Episode 17: Temporary Alliance (Part 2)
Karon had only seen a monster once before during his childhood following his parents' mercenary life.
It occurred when the Empire mobilized mercenaries to exterminate creatures in the northern Alten Mountains, a campaign his parents' unit joined.
Though too young to approach, Karon had watched from a distance as they vanquished a colossal monster.
The humanoid beast stood grotesquely massive, its appearance defying description.
Back then, a single roar had made his limbs tremble - he'd been so overwhelmed by its size and ferocity that he nearly pissed himself.
But now, Karon remained calmer than ever.
If one ignored the distraction of Shong noisily rummaging through bags behind him for usable weapons.
Should I just abandon him here?
"We're done. Get the horses and move out."
Karon's murmur carried clearly in the deathly silence.
Urgent shuffling sounds followed as Shong hurried toward the horses.
Sveks' predatory gaze confirmed it was targeting the steeds. A wise choice to stable them indoors.
The monster drew nearer, studying Karon with apparent curiosity. Fearless thing.
Iron-plated scales. A torso too vast for two men to embrace. Fangs dripping venom.
A flickering serpentine tongue and vertical slit pupils glowing with malice.
Every feature screamed menace.
Yet to Karon, it resembled nothing more than an oversized hatchling snake throwing a tantrum.
'Since when did monsters feel so... unthreatening?'
He tilted his head slightly.
Had childhood fear magnified their terror? Had he grown stronger? Or was this specimen simply weak?
Perhaps all three.
Hsssk-
Screeee!
The monster lashed its tongue before gaping its maw wide.
A transparent intimidation attempt.
Karon merely wrinkled his nose at the stench of腐敗 breath.
Enraged by his indifference, the monster coiled and lunged using its body's recoil.
Karon snorted. Predictable linear movement.
'Pathetic.'
The instant fangs should have pierced him, Karon's form dissolved like mist.
He reappeared beside the beast, sword carving a horizontal arc across its jawline.
The toughest hides always proved thinnest at mucosal junctions - an opening only his heightened senses could exploit.
Schlllt!
Kreeeeeeh!!!!
Green blood fountain erupted from the sideways-split maw. The Sveks hatchling writhed, screeching in agony.
Wiping viscous blood from his blade, Karon stared incredulously.
'This wailing brat's a monster?'
Rustling sounded behind him.
"Damn, you actually did it?!"
Shong emerged leading two horses, his initial plan to flee now unnecessary.
The monster had been... disappointingly feeble.
"By the skies! You really killed that..."
Shong's words died as his gaze traveled upward.
His eyes bulged. Jaw unhinged.
"Th-that! THAT!"
Even his horse shied nervously. Karon almost rolled his eyes at the dramatics over one slain beast.
Until Shong wheeled his mount and bolted opposite, screaming:
"BEHIND YOU! RUN!!!"
Karon spun toward the injured hatchling. It still squirmed pitifully.
Yet darkness deepened inexplicably across the moonlit field.
His eyes lifted.
Two crimson suns hovered high above.
Gradually, the silhouette resolved: Layered scales. A trunk-like body thicker than castle towers.
'How?!'
This behemoth had evaded his hyperaware senses - approaching with serpentine stealth.
Realization struck as he glanced between the hatchling and looming terror.
The injured whelp's mother had come.
Whoooosh-
Air screamed as it rushed into the colossal maw.
KREEEEEEEEEEE!!!!
The sonic blast nearly shattered Karon's mind. Childhood terror flooded him, legs trembling, vision whitening.
But he'd grown.
'Move!'
Crack!
Karon launched backward without looking, legs pumping desperately.
An ordinary man would've collapsed. But years of survival honed his muscles beyond breaking.
KREEEEE!
The enraged mother Sveks pursued with serpentine undulations, each earth-shaking undulation toppling boulders. Acidic globules rained down, melting stone where they struck.
SssssPLOOSH!
Each corrosive missile forced Karon into zigzagging sprints, the ground hissing and steaming in their wake.
Sweat beaded his stoic face. His legs screamed under the strain, muscles nearing rupture.
A distant speck resolved - Shong fleeing on horseback.
'Just... a bit...'
Snap!
Karon vaulted onto the riderless horse trailing Shong.
"HYAH!"
He yanked the reins, digging spurs into the panicked beast.
The horse surged forward, instinctively recognizing mortal peril.
"Lose the baggage!" Karon barked at Shong's retreating form.
The thief's mount lagged under stolen goods bulging from saddlebags.
KREEEEE!
The mother Sveks closed distance alarmingly.
Acid splashed near Shong's heels. With a wail, he severed his treasure-laden bags.
"All that hard work!!"
He watched his loot spill across the sands, tears of frustration blending with speed-induced wind.
Fortunately, the Sveks couldn't match spurred horses. Shong exhaled in relief as the monster dwindled behind.
He immediately began calculating retrieval plans until noting Karon's distant figure.
"Plagues take you!!" he cursed at the retreating back, though secretly grateful for survival.
Dawn's first light.
"Almost caught them."
Shong sifted sand containing fading hoofprints, his haggard appearance contrasting Karon's composure.
Sleepless nights riding were routine for Karon. The desert's silence had been his only respite.
"Getting close makes me nervous," Shong admitted, brushing sand off his hands.
"Stay back when we engage."
"Obviously."
Shong remounted with false bravado. Karon followed, puzzling at the unfamiliar emotion tightening his chest.
Since his parents' death, new feelings kept emerging - this one resembled irritation. Not that he'd admit it.
Reaching the northern desert's edge, they found labyrinthine canyons where cool winds whispered through arid stone.
"There!"
Shong pointed downward before concealing his mount.
Below the cliff sprawled a grassland camp dotted with tents and slave-filled wagons.
"Quite the settlement," Shong grumbled, sleep-deprived and bitter.
Few guards patrolled at this hour. Black-cloaked sentries stood watch over captives.
"So? We attacking now?"
Karon ignored him, analyzing terrain. The barren flats offered no cover.
Memories resurfaced - Black Cloaks annihilating entire mercenary squads. Direct assault meant suicide.
A forest bordered the grassland's edge.
"We ambush from the woods."
"Woods? Where?!"
Shong stared at endless plains until Karon guided him through hidden paths.
As they neared, trees resolved into a sizable forest.
"Ah..."
Shong gaped at the looming greenery.
They sought running water first, having exhausted supplies days prior.
Karon's enhanced senses located a stream. While Shong drank like a parched hound, Karon remained vigilant.
After refilling waterskins, Karon began mapping the forest's strategic points.
