Nameless Ones (9)

Leonardo spoke calmly, as if explaining something he had come to realize, but hearing it made me conceal my turmoil, wiping the expression from my face. I wasn't sure if that was the wisest choice.

He continued to watch me quietly before declaring again, "I keep thinking that I'm missing something, like I've forgotten something…"

His voice resonated softly, sending gentle vibrations through our chests and backs. As our hands tightened together, they turned pale, and when he finally relaxed his grip, the blood began to flow more freely, sending a rush of warmth through me.

"Lately, when you look at me, it seems like you want something. Ever since we were chased by those creatures in the monster's skin, it's been even more intense. And the closer we get to El Dante, the more desperate it seems. As if some deadline is approaching."

"..."

We had shared promises in the chapters that had slipped away, but now, it all felt like a distant memory.

Therefore, I couldn't directly demand or speak about the promise. The moment I brought it up, questions about when exactly we made that promise would inevitably follow, and doubts would arise about why you had no memory of that moment. The uncertainty surrounding those lost chapters would create a sense of estrangement for Leonardo as a character, so this silence felt justified.

However, I felt awkward asking for a name without mentioning the promise, as revealing my reasons was difficult. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in a precarious position. It was an irrational and unreasonable emotion, but to some extent, it was true.

"Sometimes, I felt like you were sulking."

[I thought you said you'd remember. Liar.]

It wasn't fair to blame him, but if I claimed that I had never thought that, I would have to admit I was the liar.

"I've thought it was unfair that you don't tell me much, but right now, I'm not so sure. It seems like you have things you want to say but are holding back."

I watched the curiosity and eagerness to know reflected in his face. Cloaked in an inquisitive spirit more fitting for a scholar, he looked at me intently.

"That's right."

I admitted it freely.

"You promised to give me something, but you forgot."

But just there. The warning bells that surged in my mind sealed my lips once more. Silence filled the space between us, void of exchanged words or appropriate gestures.

He seemed to be catching his breath, pondering over his memories. I poked his cheek playfully, letting out a weak laugh. It's not like you forgot it on purpose; I was being too harsh.

'Right. Maybe now…'

It might be time to give up.

In a world governed by a script, to expect a character, who is bound by that script, to remember a vanished storyline is a futile wish. I had to acknowledge that and step back.

'Should I just wait for the name the writers will give me?'

I closed my eyes, focusing on the sound of the rain. With my vision blocked, everything became more vivid. The sound of raindrops soaking the earth, the rough noise of a turbulent river that reminded me of waves, the steady rhythm of Leonardo's heartbeat, and the warmth of his body enveloping my back and shoulders.

I could even sense the weight of the damp clothes clinging to my skin and the earthy aroma of roots pulled from the ground. And so, when he suddenly stiffened, I felt the recoil of that moment even more acutely. His silence was devoid of sound, yet it drowned out the rain, and my body tensed in anticipation of the danger that was to come.

The once-soft body of my companion, which I could lean against, was now hardened and unyielding, as if it had been sharpened into a weapon.

"They've discovered us. They're coming from one direction."

"How far away?"

"Not far enough to escape."

He hesitated for a moment before pulling the blanket closer and sitting me down on it.

Wait, are you serious?

"You can't be telling me to just lie here and do nothing while you fight."

"Wounded people need to rest."

"Oh, really? Just so you know, I'm not your subordinate. I'm not the one with broken limbs."

I shoved Leonardo aside and picked up a lamp. Since our position was already compromised, it wouldn't matter if I lit it. As the light returned and the initial sting in my eyes faded, I felt a surge of alarm.

"Why didn't you say anything about your injuries?"

His body was covered in bruises, the skin mottled and marred as if he'd been beaten all over. It was only when I focused on his side that I realized how many cuts he had sustained from branches and sharp stones.

Suddenly, I recalled the moment just before we were swept away by the landslide when Leonardo had wrapped his body around mine. As my expression crumbled, he hastily spoke up.

"I'm fine. And your body isn't benefiting from the holy water, so it was the right choice for me to take the impact."

"It's not like we can get holy water to heal you right now either."

What a fool…

I knew I should be grateful, yet I couldn't shake off the frustration bubbling inside me. I couldn't tell if I was angry or just anxious.

"Idiot."

"Haha."

Is he laughing? But this wasn't the time for loud arguments, and with the impending attack approaching, I merely gripped Leonardo's shoulder tightly for a moment before letting go. In the distance, I could see the shadow of the beast charging through the disturbed earth.

"…How many are there?"

"About thirty."

Leonardo took a deep breath and stepped out from the wagon. I began counting the remaining arrows in my quiver. Even though I had learned their most lethal weakness, I didn't feel any sense of advantage in our situation.

The beasts had caused the landslide. The advantage gained from understanding their weakness felt faint, tipping the scales of victory back against us.

Injured Leonardo, the dark mountainous terrain shrouded in rain, and the ever-present threat of another landslide at any moment created a precarious situation. 

Amidst it all, Leonardo stood firm. Against the pale, greyish backdrop of the swaying forest, he gripped his sword, its blade hanging low. Heavy raindrops fell on him, only to bounce off. The droplets glinted faintly as they flew away, making him appear as though he was enveloped in a halo of white light. Even in this intermission, he continued to shine.

'He truly is the protagonist.'

There are always various types of protagonists. It's likely that there are so many complex and diverse heroes in the world that it would be impractical to categorize them all, just as there are countless stories. And in the month and a few days that I've come to know the protagonist of this tale, I've realized he's someone who never shies away from crisis but instead faces it head-on.

The ground trembled. This time, it wasn't a landslide.

"Join us."

"Deeeelicious—!"

"AAAAAAAH!"

The ones who wore the skins of monsters and spoke human words poured out.

***

The sensation of life and death was always sharp. It had always preceded everything. Perhaps that's why he wondered if he was not simple, because he had never lived a complex life. 

Kill. Slash. Kill. Slash.

Isn't it simple?

In the face of danger, time slows down. Everything becomes clearer, and only the enemies and he remain. So it felt like he lived longer than others. A day is not just a day, a month is not just a month, a year is not just a year, but an endlessly long stretch of time.

Splash!

Mud splattered everywhere. Throwing off his shirt, which clung to his skin like a rag and served no purpose but to hinder him, he swung his sword. The monster, slashed open, burst and the air was displaced. The wind rushing against his skin felt refreshing, and for a moment, Leovald felt an unexpected sense of coolness. Though that wind felt like the final breath of something that had met a tragic end… so what?

As he said, he was simple.

Swoosh!

With a graceful arc drawn by the sword held in reverse grip, Leovald brushed his wet hair back. His limbs ached, and it felt as if they might fall off at any moment. But the pain reminded him that he was alive.

In a situation where he might die at any moment, his body suppressed pain and fear to pursue efficiency, forcing excitement and pleasure to surge within him. So he could shudder at the act of cutting flesh. To move more actively, to rampage fearlessly. To survive.

Hmm.

There were creaking parts in his body like rusted armour due to his injuries, and it was bothersome.

Oh.

Just now, he should have quickly moved back, but his ankle wouldn't cooperate. He absentmindedly stared at the approaching hooves of the monster that was charging to stomp him down. 

In that moment, a bright blue light flickered in the darkness. Navigating the rugged mountains filled with numerous obstacles, the hooves of this beast, resembling a buffalo, were solid enough to bear its immense weight, yet they also sank deep into the ground. That soft part was pierced cleanly by a lead arrow.

He could draw back his body upon witnessing the monster's anguished cry, its body stiffening mid-air from the poison coating the arrow tip. It was an unfamiliar sensation.

It imitated humans and deceived people, causing knights like him to fight separately, each suspecting the others. Being near one another only increased the likelihood of friendly fire.

"Are you okay?"

But now, there was one person by his side he didn't have to doubt—his guide, who was advancing straight toward him through the raging storm.

As Leovald lightly nodded in response, the dying monster at his feet cried out.

"Why! Why do you reject us? You are similar to us. If you join us, you can become stronger!"

The creature, about to collapse and turn to ash, crawled towards the man, muttering. Leovald shook off his sword and looked down at the monster.

"You are an outsider too! Are you not?"

A crude monster mixed with humans and abominations. It clawed at the ground in desperation and shouted.

"Wandering the earth without a name—humble, nameless one!"

He felt the man behind him flinch in surprise.

"Why is it only you—when we are all not from this land? What makes you better than us? It's unfair! Ah, I want to eat, I want to eat! If we become a multitude and consume everything else—we could become greater!"

The monster, slowly turning to ash, persisted in its whispering, just as it had always sown doubt among people, planting the seeds of discord.

"No matter how hard you struggle—until the day you die, you will remain nameless. Even we, who evolved and finally secured our place, ended up like this."

At those words, Leovald fell into thought.

'Similar? Not from this land… so nameless?' 

Really, there's nothing ordinary about it.

'...'

But what of it? He was simple-minded.

It was prepared for him.

Therefore, it was his.

Dragging the sword's blade along the ground, Leovald approached and positioned the sword vertically to create a guillotine-like stance. In battle, one earns the right to judge their opponent solely through the disparity of strength, without notions of right or wrong. He had always been the judge.

"Don't think you can challenge me. Just get lost."

As a cold raindrop fell from his tousled hair, thud! Leovald pressed down with all his weight, and the monster disintegrated into ashes.

"Whew."

Sensing the remaining remnants hesitating in the distance, he turned to look back. The man's face was ashen with fear.