Anser's hands remained at his sides.
And yet, I continued to hug him.
I don't want him to leave me.
I don't…
"What…" Despite his surprise, he did not reject the hug; instead, slowly, quietly, he returned the hug. "…"
He knew how much words failed him. Whether it was because she never felt brave enough to say what she wanted or because of fear, it wasn't necessary. Right now I don't want to know what he's feeling, I just want him to be calm and stop feeling all that pain, at least for a little while.
"Ji Noo…" He murmured, his face pressed against my shoulder. "I don't want to be a demon hunter…"
I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, more with regret than pity.
"…Why?"
"…"
Another stupid question.
I know very well that he's saying it because of Sherly. Perhaps he, the others, and I all believed that someone as strong as him wouldn't die, however...here we are.
Mourning the loss…
"It's okay if you don't want to be one anymore…" I murmured instead of continuing to ask, while encouraging him to get out of bed. "You can focus on something else...you like animals, right? You can have as many as you want here, even tracker demons. I know how much you like them every time you see them…"
Anser moved his head to the side. "I already have Mayu..."
Oh, that's right, Mayu, that tracking demon who refused to let go during Walpurgis Night...
That animal is almost always outside eating weeds, I even forgot that it lives with us.
"Maybe Mayu wants a partner."
Anser thought for a moment, then made something similar to a snort.
That took me by surprise; I've almost never heard Anser snort.
"Why are you suddenly being cute?" I said, as a way to relieve the tension.
Anser shuddered, and instead just rubbed his forehead on my shoulder. "I'm not…"
"Ji Noo."
I turned toward the door, and there I saw Frederick standing. Like everyone else, he didn't look well, but he seemed calmer than he had been yesterday.
I looked at Anser, I was going to let go, but I decided against it, so I continued hugging him.
"Frederick? What happened?" It felt strange to see him, anyway, now that he no longer belonged to Sherly's Sect, I no longer see any reason why he's here.
He looked at both of us, then took out his Identifier.
There was a message on the screen.
I couldn't see him from where he was, so instead I took out the Identifier from Anser's pants.
And soon, the same message appeared on the screen.
[Important Meeting: Please be present in 15 minutes.]
My mouth dropped open. More than worried...
…I felt disturbed.
How can I get Anser dressed in less than 10 minutes so I have at least 5 minutes of travel time?!
"Ji Noo, also, I wanted—wait, what, why are you getting undressed?"
Quickly, I searched through Anser's drawers to find clothes for both of us; it didn't matter what it was, I had to do it fast.
"Please wait with Gene in the living room! Right now I need to get Anser dressed, get dressed myself, and then we have to hurry and get there!"
I only saw Frederick looking confused, perhaps annoyed, before he huffed and left the room.
I took a t-shirt out of the drawer, quickly put it on, and soon after, I took out a black shirt for Anser.
"Anser, cooperate a little and let me put your shirt on…" I quickly put the shirt on him, and then started buttoning it up.
Soon, I put Anser's Identifier in his pants pocket, along with his belt and his sword at his side.
As I dressed him, I couldn't help but notice how calm he was now.
At least, the calmer it is, the better.
I took her hand, and we quickly left her room, going down the stairs. Frederick and Gene were there, each sitting in the corner of the sofa, barely looking at each other.
"Gene! Please join us for the meeting!" Gene turned to look at me, nodding, and soon she was running with us. "Frederick! Will you be coming to the meeting too?"
Frederick blinked, getting up from the armchair and then nodding, walking towards us.
"I have to."
I nodded, taking Anser's black coat, and then the four of us hurried out.
***
The magic was always present.
No one could confirm its veracity.
Until the world reset exploded.
The only thing I could see...
…It was him.
The world resetter.
And he, the only witness of him.
Until he condemned him, ■■■■■.
_
Ten minutes had passed, and only the members of the Moon Sect were yet to arrive.
However, that didn't seem to matter to them now.
"…"
The silence was more tense than usual.
And for some reason, heavier.
Joakim Hans, as always, looked intimidating, only this time he was dressed entirely in black and without his medals. The same thing is happening with his Vice leader Karmen.
And in one corner of the table, stood Randy Bornman, his white attire absent, dressed equally in black in mourning.
And Layla J. Everest...was not in her seat.
Suddenly, the door opened, Ji Noo entering first. Seeing them both together, he swallowed hard, then let Anser in first, followed by Gene, and then Frederick, finally entering Ji Noo.
Anser sat down in his seat, Gene and Ji Noo stood behind him, while Frederick walked to the empty seat. He simply stood behind him, his gaze slightly lowered.
They all wore black, they all mourned.
Soon, the silence was broken.
"Today is an important meeting," Randy started, "If you haven't noticed, Layla is not at this meeting."
Joakim frowned, then sighed.
He knew what happened.
"She has been cursed."
Everyone seemed surprised, except Joakim.
"Cursed? By whom? When?" Ji Noo said, curiosity being greater than common sense. "It's impossible...she...she's an alchemist! She's supposed to be almost immune to curses!"
Gene turned to look at Ji Noo, and then spoke; "Nobody is immune to curses, Ji Noo…" She murmured.
"It's a relief to have you with us, Genesis," Randy said, with a worried expression. "Joakim thinks it could have been the girl who was next to that magician 'Hyung'."
Gene thought for a moment, then sighed.
"Well, your suspicions are correct, Mr. Hans."
Joakim slammed his fist on the table, angry.
"I knew it, I knew that woman was the one who caused it when she attacked her..."
Randy raised his hand to Joakim, to calm him down a little. "Joakim—"
"NO!" He got up from his chair. "I can't calm down! Besides Sherly, Layla is incredibly useful to us demon hunters! Most of our technology was designed by her! Our Identifier, mana area system in the city, alchemy...If she dies like Sherly did, we're all dead! And why do you look so calm knowing that? Why?!"
Joakim was right. Layla studied the archaeology of this world far too much, so much so that thanks to her, 'The Third World' was discovered.
Furthermore, her sect possesses the Lahn scroll, and if she dies...her entire base dies with her, and the parchment would be exposed for anyone to see.
And considering that for any human being other than Randy, the parchment is deadly...
Everyone knew they couldn't let her die.
"Joakim..." Randy stood up from his chair; the sound of the chair scraping on the floor made us all shudder, including the agitated Joakim Hans. Instinctively, Gene hid behind Ji Noo, Frederick drew his weapon, and Anser was about to unsheathe his sword, while Karmen gripped his waist to reach for his whip...
For some reason, everyone felt Randy as a natural threat in an instant.
"…Please."
Randy finally placed his hand on Joakim's shoulder, causing him to sit down. For the first time, Joakim looked nervous.
Frederick frowned slightly.
Something was wrong. But he didn't know what it was.
He didn't know it yet.
And yet, he was terrified to know that all this was just the beginning of something worse to come.
Everyone holstered their weapons and stayed in their places. Randy also returned to his seat.
Everyone sat down and calmed down…finally, Randy continued talking.
"Gene, you must know more about curses than anyone else in this room, could you tell us a little more about that curse that girl put on Layla, please?" He said in a terrifyingly calm and gentle tone.
With no other option, Gene nodded, stepping out from behind Ji Noo.
"That girl possesses one of the strangest magics, for both witches and wizards," She began by explaining that. "In this world, the only ones with that kind of magic are blessed children of the moon; like Mr. Detective, or in another similar case...ancient beings of another world. And since it is ancient and very powerful magic...only equally ancient and similar magic can counteract the curse."
"Does that mean Ciro can counteract the curse?" Karmen asked.
Gene looked at Anser, then shook his head. "It's possible, but my leader's magic is still too weak to face the ancient magic of a wizard."
Joakim snorted, crossing his arms.
"Does that mean one of the ways to remove Layla's curse is for Anser to become stronger?" Joakim asked, in a somewhat irritated tone of voice.
Gene nodded, and soon, Ji Noo interrupted.
"But if those magicians knew about this possibility, why was it that girl who had to curse Layla and not the magician Hyung?"
The question hung heavily in the air, before Gene answered.
"Mr. Randy, have you already sent someone to thoroughly analyze Miss Layla's curse?"
Everyone looked at Randy, who quickly nodded.
"Mandeleine did it."
"And where is Mandeleine now? Why isn't he with you like he always does?" Frederick dared to ask.
There was a minute of silence.
And Randy replied:
"He's still with Layla."
But Frederick didn't believe him.
"Mr. Randy, there is also a possibility that some demon in The Third World may have similar magic. That would speed up the process. But...having to send an expedition to find that cure..."
"Don't worry, Gene," Randy interrupted, giving her a smile. "I'm sure that with a helping hand from Joakim's people and with Ji Noo leading...they can achieve it."
Ji Noo remained silent.
Randy knew that Ji Noo would be traveling there, but he never told him.
"I'll go with him," Anser said, an answer that everyone in the room was expecting. "I'll lend you Genesis, but Liam will have to be with her; Genesis is still too weak to handle magic on her own."
Randy nodded, then looked at Joakim.
"So, we can count on your help, Joakim?"
Joakim snorted. The answer was obvious. So, instead, Karmen replied: "150 of our best men under his command. Is that enough?"
"I thought they had 300 better men; with all those people, they won't even get halfway through the excursion."
Randy's words angered Joakim, who slammed his fist on the table and then said: "350 of my best men. And nothing more than that."
Randy smiled, then stood up from his chair.
"Okay, I'm counting on you guys to bring back a cure for Layla."
He said, emphasizing Ji Noo.
And Ji Noo knew that this...would be more difficult than he had anticipated.
_
"Eh?" Liam blinked slightly, adjusting her glasses before clearing her throat. "So, Anser and Ji Noo...went on an expedition?"
Gene nodded, as she packed her grimoires into a bag, preparing to go and check on Layla's condition.
"Yes, while they are gone, we must prevent the curse on Layla from getting worse."
Liam nodded, rushing to pack all her potions into a suitcase, and in a few minutes, she was ready to leave.
"Okay, then...I'm ready to heal Layla!"
Gene smiled slightly, finishing packing, and soon, they both left.
And meanwhile...everyone was heading towards the exit of the city of Anarxie.
A cave that was covered by a giant stone.
That's where they would come in.
Ji Noo and Anser stood side by side while Joakim's men removed the stone so they could enter.
Ji Noo looked at Anser, noticing how tired he still was. However, he knew that their work wasn't finished yet, and that they still had to work to complete what they started.
"It's open, sir!" One of them exclaimed, making way for both of them to enter.
It was strange, or well, that's what Anser thought.
He had never had so many people under his command, and it made him a little nervous...but beside him, seeing how serious Ji Noo was, how focused he was…
Anser didn't know if he could keep up with him.
"I will be your rear guard."
They both turned around; behind him stood Frederick, a shotgun slung over his shoulder, smoking a cigarette.
Something unusual, but for some reason...
"But Frederick...without Sherly here...there's no way you can make your mana consistent…" Ji Noo murmured in surprise, and worried at the same time.
Frederick snorted, walking towards them.
"I don't need a mana arm if I can build one out of steel," He said, revealing a gleaming steel arm beneath his cloak. "So, I'm perfectly fine just accompanying you."
Ji Noo knew how much Frederick must be missing Sherly. He had helped him create an arm that functioned like a real one, and Sherly... was also his friend, no matter how much he disowned him.
He valued him enough not to feel alone in this world. And now without him...and unable to do anything...
He needed to do something.
Even if it's just one last thing...
He just wanted to prove to Sherly that he's okay without him, but that he'd be better off if he were there watching.
And without further ado, and with the confidence that Frederick would be able to survive with them, they finally went in, with all the people behind them.
It was a dark place.
They all lit a torch to see the path, Ji Noo carrying one as he walked between Anser and Frederick.
They all pointed their swords and pistols around them, keeping their guard up in case of an attack.
Soon, they reached the end of the tunnel.
A wooden door stood before them; so large, and covered with bloody scratches. But in addition to that, there were some letters, in an unknown language.
Or at least that's how it was for the Anarxians.
"'Welcome to hell'…" Ji Noo translated. It wasn't an unknown language; it was written in English. A language that isn't supposed to exist in this world, yet it does. Why?
"Help me open the door!" Frederick ordered, with the help of Anser and ten other men, that the heavy, old doors be opened.
The smell of blood became present.
And this time, there was a low fog in the area. The paths were stained red, skin was hanging from the tree branches, while blue flames surrounded the place.
The torches were useless, so everyone turned them off and threw them aside. Soon, the three in charge; Ji Noo, Anser and Frederick entered.
Upon entering, Ji Noo noticed the blood beneath his shoes, but in addition to that... he also noticed a different texture on the floor...
It was as if he were sinking into it. But besides that...
"BEHIND!"
A man screamed, and immediately Ji Noo pulled Anser and Frederick back, preventing them from being dragged away by the body of a human.
On the ground, Frederick soon got up, analyzing his surroundings, noticing the body now on the ground, skinless, and all flesh...
"Disgusting..."
And yet, he wasn't the only one who thought so; several men vomited upon seeing the bloody scene, especially because of the smell of decay coming from the body.
Ji Noo picked up Anser, then looked around.
"I think they've seen us. Everyone needs to be careful; any demon could attack us from anywhere..."
Ji Noo knew it better than anyone; after all, that was the level where any demon would torture any being it encountered.
But as soon as he said it, the ground trembled.
Apparently, that strange texture was actually a demon where everyone was walking. To be exact, it was a tongue.
And yet, they only noticed it when the tongue began to curl.
"What the—?!" Before Ji Noo could figure out what was happening, an arm grabbed him around the waist; it was Anser, who quickly fled from that tongue.
Frederick and several other men followed them.
"Everyone who uses guns, shoot him in the eyes! Once he's blinded, he won't be able to attack us!" Frederick screamed, still in mid-air, rapidly changing the cartridge in his shotgun with his one arm. His left hand moved with incredible speed, and soon, he was aiming at the eye that was beginning to open. Before he could fully open it, Frederick's bullet pierced it iris. "Now!"
And soon, several bullets penetrated the same place, the demon gave a cry of pain, and then with his tongue began to strike all around.
Anser landed on solid ground next to a tree, taking Ji Noo out of his arms.
Alongside them, the men who survived the first attack also landed.
They had two losses, two men who were distracted.
But they still had over 300 men...
Or so they thought.
Frederick landed on the ground, clutching his missing arm; that steel arm making him groan in pain. But he didn't care, he would bear the weight of it.
"You two! Find a way to reach the next level! Once we're in, this demon won't be chasing us anymore!" Frederick ordered, reloading his shotgun and continuing to fire at the demon without stopping, trying to cut out its tongue with bullets.
Quickly, Ji Noo and Anser ran, in search of the blessed entrance to the next level.
Several demons began to pursue them, but they did not stop; once they found the entrance, they would clear the way.
"Anser! There it is! There's the entrance to the next level!" Ji Noo pointed to a tunnel in front of them, in which there were demon corpses.
Anser nodded, taking out his Identifier and raise its antenna, causing a beep in the other Identifiers around it.
Ji Noo placed his foot at the entrance of the tunnel, and that's when the ground cracked and soon collapsed.
"JI NOO!" Anser screamed, but that didn't last long, as soon the ground beneath him also collapsed, taking Ji Noo down with him, and with him, the demons that were chasing them.
Below them was a tunnel, too long, and they knew the fall would be fatal.
The demons falling behind them began to explode, letting out roars of pain, one exploding in unison with the others.
Until it was just Ji Noo and Anser, falling into the depths of the tunnel.
"ANSER!" Ji Noo shouted, moving to go towards him.
He stretched out his hand, finding Anser's hand also reaching out to take his hand.
The ground was too close, and Ji Noo wanted to use his body to break Anser's fall. By touching the tips of their fingers, Ji Noo was able to pull Anser's hand, managing to grab him, and get under his body.
And soon...
SPLASH!
Falling into a pool of blood, Ji Noo's body exploded once it hit the ground, with Anser standing on top of him.
"Shit…" Slowly, Anser got up, holding his ribs.
Soon, he looked at his hand, the absence of his gloves helping him notice that it had blood on it.
But it wasn't Ji Noo's...it was his own.
Ji Noo's body regenerated in an instant, quickly getting up from the ground.
"Are you okay, Anser?" Ji Noo quickly helped Anser up, but, noticing the blood on Anser's hand... "Don't tell me that..."
Ji Noo quickly placed his hand on Anser's rib upon hearing him groan, and noticing the broken ribs, he snorted...
"I didn't even help to cushion the fall..."
And yet, that wasn't the end of it.
Several demons began to emerge from among bushes stained red with blood and human entrails. Everyone was staring menacingly at the two of them.
Ji Noo frowned, helping Anser walk, trying to get away from them.
Ji Noo couldn't use any abilities; if he did, Raum would appear and ruin all the effort he'd put into not using any abilities…
However, soon, a very tall demon stood before them.
"Damn—" Quickly, Ji Noo released Anser, the demon took Ji Noo in his large bloody palm.
The demon growled as he pressed Ji Noo in his palm.
"Vulpecula: Moonlight!" Quickly, with one hand Anser drew his sword, cutting the demon in half, and Ji Noo fell to the ground, freed. "Ugh…" However, that made his ribs hurt even more.
"Anser! Don't protect me, just run!" Ji Noo ran towards him again, gathering all his strength, and managed to carry Anser in his arms, running as fast as he could with him from the demons that were starting to chase them.
Fear began to overwhelm him. Especially when he thought that the demons might reach them...
"Quickly, quickly..."
They passed a river of blood, several trees, which were beginning to grow normal tree leaves.
Until—
"GAAAAAH!" The demons screamed, stopping, then shrieked.
Ji Noo stopped, turning to look at them, and then gently lowered Anser to the ground.
"What's wrong with them...?"
The demons shrieked, like cats about to fight each other, then they decided to flee.
Soon, Ji Noo rushed to check Anser's injuries, tearing off the buttons of Anser's shirt, and quickly, searching for the wounds.
"Damn...they really do look terrible..." He murmured, pressing lightly on the wounds, then took out a regeneration potion that Liam always kept, but just as he was about to give it to him, his body froze. "…"
Slowly, he raised his gaze; something was watching him.
From where? He didn't know.
"J-Ji Noo…?"
Soon, the bottle slipped from her hand, the glass shattering as it hit the floor. And soon, it touched his aching heart.
"Ugh…" Why did it suddenly start hurting?
He placed a hand on the ground, digging his fingers into the earth as he continued to suffer from the pain.
Anser, still in pain, managed to sit on the ground, trying to touch Ji Noo, but stopped when he noticed horns beginning to grow on Ji Noo, feathers sticking to his skin, and the fairy glow drawing near.
"NO!" Anser quickly drew his sword, aiming it at the bracelet, the mana regulator. He knew that if he didn't take it off, it would kill Ji Noo.
"JI NOO, STOP IT!" He screamed, as the sound of metal clanging became present.
Ji Noo screamed in pain, clenching his teeth, as he tried to stop the demonic energy that was beginning to course through his body.
His veins popped out, while his tail behind him twitched agitatedly, feathers beginning to surround it to form a different tail.
However, Ji Noo didn't want that.
"A-Anser…"
With one hand, he managed to grab Anser's sword blade, bringing it to his neck and cutting it.
Anser's face turned to fear, he dropped his sword and threw it aside, then went towards Ji Noo, noticing the horns and feathers disappearing, just as the wound on his neck began to heal.
"Shit, shit...why are you always like that?" Anser murmured, pressing his forehead against Ji Noo's, weak, and truly tired now.
And soon, everything went dark.
Anser fainted from blood loss, still protectively holding on Ji Noo.
And with the hope that both of them can survive.
"…"
And from afar, a pair of yellow eyes watched them.
"Humans…"
A female voice, but if she lived in the Third World, it meant she was a demon.
Right?