Baran The Rise Of Azrael

Chapter 13

Baran stood beside Arthur. The man whose life he had just saved a few minutes ago was still gasping for breath. As the scene settled, Arthur's teammates slowly returned.

There were three of them.

One was a typical fire mage — with fiery red hair and blazing eyes.

Another wore a green cloak and had soft features; she was a healer.

The last one was silent. She carried a longsword, her hands calloused. Her muscular body moved with graceful precision. Baran's attention fixed on her. A voice inside whispered, "Dangerous." But he wouldn't trust anyone without certainty.

The healer approached Baran and Arthur gently.

"May I heal your wounds?"

Baran nodded. Their paths would part soon anyway. They shared the same goal — they would meet again eventually.

After his wounds were tended, Baran stood and looked at Arthur with a mocking tone.

Baran:

"Use the life you owe me well, you pathetic bastard."

Arthur:

"Damn filthy scum... Not killing you is your reward."

Baran:

"Our paths part here. Watch your party."

Arthur:

"You too... Baran."

Baran walked away. He was beginning to sense the rhythm of the forest.

Nolmyra wasn't a normal forest. It was conscious. It manipulated those who entered, drained their mana, and even tampered with their memories.

The escaped slaves were most likely already dead. He considered abandoning the mission, but at least he had to find some trace of their bodies.

As he passed through the trees, a sharp scent of blood caught his attention. Fresh and strong. He immediately changed direction and moved toward the source.

And then… he saw it.

A wight stood before him.

Its entire body was made of moss-covered branches. Its eyes glowed pale green, leaking dense mana. Baran knew it wasn't an ordinary wight.

A power beyond classification...

This creature was at least A-rank, possibly nearing S-level strength.

Baran planned to retreat when a child's scream pierced the air.

A crying child...

His mother and father were dying in the wight's claws; now he was alone, desperate to be saved.

This scene was a nightmare Baran recognized from somewhere — he had seen a similar vision in the dream realm.

Baran used shadow magic, grabbed the child, and started running.

But the forest... the forest didn't want that.

The trees shifted, redirecting Baran back toward the wight.

Baran:

"Not again, damn it... This forest is mocking me. It wants me to fight."

Then he remembered.

The moment he had taken his own life in the dream world...

He would never again allow himself to be this helpless.

He made his decision.

He left the child in a safe place and drew the wight's attention elsewhere.

Running was no longer an option. He wouldn't run anymore.

But he couldn't defeat it alone.

So he thought of Arthur.

--Arthur's Side--

Arthur was still deep inside Nolmyra. He looked up at the sky.

The air was tense. He sensed danger approaching.

Arthur (to his party):

"Alert! Get into formation. Danger is near!"

Arthur and his team were known as "A+++," but that was a myth. Their true strength ranged between A+ and B. What made them so strong was their flawless team coordination.

Baran burst through the trees, his face full of fury.

Baran:

"A wight feeding on human flesh is after me! It's addicted to mana. It's been chasing me for ten minutes and still shows no sign of tiring. Time to pay your debt, Arthur."

Arthur:

"Come on... Friend, is this really what I have to deal with? A wight?"

Just then, the wight appeared. It attacked the healer, knocking her to the ground.

Arthur couldn't track the attack with his eyes.

He cursed under his breath and drew his sword with rage.

Baran:

"This is the wight you have to fight. Help me."