SCT-Novel Chapter 33: First Practice
Chapter 33: First Practice
Chapter 33: First Practice
Ms. Merilyn.
After a long silence, my mouth opened again.
Perhaps I had fallen asleep.
The sunlight that had been shining on the forest path was now a sunset, dyeing the world in shades of red and black.
Ms. Merilyn, why do you travel?
Thats my job.
Merilyn answered as if she had been waiting, despite the lengthy pause.
Even with my head resting on her lap, she stroked my hair quietly, showing no sign of displeasure.
Her hand was as careful and dedicated as if she were playing an instrument.
At our first meeting, you introduced yourself as a jester, not a minstrel.
Her proclaimed mission surely involved more than just playing instruments.
I sensed it vaguely, even if I wasnt certain.
Her hesitance came through the tips of her fingers even as she attended to me.
Is there a reason you call yourself that?
I wondered if she, so devoted to her mission, should be so absorbed in someone else.
As if to soothe my unease,
Because I have someone to serve.
She took a moment before answering my question.
Then, she began to whisper to me in a low voice.
If its about the person I serve
They are someone to whom Ive sworn sincere allegiance. They lifted me, a mere common beggar, into the world and showed me the glory that lies at its end.
This person had given more time and heart to her than I, who had directly said she was special.
The weight of her heart for that person was as heavy as the lifetime she had dedicated.
They must have provided her with the reason to journey through this harsh world.
They were someone who could achieve what none of us following them could. Thats why I swore allegiance to them. I hold the expectation that they will accomplish in my lifetime what I cannot, even if it costs my life.
Life, dignity, and the effort and passion invested in life
But why did her voice tremble, even as she claimed it was true?
But perhaps they too were intoxicated with glory for too long?
Slowly.
The touch of her hand began to lose strength.
Then, she let my hand drop to the floor, turning her head away to look outside the carriage.
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Lost their smile, you say?
I wanted to make them smile again. Thats why I left their side and wandered the world.
With the stories she had collected
And if even those werent enough, she fabricated tales just to bring a smile to their faces.
But Ive come to realize on my travels that if its a problem a humble jester like me can solve, then anyone who serves them could
How much her heart must have twisted, repeating this endless journey over and over.
I could feel, through her mutterings at this moment, how much she had buried behind that laughter.
Why she regarded me as special from a single days meeting and why she leaned on me even now.
So, perhaps I feel more drawn to meeting you.
Yes, it was only the beginning, but I could still hold on to some hope.
Being with you, I hope that a thirst no longer quenched by loyalty might be satisfied
Clatter, clatter.
The sound of wheels meshing broke the silence.
As I listened to that, I realized I had made one misjudgment.
Yes, it was just a memory.
But in such a shattered world of memories, if even one pillar that would never collapse appeared, wouldnt that in itself be hope?
Ms. Merilyn.
If only I, with my abilities, could satisfy her in this world.
And more so, if my fate, destined to die in the future, could be extended through her hands
If its alright, even after this mission
Then, using the momentum of my landing, I moved forward again.
Thunk!
The moment my hand felt the spearhead pierce the monsters shoulder with precision, I twisted the spear and swung it upward with vigor.
Crack!
The monsters arm was severed and fell away, falling against my thrust.
Seizing its destabilized balance, I swung the spear tip powerfully, aiming for the monsters head.
Though its body was hard, I didnt hesitate in my attack.
The weapon I wielded was made of Mithril, the most durable metal in this world.
Kwaaaak!
The monsters head shattered under the sharpness of my weapon.
Soon, only its headless corpse sprawled on the ground, but I couldnt afford to be intoxicated by this first victory.
After all, the carriage I rode in was at the center of the group, and the presence of monsters meant the entire group was in jeopardy.
Monsters on the flank! Gather here!
Im too busy shooting in front!
What the heck are the mages doing?!
Were charging our magic, so just shut up and hold on!
Rock monsters swarmed in from the front and flanks.
The adventurers blocking them worked to protect the evacuated merchants and exerted themselves to manage the threat.
Frontliners like shield bearers blocked their path, while close-range specialists like myself drew the enemies attacks.
Those who held dealer positions proved crucial in driving away enemies in such battles.
Kwaaak! Woosh!
When mages dispatched monsters with area attacks, those skilled in single-enemy combat, like archers or throwers, finished them off and cleaned up.
Despite their low rank, the adventurers assembled here seemed seasoned in combat, responding calmly to the monster attack and thinning their numbers.
Kwaaak!
But if the situation had been that easily resolved, I wouldnt have called this world a dark fantasy.
The adventurers faces turned to shock as they saw a massive shadow loom before them.
Damn it, what the hell is that?
Growl.
The creature that appeared with a howl was several times larger than anything I had faced before.
The rock fragments protruding from its body were so sharp they changed the light touching its body into a blue reflective glow, emphasizing its presence.
Not only did it tear through the forest trees, but it also crushed a carriage with its body, showcasing its might.
Shield bearers, guard the front, and the rest, fend off the ones coming from the sides!
Stop talking nonsense! How are we supposed to stop that monster?
Eek! If you wont block, move aside! Ill blast it away with my magic!
A combative mage stepped forward, pushing through the flustered vanguard.
He then gathered mana from the staff in his hand, beginning to form a giant sphere of electricity in front of him.
Die, you monster! Taste the full force of the deadly magic I learned by pouring in all my fortune!
Thunder! Rumble!
A beam of light struck the target area.
As the aftermath of the attack caused smoke to spread in all directions, the rear ranks, unable to bear the sudden action, grimaced and began to gather their strength.
That guys really crazy!
Damn it, lets just pour everything we have into this!
The moment they launched a barrage as if resigned to their fate, as all attacks concentrated on one point, and smoke spread, one adventurer, watching nervously, opened his mouth and murmured quietly.
Did we kill it?
Keung!
A huge body collapsed where the smoke cleared.
The body of the monster, which had previously been threatening, was now miserably shattered, only convulsing.
Anyone could see it was a corpse undergoing post-mortem rigidity.
We killed it!
Good! These things are weaker than we thought! Hard on the outside but totally hollow inside!
Sweep them all away!
The monsters ambush was resolved more easily than expected.