Great. More collateral.

This situation is getting more unfavorable for me.

"Element that incinerates and obliterates, fire that engulf my enemies in a flash, firebolt."

Either Looney Lubac has no conscience of hurting a former ally or Maelock's body is truly beyond recognition at this point.

The fire bolts didn't even hit Aedrox. The bolts simply dissipates upon nearing it.

"Guh! What's with this monsters? First that boy, now this."

Oi, you're referring to me?

Now, what do I do?

Aedrox's attention seem to be on them right now but my priority is to save Muo Li and Clammis.

Damn it, no other choice. "Tom! Lubac! Get those two out of here now! I'll stall this fucker."

Tom immediately complies and goes to Muo Li. As for Lubac, he has a face that said "you're giving orders now?" but he complies too eventually and went for Clammis. I will hit him twice or thrice after this is over.

{Futile. Futile. Futile} Aedrox recited those words like a mantra.

{Over here, fucked face.} I shouted for its attention. I felt fucked face is really appropriate for its description.

It didn't look over to me though. Its eyes stay on Tom.

Shit.

With a well place aim, it throws a dark energy cloud at Tom.

Damn it.

My Mana is running low, no surprises there, and albeit my inhibition of pain, my injuries are beginning to hinder my performance.

I didn't just receive injuries from Aedrox but from myself too. Using [Overload] constantly on myself is taking its toll but I can't mind such trivial matters right now.

Going against the collapse of my body, I move into the space between Tom and Aedrox with [Spatial Leap].

Shiiiiiit! Looks like I once again discovered a new level of pain. It hurts real bad.

Please hang in there, my body.

I intercept the dark cloud with [Mana Burn].

Once again with [Overload], I further augmented [Magic Enhancement]. My speed increases and I charge towards Aedrox. To prevent it from firing projectiles take would incur collateral, I go for close combat.

{Naive.} It said as my punches phases through it.

"Ah.... Shit...." I muttered.

It slashes its arm at me. As I evaded it, I saw some distorting energy cladding its arm. It looks awesome but I should not be admiring it.

I resort to [Force Push] to counter its phasing ability but with a flick of its finger, it made me miss with some telekinetic force.

"Damn."

Was all I could said before it smashes me into the ground with some invisible force, shattering my [Magic Enhancement].

More blood spurts out from my mouth. I count four ribs broken.

My consciousness almost left but I held on to it. My indifference to pain helps some in this matter. Still, it wasn't easy.

Don't give up right now. If I give up right now, everything that I have came so far for will be gone.

Not now. Not now.

Using my tail, I clad it with purplish dark energy, an [Abyssal Edge] on my tail. The tip of my tail resembles the usual purplish black blade I wield.

I know it won't actually hit but I was desperate. I have to do something. I don't care what. I just need to do something. I strike at Aedrox with my tail but it phases through it like every other magic than [Spatial Magic].

{Just stay put and witness the correction I am force to made for you.} It said and grabs at my tail. At that precise moment, I launch multiple [Abyssal Javelin] at it. They phase through Aedrox all the same but its hand is still wrapped around my tail.

I have thought that it would became tangible but it appears it is capable of partial phasing.

With a swing, it tosses me aside. Although this time the landing is softer than most times. It's not intending to hurt me, it wants me stay on the side and watch.

Like hell I'll do that.

Aedrox resumes his approach towards Tom.

"Coming! It's coming."

"Eeek! Toom! Toom!"

"Its going for Toom."

"Run! Run!"

I realized the Goblins can't pronounce Tom but they are trying to warn Tom who is tending to Muo Li at the moment. I see him using one of the scrolls. It has faint green light. Must be a healing magic scroll.

Come on! Come on! Move! You damn useless body, move!

I shouted at my body which has been rendered incapable of movements. Broken bones sure make it hard to move.

Damn it! Damn it!

Wait.

My reagents. I remember them now. Stupid. Why didn't I remember that earlier?

I quickly fumble my satchel pockets for them.

Good. They're still there. I lost some during the fall and during the fight but not all of it. There's still some.

Good. Good. There's even enough for Muo Li and Clammis.

I consume both the Mana and health reagent.

The effects take over in just seconds and I feel the pain subsiding, my bones mending itself and my Mana returning.

Damn it. Though I warmed up to them back then, I didn't trust them enough with my lifelines, the reagents. Things won't be so pressing right now if I were a little more trusting back then.

No. Now's not the time to reminisce about my mistakes. I have to deal with this atrocity in front of me first.

I teleport between the Tom and Aedrox once again as soon as I deemed my Mana is sufficient.

{Impressive. Persistent will. A trait worthy of the Harbinger.} It complimented but I don't need something like that from it.

I recovered some Mana and my injuries are healed to certain degree but my mental strain remains the same. It can't cure fatigue but I'll make do.

God. This is literally a real headache.

[Spatial Magic: Lv. 4 increased to Lv. 5]

Thank the gods. About time.

[Spatial Magic: Distort - Acquired]

Yes. Keep it coming.

[Spatial Magic: Sever - Acquired]

Sweet. Now, let's up the game shall we? I am so eager to test this two out.

But.... how do I that?

Before I could figure out the heads and tails for my two newfound abilities, I'm thrown to the side with its telekinesis.

Curse this shit!

I spend no time trying to fumble in the dirt and immediately stand back up. I see Aedrox closing in on Tom.

"Tom! Look out!"

Tom stops his tending to Muo Li and turn to face Aedrox. Blue light starts glowing around him, a sign of using an immense amount of Mana.

{Element that incinerates and obliterates, scorch my enemies in a vortex, Inferno.}

A tornado made of flames rush towards Aedrox.

As I expected, as if there's a nullifying zone around Aedrox, the flames vanish upon entering the vicinity.

{An orc possessing an Arcane Art. Peculiar and unexpected. Might be worthy of being my subject.}

What? Is it trying to turn Tom into its minion? Oh no you don't, not on my watch.

Tom refuses to give up despite his depleted Mana pool. He goes in for close combat.

Aedrox clicks his tongue while swaying his forefinger. Cliche move of a villain. {I may have found you interesting but I will not tolerate such unrefined actions from a mortal.}

As he was doing so, his finger went from simply swaying into bending into an impossible angle.

{What is this?} It asked in bewilderment.

Tom also stops his charging upon witnessing the strange occurrence. He looks at me. He knows I am the one responsible for it.

And Tom is right.

Soon, its right hand, its right arm, bending along with his finger, later his shoulder too.

It works. Turns out, this is the function of my new ability, [Distort], as in distorting space itself. Neat. It's even a long range ability.

Aedrox gives out a roar that resembles an animal rather a person. Without a care, it tore its body away from the arm that is distorting along with space. More blood oozes out.

Ah... That's unsightly.

I commented so casually in my mind.

Hmm....

Strange.... What's with my lack of reaction towards such stuff?

I think I might be getting use to gores. Not a good sign. How can I integrate into society like this? My common sense will be distorted too at this rate.

It roars again. It summons a massive cloud of dark energy in his left arm, converging at the tip of the blade.

Tom who is witnessing such power is paled and stunned from it but he positioned himself between the unconscious Muo Li and Aedrox. Even faced with such odds, he doesn't just up and run away. Admirable.

I suppose staying close to him might be a good idea for me who's slowly loosing grasp on the black and white.

Oops. Sidetracked again. Gotta stop doing that.

It hurls the cloud of dark energy but I blinked into its path, using an ability that its function is known to me only by instincts, I directed such ability towards the cloud.

[Sever]

The space in front me displaces into two parts like a glass plane together with the massive cloud. The cloud vibrates for a moment and it dissipates.

This - is - awesome. I literally just cut space itself. Holy shit. I'm might be OP as fuck now.

{Slow learner. Disappointed.} It made some socially inept remark and flings me away with telekinesis at the wave of its hand.

Just like that, my fantasy of my ascension towards higher power is crushed. Looks like the peak is still far from my reach.

But before I went tumbling further, I found my bearings in the tumble and blinked back to that position.

Aedrox groaned at the sight of my persistence.

When I see its hand begin to wave, I [Sever] it from its shoulder. [Sever] is able to manage at least a distance of three feet.

Dark energy starts building up from within its vessel, to the point that I can see it leaking out. I feel like hitting it now in a volatile state will be a terrible idea.

"Element of destruction in celerity, thunder that strikes my enemies, Lightning Bolt."

I heard a chant from presumably, Lubac the Alchemist. Aren't you suppose to be a chemical specialist not a magic specialist? And what the hell are you doing? Don't you learn?

Flash of lightning strikes the back of Aedrox. It hit but it doesn't seem like any scratch landed on its vessel.

"One tough Modred's Hound." Lubac cursed upon seeing the ineffectiveness of his magic.

I watch Lubac while fuming in frustration.

Aedrox didn't even bother to look at him. It just gathers energy in front of him. It doesn't have a hand or an arm but it can still cast magic. The energy cloud, it's fired at Lubac as I expected. The magic did annoyed Aedrox after all.

I teleported and intercepted the cloud with [Mana Burn] and [Sever].

I then turn and meet Lubac straight in the eyes. I glare daggers at him. "Don't provoke it. I don't mind you being useless but don't be a hindrance. I won't be so nice the next time."

Lubac gulped at my sudden change of demeanor. He nodded.

With that warning given, I close the distance with [Spatial Leap] and engaged Aedrox with hand-to-hand combat. After that level up in [Spatial Magic]. The after effects from [Spatial Leap] isn't as intense as before but there's still some. Still, I am glad with it.

Without the harsh migraines, I continuously use short distance [Spatial Leap] to dodge and evade its attacks. With each dodge and evasion, I follow it up with a jab or a whip from my tail. I'm starting to get the hang of using my tail. Good.

Aedrox is slowing down. Or rather, its vessel is on the verge of breaking down.

I wonder what will happen if it became without vessel. Well, no harm in asking.

I block a blow with reinforced [Magic Enhancement] and counter attack with [Force Push], creating a gap between us.

{What happens if this current vessel of yours break?} I asked.

Although it looks nonplus, it spoke {No outworld entities can persist in a proper manner within a foreign realm without an indigenous conduit. If this vessel breaks, I will exist in this realm but I will lack the means to interact with any entities of this realm.} It surprisingly answered in an obedient manner.

I see. Any beings that are not from this world has to play the rules whether it likes it or not. Otherwise, it will merely exist in this world without any ways to make contact with anything or anyone. Glad to know there are rules and limits for such absurdities and atrocities.

Well then, guess I don't have to kill it or hurt it, I just need to destroy its vessel. Though, it might be feeding me false information but I don't think that's likely considering its personality.

I begin to distort the space around its torso but it moved away using Phase Dash. Damn it. [Distort] can't immobilize a target.

"Tom, Lubac. Forget about tending to them for now, just get them out of here this instance." I may have the upper hand now against Aedrox but my Mana isn't infinite. I will soon once again ran out and I doubt it will be kind enough to wait for me to recover or ingest a reagent.

"What? I can't carry her, she's too heavy." Lubac told me. This - useless - son - of - a - bitch. I would like to turn him into ashes with just my gaze but I don't want to take my eyes off Aedrox. Plus, I can't turn anyone into ashes with just my eyes.

Yet.

{Where will you go? No salvation awaits for you or your friends. There's only salvation for me and my brethren.}

Is it trying to imply that there's no exit here except the way where we fell from? For heaven's sake, speak English please.

If that's the case, I will have to incapacitate it for an ample time for us to make our escape. If I'm allow some time of peace and concentration, I should be able to lift us all up with [Plane Displacement]. Should be. I'm not too sure about the real numbers.

{What will you do now, Harbinger?} It just stands there and taunts me. It's not doing anything besides that.

My gaze turn to the weapon just a few feet away from me. Well, Mr. Hand-Scorching Lance, looks like you're my only hope.

I signal at Tom for him to be ready to run with Muo Li on his shoulders at any time. I hope he didn't forget our hand signals.

Tom nods. Good, he understands.

As for Lubac, I signal him to wait. I hope this guys knows. I don't bother myself to even look at him. If he doesn't understand, so be it.

{What strategy will be the amusement this time?}

{This.}

I said and threw an [Energy Sphere] at the point just below its feet, raising a cloud of dust, a smokescreen. I then blinked to the lance.

{Predictable.} Aedrox said as it had already arrive at the lance before I did. Distorting energy enshrouding its vessel. Bits of flesh started breaking off from the body. Disgusting.

Maybe I can wait for it to destroy its own vessel? No. At this rate, it will take at least twenty minutes but I doubt it has such patience. It did patiently wait for us to move but I'm not gonna chance it.

Okay.... How about this?

I throw an overloaded [Energy Sphere] directly at Aedrox but before it enters its nullifying range, I [Distort] the sphere of purplish black energy. The massive energy confined into a shape of a sphere, further overcharged with external energy, and finally warping the space it occupies, the results?

A spectacle of fireworks of spatial distortion, a chaos of explosion and implosion.

Just as I planned, well I didn't expect such seizure inducing scene but it did what it wanted it to, Aedrox is temporarily incapacitated but the Lance flew at my direction from the initial explosion.

While the lance is still spinning in the air, I leap and reach out for it.

Aedrox seems to have recovered from the severe jumble and already Phase Dashed to where the lance is dancing in mid air.

I saw a smirk on its lips that's barely hanging onto its face. Must be contend with itself from predicting my action but so did I.

When it arrived, I greet him with a [Light Drop], overloaded. The unstable ball of light explodes and unleashes the immense light within. My own pseudo flash grenade.

I already have my eyes closed in anticipation but not Aedrox. Thus, it was the only one blinded by the flash. I successfully retrieved the lance.

Enduring the heat searing my flash with my own will power and [Magic Enhancement], I slice the oversize weapon at Aedrox before its eyes recover.

I expected blood but I'm greeted by dark energy leaking from a crack, a fissure on it's vessel.

Aedrox then unleashes a cry so intense and deafening. Everyone in the room all curl up to endure the piercing cry.

Looks like I managed to directly injure it. I hurt the very essence of the entity call Aedrox.

{I'm still your salvation?} I asked, looking straight at it but my eyes are looking down on it.

Instead of a verbal response, I received a snicker in return from Aedrox. Please don't tell me it's also a masochist.

Why are you laughing?

Its body swirled. No, not its body, the space that its body occupies swirled.

Dark energy amassing around it. The space itself trembled. The pebbles drifting in the air like in zero gravity is attracted to Aedrox. The ceiling and the ground, it broke off. The broken pieces then merged itself with Aedrox, compensating for every loss of its vessel's body parts.

No no no no. That's not fair.

Its right arm. With the fragments from its environment, it becomes a blade larger than the lance.

{This place....} It sniggers. {It has been exalted with my very presence. The ores, the air, the beasts, the plants, everything is exalted with my very essence. How can I have failed to realize such advantage I hold in this place until now?}

My entire body shudders at the unavoidable truth of its words.

With every second spent in this world, its presence itself is encroaching the very existence of everything in this world, in this plane, in this dimension.

With such energy leaking out and with this peculiar dungeon, it's not strange to assume that a phenomenon like that is possible.

"Now, let me show you what I find so entertaining about you mortals' despair." It said, in Common. Its manner of speaking and tone have even changed.

Crap.

Dark energy once again gather in its right arm.

Crap.

Without giving any more thoughts at all the alarms going off in my head, I moved at a speed that exceeds what my body is able to withstand.

I don't care if my body can't handle it. To hell with it.

And once again, new level of pain is found at that moment, an agony that comes from exerting your very own limit and beyond.

I grabbed Tom, Muo Li, Clammis, Lubac and the four goblins in a span of two seconds, I positioned them at the entrance, behind me. I wanted to carry them further away from here but I can't move at such speed for an extended duration.

"Hyx?!" Tom calls out to me in a disconcerting tone. He wasn't believing what he saw. He was terrified by what he was seeing, my whole bloodied body because I exceeded my limit.

At such speed, I have even grabbed some of Tom's scrolls without him realizing it.

And in such short span of time, Aedrox finally swings that massive right arm of a blade at us. Although its target is us, the force exuded from the swing was so great that even affected its three sixty. But us, we, who were receiving the force of dark energy directly, the damage can't even begin to compare.

I use the magic scroll of barrier. Against the screaming of my nerves and my soul, I cast the strongest [Plane Displacement] ever.

The dark energy force rams through all the defenses like nothing.

.

I forgot what happened after that. I can't remember the exact details.

All I could remember was that we all survived that attack and Aedrox was suffering the setback of drawing out such immense power at once. It is on its knees. That's a good thing. Its new vessel is already cracking. Seems like not even its newly build vessel could withstand such output of power.

That gave us time to count our wounds.

I, as the vanguard absorbed the most damage from that attack but I wasn't the most injured by it. Even with my bloodied whole body, I was sure I'm not the one in the most dire situation.

"Hyx! Hyx! It's Muo Li and Clammis." Tom shouted. The goblins were even shouting the same thing. Maybe because they're small, they seem to be barely hurt but Tom on the other hand is a different story. But at least, he's moving, unlike Muo Li and Clammis.

They were already in a dire state before that but now.... they are truly on the brink.

"Damn it. Damn it." Why didn't I give them my reagents back then. I shouted at my own mind.

My reagents?

I check for the petty leftovers.

I breath a sigh of relief when I didn't loose them from that blow.

Thank the all the gods. Thank all the gods.

Thank god.

I gave some to Tom and ask him to give it to Clammis while I tend to Muo Li.

These reagent aren't in liquid form, they are just powders. So it might be hard for them to ingest it. It should be easier for them to ingest if its in liquid form but what can I do?

.....

Ah....

I can do that but....

Fuck it. No time to think twice.

"Tom. Follow my example." I told Tom who is also looking perplex at finding a way for Clammis to ingest it.

I pour the reagent into my mouth, making sure not to swallow it, I liquefy it with my saliva, and I directly feed Muo Li the reagents through my own mouth. Yes, it's the famous mouth-to-mouth feeding.

Tom drops his jaws when he saw me doing that. I don't blame him. It's not easy, especially for a virgin like me.

And that's the story of how I gave away my first kiss. It will be one of a hell story to recount later on.

I gesture for Tom to hurry up when I finish giving Muo Li her medicine.

After a few more encouragement and some mild threats from me, Tom eventually did the same thing. I'm not sure if he likes it but he has a faint smile on his face after that so I guess he liked it. Although, Clammis seems to grimaced a bit after that but it must have been my imagination.

The reagents are working but the effect aren't instantaneous.

Shit. Does the effects differ to individuals?

Shit. I didn't think about that.

But no time to think about it now.

"Alright Tom, you take care of...." I coughed out blood in mid-sentence. It shocks both Tom and the goblins. And Lubac too. Oh, you survived and in walking shape too.

Damn, I have secretly wished for him to die in the result.

I don't know how he survived with only little wound but I guess it must been his magic. Although, Lubac seems to be in the best of state among us but his facial complexion must be the worst. He isn't taking reality in all too well. That level of power strength have really gotten to his head.

Goddamn it. I want to smack him.

"Tom..." Deep breaths, Hyx. Deep breaths. "You'll carry Muo Li...." I managed those words out in between my heavy breaths. ".... and I'll take care of Clammis....." I originally wanted to carry Muo Li instead but Clammis is heavier and I have higher physical strength than Tom even if I'm in such state.

I further spat out more blood. My bleeding ain't even stopping. Please, hang in there.

I pray to myself and for myself.

I'm just burning on fumes now.

Tom nodded and carry Muo Li into his arms. I gestured the Goblins to smack Lubac out of it. And they did. Each of the four slaps the alchemist in turn and it did the trick. It was quite amusing.

"Lubac!" I shouted.

"Wha..... What?" he asked upon coming back from his wonderland.

"Run." I told him.

He gives me a nod and took off sprinting, leaving me, Clammis and the goblins behind. He even caught up to Tom and ran past him.

What the fuck, mate? I had wanted him to assist Tom but.... that didn't possible anymore. Fucking pussy. I'll dish out the appropriate punishment later.

My danger perception rang at the same time as Goblin B shrieked at what's behind me.

The wounds have made me slow.

I was too slow.

Although fast but still slow.

Too slow to save all of them. I managed to get Clammis, Goblin B, and Goblin C out of the way but I wasn't able to do the same for Goblin A and Goblin D.

As a result, the force of dark energy that came at me from behind, pulverizes the two right before my eyes. Needless to say, their biomass scattered on me.

I hear the other two goblins shrieked at the lost of their two comrades and friends.

No.

NO!!

I look back and found Aedrox up and walking towards here.

"Not running?" It asked.

It has recovered from its power fatigue.

Ingesting what I have left of the Mana-recovery reagent, I stand up and confront it.

"You two, leave us. Now. I'm not asking." I told them in a cold manner, to leave me and Clammis behind.

They seem to understand that they are not strong enough to carry Clammis and they reluctantly comply to my words.

Goblin C wanted to carry the remains of its friends but Goblin B dragged him away, forcibly.

Forgive me. I'll give them a proper burial later.

Even if I can't save all four of us, I can at least save those that I can.

But now, I hurt this fucker once again, and real good this time.

Curse. The reagents have not been enough.

With Mana that I barely have, I cast [Distort] in succession at multiple places on its body but with one swing from its right arm, it dispels my magic but that was the bait.

I immediately chain it with a heavy [Distort] on its right leg. When it intends to Phase Dash away but I shot [Abyssal Javelin] at the ground beneath its feet, throwing its balance off. And I successfully took its right leg away. Well, it's still there but dangling on mere strings of flesh.

I pick up the lance which is just laying there between us. I focus all my defense on my hands to minimize its searing.

I raised the lance over my shoulders, over my head. I stepped forward and brought my body forward in a single, fluid, and swift momentum, I tossed the lance at Aedrox like a javelin. Having just lost a leg, it can't avoid it.

It raises its right arm as guard. It even put some sort of force field.

It knows damn well the threat the lance poses.

We'll see about that.

The lance shatters its right arm and the force field like glass, piercing right through Aedrox, bringing it along as both crashed through a wall. As the dust slowly clears from the air, I see the lance impaling Aedrox onto the ground.

I look at my hands. They have been burned quite badly but they're doable.

Aedrox tries to pull out the lance but burns his hands as it does so. Good. That will pin him down for a while.

It screamed or it cried, I don't which and I don't care.

As I went to get Clammis, my [Magic Enhancement] finally worn off. Even the fumes I'm running on is low. Crap. I can't make it like this.

No. I must.

With a heave for strength, I throw her arm over my shoulders as I drag her with me, ignoring the collapse of my body.

Come on. Hang in there, Hyx. You can do this. You have been through so much. This should be nothing.

Yeah this is nothing.

I repeat those words in my mind as I carry her through this place.

Crap.

We both went down.

I have suddenly lost my strength and Clammis' weight pulled me down.

A few hundred feet maybe? I don't know. I didn't count how far I have carried her with me.

Tom and the others must be just ahead. I can hear them engaging some enemy but judging from the absence of screams with only screeches of monsters, I guess they're holding out on their own in the meantime.

Come on. Get up.

I try to get up along with Clammis but her weight plus my exhaustion render it impossible for me to even move a single inch.

Damn it. I must keep moving. That lance won't keep it there for long.

No matter how much I tried, I can't do it. It's not even possible for me to move on my own.

Doesn't matter! Keep moving. Keep moving.

I told myself but my body isn't listening.

"Hyx." Clammis called out weakly. I have guessed a tough woman like her won't be out for long. I knew she was awake but not wholly.

"Clammis?" Only then I realized, I rarely call her by her name.

"Leave me."

No. "Okay. Stop talking. Just keep being unconscious. You're not helping."

"Hyx, you can barely move without any burdens. Don't be stupid."

"Just shut up please." I can do this.

"Hyx. Listen to me."

"No. You shut up."

"Hyx."

"No, I don't need this."

"Hyx."

"Stop it. You're not helping."

"Hyx Atlas!" She screamed and pulled at my collar. "Grow up and look at reality."

"What reality? The reality of leaving you behind to die?"

"Hyx. I do not know what kind of life you have been having before you become a scholar for the Nines but this ain't that life anymore. People dies."

"Clammis." I said with my trembling lips. "Please, don't do this." My voice is shaken.

"It is as you said, you can't save everyone."

"Clammis. Stop. Talking." I begged.

"Hyx." She said and brought my face close to hers. "Grow. Up. The. Fuck. Up." She paused at each words.

I swallow my tears as I heard the meaning in those words. "How?" I asked.

"By making the best choice in the toughest situation."

"Ah? Really?"

"I know you are aware of the fact that you might be the only one who is able to make it out of here alive. But you don't believe it. You don't want to believe it."

She's right. I don't want to believe it.

"But you have to."

"But I don't want to." I retorted.

Since the time I met Clammis, this is might be the first time I saw a genuine smile from her. "Then get stronger."

My eyebrows raised.

"If you don't want to believe that, then get stronger. I saw how you got stronger, faster, and better after consuming the lizard meat. You can get stronger but consuming the flesh of your fallen foes."

Clammis.... are you....

"I'm no prophet but I can promise you, that you...." She coughed out blood mid sentence but she resumes immediately. "You will be leaving something behind when you made it out this dungeon. Do you understand?"

Is that it.... I really have do that after all....

"Do you understand?" She repeated her question.

With thousands of needle sticking into my heart, I nodded in silent, reluctance, and acceptance.

"Good. Then do what you have to." She said, filled with resolve and she closed her eyes.

She bares neck for me.

I have to do that after all.

I have to leave that behind.

My innocence.

I raised my hand --

-- extended my nails until it became claws --

-- with a swift swipe at her bared neck --

-- I took my first human life.

What's this?

Something fell into my sight.

Ah... It's my hair.

They are disheveled.

They are gray. But I remember them being black.

....

Ah.... Of course.

Why wouldn't they be gray?

All those encounters and experiences, it would only be natural for my hair to loose its colors. I heard from somewhere that a person's hair can go white went under extreme stress.

I guess that applies to me?

Ah... they are in such a mess. I should cut them. They are in the way.

[Conditions Cleared]

Ha.... Figures.

[Soul Harvest: Lv. 1 (Unique) - Unlocked]

Somehow, I already knew the condition but I didn't dare to believe it, just like a lot of things. I knew but I don't believe it. This is my innocence, my ignorance.

No more.

Black tendrils in a shape that resembles both a hand and a dragon's head, they came out from my back, a total of four of these black tendrils.

My mouth, I opened them as wide as I could, I feel my teeth becoming fangs.

The next moment, I begin feasting on the corpse previously known as Clammis with the black tendrils begin eating away her soul.

So this [Soul Harvest].

Without a care to my surroundings, I feast on her like the hungry beast and monster I am. I spilled a lot but I brought what I spilled to my mouth. I won't let a single bit gone to waste.

[Title: - Acquired]

As I paid no mind to even my new title, a voice stop my feeding.

"Hyx Atlas." A cold but dignified voice. A woman's voice.

I raised my eyes to meet the voice.

My eyes widened at the woman, no, too young to be a woman, a girl, standing right in front of me.

A face all too familiar. Her hair. Her eyes. Her lips. Her slender body. Her posture. I remember all of those far too well for my own good.

My heart throbs in confusion.

Was it in joy or despair?

I don't know.

But what I do know is that her demeanor changed a great deal from what I know in my memory.

I have remembered how I always looked at her and find an angel.

But not now.

Now when I looked at her, a sword of black and a white in her hands, looking at me with those upturned eyes, her lips curled up slightly --

-- I don't see an angel anymore.

I see --

-- a reaper.

"Vira." The name came out involuntarily as I remembered who she is.