RAGNA POV...
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While the vicious wolf was out there prowling and scouting the surroundings under my control, I didn't waste even a single breath. I buried Marcus myself—deep inside that suffocating rocky cave. I poured earth-elental energy into the ground with trembling focus, feeling the stone beneath my palms respond obediently. The cave floor groaned, sank, and slowly folded inward like a grave swallowing its secret, crumbling over itself until not even a trace of him remained. When it was done, it felt final in a way that made my chest tighten.
Only after every last preparation was complete did I cautiously raise my head and let it peek out from the darkness of the cave. I didn't rush—not anymore. I activated my perception first, stretching it outward, combing through my surroundings layer by layer, making sure nothing lurked nearby. Only when I was certain did I step out.
The mont I erged, I sucked in a mouthful of fresh air, greedy for it, as if I had been drowning for hours. Then I began walking along the trail of golden desert sand left behind by the vicious wolf. Each step felt surreal—too calm, too quiet—until suddenly—
BOOM.
A violent tremor tore through the ground beneath my feet, loud enough to rattle my bones. It sounded exactly like a grenade being dropped straight into the campground. The air itself seed to shudder.
Monts later, I saw it—a massive sandstorm rising rapidly in the distance, rolling toward the sky like an angry beast awakening. I couldn't tell what had caused the explosion, but strangely enough, I didn't dwell on it for long.
Instead, a reckless thought surfaced in my mind.
'I think it's about ti I test out Sprint.'
[Sprint has been Activated]
[Sprint will be activated for the next 10 seconds]
[Ti left before "Sprint" deactivates]
[9]
The instant I activated Sprint, a violent gust of wind wrapped around my small body. My vision warped. For a split second, it felt like the world slowed down while I was forcefully yanked forward. I blinked—and suddenly appeared several ters away, clumsily phasing from one spot to another as I narrowly avoided the expanding sandstorm.
[5]
The vicious wolf I had placed my demon mark on was gone—vanished without a trace after the explosion.
[Sprint has been deactivated]
Silence followed the distant boom, eerie and unnatural. When Sprint ended, I realized I was completely coated in sand, head to toe. I looked less like a living being and more like a mummy that had just clawed its way out from beneath a mountain of golden desert sand.
Even so… I was stunned.
Sprint had only lasted a few seconds, yet I had traveled an unbelievable distance—and the mana cost was laughably small. My heart raced as I finally noticed what had caused the explosion. A few ters ahead of lay a deep black pit, scorched and hollowed out, as if the land itself had been punched in rage.
The vicious wolves in that area hadn't stood a chance. Their bodies were nothing more than charred, blackened crisps scattered around the pit. Even the surviving death wolves whimpered pitifully before fleeing in terror the mont they sensed danger.
As I passed through the area, I felt eyes on —curious, suspicious gazes from demon children and Black Steel Knights alike. I endured them all silently until I finally reached the horse carriages.
Inside, I saw familiar faces. Berthold, and Reiner.
They looked pale and worn, their bodies clearly pushed to the limit. Compared to them, I looked… perfectly fine. The mont they saw , concern flashed across their expressions before lting into visible relief. Since the battle had started, they hadn't had the chance to check on properly—especially with how unwell I had seed earlier.
Seeing intact made them release a heavy sigh.
I took a seat among the recovering children, but I could feel it—the gaze of the Black Steel Knight overseeing our demon alliance. His eyes lingered on far longer than necessary.
"Are you okay, boy?" he asked.
I could tell he was confused. That strange, dangerous aura he had once sensed from was gone. In its place was a calm, steady presence—one that even felt energetic.
But I barely heard him.
My attention was completely locked onto my attribute panel. Every stat had risen… yet sothing felt off.
{Host Attributes}
» Level (Rank-): 9
» Na: Ragna Ringwood
» Titles: Cursed one
» Race: Unknown
» Exp: 25,000 / 62,000
» HP: 150 / 150
[Attributes]
› Mana: 31
› Strength: 31
› Perception: 31
› Vitality: 31
› Agility: 31
› Mana Sensitivity: 31
› ntal Fortitude: 31
{Attribute Points: 200}
"Boy, I'm talking to you!" the knight almost shouted, irritation clear in his voice.
I flinched and finally snapped out of it as more notifications popped up.
[Hidden Quest has been completed]
[Hidden Quest Details: Pissed off a Steel Knight]
» [Quest Reward: 5 EXP] «
"Sorry, sir," I said quickly. "I spaced out."
He stared at for a mont longer. "You're good?"
"Yes, sir."
"Everyone! Pack up imdiately. This bloody ss will attract more predators!" the Black Steel Knight barked.
Inside the carriage, Reiner, Berthold, and I sat together as the vehicle jerked endlessly across the desert. Sunlight stread through the small window, bathing the interior in warm gold and giving the space a strange sense of peace.
It had already been ten days since the battle with the desert vicious wolf pack.
During that ti, the siblings filled in everything I had missed. Most importantly, they told how the Black Steel Knight wielding the black whip had nearly wiped out the entire pack with a single attack—how he had slain the king of the wolves effortlessly.
I was stunned.
It seed my assumptions about that knight were woefully inadequate.
Still, before I could think too deeply about it, Elijah continued narrating excitedly, his voice animated as the carriage rolled onward, carrying us further away from the battlefield—and from the sins I could never truly leave behind.
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