"Isn’t that a human voice? What should I do? Do I need to search for it? What if it’s a trap to catch me?
Thoughts flood my mind, my body still frozen, unsure of what to do.
“Ahhhh……. Somebody help me!!!” The second scream pierces the night.
Isn’t it a girl’s voice? What if she really needs help? I can’t shake the memory of my last moments with Yuzuki. Yes, I died saving her, but this time... everything’s different.
I move my hand and check Hikariken’s presence, then close my eyes, letting my demon ears do their work. Another scream rings out.
Found it.
I take a step forward, then break into a sprint. I don’t want to activate the Wolf Gem; if there’s a fight, I need to conserve Lumirith as much as possible. The forest at night feels even creepier than usual. Darkness seems to consume everything, making it harder to track the sound. But with the help of the moonlight, I dodge branches and boulders, pushing forward.
The voice grows louder.
“Leave me alone! Help me! Ahhhh!!!!” Her cries are desperate, almost broken.
I spot a flickering light ahead, clearing the trees as I rush toward it, Hikariken at the ready. My steps quicken, and then it hits me—just how deep in this mess I really am.
Before me stands a monstrous sight—a giant scorpion, its chitinous armor glistening under the moonlight. The creature’s white colored body shining through the moonlight, its massive pincers clicking ominously as it scuttles around the hollowed-out dead tree trunk. Its tail, long and curving, ends in a razor-sharp stinger that gleams like a blade, poised to strike. Each of its six legs is like a pillar, thick and covered in spikes, scraping against the ground with an ear-piercing screech. The stench of venom and decay hangs heavy in the air, and the flickering light from the tree casts an eerie glow over its grotesque form.
“Somebody… Help me!!!!” The voice comes from within the tree.
“Why is everything in this world so damn big?” I mutter to myself, preparing for a fight.
I grip Hikariken tightly and leap forward, aiming for the scorpion’s head. But in mid-air, I realize my mistake—a massive red-and-black eye on its back glistens in the moonlight, watching me. With an ear-piercing screech, it recoils instantly. Now, I’m between the girl and the scorpion.
“Are you alright?” I ask, keeping my gaze locked on the creature.
“Y... y... ye... yes,” she stammers, her voice trembling with fear.
The scorpion charges suddenly, its enormous claws spread wide. I dodge the first and bring up Hikariken to block the second.
“Look out!” the girl cries, peeking from the hollowed tree. That’s when I realize how cunning this beast is. Both claw attacks were just a distraction. Its back curves, and it launches its tail toward me in a deadly strike. I wrench the blade free from its claw to parry the tail attack. The lower part of the claw snaps off, but I manage to block the tail. The attack almost powerful enough to push me back. I see its stingy poison dripping on my blade.
“Behind you!” she screams again, but it’s too late. The scorpion’s claw closes around my left side, snapping ribs and tearing through flesh. It pulls back, both tail and claw readying for another assault.
I drop to one knee, my left side gushing blood. I glance at the scorpion; it seems to be sizing me up, calculating its next move. My hand moves to my wound. Red flesh hangs from the torn skin, and the white glint of bone is exposed to the night air. I try to stand up but with this pain I feel its not possible.
Is this the end? Have I let Shien down?
Suddenly, the girl runs toward me, her tear-streaked face red from crying.
“Run away from here!” I cough, my words rough and broken as blood trickles from my mouth. “I’ll take care of this!”
“No! I can’t just leave! This happened to you because of me,” she says, eyes locked on my wound.
“Don’t worry about me. As you can see, I’m not... exactly human,” I insist. “Just run! I’ll handle it!”
“I don’t care if you’re human or not! You came to save me!” she shouts, her voice resolute. Just then, the scorpion lunges forward, its claw aimed straight for us. My heart races as I brace myself.
"Haruto, listen,” Shien’s voice suddenly fills my mind. “Even with your left side injured, your right side holds enough Aether Lumirith thanks to your training—and your blade. Now, use my eyes and finish this!”
With Shien’s guidance, I feel a new surge of vision, but it’s different now. Ever since Shien took up residence within the Wolf Gem, I’ve lost the only vision I had from it—the sight that allowed me to see names and levels. Now, I’ll have to trust in this new vision to get me through the fight.
I grip Hikariken in my right hand, slashing down and slicing the scorpion’s claw in half. It shrieks, the same claw I damaged earlier now split cleanly. But my own wound throbs in sync with its cries, making it hard to keep my balance. My left leg buckles, and I drop to one knee as blood seeps from the wound, blurring my vision further.
The scorpion’s tail strikes again, this time with full force. I raise Hikariken in front of me like a shield, but I can’t tell if it’ll be enough. I close my eyes, ready to accept my fate. But instead of the strike landing, I hear the tail hit something else. I open my eyes to see a large, golden shield shimmering before me, blocking the scorpion’s attack.
Stunned, I glance back, and to my shock, see the girl with her hands raised, a warm energy flowing out of them, forming the shield. I recognize this energy. Celest Lumirith!
“What are you doing? I told you to run!” I shout, my wound stinging more sharply now.
“You might wonder why I didn’t use this power sooner… but I didn’t believe in it until I met you, Haruto!” When she says my name, I’m taken aback, but then I remember—most people in this world can see names.
The scorpion launches a relentless assault on the shield, one strike after another. Cracks start to appear in the golden barrier, and her voice trembles as she calls out, “Haruto! Is there anything you can do? I don’t think I can hold it much longer.”
I glance at the scorpion as it hammers the shield, over and over. Desperately, I try to rise, leaning on Hikariken and my right leg, but the pain crashes through me like a wave. With no other option, I grip her arm to lift myself up. The moment I touch her, a searing heat surges through my right side. It’s a sensation similar to when Shien gave me permission to use his ears—but this time, it’s different. The pain from my wound dulls as the burning energy fills me, yet I’m frozen in place, feeling her gaze flicker between my hand on her arm and my face.
As I raise my head, I can see a difference in the shield. In the middle of it, three icons appear, glowing like something out of a strange, flickering TV. The middle icon flickers like fire, while the other two resemble coiling serpents. Suddenly, these three icons lock together, forming a circle. I lean in, studying the symbols, but the letters around the circle twist into shapes I don’t understand.
Without warning, black fire erupts from the center of the circle, engulfing the cracks in the shield. The scorpion leaps back, its claws twitching in a defensive stance.
Then, something unimaginable happens. The black fire splits, curling and twisting into two serpents made entirely of crackling, otherworldly flames. Their eyes glow like molten embers, and the air thickens with the heat of their presence, suffocating everything around them.
I stand frozen, heart pounding in my chest. This... this wasn’t possible. I glance at the girl beside me, and I can see the shock on her face, her mouth agape in disbelief.
The scorpion hesitates, its once vicious aggression faltering as it watches the serpents, now coiling around its massive limbs. It launches one of its claws toward one of the serpents—but the serpent catches it as though it were nothing. The claw burns, shrieking in agony as the black fire consumes it. The scorpion’s screech pierces the calm night air, a sound so raw and primal it makes my skin crawl.
The second serpent lashes out, wrapping around the scorpion’s tail, halting its movements. The scorpion’s body jerks violently, and I can see the poison oozing from its tail as it burns from both ends. It shrieks again, but it’s futile. The serpents hold it in an unyielding grip, tightening their coils with every agonizing moment.
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I close my eyes, focusing. I feel the sting of Shien’s eyes—there's barely any pain, but it's enough to remind me of the weight of my situation. As my eyes snap open, the world shifts.
Name: Scorpion King (corrupted)
Level: 95
Traits: Poison, Hard Armor
Weaknesses: Eye on top of its body
Current Effects: Dreadmire, HellFire
The stats flicker in front of me like a game screen, too familiar for comfort. The scorpion’s struggles are becoming more desperate, but the serpents don’t give. They constrict harder, squeezing the life from its massive body.
"Now I know what to do..." I murmur to myself, my voice barely audible over the scorpion’s frantic movements. I grip the Hikariken, my left hand trembling but steady with purpose. I don’t think about the pain, the blood seeping from my wound. I have to end this now. I turn to the girl, my eyes hardening with resolve.
“Release the shield when I say,” I command, my voice gruff but firm. My mind is clear now—there’s no room for doubt, no room for fear.
Her eyes flicker with hesitation, but she nods, her hands still glowing with the remnants of Celest Lumirith.
“Now!”
The shield begins to wither away slowly, the serpents flickering and fading into the air as the black fire dies down. I don’t wait. I activate the wolf gem, and in a blur, I leap into the air, my body propelled by the surge of Aether Lumirith coursing through me.
The serpents vanish with the shield, but the scorpion remains trapped. It’s still distracted, struggling against the grip of the flames. With my heart hammering in my chest, I blaze the Hikariken with HellFire, feeling the heat pour through the blade as I descend like lightning.
In a heartbeat, I’m upon it. The scorpion doesn’t even have time to react before the Hikariken drives straight into its glaring, vulnerable eye. The world seems to freeze in that moment—the strike, the sound of the scorpion’s final shriek, the weight of it all.
The scorpion writhes in its last moments, but it’s futile. With one final, piercing shriek, its body spasms, and it exhales its last breath. The night air is suddenly still, the only sound the soft crackling of the dying flames from the serpents.
I land on the ground with a thud, blood dripping from my side as my legs threaten to give way beneath me. I close my eyes for a moment, trying to steady my breath, but the pain still lingers, gnawing at me.
I lose my balance as I hit my limit. The world tilts, a dizzying blur, and my vision begins to fade. My body feels heavy, like it’s made of stone. I drop from the scorpion’s back, the ground rushing up to meet me.
Then, warmth touches my demon-hand. The girl’s trembling voice breaks through the haze.
“Haruto, speak to me! Is there something I can do? Please... talk to me!” Her words are desperate, her sobs shaking her voice.
A weak smile pulls at my lips despite the pain. The girl’s cry, her concern—it reminds me of the last moments with Yuzuki, the warmth that I thought was lost forever.
“Don’t worry, everything’s gonna be alright,” I whisper, gripping her hand back, even as the world continues to blur around me. Her touch is like a lifeline.
Suddenly, a rustling sound cuts through the silence, faint but growing louder. Whatever it is, it's fast, and it’s headed our way. The sound is... familiar.
Just as I thought, a pack of wolves emerges from the forest, led by the imposing figure of the Wolf King. The girl’s eyes widen, her breath catching in shock.
“Haruto! ...Wolves! What should we do now?” Her voice cracks, fear rising in her tone.
“Don’t worry! They’re friendly. This is the Wolf King!” I say, pointing toward the massive figure with a reassuring smile, though my body aches and trembles with each breath.
I turn toward the Wolf King, my voice still strained but determined. “Wolf King, can this girl come with us? I saved her from the Scorpion King.”
Wolf King steps forward, his piercing eyes assessing the situation, before his gaze falls on the lifeless Scorpion King’s body.
“Alright, Lord Haruto. She may come with us—only if she agrees,” Wolf King replies, his voice calm yet commanding, as he sits on his haunches, waiting for her response.
“Yes... I’d like to come with Haruto,” she says, her voice stronger now, gripping my hand tighter, as if she draws strength from me.
I blink, taken aback by her response. How can she understand them? How can she hear the wolves? Only Aether Lumirith holders—like myself—should be able to hear creatures. This is... unexpected.
"How...?" My voice barely escapes my lips, faint and raspy as pain claws through me. I still can't believe I’m alive, not with a wound this deep, this severe.
“Don’t talk, Haruto. Let’s get somewhere safe first,” she urges, glancing at Wolf King with a look that pleads for assistance.
Wolf King steps closer, lowering his back to the ground. Gently, the other wolves and the girl lift me, settling me across his broad back.
“The blade...?” I murmur, glancing toward Hikariken, its handle gleaming against the scorpion’s dead shell.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take it.” She clambers onto the scorpion’s body, grasping Hikariken with both hands. To my surprise, the blade pulls free without resistance. She darts to the hollow tree, retrieving a worn bag, slinging it over her shoulder. Moonlight shivers on the leaves as we prepare to return.
The moon has just passed its zenith. Cold air brushes against my wound, dulling the ache just enough to keep me conscious. We move through the thick darkness of the forest, shadows stretching and bending around us. Thanks to the wolves’ night vision and their keen sense of smell, we reach the den without issue.
I remain on Wolf King’s back; my left side completely numb from the pain. Once we arrive, the other wolves and the girl carefully lift me, laying me down on a flat stone surface that serves as a bed. The edges of my vision blur as I feel warmth trickle down from my chest—my blood.
She kneels beside me, pulling an old book from her bag, flipping through the worn pages. Her eyes move from the book to me, hesitation dancing in her gaze. “Even though your right side’s energy feels dark and scorching, your left side’s energy... it’s warm, familiar. I think... I think I can heal this wound.”
But there’s a tremor in her words, a glint of uncertainty that doesn’t go unnoticed.
Wolf King, stationed near the entrance, watches her closely. “Have you ever tried this before?”
She nods, looking down at the book. “Yes, but only small wounds, back in the village. Nothing like... this.”
I reach up, gently placing my hand over hers, feeling her hand tremble. “Don’t worry. I trust you. You can do this.”
With a faint nod, she lays my hand beside me, then places both her palms over the wound. Her fingers press gently against my chest, blood smearing her skin.
“I’m going to focus now,” she whispers, closing her eyes.
A moment later, a warm golden light begins to pour from her fingertips, seeping into my wound. Around us, the Lumirith Crystals start to glow brighter, illuminating the den in soft, shimmering hues.
At first, I brace myself, thinking the light will ease the pain, but then it strikes. Agony flares as broken bones start shifting within me, like hands reaching inside to realign them. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt. My ribs grind and snap into place, each movement pulling a silent scream to my lips. I clench my eyes shut, holding back the cry that begs to escape.
When I finally open my eyes, blinking through the haze of pain, I see Shien. He’s sitting on his throne, staring back at me with a gaze that’s cold, sharp, and unyielding. Even still, Shien seems lost in thought, his gaze distant and troubled.
“What’s wrong, Shien? Did something happen?” I break the silence, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Many things are wrong, Haruto—far more than you realize! But you need to rest now. When you wake, hold both of that girl’s hands and close your eyes. I’ll handle the rest,” he says, his tone heavy with urgency, as though his mind races through endless, invisible puzzles. And before I can question him further, Shien fades from my vision, his form dissolving like mist.
When I open my eyes again, I find myself staring up at the familiar stone ceiling, the same rough rock I see every morning. I raise my head, blinking in surprise as I glance down at my chest; there’s no wound, no scar, no sign of last night’s deadly struggle. It’s as if it never happened. With a mixture of disbelief and relief, I sit up slowly, taking in my surroundings. Hikariken gleams softly in the corner, reflecting the crystal light. The girl is there too, lying next to me, curled up with her book for a pillow, breathing softly in her sleep. Nearby, a small pile of fresh meat waits, likely left by the wolves.
I stand, stretching my left arm, testing for any residual pain. It’s gone. All that remains to convince me it wasn’t a dream is this girl, lying here beside me, her figure gently illuminated in the soft light of the crystals. She’s using her book as a pillow, her breathing slow and peaceful. I glance at the Hikariken resting in the corner, catching the crystal light, and notice the fresh meat left by the wolves.
I turn back to her, feeling an unexpected warmth as I watch her sleeping form. She’s beautiful—more than I had noticed before. I still remember the feel of her hand holding mine, the look in her tear-filled blue eyes when she was at my side.
Just as I’m lost in that thought, her eyes flutter open.
“Good morning!” I greet her with a casual smile, trying to cover the awkwardness I feel.
Her face goes pale, like she’s seen a ghost. “Are you…are you alright?” she stammers, as if needing confirmation that I’m truly here.
“Yes, I’m fine, thanks to you! You must be hungry. Do you eat roast meat?” I say, trying to shift the mood as my own hunger kicks in.
She nods, still looking a little stunned. I slice the meat with the small dagger I took from those adventurers and cook it with HellFire. She flinches at first, taken aback by the black flames, but I explain how I’ve survived these past months.
As we eat, I recount what happened while she was healing me.
“So…the demon called Shien wants to meet me?” she asks, her voice filled with curiosity. “Where exactly do we meet him?”
“He said to hold both of our hands and close our eyes. The rest, he’ll manage,” I say, extending my hands toward her, still feeling a tinge of confusion myself.
She nods in understanding, reaching out to take my hands and closing her eyes.
“Shien, we’re ready!” I call out, shutting my own eyes.
“Now open your eyes!” Shien’s voice echoes around us, seeming to come from nowhere and everywhere at once.
As I open my eyes, I find myself facing her, only now she’s bathed in a blinding, golden light. The radiance spills from her, driving away every shadow in Shien’s dark domain, illuminating everything around us with an almost divine glow.
“Welcome to my domain, the last descendant of the Angels,” Shien intones, rising from his throne to greet her……