Chapter 8: Retreat.

Translated and Edited by: ynlucca.

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The unique regenerative power of magical plants was already a troublesome trait. Inside this forest, though, it was made dozens of times worse.

In a sense, battling the Giant Trent here could be considered even more difficult than facing a dragon, one of the most formidable and feared monsters in the land.

—Still, what should I do?

It seemed like I hadn’t been noticed up here on this large tree yet. However, if I tried to leave the area, both Buffon’s party and the Giant Trent would undoubtedly become aware… That included the Cursemaker girl who shared the same Dark attribute as me.

Even if I attempted to defeat the towering monster, I wouldn’t be able to do so without suppressing or beating its regenerative powers. To achieve that, I would have to maintain an overwhelming onslaught of attacks so great it would exceed its capacity to regenerate or deal a single decisive blow to its protected Core.

Unfortunately, I lacked the necessary capabilities to do either in this case. Well, I probably have nothing to worry about, right…?

I mean, because in this situation, Buffon’s next move will most likely be—

“B-bwah! D-don’t come near me, y-you monster!”

In a state of panic, the members of the Fellowship of the Hunters unleashed all they had onto the Trents created by the giant one.

In response, the trees’ erratic creaks only grew louder.

“Huh?!”

As their numbers dwindled, more would be created to fill in the blanks. Slowly but surely, Buffon’s party was pushed back by the ever-growing wave of magical trees.

“Bind, restrain!”

Yet, just before the crooked sharp branches of the Trents could reach the party, the Cursemaker girl intervened. She simultaneously halted the movement of each Trent, which were seven in total, and the Fellowship narrowly escaped danger.

“Th-thank goodness! Mr. B-Buffon…! We can’t continue like this!”

“Bwah! We have no other choice! Lads, unfortunately, we must retreat! Scram, everyone!”

Ah, I knew it would turn out like this. Still, his decision wasn’t wrong.

If I had to point out a problem, it would be that his party doesn’t have a single person to fill the role of a close-quarters combatant. In other words, no one could be a vanguard.

It can’t be helped, I’ll do it.

Even though I’d just been betrayed by the Hero of Light’s party, whom I thought to be my friends, I still couldn’t leave people to die in front of me. Plus, I’m sure I can get away from the Giant Trent later on by myself.

—Buffon’s next words made me swallow my own, and I completely changed my decision.

“Bwahaha! Listen up, you little mutt! We’re about to make an honorable strategic retreat! You stay behind and buy us some time! Do it with the determination to die for us, got it?! Repay the favor you owe me for saving you! Fulfill your duty as our hunting doggy!”

…What did you just say?

At that moment, that little something which creaked and twisted disgustingly within me snapped, clearer than it had ever been before.

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