SWNOVELXO Chapter 71: Could you please Die? (2)
The north street was narrower, flanked by shops with faded signs and broken windows.
"They're watching us," Panda murmured.
Without warning, a pair of creatures lunged from the shadows, their eyes glowing with malice. Yuta sprang into action, slicing cleanly through the first one, but the second used the opportunity to pounce.
Panda intercepted just in time, swinging his massive arm in a circular motion. The creature's grotesque form slammed into a metal pole, crumpling before evaporating into black mist.
"Keep it up," Panda said with a grin.
Yuta, panting slightly, managed a strained smile in return.
Suddenly, another creature emerged from a corner. Yuta didn't hesitate, his katana slicing through the air in a flawless arc. The curse split in two, dissolving into dark smoke with a hiss. He straightened, catching his breath.
"Not bad," Panda remarked, sending another curse flying with a backhanded swing. The grotesque form hit the ground hard and screeched before disintegrating.
Turning to his teammate, Yuta grinned.
"These things aren't that tough. Maybe they're low-level curses? Like... Grade 2, right?"
Panda shrugged, his expression thoughtful.
"Yeah, at most Grade 2."
"Seriously? Then this should be a breeze. We could clean this place up in no ti—"
"Not so fast," Panda interrupted, raising one heavy paw. "If there's a swarm like this, there's a ringleader somewhere. And that's a whole different story."
Yuta's smile froze.
"A ringleader? Like... a Grade 1 curse?"
Panda shook his head.
"Worse. These types of leaders are unpredictable, but one thing's for sure: if we face one, it'll make these minions look like a warm-up."
A heavy silence fell between them. The distant sounds of Maki and Toge battling echoed faintly from the adjacent street, adding tension to the moment.
Yuta tried to steady himself, his hand resting on the hilt of his katana.
"Alright. So what do we do? Do we hunt it down or call for backup?"
"We clear the area and track its position," Panda replied firmly. "No rushing in blind. But remember this, Yuta: these curses love to play. The ringleader won't show up right away. It'll wait until we're worn out or distracted."
Yuta nodded.
"Got it."
With that, they pressed deeper into the northern street. The buildings around them grew increasingly decrepit, as though the very fabric of the area had been corrupted by the curses' presence. Shattered windows and broken signs reflected warped, ghostly shapes that seemed to follow their every move.
"Panda, something feels off," Yuta muttered, his gaze darting nervously across their surroundings.
"Not surprising," Panda replied, pointing toward a distant intersection. "The energy here is heavy, like..."
A subtle tremor ran through the ground, cutting him off. It was faint but enough to make them pause mid-step.
"You felt that too?" Yuta asked, tightening his grip on his katana.
Panda's eyes narrowed.
"Yeah. And it's close."
Yuta tightened his grip on the hilt of his katana.
"…Like something's coming," Panda finished.
In that instant, a creature leaped from a side alley. It was unlike the others. Larger, its shape was more defined, almost humanoid, though its limbs were grotesquely disproportionate, and claws so long they scraped the ground. Its glowing eyes locked onto Yuta.
"This what we've been looking for?" Yuta asked.
"Not sure," Panda growled. "But if it's not the boss, it's definitely its bodyguard. Stay sharp."
The creature let out a piercing shriek, the sound rattling cracked windows around them, before charging forward with alarming speed. Yuta instinctively stepped in front of Panda, raising his katana to intercept.
Clang!
The clash of blade against claw sent sparks flying. Yuta gritted his teeth, bracing his legs against the force.
"It's strong!" he growled through clenched teeth.
Panda seized the opening, delivering a double-handed blow to the creature's chest. The impact sent it crashing into a wall, which collapsed under the force.
"And so are we," Panda said with a fierce grin.
Before they could celebrate, a low, guttural growl rumbled behind them. Panda spun on his heel. Three more creatures had appeared, each the same size as the first. They encircled the duo, cutting off any escape.
"Change of plans," Panda muttered. "I'll handle the three newcomers. You finish off the one we've already softened up. And don't play the hero. Got it?"
Yuta nodded firmly.
"Got it."
The first creature, though injured, began to rise, its eyes still locked on Yuta. Its torso was slashed open, thick black ooze seeping out like toxic smoke. Yet the wound seemed only to enrage it.
It lunged, and Yuta responded with a swift strike, aiming for its right arm. The katana bit deep, severing the twisted limb in one clean cut. The creature shrieked in fury but didn't back down.
Behind him, Panda roared as he charged into the trio of new threats. His massive fists hit like hammers, each strike echoing loudly, but the creatures were fast and coordinated, attacking him from all sides.
"Come on, Yuta, focus!" the young sorcerer muttered to himself.
The creature leaped again, but this time Yuta waited until the last second. With a sidestep, he swung his katana in a deadly arc, slicing through its back. The monster let out a final cry before collapsing, dissolving into a cloud of black mist.
He turned just in time to see Panda hurl one of the remaining creatures into an abandoned car, which exploded in a shower of sparks.
"Two left, Yuta! Get moving! I'm not doing this all by myself!" Panda shouted, dodging another attack.
Yuta didn't respond. He sprinted toward one of the remaining creatures.
"Yuta, look out!" Panda roared.
---
Meanwhile…
Maki carved through two enemies in one fluid motion, their blackened remains falling to the ground with wet thuds.
"We're moving too slowly," she growled.
Toge murmured softly, "Cucumber."
Wiping sweat from her brow, Maki surveyed the area. Around her, the remains of curses slain by her naginata faded into swirling, dark wisps.
"This is endless," she muttered, her frustration evident as she scanned the thick shadows choking the district. "Where are all these curses coming from? It's like they're springing out of the ground."
Toge, leaning against a crumbling wall, glanced around with a quiet intensity. He tilted his head slightly, then murmured, "Tuna."
TO BE CONTINUED!
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Next Chapter on 27 January 2025 : Could you please Die? (3)