Extra in a Romance Fantasy - Chapter 133
133 – Legend (2)
“Armiannon… is that…?”
Someone muttered in a daze.
Their voice was thick with disbelief.
Such a reaction was only natural.
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Though the existence of Armiannon was well-known due to the hero’s legend, the lack of any tangible traces or remnants had led to ongoing debates about its authenticity even to this day.
A creature whose existence could not be confirmed, truly a monster from legend.
That was Armiannon.
Yet, this legendary monster had revealed itself before their very eyes.
It was impossible not to doubt what they were seeing.
Receiving countless bewildered gazes, Armiannon suddenly lifted its head towards the sky.
────────!!
It let out a roar.
A roar that could disturb the heavens and shake the mountains.
It couldn’t possibly be the real Armiannon.
It was merely a monster that resembled it in form.
Those who held such doubts had to erase that thought in an instant.
They realized.
The dragon before them was a creature that transcended imagination.
“Hahahahaha!”
Suddenly, a hearty laugh echoed through the air.
The owner of that laughter was none other than Baran.
Seeing Armiannon and the dazed onlookers, Baran burst into laughter, genuinely amused, and then, with a gentle smile, looked up at the sky.
“Great being! Thank you!”
It was not just a fabricated phrase; Baran’s voice was overflowing with gratitude and emotion directed towards ‘it.’
The entity that received this greeting—
───.
Smiled as if it were nothing significant.
Immediately, the overwhelming presence that had weighed down the world began to fade.
It was thanks to ‘its’ distance from the rift.
As a result, the people were finally able to escape the immense pressure, but that did not mean their expressions brightened.
No, they only grew darker.
Once the shock of facing Armianon wore off, they realized.
How utterly hopeless this situation was.
“Goodness, everyone looks so grim.”
Seeing them, Baran’s smile deepened.
“It seems my event isn’t quite to your liking. What a shame.”
Baran shook his head, as if genuinely disappointed.
It was an empty remark anyone could recognize.
“…Damn it! Everyone, pull yourselves together!”
Feeling the desperate atmosphere, the silver knight urgently shouted, channeling his magic.
“Why do you all look like it’s already over? Grab your weapons right now!”
Bloodfire chimed in.
A sense of urgency was etched on their faces.
They knew.
That this flow was anything but favorable.
Yet, even in their expressions, it was hard to find a glimmer of hope.
They couldn’t possibly be unaware.
That the odds were exceedingly slim.
If that monster truly was Armianon, facing it with this number of people was impossible.
Even if everyone present were in peak condition, it would not be easy.
However, the most crucial force—namely themselves—had sustained serious injuries from an unexpected ambush.
At that point, the odds were already low, and the obstacles ahead were not limited to just that.
Though it cannot be compared to Armianon, there was one more significant problem.
“Good. That attitude of not giving up.”
Clap, clap—
“Indeed, can we call them the Ten Blades? Their mental strength is on a different level than that of ordinary warriors.”
Balan, who seemed genuinely impressed enough to applaud, was glared at with murderous intent by the Silver Knight and Blood Flower.
Balan was, without a doubt, the second problem.
He, who possessed the skills of the Ten Blades.
It was already overwhelming to deal with just Armianon, and now a warrior of Ten Blades caliber was joining the fray.
It was a situation where hope seemed utterly elusive.
Thus, the expressions of the two were inevitably dark.
However.
“…I will definitely tear you apart myself.”
“…You will come to regret this.”
The two were members of the Ten Blades, the strongest in the continent, and seasoned warriors who had endured countless hardships to stand here.
Even in a desperate situation, they would never give up or hesitate.
Even if hope appeared faint, they had no intention of meekly offering their necks to die.
“I like that look in your eyes.”
Balan, instead of hardening his expression upon meeting their gaze, smiled as if satisfied.
“Well then… how about this?”
And with that, he waved his hand.
Suddenly.
Grrrr—
Grrrrr—
From all around the vast field, an unwelcome wailing began to echo.
Before long, something sluggishly emerged from the ground.
“What is that…?”
To those present, it was something all too familiar.
The grotesque forms of slime monsters revealed themselves, looking bizarre at just a glance.
There seemed to be so many that it felt as if they were filling the entire expanse of the field.
“…Insane.”
Someone spat out a curse.
It was a sight and a situation that left no room for anything but swearing.
The level of a slime monster isn’t particularly impressive.
For those gathered here, for those who have reached the end of the grave, it could be dealt with easily.
However, that’s only if it’s a one-on-one situation.
As the numbers increase, the hands inevitably become dizzy, and beyond a certain point, an unbearable moment arrives.
Yet, there appeared so many of those slime monsters that it was unimaginable how many there could be.
Let alone in a situation like this.
It was, in a sense, an act of punctuating a sentence.
Completing the word “despair.”
““…….””
Seeing that scene, everyone lost their will to fight.
Even the Silver Knight and the Blood Flower were no exceptions.
A deep pallor shadowed their faces.
“Well, there’s no need to ask for impressions on this event…”
As they reacted, Baran sneered once more.
“It seems you’re quite pleased─”
With a cheerful face, Baran continued speaking, but suddenly withdrew his body.
Whoosh!
And where Baran had just been, a wind reminiscent of a storm swept past.
“Oh dear, interrupting someone while they’re speaking, how rude of you.”
Baran’s gaze turned.
Toward the one who had made him move.
Toward the white-haired man exuding fierce energy.
“Shut up.”
Kahim said, firm and sharp.
“Stop babbling nonsense. No one cares about what you have to say.”
Kahim’s expression as he shot back was no different from usual.
“…Hmm.”
Seeing that expression, the smile that had graced Baran’s face faded slightly.
“You’re quite calm, aren’t you?”
“What?”
“I just thought it was remarkable how you can remain so composed in this desperate situation.”
Baran was curious.
How could Kahim maintain such calmness?
Baran observed.
It was clear that this was not a forced facade of composure.
And so, he questioned.
Where exactly did Kahim’s calmness stem from?
Fortunately, Baran’s question was soon answered.
“What does it matter?”
“…Excuse me?”
Kahim’s abrupt words cut through the air.
“What does it matter? The situation is desperate and all that, but nothing changes if you just stand there in a daze. Isn’t it better to think about how to resolve this situation instead?”
There was not a flicker of doubt in Kahim’s eyes as he spoke.
“…Indeed.”
Baran, who had been gazing at Kahim, nodded.
“That’s quite a strong will.”
With a tone that carried pure admiration, Baran praised Kahim.
“But… it’s unfortunate.”
Shaking his head as if in regret, Kahim replied.
“It’s impossible.”
Calmly, yet firmly.
Baran continued.
“To resolve this situation, to escape it… and to defeat me.”
Kahim was undoubtedly a martial artist of great skill.
He possessed the kind of ability that could earn him the title of a Ten Blades.
However, Baran was not merely at the level approaching the Ten Blades; he had reached a realm equal to them.
There was a wall between a martial artist who had attained the realm of Ideation and one who had not.
A wall so vast and towering that it was beyond the reach of even the boldest ascent.
A warrior who has not reached the realm of intent can never defeat a warrior who has.
Knowing this very well, Baran denied Kahim’s will.
But.
“I wonder whose tongue is so long.”
Kahim was not the slightest bit shaken by Baran’s words or demeanor.
Still calm.
Still confident.
He simply raised his fist.
“…Hmm. Should I call this brave, or foolish?”
Baran shook his head.
“Well, I understand. If that’s how you wish it, I’ll handle it myself.”
He tightened his grip on the sword.
Thus, the two warriors faced each other.
In that standoff, Kahim, who had been quietly glaring at his opponent, finally spoke.
“Since it has come to this, you can take care of that guy.”
The target of his words was not Baran.
It was the two warriors who had been silently observing their standoff, the Silver Knight and the Blood Flower.
Their gazes turned to Kahim.
To Kahim, who was raising his spirit, unwaveringly focused only on Baran.
Eventually.
“…Then I will leave it to you.”
“…I’ll count on you.”
The two turned their bodies.
The blood that had been flowing from their bodies had mostly stopped by now.
Thanks to the magic that had staunched the bleeding.
However, that did not mean they had fully recovered.
The bleeding had merely ceased; the fact that they were injured remained unchanged.
If it were simply a cut, it would not have been difficult to manage.
However, the wounds they bore were not mere injuries.
They were wounds imbued with the magic and intent of a warrior who had reached the realm of intent.
Of course, it was impossible to recover in such a short time.
Nevertheless, the two warriors continued to stretch their legs.
What lay within their line of sight was—
A colossal dragon.
The legendary beast, Armianon.
The foe they were to face was that monster.
If not for them, no one else could stand against that creature here.
Thus, they moved.
Thus, they entrusted Baran to Kahim, even knowing there was no chance of victory.
To break free from this situation, they had to confront that beast themselves.
And so, the Silver Knight and the Blood Flame began to advance toward Armianon.
Glimpsing the retreating backs of the two, Kahim turned his gaze back to where he stood.
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Toward Baran, who faced him.
“Alright, then let’s do this.”
Kahim slammed his fists together with force.
“I’ll finish this quickly.”
Baran readied his sword.
And then—
Boom!
The clash erupted.