Jointly Slaying the Ape

A massive demonic beast, an Evil Ape, suddenly appeared before our eyes. It was this very fierce beast that had cast earth magic to attack us. Facing this critical situation, I prepared myself for battle. However, when I sensed the girl suddenly unleash a powerful magic power, I became wary of both sides.

Suddenly, the girl rushed forward with astonishing speed, casting fire magic to attack the Demonic Ape. A roar of agony echoed, proving the extraordinary power of her technique, and she fought with immense agility.

I immediately returned to my normal state and turned to leave while Yui continued her battle with the Demonic Ape.

"Hey, where are you going? Hurry and help me deal with it!"

"Since you are already so strong, why not fight it yourself? Consider this a 'meeting gift' from me."

With those words, I turned my back and walked away.

"Are you planning to run away? Of course! Facing such a powerful fierce beast, who wouldn't want to flee? You are no exception."

"Yes, precisely."

".............."

She was trying to provoke me into returning to help, but I told myself, "Forget it, I do not have the leisure for this."

I walked a considerable distance when I suddenly heard the Demonic Ape's agonizing roars gradually fade. Perhaps it had been defeated. In truth, it was indeed a powerful fierce beast. As an S-rank monster, defeating it would normally require an elite squad; it was no joke. Yet, it was defeated by a single girl in such a short time. Thus, to say she was extraordinary was by no means an understatement.

Taking a few more steps, I suddenly heard the girl scream in pain. Clearly, the Demonic Ape's magic power had merged with the dense magic power of this forest. Startled, I sensed multiple surges of magic power gathering, unlike the individual trace of the Demonic Ape from before.

I turned back and witnessed a fierce battle. The earth, rocks, and vegetation were almost completely devastated over a wide area. Five or six Demonic Apes were surrounding a girl. Yes, that very girl I had just met.

The girl lay motionless on the ground, before five or six Demonic Apes, in a scene that looked as if she were about to be violated. She was severely injured but still alive. Suddenly, an emerald-green glow enveloped her, and her wounds began to heal at an astonishing speed. She leaped up, retreating to widen the distance between herself and the Demonic Apes. Although most of her wounds had healed, they were still severe enough to prevent her from standing firmly.

A single Demonic Ape was enough to challenge an entire squad, let alone six of them facing a single girl. In my current state, it would also be difficult to defeat them. Furthermore, I did not wish to witness a girl being slaughtered or violated right before my eyes.

"Hey! Do you need assistance?" I called out, waving my hand to draw the attention of the Demonic Apes.

"I do not need your help!" she replied, her breath ragged, her face still tense as she focused on the Demonic Apes.

One Demonic Ape charged at her with extreme speed. I smiled faintly, rushing forward to block its strike right in front of her.

"I said I do not need your help!" Although she said so, if I had not blocked that blow, it would have surely struck her. Blocking the blow barehanded caused me considerable pain and a minor injury. But the wound healed instantly thanks to my skill.

"If you do not need help, then charge forward and fight, do not stand there uttering nonsense!"

Hearing my words, her face softened in surprise, but then turned resolute once more. She retreated, casting magic that forced the Demonic Ape to back down.

"Then I shall join you in destroying them."

Huh? How did I go from the helper to the one being helped? Nevertheless, she smiled faintly and continued her assault on the Demonic Apes.

Seeing her attack, I also drew my sword to face them. As the blade left its scabbard, an incredible magic power surged forth, causing the ground around me to crack and creating a gentle magic wind that swayed the trees. The Demonic Apes also retreated, seemingly sensing the danger.

Suddenly, four Demonic Apes rushed forward to attack us, while the remaining two provided support from behind. Their advantage lay in their seamless coordination and overwhelming numbers, making it impossible for us to cope easily. I continuously blocked, having few opportunities to counterattack. Yui was the same, constantly unleashing techniques at the Demonic Apes.

S-rank monsters were indeed extraordinary. Their speed and strength were entirely different from those of A-rank and below. Their movement and striking speeds were incredibly fast, with terrifying power in every punch. Added to that was their ability to cast magic, making it difficult for the girl and me to resolve the situation.

After a while, I began to activate my skills, while Yui also employed more powerful magic. I utilized Fortification, Acceleration, and Strength Boost. Now, I could fight on equal terms with the four Demonic Apes before me. With Yui's support, we were currently holding our own against all six.

Their flesh was thick and tough. However, with the sword in my hand, it was different; it could inflict wounds on all four. I had also taken quite a bit of damage. Suddenly, the four Demonic Apes leaped back simultaneously.

Amidst the hazy dust, hundreds of sharp stone fragments flew toward us. Caught off guard, I was struck by several, injuring my arm and causing fresh blood to seep out. As for the girl, she cast wind magic to deflect the flying stones. But because they were launched too quickly and powerfully, she was also injured in several places.

This dust was rather strange, lingering longer than usual. From within the dust, countless techniques were unleashed, but we could do nothing as we could not pinpoint their locations. A powerful gust of wind suddenly swept in. It was a high-tier wide-area wind magic, cast by Yui from behind me. The strong wind blew away the dust, revealing the six Demonic Apes preparing to cast magic.

They attacked me simultaneously the moment they were revealed. Countless spells were unleashed from both sides, tearing the forest apart and sending earth and rocks flying.

"Fire Storm!" I unleashed a spell, the very first offensive magic I had ever used in my life. I had been worried it would fail, as I had only learned magic yesterday. If it did not succeed, I would have to find a hole to crawl into out of sheer embarrassment.

A colossal flame suddenly appeared, beginning to engulf the three Demonic Apes in front. The flame, with its terrifying heat, erupted unexpectedly, shocking both friend and foe alike.

Yui stared at me with wide, astonished eyes.

"N-No c-chanting required?" Surprise was written all over her face. I had likely cast a high-tier magic. This was a spell I had randomly thought of, so I did not know whether it was strong or weak. I might as well test it out.

The storm subsided, and the three Demonic Apes within were panting heavily, their flesh scorched black, yet they could still stand. S-rank monsters were indeed remarkable. Seeing how powerful my magic was, I could not help but feel a mixture of surprise and joy.

Rejoicing but not letting my guard down, I rushed forward to slash at the three "well-cooked" Demonic Apes. Severely injured, they could not move in time. Consequently, my blade pierced the hearts of two Demonic Apes using my new martial arts, and the head of the remaining one rolled off. Three Demonic Apes were slain.

Suddenly, I realized the remaining three had vanished. I heightened my vigilance but sensed nothing. Then, I felt the magic power of the remaining three quite far away, and I began to dash forward. Before me was that girl, but she was unleashing a terrifying magic power.

"Great Wind Blade!" She cast a magic I had never seen before.

Wind power gathered, launching at a dizzying speed. Not just one, but countless wind blades surged into the Demonic Apes. Terrified shrieks echoed as their bodies were sliced into multiple pieces, and fresh blood flowed like a river.

After witnessing the death of the Demonic Apes, she fell to her knees, panting incessantly. But another source of magic power suddenly appeared right behind her. It was the last Demonic Ape. It turned out that the mangled pile over there was only two of them.

Yui seemed completely unaware. The Demonic Ape exerted all its strength, throwing a punch enveloped in earth magic. I rushed forward to block the punch for her, for if that blow landed, her bones would likely be shattered.

With extreme speed, aided by fire magic that made me feel as if I were flying, I dashed toward Yui and the Demonic Ape. I used my left hand to block the Demonic Ape's fist right behind Yui. A sharp pain shot from my arm to my brain. Fresh blood began to seep out; my bones were shattered. The fist had missed Yui. Summoning all my strength, I spun around and slashed at the Demonic Ape's body.

The Demonic Ape's body was sliced in half, falling to the ground. Fresh blood splattered, mixing with the blood from my arm. That final strike not only cut the Demonic Ape in half but also created a wave of magic power that blew away the surrounding earth and rocks, leaving a sword scar about twenty yards long on the ground. A terrifying, unpredictable power.

Turning around, Yui showed surprise mixed with a hint of terror due to the splattered blood. The last Demonic Ape collapsed. I also fell to my knees, clutching my injured arm.

"Hey, hey, are you alright? Hey, hey!"

The girl was extremely panicked upon seeing me collapse. Crying out in panic, she stood up.

"Heal!"

An emerald-green light enveloped my body. The wound gradually lessened, and the pain began to subside. The light vanished. My wound was much lighter, but it still pained me greatly. The girl sat down, supporting me.

Looking at her this closely, she was indeed incredibly beautiful. Her eyes seemed somewhat soft at this moment, as she supported me in confusion while examining the state of my wound.

A short while later, the pain had reduced significantly. I forced myself to stand, sheathing the sword on my back. The girl also stood up, her gaze more relieved, though a trace of fear still lingered. In my view, her emotions just now were entirely genuine. I saw panic and worry in Yui's eyes, not mere pretense.

"Why did you save me? Clearly, you could have left me behind and destroyed it yourself."

"It was merely instinct, nothing more. I also did not wish to see the first person to speak to me in this place perish so soon. That is all!"

I replied to Yui with a calm gaze, no longer as cold as before.

"Even to the point of sacrificing your arm to block the blow for me?"

"It was just convenient!"

These words sounded like an excuse, but in truth, it really was just "convenient."

Looking around, a scene of devastation lay before us, caused by the countless powers unleashed. Trees were shattered, blood flowed everywhere, the earth was cracked, dust swirled, and the corpses of the Demonic Apes lay scattered.

"Apologies for only asking now, but where exactly are you planning to go?" she asked, her face slightly flushed.

"To find a way out of this place."

I answered her directly without any hesitation.

"Then, may I accompany you?"

".............."

Silence enveloped this quiet place. Her face flushed red, showing extreme embarrassment.

"I think we should go our separate ways. For I still do not know who you are, or what your purpose is—"

"No!" she immediately interrupted me.

"Your injury was because of me, therefore I have the responsibility to care for you."

A reply full of confidence and responsibility.

"And what else?" I continued to ask her.

"-----And I-I n-need f-food!" Once again, she blushed, bowing her head to the ground in embarrassment.

I thought to myself: "So this is the reason she fainted before the forest edge. Though true, this reason is still quite amusing." Unable to contain myself, I burst into laughter. Her face grew redder, and she turned away.

"Or is it because you fear I am a demon, so you do not wish for me to follow?" Her gaze gradually became firm, showing clear determination.

"I have said I do not care whether you are a demon or a human, and you have skillfully changed the subject indeed."

My words made her face flush to the extreme, almost to the point of tears.

"S-So you agree to let me accompany you?" Summoning all her courage, she asked once more.

"I will not guarantee your safety. Whatever happens, you must bear the responsibility yourself. Furthermore, you must always listen to me and not act on your own."

Her face began to relax, she let out a sigh of relief, and joy returned to her features.

"Yes!" she replied immediately.

And so, we set off to find a way out of this place.