"I'll be back"
"Don't stay out for too long ok.."
"Don't worry, once I get some wolf meat and some vegetables, I'll be back right away"
After opening my third outer gate, I immediately went to remove the seal but it was harder than I thought.
In order to release the remaining roots, I have to carefully move my energy or else it could hurt her cana.
Even though its difficult, nearly ninety percent has been removed.
One final push and I'll be able to remove it!
Since she'll be back to her usual self, I decided to go out and find something in order to celebrate her recovery.
The only thing that came to mind is wolf meat.
It's pretty pathetic but whatever!
Let's stay optimistic shall we?
That's right.. I recall what the moonlight goddess told me.
She said to come find her when I open the third gate.
How do I find her though..
Maybe..
I focus my inner flames towards my eyes.
Ahh!
Oh god.. let's never do that again.
When I focused my concentration and gathered the inner flames towards my eyes, it felt like I was staring at the sun.
Not good not good.
Oh well. Let's just run deeper into the forest and who knows, I might be able to find her.
Boom!
A large figure appeared out of nowhere and pounced at me.
I immediately dodged it and cover the front of my body with inner flames.
What appeared before me was the large wolf from before.
Grrrrrrr
It started snarling and attacking without any hints of stopping.
Bang!
It smashed it's claws downwards to me but I instantly dodge it.
Hmmph
If this was before, I probably wouldn't be able to dodge it but now with three gates open, this is nothing.
I vanish and instantly appear on top of it.
Bang!
While mid air, I spun twice and delivered an axe kick towards it's eye.
A gush of blood instantly poured out of its eye.
OUUUUU
It ran away after that.
"Serves you right.."
Haaaa..
I can't believe it..
If this was before, I probably would have died already.
I continue to look for the white haired woman as I increase my speed.
After running for some time, I came across a large rock formation. Large pieces of stalagmite created a crescent figure showing an intimidating look. The inside was clear of vegetation with the exception of the edge of the circle. The floor was hard rock and in the center, a naked woman with long white hair, yellow luminescent eyes and an alluring body is sitting still with her eyes closed.
Moonlight goddess!
I walked towards her and when she opened her eyes, she appeared right before me.
Guo-
I flew away and what feels like the weight of a truck going at full speed came directly at my side.
I instinctively guard with my arms but still flew away.
Blood seeped out of my mouth but apart from that, it doesn't seem like I've been hurt internally.
Phew..
Inner flames is quite useful.
"Looks like you've opened your third gate successfully"
"Yes thanks to you. Thank you.. for giving me a chance to save the ones important to me"
She waved her hand and walked towards me.
"Close your eyes"
I did as I'm told and close my eyes.
Whoosh
A cool sensation spread across my whole body.
What the hell is this..
It feels so cold that I feel my body burning.
I look inside of my cana and see a sea of blue flames in the corner of my world.
This is..?
"How you use it, that's up to you"
She waved her hand and a gush of wind blew me out of the place.
"Now go"
I thank her once more and head out.
Blue flames.. I wonder what she gave me?
It doesn't matter anymore. Once I apply the last session to Leiya, we can finally live peacefully.
We'll find a new place to stay and live our days side by side until the end of times.
I can't wait!
(*)
Ugh..
Why can't I find any wolves..
I try to look for more but if I go any further, I might come across those people..
?!
A figure emerged from the shadows just as I was about to head back.
Damn it!
My worst fear came true.. I went too far and the safety inside the forbidden grounds wouldn't help me in this situation..
What should I do..
"Wait! It's me!"
A large muscular man appeared before me while wearing a large cloak and hood covering his whole entire body.
When he pulled down the hood, I instantly sighed with relief.
"Its me!"
"Leiya's brother! Where have you been this whole time!"
I completely forgot about it this whole time. I wonder what happened.
"Sorry some things came up so I couldn't meet up with you sooner. Follow me. It's dangerous here"
He pointed towards a direction further away from the forbidden grounds.
"No we should stay here. It's safer here in the forbidden grounds"
"No! It's dangerous here! You need to follow me now!"
His face became ugly and urged me further.
…
Something seems wrong.
"What are you waiting for?!!"
Whoosh
As he raged, the cloak fluttered ever so slightly.
!!
Even though only a moment passed by, I clearly saw it.
He's missing an arm..
"What happened to your arm.."
"Don't worry about it! What's important is we go right now!"
"...No"
"You bastard! Fuck the plan! Men, come out!"
Whoosh
Several people appeared out of nowhere.
The man who was supposed to be Leiya's brother threw away the cloak and his true appearance was revealed.
"Xanrou!!!"
"Don't say my name so casually you filthy insect"
He sneered at me with an expression full of scowl.
I tried to run back but the men that appeared blocked my path.
Not good..
"Do you truly think you escaped our grasp? Be a good animal and tell me where the princess is"
"Who the fuck would tell you?!"
"Hmmph. We leave you alone for awhile and you suddenly forgot how meaningless your existence is. Do it"
He commanded the men and they leaped towards me.
Huh?
Whoosh
I slip past their attacks one by one.
A fist headed towards me but I swiftly dodge it.
Huh?
They're much slower than before..
No.
It's that I've become much faster.
Bang!
A sword sliced downwards to my body but I dodged it and instantly, I throw my fist towards his face.
"GUO-"
He flew and his consciousness drifted away.
"What are you bastards doing! How hard is it to catch one insect?!"
They didn't hesitate any longer and drew their weapons.
Slash
Slice
Ding
One by one, they came at me with full force but I can clearly see it. They're movements, they're breathing, the slight fluctuation in the air, I can feel it.
"Too slow!"
One of the enemy appeared behind me but I landed a kick on his stomach just before he could slash me. Right before he flew, I grabbed the sword in his hand, gripped it tightly with both of my hands and stabbed the person beside him and pierced his heart.
…
The sensation of the sword in my hand going through his flesh..
I pull it out and the blood splattered all over the ground and some of it splashed to my vicinity.
It feels disgusting.
No. I don't have the time to have a wavering heart.
This isn't the time to be pathetic!
I made my resolution clear didn't I?!
Who ever tries to hurt my Leiya.. I'LL KILL YOU!
Crssssk
I grasp the sword within my hand and fill it with inner flames.
In an instant, his head dropped to the ground.
"Xanrou.. flames.. he can use inner flames!"
"Impossible! He was just a weak pathetic human?! How the hell could he open his inner fire in such a short amount of time?!"
Crsssck
I focus my inner flames towards my legs while holding the bloody sword in my hand and dashed to the remaining enemies.
One by one, they all fell to the ground and my body covered in blood.
I'll never get used to this.. But if this is what is needed to protect her, then I'll steel my heart and defeat anyone who stands in our way!!
"You bastard… who the hell do you think I am.. Just because you awakened your inner flames doesn't mean you can defeat me!"
BANG!
A large ball of flames appeared on his hands.
"Too slow!"
Slash!
I instantaneously appeared before him and slice his arms off.
"AHHHHHHHHH!!!"
He yelled and cried out in pain.
"You bastard.. AHHHHHH!"
Before he could finish his sentence, I stab his legs three times.
"AHHHHHHHH!!! PLEASE.. STOP!!"
BANG!
I picked him up from the ground, gripped my hand around his neck and threw him faraway.
"GUO-"
You bastard..
After all that you've done.. all the pain and suffering you caused Leiya.. you won't get away with this. If I don't personally gouge your eyes then I'll never be able to live with it!
I told you that I would kill..
You laid your hands on Leiya.. I will never forgive you!!!
"ELDERS PLEASE SAVE ME"
BOOM!
Five people appeared from the sky and crashed to the ground.
I covered my face but the shockwave sent me flying.
Ugh…
I got up to see what just happened but before I could collect my thoughts, a leg appeared out of nowhere and sent me flying once more.
Guo-
I sprayed a mouthful of blood. Several of my bones broke but with the help of my inner flames, it's healing slowly.
Not only can inner flames make me stronger, it appears to also have regenerative properties. I guide the inner flames within me and start the healing process.
After a couple seconds, the pain lessened but my breathing had become very rapid.
Even after I covered my body with inner flames, I was still hurt.
Strong..
These people are dangerous..
I need to leave right away!
I didn't look back and simply ran. They don't scare me as much as the moonlight goddess but I know that I'm far from they're match.
Even with the inner flames protecting me, they still managed to hurt me this badly.
"Hohoho. Kin chan, even after taking an attack from you, he's still alive"
"The reports seemed to be wrong. He's not as powerless as they said"
"It seems like it. Even though he's a filthy human, he managed to open three gates. Even though he's the enemy, he's worthy of my praise"
One by one, they appeared before me with lightning speed that I couldn't keep up with.
Who the hell are these people.
"What should we do.."
One of the man appeared before me and ripped my clothes apart.
"Xanrou said that he's a spy but it seems like Draikho was telling the truth after all"
"Don't be foolish Kin chan. It's our duty to defend our home. Even if he doesn't have the infected curse, he's a human nonetheless"
"You're right"
The man named kin appeared right before me and gripped me by the neck.
"Don't take it too personally. Tell me where the princess is and I'll swiftly end it"
…
"Don't fuck with me.. When Xanrou sealed her powers where did you all go?! How the hell could I hand over Leiya to a bunch of bastards who would dare harm her like that! I would rather die than hand over her to you heartless cowards!"
"Enough. Even if you don't say where she is, I'll just look into your memories"
"Kin chan, wait"
The man named Kin looked at the other person who appears to be too old for how he moves.
He loosened the grip and let go of me.
I cough and gather my breath.
The one who was speaking with Kin appeared before Xanrou.
"Xan chan.. is what he said true?"
Even with both of his arms severed, he managed to stay awake.
"Elder! He's lying!"