part1 · 032-ep32

Episode 32: A Step Toward Victory

The monster growled. Ren readied his spear.

His arm hurt. His body was heavy, too.

Even so—

different from last time. He could see the monster's movements, little by little.

"...Don't rush."

Ren told himself.

The monster moved. Ren didn't move — not yet.

The push-off. The angle of its body. The forelegs.

"...Not yet."

The monster leapt.

"Now!"

Ren leapt sideways. Claws cut through empty air.

And the instant it landed, Ren thrust the spear out.

—Slash!

"Graargh!"

The spear caught a foreleg. The monster's movement stopped.

"...It's in!"

Ren tore the spear free at once. Put distance between them.

He didn't follow up. Rush, and he'd pay for it. Last time's fight had taught him that more than enough.

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The monster charged, riding its rage.

Fast.

But—

Ren could see it.

"Right...!"

He twisted his body. Dodged the claws. Slipped back a step.

The monster turned. Ren readied his spear.

"...Here."

The monster stepped in again. Ren waited until the last possible moment.

And—

dropped low. Aimed for the underside of the monster's belly.

"Hah!"

He thrust the spear upward.

"Graaargh!"

It went deep. The monster staggered, its whole body swaying.

Ren pulled the spear out and put distance between them. The monster was still standing.

"...Still not down?"

Ren steadied his breathing. He was afraid.

But he wasn't running anymore.

　　　　　◇

The monster squeezed out the last of its strength. Sank its body low.

Ren readied himself, too.

"...Come on."

The monster kicked off the ground. A straight line.

Ren didn't move. Drew it in to the very last moment.

And—

"Now!"

One step to the side. Claws cut through empty air. The monster's body shot past Ren.

That instant.

Ren thrust the spear out with everything he had.

"This is it...!"

The spear drove deep. The monster's movements stopped.

And—

slowly, it toppled to the ground.

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Ren didn't move. Still gripping the spear, he looked at the fallen monster.

"..."

He still couldn't believe it.

Last time, he hadn't been able to do anything. Nothing but run.

And now—

"...I won."

Ren let out a slow breath. His whole body hurt. He was exhausted.

And yet, somehow, he was glad.

"...I actually won."

Ren gazed at the monster. It had been a strong enemy. Stronger than him.

And still, he'd been able to win because—

it wasn't just that his body had changed.

He'd fought monsters again and again. Failed again and again. Run. Thought.

And survived.

"...If it's little by little—"

Ren tightened his grip on the spear.

"I can get stronger."

For Ren, this victory—

was nothing more than the beginning of a long growth.