Xurd

“Why…why am I sweating?”

Ena was speaking inside her head as she slowly followed the mad hobgoblin to the deepest parts of the forest. He carried the heavy-looking buster sword as if it weighted nothing on his shoulder while the elf priestess behind him was shaking and looking quite frightened.

“He’s nothing…n-nothing but a pathetic hobgoblin! I just need to blast him with my most powerful spell and then he will be—“

“We’re here.”

“H-huh!?”

The elf and the hobgoblin stop in the middle of an open field. The green monster pointed his sword towards the elf priestess, frowning deeply.

“Ready yourself. The moment I count to three the battle will begin.”

“H-hmph! You will regret challenging me!!”

“…One—“

“HELL BLAZE!!”

Ena did not wait until the hobgoblin reached to three and activated a spell automatically. The spell in turn was a giant pillar of fire which consumed the hobgoblin’s entire figure. At first, Ena started to laugh happily but then she quickly swallowed it as the beast just stood as if nothing happened.

“Two. Three.”

The hobgoblin then gripped the hilt of his sword and charged at Ena with the speed that defies all logic. A huge gust of wind followed as the hobgoblin crossed the distance. For Ena she merely blinked and the monster was already in front of her with his buster sword above his head ready to swing it down.

Ena released a high-pitch scream and jumped back at the last second. Quickly she conjured a wall made of stone but the hobgoblin broke it down with the end of his foot.

The elf priestess then focused his energy into her staff and summoned a spirit covered in long white cloth. The spirit whistled and released a wind that surround Ena like armor. The elf girl then started to move around the field as if she was teleporting, causing the hobgoblin to stop where he was and look around.

“Can’t follow, you disgusting beast!? Well say your prayers!”

Ena then went behind the hobgoblin and charged a lightning spell to fire at his head. Just as the lightning bolt fired outwards, the hobgoblin ducked and then elbowed Ena in the stomach. 

The elf priestess let out a huge gasp of air and was launched back into the ground.

“T-this is not possible!”

Ena then dug her open hand into the muddy ground and channeled her magic into it. Seconds later, small little monsters made of dirt, grass, and flowers sprung to life and charge at the hobgoblin. But they ultimately posed no threat as all the hobgoblin had to do was swing his mighty buster sword one time to create a massive gust which blew the little dirt critters away into the distance, never to be seen again.

“ARGH!?”

Ena began to pull at her hair and snarl like a rabid dog.

“WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU!? HOW CAN A MERE GOBLIN PERFORM SUCH SKILLS!? YOU ARE NOTHING—NOTHING BUT A WORTHLESS, SMELLY, FAT, UGLY—“

“Five…”

As the hobgoblin said those words, the buster sword began to glow with an orange light and then become ignited by a golden flame. 

“Ready yourself…”

Ena gulped and activated a magical barrier but in a second it shattered like glass as the hobgoblin swung his sword to the right and left, created orange beams that came towards the elf priestess. They shattered on impact and the elf girl was thrown to the ground again, covered in bruises and dirt.

“W-what are you…?”

Ena said as she tried to get back up, but her body was too swore. 

The hobgoblin sighed as he planted his sword to the ground.

“Since your about to die…I’ll tell you…”

The hobgoblin appeared before the elf priestess and whispered into her long ear.

“I am Xurd…The Nail of Sorion.”

“…Huh?”

At that moment, Ena’s blood had run cold. The name Xurd was something that all people of the world had known. A mysterious and powerful S-Rank Adventurer who wields a buster sword and walks around with a wooden mask resembling a lion. No one, not even the mighty Prince of the Joria Kingdom, Daniel was able to even touch him. 

The symbol of an Adventurers strength…

“N-no way…”

The hobgoblin—who in truth was Xurd let out another sigh.

“I kept my identity a secret because the kingdoms would have come after me. But now you are the only one who knows this truth. And that is because…the secret will die with you…”

“N-no…”

“It’s nothing personal elf, but you should have left when I told you to…”

Xurd raised his sword to the air. Ena’s eyes were filled with tears.

“NNNOOOOOOOO!!!!!”