The brambles protecting the Bitter Thorns were far too sturdy for her blade to cut through. Instead, she turned her attention to the Envious Brambles first and made quick work of them.
Since there were more than 3 enemies surrounding her, the fine line turned into the bloody mist. Whatever existed within a few meters of her became predictable. No matter how many tendrils were sent her way, Red was able to dodge them with utter ease.
“IS IT OUR FAULT THAT YOU WERE BORN THAT WAY!? WHAT GIVES YOU THE RIGHT TO TAKE OUR BODIES!?”
Red drew additional hatred from the Origins of these creatures. They hated themselves, so they looked to others to take what didn’t belong to them. And even after they did, they were still so miserable that they sought to bring even more people down.
To murder so many innocent people… innocent humans… And to destroy the life that Red had finally achieved – it was unforgivable.
//////// < CAUTION > ////////
< The Hunt Must Go On is resonating with your Heightened Emotions >
< Snow is reacting to your Heightened Emotions >
Like the Rock Bugs who were a part of her Bonds! Passive Skill, Snow experienced the bends of emotion due to her heightening emotions. She couldn’t see what was happening to Snow. However –
“My diary…?” Snow whispered. “It’s… words are appearing…?” She was confused.
Why were the words being written in her diary all of a sudden? She didn’t feed it blood or anything like that.
She looked over at the back of Red, knowing that it was somehow caused by her…
No. Not Red. It was still with Snow.
“My blood feels hot. Could it be…?”
“Emotions.” The Huntsman finished for her. “Your emotions were always kept in check, weren’t they, Snow?”
As a Healer, it was impossible for her emotions to overflow like Red.
But Snow had already shown that she was not an ordinary Healer. Red cut down as many Envious Brambles as possible. Eventually, they were whittled down where they were no longer a threat. The only creatures left were the Bitter Thorns.
Red brandished her blade and pushed forward.
“I WANTED TO LIVE LIKE A HUMAN TOO! BUT I NEVER TOOK WHAT WASN’T MINE! Humans…!”
Her blade slammed against the indestructible cages that protected the bodies of the Bitter Thorns. Her blade was on the brink of being deflected again.
However, she pushed down with all her might, and it began to eat into the brambles.
The Hunt Must Go On
< When ammunition depletes, the hunt will only become bloodier. The knife is the most personal of all tools >
ORIGIN : Hatchling Red
AFFINITY : Wrath
TYPE : Weapon
ATT : 150
Her total ATT reached 700 now. Looking at the HP of the Bitter Thorns allowed her to immediately determine that their DEF was firmly at 650. This was why she was incapable of damaging them.
Suddenly, the swarm of Bitter Thorns, which had grown into over a hundred due to her constant roars, were no longer the hunters. They were no more than ants attempting to take down a giant.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Immediately, she focused on damaging as many as possible simultaneously. Her AGI and the bloody mist allowed her to weave between them effortlessly as she slashed at their weak points, inflicting the Bleeding Condition to every single one of these monsters.
A dangerous red glow followed her glare. Splinters of brambles exploded as arrows occasionally whizzed by, fired by none other than the Huntsman. They were rendered speechless by her combat prowess.
If she had wings, then Red would be an Angel of Wrath. The swarm gradually began to die out. There were still far too many for comfort, but she had done enough damage to let them bleed out.
However, there was one more target to face.
“You’re –!”
Red knew that face right away.
“Help me… Help…” The voice of a young woman called out to her.
“You’re the Sweet Thorn that betrayed me!”
Indeed. Standing at the rear of the swarm was the Sweet Thorn. There were no brambles to defend her. She looked like any other human. But Red knew better than to trust her.
Sweet Thorn
ATTRIBUTE : Obsession
LEVEL : 5 ORIGIN : Trauma
HP : 100
MAG ATT : 0 AGI : 8
It was terribly weak. If Red so happened as to graze it then it would die.
She jumped over the heads of the Bitter Thorns and ran across the whip-like brambles. With a heave, she leapt towards the Sweet Thorn, fully committing to the hunt. Her blade punctured the heart of the Sweet Thorn, but to her surprise, it did not die.
Brambles burst out from its back, attempting to ensnare Red. Her blade was completely jammed into its body.
“DAMMIIIIIT! JUST DIE ALREADY!” Red roared, landing punches only for her hands to barely penetrate through its flesh. “Why… how come –!?”
“REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!” Snow screamed at the top of her lungs. “AIM FOR THE CENTER OF HER CHEST!”
Red didn’t waste any time. If Snow was wrong, then she was as good as dead. Red didn’t run, retreat or attempt to dodge. Instead, she believed in Snow’s words and threw a fist straight into the center of the creature’s chest.
“Help…?”
Her fist carved straight through, entering a hollow cavity. Then, her fist pulverized a hanging, golden apple.
Sweet Thorn
< Observation Level 2 >
< The imperfect apples held within the sweetest of thorns seek those immune to the poison of the Bitter Thorns. It is all in hope of finding the most perfect apple >
< Part Observed >
Heart of Poisoned Miracles
Sweet Thorn
HP : 100
It was the first time she had received a prompt like this.
“Corrupted have multiple parts…? I guess that makes sense!” Red retrieved her hand, watching the Sweet Thorn perish.
Its body decayed into a pile of rotting ooze, leaving behind a crystalized chunk of Specific Nex. The Bitter Thorns behind her collapsed as quickly as the Sweet Thorn perished, resulting in another Observation.
Bitter Thorn
< Observation Level 3 >
< They perished without the rot of the poisoned apple. Without its influence, they realize that their envy stemmed from the selfishness of one >
Envious Brambles
< Observation Level 4 >
< In the end, they will always be empty >
Red heaved. Her emotions eased as her heart eventually reached a lull. The corpses of over a hundred Bitter Thorns surrounded her. Her exhaustion gradually caught up with her, and before she knew it, she was falling.
Suddenly, a pair of warm hands caught her. Her head plopped on pair of soft pillows as well.
“Are you ok?” It was Snow.
“Mhm… I’m still roaring to go. Hehe~ Did I do good?”
“You were awesome. Just try not to shout next time.”
“I’ll do my best~ So soft and warm. You smell sooo nice~”
“Ahaha. Red… I think we might be able to win thanks to you. My diary… it’s showing me what we need to do next.”
As Snow flicked to page 709, Red suddenly received a prompt.
The Queen of Sweet and Bitter Thorns
< CONDITION: 99 Poisoned Apples Remain >
< The Forest of Everlasting Envy has been weakened >
< 99 Poisoned Apples scour the Forest of Everlasting Envy in search of the one perfect apple >
Snow recited this word for word, causing Red to climb off her and stare into her eyes with excitement.
“Agate – Are they talking to you too!? It’s exactly what Agate is telling me!”
“Eh… huh!? You… can see the contents of my diary too!? The Conditions!?”
Snow couldn’t believe what she was hearing. If it was anyone other than Red, then she would have called them a liar.
“How can that be…?”
“But I only learned about it when you changed to the page!”
“Still that doesn’t make any sense. If that’s the case… than what are you supposed to be to me?”
Red hopped away from Snow and beamed with a vibrant smile. She brandished her inactive Fairytale’s Bane and The Hunt Must Go On as she announced:
“My name is Hatchling Red, and I’m here to take down the big bad wolf and all tales that plot against me!”
Snow laughed again.
“And you, Snow? Won’t you tell me your full name too?”
“I’ll tell you after this is over.”
“Promise!?”
“Mhm.” Snow locked her pinky with Red’s. “Promise.”