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Exactly five of them stood independently, while two women were securely held within Senior Delphine and Celine’s protective embrace.

Senior Delphine and Celine wore contented expressions, in stark contrast to the subtle hint of displeasure on the faces of the two being carried.

Ignoring the specifics, I focused on the task at hand. I shut my eyes and sharpened my senses to detect any movements around us. As soon as I sensed the flesh seeds moving even slightly farther away from us, I shouted.

“Run!”

As soon as my voice rang out, five pairs of footsteps dashed forward, trying to widen the distance as much as possible.

And that served as a signal.

From behind us, eerie screams echoed, and I sensed numerous flesh seeds clamoring vigorously up the pit.

However, judging from the fact that they kept slipping down and none had yet to climb up, they didn’t seem to be highly intelligent.

Right when I believed we had managed to increase the gap, one flesh seed scaled over its kin and successfully emerged from the pit..

Although I couldn’t see its eyes, I could feel it glaring in our direction.

Following a brief silence, it let out a fierce cry, the sound reverberating off the cavern walls as it pursued us.

It moved with terrifying speed. Even with our magically enhanced bodies, the distance between us visibly decreased with each passing second.

It was evident that it would inevitably catch up to us if we didn’t do anything, and given that Senior Delphine was currently carrying Senior Elsie, I was the only one capable of confronting it.

“I’ll hold it back, so keep running!”

The group hesitated, but at my insistence, their hesitant steps regained momentum.

It was then that the flesh seed launched its attack.

Its strike was just as ridiculously fast as its running pace, and a black liquid oozed from its long, protruding claws.

The nature of the dark fluid became apparent as the ground sizzled and dissolved upon contact with it.

“These bastards have acid venom!”

As a precaution, I shared the information with the party and then used my sword to block its claws.

Clang!

Sparks flew into the air, and venom oozed out of its talons.

The venom splattered through the air, and I had no intention of testing its potency.

My field of view widened as space in front of me contorted. I manipulated the surroundings, causing it to twist and warp.

Droplets of the venom followed distorted trajectories and narrowly missing me.

In a fluid motion, I cleaved one of the flesh seed’s arms off. It emitted a high-pitched wail, but by then, it was already too late.

A silver arc flashed across its neck.

The cut was impeccable. Bright crimson blood gushed out, tracing my blade’s flawless path..

The monster’s head tumbled across the floor.

I heaved a sigh of relief. Despite being a monster of myth, its strength was surprisingly underwhelming.

I was, after all, among the top third-year students at the Academy. Even when compared to knights, my abilities were considered exceptional. Even a monster that armies from the mythic age were reluctant to face stood no chance against me.

The instant I became conceited, I felt a grip suddenly tighten around my ankle.

Startled, my gaze snapped downward.

It was the severed arm of the flesh seed. Despite being cut off from the main body, it still possessed an eerie vitality that propelled it forward.

Fortunately, its blindness prevented it from striking with its claws. It would have been over right then and there if it had managed to touch me with its venom.

However, just because it hadn’t touched me with its venom didn’t mean that the danger had passed.

The flesh seed thrashed, attempting to strike me with its remaining arm. Gritting my teeth, I brought my blade down on the wrist clinging to my ankle.

In pain, the flesh seed’s hand released its grip on my ankle.

Swiftly retreating, I launched a series of sword strikes. Gradually, its limbs were severed until only a single leg remained.

Unable to maintain its balance, the flesh seed crumpled to the floor. But even then, it continued to wriggle and convulse, seemingly animated by murderous intent.

A chilling dread consumed me.

Yet, beyond that dread, I also felt a thrill. It was a peculiar exhilaration, an intense intuition that surged within.

Almost involuntarily, I aimed for its head.

Yet, the severed head continued to twitch as it struggled to reattach itself to its body. The movement was different from the random flailing of its limbs.

It seemed to be its core.

With that realization, I advanced and plunged my sword into its head.

Kiieeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!!!!

A gut-wrenching scream cut through the air. Slowly, its trembling form grew still.

It was over. The flesh seed was finally dead.

Now, all that remained was for me to leave and rejoin my party.

But just as I turned to leave, an inexplicable premonition settled heavily upon me..

My heart pounded within my chest, its rhythm reverberating in my ears.

Some primal instinct took hold of me, anchoring me in that spot.

In the end, I retraced my steps and knelt before the severed head of the flesh seed.

Its head bore multiple sword wounds, oozing blood and cerebrospinal fluid, but it was somehow still moving.

It wasn’t a vigorous movement, but rather, it emitted sounds akin to desperate pleas.

“……! ……!”

A muffled whimper emanated from the grotesque mass of flesh.

With trembling hands, I infused my blade with aura and cut into the fleshy head.

Dreadful memories intertwined as my heart raced and vague noises rang in my ears.

Much like the death throes of a monster, the noise created was pure chaos. Unable to pinpoint its origin, I could only endure while biting down my lips.

Eventually, my blade came to a stop, unveiling the hidden truth concealed underneath the flesh.

It was the face of a child, marred by unsightly veins.

Tears of blood streamed down the cheeks of their face, which wailed.

“K-Kill me… Kieeeeeek! P-Please kill me……!”

Each time the veins pulsed, a monstrous sound reverberated.

I froze on the spot.

My mind went blank as the pounding of my heart intensified.

Tuk!

Something within my mind snapped.

***

Minutes ticked by, yet there were no signs of Ian catching up.

Worried, the party decided to retrace their steps along the path they had taken.

Eventually, they stumbled upon the dismembered body of the monster, and relief flooded their faces.

As expected of Ian, he had defeated a mythic monster in such a brief span.

However, their relief was short-lived as they spotted Ian.

He knelt on the ground, gazing downward at something.

The atmosphere around him hung heavy and unsettling, causing everyone to pause before uttering a word.

An eerie tension gripped them as they approached Ian, their steps cautious and wary.

What they saw was so ghastly that the Saintess and Celine instinctively gasped and covered their gaping mouths with both hands as their eyes widened in horror.

Within the mass of flesh, a child’s face was revealed, eyes red and tears of blood streaming down.

“K-Kill me…….”

Puk!

The child’s tears ceased as a sickening crunch echoed from its head.

It was a hatchet. Ian rose to his feet after shattering the child’s skull.

A heavy silence hung in the air for a long while.

However, if they lingered where they were currently, the other flesh seeds were bound to catch up. As the one closest to Ian, Celine attempted to speak, but Ian cut her off.

“It’s already too late.”

His voice was tinged with an unfamiliar weariness, causing Celine to involuntarily shudder and step back.

Even so, Ian didn’t look back at his party.

He simply issued a command.

“Everyone, prepare for battle. There are about ten of them closing in.”

Eerie howls echoed from the distance. The noise grew more intense with every passing moment, and despite their trembling, everyone instinctively prepared for battle.

Securing his hatchet on his waist, Ian spoke through clenched teeth.

“…Today, we will kill all these cursed things.”

A brilliant silver aura burst forth as a flesh seed emerged from the darkness and lunged towards him.

This marked the prelude to their battle.