Got a Gallery in the Wild — Chapter 53: Night Raid (2)

Chapter 53: Night Raid (2)

If‌ I was careless,‍ I was. If‍ I was naive,‍ that too.

That‍‌ was the thought‌ that crossed my‍ mind as I faced those golden⁠ eyes shining in‌ the darkness.

Night⁠⁠⁠ is the most dangerous time in⁠ the forest.

When‍ all light disappears‌‍ and only darkness remains.

Even so, I had‌⁠ a certain advantage‌‍ I could see⁠ a little in⁠ the dark.

I didn’t know why.‌

But‍‍‌ at this moment,‌⁠‍ I could only‌ curse that ability.⁠

‘Damn‍‍‌ it… how big‍ is that…?!’

A pair of eyes⁠‍ shining sinisterly in the darkness.

I could clearly see‍ the owner of those eyes.

In‌⁠ general, it looked⁠⁠ like a tiger,‌ but with long‌ fangs protruding from‌‌⁠ its mouth.

And⁠ the most terrifying‌⁠ thing was its‍‍ size.

Its eyes were visible⁠ above the barricade‌ in front of‍‍ me.

And‌‌ that barricade, by‍‍ the way, is‌ taller than me.⁠

That‌ means it easily‌ measures more than⁠‌ 2 meters.

‘A⁠ quadruped animal taller⁠‍⁠ than me at‍ eye level…?’

It’s‌⁠ absurd.

But⁠ of course, this‍ is the Forest‌ of Four Seasons.‍‌

Despair‍⁠ began to overwhelm‌‍ me, but an‍⁠ instinct pushed it‍‌‌ back.

Survival⁠‍ instinct.

I gripped my sword⁠⁠ and shield tightly.

“Grrr…”

The tiger, as if‍ reading my intention,‌ let out a threat.

It‍‍ was just a warning, but I felt my legs⁠ go numb and‍‍ my body tense‌ up.

Good‍ thing I was‍ mentally prepared.

If‌ I had encountered‌ it suddenly, I would have fainted.

“Fuu…‍ fuu… fuu…”

I controlled my breathing‍ on purpose.

The‌‌‍ pressure was so‌‍ brutal that if‌⁠⁠ I didn’t focus,‍ I couldn’t even‍‍ breathe.

Could‍‌‌ I really win⁠ against that monster?⁠

It⁠ looked much stronger⁠‌ than the owlbear‌⁠‍ mother.

‘Could‍⁠‌ it be that⁠ the owlbear moved‌‍‌ because of this‍‍ guy?’

Probably.

If‌ it had just⁠⁠ been reconnaissance, she wouldn’t have brought‍‍ Wonmo.

This guy is basically‍‍‍ a thug.

One‌‌ that kills you‍‍⁠ as soon as it finds you.‌‍

I wanted to run‍⁠ away, but I forced myself to⁠‍ stay.

‘If‌⁠ I run, it’s‍ even more dangerous.’⁠

Wonmo⁠⁠ is still inside⁠ sleeping, and there’s‍ still a long‌‍ time until dawn.⁠⁠⁠

Running‌‌ changes nothing.

‘It’s‍ best if it retreats…’

Predatory‍‍ hunters tend to‌‌ be cautious.

If⁠⁠ they get injured,⁠⁠ they lose their‍‍‌ ability to hunt⁠‍ and starve to⁠‌ death.

That’s‍ why, if they‌⁠‍ sense danger, they‍ usually retreat.

The problem is that‌‍ here, that was⁠‍ unlikely.

Look at the size‌ difference.

Just⁠⁠ the height of⁠⁠ its eyes already⁠⁠ exceeds my head.‍‌‌

I am literally a bite.

The⁠‌ only thing I could do was—‍⁠‍

Shhhhhh—‌

Release‌ aura into the sword and shield.⁠

Even‍ in the darkness,‌ a blue mist‍⁠ began to emerge.

Like a hedgehog raising‌‌ its quills.

“If⁠ you want to hunt me, be⁠ prepared.”

The⁠⁠⁠ tiger sensed that‌‌⁠ I wasn’t easy⁠ prey and didn’t‍ attack immediately.

It‌ stayed circling outside the barricade.

‘Good‍⁠ thing I built‌‍ it…’

Without‌ it, it would‍‍‌ already be on⁠‍ top of me.⁠

Even‍ if it attacks,‌⁠ it has to jump over it,‌‌⁠ which gives a small delay before reaching me.

‘Go⁠ away… please, go⁠⁠‍ away…’

I repeated it in⁠ my mind over⁠ and over again.⁠‍

But‍‍ the tiger kept‌‍ prowling.

Cold‍‍ sweat ran down⁠⁠ my face, and‌ my hands were⁠‍ soaked.

Time‍ passed that felt‌⁠‌ eternal.

“Grrr…”⁠

The⁠ tiger stopped abruptly‌ and began to⁠ back away slowly.‍‍

For⁠‍‍ a moment I thought it was⁠ leaving but something‌‌ didn’t add up.

‘When⁠‌⁠ they leave… don’t‍ they turn their bodies?’

But‍⁠ this one didn’t.⁠‌⁠

It⁠⁠ only moved backward.‌‌

As‍ if gathering momentum‍ to jump the⁠ barricade.

“Ah.”‍‌

Just‌ as I thought—

Tap!‍‍

The tiger ran and‍ jumped over the‍ barricade effortlessly.

A nimble and fluid‍ leap, improper for‌ its size.

It‍⁠‌ landed right in‌ front of me⁠ radiating absolute pressure,‍ like a true⁠ king of the mountain.

“GRAAAH!”‍

It‍‍ opened its jaws and lunged at⁠ me.

Was‌‌ it the pressure‌⁠‍ it emitted?

Or‌⁠⁠ the real terror‍‌ of dying?

At‌‍ that instant my‌ breathing stopped.

My‍‌ body wouldn’t move.‌⁠

‘Move.’⁠

I had to move.⁠‌

But‍ I couldn’t.

‘Move.’‌‍

I kept ordering myself.

But‌‍⁠ my body ignored‌ my mind.

The‍‌ enormous mouth, capable of crushing my head in one bite was already⁠⁠‍ in front of me.

If‍⁠ this continues, my‍ head will end‌‌‌ up inside that‍ mouth.

And⁠‌‍ then?

Can a body without‍⁠ a head move?

Tug!‌

“Ghk!”‍⁠

At⁠ that moment, someone‌ pulled my clothes.⁠⁠

My‌ balance shifted backward,‌ and my body moved by force.‍

Snap!‌

It⁠⁠‍ was a matter⁠‌ of an instant.‌

The tiger’s mouth closed‍‌ in the air.⁠‌⁠

A little later and‌⁠ it would have⁠ been my head.‌‌

Thud!⁠‌

“Ugh!”⁠

I fell on my‌‍⁠ backside and regained⁠ sensation in my‌‌ body.

I even bit my‌‌ tongue when I fell.

Pain ran through my entire body.

“GRAAAH!”‌

The‍‍ tiger’s roar pierced⁠ my ears.

I looked up immediately.‌

Normally,‍‍ it would have‍ continued attacking but‍‌ it didn’t.

On⁠‌‌ the contrary.

It‌ was shaking its‍ head as if‌‍ in pain.

I didn’t understand what‍ was happening.

But⁠⁠ this was an‍⁠ opportunity.

I quickly got up‍‌ and took a stance.

Thanks⁠ to that, I could see why‍ the tiger was suffering.

Shhk!⁠‍ Shhk!

It was the sloth.‌‍

The⁠‌ sloth had latched⁠⁠ onto the tiger’s⁠ face and was tearing at it‌ with his claws.

The⁠‌ tiger swung its‌ front paws to⁠⁠ shake him off,⁠ but who was⁠ the sloth?

A guy with visual⁠‍‌ acuity and reflexes‍ sharp enough to⁠ even catch arrows in midair.

Not⁠ even a tiger⁠‍ could remove him⁠ easily.

Whoosh—‍‌‍

But the difference in⁠ size was impossible‌ to overcome.

The‌ tiger shook its‌‍⁠ head violently and‍⁠‍ the sloth was‌ flung away.

Fortunately,⁠ he flew toward‌‌ my side, so‍ I was able⁠ to catch him‌ without trouble.

Well,⁠‍‍ “catch” is saying⁠ too much I just adjusted my⁠ position so he‌ could climb back‌⁠ onto my back.‌

‘So‌‌ he was the‌‍ one who pulled me.’

Now⁠ I understood who⁠⁠‍ had tugged my‌‍ clothes.

The⁠‍ sloth had saved⁠‌ my life.

I felt grateful for‍ a moment and⁠ then looked back‌⁠ at the tiger.⁠‍‍

It‍ had scratches on⁠⁠⁠ its face, but‍‍ they were superficial.⁠‍

‘Yeah…‍ I can’t die‌‌⁠ here.’

I clicked my tongue.‌

When⁠‌⁠ I fell, I had bitten it,⁠‍ and the taste⁠‍ of blood filled‍ my mouth.

That⁠‍‍ taste awakened my‌ body and mind.⁠‌

I wasn’t going to freeze anymore.

“GRAAAH!”⁠

The⁠ tiger, staring at us, opened its‌ mouth again and‌ lunged.

Until‌ a moment ago‍ I was trembling‍‍ with fear but⁠‌ not anymore.

I forced myself to‌‍ think coldly and‍ move calmly.

‘I‍⁠ can’t let it‌ bite me. If⁠‌⁠ it bites me,‌‍ it’s at least‍ a serious wound.’‌

Just‌‍ looking at those‍‍‍ fangs makes it clear.

And‌‌‍ the size difference⁠‌‍ is brutal.

If‌ it grabs me,‌‌ it’ll swallow me‌‍ in an instant.‍

I have to fight‌ as if a single hit means‌⁠‌ death.

Clack!‌

The‍⁠⁠ tiger’s jaws snapped‍ shut with a terrifying sound.

I moved to the⁠‌‌ right just before‍‍⁠ it pounced, so⁠⁠ I barely managed‍⁠ to dodge.

I didn’t forget for⁠⁠ even a second‌ Swordmaster’s advice never‍⁠ stay still, always⁠ keep your legs⁠‌ moving.

Just‍‌ like with the‍ giant crab, it‍⁠ seems it works⁠ against this tiger‌ too.

Thud!‌

“Ugh…!”‌‍

But‌ this is not⁠‍ like the crab.⁠

It’s‌ fast.

Just⁠‍ as I was about to counterattack,‌‌ it launched a heavy claw.

I barely managed to⁠ block with the‍‍ shield, but the impact was brutal.‍

‘Don’t‍ lose your breathing.‌⁠ Draw out all⁠ your strength.’

As‍‍‍ I thought that,⁠‍‌ the tiger lunged again with ferocity.⁠‌

The‍ size difference is⁠⁠⁠ so great that⁠ even its casual‍‌ blows are hell.⁠

Every time it brought⁠‍‌ its claw down⁠ from above, it‍‍‍ made me stagger.‍‍

Tap!‍

The‌⁠ only good thing‌‌ is that, when‌‌‌ I dodge to⁠‍ the sides, it⁠‌‌ leaves small openings.

Every time it opens⁠‌ its mouth to⁠‌ bite, the movement⁠‌ is large.

If‌ I dodge, opportunities‌⁠ appear.

Slash!‌

“GRAAAH!”‌

“Ah…”‌

Different sounds came out‌‍⁠ of our mouths.⁠‍

The‍‌⁠ tiger roared in‍‍ pain.

I let out a breath.

I managed to cut⁠⁠ it, but only‌‌ halfway.

Its‍‌ skin was far‍⁠‍ tougher than I imagined.

‘Not‍‌ even with the sword of HeavenlyDemon⁠ and aura?’

No‌⁠ wonder the owlbear‌⁠ mother fled with‍ Wonmo.

Even so, more than‍‌ half of its front leg was cut.

Its⁠⁠ combat ability should‍ have decreased.

If‍⁠ it keeps using⁠‍ that leg, it⁠ should end up⁠ tearing off.

“GRAAAH!”‍⁠

“?!”‍

But‍ something didn’t add‍⁠ up.

I had cut halfway‌‍‍ and it was‌ still moving?

I didn’t have time‍‌ to think. I raised the shield⁠‌ immediately.

Clang!⁠

“Kugh!”‌‍

The‍‌‍ impact was even‍ stronger than before.⁠‌

My‍ body was thrown‌‍⁠ backward.

At‍⁠ least I didn’t⁠‌ fall on my back.

The‌ sloth, hanging on‌⁠ my back, acted‌⁠ as a brake.‍⁠‌

“GRAAAH!”‌

“Aaah!”‌

The⁠ tiger didn’t stop.

I rolled on the‌ ground just before⁠‌ it crushed me.

The‌‌ sloth also escaped with his characteristic‌‍⁠ agility.

There‌‌ was no follow-up attack.

It⁠ seems it hesitated‍‍ over which of‍‌‍ us to attack‍‌⁠ first.

That⁠ small moment allowed‌ me to get⁠⁠ up and recover.‍⁠

‘This is absurd! Did‌‌ it regenerate?!’

I opened my eyes‌ wide and looked‌⁠ at its leg.‌

The‌‌ leg I had⁠⁠ cut was completely⁠‌ regenerated.

The⁠ same with the‍‍ sloth’s scratches.

All‍‍ clean.

It‌ was already incredibly‌‌ tough and on‌ top of that it regenerates?

No‌ wonder it didn’t retreat from the‌⁠ threat.

After‌‍‌ all, it could‍‍⁠ regenerate.

“What‌ a pain…”

“GRAAAH!”‌

As‌‌ I muttered that,⁠ the tiger lunged‍ again.

It‌ decided to kill⁠ me first, instead‍‌ of the sloth.‌‍⁠

Makes‍ sense.

But‍ I don’t plan‌ to die like‍ this.

‘When‌⁠‍ I get the‌‍‍ chance, I’ll cut⁠ with everything.’

Not‌ halfway.

Cut‌ completely.

No‍⁠ matter how good‍ its regeneration is,⁠⁠ a full amputation‌ should be hard‍ to recover from.

And‌ if it can‌ recover even from‌‍‍ that well, then⁠ it’ll be all‌ or nothing.

Thud!⁠

The⁠ tiger’s claw struck⁠ the golden shield.‍‌

Since‍ I was already‍ prepared, I only‌‌ stepped back a little.

But⁠⁠ blocking once means‌‍ nothing.

The‍ tiger was relentless.‌⁠

It‍⁠ didn’t retreat.

‘The⁠ barricade is behind.’⁠

Retreating‌ while defending, I ended up with⁠ my back against‍‍‍ the barricade.

The‍⁠‍ tiger saw it‌ as an opportunity⁠‌ and raised its‍ claw.

Now‍‌ it was my⁠ chance.

I watched the attack‍ until the very‌⁠‍ end.

And‍⁠⁠ just before the claw touched my‌⁠ body, I quickly turned to the‌‌ right.

Crack!‌ Crash!

The‍⁠‌ barricade made of‍ solid wood was‍ shattered to pieces.‌

If‍‍‌ that blow had‍⁠‌ landed directly on⁠⁠‍ me, my head‌ would have been⁠ crushed.

But‌⁠‍ what broke wasn’t⁠ me it was⁠‍‍ the barricade.

By⁠ taking the impact‌ instead of me,‌ even the tiger⁠ staggered a little.‍

“Uraaaah!”⁠‌⁠

I took the chance‍‍ to attack its‌⁠⁠ front leg with‍‌⁠ all my strength.‌

I poured mana into⁠ the sword of⁠‍‍ HeavenlyDemon.

It‌‌ was no longer‍ a simple wavering‍ aura it looked‍ like burning fire.⁠

With this, it was‍‍ enough.

Slash!‌

“GRAAAAH!”⁠⁠

And‍ the result was‍⁠‌ excellent.

The‍ tiger’s right front‌‍ leg was cut⁠‌ off.

Losing‌ one of the⁠ legs that supported‍ its enormous body,⁠ it was natural‌‍ that it would‍‍ lose its balance.‍‍

“GRAAAH!”‍

“?!”‌‌

But the tiger remained⁠‍‌ standing.

Despite‍⁠‌ having lost its‍⁠⁠ leg, it kept⁠ its balance and‍ opened its mouth‍ toward me.

It⁠⁠ caught me off‍‍⁠ guard.

It was too late⁠⁠ to dodge.

It‍⁠ was also too‍‌ late to block with the shield.‌

By instinct, I extended‍‍‌ the arm holding⁠ the shield forward.‌‍

Clang!‌

“Grrr?!”⁠

The golden shield ended‌⁠ up inside the⁠ tiger’s mouth.

It got stuck between‍⁠ its jaws.

The⁠‍ tiger, clearly confused,‌⁠ tried to spit it out, but‍ it seemed to‌‍ be firmly wedged,⁠ so it just‌‍ kept opening and⁠ closing its mouth‌ repeatedly.

‘Now!’‌‍

I let go of⁠ the shield and⁠⁠ grabbed the sword with both hands.‌

Without‌‌‍ hesitation, I stabbed⁠ it into its‌‍ neck.

Stab!⁠⁠

No‌⁠ matter how tough‍ its skin was,‍ a thrust was‌‍⁠ still effective.

The‍⁠‌ tiger let out‍ a roar of‌‍ pain although with⁠ the shield stuck‍⁠ in its mouth,‍‍⁠ it sounded strange.⁠

I took advantage of⁠ the moment and‌ twisted the sword‍⁠‌ embedded in its‍‍ neck.

Slaaash!⁠

The blade began to⁠ slowly cut through⁠‌‍ its neck.

Even‌ using both hands,⁠ it advanced with⁠‌ difficulty.

The⁠ combination of its‍‍⁠ regeneration and toughness‌‌ was so absurd‍ that even the sword of HeavenlyDemon‍⁠ with aura had‍ trouble cutting it.‌‌‍

“GRAAAH!”‍

“Aaah!”⁠

The‍‌ tiger, with its‌ only remaining front‌‍‌ leg, began tearing at me.

Its⁠⁠‍ claws were like blades, cutting my flesh.

Fortunately,‌ the uniform DemonPrincess‌ gave me reduced⁠⁠ the damage but⁠ even so, I could feel blood‍ running beneath my⁠ clothes.

It⁠⁠‌ was like chunks⁠‌‍ of flesh were⁠⁠ being ripped off⁠ me.

“Aaaaaaaaaaghh!”‍

Slaaash!⁠‍

Gathering‍ my last bit⁠‌ of strength, I moved the sword‌⁠ with both hands.

It⁠ was an unpleasant‌ sensation, like cutting⁠ through living flesh but my survival‌ came first.

Splurt!⁠‌

Blood‌ burst from the⁠ tiger’s neck like⁠‍⁠ a fountain.

Its⁠‍⁠ blood began to‌ cover me.

Now‍‌ it was a race against time.‍⁠

Who‌‍⁠ would die first?‌‌

The⁠⁠ tiger tearing me‌ apart or me decapitating it?

I clung to the⁠⁠ sword with the‌‍ intent of completely‌ cutting through its‌ neck.

Clank!‌

At‌ that moment, I heard a metallic⁠⁠ sound.

I turned my head⁠‍ without realizing it.‌‍‍

It‌‍⁠ was the golden‍ shield, completely deformed‍ after reaching its‌ limit.

That‍ meant one thing.⁠‍‌

The⁠‍ tiger had managed‍ to spit it⁠⁠‌ out.

“GRAAAAH!”

Crunch!⁠

With‍ its mouth free,‌‍ it could now‍‍ bite me without‌⁠⁠ obstruction.

I twisted my body‍ desperately.

“Aaaaah!”‌

It‌‌ hurt.

As‌ if lava had⁠ been poured into‍‍ the wound.

The‍‌ tiger had bitten‌ my shoulder.

Its‌⁠‍ fangs pierced my‍‍ flesh.

At least, by turning‍‌‍ my body, I avoided having my⁠⁠ head torn off.⁠⁠

“AAAH!⁠ AAAH!”

“Grrr…!!”

But‌ my right shoulder⁠ was completely destroyed.‍⁠⁠

Surely‍ even the bone⁠⁠⁠ was shattered.

Even‌‌ so, I couldn’t⁠⁠ give up.

I didn’t let go‌ of the sword.

Even⁠ though my right‌ shoulder was ruined,⁠ I still had‍ my left hand.⁠‍

‘Die…‍ please… die…’

I was cutting its‌ neck, blood was⁠‍ gushing out, and even so, it‍ kept enduring.

How⁠ much longer would‌‌ this last?

My‌⁠ consciousness was beginning‌ to fade.

And⁠ then something changed.‍

Stab!‍

“GRAAAAAH!”‌⁠

The⁠⁠ tiger suddenly lifted‌ its head.

As‍ it did, it‍‍ released my shoulder‌‌ from its jaws.⁠‍

I looked up.

Stab!‌ Stab!

It‌⁠ was the sloth.

The⁠ sloth was driving‍ its claws into‌⁠ the tiger’s eyes.‍

No⁠ matter how strong it was, if‍‍ its eyes were⁠‍‍ attacked, it couldn’t‌ ignore it.

And‌⁠ with only one‌ front leg, it‍ couldn’t remove him.‍‍‌

I regained my senses‌‌ at that instant.‌

I couldn’t let this‌‌ opportunity pass.

My‌ left hand still‍‌ held the sword.

‘This is it…!’

The⁠‍‍ tiger, already without‍‌ one leg and‌ with its balance‍ broken, was a perfect target.

“Aaaaaaah!”‌

I waited for the⁠⁠ moment it fell‌ rolling to the⁠‌ ground.

And⁠ I stabbed straight‌ between its eyes.⁠

It⁠⁠‌ was my best‍‍ option.

The⁠ sloth, understanding my intent, jumped away‍‍ just before the‌‍ strike.

The‌ tiger, busy trying‌⁠⁠ to recover from‍‌⁠ its damaged eyes,⁠‌ didn’t react in⁠⁠ time.

“Grrr…”‌

It‍‍ didn’t take long‍ for the tiger’s⁠⁠⁠ eyes to regenerate.‌‍

It‍‍ shook its head,‌ regaining its senses.‌

But‍ perhaps due to⁠‍ the large amount‌ of blood it‌ had lost its‌⁠ movements became much slower.

For⁠ me, it was‌‌⁠ a golden opportunity.⁠‍‌

Stab!‍⁠

The‌‍ sword of HeavenlyDemon‍ pierced precisely between⁠ its brows.

Under⁠‌ normal conditions it‌‌⁠ would have reacted⁠⁠ violently, but as I said it‌ was already exhausted.‌

Above‍‌⁠ all, it had‍⁠ lost too much⁠ blood, so it⁠‌ couldn’t even respond.‍⁠‌

Slaaash!

Without⁠‍‍ hesitation, I pulled‌ the sword upward.‍‍

The‌ blade emerged from⁠ the top of‍ its head, splitting‌ it in two.

No‌ matter how fast‍ its regeneration was,‍⁠ if the brain‌⁠ was destroyed, it⁠ had to die.‌

Tremble—‍‌‍ tremble—

The‌ tiger, with its‌ brain split in⁠⁠⁠ two, began convulsing.‌⁠‍

For‍⁠‍ a moment I thought what if it still regenerates?⁠‌⁠

I decided not to‍ take the risk‌ and turned it⁠ into a sieve.‌

Stab!‍ Stab! Stab!

I drove the sword⁠‌ into its face again and again.⁠⁠

The‌ tiger, even without‌‍ front legs, staggered⁠ trying to remain‌‌‍ standing and then—⁠⁠

Thud!⁠‌

It⁠ fell to the⁠ ground.

Because‌⁠⁠ of its size,‌⁠‌ the impact made⁠ the earth tremble.⁠

‘Not‌ yet… I have‍ to make sure…’⁠‌‍

It was a monster⁠ with regeneration.

It⁠‍ could pretend to‌⁠‌ be dead and⁠‌‍ revive.

Even in that state,‌ I moved the‌‌ sword.

The‍ first thing was⁠⁠‍ to decapitate it.⁠‍

If‍‌ I cut its‌‍ head off completely,⁠‌ I would feel‍⁠ safe.

Slaaash!⁠⁠‍ Crack! Rip!

While‌⁠ doing everything I could to separate‍ its head,

Thud—⁠

My‍‍ consciousness went out⁠⁠ right there.

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Chapter 53: Night Raid (2)

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