Isabelle (4)
Isabelle (4)
Redin turned his gaze to the forest.
Just as Isabelle had said, a fierce energy was heading their way.
And it wasn't just one.
A single phantasmal at the head of the group, followed by a pack of others, were closing in at a rapid pace.
Isabelle looked at him.
"I'll stop them. Take the children and run."
As Redin looked at her, he organized his thoughts.
In the game, Isabelle was all alone in this situation, and even then, she would have told the teacher and children to run and then stayed behind.
But the speed of the Phantasmal Creatures coming out of the forest was ridiculously swift. There was no way the teacher and children could have gotten out of here.
Now that he was here, they could make it out alive.
The in-game dialogue kept getting in his thoughts about leaving Isabelle behind.
-A contract with a Familiars? Even if you give me one, I won't do it. I don't want to be lumped in with those supremacists.
-To survive, I made my first contract with a familiar.
A forced contract, not by choice, but by necessity.
Isabelle didn't have a good relationship with her Familiar. She often says that seeing them reminds her of that time, and it's a constant source of torment.
Someone must have been killed.
His gaze naturally turned to the teachers and children. Watching them die and being the only survivor could be traumatizing.
In this situation, he had two options.
He could leave Isabelle behind and take the teacher and the children with him, which would certainly save their lives.
And with any luck, perhaps even manage to capture a Flame Fox.
But it could result in Isabelle's death.
The option to take the teacher and children with him creates a different path that wasn't present in the original.
Isabelle, the teacher, and the children.
It would be best if he could save them all, but if I has to choose between them, he would choose Isabelle.
To stop the Demon Cult, he would require one additional strong person.
Isabelle will be strong enough to join the Hero's Party, and she cannot be allowed to lose her life here.
"I told you to run away quickly."
"I think it's already too late to do that."
Having concluded the worst possible scenario.
Now, it's time to do whatever the best course in this situation is.
The only way to save everyone is to stay here and take care of all of the Phantasmal Creatures.
Until then, he'll have to make do.
"Shit, we're all going to die."
As Isabelle swore, a rustling sound came from up ahead. He gripped the hilt of his sword as he prepared for battle.
With the sound of crunching grass, a Phantasmal Species emerged.
A fox with red fur.
Blazing flames on its eight tails.
Nine-tailed fox.
It was the Phantasmal Species that Isabelle had made a contract with.
"Human."
The heavily wounded nine-tailed fox approached Isabelle.
"If you want to live, make a contract with me."
"What?"
"I'm running out of time. If you want to live, make a deal with me."
Isabelle scowled.
"What are you talking about? Why would I sign a contract with you?"
As reluctant as she was to sign a contract with the Phantasmal Species, she wasn't exactly keen on the idea of a contract with the Red Fox.
At this point, the stakes were rising.
Some of the phantasmal creatures that had been swarming the group charged toward the teachers and children.
They leapt from their seats.
"Awuuuu!"
The wolf-like phantasmal species pounced, baring their sharp teeth.
Redin used his Gale Slash to cut off the head of the one in front of him and then spun around and used a Gust Slash to sweep away the one behind him.
*Snap!* *Snap!* *Crunch!* *Thud!* Thud!
Crash!
The trees around him collapsed.
"Aaah!"
"Teacher."
The frightened children clung to the teacher and began to sob.
"Kids, it's okay, these guys will save us."
Turning away from them, he checked for signs of the phantasmal creatures in the vicinity.
There was one very strong one.
"He's coming. Humans, if you want to live, if you want to save them, you must make a contract with me."
"Fuck off. I don't make contracts. If you do, do it with him."
Isabelle pointed at Redin.
The Red Fox shook his head.
"That person is not compatible with me."
"What? Is there something wrong with him?"
"Yes."
Woosh!
Redin felt a chill run down his spine.
He heard the kids and teacher behind him collapse to the ground.
They couldn't withstand the energy.
"It's not long now. When he comes, he'll kill everyone here......."
"Who is he?"
"Black Wolf."
No sooner had he finished speaking then, a frighteningly huge wolf appeared.
A wolf with black fur.
"Oooooh!"
The wolf's red eyes flashed as it emitted black light and transformed into a human form.
A wolf skin wrapped around his body.
With sharp claws in each hand.
The black wolf.
He grinned a vicious smirk and rushed toward them. The black wolf was after Isabelle.
But he couldn't come to her.
The wolves that had followed him were after the downed teacher and the children.
Clang!
He blocked the wolf's claws and decapitated it.
Redin took the initiative to make sure the wolves couldn't harm the teacher and children.
Using the power of purification, he gave an order.
'Stay back.'
They flinched.
The wolves paused, but that was all. The wolves regained their bearings and pounced, indicating that the stronger ones seemed less susceptible.
"Awoo!"
With wolves coming at him from all directions, he pumped up his mana and used Storm Slash.
Three times in a row.
Swoooshhh!
*Whirl!* Swisshhh
Centering on the ground where the teachers and children were lying, three huge flurries of wind spread out in all directions, engulfing the wolves.
"Huu..."
The wolves were taken care of.
Taking a moment to catch his breath, he glanced to the other side.
Isabelle and the black wolf were engaged in a battle.
Isabelle's hair was a fiery red, as if she had somehow made a contract with the Red Fox.
When fighting together with the Red Fox.
Isabelle's appearance was just like that.
Flames reaching out from her hands.
Explosions rained down on her from all directions, targeting Black Wolf relentlessly, but he dodged them all with quick movements.
Black Wolf was laughing.
"Hehehe."
It was mockingly toying with Isabelle. Isabelle was beginning to lose ground.
He could see her clear blue eyes turning red.
The Red Fox was trying to control her body.
He had a rough idea of where the situation was leading.
Isabelle had made a deal with the Red Fox, but she was outmatched by Black Wolf's overwhelming strength. The Red Fox had taken her body and ran away to save her life.
The teacher and children would have died.
Isabelle felt guilty for surviving alone and hated the Red Fox for abandoning them and running off alone.
"I never thought the story was like this."
The question is, why did this Black Wolf went on a rampage? The only way to find out is to capture him and find out.
Swish!
He use a Gale Slash aimed at Black Wolf's head. Black Wolf ducked and dodged the slash. Using the [Shadow Art] he grabbed Black Wolf's legs.
Spinning his body, he made a vertical slash.
Skkrrrr!
The black wolf bit down on the sword with its teeth.
It tore the shadow's hand away with force, then spat out the blade and lunged into his arms.
The stance broke.
Redin used his [Fairy Wings].
With a flap of the wings, he pulled his body out of reach.
The Black Wolf wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and snorted, staring at him.
"It stinks."
"......."
"The smell of the Transcendent Species."
The black wolf's eyes glowed and he trembled. Then his muscles bulged, and he grew in size.
He took on the form of a werewolf.
White breath emanated from his mouth, and he exuded a strength unlike his previous form.
"I'll eat you with relish."
Swoosh!
Black Wolf's figure became a blur.
The world turned red as the [Eye of Arrakis] activated.
'Left.'
He saw the Black Wolf movements, before his body could react, the claws swept across his side.
Scratch!
A searing pain shot up across his left flank.
"Ugh......."
Redin gritted his teeth and pushed through the pain.
Redin gritted his teeth and pushed through the pain.
The world was still red, and there was no sight of the Black Wolf. Using his sword for support, he tried to stand up.
'Right.'
Although he used the Fairy Wings to dodge Black Wolf's attack, the beast was too fast, and he couldn't dodge the attack that followed.
Smack!
His body flew through the air.
He slammed into the ground.
Crack!
[Blazing Soul (EX) is activated].
Blue fire rises from his heart.
The power of the phoenix spread through his body, healing his wounds and restoring his health and mana for the first time.
But it felt a little different than before.
[Certain conditions have been met].
[The phoenix temporarily descends].
The flame in his heart continued to spread, growing stronger and thicker, forming the shape of a phoenix.
A searing wave of heat spread in all directions.
The phoenix, which hadn't been seen since entering the temple, glared at Black Wolf.
-Fool, you thought that power would lead you to transcendence.
"Shut up."
-Die.
No sooner had the phoenix finished speaking then flames surged throughout Black Wolf's body.
Blue flames.
"Arrrggghhhh!"
In agony, Black Wolf thrashed on the ground, trying to extinguish the flames, but the more he did, the more they burned.
Everything about him was melting away.
"Ah... no, stop!"
Crackle! Pop! Hiss! Crackle!
Blue flames engulfed Black Wolf.
Along with it, the phoenix disappeared.
At that moment, his heart throbbed.
"Argh!"
And then he lost consciousness.
* * *
When he opened his eyes again, he saw a white ceiling.
"You're awake?"
At the familiar voice, he turned his head to the side and saw Isabelle sitting on a chair.
He wanted to say something, but his throat itched.
"Wa... Water."
"Wait."
He drank the water Isabelle handed him and dragged his body upright.
"Where are the children and the teacher?"
"They're all alive."
"And the black wolf?"
"I need to ask you something about that. Do you remember anything about what happened before you passed out?"
He remembered.
A message said he had fulfilled a certain condition, and the Phoenix appeared and killed Black Wolf.
Conditions for the advent of the Phoenix.
The place had to be rich enough in natural mana for the Transcendent Species to ascend, and the Blazing Soul had to be activated.
"Redin?"
"I don't remember."
If found out he has a Phoenix, he doesn't know what they'll do to him in the Magic Tower. A bit concerned about the Red Fox, though.
The way she asked him like that.
She must not have said much.
"Really? Hmm."
"But who brought me here?"
"Lord Cheongtap."
As soon as the words were finished.
The door to the hospital room opened and someone walked in.
A gray-haired old man in a blue cloak.
He wore a star badge on his heart, symbolizing the Lord of the Magic Tower.
"Greetings, Lord Cheongtap"
Isabelle sat up and bowed her head, so he tried to push himself to his feet, but the old man stopped him.
"That's fine. How are you feeling?"
"I don't think there's anything wrong with me, thanks to your rescue."
"The situation was already over by the time I got there. All I did was move you to a hospital room."
It seems that even Cheongtap hadn't seen the phoenix.
"First of all, I'd like to thank you. Thank you for saving the lives of the youth who will lead the Kingdom of Resha in the future."
"It was something that had to be done."
"Is that so?"
The Blue Tower Lord looked satisfied and handed him a badge.
"This is an honorary membership card to the Magic Tower. If you ever need help from the Magic Tower, show this to them and they'll help you."
"Thank you."
"And... have you heard about this incident?"
"Not yet."
Then Isabelle stepped to the side and whispered quietly.
"The Red Fox mentioned that. There was someone who came to the Illusory Forest, and they told the Black Wolf how to become a Transcendent Species, and that all they had to do was eat a human heart."
Someone.
Nothing comes to mind.
After all, he have no knowledge of this incident.
"Have they identified the culprit?"
"No. That's why a special organization will be set up to catch him."
By the look in the Blue Tower Lord's eyes, he wants to include him in that organization.
Why?
He must not want him to be part of Burning Hell.
"I've heard rumors about you recently. You've taken down a member of the Magnes organization."
"The rumor has already spread?"
The Blue Tower Lord laughed.
"I'd like to formally scout you out. If you wish, I can arrange for a baronetcy in the Kingdom of Resha."
A noble title means a guaranteed future.
But he has work to do.
"I appreciate the offer, but I prefer Burning Hell."
"That's a shame."
"I'm sorry."
"Get some rest and go home."
The Blue Tower Lord strode out of the room with a rueful look on his face, and Isabelle beside him grabbed him by the collar with her mouth agape.
"You crazy bastard, they're offering you a noble title and you're turning it down? Even if someone wants it, they can't have it."
"I don't need it."
"You're going to hit the ground and regret it."
"I don't regret it."
He slid off the bed and shuffled out of it.
"Tell me how long it's been since I passed out."
"Three days."
"Really?"
Time to catch Viscount Bothaman.