Chapter 18: Fighting the Demon Worshippers
POV Ren:
I dashed through the Maroon Forest at high speed. I had already run two kilometers from the city. Ahead, I heard the occasional sound of combat clashes.
"Damn, I'm late!" I muttered.
I ran faster, until finally my perception registered something—people, about seven of them. "Found them!"
I channeled more mana into my legs; the crackle of lightning around my feet sounded louder. I shot forward, my speed increasing rapidly.
A few seconds later, I arrived, seeing Abel and her maid surrounded by a group of people. My eyes widened at the sight. Without wasting time, I sprinted toward them.
My body leaned forward as my speed increased even more. And my mouth hissed, letting out small bursts of lightning as I used my Lightning Breathing technique. They saw me coming and stiffened.
Before they could react, I used my lightning magic. Clenching my fist, I channeled a quantity of mana into it. My hand was immediately enveloped in lightning.
I attacked them, making sure Abel and her maid were not caught in the impact of my strike.
"Take cover!" one of the attackers shouted.
Boomm—ziithh!
I arrived in front of Abel and her maid. I stood before them, saying urgently, "Both of you, run away now!"
"Ren!! W-What are you doing here!?" Abel asked frantically, her breath ragged.
"That's not important, now run! I can't fight them while protecting you!"
That was true, I couldn't fight them—at least not while protecting Abel and her maid. But, could I defeat them? I didn't know. The chances were I would lose. But at least I could block the attackers from chasing Abel when they escaped.
Was there a possibility of death? 50% yes. Even though I had [Instant Regeneration], if I was weak and got my neck cut, it would be useless.
I also had the power of [Unlimited Adaptation], which increased my chances of winning against them. The great thing about it was that I could learn their techniques while fighting.
And when they hit me with the same power and technique three times, my body would adapt to it, reducing the damage of the attack by 50%.
Then there was the [Untouchable] power, which made me virtually untouched by anyone, unless that person's rank was three times higher than mine. But does that mean I can't be touched if their rank is three times lower or equal to mine? Not exactly.
A powerful blow aimed at me would slowly drain the Star Energy or Mana within me until it ran out little by little.
So if they decided to attack me together, the defense would definitely be breached. Plus, they could attack me with different powers.
"But Ren—!"
"Go now!" I barked. Making both of them fall silent.
I stared at the maid, sending a message with my gaze. She stared back briefly, then pulled Abel with her.
"!! Luna, what are you doing!?" Abel asked. Her face was pale. Luna didn't reply and ran, pulling Abel along.
"L-Let go of me! Ren is alone! Do you hear!? He can't fight all of them!" Abel sobbed.
"Abel!!" I spoke loudly to Abel, who was being dragged by her maid, Luna, "I won't lose, trust me!"
"Hic! Hic! Really? You'll come back, right?" Abel asked, crying as Luna dragged her.
"Yes, I'll come back. Now run towards the city!" I said, trying to sound calm. Just then, the people I had attacked moments ago came again and walked toward us.
"Well, who do we have here? A self-proclaimed hero?" said one of the attackers, Calez, with amusement. I stared at all of them coldly.
The attacker grinned widely, "Interesting, you have a rare lightning affinity, boy."
He stepped forward toward me, his steps slow—almost silent. A few seconds later, he was in front of me. Leaning forward, he said.
"How about you join our order, young man?" he sneered.
Seeing his sneer, I offered a cruel smile, "Die, you bastard!"
My fist clenched; lightning magic and aura mixed in my hand, making the lightning writhe with power. Calez's eyes widened, but before he could react,
Braaakk—!!
I punched him. The force of the blow shook the forest violently. Dust flew up, and the trees swayed from my attack. I spoke to Abel and Luna, who were still frozen, without turning my head, "Now run!"
Both of them flinched instantly, and then Luna hastily pulled Abel away with her. Abel's eyes were filled with tears.
"I won't let you escape!"
One of the attackers ran toward Abel and Luna, but suddenly a three-meter-high lightning barrier appeared and blocked him, forcing the attacker to jump back.
"Don't you dare try it!" I warned.
Calez, the attacker I struck, was thrown quite far. The others also tried to attack Abel and Luna. I gritted my teeth, ready to cast another spell.
But just then, someone flashed past me and darted toward the attackers targeting Abel and Luna. His aura was golden.
"Haaa!!!"
That person's sword slashed at them with terrifying force, sending the attackers flying back, crashing into the trees blocking their path. That person was the holy knight commander, Marcus.
He pointed his sword at the group of attackers, "Don't touch her until you defeat me!"
'Who is he? Is he a knight? ...Crazy!' I muttered inwardly, looking at the knight. Judging by his face, he looked about 40 years old.
A golden aura enveloped his entire body. Moments later, the attacker who had been hit by my strike earlier stepped forward, holding his cheek. His head was bleeding.
'What? That's the only impact? Are you serious!'
[That is due to the difference in power, Host.]
'I know, but that attack was imbued with strong magic and aura, so he should at least feel pain, right?' I growled.
[But I think that is already good, Host. Who can injure a Master rank while only being a Novice? No one, only the Host.]
'...Right... maybe,' I whispered in my mind.
The attacker, Calez, rubbed his jaw, which had been dislocated by my punch. He gritted his teeth and said.
"Huh... your attack is quite strong, little boy!" he said. Then he turned to face the knight commander. He was shocked, "What?? Didn't you die from my poison?"
Calez stared at Marcus with disbelief. His face wrinkled up.
"Impossible... my poison didn't work?"
Marcus slightly lowered his sword, his aura still shining. "You think your foul poison could incapacitate me? Never."
The golden aura exploded, making the surrounding leaves fly about as if caught in a storm. Calez groaned, not out of fear, but annoyance.
A few of his subordinates stepped forward, forming a circle formation with Ren and Marcus in the center. Abel and Luna had long since gone.
I stared sharply at Calez, then turned toward the holy knight. "Can you fight the others, old man? I want to fight that one," I said, pointing at Calez.
Marcus glanced at me. "You, naive boy. Don't interfere. I will handle this, so run away."
"I don't want to," I refused. "I really want to fight him."
His lips tightened upon hearing my answer, then his brows furrowed, "You, still a Novice rank, want to fight a Master rank? Don't joke around!"
I looked at him flatly, but didn't argue. What he said was true. I was still Novice level. Anyone who heard what I said would probably call me 'crazy'.
But who was I? I possessed a bloodline that allowed me to fight almost equally with a Master rank—maybe.
"....."
"....."
We stared at each other for quite a while. Seeing my flat gaze, he finally sighed and said, "... Fine, but if the situation becomes critical, run."
"Ok," I said quickly, very quickly.
Then Marcus turned toward the attackers, raising his holy sword. He shouted, "In the name of the Great Goddess of Light, I, Marcus, expel your presence from this world for worshipping demons!"
"Demon worshippers??" I said in disbelief.
The golden aura flared brightly, then he shot toward the demon worshippers. I watched the old man, observing how he controlled his aura.
'Noll, scan his movements and aura flow.'
[Understood, Host... Scanning target.]
[Done.]
"Good..." I smirked.