Monsters' nightmare

Although Ferdinand was a Class 6 monster, and his territory contained others of his level,

he was the lord, receiving combat bonuses within his domain.

Such as increased Strength and speed, reduced mana consumption, enhanced perception, etc.

In other words, another lord would find it difficult to gain any advantage here.

His territory was his home turf!

"Roar roar roar——"

The carriage continued forward.

The monsters' cheers grated on Audrey's ears; the noise made her head pound.

Worst of all, the monsters, three or four meters tall, spat at the carriage—the wooden cage offered no protection!

"Ugh…"

Just kill me already!

She wanted to vomit but couldn't.

She realized the worst wasn't death, but being utterly helpless, subjected to humiliation by creatures who could crush her effortlessly.

Her past strength was now a source of shame.

She no longer held onto hope of rescue, only thinking… can I at least have a quick death?

No more pointless suffering…

Kill me… kill me…

...

Anyi looked at the approaching carriage, feeling excited.

Because of good news—

His Master was intact!

She hadn't lost her arm or eye!

It turned out her injuries occurred after escaping the city and before meeting him.

This was an unexpected bonus.

The loss of an arm and eye would significantly impact Audrey's combat ability.

Even without the severe internal injuries of her previous life, even if she regained her mana, the missing arm and eye would prevent her from reaching her peak strength.

In her prime, she could contend with a Demon Lord Servant, but with injuries, that was uncertain.

But now she was whole!

She had a chance to return to her peak!

This was good news, not only for him but for humanity.

Acquiring a combatant on par with a Demon Lord Servant so early in the extermination was excellent!

And it was only the first month after the Holy Hero's birth!

"Anyi, are you nervous?" Ariana's voice suddenly came from beside him.

"Of course," Anyi replied.

"Me too," Ariana chuckled, "Acting before so many monsters, we're so brave."

"Indeed."

"But there's this… indescribable feeling, like… excitement!

Although we're nervous, and don't know what will happen next, we might get injured or die.

But just thinking about causing chaos in this monster city… feels… amazing!!

Such exhilaration!!" Ariana shivered, not from fear, but excitement.

"Right," Anyi nodded gently.

It seems…

Her Highness the Holy Maiden is quite insane.

He'd noticed this when she'd asked how to destroy an entire village after seeing a monster village.

Her hatred for monsters might not be as deep as those who lost family to them, her only similar experience being Miruku's injury saving her.

But…

She never hesitated to kill monsters.

Whether intelligent or not, strong or weak, she attacked without hesitation.

Gentle and kind to people, merciless to monsters.

Like a… natural-born monster hunter.

And now, in danger, she wasn't afraid, but excited!

She's even more ruthless than Anyi imagined.

But he didn't dislike it.

More ruthlessness in monster extermination!

Becoming a Holy Hero who gives monsters nightmares!

"You're right; I'm starting to look forward to it," Anyi told Ariana, "I'm not as nervous as I thought."

"Ha ha—Anyi understands my feelings!

Let's give the monsters a taste of human power!" Ariana laughed.

"Yes."

Let's cause some chaos!

"Thump! Thump! Thump!"

The two giant beasts pulling the carriage rhythmically stamped their feet, maintaining a steady pace, ensuring every citizen had an equal opportunity to spit on the prisoner.

They weren't guards, just two Class 4 giant monsters.

Eight Class 5 monsters guarded the carriage from all sides, with four Class 6 monsters at the carriage's corners.

They used mana barriers to protect themselves from the spit.

They didn't seem angry; it was part of monster culture.

Well… was it culture?

Spitting hardly seemed cultured.

The carriage drew closer to Anyi and Ariana; Miruku, observing from above, grew nervous, her heart pounding.

Once the rescue team rescued the prisoner, it would be her turn!

Even if they failed, it would still be her time to act!

Hilo would lead the others; she was responsible for rescuing Anyi, Ariana, and the Elf.

If something went wrong, unforeseen consequences would occur.

Meanwhile, Hilo and her team were observing from afar.

They were on the second floor of a building; the buildings were designed for monster height, making the second floor at least seven meters high, providing a clear view of the carriage.

Most monsters in the city were between 2.5 and 4 meters tall; there was no need to worry about obstructed vision.

Buildings with ceilings seven meters high were rare in the city.

"Tap tap tap tap tap—"

Hilo stood arms crossed, tapping her feet rhythmically on the ground.

"Not yet… not yet… not yet! Why isn't it in position yet!!"

Watching the carriage's slow movement, she was impatient.

"Ha ha ha—Is there a need to be so rushed?" Layton chuckled.

His job was to protect Eira from above; he wasn't in a hurry.

"Of course! Every minute of waiting is sixty seconds wasted!" Hilo retorted.

Eira smiled: "I understand; every second of waiting is a second of increased tension; starting is when you relax."

"Who's nervous! I'm not nervous!" Hilo insisted.

"Ms. Hilo gets nervous too?" Layton asked.

Eira: "Yes."

Hilo: "No!"

Of course, she was nervous; she hated being nervous; it indicated a lack of confidence.

As Eira said, to avoid overthinking, she wanted to finish quickly.

「Draw attention… wait for the shift in focus… escape!

Draw attention… wait for the shift in focus… escape!」

She mentally rehearsed the decoy team's plan.

Only three steps, that simple.

Minimal fighting, no casualties, complete the task, and escape!

"Ugh! Annoying!!!"

Repeating it only increased her anxiety!

Why hasn't it started yet?!

Meanwhile, Sisrine and Sephie stood at a distant location, behind a small monster dwelling.

The small monsters inside had been dead for years; it was now a temporary shelter for humans.

It would also serve as a defensive structure during the escape.

Once Hilo arrived, she could join them, rushing into the building and escaping through a back window.

Sisrine was also nervous.

Unlike Sephie, whose task was simple—waiting for Hilo—

she also had to protect Sisrine, preventing her from being trampled by passing monsters.

Though few monsters would target someone with high mana.

Sisrine's task was to watch Hilo's team; upon seeing their retreat, she would immediately use her buff skills.

"Relax," Sephie's voice came from beside her, "Our task is the simplest.

If the enemy can kill Hilo before she reacts, then whatever you do is meaningless.

Besides, you just need to use your skills; a half-second or a second doesn't matter."

"Okay…" Sisrine nodded.

[Holy Hero: Approaching! Be ready!]

Seeing Ariana's message, everyone tensed.

The final order would come from Anyi, as he was the one destroying the carriage; he needed to confirm the distance.

Once he confirmed he was in optimal range, the plan would begin.

"Thump! Thump! Thump!!"

The giant beasts pulling the carriage stopped and moved forward at a steady pace.

Seeing Audrey's dejected state, covered in filth, Anyi felt complex emotions.

He thought…

He'd clean her up with his slime sword after rescuing her.

Quickly, efficiently!

Cleanse her!

He wouldn't allow his Master to remain unclean.

When Ariana had sent the message, the carriage was still 200 meters away.

The rhythmic footsteps drew closer—150m, 100m, 50m…

"Phtoo!"

"Sploo!"

"Gack!"

Various sounds of monsters spitting echoed from around; even dogs would spit at a high-ranking prisoner.

The higher the prisoner's rank, and the lower the monster's, the greater the humiliation; the creatures considered less than trash were now humiliating the prisoner.

The four Class 6 monsters guarding the carriage used mana barriers, like transparent umbrellas.

Their unaffected appearance contrasted sharply with the prisoner's suffering.

Further fueling the desire for vengeance!

「Poor Master…」

Anyi sighed inwardly.

Audrey even wanted to die at this point?

Thirty meters, twenty meters…

The carriage was closest to the four Class 6 monsters; the Class 5 monsters were outside, separating the crowd.

They allowed the public to humiliate the prisoner from a distance, but no one dared get close.

Any attempt to bypass their defenses would result in immediate annihilation!

The guard monsters were all over 3 meters tall. Anyi needed to overcome these agile, experienced, and massive monsters, reach the cage, and rescue Audrey.

These weren't Class 3 or 4 monsters; these were Class 5!

Even with 20 extra Agility points, the Goblin set, and [Encourage], Anyi's Agility was only 27.

Miruku and Layton were too far to receive the full equipment bonus.

Most Class 5 monsters had around 25 Agility.

With similar Agility, Anyi wouldn't have an advantage against these large monsters.

But… he had another method.

10m, 5m, 3m…

2m.

Ariana grew anxious.

Why hadn't Anyi given the order yet?

Had he fallen asleep?

Or been knocked unconscious by the spit?

But Anyi wasn't looking at the carriage, but…

At the feet of the two beasts pulling it!

Their movements were rhythmic and synchronized; Anyi aimed to exploit the moment they lifted their feet—

[Sword Hero: Action!]

"Hum——

Boom!!!!"

Instantly, a crimson pillar of flame struck from an unexpected direction, its speed too fast for the guards to react!

"Bang——!"

The two beasts were directly hit by the flame pillar! The compressed flames pierced them; one's head turned to ash, the other's chest a gaping hole!

This was the instant they lifted their feet; both beasts, still straining forward, stiffened upon death, their bodies falling backward!

All the guards involuntarily turned their attention to the fallen beasts.

「Now!」

Anyi had already manipulated his slime swords, extending them from the ground, encompassing two swords…

Suddenly!

The two slime-coated swords struck, piercing the two beasts' rumps!

"Roar!!"

"Rooooar!!"

The two giant monsters lunged forward!

"Enemy attack!!" The guards roared.

The nearest two Class 5 guard monsters lunged at the beasts, instantly decapitating them.

But at the same time—

「Thousand Bones Sword, ability activated, skeleton summoning!」

This was an item obtained from a Necromancer!

The bone-shaped sword hidden under Anyi's cloak released black energy into the ground.

"Rumble rumble rumble——!!"

The ground cracked; one skeleton after another emerged, breaking through the soil and rapidly climbing out, attacking the carriage!

"Necromancer?!" A Class 6 monster instantly reacted.

On the carriage, Audrey had expected some knights to rescue her.

Seeing the skeletons, she sighed inwardly.

It was just other monsters vying for the reward.

If lucky, the cage might break during the fight, and she could escape…

But then, she saw.

She saw the two monsters slain, the skeletons swarming, and a figure in a black robe bursting through them.

「Using Goblin Priest sword skill: Encourage.」

All stats +10!

Agility: 27+10 = 37!

「Water Mist Dash, Fire Cloud Step, Lightning Flash, Ghost Form, Long Stride…

Sword of the Rage, Fourth Form: Gale Step.」

[Movement Speed Boost: 200%

You have reached the maximum movement speed boost for your current level and cannot increase further!]

He could now reach speeds comparable to someone with over 100 Agility!

「Finally… the Slime Sword.」

"Bang!!"

Class 5 and 6 monsters alike saw nothing; only a black shadow smashing the cage to pieces!

The prisoner…

Gone!

"Roar——!!"

The entire scene erupted; dozens of hidden Class 5 and 6 monsters burst from the shadows, some surrounding the carriage to prevent the escape, others encircling the decoy team.

Everything happened in an instant.

From the fall of the carriage beasts, to Anyi pushing the two monsters, the skeletons swarming, the carriage's destruction and the prisoner's disappearance, to the appearance of numerous Class 5 and 6 monsters—

Everything happened simultaneously!

Miruku, observing from above, was stunned.

…Where is he?!

She'd been watching Anyi but hadn't seen his movements; at most, she'd seen him take a step forward!

[Sword Hero: Take the Holy Maiden, don't worry about me.]

Without hesitation, Miruku leaped from the barrel, a black light flashing through the monsters like a phantom.

But—

"Bang!!"

A plume of black smoke erupted from the carriage, instantly filling a hundred-meter radius, continuing to spread!

In an instant, half the square was engulfed!

Miruku was startled; she quickly escaped the smoke, but the smoke spread almost as fast behind her.

It was no ordinary fog!

After sprinting for nearly twenty seconds, she saw the smoke slow, finally settling within a certain range.

But this range…

Covered one-third of the square!

[Sword Hero: The fog can block vision, hearing, and smell, disrupting judgment.

They didn't want the prisoner to escape.

Those together shouldn't separate; ideally, they'd remain close and avoid rapid movement.

This was a trap aimed at other monsters. If the prediction was correct, all monsters should be deaf, blind, and anosmic.

However, it was unclear whether they could still sense mana.

Baruch, having consumed a large amount of mana, would blend into the crowd, temporarily masking their presence.

Fire Hero: Mr. Layton, now's our chance, let's jump from the building.

Shield Hero: Okay!

Fire Hero: Hilo? Are you alright?

Blade Hero: I'm fine, don't worry about me, you go.

Fire Hero: Where are Sisrine and Sephie?

Mountain Hero: Don't worry, we're fine; the monsters haven't noticed us.

Heal Hero: Yes, I'm okay.]

Seeing this, Sephie, hidden in the darkness, breathed a sigh of relief.

She didn't ask about Sisrine because Eira would.

[Thorn Hero: I'm sorry… I couldn't rescue her…

Holy Hero: I'm fine!]

That's good; in reality, Miruku knew Ariana and Anyi had separated.

If Anyi hadn't rejoined Ariana before the smoke spread, she'd be alone in the smoke.

Miruku clutched her chest, sitting against the wall, unable to calm down.

Meanwhile, in the fog.

Ariana was alone, her obscured senses making her uneasy.

But…

She had [Purification]!

A faint light emanated from Ariana; her senses returned, the stench of monster spit, and the chaotic din around her.

Panicked monsters collided, blindly attacking each other.

Ripping, biting, kicking; a chaotic brawl.

But Ariana was fine.

They could still sense mana and knew this small figure could easily kill them.

Untouchable, untouchable.

But the Class 5 and 6 monsters didn't think so.

They groped through the mass of monsters, moving towards the strongest mana source!

After her vision returned, though obscured by the black fog, Ariana vaguely saw the monsters approaching.

They didn't immediately attack at top speed; they were wary of her magic.

The numerous skeletons earlier… the opponent must be a Necromancer!

If so, there must be many monsters protecting his undead; and the Necromancer would be prepared for close-quarters combat.

With both sides sensing mana, they were in the dark, while the Necromancer was in the light.

The Necromancer could control the undead to attack them, while they could only guess the attack direction.

Rather than acting rashly, they cautiously approached the Necromancer.

Then…

Suddenly, their senses returned; they heard the surrounding chaos and smelled the odors.

"Huh?"

The guards were also surprised.

They saw a faint golden light on themselves.

And a small figure, barely reaching their knees.

"Huh?" The guards were stunned again.

What happened?

They thought this was the Necromancer's doing?

Ariana emerged from the monsters, approaching several guards, removing her hood, revealing her long white hair.

"You're not a Necromancer?! (Monster Language)" A Class 6 monster exclaimed.

Necromancers were skeletal; this white-haired creature certainly wasn't one!

Ariana feigned innocence, speaking in Monster Language: "I'm a light monster; I saw several of you approaching, so I used magic to dispel the fog.

What happened here?"

"Ah… this…"

Several monsters felt embarrassed.

Damn it, they'd made a mistake.

She'd even dispelled the fog for them!

It was fortunate they hadn't attacked!

They didn't know what magic Ariana used, but monster magic was diverse; even similar races had many branches, so they didn't suspect anything.

Moreover, possessing such potent mana, she was at least a Class 5 monster; needlessly antagonizing her was unwise.

"Thank you for your help, but we don't need it anymore; we're on an important mission, so please don't ask," a Class 6 monster said.