Blade gargantua
**The sound of clashing weapons echoed loudly.** The division led by Glenn had gained a slight advantage compared to before. However, Linya felt that something was off. Glenn had become a better person too quickly.
*"I don't need to ask why I'm doing this anymore. I should've known from the start… So what if my reason is disgusting?!"* Glenn steeled his resolve.
*"Reformation Front, move out!"* Glenn shouted.
Suddenly, a reddish glow appeared.
*"Conversion successful. Jobless, a lot of experience—Simp?"* *"New job acquired: Simp?"* *"Even the system acknowledges it,"* Glenn muttered.
*"Come on, Simp Battalions! Don't give up!"* he called out with force.
*"Tonight, the Simp Battalions will claim victory!"* *"Execute Burning Passion!"* In an instant, the division—including Glenn himself—was engulfed in blazing determination. Linya, standing at the rear, was still trying to make sense of everything, while Zask, on the other hand, was fully immersed in the battle. He let out a laugh upon hearing the ridiculous name Glenn had just given his troops. But that amusement was short-lived.
The Simp Battalions were incredibly strong, even overpowering Zask's pirate forces.
*"Interesting..."* Zask grinned.
With overwhelming force, the Simp Battalions charged forward like warhorses, crushing Zask's troops.
Ten minutes passed, and a hooded figure who had been sitting silently all this time murmured, *"Alright, my work here is done."* Then, the figure vanished.
*"Enough playing around."* *"Shuunpoo Phoenix!"* Zask kicked one Simp Battalion member after another, sending them flying.
Not wanting to fall behind, Glenn lunged at Zask. But with ease, his sword strike was blocked. Unlike his previous fight with Linya, where he merely took the attacks, Zask was now getting serious.
Linya followed up with a spinning kick, but Zask dodged it effortlessly.
*"Ex-Lethality Counter."* In an instant, Glenn and Linya were both sent flying.
*"At least you're a little stronger now,"* Zask said, sheathing his battle gloves.
Suddenly, a reddish glow appeared once more. There was no mistaking it—this was one of the legendary artifacts—**Brynhildr.** A grin spread across Glenn's face.
*"Why don't we give it a try now? I'll get serious, too."* *"Execute Spatial Index!"* - **Object verified** - **Multiple humans detected** - **Vital points: heart** *"I'll be more serious… than ever before,"* Linya declared, her fighting spirit igniting.
Glenn dashed forward, with Linya right behind him, activating **Gale Intro.** As usual, Linya took the lead with her incredible speed, executing a flawless flip kick. Glenn followed up with a tackle to disrupt Zask's balance.
*"Eienken!"* A fiery punch was unleashed! Linya and Glenn barely managed to dodge it.
*"Execute Burning Passion!"* Glenn's body erupted into flames—burning with sheer determination. But Linya remained unaffected.
*"Linya, why aren't you accepting my buff skill?"* *"Why the hell would I accept such a disgusting skill?!"* *"It's just a normal buff! Please, take it!"* *"No way!"* *"How long are you going to make me wait?!"* *"Eineken!"* A fiery fist was launched once again. Linya swiftly dodged using **Aero Step**, but Glenn was nowhere to be seen.
*"Glenn?!"* Linya shouted in alarm. *"Damn it, he's doing that again…"* But to her surprise, Glenn reappeared—right behind Zask. Zask saw it coming.
*"Kyousoken!"* Zask unleashed a **blazing uppercut**, creating an explosive illusion that blurred the battlefield.
For a moment, something was engulfed in flames.
*"Glenn?! Is that you?!"* The rapid spread of fire hinted at the sheer destruction of the previous attack.
Suddenly, ancient magical letters materialized. Glenn was now standing behind Linya.
*"Linya, this is bad. I can feel an incredibly strong presence...!"* His voice was low, indicating he wasn't joking.
And he was right. A violent tremor, like an earthquake, shook the battlefield. It was coming from Weld's battle against Zask's other subordinates.
Weld had resorted to using **Gigantic Book Golem** to fight this monstrosity. The creature was an anomaly—extremely powerful, but far more dangerous than it seemed.
*"Linya, we need to take Zask down quickly!"* *"Please, just take the buff!"* *"At least change the skill's name first, you idiot!"* *"Fine! Simp Battalions, disband!"* No one objected. The troops immediately withdrew.
*"Now, I'm the only simp left!"* Glenn chuckled.
*"Smack!"* Linya slapped him.
*"Quit fooling around!"* she snapped.
*"I'm not fooling around,"* Glenn replied. *"I'm serious about you."* *"Hah, good one,"* Linya scoffed.
*"Execute Burning... Passionate!"* Glenn roared.
*"Execute Gale Intro!"* Linya followed.
They charged forward with blazing intensity, attacking relentlessly.
Linya moved like the wind, striking Zask from angles unseen. Glenn unleashed a barrage of brutal chain attacks.
The assault overwhelmed Zask.
*"Shuunpoo Phoenix!"* Zask tried to block, but Glenn's attacks followed his movements. Linya didn't lose track either, slashing at Zask's body again and again.
Zask was now heavily wounded. His grin twisted into rage. He struck Glenn hard, sending him flying.
Linya, however, refused to back down and continued her relentless assault.
Zask retaliated with a lightning-fast slap, sending Linya crashing into the ceiling.
Five minutes passed.
Zask's blood dripped onto the ground.
Glenn, who had been struggling to get up, had one last trick up his sleeve. He tackled Zask, holding him in place, while Linya—recovering from her fall—soared down like a storm, delivering a series of devastating cuts.
Zask collapsed, bloodied and broken. But instead of despair, he let out a crazed laugh.
*"He's coming!"* A powerful tremor surged closer.
A **monstrous being**, standing **27 feet tall**, emerged.
Its entire body was covered in knives. Even its wings were made of blades. Its movements were stiff—this was no living creature.
As it walked, the ceiling crumbled.
Its body was forged from **iron and copper**, resembling a **grotesque iron statue impaled with countless blades**.
Glenn barely dodged its attack.
In a panic, Glenn called for Weld. But he was too late. Weld had already been defeated by the **Blade Statue**, and his spirit had returned to the library.
The situation had turned dire.
Linya collapsed from exhaustion, leaving Glenn alone.
*"Damn it… Is this the end for us…?"* Glenn thought.
But he quickly searched for help.
Reaching into Linya's pocket, he pulled out a communication device.
*"HQ, this is Glenn! Emergency! We need backup immediately!"* The situation behind him became clear.
*"Understood. What's Linya's condition?"* the division captain asked.
*"Critical—she's completely exhausted! We also need long-range support!"* *"Roger that. We're deploying reinforcements now."* Amidst the chaos, Linya stirred, slowly opening her eyes.
*"Don't worry. They'll be here soon,"* Glenn reassured her with a small smile.
*"Linya, close your eyes,"* Glenn said.
*"Library!"* he called out.
*Nothing happened.* *"What are you doing, idiot?"* Linya asked.
*"Ugh, how stupid of me… Weld is severely injured right now. I can't enter the library without his permission,"* Glenn muttered. His expression grew tense.
*"What's wrong?"* Linya asked.
*"Nothing,"* Glenn replied.
*"Can you put me down?"* Linya asked, suspicious.
*"Alright, it's nothing…"* Glenn denied.
*"Hey, Glenn… so we're running away again? I mean, I'm not running away from the battle again, am I?"* Linya asked.
*"No, Linya. We're not running,"*
Glenn said. *"We're waiting for reinforcements."*
—
**On the way to the battlefield—**
*"Captain, are you really okay with just leaving your niece with that kid?"*
*"Yeah, I trust him. At the very least, he won't do anything reckless."*
Amidst the bright city lights, the sound of shouting filled the air.
It was the division soldiers whom Glenn had previously ordered to retreat.
They reported everything they had witnessed.
*"All long-range units, prepare for battle!"*
*"This is an order! All long-range units, gather your strength for this mission!"* the division captain commanded.
*"Also, prepare graves for those who will fall."*
*"Charge!!"*