Chapter 24: The Newcomer (2)
POV Abel:
Moments later, we arrived in front of the man. Luna and I tried to pass him. But suddenly—
"Hey... kid," the man said, "why are you in such a hurry? Did something happen over there?"
Our bodies stiffened hearing him speak. Then Luna and I slowly turned toward the man. He was staring at us curiously.
"A-Are you not part of that group?" I asked, stammering.
"? Group? What group, kid?" the man asked. We and the man stared at each other in silence for a few seconds.
I wiped the sweat from my forehead with my sleeve. Then I spoke to him in a pleading and urgent tone.
"In the forest there are masked attackers with demonic energy, so please don't go there!" I said, tearing up. This made his face wrinkle, even under the robe.
"I want to go to the city and ask for help, my friend is there fighting them!" I continued.
".... Where is that place, kid?" the man asked, opening his hood.
His face became visible. His face was slightly old, but his eyes were sharp—too sharp. His hair was a bit messy, deep black with a few silver strands at the tips, and his black eyes looked like they could swallow light itself.
"Your friend is still there, huh?" he said with a deep, calm voice.
I stared at him, swallowing hard. "Y-Yes... he's fighting the demon worshippers..!"
The man stared at me for a long time without speaking, then looked towards the direction of the forest, which was still shrouded in black smoke in the distance. The passing wind carried a faint scent of blood from there.
"Demonic energy, huh…" he muttered softly, then gave a wide smirk, "It's been a long time since I fought those pests."
Luna stood beside me, her hand slowly reaching for the dagger hilt. Her gaze was sharp. "Who are you, really?"
The man turned toward her with a slight smile—not a friendly smile, but more like someone enjoying the tension around him.
"Just a passerby," he said curtly. "But I also happen to dislike demons."
He looked at us alternately, then let out a small sigh.
"Alright, you two go to the city. I'll go see your 'friend' there."
I stepped forward half a pace. "Really? You can fight them and help my friend!?"
The man didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked toward the forest. I stared at his back, full of hope.
"To help or not... depends on what I find later."
After that, his body trembled slightly. The wind suddenly spun around him, and a moment later—his body vanished.
I was startled, my eyes wide. "H-He disappeared...?"
Luna stared toward the spot where he had just stood, her face serious. "He didn't disappear, he moved extremely fast—very fast."
I bit my lip hard. "If he's heading there... I hope Ren is still alive..."
Luna patted my shoulder. "Trust your friend. Now, let's go to the city to ask for help!"
We continued running along the path.
POV Third Person:
A few minutes later...
A loud explosion shook the eastern side of the forest. The ground trembled, and the black mist filling the air thinned due to the massive pressure from within.
The thick smoke slowly began to fade, revealing two figures lying on the ground.
Ren and Marcus.
Their bodies were covered in wounds, clothes torn, and blood dripped from the corners of their lips. In front of them stood a single figure in a long black robe—the commander of the demon worshippers, Lucen. His body only had minor injuries.
The aura enveloping him was heavy, pressing down on the air like molten lava ready to explode. He walked closer with slow steps.
"Both of you are strong, especially you, little boy," he said. "Even being so young, you possess terrifying power for your age."
Ren groaned, raising his head to stare at the demon worshipper, Lucen. Lucen arrived in front of them.
"You bastard..." Ren said, his voice hoarse.
Hearing him, Lucen chuckled, "Even when you're broken, your mouth is still rude, kid. I like that."
Marcus whimpered beside Ren, muttering, "By the Goddess... Light... I—" before Marcus could finish speaking, Lucen kicked his face.
"You shut up, bastard!" he said, stepping on Marcus's face.
Ren watched, only able to remain motionless. Not because he didn't care—but because he couldn't move. All his bones were shattered from the previous fight.
'Is there no other way?' Ren asked inwardly.
Then, as if remembering something, his eyes widened. 'Right, there's that...'
He slowly bowed his head. "I don't know if this will work, but it's worth a try," he murmured. A system message appeared before him, but he ignored it.
Lucen heard him mutter and asked, "What do you mean, boy?"
Ren didn't answer. His mouth opened slightly, then he spoke in a small voice:
"Lightning Wrath."
ZRAAAAAKKK!!!
Lightning bolted from his body with terrifying force. The sky turned overcast, releasing lightning strikes that zapped in all directions like the fury of a god.