Theodore's heart pounded violently as he crouched behind the bush, his breath ragged and unsteady. His panic was overwhelming, and he could feel his breath becoming louder —too loud.
Realizing the mistake, he slapped himself hard across the face, forcing himself to focus.
"Get a grip!" he muttered. "This is nothing. I've been eaten alive by goblins, for crying out loud."
But a chilling thought crept into his mind, one that made his stomach twist. That was in the shadow temple. That old man always brought me back. This… this is real. If she catches me, I'm dead.
This was no trial, no cursed training ground with resurrection magic. He was in real life.
His mind was a mess, torn between fear and anger. His hands trembled as he whispered to himself. "I can't die like this. I won't—"
A sharp snap of branches made him freeze.
The ghost's razor-sharp vision locked onto him, and her monstrous grin widened. Her six hands dug into the ground like a feral beast as she began crawling toward him, her speed unnatural, her jagged teeth glinting like shards of glass.
Theodore rolled to the side just as her massive claws smashed through the bush he had been hiding in, shredding it to pieces.
"Damn it!" he hissed, scrambling to his feet.
He bolted into the forest, running as fast as his mana-enhanced legs could carry him. Behind him, the ghost jumped from tree to tree, her movements a terrifying blur. Theodore zigzagged through the woods, dodging her grasping claws and trying to slow her down.
She's toying with me, Theodore thought bitterly. Her speed was far beyond his, and he knew it.
Desperate, he turned to magic. With a wave of his hand, he unleashed a Frost Blast, sending shards of ice and freezing air toward her. The cold hit her squarely, but she shrugged it off as if it were nothing, nullifying the attack with her aura.
Of course, Theodore thought, gritting his teeth. Just like she did with Mr. June's fireball.
He tried again, creating an Ice Wall to block her path. She smashed through it effortlessly. He conjured a Stone Wall, and it fared no better. Finally, in desperation, he launched a Fire Blast, aiming for her eyes. She dodged it with a swift, unnatural movement, her grin widening at his futile attempts.
Theodore's mana reserves were draining quickly. He could feel the exhaustion creeping into his muscles, his legs heavy despite the amplification magic.
Suddenly, his foot caught on a root, and he fell hard onto the ground.
"Damn it!" he groaned, trying to push himself up, but it was too late.
The ghost pounced, one of her massive claws piercing his left leg. Pain shot through his body, and he let out a scream of agony as blood pooled around him.
She loomed over him, her monstrous face twisted into a gleeful grin as she listened to his cries. Theodore's mind raced. Why? he thought desperately. Why is she trying to kill me? Didn't she say I look like her child?
As the pain threatened to overwhelm him, a desperate plan formed in his mind. It was reckless, but it was the only thing he could think of.
"Mother!" he shouted, his voice trembling. "It's me! Arthur!"
The ghost froze, tilting her head as if trying to process his words. For a moment, Theodore thought it might have worked.
But then she grabbed him with her massive hand and slammed his body into a nearby tree. The impact forced the air from his lungs, and he coughed up blood, tears streaming down his face.
The ghost leaned in, opening her gaping mouth filled with rows of sharp teeth. Theodore's heart sank. He closed his eyes, bracing himself for the end.
Suddenly, a familiar voice broke through the suffocating tension.
"My lord, why don't you rely on me more?"
Before Theodore could even process what was happening, an immense force sent the ghost flying. She crashed through several trees, her body slamming into the ground with enough force to crack the earth.
Theodore blinked in shock as a figure emerged from the shadows. It was tall and regal, its movements elegant yet menacing.
"Belial!" Theodore gasped, his voice filled with a mix of disbelief and relief.
Belial, his ever-loyal butler, knelt gracefully before Theodore, catching him just as he was about to collapse. His usually pristine white gloves were gone, and his shirt sleeve was torn.
"My lord," Belial said softly, his crimson eyes glowing faintly in the dark. "Forgive my delay. Let me take care of this… mess."
Theodore winced as Belial expertly tied a makeshift bandage around his wounded leg using a strip of his own sleeve.
The pain was sharp, but Theodore couldn't help but feel safe in the butler's presence.
The ghost lady rose slowly, her body twitching unnaturally as she glared at the intruder. Her monstrous face twisted in rage and pain.
Belial's aura flared. The air around him grew heavy, and a shockwave rippled through the forest, melting the frost and burning the trees. Theodore felt the immense pressure of Belial's killing intent but realized he was shielded by a protective barrier.
"You dare lay your filthy hands on my lord?" Belial's voice was cold and sharp, carrying the weight of absolute authority. "Thank goodness I came in time. I wouldn't want to lose him… not again."
Theodore's eyes widened at the last words. Not again? he thought, confused. What did Belial mean?
Before he could ask, Belial moved.
In an instant, he was in front of the ghost, moving so fast that the ground cracked beneath him. His hand wrapped around her neck, his grip so tight that the ghost let out a strangled screech.
She clawed at him with two of her arms while the others tried to push him away, but Belial dodged her attacks with inhuman precision. Their clash was violent and fast, shaking the entire forest.
Trees splintered and fell as their battle intensified. The ghost's malice was overwhelming, but Belial's presence seemed to nullify it entirely. He moved with the grace of a predator, his every strike calculated and deadly.
Theodore watched in awe and confusion. He had so many questions. How had Belial found him? What did he mean by "not again"? And most importantly, how was Belial so impossibly strong?
For now, though, he pushed those questions aside. All that mattered was that he was still alive.