A Tamia's Tale, first book: Omen of Death

“Mana, set.”

A simple whisper yet vital for the use of his magic. Luka sat by himself, amidst the intense od surrounding the Tree of Creation. He had insisted that he should try and see if he could bear the strain the od in the air posed on his body. When Daji unleashed her power in Ryuuji to save him, he fell unconscious almost immediately. So, he decided that he should learn how to endure high amounts of od in the air.

This morning was rather odd, both for him and his master. They barely talked, as if she was on cue about what happened during the funeral. Irrational anger still coursed through Luka, and despite the meditation and the high amount of concentration he was going through at the moment, he still couldn’t let go of it.

Without moving, Luka sensed the presence of Saki and Viktor approaching. Their voices carried down into the massive crater where he sat, echoing slightly as they moved closer.

Still, he couldn’t care less about their presence at the moment. The od was attacking his body, eating away at his thoughts, trying to pierce the layer made of mana he created at the surface of his skin.

So frustrating… There was so much mana here, so much so that it made him angry. The punch he stopped from Julius still left a mark on his hand. At that time, he had used everything at his disposal just to stop it. A talisman, his own strength, everything he had, just for a single punch.

I am weak, I know that, stop telling me that!

He gritted his teeth even further. Everyone around him was much better, much stronger, better people overall. He didn’t belong here, never did he and it was getting clear why.

If it had been someone else from his world, anyone else, they would’ve definitely fared better than me…

Still, he couldn’t give up. He was stuck here and while waiting for a way to go home, he had to learn to survive. But learning wasn’t enough. Now he painted a target on his back because of his reckless actions. Only a miracle would save him.

Why did I save her in the first place? Seriously, it’s not like it will do me any good…

His mind swirled back and forth the events of the day before. Frustration kept bubbling over until he stopped breathing.

There was so much od here, so much mana untapped. What if he could use it? He would become unstoppable.

“Control,” It was a stupid idea, yet he couldn’t stop thinking about it. Imagining the power he could unleash if he succeeded, he had already made up his mind.

Control, as self-explanatory as it was, was still mostly unknown, even to Daji. True, it was useful to manage oneself, but it helped him understand magic more clearly. It was no longer just random energy manipulation, incantations, and dark rituals. Now, everything had a purpose.

His body was a circuit to connect the impossible to the possible.

His mind was a machine to compute and calculate the odds of success.

His senses had become highly sensitive sensors, ready to report any unexpected errors.

Two small atoms—if we could call them this way—of mana swirled around his fingers, colliding with precision and creating sparks.

Esfelto was not a problem anymore.

Svelto, the spell of reinforcement, neither.

For the first time using control, he tried to expend it outwards, outside his body. If he could tame the od in the air, everything would become easier.

His own mana collided with the od in the air, as if enveloping it in its own shell, to transform it entirely. There was a reason why healing someone was far more complex than using a spell of raw energy like Esfelto. Healing someone required invading someone’s body with your own mana, and, on top of that, required precise knowledge of anatomy and the functioning of a human’s body.

For example, it’s the same as a doctor specializing in chirurgy for humans couldn’t practice the same on animals.

It was the same for magic. While Luka now understood perfectly how his own mana worked, and how limited it was, that couldn’t mean he was able to control the od, a foreign entity.

“Esfel—” Thinking that he had it, he started the incantation for the spell. But of course, as if to remind him of his mediocrity, the spell backfired, creating a ball of fire around his hand that exploded soon after.

“Luka!” voices rang throughout the valley as the trio descended the hill at full speed.

Saki reached him first, her eyes wide with worry as she knelt down beside him. “What happened?”

Daji followed, her eyes full of worry and anger, like a mother seeing her child doing something reckless. “Are you an idiot? What did I tell you about the od?” she shouted angrily, gritting her teeth.

Before Luka could respond, Viktor finally arrived, wheezing and out of breath. “How… how the hell… are you two… so fast…” he panted, leaning forward with his hands on his knees, catching his breath.

Saki shot Viktor an amused glance but quickly returned her focus to Luka and winced upon seeing his arm. “You’re lucky you didn’t blow your arm off, are you okay?”

“It’s nothing. Just a slight burn,” he grumbled under his breath. Compared to what he felt these recent days, this was painful but bearable.

“Nothing?” Daji growled. “One misstep and you could’ve killed yourself! You’re lucky the spell just misfired and didn’t just mix with your mana, making you explode from the inside!”

Luka said nothing, only wincing as his master carefully examined and healed his wound.

Saki’s expression softened as she watched Daji work to heal Luka’s wound. “You should listen to your master, Luka. She knows her stuff.”

Luka let out a deep sigh as he lay down on the grass. “If only I could control it then maybe—”

“You can’t, Luka.” Daji shot back as she continued her work. “Unlike others, you’re no genius. You’re weak. Just use my talismans if you ever need to protect yourself.”

Luka’s jaw clenched at the kitsune’s words but stayed silent. He knew her talismans were strong and he had already found many ways to use them to…

His mind drew a blank from his thoughts which made him physically ill. It was not like he was going to ever use them anyway.

Saki patted him on the shoulder, her tone more sympathetic. “Yup, you little weakling. Still, how about a little pause? You deserve a break!”

“Yeah, Saki is right,” Viktor said with a smug grin. “Weaklings need more rest, right?” his grin widened to his ears, knowing that saying that would irritate him even further.

“Fine,” Luka sighed.

He stared up at the sky, the giant sword’s shadow looming over him. As he looked closer, it seemed as if a figure in white clothing was looking at him. When he blinked, the figure was gone.

“Huh?” he whispered to himself.

Luka squinted, feeling a chill run down his spine as he stared at the sky. For a moment, he was sure he saw something—or someone—up there, but now there was nothing. Just the looming shadow of the giant sword that pierced the heavens. His mind must have been playing tricks on him.

“Huh? What’s up?” Saki asked, noticing his sudden distraction.

“Nothing…” Luka muttered, shaking his head. “Just… thought I saw something.”

Viktor, now seated on a rock nearby, smirked. “See? You’re already hallucinating. That’s what happens when you try to be too reckless.”

Saki chuckled, but Luka’s eyes remained glued to the spot where he thought he saw the figure. He couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling settling in his chest, a profound melancholy had taken over him.

“Maybe you’re just tired;” Daji said, noticing his troubled expression. “Your fight with Jason yesterday seems to have troubled you more than you like to let on.”

“Perhaps…” Luka nodded, still troubled by the figure in a white robe. “But I don’t want to talk about it.”

Without another word, he took a seat next to Viktor and stole a biscuit from the basket they had taken with them.

“Maria, what do you think of this flower?” the young princess asked her maid.

Inside the inner garden of the castle, Morgann wandered amongst the freshly blooming flowers. It was early spring, and the world was coming alive with color and fragrance. The princess moved gracefully, her pale hands lightly brushing against petals as she walked.

Her maid, Maria, followed closely with a concern etched on her face. “It’s beautiful, Your Majesty. I am sure your father will love it.”

Morgann nodded thoughtfully, her brilliant brown hair catching the sunlight as she examined the flower.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, tears started running down her cheeks.

“Your Majesty!” Maria rushed to her, holding a handkerchief for her.

“It’s fine,” the princess shook her head. “I’m fine.”

Maria hesitated for a moment before retreating, her dark eyes full of warmth. “If you say so.”

Morgann took a deep breath, willing herself to steady her emotions. Dark circles surrounded her eyes and her face had grown pale over the few days. It was upon Maria’s instructions that she should take a few walks here, saying that it would help her a little.

But her mind couldn’t stop thinking about her father, her uncle, and Luka.

Pain for the death of her father, rage, and disbelief towards her uncle, and incomprehension towards Luka.

“Maria, do you really think I’m fit to be queen?” she asked, her lips quivering slightly.

“Of course I do.” the maid answered without a second thought.

But Morgann turned to her, eyebrows twitching and her face contorted in pain. “I don’t want any niceties. I’ve heard those for far too long.”

Maria recoiled in surprise at her sudden outburst but smiled warmly nonetheless. “Your Majesty, you are stronger than you think,” she insisted gently.

“And yet everyone saves me all the time,” Morgann shot back, feeling the tears coming back. “There is no way I am strong enough to—”

“With due respect, Your Majesty,” Maria cut her off, her tone unwavering. “If these people saved you, it was because you gave them a reason to.”

Morgann fell silent, caught off guard by the conviction in her maid’s voice.

“It is not because of your royal blood that so many people sacrificed themselves for you,” Maria continued, her dark eyes fierce with determination. “It is because of what you gave them. You have a kindness in your heart that inspires loyalty and bravery in those around you. And even if these are troubling times, I know you have what it takes to be a beacon of hope for everyone here.”

The sincerity in Maria’s words sank in, and for a moment, Morgann felt her heart spark with something other than pain—something important she had lost in recent days: pride.

Her maid took a deep breath, feeling a rush of emotions wash over her as well. “I can’t stop you from weeping for Wrimbo, nor can I stop you from crying for your father. And I shouldn’t. If you believe it to be a weakness to cry, then I shall remind you every time that it is not.”

Morgann met Maria’s gaze, the unexpected warmth of her maid’s presence wrapping around her like a comforting blanket. That’s right, she wasn’t alone, she never was.

“We both know why Wrimbo saved you back then, Your Majesty,” the maid continued. “You gave him a home. For a time, before everything turned for the worse, this place was a sanctuary, a place where people from different horizons could meet and call this place home.”

“Thanks to your father… and you,” she finished, smiling softly at her.

This time, she couldn’t stop the stream of tears flowing down her cheeks. And, without hesitation, she rushed over to Maria, to give out a grateful embrace.

“Thank you… for always being here with me,” she whispered, clutching tighter the woman that almost raised her.

“No, thank you, Morgann,” the maid whispered back, answering the embrace by caressing her head.

That’s right. Even if she couldn’t compare as a leader to her father. Even if she was unable to save him, even if she would fail.

There would still be people she had to protect and love.

“There, take this,” Viktor said, tossing a small mana stone to Luka.

“Oh, this is what you bought yesterday,” Luka replied, examining the stone in his hand. It glimmered softly, pulsating with a faint blue light.

“Yeah, you forgot to take it with you.”

“By the way, is there a reason why you weren’t at the funeral? Your brother wasn’t there either…”

Viktor’s expression shifted slightly, a shadow crossing his face. “Let’s just say… it was a family decision.”

“Right…” Luka nodded slowly, not wanting to prive further. Viktor often wore a mask of bravado, but Luka knew the man had some issues as well. Without worrying further about the issue, he took out the gun from his jacket and inserted the mana stone into the receptacle where the eternaüm used to be.

As if the gun recognized its new power source, the capsule containing the stone retracted, closing in on the mana stone until the weapon lit up again with a vibrant glow.

“It seems to work again,” Luka noted, feeling a similar wave of mana coursing through the gun’s circuits.

“Nice! Now you can use it properly,” Viktor said, a snarky smile tracing his lips. “Try to not get it stolen this time.”

“Shut it,” Luka shot back with a smile and a shake of his head. He carefully tucked away the gun with the mana stone and sighed contently after taking a bite of Saki’s cookie. Though it was flavorful, it was clear she was not a great cook.

They stood there in silence for a while, enjoying the tea and biscuits while looking at the beautiful scenery. The sun was still rising slowly, casting a warm golden light over the golden tree standing tall amidst the hills. The gentle breeze rustled the trees in the distance, carrying with it the faint scent of early flowers and earth. Luka found himself engrossed in it all, appreciating the peaceful atmosphere. It was his little garden, the only place where he could feel good in this horrid world.

The sudden tremor jolted them all out of the tranquil moment. The ground shuddered violently beneath them, and the distant boom echoed through the hills like a roar from the depths of the earth.

Luka instantly stood up, his eyes wide with alarm. "What the hell was that?"

Before anyone could respond, Daji let out a sharp cry, clutching her chest in pain. Her face, usually composed and sharp, contorted as sweat poured down her skin. She staggered, dropping her teacup, and nearly collapsed onto the ground.

“Master!” Luka shouted, rushing over to her side, his heart pounding in his chest. He had never seen her like this before.

Saki and Viktor were on their feet in an instant, eyes darting between Daji and the direction of the boom.

“That came from the forest…” Saki whispered, her tone somber.

“What’s wrong with her?” Viktor asked, his smirk fading into panic.

Daji struggled to breathe, her body trembling as she tried to regain some oxygen. “It’s… Something grave happened…” she gasped, her voice barely a whisper. “Something… Destroyed a leyline…” She gritted her teeth, forcing out the words as she struggled to breathe.

In a flash of inspiration, Luka understood immediately what she meant. Daji was a being given with the authority of the earth, both literally and figuratively.

This world was her home and every living being here was her children in a conceptual sense.

Which meant that most of her powers came from the earth itself, “lines” where the flow of the od coursed through this world, right back into her.

Which meant that if someone could cut off one of these lines, they could weaken or outright kill her.

“We need to investigate,” Viktor said urgently. “Miss Goddess, do you know where the boom happened?”

“Sourlake,” she gasped, looking up at Luka’s concerned face. “There is… a convergence of lines here…”

“All right, go back to your temple Daji,” Luka ordered with a stern face. “Go get some rest.”

“Wait…” she pleaded, still clutching her chest desperately. “The spell… I can get you home soon…” she whispered, her face contorting in pain with each word.

Luka’s eyes widened. “It’s ready?”

“Soon… That’s why… Don’t do anything… Reckless…” she said with eyes full of worry.

It was the first time Luka had seen such genuine fear in her eyes. Daji had always been calm, composed, but now, she was nearly begging him. She was so close to completing the spell that could finally send him home, and he knew he couldn’t afford to let this chance slip away. He clenched his jaw in frustration, but still showed a soft smile to her. “Don’t worry master,” he said with a light tone. “I won’t miss the chance to go back home.”

Her gaze softened slightly, some of the tension easing from her face, and Luka turned to rejoin Viktor and Saki.

“Let’s move,” Viktor urged, already setting his sights on the path ahead.

“Right,” Saki agreed, nodding firmly.

With a final glance back at Daji, Luka steeled himself and nodded too. “Let’s go.”

There was no time to waste. As soon as they reached the bottom of the hill, Saki and Viktor spotted an unattended carriage by the roadside. Without a second thought, they climbed in, Viktor snapping the reins to get the horses moving.

“Wait—are we really just stealing this?” Luka protested, scrambling to join them.

“We’ll return it,” Saki replied with a cheeky smile.

The carriage rumbled forward, speeding along the winding road toward the forest of fairies, nestled to the southwest of the capital.

It was a thick canopy that came with a lot of legends pertaining to the fairies and other mystical creatures like witches, mermaids, and also a certain alchemist who lived secluded in a clearing.

Apparently, Viktor knew this place well, which wasn’t surprising considering his family had a close relationship with fairies.

“It’s just past the gate. We should arrive soon,” Viktor said, gesturing toward a solitary gate made of stone in the clearing ahead. It stood like a relic from another era, draped in moss and weathered by time. Despite its age, there was an undeniable charm about the place, something almost otherworldly. Luka noted the detail with a quiet sense of awe as the carriage rumbled forward.

The road beyond the gate was surprisingly wide, easily accommodating the carriage and horses. Luka had expected dense undergrowth and narrow paths, but the well-kept trail suggested someone—or something—had cleared the way.

Then Viktor’s expression changed. His face went blank, eyes widening as he slowed the carriage to a crawl.

“Is something wrong?” Luka asked, not yet seeing the source of Viktor’s concern.

Ahead, the road simply disappeared. Where there had been a path, there was now only chaos—trees lay scattered like broken bones, trunks splintered and branches twisted at unnatural angles. The devastation stretched as far as they could see. The song of birds and insects that could be heard before had totally stopped, replaced by a still silence.

“We’re… only halfway to Sourlake,” Saki murmured, her voice tight. She bit her lip as she took in the scene, the desolation reflecting in her eyes.

Luka's brow furrowed. “Maybe the boom didn’t actually happen in Sourlake?” he ventured, glancing at the destruction around them.

But Saki shook her head, her entire body tense like a bowstring. The typical gleam of humor in her eyes vanished, replaced by a gloomy seriousness. Even the air surrounding her appeared to alter, tinged with a tangible anger. Luka had never felt anything like this from her before.

“No,” she said flatly, her voice feeling detached. “I don’t think…”

The words caught in her throat. She didn’t need to finish. The uneasy silence, the smoldering remnants of the forest, and the look in her eyes spoke louder than anything else could.

They decided to keep going on foot, leaving the carriage there. The further they went, the harder it was to navigate through the broken trees. And after a few minutes, smoldering flames could be seen consuming the soil in front of them.

Luka’s heart skipped a bit. Only after a few minutes, all that was left was… nothing. Just small flames on the ground and a vast expanse of desolation.

“This… is Sourlake?” Luka asked, feeling a knot tie in his stomach.

“Yeah…” Viktor replied while clenching his fists. “What happened here?” he asked in disbelief.

They were still a few minutes’ walk from where the village should have been, but it was already clear—there was nothing left. It was as if the land itself had been flattened, scoured clean by some infernal force. Not a single remnant of the village remained, not even the outlines of buildings or the familiar landmarks Viktor remembered. Only ashes and embers remained, smoldering on the wind-swept ground like the last breaths of a dying world.

Saki’s gaze swept over the charred landscape, her expression hardening. “This isn’t natural,” she said, her voice low and tense. “I don’t remember something powerful enough to create such a blast…”

“Ah…” Luka’s mouth opened. Now he was feeling it, something that if he hadn’t trained for would’ve been fatal. As they spoke, a wave of intensively dense od installed itself on them, making his ears buzz like a broken TV.

Od radiations, almost as potent as the one around the tree.

Viktor grimaced as he felt it too. “Shit… There’s so much already here?”

Which meant the epicenter could be lethal, even to the most seasoned mage. Whatever was there was gone and even if by some miracle it survived, the aftermath would have taken care of them.

Luka’s stomach twisted with nausea as the implications sank in. His pulse quickened, a horrified understanding settling over him. In this world, someone—or something—had created the equivalent of a nuclear explosion.

But with what? Even with all the knowledge he gathered during his time with Daji, there was nothing that could cause—

“Ah… Ah…” His body started to shake. There was no way.

“Can we get closer?” Saki asked as if unfazed by the od radiation.

“I don’t think so, that would be suicide,” Viktor replied.

Luka couldn’t hold it in. Stumbling forward, he threw up all of his stomach’s content. The bitter taste of bile stung his throat, and the world seemed to spin around him, as though the very air was recoiling from the lingering power.

“Shit, is the od taking a toll on you?” Saki asked in panic upon seeing Luka’s trembling frame.

“I need… To go there…”

Viktor raised an eyebrow. “Where?”

“To the epicenter…” Luka said, wiping his mouth clean with a handkerchief. His breathing had become ragged, and his eyes were bloodshot, a wild glint of determination flickering through the exhaustion. Luka wiped his mouth with a trembling hand, forcing himself to stand upright, though his legs felt like they could give out at any moment.

Viktor stepped forward, helping him straighten up. “Are you crazy? You’ll die!”

“I don’t care,” Luka said, the words spilling out of his mouth. His eyes were in a daze and it was clear he had a fever.

“You’re not thinking straight, man. Why do you want to go there?” His tone was matter-of-fact, but it carried a not of unease. “We will go home and—”

“No!” Luka shouted while grabbing Viktor by the shoulders. His brain was actively working, trying to make connections. He had so many theories, he needed to confirm them.

Pulling out a talisman from his jacket, he handed it over to Viktor. “If you see that I’ve stopped moving, use it to get me back here. It will transport me right back to where you stand.”

Viktor sighed, feeling like he couldn’t get this stubborn mule to give in. “Fine! But don’t you fucking die or I’ll kill you myself.”

Saki, still standing close, interjected with the same energy. “I’ll kill you too!”

Luka sighed with a smile, grateful for these two idiots to support him. “Alright, alright, I got it…” he chuckled, standing back up on his two feet. “I’m going in,” he finally said, turning his face towards the center of the explosion.

With a gulp, he walked forward, focusing on the circulation of mana through his body. As long as he kept this thin layer around him, nothing would happen.

He could feel the weight of the od pressing against him, a palpable tension that made the air feel heavy and thick. But he had to push through. He had to understand what had happened here.

His legs felt heavier and heavier with each step, the cloud of smoke rising from the flames made his throat dry, the ambient smell of cinders and burnt flesh made his head dizzy. After a while, he stumbled forward, tripping on a single piece of wood. When he looked back at it, he felt like throwing up once more.

It was a toy, a simple spinning top made of wood that miraculously survived the explosion by being buried in the soil. Near it was a piece of cloth, as well as something he didn’t even dare guess what it was.

His hands started to shake as he tried to get back up, only to fall once more with his legs giving out.

“Ah… Ah…” A kid died here, a kid died here. The thought echoed in his mind, a haunting refrain that gnawed at his sanity. He repeated it like a prayer, each iteration deepening the ache in his chest. He could feel the heat scorch his bones, his skin melt, the blast destroying houses and installations until nothing remained.

As if he was there at that moment, like a phantom pain enveloping him. For an instant, he thought he could hear dozens of cries of terror piercing through the smoke and flames.

“No…” Luka gasped, almost choking on some smoke and ashes. He couldn’t bear the thought of what had transpired here, of the tranquil lives, unsuspecting, extinguished in an instant.

An instant death that didn’t matter, unforgiving, useless and final.

He pressed his palms against the scorched earth, his tears mingling with the soot. With strength, he stood up slowly, trying to steady his breathing to calm his shaking legs. If he had waited a moment longer, they might have used the talisman.

But he couldn’t stop, he needed to know. Slowly, he took another step, and soon, he was close to the epicenter. He kept his gaze locked towards the crater, ignoring the bodies near him.

This was hell. But he couldn’t stop. The od radiations were so thick he thought he could pass out at any moment. If, only for a fraction of a second he were to stop fighting against it, that would be his death as well.

Finally, he arrived at the epicenter. The crater was clear, there was no doubt about it.

“Ah—” His heart stopped. Upon seeing what was inside the crater, his body stopped functioning.

And with it, all resistance to the od around him.

“Shit!” Viktor cursed under his breath upon seeing his friend collapse at the epicenter. Without a second thought, he poured mana inside the talisman, making it shine with a bright light. Before he knew it, it was traded with Luka who was now unconscious on the ground at his feet.

“Let’s get him inside the carriage!” he shouted.

Saki moved swiftly to Luka’s side, helping Viktor lift him off the ground. As they carried him back toward the carriage, Saki glanced over her shoulder at the crater with a sour face. “What did he see?” she murmured, dread pooling in her stomach.

“I don’t know,” Viktor replied, his voice strained under the effort. “But it must have been bad for him to react like that.”

They reached the carriage, and Viktor gently laid Luka down inside, taking a moment to assess him. His friend was pale, beads of sweat dotting his forehead.

“There’s another village nearby, closer than the capital. We could take him there,” Saki suggested.

Viktor nodded. “Okay, let’s do that.”

As they hurriedly prepared the carriage, Saki couldn’t shake the feeling of unease tightening her chest. “Will he be okay?” she asked.

Viktor met her gaze with a smile. “I’m sure, don’t worry. He just fell unconscious just like what happened in Ryuuji.”

Saki nodded, but the knot in her stomach remained. Something was wrong, like a bad omen sticking to her skin.

As they rolled away from the scene, she decided to settle in the carriage beside him, placing a hand on his forehead. She took a quick glance at Viktor, who was apparently too preoccupied to see what she was doing. With a sigh, she chanted softly under her breath, allowing a purple light to illuminate her hand.

The village came into view soon enough, nestled near the village, and Viktor increased their pace. When they finally reached it, the streets were eerily silent and empty, but Viktor didn’t mind. He stopped the carriage near what looked like a tavern, a place where they could rest.

“Hm…” Luka woke up as soon as they arrived, still a bit in a daze.

“Oh, you’re already awake?” Saki smiled softly at him, quickly turning off her spell. Relief flooded through her as she saw his eyes flutter open, even if they looked glassy and unfocused.

Viktor jumped in, his tone firm but gentle. “We need to get you inside and checked out. You were unconscious for a bit.”

But Luka didn’t answer, nodding painfully in response, his brow furrowed in confusion and discomfort. He remained silent, lost in his thoughts, and Saki could sense a storm brewing behind those weary eyes.

“Come on, let’s get you inside,” Viktor urged, concern lacing his voice. He helped Luka out of the carriage, steadying him as they made their way toward the tavern. Saki stayed close, eyeing him carefully.

Once they stepped inside the dimly lit tavern, the warm atmosphere felt like a balm against the chill in Luka’s bone. The tavern owner, a stout man with a bushy beard approached them with a worried look.

“Who are you people? What happened to the lad?” he asked, his brow furrowed as he assessed the situation.

“He collapsed,” Saki said, her voice tinged with urgency as she tried to appease the owner. “Do you know a doctor around here?”

“I’m fine…” Luka whispered, pushing away Viktor slowly, but his voice was barely audible.

“You’re not fine, idiot,” Viktor shot back. “You collapsed a few minutes ago!”

“I said I was fine!” Luka cried, slamming his fist on the nearby table, gritting his teeth as pain shot through his body.

“I don’t know what’s happening but you shouldn’t stay here. Please leave,” the owner pressed, his figure looming over them.

“Please!” Saki exclaimed while grabbing the owner’s arm. “We just need to get him checked up and then we will leave, we promise.”

The owner sighed, feeling his patience wearing thin. “You don’t get it, the demon hunters are here and—”

Before he could finish, the front door of the tavern opened with a creaking sound, revealing multiple shadows outside. “And?” came the delicious voice of Yelena Vintera, her eyes piercing through the group before settling on Luka.

The atmosphere shifted instantly, a chill running down Saki’s spine. Viktor instinctively stepped in front of everyone, his protecting instinct flaring. “What are you people doing here?” he demanded, his tone hardening.

Yelena smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Oh, just checking the village in search of a demon,” she stepped further into the tavern, the men behind her shifting with her movements. Multiple demon hunters armed to the teeth were standing on guard outside the door, while others could be seen knocking at the door of the neighbors right in front of the tavern.

“When I heard a carriage come at full speed here, I thought that something grave was going on…” she said, her eyes devouring the three of them. “Is someone hurt?”

But when she locked eyes with Luka, she stopped in her tracks. The young man was staring at her with dead eyes, his body as tense as a coiled spring.

“Luka?” Saki said softly, turning back to face him. But Luka didn’t answer; he was simply staring at the mage in front of them.

“Ah, I see,” Yelena said, a playful smile tugging her lips. “Boy has seen something he shouldn’t have~”

Viktor’s protective instincts flared, and he stepped closer to Luka, trying to shield him from Yelena’s penetrating gaze. “What do you mean by that?” he snapped, the tension in the room thickening with every passing second.

Yelena’s smile widened. “I should ask myself…” until turning almost predatory. “Why are you with a demon, Mister Faeborne?”

Viktor’s eyes widened in shock. “What are you talking about?” he demanded.

“Oh?” Yelena grinned smugly, all the while holding her kiseru pipe between her fingers. “Don’t tell me… You’re not aware?” she said, trying badly to stifle a chuckle. “That young girl over there…”

She locked eyes with Saki who immediately recoiled in surprise, fear flashing across her face.

Her fingers snapped.

Time stopped for a moment, but it was too late. Before the bartender and Luka could comprehend what was happening, blood splashed everywhere, splattering across the walls and pooling on the tavern floor. Saki gasped, blood flowing from her mouth.

Viktor’s reflexes kicked in; without hesitation, without even thinking about the consequences, he lunged toward Saki, desperate to protect her.

Although it was useless. The blow was merciless. It came out of nowhere, like an organic spear appearing at the speed of sound.

A plant, as sharp as steel had transpierced both of them in a single stroke.

“Seriously?” Yelena’s eyes widened in surprise. “You tried to save her?” she said with a mocking tone, her lips curling into a cruel smile as she tried not to laugh from his stupidity.

Viktor staggered, pain shooting through his body as he gripped Saki tightly to keep her upright. Nothing came out of his mouth; he lay there, as still as possible, the plant having made a gaping hole in his abdomen. The warmth of blood seeped through his fingers, pooling beneath them.

“Why…” Saki asked, tears welling in her eyes, her voice trembling as she looked up at him.

Viktor’s breath came in ragged gasps, but he forced a smile despite the agony. “Because… I..Idiot…” he managed to say. “I love you.”

Saki’s heart sank in despair.

“Pff, what?” Yelena couldn’t hold it in anymore and started laughing uncontrollably. “You know she is a succubus, right? She probably manipulated you into thinking that!”

Viktor crumbled, his body hanging on because of the plant piercing him. He looked at Saki with shocked eyes as his body was turning cold from the blood loss.

“I swear…” Saki managed to say while gritting her teeth. “I never did…”

As soon as she uttered these words, Viktor’s body crumpled. With a simple snap of her fingers, the plant that had transpierced the both of them returned to the ground, beneath the tavern floor, making Viktor and Saki fall on the blood-soaked wood.

“Viktor!” Saki screamed, her voice cracking as she scrambled to him, cradling his head in her lap. Tears streamed down her face, mingling with the blood that stained her hands. “Stay with me! Please!”

“Well, a fitting life for a Faeborne,” Yelena sighed, her tone mocking. “I can’t wait to see his brother’s face when he learns that.”

Luka stood frozen, his heart pounding in his chest. The owner had run away, leaving him alone in the background.

“By the way, boy,” Yelena’s face turned towards him. “Stay there and be a good boy, okay?” she gave him an insincere smile. “Unfortunately… Succubus are quite resilient,” she sighed, clicking her heel on the wooden floor as she took a step further.

That’s right, all he had to do was stay there, not take any risks, and he would go home by tomorrow.

Everything that happened here was none of his concerns. After all, he should’ve never been in this world to begin with.

He had enough trouble for a lifetime, that’s right. No need to try something funny like being a hero or something.

Just let it happen.

It was her fault, to begin with. If she hadn’t lied to Viktor, none of this would have happened.

It was his fault too. Why did he try to protect someone that lied to him? Was he dumb?

With a creepy smile, Yelena stepped further ready to snap her fingers once more to finish the demon off.

“Luka… Run.”

Without hesitation, he dashed forward, his jacket fluttering violently. Without even looking at her, he pointed his fingers at Yelena.

“Esfelto.”

The words came smoothly. A blinding flash covered the room, making Yelena recoil in surprise.

“Wha—?!”

The sound of a window breaking pulled her out of the flashbang.

“What are you doing? Stop!” Saki’s screams echoed in the street as Luka took off with her in his arms, his legs reinforced with magic as he ran as fast as he could.

“This kid…” Yelena muttered to herself in disbelief. “Ahahah… I can’t believe it…” This kid had the guts to try and confront her. This kid had the guts to try and confront her. That simple thought only widened her grin. She clicked her heels, took off her black hat, and shouted to her men outside.

“Find me the succubus and the kid! But don’t kill him unless he really threatens you!”

With that, she snapped her fingers one more time, licking her red ruby lips in delight. “I’ve put a barrier around the city, he won’t escape…” she chuckled to herself, feeling the thrill of the hunt.

Luka’s heart raced as he sprinted through the empty streets, adrenaline coursing through him. He could feel Saki’s weight in his arms, her breaths quick and painful against his shoulder.

“Stop it, idiot! They’re going to kill you!” she cried, trying to break free of his hold.

But he didn’t stop. He locked eyes with an open window and stopped for a moment, putting Saki down before entering through it.

“What… are you doing?” Saki asked while looking at him pulling out a talisman out of his pocket.

“Shut up. You’re bleeding out,” Luka reminded her of her situation as he came back from the empty house.

It wasn’t just the streets, the whole village was empty.

Without saying anything else, he grabbed Saki back and resumed his running.

“I told you to run so that you could survive… Idiot.” Saki whispered, clutching his chest tightly to get a better hold.

As they rounded a corner, Luka spotted a narrow alleyway. He skidded to a stop, pulling Saki into the shadows just as he heard voices approaching.

“They went this way!” a hunter shouted, their footsteps and the clang of their armors echoing through the streets.

Luka pressed himself against the cold stone wall, instinctively shielding Saki with his body. “Stay quiet,” he whispered.

Saki could hear his heartbeat. It was calm, frighteningly so. Which made her ask many questions to herself.

Peering around the corner, he saw a group of demon hunters passing by, their expression focused through their helmets. They couldn’t be caught; they needed to get out of the village.

Once the hunters moved on, Luka stood back up again and resumed his running.

“Are we sure they didn’t leave?” One of the hunters asked his boss.

“Fool!” Yelena shot back, giving a menacing glare at her subordinates. “My barriers are hard to break. An amateur like him could never break it.”

Soon Luka arrived near the edge of the village. Passing through the alleyway, he rushed head-first toward it.

“Wait!” Saki shouted, but it was too late. He ran head-first into the invisible barrier, making the both of them bounce back and stumble on the sandy ground.

“Ugh!” Luka groaned as he landed hard, the wind knocked out of him for a second. He blinked twice before realizing what had just happened.

“A barrier…” Saki muttered, feeling a sense of dread take over.

There was no way to get out, she thought. Luka wasn’t strong enough to break a barrier like this which meant they were going to get found out eventually.

“Just leave me. Perhaps if you sell me they might spare you,” Saki whispered.

But Luka didn’t answer. Instead, he simply stared at the wall in front of him.

Saki gritted her teeth in frustration. “Stop being an idiot for once and do it! Viktor already died for me! I don’t want to… to…”

But Luka said nothing, instead, he simply installed her against the wall while exhaling slowly. She was still bleeding. Even if she was a succubus, a wound like that ought to be fatal at some point if not treated.

However, the fact that she was a succubus was practical, as mentioned in the lessons given to him…

As long as she had life energy, she could regenerate herself to a certain extent.

With a slow exhale, Luka held his left arm towards Saki who looked at him with an incredulous expression.

“What are you…”

“Heed my words…” he whispered trying not to alert the hunters.

Saki's eyes widened, her heart pounding in her chest. “Huh…”

“Thou are my flesh and thou are my destiny,” he continued, as still as a lake.

“Wait, stop!” Saki tried to move in protest but she could only kick her feet in an attempt to stop him.

But Luka remained resolute, his expression clouded yet unwavering. “Thou are my life, yet unbound by mine…”

Saki froze. She understood what that chant meant. There were multiple ways for a succubus to gain life energy, the primary one being through carnal relations.

But when someone made a contract with a succubus, it could be possible for the demon to feed on its contractor’s life force, at any time.

Upon doing this, he was at risk that she would betray him and kill him if she wished to. It was an abandonment of his life to the demon. If she desired it, she could easily siphon his life way, abandoning him in the process.

“Luka, you don’t understand,” she breathed, her voice shaking. “You can’t do that.”

“Though I may be weak, I give you my promise,” he continued.

It wasn’t the incantations she was used to. He must’ve had changed the words to make it more personal.

“This is insane…” Saki’s eyes became watery, feeling a mix of emotions that gave her nausea.

Why? Just why? Viktor at least she could understand since he was so engrossed with her, but him?

This was just impossible.

“...May your life go on and you find happiness.” his chant ended in a whisper.

It asked for an answer. The final step for the contract to happen was for the demon to accept the offering.

With a sigh, Luka stared at her. “Just accept and don’t siphon me dry just yet. I need some strength.”

“When I told you how dangerous succubi were, you didn’t care…”

“I know.”

“I could hurt you, Luka. I might’ve manipulated you from the beginning, just like with Viktor—”

“You didn’t,” he interrupted firmly, locking eyes with her. His gaze was steady, filled with an unyielding belief that made her heart ache.

“You don’t know me…” her voice trembled. “I’m not a good person, Luka… I…”

“The only good person was Viktor,” he said matter-of-factly as if confessing to her what he truly felt at the moment.

She looked at him for a moment, unsure of what he meant by that. And, not without hesitation, she reached his hand.

“I accept.”

Upon uttering those words, a light shone on Luka’s left forearm, a bright light burning through his skin, making him wince in pain. An energy surged between them, a connection that made them both aware of each other’s condition.

“Good. Now, stay still,” Luka whispered, gritting his teeth through the pain. With a sigh, he leaned against the nearby wall while staring at her. She was draining his life force slowly, not fast enough for him to feel tired for the moment.

“Are you okay?” Saki asked, her voice laced with concern as she studied his strained expression.

Luka nodded and then started with another topic. “Did you like Viktor?”

The question hung in the air between them. Saki’s breath caught in her throat as tears started to swell in her eyes once more. “I… I cared about him,” she admitted. “He was kind to me.”

Luka watched her intently, his expression unreadable. “I liked him too. He was a true friend.”

Saki’s eyes widened before going back to a more pained expression.

With another sigh, he leaned more against the wall, looking down at the ground. The sound of the hunters looking around was still echoing throughout the streets.

Why did I do this? he asked himself. But no answers came to his mind. What he did was completely reckless and unnatural.

“... Shut up,” he whispered out loud.

“Huh?” Saki perked up in surprise.

Every person has a breaking point. When someone is pushed to their limits, whether it be physical or psychological, it is assuredly going to break at one point. Luka isn’t a person that Saki would consider aggressive or even dangerous. He acted more like a puppy only able to bark back without biting. Yet, what she was looking at right now made her freeze in place. He had gone through many tribulations, far more complex and haunting than he ever lived back in his world. His almost successful assassination back in Kaathal had changed him for good, but even then, his nature didn’t seem to change.

He was a pacifist, through and through. Rather than acting against others, he would often choose to stand aside and let everything happen. There was no ounce of conflict in his life, he hated it with every fiber of his being. To him, it was useless, devoid of any meaning whatsoever. The image of the desolation that took place in Sourlake made him retch.

Luka looked at the barrier in front of him once more and sighed. And when Saki stared into his eyes, a chill ran through her spine.

Those eyes. They did not belong to a kind man. It was more like…

“Stay still,” he said, his voice as cold as ice while standing up.

“What are you doing?” Saki asked, her voice rising with a mix of confusion and fear as she watched him stand tall and resolute.

Luka didn’t respond immediately; instead, he narrowed his eyes at the barrier, calculating while fiddling with his jacket. He could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him, but there was no room for hesitation now. He had made a choice when he picked Saki up, and he needed to see it through.

“Luka?” Saki’s voice trembled, pulling him from his thoughts.

“Stay there and shut up,” he instructed coldly.

This was not the usual rudeness she was used to from him. It was serious this time. Something she had hoped to never see in him.

He stepped forward, heading out on the main road where some hunters could be heard.

Saki’s eyes widened in realization. “Stop! Yelena is going to murder you! She is in another league of her own!”

But he didn’t answer, instead, he simply walked out and faced the group of men who were standing several meters away from him.

Now, there was only one thing standing in his way. The one thing that made him weak.

“Control… Fear, off.”

A switch clicked inside him and the stupid feeling that was nagging at him stopped instantly.

He squared his shoulder to relax and took a deep breath, steam rising out of his mouth from the intense heat his body was now radiating.

“Hey, you!” the hunters shouted. “Where is the demon?”

Luka’s expression turned into a frightened one as he raised his arms in the air. “I know where she is! Please don’t kill me!”

The hunters paused, their expressions shifting from aggression to curiosity, a few lowering their weapons slightly. “Speak!” one of them commanded, stepping closer.

Luka’s expression hardened the moment they made this fatal mistake. While lowering his hands, he lowered his body just slightly, enough to make his gun fall from his pocket. With his eyes still on the target, he picked up the gun mid-air and aimed it at the hunter.

There was no hesitation.

“Control…” he whispered, aiming carefully at the man in a fraction of a second.

“Zone…”

Another switch clicked in his brain, this time far more complex.

All excess was pruned, only his objective was left.

He pulled the trigger, his eyes narrowed in cold calculation. The gun answered in a blast of magical energy pulled right from the mana stone he had put earlier. That single blast of energy flew through the air.

Until meeting the hunter’s head. The hunter, caught completely off guard, barely had time to realize what was wrong before the projectile collided with him, piercing through the metal of his helmet and his skull like a blaster.

The other hunters reacted immediately, one of them drawing an arrow with trembling hands, fear flashing across his face.

Luka had already counted them earlier. There were only three of them, two being armed with close-range weapons.

“Get down!” the archer shouted.

Holding close the gun to his chest, Luka aimed once more. A second magical bullet was shot from his gun, colliding instantly with another soldier in the chest.

The arrow was shot. With a simple shift from his body, Luka slid to the ground, dodging the arrow narrowly. As soon as the arrow flew past him, he shot another bullet, this time killing the archer with an impact to the head, blood splattering on the ground.

“Fuck! What the hell is this!” the last man standing shouted, holding his sword with trembling hands. He was used to fighting demons but this was something else. Upon realizing he was cornered, the man started running away.

“No deserters,” Yelena’s voice cut through his momentum when suddenly, a vine erupted from the ground, coiling around the man’s legs and skewering him without mercy. He gasped in shock as the sharp tendrils pierced his flesh, and he fell to the ground, lifeless.

That’s right. This woman. Luka narrowed his eyes, piercing her with a neutral face. Without giving her a moment to react, he fired three shots in rapid succession. Each bullet crackled with magical energy, but they all collided harmlessly against an invisible barrier in front of her, dissipating into sparks.

Yelena didn’t even flinch, her expression remaining as calm as ever. The only change was the faint hint of a smile curling at the edge of her lips. “Come on…” she cooed exaggeratedly. “Why so cold?”

Luka didn’t respond, simply tightening the grip on his gun. It was clear the difference in power and knowledge was abyssal. She probably would make a good contender against Kenshin.

Yelena took a step forward before blowing some smoke from her mouth. “If you tell me where she is, I might spare you, boy,” she glanced briefly at the lifeless bodies of the hunters scattered around her. “After all, you seem to be worth more than I thought.”

But Luka said nothing, instead, he waited.

Yelena sighed, feigning disappointment. “I was harsh last time, saying how you should quit,” she continued, her voice softening, almost sympathetic. “This tool you have also interests me. Would you mind giving it to me?”

But Luka said nothing. He didn’t even move an inch.

“I can take you to greater heights, take you away from these magicless freaks,” she said. “How about that? You want more power, right?”

“Blablabla… You talk too much,” Luka spitted, shooting another bullet straight to her face, which of course stopped its course on her barrier.

Yelena’s expression didn’t waver, though her smile wavered into a sigh. “Tsk, tsk,” she chided. “What a shame. Throwing your life away like that…” She took a leisurely step backward. “I was giving you a choice, and you didn’t take this opportunity…”

“Now die,” she said coldly, snapping her fingers immediately.

Luka rolled to the side, narrowly dodging the incoming plant that threatened to skewer him. While doing so, he locked his arm, aiming at her, and shot multiple bullets at her.

“Don’t you get it? It’s the same barrier as the one around the city,” she smirked, her tone dripping with condescension. “If you couldn’t escape, then what’s the point of trying?”

Luka’s bullets met the invisible wall again, fizzling out with no effect. His eyes darted upward just in time to catch the gleam of another vine descending toward him like a serpent poised to strike. With a quick step back, he evaded its lethal thorns, the vine snapping shut with a vicious hiss just inches from his face. Before he could catch his breath, another vine tore through the wall of the nearby building like it was made of paper, sending shards of wood and shattered glass flying in all directions. Luka shielded his face with his arm, feeling the sharp sting of debris grazing his skin as he darted away.

Yelena taunted, her voice quivering with a thrill that bordered on ecstasy. Her eyes sparkled with delight as she directed the vines, weaving them through the air with a subtle flick of her wrist. “It’s almost a pity to kill you, boy. It’s fun to watch you squirm.”

With a simple duck, Luka dodged the next brambly vine, its thorns glinting ominously as it swiped past him, tearing through the air like a monstrous whip. The sheer force of it sent a gust of wind rushing over his skin, and he could feel the sting of debris pelting him.

As time passed, the narrow street seemed to close in in a rush of attacks coming from all directions. There was a little window between each strike but it seemed to go faster and faster until it would inevitably fatally hit him.

Yet, his gaze remained steady, as well as his breathing. He remembered the training with Kanami, this speed was nothing compared to her. As soon as he ducked under the vine, another arced toward him. He dropped low to the ground, rolling across the debris-strewn street and coming up on one knee. Another vine showed itself, coming straight from the ground below him.

“Svelto,” he chanted as much as quickly and jumped backward. The vine shot up with frightening speed, its thorny tip grazing his cheek, leaving a burning line of blood in its wake. He landed hard on his feet, the sting on the wound sharp against his skin.

This was the moment, there were at least two seconds until the next attack.

“Esfelto!” he shouted, concentrating his mana at his fingertips. The small flaming spell soon turned to reality and became nothing more than a single ball ready to explode. With his fingers pointed at her, he launched the flame like a bullet.

“Esfelto? Seriously?” Yelena chuckled in a mocking tone. “What does a first-tier spell like this can—”

But as soon as the flame collided with her barrier, it exploded into a puff of black smoke, blocking all vision she previously had.

“Oh~ Nice trick!” Yelena perked up, feigning surprise at his clever maneuver. “But futile.” With a flick of her wrist, she summoned smaller vines that slithered along the ground like serpents, coiling together to form a net beneath Luka’s feet.

I see… These are…

“I know where you are!” Yelena shouted, snapping her fingers once more. Smaller vines shot upwards and in a fraction of a second, attached themselves to his left foot, locking him in place.

Luka remained steady. As the smoke began to dissipate, Yelena smirked. “Bye, bye, boy,” she said, her tone dripping with amusement as she prepared to finish him off.

But in an unexpected manner, Luka threw his gun in the air, distraction slightly Yelena.

“Huh?” she exclaimed, her eyes following the gun as it arced upward.

And just before the next Vine skewered him, Luka disappeared into thin air.

Yelena’s eyes widened in shock as the vine thrust into nothingness. “Where did he—” she mumbled, her voice trailing off in confusion.

But as soon as she opened her mouth, a crash echoed behind her. She whipped around just in time to see Luka gliding through the air, having barreled through a door with surprising force. He caught his gun mid-air, landing gracefully on the ground with a determined stance.

In the blink of an eye, he squeezed the trigger, unleashing a flurry of bullets aimed directly at Yelena's back. Yet, as before, they met the invisible barrier surrounding her, the magical energy fizzling out harmlessly against her defenses.

“My back is protected too, sorry, boy,” she smirked playfully, understanding his motive. “Can’t let anyone stab you in the back after all…” she snapped her fingers, recreating the same vine net as before beneath his feet.

It was a simple spell capable of sending out signals to her brain when someone stepped on a vine. If he were to use his smoke again, nothing would stop her from locating him.

“Like I said…” Luka sighed, his face as expressionless as ever. He rolled the gun on his finger and threw it again right at her.

The unexpected movement caught her off guard, forcing her to step backward slightly. The mana stone inside the gun flashed for a moment, emitting a blinding light that enveloped the area like a flashbang.

Even with her vision gone, she still sensed his weight on her vines. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned new vines to skewer him.

But she only met air once more.

“Wha—”

“...You talk too much.” Luka’s voice rang just behind her back, his warm breath hitting her barrier.

What? When did he arrive here? Yelena’s brain couldn’t comprehend. Was it the same spell as before? Perhaps one of the Goddess’s talismans?

Still he can’t break the barrier—

“Svelto…”

She saw it. From the corner of her eyes, she saw the young man crouching slightly, rolling up his sleeve, revealing talismans glued to his arms that covered it entirely. Talismans were a good tool for creating magic that a normal mage couldn’t reach, like rituals for example.

But Luka didn’t care about that. Why did he learn magic in the first place? Anyone could dream of learning magic. As kids, anyone could enjoy daydreaming about having magical powers.

Even if he cared about that, his priorities had changed in this world. Surrounded by people that could kill him in an instant, he lied to his master.

Going home was secondary.

Surviving was his priority.

So, he did what was the most natural thing to do. He needed power. Not to go back home, not to protect.

But to kill effectively and as quickly as possible.

“Five…”

The talisman on his right arm burned his skin as soon as it activated. It wasn’t a ritual, it wasn’t a complex spell. It was just a simple talisman created solely to transform his fists into weapons. Sometimes, the simpler the better.

His fist shot with absurd speed, passing through the barrier like glass and his fist a hammer.

The impact was immediate and explosive. His fist connected with her barrier, shattering the fragile surface.

Yelena couldn’t believe it. That single action meant more than she wanted.

All this time… He could’ve escaped

Yet he didn’t. This person, frightened and defenseless chose deliberately to confront her… And kill her.

The fist collided with her face with absurd force, shattering her teeth in an instant. The impact alone created a shockwave, lifting the dust on the ground into clouds.

Still, it wasn’t over.

Luka shifted his body in unison with his punch, spinning backward as he grabbed her face with his left hand, anchoring her in place. The sudden movement disoriented her further, and before she could fully comprehend what was happening, she saw his left arm flaring up like the other one.

“Esfelto…”

With her mouth full of blood and her mind clouded, Yelena could only choke out a single word of protest. “Wai—”

“Five.” His voice was steady, devoid of hesitation or even mercy. As he finished uttering the incantation, a torrent of flames erupted from his hand, consuming the space between them in a blinding flash of heat and light.

The explosion was deafening, fire roared in front of him, enveloping Yelena in a fiery embrace. The force of the blast hurled her backward, crashing her into the ground with a bone-jarring impact that echoed through the streets.

When the smoke finally cleared, all that remained was a blackened scar on the ground, and a black lump of charred remains resembling a body.

Luka opened his mouth, steam escaping into the air. The acrid smell of burnt earth and flesh filled his nostrils as his hair fluttered in the aftermath. His jacket slapping against his body from the sudden gust of wind, he gazed coldly at Yelena’s lifeless form.

“L-Luka…” Saki’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts. The succubus looked at him with a frightened look as she pressed down on her belly in pain.

He turned his attention to her, and without a moment's hesitation, turned his back on Yelena. “Let’s go,” he said, striding toward her.

Saki’s face contorted in disgust and fear as he walked towards her but she said nothing. Luka grabbed her and started walking back to the tavern.

This was…

Truly something she didn’t expect…