Chapter 62

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I REACHED into my Aether Pouch, my fingers closing around an explosive vial. Without hesitation, I hurled it toward the charging monsters, their grotesque forms twisting unnaturally as they lunged forward. The vial shattered upon impact, igniting a fiery explosion that tore through their ranks, but more kept coming, undeterred.

“Chewy!” I shouted, my voice sharp and commanding.

In an instant, Chewy appeared, his massive form cutting through the chaos like a savior from the wilds. His eyes burned with primal intelligence as I hastily mounted him, gripping his fur tightly. Without needing direction, he leapt onto the thick branch of a nearby tree, his powerful legs propelling us above the swarm.

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The ability [Beast Tamer] has been activated.

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Chewy growled, his claws digging into the bark as he balanced us on the branch. Below, the horde of monsters swarmed, their glowing eyes filled with unrelenting hunger. My heart pounded, but I forced myself to focus.

“My lady! Watch yourself!” Zacharias’s voice cut through the chaos, his blade gleaming as he slashed at the nearest beast.

I didn’t have time to respond. Instead, I grabbed another vial—a corrosive mix of acid and alchemical fire—and hurled it into the heart of the swarm. The glass shattered, releasing a sizzling cloud of destruction that melted through their twisted forms. The monsters screeched in agony, writhing as the acid consumed them, but their pain only seemed to fuel the others’ rage.

Chewy leapt to the ground, his roar shaking the earth as he barreled into the fray. I swung off his back, landing lightly as I drew my twin daggers.

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The ability [Evoke] has been activated.

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The blades glowed faintly, their edges honed for precision as I darted into the fight. A beast lunged at me, its claws swiping through the air. I sidestepped, twisting my body with practiced ease, and slashed upward. The dagger’s enchanted edge cut through its thick hide, spilling dark ichor onto the ground.

Another monster charged, its grotesque maw snapping inches from my face. Chewy intercepted, slamming his massive body into the beast and pinning it down. His jaws locked around its throat, ending its struggle with a sickening crunch.

“Good boy,” I muttered, already reaching for another vial.

A monstrous howl echoed, and I turned to see a massive beast emerging from the shadows. It was at least three times the size of the others, its glowing eyes fixating on me with deadly intent.

I gritted my teeth. “This one’s mine.”

Chewy growled but held back, trusting me to handle the challenge. I sprinted forward, hurling a smoke vial at the beast’s face. The vial exploded in a thick cloud, blinding it momentarily. Seizing the opportunity, I darted to its side, daggers flashing as I struck at its legs.

The beast roared, its tail sweeping toward me. I ducked just in time, the force of the attack whipping through the air above me. Rolling to my feet, I hurled another explosive vial at its chest. The blast staggered it, exposing its underbelly.

Without hesitation, I surged forward, plunging both daggers into the vulnerable flesh. The beast thrashed violently, nearly throwing me off, but I held firm, twisting the blades deeper. It let out one final, guttural scream before collapsing in a lifeless heap.

I pulled my daggers free, ichor dripping from their blades, and turned to find Chewy finishing off the last of the smaller beasts. My chest heaved as I surveyed the carnage.

My gaze locked on Sebastian as he let out a sharp shout. His commanding voice carried over the chaos.

“My lady! You need to retrieve the seal and head to the tree to seal it again!” he ordered, his tone unwavering as he swung his blade with precision. The monster before him let out a guttural cry before its head was severed cleanly, dark blood spraying as Sebastian’s blade glinted in the dim light. Not a single drop of sweat marred his chiseled face, his movements fluid and deadly.

“Yes!” I barked back, scanning the battlefield for Artemisia’s body. My eyes narrowed dangerously when they landed on the Emperor. That bastard had the seal in his hand, and Lady Athena was locked in combat, fending off the beasts blocking his escape.

“Damn it, why did I create a character as infuriating as him?!” I hissed through clenched teeth, raking a hand through my disheveled hair. My grip tightened on Chewy’s fur.

“Chewy!” I commanded.

The beast growled, his massive form bristling with energy as he launched himself at a group of advancing monsters. His claws slashed through them with brutal efficiency, scattering their remains across the blood-soaked ground. Right. I wasn’t alone.

“Kaelios,” I muttered, activating my power.

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The ability [Evoke] has been activated.

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A piercing shriek echoed across the battlefield as Kaelios emerged, his enormous frame shimmering with raw energy. His gaze fixed on me, intelligent and wild.

“Help Chewy, Kaelios!” I commanded, pointing toward the fray.

Kaelios tilted his head, then let out another screech that made the air vibrate. Without hesitation, he charged into the battle, tearing apart any creature foolish enough to stand in his way.

I didn’t waste another second. My boots pounded against the ground as I sprinted toward the Emperor. His form was retreating, Artemisia’s lifeless body slung over his shoulder and the seal clutched in his hand.

“Reynald!” I roared, my voice slicing through the chaos like a blade.

He glanced back, his eyes wide with panic before he turned and disappeared into the Imperial Palace.

“Coward,” I spat under my breath.

Suddenly, a hulking monster lunged into my path, its grotesque form snarling as it swung a massive claw at me.

I ducked under its swipe and spun, slicing through its leg with a sharp, deliberate strike. Before it could let out a cry of pain, my blade came down in a clean arc, severing its head from its shoulders.

“Out of my way!” I snarled, stepping over the corpse.

More monsters poured in, their guttural growls surrounding me like a storm. But before I could act, I felt a familiar presence behind me.

“Need some help?” a low, confident voice murmured close to my ear.

I turned just in time to see Sebastian appear like a shadow, his blade cutting through a monster that had been about to pounce on me. Blood sprayed, but he didn’t so much as flinch. His emerald-green eyes met mine for a brief moment, a hint of amusement flickering in them.

“Didn’t think I’d let you have all the fun, did you?”

He stepped forward, his movements fluid and precise as he dispatched another monster with an effortless swing of his sword. His dark blue hair caught the light, his face a picture of calm determination even in the thick of battle.

“I’ll clear the path,” he said firmly, his voice like steel. “Go after him, my lady. I’ll cover your back.”

I didn’t hesitate. With Sebastian slicing through the advancing monsters like a whirlwind, I turned my focus forward. My blade moved with deadly accuracy, cutting down anything that dared to block my way.

The palace loomed closer, the Emperor’s shadow vanishing into its depths. My grip tightened on my sword. He wasn’t escaping. Not this time.

“Where do you think you’re going, intruder?”

I glanced to my side and saw Lady Athena standing there, her bow drawn, an arrow aimed dangerously close to my neck. Her fingers trembled slightly, though her grip remained firm.

“Oh, still wagging your tail for that wretched Emperor to the bitter end, are we?” I muttered, my lips curving into a sly smirk as my eyes gleamed with dangerous amusement.

Her breath hitched, and she pressed the arrowhead deeper into my skin. A sharp sting followed, but it barely registered. I tilted my head, meeting her defiant gaze with calm disdain.

“What did he promise you, Athena? Power? Redemption?” My voice dropped, sharp and mocking. “Or is it just blind obedience, even when you know he’s doomed to lose?”

Her teeth gnashed audibly, and her jaw tightened. “Shut up!” she hissed, her voice trembling with suppressed rage. “You’re going to die anyway—just like the real owner of that body of yours.”

A chuckle escaped me, cold and unbothered. “You’re amusing,” I muttered, the smirk never leaving my face. “But don’t flatter yourself. If anyone’s dying tonight, Athena, it’ll be you.”

In one fluid motion, I twisted my body, my daggers flashing in the dim light. The arrow sliced my neck as I moved, but it was only a shallow cut. Blood beaded and hung suspended in the air as I pressed my dagger against her throat.

Her eyes widened, and I saw her chest heave with labored breaths. “Y-You…” she stammered, her confidence wavering.

“Move,” I said, my tone low and venomous. “Before I turn that blessed body of yours into something unrecognizable.”

I shoved her back with a flick of my wrist. She stumbled but didn’t collapse, her body frozen in place, her trembling hands gripping her bow. I didn’t bother looking back.

“Pathetic,” I muttered under my breath as I stepped forward, my boots echoing against the ruined palace’s marble floor.

My eyes scanned the wreckage, searching for any sign of him. My lips curled into a wicked grin when I heard a low grunt beneath a pile of collapsed stone near the throne. The cement shifted clumsily, giving him away.

“Found you,” I murmured, my voice dripping with satisfaction as I stepped closer.

But just as I prepared to move in, a deafening explosion shook the air. The ceiling above cracked and gave way, sending chunks of marble and dust raining down. I leapt back, shielding my face from the debris as the palace trembled violently.

The noise was followed by an otherworldly screech that seemed to come from the heavens themselves. My eyes darted upward, and my blood froze.

Hovering above the ruined palace was an abyssal-ranked monster. Its massive, grotesque form blocked out the faint moonlight, casting a shadow that engulfed everything. Its chitinous body glistened with an unnatural, oily sheen, and its eyes—glowing orbs of deep crimson—pierced through the chaos below.

The creature roared, the sound reverberating through the ruins, and I steadied myself, tightening my grip on my daggers. The air grew heavy, suffocating under the sheer pressure of its presence.

When I looked back at the rubble where the Emperor had been, it was empty. My jaw clenched as realization set in.

“Of all the cursed luck,” I muttered, my smirk twisting into a bitter grin. The monster’s arrival wasn’t planned—just a cruel twist of fate, a miracle granting him the chance to escape.

The abyssal beast descended slowly, its massive wings stirring up a storm of dust and debris. It wasn’t here for me—or for him. It was simply there, a force of nature unleashed at the worst possible time.

“Fine,” I murmured, rolling my shoulders as I stared up at the towering monstrosity. A dark, dangerous grin spread across my face. “If you think you can stop me, you’re welcome to try.”

I tightened my grip on my weapons and prepared to face the abyssal-ranked monster, the Emperor’s escape gnawing at the edge of my mind.

fin.