"It's a serious injury, no doubt, and a truly troublesome ability."
"But it's still curable."
Yami surveyed the adventurers lying on the ground, their groans filling the air. After a quick inspection, he had a good grasp of their current condition.
Thanks to the magic passed down from Medea, Yami had become a powerful magician. Even though he hadn't dedicated most of his energy to magic, his innate talent made it easy for him to master most spells with little effort. Healing magic was no exception.
"Don't worry, you'll be fine." he assured them.
Kneeling down, Yami held his right hand over Tione's abdomen. After a brief incantation, a green magic circle appeared over her, enveloping her in a soothing light. The green aura flowed over her body, rapidly healing the skin that had been corroded by the fluid from the dying larvae. The wounds closed up completely, leaving no scars behind.
Tione's painful cries ceased, and she opened her eyes, no longer in discomfort.
"All done. You're good to go."
"What powerful healing magic... Thank you so much, Yami!" Tione expressed her gratitude sincerely.
Yami simply smiled and waved it off. "No need to thank me. You're Tiona's sister, after all. I couldn't just stand by and do nothing."
"Save your thanks for after you've defeated that monster. I have other people to heal, so don't linger. Your companions are still fighting!"
Realizing the urgency, Tione quickly regained her composure. She stood up, reclaimed her weapon that had been knocked away, and without hesitation, sprinted back into the fray.
Yami remained where he was, unfazed by her departure. With a few more flicks of his fingers, several green magic circles formed, healing all the wounded adventurers nearby.
As for the differing methods of treatment, well, isn't that to be expected? In some worlds, it's common knowledge that treating men is straightforward—heal them fully clothed. But when it comes to women, well, the experience of past healers suggests otherwise...
"This situation really isn't looking good," Yami muttered as his gaze shifted to Ais.
The girl, shielded by her teammates, was steadily closing in on the Corrupted Spirit clone. Despite the onslaught of vine-like tentacles, swarming larvae, and ravenous piranhas, nothing could slow her down.
Finn's relentless assault had cleared a path, his combat prowess undeniable. The monsters and tentacles posed no threat to him, allowing his companions to advance with ease.
Under the watchful eyes of her comrades, Ais finally reached the clone of the Corrupted Spirit. The creature halted its movements, having accumulated enough magic after devouring the new larvae. It smirked ominously as Ais approached.
"Flash, hurry and pierce the darkness! I am the embodiment of light, the queen of radiance—"
"Light Explosion!!!"
The Corrupted Spirit clone began its incantation at a speed that was nearly impossible to follow, finishing within mere breaths. Ais barely managed to dodge the resulting blast, her Sword slashing toward the creature.
*Clang!*
A sharp, ringing sound echoed as her strike, infused with powerful wind magic, failed to penetrate the creature's defense. Ais' eyes widened in shock, her confidence wavering.
In that brief moment of distraction, a shadow darted forward. Before Ais could react, a tentacle coiled around her, squeezing tightly, sending pain coursing through her body. Her sword slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground.
"Finally, I've got you, Arya!" the creature hissed. "Now, Arya, merge with me quickly!"
It repeated these words as it pulled Ais closer. She struggled desperately, but the tentacle was too strong for her to break free. She could only watch helplessly as the distance between her and the Corrupted Spirit closed.
"What do you think you're doing to our little princess, you bastard!?" A thunderous voice roared as a figure descended from the sky. Gareth, wielding his massive battle axe, struck down with all his might, aiming at the tentacle binding Ais. The force of the blow left a crack in the tentacle, but it wasn't enough.
Gareth didn't relent. He wrenched his axe free and delivered another powerful blow. The cracks deepened, and the tentacle was on the verge of snapping. But the Corrupted Spirit clone wouldn't let it happen easily. More tentacles erupted from the ground, targeting Gareth.
*Puchi!!!*
Spears of tentacles pierced through Gareth's body, leaving him riddled with wounds. Blood gushed from the dwarf's injuries.
"Heh, that hurt!" Gareth growled. "But this is nothing! I've been through worse. I'm not done yet!"
Despite his severe injuries, Gareth's movements didn't falter. But before the tentacles could strike his head, two figures rushed in—Finn and Bete—pulling Gareth back from the brink.
"Let's go, Finn!" Bete growled.
"Got it, Bete!" Finn replied.
The werewolf Bete didn't waste words, but the fury in his eyes was unmistakable.
"The ordained king of hungry wolves.
A wound, a shackle. A second wound, a cry of pain. Three wounds, piling up.
Hunger devours the last hope. Open the river, let blood flow, and wash away the tears.
Unhealed wounds, never forgotten.
This anger, this hatred, will perish, consumed by your cowardice and your savagery.
Despise the world, accept the law of heaven, dry your tears.
Scars turn to fangs, cries turn to roars, lost flesh and blood become strength.
The chains are broken, and the heavens will roar.
Lineage of wrath, I command you to devour the moon and drink the blood of thousands for me.
With fangs like smoke, devour!"
As Bete's chant ended, flames ignited at his feet, ready to unleash his full power.
A flash of silver light illuminated the air as the foot knife and double short blades wielded in hand swiftly cut through the sky. The frenzied dance of swords finally severed the tentacles that had been on the brink of collapse.
Freed from the clutches of her restraints, Ais fell to the ground in disarray, while the severely injured Gareth was also flung away.
"Arya! My Arya!"
"Damn you all!!!"
The enraged Corrupted Spirit's avatar watched as the prey escaped from its grasp, and its fury was palpable.
Suddenly, tentacles attacked from all directions. Finn and Bete brandished their weapons, refusing to back down, engaging in a fierce struggle.
Their relentless attacks sent countless tentacles flying, but a few still slipped past them.
Finn and Bete's armor was completely destroyed, their bodies covered in lacerations. Yet, despite their injuries, they fought on to clear a path for Ais.
"Ais, trust yourself and do it again!"
"Go, Ais!"
Stunned by their words, Ais looked at her companions, battered and wounded but still trusting in her. Overwhelmed with guilt, she also felt a burning desire for vengeance.
"Wake up—"
She picked up the Sword of Despair from the ground, chanting the incantation once more. Summoning all her courage, she confronted the clone of the Corrupted Spirit again.
A mass of tentacles materialized, blocking Ais's advance and threatening to break her hard-earned concentration. Remembering her previous failure, a strategy formed in Ais's mind.
Gritting her teeth, she charged forward without hesitation, her speed increasing with every step.
"We're still here!!"
Tiona and Tione suddenly appeared, intercepting some of the tentacles aimed at Ais.
Tiona, fortified by her iron-like defense, only suffered minor injuries. However, Tione was less fortunate; her freshly healed wounds were torn open by the tentacles, spilling blood on the ground.
The sight was both awe-inspiring and heartbreaking.
"Go, Ais! Carry our hopes and Master's expectations, and defeat that monster!"
As she was thrown back, Tiona's face was still lit with a smile, her words of encouragement echoing in Ais's ears.
With renewed determination, Ais took to the air again, the distance between her and the Corrupted Spirit's clone almost gone.
As she neared the once-majestic spirit, her emotions were complex, but she didn't waver. This opportunity was forged by her companions' sacrifices and couldn't be squandered.
Resolute, Ais raised the Sword of Despair, now infused with storm magic, and swung it fiercely at the clone.
The clone slowly lifted its head, its lips parting. From deep within its mouth, a small magic circle began to glow brightly.
No one expected the Corrupted Spirit's clone to have such a trick up its sleeve, leaving everyone in shock.
At this critical moment, it was too late for anyone to intervene.
Tiona and Tione had been flung away by the tentacles, Gareth was gravely injured, and Finn and Bete were being kept at bay by the clone's relentless attacks.
Riveria and Lefiya, too far away to assist, could only watch helplessly.
Ais seemed to be in a hopeless situation, the hard-won chance seemingly slipping away.
Everyone felt a pang of despair, particularly since most of their main forces had been depleted. If Ais's attack failed, they would face certain destruction.
"Miss Ais!!!"
Lefiya clenched her hands tightly, her heart heavy with worry. Despite her fear, she continued chanting, using her magic to fend off the remaining creatures and protect her comrades.
Among them all, Yami remained calm and composed.
"Ais, whether you can unleash the power within you hinges on this moment. You have great potential, and I believe in you," Yami thought to himself, his gaze never wavering from Ais.
As if sensing his thoughts, Ais felt a surge of confidence.
Reflecting on everything her companions had done for her, she realized they all believed in her. They risked their lives to pave the way for her victory. She couldn't afford to fail again.
Even if it meant paying a higher price, she wouldn't hesitate.
"I can evade and destroy the 'spirit' before me!"
"Iron defenses can't withstand this magic, and nimble movements can't dodge it. What else can I do?"
"Wait, master said the Haki can…"
Ais's eyes lit up with determination.
She recalled Yami's teachings, contemplating how to harness her powers. Armament and Observation Haki are innate energies, accessible to all but differing in strength based on physical and mental fortitude.
As a Level 5 adventurer, Ais had met the prerequisites for mastering Haki but hadn't made significant progress until now.
But now, she had to employ both powers! Not for herself, but for her companions. She had to succeed!
A beam of magic burst from the corrupted fairy clone's mouth, hurtling toward Ais.
Ais focused her mind, her senses attuned to the approaching magical onslaught. In a flash, she saw her opening.
"I see it!!!"
Her eyes widened, a scarlet hue reflecting her resolve. Twisting her body mid-air, the icicle of magic barely grazed her, tearing her clothes and skin but leaving her undeterred.
Using the momentum, Ais swung her sword, wind swirling around it, at the Corrupted Spirit's clone.
The clone raised its hands, attempting to block the attack, but the tornado-force winds shredded its colorful garb, splitting its skin and spilling crimson fluid.
The resistance was immense, and Ais found herself unable to press forward.
"Open!!!"
With a roar, the pure white blade transformed into a sleek, jet-black sword, piercing through the clone's hands and driving towards its neck.
"Go, Ais!!!"
Seeing this, everyone else couldn't help but cheer.
"No!!!"
The corrupted spirit clone shrieked as a mass of vine-like tentacles sprouted from its body, encasing it completely.
The sword brushed against its neck, but Ais felt no impact. Another tentacle emerged, whipping across her body, shattering her hurricane armor and sending her sprawling.
The golden-haired girl's blood stained the air.
Tentacles from all directions closed in on Ais, suspended mid-air, her body stiff and eyes shut in despair.
"Is it over?"
In that moment of crisis, a familiar voice pierced through.
"Well done, Ais. You've done great. Leave the rest to me."
The voice sparked hope within the blonde girl, her eyes fluttering open, filled with newfound resolve.