Alastor’s blade shone in flame tied in by the Libel’s magic. Alastor uses it as an advantage and successfully burns the webs out of the way that the spiders created. Libel too is efficiently knocking back the enemy with its fire magic. With masterful swordsmanship, Alastor swung magnificently and successfully exterminate the enemies.

He rarely uses coercive magic; he has not performed it since he got out in the glade. A Coercive Magic is a magic that allows the user to enchant an item to boosts its effects. His magical fire sword is an example of it. This technique uses very rarely because they have not found a need for it since most people knew how to use magic, however, that is not the case for Alastor. Since he can’t use any kind of elemental magic, he needed assistance from his allies, but this only became apparent when they face an enemy that is likely extreme for them to take on.

Not being able to use elemental magic is the downside of being a Mana Folder. The only magic he can do is non-elemental magic such as cure, wall, or barrier barrage spells. He cursed before for being born without the talent of conjuring elemental magic, he was discriminated against and belittled by his companions. The only one who comforts him and encourages him the most is Meil. But accompanied by his encouragement is the need to become more stoic and numb away any unnecessary emotions for him to keep moving forward without any hesitation. Meil was disheartened with Alastor’s resolution but was not able to keep his innocent smile because Meil has to go on his missions and inevitably retires and lives in Kayon City.

“Whew, that took care of the bug problem.”

Alastor pat Libel and continued to follow the way. Considering that he does not know the layout of the sewage, he decided to not waste more time and need to find a way out. The underground sewer is like a maze, with too many spots, yet no spaces left to serve as a safe spot. It is truly bothersome for him.

Libel stopped from following Alastor and gazes at the wall as if there was something beyond. Alastor was disturbed by the light peck of the Comodo.

“What?” Alastor annoyingly asked.

Libel pointed his beak to the wall. Alastor was puzzled by Libel’s gesture.

“What the hell are you pointing at?” Alastor asked.

Libel snorts and walk forward and gesturing for Alastor to ride on his back.

“You sure you can handle another more ride?” There’s sympathy in his voice.

Libel cried. Alastor nodded and mounted. It seems that Libel has an idea to lead them out of here. Alastor hung tight as Liber jump off and kick wall to wall away from the countless monsters that were hoarding. Liber’s eyes reflected eagerness and focus on what was up ahead. He hisses as Liber nearly drops him from rolling over in the air. At a certain point of the exploration, Alastor felt the temperature rose and the heat oddly boils the water.

“Liber, it’s not what I supposed to think it is!”

Alastor caught a glance of the monster spewing fire out of its mouth as Liber turns and sprint ahead of the other way.

“You dumbass shit!” His voice vociferated. “Why would you take us on that goddamn monster?!”

Liber didn’t mind him and halted. Alastor fell off and stared at Liber. Liber pointed to his beak and Alastor finally understand why Liber takes him there. Before the blazing tornado caught Cid, Alastor dragged him out of the range. Cid opens his eyes slowly and widened before realizing that he got saved by Alastor. He glances back and greeted his savior with a shocking expression. He could not believe with his own eyes that Alastor is still alive and standing in front of him, well and strong.

“Al?!” Cid observes him from top to toe.

“Yeah, I’m back. You look beat up.” Al said.

“No, you’re the one who looks beaten up,” Cid replied with exasperation.

“About that, it’s a long story.” He replied.

Alastor glanced at the monster who was currently charging against them. Its movement is sluggish but steadying. That attack must have heavily taxed the physical body. Cid muttered and raise his palm against the enemy, multiple fireballs emanated and disrupted the enemy’s senses. The monster growled and halted every inch of its muscles.

“Girlfriend of yours?” Alastor asked.

“More like a stalker.” Said Cid.

“You have any plan to beat the mice?”

Of course not, if Cid had planned to defeat the monster, he would be done it without a heart of doubt. Instead, he chose the cowardly but smart path.

Cid raised one of his brows, “First of all, no – I was planning to run. Second, It’s not a mouse, it’s a sewer rat, a giant sewer rat.” Cid explained.

“Whatever, they look like the same.” Alastor dismisses him.

Cid finally noticed the Comodo staring at them.

“You bought a Comodo?” Cid asked. “That’s expensive.”

“He’s quite useful. I actually took a liking of it.” Liber smiled with a proud face. “I bought Liber as soon as I heard the city is on the siege.”

Cid may have spent most of his night down the sewer but he knew that the uprising already started a few hours ago. The conflict up in the ground does not conceal the noise of the bullets and the magic conjured by the two opposing forces left him unheard.

“Yeah, shits happened.”

“Tell me that later, the enemy is coming.”

“You have any plan?”

“We’ll attack it where its claws and fang do not reach us. We’ll attack both sides.”

“You want to bang it?”

“Bang?” asked Alastor.

“Never mind. I’ll take the front you go behind.”

Alastor mounted Liber and sprinted back. Alastor draw out his sword and ran towards the monster. Cid sprung and flip backward evading the roll attack of the monster.

Alastor pursues the opportunity and slashes the monsters behind. Its tail was cut in half and the enemy’s back that was slashed oozed blood. The monster shrieked and rolled behind to slap Alastor away. Alastor was momentarily stammered before getting up.

Cid threw fireballs from there and there and close his hands. The flames burst violently as they enclosed to the enemy. With wind magic, the rat was covered in dust, blood was frizzled, making its rusty smell hanging in the air. The rat monster howled. Its reddish eyes grew brighter. Claws grew and sprung towards Cid.

Cid side rolls and made another fireball throwing it to the enemy. The monster only shoved it back to Cid and lunges at him. Alastor saw the opportunity and seize it. He moved forward and swing his sword against the skin of the enemy.

The rat had too noticed his presence and rolled over away from Alastor evading his attack. The enemy’s movement did not falter instead it became quicker, more precise, and steadier than before. The monster swings its short arm to Alastor before the blade could make contact with the flesh. Alastor back hardly met the wall and stumbled. He coughs blood as he used his sword to stand up. Liber uses fire magic to point towards the monster as its attention was on Alastor.

“Liber! Tie your fire magic to my sword!” shouted Alastor.

Liber nodded and to its beak, the fire began to accumulate and eventually led to the Alastor sword. He then ran, encircling the enemy and confusing it to outflank it. Cid was in the back regaining his strength, waiting for the right timing to launch an attack.

Alastor jinked sideways confusing the enemy and went to its right, outflanking the enemy. He swung furiously at the enemy’s back, causing more wounds to bled and ooze out. The monster jumps away from him. It gasped for air. The monster finally shows physically distressed and shuddered in an attempt to pose.

Cid throws another set of fireballs.

“Turn into ash!”

He closed his hand and the fireballs violently attack the rat. The monster's lids close, its body smeared in charred.

“Is it dead?”

Alastor's eyes remained at the billowing dust and saw the physique of a monster that is still clinging to life.

“Not yet.”

“It's gonna take longer than I expected.”

The monster growled and stabbed them with its murderous stare. Its belly began to go more brightly than before. The mouth gently drops as it pointed against them.

“What’s it doing?” asked Alastor.

“It’s going to do what he did back then.”

“Shit.”

Before the enemy could be finished accumulating the firepower out of its mouth, something fell from the ceiling and crushes the rat. The monster’s chunks of flesh spread across the place. The putrid smell of blood grosses their noses.

Cid who was hiding stood up and gazed at the menacing figure with its violet eyes pulsating in the dust.

“What the hell is this?” Cid asked.

“I’m asking the same thing.” Alastor said.