The Laughing Swordsman

It should be known that gold had the ability to repel magic to a certain extent.

This meant that although the market price for each gold coin was a hundred silvers, nobody in their right mind would ever give up a gold coin for that kind of exchange.

In a certain sense, gold coins could be considered a premium currency that only the truly rich dealt with.

That was why the association even offered that as a reward in the first place. In fact, it was one of their more popular rewards.

As such, Apollo looked over a fairly large opportunity when he glossed over both the hundred gold coins and five hundred gold coins.

However, once he saw the words, 'Eye of an Adult Unicorn', a bit of surprise appeared on his face.

He could vaguely recall that he was taught about unicorns back at his school. However, not even they really knew anything about them.

Frankly, that lesson left an impression on him simply because of how random and vague it was.

However, the Basic Shadow Step Technique was still more important to him, simply because it weighed down on his mind.

It was like a pet peeve that wouldn't stop bothering him.

And so, he picked up that parchment, letting the others disappear.

The request was the same as the last one he saw. The rank was copper, and the requirement was to collect three gemstones from two-horned demons.

Layla looked at it curiously.

"What is this one?"

Apollo glanced at her.

"All I need to do is collect the gemstones from three two-horned demons and I will get a technique."

Layla nodded.

"Oh, ok! Where do we find them?"

Apollo shrugged his shoulders.

"I guess we will just have to search."

With that, Apollo stepped into his shadow, entering the shadow world once more. He looked around for any line of red mist that could lead him towards his goal.

However, there was nothing of the sort.

Apollo furrowed his brows. It seemed like he was supposed to find out where these demons were by himself.

Apollo helplessly lifted his bokken up and tore out of the shadow world. Not even a second later, Layla appeared next to him.

She grinned.

"Now for the search!"

Apollo nodded. He arbitrarily scanned his surroundings, before freezing in place.

Unlike the snowy plain he was in before, there were more trees. However, off in the distance, there was a village.

The reason why Apollo was surprised...

Was because the entire village was in ruins.

The overall size of the village was considerably larger than the one Maya lived in. Of the villages out there, it seemed to be prosperous at one time.

This was because there were many large buildings within, and some of them should've been taverns. There should've been a decent amount of wealth circulating around.

But now...

Not a single building remained standing, other than a few cracked supports. Corpses littered the ground, along with some residual flames on the remains of a few houses.

The air still had a faint scent of blood, meaning this happened fairly recently.

Layla looked in the direction Apollo was looking.

"Hmm... seems like they played lots! But there are no friends there. Why are you looking that way?"

Apollo shook his head.

"...Nothing."

He turned to Layla.

"Say, are you able to find two-horned demons in any way?"

Layla pressed her lips together.

"Mm... I can look!"

Apollo nodded.

"Then do that."

Layla smiled.

"Ok!"

To Apollo's confusion, Layla grabbed onto his waist. It was only when she tore open the space in front of her, revealing the blue world, did Apollo realize what was happening.

His eyebrow twitched.

"...Shit."

Layla hopped in, bringing Apollo along with her. She didn't begin moving immediately. Instead, her expression dulled while her eyes shimmered with a faint blue light.

As for Apollo, his brain was receiving many signals of panic. However, he tried to keep his composure. There was no need to freak out, after all, there was no real threat.

Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, as though contradicting his thoughts. However, Apollo was able to calm down.

But at that moment, Layla perked up.

"I found some!"

Then, she moved forward at needlessly fast speeds.

Apollo immediately became dizzy. He grit his teeth in an attempt to endure. For the sake of his pride, he wanted to be calm about the situation.

...But it was simply too fast.

Apollo could hardly even think straight.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH."

Thankfully, the journey was short this time.

Layla and Apollo tumbled onto the ground before hitting a tree.

Layla was able to get up immediately, while Apollo forced himself to stand up despite how muddled his mind was.

Layla then pointed in a direction.

"They are over there!"

Apollo turned to look at where she was pointing. Once his vision cleared, he saw the two-horned demons. There were twenty of them, which was plenty.

However, there were also more than fifty one-horned demons and four three-horned demons.

But the biggest point was that all the demons were looking at them. After all, Layla did not bother keeping her tone down.

And so, they charged them.

With an excited expression, Layla pulled back her claw.

"Hello, friends!"

At first, Apollo didn't see any problem. But then he remembered that the gemstones of the two-horned demons had to be preserved.

With that in mind, Apollo threw his body towards Layla's side, hoping to divert the trajectory. Once he made contact, his eyebrow twitched.

...It was as though he directly hit a wall.

However, it was still enough to slightly divert Layla's attack.

A thunderclap resounded.

The surrounding trees bent backward, especially so for their branches. The snow on top of them blasted back violently just from the shockwave.

As for the demons...

The majority of the demons were directly pulverized. Apollo nervously looked towards the surviving two-horned demons before letting out a sigh of relief.

...There were three left.

Probably as close of a call as it could get.