Chapter 23
— — —
Heinri’s eyes went wide.
"W-what?! Why are you here?"
He looked genuinely shocked. This was a forest accessible only to Special Level 1s.
Sislein blinked his signature calm, red eyes and replied.
"I heard you cursing and came over."
"……How could you understand that?"
"Because you’re the only one who uses such uncouth language in this forest, Heinri."
"……!"
It was infuriating. Absolutely infuriating.
Having no proper retort, Heinri only grew more incensed.
As he ground his teeth, he suddenly raised an eyebrow.
"But wait, you heard my voice? I must have been very far away."
"I have good hearing."
*……What kind of freak are you, anyway?*
The Special Level 1 zone was deep in the forest, quite a distance from the beginner zone where there were no levels. Yet, he had come all this way?
"You shouldn't just wander in here. A weakling like you would be sent to the afterlife in one hit."
Sislein retorted calmly.
"As you can see, I’m alive. Perfectly fine."
"……."
That may be true, but still.
As Heinri looked up at Sislein with suspicious eyes, a flicker of annoyance appeared on Sislein’s face.
"So, when are you coming up?"
"……."
"If I’d known you had this much energy to spare, I wouldn't have come to save you."
Heinri bristled at those words.
"Hey! Who asked you to save me? Do you think I’d ever accept help from someone like you?!"
"Suit yourself."
Sislein turned around without a shred of hesitation, his hands shoved into his pockets.
Damn it, he’s annoyingly cool.
Heinri’s ears turned slightly red as he said.
"……You’re supposed to ask twice, you heartless beast."
Sislein clicked his tongue as if bothered, then reached out his hand again.
*Grab.*
Heinri took his hand and pulled himself up.
* * *
— — —
"Ugh, this forest is so creepy……."
I was walking through a maze-like forest. No matter how much I walked, it all looked the same. It was strange how the same types of trees just kept appearing.
*And there isn't a single flower, either.*
*Sob*, why is it so desolate?
*I should just hunt enough to get a Level 5 rating and get out of here.*
But the situation was dire; I couldn't see a single monster.
If the sun sets while I'm still like this, I’m in big trouble…….
Hmm, should I try provoking them first?
Some monsters react to sound, so maybe I can call them out myself.
"Alright."
I mustered my courage, swung my greatest weapon (a pathetic magic wand), and shouted.
"Come out! I’ll defeat all of you!"
It was right then.
The forest began to shake, and the ground started to rumble with a *thud, thud*.
Startled birds flapped their wings and flew away.
Soon, a massive monster tore through the dense forest and revealed itself.
"……!!!"
*Yikes, who are you, teacher?!*
The monster looked like a giant slime, or perhaps a massive jelly monster.
It had eyes, a nose, and a mouth, but its body lacked a proper form and was somewhat translucent. Its face looked quite dim-witted, but the sheer size of its body radiated an overwhelming sense of intimidation.
Before long, the monster let out a solemn, low roar.
"Kung-ya!"
*That cry is so pathetic…….*
But…… it’s so big that it’s a little scary. I trembled, clutching my wand tightly as I backed away, when I suddenly realized something.
*No, wait. Maybe this is an opportunity?*
It suddenly occurred to me that the teacher wouldn't have matched me, an Unawakened Level 5, with a dangerous monster.
Since it looks like a slime, couldn't I just defeat it the same way?
"Kung-ya~"
*Besides, it’s crying so stupidly.*
Alright, let’s do this. It doesn't look as strong as it seems!
I gulped and swung my wand with all my might at the monster.
But—
*Clack!!!*
*It’s unexpectedly hard?!*
The wand that hit the monster snapped completely in half.
"……Kung-ya?"
The monster looked down at me.
*Gulp.*
I swallowed hard.
"……N-no, that’s not it. Please, calm down!"
"Kung-ya? Kung-ya?"
Even though it was just a repetition of a simple word, why did it sound like, *'You dare hit me? Do you want to die? Do you want to be buried as you are? Do you want to be eating funeral rice behind a folding screen at twelve years old?'*
But then, something astonishing began to happen. The monster’s fluid body began to shift, taking on a distinct shape.
In an instant, coarse fur, teeth that looked like they could snap anything in half, and dark red eyes sprouted on its solid body. Slimy saliva dripped from its mouth.
"Grrr……."
This time, anyone could tell it was a 'monster.'
I stared at it with eyes full of horror and backed away.
*Crazy, this is insane!*
"ROAAAR!!!"
*Yikes! Help me!*
I began to run for my life, dodging the monster as it lunged at me with its mouth wide open.
I didn't need to experience it to know that if I got caught, I would either be chewed to death by those teeth or torn to shreds.
Fortunately, I was small and agile, and the dense forest hindered the monster’s movements.
I took the opportunity to desperately hide behind a rock.
"Huff, huff……."
Then, I quickly grabbed my necklace and shouted.
"Teacher! Teacher Rose! Please help me, right now!!!"
But it was strange. There was no response from the necklace. It hung limp in my hand, having lost its glow just like an ordinary necklace.
*The necklace isn't working!*
Cold sweat trickled down my back.
Just then, the monster’s massive front paw slammed down as if to crush the rock I was hiding behind.
*BOOM!!!*
* * *
Having been dramatically rescued from the pit, Heinri brushed off the dust and said.
"You beast, I guarantee a weakling like you wouldn't last five minutes here. You’d better get out."
"Are you worried about me?"
At Sislein’s expressionless question, Heinri’s eyes widened with 'contempt, disgust, and disbelief' as he retorted.
"……Are you crazy?"
"Suit yourself."
"And you, don't you dare think I’ll be grateful just because you saved me."
Heinri said seriously.
"I’m not grateful at all. Not even as much as a baby dragon’s poop, you hear?"
That sounded strangely like he *was* a little grateful, so Sislein raised an eyebrow slightly and walked ahead.
"……Are you ignoring me again? Get out of here, now! I won't protect you even if you’re in danger."
*Stomp, stomp.*
As Sislein walked away, ignoring him completely, Heinri followed beside him and suddenly asked out of curiosity.
"Hey, what’s your Awakening ability, anyway?"
It was right then.
Sislein’s eyes shone sharply. The boy turned his head toward the direction of the wind and whispered.
"Annette……."
In an instant, Sislein kicked off the ground like a spring and began to run.
"Hey, where are you going all of a sudden?!"
Sensing something amiss from the name Sislein had murmured, Heinri chased after him fiercely.
As the two boys ran and ran at full speed, the forest grew darker and deeper.
Driven by the single name 'Annette,' they ran like madmen until they finally encountered her.
"Grrr……!"
Annette was deathly pale in front of the monster.
She had managed to dodge the monster’s previous attack by rolling to the side, but it was clear that her luck would not hold out any longer.
The monster’s dark red eyes were as sinister and threatening as if they would tear the little girl to shreds.
*Julius, I need to call Julius, right now…….*
But I can't move a muscle.
My jaw just trembled from the killing intent radiating from the monster, and I felt as if my whole body had turned into a statue.
My fingers were stiff at every joint. This must be the monster’s ability.
Annette exchanged gazes with the monster, unable to move as if she were prey caught in a spiderweb.
"ROAAAR!!!"
The monster’s massive hind leg lifted, poised to trample the girl.
A thunderous shout cut through the air.
"My Lady!"
For a moment, she made eye contact with the terrified Annette.
Heinri shot forward at full speed, reaching out toward her. The dark red mana surging from the boy’s body rushed forward menacingly. But those wearing a 'suppressor' always hit a limit.
*I’m too late.*
Realizing this in an instant, Heinri gritted his teeth and opened his eyes wide.
It was right then.
*Dash!*
A figure shot past him like lightning. It was Sislein.
Sislein pulled the suppressor embedded in his ear with all his might. Drops of red blood beaded along his earlobe and flew through the air.
He gathered all his strength.
As the 'Mephisto' crest that had cursed the boy manifested on his neck and cheek, a massive black ability surged from behind his back.
*Whoosh—!*
The black ability raced toward Annette like the hands of a ghoul, overtaking one another, twisting and turning like mad.
But the distance to Annette was significant. The outcome was uncertain.
*I’m going to die.*
Just as the terrified Annette reached that single conclusion.
A voice penetrated her mind clearly.
[ Chosen child. Call upon me. ]
……Who are you?
No, who it was didn't matter. She wanted help from anyone.
In a situation where death was right in front of her nose.
Annette desperately answered the whisper, which was so mysterious she couldn't even tell who it was.
*I’ll call you, so please, tell me your name!*
[ You already know our name. ]
*I already know it?* The moment she asked that, one name was carved into her brain, becoming as vivid as a lie.
The owner of that name was the mother and father of all Awakened.
The source of sublime and great power.
The god of ability users, the overlord of mages.
Annette shouted the name that was pulsing in her mind like a thunderbolt.
"Exórdĭum!"
Then, in an instant, something astonishing happened.
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