"The heart! That's our target!"
The so-called heart in this situation was its shard– or more like core, something I haven't seen in a while.
Before I could have pointed it out Mathew had shouted, he looked rather excited as he pointed his finger toward the sluggish beast.
"Oh, do you have a plan on how to strike it?" I asked.
Mathew nodded, his eyes alight with determination. "I have an idea, but we need to work together."
Lanchesto looked skeptical but nodded. "Fine, what's the plan?"
"We need to create an opening, right?" He asked.
I looked at Lanchesto and he looked back at me. He seemed rather embarrassed by this whole situation.
"We do, but how?" Lanchesto asked, his eyes darting to the beast that seemed to be moving away.
"Those monsters we killed—" Mathew whispered, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"Ah, That's a good idea." I nodded, he didn't need to say it anymore as the plan was more obvious than it seemed.
Lanchesto looked at us in confusion as he asked.
"Don't keep it to yourself, share it here as well."
"Go ahead," I said while walking toward the beast, seeing me leave, Mathew nodded.
"Sir, let's go I will explain it on our way."
Lanchesto in the end could only nod and trust their judgment.
"When the beast tried to eat the monsters before did you notice that it got a bit thinner to engulf it," Mathew said while running.
He was not going to waste any time, Reaper was already busy keeping the beast in one place.
Lanchesto's eyes widened as the idea finally clicked in his mind, he looked back toward Reaper while running toward the fallen monster's body.
"If we can drag one of the monsters toward the slug-like beast we can use it to bait him." He muttered.
Lanchesto who heard this frowned before asking, his steps seemed to have become heavier as the armor made clinging sounds.
"But won't it still be hard to open its heart, even if it got thinner we won't have time to strike it."
Mathew hearing this stopped in his tracks and looked at the monsters killed by Asher.
"We can only trust Sir Reaper for it, he seems faster than any of us. If needed I will go near it myself and give a shockwave to make a small burst."
Even if the plan was not guaranteed to work, they could still implement it. Asher who was the fastest among them could save them in the worst-case scenario.
They approached the monster's body, it was still warm and it smelled of something foul. The smell was so strong that it was hard to breathe.
"It was poisoned, right?" Mathew asked as he grabbed its blade-like arms.
"Maybe" Lanchesto grabbed the other arm, his hand still burned making him wince in pain, he bit his lips. His eyes closed and then they both started to drag it.
The body finally moved after a bit of struggle, their hands started to strain as they dragged the carcass, leaving a green blood trail behind them.
The blood started to pool around as the monster's wound opened, creating a disgusting stench around them.
"I feel *huff* bad for doing this to a former human," Mathew mumbled under his heavy breathing, but he didn't stop.
Lanchesto nodded in agreement, his eyes never leaving the beast. "We must *puff* do what we can to save the others."
Their eyes soon turned toward the beast as it once again spat the acidic shots, Reaper dodged them, sometimes he would move faster than their eyes could follow other times he would jump in the air and levitate before coming down again.
"....I want that skill."
Before even thinking about it, Mathew said out loud, his grip on the monster's hand tightening.
"Kid, focus, we can't let the beast move."
The words of Lanchesto brought Mathew back to the grim reality. They were dangerously close to the slug-like creature, and the foul smell grew stronger with each passing moment. The beast was massive, easily the size of a castle gate, and it seemed to have noticed them. Its tentacles squirmed in excitement, making the ground tremble.
"Crap!" I cursed, as the beast moved with excitement, it ignored me as it dragged its body toward the carcass of the fallen monster.
"Move out!" I shouted.
Mathew and Lanchesto had managed to drag the monster's body closer to the slug beast, and it had definitely caught its attention. The creature's tentacles shot out, reaching for the carcass like greedy fingers.
"Mathew! I will stop its movements for a few moments, create an opening for me to attack! Sir Lanchesto be ready to run with Mathew when he is done."
Without waiting for their response I dashed to the beast.
My boots slammed against the ground with each step, the earth beneath me trembling with the beast's movements, the sound of the tentacles slapping against the ground was like a drum beat that matched my racing heart.
The beast's body expanded, and I could feel its excitement clear as day, the moon's pale light made its dark body shine enough to show us the disgusting act it was about to commit.
The world slowed as my prescription changed, I could see it. The beast thinned as its body raised from the ground like a slime it lunged at the monster carcass, engulfing it in one go.
The body thinned as its core shined.
My eyes burned in this slow-down world, my attention went toward the core then— It stopped, its time froze.
"Now!"
"On it—!"
Mathew ran toward the monster, his hand shot forward as a wave of current sparked. As he touched the beast's skin his eyes widened and a burning sensation filled his left hand.
"Argh!" Then a shockwave of current emerged, its slug-like body moved in waves as a small gap was created.
Lanchesto didn't wait either, he took out a metallic chain hanging on his waist, it moved toward him and grabbed Mathew by the waist, pulling him back instantly.
Mathew stumbled, the shock on his face clear as day, but he quickly composed himself.
I accelerated and jumped above the beast, as the effect of static was about to be undone my sword crackled turning into a sword whip.
"Hold on tight Mathew!" Lanchesto yelled as I swung my sword downward.
The sword moved cutting throw the air as a loud sound echoed surrounding it.
I have accelerated its speed while also slowing down the beast at the same time.
This resulted in static being undone, but the gap was still there.
The sword whip moved with a graceful curve and hit the heart— The beast's core shattered instantly turning into dust upon the force of impact.
Lanchesto let go of the chains as the beast's body started to wobble, the ground shook as it lost its balance.
Then it blasted, and at the same time, I landed on the ground. A purplish liquid flew everywhere, melting down whatever it touched.
"Shit! Not again." I managed to avoid the first three shots, but the splashes hit my back as I ducked for safety, my eyes watered as a burning sensation filled my back, dissolving my cloak.
My knees hit the ground, making me wince in pain, gritting my teeth as I looked at the fallen beast.
The bastard can't even die peacefully. Even though I knew it was not its fault, I still felt bitter.
"Sir Reaper are you alright." Mathew and Lanchesto came running toward me, they also seemed to have gotten some splashes but not as big as me.
Taking a deep breath, I stood up and removed my cloak. The melted cloth stuck to my skin as a burning and painful sensation once again filled me. I closed my eyes and removed it slowly.
"I'll be fine," I assured them through gritted teeth.
One of the beasts was finally dealt with, there must be many more in the city right now. But I was assured that someone like Morgan would deal with them. Those of the same rank, I never thought of them as a threat. Maybe it was arrogance or maybe it was simple and pure confidence. But deep down I knew I was right.
The abilities of humans are never a match, they all seem basic elemental powers. Maybe once in a while, someone with extraordinary or weird abilities will emerge just like Morgana's sword creation and Lanchesto's use of steel chains.
But what can they do in front of their time frozen? Right now I may be weaker than Morgana but I was confident that I would surpass her one day.
"Sir?"
But today's struggle made me realize one core weakness of mine, no matter what I do, there will be someone who could challenge me, just like Victor.
My attacks have no power, I also need to do something about it.
"Sir, are you listening?"
Mathew's voice broke through my thoughts. He looked at me with a mix of concern and excitement. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes were bright.
I stared at him absent mindedly for a moment before asking.
"Something the matter?"
Won't even let me rest? This was the real response, that Lanchesto seemed to have gotten. But Mathew, unfortunately didn't, his face flushed as he stared at me.
"Sir... It was my first time fighting a rank 2— A mid-level beast on top of that."
Mathew's voice was filled with excitement and fear. I could see the tremble in his hand as he spoke.
Should I tell him, that the day I became an awakener, I killed something between mid to high-level beast?
But that was a story for another day.
I should at least appreciate the kid, even though he probably is older than me. So I did what I was supposed to do, I nodded slowly showing my calm and collected personality.
"...Yes, you did great."
I forced a smile through the pain, my eyes still on the fading smoke from the explosion. The purple liquid was slowly dissolving the monster's remains, leaving only a scorched patch of earth behind.
My mask again started to tingle as a burning sensation filled my face, it bit me a piece of my flesh was eaten.
I was a bit late in rejecting the mask due to the pain, not letting it go anymore, I gritted my teeth as I held Mathew's shoulder.
"Are you alright?" Lanchesto who had been watching us from afar, walked toward me and put his hand on my back.
"Fuck! That hurts." The moment the mask of Panoply stopped, another pain came to my back making my eyes red.
Do they hate me? What's with all this pain one after another? I didn't even got injured while fighting. What with all these sudden injuries?
"Ah, sorry." Seeing my crouching figure Lanchesto moved back, with an awkward face he rubbed his own injured hands.
"No, it's fine. It's just a small burn." I lied through the pain.
"Sir, we should work together for now. I am sure you plan to fight more... Kill more monsters and save others but if you are injured let us help." Mathew interjected before I could say anything else his eyes seemed determined for something.
But there was a problem, I actually wanted to go back.
"Yes, we should work together... Sir Reaper let us help."
Lanchesto didn't wait and told me as well.
"No, wait I —"
"Even if you say no we will follow you, we won't get in the way, I promise." Mathew and Lanchesto nodded.
They grabbed my shoulders and made me walk.
I-I wanted to go rest— In the end, no one heard me as I was dragged into another fight.
I finally understand how Albert and the other feel when I do this.
****
Morgan came down, she had destroyed most beasts roaming the city and left some to conserve her energy.
She after all still needs to destroy the dens of monsters, and Philips Street, the base of Red Hands. She has predicted along with Asher would have the biggest monster's den.
Following her were four more Templar knights, She had sent Franz and the others to use the artifacts to stop it.
They seem to have succeeded in doing so.
"Lady Morgana, some of our men are injured here."
One of the knights shouted as they rushed toward the fallen. Their boots crushed the ice-filled surface.
She also followed after them, knelt beside Tylor, putting her hand above his chest to feel his heartbeat.
But she felt nothing below her palm.
She bit her lips, silent curses going throw her mind. She turned her head to the side and saw something — A heart lying in a puddle of blood.
Her fists clenched as they trembled for a moment, she took a deep breath calming the anger surging through her.
She can't be emotional— Not yet, She still has many responsibilities left.
She walked past her colleagues, her steps calm but they all could feel the temperature drop as Morgana moved toward the hideout.
"Save those who can be saved— This is your only priority."
She spoke calmly, her voice cold and dreadful.
One of the knights gulped before asking. "...Some of the gang members are also alive... Injured but alive— What should we do?"
She turned to look at him, her red eyes pointing daggers toward those words he had spoken.
"Save just one of them... Who seem important and valuable, for the others let them die in agony."
Saying that she walked away, and soon reached Jacob's body which had been cut in half by her own colors. She knelt and took something out of his chest, a ball of light, surrounding it was lighting making it crackle. She silently wrapped it in the Embrace of Dawn and stored it in her ring.
She looked at his face pale and drained of all the blood, with a look of disgust she kicked his head with all the force she could muster.
A cracking sound soon followed.
She still has a lot of work left to do. A painful amount of work.
****
In the hospital room, Elda continued to look towards the door in a worried manner, her head turned to look at Albert who seemed to be looking out of the window.
"It has been more than six hours, do you think Asher is okay?"
Elda asked her hand fidgeting as she stood up from bed and walked toward him. Seeing her walk, Albert looked at her legs, still unable to believe what Asher had previously done to heal them.
".... We can only pray he is okay, I was shocked how the warning came then those intruders in the hospital, and how Asher went out. All of this happened too suddenly."
Albert took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving the window, the storm had already stopped, and in an orange light, it had been cut down.
Click—!
Hearing the sudden sound, they both turned to look at the man who just came, his silver eyes first looked at Albert and then at Elda. He muttered something under his breath, they couldn't hear it but— Was he cursing his luck or something?
Elda opened her mouth to say something to Asher, but he ignored her and fell to the bed. His chest raised up and down with small breaths—He has fallen asleep.
"What the—?"
Elda and Albert looked at each other in confusion, Why was this strong and scary figure looking so pitiful all of a sudden?
Elda licked her lips, and slowly started to walk toward him, her steps making no sound as she walked on the tips of her toes. Albert followed her back.
They both looked at Asher, his face looked tired with dried blood drops below his eyes, Elda gasped as she saw his burned back, Albert immediately stopped her from making any sound before saying in a soft voice.
"...Let him sleep."
They both in the end let their savior sleep, praying his dreams would bring him peace as they gently tended to his wounds.
[End of Volume:- 2= Hunters and the prey.]
[Next Volume:- 3= Song of forgotten stories.]