The calm exploration of the dungeon didn't last long. The two of them suddenly came face to face with a colossal monster, six meters tall.
It had a humanoid body with the head of a boar and the horns of a bull, its skin completely black and its build powerfully robust. Two yellow tusks curved upward from its lower jaw. Its arms were broad and muscular as it gripped a massive axe.
It wore a belt adorned with a human skull and a crude set of armor that covered only its shoulders, forearms, and knees.
Arno took a step back in shock. He wanted to run—he wasn't used to seeing things like that—but Abe's warm voice snapped him out of his fear:
"Master, it's a Gorthaal. You can use your usual sword."
"Huh? You can see it?"
"No," she replied, shaking her head. "I can only recognize its sounds and footsteps. I assumed your amnesia was still in effect, so I thought I should remind you. Just to be safe."
Arno smiled and looked back at the Gorthaal.
"Abe, you're really a huge help. I'm starting to like you."
"Simply extend your left hand forward and call your sword by its name. You were the one who named it: Devastator."
"Does it matter that it's my left?"
Abe chuckled softly, covering her mouth with her knuckles, and replied with playful confidence:
"You're left-handed, Master."
Arno obeyed and extended his left hand. He frowned and did exactly as Abe instructed:
"Devastator!"
A one-handed sword materialized in midair, surrounded by violet flames. When Arno grasped the hilt, the flames vanished. The blade itself was violet, its edges gleaming silver.
'Whoa! This is so cool! I've always dreamed of being a hero! But at the same time… this feels so real that I'm not sure how I'm supposed to react to any of this.'
He lifted his gaze toward the Gorthaal, and when it raised its axe overhead, Arno pushed off the ground. His body was launched past the monster, and with a confused shout, he slammed into a wall, sending debris flying in every direction.
Abe covered her mouth in shock and gasped in fear. The Gorthaal continued forward and lunged at her. She screamed sharply as she crouched down, covering her head.
Arno burst out from the rubble like a projectile and drove the edge of his sword into the Gorthaal's lower back. The beast roared in pain, straightening its massive body.
'Huh? I didn't pierce all the way through—even at that speed? Am I not that strong, or…?'
He reacted just in time to a hand that came down, trying to crush him. Arno leapt backward, ripping his sword free from the Gorthaal's flesh. The colossus dropped to one knee with a groan; the wound was deep.
"Looks like I did hurt it," he muttered to himself. "Abe, are you okay?!"
"Y-Yes! But please don't let your guard down, Master!"
Arno smiled wryly at her words.
'How adorable. What man wouldn't want to protect a maid like that?'
He tightened his grip on his sword. With a sudden burst of speed, he rushed to the Gorthaal's side and, letting out a shout to gather his strength, slashed diagonally across the monster's neck. The blade barely managed to draw a pained groan from it.
Blood sprayed out, and Arno retreated, stopping beside Abe. She was gently smoothing her pink hair, having taken a moment to regain her composure.
"Isn't even an SSS rank enough to kill it in one hit?" he asked, never taking his eyes off the enemy.
Abe replied in her usual warm yet serious tone:
"Yes and no. The monsters down here grow more resilient the deeper you go. But in this case, it's because you didn't take enough energy from me—your Guardian. I warned you that you hadn't taken your fill."
"I see."
The Gorthaal rose to its feet, furious, and charged straight back at Arno. He frowned and sprinted toward the beast, shouting:
"Then, when I'm done with it, I'll take you completely, Abe!"
NOTE: This novel will be updated daily WITHOUT EXCEPTIONS, but for now I'll be uploading chapters very frequently throughout the day. ^^