Ray began to sweat after hearing such words enter his ears. He paused for a moment before responding to the girl.

"Sure" his voice sounded calm,even with a blade in his throat.

The girl took several steps back removing her blade from Ray's throat. Her eyes were animalistic in nature they looked exactly like that of a cat.

Her ears were pointy and cat like as well. This was a trait for a beast human. Something Ray knew well.

"I'm surprised, I expected you to be more fearful than that. You humans are usually so easy to scare." Her voice was soft yet hard, she paysed before continuing

"you've got guts I'll give you that..." she took her small dagger and firmly placed it somewhere inside her cloak.

"I don't fear dying..." Ray said,walking past the girl. "My life no longer holds any value to me but even so. I don't intend on dying just yet. I have to be the greatest magician..." his voice sounded certain.

The girl turned around looking to keep up with Ray who approached the door.

"It's the only thing to give this life any kind of meaning. If I don't do it I'd be betraying that optimistic boy from back then..."

Ray turned around facing the girl,he pointed with his right index finger and with a big smile on his face he declared.

"MY name's Ray Anazaki mark my words I'm gonna be the greatest magician to have ever lived. Dying is just not an option for me. So I won't be losing today!"

The girl simply smiled at Ray's declaration.

"You're an odd one really..." she said with a curious smirk,she moved a few steps "the name's Rina, it's not everyday I share my name you should be honored" She said, coming face to face with Ray.

She clenched her fist and placed in on Ray's chest.

"You're interesting but I don't plan on working with anyone. I'm a lonewolf or cat if you will. So I'm definitely not losing especially to someone who doesn't value their own life" her eyes stared deep into Ray's soul as she said this.

Rina exited the establishment and Ray followed her. They both moved towards the cave. The sun was beating down on them but neither seemed to waver. They were running past the crowded town and it took only a few minutes for them to reach the town exit.

Ray chose not to use mana reinforcement which enhanced his physical capabilities but he opted to conserve his mana instead.

"You should go ahead I'll give you a head start,you look like you need it" Rina slowed down her pace giving Ray the chance to get ahead.

"Sounds to me like you need an excuse for when I wipe the floor with you" Ray teased, not taking the offer.

Rina couldn't help but smile "your overconfidence will be your downfall. If you won't go first I guess I will"

[Transformation Magic- Partial Transformation [lvl1] has been activated]

[Partial transformation-Feet]

[The Unique Skill Cat Charge[lvl1] has been activated]

[Your experience with Cat Charge [lvl1] has increased]

[Your experience with partial transformation [lvl1] has increased]

Rina's shoes would tear apart revealing cat like feet with fur from he ankles down. This was the only part of her body not covered by her cloak.

Her movement became a blur as she moved forward at blistering pace.

Ray smiled "that's just awesome" he shouted, admiring Rina's speed as she moved into the forest infront of them.

"Guess I can't let you outshin me" he said, with the biggest smile on his face.

[Mana Reinforcement-Feet]

[The Unique Skill - Mana Dash [lvl1] has been activated]

[Your experience with Mana Dash [lvl1] has increased]

A blue aura aura covered Ray's legs and feet and with a simple dash his body launched forward in a blur leaving dust behind his wake.

Ray moved quickly and entered the forest in an instant, he saw the figure of Rina which was jumping from tree to tree.

Rina looked down noticing Ray's sudden charge. "Not bad" she smiled. The two continued at this pace for 10 minutes straight before they exited the forest.

[Partial Transformation-Feet [Deactivated]

Ray stopped infront of the entrance to the cave. Rina landed beside him as she stared down the entrance as well.

"I expected you to give up,you did well" She said to Ray walking towards the entrance to the cave.

Both seemed to be breathing fine despite running for so long. They were very experienced with their skills. The more experienced a user was with their skills the lesser the cost for using that skill.

"What can I say,I'm a little awesome myself" Ray said giving himself a pat on the back.

Rina said nothing in response and they both entered the cave. The cave was surprisingly bright,orange germ stones brought a comforting light and both Rina and Ray could hear their own footsteps it was that quiet.

Stolen novel; please report.

Ray while observing the ground caught sight of Rina's feet and almost immediately he had to voice out his opinion

"I won't lie I liked your cat feet better,they were actually cool. These feet are really big and not very lady like" he shook his head disapproving what he saw."

"Huh.." Rina turned her head awkwardly to meet Ray's eyes "Do u want to die that badly!!" her gaze was fierce and it made Ray smile awkwardly.

"I can make that a reality" Rina said, with twitching fingers which could barely contain themselves.

Ray's eyes caught something else, the body of dead skeletons. "Check it out" he pointed for Rina to look ahead and a body of skeletons were scattered all over the floor.

"They probably belong to the magicians who took the quest, proving once again how worthless and easy it is to strip the lives humans value so much"

Rina stepped over some of the bones cracking and breaking them apart with the weight of her feet.

"I think we should respect the lives of these magicians by not stepping over their bones. It's the least we can do." Ray said, with a low voice.

Ray avoided stepping on them as he moved.

"A human's life is worth nothing to me"

Rina responded continuously stepping over them.

The cave had a fierce stench and bloody smell at that point of the cave but they both moved forward regardless. They heard a scream and almost immediately they dashed forward.

They saw an open space just further in the cave,it had a small dust cloud so it was hard to see what was happening and they found their movement hindered.

[A Barrier has been created]

[The Unique kill Light Barrier [lvl1] is active]

"What is this?"Ray continuously smashed the invisible barrier with his hand but it removed to waiver.

"Don't bother barrier skills are a chore to get around. We can probably break it but it would be a lot of trouble. Unless the healer who placed the barrier disables it we can't break it without exerting ourselves" Rina said before she took a sit and leaned against the wall.

"Let's just wait for the healer who put it up to kick the bucket then we'll enter,it's more efficient that way"

"How can you say th-" Ray's words were cut short as heard another scream. The smoke that existed within the barrier had began to die down. As it did, it revealed the individuals inside the barrier.

It was Jay and his party and standing infront of them was something straight out of a nightmare

[NOTIFICATION]

[A Grade 3 Mana Beast Has Been Registered]

[Mana Beast Type: Beast]

The screen appeared infront of Ray and Rina. Unlike grade 1's and 2's who had no need to be registered by the system due to being weak. Grade 3's were considered a serious threat enough to be Registered.

Rina and Ray knew things were not looking good.

"A grade 3 that's Insane" Ray could barely believe his eyes. He had only fought Grade 1's like that bird type mana beast. This was something else entirely.

(Inside the barrier)

Shelly the healer of the party was on her knees and Jay held a sword as he fiercely engaged the creature infront of him. His stomach was dripping blood hinting he had been fighting for a while.

His mouth was also doing the same. His eyes never wavered though,they were fierce you'd think he was winning.

Bronk stood infront of Shelly who was on the floor barely maintaining her grip on her staff.

(Outside the barrier)

"What are you doing you idiot,bring down the barrier. " Ray shouted at Jay.

"They can't hear you. The barrier makes it impossible for them to hear you. The can't even see us right now. That's why the barrier is so strong its due to its imperfect nature"

Rina tilted her body resting on her left side,her eyes remain closed "even if they knew we were here I doubt they'd open the barrier"

(Inside the barrier)

[The skill mana channeling lvl1] has been activated]

[Mana channeling-Sword]

Jay's sword was covered by a greenish aura. Jay dashed forward to attack the creature infront of him. Even with his injuries his body was light and agile.

Jay gritted his teeth..

[The Unique Skill Crescent Mana Slashes [lvl1] has been activated]

He swung his sword several times before he sent three deadly slashes in the shape of arcs towards the creature.

[Your experience with the unique skill Crescent Mana Slashes[lvl1] has increased]

The creature's size dwarfed Jay and it was covered by white fur with certain parts of its fur being covered by a crimson color. It's saliva dripped wetting the floor and it's mouth was wildly open. It's tongue raged wildly as its razor sharp white teeth shined. It stood on four legs as it's eyes were focused on the 3 infront of it.

It saw Jay's slashes and it responded accordingly

[The skill mana beast reinforcement has been activated]

[Man beast reinforcement- Feet]

[The Unique Skill skill mana beast dash[lvl2] has been activated]

In a blur its body vanished appearing from Jay's left side in an instant. It moved at insane speeds for a creature its size.

[Your experience with mana beast Charge has increased]

"Impossible" jay thought to himself visibly stunned, it moved its right paw ferociously and slammed it into Jay's body sending his body crashing against one of the cave's walls.

The sound of cracking bones was audible for all those present.

"Arghh" Jay screamed in agony.

"Jay!!!!" Shelly cried out. She wanted to move towards Jay but before she could...

"Stop it!!!" Jay shouted. "I'm fine!! Just focus on the barrier,we won't let this thing escape. We can't risk outside interference either..." Jay slowly got back on his feet with his sword still firmly gripped.

"Ever since we were kids people looked down on us. They hought we'd never make it as magicians. We made a promise to each other that we'd be the greatest magician party to have ever existed."

he stared down at the creature as the dust around him settled.

"I still remember. We'll prove them wrong every last one of them!"

Jay rocketed forward without hesitation. His legs felt heavy. His eyes were blurry barely able to maintain their focus. His footsteps echoed as he charged, he shouted at Bronk "Bronk!! protect our crybaby Shelly at all cost. I'll kill this monster myself"

Jay raced forward before leaping high in the air. The Mana beast responded in kind,it lifted it's right front leg in order to smash into Jay'sairborne body.

[The Unique Skill Descending Slash [lvl 1] has been activated]

[Your experience with Descending Slash [lvl1] has increased]

[Due to your experience with Descending Slash [lvl1] the skill has been upgraded to [lvl2[

Jay's blade covered by a very bright aura rained down In a perfect slash. It cleaved the beast's leg in half like a knife cutting through butter.

The beast roared in agony its blood shooting in all directions, jay then tightened his grip to perform a diagonal slash to decapitate the beast.

"Die!!!" he thought to himself his eyes burning brighter than the sun. That fire was extinguished.

[The Unique skill Mana Beast Outrage[lvh2] has been activated]

[your experience with Mana Beast Outrage lvl [2] has increased]

The beast lost all its senses but its instincts remained,its mouth opened and its head turned towards the blade's direction. In a single bite,the blade shattered right into a million piece.

It caught Jay with a paw strike In mid air breaking all the the bones he had left. The beast didn't let go,it grabbed Jay with its paws ensuring he was completely crushed as blood began to shoot out from his body.

Jay's head turned to look at his teammates as a tear dropped down his cheek "Sorry everyone i guess I couldn't keep our promise. I wish I could've told you how much I.. "

Jay's thoughts were interrupted, his body stopped moving.

The beast used it's teeth to tear his body to shreads before it devoured him instantly.

It tossed aside Jay's right foot in displeasure causing it to land infront of Bronk and Shelly.

[Due to the devouring of a magician your overall physical attributes and mana pool have increased drastically]

[For a limited time due to the consumption of a magician. The level of your Unique Skills has increased by [+1] ]

Shelly screamed as she scrambled towards Jay's leg. "I'll save him,he's still alive!!" Shelly convinced herself,her body was shaking, her eyes wide open.

She couldn't even grip her staff without dropping it. "I'll save him" Shelly grabbed her staff and pointed it towards Jay's leg. Looking to somehow restore him. Tears flowed down her cheeks. The mana beast was not done though.

[Mana Beat Reinforcement-Feet]

[The skill Mana beast dash [lvl3]has been activated].

In a blur the creature appeared towering infront of Shelly. It's right front leg raised as it moved to tear Shelly to shreds.

[Mana Beast Reinforcement-Claws]

[The Unique Skill Claw Strike [lvl3]

[The skill Tanker [lvl2] has been activated]

[The Unique skill strong body[lvl2] has been activated]

Standing between the beast and Shelly was Bronk. Is body leaked a purple aura. The paw strike landed and almost immediately Bronk was brought to his knees as blood would shoot from his chest.

Shelly gasped her body now frozen unable to even move an inch.

"I'll hold it back Shelly go!!!" Bronk shouted as he got back on his feet "if all of us die here it'll be for nothing,be the one to see our promise to the very end."

Bronk smiled before resolving himself to face the beast head on as he rose to his feet.

[The Unique Skill Claw Strike [lvl3] has been activated]

The beast continued it's assault as its claws grew larger and its foot was covered by a red aura. It slashed into Bronk with relentless slashes.

(Outside the barrier)

Ray looked at Rin "I won't let them,die I won't let anyone die infront of me,not again."

[MANA Reinforcement-Hand]

[The Unique Skill Strong Right [lvl1 has been activated]

[Your Experience with Strong Right [lvl1] has upgraded the skill by [+1 level]]

[A new variation of Strong Right has been unlocked due to your experience]

Ray's fists were covered by his aura as he smashed into the barrier with relentless punches.

[The Unique skill strong right barrage [lvl2[

Ray felt a stinging sensation on his wounded arm as he smashed into the barrier. Blood began pouring out of his arm which made the makeshift cloak bandage seem ineffective.

[You health Points are decreasing steadily]

Even so he continued wailing on the barrier. It cracked.

Shelly's state of mind and Ray's relentless assaults made this possible. Rina opened her left eye slightly watching Ray's efforts.

(Inside the barrier)

Shelly watched on as bronk fell to the ground. "Please ru.." were his last words before he collapsed to the ground.

Shelly didn't scream,she didn't do anything.

She closed her eyes as the creature raised its foot before moving to smash into her.

The barrier shattered and In a flash Ray appeared in front of Shelly with his body already in mid-air. A light radiated from his entire body before he clenched a fist.

[The Unique Skill Strong Right [lvl2] has been activated]

[Your experience with Strong Right [lvl2] has been activated]

Ray's fist made contact with the creature striking it right in between the eyes forcing its body backwards in forcefull plummet to a wall of rocks.

Ray landed gracefully and as blood trickled down his right arm he turned towards Shelly.

"What are you doing!!!! They didn't die so you could sit here like some abandoned baby!!! do their sacrifices mean nothing to you!!"

Shelly was speechless.

"Get up it's not over yet this fight's just getting started" with eyes burning with passion Jay took a fighting stance his fists clenched.