His remaining weapons were his hatchet and the whip. He held them down so that they would not be taken, and tried to jump back.
“Don’t look away!”
The thin man was suddenly behind him, and he threw his knife. Sheto dodged it and struck with his whip, knocking the others out of the air. Some of them hit the big man in armor, causing sparks to spread.
“It’s fine if they hit me, but having knives fly towards you is scary.”
“You have to do this much, or there won’t be an opening with him.”
The armored man and thin man joked as Sheto stood between them. Poro and the woman then stood to his right and left.
In just a short amount of time, the situation became overwhelmingly to his disadvantage.
He had lost his bow while being attacked in the forest, and the magician had thrown his quiver into the river. The only way he could fight without getting too close, was to use his whip.
“Now, how about we take that whip away next?”
The magician raised his staff while hiding behind the big man.
He could use break arts to defend himself, but having it cover him continually would be a burden. Not only that, but if he was caught off guard again, they might take away his hatchet next.
“Wait a moment. Let me do it now.”
Poro walked forward while holding his sword.
“We are not here to play. I hope you remember that.”
“Aye. Still, this is just a skirmish before the demon general.”
As if to end the conversation, the top of the sword flew upwards. Sheto bent backwards as it grazed his chin. Then Poro stepped forward, and the sword came down again.
As Sheto flew back, there was a flash of silver light, and Poro looked surprised.
“I see. You are Hero, after all. And can move better than most.”
“Of course, it can. There is probably some kind of protection.”
If he was being honest, he had not expected to be able to dodge it.
It must be the training he had with Berganda and the other soldiers during these past two months. He was naturally able to judge the range of weapons.
“But we better crush this one. Or we’ll never be able to take the demon general!”
Poro shouted happily and moved so fast that it looked like he was flying.
A sharp slash towards the right shoulder. Sheto leaned back to dodge it. The tip scratched the hand that held his whip, and blood sprayed. The blade returned with a side sweep, making a shallow cut in his arm.
“Ah! What’s the matter? Only dodging now!?”
The blade swung down, cutting open his thigh, and a sharp thrust carved his shoulder. Even when he lashed back with his whip, Poro easily swept it to the side.
“Tsk.”
“What? Aren’t you going to try to tangle it around my sword?”
He snapped his wrist and swung for the wrist. Sparks flew as blade and mithril thorns struck violently. As the whip rebounded, Sheto slammed down again. But Poro knocked it down without much effort.
Sheto twisted his body and struck with his whip in every direction.
But Poro dodged and blocked every time.
“Damn!”
“What’s the matter!”
After that, he was not only countering, but chipping away at Sheto as well.
His body was riddled with cuts, and his fur drenched in blood.
“…Do you see this as gaining experience points, Poro?”
The woman said with exasperation, and Poro stopped.
“Our mission is to exterminate it. You can get points some other time.”
“I know. But with him, just a little sparring results in quite a lot…”
Before he could finish, a lighthearted melody chimed from his neck.
“See? My level went up again.”
“Really…you are so…”
They were speaking so casually. The others were also calm, seeing how much Sheto was at a disadvantage.
While Sheto could feel his body heeling when cut, the fatigue would continue to grow. His breathing was also becoming coarse.
“Besides, we have some unfinished business.”
Poro said he turned to Sheto.
Thank you again.