If I hurry, I can reach her. I have to get her, as long as I get at least her…I won’t let anyone get in my way!

{Rush has been activated}

I ran along the walls, with Eshner in sight I reached for my chakram and went in for the strike. Alarm bells rang in my head as another strong burst of fire shot to my side.

I spun through the air and aimed my hand at it, blocking the blast with my Stein Guard. The hexagonal pattern of the shield sparkled an array of vibrant colours, then shattered. I landed on the ground and was blown away by the built-up pressure that seeped through my shield.

How is that possible, my shield was shattered by his magic?! To destroy it in one hit…what kind of monster is this guy?

“Was that the same shell from the Barhemoth monsters? It couldn’t be…” The mage rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

“Don’t…butt in…he’s mine!” Eshner growled.

“It was never my intention, however, it appears that the master believes I need to protect you. You would have died had the fight continued, Eshner.”

She slammed her bloodied fist into the ground and shattered the stone under her. “Stay out of it!”

Larc’s face remained calm, unaffected. His eyes shifted over to me and observed me with a calculated stare, I knew exactly what he was thinking based on that look. That oh-so-familiar expression I had seen more than once.

“You see it too, don’t you?” I asked.

“You are human, although there is something strangely inhuman about you. It seems to be the handiwork of my former teacher.”

My eyes widened.

“So tell me, how did a human gain aid from Master Ellios?”

So this guy knew Ellios as well, this isn’t a coincidence then. All these demons were involved with him somehow, I can’t let either one of them leave here.

“You knew him too? How about we discuss it, if you tell me what I want to know then I can let you take your friend back with you.” I replied.

I haven’t learnt anything from that beast woman, Ilinore wouldn’t talk to me either. So far this guy’s been the most cooperative. I’ll learn everything I can and after he’s told me what I want to know, I’ll take them both down!

“You bastards…!” A zealous voice erupted beside Larc.

Eshner rose from the ground like a puppet that had been pulled up by strings. The ends of her hair stood up and the glimmering yellow glow in her eyes tightened into a small pearl at the centre of her iris’.

“Stop talking like I’m already dead! I’ll tear you apart–” Eshner grabbed the pool of blood by her feet and pulled out an arm.

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The arm was human and still had an axe gripped tightly to it. Her jaw opened and took the fleshy limb in whole, with a single bite she shoved it down.

“All this meat…I feel better already. Hey, why’re you so down now? Where’d all that cocky energy go, huh human?!” She taunted.

Her eyes locked with mine as she crammed the bloodied handfuls of meat into her mouth. There was barely anything left of him…of that adventurer's remains.

My eyes followed the bars above her head fill up as she stuffed her face with human flesh. The grip around my chakrams tightened.

“Treating them like livestock…screw the information, I’ll kill you first.”

Larc raised his hand to me and the ends of his brow dipped low, crinkling the top of his face.

“A drawn-out fight would be quite problematic. We’re already behind schedule, Eshner.” Larc stated.

A bolt of electricity was generated in his palm and struck out at the air, it burst towards the ground like a whip. Once it hit, the bolt flowed out in waves of electricity and coated the floor with its sharp crackles.

I tried to escape but I had already been caught in its electrical grasp. My foot went numb, as well as all the other muscles in my legs.

{User has been paralysed}

{User is unable to physically move their body from effects of debuff}

“This is bad…it feels like it’s spreading up to my–”

Even speaking was a chore, the numbing sensation of rapid pulses raced across my body and reached my jaw. My tongue felt larger and no longer fit in my mouth, I couldn’t finish my sentence.

“What’s the big…idea…?” Eshner forced out the words with a furious expression.

Her body had been caught in the effects as well and kept her in place. Larc turned to his fellow demon and grabbed her collar. He hovered slightly off the ground, out of the range of the electrical wave.

“Master tasked me with bringing you back alive. We’re going.”

Eshner tried to resist but her body had gone numb even faster than mine, she looked as though she was barely breathing. Her teeth were sealed shut and even so, disgruntled sounds cracked through.

No, not again! He’s getting away right under my nose…is there nothing I can do about it? Am I really this helpless?

I gritted my teeth, forcing my body as far as I could and managed to take a step forward. It was all I could manage, even that much seemed like an impossible task. I had put more effort into that single step than any punch I had ever thrown, only to have moved a single step.

“...not again…!” I uttered bitterly.

Larc’s eyes widened slightly in reaction. His lips parted but before he could speak, an arrow shot through the sky and pierced his shoulder. Purple blood sprayed out as the arrow lodged itself right beside his chest.

“Arragh–” He cried.

The electricity disappeared and the tight spasms that all my muscles were locked in, disappeared with it. I collapsed to my knees and took a massive gasp of air. Relief flowed through my body as I could once again breathe and the feeling in my legs returned.

Larc shifted back at the entrance to the room and dodged out of the way of another arrow. It shot past his head and took a chunk of his hood with it. The cut end of his hood flickered like a lively shadow and repaired itself.

Figures appeared at the door and rushed in, it was a large group from the sounds of all those footsteps. Like a small army closing in on their prey.

Then, just as I raised my head to Larc, a bolt of red and silver raced into view. A brilliant display of speed and precision unfolded before me.

A thin sword cut through the air and pierced Larc’s chest but passed through him like water, his body had become shadows again.

Pure white strands of hair flowed behind her head as she lanced forward. My eyes locked on her and followed her swordsmanship with awe. The adventurer I wanted to know more about and wanted to impress more than anyone.

“Liv…?”