I was in excruciating pain and gasping for breath. More pain ensued as the teeth that had dug into the flesh were retrieved.
But I couldn’t even struggle. It was as if someone had bound me.
The Archduchess’ screams and the knights’ cries mingled and pierced my ears.
“Elena!”
“Please calm down, Your Highness!”
“Let go of this……!”
“Attention, everyone! Get rid of that demonic beast!”
The knights dashed at the demonic beast with their Auror wrapped around their swords. Following the clash, black and red blood was sprayed in all directions.
Unknowingly, I closed my eyes at the horrifying sight and managed to reopen them.
‘I have to do something.’
I tried to move my body, but it wouldn’t budge.
Meanwhile, a knight, who had slashed through the beasts, approached me and pierced the beast’s front leg with his sword.
Stabbed!
I heard a deep thread of flesh, and the black blood splashed over me.
The beast screamed.
Kyaagghhh!
The demonic beast struck the knight with its front paws, causing my ears to shake.
Even before he could draw his sword, the knight had fallen to the other side.
Cough- My eye level abruptly changed when I saw the knight vomit blood. It was as if something had grabbed and lifted me up.
My eyes were blurred with tears as I looked down at the people.
In hindsight, I could see what was going on.
‘That the demonic beast bit me and lift me up.’
Otherwise, there would be no way I, who had been looking up at those people until now, would be able to look down.
My vision changed dramatically when the demonic beast that was biting me turned around.
“No, no, no, my child!”
The Archduchess’s desperate scream could be heard from behind.
Soon after, I couldn’t see the Archduchess, who was reaching her hand into the air but was blocked by the other knights battling other demonic beasts.
⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻
My body swayed without any strength as the demonic beast ran. At the same time, the surrounding scenery blurred in front of my eyes.
My stomach was rumbling, and I was nauseous.
But this kind of thing was fine for me.
What I wasn’t fine with was the fear of what would happen after this.
I had no idea where the demonic beast was taking me or what it intended to do with me.
What was certain was that I would die if I was dragged like this.
And in such misery.
‘I know.’
I was angry at my body, which didn’t move at all.
The deafening sound of my heartbeat felt like it was eating my mind.
It was the first time I realized how terrifying it can be to be alive at times.
It would have been preferable if I had died instantly, as the knight before. When the demonic beast bit me on the back of the neck.
‘Would it have been any better back then?‘
My vision suddenly darkened, and my body was thrown away.
I couldn’t turn my head, but I knew I was in a cave.
The demonic beast’s saliva dripped over my face along with its hot breath.
Its bright red fist-sized eyes moved and looked down at me.
It was the look in its eyes that made it feel excited as if it were looking at a lavishly prepared meal.
‘This thing is going to gobble up me alive.’
The visceral realization shivered me to death. A terrible thoughts that I didn’t even want to think about came to my mind.
‘No, I don’t want to, I don’t want to……’
I despised all methods of death, but I despised being eaten alive the most.
Nothing had hit me yet, but I felt like my entire body was being ripped apart. Horribly.
With frantic fear, my heart fluttered sharply.
‘If only I could get my hands on that sword.’
I looked down at the demonic beast’s front paw, where the sword was lodged.
It was right next to me, so if I could just move my hand, I could pull it out.
‘I just need the sword.’
If I could get it, I could do everything.
It was when I was constantly fortifying my body. Some of my fingers were lifted in some way.
It was subtle but firm.
‘It moved.’
My body, which had been paralyzed and couldn’t move until now, just moved.
The demonic beast was still staring at me, as if deciding which part to devour first.
And this was my only chance.
I poured all of my remaining strength into my body.
The stiffness was gradually easing, starting with the fingertips.
‘Please.’
Please proceed.
Please, just a little bit more.
The demonic beast opened its mouth as I desperately tried to move my body. Judging by the direction, it was my right arm.
It happened just as the demonic beast was about to bite my arm. My whole body jerked up.
My reflexes were slow, but I forced myself to move and pull out the handle of the sword that was stuck in the demonic beast’s front foot.
Kyaaagghhh! screamed the beast.
The demonic beast’s eyes flashed at me as it felt the pain.
The beast lifted its feet as if to scratch me, but I was faster.
I have no idea where such strength came from, but I stabbed the demonic beast with all my might while holding the sword.
‘I did it!’
Joy shone through. But the moment was short.
The sword’s blade, which was supposed to pierce the demonic beast’s flesh, instead bounced back.
‘How is that possible?’
I felt my blood run cold all over my body in an instant.
As I stabbed it vigorously, the rebound was also massive. My body rolled on the ground, unable to cope with the shock.
I almost dropped the sword, but I was able to keep it until the end.
Despite the fact that the demonic beast’s claws were unavoidable.
“Argh!”
The demonic beast’s pointed toenail ripped my right arm apart as if it were being severed. I could feel red blood gushing out of the deep cut.
My arms ached and burned like hell, but I couldn’t even wrap them up.
In a daze, I stared up at the demonic beast, holding the sword.
‘How come… why did the sword bounce out?’
It didn’t take long for me to realize how stupid the question was.
The opponent was a demonic beast.
Ordinary weapons were useless against the demonic beast.
Only a weapon engulfed in Auror can penetrate the skin of a demonic beast.
How could I have forgotten about it after seeing it so many times?
“Sigh, really……”
A dejected laugh escaped from the corner of my mouth.
“The Auror……”
I hadn’t even learned to sense Auror, let alone draw it out of myself.
However, I……
“It’s useless……”
My grip on the sword trembled as if it were convulsed.
‘I knew.’
It’s pointless holding the sword this way. It’s just my belligerence.
Still, I couldn’t let go of the sword, despite knowing.
‘I can’t even run away anyway.’
I’ll be bitten to death by the demonic beast even before I can take a step.
Now the only option was to fight back in some way.
‘Feel the flow and draw it out.’
I tried to recall what Caleb had previously taught me.
But, as has been the case for several days, I am unable to sense the flow or anything else.
The demonic beast screamed once more, Kyaaaaaaaagh!
The demonic beast opened its mouth wide, revealing its menacing fangs.
There would be no chance of survival if my body was sewn through those teeth.
‘Please!’
I reached out my hand, sword pointing at the demonic beast, hoping for the same miracle as before.
A strange sensation passed through my fingertips at the same time.
I knew instinctively. That this sensation is the flow of the Auror, which I’ve been trying to figure out for a while now.
A brilliant gold color flowed from my hand and wrapped around the sword’s blade. The Auror-engulfed sword stabbed the demonic beast in both eyes.
Soon after, a flood of black liquid erupted.
Kyaaaaaagh!
In a violent cry, the demonic beast opened its mouth. The demonic beast grabbed my arm before I could react.
“Argh!”
My flesh was pierced by a sharp pain.
I almost dropped the sword for a split second, but I tightened my grip on the handle.
As my muscles tightened, I could vividly feel the teeth piercing my flesh.
‘I need to quickly draw the Auror back and cut this……!’
However, my thoughts did not result in action. This is because the Auror who had been dragged out was abruptly severed.
When I tried again, the result was the same.
I couldn’t draw the Auror out.
Clearly, I could feel the flow, but no Auror appeared. The senses had clearly been realized, but there was no Auror to call upon. As ashes remain after the last flame has been extinguished.
‘Just why?’
When a brief thought crossed my mind, the demonic beast began to bite at random. I let go of the sword, unable to bear the pain.
The sharp blade of the sword and the demonic beast’s teeth scratched my arm.
I try to pull my arm free, but the demonic beast won’t let me.
My legs were soaked in blood mixed with the demonic beast’s saliva.
My vision and mind were dizzy, and I was afraid I’d be distracted at any moment.
The demonic beast let go of my arm after several bites. The sword also appeared at the same time.
My arm had been spitting out by the demonic beast and was covered in red blood.
Not only did the wound feel tattered, but it was also wide open.
I slumped to the ground in such excruciating pain that it wouldn’t be surprising if my arm fell off right away.
“Ugh… Sigh… Ugh!”
Tears streamed down my cheeks all the time.
It hurt so much that it’s difficult to say the right thing.
Perhaps the demonic beast couldn’t open its eyes properly because I stabbed both of its eyes earlier.
Nonetheless, the demonic beast opened its mouth precisely toward me.
I looked up at the demonic beast, blankly.
In my previous life, many memories seemed to flash by like a kaleidoscope before I died, but now I could only think about one person.
‘Caleb.’
I missed him.
I missed him madly.
The demonic beast roared at me, as if it was going to tear my ears out.
I shut my eyes tightly. However, there was no impending pain.
On the contrary, I heard something different than I expected.
Thump!
The sound of something bumping alternated with the cry of the demonic beast.
I was afraid to open my eyes and check, but I did so with carefulness.
It wasn’t long before I noticed something unexpected.
The demonic beast stood a distance away from me, clenching his teeth and howling alone.
The demonic beast clashed alone and cried ferociously as it smashed its teeth against the hard ground once more.
‘What exactly is it doing?’
I ended up looking at the place where the demonic beast was biting without realizing it because of the demonic beast’s incomprehensible behavior.
‘That’s……’
There was a handkerchief nearby. Despite the fact that it was covered in blood, I was certain.
‘That was the handkerchief Vivian gave me.’
There was no handkerchief on my thumb as proof. It was most likely bitten and ripped off by a demon.
The demonic beast ripped the handkerchief apart with its front feet and mouth.
Despite the fact that the handkerchief had already been ripped into pieces, the demonic beast repeated the same behavior.
I’m not sure why it was acting that way, but this was my chance.
‘I have to get out of here.’
It wasn’t easy getting up from my seat entirely with my legs, but I had no choice.
Though I couldn’t feel anything in my arm, it was definitely still there.
In pain, I clenched my teeth and moved on.
‘Haa… Haa…‘ a heavy breath flowed out of my mouth every time I moved.
Hearing my heavy breath, I couldn’t tell if the demonic beach would pursue me, but I couldn’t stop it.
I simply clasp my arm in the hope that the demonic beast will not pursue me.
I had a sudden thought while walking in fear.
‘Even if I’m out of here…… Will I be able to survive?’
The demonic beast even bit me and brought me to the cave.
I’m not sure, but getting to a place where people were surely would be difficult.
Furthermore, I couldn’t remember which direction the demonic beast was fleeing in.
Even if the direction was fortunately correct, I didn’t expect to arrive at the temporary camp at my own pace right now.
‘It might be faster for me to die from excessive blood loss before arriving there.’
Moving was difficult, let alone walking……
After a period of blank thought, I suddenly came to my senses and shook my head vigorously.
‘No, let’s not think like this.’
I’m going to live. I will come back. So I can finally meet Caleb……
As I walked, I discovered a bright light at the end.
It had to have been the cave’s entrance.
I took my time approaching the light.
It was when the cave’s entrance was so close that it could be clearly seen.
I accidentally came to a halt while walking.
Someone stood in front of the cave.
I was in excruciating pain and gasping for breath. More pain ensued as the teeth that had dug into the flesh were retrieved.
But I couldn’t even struggle. It was as if someone had bound me.
The Archduchess’ screams and the knights’ cries mingled and pierced my ears.
“Elena!”
“Please calm down, Your Highness!”
“Let go of this……!”
“Attention, everyone! Get rid of that demonic beast!”
The knights dashed at the demonic beast with their Auror wrapped around their swords. Following the clash, black and red blood was sprayed in all directions.
Unknowingly, I closed my eyes at the horrifying sight and managed to reopen them.
‘I have to do something.’
I tried to move my body, but it wouldn’t budge.
Meanwhile, a knight, who had slashed through the beasts, approached me and pierced the beast’s front leg with his sword.
Stabbed!
I heard a deep thread of flesh, and the black blood splashed over me.
The beast screamed.
Kyaagghhh!
The demonic beast struck the knight with its front paws, causing my ears to shake.
Even before he could draw his sword, the knight had fallen to the other side.
Cough- My eye level abruptly changed when I saw the knight vomit blood. It was as if something had grabbed and lifted me up.
My eyes were blurred with tears as I looked down at the people.
In hindsight, I could see what was going on.
‘That the demonic beast bit me and lift me up.’
Otherwise, there would be no way I, who had been looking up at those people until now, would be able to look down.
My vision changed dramatically when the demonic beast that was biting me turned around.
“No, no, no, my child!”
The Archduchess’s desperate scream could be heard from behind.
Soon after, I couldn’t see the Archduchess, who was reaching her hand into the air but was blocked by the other knights battling other demonic beasts.
⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻
My body swayed without any strength as the demonic beast ran. At the same time, the surrounding scenery blurred in front of my eyes.
My stomach was rumbling, and I was nauseous.
But this kind of thing was fine for me.
What I wasn’t fine with was the fear of what would happen after this.
I had no idea where the demonic beast was taking me or what it intended to do with me.
What was certain was that I would die if I was dragged like this.
And in such misery.
‘I know.’
I was angry at my body, which didn’t move at all.
The deafening sound of my heartbeat felt like it was eating my mind.
It was the first time I realized how terrifying it can be to be alive at times.
It would have been preferable if I had died instantly, as the knight before. When the demonic beast bit me on the back of the neck.
‘Would it have been any better back then?‘
My vision suddenly darkened, and my body was thrown away.
I couldn’t turn my head, but I knew I was in a cave.
The demonic beast’s saliva dripped over my face along with its hot breath.
Its bright red fist-sized eyes moved and looked down at me.
It was the look in its eyes that made it feel excited as if it were looking at a lavishly prepared meal.
‘This thing is going to gobble up me alive.’
The visceral realization shivered me to death. A terrible thoughts that I didn’t even want to think about came to my mind.
‘No, I don’t want to, I don’t want to……’
I despised all methods of death, but I despised being eaten alive the most.
Nothing had hit me yet, but I felt like my entire body was being ripped apart. Horribly.
With frantic fear, my heart fluttered sharply.
‘If only I could get my hands on that sword.’
I looked down at the demonic beast’s front paw, where the sword was lodged.
It was right next to me, so if I could just move my hand, I could pull it out.
‘I just need the sword.’
If I could get it, I could do everything.
It was when I was constantly fortifying my body. Some of my fingers were lifted in some way.
It was subtle but firm.
‘It moved.’
My body, which had been paralyzed and couldn’t move until now, just moved.
The demonic beast was still staring at me, as if deciding which part to devour first.
And this was my only chance.
I poured all of my remaining strength into my body.
The stiffness was gradually easing, starting with the fingertips.
‘Please.’
Please proceed.
Please, just a little bit more.
The demonic beast opened its mouth as I desperately tried to move my body. Judging by the direction, it was my right arm.
It happened just as the demonic beast was about to bite my arm. My whole body jerked up.
My reflexes were slow, but I forced myself to move and pull out the handle of the sword that was stuck in the demonic beast’s front foot.
Kyaaagghhh! screamed the beast.
The demonic beast’s eyes flashed at me as it felt the pain.
The beast lifted its feet as if to scratch me, but I was faster.
I have no idea where such strength came from, but I stabbed the demonic beast with all my might while holding the sword.
‘I did it!’
Joy shone through. But the moment was short.
The sword’s blade, which was supposed to pierce the demonic beast’s flesh, instead bounced back.
‘How is that possible?’
I felt my blood run cold all over my body in an instant.
As I stabbed it vigorously, the rebound was also massive. My body rolled on the ground, unable to cope with the shock.
I almost dropped the sword, but I was able to keep it until the end.
Despite the fact that the demonic beast’s claws were unavoidable.
“Argh!”
The demonic beast’s pointed toenail ripped my right arm apart as if it were being severed. I could feel red blood gushing out of the deep cut.
My arms ached and burned like hell, but I couldn’t even wrap them up.
In a daze, I stared up at the demonic beast, holding the sword.
‘How come… why did the sword bounce out?’
It didn’t take long for me to realize how stupid the question was.
The opponent was a demonic beast.
Ordinary weapons were useless against the demonic beast.
Only a weapon engulfed in Auror can penetrate the skin of a demonic beast.
How could I have forgotten about it after seeing it so many times?
“Sigh, really……”
A dejected laugh escaped from the corner of my mouth.
“The Auror……”
I hadn’t even learned to sense Auror, let alone draw it out of myself.
However, I……
“It’s useless……”
My grip on the sword trembled as if it were convulsed.
‘I knew.’
It’s pointless holding the sword this way. It’s just my belligerence.
Still, I couldn’t let go of the sword, despite knowing.
‘I can’t even run away anyway.’
I’ll be bitten to death by the demonic beast even before I can take a step.
Now the only option was to fight back in some way.
‘Feel the flow and draw it out.’
I tried to recall what Caleb had previously taught me.
But, as has been the case for several days, I am unable to sense the flow or anything else.
The demonic beast screamed once more, Kyaaaaaaaagh!
The demonic beast opened its mouth wide, revealing its menacing fangs.
There would be no chance of survival if my body was sewn through those teeth.
‘Please!’
I reached out my hand, sword pointing at the demonic beast, hoping for the same miracle as before.
A strange sensation passed through my fingertips at the same time.
I knew instinctively. That this sensation is the flow of the Auror, which I’ve been trying to figure out for a while now.
A brilliant gold color flowed from my hand and wrapped around the sword’s blade. The Auror-engulfed sword stabbed the demonic beast in both eyes.
Soon after, a flood of black liquid erupted.
Kyaaaaaagh!
In a violent cry, the demonic beast opened its mouth. The demonic beast grabbed my arm before I could react.
“Argh!”
My flesh was pierced by a sharp pain.
I almost dropped the sword for a split second, but I tightened my grip on the handle.
As my muscles tightened, I could vividly feel the teeth piercing my flesh.
‘I need to quickly draw the Auror back and cut this……!’
However, my thoughts did not result in action. This is because the Auror who had been dragged out was abruptly severed.
When I tried again, the result was the same.
I couldn’t draw the Auror out.
Clearly, I could feel the flow, but no Auror appeared. The senses had clearly been realized, but there was no Auror to call upon. As ashes remain after the last flame has been extinguished.
‘Just why?’
When a brief thought crossed my mind, the demonic beast began to bite at random. I let go of the sword, unable to bear the pain.
The sharp blade of the sword and the demonic beast’s teeth scratched my arm.
I try to pull my arm free, but the demonic beast won’t let me.
My legs were soaked in blood mixed with the demonic beast’s saliva.
My vision and mind were dizzy, and I was afraid I’d be distracted at any moment.
The demonic beast let go of my arm after several bites. The sword also appeared at the same time.
My arm had been spitting out by the demonic beast and was covered in red blood.
Not only did the wound feel tattered, but it was also wide open.
I slumped to the ground in such excruciating pain that it wouldn’t be surprising if my arm fell off right away.
“Ugh… Sigh… Ugh!”
Tears streamed down my cheeks all the time.
It hurt so much that it’s difficult to say the right thing.
Perhaps the demonic beast couldn’t open its eyes properly because I stabbed both of its eyes earlier.
Nonetheless, the demonic beast opened its mouth precisely toward me.
I looked up at the demonic beast, blankly.
In my previous life, many memories seemed to flash by like a kaleidoscope before I died, but now I could only think about one person.
‘Caleb.’
I missed him.
I missed him madly.
The demonic beast roared at me, as if it was going to tear my ears out.
I shut my eyes tightly. However, there was no impending pain.
On the contrary, I heard something different than I expected.
Thump!
The sound of something bumping alternated with the cry of the demonic beast.
I was afraid to open my eyes and check, but I did so with carefulness.
It wasn’t long before I noticed something unexpected.
The demonic beast stood a distance away from me, clenching his teeth and howling alone.
The demonic beast clashed alone and cried ferociously as it smashed its teeth against the hard ground once more.
‘What exactly is it doing?’
I ended up looking at the place where the demonic beast was biting without realizing it because of the demonic beast’s incomprehensible behavior.
‘That’s……’
There was a handkerchief nearby. Despite the fact that it was covered in blood, I was certain.
‘That was the handkerchief Vivian gave me.’
There was no handkerchief on my thumb as proof. It was most likely bitten and ripped off by a demon.
The demonic beast ripped the handkerchief apart with its front feet and mouth.
Despite the fact that the handkerchief had already been ripped into pieces, the demonic beast repeated the same behavior.
I’m not sure why it was acting that way, but this was my chance.
‘I have to get out of here.’
It wasn’t easy getting up from my seat entirely with my legs, but I had no choice.
Though I couldn’t feel anything in my arm, it was definitely still there.
In pain, I clenched my teeth and moved on.
‘Haa… Haa…‘ a heavy breath flowed out of my mouth every time I moved.
Hearing my heavy breath, I couldn’t tell if the demonic beach would pursue me, but I couldn’t stop it.
I simply clasp my arm in the hope that the demonic beast will not pursue me.
I had a sudden thought while walking in fear.
‘Even if I’m out of here…… Will I be able to survive?’
The demonic beast even bit me and brought me to the cave.
I’m not sure, but getting to a place where people were surely would be difficult.
Furthermore, I couldn’t remember which direction the demonic beast was fleeing in.
Even if the direction was fortunately correct, I didn’t expect to arrive at the temporary camp at my own pace right now.
‘It might be faster for me to die from excessive blood loss before arriving there.’
Moving was difficult, let alone walking……
After a period of blank thought, I suddenly came to my senses and shook my head vigorously.
‘No, let’s not think like this.’
I’m going to live. I will come back. So I can finally meet Caleb……
As I walked, I discovered a bright light at the end.
It had to have been the cave’s entrance.
I took my time approaching the light.
It was when the cave’s entrance was so close that it could be clearly seen.
I accidentally came to a halt while walking.
Someone stood in front of the cave.
