I unleashed the spell. A torrent of energy surged forward, a combination of fire, lightning, and wind that tore through the battlefield like a storm given form. Seok-Hyun raised both hands, conjuring a massive dome of energy to shield himself. The clash of our powers created a deafening roar, shaking the ground and splitting the air.
For a moment, it seemed as though my attack might break through. Cracks formed in his barrier, and his expression hardened with concentration. But then, with a yell, he pushed back, dispersing the energy in a blinding flash of light.
When the dust settled, I was on one knee, panting heavily. My body felt like it was on fire, every muscle screaming in protest. Seok-Hyun stood unharmed, but there was no triumph in his expression—only that same inexplicable sadness.
"You've grown stronger," he said, his voice quieter now. "But you're still not ready."
He raised his hand again, summoning another spell, and I braced myself. The battle wasn't over—not by a long shot.
After what felt like an eternity, I began to notice something peculiar. No matter how precise or devastating Seok-Hyun's attacks were, they always missed me by a mere inch. And it wasn't just him—whenever I aimed for his vitals, my strikes inexplicably fell short, veering off course as if guided by an unseen hand.
We clashed relentlessly, the battlefield a chaotic symphony of fire, lightning, and raw energy. Trees splintered, the earth quaked, and the air shimmered with heat and magic, but neither of us landed a decisive blow. The realization gnawed at the edge of my mind: this wasn't a battle meant to end in death. It was something else entirely.
An hour passed, or maybe more—it was impossible to tell. My body ached, my mind was a tangle of exhaustion and adrenaline, yet I pressed on. So did Seok-Hyun, his strikes as relentless as ever, though I noticed the faintest flicker of frustration in his eyes.
And then, as if summoned by the crescendo of our fight, the air around us shifted. A cold stillness settled over the battlefield, silencing the chaos. A voice, deep and resonant, echoed from everywhere and nowhere, dripping with condescension and amusement.
"You both did well," it said, the words cutting through the silence like a blade. "Now, tell me—what rewards do you seek?"
The voice sent a chill down my spine, its tone laced with an unsettling familiarity. It wasn't a compliment; it was a reminder. A reminder that this battle, our struggle, had been orchestrated for someone else's entertainment.
Seok-Hyun didn't hesitate. The moment the voice offered a reward, he spoke with a conviction that silenced even the forest.
"Freedom," he said, his tone unwavering. "Release me from this game. Let me live without your interference."
The air seemed to thrum with the voice's laughter, its amusement palpable.
"Oh no, no, no," it said mockingly. "You don't get your reward, Seok-Hyun. Sorry. I can only grant one thing, and I'm feeling generous elsewhere."
I clenched my fists, my exhaustion momentarily forgotten as the voice turned its attention to both of us.
"You two lack creativity," it continued, almost petulantly. "Fine, I've decided. I'll reincarnate you into a new world. Memories of this one, intact—well, except for the ones where you hear me talk. Can't have you remembering too much, huhu."
I froze, panic rising in my chest. "What about this world?" I demanded, my voice trembling. "What happens to everyone here?"
The voice paused, as if savoring my question. Then, with a tone dripping with false benevolence, it replied, "Ah, how sentimental. Fine, I'll show you my might."
Before I could respond, the world around us shifted. The ruined forest, the chaos, the shadows—all of it unraveled like threads pulled from a tapestry.
In an instant, the village stood as it once had. Maeve was there, humming softly as she worked in her garden. Kira, swinging a wooden sword with unbridled enthusiasm, while Lily clapped and cheered him on. Their old, sick neighbor sat in his rocking chair, gazing at the horizon with a peaceful smile. The familiar warmth of the village returned, untouched by the horrors we'd endured.
I turned, my heart pounding. It was all here. Everyone was alive, safe, as if nothing had ever happened.
I took a step forward, my hands trembling as I reached out. I wanted to touch them, to confirm they were real. But just as my fingers brushed the air, the voice interrupted.
"Ah-ah," it chided. "Don't get too attached."
Before I could react, the forest began to stir. The trees, ancient and gnarled, twisted unnaturally as their massive roots and branches came to life. One by one, they reached out, ensnaring the villagers.
Maeve was the first. A thick root wrapped around her waist, lifting her into the air as she screamed, her voice sharp and terrified. Her garden tools clattered to the ground as she disappeared into the dense canopy above.
"No!" I yelled, running forward, but something invisible stopped me. My hands slammed against an unseen barrier, smooth and unyielding, that encased me in place. No matter how hard I pushed, it refused to give.
Kira swung his wooden sword at the writhing roots, his face set with fierce determination. But it was no use. A branch swept him off his feet, coiling around his small frame. He struggled, shouting for Lily, but he too was dragged into the shadows of the forest.
Lily clung to the ground, tears streaming down her face as she called out for me. "Sister! Help!" she sobbed, her small hands clawing at the earth. But another root emerged, curling around her legs and pulling her away despite her desperate cries.
And then the world began to crumble. The earth beneath my feet cracked and splintered, revealing an endless void. The trees, the sky, the village-all of it fractured and peeled away, like a stage set being dismantled. I staggered back, my legs weak. Was this... a stage? Was everything-the village, the people, my memories- just an illusion? A cruel game?
Just as I was lost in the chaos of my thoughts, I heard a voice. "Sister," Lily called softly. I turned, my heart clenching at the sound of her voice.The old man, the butcher, the tailor- one by one, they were taken. Each scream, each plea for mercy, echoed in my ears as I pounded on the barrier, helpless.
My heart raced as I watched the forest claim them all, dragging them into its unrelenting darkness. But the forest didn't kill them. No, it held them captive, ensnared in a web of roots and branches that hung above like grotesque ornaments. Their faces, frozen in fear, stared back at me from the canopy.
"Sister," Lily called softly. I turned, my heart clenching at the sound of her voice. She stood there, her small frame trembling but her eyes filled with warmth. "Don't worry," she said, her voice steady despite the tears streaking her face. "I love you."
Before I could respond, before I could even move, it happened. A sharp crack echoed through the air. Her neck snapped violently, her head flying off her shoulders. Blood sprayed in an arc, vivid and horrifying against the fading backdrop of the world.
"Kira!" I screamed, turning to him.
He stood frozen, his wooden sword falling from his hand. His wide eyes stared in horror at Lily's lifeless form. His lips trembled, as though he wanted to speak but couldn't find the words.
My breath caught in my throat, my body trembling as I pounded against the barrier with everything I had. My cries echoed into the empty void, unanswered and unheard.