I tried to escape, but he was indeed close—faster than me.
I quickly pulled Light Ether into my index finger, pointing it toward the monster's forehead, but what was the point? The beam of light I shot only made it stop in place, writhing in pain...
It's a good thing I meditated, or else I would have lost my mind!
"If I can't defeat it, then I…"
I glanced at the gate in the pool with regret—but there was no time to think.
I rushed down the revealed staircase behind the waterfall into the underground chamber. As soon as I entered, the door shut with a loud boom.
This is why I didn't enter earlier... The door closes once you step inside and can only be reopened with Balance Ether… Ugh.
"This is hard…"
I turned toward the book sealed with runic scriptures. It was an old, filthy tome, fixed to the wall by glowing red rune spells that lit up the room. This book contained an evil spirit…
To obtain it, I had to drench the stone beneath it in monster blood… But I was alone, without any.
I had no other choice… I approached the stone and knelt, pressing my right palm against the hilt of my sword.
"Agh...!!!"
This is something I would never have dared to do in my old world…
I don't even know if this will work. If I fail, I'll be in serious trouble.
I extended my bleeding palm and placed it on the stone. The moment I touched it, a continuous chill ran through me...
I felt something cold slither into my veins—straight to my heart. As if something was trying to take control of my body.
"Ah… this isn't good…"
This was a mistake… wasn't it?
I clutched my head with both hands as something spread within me, like my body was being devoured from the inside…
I steadied myself, crossing my legs to regain focus, taking slow breaths until my heart calmed and my headache faded a little… I didn't have much time.
"You seem to be in trouble."
What?! Inside me… I could hear it speaking!
"Let me lend you a hand… and you'll pay the price later."
It chuckled darkly, and suddenly, my eyes felt as if they were bleeding. Without control over my own body, the malicious spirit raised my hand toward the door…
BOOOOM!
Ether exploded at the entrance, striking the monster as it was pounding against it.
It was gone. Completely vanished—without a single trace left behind.
My veins—!! It felt like my arm was about to explode—Aaagh!!
"Get out, you damn wretch!!"
I struck my own face as I leaned against the wall… My face… I didn't feel right…
I stumbled out of the ruined gate as it slowly began repairing itself. The sun was already beginning to set…
I lifted my head toward the sky, slowly… and saw what I never wanted to happen so soon.
The moon… was turning blue.
Only a third of it for now… but it was a clear sign.
Only two days left before Blue Moon Night begins.
I stood there, my feet submerged in water, staring at the distant moon… It looked slightly bigger in this world…
My vision blurred as blood dripped quietly from my eyes. The darkness inside me deepened…
"So that's why… they used monster blood… Haha."
I laughed weakly before collapsing backward, half my body sinking into the water.
Before I completely lost consciousness, I saw two figures standing above me… A young man and a girl…? It seemed like it.
"Let's take him home!!"
And then… everything faded to black.
...
The faint sound of rain was the first thing that pierced the fog clouding my mind.
Slowly, warmth seeped into my skin—so different from the cold that had consumed me before I blacked out.
Where…?
Gradually, I opened my eyes.
Ah… Where am I…?
I found myself staring at a sturdy wooden ceiling. My gaze shifted to see bookshelves packed with volumes, tables cluttered with papers, glass vials filled with strange liquids, and tools whose purpose I couldn't understand…
What… is happening to me?
I tried to lift my right arm, but a sharp, stinging sensation spread through every inch of it.
I looked down at my arm—and found myself shirtless, my skin covered in glowing red rune symbols…
Runes…? Were they engraved all over my body…?
"Oh? You're finally awake."
A voice came from the other side of the room.