316 - The Red Eyes of Death
Nathan Evenhart:
I watched from a distance, hidden among the shadows of the trees. Using the Aspect of Time, I moved with precision through the orcs, slipping past the horde until I found a safe vantage point. Now, standing at a secure distance, I could clearly see the enemy.
My entire body was seized with panic from the mere presence of that creature. My mind, trained like that of a general, fought against the instinctive human fear. But deep down, I questioned myself: Is this the right move? Should I stay and resist, or retreat and plan? The internal conflict gnawed at me. I chose caution. Before making any move, I needed to understand my enemy.
Standing in front of the elevator entrance was a being wrapped in a black cloak, its equally dark armor glistening under the somber glow of the falling rain. A black mask concealed its face, with only glowing red eyes visible through the slits. There was no doubt about what this thing was.
A demon! A Nidhogg!
My thoughts immediately turned to Chloe, Kinue, and Cylla. I couldn't let them get anywhere near this place—not with this creature here. For a moment, I felt grateful for my own stubbornness in insisting on coming ahead to check the path. If we had advanced blindly, this thing could have put them all in danger.
The demon remained still at the elevator, but soon it began walking, every step carrying an oppressive presence. The orcs around it stood frozen, uncertain, but clearly submissive to the creature. Its red eyes turned toward the direction of the camp, and it took a few more steps forward.
Instinctively, I pressed my body against the tree, trying to remain unseen.
Slowly, the demon lifted one hand, allowing the rainwater to collect in its palm. Then, it poured it out, as if analyzing something.
"Magic..." it muttered, its cold, raspy voice cutting through the silence like a blade.
Its eyes gleamed, scanning the environment. It knew. It had identified the rain as a spell.
My breath slowed, my body frozen as I continued to analyze my opponent.
Then, something disturbing happened.
One of the orcs, perhaps emboldened by the submission of his brethren, approached the creature, seemingly trying to speak.
"Silence."
Without warning, the orc's head exploded in a spray of blood, the body dropping to its knees as what remained of it splattered onto the ground.
The demon didn't even glance at the corpse. It simply continued walking through the rain, eyes sweeping the landscape.
My mind raced with a thousand possibilities.
The elevator was right there, just a few meters away. But how had this thing emerged from it? There should have been a professor stationed at the top, guarding the entrance. The academy elevator was always monitored by staff. Not to mention, the academy's barrier should have detected any unknown magical presence passing through.
Something had happened on the surface.
Something was very, very wrong.
That means the demons have managed to cross into this world... just as Sisika told me they would.
As I struggled to make sense of the situation, the demon did something that took my breath away.
It rose from the ground, floating with an unnatural ease. Rain slid down its black armor as it hovered effortlessly in the air, gazing over the landscape from above.
He can fly!
My heart pounded.
The power of this thing… was on a completely different level.
It could fly. That alone meant an unimaginable difference in strength.
Then, without warning, the demon shot forward, vanishing into the darkness of the forest.
Chloe, Kinue, Cylla!
I crouched low among the vegetation, trying to track where the demon was heading. My mind was on high alert, and my eyes never left the movement of that dark figure. If he was heading toward the camp, I would have to intercept him right here, without hesitation.
When I realized he wasn't going in the students' direction, I felt a brief wave of relief. But that didn't mean I could let my guard down. This was my chance. I needed to get Chloe, Kinue, and Cylla to the elevator while that creature was still far away.
The problem was my mana.
I didn't have enough left to use the Aspect of Time to run back to them and, even less, to bring them with me while freezing time along the way. As powerful as that ability was, it drained my mana rapidly. At best, I could activate it for a few minutes before I was completely spent. If that happened, I'd be in a dire situation.
Do I start a fight? Try to deal with that thing alone? I doubt any student or professor can take down that creature.
We needed to reach the elevator while there was still time. But… what would I find up there?
Why was this demon at the elevator entrance?
What happened on the surface?
My mind was at war with itself. I couldn't let them cross paths with that creature, but the unanswered questions burned inside me.
I kept moving through the forest, the muffled sound of leaves my only companion as I tried to formulate a plan. The priority was clear: ensure their escape from the academy. The problem was, this decision seemed impossible to execute.
Without knowing the enemy's full capabilities, engaging him would be reckless. He had Celestial Eyes. That alone made this creature an immeasurable threat.
Orcs aren't something I worry about. Even if they had to fight, Chloe and Kinue could handle them. The real problem is this demon...
I need to get them out of the academy and ensure their safety.
I need to regroup with powerful mages... or handle this myself.
But it would be reckless... without knowing the enemy's abilities.
He has Celestial Eyes.
"Nathan Evenhart."
A voice.
My body froze immediately.
"Professor?" I whispered as I recognized it. She approached, crouched and silent, her posture elegant but filled with tension.
"What are you doing here? Why didn't you wait to come with me?" she asked, her tone a mix of reprimand and concern.
Before she could continue, I cut her off.
"Chloe and Kinue! Where are they?" I asked, keeping my voice low.
She pointed toward a direction in the forest.
"They're a bit further ahead. We managed to get here quickly because the path was relatively clear. Few orcs crossed our way."
"Professor... we need to—"
Before I could finish my sentence, she placed a finger over my lips, silencing me with a firm yet gentle gesture.
"I know. I felt his presence and saw that dark being," she said, her serious gaze making it clear she shared the same concern. "But we need to be strategic. My priority right now is getting you all out of here."
Professor Beatrix stood up, pulling me with a firm but silent motion.
"I'm creating a wind barrier around us to muffle the sound of our footsteps," she whispered, her sharp eyes analyzing every detail around us. "But we need to be extremely careful not to draw the attention of those orcs."
I nodded, gripping the Cursed Blade in one hand while holding the dagger Chloe had given me in the other. Its weight, familiar yet grounding, felt like a reminder of who I needed to protect.
I glanced quickly toward the forest.
Even in the darkness, I knew I would feel the demon's presence if he was flying nearby.
That oppressive power wasn't something that could be ignored.
Beatrix took the lead.
We moved crouched between the trees, slipping through the vegetation like shadows. Every step was calculated, every movement precise. The orcs had begun shifting through the area, their low grunts blending into the sound of the fine rain still falling.
Beatrix gripped her scythe tightly, her muscles tense, betraying her unease. My own heart was restless. I had to get the people who mattered to me out of here before it was too late.
She drew closer, whispering so softly it was barely audible.
"The path is occupied by some creatures. We'll move slowly to avoid alerting them. I asked the students to wait. Duncan created a shelter that mimics a large rock, and the princess covered it with leaves. They're hidden."
That could fool orcs. But the demon? Unlikely.
An orc emerged from the trees ahead of us.
Beatrix and I froze, our eyes widening.
It saw us.
Before it could react, I pushed forward using wind magic. My body moved with precision, instinct taking over.
With one hand, I grabbed its face, channeling a burst of electricity that paralyzed it for a brief moment.
With the other, I drove the Cursed Blade into its throat, severing its vocal cords to ensure it couldn't make a sound.
The orc collapsed, lifeless.
Before it could hit the ground and make noise, I used all my agility to catch it mid-fall, lowering it gently onto the forest floor.
I did it…
The thought barely registered as sweat dripped down my temples. Carefully, I dragged the body deeper into the brush, concealing it beneath the foliage.
"For a moment... we were almost discovered," Beatrix whispered, still breathless.
"Yeah..." I replied, relieved, trying to steady my racing heart.
Then—
"But I heard you," a deep voice rumbled behind us.
Every hair on my body stood on end.
We turned.
And there he was.
Standing still, watching us.
The black-cloaked being with glowing red eyes.