The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 50

Boom!

Grr, grr.

The Honey Grive lumbered around, observing us. Even though there was only one, we couldn’t shake the feeling of being surrounded.

In fact, it wasn’t wrong to feel that way, as we’d be caught quickly no matter which direction we ran. The fact that it wasn’t attacking immediately meant it was playing with us, like a well-fed cat toying with a mouse. The difference in power was clear.

Blood was caked on the Honey Grive’s stiff-looking short fur. The wounds covering its body seemed to be from swords. The worst-case scenario would be a pursuit team, and the second-worst would be a group of hunters after the Honey Grive’s honey.

‘Whichever it is, if they were going to catch it, they should have done it properly. Why create this trouble?’

Deciding it would be difficult to escape, Luwen carefully backed away and set me down. Then he immediately drew his sword.

Surely he’s not thinking of fighting? Against that thing?

“Luwen. Go back immediately and call the boss. You’re the fastest, aren’t you?”

“I’m not leaving without you, young master. Taran, you go.”

Luwen stood firmly in front of me, gripping his sword with both hands and spreading his legs.

“It’s an order.”

I can’t lose Luwen in a place like this. Especially not because of me. It absolutely can’t happen. I want to see the future where you become happy, you know.

“I won’t follow that order.”

“Luwen!”

“I’m going to be your knight, young master. I’ll follow all other orders, but I’d rather die than obey an order to run away alone and leave you behind.”

“I don’t want to lose you.”

“How strange. I feel the same way.”

Luwen smiled a pure smile that didn’t fit the situation.

“So you absolutely won’t go?”

There wasn’t time to persuade him, not knowing when the attack might come. I had hoped there would be no need to use the Odrif stems.

“That’s right.”

At his firm answer, I handed Luwen the Odrif stems and flower petals.

“Put them in your mouth, chew, and swallow. It will mask your human scent a little.”

When mixed, they give off a strong scent, but it quickly disperses in the wind. So if you swallow them, the flower scent will spread with every breath. If we can obscure our human scent and hide in the forest to confuse it, we might be able to hold out for a while.

Then I gave the same stems and petals to Taran and said,

“Taran, go and inform the boss about the situation. We need to hurry.”

We won’t be able to hold out for long.

“I, I want to fight together.”

“Without reinforcements, we’ll all die. I’m slow, and you can’t run while carrying me. Right now, only Taran can save us.”

“Only me…”

“Yes.”

Grrrr-

As if it had finished enjoying itself, the Honey Grive raised its front paw. The moment I registered this, a whirlwind swept in front of me. I had only seen it lift its paw, but in an instant, the attack came.

Clang!

Luwen barely blocked the attack, but he was pushed back, leaving deep marks in the soil.

“Ugh!”

“Taran! Run!”

As if my shout was a signal, Taran put the stems and flower petals in his mouth all at once and started running.

When the Honey Grive turned its head towards Taran, Luwen seized the opportunity and charged, kicking off the ground. Slash- The sharp sword grazed its front paw. Though not a deep wound, it was enough to irritate its nerves. The Honey Grive lost interest in Taran and swung its paw at Luwen again.

My heart was racing madly. If even one attack landed, it would be nothing to split a body in half.

No, I don’t want that. I don’t want to lose him.

“Luwen! When facing large monsters, you should aim for the hind legs first. Bringing it down is the priority!”

That’s how you bring its weak points within range.

“The Honey Grive’s honey sac is on the right side of its neck. That’s where the skin is weakest. If you aim there, you can cut its throat.”

“I know! I haven’t forgotten!”

Luwen answered bravely. However, it would be difficult alone. Even now, he couldn’t properly get in close. To approach the hind legs, someone needed to lure it.

So, that should be me.

I might die. Honestly, I’m not sure how long I can dodge. It’s uncertain if things will go as planned. But I had no choice that involved abandoning Luwen. Even though survival instinct should exist, Luwen’s life seemed more precious than my own.

Is it because I’ve spent so much time with Luwen? Looking back on the past, Luwen’s face filled every memory. Maybe I’ve grown too attached.

Or perhaps it’s because this is the first time I’ve experienced getting back as much affection as I’ve given. No, it’s the first time I’ve given affection to anyone in the first place. Is that why it feels so precious?

Or it might be a surprisingly simple reason. Luwen is still a child. It’s an adult’s job to protect children. How could I abandon a fifteen-year-old kid doing this?

Well, the reason doesn’t matter. I don’t want to die either, so I have to succeed.

‘I can do this.’

I put the Odrif stem in my mouth and bit my lip instead of the flower petal to create a wound. The taste of blood filling my mouth made me want to vomit. I endured it, forcibly chewed and swallowed, and immediately the Honey Grive looked at me. Saliva dripped from its mouth.

I wonder how I look to the Honey Grive right now. Perhaps like a delicious feast giving off an irresistible smell.

Roaaar-!

I can dodge it. I saw how fast it was earlier. So I just need to predict and avoid it. The Honey Grive’s attacks are simple. There are many trees to take the hits for me, so if I use them…

“Young master!”

I heard Luwen’s urgent cry. Expecting it to react immediately to the smell of blood, I quickly hid behind a nearby tree.

Crash! Crack-

The tree hit by the Honey Grive’s front paw broke in half.

“No! Look at me! Look over here!”

Oh no. Luwen was too excited. His stance was a mess. He should know that wild swinging won’t work against this opponent. Where was the sharp attack that had left a wound earlier? Now his sword just bounced off the thick skin, unable to penetrate.

“Luwen! You said you knew where to aim!”

We only have two ways to survive. Either Luwen brings down the Honey Grive before my stamina runs out, or Taran returns with the Kans.

For a moment, my eyes met Luwen’s. His face, crushed by fear, was pitiful. But now was the time to focus. For both of us to survive. In the worst case, for at least Luwen to survive.

During this time, the tree I was hiding behind fell again. As I ran towards the next tree, I shouted.

“While my stamina, holds out, hurry!”

After that, it was a simple series of dodges and attacks. Even though the gaps between trees were short, was it because of the tension? My breath became ragged. It’s fortunate that the Honey Grive’s attack pattern is simple. If it had been a different monster, I wouldn’t have even thought of such a strategy. I would have died as soon as it started.

By the time we had moved quite far from our initial battle position, the surroundings had become desolate. Perhaps realizing that the trees were getting in its way, the Honey Grive changed its attack.

Rumble-!

With a wide horizontal swing, trees fell in droves. Dust, leaves, and broken branches momentarily blocked our vision.

“Aaaargh!”

In the hazy world, only Luwen’s desperate cry was clear.

The next hiding spot that could conceal me had disappeared, but I ran anyway. The Honey Grive wouldn’t be able to see me now either. While the thick dust and grass smell covered us, I needed to reach the next tree.

That’s when it happened. I felt a chill on my back. I knew I had to dodge, but my trembling legs wouldn’t move well, so I quickly dropped to the ground.

Soon after, whoosh- the wind that passed over my head swept away all the floating debris. As my vision cleared, I saw a paw falling towards me.

‘I’m going to die.’

At this rate, I’d be impaled. Survival instinct forcibly moved my body. As I rolled across the ground strewn with broken rock and wood fragments, I felt pain all over, probably from getting scratched.

“Ugh!”

Boom!

However, the moment I saw the Honey Grive’s front paw land right next to me, all that pain instantly vanished. Its foot was buried in the ground as if the debris had turned to powder. I didn’t want to imagine what would have happened if I had been caught under it.

“Fall! Fall down!”

Luwen’s desperate voice rang out, but the Honey Grive paid no attention and raised its paw again. This time, as if determined to crush me.

Ah, I need to move. I need to roll on the ground…

Whether I had pushed myself to the limit earlier or my body had frozen up, I simply couldn’t move. In my panting vision, I saw sharp claws rushing towards me.