A/N: Hello there! You probably didn't expect to hear from me so soon, did you? Well, here we are. I welcome you to this new chapter! Enjoy!
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A presence stormed the forest, destroying trees in its wake and hunting the running monster who whined upon being cornered. The unknown itching the mana monster felt was fear. The hulking form of the beast grabbed the wolf-monster in its claw and sank the sharp fangs in its flesh before swallowing it whole.
Mana was being converted into its new flesh as the being grew bigger and larger. The razor teeth ground the monster's bones as toxins melted all the tough parts. Blood spattered from its mouth, staining the grass as the beast licked its mouth.
More.
It required more mana.
Deers.
Hedgehogs.
Wolfs.
Bears.
Mana Monsters.
Drakes.
More.
Soon scales began sprouting from its body, they hardened when mana coursing its veins stabilized.
Such a thing shouldn't exist in this world. A parody of phantasmal that killed everything in sight just to grow. Even with the influence of the magic child, it's still unthinkable. The beast's existence was a curse, something must have allowed such a being to be brought to life.
Something menacing comes this way.
Using the sense of smell, the beast realized how much there was to consume. What would have terrified a human would be how much intelligence and self-awareness the beast possessed.
The sky darkened and the nearby forest occupants fled.
An aberration born from such concentrated mana in the air. The almost mystical presence left a mark on the world itself.
It's too dangerous.
Were the beast to eat such a being, would it be able to evolve from this confined form? It had consumed many monsters since birthing from the mana itself. To not get dispersed under the premise of drying the entire forest.
The path to this concentration is...
The beast sharpened its claws.
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"What is Rudeus doing here?" Laws asked off the side as he readied his bow, they still couldn't see anything beyond animals from the hunting tower, no sign of monsters or unusual behavior.
"You know me," Merlin said slightly surprised but not because of the man actually knowing his name but something else. It's the second time to see the half-elf in this world. The phantasmal species are more numerous here than expected, or is it Buena Village being special?
"Sorry for being curt like this, I'm just really stressed and we didn't have time to introduce ourselves. My name's Laws. Happy to meet you."
"I understand, for an archer, it's necessary to stay focused."
"My job is that of a hunter but it's a good description." Laws replied shortly, "I have to keep an eye for any possible movement so it's essential to stay undistracted."
"You sure know a lot!"
Paul smiled seeing their conversation, ruffling his son's hair who grimaced at it being messed with, "That being said, I brought Rudy here cause we may need his assistance with this."
"What? With monsters, what are you saying?" Laws was confused and scared, "Is this serious?"
Is Paul insane? To bring his own blood in this, who barely looks his age.
"It will be fine, I'm gonna support you from up there!" Merlin said to boost the mood, "Let's take care of them like a dream!"
Laws remained unconvinced, looking at Paul like he was crazy man here.
The knight nodded seriously but one could not ignore the worried spark in his eyes, "I have spared with Rudy before, he can fire spells like nothing I have ever seen. Even if I want to keep him safe at home, it's pointless in the long run."
Is a sparr enough to amount such a verdict?
"If you are sure of this." Laws uttered uncertainly, furrowing his brows, "Is Zenith aware of this?"
Paul's lips formed a thin line at these words, "...no, she would never agree but I can't help but think my decision is right. Knowing what happened to Rudy and some Villagers a while ago, nowhere is safe and it feels like no matter where we hide they will find us."
"That's a horrifying thought, I propelled my wife and Sylphiette to hide in the chapel since the building has stronger doors. There is no way to send them to the town now, it's too dangerous. I told Eto to speak of preparing some weapons in villagers' homes, I hope it will be enough."
Even as they talk freely, it's impossible to ignore how thick the tension is. To both Paul and Laws it's like an apocalypse is coming because of how many villagers died in the recent attack when they couldn't reach everyone in time.
Everything seems to be at stake today, with Paul drinking his last drops of water prior to the battle while the half elf tries to calm his trembling body. Laws is an ordinary hunter turned village guard so it's understandable why he's afraid.
While his father and Laws maintained the defenses Merlin silently made sure to activate the bounded field he had been working for a long time now. The distance between him and his home didn't matter, the magical barrier was set up despite how far away Merlin was from home.
The bounded field itself had several layers of its inner workings. The first layer was activated for both sites. His mother who plants trees in the yard and garden wouldn't notice the monsters passing around their house at all, for the intruders it is the same. They will see a simple small lake where the Greyrat House stood and will think nothing of it. Not even their sense of smell is going to discern the difference.
The second layer is an alarming measure when the first fails, unfortunately, the hidden location will appear to the encircling monsters but they should not be able to power through it when Merlin's mana is sustaining it continuously. Also, there is no chance for Mother or Lilia to leave it unless the barrier is destroyed, which informs the wizard right away.
Overall, things should be good as long as Merlin manages it.
Merlin looks at Paul and Laws preparing things and realizes this is too little to stop the monsters from destroying this primitive fort. Every bastion has its flaws.
An idea burns in his mind, one that Merlin is unsure of at first.
The boy comes down the ladder and walks to the edge of what is seen.
He ignores the sudden cries of his father who appears worried.
It's not enough.
Merlin takes out a nearby stone and cuts his palm, letting blood flow freely from the newly-made wound. He ignores the pain and sinks the sharp rock deeper, further opening the slit on his hand.
Then starts walking quickly and lets the blood splash on the green flora, staining it. This blood is filled with unimaginable magic power. Soon the reincarnated wizard does a full circle.
To Laws who is witnessing all of this with a petrified gaze the boy named Rudeus is enjoying a sick play of some kind.
The circle created is messy, these are Merlin's honest thoughts. However, it should do the job Merlin requires of it.
Blood is one of the most powerful catalysts for setting spells and mystery rituals.
The Magic Circle is done.
"RUDY! WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!?"
Shamefully, Merlin almost cast hypnosis on the man before remembering this is his father talking.
Paul is showing panic the moment he takes his son's hand at face value. Panic and anger run through him, fighting for what is more important. His parental side is apparent in this case.
Merlin understands it, and after that, he heals the wound with Healing Magic and feels guilty. He did what he had to, yet felt a bitter aftertaste.
"I'm sorry," The Wizard is surprised to find his voice sounding so meek, "I tried to set up a magic circle."
Paul's only response is a glare and scolding to return to his post.
...
Currently, Merlin is watching with his Clairvoyance if the monsters are gathering before widening his eyes.
The huge mass is heading towards the village, stumbling upon themselves as they surge forward.
"Father, they are coming from the north!" He informed Paul and Laws who had no time to question these words but accepted them and put the remaining thoughts to a later date.
Take this piece of notice seriously or you will face the horde unprepared.
"GET READY!" Paul's shouts are coming from below, he brandishes his black sword that Merlin is seeing for the first time in use. Laws at the call readies his bow and shoots arrows that strike the unguarded eyes.
The first wave descended, some falling into the traps with spikes Laws set up for days. Their bodies were pierced and unmoving.
Offensive spells are unleashed from Merlin's hands as he stands at the top of the watchtower. His amethyst eyes took the whole surroundings. Soon elemental blasts fell upon the approaching monsters like small meteors.
Paul Greyrat was literally swarmed by the magnitude of mana monsters, his sword cutting left and right. He made to sure not get blood splashed on his eyes because of how much gushed on the sides. Expertly managing his way through the wave of monsters while using the Sword God Styles, Paul navigated in this madness.
Fighting monsters was far different than fighting humans. Humans often attacked one by one rather than all at once while monsters had mostly done the opposite of that tactic if it could be called that. Some of them ran straight into his dark blade while others attacked his body with fangs, never reaching their prey.
"Ha!" Paul rotated his body, claws barely missing their mark as the ex-adventurer severed the monster's head with the swing of his sword. It's amazing how much strength this person has.
There is determination in his eyes to see it through. Paul pulls his blade from the monster's flesh and steels his expression. His hand grips the handle tighter and the blows dealt to the upcoming enemies feel sloppier but the purpose behind them remains the same even with the numbers constantly increasing. It seemed like a long time since the knight fought stubbornly with muscles howling in pain.
The bear monster resembling Luster Grizzly blocked the black sword by stopping it from slashing through its maw before slamming the brute force into Paul, making the man stumble from impact. Had he not used Battle Aura constantly, how would that have ended? A trail of blood left Paul's lips as he roared and thrust his fist into the monster's throat to free his weapon.
He tried to regain his footing as he blocked the next impact delivered by his enemy, barely dodging the lunge for his head. A growl echoed behind his back. Two terminate boars reading their fangs to pierce through this human's body before a blade of compressed wind cut them clean in half.
The wolf monsters that lunged at him from the sides meet the same fate.
Merlin stared coldly at the monsters circling his father, seeing his parent in trouble he slammed the top of the tower, sending waves of mana through it.
"Rudeus, what!?" Laws yelled confused as the tower shook but otherwise didn't react. The half-elf noticed bursting streaks of light traveling down the structure as they spread upon meeting the ground, heading towards Paul.
"Support!" The Wizard says no more, too focused making sure everything is in check.
Paul who is struggling through the monstrous flood sees his body and black sword sparkling with pink light as his muscles solidify considerably. The enemy's movement seemed slower than before and Paul breathed this power to fill his body.
"Hah!" Paul was astonished by how much power up he felt, "This is... Rudy's mana."
With his willpower replenished and body reinforced to its limits, Paul tore through monsters akin to berserk hungry for blood on the battlefield. He rushed to slice the beasts while overwhelming them with many maneuvers using various styles.
Laws isn't forgotten as his bow and body glowed with soft pink light, causing his eyesight to be clearer and his arrows to pierce the hardened mana scales.
Despite this, with Rudy boosting their powers, Paul still found himself pushed back by pure numbers. The horde appeared endlessly and the man felt a spark of fear it would never end.
He prepared to strike another before noticing the monsters started to pass by him, sprinting towards...
The village!
"HERE YOU BASTARDS!" The warrior screamed and screamed but the horde ignored him as if out of boredom. Cold despair sufficed him as he remembered the words Eto said.
"We may be as well dead."
The monsters were going to massacre every field and house as they killed villagers after villagers. The place of carnage will be all that is left of Buena Village.
Just as the horde was about to escape them they stopped momentarily akin to one looking around while being confused. Then, to Paul's shock and bewilderment, the mass of monsters began running around like headless chickens.
"W-what?"
Paul didn't understand what was happening. One moment the monsters are to breach the border and swarm the village and next they are doing something unrecognizable.
Illusion.
Most magus thought of Merlin as an extremely dangerous opponent because of how much power and deadly spells he possessed but the truth couldn't be more different.
Merlin's true strength lay in his mastery over illusions and trickery. He may have as well been illusion fighting on the battlefield while in reality was watching everything from a non-accessible place. It is impossible to tell what is true and what is false.
In other words, Merlin is a monster regarding everything connected to mystery as his sight encompasses all the knowledge one can offer. Other than true magic, if one would question Merlin what type of magecraft he isn't familiar with the Wizard would look at them funny.
That's why he inscribed this mess of a magic circle on the ground before. It allowed him to fully immerse his mana into the area where the monsters would swarm Paul and everyone as they marched to the village. In turn, he casts an illusion making them think they are heading the wrong way each time they encounter the end of the barrier.
The necessary calculations to fix this predicament should be impossible for a normal magus but Merlin was far from normal.
"FATHER! SLAY THEM NOW!"
Paul upon hearing this unleashes his sword, determination, and hope propelling his body to move. It was like escaping a dull blur of despair. To protect this village, he shall kill all these creatures. Laws isn't left behind as he shoots even more arrows despite his muscles straining. Both of the men had their bodies shaking from joy as more monsters fell.
The ex-adventurer stood unintimidated in front of danger, even going as far as ignoring the slashes appearing on his body.
None of them are aware how it is far from over.
Rumble.
A heavy presence entered the forest, bloodlust oozed in sickening quantities. Thunder-like rumbling echoed, destroying trees in its wake.
Rumble.
"The earth... is shaking?" Paul tried to rebalance his body but it was pointless.
Laws doesn't see anything that could be causing this disturbace. His sharp eyes still scanning everything in sight. He licks his lips, feeling a tingle of fear run down his spine. Whatever is coming, it's very big.
Unsees to both of them Merlin had sweat running down his forehead because he sensed how much mana was closing on this location. His Clairvoyance only showed a hulking frame hidden by shadows before pain throbbed his nerves. The Wizard overused this abillity too greatly today.
The group couldn't even react as the tower burst under their feet, falling akin to pieces of domino. The wood structure, even reinforced by Merlin stood no chance.
Laws grabbed Merlin and jumped just as a wide maw filled with razor-like teeth was about to devour him whole.
Merlin felt the whole barrier set up disintegrating when the oppressive mana hit it. Whatever amplifications were put up were no more, gone under the pressure of a brutal impact.
The forest darkened considerably.
"Are you good?" Paul asked his son and friend who landed near him but got no answer, The man took a stance, his eyes dilating when a huge shadow was cast upon them. The beast that emerged from the hole towered upon them scaringly so.
The air never felt so suffocating to Paul as now. He swallowed.
The beast crashed into the ground with its arms, making the dust fly in all directions. Rocks spatter upon all. The impact it created was enough to blow them backward. Paul desperately tried to take Rudeus from Laws' arms before everything blurred. Wha-
"—!?"
Paul let out a voiceless cry. His eyes momentarily lost their shine as the impact came true, forcing him away like a ragdoll.
He flew through the air, hearing a young voice screaming his name.
Then hell started.
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A/N: Thank you for reading this quick chapter. Thank you for your reviews as well as kudos and follows. The battle is not over yet and who knows, there may be casualities.
I read your thoughts and will try my best to improve. I tried to release it as soon as I could. You know, I couldn't help myself somehow. Sorry for grammar mistakes, I will fix them later if you or I find any.
See you next time.
~Mercii