the paralyzed girl, who stood there dumbly staring at the ground. Her chest went up and down as she hyperventilated.
I grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her, but she still didn't wake up.
''Daniel, he... no, that can't be... he--- pfgh!''
I stuck the halberd in my armpit and spread my arms out, and then harshly grabbed her face.
''Hey, no time to be daydreaming right now! Wake, the fuck, up!''
''A-Arright, bhud, pleash, shtop ghrabbing my face!''
I dropped her face and grabbed the halberd in my hands again. Shit, what are we supposed to do now?
''Our mages aren't doing much of anything right now, their attacks aren't nearly powerful enough to damage the wall now, and since the front gate is full of both Belica and Sacrada's knights they can't use any wide-scale attack.''
I'm not gonna stupidly rush into the front gate right now, but it's not like I can just stand here and do nothing, there has to be at least something...
---Interrupting my thoughts, there was a series of huge explosions. Everybody's head turned to the east and west, as huge clouds of smoke appeared from there. Sacrada's knights all turned in disbelief toward the smoke. The explosion happened inside the town, not outside, that much was clear.
''...Shit, take this!''
Seeing that Sacrada's knights were distracted by the explosions inside the town, the knights of Belica took advantage of this and advanced rapidly through the gate.
''F-Fire!''
The cannon failed to shoot, as it broke in half before being able to shoot.
I couldn't see much more, as the gate had become flooded with knights and covered my view.
''I see, so that's what they were going for...''
By using us as distractions, they would send another battalion inside the town to create chaos and thus let us enter.
I couldn't even be angry to be used as bait, honestly, it was a pretty smart strategy, although it had a lot of risks.
I waited until the gate was mostly empty and walked toward it.
''Wait for us!''
I heard Elisa's and Samuel's voices behind me.
The gate's entrance was in a horrid state. The water that had fallen down from the rain was dyed red on the ground, as the bodies of knights were sprawled across the floor, their bodies stabbed, crushed, or dismembered. It was a gruesome sight.
However, what grabbed my attention was something else.
''Looks like there's a troublesome one among them.''
Samuel said as he looked at the cleanly decapitated knights on the ground. The first wave had created a stampede on the gate, and so these bodies were obviously going to catch one's eyes. To do this would be the work of somebody who is far too skilled to be here.
''...Let's split up!''
Samuel and Elisa looked at me and nodded and then ran off in different directions. I was left alone on the main street.
Since there was clearly nothing here, I ran towards the western side of the town. The streets had become a chaotic and lawless place, where knights fought with each other. The mages would shoot fire spells toward the houses, trapping anyone who was inside and letting them burn to death.
From the corner of my eye, I saw a group of people moving through an alley. I turned to the right and saw a group of knights escorting some civilians.
''...Hey! It's an en---''
I ran forward with the halberd in hand, and before the knight could finish his sentence I stabbed him in the forehead. The impact broke the metallic helmet he was wearing and pierced his brain.
''---Shit, you guys run, now!''
The two other knights turned around and took out their swords.
The space here was tight so I could only use thrusting attacks. While it was a bit of a disadvantage, it wasn't too much.
One of the knights moved forward with the sword in hand. I used the length advantage of my weapon and took one heavy step forward and shoved the halberd toward the man's face at the same time. The spearhead stabbed right through his eye and reached the brain.
The other knight came from below and aimed at my lower body. I pulled the halberd back with all y strength and the hook inserted itself onto the man's nape, stabbing through his spine. The man's body became stiff. I pulled the halberd's hook out of his neck and his body fell to the ground.
''Fuuu...''
I released a deep breath and looked behind me, there was nobody coming to sneak up on me.
The family wasn't there anymore either, it seems they actually listened. Well, it's better for me, I don't want to kill civilians.
I took a few turns left and right as I moved through the alleys, and managed to come out onto the streets again. The place was surprisingly confusing, huh.
This street was just as chaotic as the previous ones, as the knights fought with each other. I hadn't seen the town from the inside before, but I bet it didn't look nearly as shitty as it did now.
''You fucker, take this!''
A man's voice came from behind, and when I turned around I saw a handmade spear coming toward me. The speed of the strike was slow and sluggish as if the man wielding the spear had never held one in his life.
I tilted my head to the right and dodged the spear effortlessly. The man lost his balance as he stabbed through the air and almost fell to the ground
''---?! Ahg!''
I punched him in the face as he fell, and then kicked him in the gut. He fell on the ground from the impact.
It was obvious he was a civilian trying to protect his town. I didn't want to kill him, so I guess I'll try to scare him off.
''Civilians shouldn't be fighting, just go back to your family!''
He violently coughed on the ground, and then raised his head to look at me with a haunted look in his eyes.
''Ahk, fuck, what family?! You beasts killed them! You fuckers lit our house on fire and let them die!''
He looked at me in a rage, his eyeballs almost pushing themselves out of their sockets. I see, so that's why he did something like that.
He was gritting his teeth in rage, but suddenly his eyes lit up at something. His frown grew into an ecstatic look.
''Khh, khahahaha! Let's see how long your cocky attitude lasts.''
The man started laughing maniacally
''Huh, what the fuck are you---''
---I forgot to check my surroundings. Maybe it was that I didn't think it possible, but for some reason, I forgot to check behind me.
But now that I listened closely, the previously chaotic sounds of fighting weren't there anymore. he street had grown deeply quiet.
And that's when I noticed the large shadow on the ground.
I saw a large fist coming toward me from the corner of my eye, so I used the handle of the halberd to block it, but it was futile as the halberd was snapped in half and my body was sent flying.
''Agh, fuck!''
I coughed as I shakily stood up. I raised my head and saw another fist coming toward my face. I jumped to the side and rolled on the ground.
''Oh? You're pretty fast!''
I heard the mocking voice of the attacker and raised my head to see who the man was.
''...Ah, no wonder I got sent flying,''
---The man standing in front of me was well over two meters tall. No, I'd wage he was closer to three meters. He had a gigantic frame, and his muscles bulged almost as if they were about to explode. He was barely wearing armor, adding to his intimidating look.
However, the part that made me realize the man wasn't normal wasn't any of that. No, even his height I could attribute to this being a fantasy world.
No, it was the red fur that covered his body, and the sharp fangs that adorned his mouth.
''A beastman, how unfortunate for me, haha...''
I laughed at my shitty luck. It can't get any worse than this.
''Kukuku, certainly.''
The man laughed and clashed his fists together, creating a shockwave. He turned back at the man on the ground and looked at him sympathetically.
''Run to the east, you'll reach Miss Orion once you get there.''
''A-Ah, thank you, thank you...''
As soon as the skinny man ran off, the beastman turned around and looked at me with a creepy smile, baring his fangs at me.
''Now, let's get back to it, shall we?''
...Shit.
My weapon is broken in half, and it's now barely any longer than a longsword. I could still hold the end with the blade with my two hands, but this way it's not gonna have the same power as before. I doubt I can win a one-on-one fight...
But I guess I'll have to figure that out myself.
''Let me present myself, for I am a courteous man. I am Frederik, one of Miss Orion's party members...''
The man cracked his neck as he walked forward.
''Now then!''
Without hesitation, the Beastman launched himself at me, his massive fist hurtling towards my face. It was obvious to anyone that he used his strength to overpower his opponent.
I leaned my body right belowe the massive fist, barely evading the attack, and countered with a swift slash aimed at his ear. Blood sprayed as the blade nicked his scalp and a chunk of his ear flew off.
"Fast, aren't you?"
He growled, turning to face me once again. This time, he swung his fist in a horizontal arc towards my midsection, his sharp claws threatening to cut my abdomen. I dodged to the side, but he followed up with a quick left jab that caught me off-guard. I barely evaded the attack again, but his claws struck my helmet, and I could swear I had been decapitated. I was dizzy, terribly so.
Seeing my state, he put his hands together and raised them up, bringing them down with a crushing force.
I crouched down low and jumped forward before his fists touched the ground, and he lost his balance as he hit nothing but an empty space. I moved quickly between his legs, and struck his left ankle with the halberd's blade, creating a bloody and deep gash in it.
''Kgh!''
My heart raced as the man turned towards me, his mouth agape and showing his sharp and large fangs.
''This fucker, he's gonna try and bite my head off?!'
With a surge of adrenaline, I stepped to the side and pivoted with my feet, swinging the halberd with all my might. The sharp, metallic edge connected with the edges of his gaping mouth, and I felt a sickening jolt run up my arm.
Drawing on every ounce of strength I had, I continued my swing, driving the blade through his cheek and towards his scalp. The sound of tearing flesh filled my ears as the sword sliced through muscle and sinew, creating a revolting gash in his face. The man let out a guttural roar of pain, and spun in the air, striking my body with his hand.
I crashed against a nearby wall, and his body crashed against the ground, rolling as he tried to regain his balance.
'Shit, did I get my shoulder dislocated?'
I shakily stood up and realized I couldn't move my left arm, no matter how much I tried. The shoulder bone looked oddly placed and made the arm look square.
He slowly stood up as well, blood splattering on the ground as the man stumbled, clutching at his wounded face.
The beastman had lost his previously prideful look. He was hunched over and panting heavily, fear clear in his eyes now. For a brief moment, we stood there, staring at each other, both trying to gauge the other's next move. However, I knew it couldn't stay like this forever.
''Fuuu....''
I released a deep breath and rushed forward, and the man flinched. He threw his fists in a horizontal arc again. Having gotten used to the movement. I dodged to the side and using the momentum of his arm I used the blade to cut through his forearm, creating a large incision.
He pulled his arm back from the pain. I circled his body, stepped firmly on the ground, and stabbed him through the back of his knee, the spearhead inserting itself deep into his flesh.
''FHGAAA!''
The man screamed in pain and fell to one knee, supporting himself with his arms. I moved to his other leg and quickly slashed his leg, the blade creating a large and deep cut in his calf.
He gritted his teeth and grunted in pain. Finally, I moved to his side and stepped firmly on the ground, and using all of my body weight inserted the spearhead onto his torso, puncturing his lung.
''Agh, ghh....''
The air from his lung was pushed out, and he fell onto the ground, creating a small earthquake as his heavy and large body hit the floor.
''Haah... haah...''
Breathing heavily as I walked, I pulled the halberd out and made my way onto his head and neck. He was looking up at me enraged, air bubbles came out from his mouth along with the blood caused by his punctured lung.
His body was too big, so I'll have to severe his spinal cord.
''----Wha, doght!, kfgh, kgha..''
His complaints came out as nothing but jumbled words to me. I raised the broken halberd up, and was about to slash through his nape---
''
---When a woman's voice interrupted me.
My body was blown away, and even though it should've been a small and basic fire spell, the impact of the explosion had completely knocked the wind out of me.
'What the, what was that?!'
I lifted my eyes open slowly, and saw in the distance three unknown figures:
A dark-haired woman in silver armor, who had a face so average one could lose her in a crowd. A petite short-haired woman with curly orange hair who was wearing what looked like a priestess robe, and a long and lanky man, who had green scales covering his body.
The three ran toward the beastman and kneeled down beside him. Soon after, a bright green hue glowed from his body.
'Healing magic...'
''Gh, you shits...''
I cursed at them. I supported my body on the halberd I was somehow still holding onto, and shakily stood up. The dark-haired woman perked up at this and unsheathed her long silver sword.
''You, identify yourself!''
''Hah?!''
I creased my brows in annoyance at her words. I didn't have the time for this.
I needed to look for a way out of here, so I have to stall for time until I can run away.
''Identify yourself first!''
''I am Orion, there's nothing more you need to know! Now answer me, or I'll kill you!''
I didn't care for her words. Even if she let me live, it was obvious from their hostility that the other two would hunt me down whether she decided to let me go or not. I needed to quickly look for a way to escape.
---The distraction I needed came in the form of a huge explosion at the northern gate of the city.
The trio turned towards the explosion, their face showing shock. I turned around and made a run for it through one of the alleys.
''---H-Hey!''
I heard the woman's voice in the distance but didn't care to turn back. I turned left, right, and left again, until I was sure I was far away enough.
I let my body fall to the ground and sat against the wall. I was tired, too tired. I had a dislocated arm even. Shit, do I always have to get injured when I fight?
''I'm gonna get a good night's sleep when this shit is over.'''
-------------------------------------
Crap, crap, crap.
I ran through the woods panicked. My heart was beating faster than ever. I was too worried, too much.
''...rion,''
I heard a distant voice, but I couldn't focus on it. I was focused on something else, something I couldn't lose.
''Orion!''
I stopped running.
''Haah, haah...''
When I turned around, I saw Maria and Leonard right behind me, panting from tiredness.
''I think this is far enough!''
The petite orange-haired woman screamed, her face flushed and sweating. The man whose skin was covered by scales was also hunched over and nodded at her words.
''Ah.. sorry, it's just...''
Maria looked at me, sighed, and patted me on the head.
''I understand, just don't panic so much next time...''
I felt some tears fall from my eyes. I kneeled down and dropped the young boy I was carrying on my back.
The boy was mostly uninjured, his body has recovered with the help of the healing magic Maria cast on his body. However, there was a large scar on his mouth that led to his temple. It was a mark that would never leave him.
This boy with fiery red hair was a descendant of beastmen, however, the beast blood in him had become so diluted through the generations he had no features to show for it, neither the fur that covered his body nor the bulging muscles or the hulking stature.
Nothing, except his skill: [Primal Instinct]. By activating the skill his body would morph, his stature would double in size, and his strength would increase. He would become a true beast, one capable of terrible destruction.
However---
''Who the hell was that man?! To overpower Frederik, it's just... unbelievable!''
Maria's voice reached me, and I frowned. I asked myself the same thing, that man--- No, that demon. His head was covered by a helmet and so I couldn't get a glimpse of his face, ut it wasn't necessary. His bloodlust alone was enough to make me remember him.
His body was nothing special, he looked rather stout and of average height. However, he used an odd weapon. One that I hadn't seen someone use in this world.
''A halberd...''
It was an odd weapon choice. While it certainly was effective in my past world, it was useless here. I did consider using one before, but it had a very low magic affinity and so most people here, including me, choose not to wield it.
''...Whatever, I have more important things to worry about,''
While I certainly wouldn't forget the man, I had plenty more important things in my plate.
----The series of explosions in the distance were proof of that.