SWNOVELXO Chapter 115
115. Please Help Me, I’m Begging You
“GIIIEEEEEEEE!!”
The basilisk let out an ear-piercing scream and began to lumber towards Gerda, who lay sprawled on the ground.
“Eek! Why?! A basilisk shouldn’t be that tough!!”
Gerda, her legs having given out, tried to crawl backward using her arms.
But she couldn’t divert the basilisk’s attention. It stared at her like a cat watching its prey, inching closer.
In the next instant, the basilisk swung its arm again, sending Gerda’s body flying. Her log-like body rolled on the ground.
“Ugh… You wretch! How dare you wound me—uwaaaaaah!!”
Gerda tried to escape, but the basilisk toyed with her, rolling her body with its arm. Each time, her body got covered in dirt, and her panic worsened.
“N-No! Help me!!”
It was less than a minute later that Gerda cried out to us for help.
“Hey, didn’t you just tell us not to get in your way?”
“The situation’s changed!! Hurry up!!”
Gerda yelled, almost taking out her anger on us.
“There’s a way to ask for help, you know?”
Hearing my response, Gerda’s face twisted.
“Y-You! What are you talking about?! Are you going to abandon me?!”
“I didn’t say that. But if you want help, you should ask properly.”
I’ve seen this before… or rather, it happens regularly.
“Sorry, but we’re not saints. And we were just ordered by the S-rank adventurer to leave. We could just walk away, you know?”
“G-Grrrr… uwaaaaaaah!!”
Gerda’s face turned bright red with anger, but if left alone, the basilisk would kill her before she could explode from rage.
Her only real option was to beg. With a pained expression, she shouted:
“Please help me! I’m begging you! I’ll never give orders again! Come back, pleeease!!”
Just as Gerda squealed like a pig, the basilisk raised its arm to crush her.
“Eek!?”
At that moment, I dashed forward, sliding to reach Gerda. Grabbing her by the collar, I dragged her away.
Just in time, I saved Gerda from being crushed by the basilisk.
“Ah… ahh… ahhh…”
Gerda was in a daze, muttering incoherently. Drool dripped from her slack jaw, making me feel a bit nauseous.
“
I quickly appraised the basilisk before me. The result was shocking.
――
Subject: King Basilisk, Level 5
The highest-ranking species of the basilisk family. Its body is twice as large as a lower-ranked basilisk, and its combat abilities are greatly enhanced.
――
“This… isn’t just a basilisk!!”
What was that about it being just a slightly bigger basilisk?! Did Gerda, who’s supposed to be a tamer, not know what she was talking about?!
…By the way, what level is Gerda?
――
Subject: Gerda Irod, Level 40
Skills
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Level 40. It’s lower than mine, but still not weak.
The fact that this basilisk can easily defeat someone of level 40 makes it dangerous. Ilza and Eleanor behind us might be at risk.
Here—I’ve got to fight!
“Both of you, take Gerda and run! I’ll handle this!”
Swinging my arm, I signaled them to retreat.
Focus on getting them out safely. One-on-one might be tough, but somehow—
But despite my resolve, the two behind me showed no signs of retreating.
They weren’t kidding around. Their eyes held the same determination.
“…Arx. I’ll fight too.”
Ilza was the first to speak.
“I followed you to get stronger. I haven’t gained anything from you yet… So, I won’t back down.”
Then Eleanor beside her clapped her hands together, determined.
“I-I’ll fight too! It’s scary, but… you saved my life, Arx-kun! As long as I live, I’m determined to follow you!!”
I didn’t expect such dedication, but their words felt like a gentle push on my back.
That’s right. I don’t have to fight alone. The three of us will defeat this threat.
“—Got it. Let’s go, both of you!”
I drew my sword, and they nodded firmly as they stepped forward.