I Shall Pervert the Heavens

Two more monsters were there to serve as additional protection, both of which were diggers with sharp blade-like arms, and their mouths were like those of ants with sharp blade-like mouths that allowed them to dig through rocks and hard stuff, which was the best reason for Zach to let them follow her. After all, if they could cut through rock, what more of flesh?

Looking at Amy, whose hands were trembling as she held the sword, he couldn't help but ask in her mind, "Death... frightening?" Amy replied immediately.

Even though Zach understood from her point of view—after all, she had been a support character in battles and was suddenly thrust forward as the one to battle monsters, and worst of all, she didn't even have any teammates by her side to support her in different areas—it was natural that she felt nervous about it.

And secondly, Zach remembered a saying in his previous world: the older one got and experienced battle, the more fearful they became of death. This technically could represent her situation; after all, she knew with each step she took, death might arrive for her, but not taking any step forward would mean being weak forever and being a breeding tool. So, the best thing to do was to get stronger and gain experience in combat, even if it meant death.

"Cowards and weaklings always die due to being indecisive. If you're not decisive, Amy, fear will overcome your determination, and you wouldn't know what kills you," Zach advised her.

Those were the words he could offer; after all, he wouldn't be able to protect her always, right?

"...I know."

"..."

Fuck! You couldn't even appreciate my words of encouragement!

Then just go and die!

Zach cursed inwardly as he watched the force of one elf and four short monsters making their way out of the dungeon, with two at the front and two at the back.

The moment Amy stepped outside, she couldn't help but shut her eyes closed for a while as the bright surroundings assaulted her eyes. It took her a few seconds before her sight was able to adjust to the surroundings.

"It's too bright," Amy let out, letting out soft sighs as if thinking of something which made her eyes clouded with sorrow. Being an elf, she was supposed to love the brightness, the nature, and monsters, but at this moment, the sun assaulted her eyes. She felt like she had no place in nature anymore, as if she had been rejected. She had let the dungeon defile her and even embraced it; ever since then, she couldn't feel the presence of her god in her body anymore.

Shaking off that feeling, she used one of her low abilities, concealment, to suppress her presence and move among trees and bushes. This was something she had known and learned from William after joining the team.

"The more you use an ability, the more proficient you get at it, the faster it will level up."

While moving, she finally saw a monster ahead of her which looked like a black panther, except it had two short horns on its forehead and a single eye.

"Black Saber," Amy muttered the name beneath her breath. According to what she knew about it, such a monster moved in packs of seven or more, meaning as long as there was this one here, a few would be close by, and this must be their new territory.

Looking at the monster and then at herself, she contemplated a few things before ordering one of the gnomes to pick up a stone big enough to make noise and throw it at the Black Saber.

But when they threw the stones, Amy felt exasperated as the stone barely reached the Black Saber, but thankfully it went far enough to hit the floor ahead of them and attract their attention.

Instantly, the Black Saber spotted the two gnomes that had thrown the stones and dashed toward them. The two gnomes held their large spears poorly as they kept waving them ahead of them with intent to stab the monster, which honestly was a poor choice of action.

In such a situation, it would have been better for them to defend themselves, find a chance to finish it off, instead of wasting time, which would definitely attract other monsters to them.

Amy watched from an overhanging branch as one of the gnomes was bitten on the arm, the wolf's teeth digging deep into its flesh, before it was flung off to the side like trash.

Instantly, the Black Saber turned its attention toward the other gnome that was retreating quickly and lunged toward it. Amy saw this and immediately ordered through her mind for it to strike, but who would have expected that due to its low intelligence, instead of stabbing and finishing it off once and for all, it would have chosen to wave its stone spear like a club.

Bam!

The club connected with the Black Saber's jaw, making it flinch as it retreated a bit, growling and howling as if to call its companions, now that it had taken the short gnome as a threat not to be taken lightly.

"Why are you indecisive? Immediately find a chance to kill it and retreat immediately, or else you will be shredded as a food source between all the Black Sabers!" Zach, who had been observing the battle from their own point of view, immediately let out, making Amy incredibly nervous as cold sweat formed on her hands holding the sword. Steeling her resolve, she knew if she didn't take this chance, then maybe, just maybe, there wouldn't be another chance for her to battle. With a do-or-die heart, she leaped down from the tree branch, holding the sword in a two-handed downward thrust.

Stab!

Just when the sword was about to penetrate right through its chest, the Black Saber, seemingly feeling the threat, immediately flung the other gnome as it dodged sideways, but Amy's sword still managed to glance across the wolf's neck, drawing a long gash while also stabbing through its leg and into the ground.

She missed!