Chereads / My Demon King System Damn / Chapter 11 - Chapter 13: Reality Check

Chapter 11 - Chapter 13: Reality Check

Chapter 13: Reality Check 

Two days passed without incident, and I began to relax, thinking that we had finally escaped the dangers of the road. But then, without warning, a group of knights ambushed the caravan. I looked around, confused, trying to make sense of the sudden attack.

That's when I saw their badge - the symbol of Denatric's Estate. My heart sank as I realized who they were. And then, a familiar face emerged from the group of knights. It was one of the guards of Lyra, the woman I had killed just a few days ago.

I knew I couldn't take on the knights, not when there were three of them at Rank 2 peak stage. I would be no match for them. My only option was to escape, to get my mother and myself to safety.

I grabbed Rossea's hand and pulled her towards the forest, hoping to lose the knights in the dense trees. We took off in a sprint, dashing through the underbrush as fast as we could.

The knights gave chase, their armor clanking as they pursued us. "After them!" one of them shouted. "Don't let them get away!"

We weaved through the trees, dodging low-hanging branches and leaping over roots. I could hear the knights closing in behind us, their footsteps pounding the earth.

Suddenly, Rossea stumbled, falling to the ground. I stopped to help her up, but the knights were too close. I knew we had to keep moving.

I dragged Rossea to her feet, and we took off again, the knights hot on our heels. We burst through a thicket of brambles, and I could hear the knights cursing as they tried to follow.

But we didn't stop. We kept running, our breath coming in ragged gasps. I could hear the knights gaining on us, their footsteps getting closer and closer.

And then, just when I thought we were going to be caught, I saw a gap in the trees ahead. I dragged Rossea through the gap, and we found ourselves in a narrow ravine, the walls steep and rocky.

We kept running, our feet pounding the earth. I could hear the knights behind us, but they were having trouble following us through the ravine.

We were gaining ground. I could feel it. We might just make it out of this alive...

But suddenly...an archer from the group fired a bolt straight at us. I tried to dodge, but it was too late. The bolt was heading straight for my chest. But then, in a flash of movement, Rossea threw herself in front of me, blocking the bolt with her own body. The force of the impact sent her stumbling backwards, the bolt piercing her shoulder and emerging on the other side.

The bolt ripped through her flesh, tearing muscle and sinew, and shattering bone. Blood sprayed everywhere, splattering the trees and the ground. Rossea's eyes went wide with shock and pain, and she fell to the ground, clutching at her shoulder. I watched in horror as she tried to speak, but all that came out was a gurgle of blood.

And then, just as the knights were about to attack again, a Rank 3 Demon Beast appeared out of nowhere, its eyes fixed on the group of knights. It was enormous, its body a mass of writhing, pulsing flesh, with razor-sharp claws and teeth. The beast attacked, tearing into the knights with ferocity.

I took advantage of the distraction to grab Rossea and drag her to safety, deep into the forest. We stumbled through the trees, our footsteps quiet on the damp earth. I could feel Rossea's weight sagging against me, her body limp and helpless.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, we saw it - a cave, hidden behind a screen of foliage. We stumbled inside, exhausted and bleeding. I laid Rossea down on the ground, trying to staunch the flow of blood from her wound.

I used my torn clothes to create a BoneFire, the flames casting flickering shadows on the walls of the cave. The fire crackled and spat, casting a warm glow over the cave. And then, just as we were starting to catch our breath, the skies outside opened up, and a torrent of rain came pouring down.

The sound of the rain was deafening, drumming against the roof of the cave like a thousand tiny drummers. I looked over at Rossea, who was lying on the ground, her eyes closed in pain. I knew we had to get her patched up, and fast...

Hours passed, and my mother's condition only worsened. I was trapped, unable to leave the cave due to the Rank 3 Demon Beast outside. The rain showed no signs of stopping, and I knew that if I ventured out, the beast would surely kill me.

I frantically called out to the System, but it didn't respond. I tried again and again, but there was only silence. I started crying, desperation and fear taking over. "System, please! Please respond! I need your help!"

But there was no answer.

I turned to my mother, who lay on the ground, her eyes weak and unfocused. "Mother, please hold on. I'll get help, I promise."

"Kane...my son..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"I'm here, Mother. I'm here."

"Kane...you've grown strong..."

"No, Mother, don't say that. You're going to be fine. I'll get help, I swear it."

But deep down, I knew it was a lie. The System was my only hope, and it was silent.

And with that, her eyes closed, l. I held her hand, tears streaming down my face.

I held her hand for hours, crying and screaming for the System to respond. But it never did.

Finally, exhausted and grief-stricken, I lay down beside my mother, holding her hand and crying until I fell asleep.

The rain continued to pour down outside, washing away the blood traces and any hope I had left...

The next day, the rain showed no signs of letting up. I hadn't eaten anything, and my stomach growled with hunger. I looked at my mother, who lay still, her chest barely rising with each breath. I knew that our situation was dire, and I couldn't shake the feeling that our end was near.

"The darkest nights produce the brightest stars," I whispered to myself, trying to find some hope in the darkness.

But then, something unexpected happened. My mother's eyes flickered open, and she looked up at me. I was shocked, thinking that she was gone for sure.

"Kane.." she whispered, her voice weak and barely audible.

"Mother! You're awake!" I exclaimed, tears of joy streaming down my face.

"I...I don't know how much longer I can hold on," she said, her eyes filled with pain and exhaustion. "I'm so sorry, Kane. I didn't want to leave you like this."

"Don't say that, Mother," I begged, taking her hand in mine. "You're going to be okay."

But she just shook her head, her eyes closing in defeat. "I'm so tired, Kane. I don't think I can keep going."

"Please, Mother, don't give up," I pleaded, feeling desperation creeping in. "We'll find a way out of this."

But she just smiled weakly

But she just kept talking, her voice barely above a whisper. "I remember when you were just a little boy, Kane. You were so full of life and energy. You had so much potential. I'm so proud of the man you've become."

I felt a wave of grief wash over me, and I knew I was losing my grip on reality. "NO, MOTHER, DON'T TALK LIKE THAT! YOU'RE GOING TO BE FINE! WE'RE GOING TO GET THROUGH THIS TOGETHER!"

But she just smiled weakly, her eyes filled with a deep sadness. "I'm sorry, Kane. I'm so sorry."

And with that, she closed her eyes and took one last breath. I felt a scream build up inside me, and I let it out, crying uncontrollably as I held my mother's lifeless body in my arms.

"NOOOOOO! MOTHER, NO! PLEASE DON'T LEAVE ME! I NEED YOU! I CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT YOU!"

But it was too late. She was gone. And I was left

alone, surrounded by the darkness and the rain, my heart shattered into a million pieces...