Chapter 50

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third person

Sebastian and Mire stepped through the shattered balcony window, their boots crunching against the glass. The room greeted them with the metallic scent of blood. Dark stains smeared across the walls and floor told the story of violence, but the one they sought was nowhere to be seen.

Sebastian’s eyes scanned the chaos, his expression a volatile mix of fury and fear. His voice broke the heavy silence, sharp and commanding. “Where is she?”

Mire, towering and beastly, stood silently for a moment, his glowing eyes fixed on the bloodied room. He cradled the herbs and rare ingredients in his clawed hands, his loyalty to her unshaken. “I don’t know,” he replied, his voice low but steady.

Sebastian’s jaw tightened, frustration flaring as he moved with purpose around the room. His hands hovered over broken furniture, shattered glass, searching for any trace of her. Each second passed like a tightening noose.

“You’re her beast,” Sebastian said, his tone sharp as a blade. He stopped abruptly and turned to Mire, his dark eyes narrowing. “You can sense her. She’s alive, isn’t she?” His voice dropped, laced with both certainty and desperation. “You wouldn’t still be here if she wasn’t.”

Mire gave a slight nod. “She lives. I would feel it if she didn’t.” His words carried a calm conviction, but they did little to soothe Sebastian’s growing anxiety.

Sebastian strode forward, grabbing Mire by the collar. His grip was firm but not cruel, his voice low and dangerous. “Then find her,” he demanded, his eyes burning with intensity. “You’re the only one who can.”

Mire didn’t flinch, meeting Sebastian’s gaze without fear. “I will.”

Sebastian let him go and turned his back, running a hand through his hair as he tried to suppress the turmoil threatening to surface. His voice, though quieter now, carried the weight of unspoken worry. “I need her back,” he said, almost to himself. “Before it’s too late.”

Mire gave a final nod before slipping out the balcony and vanishing into the night, his movements silent and swift.

Sebastian stood alone, the blood-stained room echoing with the faint sound of Mire’s departure. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, his expression hard, unreadable. The only sign of his inner turmoil was the slight tremor in his fingers as he stared down at the ruined space.

The silence pressed in, heavy and oppressive, as he muttered under his breath, “I’ll find you,” he whispered, his voice low and filled with resolve. “No matter what it takes.”

The wind howled through the shattered balcony, a cold whisper of the hunt to come. In the distance, Mire’s guttural roar echoed, a beast unleashed. Somewhere in the shadowed expanse, she lingered—alive, but out of reach.

Sebastian’s gaze hardened, his resolve unshakable. He would tear through the darkness itself if that’s what it took to bring her back.

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arthemice

I glanced at the system’s announcement, the holographic text hovering before me. My sixth training session had finally arrived, marking two weeks since I’d escaped the palace.

Two weeks of solitude. Two weeks of survival.

I’d found refuge in a small, abandoned cabin deep in the forest. It wasn’t much, but it was shelter. Every day, I honed my alchemy skills, pushing my limits. And, honestly? I’d improved a lot.

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Trial of the Forgotten Relic

Travel south using the map given by Zacharias and locate the Orb of the Old Priestess Artemisia.

Reward: The Orb Failure: Death

Decide your course with great caution!

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I huffed, crossing my arms as I read the ominous message. “So, it’s time to go back to that wretched kingdom, huh?”

Shaking my head, I walked to the nearby lake. The cold water stung my face as I splashed it, washing away the fatigue. I stared at my reflection in the still surface, the faint ripples distorting my features.

My hair was slowly regaining its original silvery sheen, though streaks of black still wove through the strands. It’s been a month since that incident. Was my recovery too fast?

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You may encounter additional training sessions during your journey. Stay alert and cautious, dear player!

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I rolled my eyes, the system’s mockingly sweet tone grating on my nerves. “Yeah, yeah, I know how this works,” I muttered under my breath.

With a deep breath, I stood and made my way back to the cabin. My supplies were packed and ready. It was time to move.

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“Oh, for the love of—” I gasped, clutching my chest as I tried to catch my breath. My lungs burned, and my legs ached from the relentless pace I’d forced upon myself. “That was a long run!”

I pulled out the map, squinting at the intricate lines and markers. According to this, the journey south would take a month if I traveled at a normal pace. But I didn’t have that kind of time.

“Ang layo-layo ko pa!” I groaned, tugging at my hair in frustration. If only a carriage would conveniently pass by, ready to whisk me away. But no, that would be too easy.

I sighed, forcing myself to stand tall despite the exhaustion. “Fine. If running is what it takes, then so be it.”

The distant forest loomed ahead, and with it, the unknown trials that awaited.

Hindi pa nangangalahati ang aking mga hakbang ay bumungad na naman sa akin ang announcement ng system.

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Trial of Forsaken Road

Ambush and defeat the bandits lurking along the southern route, and ensure your survival and recover stolen goods.

Reward: The bandits’ reinforced carriage and a stockpile of their food supplies and travel essentials. Failure: Capture and enslavement by the bandits.

Decide your course with great caution!

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My eyes narrowed into slits as I read the words. Wow. Just what I needed. I let out a soft exhale, lowering the system’s holographic projection. Without wasting time, I slipped off my bag and crouched low, blending into the thick undergrowth. The bush’s dense leaves scratched against my skin, but I stayed focused.

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The ability [Evoke] has been activated.

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A faint, icy aura pulsed through my hands as my grip tightened around the daggers. The weight of the blades felt comforting, familiar. I slowed my breathing, steadying myself as I watched the dirt road ahead. Any moment now.

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The distant sound of hoofbeats broke the forest’s uneasy silence. Then came the faint clinking of armor and the murmur of voices, rough and guttural. My heart quickened, but my face remained impassive. I shifted slightly, peering through a gap in the foliage.

They emerged one by one, their presence as ominous as the heavy clouds above. The leader rode at the front, a massive man with a tangled mane of auburn hair and a thick scar running diagonally across his face. His eyes were sharp, scanning the area like a predator. His armor was a patchwork of stolen pieces, mismatched but sturdy, and a massive sword rested across his lap.

Behind him, two more bandits followed on foot. One was lean and wiry, with a sickly complexion and a nervous twitch in his left eye. His hands hovered close to the daggers at his belt, constantly fidgeting. The other was a hulking brute, his bald head gleaming under the faint light filtering through the trees. He carried a massive spiked club slung over his shoulder, his every step shaking the ground slightly.

The carriage trailed behind them, its wheels creaking under the weight of the stolen goods piled high. A fourth bandit, lanky and pale, was perched on top of the carriage, lazily chewing on a piece of dried meat. His crossbow rested within arm’s reach, ready to be drawn at the slightest sign of trouble.

I stayed still, watching their every move. The leader barked an order, and the group came to a halt near a bend in the road. They were too close now; I could hear their conversation.

“Stay sharp,” the leader growled, his voice like gravel. “We’ll camp here for a bit. I don’t want any surprises.”

The twitchy one muttered something under his breath, earning a sharp glare from the brute. They began to unload the carriage, their movements deliberate but cautious.

Perfect. I adjusted my grip on the daggers, every muscle in my body coiled like a spring. The system’s trial was clear. Now, it was just a matter of timing.

But I stayed in place, my breath steady as I observed. This wasn’t just about rushing in for an ambush. No, I needed to study them first—watch how they moved, how they worked together. One wrong move, and the failure condition would become my reality.

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The campfire crackled softly, casting faint shadows over the sleeping bandits. I remained hidden in the darkness, my breathing steady, daggers glinting faintly in my hands. They wouldn’t stay asleep for long; the moment would have to be perfect.

A shift in the air—a subtle tension—told me the leader stirred. His instincts were sharp. His eyes snapped open, scanning the dim campsite. “Something’s not right,” he muttered, low and gravelly.

The brute grunted awake, reaching instinctively for his spiked club. “You’re paranoid.”

The pale one on the carriage gripped his crossbow tightly, eyes darting. “Shut up and listen,” he hissed, his voice trembling. “Do you hear that?”

Silence hung for a moment, broken only by the faint rustling of leaves.

Then, I moved.

From the shadows, I flung a dagger. The pale one saw it too late—it embedded itself in his shoulder, forcing him to drop the crossbow with a strangled cry. “We’re under attack!” he shouted.

The brute charged toward the sound of his voice, club raised. But I was already behind him. I ducked low, avoiding his wild swing, and slashed at the back of his knee. He bellowed in pain, collapsing onto one leg as I sidestepped his fall.

“You’re fast,” he growled through gritted teeth. “But not fast enough.” He swung his club again from the ground, forcing me to leap back.

The twitchy one lunged at me, his dagger aiming for my throat. I parried, the sharp clash of steel ringing through the air. “Who the hell are you?” he hissed, his eyes narrowing as he pushed against my blade.

“Just passing through,” I replied, twisting his wrist and driving him back with a swift kick.

He staggered but didn’t fall, a sneer curling his lips. “You should’ve kept going.”

The leader finally grabbed his massive sword and swung with precision, forcing me to backpedal. His strikes were controlled, calculated—a stark contrast to the others. He pushed me toward the edge of the camp, his blade slicing through the air.

“You’ve got guts,” he growled, “but you’re outnumbered.”

A smirk tugged at my lips. “Am I?”

From the corner of my eye, I saw the brute regain his footing, limping toward me with a snarl. The twitchy one flanked my other side, blood dripping from his wound but determination etched on his face. They were closing in.

Good.

I shifted my stance, feinting left toward the brute. He swung his club with all his might, aiming for where he thought I’d be. I spun to the right instead, driving my dagger into his exposed side. He let out a guttural roar, his weapon falling to the ground as he clutched the wound.

The leader lunged, his sword aiming to cleave me in half. I dropped to the ground, sliding under his swing, and kicked upward, striking his wrist. His grip loosened, and the sword clattered to the ground.

Before he could recover, I vaulted back to my feet, throwing my second dagger toward the twitchy one. It buried itself in his thigh, forcing him to collapse with a choked scream.

“You’re—ugh—better than you look,” the twitchy one groaned, trying to pull the blade from his leg.

“Thanks,” I said dryly, stepping over him. “But you won’t get the chance to return the favor.”

The leader was the last one standing. He glared at me, breathing heavily, his hand hovering near a hidden knife at his belt. “You think you’ve won?” he spat.

I didn’t answer. Instead, I closed the distance in a heartbeat, slamming the hilt of my dagger against his temple. His body wavered, and his eyes rolled back before he collapsed in a heap.

The campsite was silent once more, save for the crackling fire and the groans of the wounded.

The system’s familiar glow lit up before me.

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Congratulations! You have successfully completed the Trial of Forsaken Road! Rewards are now in front of you!

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I sheathed my daggers, stepping over the leader’s unconscious body. The bandits’ reinforced carriage sat just beyond the fire, its contents ripe for the taking. With a flick of my wrist, I pulled open one of the crates, revealing neatly packed supplies—enough to sustain me for weeks.

Without a word, I climbed onto the driver’s seat. Behind me, the faint groans of the fallen bandits echoed through the still night, but none of them would be getting up anytime soon. With a snap of the reins, the horses lurched forward, pulling the carriage smoothly away from the wreckage of their failed ambush.

The rhythmic clatter of the wheels and the steady thud of hooves filled the silence as I guided the carriage along the winding forest path. The cool night air brushed against my face, carrying with it the earthy scent of the woods.

I cast a quick glance to my left, the shadows of the towering trees rushing past. A faint smirk tugged at my lips. I’ve really come a long way, haven’t I? Taking out those bandits without exerting too much effort… it wasn’t luck. It was skill honed through relentless trials.

The cold night air bit at my skin, but I barely noticed. My hand rested lightly on the dagger at my hip, its blade still faintly warm from the fight. Every move I made tonight was calculated, efficient—nothing wasted.

I exhaled softly, my eyes narrowing as the forest stretched endlessly before me. Not bad, I thought, a quiet satisfaction settling in my chest. But I didn’t let the moment linger too long. This was just the beginning, and the south held far greater dangers than a few bandits.

fin.