Even if he denied it, a part of Daion wanted to be the hero. He wanted to save the village, hear his name chanted in the streets, bask in the glory of victory. Reality hit him. Literally.
The monster’s axe swung down like a guillotine. Daion barely managed to block it, but the sheer force sent him flying. He crashed through a wooden stall, splinters stabbing into his back, before slamming into the ground with a sickening thud. Pain shot through his body, knocking the air from his lungs.
"Well, well. A champion of the gods."
The wolf’s voice carried a mocking tone. Its jaws parted unnaturally wide, fangs glinting, throat swelling like a grotesque frog.
"But he looks weak," the pig chimed in, both mouths speaking in eerie unison—one on its snout, the other embedded in its bloated gut. "Look at his gauntlet. He must be running low on Omega energy."
A sharp, barking laugh escaped the wolf, making the remaining soldiers tense. "Still better than these pathetic humans." It gestured at the trembling soldiers, caught between fear and the desperate hope that Daion would somehow save them.
"I suppose."
Daion gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand. Every muscle screamed at him to stay down, but adrenaline burned through his veins, dulling the pain. He raised his sword. The wolf tilted its head, eyes gleaming with sadistic amusement. Its snout parted, about to sneer—
A shout interrupted it. One of the soldiers charged, desperation fueling his reckless attack. He twisted past the wolf’s axe, pressed a hand to its stomach, and roared: "Flash!"
An explosion erupted. The shockwave sent the soldier flying backward, slamming into the ground with a pained grunt. Daion barely had time to process what happened before the stench of burning flesh filled the air. The soldier’s arm was charred black.
The pig chuckled, watching with amusement. "Arl, that was stupid," another soldier growled.
"Worked though." The injured soldier forced a grin, unaware of the shadow forming behind the smoke. "I took him with me."
A chill ran down Daion’s spine. "Move, idiot!"
“…Huh?" The soldier blinked, confused.
Then he heard it. A crunch. A low, inhuman growl.
The wolf burst from the smoke with a shriek. Its axe swung in a perfect arc. The sickening sound of metal slicing through flesh filled the air. The soldier’s head hit the ground and rolled, leaving a crimson trail in its wake.
Screams erupted.
"Tsk." The wolf spat blood, its abdomen still smoking, dark ichor dripping from the wound. "Told you not to get cocky, idiot."
The pig chuckled, folding its secondary arms. Warm, sticky blood splattered across Daion’s face. His gaze locked onto the soldier’s body, now headless, lifeless. And for a moment, he couldn’t move.
"One last piece of advice"
Jack’s voice echoed in his mind.
"Since I don’t want you to die, it’s free."
Daion had scowled at him.
"Remember how the Hellseeker’s head exploded when I stabbed through its mouth?"
"Yeah."
"Every monster has a weak point. Sometimes it’s obvious, sometimes it’s not…" Jack grabbed his things and walked off, Haruka and Finn following in silence."Find the weak point and shove steel through it. Good luck, Daion."
Daion roared. The wolf turned just in time to see his sword coming down. It lunged, jaws snapping— and caught the blade between its teeth.
"Nice try, kid."
"I’m just getting started."
Daion twisted his body and yanked with everything he had. The sword tore free, shredding flesh and ripping out teeth and chunks of jaw. The wolf howled, blood pouring from its ruined mouth.
But there was no time to celebrate. The pig was already moving. Its massive sword swung down. Daion barely raised his blade in time to block, but the impact sent him skidding back, metal ringing through the street. He recovered fast, slashing at the pig’s stomach-mouth. The cut barely dug in. He shifted, trying to avoid getting surrounded— and forgot something crucial.
The secondary arms. Thick fingers grabbed his shirt, lifting him into the air.
"Fuck off!" He raised his sword, aiming for the monster’s mouth. He wasn’t getting eaten.
Then he saw the wolf move. "Time to fly, birdie."
The pig grinned and hurled him. Daion barely had time to brace before the wolf’s attack slammed into him. His body hurtled through the air. He crashed through the tavern wall.
Pain exploded. His back smashed against the bar, shattering it into splinters. Agony wracked his body. He felt his ribs break.
He gasped. Coughed. Blood.
He looked down. A crimson pool spread across the floor.
"...Internal bleeding?"
The pain was unbearable. He tried to stand. And collapsed.
He couldn’t die here. He wouldn’t.
The monsters stepped into the tavern, looking to confirm the kill. A quiet sob made Daion turn his head. The bartender’s eyes met his. She trembled, the fire from earlier snuffed out, leaving only fear.
Daion whispered, "Run…"
The beasts chuckled, closing in.
"What’s wrong, summoned one? That all you got?" Their voices were almost disappointed.
"Told you he was weak."
Daion rose, staggering. His ribs screamed in protest.
Something wasn’t right.
They were stronger. Faster. Better coordinated than the monsters in the cave.
But there were only… two of them?
Daion had been watching. The battle’s epicenter was right here. But the rest of the village? Silent.
"You’re the only ones who showed up?"
The monsters tensed.
"What are you talking about?"
Daion forced a smile, though his breath was heavy.
"Are you bored with just the two of you?"
He studied them. He was curious—and he could buy himself a few moments to let his body recover.
"Hellseekers… aren’t they supposed to alert the rest of the group where to attack?"
The pig-faced monster frowned. The laughter stopped.
"I see… so it was you."
His tone turned cold.
"We assumed it was the villagers… but there’s no one here capable of killing Corrupteds."
Daion’s fingers tightened around his sword’s hilt. The bartender was still crawling in the shadows. But he had no eyes for her.
He was only looking at the monsters.
And he smiled.
"I’m guessing that cave was your home… Shame you found your buddy’s blood decorating the entrance."
Taunting them, Daion aimed to draw their attention. The Corrupteds advanced with terrifying calm, measuring his every move.
"Still… how did a brat like you take out a Raptor and a Hellseeker inside a predator’s den?" The wolf’s many spider-like eyes glowed as his deep, raspy voice vibrated in the air.
Daion took a battle stance. Every muscle in his body protested, every wound burned like embers on his skin, but he ignored the pain. He had no choice. He had to fight.
"Come find out…"
It should have sounded defiant, but the tension shattered with a choked gasp.
The bartender tripped before reaching the exit, crashing onto the floor with a dull thud.
The monsters stopped. Their heads turned toward her with sickening interest.
"Look, a woman," the pig grunted, his lower mouth licking itself with a thick, revolting sound.
"And not a bad one at that…"
Disgust and fury twisted Daion’s gut. His hand clenched around a bottle on the counter.
"Hey, assholes."
He hurled it with force.
Glass exploded against the Glutton’s snout, dousing it in liquor. The pig licked his face slowly, savoring the alcohol with a twisted grin.
"What do you think you’re—"
Daion didn’t answer. He lunged forward, grabbed a lit candle from a table, and raised it.
The wolf realized instantly and moved to intercept him.
Big mistake.
Daion kicked his sword into the air with pinpoint accuracy, forcing the wolf to raise his guard. The blade slammed into him, knocking him onto his back.
Wasting no time, Daion vaulted over a table, dodged the pig’s wild slash, and flung the candle.
FWOOSH!
The fire reacted to the alcohol, and flames engulfed the monster’s snout in an instant. A beastly screech tore through the air, a mix of agony and rage, as the pig thrashed wildly, toppling tables and chairs in desperation.
"I thought demons lived in fire… How ironic."
An axe came crashing down.
The impact split the floorboards, sending sparks flying.
"We have many names, Summoned One…"
The wolf’s growl echoed through the tavern, his hundreds of eyes burning with fury.
"Demon is just one of them."
Daion grinned.
"I see."
He raised his hand. The gem on his gauntlet gleamed.
The fallen sword shot up like a projectile, hurtling toward him at breakneck speed.
Daion reached out.
The wolf reacted, trying to dodge, but the blade was already in Daion’s grip. The wolf’s erratic movement made it slice across his side, carving a deep, dark gash into his fur.
The wolf didn’t scream.
The sword’s weight jerked Daion’s arm with brutal force, throwing him off balance. His feet slipped, and he had to steady himself to avoid falling.
He could still feel the tremor in his arm from the impact. But he adjusted his stance, locking eyes on his opponents.
The pig, still smoldering with fire, turned to him with rage-filled eyes and swung a savage strike.
Daion didn’t dodge.
He attacked with everything he had.
Steel clashed against steel.
The impact thundered through the tavern. Sparks burst violently into the air.
And for the first time, the enemy recoiled.
Both monsters locked their gaze onto Daion.
Adrenaline coursed through him like liquid fire. He ignored the pain, ignored the blood on his lips, ignored his muscles screaming with every movement.
He felt unstoppable.
A quick glance confirmed it—the bartender was gone. At least something had gone right.
"Not bad," the pig growled.
His snout still smoked, and his blackened tusks glistened with an eerie hue.
"Usually, these villages are a waste of time," the wolf muttered, baring his fangs in a twisted grin. "But fighting a Summoned One? That’s something else. Though… aren’t you supposed to have special powers?"
Daion looked up, annoyed.
"My sword flies."
"That’s it? How disappointing."
Daion took a step forward. Confidence surged through him.
"Do you even realize who’s kicking your ass here?"
The monsters laughed.
And before he could react, both enemy weapons came crashing down on him.
BANG!
The impact roared through the air. He barely had time to raise his sword to block.
The ground beneath his feet cracked apart.
His knees buckled.
A sharp pain tore through his chest.
He coughed.
Warm blood trickled down his lips.
His confidence shattered in an instant.
The pig’s lower arms slammed into his gut with brutal force. The air was ripped from Daion’s lungs as the impact bent him in half. He staggered back, gasping.
The pig swung his sword in a downward arc. Daion rolled aside at the last second, dodging—but then the wolf appeared out of nowhere.
WHAM!
A kick slammed into his chest like a sledgehammer.
His body was sent flying.
He crashed to the ground with brutal force. Pain rattled through him.
When he opened his eyes—he saw them.
The spears.
The soldiers were still there.
They trembled.
But they held their weapons.
He saw some helping the villagers escape through the wreckage.
Daion tried to rise, his breathing ragged.
A man stepped forward.
Tall. Strong.
His battle-worn armor bore the scars of countless fights. A thick beard framed his face, roughened by war.
"Hey, kid."
His voice was deep. Gravelly as stone.
"How much time do you need to get them out of here?"
The soldier hesitated at the question. A summoned one, sent by the gods to save them... He was actually trying to help.
"About ten minutes," he finally replied.
Daion clicked his tongue.
"Then you'd better get ready."
A deep crack echoed through the ruins.
The soldiers raised their spears.
The monsters emerged.
"Ugh… more humans?" the wolf groaned, his voice thick with disdain. "I just want to have some fun with… the summoned one."
He dragged out the last words, savoring them like a death sentence.
Daion's stomach twisted.
The boar stepped forward beside its companion, its snout still smoldering, filling the air with the sickening stench of burned flesh.
The soldiers tensed. The monsters were wounded.
But—
The wolf let out a bone-chilling howl.
The sound struck like a storm. Everything blurred.
Then, his throat began to swell.
It expanded, stretching larger and larger, inflating like a translucent balloon fused to his body. Inside, Omega energy pulsed with a sickly glow, writhing in a chaotic pattern.
His twin jaws opened wide.
A grotesque flower of flesh and fangs unfurled to its full extent, locking onto the soldiers standing beside Daion.
And then—
It fired.
The air exploded.
A sonic wave ripped through everything in its path, obliterating the ground and shattering the remnants of the ruins.
The soldiers had no time to react.
The impact broke their bones instantly. Their bodies trembled and convulsed, their organs collapsing under the crushing, invisible force of the vibration.
When the wave passed, they fell like broken dolls.
Their lifeless bodies bled from their eyes, ears, and open mouths—silent screams frozen on their faces.
Daion's ears rang with a deafening, piercing noise. His head spun.
When his vision cleared again, he saw only death.
The last remnants of courage among the soldiers crumbled.
Some ran in blind panic.
Others stood frozen, unable to move a single muscle in sheer terror.
Only Daion, the soldier from before, and a handful of others were left standing.
The wolf grinned in satisfaction.
"Now that's a real special ability."
Daion gritted his teeth.
"You bastard…"
Ignoring the searing pain in his body, he lunged forward.
But the boar blocked his path.
The clash of weapons echoed in the air. Daion twisted and thrust his sword straight at the monster’s torso.
It was a mistake.
The jaws on the boar’s stomach snapped open—
And caught his blade.
"Bad move, Omega creature…"
"What—?"
The monster’s fangs clamped down with a sickening, wet crunch.
CRACK!
Daion pulled with all his strength.
But it was too late.
The teeth sank into the metal as if it were butter. The blade's tip snapped effortlessly.
For a moment, Daion's heartbeat stopped.
He stumbled back in shock.
And the boar struck.
Its massive fist slammed into his left arm.
CRUNCH!
The brutal sound of breaking bones rang through the air. A searing, unbearable pain tore through Daion from head to toe. A raw scream of agony escaped his throat.
His nerves ignited like fire. The pain was so overwhelming he could barely breathe.
His sword slipped from his grip.
He collapsed in front of the remaining soldiers, gasping for air. Strong hands caught him, lifting him up.
The wolf smirked.
"Time to end this shit."
His throat began to swell again. His fangs parted wide.
This time, aimed directly at Daion.
End of Chapter 10.
