Chapter 7 - Female Monster of Gorgon (II)

(Altair POV)

Medusa Alter raised her foot and pressed it against my chest, pushing me away with a kick. The impact didn't cause any damage, but the force of the movement propelled her backward, toward the group of girls.

"Mash!" I shouted, running toward her.

"I'm already in position, Altair-senpai." Mash stepped forward, swinging her shield toward Medusa, who only smiled disdainfully.

She raised her slender arm, pressing her palm against the shield and using the momentum to launch herself upward, surpassing Mash's defense.

While airborne, Medusa spun her body, locking her gaze on Olga, who instantly froze. Her muscles stiffened, her lips wouldn't move, and she couldn't even blink under the effect of the Gorgon's glare.

With a sadistic smile, still midair, Medusa swung her scythe toward Olga's neck, not giving Mash time to react.

Olga's eyes widened, terror painted across her face as the blade descended, reflected in her dilated pupils. Sweat streamed down her forehead, and the certainty of death enveloped her like a veil. But…

"Olga!" I screamed, causing the Monkey King's Robe on my body to unravel into black threads.

Instantly, the threads slid down my arm, raced past everyone, and wrapped around Olga. In a flash, the fabric materialized into a black jacket with a yellow cape, adorned with a dragon engraving.

The moment the robe materialized, the scythe's blade struck Olga, but it failed to penetrate her defense.

"Tch!" Medusa clicked her tongue in frustration.

"Don't abandon our encounter!" I lunged at her, unleashing a rapid kick toward her torso.

She spun, blocking with her arm, but was still hurled to the ground, rolling a few meters before stopping.

Meanwhile, I landed next to Olga, who was breathing heavily, cold sweat streaming down her skin.

The petrification had worn off, but the girl still trembled, pure fear etched across her face. Her hands clung tightly to the Monkey King's Robe as if seeking refuge.

I placed a hand on her head. "Hey, I told you—it's going to be okay."

At my words, her trembling ceased. She gazed at me with slightly moist eyes, while I offered her a gentle smile.

For now, that was all I could do. Keeping that smile, I walked toward Medusa, leaving the Monkey King's Robe with Olga.

I'd lose the attribute bonuses, but at that moment, she needed it more than I did.

Not for defense, but for comfort.

As I thought that, Medusa raised her arm, planted her feet, and stabbed the tip of her scythe into the ground. She lifted her head, showing a mischievous smile.

"You people are…"

Before she could finish, a gunshot rang out. A beam of light tore through the sky, obliterating her left arm in the blink of an eye.

"Didn't I already say? Your voice grates on me," said Nobunaga, looking down with an unnatural smile on her lips.

A grimace of pain flickered across Medusa's face, quickly replaced by her usual sadistic expression.

"Oh my, it seems like I'm at a disadvantage," Medusa laughed, unfazed by the loss of her arm.

Watching that unfold, I couldn't help but feel a growing discomfort.

It was two against one; however, I viewed it, she was at a disadvantage. Even though this was the Alter version of Medusa, I felt her Rider form was much stronger. It was like she'd had a downgrade in this form. At least, that's how it felt to me.

Of course, I could be wrong, but either way, I didn't like how things were playing out.

With that thought, I looked up at Nobunaga, who was floating on her rifle.

"Nobunaga, leave her to me," I said, pointing at Medusa, making my Servant frown.

Even Medusa seemed surprised by my decision.

"You want to face her alone?" Nobunaga asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," I nodded.

Our gazes locked, and we stood in absolute silence, staring deeply into the blood-red depths of each other's eyes. However, the first to break the silence was my Servant.

"Alright," she said, sitting atop her rifle. "But I won't help in this fight, even if your life is in danger." She rested her hands on her knees, keeping her eyes on me.

"Thanks, Nobunaga. That's perfect," I gave her a thumbs-up, making her roll her eyes.

Medusa Alter stood up. "You're strange," she said, tilting her head with a light smile. "Why put yourself at a disadvantage?"

"No particular reason. I just want it this way," I replied, stretching my legs. "To be honest, I don't dislike you… maybe that's it."

"Oh!" She raised her eyebrows. "That's unexpected. Don't tell me you've got a soft spot for monster girls."

I smiled, stretching. "Please, I don't think you're a monster at all. From my perspective, that shrew called Athena was the true monster." Her beautiful topaz eyes widened slightly at my words. "Besides, two Servants ganging up on one with no chance to win doesn't sit right with me, even if I'm not exactly a Servant." Alright, maybe that last part was just an excuse. Honestly, I just wanted to fight her myself—but the first part was completely true: I really thought Athena was a hag.

"A chivalrous man," she purred, her voice dripping with allure. "Yet in truth, I am a monster." Medusa's lips curled into a smile as she licked them, her eyes glinting with savage bloodlust. "If I was monstrous before, now, tainted and blackened by the Holy Grail's mire, I am nothing less than a terrifying beast, consumed by an insatiable thirst for blood."

"Seriously? Terrifying beast? That word doesn't suit you. Your beauty is literally worthy of a goddess. No matter how I look at it, I don't think you're a monster," I said sincerely.

My words softened her expression for a fleeting moment, faintly echoing the Rider Medusa I once knew, but her sadistic smile soon resurfaced.

"Boy... right now, I'm fighting every instinct not to devour you," she murmured, lowering her body as she raised her scythe. Her eyes gleamed with an eerie light. "... What's your name?"

"Altair Miller," I answered, flexing my legs.

"I promise that whether I feast on your blood and flesh, or you kill me, I'll at least remember your name," she said with a twisted smile. Without another word, she lunged.

She was incredibly fast, dashing forward in rapid, flickering blurs. Without hesitation, I activated the [Eyes of Fire and Gold], allowing me to perfectly track her movements—compensating for the lack of the Monkey King's Robe.

Through my [Eyes of Fire and Gold], which discern evil, I saw her form warped by darkness.

In a split second, she appeared inches from me, twisting her hips and swinging the scythe.

Seeing the blade coming, I ducked, letting it pass over me. I spun, planted my hand on the ground, and kicked.

Medusa smiled, pulling the scythe back and blocking it with its shaft. She pushed me away and quickly crouched, sweeping her leg. Before it connected, I jumped up, spinning and launching a kick… but chains caught my feet.

Her light-pink hair morphed into snakes, which then transformed into chains. The rest of her hair followed suit, slithering across the graveyard. Within seconds, the entire place was covered in a web of interwoven restraints.

"Tch," I clicked my tongue, planting a foot on the chains and leaping back.

Upon landing, I looked around. The area was completely taken over by the chains.

I raised a finger, scratching my ear.

These chains didn't just give her an advantage—they created a huge disadvantage for me by restricting my movement.

But… why was I smiling?

A grin crept across my face before I could stop it.

I'd clearly put myself at a disadvantage—giving up numerical superiority and the Monkey King's Robe.

Now, even the terrain advantage was completely hers.

And yet, I felt a thrill and happiness I couldn't explain. There was no doubt—Sun Wukong's lingering personality was pretty problematic.

"Hey! Hey! You're smiling," Medusa crouched on one of the chains, watching me with interest.

"Of course. I'm happy," I replied, unable to hide the smile.

"Hahaha! I like you more and more. Just the thought of devouring your body is almost orgasmic," she said with a deranged smile.

"Appreciated. I'll take that as a compliment." I nodded, making her grin widen.

"For making my heart throb so sweetly… I'll give you a warning." She raised the scythe, pointing at Olga. "If I were you, I'd take the robe back. You'll want to avoid any cut from Harpe."

"Harpe?" I tilted my head.

"Yes, the scythe in my hand is, ironically, the very blade that severed my head," she said, looking at Harpe with a wistful glint in her eyes. "This scythe is described as a Holy Sword that slays monsters. It negates immortality and inflicts wounds that can't be healed. I'd say this scythe is bad news for you, wouldn't you agree?" She pointed the blade at me, smiling.

So that's why I felt a natural sense of danger coming from her.

Now, that ominous feeling made sense.

"Yeah… that scythe's going to be a real pain," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck.

"Isn't it?" she grinned, showing all her teeth. "So, go get your robe back."

She was right. With the Monkey King's Robe, I wouldn't have to worry about deep cuts—if the scythe could even pierce it. Her words made perfect sense, but...

"I refuse." I crossed my arms.

"What?"

"Right now, she needs it more than I do," I pointed to Olga, who clung to the Mantle like a lifeline.

"Boy…" She blinked slowly. "The more I hear you, the less I mind dying by your hands—but it's a shame that my desire to feast on your blood is stronger."

"No need to hold back. I'm right here."

At my words, she gave a twisted smile, then exploded in speed, darting along the chains like a shadow.

••• ••• •••

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