Year 697, April 2nd, 09.00 PM
Clay's room, Prontera Inn
CREAAAK...
"..."
Clay has finally reached his room. The dark room in the inn was only litted by the moon light, bathing the inside with a blue white light.
CLAK!
"..."
After he closed the door, he then sat on the bed, seemingly trying to go to sleep.
"..."
But he can't. His mind feels too tense.
"(Prontera Forest...)"
That thing keeps floating inside his head.
He was curious.
He wants to know the truth.
...
But he doesn't want to join the military.
He doesn't know why, but he feels like he would be rejecting his own self should he do that.
He feels like he won't be himself should he join.
...
Then that's leave with only one way remaining.
"..."
He took off his priest uniform.
...These uniform wasn't just a normal uniform.
Just like another rank, each of the rank's uniform wasn't a normal uniform. It was imbued with the power of Emperium, unlocking a hidden potential inside its wearer.
A swordsman uniform would grant its wearer the ability of a swordsman.
A knight uniform would grant its wearer the ability of a knight.
And therefore, a priest uniform would grant its wearer the ability of a priest.
...Of course, it doesn't mean that one can just wear an uniform to wield the power inside it. One must fulfill each condition and criteria before they could do that. That's why there's a test before one could wear it, called as promotion.
Furthermore, they couldn't wield another rank power, even though they might be able to fit the criteria.
A knight couldn't become a priest, and likewise. And even though monk came from the same rank branch, which is the acolytes, they couldn't became a priest. It was because each power will shape their wearer's essence, turning them to be adept on using their power, but also fixed them at that rank.
"..."
By taking off this uniform, one would be robed of his wielded power.
So it was unthinkable to go without wearing it in this dangerous world.
"..."
Clay took out another priest uniform from his belongings.
Of course, he have a few set of his uniform. If it wasn't the case, then he wouldn't be able to change his clothes at all.
But the one he took, wasn't his usual uniform.
It was the one he wore when his sister died. The one which was stained with her blood.
Now the stain is gone, but the history and emotion behind it didn't washed together with the stain.
Coincidentally, it was the first priest uniform he ever wore. Perhaps it was already fated that the uniform would witness Clay's joy and sorrow.
"(Alright...I guess this is it.)"
He didn't bring anything with him. The Staff of Recovery he had before are already gone in Geffen battlefield, when he left it to escape.
He was alone. A single priest who don't even have any means to fight back, and he doesn't even bring anything to defend himself.
"(I need to find out the truth...)"
But still, he decided to go.
"(...no matter what!)" he thought.
CREAAAK...
He opened the door, out of the room, out of the inn.
Year 697, April 2nd, 10.00 PM
Prontera City
Tap, tap, tap...
The street was filled with silence. Before the recent war, Prontera was actually active at night, too.
The fear of the increasingly stronger monsters is sprouting inside the people's heart. And the night was always believed to be the most probable time for things to happen.
"...?"
In front of Clay, it seems that the guards are guarding the west gate.
"Hey! Where are you going at this time out of the city?" one of the guards said to him.
"I'm a traveler from Juno. I believe that it was fine for me to continue my journey without much problem, right?"
"Can't you just wait until tomorrow? You know about the monsters recent uproar, right? It will be dangerous to go at this time."
"Don't worry. I was well experienced against the monster. I'm sure that I could handle them."
...He lied. He was indeed an experienced priest, but that's that. He still couldn't do anything at all against an enemy, even though the enemy was human. Against a monster, all he could do is to run for his life.
But he still just goes through with that.
"...well, then I guess we can't say anything else. Be careful, alright?"
They then let him out of the city, towards the forest of Prontera.
Year 697, April 2nd, 11.00 PM
Prontera Forest
Tap, tap, tap...
Prontera forest was a forest where wild animals gather. It usually a peaceful forest where travelers often relax in.
But now, at night, the forest was seemingly transformed into a maze of darkness. The animals are sleeping. Only a few eerie looking night animals are around.
And it was where Clay is currently.
With no one with him, with no means to defend himself. All he has are a few magic spells, ready to be casted anytime. But the only attack spell he has, Holy Light, would only act to hinder the enemy movement. As a priest, it wasn't his role to confront the enemy directly.
His role is to support his partner.
But right now, the partner he always cherish, have already gone.
He doesn't have anyone beside himself...!
"(...Lyre...)"
But now is already too late. She was gone forever now. And there's nothing he could do to take her back.
"...damn!"
Clay gritted his teeth, holding back his emotion from flowing out. His tears are supposedly to dry up completely after his sister's burial.
And yet, his eyes are seemingly on the verge of breaking out.
"(Get a hold of yourself, Clayton Age! Didn't I already decide to find out the reason of that incident, now?!)" he thought to himself.
If he falters here, then he won't ever be able to find out the truth!
...
He set out his heart to do it. And now, as he ensures himself, he continues to walk, finding out where the mages are supposedly located.
Tap, tap, tap...
"(It was in the West Prontera Forest, right? But where is it?)"
He was searching for some place where it was possible to hide in the forest as he walks.
"(But there wasn't something like a cave, cottage, a hut, or even a tent...)"
Uncertainty was slowly starting to rose inside of him. He was unsure of himself. He doubted himself.
"(What if I was wrong?)"
...But still, he continues to search.
Until finally...
"(...A light!)"
Tap, tap, tap...!
He hastens his footsteps, as he walks towards the light. He then hides on the bushes near it.
...
...
...
In front of him, a small group of men are camping, circling a bonfire on the center.
"(They didn't seem to use a tent or something like that...)"
Behind them, a group of caravans was there.
They must be using the caravan as tent, along with the means of transportation.
"..."
But what's more important, is that their description matches with what the Gwenfordt member said.
"(A group of mages...)"
That means that they're the suspect behind the assault at Geffen.
There was about nine of them. They all have an oriental face on them, and seemingly hailed from Payon.
"(What should I do now?)"
If he decides to confront them, they may won't give him the information he needs. And that was in case that he could actually defeat them by himself.
If he decides to run now, then there's no reason for coming in the first place.
"(I should listen to their conversation, first.)"
This is what the mages are talking about...
"What is the status of Tyrfing?"
"Bad. It became even more dangerous after sucking the soul of the guy from a few days ago. Right now, Rowd are the one protecting it."
"Damn...! To think that we could be caught off guard like that...! And that guy was able to escape, too!"
"That wasn't our fault. It was Sid's wrongdoing for letting him in."
"Wait?! Why is it my fault, now?!"
"You're the one who was supposed to guard Tyrfing at that time! And yet you're slacking off at that time!"
Some of the mages are saying that. They seemingly argue over something.
"(Tyrfing?)" Clay thought.
But the mages just continue to talk.
"No matter. That guy would just die eventually. Once someone was targetted by Tyrfing, he would die soon. And he won't even be able to get out of the forest because of it."
"I guess you're right. Then let's change the topic."
...
...
...
The talk digressed to usual chat. There's nothing important was said about Geffen.
"(I guess I won't be that lucky.)" Clay thought.
But there's still another thing he was curious about.
"(What is this Tyrfing?)"
It seems to be a relic of ancient Midgard, since it was using a rune language as its name.
But from their talk, it seems that this Tyrfing was a dangerous thing, if it wasn't a living being.
"(...perhaps I should check it out.)"
Tap, tap, tap...
Clay move away from the bushes, and moving towards the caravan.
"(I wonder just how Tyrfing they're talking about looks like...)"
Soul-sucking ability...
From their discussion, it seems that it have a will of its own, so it wasn't completely bound by the mage's will.
"(If it was a dark element, then perhaps I could purify it somehow.)"
...
CRIIICK!
"...?"
...
CRIIICK!
A sound of metal chains clashing with each other could be heard from one of the caravan.
"(What is that?)" Clay thought.
Tap, tap, tap...
Slowly, he moves towards the source of the sound.
CRIIICK! CRIIICK! CRIIICK!
"Be silent, will ya?!"
"...!"
Suddenly, as he moves, Clay heard a man's voice near the source of the sound.
"(Is he the guard?)"
Clay hides behind nearby tree. He then try to peek at the caravan from there.
"Damn, you're causing me a headache!"
The man still continues to grumble towards the sound. But then...
"...what are you...?! Argh!"
BOOOOM!
"...!"
Clay was surprised. From the caravan's mouth, a beam of purple light is shone, followed with an explosion.
The caravan was now engulfed with fire.
"...what the hell is that?" Clay murmured.
Tap, tap, tap!
"...!"
Suddenly, he could hear many footsteps are coming towards him! Clay hurriedly returns to his hiding spot.
"Tyrfing is angered again!"
"Damn, it's already the third this week!"
"Rowd! Rowd, can you hear me?!"
"Water! Someone get the water ready! The rest try to use ice magic!"
The mages are panicking. They desperately are trying to put out the fire. But they're really close from where Clay was hiding.
"(What should I do?)" Clay thought.
Of course, confronting all of the mages would only get him killed, even in this condition.
And yet, should he try to escape now, he would alarmed the mages. In that case, he might get caught and also be killed outright soon.
But there's a good chance that they would found him on this commotion should he did nothing.
"(I need to escape somehow...)"
No matter what, escape is the most logical solution in this case. He was completely outnumbered. And this "Tyrfing" might increase his disadvantages.
It's just that, the problem is exactly how to do that.
"(...I need to create more distraction other than the fire.)"
That way, they would divide their attention at it and the fire, making it harder for them to spot him.
Now, he needs to decide on what kind of distraction he need to create.
"(I should use Increase Agility first. But casting it may reveal my location, so I need to ensure the next move. Holy Light wouldn't do anything other than slowing me down in this situation.)"
What should he do is to run, right now.
"(...wait. I still have that!)"
He remembered the ability he has. That ability would definitely useful in this situation!
...
...
...
"(Here goes nothing...)"
DASH!
"""...!"""
As Clay ran, the mages realizes his presence!
"There's witness!"
"Capture him! Or kill him!"
"Split the group!"
Tap, tap, tap!
Clay was running as he heard their voice.
"(So they're splitting into two groups. I guess they intending to put out the fire as fast as they could.)"
Tap!
After he believes that he has enough range, he stopped and then started chanting.
"Accelerate! The wind will always be with you! Increase Agility!"
FWOOOO!
The mages are closing to him as Clay finished!
"Kill him!"
Some of them brandished knife from behind their cloak. One of it would be enough to finish Clay off.
But...
DASH!
"""...!"""
"He's fast!"
Tap, tap, tap!
After casting Increase Agility, Clay's movement was increased considerably. Now he was confident that he could match even an agile thief if he goes into a running competition with them. And with it, he ran away from the mages!
But in this situation, he hasn't out of the crisis, yet.
"Fire Bolt!"
"Frost Diver!"
The mages are casting many array of magic. All of it are targeting him, and its speed are fast, matching his speed!
"Damn!"
DASH!
BOOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOM!
Using the increased speed, Clay evaded the magic as fast as he could!
BOOOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOM!
"Guh!"
But the magic's explosion was pretty wide, making Clay unable to escape unscratched. Sooth and burns are covering some part of his body now.
And still, that's all it could do.
"...that kind of attack..."
Clay stands tall, preparing his next spell.
"...are not enough to take me down!"
He started chanting!
"Light concentrated within the wind, your child are beseech of you to turn me into my purest form and take me far away from here! Teleport!"
FWOOOSH!
As he finished chanting his spell, Clay's body was turned into light! It then fly upwards, scattered into nothingness.
This spell is called as Teleport. A light-element spell that turned its caster into particles of light, and let it flew away into another location.
Teleport could be used to fly into random area and some specific location.
But to go into specific location, one must cast the spell with a longer chant.
And of course, Clay doesn't have enough time to do that.
Year 697, April 3rd, 00.30 AM
Prontera Forest
FWOOOSH!
In some location, at the western part of Prontera Forest...
Clay has returned to his original form. His human body are returned, intact.
In a light form, it was hard to control where to land. So it was always resulted in a random location. A monk was able to control this power, but it was resulting in a shorter distance.
"(Well, as long as I'm away from those mages, I guess it's okay.)" he thought.
Tap, tap, tap...
He started to move away.
"(I didn't found anything useful. But I do need to inform Deanark about this 'Tyrfing'.)"
...
He moves away, trying to find where he is, right now.
Near him, a small road was formed. It seems to be created by foot. Travelers must be frequently going through this place, before.
"(...This is still the western Prontera Forest. But by judging at that road, this place seems to be normally walked upon. Then Prontera should be near here.)"
Tap, tap, tap...
He started to walk, moving from where he is, right now. He followed the road where Prontera should be.
Tap, tap, tap...
"...ouch."
The burns from the explosion were still aching.
"Divine light, answer the prayer of your believer and cure their wound! Heal!"
FWOOO!
Light are appearing from Clay's hand, and curing his wounds.
"(It should be fine, now.)"
He then continues to walk, towards the path he believes in.
Tap, tap, tap...
"..."
Nothing but silence ensues in the forest road.
"..."
The moon is still high, indicating that the night is still long.
"..."
Not even animal's voice could be heard.
"...wait..."
Why is there's no animals voice in here? This is still a forest, no matter what. Night insects and animals should be around!
FWO! FWO! FWO!
"...!"
STAB!
A dagger is flown in arc from within the forest trees. It then pierced the ground where Clay was standing just now!
"Damn!"
There's still a pursuer! Realizing this, Clay hurriedly ran away from where he was just now!
"(…there's only one of them?)" Clay thought.
From beneath the darkness, he can see a silhouette moving fast. But it was alone. So it seems that there's only one pursuer.
FWO! FWO! FWO!
"...!"
Incoming attack! Now there's three of it flying in a same spinning arc! Clay then pointed his hand forward and...!
"Arise, barrier of light! Pneuma!"
FWOOO!
A green barrier arose around Clay!
STAB! STAB! STAB!
The hail of daggers is raining at Clay, but thanks to the barrier, Clay managed to block all of it. Unable to reach its target, the daggers are all falling to the ground.
"Form your light, and purify the evil that walks on this earth! Holy Light!"
Without stopping, Clay casted Holy Light at where the daggers are coming from!
BOOM!
"Guh!"
A voice of a man could be heard. He seems to be hurt.
"(...it hit!)" Clay thought.
Tap, tap, tap!
"...!"
Clay heard a sound of someone running. But it doesn't seem to come towards him. Rather, it actually seeming to do the opposite.
"(He's running away!)"
Clay was about to chase him, but...
"(...no. It might be a trap. I should let him go for now.)"
He then just going to where he hitted the enemy with his Holy Light, and examines the surrounding.
"(...a set of throwing daggers.)"
Normally, the class who was able to use the throwing daggers proficiently was the Assassin. But the attacker was still recklessly attacking him with this...
"(...the way the enemy to throw the daggers was also unusual.)"
An assassin should be able to throw the daggers in a straight, fast motion. Clay doesn't want to think of it, but should it was an assassin who attacked him just now, he definitely wouldn't be able to dodge the attack.
But the attack just now, was an attack by throwing the knife in a spinning motion.
It was not the most effective method to attack in range, but almost as dangerous.
"(But still...)"
Something jolted on his mind.
"(Have I seen such attack before?)"