Chapter 34
Ethan and I, having briefly strayed from the path, quickly redirected our steps toward the center of the forest where the demon beasts were said to appear.
Arriving at the heart of the forest, where the magical energy was said to be strongest, I immediately felt a sinister magic enveloping my body.
Instinctively, I tensed every muscle, bracing myself.
As I did, the hand holding Ethan’s naturally clenched with force as well.
Noticing my tension, Ethan turned his gaze toward me.
“Tense, are you?”
“T-tense? Wh-what are you talking about! I-I’m not nervous at all!”
“Sure you’re not. You better not be trembling with magic while you say that.”
“Th-that’s… n-no, really!”
“Is that so? Then I suppose I can let go.”
I hastily denied it, but Ethan only gave me a knowing grin, as if he understood everything. Then, with a decisive slap, he let go of my hand and slowly stepped back.
“Ethan?”
As he distanced himself, I barely managed to hide my fear and quietly observed his movements.
With his keen senses, Ethan began detecting the presence surrounding us. Following his lead, I cautiously scanned the area as well.
Yet, nothing stirred—I still couldn’t sense the presence of the demon beast.
Slowly, I moved forward, searching for the trace of the demon beast’s presence.
Where are you…
I needed to find it quickly so we could escape this terrifying place. Honestly, at that moment, I cared more about getting out than hunting the beast.
Then, suddenly:
“Grrr…”
Right in front of me, a chilling growl echoed through the air.
I stayed tense and tried to step back as quickly as possible.
Whoosh—
“Ah—ah!”
But before I could move, a force pushed me back.
The icy wind shoved me so forcefully that I had no chance to retreat on my own, and I was thrown far from the source of the presence.
“Ahhh! It hurts!”
I landed hard on the solid ground with a thud.
Even though the approach had been sudden, I instinctively recognized the force behind it. Before I could fully realize it, a familiar hand reached out to me.
“Get up, Eunice.”
Ethan extended his hand casually, eyes fixed straight ahead, ignoring me entirely.
I huffed in frustration but grabbed his hand.
As soon as I did, he pulled me up with a strong force, planting me firmly beside him.
I stood there, pouting slightly.
“That hurts! Couldn’t you handle me more gently?!”
“You ask a lot when life and death are on the line. Shouldn’t you be thanking me for saving you first?”
“Saving me…? What do you mean…”
Before I could finish, a terrifying roar erupted from the spot I had been standing. Massive demon beasts appeared, rising into the sky.
They were black, with glowing red eyes, scanning the skies for prey.
It finally clicked what Ethan meant by saving me.
If I’d hesitated or moved clumsily, there was no way we could have avoided all of those demon beasts.
Feeling that, I clutched Ethan’s hand tightly.
He seemed to understand immediately, keeping a vigilant eye on the demon beasts.
“I told you not to wander alone. Stay close to me.”
“…I’m sorry for always being a burden.”
This time, I didn’t offer excuses—just a sincere apology.
Without a word, Ethan took my hand and stepped back slowly, still watching the beasts.
“No need to apologize.”
“…Huh?”
“From now on, you’ll have to fight alongside me.”
With that, he let go of my hand but didn’t step away, keeping his gaze trained on the demon beasts.
I understood his intentions and positioned myself behind him, ready to support him.
Seeing me act of my own accord, Ethan slowly gathered his magical energy in his hands.
“I’ll attack the demons. You collect their blood while I do. If I can’t block an attack, you’ll have to use your magic to defend yourself. Got it?”
“…Understood.”
I nodded, unable to hide my tension.
Ethan glanced at me briefly and then let out a small chuckle.
“Relax.”
“Eh?”
“You don’t have to worry about your magic exploding here. Just let it out as you wish.”
“…You really mean that?”
“Of course.”
For the first time, Ethan offered me sincere encouragement, and I was so moved that I almost forgot the danger around us.
“Now’s not the time to be worrying about others,” he added, as if reading my thoughts.
I almost snapped at him—he always had to say things like that.
“Just do as I say. If your vast magic wavers while we’re dealing with these bastards, I won’t be able to stop it.”
“…Wouldn’t it be better to stay quiet?”
“You were just about to charge headfirst, weren’t you?”
“…Hah! Just watch. I’ll show you how hard I’ve trained.”
I glanced at him briefly and then turned my head sharply.
Ethan darted toward the center of the forest, where the demon beasts were flying.
At his swift movement, some of the beasts descended from the sky.
“Ethan!”
I called after him anxiously, but Ethan handled them without hesitation, releasing a blast of magic.
“Kuaaah!”
Two demon beasts fell to the ground, bleeding blue from their wounds.
“Eunice!”
“Yes! Wait!”
Carefully, I approached and began collecting their blood in potion vials, keeping a careful distance from Ethan.
It was good that I got the blood, but the number of demon beasts surrounding us was overwhelming.
Ethan continued to fight steadily, using both magic and his sword to bring down the beasts.
However, my heart sank as I saw him slightly faltering.
“Ugh—!”
Ethan blocked a direct fire attack from a demon beast, grunting as he was pushed back.
The other beasts seized the opportunity to strike him.
“Ethan! Danger!”
I shouted, but he blocked the attacks effortlessly with his magic sword.
Still, he was slowly being pushed back.
Biting my lip, I watched him anxiously, realizing I couldn’t just trust and wait this time.
“E-Ethan! Step back! There’s—!”
I noticed a cliff behind him, but he seemed too focused on fighting to see it.
“Ethan! Stop! There’s a cliff behind you!”
I sprinted to pull him away, but in that instant, a demon beast exploited the opening created by his struggle and attacked.
It was clear Ethan would be hit by the spell.
Without thinking, I extended my hand and shouted,
“Ethan! To the right! Move right now!”
I drew the last of my magical energy and unleashed it toward the demon beasts.
Though my magic was still unstable from forcing it out earlier, I had no time to worry.
All I could think was saving Ethan. My remaining magic surged toward the beasts.
Ethan frowned, but it was too late.
Apparently, he already knew what I intended.
“Stop, Eunice!”
He knew I couldn’t control such a vast amount of magic.
“Eunice—!”
Ethan’s urgent warning came too late. My uncontrolled magic shot toward the demon beasts—and in the process, directly toward him.
He dodged, but the ground beneath him shattered under the force of my magic.
“Move when I tell you. If your vast magic falters while we fight, I can’t stop it.”
Ethan’s words only came to me after the damage was done.
“Ethan—!”
Before I could even think, I reached toward him, helpless.
