ã€ŠThe Flame Casterã€‹


 Chapter I : An unfortunate chain of events I

    I walked through the depths of the forest at dusk, Gareth, my best companion for years, by my side. The forest was full and dense, and every sound of leaves seemed to have some mystery behind them.

    To alleviate the tension in the air, I tried mustering a joke, ¡°Hey Gareth!!! Why don¡¯t skeletons fight each other?¡± I said, my hands behind my back.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. what is it?¡± He answered sounding uninterested while playing with a coin that he continuously flipped on his hand. I wonder when it finally fell from his hand.

    ¡°Because they don¡¯t have guts!!!¡± I raised my voice a little bit telling him the punch line. Unfortunately, the joke didn¡¯t seem to land.

    Gareth chuckled a little, his faint smile showing his sympathy over my attempt at the joke. "Nice one, Eric. Though I think your jokes are scarier than this forest."

    We continued our journey. However, as we ventured deeper into the forest, I overheard a faint sound in the north of our direction. I checked whether he heard the same thing as me.

    "You hear that, or am I going crazy?" I asked concerned that it might be something serious.

    Gareth nodded; to be honest, he rarely showed any expressions at all. "Yeah, Eric, I hear it too. It''s coming from the north."

    I¡¯d always felt grateful to have someone dependable like him by my side. We''d faced countless dangers together, and with his fighting abilities and quick thinking, we came out victorious.

    Lost in thought, I barely noticed when Gareth nudged me. "Hey Eric, you awake?"

    Shaking myself out of my musing, I decided to use a detection spell. Whispering an incantation, I activated my detection spell - enhancing my senses and sensitivity towards life forms and mana. I felt seven signs of life nearby, but weirdly enough, only one of them possessed mana.

    I relayed my findings to Gareth. "Should we investigate?" I asked, waiting for his input in this situation.

    Gareth was silent and thought about it for a few seconds while still playing with his coin before finally opening his mouth. "Well, Eric, if we ignore it, we might find a clue regarding Archy and Gideon. But if we investigate, we might end up as the main course at some forest creature''s dinner party."

    I grinned and joked in response to his remark. "Let''s hope they''re vegetarians then. I''d hate to be on the menu." We laughed a little bit together despite the intense situation that we were in.

    "But seriously," I said, the humor fading from my voice, "what if someone in that crowd is in trouble?"

    My words altered his expressions. "You have a point, Eric. We can''t just ignore them. But we need to be cautious. There''s no telling what we might find."

    I nodded, grateful for Gareth''s wisdom. "Agreed. Let''s proceed with caution. But, if things go south, we leave immediately."

    Gareth nodded his head and we moved forward cautiously, our footsteps barely audible against the forest floor.

    Suddenly, I stopped, realizing I needed to reinforce our magical defenses. "Hey Gareth," I began, preparing to cast the fortification spell, "hold on a mo-"

    Before I could finish, a blinding flash erupted beneath Gareth''s feet, followed by a burst of ice shards. The force of the explosion sent him flying, his body crumpling several meters away.

    "Gareth, you still in one piece?" I called out to him, I knew that my previous fortification spell was still in effect, and thus there was no way he got fatally wounded by a mere frost trap.

    Gareth groaned, rubbing his side as he struggled to sit up. "More or less; a little bit cold though."

    I couldn''t help but chuckle, relieved that Gareth was okay. "Not an issue, we¡¯ll get ourselves some warm beverages when we get back to town.¡±

    "Problem is, whoever they are, they might realize soon enough that one of their traps was triggered, and we have to prepare for that encounter" Gareth explained the situation.

    As I tended to Gareth''s minor injuries, I couldn¡¯t help but wonder, ¡°Who were these mysterious individuals, and why were they so intent on defending their territory?¡±

    As the leaves around us rustled in the wind, the situation thickened with each passing moment. It wasn''t long before the mysterious individuals revealed themselves¡ªa band of goblin warriors accompanied by a formidable goblin sorcerer.

    As they emerged from the shadows, their twisted forms and wicked grins sent a chill down my spine. But it was the sorcerer who caught my attention. its jagged robes covering its body, wielding a terribly-made magic staff.

    But it wasn''t its appearance that impressed me. It was actually its ability to conceal the traps and ambushes, bypassing my detection spells. This one possessed a mastery of the arcane arts beyond that of a typical goblin mage.

    Before I could fully process the situation, the goblin warriors surged forward, their serrated bone blades were held in both of their hands. Their speed was astonishing, catching me off guard and leaving me scrambling to react.

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    However, Gareth was already springing into action, thanks to his years of combat experience and sharp fighter instinct. Despite his untreated injuries, he moved with such speed and precision to cover me.

    With a swift motion, he summoned an ornate steel shield into existence, its polished surface gleaming in the moonlight. Without that much to say, he charged into the fray, his shield bashing aside three of the oncoming goblins with ease.

    As they stumbled back, Gareth seized the opportunity to grab me by the collar, dragging me out of harm''s way with a strength born of desperation and determination.

    He effortlessly dispatched the goblin attackers in an instant, leaving me in awe. "Dang, he looked so cool," I thought to myself, admiring his skill. His combat ability never ceased to amaze me regardless of how many times I had witnessed it.

    "Though he should be thanking me for teaching him the inventory spell so he can quickly summon various weaponry with ease," I mused silently. "But I guess in this situation, I should be thanking him regardless."

    "Focus, Eric! Pay attention to your surroundings," Gareth quipped, a smirk on his lips.

    I smirked a little bit, realizing that I could¡¯ve been in a horrible situation without him. "Yeah, sorry. But isn''t it your job to protect me anyway?" I replied, to which he said nothing and just smiled back at me.

    My attention then shifted to the goblin mage, who was chanting a spell with intensity; two magic circles appeared beside him, indicating a summoning ritual was underway. First the trap, and now a summoning ritual? This goblin continued to impress me honestly speaking.

    I knew I couldn''t afford to take chances. With a flick of my fingers, I conjured a blaze pearl and launched it toward the goblin mage with precision. The pearl exploded upon impact, shattering his magic barrier and halting his summoning ritual.

    "A goblin with a magic barrier? Really?" I mused to myself, surprised by the unexpected display of power.

    Though the blast wasn''t enough to defeat him, it sent the mage sprawling several meters backward, buying us precious time.

    Meanwhile, Gareth had turned his attention to the three goblins on the right, who were closing in fast. He then executed a 360-degree spin, hurling his shield like a cannonball. The shield struck one goblin squarely in the head, sending it reeling.

    Without missing a beat, Gareth summoned a spear into existence, his movements swift and precise. With a thrust of his hand, the spear materialized and pierced another goblin in the face, ending its advance.

    But one goblin remained, its serrated blade slashing towards Gareth''s blind spot. Despite his best efforts to evade, the blade grazed his left shoulder, leaving a shallow wound in its wake.

    With a look of annoyance rather than pain, Gareth released his spear and turned to face his assailant. In one fluid motion, he pivoted and delivered a powerful blow with his elbow, using his momentum to hurl the goblin to the ground.

    As the goblin lay sprawled on the forest floor, dazed and vulnerable, Gareth wasted no time. His shield rematerialized in his left hand. With a swift motion, he brought the edge of the shield crashing down onto the goblin''s head, ending its life instantly.

    The three goblins on the left, whom Gareth had previously knocked down, rose once more and they prepared to charge again. Without hesitation, I chanted the incantation for three more blaze pearls, imbuing them with the command to seek out the goblin targets.

    "Find three moving beings without any mana trace on my left," I commanded the pearls, infusing them with the power to track down their victims.

    The pearls soared through the air, guided by the arcane command, and found their marks with deadly precision. They homed in on the goblins with remarkable accuracy, exploding and engulfing them in flames and ending their threat instantly.

    But our respite was short-lived. A sudden noise erupted from behind the goblin mage, signaling the arrival of reinforcements. Panic surged within me as I quickly cast a detect life spell, revealing the approach of dozens of goblins.

    Turning to Gareth, who was in the midst of collecting the goblin ears, I couldn''t help but shake my head in disbelief. "Really? Now?"

    Gareth looked up, a sheepish grin on his face. "What? We can sell these to the alchemist in town later. Extra silver is always welcome-"

    Before he could finish his sentence, he dropped to one knee, his expression contorting in pain.

    "What happened?" I asked, my concern mounting.

    "I don''t know," Gareth replied, his voice strained. "I seem to have lost my balance and power."

    This was definitely not great news. Something might be wrong with his condition, but there was no time to investigate the cause. With the approaching horde of goblins and Gareth''s weakened state, engaging in further combat would be foolhardy.

    "We need to retreat," I said, urgency coloring my tone. "There may be advanced goblins among them, like that mage. We can''t risk it."

    As we hurried through the forest, I made sure to scoop up the goblin ears Gareth had dropped earlier. "More silver is always better indeed," I muttered to myself, stuffing the ears into my inventory.

    Gareth, clearly struggling to keep pace with our hurried flight, glanced at me with a weary expression. "I don''t think I can keep this up for long," he admitted with a strained voice.

    "We don''t have a choice," I replied to him, pushing forward despite the growing fatigue gnawing at my muscles. We ran as quickly as our battered bodies would allow, the relentless pursuit of the goblins urging us onward.

    However, despite our best efforts, the goblins were gaining ground, their relentless advance fueled by sheer numbers and unrelenting determination. Their shouts kept getting closer as we ran.

    Desperate to slow their progress, I conjured exploding flame traps in our wake and hoped that those goblin stepped on them. Shortly after, the deafening blasts and anguished screams of the goblins provided a brief relief from the chase.

    Amidst the chaos, I couldn''t help but crack a joke to lighten the mood. "Well, at least we''re giving them a fireworks show," I quipped, a wry grin spreading across my face.

    ¡°Ha ha ha¡± Gareth seemed to have been enough with my unfunny joke at this point. Yeah, it might not have been the best time to crack a joke.

    As we pressed on, heavy rain suddenly poured, adding an extra layer of difficulty to our escape. The relentless downpour obscured our surroundings, the rhythmic pattern of raindrops drowning out any other sounds.

    "We need to find shelter," Gareth shouted over the roar of the rain. "This storm isn''t letting up anytime soon."

    ¡°It¡¯s easier said than done Gareth, I see nothing but trees here,¡± I replied to his request a little bit aggressively.

    However, as we moved forward, I kept scanning the area for any signs of cover. In the distance, I spotted the entrance to an ancient structure, "One of the temples of Unaeszara" I murmured, recognizing the imposing structure. "We''re not far from Silverbrook town."

    But Gareth seemed to be concerned about this place, "There are plenty of stories about this place, but-"

    "But right now, we need shelter," I interjected, finishing his thought. "We''ll tend to your condition as quickly as possible."

    After a brief discussion, we made our way towards the entrance of the ancient temple, seeking refuge from the storm and the relentless pursuit of our goblin adversaries.

 Chapter II : An unfortunate chain of events II

    The entrance and first room of the temple were decorated with faded ancient writing as well as carvings. When we got inside, I could directly taste the dust in my mouth, and the sounds of our footsteps echoed through the corridors.

    We found ourselves in a massive chamber; its walls were decorated with carvings of a seemingly forgotten ritual of the worship of a certain deity, most probably Goddess Unaeszara.

    We then settled onto a relatively clean area within the room. I quickly turned my attention to Gareth¡¯s wound. The cut shouldn¡¯t have been deep enough to cause any trouble.

    However, his condition said otherwise. Gareth¡¯s breathing grew heavier and his skin burned with fever. Not to mention that the area where he got the cut was swollen and inflamed, with clear signs of infection.

    "I''m not the best when it comes to Rejuvenation Magic I admit, but I believe that I have enough first-aid magic to purify the poison from your circulation. It might take a while, though."

    When I took a glance at him, Gareth offered me a weak smile, "I trust you, Eric," he reassured me with a voice barely above a whisper.

    ¡°You wanna hear another joke Gareth?¡± I offered him another light-hearted, to which he responded, ¡°When you¡¯re done tending to my wounds, then you deserve to tell me one of those crappy jokes¡±

    I was still glad that he still could respond to my questions somewhat normally. Drawing upon my limited knowledge of healing magic, I took a small vial of mana from my inventory and drank it. Under normal circumstances, I would never drink this garbage artificial mana vial.

    Then I summoned my staff into my right hand, knowing that proper preparation was essential for even a basic-intermediate rejuvenation spell.

    "I should''ve been more serious in my study of this branch of magic," I silently chastised myself for not being more dedicated to my studies in this branch of magic as I started the process of removing the poison from Gareth''s body.

    I used and directed my healing spell at him. However, I needed to concentrate on my mana release much more than when I used my flame spells. Slowly but surely, his wounds started to get better and his breathing got less strained. As he got exposed to the radiating light of my healing, his fever also got better.

    I couldn''t help but marvel at Gareth''s resilience toward the poison. The poison coursing through his veins was far more potent than I had initially suspected; had I been the one afflicted, I might not have survived. It was such an unexpected situation resulting from our encounter with mere goblins.

    Now that I was done taking care of his condition, he rested peacefully next to me. I myself needed to keep my mind busy to ease my mind off of this dire situation. I wondered if we should wait until morning before attempting to reach the town. The relentless rain outside showed no sign of abating, but at least those pesky goblins could not track us as well in the rain.

    This was undoubtedly one of the worst experiences I''d faced in a while. To think that it had all been sparked by a band of goblins seemed almost laughable in its absurdity. I grinned ironically at the thought; next time I would surely bring a healing magic caster.

    Yeah, I don¡¯t know how many times I had said that over the course of our missions, but finding someone that could fit in our party proved to be more challenging despite Gareth¡¯s relatively better look compared to even good-looking guys.

    Regardless of my racing thoughts and uneasiness about the situation, I still was able to drift into sleep. When I realized it, I saw a familiar building; it was the old house where I grew up. Memories flew back to me as soon as I saw it. However, for some reason, I didn''t focus on the details and only focused on the door in front of me.

    But when I got across the door into the room, I felt that something was different. It only looked and felt the same from the outside. I tried to venture deeper into the next rooms when I felt the air grew colder and dustier.

    Suddenly there was a source of voice from the other end of the room. I wasn''t sure about who it was or what it said, so I tried to get closer to the source.

    "E-Eric," the voice whispered, barely audible above the whisper of the wind. "H-help me."

    My blood ran cold as I recognized the voice as Gareth''s. Without hesitation, I raced towards the source of the sound, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination.

    As I rounded the corner, I found myself face to face with a shadowy figure cloaked in darkness. Its eyes gleamed with malice, sending a chill down my spine.

    "Who are you?" I demanded, my voice trembling with a mixture of fear and anger.

    The figure chuckled, though I was not sure what he found so funny. "I am your worst nightmare, Eric. And I have plans for you and your friend."

    "NOW DIE!!!" before I could react, the figure lunged towards me and tried to attack swiftly.

    I jolted awake. Before I could fully comprehend what was happening, Gareth''s hand connected with my cheek in a stinging slap. His expression was grim as he gestured towards the entrance of the chamber, where a horde of goblins was already in this structure quickly chasing us.

    "Again? What makes them so persistent?" I muttered to myself witnessing this uncharacteristic behavior of our goblin adversaries. Was I missing something? or did I just not pay attention enough in our journeys? Regardless, I needed to fend off this situation in the most efficient way.

    Unfortunately, I used a lot of mana trying to heal Gareth, (again, due to my incompetence in rejuvenation spells). I didn''t have other options; it seemed that I needed to use my magic staff for this confrontation.

    "Gareth, be a good guardian and hold them off for as long as you can," I instructed him with urgency in my voice. "Don''t push yourself too aggressively towards them. remember what they could do with their poison. Leave the attacking to me."

    Gareth nodded in reaction to my command. Though he''s just as expressionless as ever. With a swift motion, he stepped forward to meet the oncoming horde of goblin warriors, he summoned his shield to deflect the incoming attacks from the goblin.

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    Understanding the severity of the poisons in their blades, Gareth now took them more seriously and cautiously.

    With a weary sigh, I summoned my magic staff from the depths of my inventory and prepared to cast my spells. Limiting my mana output to only using the staff was weird to me to be honest since I was used to blasting my mana mainly from both of my arms.

    "Let the flames of destruction be my weapon," I started chanting the arcane words. Then I extended my staff, poised to release my spell into the air.

    Two goblins closed in from Gareth¡¯s right, their serrated blades gleaming in the dim light. With lightning reflexes, Gareth pivoted, his shield intercepting the first goblin''s strike. At the same time, he sidestepped the second goblin''s lunge with precision and knocked the goblin back as he jumped back.

    Meanwhile, three more goblins advanced from his left. Undeterred, Gareth spun on his heel, his shield becoming an impenetrable barrier against their frenzied attacks. He deflected their blows, though as he agreed, he didn''t use a more aggressive approach for dismantling them.

    As Gareth kept the goblins busy, my chanting was done and I released a concentrated blaze pearl bigger than usual, hovering several meters above us. With a focused mind, I imbued the spell with the command to target anything moving without my trace of mana within a 30-meter radius, ensuring Gareth''s safety.

    "Gareth, retreat now!" I shouted at him while he deflected and avoided the blows from the goblin to buy me more time. He swiftly disengaged from his opponents, bashing them aside with his shield before joining me at a safe distance.

    Now that everything was ready, I unleashed the power of this blaze pearl, showering the goblins with smaller blaze pearls. Small explosions erupted as the projectiles found their marks, engulfing the goblins in flames and sending them sprawling to the ground.

    I couldn''t help but smile at the sight, seeing all these explosions and those wretched monsters wailing over the explosions I created surely brought joy to me. But my joy was short-lived. Some goblins were running toward the entrance while trying to avoid the same fate that befell their comrades.

    Unfortunately, when the projectiles hit those running goblins, the explosions caused by my spell tore through the ancient stone structure, sending debris flying in all directions, and crumbling the entire entrance to this structure. My smile faded away in an instant and I started cursing my luck.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding me! what¡¯s wrong with my luck tonight?¡± I said it in disbelief dropping my staff to the ground.

    ¡°You had one job, Eric,¡± Gareth made fun of me screwing up our escape route. He was busy collecting the weapons that he dropped before.

    "Uh-huh? A job well done in my book," I retorted, not accepting the fact that I screwed up my calculation.

    "Sure it was. Now all we''ve got to do is find a way to move these boulders out of the way so that we can go¡ª," Gareth paused, reconsidering. "On second thought, the remaining goblin forces are still out there. This might actually work in our favor."

    "Yeah, that''s my plan all along," I replied, trying to sound confident, even though it wasn''t my plan at all.

    "I think there''s only one way to proceed now¡ªdeeper into the temple and try to find the back door," Gareth suggested.

    Gareth was right. We didn''t have any other option for now. Our only option was to proceed deeper into the temple.

    We slowly made our way deeper into the temple. As we navigated the temple''s corridors, we marked the dead ends cautiously. There might be some traps or other dangerous stuff; we needed to stay vigilant all the time.

    The reliefs and ornaments on the walls reminded me of the stories of the followers of Unaeszara. A cult was a better word to describe them than a religious group.

    "You know what''s been bothering me, Eric?" Gareth broke our silence.

    "Those relentless goblins?" I guessed, knowing full well that their behavior had been weighing on both of our minds.

    "Yep. It''s uncharacteristic of them to show that level of coordination," Gareth agreed. Both of us were munching on our favorite snack, dried beef, as we discussed the situation.

    "I agree. Also, the goblin mage that we encountered before. He created quite a high-level frost trap, even bypassing my mana sensor," I added, recalling the encounter with that goblin mage.

    "Let''s not dwell on it for now. We''ll report everything to the authorities when we reach Silverbrook." Gareth suggested, hesitated before adding, ¡°By the way, how''s your mana circulation?¡±

    "Yeah, not good, but I''m recovering," I admitted, still feeling the strain from my extended usage of the healing spell before.

    "Why don''t you just drink another mana vial? You still have one of those, right?" Gareth asked, concern evident in his voice.

    "No, constant reliance on artificial mana can stunt your natural mana growth. I need to train my mana to its limit and let my body replenish it naturally through nutrition each time." I explained, continuously eating while doing so.

    Before Gareth could respond, the floor beneath me crumbled, and I tumbled into the darkness below. It seemed there was an underground room beneath the temple after all.

    As I landed with a thud in the darkness below, a wave of panic washed over me. I struggled to regain my bearings, my heart pounding in my chest as I assessed my surroundings. Gareth''s concerned voice echoed from above, but I could barely make out his words over the sound of my own heartbeat.

    "Eric! Are you alright?" Gareth''s voice echoed through the walls.

    "Yeah, I''m fine," I called back, my voice echoing off the ancient stone walls. "Just a little shaken up, but I think I''m okay."

    I pushed myself to my feet, wincing as I felt a sharp pain shoot through my ankle. But it was nothing serious, just a minor sprain.

    "Stay put, Eric. I''ll find a way down to you," Gareth called out, his voice tinged with urgency.

    "No, don''t worry about me," I replied, my tone more confident than I felt. "I''ll see if I can find a way out on my own. You focus on keeping watch up there."

    I took a deep breath and surveyed my surroundings. The chamber was dimly lit, illuminated only by the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi clinging to the walls. This underground structure was less intricately decorated than the temple on the surface.

    I quickly cast a recovery spell over my sprained ankle without forgetting to use my magic staff to help me convert my mana to rejuvenating magic. At this point, I was mostly only using my staff whenever I was healing someone.

    I cautiously made my way through the chamber, but I couldn''t shake the feeling that I was being watched. Every shadow seemed to dance and shift, not to mention now I don''t have company by my side. But I pressed on knowing that this was the only way.

    I entered one narrow passageway leading to a grand chamber. Suddenly, I felt uneasy. Any sense of mystery was quickly replaced by dread resulting from a strong stench of blood. "In Erra''s name, what foul stench is this?" I muttered, instinctively covering my nose to shield myself from the intense odor.

    My mind raced with grim possibilities of what might lie ahead. Should I press on alone or go back and retrieve Gareth? I hesitated, weighing my limited options.

    "Why did I even act tough before?" I chided myself silently. "Clearly, two people in a scary place like this were better than one," Regret gnawed at me as I reflected on my earlier decision.

    In moments like these, I couldn''t help but question my luck. What had I done to deserve such misfortune? It seemed unreal, almost as if some unseen force were orchestrating it all. Was this karma coming back to haunt me?

    "O Lord, I promise I will start visiting your shrine more often to pray!" I muttered under my breath. But deep down, I knew that no amount of praying could change my current situation, only my own strength.

    Breaking from my reverie, a haunting cry echoed from behind the closed door, piercing through the eerie silence of the chamber. At first, I dismissed it thinking that my mind was playing tricks on me.

    Yet, the voice persisted¡ªa delicate, trembling plea that stirred a flicker of compassion within me. Drawing nearer, I strained to discern the words exchanged beyond the wall.

    "Why have you done this?" a woman''s voice, laced with desperation, pleaded for mercy. "Please, release me. I swear, I will not breathe a word of what I have witnessed here, my lord.

    Gripped by a sense of duty and curiosity, I pressed my ear against the door, intent on unraveling the mystery that lay concealed within.

 Chapter III : a meeting with friends

    "Rejoice, my lady," a man''s voice, steeped in fervor, countered with an unsettling calmness. "For I love you as our god loves us. This ritual serves to unite you with the divine will of Unaeszara."

    The lady''s sobs persisted, her pleas falling upon deaf ears as the horror unfolded behind closed doors.

    "What manner of depravity is this?" I muttered under my breath, grappling with the horror of the scene unfolding before me. In a bid to assess the situation, I invoked my detection magic, setting the radius to gauge the presence of mana within a twenty-mete.

    Two distinct sources emerged from the depths of my senses¡ªone normal, the other titanic in magnitude. I was shocked with this revelation. To be honest, I had never found somebody possessing this much mana reserve before. Yet, for some reason, this mana pattern felt familiar to me.

    I didn¡¯t know that it would turn out this way; I definitely needed additional help if I want to take down that individual. Quickly, I conjured forth one of my biggest mana vial on my right hand; on my left hand, I also summoned my Conjuration book from my inventory.

    There is a reason why I kept bringing them even though I never really wanted to consume them myself. I could use these as a mana source to summon an otherworldly beings instead of letting them draining my own mana.

    Channeling a little bit of my mana, I wove the intricate patterns of a summoning circle on the ground and placed the mana vial in the middle.

    "Heed my words, o Champion of Erra," I intoned, the syllables infused with a power born of centuries-old magic. "From the celestial realm, I beseech thee, come forth and lend thy valor to this noble cause."

    With each word, I felt the ancient energies stir, responding to the call of my summons. The air shimmered with a palpable energy, charged with the anticipation of the celestial warrior''s arrival.

    "Guardian of the divine flame, champion of righteousness," I continued, my voice resonating with a fervor born of conviction. "By the sacred oath that binds thee, answer my summons and bring justice to this forsaken place."

    After the incantation was finished, a ray of light appeared from the circle, consuming my mana vial. There, A towering champion of Erra knelt before me. With him accompanying me right now, I believe my chance of survival was greater.

    I unleashed a burst of controlled energy at the door, shattering the barrier without too much excessive force. I entered the chamber as quickly as possible with the champion coming after me.

    Yet, what I beheld within struck me to the core¡ªa scene of unspeakable horror unfolding before my very eyes. Amongst the shadows stood a figure I had once called comrade, his hands stained with the blood of the innocent.

    "Help, please! This man¡ªhe killed my family!" cried a voice, trembling with fear and despair. My gaze fell upon the bound corpses, their lifeless forms a grim testament to the depths of depravity that had been plumbed.

    "Archy," I was beyond shocked when I witnessed all this. He and his partner had vanished during a mission to Silverbrook town two months prior, and I was tasked to find information about their disappearance.

    "I took a mission to find you and Gideon," I continued to communicate despite my apparent shock with the situation. "What the heck are you doing Archy?"

    Archy''s demeanor remained unchanged. He was still smiling his warm smile contrasting with the horror he had committed towards these victims.

    "Oh, Eric, my favorite rookie," he greeted me casually, as though we were meeting under ordinary circumstances. "Long time no see. Where''s Gareth, by the way?"

    I bristled at his nonchalance, my patience wearing thin. "Cut the crap," I retorted sharply. "Explain to me at once!"

    But Archy remained unperturbed; his tone and expression don¡¯t show any sort of remorse or a sense of self-reflection. "Calm down, Eric," he urged, his voice soothing. "This is nothing bad. See, I''m just uniting these people with the Goddess."

    His words were like a dagger to my heart, their seemingly benign nature at odds with the horrors that surrounded us.

    Despite the possibility of him being under some form of mind control, the atrocities before me left no room for doubt. Nevertheless, I must bring him to the guild and allow our justice system to adjudicate his actions.

    "You know what, Eric, why don''t you¡ª" Archy began, his voice trailing off as I cut him off with a steely command.

    "Shut up, Archy," I interjected, my tone brooking no argument. "Slowly back away, and put your hands behind your head."

    Archy complied with an unsettling ease, his facade of amiability failing to mask the darkness lurking beneath the surface. "Very well, if it will ease your mind, Eric," he replied nonchalantly. However, his gaze flickered toward his next victim with chilling detachment.

    ¡°But first, allow me to conduct one final ritual of unity between this woman and our God." With those words, he advanced towards her once more, knife poised to rend her chest open.

    But before he could enact his twisted ritual, Erra''s Champion surged into action. With a mighty swing of his greatsword, he unleashed a devastating blow upon Archy, shattering his defensive barrier and forcing him to retreat.

    Seizing the opportunity, I hurried to the girl¡¯s side. my hands deftly freed her from the bonds that held her captive. As the ropes fell away, she collapsed into my arms. her trembling formed a testament to the horrors she had endured.

    "Thank you," she whispered, her voice choked with tears as she clung to me for comfort.

    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± I asked her quickly

    ¡°It¡¯s Erina Sir.¡± She answered directly though with a trembling voice.

    ¡°Alright Erina, everything¡¯s not gonna be okay, but at least I¡¯ll get us out of here alive, I promise¡±

    She seemed to have been grateful and soothed by my words. To be honest, I didn¡¯t know if I could actually keep my promise, but fake it till you make it, I guess.

    "Now, Eric, why would you do that?" Archy declared as I held the girl on my arm, his tone laced with a hint of annoyance, "Why would you obstruct her divine path to unity with the Goddess?"

    Each time he cloaked himself in the guise of innocence and morality, only to reveal his true intentions, a sickening churn gripped my stomach.

    The champion surged forward with relentless determination. With his greatsword on his hand, he poised for a devastating horizontal strike that would cleave through anything in its path.

    However, Archy reacted swiftly, evading the champion''s blow with a graceful leap over his shoulder, his hand reaching out to the champion¡¯s back, seemingly trying to freeze him.

    "Eric, I suggest you uncloud your judgment and understand my reasons," Archy insisted calmly, his voice a stark contrast to the chaos around us, as he prepared to ensnare the champion in his freezing spell.

    But before his icy grip could take hold, I seized the moment, unleashing a focused blaze pearl at supersonic speed. The projectile detonated upon impact, engulfing Archy in a fiery explosion that shattered his defensive barrier.

    "Is that all you''ve got?" Archy smiled happily, his eyes flashing with determination as if he¡¯s sparring with me as he emerged from the smoke unscathed by the explosion.

    Archy darted towards me with lightning speed, his grip tightening around my neck as his other hand sought to plunge the dagger into Erina''s chest.

    "Your words deceive no one, Archy," I growled, my displeasure mounting with each display of his kind words towards me, as I fought to protect Erina from his malevolent intent.

    With a quick reflex, I extended my arm and clapped my hand against his head, triggering an instant explosion that sent shockwaves rippling through the air. Though the force launched me backward, the spell''s backlash was a mere inconvenience compared to the danger we faced.

    As the girl stumbled backward from the blast, the champion rushed to her side, his eyes conveying determination as he prepared to defend her at all costs.

    "Stay back, I''ll handle this fiend," I signed with a stern expression; my resolve was unshaken as I squared off against Archy once more.

    Meanwhile, I wasted no time in launching myself toward Archy once more. I braced myself for the coming clash, without knowing full well what had happened to him.

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    Amidst the chaos, I caught sight of Gareth and Gideon entering the room through the back door, their conversation light-hearted and oblivious to the horror unfolding before them.

    "I told you, Gareth, Archy is in this room finishing our prayer to our Goddess," Gideon remarked casually. "But hey, how''s Eric in here? Why are you fighting him, Archy? He''s our comrade."

    The words hit me like a physical blow, disbelief washing over me at their ignorance of the true horror that had transpired. Gareth''s expression mirrored my own shock as he struggled to comprehend the situation unfolding before him.

    "Gareth!" I cried out, desperation lacing my voice as I sought to shake him from his daze. "I don''t know what happened to Gideon and Archy, but they murdered all these people. Subdue him immediately!"

    Gareth snapped back to reality in an instant, his eyes widening with understanding as he launched himself toward me, his spear at the ready to defend against Archy''s attacks. He knew that my close-combat skills paled in comparison to Archy, and he would protect me at any cost.

    As Gareth closed the distance, Archy retaliated with a swift incantation, conjuring a frost spell that crackled through the air with chilling intensity. But Gareth was undeterred, He deftly sidestepped the icy blast, closing in on our traitorous comrade with lethal precision.

    "You too, Gareth? Why do you attack Archy?" Gideon interjected. his confusion was palpable as he struggled to make sense of the chaos unfolding around him. "I am genuinely confused by the situation."

    As the tension in the room reached its peak, Archy ceased his attacks, his voice carrying a note of resignation. "Eric, what you and Gareth are doing right now is not correct," he conceded, "but I''m going to let this go and retreat for now."

    "Hear me, Gideon, Archy," I implored, my voice heavy with frustration. "Let''s return to the guild and clear up this misunderstanding. I believe they can be the just mediator for both of us."

    "Agreed," Gareth nodded in affirmation.

    "I''m afraid I can''t do that for now, Eric," Archy replied solemnly, his gaze lingering on me. "We still have a mission from the guild, you know. I''m going to let this one slide just for the fact that you are my favorite junior, Eric. For now, we''ll take our leave."

    Before I could protest further, Gideon interjected with a gentle reminder. "Oh, yeah, one more thing, Eric," he added, his voice tinged with sorrow. "Please put these people to their proper final resting place. Their souls are united with our Goddess above."

    With a heavy heart, I watched as they departed, their friendly grins masking the turmoil that lay beneath the surface. "We''ll take our leave, see you later, juniors," they called out, leaving behind a parting gift in the form of a compass orb.

    "Don''t worry," Gideon reassured us. "We cleared all the monsters in these areas before. But be careful; the monsters in this forest seem to have mysteriously grown in strength considerably."

    As Erina rushed to her family''s lifeless bodies, her heart-wrenching sobs filled the room, echoing the pain and loss that hung heavy in the air.

    "Oh, Mother, Father," she cried out, her voice trembling with anguish as she knelt beside them. "How could this have happened? How could all these happen?"

    Tears streamed down her cheeks as she gently brushed their cold faces, her fingers lingering on their lifeless forms as if hoping for a response that would never come.

    "Please, wake up," she pleaded, her voice choked with emotion. "Don''t leave me alone in this darkness."

    Her words pierced the silence like a dagger, each syllable laden with grief and despair. And as I watched her mourn the loss of her loved ones, my heart ached with a sorrow that words could not express.

    "This entire encounter feels like a fever dream, to be honest," I murmured, struggling to make sense of the chaos that had unfolded before us. But with a heavy heart and a resolve to uncover the truth, we set about the grim task of laying the fallen to rest, knowing that the shadows of doubt and suspicion still lingered ominously in the corners of our minds.

    I didn''t want to burden Erina with questions about the details of what had transpired. Perhaps it was a desire to protect her, or perhaps it was a way to shield myself from the horrors inflicted by our comrades.

    As we prepared to depart, a somber atmosphere enveloped us, heavy with awkwardness, exhaustion, and profound sadness.

    "Could you... carry the bodies?" I asked Gareth reluctantly, knowing the weight of my request.

    Gareth nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of the task at hand. "Of course," he replied, his voice gentle yet resolute.

    With the bodies safely stored within his inventory magic, we resumed our journey back to town. As we trudged onward through the dense forest, the first tendrils of dawn began to paint the sky with hues of pink and gold.

    The rain that had shrouded the land in a veil of mist began to dissipate, the gentle patter of droplets giving way to the soft rustle of leaves in the morning breeze.

    Erina''s sobs grew quieter with each passing moment, eventually fading into the background as exhaustion claimed her, and she drifted into an uneasy sleep.

    Gareth''s presence was a steady anchor amidst the turmoil. With Erina cradled gently on his back, he pressed on tirelessly. We still said nothing after the confusing horror that we just saw; maybe we needed to give it more time before being able to discuss the matter.

    As I was carried by the Champion of Erra, I found myself surprised at how effectively I could sustain its materialization with just a single bottle of artificial mana vial as an anchor.

    "Do you want to start telling me what happened?" Gareth''s voice broke through the silence, his concern evident in his tone.

    "Honestly, I don''t know what to say," I admitted, my thoughts still reeling from the events that had transpired.

    "How about starting with why they murdered Erina''s family yet acted friendly towards us?" Gareth pressed, his brow furrowed with confusion and frustration.

    "That, I don''t know," I replied honestly. "To be completely honest, I would have died long before you came if Archy had wanted it."

    "I see," Gareth murmured, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "I also took my time with Gideon. I thought that our mission was going to end successfully when I found him and talked to him in the dungeon. I''m sorry, Eric."

    "What would you be sorry for¡ª" I began, but my words were cut off by Erina''s sudden awakening.

    "Brother, let''s go to the field together¡ª" she started, her voice trailing off as she took in the scene before her. Shock, sadness, and a hint of goofiness flickered across her features as she beheld my sorry state, being piggybacked by my own summon.

    A small smile tugged at her lips momentarily before reality came crashing back down upon her.

    "So, do you want to start telling me what happened?" I repeated Gareth''s question, directing it towards Erina, knowing that the journey ahead would require us to confront the truth together, no matter how painful it may be.

    Erina''s anguish was palpable as she redirected her question to Gareth, ignoring mine entirely. "Why did you let them go? They murdered my family, you know? Why didn''t you try harder?"

    Before Gareth could respond, I felt a surge of frustration bubbling within me. "Are you insane, young girl? I almost died protecting you," I retorted sharply, unable to contain my indignation. "You should be¡ª"

    "Enough, Eric," Gareth''s voice cut through the tension like a knife, his tone firm and commanding. "Please forgive me, Erina, right? Can I call you by that name?"

    Erina''s response was subdued, her nod carrying the weight of exhaustion and remorse. "Uh huh," she murmured weakly, her earlier defiance giving way to a sense of resignation. "I''m sorry, mister. I shouldn''t have said that at all."

    "I just... I don''t know. Did it actually happen to my family? Is it not just a bad dream?" Erina''s voice trembled with shock and grief as she struggled to come to terms with the reality of her loss.

    Gareth approached her with a gentle hand on her shoulder, his expression filled with compassion. "It''s okay, Erina," he said softly, his voice a soothing balm in the midst of her turmoil. "We''re here for you, and we''ll help you through this."

    Erina nodded weakly, tears welling up in her eyes once more. "Thank you, mister, for saving my life," she whispered, her gratitude tinged with sorrow. "It''s just that..." Her voice trailed off as she struggled to compose herself, wiping away the tears that threatened to spill over. "It''s just that I love my family. My brother, he was such a brave young lad with a bright future."

    I stepped forward, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Erina, I know this is incredibly difficult for you," I began, my voice gentle yet earnest. "But remember, you''re not alone. We''ll get through this together."

    Erina nodded, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. "He wanted to become the city guard when he grew up," she continued, her voice choked with emotion. "Come back, Finn..." Her words trailed off into a heartbreaking plea, her grief consuming her once more.

    Gareth knelt beside her, his presence a pillar of strength and support. "Erina, we''ll find a way to honor Finn''s memory," he assured her, his voice steady and reassuring. "And we''ll make sure that justice is served for what happened to your family."

    As Erina''s tears continued to flow, Gareth wrapped his arms around her, offering her the comfort and solace she desperately needed. And in that moment, amidst the pain and loss, I couldn''t help but marvel at Gareth''s ability to offer compassion and support in the face of such tragedy.

    then we continued the journey till finally we reached the north gate of Silverbrook. we asked for entrance, explaining the situation.

    As we approached the guards at the north gate of Silverbrook, Gareth took charge of the conversation. "We need entry into the town," he explained, his voice firm yet respectful. "A grave tragedy has occurred in the Whispering Woods, and we seek aid and justice for those involved."

    I stepped forward, adding detail to Gareth''s explanation. "We stumbled upon a horrifying scene," I continued, my tone weighted with the gravity of our discovery. "There were casualties¡ªinnocent lives lost¡ªand we urgently require assistance to address the situation."

    Gareth also came after me and put down Erina¡¯s family¡¯s bodies. The guards were shaken seeing how Gareth carried the body within his inventory, but they didn¡¯t make a big deal out of it and continued our conversation.

    Erina, still visibly shaken, found her voice amidst the turmoil. "My family... they were taken from me," she confessed, her words heavy with grief. "We must seek help to ensure that those responsible are held accountable."

    "We''ll send for an escort to take them to the medical center right away," one of the guards assured us, his tone sympathetic. "Please wait here, and help will be on its way."

    Relief washed over me as I watched the guards hasten to fulfill their duties, the weight of worry easing slightly from my shoulders.

    Once the escort arrived to accompany Erina and her mother to the medical center, I turned to Eric, my best companion in this unexpected adventure.

    "Well, that was quite the ordeal," I remarked, a wry smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "I suppose we''ve earned ourselves a bit of rest and relaxation. What do you say we head to the inn and treat ourselves to a hot bath and a good meal?"

    Eric nodded in agreement, the weariness of our journey momentarily forgotten in the anticipation of comforts.

    "Sounds like a plan," he replied, falling into step beside me as we made our way through the bustling streets of Silverbrook town. "After all that excitement, I could certainly use a bit of pampering."

 Chapter IV : I didnt know I was this bad at chess

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    I didn''t even realize that I had spent hours in the tavern; when I came in, it was still early in the morning, and now the sun was directly overhead.

    As I made my way through the crowd, I noticed the diverse mix of people filling the street. Farmers in simple garb haggled with traders, while nobles in rich attire strolled by, their noses slightly upturned. I wondered if I would ever want to have a simple life staying in a city or a town like this.

    "Well played," I definitely was still feeling bitter despite saying that to him. Usually, I had been able to dismantle Gareth easily. Well, there''s a reason why he challenged people to a game of chess with coins on the line, and I found the reason the hard way.

    Arriving at the town hall, I approached the guard stationed at the entrance, my request to see Erina was met with a polite but firm response. "Procedures," he explained, his tone apologetic yet unwavering. "Can''t just let anyone waltz in, you know." I nodded understandingly, though a pang of impatience tugged at my resolve. "Guess patience is a virtue, even in times of urgency," I mused, resigned to the bureaucratic hurdles that stood between me and my goal.

    As I entered the town hall, I followed a meticulous series of steps to gain access to the inner chambers. First, I signed in, detailing my purpose of visit with careful precision. Then, I underwent a thorough security check, ensuring my belongings were scrutinized before passing through unscathed.

    After a seemingly endless wait, I finally reached the reception desk, where my credentials were verified and cross-referenced with official records. As the staff member led me through the maze of corridors, I couldn''t help but feel a knot of apprehension tighten in my stomach. With each step, I wondered what condition I would find Erina in. Finally, we arrived at the door of the room where she was being cared for.

    "Thank you," I murmured to the staff member, my voice tinged with gratitude as I prepared to face whatever lay beyond the threshold.

    Before I could knock, the door swung open, revealing a small, dimly lit room with a bed tucked against one wall. Erina sat on the bed, her features pale and drawn by the weight of her ordeal.

 Chapter V : A day with Erina I

    "Thank you for taking care of her," I didn''t really address her remark; honestly, it wasn''t my responsibility to visit her at all, but I see no way of saying that without making me look like a total douchebag.

    She looked different than the last time I looked at her. Though she still looked pale even now, her blue hair was in a much better state and her sharp eyes looking at me right now. Although looking at me, her expression was mostly empty. I emphasized with her, knowing the pain she must have been coping in the aftermath of her losing her entire family, alone.

    Erina glanced at me, her expression unreadable, but I pressed on, determined to break through the palpable tension that hung between us like a thick fog.

    Erina turned her sight on her hand, then on me; her expression showed that she was surprised by how dumb what I said was.

    "It was... quite the spectacle," I continued, my voice faltering as I searched for something¡ªanything¡ªto grasp onto. "I mean, I''ve seen my fair share of bar fights, but to see a smaller person wrestle that towering giant of a man, that''s something else."

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    Her lips twitched in what might have been the beginnings of a smile, and I felt a surge of hope blossom within me. Maybe, just maybe, I was getting through to her.

    She looked at me, finally with determination in her sharp eyes now. "What do you mean?" she asked, her tone tinged with curiosity.

    I took a deep breath, making sure that whatever I promised her would be worth it. "We can start your training tomorrow," I told her as I shared one more apple with her. "I know that your base mana reserve is quite okay, so training you to become a mage might be worthwhile."

    Erina''s eyes widened in surprise, a glimmer of hope flickering within them. "Do you think I will be able to kill them after training with you?"

    I flashed her a self-deprecating smile, though it felt more like a grimace. "Well, I myself am not strong enough to put a scratch on them," I admitted, the weight of my own inadequacy hanging heavy in the air. "But... anything is possible. Let''s focus on making you the greatest mage of humankind alright?"

    While she continued munching on the apple, a newfound spark of determination ignited within her eyes, casting aside the shadow of emptiness that had clouded her a while ago. It was as if she had found a glimmer of hope, a reason to persevere once more.

    "Thank you, and I''m sorry," she murmured, her voice soft yet tinged with a newfound resolve. "I know it''s not your fault, but it''s just¡ª"

    "No problem," I interjected, cutting off her apology with a gentle wave of my hand. "Let''s just move on, alright?"

    She nodded in agreement, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Now, please accompany me to go out, I''m sick of this place already."

    We prepared everything and made our way to the front desk, where the nurse who had taken care of her greeted us with a smile. "Ready to go, I see," she remarked, her voice warm and gentle.

    Erina nodded with a determined and grateful expression. "Yes, I am ready," she affirmed, her voice steady despite the lingering fatigue.

    The nurse nodded in understanding, quickly gathering the necessary paperwork and instructions for discharge. As she went over the details with us, Erina listened attentively, asking questions when needed to ensure she fully understood what was required.

    With paperwork in hand and final instructions given, we made our way through the hospital corridors once more, stopping briefly to bid farewell to the nurses and staff who had cared for Erina during her stay. Each goodbye was met with heartfelt gratitude.

    And so, we made our way through the streets. As we strolled through the market, Erina''s spirits seemed to lift, her laughter echoing through the crowded thoroughfare.

 Chapter VI : A day with Erina II

    I decided it would be better if we spent some time together first. The local marketplace was bustling with activity, a vibrant array of stalls selling everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts. However, despite the variety of goods offered in the market, I had no idea what to buy, so I checked with her first.

    "Anything you want to get before going home?" I asked her while pointing in the direction of the market. "Maybe a pair of clothes? That white dress you got from the town hall is a bit... plain, don''t you think?"

    She was surprised with my remark and instinctively looked down at her dress; For a moment I was afraid that I had offended her, but quickly she smiled and responded. "Alright, let''s go grab me a new pair of clothes."

    The store that we went to was a small boutique with colorful garments showcased in every corner. Not only that, there was also a bustling sound of sewing machines coming from the workers in the store. We went in, and she directly asked the storekeeper what was available in the store.

    "How about this one, Eric?" she showed me one pair of white shirts and a dark blue vest.

    "I don''t know, why don''t you try putting them on first?"

    She took it, along with a few other pieces, and disappeared into the changing room. I waited, leaning against a wooden display case filled with handmade jewelry. After a while, she emerged wearing a combination of a white shirt with a high collar and a dark blue vest, adorned with intricate gold patterns and fastened with a belt.

    Included in her attire were a short black skirt, thigh-high boots, and a dark blue cloak that billows behind her, adding to her dynamic presence. Everything perfectly accentuated her striking blue hair that flowed around her face and shoulders.

    "What do you think?" she asked, twirling slightly so the coat flared out around her.

    "You look amazing," I said, meaning every word. "It''s perfect."

    She smiled, the kind of smile that lit up her whole face. We spent a bit more time in the shop, picking out a couple more outfits before finally heading to the checkout.

    We continued our journey when I remembered something, prompting me to steer us towards a nearby magic shop. Not that I needed anything for myself, but the prospect of seeing Erina''s eyes light up at the sight of her own new magic staff was too tempting to resist.

    As we stepped inside, a little bell above the door chimed softly, and the scent of books and wooden staff filled the air. The walls were lined with shelves displaying magic items: magic staff, amulets, animal extracts, and mana potions bubbling in glass vials.

    "This place is amazing," she whispered upon entering the store. "Are you restocking your magic thingy, Eric?" "No, we''re getting you a new staff. Remember, you''ll begin your training tomorrow" I responded to her question.

    "Oh yeah, I almost forgot about it, hehe. Now that you mention it, I want the pretty colored one," she declared while pointing towards an extravagant, jewel-encrusted staff that practically screamed luxury.

    I glanced at the price tag and felt my heart plummet. "My goodness, that''s like my 10 months'' wage from the guild," I muttered under my breath, making sure that she didn''t catch what I said.

    With a heavy sigh, I turned to the seller. "How about this one?" I asked, gesturing towards a simpler staff adorned with a single sky-blue magic crystal. The seller named a price that was still steep but far more manageable.

    "That one, 20 silver coins," he mentioned the price without looking away from polishing a newly crafted staff.

    "I''ll take that one," I replied; I knew that Erina would complain if I consulted with her beforehand, so I just agreed with the seller at that moment.

    She seemed disappointed that I didn''t get her the one that she desired, but she said nothing as I completed the transaction. Afterward, I explained to her the astronomical price of the first staff, and that this new one that I got her was the best value for money staff that we could afford in that store. Of course, she understood, but her disappointed expression was still palpable as she slightly pouted while declaring her understanding.

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    I didn''t know how time could fly this fast when I only spent my time in two stores with her. When we got out of the magic store, the sun was ready to set and my stomach was churning as I hadn''t eaten anything substantial since I left the tavern earlier.

    I decided to buy two roasted turkey thighs in the nearby food stall. The aroma of roasted turkey thighs wafted through the air as we settled onto a cozy bench in the park. We savored our food as we saw the sunset.

    Erina attacked her meal with gusto, devouring the succulent meat with a passion that bordered on the ferocious. I couldn''t help but chuckle at her enthusiasm, she said nothing the entire time, but it turned out that she was this hungry the entire time.

    Between mouthfuls, I decided to show something to her, materializing my magic staff on my left hand; Its elegant design caught her attention, the golden dragon ornament gleaming against the sleek black base color.

    "See this staff?" I remarked as I extended my magic staff. I rarely used this, but I still felt pride in owning such a high-quality magic staff. "You can''t find this type of staff in any store."

    Erina raised an eyebrow and complained to me. "So you''re flexing yours now? After buying me the crappy one?" apparently, she was still annoyed with the fact that I bought her a cheaper staff.

    My explanation successfully piqued her interest as she leaned in closer to me, admiring my special magic staff. "Can I use your staff instead? You can use this cheap one."

    I shook my head. "No, let me finish. Any experienced mage knows to have it crafted personally by an expert artisan with their own signature; no one could''ve drawn the full potential of the staff other than the owner."

    My intent was to calm her annoyance, but my statement was not without ground. "Wow, that''s so cool," she exclaimed, looking excited at the prospect of owning her own unique magic staff. "With your guidance, I will surely be able to get my own."

    I paused a little when she was eagerly showing her confidence in my guidance. At this moment, she might assume that I would always be a constant presence in her life, but the truth was more complicated than that. Sooner or later, I would have to leave this place, leaving her to fend for herself.

    "Yes, so keep practicing, okay?" I forced a smile and patted her on her head.

    "Aight, teach," Erina responded with a playful salute; it looked like she didn''t mind my hand placement on her head.

    I grinned as I pulled my hand back. Maybe this was actually the best course of action. Until this point, I had always been alone with Gareth trying to finish all missions handed to us with little to no questions.

    I knew deep inside she still remembered her family, but if she was willing to try to enjoy the moment, who was I to keep acting miserable? Yes, this was definitely the best course of action for now.

    We continued our small talk as the night went by. I didn''t want to hurry her back home as I actually enjoyed her company. Suddenly, I remembered something. Now that she would officially be a temporary part of my party with Gareth, I needed to give her this item.

    "Here, take this and wear it," I said, handing the necklace to her.

    She blushed, clearly flustered by the unexpected gift.

    I revealed my own necklace, hidden beneath my clothes. "See, I have my own, and Gareth has one too. Now you should wear one," I explained.

    As she tried to put on the necklace, she seemed surprised by my statement. "What a weird relationship you and Gareth have," she remarked, showing off the necklace once it was around her neck. "How''s it? Does it suit me, Eric?"

    "That''s not the point," I replied, smiling. "But the necklace, it suits you perfectly."

 Chapter VII : Wait, I knew that lady!

    "Also, that''s not the point," I clarified, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. "If you grab it, you''ll be able to sense the other wearer''s mana and location, no matter where they are."

    "Really?" She sounded skeptical as she wrapped her fingers around the pendant. "And how do I use it?"

    "Yep, exactly like that. Keep holding it and you''ll soon be able to sense Gareth''s mana and mine," I told her while observing her trying to concentrate. "Tell me once you can sense it."

    "YES YES!!! I could faintly sense someone''s mana from that direction," she finally replied and sounded excited being able to sense mana for the first time. "But how do I know it is Gareth?"

    "That''s a valid concern. Don''t worry, I''ll explain further tomorrow when all three of us are around each other" I told her, making sure that she doesn''t fuss over the details for now.

    At last, we decided to head to her home as it was getting kind of late and she needed to prepare for tomorrow''s practice. on the way home, we continued chatting as always, though she gradually became silent as we approached her home.

    When we got to her home, I was ready to bid farewell for now, but when I looked in her direction, she looked down, hesitating to open her mouth. "What''s the matter?" I broke the silence without waiting any longer.

    "Nothing much. See you tomorrow, Eric. Thanks for today; I enjoyed being with you." She replied to my question while trying to force a smile.

    "Alright, if you don''t have anything else to tell me, I will slowly back away and let you rest." I knew something was afoot. I could''ve pressed her right away, but I wanted her to be more open with me on her own accord.

    "Wait!!!" She raised her tone while grabbing my hand. "Can you stay longer? I''m afraid to be alone."

    Those words were enough for me to realize what she must be feeling at that moment. She just recently lost her entire family; her normal demeanor today might have been there to mask her true feelings at the moment. Leaving her alone was clearly not a good choice, but I also didn''t want to spend the night at her place.

    "Ah, maybe you like me so much that you want to spend more time with me. In that case, you can stay the night in the Yellow Pine Inn with me and Gareth," I offered her a solution while pulling my hand to scratch my neck.

    She looked surprised by my statement; of course, I was kidding when I said that. "But, I don''t have money left to spend." She looked at me with pleading eyes.

    "Who do you think paid for your things today?" I grinned at her trying to provoke her. "God you''re helpless without me. Don''t worry, I''ll pay for it. Just remember to pay me back later."

    She smiled, and her eyes beamed with excitement upon hearing my offer. We then went back to the Inn, which was not that far to be fair, but the night was getting late and I was really tired and wanted to rest as quickly as possible honestly.

    After a 15-minute walk, we finally reached the inn. Surprisingly, there were still people outside the establishment, including Gareth, who was sitting on the bench playing a card game with some of the locals. He waved at me, albeit with little to no expression.

    "Busy day, huh?" Gareth greeted me with a knowing smile as we approached.

    "It was alright," I replied with a nonchalant shrug.

    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    His attention shifted to Erina, his gaze filled with curiosity as he tried to recall who she was. "A new girl, eh, Eric? She''s gorgeous; your standards have indeed improved," he joked while sipping his drink.

    "No, she''s Erina, the one we saved from Archy and Gideon." I facepalmed at his comment and tried to clarify the situation.

    "Oh God, so you manipulated her at her lowest point? That''s low, dude." Gareth continuously teased me.

    "No, you''ve got it wrong, Mr. Gareth. Eric visited me today and accompanied me home. He just made sure I was okay," Erina interjected, not realizing that Gareth was joking.

    "You even managed to make her think that way," said Gareth while chuckling. "Also, Gareth is fine. I''m no older than this red-haired brat you know."

    We continued the chit-chat for a moment when I turned my sight somewhere else momentarily, where a familiar face caught my eye. It was the lady from the tavern, the one who had winked at me earlier and she happened to look towards my direction this time too. I surely wouldn''t let this second chance slip.

    "Yeah, can you help her set up a room in this inn, Gareth?" I asked him, cutting our light chatter. "She''ll tell you the details. I have something important to do." Gareth smiled again as he ushered Erina inside.

    "Sure, consider it done. And good luck," he called after me as I dashed across the street, determined not to let this chance slip away.

    "Where are you going, Eric?" Erina''s voice drifted to me, filled with curiosity and concern. "Nothing important," I replied as it was, not wanting to disclose my true intention.

    "Now go with Gareth. I''ll be there with you guys soon." She nodded and went into the Inn with Gareth.

    With that, I hurried off crossing the street where I could see her clearly now under the dim street light. She stood tall with her dark, long hair cascading down her back.

    She wore a classy black mini-dress that hugged her figure perfectly, accentuating her slender silhouette. The dress, simple yet sophisticated, highlighted her grace and beauty.

    "Took you long enough," the lady remarked with a playful smirk as I approached her. I returned her smile with a wry grin, feeling a rush of excitement at the prospect of our unexpected encounter.

    "Well, you know, I had to take my time; I couldn''t rush the chance to meet someone as stunning as you," I said trying to find the best line I could string together.

    "Why are you outside late at night, though?" "You know, I was disappointed that you didn''t come over at the tavern. Fate might have truly brought us together," she said while looking away and playing with her hair. "Right now I''m just visiting this town. But I still don''t have a place to sleep."

    "In that case, you can rent a room in that inn across the street," I suggested, gesturing in the direction of the establishment. "I''m also visiting, and I rent a room there."

    "Or, maybe I can just stay over in your room tonight?" Her bold proposition caught me off guard, my mind momentarily reeling at the unexpected turn of events.

    "Pardon?" I stammered, struggling to process her audacious request.

    "Oh, come on, you know what I meant," she teased, her voice dripping with amusement.

    "I just need shelter for tonight. I''m leaving tomorrow anyway, and tonight we can have fun together."

    Her words sent a thrill coursing through me, my heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. Her boldness was both alluring and intimidating, and I found myself momentarily at a loss for words.

    "Um, I... I don''t know," I managed to stammer out, my mind racing as I tried to make sense of the situation.

    She chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she leaned in closer, her breath warm against my ear. "Come on," she whispered huskily, sending shivers down my spine. "Don''t you want to take a chance and make tonight unforgettable?" Her enticing offer hung in the air between us, tempting me with the promise of adventure and passion.

    I felt myself teetering on the edge of indecision, torn between the thrill of spontaneity and the rationality of caution. In the end, curiosity and desire won out over hesitation, and with a hesitant nod, I found myself agreeing to her proposition, eager to discover what the night held in store.

    We introduced ourselves to each other as we stepped closer to the inn. As we got into the building, Gareth''s presence in the corridor brought a brief moment of clarity amidst the chaos, and he greeted both of us.

    Beside Gareth, Erina stopped her preparation with her own room and seemed to be at a loss for words. I also tried to smile at her though she didn''t really respond to it. Whatever, Gareth could be her guardian for tonight, I had my turn earlier today and now I want to have some relaxation.

    I entered my room with the lady right behind me. her words stirred a sense of anticipation within me. "Finally, I have a place to relax. Now what do you want to do first, Eric?" she smiled with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

 Chapter VIII : I swear to God, I didnt do it!!!

    The next thing I remembered, I was stepping through the door of my childhood home, feeling a wave of nostalgia wash over me. But in an instant, it all changed to an empty white room with a dark entrance at the far end. My legs moved on their own, compelling me to enter that door.

    In the next room, I saw Gareth, Erina, and another person chatting at a small round table. There was an empty seat, and the stranger waved me over. Instinctively, I walked over and sat down with them.

    That figure finally opened his mouth, ¡°Frankly, Eric, I don¡¯t expect to see you again. I could¡¯ve sworn that I prepared some surprises for you and your friend back then. But even those two guys failed to kill you.¡±

    Honestly, I didn¡¯t pay much attention to his appearance; to my mind, he¡¯s just a regular dude without any distinct characteristics. Also, none of the things he mentioned made sense to me, ¡°Who are you? and what do you mean by that?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll get it later. For now, I¡¯m just honestly impressed that you made it out of that dungeon.¡± He extended his arm to shake my hand, and I responded without thinking.

    He stood up from the chair and held my shoulder, "As for my name, you¡¯re not worthy to find out yet. Here, I¡¯ll show you something else.¡±

    I looked at his face, he was grinning the entire time. Suddenly the entire room contorted and crumbled, and I got transported to my inn room, with the lady I met earlier sleeping next to me.

    The figure was standing at the door, slowly approaching. He positioned himself next to the lady and caressed her cheek, ¡°It¡¯s such a waste of beauty to do this, but I hope it¡¯s worth it.¡±

    I couldn¡¯t move my body at all; even responding to him was impossible. Then he materialized a dagger and went over to my side. He slowly raised his arm. With a dagger hovering over me, I struggled to move, but all my efforts were in vain

    ¡°Good luck, Eric. Hehehe¡­¡± Those were his last words before plunging the dagger into my chest. I screamed as sharp pain shot through me, waking me up from my sleep.

    As I awoke, I smelled blood and realized it was on my left hand, but when I touched my chest, there was no wound whatsoever. Turning to my left, I was confronted by a horrific scene and understood where the blood had come from.

    The lady with whom I spent the night lay dead with a dagger plunged to her chest. A demonic symbol was also drawn on the wall with her blood. I screamed again at the horror as I couldn¡¯t recall much of what happened last night. Did I do this in my sleep? an obvious question came across my mind.

    Upon hearing my scream, some people rushed into the room, their faces contorted in shock and horror at the sight before them, my heart pounded in my chest like a drumbeat as I realized I was in a truly devastating situation.

    The stench of death hung heavy in the air, a nauseating blend of coppery blood and the sickly scent of decay. And there, lying motionless on the bed, was the lady, her lifeless eyes staring into oblivion, her deathly pallor contrasting starkly with the crimson stains that marred my hands.

    "Seize that demon-worshipping murderer!!" The accusation echoed through the room, to which I responded by getting up and making a futile attempt to explain the situation.

    "Wait, wait! I swear to God, I didn''t do it!!!" My protest rang out, desperate and pleading, but drowned in the anger and condemnation of the people.

    Among the ranks of the angry mob stood Gareth and Erina, their expression torn between disbelief and shock. I couldn¡¯t let them get dragged into this madness alongside me. As they were about to say something, I made a split-second decision to protect them, even if it meant sacrificing myself.

    I clenched my jaw and focused my energy, channeling my mana through my hand. I directed a small explosion toward the window, shattering it into a shower of glittering shards.

    Even though the glass shards rained down around me, I wasted no time. With a swift movement, I threw myself towards the shattered window, feeling the rush of wind against my skin as I plummeted into the street below.

    The adrenaline-fueled my leap, carrying me away from the chaos and confusion of the inn room. Leaving my clothes behind in a crumpled heap on the floor, I fled as fast as I could. For now, as long as people didn¡¯t know that Gareth and Erina were associated with me, my priority was to get myself a hiding spot, leaving the town if necessary.

    I kept running as people around the street gazed towards me, not understanding what had happened as a man was running through the street bare-chested and with no footwear. I navigated through the small alleyways to escape from my pursuer¡¯s view.

    As the sound of the mob closed in, their shouts echoing in the narrow streets, I made a split-second decision. Ducking into an unused alley wedged between towering buildings, I turned to face my pursuers.

    I extended my hand and shot a mini-blaze pearl at the already frail entrance, crumbling it entirely, and sealing off the potential route for my pursuers. But I didn''t stop there. With a flick of my wrist, I repeated the process at the other end of the alley, cutting off any hope of pursuit from that direction as well.

    With my heart pounding and breath ragged, I scanned my surroundings for a way out, my eyes alighting upon a patch of weathered brick wall to my right. I held my hand against the wall and blasted a hole just large enough to squeeze through, the bricks crumbling away to reveal the bustling chaos of the fish market beyond.

    I quickly materialized a cloak from my inventory and wore it to put some shades to my body and my soaring red hair before slipping through the small opening that I made earlier. Though the eyes of the marketgoers lingered upon me for a moment, their attention quickly diverted back to their own activities in the market.

    Amidst the hustle and bustle of the market, I melted into the crowd like a shadow, my presence fading into obscurity amidst the cacophony of voices and the pungent smells that filled the air. To aid myself in blending with the sea of faces around me, I pulled the hood low covering parts of my eyes.

    I looked at my hands where the blood had dissipated as a result of me channeling my fire magic. I couldn¡¯t help but wonder what had happened exactly. There was hardly any explanation as to how the lady was stabbed dead.

    Well, I could¡¯ve stayed a bit longer in the inn to scan for mana traces had there been a true culprit behind this murder, but I just couldn''t have risked it. What if it turned out that it was me who murdered that lady? What if what had happened to Gideon and Archy also happened to me?

    I was lost in my thoughts as I wandered aimlessly around the fish market. The only conclusion for now was just that I still had my sanity, unlike Archy and Gideon who bathed in joy as they murdered Erina¡¯s family.

    As I reached the end of the market, the path to freedom stretched out before me in the form of the south gate. But the presence of guards prevented me from directly escaping from this town.

    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    With a heavy sigh, I sank to the ground, my back pressed against the cool stone wall. Today was supposed to be a new beginning, a chance to mentor Erina and carve out a semblance of normalcy amidst the repetitive chaos that had consumed my life.

    I gazed up at the sky above; I couldn''t help but wonder if the eyes of the divine were upon me, if the goddess Erra watched in silence as one of her followers stumbled blindly through this madness.

    "By the heavens, Goddess Erra! Are you witnessing this tragedy? " I muttered beneath my breath, the words a bitter curse upon my lips. "How could you stand idly by as this calamity befell your devoted follower?"

    But even in the middle of this despair and desperation, I still remembered that I had Gareth. I held onto my necklace and felt their source of mana from a direction. I breathed a sigh of relief as I remembered that I wasn¡¯t completely alone in this world. Remembering that, a new wave of determination washed over me.

    I crouched in the shadows and observed the situation at the gate. The guards at the gate were occupied with questioning a hapless merchant, his face contorted in fear as he stammered out words that only God knew truth or lies. Nearby, a group of soldiers exchanged hushed words in panic, I could only assume that they were exchanging news regarding the murder.

    I realized that my chances of slipping past the gate unnoticed were slim to none. The guards were on high alert, their eyes scanning the crowd for any sign of trouble. And when some guards started bringing wanted posters with crudely drawn figure of myself, I knew that I wouldn''t stand a chance of getting past them without causing unnecessary trouble and victims.

    I started formulating an alternative plan. If I couldn''t leave through the front gate, then perhaps there was another way out of the town. And if I could wait till it¡¯s dark, I can cause enough of a commotion to distract the guards, then maybe, just maybe, I could slip away unnoticed in the chaos.

    Once again I held my necklace pendant to locate Gareth and Erina. I needed to find them to ensure they were safe and to seek their help in clearing my name or potentially escaping this town together. With each step that I took, I could feel the faint hum of their mana, a reassuring presence amidst the chaos that surrounded me.

    I set off towards the heart of the town, my movements slow and deliberate as I tried to blend in with the bustling crowd. The fish market was a hive of activity, the air thick with the scent of salt and brine as vendors hawked their wares to eager customers.

    Suddenly, I saw some patrolling town guards scanning through the market. I ducked into the nearest stall, my heart pounding in my chest as I wasn¡¯t sure whether the guards would find me in there.

    The fishmonger eyed me warily, his gaze flicking from my face to the wanted poster already pinned to the wall nearby. I was frankly surprised at the effectiveness of the town guards, bravo for them I guess. But before that fishmonger could cause any problem, I held up a handful of coins, and the glint of gold silenced him right away.

    "Keep your mouth shut, and these are yours," I whispered, my voice low and urgent.

    The fishmonger hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting nervously between me and the guards patrolling the market. But in the end, greed won out over fear, and he nodded his agreement.

    With a sigh of relief, I slipped into the crowd, my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to blend in with the throng of people and finally made it out of the fish market. I continued my journey, and with extra precision and care, I followed the subtle pull of the pendant while avoiding the main roads.

    Finally, I spotted Gareth and Erina from a distance, entering a building that bore the emblem of the Guard station. were they getting arrested and questioned about my supposed crime? I specifically ran away so that this shouldn''t happen, but what¡¯s done was done I suppose.

    Reluctantly, I turned away from there, knowing I couldn''t afford to draw any more attention to myself. Instead, I sought refuge in a tavern. First I made sure that there wasn''t any wanted poster lying around, then I slipped through the door and into the dimly lit interior.

    The tavern was filled with the raucous laughter and lively chatter of its patrons, providing a welcome distraction from the chaos outside. I made my way to the bar and ordered a mug of ale, hoping to blend in with the crowd and glean any information that might help me in my predicament.

    As I sat nursing my drink, I couldn''t help but overhear snippets of conversation from the patrons around me.

    "I heard they found the body in one of the inn rooms," whispered a cloaked figure in the corner, their voice hushed with a mix of fear and intrigue.

    "Aye, and they say the walls were covered in strange symbols," chimed in another, leaning in closer to catch every word.

    "But who could have done such a thing? And why?"

    The questions hung heavy in the air, filling me with a sense of unease. I strained to listen for any mention of Gareth and Erina, but the conversation quickly turned to other topics, leaving me with more questions than answers.

    Frustrated, I finished my ale and made my way towards the door, intent on continuing my search elsewhere

    As the sun began to sink below the horizon, casting long shadows across the market, I knew that my chance was fast approaching. I set off towards the abandoned market near the west gate in the hope that I could find some fragile brick wall and burst it open with my magic.

    However, even as I drew closer to my goal, I couldn''t shake the feeling that I was being watched, that every move I made was being scrutinized by unseen eyes.

    As I approached the west gate, I was still blending into the shadow and group of people. The guards were still on high alert, their swords drawn and their eyes flashing with suspicion as they interrogated a group of travelers trying to leave the town.

    Waiting for my opening patiently, I then proceeded to venture to the abandoned market not far from the west gate. As I ventured deeper, the atmosphere grew increasingly eerie. The desolate street as well as the empty stores looming ominously overhead.

    I cautiously made my way through the narrow passages when a voice shattered the silence, causing my heart to skip a beat. I turned to see a patrolling guard, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of me.

    "Hey, you! Pause and stay where you are!" he shouted, his hand reaching for the hilt of his sword.

    Instinctively, I raised my hands in a gesture of compliance, my heart hammering in my chest as I tried to mask the panic that threatened to consume me. But as the guard drew nearer, I saw my chance of escape.

    With a swift movement, I spun on my heel, using the momentum to barrel into the guard with all the force I could muster. The element of surprise worked in my favor, catching him off guard and sending him tumbling to the ground.

    Without a moment''s hesitation, I broke into a sprint, my heart pounding in my chest as adrenaline surged through my veins. The sound of my footsteps echoed off the walls as I raced through the labyrinth of alleyways, the guard''s shouts fading into the distance behind me.

    With each twist and turn, more guards appeared, their shouts echoing through the deserted streets. I dodged and weaved through the maze of buildings, desperate to shake off my pursuers. But no matter how fast I ran, the guards seemed to multiply, appearing from every corner and alleyway. Panic clawed at my chest as I realized there was no way out.

    In a last-ditch effort to escape, I spotted the low roof of a nearby food stall and made a split-second decision. With a burst of adrenaline-fueled energy, I leaped onto the roof, ignoring the shouts of the guards below.

    I scrambled up the side of the building, my hands gripping the rough surface of the walls as I pulled myself onto the rooftop. The sound of boots pounding against the pavement echoed in my ears as more guards joined the chase, their voices growing louder with each passing moment.

    I raced across the rooftops, my muscles burning with exertion as I leaped from one building to the next. The jagged skyline stretched out before me, a maze of crumbling brick and weathered shingles that blurred into a dizzying whirlwind of motion.

    With each leap, I could feel the eyes of the city upon me, the curious gazes of those who lived on the higher floors peering out from behind half-closed shutters and cracked windows. Their whispered conversations followed me as I ran, a symphony of murmurs and gasps that mingled with the pounding of my heart and the rush of wind against my skin.

    I was lucky that I saw that the edge of the last building was quite close to the town wall. The edge of the building loomed ahead, so close yet impossibly far. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the final leap. With every ounce of strength I possessed, I prepared to launch myself into the air, reaching the town wall from this building.

    But as I stepped, my foot slipped on a patch of wet moss, sending me tumbling sideways. Time seemed to slow as I plummeted towards the ground below, the world spinning wildly around me.

    Pain exploded through my body as I crashed to the ground, the impact knocking the wind from my lungs. I lay there for a moment, dazed and disoriented, as the guards closed in around me. I forced myself to my feet, my hands raised in surrender as the guards encircled me. There was no escape now, no way to outrun my fate.

 Chapter IX : Honestly, I didnt enjoy the beatings.

    I was immediately escorted into the guard station. My hands were shackled behind my back, the cold and rusty metal biting into my wrists. Many guards gazed at me disgustingly as I was brought into the interrogation room. The room was well-lit albeit with no windows and only one door.

    two guards were stationed at the entrance when I was forced into the room by two other guards. They were not shy to push and slap me pretending that I was resisting. I was seated on the only table and the two guards left the room, leaving me with the two stationed guards.

    Not long after, one bearded guard came in. I couldn¡¯t tell exactly, but he looked much taller and bulkier than me. His expression was grave, and his gaze was as though it was directed towards the most despicable human being. Well, to be fair, everyone did think that I murdered that lady.

    ¡°Let¡¯s just make it quick. Why did you kill that lady?¡± He opened with an obvious question; he asked me holding some kind of note.

    I had to answer with the only thing possible, ¡°I know this might sound unbelievable, but I didn¡¯t kill her. I w-¡±

    Before finishing my sentence, he landed a solid blow to my cheek, knocking me to the side. The two stationed guards helped me back to the interrogation position, but they acted as though nothing had happened.

    The bearded guard stood up and paced back and forth around me, "You expect me to believe that?" he shouted at me and spat on my face, "We have multiple witnesses against you. And yet, you dare to sit there and deny it?"

    "I swear, I didn''t do it," I insisted, desperation creeping into my voice. "I woke up, and she was dead!"

    My protest seemed to have done nothing but aggravate him even more. The two guards pulled me back and held me in place, and the bearded guard landed several blows into my stomach. He finished it with a big punch to my left cheek, sending me and the two guards tumbling back.

    The pain was excruciating, and I gasped for air as it was getting difficult to breathe. The two guards quickly got up and pulled me back up. At this point, I had no energy left to stand, and I was just dangling, supported by the guards.

    ¡°I won''t confess to something I didn''t do!!!" I gritted out. Even though I had a hard time breathing, I still stood my ground and refused to admit guilt.

    "Enough lies!" he barked, his face contorted with rage. "You''re wasting my time and yours. Tell me the truth, or I''ll make you wish you were never born."

    After more pointless questions, answers, and more beatings, the guards finally got tired and escorted me away. We went through several corridors and rooms before finally reaching the cell block. A row of iron bars cast long shadows across the damp floor. The guard shoved me roughly into a cell, the metallic clang of the door echoing through the empty hallway.

    In that situation, I saw another person in the cell. I paid no attention to him though; I crawled to the corner of the cell and assumed the fetal position. Honestly, this pain was so vicious that I didn¡¯t care about anything else.

    After a while, I struggled to sit as I didn¡¯t get any better in my current position. Seeing that I struggled to get up, that guy rushed and helped me. After getting me to a better sitting position, he backed off and let me be for a moment.

    ¡°You look worse than the first time they beat me back then. God the nostalgia.¡± He chuckled as he shook his head seeing my condition.

    I shrugged his question off, unsure how to react, "What are you in for?" He added one more question.

    "Wrong place, wrong time, I guess." I kept my answers as vague as possible as I wasn¡¯t sure of the full extent of my situation.

    He let out a bitter laugh, the sound echoing off the walls of our shared prison. "Ain''t that the truth," he muttered, his gaze drifting to the barred window high above. "Seems like we''re both trapped in this hellhole. Man, I¡¯ve forgotten the feeling of freedom."

    "But you¡¯re a criminal, and I¡¯m not," I muttered, realizing the difference in our situations.

    ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± he asked again, for some reason, he kept trying to engage in conversation with me despite my low effort in my responses.

    ¡°None of your business,¡± I replied sharply. I didn''t want to engage in a conversation with a criminal. Finally realizing my reluctance, he gave up and chose to remain silent.

    But after some time, he opened his mouth again. I had to admit that his persistence was quite commendable.

    ¡°Sorry for bothering you, it¡¯s just been a while since I had someone to talk to,¡± he said after a while, his voice softer and carrying less determination.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright. It¡¯s just that I¡¯m feeling like shit now. I don¡¯t know how many times those guards beat me¡± I couldn''t help but feel a bit of sympathy for the man sitting across from me.

    Understanding my current predicament, he nodded and let me rest in peace. Hours passed like agonizing eternities as I languished in the cramped cell with the cold stone walls around.

    But as the hours stretched on, the silence became much more unbearable, the pain also made it worse. I needed something else to distract my thoughts from this unfortunate situation.

    ¡°So, what¡¯s your story?¡± I asked hesitantly, the words tumbling from my lips before I could stop them.

    He then introduced himself as Dane, and his eyes were downcast as he was about to tell his story of how he ended up with this punishment.

    "After my mother passed away, I had no one left," he covered his eyes with his hand as he began. "I turned to thievery to survive, breaking into houses under the cover of darkness in search of anything of value."

    He paused, a heavy sigh escaping his lips as he recounted the events that led to his incarceration. "One night, I made a mistake," he continued, his voice barely above a whisper.

    "I broke into a house, unaware that a child was spotting me as I broke in. When he caught me in the act, he screamed, and I... I panicked."

    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    I stayed silent the whole time. "I didn''t mean to hurt him," he whispered, his eyes filled with tears. "But in my fear, I lashed out, and before I knew it, it was too late."

    I could feel his regret as he continued his story, his voice gradually trembled. "I stayed with the boy, desperate to undo the damage I had done. But the guards arrived not long after, and I was arrested."

    A heavy silence descended upon us as Dane''s confession hung in the air.  For a moment, neither of us spoke, lost in our respective thoughts.

    ¡°Thank you for listening to my story; you don¡¯t have to say anything. I just want to release this pain before I die rotting in this cell. I truly deserve whatever punishment they will lay upon me in the future.¡± He chuckled ironically as he finished his story.

    I couldn¡¯t say much. On the one hand, he seemed genuinely regretful for his past crime, but on the other hand, it wasn¡¯t a small crime either.

    "I''ve seen enough rats to know that sorry doesn''t cut it. You did something horrible and got your deserving punishment. But should you get a second chance somehow in the future, maybe you¡¯ll figure out how to be more than just a stain in this world" I finally managed to whisper and bitterness was very obvious from my tone.

    "Just don¡¯t try to panic murder me this time" I continued with a joking smirk on my lips. We ended up in this situation now; to be fair I also made my own mistake of believing that woman and got myself in this deep shit.

    Dane looked up at me with a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips despite the heaviness in his eyes. "I appreciate that," he said softly. "And don''t worry, I don''t plan on adding to my list of mistakes anytime soon."

    Silence stretched between us once again. I felt myself drifting towards sleep, exhaustion weighing heavy on my eyelids. But suddenly, the tranquility was shattered by the sound of loud commotion and panicked screams echoing from outside the cell.

    Before I could gather my wits, one of the wardens approached my cell, his body spattered with blood that gleamed ominously in the dim light. He crouched down in front of the bars and looked at me with a piercing gaze and a weird smirk.

    I turned to face him and readied myself for whatever might happen after this. Dane lay sleeping on the opposite end of the cell, oblivious to the danger lurking in front of us.

    "Hi there, how''re you feeling?" he asked with a sickening cheerfulness given this situation.

    "Do you not realize how creepy it is to act all friendly with blood covering your body? What exactly happened out there" I responded and tried to maintain my calm facade.

    He chuckled, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. "Hehe, how''s the surprise that I prepared for you today?" he continued, his voice dripping with malice. "Exciting, wasn''t it?"

    I recoiled in horror, my mind racing with questions. Who was this person, and what twisted game was he playing? The memory of the murder in the inn room flashed through my mind, and I couldn''t help but wonder¡ªwas this warden the one behind it?

    "Are you referring to the dead woman in my room? So you''re the bastard who framed me for that murder?" I shouted, anger rising within me. "Brave of you to show your face in front of me. I-"

    "Hehehehehe, technically, not in the way you might envision it," he interrupted, his tone dripping with sinister amusement.

    I fell silent, confusion washing over me with each word he uttered. "You see, Eric, yes I killed that woman," he continued, "But not this warden."

    "Huh?" I mentally scratched my head, trying to make sense of his cryptic words. "You know what, if you want some redemption, I know a better place for you to confess to your crime," I added, a hint of bitterness creeping into my voice.

    "Alright, here''s the truth. We''ve met before," he declared, though his claim only deepened my confusion.

    "None of your sentences have been helpful so far," I retorted, genuinely confused at whatever he was rambling about.

    "Are you stupid or something?" he snapped, irritation seeping into his voice.

    "The room in your old house, the mysterious figure in your inn, remember?" he pressed on.

    My mind raced, trying to piece together the fragments of memory he dredged up. "What? Are you my friend from childhood?" I asked incredulously.

    "You stupid human, I am the figure that you saw in your dream, I am also the one who borrowed your body to stab that woman!!!" he declared, his tone rising as he got more aggravated by my responses.

    I fought the urge to laugh at his absurd claim, though it was pretty suspicious that he knew the details of the woman¡¯s murder. "Prove it then," I challenged, desperation creeping into my tone.

    "Prove it, prove what?" he retorted, frustration evident in his facepalm.

    "Prove that you''re this powerful being, able to penetrate my dream and talk to me there!" I demanded further.

    He hesitated, realizing the flaw in his plan. "I didn''t think this through when I planned for this," he admitted, a hint of embarrassment coloring his tone.

    "Alright, this goes nowhere. I¡¯ll choose to believe you. Well, you surely screwed my life over," I muttered bitterly, my frustration boiling over. "What do you want now?"

    The warden''s smirk came back when I played along with his game as he held up a dark, shiny object¡ªa mysterious ball that seemed to pulsate with otherworldly energy.

    "See, there''s an additional surprise going on outside, but sadly your condition is pretty¡­ pathetic right now." he taunted and laughed. "Who knows what would happen to Gareth and your precious Erina? Swallow this, borrow my power, and save them!"

    "So you¡¯re saying that I need to trust you? the one who put me in this fiasco in the first place. I am good, thanks!" I chuckled at his stupid attempt to manipulate me.

    The warden''s laughter cut through the air, his amusement palpable as he looked down at me with a twisted grin. "That¡¯s funny how you try to sound smart now, yet you fell for my cheap trick, just because she had a pair of tits," he retorted and taunted me.

    I gritted my teeth, the sting of humiliation burning deep within me. How could I have been so blind, so easily manipulated by his deceit?

    But before I could formulate a response, the warden''s laughter grew louder, echoing off the cold stone walls of the cell. With a flourish, he plucked a key from his collection, the metal glinting ominously in the dim light.

    "A little taste of the surprise, if you don''t mind," he sneered, his smirk widening as he unlocked the cell door.

    With a sudden rush of movement, the warden lunged at me with a knife in his hand. Instinct kicked in, and I tried to avoid the stab. However, my movement was limited due to the bruises and wounds caused by the wardens earlier.

    But to my horror, I realized that something was wrong. Try as I might, I couldn''t summon my mana, couldn''t unleash my trusty fire magic. It might be because of these handcuffs around my wrist. Was this made with a special metal?

    Panic surged through me as I struggled against the warden''s relentless assault, his laughter ringing in my ears like a mocking taunt. And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the fight was interrupted by a new presence.

    Dane, bleary-eyed and disoriented from his sudden awakening, moved with surprising speed as he lunged forward, his hands closing around the warden''s wrist in a vice-like grip. With a grunt of effort, he attempted to subdue our assailant, his expression a mix of confusion and determination.

    But the warden was not so easily deterred. With a swift motion, he wrenched himself free from Dane''s grasp, his gaze shifting to me with a manic glint in his eyes.

    "Don''t... disturb me¡­ you useless rat!" he snarled with a chilling whisper as he turned his attention to Dane and ready to strike him.

    Adrenaline completely took over me and my body moved of its own accord as I interposed myself between Dane and our attacker. I crossed my arms over my head, the chain around my wrists coiling like a serpent as I launched myself at the warden with all the force I could muster.

    The impact knocked us both off balance, sending us sprawling to the ground in a tangle of limbs and desperation. But even as I grappled with the warden, my hands wrapped tightly around his neck, I couldn''t shake the feeling of horror that gripped me.

    "You don''t even hesitate, well done Eric!!!" the warden wheezed, his voice a raspy whisper as he laughed through the pain.

    And then, with a final gasp, his body went limp in my arms, the light fading from his eyes as death claimed him. I released my grip on the chain, letting it fall from my hands like a weight lifted from my soul.

    As the warden''s lifeless body slumped to the ground, I pushed myself to my feet, my limbs trembling with exhaustion and adrenaline. Beside me, Dane looked on in shock, his expression a mix of horror and disbelief.

    "You killed him, Eric," he whispered, his voice barely audible above the ringing in my ears.

    I smiled a little at the absurdity of the situation. Not only did I murder a woman, I also killed a town officer. "Yeah, that makes both of us murderers then," I replied. "And you''re welcome."

    I fumbled with the key, my fingers shaking slightly as I unlocked the chains that bound both Dane and me. I stowed the chain and key away in my magic inventory. There¡¯s no use to drown in sorrow and confusion, I needed to just swim with the current and find Gareth as well as Erina.

    Turning to Dane, I motioned for him to follow me, my steps heavy with the weight of what we had just endured. He hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on the lifeless body of the warden, before finally falling into step beside me.

 Chapter X : Its a massacre

    My legs gave out just as I was about to make my way out of the jail cell. Dane quickly came to my aid and helped me stand. I needed his help, even just to walk. We moved through the halls and into other rooms together. To my horror, all of the guards and officers lay dead on the floor. They must have murdered each other based on the fact that their weapons impaled each other.

    Dane retched at what he saw, the horror of it all too much for him to handle. Even though I was already familiar with the harsh reality of battlefields and murders, the sheer scale of carnage here still sent chills down my spine.

    Who was behind all of this? I found it difficult to believe that the mysterious being from my dream could cause all of this.

    "Are you alright?" I inquired softly, leaning on his shoulder.

    He swallowed hard, his gaze flickering over the scene before us as if attempting to make sense of the senseless violence that had occurred. He muttered, "I don''t know," his voice barely clear. "Oh, my Lord. What just happened?"

    I gave him a gentle squeeze on the shoulder, trying to console him as much as I could in the face of such horror. "I''m not sure myself, but we''d better move on," I said, attempting to calm the turmoil within him. "There is a chance that this chaos will occur outside. But worry not, I have a plan; simply follow my lead."

    With heavy hearts, we continued making our way outside to face the chaos that awaited us. As we emerged into the open air, the true scope of the madness became painfully clear.

    People were fighting in the streets, their screams echoing through the air as blades clashed and spells flew. Magicians, warriors, guards - it appeared that everyone had been drawn into the conflict, their faces contorted with fear and rage. However, among them, I saw civilians cowering in terror, their eyes wide with disbelief as they struggled to make sense of the chaos around them.

    "It''s a massacre," I said quietly, my voice heavy with sadness as I took in the scene before me. "We have to move, Dane; we''re getting out of here."

    Then I noticed a pitiful sight across the street. A woman, clutching her daughter tightly, pleaded with the attacker, her voice shaking with terror and desperation. "Please have mercy, sir! Spare us; we don''t mean you any harm!"

    The attacker, unmoved by her pleas, raised his massive war hammer, ready to strike both mother and child without hesitation.

    "Madam, move!" I yelled, urgency in my voice, as I prepared one blaze pearl with my left hand.

    I took advantage of the attacker''s hesitation, which was caused by my warning, and acted. I fired my blaze pearl, and it detonated on impact, engulfing the attacker''s face in flames. With a scream of agony, he stumbled backward, dropping his weapon and clawing at his burning flesh.

    Luck was on my side this time. The pain in my body was so intense that it blurred my vision, making it impossible to concentrate enough to add another command to my pearl. Each step was agony, but I couldn''t let it show. I needed to press forward until I met Gareth and Erina.

    As the chaos of battle raged on around us, I spared a fleeting glance at the woman and her child, relieved to see them safe. But there was no time for celebration, no time to dwell on the lives I had saved.

    Dane asked me, ¡°Why don''t we ask them to come with us?¡±

    I weighed my options, torn between the choices. I could barely walk and had to rely on Dane to walk. However, upon holding my necklace¡¯s crystal pendant, I could feel a flicker of Gareth and Erina¡¯s mana not far from here, seemingly approaching me at a slower pace.

    With this information, I decided to agree with Dane. But, we¡¯re not going to take an active approach to finding Gareth and Erina, as it would be dangerous for all of us.

    As they expressed their gratitude, relief washed over their faces. ¡°Thank you,¡± the woman whispered, clutching her child tightly.

    ¡°Eric, this person. He¡¯s one of the guards. Look at his sigil,¡± Dane pointed to the body of the man I had incapacitated earlier. ¡°This is madness. Why would he threaten this woman?¡±

    I shook my head, unable to offer a clear answer. ¡°I''m not sure what happened,¡± I admitted, suppressing the suspicion that dark forces were at play. ¡°Maybe there has been a coup d''¨¦tat. I''m not sure myself either. Let''s just focus on getting to safety.¡±

    We continued to move carefully through the chaotic streets, eyes peeled for any potential hideouts. The stench of smoke and blood filled the air, making it hard to breathe. I wiped the sweat from my brow and scanned the surroundings, my eyes landing on a small stone building that appeared to be an old tavern. Its sturdy walls promised a degree of safety.

    ¡°Let''s try that building,¡± I suggested, my voice strained from the effort of walking. The prospect of a momentary refuge was enough to spur us forward, despite the chaos that raged around us.

    As we made our way towards the tavern, suddenly, two combatants burst out of an alleyway, locked in a fierce duel. Swords clashed and sparks flew as they fought, oblivious to their surroundings. The party was caught in the chaos, unable to avoid the fray.

    One of the fighters, a tall man with a bloodied face and wild eyes, swung his mace at Dane and me. Dane tried to block with his arm, but the force was enough to knock us both back. The impact sent Eric sprawling to the ground, and Dane barely managed to stay on his feet.

    The woman and her child screamed, drawing the attention of the other attacker, a fierce woman with a gleaming blade. She lunged at the mother and child, ready to strike them down.

    Dane, seeing the imminent danger, sprang into action. He threw himself in front of the mother and child, blocking the attacker¡¯s path by holding her arm tight. I, despite the pain, managed to shoot a small blaze pearl from a short distance. The projectile grazed the woman¡¯s shoulder, exploding and causing her to cry out in pain as her right arm was blown off.

    But the other combatant, seeing me as a threat, tackled me to the ground. The man raised his dagger, ready to stab me. Summoning my remaining strength, I touched the attacker¡¯s stomach and released a substantial explosion. The man¡¯s stomach burst open, killing him instantly.

    Dane, meanwhile, was struggling against the one-armed woman. Despite her injury, she was still a formidable opponent. She swung her left arm, slashing at Dane with surprising strength. He tried to hold her back, but she began to overpower him, her blade inching closer to his throat.

    "Eric!" Dane yelled, desperation in his voice.

    Recovering from my battle, I took a moment to catch my breath, the weight of exhaustion pressing down on me. Dane¡¯s desperate shout snapped me back to reality. I couldn¡¯t let him die.

    Summoning every ounce of strength left, I conjured another blaze pearl, my hands shaking as I aimed carefully. I fired it with precision, and it hit the woman in the chest. The explosion knocked her back, sending her crashing into the wall of the tavern. She slumped to the ground, finally defeated.

    Breathing heavily, Dane and I quickly gathered the mother and child. We rushed into the tavern, slamming the door shut behind us. Dane found a heavy table and barricaded the entrance. We moved deeper into the building, finding a small back room that offered additional security.

    "We should be safe here for now,'' Dane said, his voice trembling with exhaustion and a hint of doubt. He glanced at the mother and child, huddled together with wide, fearful eyes. ¡°At least for a little while,¡± he added, trying to offer them a reassuring smile.

    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    "We¡¯ll stay here until Gareth and Erina find us," I added, hoping that they would arrive before other problems arose.

    Dane nodded, feeling a mix of relief and lingering dread. The sound of battle outside still raged on, but for the moment, they had found a fragile sanctuary.

    Why are healers so difficult to come by? I muttered under my breath. In a world where magic could destroy or save lives, healers were always in short supply.

    I sat and leaned on the wall, thinking about the next move. Dane was talking to the mother and her daughter, seemingly giving reassuring words.

    I asked Dane to look around for some supplies. There¡¯s nothing better to do in this situation than try to fill our bellies with extra energy. He searched meticulously as he rummaged through the clutter, hoping to discover something edible hidden away.

    The mother and her daughter joined in, scouring the pantry and the storage barrels, eager to assist in the hunt for a meal.

    After some thorough searching, to my gratitude, they found a loaf of bread and some cheese and began preparing a simple but satisfying meal. Dane tried to alleviate the tense atmosphere by talking and cracking a few jokes, hoping to bring a smile to our faces.

    The daughter of that mother came to me and handed me a piece of bread. I thanked her and asked for her name. ¡°Mira,¡± she replied with a shy smile. It warmed my heart that a kid her age was willing to help and showed kindness.

    ¡°Mister, I saw you defeat the bad guys with your magic; why don''t you heal yourself now?¡± An innocent question punched me in the gut, reminding me that my inability to perform healing magic properly turned out to be detrimental from time to time.

    I chuckled and replied with an awkward joke. ¡°You know, Mira. Those bad guys would be too easy for us if I¡¯m in my best condition, so I stayed like this on purpose.¡±

    She leaned her head to the left, signifying that she was confused at my response. Not long after, her mother, who was talking to Dane, came over, thinking that she bothered me. However, despite my assurance that I didn¡¯t mind her question, she still took her away from me.

    Dane came over while nibbling at his bread. ¡°How¡¯s your condition, Eric?¡±

    ¡°Do I look okay to you, Dane?¡± I chuckled while also nibbling on my food. Honestly, I didn''t feel like eating at that moment, but I needed the energy to recover my mana.

    ¡°Besides, you should start worshipping me now. The moment you met me, you got a second chance in life.¡± I continued laughing despite my heavy breath.

    He remained silent for a moment; perhaps my statement reminded him of his previous crime. "You have a deal, Eric. So long as we get out of here alive. He responded shortly after.

    "It proves you haven''t known me long enough, Dane. I have a secret weapon; I guarantee we''ll all come out unscathed." I replied, assuring him.

    We spent the time conversing, trying to distract ourselves from the chaos outside. Every noise made us flinch, our nerves on edge. I held my crystal necklace once again and I could sense Erina and Gareth¡¯s mana nearby. Relief washed over me; they were coming. Soon, we¡¯d have the firepower we needed to escape this madness.

    Suddenly, I heard an explosion from a nearby building. Dane rushed towards me after checking the windows. ¡°Eric, bad news. A crazy group just exploded that house, it looks like at least one of them is a magic user.¡±

    This could be bad because one of them might have a detection spell to find out our hiding spot. However, seeing that they worked together, I believed they were still sane and not affected by whatever befell most people in this town. Thus, there¡¯s a possibility that we could bargain with them.

    ¡°Let¡¯s mo-¡± As usual, before I managed to finish my sentence, the wall behind me exploded, knocking me and Dane forward.

    ¡°Whoa, we found something!¡± One person in that group shouted, and I had a feeling that he was their leader. As Dane mentioned before, there were three melee weapon users, yet I saw no magic user, only one archer behind them.

    ¡°Hold on. We¡¯re harmless here. We don¡¯t want any unnecessary trouble.¡± I responded to them.

    ¡°Ah great. We¡¯re kind of bored killing all those mindless people anyway. So, cut to the case, we want something of value.¡± He replied as three of them were approaching toward us.

    ¡°Alright. I have a pouch of gold here. I don¡¯t know how much gold it contains, but trust me, you¡¯re going to like the amount.¡± I got up and started bargaining.

    The leader stopped and talked to the guy on his right. ¡°See, I like this man. He understands his situation, and proposes to us something of value,¡± That guy chuckled, responding to his statement.

    Turning his attention to me, he said, ¡°First of all, I appreciate the kind gesture, my man, and I could say, I accept it wholeheartedly to avoid further and unnecessary casualty.¡±

    ¡°Great, catch th-¡± I responded quickly, but again, my sentence was cut.

    "Uh, uh, uh, I wasn¡¯t finished. See, we need something else from you to make this whole business exchange fair.¡± He tried to smile, but it came off as a menacing grin.

    ¡°Alright, just say it. I can offer one spell book that I have, you can also sell it for a fortune.¡± I replied, conjuring my spell book in my left hand.

    ¡°Yeah, not really. To be honest, we¡¯ve got a lot of gold from those lunatics that we killed and plundered; what we want now is a bit more¡­ primal,¡± He paused a bit before continuing. ¡°You have a fairly pretty woman over there with her daughter. Hand her over, and we¡¯ll call it even.¡±

    I didn¡¯t like where this was going, and my worry turned out to be true.

    ¡°Let¡¯s make it fair; we need her, you know, for a specific purpose by us three men here. There¡¯s no way we can do it with our sister, right?¡± His blade pointed towards the archer far behind.

    ¡°I understand,¡± I touched my crystal necklace and smirked a bit upon hearing his proposition. ¡°But before that, catch this, big guy!¡±

    With a flick of my right hand, I snapped a quick blaze pearl, but to my surprise, the guy on the left deflected my pearl, changing its trajectory and exploding on one of the buildings across the street.

    "What was that?¡± The leader snapped, his eyes narrowing. ¡°Just a demonstration,¡± I replied quickly, forcing a smirk. ¡°My spells are robust, and I could be valuable to your group. I was planning to take them out of town myself and sell them. We could split the profit. I¡¯m talking a fortune here.¡±

    ¡°So you want a cut after we¡¯re done with her?¡± He said, his interest piqued, but suspicion still laced his tone.

    Dane looked furious at my interaction with those raiders. ¡°Eric, what is wrong with you?¡± He pulled me by my collar. Mira and her mother were visibly shaken, and tears started falling as well.

    ¡°You better back off before I burn your pathetic body to ashes,¡± I pressed my left palm to his torso. Instinctively, he backed away from me and joined Mira and her mother.

    ¡°Good, and stay that way. I told you you haven¡¯t known me long enough, didn¡¯t I?¡± I said that to him again.

    ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s not keep this negativity, Eric, right?¡± He seemed to have caught my name from Dane. ¡°Just throw the coin pouch as a downpayment. We can sort out the rest later.¡±

    I did as instructed and threw the gold pouch towards him. Upon contact, the gold pouch erupted in flame, as I had placed a flame rune trap on the gold pouch beforehand. Yes, I am that good to be able to use any form of fire spell without any incantation.

    In an instant, I jumped to the side to evade the magic arrow from the archer. The arrow exploded next to me, but I remained unscathed.

    Then, the two guys, who had been silent all this time, sprang into action and rushed towards me. I quickly fired a blaze pearl towards them, but with their instinct, they were ready to deflect the pearl again.

    However, this time, before it came into contact with their shield, I exploded it on command, engulfing them in fire. Three down. Well, this was easier than I thought. However, surprisingly, the leader came out of the explosion and darted towards me with extreme speed.

    He grabbed me by my neck, held my right arm, and twisted it to my back, dismantling my movement in an instant. ¡°This is too bad, Eric. I thought we would be happy business partners.¡± He released my neck, took his sword from his back, and was ready to plunge it into my back.

    I quickly motioned my left hand to the back and released another blaze pearl, which he blocked in with ease with a rushed magic barrier, shattering it instantly and creating a shockwave, knocking both of us in different directions.

    Without realizing it, the two big guys and the leader were closing in fast, ready to strike me down at the same time. Dane was ready to throw his body in my direction, and I shouted at him, ¡°Stay back, you moron! Now I¡¯ll show you why I won''t die easily.¡±

    ¡°Erina, charge!!!!¡± Erina shouted, signaling their arrival. With extreme speed, Gareth tried cutting in between the three guys and me with a spearhead materializing from his right hand. Reacting to this, the leader grabbed me and used me as a meat shield against him.

    He quickly grabbed my collar and pulled me as hard as he could, and the leader had no option but to release me. Clearing my position and throwing me away, Oh crap. Gareth then materialized two complete spears in both hands and smashed them in both directions.

    All three of them backed off to avoid the fatal blow. When I looked at Erina, I laughed because she was strapped behind Gareth in a piggyback position. She quickly released herself, went over to my side, and hugged me.

    ¡°How¡¯s your condition, Eric?¡± She asked me innocently

    "Do I look okay to you?