kscans

Chapter 194 - The Reversal

The battle against the two Lizardman Hunters and their troops was not going well.

"This is bad," I said, a cold sweat breaking out on my skin. "We can’t deal with their coordination."

Tina agreed. "I know. Individually, they’re no problem, but there are too many of them, and their teamwork is impeccable. To be honest, we’re in a pinch."

Initially, we had held our own against multiple Lizardmen. But the arrival of the Lizardman Hunters had turned the tables. Under their command, the Lizardmen were perfectly organized. Shield-bearers blocked our attacks, while others struck with their swords.

It was a disciplined movement, with each one having a specific role. It was tough. When you have to handle both offense and defense on your own, you inevitably leave openings. We had always exploited that. But with one dedicated to attacking and another to defending, there were no openings to be found.

"We should take out the Lizardman Hunters first," I said, clicking my tongue, "but we don’t have the time."

Just dealing with one high-rank monster takes time. It’s not like the others would just stand by and watch. That kind of thing only happens in anime and manga. Reality doesn’t work that way. Attack whenever there’s an opening—that’s the rule of the battlefield.

"I’ll try to separate them somehow," Tina proposed. "You take out the Lizardman Hunters in the meantime."

"That’s not going to work," I countered grimly. "They won’t give us time to cast any spells."

A moment ago, I had tried to wipe them out with fire magic. As I was gathering my power, three Lizardmen had charged me all at once. I had barely managed to fend them off. Tina had been busy with another Lizardman at the time and hadn’t seen it.

"Then I’ll be the decoy," she insisted. "You use your magic while I have their attention."

"Isn’t that my role?" I shot back, a strange sense of rivalry bubbling up. "This is my big moment to look cool."

Tina looked at me, slightly exasperated. "This is no time for that. Besides, you’ve already had plenty of moments to look cool."

So this is what it’s like… to be completely unaware of it yourself.

"But your ice would be better," I argued. "You could skewer them."

"Your fire would be more effective!" Tina retorted, her voice rising slightly.

Before I could say anything else, six Lizardmen charged us. We dodged instantly, splitting up to the left and right. I took on three, and Tina took on three. We were divided.

"This wasn’t the time to be arguing," I muttered. "This is the worst."

As long as we were together, the enemy had been cautious. But now that we were separated, they attacked with renewed vigor. Two sword-wielding Lizardmen came at me.

I dodged one’s horizontal swing, but the second one’s overhead strike came without a moment’s delay. I parried it with my sword, and as I was about to counterattack, the first one’s diagonal slash came at me. I had no choice but to retreat.

Seeing that the two of them were slightly off balance, I tried to close the distance, but a third Lizardman with a shield appeared out of nowhere and blocked my path. I unleashed a horizontal swing of my own, but it only left a small scratch on the shield.

My sword is made of Orichalcum. Even in its normal state, it can cut through iron like tofu. There was only one reason it didn’t cut through: the user’s skill was superior. He had timed his parry perfectly, deflecting my attack with minimal movement.

The previous sword-and-shield Lizardmen didn’t have that level of skill. But this one, with its dedicated role, felt much stronger. The two sword-wielders were the same—their movements and sword lines were sharper.

Tina was facing a similar assault from two others. She parried a left diagonal slash, but as she was about to counterattack, a thrust came from her side. She quickly blocked it with her sword and sidestepped to the left, like a shuttle run. If she had stayed put, she would have been hit by the first one’s attack. As she regained her footing, the two Lizardmen took up a thrusting stance and slowly separated to her left and right.

"This is not good…" Tina muttered, beads of sweat forming on her brow. The two of them had no openings, and if she tried to force an attack, the third one with the shield would block it. He was already watching her, shield at the ready.

Meanwhile, Alumi and her party were being pushed back by the Goblins and Lizardmen.

Shinsuke and his party were in a desperate situation. The Lizardman Hunters were certain of their victory.

Just then…

"""OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHH!!!"""

A roar that shook the very earth erupted.

Everyone on the battlefield turned to look.

Adventurers and soldiers were charging toward them.

"Charge!"

"Save them!"

"We won’t let them have their way anymore!"

The adventurers shouted as they ran.

The monsters, regaining their composure, turned to meet the new threat. Alumi and her party took advantage of the opening to retreat. A separate group of soldiers headed toward us. The Lizardmen hesitated, unsure whether to switch targets. I seized the opportunity and immediately broke away, heading toward Tina. The three Lizardmen with her were still stationary.

As I ran, I channeled my magic.

"Cheeeeeeeeeeest!"

With a horizontal swing, I bisected one of the sword-wielding Lizardmen.

Seeing the other Lizardman’s surprise, Tina shouted, "An opening!"

With a right diagonal slash, she cut it in two. The two Lizardmen were dead. We then stabbed the remaining shield-bearer from both sides.

A reversal upon a reversal.

"We managed to survive," I said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Guess it pays to be kind to people, no matter what."

Honestly, half the reason I help people is just on impulse. The other half is with the expectation that if I’m ever in trouble, they’ll return the favor. It’s a bit of a selfish way of thinking, but in a world where you can die at any moment, I like to have some insurance. I’ve never helped people like this back on Earth. Why? Because it only brings you trouble.

For example, if you help an old person who has fallen and dropped their belongings, it’s not uncommon to be accused of trying to steal from them. Knowing this, no one helps unless it’s a life-threatening situation. Your own life could be ruined. It’s only in this world that you can help people without anyone complaining. They just express their gratitude.

Tina smiled. "Heh. If you had said that to the me from before I went to Earth, I would have wondered what you were talking about. But now, I understand how you feel."

It was as if she could see right through me.

"Alright, that’s enough talk," I said. "They’ve turned their attention to us."

I was looking at the two Lizardman Hunters. They had compared us to the newly arrived adventurers and judged us to be the greater threat.

Tina readied her stance. "Convenient. We’re about the only ones who can take on two high-rank opponents."

I did the same. The two Lizardman Hunters also raised their sword and spear. We watched each other, slowly circling apart. Tina took on the spear-wielder, and I took on the swordsman.

We were now at a distance where we could fight to our fullest. The four of us stood in silence.

Then, we charged at the same time.

Alumi and her party had been saved by the arriving adventurers.

A soldier said, "I’m glad you’re safe. Leave this to us. Please fall back."

To this, Alumi replied, "N-no way. I can still fight."

Her ragged breath told the whole story, but she tried to put on a brave face. Dord said, "Leader, it’s no use. Loose’s right arm is badly injured, and she can’t swing her weapon. Mimi’s leg is hurt. And I’m out of magic."

She calmly reported the party’s condition.

Alumi looked at her three companions. Loose was clutching her injured arm, her face contorted in pain. Mimi was trying to act cheerful, but it was clear she was forcing it. Dord had no visible injuries, but she was sitting on the ground, with no energy to stand up. Alumi herself had cuts all over her body, with particularly serious wounds on her left arm and right side.

"Alright," Alumi said. "I’ll retreat. But… can you help me carry these three? I can’t do it alone."

She was asking for help.

"Leave it to us," the soldier said. He and another soldier helped carry the three injured members back to the base.