A monster that could kill me with one hit.
And a Demon Slayer who has vowed to protect the world from the corruption of Demons.
It’s very obvious who’s stronger, but in my eyes, the battle before me is more like a beautiful tango of death.
My master, Cairo, uses his speed to dodge and launch attacks at the Orc Juggernaut every time there is an opening, sending sparks flying in the places where his sword manages to hit.
But his opponent has overwhelming strength. A single punch from it destroys the walls of the houses in the vicinity and the road that serves as their temporary battlefield.
Even the other Orcs and Goblins that have arrived at the scene cannot recklessly intervene. If they get too close to that dance of death, their lives will also end in a heartbeat.
I watch as the Elder of the Clawford tribe launches a barrage of Stone Bullets and Earth Spikes from a distance, ensuring that Cairo will not be targeted by the other monsters who are capable of ranged combat.
The other Catkins also understand that their Young Master has shifted all of his concentration to his enemy and has left nothing to spare for the dangers in his surroundings.
For a brief moment, I feel that I am once again sitting in my comfortable gaming chair and watching an epic cinematic scene from ELO.
A part of me wishes to fight alongside Master and put myself in the jaws of death to better understand my limits.
However, the logical part of me understands that I have no role to play in that battle aside from being an extra baggage for my master.
While it is frustrating to think about it, I also understand that I am still not strong enough to face the Orc Juggernaut.
The Rank 2 mutant spider we so desperately fought? The Orc Juggernaut could easily smash something like that into meat paste in the span of less than a minute.
In other words, this creature was a force of nature that only the truly strong could face head-on.
And Master, although weaker than it, is one of those individuals who will not back down against an opponent he has decided to kill.
"Demon Slaying Art, First Form," Cairo says as he dodges the punch of the Orc Juggernaut, which sends dirt and gravel flying in every direction.
The sword in my Master’s hand is covered in a purple flame, and the moment it makes contact—unlike what has happened earlier—no sparks go flying everywhere. Instead, blood spurts out of the Orc’s calf, making the latter cry out in pain.
"Sixth Form," Cairo states. "Lightblind Cross!"
Two quick sword strikes, followed by a blinding flash that resembles a cross, appear in the same area that the Catkin targeted earlier.
For the first time since the battle started, the Orc Juggernaut falls to one knee as it momentarily loses the ability to stand.
It roars hatefully at Cairo, who has distanced himself after spending a lot of stamina on unleashing those two skills against his enemy.
I am sure that my master understands that unless he neutralizes the Orc Juggernaut’s mobility, the entire town might get destroyed due to their battle.
’That’s the famed Demon Slaying Skills of the Catkin Tribe," Elaine, who is standing beside me, mutters. "I thought it was only effective against demons?"
"Demon Slayers become stronger when they are fighting against demons," Efa explains. "It’s like a passive buff that is exclusive to that profession. That’s also the reason why Demons hate them."
"That monster is under a Demonic State," I say confidently. "I think it might be under the control of a demon or has been corrupted by one."
"That monster is under the control of a Demon?!"
I nod. "Yes. This is why Master is also becoming stronger than ever. His abilities are boosted whenever he is fighting against a Demon, his natural enemy. But this fight is far from over."
I just look at the monster’s health bar, and it tells me everything I need to know.
’Only a tenth of its HP was lost during that exchange,’ I note while observing my master, who is now starting to breathe heavily.
Even though I am certain Master is now stronger than ever after fighting his natural enemy, his fight is still an uphill battle.
At most, the Elder of the Clawford Tribe can only provide support from time to time.
As I look at the airship in the sky, I notice that the Catkins on it are only attacking the Orcs and Goblins in the surroundings.
’Smart move,’ I think. ’The captain might have told his crew, as well as the other Catkins on the ship, not to attack the Orc Juggernaut because it might start hurling entire walls of houses in their direction as a form of retaliation.
’If that really were to happen, the airship would suffer serious damage. In the worst-case scenario, it might even crash into the town.’
Aside from me, Dim Dim, Elaine, and Efa, everyone is fighting desperately.
I have already leveled up two more times since my Master and the Orc Juggernaut started fighting.
Perhaps feeling inspired to fight, I add the six stat points I have received to my Strength Stat, making me feel a little stronger.
Alignment: Chaotic Good
Job Class: Oathkeeper
Available Stat Points: 0
Active Skills: Oathkeeper’s Duty, Shield [EX], Shield Bash, Shield Charge.
Passive Skills: Improved Stone Throw, Head Shot.
[Difficulty Level: Hell Mode]
All I need is sixteen more stat points, and I will officially become a Rank 2 Oathkeeper.
And frankly, judging by the progress of my experience bar that’s still rising, it is nearly guaranteed that I will reach that rank by the time the battle ends.
I watch as the Orc Juggernaut stands up once again, its injury healing at a rapid rate.
It is at that moment when I hear Dim Dim shout above my head.
"Dim Dim!" The Dim Sum God points at a cloaked individual in the distance, who is hidden behind several Orcs and Hobgoblins.
’I see,’ Realization dawns on me after my gaze lands on the person wearing a black cloak paired with a mask covering their face. ’That’s the mastermind behind this stampede.’
With a target in mind, I whisper to Elaine and Efa beside me.
Both of them look at me in shock because I have just told them a crazy plan to throw the monster army into chaos.
However, for that to happen, I must reach the person pulling the strings from behind.
Seeing that the masked individual is under the protection of dozens of strong monsters, who seem to be their bodyguards, Elaine and Efa know that this mission isn’t going to be easy.
With my plan already laid out in great detail, I grab the Dim Sum God on top of my head and adopt a throwing posture.
"Are you ready, Dim Dim?" I ask.
"Dim!" Dim Dim replies affirmatively.
"Go for it!" I shout before throwing the little guy towards the airship with all my might.
In order to reach my target, I need the captain’s help in clearing a path that leads to the cloaked individual, so that Elaine, Efa, and I can execute my daring plan of going deep behind enemy lines.