Bell's POV
My body wouldn't move. I told Toki I wasn't scared, but deep down, I really was.
How many times had I seen that figure overlapping with other monsters? How many times has it appeared in my dreams? How many times had I been terrified of it?
To me, the Minotaur was the embodiment of a nightmare.
But what Toki said,"Lili will die", that scared me even more.
After using magic to hold it off and somehow sending Lili to safety, I was caught by the huge sword it swung.
Thanks to the training with Ais-san, I survived, but I still couldn't move.
Then Toki appeared. He worried about me, was relieved I had no external injuries, and faced the Minotaur.
"Wait, Bell. I will protect you no matter what."
Protect?
Who?
Toki. Who will he protect?
Me.
The moment I thought that, my mind went blank. Then, a surge of anger rose inside me.
I wanted to be protected. I wanted someone to save me.
Toki was definitely strong. Far stronger than me.
But still, I hated the thought of just being protected! I am Toki's best friend! I am his equal!
Above all, I hated the idea of being protected only by Toki, my best friend!
How long will I lie here? Stand up. Stand and fight. I am an adventurer, aren't I!!
I gathered strength in my limbs and stood up. I grabbed an arm about as strong as mine. Straining my voice toward the astonished Toki, I shouted:
"...I'm not going!"
I yelled, trying to spur myself on.
"I can't let you be the one to save me!"
I stepped in front of Toki and faced the Minotaur. Drawing the Bazelard from my protector and the Hestia Knife from my waist, I prepared for battle.
"This is it...!"
I kicked off the ground and charged toward the Minotaur.
I will adventure. For the feelings I refuse to give up.
𓂀═════════════𓂀
At first, I envied him. Him and our friends. Even though we were the same age, the things he'd experienced were different.
My world was too small. Being with him made me painfully aware of that.
So, when he said we were best friends, rivals, I was truly happy. When he said we were fellow adventurers, I was so happy I almost cried.
That's why I want to become a hero.
It's not a delusion, vanity, or an unworthy wish.
I want to become a hero who can defeat this guy, a hero who can stand shoulder to shoulder with my rival, Toki.
I want to become a strong, heroic man who can overcome my weakness. That's what I truly wish for.
I want to become a hero.
𓂀═════════════𓂀
Third POV
The clash of swords rang out. It wasn't one-sided, a life-or-death duel for both. Bell was slightly ahead.
Don't be fooled by the size!
Shaking off fear, Bell read all kinds of information from the Minotaur's eyes.
His mind was clearer than ever, and his body felt so light it seemed almost not his own.
He's just big! Watch carefully, don't close your eyes!
Though the Minotaur had some intelligence, its all-out attacks were sloppy enough that even Bell could anticipate them.
I've fought opponents faster and more skillful than this before!
Predicting its moves, deciding how to parry and where to move, Bell's training with Toki paid off now.
"Don't let the opponent attack as they want. Don't let them move as they want. This is basic when fighting an opponent who outclasses you in potential."
Even if only slightly, parry to make their attacks difficult. Move to where they intend to go. Gradually take control of the fight.
But Bell couldn't land a full attack. The Bazelard couldn't parry the Minotaur's greatsword, so Bell had to block it with the Hestia Knife. He tried hitting back with the Bazelard in openings but was deflected.
Gradually, frustration built up.
"The most important thing in combat is to stay calm. Control yourself and be mercilessly calm."
Recalling words from his best friend, Bell suppressed his impatience.
Both had almost full stamina. The Minotaur probably had better endurance, but since it moved at full power constantly, they'd likely tire at the same time.
It's still too early to make a decisive move!
He observed the opponent carefully, conserving energy. Now was the time to endure. The chance would surely come.
Bell kept parrying the greatsword relentlessly.
Meanwhile, Ais and Lili had arrived at Toki's side. More precisely, Toki stopped Ais from rushing in to help.
"Why are you stopping me, Toki-sama?! If this continues, Bell-sama will, "
"Look closely, Lili."
Ahead of Ais's gaze, Bell, locked in combat with the Minotaur, was by no means losing.
He deflected and dodged attacks from the massive greatsword with just his knife, barely avoiding fatal blows.
"That is Bell's adventure."
Toki's eyes were fixed steadily on the battle. Hearing this, Lili found herself unable to argue.
"This is why adventurers are like this…"
She muttered this habitual grumble but turned her worried eyes back to Bell.
After a while, the senior members of the Loki Familia, including Tiona, appeared. Only Bete looked utterly beaten up.
"Hey, snake guy. Still alive, huh?"
"What happened to those wounds? Did you fall down or something?"
"No, that's not it."
Bete cursed without breaking his gaze. Naturally, the rest of the Loki Familia's attention also shifted toward Bell and the Minotaur's fierce exchange.
"Hey."
"What is it?"
"What the hell happened there?"
Bete's voice trembled with confusion as he asked.
He recognized Bell from a month ago, a fledgling adventurer Ais had rescued. Unlike the irritating Toki, Bell had been a genuine novice.
One month. Just one month. No matter the talent, one month was far too short a time.
Yet the boy exchanging blows in front of them was unmistakably a rookie adventurer.
"What's going on here?"
Tiona, who had been watching the exchange between Toki and Bete, asked.
"That white-haired guy? He's the tomato brat Ais saved a month ago."
"Eh, but, "
"That means…"
"If my memory's right…"
Bete struggled to hide his shock as he glanced back. Finn stood beside him, carrying his spear.
"A month ago, Bete, you thought that kid was just a rookie, right?"
"That's why I'm asking that guy right there."
Bete's gaze locked onto Toki.
"Yes. He really is a genuine rookie, who became an adventurer just a month and a half ago, going from farmer to fighter."
At those words, the Loki Familia members all gasped.
"Proof?"
"I registered as an adventurer at the same time he did. You can check with the guild."
"We don't want to hear about that."
While everyone was shaken, only Bete spoke sharply.
"I'm asking what actually happened to him."
"That, I don't know either."
Toki answered calmly without ever averting his eyes. A certain admiration mixed into his gaze.
"Well, if I had to say, it's his talent, combined with an unbelievable growth rate."
Bete fell silent at Toki's words. The elite adventurers of the Loki Familia watched the battle intently.
Sure, it was a rough fight. Far below their level to compare. But still, there was something there that made them stop in their tracks.
"Ooooooooh!"
"Ahhhhhhhhhhh!"
One man and one beast roared. The tide of battle shifted.
"Argonaut…"
Tiona suddenly whispered.
That name belonged to a fairy tale.
A story about a young man who dreamed of becoming a hero and went to rescue a princess abducted by a Minotaur in the labyrinth.
It was a ridiculous, uncool tale, more comedy than heroics, well-known as a children's story. But still, the Argonaut was a true hero.
"I really liked that story…"
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