Awakened: SSS Ranked Soul king

Chapter 18 Craziness Is a symptom of the strong

"Guilliman."

As they ventured deeper into the communal zone, a feminine voice broke through the sound of crunching leaves and distant animal cries. Guilliman turned his head, slightly startled, to see Victoria approaching with a measured stride.

"Yes?" he replied, his tone uncertain. Since their introduction back at the shelter, Victoria hadn't so much as glanced in his direction. It was surprising to hear her address him now, especially with such intent.

"Barthold tells me you fought a Knight Code beast while still at level 1. Is that true?" she asked, a faint smile tugging at her lips. There was an air of curiosity in her voice, though it felt somewhat unnatural, as if she wasn't accustomed to casual conversation. Her charisma in group settings was undeniable, but up close, she seemed more rehearsed, like someone trying to push past her comfort zone.

'Hmm, she reminds me of Caroline,' Guilliman mused. His mind wandered briefly to his memories of another sharp but awkward leader he once knew. He nodded in affirmation, thinking back to the grueling encounter. While Barthold had stepped in to save him at the last moment, Guilliman couldn't shake the feeling that he could have managed to win the fight on his own.

"Good. That shows you're skilled," Victoria said, her smile widening briefly before her tone shifted into something more serious. "But the beast we're about to face is different. Much stronger. I'll need you to coordinate with us... Can you move between the rear and the front lines quickly?" Her gaze was piercing, clearly trying to gauge how reliable he might be in a dangerous situation.

The directness of her words confirmed Guilliman's suspicions. This wasn't just some routine expedition—they were preparing to face something far more dangerous. If she wanted him to move flexibly between positions, it meant they anticipated a tough battle that required seamless teamwork.

"I can do that exceptionally well," Guilliman replied without hesitation. His new Beast Echo was made for such maneuvers, and he had already trained himself to exploit its strengths.

[Beast Echo: Rabbit Braces (Ordinary)]

[Type: Utility]

[ Description: The black blade rabbit is known for its sharp blades, but its strongest ability is its ability to jump to extreme heights]

[ Effect: double jumo]

[ Effect : Grants the ability to double jump to significant altitudes based on applied force [Cooldown: 2 seconds].

"That's a mutant," Guilliman said under his breath, his tone grim. He could feel its oppressive energy radiating outward, a sensation that sent a chill down his spine. It reminded him of his fight with the Wind Direwolf—but this was far worse. The Black Rabbit King seemed insignificant by comparison.

"Naturally," Victoria replied, her voice calm and composed. Her lack of surprise was almost unnerving.

'Wait a minute... she said a different one.' Guilliman's thoughts raced as he processed her words. If this was a different mutant, it meant they had encountered others like it before. How many more of these creatures were lurking in the communal zone? Mutants were at the very peak of what Slayers at their level could handle. Even then, it was usually a group effort to take down just one.

"As usual, guys, fall in!" Victoria commanded, her voice cutting through his thoughts.

Barthold wasted no time. With a guttural roar, he hefted his shield and mace, the weight of his armor glowing faintly as his Echo augmented his strength. He charged forward, his massive frame colliding with the Tortai in a thunderous clash.

—Boom!

The force of the impact rippled outward, shaking the ground beneath them. Barthold held firm, his shield locked against the beast's sharp claws.

Victoria surged forward next, her movements sharp and fluid. Her sword flashed in the light as she aimed for the creature's neck, striking with precision. She was relentless, every swing of her blade a testament to years of honed skill.

Jemie joined moments later, his agility and speed adding another layer to the assault. Together, they moved like a well-oiled machine, their coordination seamless despite the chaotic nature of the battle.

Meanwhile, Guilliman stood at the rear, momentarily stunned by the sheer ferocity of their attack.

"These people are crazy!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief.

But as he watched them fight, something shifted within him. The initial shock gave way to a growing sense of exhilaration.

"Craziness is a symptom of the strong," he muttered, a grin spreading across his face.

For the first time in a long while, Guilliman felt his blood boil with excitement.