Started with an explosion. Then the appearance of monsters. What is this? This looks like an organized plan.
That portal. It looks a bit like a dungeon, just a different color.
Is this really over? I’m worried. Is it possible these monster portals didn’t just appear in the square?
Is it possible these portals appeared in multiple points across the city?
Maybe! But what is the goal? What was the explosion for? Why summon monsters?
A diversion? For what?
Fyar tried to figure out the motive behind the explosions.
Three explosions, and monsters. Of course this couldn’t be the work of one person.
It must be an organization.
Wait, something else doesn’t make sense.
Where are the Guardians?
Fyar quickly looked around.
No Guardians?
Did someone already take them out? Usually, during an event like this, they would station at least one strong Guardian.
Then why is there none? Did Zaefal notice this anomaly too?
Alright, I’ve reached my first conclusion.
This is an organized attack... their goal.
Just to destroy the city?. For what?
could it be to take control of it? Is that even possible?
The Guardians are gone, monsters are appearing, and no one has contacted the royal authorities.
Shit.. I’m stuck.
Maybe Zaefal has another theory...
Fyar looked back at the smoke from the inn.
I hope. I know the chances are small. I know it’s stupid. But. I hope. You guys are okay..i..hope.... Fyar muttered in his heart.
Shortly after, a figure ran from the direction of the main road.
It was Zaefal.
His face was covered in sweat and grey dust. He ran through the line of guards, his eyes searching frantically. When he saw Fyar, Illya, and Rasie gathered, his shoulders dropped slightly in relief.
He ran up to them, his breathing heavy and ragged.
"You guys..." Zaefal hunched over slightly, resting his hands on his knees to catch his breath. "Thank goodness."
"Zaefal!" Rasie approached. "Where have you been?"
Zaefal straightened up. His face was grim and dark. He didn’t answer Rasie; his eyes went straight to Fyar.
"Zaefal!!" Fyar approached Zaefal.
He gripped both of Zaefal’s shoulders hard. His fingers dug into the fabric of Zaefal’s shirt.
"Tell me it didn’t come from my place. Tell me!"
Zaefal was silent. He didn’t dare look Fyar in the eye.
After a few seconds of torturous silence, he spoke in a heavy, hoarse tone.
"It..."
"Your inn, Fyar...i-i only saw Laura who managed to run out..."
Fyar’s face froze.
His hands holding Zaefal’s shoulders weakened and slid off.
Fyar’s legs lost their strength. He collapsed onto the stony ground. His knees hit the hard stone, but he didn’t feel it.
His eyes were hollow. He stared at the dusty ground and said nothing.
Even though it was brief. Fyar had managed to build friendships with the employees there. Their laughter. Small talk in the morning. The friendly face of the innkeeper.
"Again... and again..." Fyar muttered softly, barely audible.
"Fyar!!" Illya immediately squatted in front of him.
She hugged Fyar’s head, pressing the man’s face into her shoulder. Illya’s hand rubbed Fyar’s back quickly and tremblingly.
Fyar just remained transfixed there. His body was cold. He didn’t return the hug. His mind was blank, filled only with images of fire and smoke.
Zaefal clenched his fists, watching his friend crumble. "The situation is worse than we thought. I—"
WHOOSH.
The sound of sharp wind cut through the air.
BOOM!
An invisible blast of air pressure struck from the direction of the square’s gate.
BWOM!
Five adventurers and three City Guards standing on the front line were thrown into the air.
Their bodies twisted unnaturally in mid-air. The sickening sound of snapping bones was heard, as if they were being crushed by a giant, invisible hand. Their iron armor dented inward, piercing flesh.
They died instantly, even before touching the ground. The twisted corpses fell with a thud.
Blood sprayed profusely from their mouths and ears, soaking the stone street in seconds.
Zaefal,Rasie, and Illya turned in unison. Illya released her hug on Fyar, her eyes widening in horror.
Atop the stone gate of the square, a man stood. His skin was dark brown, his hair long and white. He carried no weapons. He simply stretched one hand forward, palm open toward the corpses.
It was 06.
His face was flat and calm.
"Where is that girl..." 06 muttered.
His eyes scanned the area. He then looked toward Eutas’s half-destroyed shop.
"Ah... there she is."
Before anyone had a chance to react or scream, a white blur shot out from 06’s side.
It was a woman. She had long white hair and animal ears on her head. Her eyes were wild.
She jumped down from the gate. Her speed was absurd. She landed in the middle of the remaining group of Guards with a loud crash that cracked the floor.
SRAAK! SRAAK!
In seconds, three Guards collapsed.
Their chests were torn open. Their iron armor was sliced like paper by the woman’s bare claws. Blood sprayed in all directions,
The woman, 05, moved like lightning. she vanished and reappeared in front of her next victim.
She grabbed the neck of an adventurer trying to raise his sword. With one rough jerk, the man’s neck snapped with a wet crack.
She threw the corpse aside like a broken doll.
She stopped for a moment in the middle of the still-warm bodies.She licked the fresh blood dripping from her hand with her tongue, then stared straight at Fyar’s party.
A thick killing intent enveloped the entire square, making the air feel cold and suffocating.
Zaefal slowly drew his sword.
"Rasie..."
Rasie nodded.
She pulled her sword from its sheath.
The girl’s eyes sharpened as she glared at the two strange figures ahead.
Illya immediately shook Fyar’s shoulder quickly and hard.
"Fyar, wake up, Fyar!!"
Fyar still stared blankly.
"Fyar!!!" Illya screamed, tears beginning to pool in her eyes from fear.
"FYAR!!"