The Author Reincarnated As An Extra
Chapter 54: • Executioner’s Blade

Chapter 54: • Executioner’s Blade

Elora’s eyes narrowed uncomfortably at Deremiah. She sat straight, head upright in a manner that showed her earnestness. "Our goals may align at the moment but that doesn’t mean that I’ve become some property that you’ve laid claim to."

Deremiah’s face was expressionless. "I wouldn’t have to do that if you just stop putting your life in danger constantly for other people."

Her eyes shivered as she gazed at him. "It’s my life to risk."

Feeling even more frustrated, Deremiah looked away and grunted. ’This is exactly the reason why she sacrificed her life for Zenith. How could I have made a character so strong and yet so annoying?’

He shot his head up at her. "We will talk about this later, but I have a plan on how we can kill the Goliath Mammoth."

Elora’s eyes shifted from his face to the Stone Sentinel still approaching from the gates. "And the Sentinel?"

Deremiah turned back. "He’s going to help us do it."

Curious, Elora carefully steadied herself on the broad curve of the Goliath Mammoth’s tusk, her boots grinding against ancient ivory.

At that moment, the air was even thicker with tension, the cold mist of the river mingling with the heat of the beast’s breath had created some sort of fog.

And in front of her, standing with a calm intensity despite the chaos, was this completely new Deremiah with a supposed plan.

"Tell it to me," she said with determination.

"The plan is simple," Deremiah began, a firmness in his voice that made Elora believe he knew what he was doing. "You’ll be the bait."

She narrowed her eyes, surprised. "Bait?"

"Yes. That mighty sword the Sentinel carries — I think it’s powerful enough to cut through the Mammoth’s Pillars. Even if it’s not, it’s sure as hell powerful enough to cause it a great amount of damage."

He gestured toward the back of the mammoth giant where many other participants were struggling to climb. "If you position yourself on each Pillar at just the right moment, the Sentinel will do the work for us. Right now, it’s programmed to kill you — nothing else. Which means, as long as you’re standing on those Pillars, it’ll attack."

"This is the tricky part. You have to be fast enough to get out of the way so that the sword collides with the Pillar, and you should have enough distance to protect from the shockwave that comes with the impact."

A breeze stirred, carrying the scent of wet stone and distant embers. Elora processed his words quickly, her mind racing through possibilities, risks. Then, she gave a nod. "This idea you’ve proposed... It’s good. It might work."

"I know it can," Darren said with certainty. He saw as Elora appeared thoughtful , gaze falling to her feet.

"Hey." Deremiah drew her attention by lowering his face to hers. "If you can’t do it — if you can’t move away in time — tell me now. I’ll think of something else."

Elora shook her head immediately, gripping her sword. "I can do it."

He held her gaze for a second longer, searching for hesitation. When he found none, he nodded. "Good. Now it’s just up to the rest of us to do what’s needed.

Elora frowned. "The rest of us?"

Not answering, Deremiah rose to his feet and turned away from her, surveying the battlefield.

As he saw, the Goliath Mammoth’s body was a sprawling forest of rocks which were actually its extremely thick and protected skin, then grasses and trees where dozens of participants clung for their lives, bracing against the trembling mass.

Below, Cestrel and the others bobbed in the river, their gazes locked onto him.

Eyes narrowed, he inhaled sharply, then shouted, voice cutting through the chaos.

"Everyone, listen!"

They all turned their heads towards his direction, caught by the urgency in his voice.

DUM! DUM!

Meanwhile, the earth was still trembling, waves still crashing as the Stone Sentinel stepped closer, its massive stone feet leaving craters in the shallow waters of the river.

Deremiah pointed directly at it.

"That Sentinel is after her!" He yelled at the top of his voice, now pointing at Elora, making sure every single competitor understood. "It will not cause you any harm, no matter what you do to it! It only wants her!"

DUM! DUM! The statue got closer.

’So she’s going to use herself as bait to lure its attacks toward the Mammoth’s Pillars!"

The participants held their breath.

Deremiah’s voice rose even higher. "Once the Sentinel uses the sword to strike a Pillar, I want all of you to fire your separate Techniques at the same Pillar to make sure we take it down! Do not waste your chance."

Everyone watched him curiously. Some were already decided on doing as he said, others wondered why they should trust him. Although their situation didn’t leave for many choices.

Below, on the water, Varion and Sarah exchanged glances.

"He’s a curious one," Varion muttered, a finger placed thoughtfully on his jaw.

As usual, his expression was unreadable and his sharp green eyes stayed locked onto Deremiah. "Is he really taking control of the Corridor? Ordering us around?"

DUM! DUM!

The Sentinel advanced, its enormous blade scraping against the ground below the river, causing multiple waves to ripple through the water.

Deremiah didn’t flinch. His stance was unwavering, his eyes scanning the competitors like a commander assessing his troops. "I will not repeat myself! If you want to survive this Trial and move on to the next with your rewards, you must participate!"

DUM! DUM! The Sentinel was close now.

There was a pause. And then, nods.

One by one, those who had been clinging to the Mammoth’s hide pulled themselves up, steadying their footing. Their earlier hesitation was gone. No one wanted to make the second mistake of ignoring what a shouting person said.

Below, Sarah asked, "What do you think we should do?"

Varion was silent for a moment, then sighed. "I think we should listen to what he says."

Once he said that, he extended his arm to his right and a red energy swirled around his fingertips before spreading out into the air and materializing his bow.

The Artifact he claimed in his materializing in his second Trial appeared and entered his grasp with a sharp pulse of energy. Sarah followed suit, also summoning her Artifact, a similar bow of the same design and power.

The two raised them in tandem, the tips of their arrows glowing faintly with explosive magic.

All around, the other participants prepared. Dragging their bodies to the top of the Goliath Mammoth’s back, they were able to stand straight, readying themselves for the action.

Some conjured their Techniques in their palms, colorful abilities crackling, lightning sparking, air humming with power. Others steadied their weapons and Artifacts, gripping the reins tighter, ready to strike the moment the opportunity came.

Down on the boat, Cestrel swallowed hard and extended her arms. Doing so, she summoned her curious ethereal blue energy. They simmered just around the tip of her fingers and the center of her palm, targeting the Pillar where Elora stood.

The Dawn Descendant, who had to be the bravest of them all, was standing strong in position. She had dropped her sword and crown in a nest of vines she created so as to make herself a bit more light to allow faster movement.

Where she stood — the Spine Pillar had a jagged protrusion of bone-like structure around the Mammoth’s back. But the Trial had particularly outlined it for them with a magical bullseye inscription which she stood on its center.

There, she could see everything; the unbelievable battlefield, the wary fighters, the river that stretched into infinity. And, most importantly, the Stone Sentinel, now only a few feet away from her.

DUM! DUM! DUM!

Varion and Sarah moved their pupils to the side, watching the giant statue walk past them. Cestrel closed her eyes and prayed, hands still extended as she heard water splash and the Stone Sentinel’s feet rise and fall back into the river.

"Everybody get ready!" Deremiah yelled, using the Writhe to strengthen his hold on the Mammoth’s tusk.

The Goliath Mammoth itself looked agitated at the sight of the approaching guardian and it began to raise its trunk once again for another furious trumpet.

All eyes were on the Sentinel.

DUM! DUM!

At last it was close enough, and with its eyes locked on the target, it raised its massive sword into the air, preparing to strike.

The dry emotion of its stone eyes burned. Its purpose was unwavering. The blade rose higher, and Elora saw its shadow loom over her.

Judgment was about to be cast.