Chapter 20: The Interrupted Assassination_Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 20: The Interrupted Assassination

 Daniel was brought to this world by surprise. He was born and grew up on Earth, but through a strange magical ritual, he appeared in a world that seemed to have been spawned from the imaginings of a fantasy writer. However, he was delivered into the world without the expected benefits being summoned is supposed to provide. He doesn''t even have magic, which is part of nature in the world he''s in now.

 He has stayed afloat using his knowledge of modern troubleshooting and repair techniques, as well as several modern technologies that didn''t exist prior to him, and which he could find ways to develop.

 And now, he''s lying on the floor of one of his fellow personnel on the fort blocking one of the few ways through the mountains separating the demons from the Allied Kingdoms. If it stopped there, it would just be another day in the military for him.

 Of course, thisrade is a gatonine woman who, until very recently, vehemently expressed disgust for his very existence. Yet, the story gets stranger, were Daniel telling the story.

 They managed to get Gwenesphia to sleep on Treia''s bed, and Treia had intended to keep watch or simply rx, since she''s a night shift watchstander and would normally be awake when Daniel and Gwenesphia are asleep.

 Instead, Treia is the oneying against Daniel’s chest, fast asleep. She had a good cry after seeing her memory crystal device repaired, and even Gwenesphia remarked on how clear and smooth the voices were. Daniel suspects that Treia’s sonic crystal was broken long before she dropped it, and it was working because it was still conductive. During his repairs, Daniel also cushioned the crystal so it wouldn’t rattle or buzz against the metals of the frame. Given that another person remarked on it, Daniel suspects that everyone simply epts the hollow sound of voices recorded, like old recordings on vinyl records.

 Daniel shifts a little, and Treia stirs. She opens her eyes, noticing Daniel looking at her. She instantly sits up with a tense posture. “D-Daniel! G-Good morning. I was… This wasn’t what you think…”

 Daniel sighs. “I don’t think anything. Thanks for sheltering me.”

 She blushes, asking, “W-Wh-Wh-...?”

 “Your room?”

 She flinches. “Oh! R-Right. Of course.” She looks away, saying softly, “I promised to repay you. I will.”

 “Right, right. I know.” He climbs to his feet, stretching. Gwenesphia is fast asleep, and she looks exactly like one would expect, given her biological state at the moment. Her tail is flipping slowly back and forth, drawing attention to the posture she’s sleeping in.

 Daniel asks, “Will she be alright?”

 Treia confirms softly. “Yes. It’s a natural cycle we go through. She can still function. She just gets dulled senses in the presence of a man. Particrly one she has affection for.” She crosses her arms. “I hope I don’t have to exin further.”

 “I got it. Thank you. Do you mind watching over her? I’ll make my way out first so no one catches me leaving your room.”

 She replies with a gentle nod. “A-alright. I agree.”

 Daniel heads for the door, putting his boots on. However, as he reaches for the door, a small tug pulls at his shirt’s back. He looks, and Treia averts her eyes. “Listen… B-Be careful… I don’t know if anyone else is part of it.”

 “Thank you, Treia. I’m sorry for causing you worry.”

 She whirls, looking away. “I’m not concerned about YOU! I just… You’re an important asset, since you can fix magic devices. It’d be stupid to let you get hurt-KILLED-. To let you get killed, is what I meant.”

 Daniel chuckles, but he doesn’t poke fun at her. She’s being defensive because she doesn’t want to express what she’s actually thinking or feeling. He’s not sure what they are, but she’s hiding her feelings all the same.

 “I’ll be careful. You be careful, too. I’m concerned for your safety by helping me.”

 She spins with rosy cheeks. “Wh-Wha…!?”

 Daniel smiles and nods. He leaves the room and heads for themon area of the base. From there, he gets water and stops by the Quartermaster to get his rations for the day. Then, he makes his way to the office building to wait for Commander Leiwelles to arrive. He yawns a little from some residual exhaustion, but he feels pretty good overall.

 Eventually, Commander Leiwelles makes her way in. Other than when he met with her following her bath, she’s in a rtively dressed-down state; her hair isn’t pulled into a neat bun, and she has her uniform mantle haphazardly draped on her shoulder instead of straightened and tied off to her jacket in a proper manner. She remarks with seemingly no interest, “Daniel. Bright and early. As I would expect.”

 Daniel nods politely. “Commander. Good morning.” He salutes her, and she replies, “At ease. Anything to report?”

 He replies as he follows her into her office, “Nothing pressing, Commander. But, would you have time to do a room inspection today? The more thorough, the better.”

 She looks at him skeptically, her hands behind her head as she works on her hair. “On whose room?”

 “My own. I refrained from returning to itst night because I believe someone broke in.”

 “Why do you think that?”

 “Simple things. Scratches around the keyhole, a lighter smell in the room than it was when I left; simr to a different or more expensive soap than what I use… That sort of thing.”

 She cocks her head. “Do you have a suspect?”

 “No, Commander. I was wondering if this world has… uh… ways of determining that. We called it ‘{Forensics}’. Finding hairs, fingerprints, blood,... any clues that can uniquely identify who it was.”

 “We have a couple investigation specialists here at the Garden. You seem awfully calm, though.”

 “I have very little of value, Commander. I also have a room where no one would look for me for a long time, I suspect.”

 “Mmm… Are you using my fort of containing ally yers?”

 “No Commander. I am fairly confident I’m not viewed as an ally by most of the fort.”

 She scowls at him for a moment, but he keeps a respectful tone and posture. He adds, “I don’t know if anyone has murderous intent. But, I would like to find out if someone did in fact break in.”

 Commander Leiwelles sighs, dropping her facade. “I have heard a rumor. However, I have an idea for a solution.”

 “I’m listening.”

 “Are you familiar with ‘Trial by Combat’?”

 “Sort of. It was a concept in my world. An ancient and outdated one, but no less known to me. I fight against the other individual or a representative to prove my innocence.”

 With an affirming nod, Leiwelles exins, “Mostly urate. In this case, we’ll be determining which of you is right and protected by the gods.”

 Daniel chuckles. “We might as well skip to the execution, then. I’m pretty sure they don’t have any feelings for me. I’m not even a shadow in the annals of their subconscious.”

 She scoffs. “You can be surprisingly refined when you choose to be, can’t you? Regardless, more will be learned this way than by mere investigation. Do you ept?”

 Daniel agrees with little reluctance. “Why not? If you think this will work, then I’ll do it.”

 She nods as she confirms. “I do. Let’s go.”

 *********************

 Treia jogs out into themon area of the fort, where arge crowd of off-duty soldiers are gathered. Commander Leiwelles is up on the announcing stage with Daniel standing next to her. She waits a little longer as the crowd grows a little more.

 “My beautiful Flowers of the legendary Flower Garden! Hear this! I have grown tired of theints and the suspicion! Let us end this farce once and for all. Daniel of the Otherworld shall face trial bybat! Let his innocence or guilt be proven by his strength and the shade of his blood!”

 The warriors of the fort, mostly women, but the few men as well, cheer. Only a couple remain silent; Treia and Gwenesphia. They share a nce with each other, nervous about the immediate future.

 Leiwelles deres, “I need a volunteer; someone who will ensure a fair and thorough trial.”

 A few hands go up, and Treia flinches. Daniel hasn’t shown himself to have any realbat ability. He’s never held a weapon, and he’s never sparred with anyone -mainly because most of them would kill him ‘identally’-. In this case, it seems like Leiwelles is INTENTIONALLY courting his death.

 The Commander studies the hands for a moment. She perks up, “Ah! Bellstram! How about you?”

 A shiver runs up Treia’s spine. Daniel has met an undue level of hostility sinceing to Fort Peony, but one person is highly suspected to have actually attempted to kill him once already, and plotted to do so a second time more recently. Now, the Commander, knowing this, has chosen Bellstram for a battle -potentially to the death- involving Daniel.

 Just before Treia can call out, Gwenesphia exims, “Commander!”

 Leiwelles looks at the lieutenant with her icy gaze. “What is it, Lieutenant? If Daniel truly is innocent of his crimes, as you believe, he will be able to persevere.”

 “That’s… Daniel’s not…” Gwenesphia struggles to put her thoughts into words. Technically, she shouldn’t know about Bellstram, since Bellstram still thinks only Treia knows anything.

 Say something! Daniel’s going to die!

 Treia hesitates, unable to call out. She closes her eyes, trying to summon the courage to take a stand for someone she admittedly misunderstood.

 Why? Why do I feel this way for someone like him? He’s still a stranger… I don’t know anything about him…

 Treia blurts out without thinking, “Commander! The gods do not reside on the battlefield of mortals! There will be no divine protection here. And, Daniel was forsaken by the gods when he was sentenced here. If you think so lowly of him, why bother with this? Just kill him and be done.” She flinches when she realizes what all she just said. She believes it all to be true, but taken the wrong way…

 Leiwelles smirks. “Oh? That’s an interesting take, Sergeant. Looking after yourrade, Bellstram, are you? I suppose you bring a valid point.”

 “N-No, that’s… I meant…”

 “Perhaps, Daniel, you would agree to saving us all some time, yes?”

 Daniel nces at Treia, and it causes her to flinch. She tries to object, but the words stick in her throat. Daniel then looks at Leiwelles, and then down at the ground. “I’d prefer to take my chances, Commander.”

 Leiwelles smirks. “Very well. Trial bybat it is. Bellstram will be the opponent.”

 Bellstram draws her sword with a smirk. Daniel could use a weapon if he had one, but he doesn’t. They face each other on the ground in arge circle formed by the soldiers of the fort. Leiwelles exins from the stage, “Innocence or guilt will be determined by incapacitation or death. The used may surrender and confess at any time. All skills and weapons belonging to either party may be used.”

 Treia watches in horror. It’s descending out of control. Daniel doesn’t stand a chance. Bellstram swings her sword to loosen her joints and check her armor’s fitting. Daniel simply assumes a ready brawler’s stance -aplete amateur, considering hisck of fear-.

 She twitches.

 But wait! Daniel is a divine summon! M-Maybe he does have a special ability given by the gods. O-Or boosted strength… Maybe…

 He’s going to die…

 Treia starts to call out, “Daniel! You have to…”

 GONG GONG GONG GONG GONG!

 The bell for the west gate starts chiming loudly, drowning out the cheers for the impending fight. Everyone looks, and in the sky, there rests three stars in the middle of the day.

 Unfortunately, guiding beacons of the night, these are not. They are amunication from the scouting regiment belonging to the reconnaissance teams much further into demon territory than the controlled zone.

 And, the colors of these res, lingering in the sky, reveal the threat that must bemunicated as soon as possible. With three red res, there’s only one possibility.

 Commander Leiwelles murmurs during a lull in the chiming of the bells, “Dragons…”

 ****************

 The fort’s rms are raised. Three res in the sky seem to have told everyone what they needed to know. And, immediately following, the base descended into a form of controlled chaos. However, contrary to what Daniel might have expected, the base is not bolstering defenses in preparation to defend. They are making preparations to evacuate.

 Daniel is surprised, to say the least, and he manages to catch Treia, asking, “What’s going on?”

 She exins, “Dragons! Dragons areing.”

 “What about defending…?”

 “Are you crazy!? We’re pulling back to the main garrison, where there might be enough firepower to stop them. But, as it is, we will barely slow them down. It’s how it has to be. Get what you can’t live without, Daniel, and hurry to a cart.” Treia helps organize evacuations, while Daniel finds Leiwelles, simrly directing troops.

 She spots him, stating, “Now’s not the time. Prepare to evacuate, Daniel.”

 He shakes his head. “Commander, I think I’ll stay.”

 She looks at him.

 “I have secretly been preparing some… ‘spells’ from my world. Maybe they can’t stop a dragon, but let me at least try.”

 “It’s futile, Daniel. Dragons can withstand a siege.”

 “You were about to have me in, Commander. Allow me to choose how I die. Final request.”

 She hesitates, looking away. She murmurs, barely audible over the uproar, “I wasn’t trying to have you in.” She sighs. “Set your otherworldly traps and prepare to-...”

 “It’s not that simple. I’ll have to remain present at least long enough to see the enemy. Once I’ve confirmed sess or failure, I’ll retreat.”

 “Why should I believe you won’t simply surrender to the enemy?”

 “I was brought here as a prisoner. The only intel I would have to sell is on this fort, which you’re about to abandon. Otherwise, I’m the weakest human in this world, possessing no magic. Give me a chance.”

 She sighs. “Very well. Do what you want, Daniel. We’ll leave an extra mount for you to catch up.”

 He nods gratefully in agreement.

 “Leave two!” shouts Gwenesphia as she jogs up, having overheard enough of the conversation. “I’ll stay with Daniel.”

 Daniel turns to the lieutenant, thinking quickly. She smiles at him, saying tenderly, “I won’t abandon you…”

 “Gwen… Please go.”

 She blushes. “G-Gwen?”

 He smiles tenderly. “Don’t you remember? What we didst night?”

 Her eyes widen, and she tries to think. She squeaks, “W-We just… We only…”

 He whispers, “I need you to be safe, Gwen. You and them…” He touches her abdomen gently, and she squirms lightly, but she takes his hand for a moment. She gets what he’s saying, but she doesn’t remember.

 Of course she doesn’t remember. It’s a lie. I’m hoping she’ll buy her own clouded state of mind long enough to believe it…

 He kisses her gently, adding softly, “I promise I’lle back and give them siblings, but… Please go. I can’t protect you and enact my n.”

 She hesitates, but she blushes. “I… I don’t…”

 Daniel sighs. “I was afraid of that… I guess it wasn’t that memorable…”

 She flinches, but says, “D-Daniel, I…” She pouts, but she says tenderly, “K-Keep your promise, Daniel… I won’t forgive you if you don’t.”

 He reassures her gently, “I will. Please go with the evacuation. I’ll catch up.”

 She nods reluctantly, joining one of the carriages.

 Daniel and the Commander share a nce, and she gives a subtle nod as her silent blessing.

 Daniel bows his head just as subtly, and he jogs to his own room. He needs to gather his gear.

 As thest of the carts and horse-like mounts are leaving the fort, Daniel finds Treia arguing with thest cart, on which is the Commander. “I’m not leaving! I have my own reasons to stay!”

 “Daniel’s methods don’t require help, Sergeant! Get in!”

 Daniel jogs up, carrying his rifle and shoulder bag full of ammunition and explosives. “What’s going on?”

 Treia replies, “Daniel, I’m going to stay. I told you I owe you an unpayable debt. And, if a cowardly otherworlder is going to make a stand, what would I be if I fled?”

 Daniel replies, “Intelligent?”

 She res at him, and he sighs. “Listen, I don’t need help, and I’ll be catching up as quickly as I can. Please just leave me behind.”

 “No.”

 Daniel nces at Leiwelles, who is hesitant. Daniel is rtively expendable, or he’s the only one who stands a chance. Those are the two options Leiwelles is weighing for him. For anyone else, she doesn’t want to waste their lives.

 And, on that, he and she agree.

 Daniel turns Treia by the shoulder, saying, “Commander, I’m afraid it’se to this. If she insists…”

 Treia straightens her posture, believing for that moment that she convinced him.

 And just as quickly, Daniel throws his weight onto her, pinning her to the ground. He wrestles her arms as she shrieks at him, “DANIEL!? WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?”

 He manages to pull her arms behind her, tying them, and then he uses the same rope he pulled from his bag to bind her legs, sashing them together to hogtie her andpletely immobilize the flexible feline woman. She squirms violently and snarls out threats and demands, but Daniel ignores them.

 Once she can’t escape, he stands up, saying to the Commander, “Please forgive this indignity, Commander. She’s being irrational.”

 She sighs and nods, hopping down to help him load Treia into the cart. “YOU CAN’T DO THIS! DANIEL! DANIEL DON’T DO THIS! LET ME HELP YOU! YOU BASTARD!”

 Daniel pets her head once she’s in the cart. “Treia… Thank you for everything. I know I couldn’t lie to you and get you to go. Please, understand. I want you to be safe. Tell Lieutenant Gwenesphia that I’m sorry I deceived her. If I make it through this, I’ll ept punishment.” He smiles at her, and her eyes go wide with horror. “COMMANDER! COMMANDER, PLEASE! DON’T DO THIS!”

 Leiwelles hesitates. She stands up, holding out a hand and dering with her powerful voice, “Daniel, I have used you for my own ends, and I intended to use you further. So, Imand you as possibly myst order to you; survive your ordeals. If you truly are a Divine Summon, save this world from itself, or survive as a soldier to fight another day. These are the only choices I allot to you. Disobey me at your peril.”

 He chuckles but bows. “As you wish, Commander. I will do my very best.”

 She acknowledges him with a nod, instructing the driver of thest cart to move. She watches as Daniel sees them off, turning away in a quiet shame.

 Daniel doesn’t care, though. He has needed to test his weapons, and he didn’t want to do it where the others would see. Unfortunately, he’ll be testing them in the thick of battle, and against enemies so terrifying, a fort at the end of the world isn’t even going to try.

 Which reminds him, the reconnaissance teams are still west of the fort. If they try to flee the enemy, they’ll likely need all the time they can get. He jogs to the west gate, opening it so that the scouts can continue through without impedance. If the dragons are truly such a grave threat, then the gate alone will do little, since any troops with the dragons will advance at a pace simr to that of the dragons themselves.

 Once that’s done, Daniel makes some simple preparations. He stages training dummies on the wall with armor and weapons, making it look like the fort is still manned at a nce; particrly from the air. He doesn’t know how long it will take for the dragons to arrive, since he doesn’t know how far the perimeter the recon teams form actually is. There are also other factors at y as well. Are the dragons escorting an infantry? If so, they’ll likely advance at a rate the slowest can move -at their own quickest, of course-. If they are fully aware of Fort Peony -which would be shocking if they weren’t-, they couldunch vanguard attacks to try to catch the fort off guard. However, it’s likely the dragons are the siege weapons, rather than the vanguard. They’ll rest until the infantry can advance no further, and obliterate any defenses with strong attacks. Treating them like tanks is fitting, since his weapon is modeled after an antitank rifle, even if its crude design would make true arms makers of his world weep with its shoddy craftsmanship.

 Once he has some fake soldiers staged, he carefully ventures out into the clearing in front of the fortress on the west side. He digs a few holes, cingndmines he crafted. He thenys out some fuses that he made, connected to thendmines, since he wasn’t sure how best to make a pressure trigger. Thankfully, he has knowledge of many kinds of battles of history. He’s far from an expert, but he can use his own creativity to do the best he can to fill in the gaps. With a mmable oil he managed to blend, he makes a wide trail that will be easy to hit with a ming arrow, even for him. And, once lit, will contact the fuses. It won’t be elegant. But, if he can distract his enemies with theatrics, he might be able to give them pause and draw out his real targets.

 Daniel knows that if he fails to kill the dragon, he won’t make it far, even with a mount. Which is why, when the recon scouts suddenly burst out of the clearing as he’s making final preparations, he calls out to them. “There are a couple of mounts left! Hurry!”

 “D-Daniel!?”

 “Don’t dy! I’m earning my full pardon! Go! Regroup with the main garrison!”

 The lead officer hesitates as the other scouts nod, jogging ahead. The scoutmander bows briefly, running after her troops. “They should be only a short distance behind! May the gods protect you!” Fortunately, the mounts of this world, which share more traits with rhinos than with actual horses, are actually prettyrge and strong, making it easy to carry multiple people.

 Daniel is content with his decision. He’s afraid, but he feels ready. It’s not specific, but it’s only natural that the enemy would be advancing at a pace only slightly slower than the retreating recon soldiers. He has only a little more time.

 He returns to the top of the wall, readying his rifle and his revolver. He also sets a small fire next to himself and prepares some ming arrows. As with all things, he gets the gist of archery. He knows which way to point the sharp end of the arrow. He intentionally made the oil fieldrge enough that even he can’t miss. And, if he does, he has an extra try or so. From there, he just needs to distract the enemies long enough for them not to notice the fuses.

 Trees begin cracking and rumbling, but it’s a fair distance behind the sounds of marching. Foot soldiers of the demon army are the first to emerge from the tree line. There are obvious fantasy monster-like races; small goblins and imps leading as the apparent cannon fodder, oni-looking demons and more bestial animalistic races that resemble tigers and wolves as heavier infantry, and ogres and lumbering monsters with four legs as wall breakers.

 Leading the militia appears to be a female being with two, deer-like horns emerging from her silvery blue hair. Stripes pattern her skin, and she bears an ornamental staff made of something resembling ceramic; most likely the tusk of some great creature like an elephant.

 Daniel tries not to draw attention to himself, keeping himself hidden low on the ramparts and shouting through an echo horn, “YOU THERE! TURN BACK! YOU SHALL NOT CROSS THIS BARRIER! THOSE WHO TRY SHALL BE MET WITH THE GRIM FACE OF DESPAIR!”

 A few of the beastmen fire arrows at the wall, and Daniel braces in his secluded spot. The shields of several of his dummy soldiers take hits, wobbling. He shouts out screams and calls without the horn, making it seem like the arrows havended some hits behind the wall. He doubts it’s superbly convincing, but he keeps up the act. “YOU FOOLS! YOUR IGNORANCE WILL BUY YOU NO MERCY WHEN YOU FACE THE JUDGMENT OF THE GOD OF DESPAIR!”

 Daniel peeks over the wall. The goblins are cautiously marching forward. They’ve already passed the line of thend mines, and the heavy infantry are at the mines. The wall breakers are getting close, but his rifle should make easy work of the wall breakers.

 What are the odds the ‘dragons’ were a false rm?

 Daniels smirks at himself. Highly unlikely.

 He lights a couple of fuses at his feet, which race towards the fireworksunchers he made. They spew mes and sparks, and the warriors flinch, bracing behind shields.

 Daniel fires the ming arrow next, and the fire hits the oil, erupting in a massive line of raging mes. The goblins are engulfed in the mes, shrieking and squealing as they burn, and those that escape the mes flee.

 Daniel continues the show, “MWAHAHAHAHAHA! TURN BACK NOW, YOU PATHETIC WEAKLINGS! TURN BACK OR PERISH!”

 The woman, who seems to be something simr to an anthropomorphized Kirin of asian mythology, snarls orders as the surviving goblins flee backwards, and the wall breakers bellow, lumbering forward.

 Daniel sighs. He’s a little relieved honestly. The heavy infantry are crossing the lines, and some begin throwing dirt on the mes.

 However, fifteen explosions thunder out, ripping holes in thendscape as ten times as many lives are snuffed out, including several of the wall-breakers, who are dismembered by the sts, while shrapnel maims and wounds the infantry soldiers. They copse, some of them into the fires, and they cry out. The battlefield is filled with screams and cries. Daniel knows that ck powder is rtively easy to make with the right ingredients, but because of magic -like so many other things his world relies on-, it hasn’t been invented yet. As such, explosions without chanting or triggering spell detection -and enabling spell cancetion- are unthinkable.

 The Kirin appears to be flustered by the loss of nearly half of her forces in little over a minute. Nevertheless, all of it is just to draw out Daniel’s real target. He NEEDS to face the dragons, because he assumes the warriors of Fort Peony could pretty easily handle the rest of the forces, or at least dy them properly. If he can’t defeat the dragons, little changes. They can still march on the main garrison. But, the main garrison should easily be able to handle everything else.

 And, if he can thin their numbers in the process, all the better.

 Daniel calls through the horn, “HuaHAHAHAHAHA! WHAT’S WRONG, MUHDAME!? I HAVEN’T EVEN USED ANY REAL MAGIC YET! DON’T TELL ME THIS IS TOO MUCH! I HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO TEACH YOU!”

 Daniel can see it. The Kirin is getting frustrated. She’s pacing back and forth as her lines crumble around her. The goblins havepletely abandoned the battle, and the beastmen have fallen back behind the bodies of the wall breakers -those that have survived-.

 The Kirin pulls a small curled-tube from her belt and blows in it. The sound is simr to a r with a single tone.

 Soon after, a bellowing roar emerges from the forest behind her. And then, a second, even deeper one.

 Oh geez. Two? Well, Daniel. Let’s hope there’s some actual luck on my side.

 Crimson wings emerge from the treeline, and with a broad and mighty sweep, they lift a massive reptilian body into the sky. It looks about like he would expect -and dreamed and fantasized about in his old world-. Its scales glimmer in the evening light, and magical power glows in its thick, armored belly scales.

 Daniel shouts without the horn, “I call BULL! Dragons can’t fly!”

 His heart is racing. He won’t get many shots at defeating it. He calls through the horn, “THAT IS YOUR TIDE CHANGER? YOUR FINAL DRAW? THAT PALTRY BAG OF SCALES WILL BE NOTHING BUT THE LINING FOR MY BOOTS!”

 The dragon roars in a rage.

 Ooo… Better be careful. Maybe they’re sentient dragons here.

 It sweeps its great wings once more, and it gains momentum towards the wall. Daniel snatches his rifle and braces against the wall, hiding for a moment as he takes a deep, courage-boosting breath.

 It’s just a video game. I put on a VR headset, and I’m in a video game. The graphics are just really good. That’s all. I’ll finish this level, log out, and… get a stiff drink.

 Daniel pulls the bolt of the rifle up and back a little, checking the breach of his crude weapon. One of his brass shells is inside, ready to be fired. He closes the bolt, ready.

 Suddenly, he is jostled when a massive impact ms the wall near him, and he looks. He doesn’t get long. A massive, blindingly bright jet of fire scorches the wall, and the stone melts away like butter, while the me is swept away from Daniel towards the other end of the wall. He realizes dumb luck -which is sort of what he was counting on- is the only reason he’s alive. He idly hoped that if the dragon’s fire reaches him, he’d be snuffed out of existence in an instant before the pain could even register.

 In the off chance he got the opportunity, he needs to hit the dragon before it realizes he’s the threat. He rolls up to a kneel, taking aim.

 For a moment, he flinches.

 Daniel served on an aircraft carrier, and the first time he approached it, havinge from a small town, it was thergest single object he had ever seen. It was a colossal titan of human construction; a vessel of warrger than almost anything else on the water. Daniel remembers the feeling of being so small inparison to the massive iron monolith.

 That feeling returns in the face of thergest living creature Daniel has ever seen with his own eyes. Its head appears to beparable to an orca’s in size, maybe a littlerger. Its body is easilyrger, and its tail sways across the ground, immune to the fire of the oil still burning weakly.

 Daniel can hear the Kirin taunting him. The dragon snorts as it surveys its handy work and scans to the left towards Daniel. Its glowing purple eye pivots, and it locks onto Daniel. It’s fully aware of him now. Its lips curl back, and it begins inhaling as it rears its head back.

 Thankfully, it’s toote.

 Daniel steadies his breath and solidifies the stock against his shoulder. He exhales slowly and pulls the trigger.

 ***

AliNovel

Chapter 20: The Interrupted Assassination