Chapter 27
I picked up the cracked magical tool and examined it.
"This is the reason. We need to check the other monsters immediately."
"You warned Baron Rothen earlier. Do you know something?"
"Magical tools with disabled safety mechanisms are dangerous. Sudden rampages like this are common."
I stared directly at Rainen.
"Every remaining monster will go berserk soon. Without exception."
"You’re claiming the tools will malfunction simultaneously? That’s too convenient to be coincidence."
"It’s not coincidence."
I shook my head.
"They’re linked because their command codes are identical."
"Linked?"
"This function allows simultaneous control of multiple monsters. A single command can activate all illegal tools here at once."
Ordinary magical tools have intact safety protocols.
But these were illegally modified.
If one tool with a shared command malfunctions, the others follow.
"Other monsters might already be rampaging. Subduing the smaller ones first will buy us time—"
The moment I spoke—
Vvvvrm!
"...?!"
The pouch at my waist trembled violently.
Black sparks erupted from the illegal tool, darker than before.
Fzzzt!
"Wh-what’s happening? How did— Aaah!"
KABOOM!
The stage’s rear collapsed, unleashing mutated monsters—abnormally enlarged, covered in jagged teeth and claws.
"Stop them! Just kill them!"
Mercenaries rushed forward but struggled to even hold the line. The monsters felt unnaturally fiercer than earlier.
‘This is worse than the original incident!’
Rainen stepped forward.
"Evacuate with the civilians."
"You plan to fight all those alone?!"
Instead of answering, he sheathed his sword in blue aura—cold and oppressive. His resolve was clear. I retreated, knowing I’d only hinder him here.
"Fine. Be careful."
"A mouse lecturing a cat?"
"Take a few hits from those things before acting tough!"
I mock-punched Rainen’s back before bolting. Not to hide—I needed to find the silver-haired man among the fleeing crowd.
"The exit’s here!"
As I ran with the nobles—
CRASH!
Monsters burst through a side wall.
"Aaah!"
"Save us!"
The group splintered into chaos.
"Stop shoving!"
I sprinted to avoid being trampled, a monster hot on our heels.
‘Now’s not the time to worry about him!’
Exhaustion soon choked my breaths.
"Inside here!"
Someone flung a door open. We crammed inside and barred it just as the monster slammed against the wood.
Thud! Thud!
"C-can we stay here?!"
"It’ll break through!"
We’d bought mere minutes. Then—
Ding!
[Emergency Quest!]
[Assist ‘Silver-Haired Man’ in resolving the banquet hall monster outbreak.]
[Reward: ‘Silver-Haired Man’s Favor’, ??? Alliance Supporter]
[Time Remaining: 00:59:58]
What? ‘Marino’ never had sudden quests!
The timer ticked relentlessly.
‘Less than an hour?!’
I scanned the room. Three nobles carried swords.
‘Good. They’ll act if pushed.’
"Hey. You’re knights, right?"
"Y-yes, but—"
"Then why cower like civilians? Earn your titles—fight!"
"D-do you even grasp this situation?!"
Their pride ignited despite their fear. I smirked, fanning the flames.
"Knights exist for crises like this. Three of you—scared?"
"Don’t mock us, you sword-illiterate fool!"
"Exactly. I’m asking you sword-bearers—are you cowards?"
Their faces flushed crimson.
"One casualty ruins our chances! We need healers—"
"I’ll handle that."
"What...?"
I pulled vials from my pouch.
"Healing potions?!"
"Top-grade from the Magic Tower. Heals bone-deep wounds in seconds."
These weren’t normal—modified by eccentric merchant Dovian. Their exact effects were unknown, but the nobles gaped.
"How’d you acquire such treasures?!"
"Forgotten? I’m Calipe Oppensa."
Four more vials materialized. Their shock deepened.
"Well? Confident now?"
ROOOAR!
"Fall back!"
The leaping monster loomed like a collapsing mountain. Mercenaries scattered like ants—until blue aura smashed into the beast’s flank.
SPLATTER!
Chunks of monster flesh rained down.
"T-that’s aura?!"
Unlike typical blade-like aura, Rainen’s struck like a warhammer. His worsening condition limited precision.
"All non-combatants—out."
"We’ll assist! With you, we can—"
BOOM!
Aura obliterated a wall beside them.
"Leave. Now."
Rainen’s glacial tone brooked no argument.
As mercenaries fled, he grimaced. Each aura use blurred his vision and seared his nerves.
‘Mana depletion... too fast.’
Aura drew from life force itself. He minimized its use, but thirst and exhaustion overwhelmed him.
Staggering into an empty corridor, he clawed at his uniform.
‘Am I... dying?’
His body burned. Rationality faded.
