Erica - When a Friend is Obsessed With Me

Chapter 18

"Have you taken a life before?"

He simply shrugged.

Chaud drew his longsword nearer, its blade extending casually.

"Those wretches are as vile as demons."

Observing his approach, Erica couldn't help but think of her mentor. The contrast between his harsh actions and his underlying kindness.

Who else could utter such words with such earnestness, sending shivers down her spine?

"...Do you think I'm a psychopath? I don't kill everyone because I'm offended."

"Yeah? Well, I'm a psychopath, and I intend to kill every last one of them here."

Chaud declared in a low voice.

Erica glanced at him, attempting to discern the sincerity behind his words, but she halted.

Instead, she deftly flicked her wrist, sheathing the longsword at her side.

The bandits had begun to arm themselves in every direction, their momentum spreading.

"Chaud, stand back. I'll handle this."

"You got it? Let me help you. Over thirty, maybe forty if you count behind the trees."

It was evident that Chaud reveled in provocation.

"Just stay out of my way."

Erica cast him a skeptical glance before stamping her foot on the ground and leaping into action.

Ta-da!

Wham!

And then, in a flash.

The surroundings became a cacophony of screaming and shouting.

The air reverberated with screams and shouts.

Boom, boom, boom!

"Aaaaah!"

Dust billowed as bodies tumbled, evaded, and collided in a frenzied tangle.

Erica tried to stick to her martial arts at first, not wanting to get bloodied unnecessarily.

But as she sent several tumbling into trees, she realized their blood would stain regardless.

It seemed interminable. She couldn't bear to see more blood spilled.

'I'll just hit them with my sword!'

Thrrrr.

Drawing her longsword, she executed a swift, elegant arc through the air.

Clang!

Sunlight glinted off the blade's edge as burly men crumpled to the ground with a heavy thud, thud, thud.

This was the art of swordsmanship instilled in her by Pechenik, a man who had dedicated half his life to the honor of Tenearha.

Despite his carefree demeanor, his unwavering chivalry remained ingrained within her.

The blade she'd learned was delicate, and her swordsmanship was unusually refined for a commoner mercenary.

It was graceful.

Free.

Dignified.

Tat.

Pook-!

"..."

Chaud watched the peculiarity of it all.

A curious gaze shone alone in the midst of the din.