Chapter 64: It’s coming
“You again, tsk,” the red-haired woman clicked her tongue in annoyance when she saw the whitish-grey-haired girl standing before Aether, her glare piercing like daggers.
“P-Please, he’s done what you asked, P-Please leave u-us,” Stella pleaded, though her voice quivered with fear.
“That ain’t–” Before the red-haired woman could finish her sentence, Blake appeared beside her, his expression unreadable as he whispered in her ear, ‘We cannot kill her in front of the strangers… Let’s leave, he’s already dead as meat,’ before walking away with a determined stride.
The red-haired woman hesitated for a moment, glancing back at the group of onlookers who were clearly disapproving of their actions. She then reluctantly picked up the silver crystal and started to walk back without saying a word, her frustration evident in her clenched fists.
It was painfully evident that the group didn’t care as long as it was a slave; their indifference spoke volumes about the disregard for a life deemed less valuable…. However, if the situation involved someone else other than a slave, they might have voiced their opinions and objections.
Truly an injustice to a Slave’s life!!
Anyhow, as Stella watched them leaving without saying anything, she sighed deeply, her heart heavy with the injustice she had witnessed.
She turned to see Aether, his battered body telling the story of immense pain and suffering. Tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to comprehend the extent of his agony, yet there he stood, resilient against all odds.
‘Drip, Drip’
The sound of tears hitting the ground echoed softly in the clearing. Stella’s compassion and empathy overflowed as she couldn’t bear to see Aether in such a state. Despite her fear and trembling legs, she resolved to do what she could to alleviate his suffering.
/Recovery/
She whispered the word, her voice trembling with emotion, as she directed her healing powers towards Aether. Slowly but steadily, his body responded to her magic, wounds closing and burns fading.
Aether’s mind raced with conflicting thoughts. He desperately wanted to scream at Stella to run away, to save herself from the danger that loomed over her due to their entangled fates as he could see the green light blinking in the mission tab…. She was in a really dangerous situation!!
Yet, his charred throat refused to produce any sound, leaving him frustrated and helpless… he felt his throat was turned fully roasted like meat so no voice came out from it.
As Stella worked tirelessly to heal him, her tears continued to flow uncontrollably.
“I am sorry.
I am sorry..
I am sorry….”
She repeated softly, almost like a mantra, each word heavy with regret and sorrow. She knew if she had not left him… he wouldn’t suffered like this.
Aether’s heart was pierced with a pang of pain and guilt as he watched Stella’s selfless actions. Despite his silent plea for her safety, she continued to pour her energy into healing him, her determination shining through her tears.
‘She is too good for her own good… hehe…’ Aether thought with a sigh, his heart heavy with conflicting emotions.
It was at that moment, amidst this intense scene,
“KKKKYYYYYAAAAA!!!!!!”
Stella’s focus snapped to the source of the sudden cry…. her expression shifting from one of dedication to one of sheer horror.
“~Hissss~”
The massive white snake, its ivory scales shimmering in the sunlight filtering through the canopy above. Its sinuous body was coiled with deadly precision on the red-haired woman. The snake’s eyes, were dark and penetrating, as it stared at Blake and others.
The palm-sized silver crystal atop its head glowed faintly, pulsing with Arcane energy that seemed to resonate with the creature itself… Only one star glowing inside.
Indicating it was Mid-Level Aptitude with Level around 15!!
“LANE!” The frantic cries echoed through the forest as everyone watched in horror. The red-haired woman, Lane, was ensnared within the coils of the massive white snake, struggling desperately for her life.
“H-Help… B-lake, Help m-me ‘cough, cough’…. p-please…” Lane’s voice trembled as she fought against the crushing pressure of the serpent’s grip. Her eyes widened in fear, blood trickling from wounds inflicted by the creature’s constriction.
“Lane!!” Blake’s anguished cry pierced the tense atmosphere as he witnessed the horrific fate of Lane. His heart pounded with a mix of sorrow and helplessness, knowing that he was unable to save her. The fear of facing another formidable foe, especially after the intense battle with the Orc, sent tremors through his legs, leaving him rooted to the spot.
Despite the white snake being a One-Star Monster, the group had exhausted all their energy dealing with the Orc. Blake’s mind raced, desperately trying to think of a solution, but his throat constricted with pain, and he found himself unable to summon the energy needed for spells or to activate his Arcane Cards.
With a heavy heart and a sense of defeat weighing down his shoulders, Blake gulped audibly, his throat tight with emotion. Closing his eyes briefly…..
Seeing the grisly scene unfold, the others present understood the dire consequences of their actions. Before Lane could fully comprehend her fate,
“PUFFFFF!!!!”
The forceful expulsion of air accompanied by a sickening crunch marked the end of Lane’s struggle.
The white snake’s tail, tight as a vice, crushed her body mercilessly, causing flesh and blood to erupt in a gruesome display. The once serene greenery was now marred by splashes of crimson, a grim testament to the brutality of the scene.
As the snake slowly swallowed the remains of its victim, it also claimed the Arcane Crystal Lane had been holding.
“~Hisss~”
It was then that everyone realized the snake’s true intentions: it was after the two Silver Star Crystals in order to evolve itself. It seemed the snake had been waiting for this opportune moment to seize the crystals from its weak prey instead of engaging in a fight against the monster.
“S-Strr…” Aether tried to call out to Stella with his parched throat, his voice barely a whisper amidst the chaos.
Hearing his cracking voice, Stella snapped out of her fear and immediately focused on healing Aether as quickly as possible. Her hands glowed with a soft, healing light as she worked tirelessly to mend his wounds.
“SSSHHHH!!!”
“N-nnrrr,” Aether attempted to stop her, his frustration evident in his weak attempts to speak. He wanted her to run and escape, to save herself from the impending danger….. As long as she was safe, he would be fine as his fucking log would fucking help him somehow. But she…
“SSSHHHH!!” Continued to Heal him.
“Arrrh!” Aether groaned in anger and helplessness as his eyes fixated on the snake.
It was a horrifying sight, seeing the creature target Blake and the others after claiming its first victim. The snake’s gaze was now locked on its next prey, its hunger for the crystals driving it forward relentlessly.
“Blake, we need to run!” His party members shouted in desperation, their voices filled with urgency and fear.
“I know!” Blake shouted in frustration, sweat dripping down his face as he blocked the snake’s relentless attacks. Each blow was getting harder to deflect, and he could see that everyone was already on the brink of reaching their limit.
It was then that Blake’s desperate eyes fell on two figures amidst the chaos.
“I have a plan,” he muttered to himself, a determined glint in his eyes.
Aether’s face contorted in a grimace as he observed Blake’s determined expression, a hint of worry creeping into his eyes.
“S-Stelrr… Stel…heh” Aether struggled to call out to Stella, his voice still hoarse and parched from the intense ordeal.
“It’s fine, Aether. I’m here,” Stella reassured him in a gentle tone, her hands glowing with healing energy as she tended to his injuries. Despite her calm demeanour, tears streamed down her cheeks, a silent testament to the emotional turmoil she was experiencing.
If she hadn’t stayed by his side in that moment, he would have endured this hell alone.
The pain of healing him was excruciating for Stella. It felt as if her own skin was searing with the flames of suffering, yet she gritted her teeth and persevered, not showing the depth of her emotions.
Aether’s eyes reflected his agony, pleading silently for her to leave. He knew she carried a burden of guilt, but now wasn’t the time for it.
Aether slowly reached out to touch her face, his voice strained with pain and urgency. “P-Please l-leave… I need ‘cough’ y-you to run away… P-Please,” he managed to say between coughs and rasps.
[+1000 Affection]
Despite his plea, Stella simply nodded and continued to pour her healing energy into him, her resolve unshaken by his words.
But then, something unexpected happened…
“Clang, Clang”
A glass scratching sound echoed as a small pouch landed near Stella and Aether. They glanced at the pouch that seemed to contain some Arcane Crystals, then at the person who threw it….. only to find the huge white snake hurtling toward them, its eyes fixated on the pouch.
Meanwhile, Blake and his companions were frantically running away from the scene.
Aether’s face contorted in grim as he looked at the mission tab, where the green light blinked rapidly… Very Fast!!
Indicating imminent danger and the urgency of the situation.
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