Chapter 30

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I GASPED, startled, as Darious’s arms wrapped around my waist, lifting me effortlessly away from the deep cracks that split the ground where the monster’s heavy blow had landed. My heart raced as I watched him summon a shimmering shield, trapping the beast once again within its translucent barrier.

“You will not fight that thing, sister. Leave it to us.” His voice was firm, his dark blue eyes locking onto mine with an intensity I hadn’t seen before. He set me down gently, but the seriousness in his expression made my brows furrow in confusion.

What’s gotten into him? Isn’t this the perfect moment for him to let me disappear from his life? This is his chance—why is he stopping me from fighting?

“You saw me fight earlier,” I replied, turning my back to him, my voice laced with defiance. “You know I’m more than capable of handling that creature.”

As I spoke, I glanced toward Lumine and Zacharias. They stood ready, hands resting on the hilts of their swords, muscles tense with anticipation. Seraphim floated just behind them, defying gravity, her feet never touching the ground. Their faces were pale, horror creeping into their expressions as they took in the monster’s true form. It wasn’t just a beast anymore—it had shed its earlier grotesque shell, revealing something far more horrifying.

The creature before us pulsed with dark energy, its massive, shifting form defying reason. Black mist swirled around it like a living shadow. Its eyes—pitch-black orbs—seemed to bore into our very souls. Its body lacked any true shape, constantly warping and morphing, limbs sprouting and retracting, each form more twisted than the last. Its jagged, oversized teeth glistened, sharp enough to tear through stone, easily capable of devouring an entire house in one bite. The nauseating mass of the creature was immense, a writhing black cloud of nightmares.

Where are Lady Cecelia and Sebastian? I scanned the battlefield. Cecelia was still fending off other monsters, her sword flashing as she protected the civilians. She wouldn’t be joining us here. But Sebastian? He had disappeared ever since our last meeting. I couldn’t see him anywhere.

Lady Cecelia was supposed to be the one to defeat this creature. This was her story—the game was designed for her to be the heroine. Yet here we were, all of us facing this monster together.

“Stay back!” The Crown Prince’s voice rang out, slicing through the chaos as the monster lunged toward them. In a flash, Seraphim raised her hands, and an invisible force clamped down on the creature, halting its charge. Her face twisted in pain, struggling to maintain her hold on the beast’s power.

I tightened my grip on my daggers, my knuckles turning white. “Brother,” I muttered, glancing at Darious beside me, “we need to help them.” He stiffened at my words, his mouth opening slightly in surprise.

"Shielding that monster isn’t enough. Look around you—the capital is in ruins. You don’t need to use that ability to trap it, use your sword to protect what’s left of our home.” My voice softened as I fixed my gaze on the fierce battle ahead. Lumine, Zacharias, and Seraphim couldn’t hold it off forever.

Darious sighed, the sound distant but resigned. I saw the barrier around the monster flicker and fade. “You’re right.” His voice was quieter this time. I turned to him as he unsheathed his sword, the blade gleaming under the darkened sky.

“I’ll fight,” he said, determination settling over his features, “but you stay here, sister.” Before I could argue, he leaped into the air, his sword arching as he brought it down toward the monster with deadly precision.

I closed my eyes and massaged my temple, frustration gnawing at me. “Why do they always underestimate my abilities?” I murmured under my breath.

But then something stirred in me—an idea, a wild, dangerous thought. I opened my eyes, the spark of a plan taking shape in my mind. If I could tame that monster... imagine the power I could gain.

“System,” I called out, twirling my daggers with ease. “If I manage to tame that monster, what will I gain?”

A new holograph materialized beside the sub-predicament screen, the letters faintly glowing in the chaos around us.

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It is impossible to tame it. However, if you were able to defeat it, you may not gain the power to control it as it is an otherworldly monster. But, you will be granted the Mark of Dominion, a temporary ability that can command lesser beasts and creatures born of darkness. Use it wisely, dear player.

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I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. The Mark of Dominion... a temporary power that could control creatures of the same ilk, even if I couldn’t tame this one. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted, but the reward was good enough to change the course of the battle if used strategically. The thought alone sent a chill of excitement down my spine, and I couldn’t help but smirk.

“Then add that to the reward,” I said with confidence, spinning my daggers faster. “Because I will defeat it.”

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Success. The reward will be updated upon your victory. Good luck, dear player!

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I chuckled quietly. The system was starting to sound almost... friendly. A far cry from the cold, calculating entity it had been earlier. Maybe it had finally recognized my potential—or maybe it was simply entertained by my defiance.

“Seraphim,” I whispered, catching her attention as she floated near, her gaze sharp. My eyes narrowed as I focused on the grotesque form of the monster. Its core was elusive, constantly shifting through its mass, making it nearly impossible to pin down. I needed a way to find it, and fast.

“You called, master?” Seraphim glided over to me, her voice steady, her expression as calm as ever.

My eyes darted toward Darious, Lumine, and Zacharias, who were locked in an intense struggle. Their backs were pressed against the monstrous creature, their movements becoming heavier with each strike. Sweat dripped down their foreheads, their faces strained with the weight of the battle. They wouldn’t last much longer like this.

“I need you to locate the monster’s core,” I murmured. “It’s moving too fast for me to keep track of on my own.”

Seraphim nodded, her ethereal form glowing faintly as she shifted her focus to the monster. “Understood, master. I will find it for you.”

With Seraphim by my side, and the system’s promise of the Mark of Dominion, I knew we had a fighting chance.

I leapt onto the cracked stones, the ground beneath me crumbling as I hurled myself into the air. My dagger sliced through the wind, aimed straight at the monster. But the blade merely bounced off its skin, clattering uselessly to the ground like a pebble. I landed with a grunt, my boots skidding across the dirt.

Seraphim swooped in, her movements fluid, catching the dagger with ease before it hit the ground. She handed it back to me, her expression unreadable.

“Damn it,” I muttered, narrowing my eyes at the beast. “Its hide is like iron. No wonder their swords can’t even scratch it.”

Seraphim nodded, her gaze still fixed on the monster. She opened her mouth to speak, but before she could get a word out, a bone-rattling scream tore through the battlefield. The creature’s shriek was so loud, so piercing, it felt like it was ripping through my skull. My hands shot up to cover my ears, the sound alone enough to make my knees buckle.

Suddenly, a panicked shout rang out from across the battlefield. “Sir Zacharias!”

I whirled around just in time to see Zacharias caught by the monster’s massive sharp flesh. Its blow shattered his armor with terrifying ease, sending him flying. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he hit the ground with a sickening thud, his body crumpling like a rag doll.

“Zacharias!” My heart raced as the monster raised its arm again, ready to crush him. But Darious dashed in, sword raised, intercepting the blow just in time.

“Get him to safety!” Darious barked, his muscles straining as he fought to hold back the creature’s strength. But even he couldn’t hold on for long. With a deafening roar, the monster flung him aside. His body slammed through the air like a rag in a storm.

“Darious!” I shouted, watching in horror as he hurtled toward a jagged stone sticking out from the wreckage of a collapsed building. His body twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding the deadly impact, but the strain left him gasping for breath as he hit the ground.

I felt a pulse in the air, heavy with magic. My gaze snapped back to the battlefield. Beneath the Crown Prince, an arcane circle began to glow, its radiant blue light growing brighter by the second. The air itself seemed to thicken as power swirled around him.

No. He can’t use it. Not here. Not now.

“Seraphim!” I shouted, and in an instant, she transported me through her dimension, dropping me right next to the Crown Prince.

Without hesitation, I slapped him hard across the face. “Snap out of it!” I hissed, leaning in close. “Now is not the time to reveal your power to the world, your Highness.”

His dark eyes blazed with fury as they locked onto mine. “Move, Arthemice,” he growled, his voice like thunder. “I need to destroy that thing. Or do you plan on stopping me?“

I leaned closer, my lips curling into a mocking smile as I raised my dagger to his lips, just brushing the edge of his skin. “You will stop, your Highness. If you use your power now, the Emperor will come for you. And I’d wager everything that you’d rather not become his next prized tool, would you?” My voice was a low, dangerous whisper.

He clenched his jaw, his entire body tense. “Have you lost your mind?” His words were sharp, but there was a flicker of doubt in his eyes. “Look around us, Arthemice. People are dying. If I don’t use it now—”

I cut him off, pressing the dagger harder against his lips. “Oh, your Highness,” I purred, my voice dripping with mockery. “How utterly pathetic. You hold the sword your mother gave you, the finest weapon in this entire kingdom, and you stand here begging to hide behind your secret power. Have you forgotten your title? Or have you simply grown too afraid to wield it?”

His eyes flashed with something darker—rage, perhaps. But beneath that, I could see it—hesitation. The truth of my words digging under his skin. I saw his grip tighten around the hilt of his sword.

“Huh.” His voice was low, filled with a simmering anger. “I’ll remember this day, Lady Arthemice. How you dared to put a dagger to my lips.”

I smirked, lowering the blade slowly. “Yes, your Highness. And next time, I might not stop with just the dagger.”

His eyes darkened further, he turned, his gaze fixed on the monster. “Next time,” he said quietly, his voice barely a whisper, “it’ll be your lips touching mine instead.”

I blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Arrogant bastard.

But there was no time to dwell on it. Without another word, the Crown Prince charged at the monster, his sword blazing in the dull light. I watched as his blade carved through the air with terrifying precision, each strike landing with deadly intent. He wasn’t using his full power, but just enough to slice through the creature’s defenses.

I smirked as I watched him fight. “So predictable,” I murmured to myself. “At least I’ve managed to keep him from doing something reckless... for now.”

The battle raged on, but I kept my eyes on the Crown Prince. His strikes were perfect, deadly, each one calculated to do maximum damage. And the monster, for all its strength, was starting to falter.

Seraphim circled above, her powers working to keep the monster distracted, while Darious was back on his feet, his movements slightly slower but no less deadly. Even Zacharias, bloodied and bruised, had pulled himself up to his knees, refusing to stay down.

This fight wasn’t over yet. But for the first time, I felt a sense of control—a sense that, despite the chaos, I was the one pulling the strings.

I braced myself, gripping my dagger tighter as I charged toward the monster, my heart pounding like war drums. It was just the five of us now—Seraphim, the Crown Prince, Darious, Zacharias, and me—against this monstrous abomination. The battlefield was ours, and failure wasn’t an option.

The monster’s massive sharp flesh swung toward me, and I sidestepped just in time, feeling the wind of its attack graze my cheek. Our movements fell into sync—Seraphim’s agile form weaving through the beast’s strikes, the Crown Prince’s sword gleaming as he slashed at its hide. Darious, despite the gash on his arm, attacked with precision, while Zacharias, wincing with every swing, landed powerful strikes with his blade. The rhythm of battle was intoxicating, and at last, my dagger found purchase. A deep cut tore across the monster’s thick hide, and hot blood sprayed out, searing my skin.

Then I saw it—a glowing black orb embedded in its flesh, pulsing with ominous energy. “The core!” I shouted, my voice barely cutting through the chaos. “It’s here!”

The Crown Prince was at my side in an instant, his sword raised high. He brought it down in a powerful arc, the blade sinking into the monster’s body. But before he could reach the core, the wound sealed itself, the orb vanishing beneath regenerating flesh.

We landed hard on the broken stone beneath us, frustration tightening our expressions.

“Damn it!” Lumine growled, running a hand through his silver hair, now disheveled from the battle. His dark eyes burned with anger and desperation. Darious cursed under his breath, and Zacharias clenched his jaw, his injured leg barely holding him upright.

We can’t keep doing this, I thought. It’s regenerating too fast. Maybe... An idea sparked. Maybe fighting isn’t the only way...

I turned to them, my breath steadying as I spoke. “Your Highness, Seraphim, Darious, Zacharias—distract it. I have another idea.”

They stared at me, each battered but still standing strong. Seraphim nodded without question, her trust in me absolute. Darious and Zacharias exchanged quick glances but nodded as well. But Lumine hesitated, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Trust me,” I urged, my gaze locking with his.

He sighed, the weight of the battle heavy on his shoulders. “Fine,” he muttered, drawing his sword again, preparing for another charge. “Let’s end this.”

His faint smile took me by surprise, but I quickly shook it off. There was no time for distraction. “Yes, your Highness,” I replied, focusing on the task at hand. They rushed at the monster, engaging it with calculated ferocity, their attacks drawing its attention away from me.

I closed my eyes, calming the storm within me. I needed absolute focus. When I opened them again, the familiar holographic interface of the system appeared before me.

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The ability [Beast Tamer] has been activated.

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A smirk tugged at my lips. Perfect.

With the system’s power coursing through me, I stepped forward, dodging a swipe from the distracted creature. The ground trembled beneath each of its movements, but I pressed on, undeterred. Reaching its massive, blood-soaked body, I stretched out my hand, laying it flat against its rough hide.

But the moment I touched it, I knew something was wrong.

The creature roared, thrashing violently, far stronger than any beast I had ever tamed. A surge of dark, foreign energy clashed against mine, as if its very essence rejected my control. It was an otherworldly monster, and taming it was unlike anything I had faced before.

This thing... I clenched my jaw, pouring more of my power into it, trying to force the bond. But it fought back, harder than I anticipated. My vision blurred as a sharp, searing pain shot through my arm. The energy inside the monster was fighting me, trying to break free of my hold.

The beast’s roars became more feral, its body convulsing as it twisted beneath my hand. Its dark power thrashed against my mind, pushing me to the brink. Sweat poured down my face, and my legs trembled, but I refused to let go.

No... I will tame you.

Behind me, I could hear the others fighting, their attacks relentless but barely holding the creature at bay. Zacharias’s pained grunts echoed in the distance, and Darious’s sword strikes sounded like thunderclaps. Time was running out.

“Arthemice!” Lumine’s voice was sharp, filled with urgency. I couldn’t afford to fail now.

The monster lunged toward me, its teeth bared in a savage snarl. I dodged at the last second, narrowly avoiding its jaws, but its claws raked across my side, tearing through my dress. Pain seared through my body, but I bit back a scream, focusing on my task.

“Just... submit...” I growled through gritted teeth, pouring every last ounce of strength I had into the creature. But it wasn’t working. Its alien energy was too strong, too wild. My power could barely contain it, let alone tame it.

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CAUTION! The power of this otherworldly monster far exceeds your limits! Continued contact will result in your body shattering beyond repair!

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I ignored the system’s warning, gritting my teeth as I kept my trembling hand pressed against the monster’s hide. The pain was excruciating, sharp and unrelenting, forcing me down to one knee.

Damn it... My head throbbed with every beat of my heart, a searing pain spreading from my hand to the rest of my body. It felt as if my bones were splintering, cracking under the weight of the monster’s overwhelming energy.

Around me, the sounds of battle grew faint, muffled as if I were underwater. The clashing of swords, the shouts of my allies—all of it blurred together in a haze of pain. I could barely hear them anymore.

“Ugh!” I groaned, a surge of agony rippling through me like lightning. My body convulsed, muscles spasming uncontrollably. The sensation of being torn apart was too real, too intense. It was as if my very being was unraveling, and yet I couldn’t stop. I had to endure this. I had to tame it.

But then, a sickening crack reverberated through me, and I knew something was wrong. My hand, still pressed against the creature, felt like it was on fire. My vision blurred, dark spots dancing in front of my eyes, and I could barely hold on.

“My lady!” I heard a distant voice, but before I could react, something sharp and cold pierced through my palm. My hand was torn from the monster’s hide, and I was sent flying, my body weightless for a terrifying moment.

My body limp, my mind reeling from the sudden pain. My hand... I couldn’t feel it. Slowly, I opened my eyes, blinking against the dizziness. My gaze fell on the jagged flesh of the monster’s body still lodged in my hand, blood seeping from the wound, thick and hot.

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WARNING! Your lifespan is now draining!

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I let out a bitter laugh at the system’s message, my lips curling into a faint, defiant smile. Of course it was. My body felt drained, my energy sapped to the point where I could barely keep my eyes open. The monster had taken everything from me, and now even my time was slipping away.

I tensed, expecting the harsh slam of the ground, too drained to stop the inevitable crash. But... the impact never came.

Instead, I felt strong arms catch me midair, cradling me gently but securely. My senses, dull and foggy, suddenly sharpened at the unfamiliar warmth. My vision cleared just enough for me to tilt my head and look up at my rescuer.

“You’re late...” I muttered weakly, my voice barely audible. But I knew that face. That dark, intense gaze that held both mystery and danger. “Sebastian...” I whispered his name, the weight of the battle momentarily slipping away as I took in his presence.

fin.