Snow is so large that I have to look up to see it.
And yet, it moves swiftly, like the wind.
It’s not launching any clear attacks—just rampaging.
Even so, adventurers and knights are being scattered.
Buildings are collapsing, and fountains are being trampled underfoot.
"I have to do something...!"
If we fight here, how much damage will the surroundings suffer?
Even if we manage to stop Snow, it will be meaningless if half the city is destroyed.
"First, I need to draw its attention!"
I timed my move and stepped forward.
Gripping my sword’s hilt tightly—tightly—
"Hazan!!!"
I unleashed the technique I was most familiar with, the one with the greatest power.
Am I overdoing it?
Not a concern.
Zero.
If anything, this isn't enough.
I need to launch an even stronger attack, or I won’t reach Snow as it is now.
That instinct was correct—
My blade couldn’t even cut Snow’s fur; it was like striking with a blunt weapon.
"Grrrrr...!"
The blade didn’t go through, but it seemed the impact had reached it.
It must have taken some damage because Snow turned its furious gaze toward me.
Good.
I successfully drew its attention.
"Over here!"
"Gahh!"
When facing a beast or monster, the worst thing you can do is turn your back to it.
If you do, it will gladly chase you down and attack.
I learned that lesson during my time as a slave.
Snow was no exception—it charged after me at full speed.
I want to lure it out of the city, but...
"It’s so fast...!?"
Its stride was overwhelmingly longer than mine, and it moved like the wind.
I had drawn enemies toward me many times before, so I was confident in my ability to do so, but it caught up in no time.
Snow swung its forepaw, trying to swat me away.
I twisted my body, barely dodging.
The massive paw whooshed past right in front of me—
A whoosh of air roared past.
If that had hit me directly... The thought sent chills down my spine.
"Take this!"
I counterattacked, slamming my sword into it.
I already knew the blade wouldn’t cut, so I turned it sideways, using it like a blunt weapon.
Clang!
The sensation and sound were like striking iron.
Not just the fur—its body was tough, too.
Though the damage was small, Snow still seemed to have felt it and let out another furious roar.
I was successfully drawing its aggression.
That was good, but…
"How am I supposed to lure it out of the city like this—whoa!?"
I ran.
But it caught up almost instantly.
Over and over again, I tried to escape, only to be chased down.
At this rate, the destruction would only get worse.
On top of that, Snow’s attacks were incredibly fast and powerful.
How many more times could I dodge?
"…No, I can't give in. I can’t afford to be weak."
I remembered Aisha’s face—on the verge of tears.
That expression didn’t suit her.
Aisha was meant to smile.
To bring back that smile, I had to give it my all.
There was no time to despair or give up.
"Hah!"
Attack, retreat.
Repeating that pattern, little by little, I lured Snow toward the sandy shore.
So far, so good.
Snow’s attention was locked onto me, and the city's damage had been kept to a minimum.
If there was a problem, it was my stamina.
Not even ten minutes had passed, and I was already out of breath.
Fighting Snow in this state drained my strength at an alarming rate.
And that exhaustion led to mistakes.
"GRAAAHHH!!"
"Crap—!?"
My foot slipped on a rock, stopping my movement for just a moment.
Snow didn’t miss that opening—it roared and slammed its massive forepaw down toward me
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