For I Am A Side Character - 134 - Being Saved and Being Yelled at.

Just as Soril was found lying on the ground, the demon flew down right next to him with it’s mouth drenched in his blood.

“…Kh-…ahk-!” When Soril tried to stand up, the demon sadistically stepped on his legs with his heavy hooves.

Soril couldn’t scream so loud, he took every strength he had to not scream out his lungs.

“…” The Demon, in its triumphant glory, took another step and crushed his other leg.

“K-kkk…Haa…haa…” and yet again, he contained his pain and could only let out heavy breathes in turn.

“Bakayaro!” said the demon as it showed a smile on its horrifying face.

‘…A demon language?!’ Soril was bewildered.

He did not know that such a thing existed. He thought that all this demon could produce after devouring Orjay were a few growls only made by something a monster could think of.

But he was wrong…this monster, aside from it’s monstrous stength was intelligent.

“…Who…who are you?” asked Soril as he took interest in the little moments he had left.

“…Hiklameon.” spoke the demon.

“H-Hiklameon?”

“Sou Sou” as the demon spoke with a tone of affirmation, it raised its hand blade into the air, readying to finally end Soril.

‘This is it…I’m going to die.’ he thought.

And feeling hopeless, he closed his eyes and accepted his fate.

‘…Lord…I failed you.’

In his last thoughts, he could only think to God and his failures.

Thinking so, the demon plunges his hand blade down on Soril at such a quick pace, but right before it could touch his skin, a spear came flying out of nowhere, brimming with the energy of a dragon’s rage.

That Spear lunges itself down on the Demon’s head.

At a direct hit, the Spear dug itself deep into its skin…

But despite this attack, it did nothing but aggravate the demon. It only made the demon turn it’s attention to the person responsible.

That spear came from Sgt. O’riley who threw his spear from over a kilometer away.

And what followed then was the large shadow of a man who fell from a portal that opened in the sky, carrying nothing but his own large axe.

This large man swung his axe so hatefully that the demon actually took notice of his rage. In instinct, the demon raised his blades in protection.

“RaahhH!!” as the large man swung down, it met with the demon’s blade.

The two collided, but even to his large and powerful attack, it made no difference to the demon.

It only smiled at the sight of a new prey.

While the two were clashing at each other, out from below, a root was growing, and on it’s efforts, it grabbed hold of Soril’s arm. In a quick assist, this flexible root pulled away Soril from the fight and into a certain familiar warmth of a familiar scent…

“Agh-…J-Jessica?” Soril spoke with a bruised tone as he slowly opened one eye up.

And to meet him up close, was the tearful sight of Jessica holding him as his body was bleeding out.

“John, Please heal him now!” she screamed.

And in response, John walked close to him and showered him with a yellow holy light.

“…W-Why…are you guys here?” he asked as it took every strength he had to speak.

Through his fights with Orjay, he was so focused, he barely took the time to look and familiarize the presence of the others. The intenssity of the fight blinded him of everything else.

“Please, don’t talk…you’re pretty H-hurt right now, so I want you to just rest up and let the others deal with the demon.” she said as she tried wiping off the dirt that was on his face.

“…” as he listened to her, he turned his head to where the demon was. And to his surprise, the demon was up against six strong hunters.

Miss Seraphena who was the Guild Leader for Dragon Order Guild

Clonie Suvack who was a guild representative of the Black Rose Guild.

Thoran StoneFist who was the rabid and strong Guild leader.

Sgt. O’riley who was a past Dragon Hunter.

And for a more surprising element, Conner O’niel and Audrey Yagami who worked in support.

But even with such a great number of fighters, Soril knew it wasn’t enough.

“Kh-” trying to get up, Jessica stopped him from moving.

“Please don’t!” she said angrily as she pulled him right back close to her.

“…D-don’t stop me Jessica…I need to k-kill that demon.” He said as all his attention was on killing the demon.

“…” John watched in silence as the two argued.

With Soril wanting to move on again and Jessica pulling him back in, the two were at conflict with one another, but both had good intentions. It was hard who to support from the two.

“Please, don’t go back there…let them experts handle it.” she said with a shaky voice.

“…it’s my job.”

“…You’re being reckless…more than reckless, you’re being a fuckign idiot!” she said as tears began to fall down on Soril’s face.

“!?” he was shocked to feel her sad tears.

“Look at yourself! You can barely stand up and you want to go back and fight?! Are you stupid!!?” she said as her brows furrowed with worry.

“I’m sorry if I’m making you cry…but it’s my duty…you know this…I’ve told you how dangerous my life would be.”

“But still! You don’t have to be an idiot about it! You told me once that fear is what keeps a person alive, and going against fear is nothing but a reckless and stupid act for a warrior…you’re  doing it…you’re being a fucking hypocrite!”

“…”

“Don’t go…just don’t go.” she said as she held him as tight as she could.

As he thought deep about this, he also watched the others fight the damn demon.

Slowly but surely, they were starting to lose against a single demon.

He knew they were not enough.

“…Then what am I supposed to do?” he asked her.

“It’s simple…Don’t be a fucking idiot.” she said as she buried her face down on his chest.

Tears would not stop falling from her eyes, for she was certain that if Soril were to ever go back again at his condition, he would surely die.

“…”

In response to her plea, Soril slowly started to regain his strength from John’s healing and he raised his hand over her head. Patting her in comfort.

“…Fine, I won’t be an idiot, but…”

“.…But?”

“But I’m not going to stand by and let the others get hurt just because I couldn’t finish my job.”

“Soril…”

“I’m not going to be a reckless case…you just reminded that despite everything, you love me enough to even call me an idiot. Hehehe” he chuckled at his own words.

“…I’m only saying what was true…you’re an idiot at times, but…I love you.”

“Thank you…”

At this heart warming moment, John smiled at thee reconcilation between the two.

“I don’t know what to do…I really don’t” Said Soril as he looked away from the fight and into the sky.

The sky was cleared off of the clouds because of the recent battle he made against the demon…but still, the sky was still blue and beautiful.

“…I wish God would take away this conflict.” he said in a whisper.

“…God doesn’t work that way.” said John as he looked to Soril.

“I know…he works in wonders outside our comprehension.” he said.

“Right…but at times like this, we have to work our own miracles.” said John.

“…You’re right.”

***

‘Fuck, how isn’t this bastard not falling?!’ thought Thoran as he did his best clobbering it with his axe. An axe that was made entirely by Void Metal, the strongest known metal.

The battlefield shook as Thoran’s Void Metal axe clashed against the demon Hiklameon’s bladed limbs. Sparks flew with every impact, and yet, the demon stood unfazed. Its monstrous grin never wavered as it parried Thoran’s strikes with a casual flick of its wrist.

“RAAAH!” Thoran roared, pouring all his strength into a downward swing aimed at the demon’s neck. Hiklameon caught the axe with its claws, halting the attack mid-swing as if catching a child’s toy.

“Raah!” the demon growled in its guttural, otherworldly voice. With a flick, it sent Thoran sprawling, the barbarian’s massive frame crashing into a boulder, shattering it on impact.

Before Thoran could recover, Sgt. O’Riley charged in, spear in hand. His precision was unmatched, honed from years of hunting dragons. He lunged forward, aiming for the demon’s glowing, crimson eye.

“Take this, you overgrown freak!” O’Riley snarled, his spear tip igniting with a fiery burst of energy.

Hiklameon tilted its head slightly, letting the spear skim past its cheek. It raised a claw, and in a fluid motion, deflected the weapon’s shaft, sending O’Riley stumbling.

“Khekhekhe!~” The demon’s laugh dripped with mockery.

From the shadows, Cloni Suvack struck. His daggers gleamed with a violet, poisonous aura as he weaved between the demon’s towering legs. hhe moved like a shadow, her strikes precise and aimed at the creature’s joints.

Yet, every strike felt as though she was slicing through solid steel.

“…” Hiklameon sneered. With a swift kick, it sent Cloni flying into the air. He twisted mid-air, barely landing on his own feet, but the impact left him breathing heavily.

Above them, Seraphena hovered, her hands weaving intricate symbols of arcane power. The sky darkened as a massive dragon-shaped construct of fire and lightning formed behind her.

“Draconic Tempest!” she shouted. The construct roared, diving toward Hiklameon with destructive force.

The demon’s grin widened. It raised both its bladed arms, crossing them as the fiery dragon slammed into him. The explosion lit up the battlefield, shaking the very earth.

As the dust settled, Hiklameon emerged, smoke rising from its charred skin. It laughed, the sound echoing ominously.

“Majo!” It spoke with intent as it spread its arms wide, as if inviting more attacks.

“Damn it,” Seraphena muttered, beads of sweat forming on her brow.

“Focus!” Conner O’Niel shouted as he sprinted forward. His fists were engulfed in wild animalistic energy, each punch releasing shockwaves that cracked the ground beneath him. He aimed a flurry of punches at the demon’s torso, each impact resounding like thunder.

Hiklameon barely flinched. With one swift motion, it caught Conner’s arm mid-punch and squeezed.

“Ahh!” Conner gritted his teeth as the demon’s grip tightened, threatening to crush his bones.

From the side, Audrey Yagami darted in. Her twin blades crackled with blue lightning, and she moved like a storm, slashing at the demon’s legs. The electricity surged through Hiklameon’s body, causing its movements to stutter for a brief moment.

“Let him go!” Audrey shouted, her voice sharp as her blades.

The demon turned its gaze toward her, its eyes flashing with amusement. It released Conner, only to backhand Audrey with enough force to send her skidding across the battlefield. Her lightning blades flickered as she struggled to stand.

With a guttural roar, Hiklameon stomped the ground, sending a shockwave that threw everyone off balance. It moved with terrifying speed, closing the distance to O’riley in the blink of an eye. Before the veteran could react, the demon’s bladed arm swung down.

O’Riley narrowly blocked with his spear, but the force of the blow shattered the ground beneath him.

“Gah!” Sgt. O’Riley was sent flying back, blood trailing from his lips.

“Hahahaha!” Hiklameon laughed at the amusement of his toy flying away.

The demon then turned to Cloni, who was already charging in for another strike. But before Cloni could act, the demon swiped at him with its leg, catching him off-guard and slamming him into a nearby cliffside.

“Gah!” Cloni was beign crushed by the demon’s hands. If it went anymore, he would have died, but thankfully Seraphena came and threw another magic attack at the demon.

“Falix!” she said in activation to the magic attack.

*BooM!*

The beam of magic was so intense, it burried the demon in attacks that made it’s legs shake. Thinking that she did well, she smiled, but to an unexpected event, the demon in its burrying moment, opened its mouth and from it, a focused demonic energy was settling in.

“Konoyaro!” it screamed.

And in its scream, it fired it’s own ranged attack.

It blew away Sera’s attack altogether and straight at her.

And it wasn’t just her who was aimed for this attack, everyone was doomed to be hit.

The beam of demonic energy split into seven ways. Stargeting each grouped member.

“!?” in response, Seraphena unleashed another wave of magic, summoning a barrier of crackling energy to protect her comrades.

Unexpectedly, The demon shifted toward her, pressing his bladed hands against the barrier.

With a sickening crack, the barrier shattered like glass. And pierced Seraphena straight in the chest.

“!?”

“Kore ga jinrui no genkai ka?” It said.

In quick to rescue, Sgt. O’riley came by and struck the demon’s hand away.

He rescued Sera and ran away as fast as possible, while being chased by the demon, the others retaliated by blocking the demon from going any further.

“John, Heal her!” said Sgt. O’riley as he placed Ms. Sera next to John.

With her heavy breaths, she was starting to see a blur.

While Hiklameon laughed as it danced around the battlefield, toying with its opponents. Each attack they launched was met with a counter so effortless, it seemed as though the demon was merely entertaining itself.

Audrey and Conner regrouped, launching coordinated strikes with blades and fists, but the demon dodged and parried with infuriating ease. Thoran returned, his rage boiling over as he swung his axe with wild abandon, only to be stopped mid-swing every time.

The demon’s mocking laughter filled the air.

“Tsumaranai na~” it said, its voice filled with contempt.

The hunters, bruised and battered, could only glare at the creature in defiance. Their strongest efforts barely left a mark, and yet, none of them backed down.

How can it be that such a monster existed?

Unbeknownst to them, the reason for this Demon’s credulous strength came from the very hands of the Demon King himself.

This demon…no, this sword was crafted by the very fuel of anger that motivated the demon king to go against God.

A sword personally crafted by the Demon King himself.

Hiklameon, the Malleable.

A sword that could absorb the very nature of strength. A sword that could have the possibility of ending God himself. A sword with such power for adaptability that it could ultimately devour the world.

In their efforts to try and subdue the beast, soon enough, one person became reckless.

“How can we surpass this monster?” asked Audrey as she was slowly losing hope in the fight.

“…I don’t know, but compared to when Soril went up against this monster on his own, we could barely do anything against it.” said Sgt. O’riley.

“Don’t lose hope…sooner or later, there has to be an opening against this bastard.” said Cloni as his legs were starting to shake from being tired.

As they continued to fight, Ms. Sera who was on the ground, turned her head to Soril.

“…I can’t believe you actually went against this monster on your own.” she said.

“How are you feeling?” asked Soril as he could see John doing his best to close the wound.

“I’m not doing so good.” she said.

“And you John?”

“It’s just like your wound. For some reason, the demonic energy is so dense, I can’t fully close the wound until I clear away the demonic energy. How did you do it? How could you regrow your arms from before after losing them to that monster?!” he asked.

“…” slowly but surely, Soril rose up from the ground. Jessica no longer pestered him to stay put.

“Just like this.” using every ounce of strength he had, he used God’s Will on Seraphena and quickly closed the wound.

“!?”

The demonic energy was quickly dissipated and Sera had regained a bit of her strength.

“How did you do it?” asked John.

“…I’ll leave the answer up to you, for now, I need to go back and provide backup.” as he said this, Jessica’s eyes furrowed.

“…If I join in, I’m sure our chances of winning will rise.” he said as he looked to Jessica.

In turn, Jessica raised her head and met his eyes. Her eyes were red from all the tears…and Soril couldn’t help but hate himself for making her cry so much.

“…I won’t die…this I promise you.” as he said this, he slowly pressed his lips on her forehead.

After a while, he stood up and brought out his two swords.

“…” silently, he closed his eyes and he started to pray.

‘Dear lord…I leave my life in your hands today.’

And from this thought, he stepped back into the battle with fear lingering in his eyes.

But as he left, Jessica slowly stood up from the ground as well and looked to Soril’s back.

‘I can’t just let him go and let him kill himself…he needs help…but I can’t do it. Not me…I’m too weak to be of any help, but…’

Having decided to take action, Jessica grabbed the Elven artifact and opened a portal.

“Where are you going?” asked John.

“I’m calling for help.” she said.

And from it, she stepped into the portal.