ALL NOVEL The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 59
59 Werewolf Battle 1
――SIDE: Warrior’s Path Mikako――
“Unbelievable…”
I supported myself against the wall, dragging my injured leg as I proceeded down the third layer’s corridor. What a miserable sight.
The honor of the Warrior’s Path family is at stake.
I also regret relying on the [Healer] for recovery. There’s no medicine in my magical crystal terminal’s dimensional storage, only the portable food and water bottle I brought earlier. I failed in my preparations.
What’s most annoying is… this wolf!
“It’s come again…! You’re so persistent! Can’t you just give up already…!!”
I shouted at the approaching Werewolf, brandishing my beloved naginata as I retreated along the wall.
This monster is called a Werewolf, right?
Yes, I know! Although it’s my first encounter today, it’s recorded in the monster encyclopedia in the library… or rather, it’s an even more despicable creature…
It’s been chasing its prey, toying with it, and not killing it immediately. That’s why it doesn’t finish me off.
――As I engaged the enemy, I realized I was at a disadvantage after being struck on my left leg by the initial attack. I retreated, feeling ashamed.
At this point, I was trapped in the enemy’s tactics. Perhaps it’s because of the blood. The Werewolf can sense my location due to the smell of blood.
My uniform is torn, and I’ve stopped the bleeding on my left leg, but it’s not enough. Every time I move, I bleed, and I’m in a precarious situation.
――It’s completely surrounded from all sides.
However, as an explorer, I have an emergency evasion plan for situations like this!
“Magic Crystal Terminal (Portal)…!! With its function, I can perform an [Emergency Escape]…!!”
At least, I can escape for now…!
If I return to the transfer area, it would mean erasing my exploration records from the 3rd layer. The information about the exploration domain would be preserved, but the probability of being transferred to the same location through random transfer is low.
In essence, all the time I’ve spent walking alone (solo) would be completely wasted.
“…It’s not worth risking my life, after all…”
I muttered, operating the magic crystal terminal (portal) with a desperate determination. Just then, the wild wolf, which had been observing me, suddenly attacked me.
But it’s too late――
“I’ll do it, [Emergency Escape]――!?!”
My finger――it’s frozen――!?
“Kuuu――!?!”
I barely avoided the sharp claw attack. It’s not that I avoided it, but rather, I fell backward… The claw, which boasted an incredible cutting power, ripped through my uniform like paper. If I had moved a little slower, my chest would have been torn open――
Panicked, I stood up, covering my exposed breast with my hand, and fled like a rabbit. I left my luggage, including the naginata, behind.
It’s like I’m a woman who’s been attacked by a wild man…!!
Is this the way of the warrior…?!
Is this the attitude of a warrior’s family head…?!
I――I refuse to accept this!!
“I――!!?”
A wolf jumped over me from behind and landed in front of me. I’m shocked by its abnormal jumping power. I’m anxious about being surpassed. The despair of having dropped my naginata and even the magic crystal terminal (portal) occupies my mind.
…Why did it end up like this…?
Solo formation.
Ishizuru Shouma.
――There’s nothing that person can do that I can’t. I thought so highly of myself, and yet, I’ve come this far alone. The words “pride,” “complacency,” “defeat,” and “death” swirl in my mind.
――Jealousy.
In the end, I realized that I had been harboring a ugly jealousy towards the warrior’s family since birth. I didn’t notice that my desire to surpass them stemmed from a desire to be recognized. No, I might have been pretending not to see it.
That’s why my finger froze back then.
I misjudged the timing. I would have regretted it later, so I couldn’t stand it and ended up bringing about the worst outcome.
“―Let’s take a break, Warrior Road-san.”
Why did I become so stubborn back then? Now that I think about it, I should have talked more with my friends.
“Warrior Road――? Ah, ‘that’…”
“You only need to play the abacus and put it away…”
“You don’t have any talent――”
…Why? Why do you say such cruel things?
I’m trying my best too――!
Father is also desperately――!?
“Miikachan…”
“Oh… Father…?”
“…………Live according to your station in life……”
――No way.
――Ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh!!
“Ah, no, no, no, no, no――ッ!!”
I shouted, denying reality. The monster’s arm was about to pierce my heart. It was just an instant, but it felt like an eternity. As I gazed at the unfolding scene with a sense of detachment, I, the “small” me, gave up――
――Ah, yeah.
The words that came out were a sigh of resignation.
――Father’s.
Stop.
Don’t say that.
I’m still doing my best――!!
So――!!
“If I had just done as I was told…”
My murmured words sent my consciousness to the brink of death――
“…What was that? Did I say something?”
――A carefree remark that was out of place brought my consciousness back to life.
“Ishio, Shouma…?”
“Geez, perfect timing! Now’s our chance to take down the obstruction. You, Mushakouji, sit back and watch from over there…”
As he spoke, Ishio Shouma skillfully wielded his rapier, deflecting the werewolf’s claws. He took advantage of the opening to land a kick on the wolf’s abdomen, momentarily creating distance between them.
With his rapier at the ready, he swiftly returned to a defensive stance, his gaze fixed intently on the werewolf. His refined movements were unlike anything I had seen from Ishio Shouma before.
“…Well, since we have the time, shall we get started? Let’s get moving, shall we?”