Otome Game Mob Villain

Chapter 647

"I won't let you escape, Lord Rid."

Almost immediately after I landed, Endra closed the distance and unleashed another flurry of claw attacks.

He clearly intended to seize the initiative without giving me a chance to regain my footing.

"Not bad, Endra. But did you really think this would be enough to—"

"Of course not."

"Wha—?!"

Before I could finish, he leapt back as Alred emerged from my blind spot, this time delivering a rapid series of punches.

"One-on-one, I could never keep up with you, Lord Rid. But with Endra here, that's a different story."

"Nice. You two are really bringing it."

Though I managed to deflect the blows, one particularly heavy strike made me grimace. At that moment, Endra's voice rang out from behind: "Don't forget about me either."

Their coordination surpassed my expectations.

Against these two, I might be in trouble at this rate.

Internally, I invoked "Memory," activating Body Enhancement: Blaze. Wreathed in flickering crimson mana, I unleashed a powerful shockwave that sent Alred and Endra flying.

"I never thought I'd have to activate Blaze this early."

As I exhaled and glanced around, the two had already recovered their stances.

"It's two against one. No matter how strong you are, Lord Rid, don't think this will be easy."

"We're serious when it counts. Here we go!"

With those words, Alred and Endra charged at me in perfect sync.

But I wouldn't fall for the same trick twice.

Now that Blaze was active and I'd grasped their coordination pattern, I could see through their tactics—Endra served as the decoy while Alred delivered the real blow.

Alright, time to counterattack.

Just as I thought this, Alred and Endra smirked and leapt back.

Huh? I tilted my head in confusion, but immediately sensed an aggressive presence—battle aura—approaching from another direction.

Turning, I saw Alma, the rabbit beastman, and Belkaran, the ox beastman, already closing in, both in their beastified forms.

"Lord Rid, five minutes have passed. Now it's our turn—Alma and Belkaran."

"I'm pretty strong too, you know~!"

They were too close to evade. Alma's lightning-fast, devastating kick and Belkaran's punch—rivalling even Alred's—struck me simultaneously.

Though I blocked reflexively, the impact sent me flying.

I managed to break my fall, but my arms throbbed with numbness.

"...That's a pretty nasty switch-out."

I shot a glare at Curtis, who laughed heartily in response.

"I did say we'd rotate every five minutes, but I never mentioned pausing the training each time. Given our goal of preparing for Johan, higher difficulty is preferable. Now then, no time for rest."

He then turned his gaze to the two facing me.

"Alma, Belkaran. Lord Rid's arms should be numb from your strike. Press the advantage."

"Was already planning to."

"Okaaay~!"

Alma nodded briskly while Belkaran replied in her usual languid tone before both closed the distance in an instant.

"You're really merciless, Curtis. But don't think this'll be enough to take me down."

Grinning, I increased Blaze's output.

Both Body Enhancement and Second Form elevate physical capabilities, but Blaze amplifies fire-attribute magic while providing an explosive boost surpassing even Second Form.

The mana drain is harsh, but there's no choice but to endure it.

"Bel, I'll go first to distract him. You find an opening and strike."

"Got it~ I'll follow Alma's lead~"

In her beastified state, Alma's speed and agility surpassed even mine—a tough opponent even with Blaze active.

Moreover, she was among the sharpest minds in the Second Knight Division. No doubt she and Belkaran had some strategy in play.

Bel—Belkaran—might sound slow with her drawl, but her observational and analytical skills were exceptional. Combined with her devastating strikes, a single misstep could end the fight instantly.

Alma's swift feints created minor openings, which Belkaran exploited with precise, heavy blows.

As I found myself cornered into a defensive stance, Alma smirked.

"Lord Rid, your blocks are getting predictable."

"Damn—! ...Just kidding. They weren't predictable—I made them look that way."

"Wha—?!"

Her eyes widened as her assured victory slipped away. I twisted past her wide kick and closed the distance.

"You overcommitted, too eager to finish it."

"Not over yet!"

With that, Alma deliberately slammed her kick into the ground. The impact shattered the earth, sending up a dust cloud and shockwave that hurled me back.

"Using the shockwave and dust to regain footing? Not bad."

As I looked toward Alma through the settling debris, her lips curled.

"Lord Riiid~ The moment you spot an opening and think you've won is when you're most vulnerable~"

The voice from above made me jerk my head up—just in time to see Belkaran narrowing her eyes, fist poised.

But the sun's glare blinded me, leaving her movements indistinct.

"A backlight, huh?"

"This one's gonna hurt~"

The momentary delay proved fatal. Unable to dodge, I crossed my arms to block.

"Guh—?!"

"My, my~ As expected of Lord Rid, tanking that hit~"

The impact rattled through my entire body, forcing my teeth together. The ground cratered beneath us, fissures spiderwebbing outward.

"You can't guard against my strike in this position~"

From the corner of my eye, Alma was already charging. Pinned down by Belkaran's weight, I couldn't evade or block.

Left with no choice, I sharply amplified Blaze's output, unleashing a mana wave that sent both flying.

"So close...!"

"Oopsies~"

They recovered midair and instantly reassumed combat stances. Meanwhile, I knelt on one knee, breathing raggedly.

Such a sudden mana surge took a heavy toll. My heart pounded violently in my chest.