Kays Translations

Chapter 35

"What... it didn't work! Damn it!"

My tank cannon was perfectly bounced off the enemy's sloped armor.

The creature paused for a moment, but then resumed its charge as if nothing had happened.

If the stone projectile doesn't work, I have no choice but to run.

To the left, the forest I came from is about 200 meters away.

If I can dash into that, maybe I can avoid its charge.

Using magic—

《Leap》

I activated the magic, jumping with only my left leg.

"Alright, I can jump 10 meters in one go. I can do this!"

With three points of support—both hands and my left leg—I began my escape. It's like a frog leap.

Then the creature kicked its legs twice and charged again, tracing a gentle arc as it closed in on me.

Tattattattaddadadadada...

The sound of its approach echoed—looked back.

It was already right in front of me!

I leaped to the left in an instant—

Kasun.

My left leg made contact with the creature's body.

In recoil, my body rotated like a spinning top and was thrown to the ground.

"That was close. If I hadn't used《Leap》, I would've been sent flying with my whole body!"

Hastily trying to lift my upper body and stand—

But my left leg lacked strength, and I fell again.

"Whoa!?"

Looking down, there was no pain, but my lower leg was dangling loosely.

"No! It's broken!"

The force of the glancing blow was too strong, taking my ankle with it.

Both ankles broken—it's a quite desperate situation.

The creature, having completed its charge, is now facing backward, trying to turn its body towards me for the final attack.

"Damn it!"

The forest is about 30 meters away.

If my legs were okay, I could enter the forest with three leaps and escape up a tree to avoid it.

But I can't move anymore.

The creature readjusts its position, and I brace myself for an immediate charge... but it doesn't come!

Maintaining a distance of 50 meters, it moves smoothly in a half-circle pattern.

Once again, it positions itself where the forest is behind me.

Having the forest behind me makes it easier for me to escape—wait, what!?

I try to understand the intent behind its movements.

It quickly jerks its head left and right, then glares at me.

It almost seems like it's smiling.

Ah... could this be it!? The gaze of a strong being looking down on a weak one.

It seems like it's mocking me, saying, "Come on, show me how hard you can run!"

And with that, I understand.

"This thing knows I can't move!"

Its plan is to blow away my attempt to crawl pitifully and escape and then laugh.

Is it highly intelligent, or is it just a behavioral trait?

Its attitude infuriates me. How dare it act so cheeky, even though it's just a beast!

As the rage gauge fills up, I don't feel the pain or fear anymore.

It's an anger-fueled fire... I'll taunt it right back.

"Come on, you rhino bastard! Forget about your horn and come at me!!"

To taunt an enemy, the classic line is the most effective.

I get down on my knees, spreading my arms, signaling my intent to receive its charge.

With a snort that seems to mock me, the creature kicks its right leg twice and begins its charge.

Quickly, I lie flat on the ground, curling up as much as possible.

Tattat—

Simultaneously with the charge, I start casting a spell—

《Chant, Earth lowering》

I quickly lie my body flat on the ground.

The sound of galloping approaches, right in front of me... or so I think. In an instant, the creature's massive horn lands with a crisp sound exactly where I was!

The next moment—the sound of its body flying through the air.

Buuuun—Fuun—Zugaaan!

A tremendous impact resonates through the air.

Did I do it!?

I lift myself up and look back. I see the creature stuck to the base of a thick broadleaf tree.

Apparently, its massive body was sent into a vertical spin, and it crashed belly-first into the tree at the forefront of the forest before sliding down.

Seeing that sight, joy surges within me.

"Yessssss!"

I cast "Earth Magic" to lower the ground in a one-meter square area just in front of me, timed with the creature's charge.

Observing the creature's footprints during its charge, I confirmed that its stride was small.

So, by lowering the ground just in front of me, I expected it to misstep with its front foot, causing its body to lurch forward. I envisioned its head getting caught on the ground, and then it would fly through the air, tracing an arc.

It's something that probably everyone has experienced—

"Going down a staircase, thinking there's a floor, but there's one more step below, kicking the air, and your body flying forward."

I aimed for that.

When I saw the horn coming sideways, I thought it was a failure, but it turned out to be the right move!

The bridge of its nose caught right on the edge of the hole, and the curved horn, following the principles of te-ko-no (hand-tiger-brain), gave the body centrifugal force, throwing it into the air.

I look at the ground, dented by the creature's horn.

If I hadn't dodged sideways, I would have been crushed by the horn. I'm impressed with myself for managing to avoid it.

It was quite a gamble, but I'm glad I thought of it.

—I was saved by the earth magic I thought was useless!

Looking at the creature, it has stopped moving, but it doesn't seem dead.

It might start moving again soon... I need to finish it off quickly!

I start moving towards it on my knees—

But my legs won't move!

Why!?

I realize my hands are shaking...

I was scared!

With the creature no longer able to move, relief washed over me, and the fear of being attacked has frozen my body.

I'm freaking out!

Tears suddenly overflow, and I hit my thighs with clenched fists.

"Ughhhhh!"

I forcefully grab my legs and pull them out.

Then, slowly but surely, I start walking.

Hurry, hurry... it might start moving again.

What to do—oh right, magic.

《Swift》

I use the elven body enhancement magic that speeds up the legs.

With that, the speed of my walking on my knees increases, reaching a pace similar to a normal brisk walk.

It looks as if I'm "dashing down a corridor of pine trees in a long kimono."

"All right, I can do this, hurry, hurry!"

The pants are made of ordinary fabric, and it hurts as it rubs against my knees while kneeling and walking.

But this is a life-or-death situation. I desperately rush towards the creature.

Dofuu, dofuu...

It's still making breathing sounds.

That massive body collided with the tree at an incredible speed. I wonder if its internal organs have been damaged.

Well, it doesn't matter!

You're finished here anyway.

I place both hands on the creature and press my forehead against it.

—It's time for "Lightning Magic."

《Chant, Maximum Lightning》

Driven by anger, I add a size parameter to the lightning magic and unleash it!

The creature's body shakes violently with a tremendous sound.

And then, it stops moving.

Nothing is moving, only the sound of my heavy breathing.

"I did it... ha... ha..."

It's over—

"Ahh... uuuu... uuuwaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!"

The tears won't stop.

I look up at the sky and cry loudly.

The tension that held me together has snapped, and my emotions explode.

I thought I was going to die... quietly and unnoticed in the forest—

That thought was very, very scary.

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