Konosuba: Axels Fencer

First Quest + Aftermath (Chapter 3)

Deep inside the twisting, cave, the air was thick with the smell of damp stone and the scent of blood. Sapphire stood tall, his purple eyes burning with a focused intensity as he tightened his grip on his blade, the cold metal humming beneath his fingers. Every inch of the cave seemed to pulse with life, the shadows flickering in the torchlight like dancing spirits. A pack of snarling wolves circled him, their eyes gleaming with hunger as their claws scraped across the rough stone floor. Their bodies were sleek, muscles rippling beneath fur, and every movement sent a chill down his spine.

Eryn floated beside him, her ethereal form a calming presence in the chaos. Her golden wings glowed softly in the dim light, her expression serene despite the mounting tension. She was ready to assist, her powers at his side, always watching, always waiting for her moment to strike.

A low, guttural growl rumbled from one of the wolves, reverberating through the cave's narrow corridors. The pack closed in, their breath hot and heavy, and Sapphire could feel his pulse quicken. The walls seemed to close in, but he stood firm, eyes scanning every movement of the beasts. The only sound in the cave was the scratching of claws against stone, the tense silence before a storm.

Without warning, the first wolf lunged, its fangs bared in a snarl. Sapphire sidestepped at the last possible moment, the beast's breath hot against his neck as it missed by inches. He retaliated in an instant, slashing his Fury in a sweeping arc. The blade cut through the air, trailing fire in its wake, and the wolf yelped as the flames singed its fur. It staggered backward, but before Sapphire could take advantage of the moment, another wolf was already airborne, its claws aimed for his chest.

Sapphire pivoted, raising his forearm just in time to meet the force of the beast. The impact sent a shockwave through his body, and his boots slid against the stone floor as he struggled to keep his footing. The second wolf's claws scraped against his arm, but he held on, gritting his teeth against the pain. With a swift motion, he swung his Fury in a wide arc, flames bursting outward. The heat was intense enough to send the wolves scattering for a moment, but only briefly. They were relentless, unyielding.

From behind, a third wolf charged, its jaws snapping in the air. Sapphire spun, but the creature was already too close. He had no time to react with his blade. Instead, he thrust his palm forward and shouted, "Fireball!" The air around him crackled as a burst of flame erupted from his hand, engulfing the wolf mid-air. The beast let out a strangled cry before crashing to the floor in a heap, its body writhing in agony before it stilled.

Sapphire barely had time to savor the victory before another wolf lunged for his leg. Its sharp teeth sank into his shin, a searing pain shooting through his calf as he stumbled. Blood began to pool around the wound, but he couldn't afford to stop. His grip tightened around his Fury as the wolf clung to his leg, refusing to let go. Desperation surged within him, and he sent a pulse of heat into the creature's fur. The wolf howled, the flames licking its body, forcing it to release him. But the damage was done. His leg was already burning with pain, and his stamina was draining with every second.

The remaining wolves hesitated, circling around him cautiously. Sapphire's breath came in ragged gasps, his energy slipping away. He had to finish this quickly. Eryn's voice cut through the chaos, soft yet insistent: "Sapphire, left!" She was always there, always guiding him.

Instinctively, he twisted to the left, narrowly avoiding another set of snapping jaws. With a swift slash, his blade cut through the air, flames crackling as it met the wolf's shoulder. It yelped in pain, its body crumpling to the ground. But there was no time to relax. The pack was relentless, and they pressed on, their hunger and fury growing with each failed attack.

His chest heaved, sweat dripping down his forehead as the exhaustion began to set in. Magic drained his strength, but his resolve was unshakable. Just as he began to falter, a massive wolf, larger than the rest, charged. Its jaws clamped down on his arm, pain lancing through him as its teeth pierced his flesh. He cried out, but there was no time for weakness. His Fury's blade pulsed with heat as he summoned every last ounce of strength. The flames engulfed the wolf, forcing it to release him with a shriek of agony.

The remaining wolves, wary of the inferno that surrounded him, hesitated. Sapphire saw his chance and seized it. His muscles burned, but he planted his feet firmly, gathering the last of his strength. With a mighty roar, he swung his sword in a wide arc, sending a surge of fire through the cave like a living wave. The flames engulfed the remaining wolves, their desperate yelps fading into the crackling heat.

Then, silence.

Sapphire staggered, blood dripping from his wounds, his chest heaving with exhaustion. His vision blurred, but Eryn was at his side in an instant, her soft glow grounding him as she whispered, "You did it."

Victory was bittersweet, but they had won. The cave, once filled with the growls and snarls of battle, was now eerily quiet. Exhausted but triumphant, they made their way back to the Guild.

After two days of grueling travel, they returned to the bustling Guild hall. Luna, the guild master, greeted them warmly, a proud smile on her face. She handed them a heavy pouch, the weight of their reward—250,000 Eris—filling their hands. The gold felt like a testament to their strength, a well-earned prize for the trials they had faced.

With their riches secured, Sapphire and Eryn found a quiet inn and took a much-needed rest. But by the third afternoon, hunger led them back to the lively Guild hall. The air was filled with laughter and the aroma of roasted meats and freshly baked bread. Sapphire scanned the menu, choosing a thick, juicy steak—just what a warrior needed after a battle. For Eryn, he ordered a sweet, creamy pudding, knowing how much she adored desserts.

As they sat together, enjoying their well-earned meal, the noise of the hall filled the air. Adventurers shared tales of their battles, while the scent of freshly prepared food made their mouths water. Sapphire savored the tender steak, thinking back to the fight in the cave. Eryn, her face lit with delight, savored every bite of her pudding.

But their peaceful moment was shattered by a sudden shout.

At a nearby table, a young man named Kazuma stood, his face red with anger as he yelled at a girl across from him. She sat with her head lowered, frustration written all over her face, listening to his harsh words. The tension in the air was palpable.

Sapphire's protective instincts flared. Without a word, he exchanged a glance with Eryn, and they both knew what had to be done. They couldn't ignore this.

Sapphire stood up, his Fury resting casually on his shoulder as he walked toward the argument. Eryn, ever the vigilant companion, floated beside him, her wings humming softly.

"Hey, that's enough," Sapphire's voice rang out, firm and commanding.

Kazuma froze, his anger momentarily dissipating as he looked up, startled. He muttered a quick apology, but the momentary peace shattered when he immediately turned back to scolding the girl.

Sapphire stepped closer, his voice unwavering. "Even if you're upset, does that mean you should treat someone like this?"

The girl, clearly fed up, snapped back with a mocking tone, "Yeah, Kazuma, you useless NEET, why are you yelling so loud?"

Her words stung, and Sapphire sighed, a little exasperated. Eryn clenched her tiny fists beside him, her frustration mirrored in her glowing eyes. The tension was about to boil over when a voice called out from behind them, cutting through the rising storm of words.

"I saw your recruitment poster."