Chapter 14 – Part 2
Jessica and Shirou were sitting there when suddenly a voice came from behind.
A voice came from the inside of the cave.
Fernando — calling out to Jessica — could be heard clearly.
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The Others Arrive
The sound of footsteps interrupted them.
Fernando, serious tone: "So… are you two finally going to tell us how you got that hurt?"
Jessica, turning to him: "Yes, I want to know too."
Kaede, nodding: "Yeah, me too."
Fernando to Kaede: "Wait, weren't you with them?"
Kaede, shaking his head: "No. We got separated. Let's ask Shru."
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Shru's Revelation
Deeper inside, Shru sat with her back against the wall, exhaustion etched on her face. She looked up as Kaede called out.
Kaede: "Hey, Shru…"
Shru, smiling faintly: "Kaede? What is it? Are we leaving already?"
Fernando: "Not yet. We need answers."
Jessica, kneeling beside her: "Shru, tell us what happened. How did you and Shirou end up like this?"
As soon as Shru heard this, memories of everything that had happened to her came rushing back. She recalled every detail of the battle — how they had faced an opponent far stronger than themselves, how each move and strategy had played out. Every fight scene replayed vividly in her mind. Then, she began explaining to everyone, describing how she and Shirou had managed to defeat a monster two levels above their own strength.
The cave fell silent.
Emma, gasping: "You… you fought a B-grade monster!?"
Kaede, stunned: "And defeated it?"
Jessica, wide-eyed: "That's insane!"
Fernando, shaking his head: "That's impossible — a B-grade monster is powerful enough to kill every one of us on its own. How did you two manage to defeat it?"
Shru, smirking tiredly: "Oh really? Then maybe this will convince you."
She reached inside her uniform and pulled out a red orb from the inner pocket, glowing with a soft crimson light.
Narration: The cave filled with a low hum. The energy radiating from the core was immense — dense, pulsating, alive.
Fernando, in awe: "That's… a monster core!"
Jessica, feeling the heat: "It's powerful — easily a high-grade one."
Kaede, eyes widening in surprise: "Wow, this is a monster core! I've heard their value in the market is incredibly high because they're not easy to find. Monster cores only come from high-grade monsters. You could sell this and make a lot of money, or you could absorb it and level yourself up."
Fernando, impressed: "You should use it for your level-up, Shru. You earned it."
Kaede, observing closely: "By the way, Shru, your Aura output has increased significantly. I can feel it… your powers have grown immensely."
Shru, nodding, proud but exhausted: "Yeah. I'm low C-level now."
Everyone's mouths fell open.
Kaede, amazed: "You leveled up during the fight!?"
Fernando, grinning: "That's insane — but amazing!"
Jessica, cheerful: "We've got a C-level fighter on our side now!"
Shru, speaking with quiet determination: "That's why I can't level up again so quickly. For now, I'll keep this core with me. Besides, it's not mine alone. If Shirou hadn't been there, I could never have defeated that monster. This core is the result of both our efforts."
Kaede, softly: "Yeah… that explains your injuries."
Shru: "Once we get out of the rift and reach the academy, we'll decide together what to do with it."
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Noxy's Observation
A short distance away, Noxy leaned against the wall, eyes narrowed in deep thought.
Noxy, his voice tinged with disbelief, thought: "So they really defeated a B-grade monster… but how is that even possible? Even a B-level Aura warrior shouldn't be able to take down a B-grade monster. How did they do it? And Shirou, especially… how can he keep fighting even after so many battles, and against opponents far stronger than himself? He defeated me first — and I'm a C-level Aura user. On top of that, he went into the jungle and fought that B-grade monster one-on-one, returning alive without any help. And now… he has actually defeated that B-grade monster that even all of us together couldn't take down. How is this even possible? This boy is defeating opponents stronger than himself… it completely defies logic."
His expression darkened.
Noxy, quietly: "He's not normal. No way."
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The Journey Resumes
Later, the group gathered at the cave's exit, ready to move again.
Fernando, commanding: "Alright, which direction?"
Shirou, pointing ahead: "Follow me — I'll take you there. That place isn't far from here. We need to go back the way we came."
Hearing this, all the students began to feel a little anxious, because it was in the same direction from which they had come that the Crystal Queen had killed their classmates.
Fernando, motivated: "Everyone, stay alert. If we get that tag, we live. Don't lose focus!"
The students nodded, gripping their weapons tightly.
Narration: They moved through the forest — branches snapped underfoot, and the faint wind carried the metallic tang of blood. The trees ahead looked burned, the earth fractured like shattered glass.
After some time, they reached that place.
Fernando, observing: "This place was broken and scarred from all sides. Signs of battle were visible everywhere, and they didn't seem very old. Surely, a fierce and dangerous fight must have taken place here."
Jessica, urgently: "Let's not waste time. We have to find it."
Shirou, serious: "Everyone, spread out and search — the tag must have fallen somewhere around here."
They searched — minutes turned to an hour. The tension thickened. Then suddenly —
Emily, shouting from afar: "Hey! I found it! I found the tag!"
Everyone turned. Hope flickered across their tired faces.
Emma, hugging Shru: "Finally… now we'll be able to get out of here. I'm really happy."
Shirou, steady voice: "Bring it here. I'll activate it."
Fernando and Kaede began moving toward Emily as she carried it closer. Relief filled the group — but it lasted only seconds.
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The Queen's Arrival
The ground trembled.
A heavy, suffocating wave of aura spread through the forest — ancient, monstrous, and filled with malice.
Narration: The trees bent, the air thickened, and every living being felt its soul shrink in terror.
Noxy, voice trembling: "Wh-what… is that aura?!"
Shru, eyes widening in horror: "No… it can't be. She's back!"
Shirou, grimly tightening his fists: "What the hell is this power…? It's beyond anything I've felt before."
Fernando, barely whispering: "We're… going to die…"
Even the air stopped moving. Then —
Jessica, voice breaking, eyes filled with terror: "No… no, it can't be… Crimson Crystal Queen!"
A deep, resonating growl echoed through the shattered forest, shaking the ground beneath their feet. The sound pierced through their bones — primal, furious, and alive.
Narration: The color drained from every face.
The Crimson Crystal Queen had returned.
And this time, there would be no escape.
End of Chapter 14 part 2