Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 106: Advent – Sacrifice.

The moment Aurora releases most of the dormant energy inside her, she feels every vein in her body bursting with power. Each step she brings is unbound, each breath she takes feels revitalizing, and each of her movements is exceedingly smooth. 

A sense of omnipotence.

Clutching the Blackstar, which has now turned into a colossal golden-white lance, she lunges forward with unmatched momentum. The atmosphere itself morphs horrifyingly because of the immense amount of radiating mana, and the concrete ground freezes helplessly as Aurora makes her way forward.

Her target, the animated corpse belonging to a hero, stands on the opposite side with the same dull eyes.

Clenching his mana around his body to create a forcefield, the man ruthlessly wields a claymore of fire, one burning so intense it melts even metal if they ever met.

Firmly, he also lunges forward.

Even if one isn't a fighter, they can easily predict the catastrophic damage this single clash can create.

Between the two, time appears to have slowed down, yet, more and more, they are approaching each other.

keng—!

Starting at a single point, the impact of the two's attacks spreads. The initial blast bursts like a supernova, instantly decimating nearby buildings and turning them into piles of debris. Then, the two elements clash.

A fierce fire dragon surges toward its target, seemingly devouring the person whole while emitting immense heat. On the other hand, ice of absolute zero pours relentlessly like an avalanche, threatening to ensnare the dragon into eternal jail.

''Kuh...!''

'Heavy!'

Even with her light-infused ice, facing the legendary flame dragon of the Eastern hero still makes Aurora falter. In addition to overwhelming power, there exists an oppressing aura coming from the man himself, luring her knees to bend.

'Even though he's already dead...!'

Hakuryuu Genji is a person of the sixteenth century, which means he has been dead for more than two hundred years. Even after all that time, his corpse remains intact, showing the country's proficiency in preserving dead bodies. His strength is still in the realm of master, which is undoubtedly Valstein's talent.

Aurora hurriedly gives even more power to her trembling arms, gritting her teeth to get through the crushing pain—a total contrast with the soulless look on Genji's face.

'A bit more...'

Aurora's vision is shaking. She feels her mind being fried from having to process too much mana at the moment, and her limbs scream in pain. Still, she has faith in her actions.

Because she trusts in her own competency.

Bit by bit, the frostbite wounds on Genji's body begin to distort. Flesh burns in its owner's flame—a seemingly impossible feat. Yet, it makes total sense in Aurora's head.

The notion of 'magic cannot hurt its caster' only applies to entities assigned to the system, and Genji definitely isn't one of them. This is the first time she has been able to force him to endure his own flame for this long.

'Just a bit more...'

Perhaps because of his body breaking down in real-time, Genji's overwhelming strength dissipates a bit, giving Aurora a chance to muster up her final bit of effort.

Kicking the ground, she and her ice shoot forward, collapsing on the man like a tsunami. The dense mist of ice devours the dragon whole, reducing the once intense flame to a mere silhouette of heat.

For a moment, the powerless body of the man floats in the air.

Reaching out with her hand, Aurora manifests a portal right behind Genji, and the moment she thrusts her sword forward to push the man into it—

''Oops.''

Aurora finds her sword unable to advance even one bit.

Caught between gloved fingers, the Blackstar struggles in the air, completely lacking its usual domineering appearance.

''It's not good to steal others' property.''

With an amused tone, Valstein grasps the robed figure's sword firmly, his other hand shielding his precious subject, preventing him from falling into the abyss.

''...Lucius Calistaire.''

''I've been curious. How do you know my real name?''

''It's none of your business.''

''Right. There's no way you would talk.''

''You—''

thud—!

Before she can properly realize it, Aurora finds a hand bursting through the side of her stomach. With a speed she can barely react to, Valstein has stabbed her.

''Monstrous reflex.'' The man chuckles. ''Unfortunately, I won't be able to operate on you now...''

Even though he wants to capture this woman and 'design' her as he pleases, the existence of Graham, who should arrive soon, prevents that. Teleportation... should work, yet he knows Aurora can simply teleport away anytime.

Valstein has always been a man of unwavering principles. If he can't have something, he would rather destroy it than give it to other people. Moreover, Aurora is the nemesis of his ideal.

''Well, kill it is.''

The moment Valstein decides to kill, a paralyzing pressure runs through Aurora's whole body. She feels her limbs trembling all the way to the bones, and her grip on the Blackstar loosens. 

''Now, you can't run.''

When faced with overwhelming fear, most will crumble, regressing to a simple pod of trembling mess. Valstein is confident in incapacitating his enemies this way, and this time, it is no exception.

''Blame yourself for being stubborn.''

As he tenses his blood-stained hand—

BOOM—!!

The man's eyes behind the mask widen as a force pierces through the space between him and the robed figure. The sheer momentum of it explodes the air into a deafening air cannon, and before he knows it, he has lost sensations of his arms.

''What—''

His eyeballs quickly turn to the side to identify the anomaly. 

There, a man of unusually high stature stands, his elongated fingers clutching the neck of Genji's corpse, slamming it whole into the black portal with speed comparable to lightning. On his other hand, Valstein can see his own arms hanging.

Curiosity takes over his brain.

When he finally captures the face of the tall man, one that is strikingly similar to his blank mask, another force swoops in from the side.

''Die, cultist.''

Blocking the flaming fist as he gets pushed back, Valstein quietly mutters.

''Interesting...''

Meanwhile, Aurora, who is now clasping her wound, subtly slumps down, panting heavily. A portion of her side is missing, and the pain is as unbearable as she remembers.

''Mister Slen... bring Ariel. East.''

Without a response, Slenderman teleports away, leaving the woman to tend to herself.

Rapidly infusing her wound with [Heal], Aurora contemplates her choice.

'...Was I too greedy?'

Still, it isn't as though she has gained nothing. Genji's body will definitely prove to be an incredible asset in the future. She just has to endure this pain for now...

''Tch, it's not closing easily.''

''Silaerob!''

''...?!''

Hearing the sudden youthful voice, Aurora grabs her sword while ignoring the pain from the sudden movement. When she turns around, the terrified face of a young girl greets her.

'Claire...?'

With unexpected boldness, the girl grabs Aurora's shoulder, tears welling at the corner of her eyes.

''Are you alright?! Oh, the wound is so bad...!''

''...''

'Really, the heroine is worried for me in this state.'

A smile unknowingly forms under the mask.