Chapter 16: Encounter
Mabilis, ngunit dahan-dahan naming tinawid ang mabato at maalikabok na daan patungo sa naglalakihang pader ng bayan ng Albina.
We all kept low and tried to hide our presence. The last thing that we want to happen right now is to be caught by any civilian living in this town. Even though we presented to help them—because this isn't their fight and they are just victims of Voltur's evilness in the first place— the fact that we're entering the town without their consent is still a negative impression.
Apparently, those consents and permissions are no use right now. We need to help these people and that is our priority!
When we arrived at the spot where we can properly perform the thing that we've planned earlier, Gust briskly lifted his hands the moment Tross signalled him. Bahagya akong napasinghap nang maramdaman ang paglutang ng sariling katawan sa ere.
Actually, every one of us is floating mid-air
Chapter 17: UselessI know to myself that I am not strong—I am not strong like my companions, and I am not strong enough to fight these creatures. Sa nakikita ko pa lang na kakayahan ng aking mga kasamahan ay walang-wala ako sa kalingkingan ng mga ito.I know my capability and the things that I can do and cannot. I'm not strong, yes. But I am trying to be strong.These people needs our help and even though I do not have high tolerance in using my mana, I still have the skill in swordsmanship. At dito na lamang ako kumakapit upang maipagtanggol ang aking sarili.The moment I stepped inside the minister's place, dust and smoke welcomed my sight and enveloped my body. I gently raised the handkerchief that’s tied around my neck to cover both my nose and mouth. I tried my best not to sneeze amidst the thick dust.I took light steps to prevent making any noise that could warn the enemy of my presence. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang p
Chapter 18: Delusional SchemeKamatayan . . .Isang salitang kay tagal ko nang inaasam-asam . . . at mukhang, ngayon na nga ang nakatakdang araw upang maguhit ito sa aking kapalaran.If I was bound to die, then at least I've fought for my life before dying."Clove, we've got what we need."Natigil ang pagsakal sa akin ng lalake nang lumabas mula sa kaniyang likuran ang isang babae—ang babaeng nakasagupa ng mga kasamahan ko! Her eyes then turned to look at me and shot a glare full of disgust and madness. Hindi iyon nagtagal at tumalikod ito mula sa puwesto namin."Put her down. You don't want to waste your time on a wimp."The guy smirked. Mabilis akong ibinalibag nito sa isang poste na siyang pagkawala ng isang ungol mula sa aking bibig nang maramdaman ang sakit sa aking tagilirang napuruhan. Ngunit sa kabila ng naramdamang paghihirap, hindi nakatakas sa aking paningin ang isang bagay na hawak-
Chapter 19: Hitting Three BirdsMatapos kong sabihin ang mga katagang iyon, kaagad kong naramdaman ang isang pamilyar na sensasiyong lumukob muli sa 'king buong pagkatao.Dahil sa biglaang pangyayari ay hindi ko nagawang ibalanse ang aking sarili at naramdaman na lang ang pagbagsak ng aking katawan. Isang matinding hilo ang namayani sa aking ulo at wala akong nagawa kung hindi'y pigilan ang kinikimkim na sigaw."I got you."Amidst the pain, I felt my body being caught by two strong arms, and even though my vision was blurry, I can clearly see his worried face."Ano'ng nangyayari sa kaniya?" rinig kong tanong ng binatang ministro. My breathing became ragged and my eyes eventually closed. My sight was then enveloped by whole darkness, but it didn't last when it was replaced by a blinding light.Letters started appearing and floating mid-air. As if on cue, my mouth started reading the formed words without my command.
Chapter 20: Suspicion"Where have you been?" salubong ko kay Travis na ngayo'y pawis na pawis at kanina pa namin hinahanap.Ngayon ang nakatakdang oras upang kami'y lumisan ng Albina at magpatuloy sa aming paglalakbay. Two amulets are on our hands and there are four more to find. At dahil sa biglaang pag-iba ng lokasiyon ng agimat ni Gust, we're all hoping na sana'y wala ng ibang pagbabago ang mangyayari.We'll be travelling to Montfort by foot and hopefully, mine and Bryle's amulet are there."D-Diyan lang sa tabi. May tiningnan lang ako," ani Travis sa garalgal na boses at mukhang hindi mapakali. I nearly frowned upon seeing his state and abruptly snapped my fingers in front of his face."Are you sure you're alright? Mukha kang natatae na ewan," natatawa kong sabi at napailing. Travis is a composed guy, but now he seemed different. May kinalaman ba rito ang nangyaring sagupaan kanina?Bago kami tuluyang umalis ng Albina, p
Chapter 21: BelieveI don't know what I am supposed to feel. Confused? Ridiculed? Nervous?Hindi ko pa rin makuha ang ibig ipahiwatig ni Brielle sa akin kahapon. Her words struck like lightning; I couldn't even get a hold of what she's thinking that time, but her expression and tone of voice screamed danger . . . and warning.Ayaw kong makaramdam ng kahit anong negatibong emosiyon para sa babae, ngunit iba na ang kutob ko sa mga sinasabi at ikinikilos nito kahapon. Hindi ako ganoon ka-tanga para hindi mapansin ang pagbabago ng trato nito kay Travis.Kasalukuyan naming inaakyat ang isa sa mga bundok ng Montfort. I was wearing a loose trouser which enables me to move freely at my will. Hindi rin mahirap maglakad dahil nga loose ito at hindi hapit sa katawan.I partnered it up with a simple, long-sleeved shirt topped with a vest containing multiple pockets where I place my essentials. Mas naging komportable rin ang paglalakad dahil su
Chapter 22: BetrayalTHIRD PERSONHindi pa rin mapakali ang apat kataong nahulog mula sa isang sinkhole. Ang tangi nilang naiisip ay kung paano makalabas mula sa malalim na butas na iyon nang sa gayon ay mahanap ang tatlong kaibigan."This pathway's really strange. And to think, nasa loob ito ng isang bundok. Are you sure we're really going inside?" kinakabahang tanong ng nag-iisang babae sa kanilang grupo.Nang mahulog kasi ang mga ito sa butas ay tumambad kaagad sa kanila itong lagusang papunta sa kung saan.Kapuwa nagkatinginan ang mga ito at nagdadalawang-isip. Kung sana'y hindi sila nakalanghap ng Mana-Restraining Energy ay mabilis lamang silang makakaalis sa pagkakakulong doon. Ngunit, hindi naman nila maatim na maghintay roon ng isang oras upang manumbalik ang kanilang kapangyarihan.At, isa pa rin sa palaisipan ng lahat ay itong pag-usbong ng nasabing enerhiya sa lugar na iyon, lalo't malayo ang bund
Chapter 23: CounterfeitI can't think straight.The moment we left our comrades behind, worry didn't leave my system. Adding to it are four different things that constantly filled my mind and lingered through my system.First, the decision that we've made in leaving my Brielle, Bryle, Tross, and Travis behind. Leaving them trapped and powerless inside a 10-meter deep hole is dangerous. What if there are creatures lurking in the place, or something more deleterious that's waiting for them underground?Second, I don't know why but Shahne's been acting strange lately. I may not be a keen observer, but I can sense something peculiar in him. I just can't pinpoint what it is.You see, Shahne's the vibrant and antsy type, and he brings that personality wherever he goes.But right now, he's quiet and serious. Even though Gust would often joke around to ease the tranquil atmosphere, his expression would never change, instead he would
Chapter 24: The TeamI was staring at nothingness while healing Gust. My body’s still not in the condition to use my mana, but here I am, healing my friend whose life is in critical because of too much loss of blood.I can barely move my body. Hints of wounds and scratches are still visible. Brielle was supporting me from behind as my mana did its part on curing my damaged joints, muscles, and bones. It was quite shocking to know that I was still alive and properly breathing despite what I’ve experienced a while ago.However, I may be crushed and tortured, yet I feel numb.Everything just hit me hard and I didn't see those things coming my way.The rest of our friends arrived by the time I lost consciousness. Those two Elites flew away in an instant, leaving me and Gust badly wounded. And when I asked my friends as to the reason they tricked us, they only gave me one answer—perhaps, a ridiculous one."They