I Got a Gallery in the Wild - Chapter 312

When I ran into the Saber-toothed Tiger at dawn back then, I vividly understood what the expression ’knees knocking in terror’ truly meant.

Overwhelmed by an absolute sense of pressure, I couldn’t move a muscle, nor could my mind function.

However, that was during the early days of my survival in the Forest of the Four Seasons, a time when I was far weaker.

If I were to encounter a Saber-toothed Tiger now, its regenerative ability would be the only issue; I could handle it on my own.

Because of that, I thought I had grown. And in reality, I had.

’However...’

I ended up feeling that exact same sensation once again.

Despite being incomparably stronger than when I fought the Saber-toothed Tiger.

In other words, it meant there was a high probability that headless knight was an absurdly powerful entity.

Even if it didn’t reach the level of Tyranno’s mother, Vanir, it remained an overwhelming opponent for me right now.

"Master!"

"..."

At the thunderous noise of the flail, the group inside the house poured out all at once.

While Lackey showed flustered panic all over his face, Ludwig gripped his Mythricon sword.

And finally, even the deer staying at the guest house.

"...Mu-oh."

Swish!

However, leaving behind a short cry, the deer instantly vanished somewhere.

It had bolted right away, as if it had no intention whatsoever of fighting the headless knight.

’What on earth is that bastard for it to act like that?’

It was baffling. The deer was likely a powerhouse no less formidable than Bbareumbo, yet it fled immediately.

Reversing the thought, however, meant that the opponent was just that hopeless to deal with. I glared at the Dullahan.

A black warhorse clad in iron armor. A coffin bound tightly with iron chains, swung around like a flail.

And a sword flickering with cyan energy similar to the flame above its neck.

[...A Dullahan? This is trouble.]

Cain, who had climbed onto my shoulder at some point, spoke as if we were in a dire spot.

If it was a Dullahan, it was a monster I was well aware of. A named headless knight among the undead.

Undead were weak to holy power, so just as I began to think Ludwig might be able to handle it well—

Clank—

As if planning to swing the chained coffin once more, the Dullahan pulled back its left arm.

Being a Paladin, Ludwig seemed to recognize the danger of the Dullahan and did not miss that opening.

As Ludwig approached at high speed, the Dullahan swung not the coffin, but the sword gripped in its right hand.

CLANG!

Their swords collided.

The Dullahan’s sword, flickering with cyan light, and Ludwig’s sword, shimmering with holy white light.

BOOM!

However, the result was tragic. Ludwig was blasted backward, practically sent flying.

Even considering that he couldn’t unleash even half his true strength due to the Forest of the Four Seasons debuff, it was shocking.

Rattle-rattle-rattle!!!

While Ludwig was repelled, the Dullahan managed to retrieve the coffin.

At the same time, it swung its arm violently, as if slamming down from above.

It was a slower speed than expected, so it could easily be dodged, but the problem lay behind me.

Behind my back stood the World Tree. If I dodged like this, the World Tree would be wrecked.

’I can’t let that happen!’

The World Tree was an immensely grateful presence that provided emergency food every single day.

Furthermore, the effects of its fruit were extraordinary, so I couldn’t afford to lose it helplessly like this.

It was a slightly foolish method, but for the sake of the future, I had no choice.

BOOOOM!!!

"Kugh...!"

I gripped the shield Ludwig had handed me with both hands and blocked it with all my might.

However, because I leaped high to block it, my landing was unstable.

It was partly because the coffin was slamming down precisely toward the World Tree, and partly to block it before it gained full centrifugal force.

"Krrrgh..."

I had only blocked it once, yet my shoulder throbbed with pain. Did something happen to the bone?

In the meantime, Ludwig and Lackey charged at the Dullahan.

Since both possessed considerable skill, I thought they would be able to hold out to some extent.

CLANG! BOOM!

However, they were repelled backward in a single clash.

Ludwig aside, to think that even Lackey, with his massive weight class, would be pushed back.

"Lackey. Even you got pushed?"

"Power too strong. Cannot head-on. Like Master."

Technique aside, the gap in raw strength was too immense.

Even its speed was fast. Despite the two of them attacking together, they were pushed back simultaneously.

Strength, speed, and finally technique. A truly formidable enemy lacking in nothing.

[A Dullahan is originally one who guides the dead. The entity itself is harmless.]

"Harmless?"

[It is a point many people misunderstand.]

Cain whispered an explanation on my shoulder. It seemed to be a concept roughly similar to a Grim Reaper.

Just as the phrase ’guiding the dead’ implied, it reportedly detested the undead.

Since the entities that were supposed to be guided thrashed around refusing to go, it couldn’t look upon them favorably.

As far as I knew, even when the Immortal King crisis broke out, there were no stories related to Dullahans.

[However, there are times when a Dullahan steps forward directly. It is classified as a dangerous existence precisely because of that single phenomenon.]

"What is that?"

[The Wild Hunt.]

What was the Wild Hunt? Just as I was about to ask, Cain kindly added an explanation.

[It is a phenomenon where an enormous number of the dead form an army and march. To put it in Central Plains terms, it would be the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons.]

"Just hearing about it sounds dangerous."

[Naturally. At that time, it is hostile to all living things.]

Befitting a fantasy world, the phenomenon wasn’t just terrifying; it was downright dangerous. Was that classified as a natural disaster too?

I pushed the useless thoughts to one side and raised my head.

With the Dullahan’s appearance, not only the sky but also our surroundings were instantly dyed in pitch blackness.

Fortunately, I had placed bonfires here and there, so my vision wasn’t obstructed, but it was eerie nonetheless.

"Does the Dullahan bring the night with it?"

[I have heard that they operate at night.]This chapter was copied from NovelPing without permission.

"But that guy brought night with him."

[I do not know what I do not know.]

That sure is a carefree response. After grumbling internally for a brief moment, I glared at the Dullahan.

Had it decided to stop swinging the coffin like a flail? It had already slung the coffin back onto its back.

Clank— Clank—

The Dullahan approached slowly toward us.

Perhaps because it was mounted on a horse, the pressure emanating from its frame was immense.

"It might be the strongest thing we’ve faced so far."

"..."

At my words, the group tensed up tightly. Having exchanged blows with it, they must have felt it acutely as well.

I turned my head to look at the house. Despite all this commotion, Tyranno and Wonmo were sleeping inside.

It was actually better that they didn’t come out. It would be troublesome if they got hurt unnecessarily.

Seeing how even the deer ran away without a care, they likely wouldn’t be of much help.

’I don’t know what this guy’s goal is, but...’

The fact that it posed a threat to us was crystal clear. We had to stop it no matter what.

Taking on a perfected knight like Ludwig would be tough, but we had the numerical advantage.

Besides, we had Bbareumbo with us. I let out a long breath.

Shhh—

Mounted on its horse, the Dullahan slowly raised its sword upward.

Since it was a perfected knight, unleashing Sword Qi would be child’s play.

It would be fine if we dealt with it before that. I shouted to the group.

"I’ll take the front! Look for an opening!"

CLANG!!!

The moment I said that, the Dullahan’s sword and the Sword of the Heavenly Demon clashed against each other.

It was a simple collision of blades, yet I nearly fell to my knees.

There was a reason Ludwig and Lackey had been pushed back helplessly.

’On top of that, it’s a downward strike from above...’

Cavalry of the past possessed the destructive power of a tank. A mere foot soldier couldn’t match them.

Even putting the horse aside, the rider itself was an elite and remarkably strong.

CLANG!!

The Dullahan swung its sword once more from its spot.

It was closer to slamming down than swinging, but I somehow managed to block it.

Every time I blocked, a throbbing pain shot through my arms and legs, but it was bearable. No, I had to bear it.

Whirring!

Only then could Ludwig and Lackey launch their attacks.

I, who could withstand the Dullahan’s strikes, was the anvil, and the rest were the hammers.

Though a simple tactic, it would prove highly effective.

Swish! Whirring!

"Mm?!"

However, their attacks sliced through empty air. I couldn’t help but be shocked by the situation.

Their attacks had clearly hit the Dullahan. Yet they missed as if slicing through thin air.

Shhh—

The Dullahan’s body began to turn translucent like a mirage.

Before long, it slipped behind me like a ghost.

[It is Wraith Transformation. It converts its body into a wraith, nullifying all physical impacts.]

"What kind of cheat code is...!"

[In return, it cannot attack either.]

BOOM!!

The Dullahan’s steed, having cancelled its Wraith Transformation, stomped its hooves violently.

The horse had merely stomped its hooves, yet a massive shockwave radiated in all directions.

As I staggered from the shockwave, the Dullahan swiftly approached and swung its sword.

CLANG!!

"Kugh...!"

I barely managed to block it forcefully.

Just like before, Ludwig and Lackey launched a counterattack, but the bastard slickly executed Wraith Transformation.

If the pattern repeated like this, the accumulation of damage on our side would be far worse.

I had to find a way. At the very least, a way to prevent this bastard from using Wraith Transformation.

[...]

"Huh?"

However, something was off. The Dullahan, having cancelled Wraith Transformation, turned its upper body to look at Ludwig.

I didn’t know the reason, but right now was the ideal chance. I immediately targeted the Dullahan’s horse.

As long as it was mounted on a horse, the Dullahan’s combat capability would far surpass ours.

Rather than aiming for an opening from the start, it was better to slowly shave down its combat power.

Swish!

[Snort.]

"Ah, damn it."

I only sliced through empty air. To think the horse could use Wraith Transformation too.

Furthermore, as if it possessed high intelligence, it even snorted mockingly at me.

’How am I supposed to...’

CLANG!

In a situation where no solution was in sight, the Dullahan’s body shook violently.

The fellow who had been standing firmly just a moment ago was shaken.

Surprised, I wondered who had done this, and soon realized.

"Bbareumbo?"

"..."

It was Bbareumbo. I didn’t know when he had moved, but he had stepped forward proudly.

It seemed he had decided to take matters into his own hands, seeing how extraordinary the Dullahan’s skill was.

[If it evades attacks with Wraith Transformation, there is no choice but to target the Dullahan before it can execute Wraith Transformation.]

"And Bbareumbo is capable of that?"

[In terms of speed, there is no entity that can match that sloth.]

Strike before it can use Wraith Transformation. It was an extremely simple strategy.

The problem was that the only entity capable of doing so was Bbareumbo.

"Help Bbareumbo so he can attack!"

"Understood!"

As Bbareumbo took the field in earnest, the others changed their tactics as well.

It was to draw the Dullahan’s attention by any means necessary to create an opening.This chapter is updated first at novelping dot com.

Clatter! Clatter!

The Dullahan seemed to feel that the situation had changed, as it drove its horse rapidly.

It began circling the entire Shelter, constantly seeking an opportunity.

No. Let me correct myself.

"Th-That bastard is going for the World Tree...!"

It was completely ignoring us and charging straight toward the World Tree.

Startled, I hurriedly sprinted after it.

However, the Dullahan’s horse was far faster. At this rate, the World Tree would be in danger.

BANG!

[NEIGHHH!]

[...]

However, an unexpected event unfolded.

As if sensing the danger, the World Tree generated its own protective barrier to shield itself.

Crashing headlong into that barrier, the Dullahan’s horse raised its forelegs and threw a violent fit.

It was even more astonishing that it remained completely unscathed after crashing at that speed.

’It seems to have been targeting the World Tree from the start...’

Whether it was trying to draw our attention or truly targeting the World Tree.

I didn’t know which it was, but the fact that we had to stop the Dullahan remained unchanged.

Shhh—

The Dullahan, having attempted Wraith Transformation, had drawn back a considerable distance before I knew it.

Soon, with a rattle-rattle sound, it actually unslung the coffin from its back.

Before it could use that coffin like a flail again, we had to deal with it.

"Huuup!"

Without hesitation, I charged at the Dullahan. The rest of the group did the same.

Bbareumbo had already mounted my back before I realized it.

CLANG!

Bbareumbo’s claws and the Dullahan’s sword clashed against each other.

CLANG!

The armored horse’s legs and the Sword of the Heavenly Demon collided.

A typical battle between steed and rider. The funny thing was that I wasn’t the rider; I was the steed.

In truth, Bbareumbo’s skill was far superior to mine, so I had no complaints.

SLASH!

[...!]

Ludwig and Lackey’s attacks were naturally evaded via Wraith Transformation.

However, a bizarre phenomenon occurred: every time Ludwig slashed his sword, a strange noise rang out.

Since the Dullahan was ultimately an entity close to the undead, it might have reacted to holy power.

’Two entities capable of landing effective hits. We have a fighting chance like this.’

Bbareumbo, who attacked far faster than it could use Wraith Transformation.

Ludwig, whose strikes landed to some degree even when it transformed into a wraith.

Lackey was regrettable, but drawing its attention was more than enough.

As for me, well, I just had to act as a fine mount for Bbareumbo.

Thud-thud-thud-thud!

The Dullahan drove its horse far faster than before, circling around the World Tree.

I ran diligently to keep up with that horse. And what was the result?

CLANG! CHANG! CLINK!

The riders fought amongst themselves, and the steeds fought amongst themselves.

The Dullahan’s sword was repeatedly blocked by Bbareumbo’s claws, and my sword was blocked by the Dullahan’s horse.

Even though I imbued the Sword of the Heavenly Demon with an Aura Blade, it showed no signs of being cut at all.

Rattle-rattle!

The coffin it had unslung earlier was swung toward me.

No matter how strong Bbareumbo was, repelling a coffin packed with immense weight must have been difficult.

Rather than striking it with his claws, Bbareumbo chose to block it. Realizing his intent, I put strength into both of my legs.

BOOM!

"Kugh...!"

Perhaps because it was a coffin far larger than me, the impact force was horrific.

While we were pushed backward, the Dullahan hurriedly retrieved the coffin.

THUD!

And then, it actually drove the coffin deep into the ground. As if trying to stand the coffin upright.

Holding doubts about its sudden action for a brief moment, I felt a surge of ominous foreboding.

Rattle-rattle!

As if proving that bad feeling right, the iron chains binding the coffin slowly began to unwrap.

As the chains unwound, the coffin naturally became free as well.

I hurriedly picked up my bow and arrow and fired directly at it.

KABOOM!!!

An explosion erupted the moment the arrow struck the coffin.

Thick smoke blanketed the Dullahan. I swung my sword forcefully to clear the smoke away.

I hoped the preemptive strike had worked to some degree, but...

Rattle—

I couldn’t stop the coffin lid from sliding open.

Soon, a faint cyan light flickered inside the coffin before erupting outward.

WHOOSH—

The erupted light descended to the ground before long, and the light upon the earth began to take shape.

Just when I felt deeply anxious, those shapes finally took complete form.

The identity of those shapes was familiar not only to me, but to the entire group.

Long arms, a somewhat languid expression, and sharp claws.

And finally, a limply drooped posture.

"...Sloths?"

They were sloth wraiths. And not just one, but three of them.

Feeling bewildered for a moment, I looked back in utter shock at Bbareumbo clinging to my back.

Tremble-tremble—

"..."

Though his face remained expressionless as ever, Bbareumbo was trembling faintly.