Chapter 9

Wilhelm grabbed Ryzer's arm, his face pale as he stuttered.

"Y-you really g-going in there?! It's a Shadow Leo! Not even a God's Grace can reach us in here!"

Ryzer attempted to shake him off, but he was much stronger. Wilhelm's grip began to hurt as Ryzer spoke.

"The person they abandoned might be my friend. I may be going deeper, but I won't risk my life unnecessarily. If I have no chance, I will leave."

Wilhelm released him, allowing Ryzer to head deeper into the dim dungeon cave. To his surprise, three pairs of feet followed him while the last could only whimper as he crawled away.

'He was that scared that he thinks I could break his leg. Pathetic.'

They continued for a while, finally passing a few monster corpses as they were fading away into ashes. Ryzer looked back, curiosity in his eyes.

"Not many stay to witness it, but this is what happens when monsters lay for too long. They return to the dungeon."

The speaker was the bow wielding Katelynn. She and Savannah were closer to Ryzer, while Wilhelm trudged along behind them all.

He gave a small nod as his gaze slipped back onto the path. It was large enough for three grown men to touch each wall, their hands fully extended. This left Ryzer feeling awkward as he led the group he had only just met.

"Ah. S-stop!"

Katelynn spoke once more, her face filled with fear.

"S-sorry. I can see a faint outline ahead. Whoever was fighting should be just up there."

'Sharp eyes. Useful.'

Ryzer gave a small smile, causing the girls face to brighten rather than pale. His brow lifted as he turned back.

'Was she really charmed so easily by an older man? Eh... wait...'

As he remembered, Ryzer felt his shoulders slump. Pushing passed it, he crept further towards the shifting shapes ahead of him.

"Ah. You bastards came back? Prick is dead, so can I get some help? My damn axe broke."

The familiar voice caught Ryzer's attention as he stepped into the clearing. Without hesitation, he turned back and approached Wilhelm.

"Lend me your sword."

His voice was commanding, leaving Wilhelm with no way to refute as he released the hilt. Taking the weapon, Ryzer sprinted into the clearing. His steps brought a pair of eyes to stare at him as he came closer. Before she could speak, the sword was driven upwards. Blood surged forth, spilling from a large catlike beast with a fuzzy mane. The beast was limp, yet Ryzer didn't stop moving. After he ripped the blade from the throat of the Leo, he spun around and dropped to his knees in time to dodge a second. The blade was pointed up, practically gutting the Leo as it soared over his head.

"Over there, hurry!"

Ryzer was still commanding, alarming his rescue. She struggled to her feet, heading towards the other three. They stared in wonder as Ryzer peered into the shadows around him.

'This Shadow Leo is just a large version. They all seem to play with shadows.'

His eyes latched onto the beasts.

[Monster: Leo

Status: Dead

Type: Beast

Level: 3

Weakpoint: Throat, Stomach

Harvestable: Fang, Claw, Pelt

-A common beast, somewhat difficult for novices.

Monster: Leo

Variant: Shadow Leo

Status: Dead

Type: Beast

Level: 8

Weakpoint: Throat, Stomach

Harvestable: Fang, Claw, Pelt (unable to harvest)

-A Leo Variant. Born in the deepest recesses of the dungeon, they overwhelm from the shadows. Not to be underestimated, their level is equivalent to three of the same level's Leo.]

'Hmm. I can't do anything with the Shadow Leo since my group didn't kill it? At least she got to safety.'

As his eyes went back to the other Leos, stepping out of the shadows, the others spoke out of earshot.

"We need to help him!"

"He could get killed!"

Savannah and Katelynn were attempting to convince Wilhelm. A cold and grim look covered his eyes as he stared passed them.

"Let him die. He chose this. Grab the girl, she is barely awake."

He turned away, pulling out his his card. After a moment of fiddling, Ryzer felt them fade away. This brought his attention to them, only to see the apologetic looks of the girls carrying the girl away. Her silver hair, reaching the small of her back, disappeared a moment later as they le him.

"Ah. So that... damn."

He was astounded, his disbelief at their actions causing him to look at the nearest Leo. He lifted his finger and spoke.

"Did you see that? They ditched me."

The Leo had a strange look on it's face, but it was silenced as Ryzer slipped under it's jaw and sliced straight through it.

'This sword is better than I expected.'

As he thought that, he swung the blade once more. Another Leo fell back, a gash on it's foreleg. To their surprise, the sword practically vanished with a soft pop. This left Ryzer unarmed and his eyes wide. He stared at the bleeding Leo.

"Bygones?"

The beast roared until a piercing pain filled it's neck. Ryzer now held his spear, ready to continue to slaughter.

-

On the outside, a very pissed Heinz was grilling a terrified Nico as the four explorers spilled out of the dungeon. The twins supported a barely conscious girl, alerting Heinz immediately. The old man hurried to her side, Nico at his heels.

"S-s-s-see? She IS okay! I didn't let her die, so please forgive the payment!"

Before Nico could continue, Heinz whipped around and slammed his fist into the noble's gut. He stumbled backwards before tripping on his back.

"You abandoned her inside you wretch! She is a Limited Contract slave for a reason!"

His attention went back to the girl, quickly giving her a small vial of red liquid. Slowly, her injuries began to fade causing her to open her eyes. A beautiful, gleaming pair of grayish black eyes began to look around. As they fell on the nearby young man, a smile crossed her face. She seemed to light up as she struggled to approach him.

"Dear, do you wish to?"

She nodded, confidence in her eyes. Heinz had a soft look in his eyes as he aided her, bringing her towards the young man. She bowed suddenly.

"Th-thank you for saving me! My name is Nora. I wanted-"

Before she could finish, her eyes noticed the disgusted look on his face. The two girls beside him had apologetic looks, attempting to push him back. Before they could, he sneered.

"A pathetic Lesser coming towards me? Disgusting."

Wilhelm turned away, leaving Savannah and Katelynn to deal with the aftermath. They spoke in unison.

"We're so sorry! Please forgive him!"

Savannah continued.

"Miss Nora, w-why did you approach Wil like that?"

Confused, Nora began to scratch her head. She was a bit shorter than the two girls in front of her, so she took a step back.

"He saved me, didn't he? I mean..."

Heinz placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Nora, can you not change back yet?"

She shook her head, her long white hair swaying in every direction. She gripped her damaged leather armor before looking back at the twins.

"He really impressed me, throwing himself into danger to protect me. I wanted to-"

Before she could finish, everyone's attention fell onto the dungeon entrance. Before their eyes, a pile of fangs, claws and pelts started to fly out. Following them, a small boy coated in blood stepped into the light of the risen moon.

---

Thank you,

Anna Haig!