Brutal

"Zosh~~" The slicing sound echoed through the air, and I felt a primal satisfaction surge through my body as my blade tore through the Giant Hawk's neck. The impact of the strike and the sight of its head rolling to the ground filled me with an insane, untamable energy. I couldn't hold back.

"HAAAAAAAA!! Who's going to rule this entire world, huh?!!!??" My roar echoed, blending with the deafening noise and screams of the battle. It wasn't just words—it was a cry from the depths of my soul, a scream of freedom, affirmation, and life.

But soon, reason returned. "I've overdone it and let loose; now it's time to pull back!" I thought, taking a deep breath.

Without hesitation, I decided not to push forward. I had killed enough for now. It wasn't the time to be reckless or heroic. Instead, I retreated to the defensive perimeter, where a rested and energetic defender took my place. I wasn't a fool. The slaughter had drained my strength, and what I needed now was to conserve what was left to survive the chaos yet to come.

I grabbed a bottle from the hands of a nearby girl, who was visibly trembling. As I drank in large gulps, the refreshing liquid burned its way down my throat, momentarily hiding the exhaustion in my eyes. "With this, no one can force me back to the front line—not now. I've killed enough to prove my worth."

But that wasn't all. While others fought or collapsed from exhaustion, my eyes were fixed on the White-Robed Mages. "You've done nothing so far… but let's see how long you can maintain that indifferent stance."

The Virtual Laboratory was processing the battle data, and its projections were grim.

["98% chance of collapse of Servant Warriors."]

["Defensive perimeter at critical risk."]

["Probability of action by White Mages will increase by 79%."]

These numbers confirmed what I already knew: the defenders' resistance was failing. And when that happened, the Mages would have to abandon their neutral position and intervene, whether they liked it or not.

As I pondered this, the grunts of the Giant Hawk leader grew louder and more urgent:

"Culll~~"

"Crarrr~~"

"Crrrr~~"

The flock became even more aggressive. Giant Hawk bodyguards emerged from among the group—much larger and more dangerous. The throat of an acolyte at the front was ripped out in a single strike, and he fell before he could even scream.

"We can't wait any longer! Activate your secret abilities!" Wirk roared, and the Servant Warriors responded. Their muscles began to swell as though they were small giants. A bright blue aura enveloped their bodies, transforming them into true killing machines.

"That's it! Finally, the Warriors' secret ability! This is the chance I was waiting for."

My eyes gleamed as I observed every detail, and the Virtual Laboratory sprang into action:

["Data Collection in progress..."]

["Warriors' Secret Ability!"]

["Strength Type: Record of increased vitality, strength, and defensive capacity; decreased agility. Processing energy circulation path... 43% recorded. Remaining information insufficient."]

My mind was in a frenzy. "I still don't understand how the Warriors' vital energy is activated, but… if I had one of them to dissect, a Warrior-level pig…" I let the thought slip but shook my head. It was a scientific desire, yet far too unrealistic at the moment.

The battlefield was in complete chaos. The Warriors were cutting through the regular Giant Hawks with their colossal swords, even as they took blows in return. But it was clear that the enormous Giant Hawk bodyguards were beginning to dominate.

And then it happened: one of the Giant Hawks broke through the defensive line and emerged in the middle of the acolyte crowd.

Panic was immediate. Screams of despair and confusion echoed everywhere.

"Shit…" I muttered, breathing heavily. I gripped my axe tightly and took a step forward. "Will the Mages finally act? Or will it all fall on us?"

I looked around at the chaos and took a deep breath. "Well, it seems I won't be resting just yet."

The sound of screams pierced my ears like a symphony of despair.

"Ah! Save me!"

"Daddy! Mommy!"

"I don't want to die yet!"

I looked around and saw the young faces, dirty and drenched in sweat, tears, and blood. Acolytes trembling with fear, some unable to even hold their weapons. I sighed. "In the end, they're just kids, thirteen or fourteen years old." My eyes scanned the chaos as I exhaled deeply.

And then, the sound came.

"Cull~~"

A massive Giant Hawk broke through the defensive perimeter and landed squarely in the center of the Alliance's area. Its open wings were like threatening shadows, and its blue eyes glowed with ravenous hunger.

"Eclivel! Come kill it with me!" Styg's voice snapped me back.

I turned, and there he was, his neck wrapped in haphazard gauze. It looked like a poorly tied package, and I almost let out a laugh at his comical appearance, even amidst the chaos.

"There's no need."

My response was curt, and my movements quick. I let the axe rest at my side and reached for the bow slung over my shoulder. I pulled an arrow from the quiver at my waist and readied myself.

Styg raised an eyebrow, skeptical, and mocked, "I'm afraid that's not gonna work! These hybrids have thicker skin and denser muscles than normal. If you don't hit a weak spot… oh, shit! Damn it!"

I ignored his grumbling, focusing entirely on my target.

"Virtual Laboratory, activate Aim-bot."

["Calculating wind speed and temperature!"]

["Processing..."]

["Trajectory calculation complete!"]

An invisible line appeared before my eyes, marking the perfect trajectory. I followed the suggestion without hesitation, drawing the bowstring until I felt it almost brush against my face.

"Whoosh!"

The arrow shot like a lightning bolt, and the force of the release made my arm tremble slightly with the recoil.

"Pu!"

The arrow pierced directly through the Giant Hawk's left eye and exited through the right. It was as if it had struck its very soul. The monster let out one final grotesque screech before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.

Beside me, Styg stared with his mouth half-open, speechless for a moment. "You hit… both eyes?! Are you serious?"

I didn't respond immediately. A faint smile crept across my lips as I thought, "The advantage I have with the Virtual Laboratory for this kind of high-precision work is unmatched. All I need to do is aim and release. It's almost unfair… but incredibly satisfying."

The bow was still firm in my grip, and I couldn't help but compare. "Between the axe and the bow, I feel more suited for ranged attacks. It's safer, more efficient… but I still can't activate a Warrior's vital force."

I glanced at the crowd. Giant Hawks continued advancing, screams echoed, yet strangely, my mind was calm. "Maybe… it's because I've never truly faced a desperate situation, where activating vital force happens automatically. I've always had the Laboratory as my safety net. Do I need to be pushed to the edge to unlock it?"

"Well done, Eclivel!" Styg slapped my shoulder with an approving grin. "From now on, that bow is yours!"

"Thanks!" I replied with a smile, even though I had already decided that this bow would be mine regardless. I didn't need anyone's permission to take what was useful.

But before I could relish the moment, cries began echoing around me.

"Oh! Eclivel! Sir Eclivel! Save us, please!"

I turned to look at the students—dirty, wounded, and desperate. "How pathetic," I thought. It was obvious that my presence had become a beacon of hope for them. More Giant Hawks were breaking through the lines, and the children looked at me as if I were a divine savior.

However, the relative safety of our perimeter was thanks to Styg, who had prepared the ground well. Of course, my presence alongside him played a part too. Together, we were like a walking fortress.

That was when I saw Charles.

"Ufff, afff," he was panting heavily, struggling to keep his sword steady against the weight of a Giant Hawk. The impact of the fight wrenched the blade from his hands, leaving him defenseless.

"I'm the protagonist of this world!" he roared, a pathetic desperation lacing his words. "How can I die here?"

Ridiculous. His comrades were dead or had fled, and now he was looking in my direction, his eyes gleaming with hope as he heard the cries of "Sir Eclivel!"

"That's right!" he shouted. "Eclivel can save me!"

There he was, running toward me—injured, bloodied, and pursued by a Giant Hawk.

"Hahaha…" A slow, cruel smile spread across my face. "Finally."

I readied the bow, watching the scene unfold with sharp focus. Every detail was delicious. Charles was desperate, and I held the power to decide his fate.

"Hahaha… the moment has finally come! I'm always one step ahead."

The sight of his clumsy figure stumbling over corpses as he tried to escape was almost comical. My hand adjusted the arrow, but not for him. There was no need to make it so obvious.

I released the bowstring, the arrow striking a Giant Hawk that threatened another part of the perimeter.

Charles saw it. His eyes widened, and he tripped over a dead body. "Ohhhh! Nooooo!" he screamed as he fell clumsily.

"How… how could you do this?"

His eyes sought mine, pleading, but I maintained that bright, cruel smile. He fell, and the Giant Hawk caught him. In an instant, blood sprayed as the monster drove its beak into his flesh.

Elsewhere, a young girl I had saved ran up to me. "Thank you, Sir Eclivel!"

I looked at her with a smile that hid the darkness within me. "No problem," I replied, my voice soft, almost gentle.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Charles being devoured, his screams muffled as the Giant Hawk tore into his flesh. My mind was clear. "Anyone who dares stand in my way will be massacred. There will be no mercy for those who disrespect me. I am the brightest mind, I am Eclivel. The one who is always one step ahead."

...

1695 Words