Days passed, and although the people hadn't fully recovered from their pain, they began to pick themselves up.
They salvaged the fallen trees and used them as material to rebuild the camp.
It's been five days, but I guess my body still does not need the crystals. I wonder how long it will take for me to need them.
"Lucien, Aliche ordered us to scout our village with you. Come."
Moostein stated.
We're finally moving.
"Don't be a burden, tough guy. Moos is the only one allowed to be slow on this team."
Sehkt.
"I won't slow you down. Thank you for considering me as your company."
They thought of me, I should thank them for it.
"Don't thank us–"
"Shut it, Sehkt. You're welcome, Lucien. Let's work together."
"I hope I can be of help, Moostein."
They coordinated really well. I have to make sure I fit into their dynamic.
"Tsk!"
Sehkt clicked his tongue and turned away and started walking.
"Let's go, Lu."
Lu? Was Moostein referring to me?
I guess he was.
"Hey, Sehkt. Why do you act so hostile against him? He seemed like a nice guy–"
Moostein went after Sehkt, and I followed closely behind, listening to their whispered conversation.
We started traveling at the sun's highest peak, and now it's about to set—yet they said we're not even halfway there.
"We're traveling through the night," Sehkt stated.
Moostein looked at me as if asking whether I agreed with Sehkt's statement. So I nodded at him.
"It's safer to travel at night. There are barely any invaders during this time."
By invaders he meant the players or travelers as Remi addressed them.
I remember that Deus never stayed long after sunset. I guess we have the same day-and-night cycle as where they're from.
"Moostein, can I ask a question?"
The back of my mind was calculating.
"Anything I can answer." He replied.
"I heard you say we're almost halfway there. If that's the case, then if we keep walking at this pace, we'll reach your village by daybreak, won't we?"
I asked.
"Roughly, why?"
Deus would always come online at around that time. When the sun was just about to rise.
"Wouldn't that be a problem? The traveler who brought me to this world usually arrives around that time."
"It shouldn't be. It never has been. If you're afraid to keep going, just sit here and wait for us to come back."
…
"It was just a hu–"
*THUD!
A loud rumble echoed around us, though it was just a follow-up to the cracking sound of a shattered tree.
"Moos, get ready."
The sound grew louder and closer. Moostein quickly moved in front, preparing himself for something. I could tell he knew what was coming.
"Today is the day we'll take you down!"
Sehkt announced.
A large beast out all of a sudden charging directly in our direction.
"Get over here, you giant beast!"
Moostein absorbed the beast's charge, grabbing it by the horn as he dug his feet into the ground.
I drew my sword, but Sehkt quickly reacted. He jumped into the air, spear in hand, to strike the beast from above.
The beast shook its head, trying to shake off Moostein's grip on its large horn. Then it stood, revealing the claws on its arms and the scales on its chest.
As Moostein backed off, the beast waited for Sehkt's descent.
It was instant—the beast was large but moved quickly.
"It's not going to work on me twice!"
Sehkt perfectly timed his strike with the beast's pouncing claws, using the impact to propel himself upward and stay airborne. His spear collided with the beast's claws and he rode the force to lift himself higher.
As Sehkt drew the beast's attention, Moostein pulled Deus' shield from his back and charged directly at the beast, using the shield to bash it with all his force.
The beast was pushed back, forced to lower its feet, revealing its more vulnerable back, that was just covered by its thick fur.
Following Moostein, Sehkt descended, gripping his spear with both hands, ready to strike the beast's back.
"You are mine, Bearhorn!"
*SHHK-TUK!
His spear pierced the beast's back, but it didn't go all the way through. Only the spearhead sank deep into its flesh.
"Sehkt!" Moostein called.
The beast stood and shook off Sehkt, who was clinging to the pole of his spear. With a powerful wag, it attempted to throw him off of its back.
Sehkt had no choice but to let go.
"Darn it!"
Suddenly, the beast turned and ran away, taking Sehkt's spear with it—the spear he had taken from Deus' left equipment.
"Are you good, Sehkt?" Moostein asked.
"I'm fine, but the spear!"
The two quickly ran after the beast.
This was the perfect moment for me to step in. After observing their synchronized attacks, I knew this was my chance to act.
Without hesitation, I sprinted forward, passing both Sehkt and Moostein as I closed in on the beast.
"Larent, lend me your strength."
I readied my sword as words instinctively flowed through my mind. I chanted, "Strike my target in the distance—Warp Strike!"
In the blink of an eye, I warped forward, slicing the beast's leg clean off.
It wailed in agony, rolling over as it cried out from the pain of its severed limb.
The spear that was implanted in its back, tore through its flesh before finally falling off.
"That was amazing, Lu!" Moostein shouted.
I dropped to my knees, the strain of the ability I had just used taking its toll on me. Then, I realized—I was slowly breaking apart.
Was it because I haven't absorbed any crystal?
"What the—?! Sehkt, finish the Bearhorn, quick! Lucien's hit his limit!"
Sehkt, who had been chasing the beast before me, picked up his spear and struck it as it cried out in agony.
I tried to stand up to help him deal the finishing blow, but my feet were deformed. I could no longer stand.
"Vidze, let me use you!"
Sehkt stated.
His spear changed—the pole turned dark, and the head began to emanate a glowing light.
"Light the dark, radiant strike!"
He hurled his spear, striking the Bearhorn, and in an instant, lightning engulfed its entire body.
That was the last thing I saw before my vision faded into darkness.