Edowado's heart sank at the sight of the guild building reduced to ruins. A wave of distress washed over him as he thought about the fate of the hunters and guild employees, particularly his friend Rio. Where were they? What had befallen them?
Recalling the chaotic scene when the roof of his house had collapsed, he couldn't recall seeing Rio or any of his co-workers among the frantic villagers. The worry gnawed at him, but he pushed it aside, reminding himself of the battle raging around him. His thoughts were abruptly interrupted as a black blade lunged toward his head. Reacting swiftly, he twisted his body, easily evading the rather poorly attempted strike.
"You despicable little creatures!"
The attacker was a soldier surrounded by a group of green creatures; goblins armed with makeshift weapons. One of the goblins had managed to disarm the soldier momentarily. Goblins were easy to kill individually, but their sheer numbers made them a treacherous foe.
With the battle reaching its peak, the cacophony of clashes and roars filled the air. Amidst the chaos, Edowado focused on staying inconspicuous, hugging the walls of nearby buildings to avoid drawing attention.
His eyes darted across the battlefield, searching for any sign of the young boy, Ezra, a glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil. However, amidst the swirling mass of bodies engaged in a chaotic dance of combat, it was nearly impossible to discern any trace of the boy's presence.
Undeterred, Edowado continued his search, constantly switching buildings to evade both monsters and soldiers who threatened to expose him.
----------------------
Somewhere to the far right, behind the shattered guild building, a dim ray of white light pierced through the darkness, casting a feeble glow over the area. In the midst of this illumination, a young woman adorned in a blue and white dirndl dress, her striking jade green eyes glistening, knelt beside an injured hunter. Claw marks marred the hunter's battered body, their tanned skin stained with blood.
Placing her hands gently on the hunter's chest, the young woman closed her eyes, a faint radiance already emanating from her being. Her hair danced as if touched by an ethereal breeze, even though no wind blew.
"Chip function…. Special ability…"
Her voice, melodic and sweet, resonated like a captivating melody. These were the words of a code, a key to unlock certain abilities within her. Like inserting a key into a lock, she was opening the gateway to harness her special power.
"Angelica Tactus..."
Suddenly, numerous minuscule orbs of brilliant light materialized, surrounding the girl and the wounded hunter. These radiant orbs emitted a pure white glow, untainted and captivating.
"Amplify"
The tiny orbs circling the girl expanded in size and sped up their movements. Normally, activating special abilities and using them consumed mental energy, and the chips within individuals by default limited the output to 50% to conserve this energy. However, one could command the chip to release more power by a simple instruction, increasing the percentage effectiveness of the special ability.
Realizing that using only 50% might not be sufficient to revive the fallen hunter, the young woman made a decision. She chose to boost the output to 80%, knowing that it would exact a greater toll on her mental energy than usual. But that was who she was – always willing to help others in need, even if it meant sacrificing a part of herself. It was one of the more valuable lessons she had learned from her parents.
-----------------
Over on the other side of the guild building, Edowado stood still staring at the beautiful light, so pure it seemed transcendental.
"...Angelica Tactus"
He whispered the name of the special ability he had become familiar with, recognizing the subtle radiance. How could he ever forget the luminous white light that had brought smiles to the faces of those once injured, now healed?
It was the same light that would envelop him whenever he returned from his ventures in the forest, worn and weary. How could he forget?
That very light had been used by someone dear to him, someone irreplaceable, to conceal her own injuries and put on a brave facade. It was the light that had mended the bleeding arm of his elder sister. He could never forget.
(Elaine…Elaine!)
His inner voice echoed with exhilaration. He had finally found her, and he wouldn't let this opportunity slip away. He wouldn't allow her to embark on her heroic endeavours alone this time.
He'd reunite with her and Aki who'd definitely be by her side and together they three would become adventurers like their parents and stand brave in the face of this perilous danger.
Casting a quick glance around the chaotic battlefield to ensure he hadn't drawn attention, Edowado dashed towards the ruins of the guild building. Unbeknownst to him, he wasn't the only one who had taken notice of the illuminating light.
-----------------
On the opposite end of the battlefield, amidst the tumultuous clash of combatants, a lone figure lurked in the shadows of the dilapidated structures. With fiery red hair and a dark eye patch concealing his left eye, he donned a sleek suit of jet-black polyfibre armour adorned with faint crimson lines tracing the edges of intricate pentagonal patterns.
"What a complete waste of time. The dungeons are more exciting than this place," he muttered disdainfully.
Surrounding him lay the lifeless carcasses of numerous monsters, their dismembered limbs and mutilated forms bearing testament to his ruthless efficiency. Goblins missing limbs or half their bodies, okusies with gouged-out eyes and severed tails, and other grotesque displays of carnage adorned the gruesome scene. It was a sight that could turn the stomachs of even the most hardened hunters, yet to him, it was nothing but a monotonous exhibition of weakness.
A lone goblin, its left arm the only appendage intact, crawled desperately through the dirt, attempting to flee from the horrors it had witnessed and the impending doom it faced. The man, his keen right eye fixed on the feeble creature, cocked his head in curiosity. However, his attention was abruptly drawn to a faint emanation of white light emanating from a nearby building, the same one he had ventured into for both instructions and personal amusement.
"Perhaps something more intriguing awaits over there," he mused.
His interest was piqued and he wanted to witness what had caught his attention. He turned to face the goblin, which hadn't gotten far with its escape, a sadistic grin on his face. He pulled out his swords which was wedged deep into the skull of a toadvenom, a frog like monster on two legs with venom covered tongue, pinned to a wall.
"Hehe, were you trying to leave your friends just like that, little guy?"
The goblin, drenched in perspiration, couldn't comprehend his words, but instinctively understood that if it didn't escape, its demise was inevitable. It strained its feeble arm, desperately attempting to propel itself forward. However, with each stride Drex took, the gap between them rapidly diminished until he stood directly atop the trembling creature, his heavy boot pressing down on its emaciated limb.
"Looks like I've caught you," he jeered
"RAU—!"
With a swift motion, he plunged his sword into the nape of the goblin, extinguishing its life in an instant.
Retrieving his blade and sweeping away the bloodstains with a deft swing, he cast his gaze upon a helmet, similar to those worn by the soldiers in blue and white, which he had "borrowed" during his escape.
"Now, to see something interesting"
Carrying the pilfered headpiece, he strode towards the fading glow of the enchanting light, eager to unravel the mystery that lay ahead.
----------------------------------------------
Edowado had made it to the front of the guild building and headed around it to the back. His heart pounded in his chest, fuelled by a mix of anxiety and determination. He had noticed the glowing orbs of light, the second phase of Elaine's skill, though he was certain they had grown larger.
He moved swiftly, his footsteps barely making a sound as he navigated through the chaos and destruction surrounding him.
Finally, he reached the back of the building, and there she was. Elaine, his sister, knelt beside a fallen hunter. Her jade eyes were fixed on the injured woman as she concentrated with unwavering focus, her hands pressed against the hunter's chest. The vibrant orbs of light enveloped the injured woman, their brilliance illuminating the surrounding area.
A sense of relief washed over Edowado's face as he gazed at Elaine. He was filled with admiration for her unwavering determination to help others, even in the midst of danger. He took a step forward, ready to call out her name and let her know that he had found her.
But in a split second, time seemed to freeze. A wave of dread washed over him as he spotted a figure, a soldier clad in pitch-black armour with red lines running across it, emerging from the shadows behind Elaine. The soldier's presence was different from the others, emanating an aura of darkness and malevolence.
His heart skipped a beat as he watched the soldier raise a longsword with a raven blade high above his head. Panic surged through Edowado's veins as he realized the imminent danger that Elaine was in. He couldn't allow history to repeat itself albeit from a different perspective.
"No!! I won't allow this!" Edowado's voice resonated within his mind as he gathered every ounce of strength and willpower. His legs propelled him forward, his feet pounding against the ground, but it seemed as though he would never reach her in time.
"?!—NO!"
"Edowa—!!"
The sound of metal slicing through flesh and bone reverberated through the air, a chilling echo of tragedy. The soldier's sword had plunged deep into her chest, its razor-sharp tip piercing through her with savage brutality. Edowado's world shattered in an instant as he witnessed the blade protruding from the body, a fountain of crimson blooming from the wound.
"No! Amina? Amina?! Amina!" Elaine's voice cracked with anguish as his cries filled the air, but it was too late.
"E…Ela—"
Amidst the chaos and despair, Amina, Elaine's best friend, had appeared from the shadows, throwing herself in front of her cherished companion. She became a sacrificial shield, her body a final barrier between Elaine and the grim reaper's blade. Tears welled in Amina's eyes, yet an ethereal smile graced her bloodstained face as she crumpled to the ground, enveloped in Elaine's trembling embrace.
".... Hahaha"
The soldier's helmet muffled his deranged laughter, a sinister sound that sent shivers down Edowado's spine. He released his grip on the hilt of the blade still lodged in Amina's chest and placed both hands on his head, laughing with twisted amusement.
Elaine, her body wracked with grief, carefully withdrew the bloodied sword from Amina's chest, cradling her lifeless form in her lap. Tears streamed down Elaine's face as she sobbed uncontrollably, the weight of her sorrow threatening to shatter her.
"Amina! Why did you…you're going to be…don't"
Amina's lips moved, her voice a mere whisper, as she fought to speak through the anguish and blood that consumed her. Her gaze shifted upward, staring into the abyss above, as if seeking solace from the heavens.
"Ezra... safe... back with... girls," Amina managed to choke out, her voice barely audible amidst the anguish. "I am... glad... I got to be... a hero... your hero, El... just like... Edo."
Tears escaped the eyes of the girl who now clutched onto the body of her best friend, staining her blue and white dirndl with the blood draining out of her chest.
Edowado had fallen to his knees just a few feet away from the two girls, tears streaking down his battered face. He stared at Amina in disbelief.
Her words cut through the haze of despair, reminding him of the bond they shared, a bond he hadn't fully recognized until that moment. She saw him as a hero, just as he saw her.
"Amina, you're going to be fine, please!" Elaine's desperate plea trembled through her sobs; her voice filled with a fragile hope that teetered on the edge of disbelief.
Summoning the last reserves of her strength, Amina weakly raised her right arm, placing it atop the gaping hole in her chest. Without hesitation, Elaine gently laid her hand on Amina's, offering what comfort and reassurance she could.
Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!
Amina's eyelids fluttered, her gaze fixed on the heavens above, as if glimpsing the otherworldly realm that awaited her. Slowly, she closed her eyes, surrendering herself to the embrace of eternity.
"Amina! Maybe I can... if I try hard enough..." Elaine's voice trembled with a mixture of grief and determination, her mind racing to find a way to reverse the irreversible.
She had been consistently using her special ability and just until now she had greatly increased its output which had taken a huge toll on her mental energy. To heal a wound as dire as Amina's would require an even greater output and she didn't have the strength for that.
Even if she forced herself, her brain would give out and she'd collapse and lay mentally dead until her brain could regain enough mental energy but even so being mentally dead was a great risk to one's physical wellbeing and something that should be avoided but even so it wouldn't be enough to stop the girl.
She poised her hands above Amina's chest, ready to channel her power one last time, but her fragile hope was swiftly shattered.
The soldier, his laughter subsiding, stepped forward with calculated menace. His voice, cold and menacing, pierced through the air like a chilling gust of wind.
"You've got an impressive ability there, girl, but if you dare use it on her, I won't hesitate to drive my sword through your chest, just as I did to her," he threatened, his grip tightening around a second black sword, identical to the one stained with Amina's blood.
Horror etched deep into Elaine's face as she realized the peril she and her brother were in. Instinctively, she turned towards Edowado, her voice trembling with urgency.
"Edowado, you've got to get out of here!" she cried, her voice filled with a mixture of terror and desperation. Her jade eyes pleaded with him, urging him to save himself from the imminent danger.
But Edowado's gaze remained locked on the scene unfolding before him. His eyes blazed with a fierce determination, and a surge of raw emotion coursed through his veins.
He heard her warning, her plea for him to save himself but he wouldn't move. No, no, no, no! The boy was enraged. A fire had been lit in the tiny furnace of his heart and he wouldn't let it fan out. It's happening again! Just like with Richard. Just like with Adolfo.
What did Miss Amina do?
What wrong did she ever commit?
Richard, Adolfo, everyone, what did we all do?!
Why is this all happening?!
These thoughts raged inside the boy's head, adding coal to the already ignited flame turning it into a blazing furnace.
"No! No more running!" Edowado's voice quivered, his words laced with determination. The boy's heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of fear and adrenaline propelling him forward. He couldn't stand idly by while another loved one was taken from him.
"Edowado, please! Run Away!"
Elaine's pleas fell on deaf ears as Edowado stepped forward, his movements resolute. In his trembling hands, he grasped a dagger, its hilt worn and unassuming. With a swift motion, he activated a hidden mechanism, and a brilliant beam of bright blue and white light erupted from the hilt, forming a blade that glowed with otherworldly energy.
"I…I won't! Not again! I'm not going to leave you alone to act like the hero you try to be."
The surreal glow of the blade illuminated his face, casting deep shadows across his determined expression. In that moment, Edowado's resolve solidified into an unbreakable vow.
However, as the blade gleamed with its unearthly luminescence, a strange voice, devoid of emotion, pierced the chaos.
'Attempted System Access…Error...Set Criteria not yet met'
'Access…Denied'
The inside of Edowado's right eye twitched involuntarily, a fleeting response to the peculiar utterances that went unnoticed amidst the escalating tension.
'Attempting system access #2. Checking phase one….'
Neither the man, nor the girls, nor the boy preparing to fight took notice of this enigmatic voice that sought access to something unknown.
"Hehe, you should listen to the girl, boy," the soldier sneered, his voice dripping with an unimaginable coldness, resonating with newfound menace.
The sight of the armoured figure before him, from the intricate details of his menacing armour to the arsenal of deadly weapons he bore, filled Edowado with an overwhelming sense of dread.
This opponent was on an entirely different level, a league of his own. Yet, even in the face of such palpable danger, the boy refused to back down or flee.
"I-I'm tired of running! R-Right now, I'm t-terrified, but even so, I won't let you run off alone!"
Edowado's voice trembled, his words a reflection of his fear and determination. With a resolute gaze, he locked eyes with his sister, offering her a weak smile before turning to confront the enemy before him. Raising his glowing dagger, he held it parallel to the ground, positioning it in front of his face, just below his chin.
"Edo…I'm sorry"
Elaine whispered words of apology to herself, tears streaming down her face as she looked up at her little brother. Fixing her gaze on the fallen body of her friend, she summoned her inner strength, activating her unique skill once more.
"Chip function…special ability—"
Wham!
But before she could complete her invocation, a thunderous blow crashed into her gut. The soldier's heavy boot mercilessly struck her with devastating force. Elaine was sent hurtling backwards, colliding with the unforgiving wall of the guild building. Blood spilled from her mouth as she desperately tried to shield her injury with one arm, clutching her stomach in agony.
She collapsed to the ground with a resounding thud, her consciousness slipping away.
"I did warn you, Hehe," the soldier chuckled sadistically, standing motionless, his attention fixed on Elaine's unconscious form.
"NOOOO!!"
Edowado seethed with anger, his rage burning like a consuming fire. But the soldier paid him no heed, dismissing him as an inconsequential threat.
Driven by an indomitable fury, the boy's instincts took over. He launched himself into action, sprinting toward the soldier with unbridled determination. The tip of his dagger aimed straight for the soldier's arms, a desperate attempt to wound the formidable opponent.
As Edowado closed in, a peculiar sensation flickered within him. His right eye twitched once more, a momentary disturbance that went unnoticed amidst the intensity of the battle.
'Phase one check completed. Successful…'
'...Checking phase two….'
The same monotonous voice droned on, attempting to access unseen systems. Yet, the boy remained oblivious, his entire focus fixated solely on his enemy, Drex.
Edowado's right twinged suddenly just after the same monotonous voice and reappeared but he didn't hear it. This time he felt the weird pain in his eye but brushed it aside, keeping his attention solely focused on Drex.
Sideways, the soldier glanced, nonchalantly evading Edowado's rushing attack with an effortless leap backward. The boy barrelled past, his assault failing to find its mark.
"?!"
Confused and undeterred, Edowado quickly spun on his heels, propelling himself forward with a jump. This time, he aimed to slash at the soldier's feet, hoping to disrupt his balance and seize an opportunity. Yet again, the soldier sidestepped the attack with casual ease, as if batting away an insignificant annoyance.
Try and try again he kept aiming and slashing but his blade would only cut through dust and air.
"Hehe, just like I thought. Not once have you aimed for any of my vital spots. Is it that you don't know how to fight or you're too scared to actually harm me?"
"..."
Edowado remained silent, his determination unwavering. Undeterred by the continuous evasion of his strikes, he relentlessly pursued the soldier, desperately striving to land a single hit.
The soldier's expression bore a mix of boredom and disinterest, akin to someone swatting away a bothersome fly. The boy knew deep down that his opponent held back, a mere fraction of his true power on display. If not for this restraint, Edowado would have been defeated utterly, or perhaps subjected to an even worse fate. Despite this knowledge, he refused to surrender, his fighting spirit unwavering.
Edowado quickly adjusted his grip on the dagger, transferring it to his left arm as he rolled backward, creating distance between himself and the soldier. From this new position, he raised the blade, pointing it directly at the man's side. Without hesitation, he kicked off his feet, launching himself forward with unwavering determination.
Anticipating Edowado's obvious attack, the soldier began to step backward, prepared to evade the incoming strike. But the boy had a different plan in mind and he had done exactly what he wanted.
"RAA!" Edowado twisted his hips to the right, the side of his body turning parallel to the ground, facing the soldier head-on. His gaze locked onto the face concealed beneath the soldier's helmet as he flung the dagger from his right arm with all his might.
Caught off guard by the sudden manoeuvre, the soldier instinctively lifted his black longsword, successfully deflecting the thrown dagger. "Hehe, that was a nice trick you pulled there," he remarked, his voice dripping with cynical amusement.
Undeterred, Edowado hit the ground, rolling momentarily before swiftly rising to his feet. Gritting his teeth, he wiped the dirt off his already stained clothes, a defiant smirk gracing his face.
While twisting his body mid-air, he had sneakily swapped his dagger back into his right arm before the soldier could notice but it hadn't gone entirely according to plan.
With no weapon in hand, he balled his hands into fists, preparing to engage his opponent using only his bare hands.
The soldier's laughter grew, an expression of euphoria akin to intoxication or watching a particularly amusing comedy act. "You've entertained me just this once, boy, so I'll repay you—"
"Huh?!" Before the soldier could finish his sentence, he vanished in the blink of an eye. Edowado frantically turned and scanned his surroundings, unable to locate his elusive foe. A sense of impending danger loomed over him, but it was too late to react.
"—by showing you what a real fight against me is like."
A cold, sinister voice whispered into Edowado's ear as an immense force struck his back, propelling him forward at incredible speed.
"A real fighter knows to always aim for the vitals."
The soldier suddenly reappeared before him, his arm snaking around Edowado's neck, forcibly halting his body's momentum. The boy's impulse-driven flight came to an abrupt end. His mind raced, questioning how the soldier had managed such a swift and devastating counterattack.
"Hrk—!!"
With one arm, the soldier lifted Edowado's body and slammed him forcefully into the ground, cracking the earth beneath the impact. Blood poured from the boy's mouth and nostrils as he lay still, his eyes now tinged with red, struggling to remain conscious on the verge of passing out.
"Hrk—!!"
The soldier heaved his body upward with one arm and slammed his back into the ground cracking the earth beneath the boy's small body. Blood gushed out of the mouth and nostrils of Edowado who remained still, his eyes now looking red, trying his best to remain conscious though on the verge of passing out.
"Did you really think you could face I, Drex, and win?!"
'Phase two check completed. Successful…'
'...Final Phase Check…'
Unbeknownst to those around, the same unusual voice resurfaced, though still inaudible to human ears.
(Why does my eye hurt like that?!)
Intense pain radiated from deep within Edowado's right eye, spreading to his head. He clenched his eyelid shut, attempting to suppress the agony.
"Tsk!"
(I can't…move!)
Helpless and writhing in pain, Edowado lay in the small crater formed by the impact. He struggled to get up, screaming at his body to respond, but the pain only intensified, echoing his torment.
Drex, the soldier, slowly approached until he stood directly over the boy. The soldier's raven sword loomed; its sharp point directed menacingly at Edowado's chest.
"You couldn't even point your little toy at my chest, but I won't hesitate to do that to you. Burn this image into your mind, for it will be your last"
Gritting his teeth, the boy stared up at the blade, his body consumed by pain. It was the only action he could muster at the moment. His chest and back throbbed with excruciating pressure, as if bones were shattering under the immense force.
"I would've relished gouging out your eyes or ripping your chest open like the girl over there, but our time is running out"
"Y-you're a…sick…person"
"Heh, Indeed I am. I would've gladly preferred to kill every one of you pests living in this hell hole but instead we've gotta capture you instead such a boring thing to do"
"As we speak, the soldiers have stopped holding back and defeated the monsters and your so-called hunters. And as for those who thought they could escape by running to the edge of the village or hiding in that small building... they've all been captured and sent to the ship. Don't get me started on your so-called stronger fighters; they are nothing but fools."
(Oh no, they knew about the village's escape plan all along?! Ezra and the girls! Sir Lio! Adolfo!)
(But what does he mean by ship?)
Edowado's mind raced, his thoughts consumed by Drex's words. Despite his intense pain, he desperately searched for an escape route, but the odds seemed insurmountable.
Drex's wicked grin, hidden behind his helmet, sent shivers down Edowado's spine as he looked up into the tinted screen, catching a glimpse of a single blue iris.
"AARGH!"
Suddenly, bolts of crimson and violet light flashed before Edowado's dilated pupils, striking Drex's helmet and throwing him off Edowado. Drex cried out in anguish, clutching his helmet as crackling sounds filled the air.
Startled by the unexpected turn of events, Edowado quickly realized his opportunity and struggled to rise to his feet. Every movement sent waves of pain through his body, but he mustered the strength to lift his upper body off the ground. However, his legs refused to cooperate, and he found himself kneeling down in the dirt, unable to properly stand.
(Come on legs…)
Out of the blue, a hooded figure appeared before Edowado, holding a pair of identical red cyber pistols. Rectangular dark purple cyber lines adorned the sides of both guns, adding to their mysterious appearance.
"Huh? I…know you!" Edowado exclaimed, his gaze fixed on the familiar blue eyes under the hood.
Staring up at the blue eyes peering out from under the hood, Edowado recalled the face of the fair-skinned man with silver hair. The 'adventurer'.
It all made sense now—the red and purple beams of light, the unique pistols, and the bandages left for him in the forest. This stranger had come to his aid once again, and Edowado couldn't help but wonder how he had found him or why he had gone to such lengths to help.
But in that moment, those questions seemed secondary. Edowado shifted his gaze from the stranger to where Drex should have been, only to find him gone. All that remained was the smoking helmet he had been wearing. A chill ran down Edowado's spine as he stood still, feeling a sense of unease.
The fair-skinned stranger stood alongside him, his eyes narrowed as he scanned their surroundings, clearly on high alert.
"You're a real piece of shit, you know that?!"
Suddenly, Drex's voice broke the silence, causing electricity to course through Edowado's spine. Before he could react, the adventurer swiftly pushed him to the side, evading Drex's attack from behind.
Drex, no longer wearing his helmet, revealed his red hair, dark eye patch, and sinister grin. Unfazed by his exposed face or their successful dodge, Drex twisted his body, performing an aerial barrel roll and swung his sword downward at the wanderer's head.
The stranger met Drex's gaze as the blade descended, thrusting forward his left arm and activating his shield with a quick command.
"Quick Shield!"
Thin sheets of blue hexagonal light plates materialized in front of his left arm, forming a pulsing translucent shield positioned above his head. As Drex's blade collided with the shield, blue sparks flew, but the shield couldn't withstand the brute force behind the attack.
The shield shattered into fragments, dissipating into thin air.
"Argh!"
The stranger grunted in pain as Drex's black blade tore into his left arm, leaving a deep, bleeding wound along his forearm. The stranger rolled away from Drex, clutching his injured arm, which had gone numb due to blood loss.
"A sniper shot and then a weak shield, and I thought I'd seen everything. Looks like you're left with just your toy gun to use. Why don't you just hold still so I can kill you and leave?"
Drex taunted the stranger, mocking his shield and reduced capabilities. It was clear that Drex held the advantage in not only strength and combat experience, but speed as well. The stranger knew he had little chance of defeating Drex, especially with his injured arm. Sneak attacks had been his only hope, but that option was no longer available since Drex was fully aware of him and wouldn't allow him to run off to hide to prepare another shot..
"What? Cat got your tongue? Hehe"
Remaining silent, the stranger reached into a back pocket and retrieved a small black box. He held it tightly, waiting for the opportune moment. Drex, with his attention fixed on the stranger, prepared for another attack, aiming for the stranger's chest as he closed the gap between them.
In the split second before Drex's sword would pierce the stranger, he pressed the only button on the side of the box and threw it at Drex. Simultaneously, he instinctively leaped to the side.
Upon contact with any physical material, the box released a shock explosion, discharging a high voltage of electricity. The result was instantaneous and effective. Drex fell into the trap, paralyzed and writhing in pain as the electric currents surged through his body.
"AAARGH! Ark!... Cheap t-trick-ks!" Drex managed to grit out through his agony.
Meanwhile, the stranger remained composed, not even sparing a glance at the incapacitated Drex. His attention was solely focused on the haggard boy, Edowado, who was still struggling to get up. With determination in his eyes, the stranger dashed forward and firmly grabbed hold of Edowado's arm.
Edowado's mind was a whirlwind of confusion and fear as the stranger's actions caught him off guard. He stuttered, trying to comprehend the situation. "Hey! W-what are you doing?!"
"I have to get you out of here," the stranger replied, his voice calm and resolute.
Edowado stuttered at the sudden, grabbing his arm and news he heard. He looked into the blue eyes of the stranger who looked straight back without looking away. He was speaking the truth.
"No wait! You can't take me and leave my sister and Amina behind!"
"My left arm is greatly damaged; I can't carry you both."
"N-n-no th-then I won't go! I'm not leaving her"
Edowado jerked his hand free from the stranger's grasp.
"Drex won't stay down forever. Drex won't harm her"
"L-Look at Miss Amina! H-how do you know that?!"
Edowado still refused to listen, now slowly backing away from the stranger. The stranger's expression didn't waver; he seemed unperturbed by Edowado's resistance.
"Then I must apologize for my actions."
"Wha—?!"
Before Edowado could react, the stranger swiftly lunged forward and, with his right arm, lifted Edowado onto his shoulders. Edowado struggled, flailing wildly and screaming for his sister, Elaine, who lay unconscious nearby. But no matter how hard he fought; the stranger's grip remained firm.
"LET ME GO!!" Edowado's voice cracked with desperation, tears streaming down his face.
Edowado flailed wildly on the shoulder of the stranger. He elbowed, kicked, and punched with every ounce of strength he could muster, his anguished cries for his sister, Elaine, echoing through the chaotic scene. Tears streamed down his face as he fought desperately to break free.
"ELAINE!!!"
But his efforts were in vain. The stranger remained resolute, refusing to yield to Edowado's frenzied resistance. Edowado's screams reverberated through the air, drawing unwanted attention from the approaching monsters and soldiers engaged in combat.
'Final Phase Check Complete!'
'Set Criteria Met!'
As his struggles intensified, a searing pain erupted within the core of his eye, tearing through his consciousness like a jagged bolt of lightning.
'Checking Host Compatibility'
Agony radiated outward, engulfing his entire being. It felt as if a storm of unrelenting torment had descended upon him, overwhelming his senses and threatening to consume him whole.
Edowado gritted his teeth, his body convulsing on the stranger's shoulder, causing the stranger to stumble slightly. The excruciating torment spread like wildfire, consuming his mind, as if thousands of electric bolts surged through every cell of his head. The pain was maddening, his thoughts reduced to a symphony of agony.
"W-WHY?!!!" Edowado's voice trembled with confusion and torment. To his horror, blue sparks erupted from his right eye, and darkness swiftly enveloped his vision. His eye turned a dark grey, a thin trickle of blood staining his cheek.
In the midst of the torment, a peculiar voice resonated within Edowado's throbbing consciousness: "Host Compatibility Accepted." It whispered like an echo from a forgotten realm, an enigmatic phrase that offered a sliver of explanation amidst the chaos.
'Accessing System…'
As his vision adapted to the shadowy darkness of his right eye, two ethereal circles materialized within its depths. They glowed with an otherworldly luminescence, rotating in perfect synchrony. Around the smaller circle, a ring of constantly shifting numbers appeared, each digit changing with swift fluidity. Simultaneously, around the larger circle, a cascade of enigmatic symbols twirled in a mesmerizing dance.
"WH-WHAT….IS…HAPPENING?!"
Through his altered sight, Edowado witnessed a surreal spectacle unfold. The entities around him, both living and inanimate, became enveloped in a captivating display of swirling blue rotation. Numbers and cryptic symbols sprouted from each entity, an arcane script revealing hidden truths. The very air seemed to shimmer with mystic energy.
Hexagonal shapes, reminiscent of the shield wielded by the stranger, materialized and fused together, forming a dome that enveloped Edowado and the stranger. The dome expanded, stretching into the distance before dissipating into nothingness.
'System Accessed!'
The voice, both mundane and unnatural, echoed within Edowado's mind, intertwining with his thoughts. In the centre of his right eye, where dashes had once obscured the message, letters appeared one by one, gradually replacing the void. They formed the words "system accessed," mirroring the cryptic phrase that had first resonated within him.
The stranger, stunned by Edowado's bewildering transformation and the intensity of his pain, momentarily faltered. The boy's relentless screams and frenzied movements not only threatened their escape but also drew the attention of nearby monsters and battling soldiers and hunters, their eyes now fixated on the spectacle before them.
Sensing the danger, the stranger realized he had no choice. He tightly held the index and middle finger of his injured arm together and swiftly jabbed a point on the side of Edowado's neck.
Jab.
Edowado felt a sharp piercing sensation, and the pain that had consumed him began to subside. It was as if a switch had been turned off, silencing the agony. His eyelids grew heavy, and the world around him spun in a disorienting blur. Before he could grasp what was happening, darkness enveloped him, and he slipped into unconsciousness.
With Edowado now motionless, the stranger adjusted his grip, holding onto the limp body with renewed determination. He accelerated his pace, navigating the battlefield with agility and purpose. The screams of combat and the clash of weapons surrounded them, but the stranger remained focused on the task at hand—to carry Edowado to safety.