"Everyone, be alert; we are entering Ghoul territory," Clarisse cautioned.
After journeying for some time, they had reached the Ghoul territory. Elise informed Zac that the Ghoul race didn't possess a fixed form. Most of the low-ranking Ghouls resembled mindless monsters like low-ranking skeletons, while the higher-ranking ones could assume human shapes. Despite their lack of intellect, the low-ranking Ghouls were far from weak, unlike the skeletons.
Louis took the lead, with Clarisse covering the rear, and Elsie and Zac positioned in the middle. They advanced cautiously, their surroundings eerily deserted, dotted with black tree trunks. The air carried a putrid stench, and the land appeared desolate.
They proceeded with vigilance, the number of tree trunks increasing as they ventured deeper into the territory. The fog thickened, reducing their visibility. Suddenly, the sound of something slicing through the air reached them from behind. Clarisse reacted swiftly, turning to face the source, and raising her arms as a tree branch struck her wrist guard, causing her to stumble and leave skid marks on the ground.
During this moment, Clarisse's thoughts raced: "Is it a manipulator? No, the impact didn't resemble wood." Before she could process it fully, another strike followed. This time, the branch morphed into a whip-like tentacle, lashing out at Clarisse.
The branch's unnatural flexibility and striking force left Clarisse with a grim realization: "It's a shapeshifter." Although it may seem like this took time, it all transpired in an instant. Clarisse swiftly drew her sword, slicing the tentacle. An enraged roar echoed from the fog as four more tentacles emerged. Two targeted Clarisse, while one each went for Elise and Louis. Zac, it seemed, wasn't viewed as a threat.
Elise and Louis readied their weapons – Louis gripping a broadsword, and Elise brandishing two daggers. The two stood back-to-back with Zac in the middle. Louis attempted to fend off a tentacle with his broadsword, but the tentacle moved with an uncanny, independent will, circumventing his defenses. In his attempt to defend against a perceived side attack, Louis inadvertently exposed Elise, and the tentacle lunged at her from behind.
Elise was preoccupied with her own battle and didn't notice the approaching threat. Clarisse, witnessing Elise's vulnerability, was hindered by the two tentacles encroaching on her. Frustrated, she slashed at the tentacles while muttering, "Scram." One of the most chilling aspects of Ghouls was their relentless battle instinct, even among the mindless low-level ones, fought as though they had experienced countless battles.
Clarisse watched helplessly as the tentacle closed in on her sister. Suddenly, Zac saw the approaching danger and reacted with fear, hastily retreating. In a twist of fate, Zac tripped and inadvertently grabbed onto Elise's dress, dragging her down with him. Whether by chance or design, Elise narrowly avoided the tentacle's deadly strike during their fall, and it collided with the tentacle she had been dueling.
It took Elise a moment to realize that she had narrowly escaped a fatal injury. She looked at Zac, who wore a fearful expression. When he met Elise's gaze, he attempted to conceal his fear and projected a brave front. Elise, believing it to be a genuine accident, remained oblivious to any other possibilities.
However, Clarisse, observing the incident from the side, wore a different expression. She questioned herself, "Was that truly a coincidence? Could he have orchestrated it? But how? What calculations would be required for such a feat? He's just an eight-year-old child; it must be a coincidence. Yet, something doesn't add up." Her rational mind sought to persuade her that Zac's actions were accidental, but her instincts hinted otherwise. Gradually, logic overcame instinct, leading her to a perplexing conclusion: denying the possibility of a young prodigy beyond belief.
Unaware of the brewing doubt within Clarisse, Louis, absorbed in his own fight, had not witnessed Zac's role in saving Elise. He only saw Zac's stumble, which had caused Elise to fall. Annoyed, he muttered curses at Zac, "You little brat, you should've stayed out of the way. You not only failed to help but also dragged Elise down. You ought to run and become the monster's meal."
Elise, who was juggling her own tentacle, shouted at Louis, "Shut up, Louis! Zac is just a child, and he was scared. It was an accident." Although she regarded it as a coincidence, she considered Zac her savior. Before Elise could convey the significance of Zac's actions, the pressure from the tentacle intensified, accelerating its movements. Elise refocused on her battle.
Louis, angered by Elise's continued defense of Zac, glared at Clarisse. Clarisse's disappointed expression fueled his frustration, and he mumbled, "It's all that brat's fault." As he glanced at Zac, a hint of malevolence emanated from his red eyes. Though subtle, it was enough to alert Zac to his true feelings.
Contrary to the general assumption, Zac was not overtaken by fear. In the face of danger, he grew calmer; he had already released his death energy into the ground, ready to command his death puppets at a moment's notice. He had refrained from acting to avoid revealing his abilities. Moreover, during their journey, he had been covertly absorbing energy from the atmosphere to cultivate. He stood on the brink of breaking through to mid-stage F rank.
Abruptly, five more tentacles emerged from the fog, leaving everyone stunned. "How is this possible? Wasn't it a Virtuoso-stage Ghoul? How could it command so many tentacles?" Louis cried out in despair. Elise and Clarisse shared the same desperation. Zac, however, maintained a composed demeanor. He assessed the direction of the initial tentacle appearance and the recent emergence, a glint of determination crossing his eyes.
Elise couldn't hide her astonishment and asked, "This is only the territory's perimeter. How can there be such a formidable Ghoul here?"
With the tentacles closing in, Clarisse found herself battling five of them, while Louis and Elise confronted two each. Amid this perilous situation, Clarisse made a sudden realization, crying out, "There are two of them! There are two Ghouls hidden in the fog!"
Perplexed, Louis questioned, "How is that possible? Aren't low-level Ghouls supposed to keep their distance from each other? Facing one Virtuoso-stage Ghoul is already a daunting task, especially in an area with such limited visibility."
Clarisse devised a plan, asserting, "We must break free from here. If any one of us attempts to escape, the tentacles will target them. So, we need to create a diversion. I'm the strongest among us; I will be the distraction, allowing you both to escape."
Elise vehemently objected, exclaiming, "No, I won't leave you alone!"
Clarisse sought to reassure her, "Elsie, listen to me. Your presence here would only hinder our escape. Once you, Louis and Zac get away, I will use my full strength to join you."
Louis, however, offered his own solution, "Why are we even arguing? I have the perfect way to create a diversion. This brat has been useless from the beginning; at least let him be useful for once and save our lives."
The horror of their realization struck Clarisse and Elsie as Louis grabbed Zac by the collar and flung him away. The tentacles, sensing the escape, pursued him, leaving only a few behind. Louis severed the tentacle in his path and spirited away, yelling, "Clarisse, Elsie, run!"
In a surprising twist of events, both sisters defied their previous intentions and rushed to Zac's aid simultaneously. Although Clarisse habitually projected an indifferent façade, she had grown fond of the quiet, composed young boy who had accompanied them on their journey.
Louis wore a bewildered expression as he distanced himself from the tentacles. He had hoped to escape with the sisters and earn hero status, simultaneously ridding himself of the "brat." He never imagined that Zac held a more significant place in the sisters' hearts than he had thought, prompting them to risk their lives to save him.
By this point, Louis had successfully evaded the encroaching tentacles, leaving the team one member short. Clarisse and Elsie, despite sustaining significant wounds, found themselves under even greater pressure. Nonetheless, they remained steadfast on either side of Zac, resolutely shielding him from harm. Clarisse, in her determination, resorted to an extreme measure, willingly burning her blood to access greater power.
For Zac, this moment triggered an unfamiliar sensation. As he observed the wounded sisters valiantly protecting him, his heart softened. Aside from Bella, no one had ever managed to elicit such emotions from him.
Elsie positioned herself beside Zac, urgently imploring, "Louis, come back and help. Don't you realize the consequences of abandoning us? Our family will not take kindly to this."
Louis, caught between duty and fear, displayed a hesitant expression. After a moment, his resolve solidified, and he declared, "If you both perish here, no one will ever know I abandoned you. I've courted you for so long, Elise, and you've never accepted me. Yet, you dare to oppose me in favor of a child you've just met."
Elise's face registered astonishment while Clarisse maintained her composure. A cold glint flickered in her eyes; an expression not lost on the observant Zac.