In the dead of the night, the moon cast its soft rays through the trees, a looming companion in the peaceful forest. But amid this tranquility, something strange occurred.
*Stump-stump-stump*
Multiple shadowy figures blurred in motion, weaving through the dense forest. Trails of lifeless corpses of countless mana beasts lay brutally slain. The acrid stench of blood was unwavering. They had their eyes on one destination, and nothing was going to stop them from achieving their objective. Or... so they thought.
*Spray*
Suddenly, one of the shadowy figures was decapitated, collapsing to the ground as blood spilled from the headless neck.
"What in Nevel's name was that?!" They all halted their sprint, and someone cried out in fear.
*Whoosh*
*Gush*
With the luck of a stray cat, the leader, who noticed a hissing sound, raised his hand, but it was detached as a gush of wind rushed past him. "Ahhhhh!!!!" he cried and collapsed to the ground. Their figures were suddenly revealed under the moonlight as the invisibility spell they wore was canceled.
Standing in the midst of towering trees was a group of men, all dressed in loosely woven cloth that shrouded them wholly. There was a strange symbol of a multi-headed beast combining cobra and dragon emblazoned on it.
"Come on out, coward!"
"Senior, what do we do?"
"We wait. Be on guard. Whoever is doing this can't attack with every loophole covered," he barked commands, his incessant groaning betraying his inner turmoil.
"Yes, sir," the remaining five men chorused in reply.
But unbeknownst to the leader of the small group, with every sweep of his gaze, one of his mates was dragged up a tree.
"Senior!" roared one of the men, but before the leader could turn around, he was left aghast. No one was left. They had all disappeared.
"Show yourself, coward!!!!!!!" he roared, but suddenly both his arms and legs fell, and his torso collapsed without support.
"Huh?"
*What just happened?!* he cried internally, his gaze scanning the forest in fear. But then, his gaze fell on something. It was up in the tree.
"W-what are you?" stammered the man in utter horror as he caught sight of what was hung in the tree. The dismembered parts of his men were skillfully slung and engraved into branches and trunks.
"Ha!" his breath hitched in his throat as his gaze fell on the figure gazing down at him. Shrouded in a dark cloak, the only thing visible was a sinister smile.
"You have seen the coward," began the strangely soothing and alluring voice, "Now die," he finished as his vision tumbled along with his head.
"Hm.... Only six more months before it begins," She said and a wide smile spread across her face as she stared at the vast canvas of stars in the sky.
***
Well, this is unexpected. After stocking up on a number of common-looking clothes I could find inside the spatial ring—I looked for a way to escape the room but found none. Left with no choice, I shoved my hand down my throat and gagged hard enough to get the guards to come in.
Just as they checked my pulse to see if I was still alive, THEY LEFT!
It's as though they don't really care what happens to me. Those bastards obviously hold me in little esteem, but this level of indifference is just too much. Left with no other choice, I went for the window. I slid it open, and as expected, it was just so damn high.
I couldn't even see what was all the way down.
But... I heard no other option. If my memory serves me right, the Dark Church should be on the way.
"Ha!" I took a deep breath and ran back into the room. I took out all the bedspread and quilt and wrapped them around my body, making me look quite bulky. This probably won't do much, but there's no harm in trying. I then ran with enough force and jumped out.
I probably wouldn't have expected me to do that, and they were actually right. If I wasn't so sure the Dark Church was coming today, I wouldn't be doing this. But there is a garden behind the mansion, so I hope something cushions the fall. If not...
Some limbs might lose function forever.
"MMMm!" I muffled my scream to avoid getting caught, and just then I fell on something.
*Thud!*
"Ahh, fuck!" I cursed and got on my feet. Before I could make any move, my gaze shifted to the sight in front of me. Many men poised to strike with gleaming swords and spears. I looked down, and my eyes fell on a young girl glaring at me with unfathomable rage.
At this point I wasn't fucked beyond measure.
No...
I had transcended the measure itself.
".....,"