MEMORIES AND ABU HORMUZ

Volume 2 Chapter 16 - A Resilience and Hope [2/2]

"O light, under the auspices of the Luminous God," Lusi began to activate his spell.

He brandished one of his fingers, formed a pentagon on his forehead, and pressed the middle finger between his eyebrows to complete the hexagon symbol, the Luminous God symbol. Then he pressed his palm on Miki.

"[RUBY]!"

Even though the light was so bright, it was sad. Miki begins to collapse in Haruhiro's arms. It was incredible, there was nothing left of his body except ashes. That happened to Udin, too. Everyone will experience it if he dies. That is the last meaning of death.

The light faded, then Haruhiro fell limp to the ground. He couldn't say anything, he couldn't think of anything, nothing came to his head. Susi sat in front of Miki's remains. Barto and Marco were still able to stand, and so was Vina. Alice took off her hat with one hand panting.

"Done it already is" Marco said in a simple sentence.

"Yes," Lusi scooped up a handful of Miki's ashes and closed his eyes. "With this, it's done for good. I've done what I had to do. And I managed to do this all thanks to you guys. Thank you." Thank you."

"He's strong, Miki." Barto. "I have to be strong too. "

Alice nodded firmly. "I want more to have attack spells. I'll learn the attack spell. "

Marco snorted and raised his chin, his expression impressing with tact. "Maybe I'll create the perfect secret killing technique for myself."

Again he would say stupid things. But let it be.

"Vina wants a companion wolf" Vina said. "A wolf cub costs 1 gold, but it will take a long time to raise it ... "

"Then, what are you going to do?" Haruhiro asked a question.

"Mmmm ..." Vina tilted her head to one side. "The wolf will stay with me, otherwise we will not have an inner bond. I thought I could just carry it with my pocket."

"Would that wolf fit in there?" Ask Lusi.

Vina patted his shirt pocket. "Hmm, don't know .. Maybe this is too small. Or maybe, I'll buy a bag for a puppy ... "

Marco, as usual, ruined the atmosphere by interrupting, "A bag like that is big enough for you to carry everywhere. "

"Vina herself will take him, and then Marco cares?" Vina says. "And Vina won't let Marco touch her."

"Why not?" Ask Marco. "Switching his head won't hurt the wolf. In fact, it would definitely make him even stronger! "

"No, it won't!" Vina.

"Yes, of course you can!"

"No. Can't."

"Can you!"

"It can't be!"

"Maybe, you stupid idiot!"

"You know…." Haruhiro cut in with a wry smile. "People say: Don't count your chickens before they hatch." He let out a long sigh and left them, "but it's up to you."

Getting stronger, huh? Be stronger. What does that mean to him? Of course, he thought of some techniques he wanted to obtain, but he did not think that those techniques could make him significantly stronger. Sharpen [BACKSTAB] and [WIDOW MAKER] also have limits. Regardless, improving combat ability was important for his own sake, but if he became a better leader, it would improve the overall ability of the team.

He had a feeling that it was too early for him to expect such an achievement. But that doesn't matter, after all, Haruhiro is a very suitable person as a behind-the-scenes role.

"Sme ..." Haruhiro.

"Yes?" Answer Lusi.

"Does that not matter? I mean, don't you want to get a memento or something. "

"Ah" he said, blinking rapidly, as if he was lulled by the question. "I didn't think of anything like that. You're correct. I think I want to get it. When I returned to Atalante, I had to tell Haya about this news... "

"Yes," Haruhiro nodded. "yes too. I'm sure he'll be relieved after hearing this news. "

"I hope so too…"

Luci started to look at the rest of the equipment Miki had left behind. Haruhiro wanted to ask him to heal the injured Party members, but he stopped doing that. Perhaps it would be better if he did not bother her at this time, because Lusi was looking for the last remnants of his precious friend, namely: Miki, Ogi, and Musi.

"It's been a hard day" whispered Alice.

"Again," said Vina, twisting her shoulders slowly.

"We've never gone all-out like this," Haruhiro reminded them, and he was careful not to make it sound like a reproach. "It's better not to let your guard down until we get back to Atalante .. instead I hope we get in trouble again, anyway. "

"There might be a problem" Marco sneered so irritatingly. "Who knows..."

Haruhiro hopes that Marco will stop that immediately, because if he says so, then trouble will always come to them. A chill suddenly crept down Haruhiro's spine. He turned around to see what was behind him.

"De-" Haruhiro begins.

"Huh?" Marco turned around too. "Whoa ..."

"Gawat .." said Barto.

"Eh?" Vina looked surprised.

Alice exhaled a thin breath.

"No way .." whispered Lusi.

Why should it be now? Why should it be now? Why did the creature have to come out now.

"L-run!" only that word could be tucked out of Haruhiro's mouth.

It's come. He's right here. Whahuh? Come on, why do I have to now. What the fuck is this ... The fur was black with white dots, so large that it was hard to believe that he was a kobold, so big, and he was clutching a thick large sword that resembled a butcher ... Deathspots. The kobold monster inhaled a heavy breath while running, saliva flowing from his chin like a river, and his blood-red eyes shone as he got closer.

The Deathspot is accompanied by several tip-off kobolds, each equipped with steel plate armor, a full helmet, a sword and a round shield. There's no way they can win against this herd of kobolds. But, did they have a chance to escape? No, if they ran, they would only be cut down one by one from behind.

Haruhiro doesn't want to do this, but he doesn't see any other options. If standing up to fight was the only option, then he could not allow his mentality to lose before the battle began. They have to win, and win, they have to ...

"Barto, sorry, keep Deathspot busy! Others, face the kobolds! "haruhiro.

In this state of panic, Haruhiro did not hear their answer. What can I do. It did not change the fact that they had to finish off the tips as quickly as possible. Once the tip kobolds are defeated, the real fight will begin.

"Oom rel eckt nem das!" Alice chanted the spell [SHADOW BIND], thus sealing the movements of the kobold tips.

Thanks to that, Haruhiro was able to calm his panic a little.

"Marco, face one alone! Vina and I will face the others! "haruhiro.

The two shouted their agreement.

"I'll help too!" Luci raised his staff in a ready position, he positioned himself behind Haruhiro and Vina.

Haruhiro was about to stop him, but he stopped doing so. Until the tips were defeated, it might be best if he let Lusi actively participate in the fight. After they took care of the tips, he could retreat again. Yeah, that's a great idea.

"Thank you !!!" Barto unleashed [RAGE CLEAVE] with all his might.

Deathspot, he's clutching a butcher's sword, it looks like it's made of lead. He deflected Barto's attack easily, and immediately launched a counter-attack. The power behind his punch was truly terrifying. Deathspot then went on to deliver a rain of blows, and Barto almost failed to hold it all together. If a single blow broke through his defense, it would be fatal to Barto, no matter if he was wearing armor or not.

Haruhiro was terrified like a coward, but Barto was even more terrified. He should not think about Barto now, however, he should find a way to eliminate Barto's fear. But isn't there anything else to do? No, it's not even worth stating as a question. He has another job now ...

Two tipsters ignored Deathspot and Barto, their attention focused entirely on Haruhiro and the rest of the Party.

"[HATRED'S CUT]!" Marco jumped on tip C, and that forced him to retreat.

"I'm coming!" Haruhiro said, while rushing past Vina to attack tip B directly.

However, he did not really intend to attack her. Tip B swung the sword at him repeatedly, and Haruhiro used [SWAT] to fend off, fend off, and fend off again. While tip B focused on Haruhiro, Vina and Lusi flanked him from both sides, and they attacked simultaneously.

"[CROSS CUT]!"

"[MASH]!"

Tip B blocked the attack using his sword and shield, but the balance became chaotic. Now! Haruhiro thought so. He deftly maneuvered to position himself behind tip B, then used [WIDOW MAKER]. While attached to his back, he took off the kobold's helmet, stuck his dagger into the tip's right eye, twisted his dagger, and then pulled it back, before finally jumping to get away.

But the victim was still alive, and then Lusi hit again with a stick while Vina kicked him to the ground. He did not rise again. There are 2 more left. Their choice was to either finish off the A-head, which was still sealed by Alice's [SHADOW BIND] skill, or help Marco who was facing the C-head. Haruhiro did not hesitate to head towards tip A, Vina and Lusi followed in his footsteps. He could not move, so this fight should be easier.

Vina and Lusi moved right behind him, as Haruhiro surrounded tip A, then he executed the [WIDOW MAKER] skill. The three of them killed him with the exact same method when they finished off the life of the B-head, then now all that was left was the C-head.

What about Barto? He is probably going through the most difficult times compared to the other colleagues. Every blow of the butcher's sword Deathspot made Barto more depressed, to the point that he collapsed with one knee supporting his body. He somehow managed to stand back when there was a lull in the attack, but Haruhiro knew that he would not be able to hold on much longer alone.

"I'll finish this one alone!" Shouted Marco.

Haruhiro hesitated for a moment, before finally replying, "Thank you!" He believed in his friends. He also believed in Marco. "Lusi, back!" He ordered, as he and Vina moved to position themselves on the back and sides of Deathspot. The question is, even with the help of the two of them, will Haruhiro be able to withstand the Deathspot attack? Why did he feel so intimidated? Now that Deathspot was turning his back on Haruhiro, even the monster seemed to have no intention of looking back at it at all. Even so, Haruhiro really had no idea how to start the attack. He felt that any attack he had inflicted on the huge monster would not have an effective impact.

Doesn't matter. Effective or not, you have to try. That's all he has now. They are committed to doing this.

He tried [BACKSTAB] first .. at least, that was Haruhiro's intention. However, the next thing he realized, he was already lying on the ground. Huh huh? Was he already kicked by Deathspot when he approached to attack? He remembered it vaguely, but he wasn't really sure.

Is he hurt? He tried to wake up. His body ached all over, and his head was still slightly swirling, yet overall, he still felt fine. He may not have been seriously injured. He doesn't really know.

"Feel this, and this, and this, and this!" Marco attacked the streak as fast as lightning, so that the sword and shield c tips were ejected. With a shout, he smashed into the monster using his shoulder, so his opponent fell to the ground.

It was just a scene full of brutal action, but it worked well. Marco used his sword to thicken C's tip helmet, then he stuck his sword into C's tipster's throat deeply.

"Ha huh! Vice again for me! "His words.

"Now there's only Deathspot left!" Haruhiro shouted as hard as he could, trying to raise his team spirit.

But his little heart said that it was a futile effort. Haruhiro heard the raucous cries of Deathspot, Wro-ga-Huah! Wro-ga-Huahs! Wro-ga-Huahs! and at the time, Barto was completely overwhelmed.

Of course Haruhiro, Vina, and Marco wanted to help Barto immediately, but something was holding them back. Intimidation aura .. or something like that. What uncertainty do they feel?

No. gabe. The way Deathspot moves is dynamic and fast. He lunged and bounced, as if he had a spring attached to his foot, all the while he deftly grasped his butcher sword. And he never stopped moving, making it hard to find the gap.

There must be some sort of pattern or alignment that they can observe. Haruhiro and the others just have to find the Deathspot's fighting pattern. But no one had time to analyze it carefully.

"Oom rel eckt vel das!" [SHADOW ECHO] from Alice came at the right time, but it wasn't enough.

Deathspot swung his sword with a rumbling sound, then he sliced the black seaweed-shaped elemental shadow into two pieces, then the magic disappeared. Now that there was a narrow gap in the Deathspot's defense, it seemed impossible that they were launching an attack at the moment, but that was what Barto did. For the first time since the fight began, he attacked back.

He was completely out of breath, and his entire body was battered, but Barto knew that he would definitely be cut down like a dry tree if he continued to defend without giving a single counterattack. He had no choice but to take this chance, and he also risked everything on this attack. Barto has made a well-planned decision, and Haruhiro thinks it doesn't matter. That is the conclusion. But at that moment...

Gro-Huah! Deathspot shouted and held off Barto's giant sword using only his left arm.

What-what's that! Could such a thing happen?! haruhiro. He was very, very surprised, Barto was probably even more surprised than he was. However, surprised or not, it will not change what happens next.

Deathspot swung his sword viciously towards Barto's left shoulder. The sword tore through the iron armor like scissors cutting through paper, then it continued to pierce down, down, down, and down.

"BARTOO!" Marco just hit Deathspot without a second thought.

Damnit damnit! People like Marco are not ready to fight an enemy like Deathspot. The big Kobold swung his sword at Marco with enough force to crush him to death, or split him in half. Somehow, it turns out Marco is still able to duck at the right time to avoid the sabetage. A good move. And thanks to Marco's interference, Barto was able to roll away, and widen the distance between himself and Deathspot.

However, the wound looked terrible and there was severe bleeding.

"Lusi, cure Barto!" Haruhiro did not need to say that because Lusi swiftly took care of Barto.

He cast a healing spell on her directly, but of course the healing effect would not work instantly. They had to postpone some time until Barto was fully healed. Vina had pulled the bow, and now she was about to release the arrow right towards Deathspot. At this close distance, the arrow cannot escape. And the arrow hit the boss monster, stuck it in his side. Deathspot roared and turned towards Vina.

"You don't have time to look!" Shouted Marco, attacking again.

Deathspot blocked Marco's longsword easily, then he shot towards Vina. Of course, Vina ran as fast as she could to dodge.

"Well! Scary, scary, scary ...!" Vina shouted, threw out her bow, and used the skill of rolling the hole rat to get away.

Haruhiro is after Deathspot, but he can't reach her. This was not only the case right now, from the beginning Haruhiro had indeed never been able to position himself nearby.

"Damn!" Haruhiro grumbling.

"O darkness, O God of Cheating ..." This may be very rare, but Marco actually cast a spell. "[DARK INVITATION]!"

A headless black-purple body appeared out of nowhere. The creature had two hole-like eyes, and its mouth was torn off. It was satan. It is the Zodiac.

"Catch him! The zodiac!" Marco's orders.

{I don't want to do it! Not want! Not want! Not want! Keehehehe ... Heehehe!}

"I knew this would happen ..." Marco sighing.

Haruhiro could not even express how disgusted he was. The demon was so silly, and lazy .. he did not even reveal anything after seeing the creature. Vina screamed as Deathspot kicked her. The kick was so loud, that it made him bounce.

"Dumb Devil! Here you! " Go catches the Zodiac with his arm, and pulls it to get closer.

Haruhiro didn't even know that demons could be bent like that. Marco takes aim at Deathspot, then throws the Zodiac at him with all his might.

{Damn it! Goddamnit! Goddamnit! SIALAAAAAAAAAAN KAUUUUUU} , Shout the devil.

Then he hit Deathspot right in the face. Actually “menghantam” is not such a precise word, it would be better if it is defined as “nyungsep”. Deathspot immediately unleashed the demon, and threw it, but when the monster was busy with the Zodiac, it meant Marco had a chance to get close and launch a [ANGER THRUST] attack.

The attack was aimed directly at the kobold boss' throat, but Deathspot could still twitch, and that was enough to avoid Marco's long sword. His sword only slashed a few inches of kobold feathers on the side of his neck, and also slightly scratched his skin. Although the blood did not spray out, the Deathspot still bleeding.

Goody! Thought Haruhiro. They finally hit the monster. Deathspot is not invincible, and it turns out this fight is not free. They can do this. Deathspot is an opponent that they can defeat if they are able to fight it properly. Haruhiro had a feeling that maybe they could win. However, the feeling vanished like dust shortly after.

Deathspot screamed with a horrible voice. The color of his eyes had changed, for some reason, just a moment ago the light shining from his eyes seemed different. Suddenly, in less than a split second, Marco collapsed to the ground, and no longer moved.

What the hell just happened? Haruhiro didn't see it. All he saw was Marco's body lying on the ground in a pool of blood, and Deathspot raised his sword high above his head to unleash the final stroke. However, something stuck to his sword arm ..it was a purple-black colored creature. Haruhiro could not believe what he was seeing.

"Zodiac ?!" Haruhiro muttering.

{Keehehe ... Eeehehe ... Heehehehehe!} the demon said while sneering.

Deathspot was half grunting, half grinning, as if to say "you're just interfering," then he grabbed the demon like an eagle about to rip off its prey, and slammed into the ground. With a hissing sound, the demon evaporated then vanished. Thanks to a disturbance from the Zodiac, Marco's life is saved.

When Deathspot's attention returned to Marco, and he raised his sword once more to finish him off, Barto jumped up and held back the monster's butchery sword. It happened right at the moment Deathspot swung his sword down. What would have happened had the Zodiac not blocked Deathspot's slash? Most likely Barto will not be able to hold it in time. Zodiac just saved Marco's life.

Alice is helping Vina. One of Vina's hands was seen pressing against her stomach, surely she was enduring the excruciating pain. Barto, even when he was almost defeated by Deathspot, was still able to make sure to keep the big kobold away from Marco.

"Deathspot gets stronger as the wound gets worse!" Lusi said, as he ran towards Marco. "Hari! My magic is almost over! I can only chant two more spells, or maybe three if I force it. But that's all that's left!"

Haruhiro held his breath, with his jaw tightly clenched. Although Lusi healed his wounds, he could not restore his stamina, and Barto was already showing signs of exhaustion. Deathspots. The more he gets hurt, the stronger he gets? That meant that if they were to inflict more and more injuries on him, then this fight would only get more difficult. What kind of enemy is that? How could they fight such a creature? They won't be able to.

They should run. That's their only option right now. But were they really able to escape at a time like this? In fact, they should have run away from the beginning and never tried to fight creatures like this. No, Deathspot brought some men. Different circumstances. Now, only Deathspot remains. The question is, can they escape safely at this time?

Deathspot is fast. If the kobold boss decides to go after them, then they will never get away. If they were attacked from behind while running, then everything would be over. They'll be cut down in a split second. Two slashes = two lives lost, three slashes = three lives ... Ah, Haruhiro doesn't want to imagine it any further. He hoped that all of them could escape together, but the truth would not be that easy.

If they all ran, then there would definitely be a lot of casualties. If they were lucky, maybe some of them could get out of this mine. If they're unlucky, then they'll all die.

One guy. At the very least, there should be one person left behind as prey, whereas the other one left. One of them must keep busy Deathspot. It will be a death fight. Anyone who stays behind will die. That's the choice, all six die, or one die and all five live.

That's their only option now. Haruhiro understood that. Even when he argued with himself, Deathspot might have killed Barto. If Barto falls, then this party will end. If Barto died, everything would follow him to the achherat. That's the worst possible outcome. They should avoid it at any risk.

Let Deathspot kill one of them, so the other one stays alive. Who is willing to be a victim? Who will be left behind? And did Haruhiro offer this ill-fated role of’as to his friends? Did he have to tell one of his friends, keep busy the Deathspot, so we can escape? Does he have to ask one of his friends to die to ensure the safety of the team? Maybe the person who is suitable for the role is a person like ... such as ... such as ... such as ... such as ... such as ... Barto.

Marco, already healed by Luci, and he sat down limply.

Haruhiro closed his eyes. "Everyone, I'm sorry ..."

I'm sorry for being such a pathetic leader ... But, no matter how hard Haruhiro tried, the impossible was still impossible. Haruhiro jumps on Deathspot's back when the monster is about to pin Barto to the ground. This maneuver did not bother Deathspot at all, but strangely he could do this so easily. The decision has been made, he is no longer afraid. This is how it feels. However, it feels so….

Deathspot turned around, and tried to release Haruhiro from his back. I won't let you! There's no way he's gonna let go of the kobold's back. Haruhiro clung to Deathspot's back with all his remaining strength, and with the tip of his dagger's handle, he hit Deathspot's head again, again, again, again and again.

While continuing to hit the kobold, he shouted, "Barto, Marco, Lusi, Vina, Alice ...! Now, run while I hold him ...! RUN!"

"But-but!" Haruhiro suspected that it was Barto who said that, but he did not know exactly.

"I'll be fine!" haruhiro said, but all his concentration was on his dagger.

Hit, hit, hit, hit. Deathspot is a kobold, but its body is composed like no human in general. A kobold can reach the back that humans normally cannot reach, and Deathspot uses that advantage to hit Haruhiro. Although the monster could not slash his back with a sword, Deathspot could still land blows on Haruhiro's back and head using his elbow.

Damnit. Haruhiro wanted to whine in pain, but he did not want to waste his energy doing what would not change such a situation. But, the power did not leave him.

"Don't make me sacrifice my life in vain!" Haruhiro yelled at him. "I've been battered like this! So, there's no point in saving me now! I'm done, so you RUN! Go, run! PLEASE!"

"Let's go!" Marco shouting.

Aw, Marco. Goody. That nice. That is exactly how Marco is. They need someone like him, otherwise the team will be in real trouble. He could persuade others to leave. Only Marco can do that. I'm counting on you, Marco ... In the corner of his eyes, Haruhiro saw Vina turning her head to look at him, but her body was facing the other direction. He was also willing to leave, and that relieved him a little.

If Vina leaves, then Alice will also leave. Vina. He remembered how comfortable it was when Vina patted his head. Ariston ... Haruhiro hopes that the girl can move on from Udin.

"Himaru!" Susie called.

Go awayl. Already, just go ... Haruhiro started to like Lusi a little, so his little heart wanted to stay alive so that the next day he could still meet the girl. Then go, get out of here ... He could hear Barto's screams from a distance. Yes, I will be fine, Haruhiro thought. Go, Barto.You are a strong man and will continue to grow stronger. Be stronger ... Barto is the core team. We can't do anything without him.

He was not entitled to say “we” again, because a while later, he was no longer part of this Party. He's going to go…. Go somewhere far away. Everything is useless now. He had made this decision because there was no other way.

He couldn't afford to have one of them sacrifice their lives for the team. He would die alone, and for him it was better than having someone else play his part.

Although there were people willing to take his place, it was the same, as Haruhiro would not live quietly after letting one of his comrades die, therefore, the only person who is right to play this role is himself. He didn't want them to think that way, but maybe his friends would regret it for a lifetime. But Haruhiro hopes that one day, they can take all this away. If they couldn't, then doing something crazy like this would be a waste.

Mickey. Ogi. Musi ... If he dies here, will Haruhiro turn out to be like them? If so, he hoped that Lusi would come back again and use the [PURIFY] skill on him. Please, turn me into ashes ... By the time it came, had this team found a replacement for its position? Those thoughts made Haruhiro even more desperate, lonely, and depressed.

It was better that he did not think about it further, as he was already at his limit. He felt as if he could float and come out of his body at any moment. Damnit. He's already thrown. Deathspot finally threw it like paper.

Haruhiro hits the ground and Deathspot turns to chase after his friends. He didn't kill Haruhiro? Deathspot just let Haruhiro off the hook, and instead preyed on his friends who were about to escape? No, no, no, no, I WON'T LET IT GO!

How long has Haruhiro managed to delay? How far have his friends gone? He felt that quite a long time had passed, but maybe it was just his feelings. Maybe not much time has passed. He never knew

"Hey! In here!" Haruhiro Shouts.

Haruhiro stood up, but Deathspot did not look at him. Can't let it go, can't let it go! At that moment, really at that moment, the line appeared again. This time the line was not blurred, this time the line was quite clear, and Haruhiro rarely saw the line in this form. This line is so sharp, real, and shining. Haruhiro felt that he was able to move.

So slow, he thought. Why am I moving so slowly? But it was not just his own movements that slowed down. Deathspot also moved slowly as if the air was getting thicker. Maybe this is a good thing. It was easy for him to get close to the monster. He's close now. There!

Haruhiro jumped towards Deathspot.it was there, there was a point on the kobold's back, and it was a vital organ or something. haruhiro's dagger slipped smoothly without any hitch at all to pierce the vital point.

Haruhiro did not have the slightest doubt. Is over. Deathspot moved forward, then fell lying on the ground. For a moment, Haruhiro's head was immersed in the kobold's dirty fur, it was because they fell forward together, but he quickly slid to the side. He wanted to say something, but that came out of

his throat was just a loud snoring-like sound.

He could still feel his head and neck intact, yet he realized that he was bathed in blood. He was injured all over the body. A thought suddenly flashed. What if I'm left here alone? Shit, this is bad. But he didn't think that he could move now.

"H-hey! Guys guys! Everybody, back!" He finally managed to call his friends, without a doubt, they would come back to pick him up.

And they did.