IPSC 18

Chapter 18

Theodore looked at me with a puzzled expression as he placed a meat tenderizer into my hand.

No, seriously—why are you even carrying something like this around in the first place?

As if he’d read my thoughts, Theodore spoke calmly.

“I’m on cooking duty today.”

“……”

Don’t protagonists usually get cool weapons?

You know—legendary ones, like the Dagger of Sacred Blood, the Hammer of Judgment, or the Spear of Divine Punishment.

So why the hell was this guy handing me a kitchen tool instead of an actual weapon?

“Can’t you give me something a little more… weapon-like?”

“Can you even lift this?”

Theodore pointed to the greatsword strapped to his back. The blade was almost as big as I was, and it looked heavy at a glance.

“No.”

“Then it’s either a greatsword or a dagger. Can you fight in close combat with a dagger? You look like someone who’s never even held a knife.”

“……”

I shut my mouth, unable to argue with a single word he’d said.

He glanced at the meat tenderizer and let out a quiet snort.

“That’s your best option.”

“……”

Yeah. He’s right.

I decided to just listen to him.

Supporting Theodore, I started walking again.

As I followed the flickering flame hovering above his palm—

He suddenly whispered in a low, serious voice.

“Get ready.”

From deep within the cave, faint noises echoed.

“Squeak… skrrt… skrrt.”

“Skrrt, squeak.”

Sharp claws scraping against stone drew closer.

“Skrrrt.”

“Skrrt.”

Then, they emerged from the darkness.

Glassy red eyes. Coarse fur mixed with gray and black. A thick, hairless tail.

They looked like sewer rats—except they were the size of dogs, and each had four eyes embedded in its forehead.

Surrounded on all sides, Theodore muttered under his breath.

“Broksh.”

Broksh?

So that’s what they’re called.

Still… aren’t they just oversized rats?

Sure, the four eyes and sheer numbers were creepy, but after seeing giant monsters like basilisks and wyverns, these guys almost looked cute.

I might actually be able to handle this.

Then Theodore added,

“Don’t underestimate them. Broksh saliva contains a neurotoxin.”

Hey—are you secretly a mind reader?

“The moment you’re paralyzed, it’s over. They hunt in packs and tear their prey apart while it’s still alive.”

“……”

Suddenly, their fangs looked terrifyingly sharp.

I really didn’t want to imagine being eaten alive by those teeth.

Just then, Theodore recited another prayer.

“Incendio Lumen.”

The light in his palm flared brighter.

The Broksh recoiled, retreating a few steps.

“It’s a light that repels monsters. They won’t come too close. I’ll support you—take them out.”

“Take them out? By myself?”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t you trust me a little too much?”

“Life and death are in God’s hands anyway.”

“……”

“Do your best.”

I wasn’t sure if that was faith or sheer irresponsibility.

Still, swinging a meat tenderizer was better than being eaten alive.

Just then, one of the Broksh leapt at me.

“Now! Swing!”

At Theodore’s shout, I swung the meat tenderizer—

“Screeeek!”

The Broksh shrieked as its head was crushed, collapsing on the spot.

It was a bit horrifying, but a strange sense of accomplishment surged through me.

I did it!

“One more on the right!”

“Screek!”

I swung to the right, sending another Broksh flying with a single hit.

“Screek!”

“Squeak!”

“Skrrrt!”

Each time I struck the charging Broksh, their screams erupted from all sides.

Wait—am I actually good at this?

I remembered all those late nights, stopping by the baseball field near my house after work.

So this is where all that practice pays off!

Just as I was starting to get carried away—

“Watch out in front!”

A Broksh lunged at me, its sharp fangs aimed for my neck.

“H—!”

I’m going to get bitten!

At that moment, Theodore yanked me backward by the collar.

The Broksh’s jaws snapped shut inches from my throat.

If he’d been any slower, my neck would’ve been torn out.

Theodore shouted urgently.

“Stay focused! Even I have limits to how much I can cover you!”

Okaaay.

No getting careless.

I fought with renewed concentration, crushing the remaining Broksh one by one.

How much time passed?

“Huff… huff…”

Wiping sweat from my forehead, I looked around.

The cave floor was littered with Broksh corpses.

Then, a system alert rang out.

[Stamina has increased by 1.]
[Stamina LV.2]

[Strength has increased by 1.]
[Strength LV.2]

Oh! My stamina and strength went up!

Theodore looked genuinely surprised.

“You’ve got a knack for combat. Since you can’t use magic anyway, how about quitting being a mage and changing classes?”

Is that a compliment or an insult?

Still, considering my mana hadn’t gone up at all, maybe he had a point.

“Or you could join the Holy Knight Order.”

“But I don’t have any divine power.”

“We happen to need someone to chop firewood.”

“……”

I kicked Theodore in the shin.

The scream that followed was mine.

“Aaagh!”

I think my toe’s broken!

Clutching my burning foot, I teared up.

Theodore stared at me like he’d just witnessed peak stupidity.

“Are you an idiot? Why do you think I’m wearing armor?”

Yeah… kicking someone in armor wasn’t my brightest move.

But if I didn’t vent somehow, I’d explode.

I glared at him, and he let out a chuckle.

“With that level of aggression, you’re definitely suited for physical combat. Mage just doesn’t fit you.”

“Keep it up and I’ll leave you behind.”

“You’ll be punished by divine wrath for mistreating a messenger of God.”

“Could you not act devout only when it’s convenient?”

I swear, I’ll learn magic no matter what.

Just wait until we get back to the Mage Tower. I’ll force Lowell to train me twice as hard.

I’ll become the greatest mage in the world.

“Enough nonsense. Lean on me.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Snickering, Theodore leaned his weight against me.

I ignored his smugness and kept walking through the cave.

If more monsters show up, I hope they’re weak ones like the Broksh.

Then—

A sound like nails scraping metal echoed through the cave.

“Skreeetch… skreeetch…”

Something was approaching.

Soon, a rat the size of a bear emerged.

It resembled the Broksh, but its fangs were even larger, and jagged spikes ran along its back.

“A Brokshgal.”

Theodore pushed himself away from me and unsteadily raised his greatsword, stepping in front of me as he chanted a prayer.

“In nomine luminis, arde.”

His blade glowed red with divine power.

I grabbed him immediately.

“Are you insane? You’re going to fight in that condition?!”

“You can’t handle that thing.”

“But still—!”

Before I could stop him, Theodore charged.

He swung his sword, blocking the Brokshgal’s massive forepaw.

Boom!

Divine power and brute strength collided in a blinding flash. Rock dust exploded everywhere, and Theodore staggered back from the recoil.

“Ghh…”

He gritted his teeth and steadied himself, then swung again.

That’s when—

“……!”

“Theodore!”

The Brokshgal’s tail slammed into him.

His body flew through the air, crashing into the cave wall and collapsing into a pile of rubble.

I ran to him immediately.

“Theodore! Are you okay?!”

“Cough—!”

He spat blood.

He looked anything but okay.

Meanwhile, the Brokshgal advanced, its red eyes gleaming.

“Grrrrr…”

I stepped in front of Theodore and raised the meat tenderizer.

“Get lost, you damn rat!”

I wasn’t dying here.

Being eaten by a rat?

That’d be the worst ending I’ve ever seen!

I glared at the Brokshgal and swung with all my strength.

“Back off already!”

Suddenly, the Brokshgal began to tremble.

“Grrrk…”

What? Is it evolving or something?

As unease crept in, a system window appeared before my eyes.

[Hidden skill unlocked.]

[Mind Domination LV.1]

I stared blankly at the unfamiliar skill.

Mind domination?

What the hell is that?