Damn it—that knight!
Stella felt as if she had been struck by a massive hammer, memories she desperately wished to bury flooding violently back into her mind.
That was the first time she'd been cut in half—her very first time.
And the way she lost had been utterly humiliating. She'd been pinned down by what looked like some dopey little blue slime, which had somehow stepped on her shadow and trapped her in place. While she stood frozen, the Crucible Knight cleaved her clean in two.
If it had been a fair fight, she would never have lost in such a disgraceful way—or at least, that's what Stella kept telling herself.
Unfortunately, she never managed to find that teleportation chest again, the one that had led her straight to the Crucible Knight. The teleporters to the lower levels were still there, but the knight was gone.
Come to think of it, she didn't even know it was called the Crucible Knight. All she knew was that she had once died at the hands of some terrifying knight-shaped monster.
For days afterward, she was plagued with nightmares—visions of the Crucible Knight and that cursed Wobbuffet killing her in a hundred gruesome, creative ways. She had woken drenched in cold sweat more times than she could count.
And now, in Sein Dungeon, to see this long-awaited figure again—how could she not be horrified? How could she not freeze in shock?
Wait—why is he even on the upper floors?
If he's roaming around here, how are weaker adventurers supposed to keep exploring?
Stella's legs trembled, but she forced herself to glare back at the knight with all the defiance she could muster.
"Grrr—"
The demons nearby sensed the overwhelming pressure radiating from the Crucible Knight. Without hesitation, they abandoned her and turned toward him instead.
The knight said nothing, but the tilt of his head radiated sheer disdain.
Go on, nameless monster knight, Stella found herself cheering silently.
If she had to choose her death, she would rather fall to the Crucible Knight than be torn apart by demons. At least he looked undeniably badass.
"Raaagh!"
The demons charged.
The first was a grotesque hybrid—its body covered in metallic feathers that glinted like steel, a serpentine head crowning its twisted form.
Its wings weren't built for flight, but their durability was unmatched. Each feather could fire off like a steel dart—twenty at a time, razor-sharp and lethal.
But could they even pierce the Crucible Knight's heavy armor?
"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The metallic storm rained down, fifty feathers shrieking through the air like a hurricane of blades.
The knight?
He simply raised his massive shield. Every feather clattered harmlessly against it, as though they were nothing more than pebbles.
Right… he has a shield. Stella twitched a nervous smile, realizing her earlier fear had been pointless.
"Grawk?"
The demon let out a strangled screech, bewildered that its barrage had been nullified. These human-turned demons clearly weren't the brightest.
The others weren't idle. The four-headed brute charged in a savage tackle, while the gaunt demon thrust both arms into the ground, summoning a forest of writhing vines to bind the knight.
But then, the Crucible Knight lowered his shield.
What? Is he really going to take it head-on? Stella thought, stunned. Some warriors liked to flaunt their strength by tanking enemy attacks without flinching.
No—she was wrong.
An ancient light flared across his body. A heartbeat later, jagged horns erupted from his shoulders.
[Aspects of the Crucible: Horns]!
"Gahh?!"
The feathered demon froze in terror—but it was far too late. The distance was already gone. Escape was impossible.
Its only hope was that the other demons' attacks might save it. But—
"BOOM!"
The knight exploded forward with blinding speed. The vines lashed empty air, and the brute's tackle smashed only into the earth, gouging a crater deep enough to shatter walls.
But if you miss your target, it's meaningless.
"GWRAAAH!"
The Crucible Knight, horns lowered, plowed into the feathered demon like a freight train. Both of them crashed through the dead-end wall and into a ruined house beyond.
The demon's screams tore through the broken town, raw with despair.
"RUMBLE—"
The building collapsed into dust and rubble. Stella coughed, squinting through the haze.
Heavy footsteps echoed.
He emerged, unscathed. The Crucible Knight dragged the severed head of the feathered demon behind him. With casual contempt, he tossed it aside and ground it underfoot.
The two remaining demons recoiled. Every instinct screamed at them to flee. But some deep compulsion twisted their minds, driving them into blind bloodlust. They charged, heedless of the hopeless gap in power.
Demons are always this reckless?
"Waaah!"
Stella cried out as the Crucible Knight casually kicked her aside, as though she were nothing but baggage. He swept his shield outward, sending the brute crashing back, then slashed his greatsword in wide arcs, severing every vine that tried to bind him.
Then, in one smooth motion, he hurled his blade like a javelin. It skewered the gaunt demon through the chest, nailing it writhing to the ground.
The brute lunged again, seizing what looked like an opening. The knight was weaponless, his back turned—a perfect chance.
But he didn't even glance. A thick, brutal tail erupted from his back, lashing the brute across the battlefield.
[Aspects of the Crucible: Tail], punk!
Before the demon could rise, the knight was upon it, shield smashing down again and again. In mere seconds, the hulking brute was reduced to a mangled pulp.
The gaunt demon fared no better. With ruthless efficiency, it too was silenced.
All four were annihilated.
Then, the Crucible Knight turned his gaze to Stella.
She froze.
His strength had already surpassed her imagination. If he unleashed that fury on her, what chance did she have?
But… he didn't move. He simply stared.
What's going on?
She took a cautious step forward. His eyes followed, but still—no attack.
Why isn't he striking me? Don't tell me… is he really going to let me go?
It was a ridiculous thought, but hope flickered inside her. She wasn't about to waste the chance. Slowly, she began edging backward.
Her conscience nagged her, though, and she turned, intending at least to say "thank you."
That was when his massive sword filled her vision.
"Eh—?"
The world spun. Her upper body crashed to the ground. Before unconsciousness claimed her, she caught one final glimpse of her lower half lying apart.
No way… not again.
Stella was speechless.