Under that morning light that felt so wrong, Tina and Anna stared at each other with sharp gazes.
No words were exchanged—as if both Hero Tina and Anna were defending what they each held onto.
Yet,
they both noticed the same thing.
Around them,
the injured male heroes who had run out of mana had been acting strangely since earlier.
But Hero Tina didn't take it too seriously.
Hero Anna, on the other hand, was deeply suspicious of what was happening.
Around them, the healers were arguing with each other, and heroes of other roles also joined in.
With so many opinions and ways to handle the situation, but different choices.
Let's just strengthen our healing power!!
Should we heroes also channel our mana again to help the healers?!!
No!! We should just let them rest!!!
Better to knock them unconscious first!!
Then, amid all the differing opinions, one healer spoke with trembling lips and furrowed brows.
This is already out of control!! Maybe this is an effect of the dragon??!!!
When those words came out, both the healers and the other heroes were startled and fell silent. Then slowly, everyone turned to look at the men—even those who weren't injured or out of mana—who were also behaving strangely.
Heads frequently turning, eyes moving quickly, fingers tapping, shoulders twitching.
Hero Healer Mia, seeing that, her lips trembled, and she muttered.
No… impossible!!!
This…
Then with a shadowed face, Hero Mia spoke, trying to mutter even though she desperately wanted to scream.
This is exactly the same as what happened to the injured heroes who ran out of mana!!!
Then, with a loud and clear voice, Hero Mia shouted.
Everyone!!!
Stay away from the men!!!
All the men!!!!!!
Hearing that from Mia, the heroes simultaneously kept their distance from the men.
Hearing that, Hero Tina was shocked.
This time, Hero Anna, hearing that from Hero mia, reflexively reached for the golden sword at her right waist, thinking with a tensed jaw.
I have to find out who's responsible!!
Seeing that, Hero Tina once again blocked Anna, shouting while her magic staff now glowed brightly.
Binding chains!!!!
With sharply furrowed brows and equally sharp eyes, she said loudly.
What are you trying to do, knight hero???
Then, briefly, Hero Tina said in a flat tone.
Are you trying to kill them??!!
Is that what the Lionia Kingdom teaches?!!!
Hearing that, once again Hero Anna and Hero Tina fell silent, their sharp eyes locked on each other.
No words.
No debate.
But what was happening now made it impossible for either of them to react to the situation.
On the other side,
Hero Mia's eyes teared up as she looked at the heroes who had been injured and exhausted of mana. She took a moment to place her right hand on her chest, overwhelmed by how shocking the situation was, then spoke with trembling lips.
Impossible!!!!!
Screams erupted from various injured and mana-drained heroes, as if they could no longer control themselves.
Aaaa!!!!
Hikkssss!!!!
It hurts!!!!!!!!!
Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!
Then, one by one, they began to hurt themselves. Some scratched their arms until they were raw, some did similar things but their fingernails slowly turned sharp—human nails turning into curved claws, making them scratch until only bone remained. Others bit their fingers; in extreme cases, they bit their fingers clean off because their molars had become sharp as knives for slicing flesh.
From all of this, it was already clear. The female heroes there were in shock.
What is really happening?!!!
My partner!!!!
Why is this happening!!!!
What is this?????
Why?!!!!!!!
Some couldn't even speak, it was that horrifying.
Slowly, the heroes' bodies began transforming into monsters, though not yet fully changed.
In the middle of that transformation,
one male hero began to laugh softly for no reason.
Another held their own face, as if feeling something moving beneath their skin.
Someone tried to stand,
but their posture changed strangely as they rose.
The air began to fill with the sounds of heavy breathing and faint growls.
And now, Hero Mia, seeing this, realized it was beyond her abilities as a healer hero.
Meanwhile, Hero Claire and Rena could only stay silent this time, as if unable to react at all—because everything was already so clearly explained by what was happening, without needing words!!
And so, now Hero Anna could only choose from what few options she had, even though her choices were limited.
Because it was already clear—Hero Anna was just a knight!!