The Last Monarch : Unlimited Regeneration
Chapter 60: Road to the Capital (Part 9)

Chapter 60: Road to the Capital (Part 9)

Slash!

Tamae’s sword bounced off the hardened skin of the first Shadow Stalker. The creature quickly turned, its claws slicing through the air—nearly slashing Tamae’s face. She spun backward. Two other Shadow Stalkers charged and leapt toward her. Instead of retreating, Tamae ran straight at them.

As their claws nearly struck her body, she dropped to the ground, sliding beneath the attack. Both Shadow Stalkers missed. Now behind them, Tamae immediately unleashed a powerful Mana-infused slash.

SLASH!

The beasts were knocked back, blood dripping from their wounded backs. They fell and howled. Tamae resumed her stance. One of the Shadow Stalkers had just recovered from the blow to its head earlier.

"Come on, you bastards!" Tamae taunted.

The Shadow Stalker lunged from the front. Tamae leaped, using one foot to kick off mid-air, then landed on the cave wall and launched downward, her sword swinging. She was now above the creature’s head.

WHOOSH!

"Got you!" shouted Tamae.

Slash!

There was no escaping that strike. A head rolled onto the ground. But at the same time, another Shadow Stalker’s attack landed on her shoulder—hard enough to hurl her body and nearly knock her over. One more Shadow Stalker jumped at her, delivering another blow.

THUD!

"Ugh...!" Tamae groaned. Her shoulder was torn open. Blood poured down in streams. Yet her eyes remained wild, like a wounded tiger ready to claw until its last breath.

"Come on... all of you..." She showed no hesitation.

The two remaining Shadow Stalkers charged. Tamae bit her lip, focusing through the pain. They leapt fast again, but she dodged with agile movements. She was a Reserve General, after all, with hundreds of battle experiences.

"You’re not worthy opponents for me," said Tamae.

With a swift motion, she bent her knees and thrust her sword upward—piercing through the creature’s chin and up into its skull.

GRREKH!

The creature dropped. Blood spilled from its jaw. It twitched... then went still. Another Shadow Stalker defeated.

Only one remained. She had handled three-on-one before. One-on-one would be easy—or so it should be. Without hesitation, she advanced and unleashed a flurry of sword techniques.

The last Shadow Stalker couldn’t keep up. One final slash brought it down. It no longer moved—finally dead.

Tamae smiled. "You were strong, but not strong enough."

Her body wavered. Her knees shook. Her breath came in heavy gasps. Her left shoulder was bleeding badly. But she had done it... she had killed them all.

However...

Tap... Tap... Tap...

Heavy, rhythmic footsteps filled the space. Tamae didn’t need to look. She already knew what was approaching. The mastermind behind all these kidnappings. Tamae clicked her tongue, clutching her wounded shoulder.

"So I really have to fight that crazy monster now," she grumbled.

A giant spider descended from the ceiling. Its body was as tall as three grown humans, its sharp legs quivered as they touched the ground. One by one, its many eyes lit up, twitching in random directions. But its main eye locked on Tamae.

"Little tiger... You dare kill my servants?" the spider said sharply.

The spider crept closer. Until the two stood face-to-face. The final battle—one of them would die. Neither Tamae nor the giant spider intended to be the one.

"Your breath stinks. I hate it," Tamae muttered.

She gritted her teeth. She knew... this wasn’t a fair fight. But she still stood. Her sword gripped in one hand, body crouched, eyes sharp despite her injuries and the overwhelming power before her.

"You’re not leaving this place alive."

"Of course not. I have no intention of doing so," the spider replied. "Because one of us... will die here."

"You sure talk big, little tiger."

"I’ve slain hundreds of spiders like you. One more won’t hurt." That was a complete lie. Tamae just hoped it would scare the spider.

It didn’t. The spider didn’t flinch at all.

"Very well then. Let’s see who dies..."

The spider lunged.

CRAAASH!

The speed was terrifying. Tamae barely dodged. Her leg was stabbed, her body thrown against the cave wall. Blood burst from her mouth. Her spine felt like it might snap.

The creature followed up, aiming a strike at her stomach. Tamae wasn’t ready. She crossed her arms, channeling Mana to block the blow from the spider’s leg.

It wasn’t enough. Her arms tore open, flesh ripped. She screamed, trying to parry, but the monster’s strength was too great. She reached for her fallen sword—only for the spider to kick it farther away.

"You... haven’t won..." she whispered.

"I already have," the creature replied, lifting a sharp, massive leg to end her life.

"Any last words, little tiger?"

"I hope you die!"

The spider raged. It gathered Mana into its leg and struck down toward Tamae. At that moment, she could only rely on her injured arms. Hoping she could at least survive long enough... for Alvaric to come.

"...Why am I hoping for that guy?" she murmured.

Tamae closed her eyes.

THUD!

But before the leg could strike, before it could pierce her body and end her life—suddenly, the spider’s attack was stopped.

Tamae opened her eyes and saw a familiar shoulder. She smiled.

"You’re bothering my traveling companion."

Tamae, on the verge of passing out, looked up at the figure. Relief filled her. Everything seemed... okay now.

"...A-Alvaric...?"

Alvaric pulled out his Vapper’s Dagger from his inventory. He turned to Tamae. "Sorry I’m late. Are you alright?"

"Are you joking? Seeing me like this..." Tamae laughed and coughed blood. She smiled. "Thank you. I’m fine."

Alvaric nodded. He turned to face the giant spider before him. The two locked eyes. The spider instinctively stepped back, keeping distance. Something told her to flee—but her pride wouldn’t allow it.

"Who are you?" the spider asked.

"Does it matter? I don’t think a monster about to die should be asking questions."

"You’re arrogant, little creature. I’ll kill you!" the spider roared.

She immediately raised a leg and lunged to attack. Alvaric smiled, without a trace of fear. He was confident he could win.

"I’ve fought beings far stronger than you. So don’t act high and mighty in front of me, weakling!" Alvaric shouted.

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