Chapter 49
Troll.
The bastard child of the Giant tribe.
Or an existence called a failure.
God gave them strong vitality and brute strength, but took away their intelligence, leaving not even a handful behind.
Their extinction was a natural order.
However, on the abandoned cliff.
In the isolated abyss, their existence was still intact.
"Troll!? Are you talking about the bastard child of the giants who disappeared in the olden days?"
"You're looking at it right now."
Rumble!
Gruoaaaaah!
Swinging a massive club of unknown origin, it smashes all the obstructing rocks and advances.
"I didn't expect an existence I only saw in books to still actually exist."
Luteon, who was burning with fighting spirit, let out a hollow laugh at the massive appearance of the troll.
Of course, it was a natural reaction.
The bastard child of the Giant tribe that once reigned like gods.
The troll's power, having inherited their blood, bones, and flesh directly, was enough to shatter Mount Tai; its skin was as hard as steel, and its massive body exceeding seven meters exuded a majesty that was not of this world.
Its very existence was boundless violence to humans, and the apex predator of the food chain that made one lose their spirit like a mouse before a lion—that was the troll.
Crunch!
It violently found the Rugalu hidden in the pile of rocks, grabbed it in one swoop, and shoved it into its mouth.
-Kieeeee!!
It let out a pitiful scream, but soon crunch, crunch.
Along with the sound of bones and flesh being chewed, the Rugalu's scream quieted down.
In the place where the creature was, only the gruesome sound of some fluid dripping echoed through the valley.
At the emergence of a powerful predator, the pack of Rugalu that had been baring their teeth like wild dogs had long since scattered in all directions.
Naturally, the creature's yellow eyes ended up turning toward Luteon and Callius.
"Luteon. Do you know that?"
"What are you talking about in this situation?"
Just meeting the troll's pupils made his whole body stiffen like a mouse in front of a snake.
What could he be asking if he knows?
Luteon frowned and looked at Callius.
Then, Callius, without even a change in his complexion despite seeing the troll, calmly spouted nonsense.
"They say that compared to its massive body, a troll's daily food intake is not much."
"...To mention such useless information in this situation... You really have a nasty hobby too."
"It wouldn't hurt to listen."
"Then go ahead and say it."
What about the daily food intake?
Whether he grumbled or not, Callius showed off his knowledge.
"They say it's less than a hundred kilograms. That guy probably isn't a fully grown adult, so about half of that would be enough."
While an elephant weighing about four tons has a daily food intake of roughly a hundred kilograms, a troll, despite weighing close to ten tons, has a minimal daily food intake.
It truly had a fascinating biological function.
"Is that not a lot? No, how do you know that? I don't think that was even in Hetaera's Monster Encyclopedia."
Ignoring Luteon's doubts.
Callius continued what he had to say.
"It's not much compared to the troll's body size. Since it ate three Rugalu here, it must have almost reached its daily recommended intake. Probably, something your size would satisfy it."
If it ate something about Luteon's size once, it would feel moderately full.
That was exactly the point Callius wanted to make.
Trolls, like other beasts, do not hunt when they are full.
So, get eaten.
It was a sick joke.
"Bullshit, Callius. Even if I can't use one arm, I have no intention of dying in a place like this. Even if it's for that person."
That person.
Probably referring to her.
"I'm not afraid of a mere troll. Running away with this body is out of the question anyway. It's the same for you, right? The odds are extremely slim, but if it's you and me, we might be able to bring down the troll."
Even if it was a remnant of the giants, it was ultimately a living creature.
In the distant past, a knight who hunted a troll was a model for all knights.
Most of those who rose to the current rank of Master had a record of facing a troll.
"We'll have to see about that."
"Are you scared, Callius? Your expression looks similar to when you got beaten up in swordsmanship by Esther during your ascetic days."
"Shut your mouth, Luteon. I have never been defeated by anyone."
"You lost all the time, what are you talking about."
Grumbling, Luteon smirked, perhaps recalling old memories.
But then he suddenly smiled bitterly.
"Callius."
Thud! Thud! Thud!!
The troll jumped in.
Every time its steps struck the ground, shattered rocks flew about and fierce vibrations filled the valley.
"What."
"Please do not misunderstand. I will never forgive you."
"Talk about such trivial things later, it's coming!"
-Gruoaaaaah!
The figure of the troll letting out a strange cry and trying to strike down with its club.
Luteon radiated divine power all over his body and took a step forward.
And right at that moment.
Callius also enveloped his entire body with divine power and sprinted at full speed!
"Eh?"
From the mouth of Luteon, who momentarily looked blank and turned around, a stream of swear words that a believer should not utter poured out.
"You damn bastard! Are you still a noble even after doing this!"
Callius calmly replied while sprinting at full speed.
"I am a pilgrim. Besides, when did I ever say I would fight the troll?"
"You crazy bastard! Obviously, we should fight together here!!"
Boom!!
Rolling his body, Luteon barely avoided the troll's club and kicked off the ground as he rolled. No matter how injured he was, his genius reflexes remained intact.
Minimizing the damage, he wrapped divine power around his legs and began to run.
"As soon as we get out of here, I'll kill you first, Callius!"
"Why did you expect anything from an enemy, Luteon. Likewise, if I just get out of here, I will definitely kill you with my own hands!"
* * *
A valley where not a single ray of sunlight entered, only darkness residing. A place where ancient beasts with bizarre appearances and habits still existed, having built their respective habitats and formed an ecosystem.
Here, where self-luminous grasses and luminous stones embedded here and there emitted a mysterious light, the beasts of the abandoned valley began to flee in haste at the unexpected commotion.
Boom! Crash! Rumble!!
Along with a massive tremor, the sound of explosions gradually grew more intense. Along with the appearance of the troll piercing through the dust, two men running for their lives.
They were none other than Luteon and Callius.
"Damn it!! How does it know exactly where we're hiding! That blockheaded bastard!"
"This is a place where sunlight has not shone for a long time. Naturally, instead of sight, its sense of smell would have become keener...!"
Before he could even finish his words.
Luteon and Callius threw their bodies without needing to see who went first.
Immediately, the creature's club cleaved the air.
Boom!! Struck by the falling stone fragments, they grabbed their creaking knees and ran again.
Growl! Bark!
"Get lost, you damn mutt!!"
Luteon's explosive spear created an explosion, and Callius's sword slashed through the demonic beasts.
Boom! Slash.
Contrary to the appearance of the demonic beasts falling down, cut in two at once, the complexions of the two men were not very good.
"Damn it."
They slashed through the demonic beasts and repeated the process of running away. But what they saw at the end was a massive wall.
It was a dead end.
Gruoaaaaah!
Thud.
Perhaps it was quite exhausted too, as it puffed out white breaths from its nose.
"What a foul smell."
As if anticipating its upcoming meal, it dripped viscous saliva like a beast facing its prey.
Its mouth was full of smiles.
However, at that filthy and disgusting appearance, Luteon frowned, and Callius raised his sword.
"Luteon."
"What now."
"In my opinion, its vision seems almost nonexistent."
"...It did seem that way. It seemed to rely more on hearing and smell than sight."
While running away and going through several battles, they had already glimpsed its style.
It had eyes, but since this place itself was so dark and sunless, it seemed to have acquired a hunting method that relied more on smell and hearing than sight.
It was a creature that had lived here for a long time. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a living fossil, so it was highly possible.
"Troll's skin is as hard as steel... but not all parts are like that."
"Its nostrils or ear holes would be different, is that what you're saying?"
"It's worth a try."
It was a dead end anyway.
All or nothing.
There was no other way.
In the first place, this was a place Callius shouldn't have come to in his current state.
It was a difficult place even if he had brought a sword of the Phantom rank, but he didn't even have a proper Spirit Sword, and to make matters worse, Luteon was with him.
The plan had gone completely awry.
But it had already happened.
To survive, they had to do whatever they could.
"Damn it, I end up having to do it. You're telling me to do the dangerous part? I'm not crazy yet."
"Luteon, with my sword and skills, drawing its attention is my limit."
He had to admit what he had to admit.
With the Predator Sword Roas, which was no different from a half-baked Spirit Sword, he couldn't inflict a deep wound on the troll's skin.
Even if he did, it would be a scratch that would regenerate in an instant.
But the guy's explosive spear was different.
If he plugged its bomb-like spear into the troll's nostril and detonated it, it would surely cause significant damage.
"But that won't kill it. It'll recover quickly anyway."
Although called the bastard child of the giants, the troll had one thing superior to them.
Regeneration.
"You should know about the troll's regeneration too."
That which could be called a blessing from God.
Even in the old days, dragons would catch and eat trolls if their external injuries were severe or their bodies were sick. There was no need to say more.
"Does it mean anything when they're guys who heal quickly even if an arm is cut off?"
Luteon was right.
Since it was a creature with such excellent regeneration, even if they attacked the inside of its skin, it would heal soon.
"No, that's enough."
Just a very brief moment was enough.
If they could just stop its movements for a very brief moment, it would be sufficient.
"Damn it, if it has no effect, I'll kill you first before getting eaten by the troll."
"I have no intention of dying by your hands."
Right after the conversation ended.
As if it had been waiting, the troll's attack began.
Boom!!
It tried to crush them with its massive front paw, but as they dodged it at once, it snorted.
And it swung the club in its right hand like lightning.
Boom! Crash!
Rumble!
Every time it moved, the flying stone fragments struck their whole bodies stinging.
Hit by a sharp stone fragment on the face, blood trickled down.
However, Callius seized the opportunity.
'Silver Flower Scattering Sword, First Stance.'
'Shattering Fire Path.'
'There is no sword aura of the opponent to cut down.'
'Then, scatter your own sword aura to confuse the opponent.'
'Right into the Second Stance, White Phantom.'
'Swinging an extremely fast swift sword in all directions, drawing a sword formation on the ground.'
'The sword aura scattered from the sword reverses from the ground and flies away countless times faster.'
'Third Stance, Flower of the Other Shore.'
'Scattering Shattering Fire Path and White Phantom.'
'And between them, harmonizing exquisitely to pour out a single strike.'
'Although it's a technique that hasn't been properly completed yet, he executes it to the best of his ability with the correction of the Three-Colored Eyes.'
'Silver sword auras sharply strike the troll's entire body from all directions, and the surging Shattering Fire Path attacks its face.'
'Soon, the silver petals and White Phantom's sword aura along Callius's sword path merge into one. The sword aura clinging to the sword vibrates sharply and lets out a bizarre sword cry.'
'Unifying the sword imbued with a thousand changes into one.'
'That is the Silver Flower Scattering Sword, Flower of the Other Shore.'
But then.
Whoosh!!
A simple strike that shattered Shattering Fire Path and White Phantom as if they were not even ticklish overwhelmed Callius.
Crash!!
"Keuheok!"
Spinning, Crash!
Unable to receive the troll's club strike in that instant, he was slammed into the wall.
'My arm...'
His left shoulder was dislocated.
It was completely twisted.
It was only to this extent because he slightly offset the creature's attack with Thousand Changes; if he had taken it head-on, he would have died right there.
That was how strong the troll's power was, making it difficult for a human to contend with.
However.
"Luteon!!"
With a face distorted in pain, Callius shouted.
At that time.
"Die, you monster bastard!"
Luteon's explosive spear, Ames, flew high into the sky and emitted an intense red light.
The troll's triumphant expression vanished, and it screamed at the bright light, squeezing its eyes shut.
But Luteon was one step faster.
"Ten-Square Light Explosion!!"
Kwaaaaaang!!
A massive explosion erupted.
As if he had gathered and condensed most of his divine power to detonate it, smoke filled the surroundings and a storm raged.
Because of the explosion, not an inch ahead was visible. However.
-Gruoaaaaah!
Its painful scream echoed.
Thud!
As the massive body fell, a sandstorm filled the valley once again.
"Callius! Stop dawdling and come out! I did everything you told me to do!"
"I was... just about to!"
Rustle.
Callius, who escaped from the wall he was slammed into, left Roas stuck in the ground and gripped something that rested in his embrace.
"Hurry! It's getting up!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!!
To buy even a little time, Luteon squeezed out his last remaining divine power and thrust his explosive spear.
But the troll's regeneration was more remarkable than they had thought.
-Graaaaaah!
Swish, Thwack!! Kwang!
"Kuaaaak!!"
With a single hand gesture as if swatting a flying insect, Luteon was sent flying.
But even so, it did not forget to swing its weapon.
-Gruoaaaaah!
Was it the first time tasting pain?
The troll's eyes were torn from several explosions, shedding tears of blood.
But even that was recovering in an instant, visible to the naked eye.
However, one thing was different.
The look in its eyes. The look in its eyes was different.
It had the eyes of prey, not a predator.
Fear.
Terror.
A gaze filled with such things.
Perhaps because it was not used to pain, its eyes were consumed by fear from the agony it was tasting for the first time in its life.
Because of that, it was struggling, unable to get up right now.
The opportunity was right now.
"Callius!!"
At Luteon's shout, Callius squeezed out every ounce of his strength and climbed onto the troll's face.
And he threw the vial in his hand into the creature's maw.
The most precious thing he had ever made.
It was the Holy Water of Valterus.