CHAPTER 72 #10
Saglit siyang natahimik bago muling tumawa nang mahina.
"Not because she is weak, child."
Dahan-dahan siyang tumingin kay Russel.
"But because you still haven't realized what kind of place you have entered."
Umigting ang panga ni Russel nang marinig ang sinabi ni Valroth. Hindi na siya nag-aksaya pa ng oras. Agad niyang inutusan si Fenris na sundan si Keisha upang matiyak na makalabas ito nang ligtas.
Muli niyang ibinaling ang kaniyang tingin kay Valroth bago marahang huminga. He drew in the air around him, sensing every movement within the cathedral. His eyes suddenly glowed with a sharp blue light as his mana began to gather around his body.
In an instant, Russel released a powerful blast of compressed air and sent it directly toward Valroth.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Russel nang biglang mawala ang kaniyang power blast.
I thought I had him...
He had believed that Valroth failed to sense his sudden movement and that his attack had caught the demon off guard. But as the smoke and dust slowly cleared, there was no sign of Valroth where he had been standing.
Russel's expression hardened.
When did he...?
Bago pa siya tuluyang makalingon, isang malakas na suntok ang biglang tumama sa kaniyang pisngi.
Mabilis na tumilapon si Russel patungo sa kaliwang bahagi ng cathedral. Malakas ang naging impact ng kaniyang katawan sa pader, causing the stone surface to crack and cave inward from the force.
Sandaling nanatili siyang nakasandal sa wasak na bahagi ng pader, his vision slightly blurred from the sudden attack.
Bahagya niyang pinunasan ang dugo sa gilid ng kaniyang labi bago muling itinaas ang kaniyang tingin.
Valroth was already standing several meters away, smiling.
Nanghihina at napayuko si Russel habang pilit na inaayos muli ang kaniyang pagtayo.
His breathing had become heavier, each breath coming out unevenly as the pain from the impact caught up with him.
Nang subukan niyang igalaw ang kaniyang balikat, biglang sumakit ang kaniyang buong katawan, forcing him to pause for a moment.
Bahagyang nanginig ang kaniyang kamay habang mahigpit pa rin niyang hawak ang espada. His legs felt unsteady beneath him, and he could feel his strength draining faster than he expected.
Napapikit siya nang saglit, forcing himself to steady his breathing.
That hit was stronger than I thought...
Muli niyang itinaas ang kaniyang tingin kay Valroth.
I can't afford another one...
He just punched me... and he didn't even use his ability yet...
And I'm already struggling just to stay standing...
There's maybe a five percent chance I'll make it out of here alive...
Five percent may not be much... but it's still a chance.
Nanlaki ang mga mata ni Russel nang bigla niyang maramdaman ang isang kamay na marahang humawak sa kaniyang likuran. The touch was strangely gentle, almost comforting, completely different from the oppressive presence surrounding the cathedral.
"Russel... son..." mahinang sambit ng isang pamilyar na boses.
Napatigil si Russel.
"You have done enough. You don't have to prove anything anymore. You cannot defeat him, not yet. You still lack the experience needed to fight a demon of this level, and you're still a child. So focus on one thing now..."
Bahagyang bumigat ang tinig ng boses.
"Retreat. Get away from this place, find your comrades, and live long enough to become stronger. There is no shame in knowing when a battle is beyond your strength. You have already done what you could."
Nanigas si Russel.
"Father?"
Mabilis siyang lumingon sa kaniyang likuran. But the comforting presence had completely disappeared. Tanging malamig na hangin lamang ang sumalubong sa kaniya.
Saglit na nanatiling tahimik si Russel, his eyes searching the empty space behind him.
Was that really him...?
Russel wanted to cry and reach for his father, but he couldn't. For a brief moment, he stood there completely still, as though a part of him was still hoping that the familiar presence would return.
His eyes remained heavy with emotion, but he refused to let the demon see him break.
Father must be guiding me from Gadesea...
Maybe that was really him.
Muli niyang hinigpitan ang hawak sa kaniyang espada.
I have to survive.
Father was right. I need more experience.
I'll keep that demon distracted and create a portal using my wind mana. I'll make him believe that I'm still fighting him while secretly preparing my escape route. But it's still a risk... If he realizes what I'm doing even for a moment, he could stop me before I finish the portal.
Father... if you are truly there, then lend me the strength to survive until I finish this portal...
Muling itinaas ni Russel ang kaniyang ulo at tumingin kay Valroth.
This time, there was no hesitation in his eyes. Bahagya siyang tumayo nang tuwid kahit ramdam pa rin niya ang bigat ng katawan at sakit mula sa pagkakatama niya sa pader. His breathing remained heavy, but he refused to let Valroth see him falter.
"Come, Valroth."
Bahagya niyang itinaas ang kaniyang kamay, at unti-unting umikot ang hangin sa kaniyang paligid.
"If you want to eat me, then stop holding back."
Valroth took a step forward.
"With pleasure."
Mabilis na binuka ni Valroth ang kaniyang palad.
Sa isang iglap, isang malaking pamaypay ang lumitaw sa kaniyang kamay.
Russel's eyes narrowed as he stared at the strange weapon.
A fan?
For a moment, he couldn't understand why a demon as powerful as Valroth would choose something like that as his weapon.
But then Valroth slowly opened the fan.
A sharp metallic edge glinted along its ribs, each section carefully crafted like a blade. It wasn't an ordinary fan. Every movement of it carried a dangerous sharpness, making even the slightest swing capable of cutting through the air.
"Now, show me... how long you can keep that courage of yours."