Chapter 17: A Huge Wave of Monsters is Approaching

The first wave of monsters surged out from the Black Forest, and three green Slimes squirmed forward, blocking the path at the very front.

Elent gripped his broadsword tightly, ready to charge forward and meet them, but the plant that Celia had named the Pea Arbiter acted faster than he did.

“Pop pop pop——”

Three green energy pellets, each the size of a pea, shot from its pod, striking the three Slimes.

Before those lumps of green jelly even realized what was happening, they were blasted into puddles of oozing slime all over the ground.

Elent froze in his charging stance, his raised broadsword now feeling a bit redundant. He hadn’t even noticed when the Peashooter had launched its attack.

This was way more efficient than hacking away with his sword.

Next, more monsters swarmed forward. Five short Goblins swung crude wooden clubs, roaring as they charged toward the backyard fence.

This time, it was the Rocknut’s turn. It simply stood there, unmoving, allowing the Goblins to rain blows down on its rough shell.

The instant those clubs hit its shell, wood splinters flew everywhere, but the Rocknut remained utterly unharmed.

It even bounced back a little from the impact, sending the fiercest Goblin flying.

Taking advantage of the Goblins’ confusion as their weapons broke, the Peashooter fired again, finishing them off.

“Priestess, these plants are amazing!” Elent turned his head, shock written all over his face.

“I told you, they’re mentors.” Celia lounged leisurely in her chair, taking a bite of the Red Sun Fruit in her hand.

She lifted her other hand and pointed toward the battlefield.

“Don’t just stand there watching, and don’t block the mentors’ line of fire.”

Elent nodded thoughtfully.

Attack and defense, working in perfect harmony. The Rocknut attracted the monsters’ hatred and absorbed their attacks, while the Peashooter safely dealt damage from behind.

So this is teamwork? Is this the fighting style Priestess wants to teach me?

“I think I can join in too!” Elent felt something click inside him. Shouting loudly, he charged out once again.

But in the corner, a cunning Demonic Rabbit chose not to charge head-on.

Using speed far superior to the Goblins, it slipped around the Rocknut’s defensive range from the side.

Its target was different from the other monsters—it lunged straight toward the glowing Sunflower in the back, and Celia herself, who sat defenseless beside it!

The plants’ attack angles were fixed; they couldn’t turn around.

“Watch out!”

Almost on instinct, Elent abandoned his charge, his body moving faster than his mind.

He barreled forward, slamming the airborne Demonic Rabbit away with his shoulder.

The rabbit tumbled several times along the ground, just managing to struggle upright before a well-aimed pea exploded its head.

“Phew, that was close.” Elent wiped sweat from his brow, glancing back at Celia on her lounge chair to make sure she wasn’t frightened.

Celia paused her fruit-biting for a moment, watching Elent’s tense expression.

The corners of her mouth curled up, and she casually tossed the half-eaten fruit in her hand over to him.

“Nice reaction, Hero. That’s your reward.”

Elent caught the fruit and, without a second thought, took a huge bite. His eyes lit up instantly.

This was sweeter than any fruit he’d eaten before.

But then he realized—this was the piece the Priestess had bitten. His face flushed red in an instant, and his movements turned a bit awkward.

The number of monsters increased rapidly. Ten, twenty, thirty. Nearly every low-level monster drawn by the Life Energy at the Black Forest’s edge poured out.

The Peashooter’s rate of fire was starting to fall behind, leaving gaps between attacks.

The backyard ground trembled once more.

Between Celia and Elent, a Sunflower broke through the soil. Its face was larger than a washbasin, and as its petals unfurled, it began to emit a warm, golden glow.

Bathed in that light, the Peashooter seemed to get a jolt of excitement. Its charging speed more than doubled, and its firing rate instantly soared.

“What is that?” Elent stared in awe at the flower, which looked just like a tiny sun.

“I originally planted that Sunflower to harvest its seeds for snacking.”

“Maybe there was too much Saint Celery energy in the fertilizer, causing a Holy Light Overflow Effect.” Celia explained with an unchanged expression.

Whether that was really the reason or not—even Celia herself had no idea.

Elent surveyed the battlefield, readjusting his position and responsibilities.

He decided to specialize in taking out monsters trying to sneak in from the flanks.

The battle was still intensifying.

With a roar, a Demonized Grizzly Bear covered in broken arrows smashed through the fence.

Its furious paw strike sent the Rocknut flying, opening a gap in what was once an impregnable defense line.

“Fall back.”

Celia infused the ground beneath her feet with Saint Celery.

The earth heaved, and a huge orange plant broke through the surface. It looked like a pumpkin, but inside its gaping mouth, rows of jagged fangs could be seen.

The Demonized Grizzly Bear charged, and the moment it entered the attack range—

The pumpkin suddenly opened its giant maw.

The grizzly, as big as a small cart, was swallowed whole like a blueberry tossed into its mouth.

The pumpkin closed its jaws, even letting out a satisfied burp as it spat out an undigested bear bone.

“……”

“Is this also a mentor?”

“Uh, probably just a variety that eats a lot.” Celia averted her gaze, guiltily remembering the Demon Wolf bones she’d buried not long ago beneath the soil.

Looks like there’s been a little mutation.

Just when everyone thought the crisis had passed—

A streak of black lightning silently shot out from the shadows at the flank.

This was the true hunter.

A Two-Headed Demon Wolf, rated C-class by the Association, had been waiting for this very moment of relaxed vigilance.

Its target was clear—the petite Priestess, giving off an irresistible fragrance as she lounged on the chair.

The scent of death instantly locked onto Celia’s throat.

Fast, too fast!

The Peashooter had already withered, the Pumpkin Chomper was still digesting. Celia’s fingers had just brushed the cool cover of the Holy Codex, when the rank wolf breath was already at hand.

It’s over.

Looks like I’m about to screw up.

Celia closed her eyes.

“Clang——!!!”

No new plant burst forth from the ground.

Celia opened her eyes—there was a broadsword blocking her.

Elent’s feet plowed two deep furrows in the soil, and with sheer force he braced his blade against the Demon Wolf’s claws, which could have shattered stone.

The fierce impact sent Elent’s blood trickling down the hilt, but he did not take a single step back.

Just like a true Wall of Sighs.

“Priestess.”

The young man turned his head, dirt and blood smeared across his face. The eyes that were always a bit foolish now burned bright.

He grinned and said,

“This time, there are no mentors.”

“Only me.”