Chapter 23: Losing Control to the monster.
"!!!!!"
'What?!' Circe echoed in her thoughts.
She suddenly lost control of her body for a moment.
'This? This is what is happening to sinbad!' with that as the confirmation, she gripped her katana
Illusory white cracks began appearing on her body, and in the next moment, her body suddenly shattered like glass!
....
'Use the flames! Don't use the flames! Use the flames! Don't use the flames!'
Ciel stared with a joyful expression as his body was gripped by the large paws of the bear-like creature. He was raised to the air, the large mouth of the monster opening as it pulled Ciel closer and closer to its blood soaked mouth.
Despite his face, his thoughts were in chaos. He needed to escape the situation, however his only trump card could not be revealed at a mere game, even though the possibility of expulsion was on the table.
Ciel looked ecstatically as his head was brought a bare inch from the open mouth, bordered by countless sharp large teeth. The scent of blood emanating from the mouth permeated into Ciel's nose. But he couldn't change his expressions, if he could, it would instantly pinch.
It was at that moment, a sudden "Slam!" Echoed in the forest.
A tree roughly the size of the monster slammed to the ground, sending dust into the air. Furthermore, Below the tree, was a sharp cut, as if made from an extraordinarily sharp blade.
And standing a few inches away from the tree, was Circe, her blade unsheathed in her hands.
'What is she doing here? And why did she cut a tree?' Ciel was less bothered about her presence, and focused on why she didn't save him, but instead opted to cut a tree.
"Click!"
'Hmm?' Ciel suddenly fell into the lake, released from the beast's grasp..
Perplexed, Ciel managed to look up, only to see the rain of blood falling on him- followed by a large object that crashed into the water before him.
Ciel was currently at the feet of the monster, and before him, floating on the water, was the large paw that once grabbed him.
With that, Ciel's mind immediately recalled Circe's ability: Damage transfer! This meant She transferred the damage done to the tree to the monster!
'Amazing!' Ciel mumbled inwards.
Unexpectedly, Ciel raised his hand, realizing his motor functions had been returned to him. 'So was it the monster?' he wondered.
Seizing the opportunity, he quickly wrapped himself in the illusion of the wind -Attaining a sort of blurry invisibility. In this state, he stealthy left the pond, quickly heading towards Circe.
...
Staring at the monster which roared painfully as his right hand spewed with crimson blood. Circe noticed a blurry figure seemingly covered in a mirror like clothing that mimicked the surroundings, granting it a strange invisibility. However, the figure wasn't entirely deluding perception, as its footsteps could be loudly heard.
'Who is that? And where did Sinbad go?' quickly gripping her sword, she made sure to be alert from any attack from the strange figure.
'If it approaches me anymore, then I will attack.' Circe made an inward declaration, while the figure's footsteps echoed louder, drawing closer to her.
"Tap Tap Tap Tap!"
The sound of footsteps grew louder, approaching Circe in a hurried speed. Now realizing the figure had no intention to stop, she immediately swung her blade at the air- a whistling sound echoing through the forest.
In the next moment, Ciel was rushing towards Circe, when suddenly he felt a sharp pain emanate from his shoulder- quickly spreading out, it caused his focus to abruptly collapse, causing the illusion to immediately shatter.
He stumbled and fell down, his shoulder quickly drenched in a red liquid.
'Blood?' Ciel thought, dazed.
Glancing at Circe who was a few meters away from him, Ciel eyes flashed with a look of perplexity.
'Did she just attack me?'
Circe at this moment, had her eyes wide open. 'What happened? Why did Sinbad suddenly appear? Was he the one in the illusion? Is that his power?' she immediately dismissed the last thought. After all, she had already seen Ciel's power, and it was disorientation and not an illusion.
However, the memory of Ciel's strength flashed before her eyes. She found it strange that someone whose strength was at the Apprentice digits, was actually a student. Was he hiding something else? Perhaps a bizarre chapter!
Nonetheless, as she saw Ciel holding his left shoulder which was now covered in blood, she quickly reined in her thoughts. Clenched her blade and swung at the air again.
This time she transferred the damage to the monster! She couldn't have it suddenly attack while she was tending to Ciel.
Following her immediate slash on the wind, the bear-like monster slumped down, its left leg suddenly sliced away from the rest of it!
Another raar echoed through the forest, however it was now properly immobilized and could do nothing but roar in pain.
Seizing the opportunity, Circe sheathed her blade and made her way towards Ciel. Once she reached him, she quickly parted her lips and apologized genuinely,
"I didn't know it was you…"
'Didn't know? Didn't know? Oh right. She couldn't have known.' ceil realized he never told her of his actual power. Not that he ever planned on doing so.
Ciel's face contorted in pain as he attempted to speak, his voice reduced to a shrill, akin to the tone of whispers.
"You have a medical kit?" Ciel raised a brow.
"Do I have a medical kit?" Circe repeated the question.
'I guess she doesn't. In any case, it's not that painful. I can endure it.'
Ciel tightened his muscles, and with a single burst of strength, he stood up abruptly on his feet. Glancing at Circe, who remained crouched down, Ciel expressed:
"Shouldn't we kill the monster, before it starts the whole 'Thing' again?" Ciel hinted at his strange behavior. He believed that Circe was perhaps spying on him before intervening.
Circe, reining in her thoughts and questions, she stood up and glanced at the lake; where the bear-like monster was still struggling to stand up. Its body occasionally crashing into the lake with each attempt.
As she stared at the monster, unknowingly, she raised her hand into an inviting hug.
"Come here you big boy…."
"Hmm?" Ciel was momentarily stunned by the sudden exclamation.
However, he quickly grasped the situation: 'Circe has been infected by the strange power!'
With that, Ciel's mind went into overdrive.
'Why is she being affected? Isn't the monster in pain? How can it still have the strength to affect her? No, that's not the necessary question. The question is how can I stop it from happening to me? Oh, and how to help Circe too. '
'Alright, let's see- It started when the monster appeared, so it's likely it's its fault, it seems to seal off the motor functions of a person, before then taking over the body, causing it to spew lovey-dovey nonsense. Apart from that, why does it even make the controlled say those things? Is there some logic to it? Or could it just be some trait the creator of the story added into the story?' Ciel was inclined to believe the latter.
At this point, Circe with a smile on her face which seemed odd, slowly walked towards the monster. Ciel quickly realized the urgency of the situation.
'Hmm. Can't I just leave her? Specifically speaking, it wouldn't really cause me any problems, after all, within the simulation we aren't really teammates.' Ciel stared at Circe who walked like a fanatic towards the deadly monster.
'No.' Ciel shaked his head, 'She saved me. What sort of person would I be if I didn't return the favor?' a sigh reverberated from his lips.
'Alright, How did I snap out of the effect?.... !' Ciel suddenly had an epiphany.
'It was when the monster let go of me!. To be specific, it was when I crashed into the lake. Which means the cure to the state: is some external friction.' ciel quickly moved towards Circe who was now a few meters away from the lake.
Reaching her, Ciel raised his katana, his mind suddenly engulfed in the reenactment of the strike she gave him. However, he used the scabbard to hit her on the head.
"Gasp!" Circe exclaimed. She turned to Ciel and muttered while catching her breath, "You figured out that external forces can cure it?"
'Hmm. So you figured it out first' Ciel had a mixed emotion.
...….
"Crack!
"Slash!
"Pfft!
Crashing into a boulder, the plain looking Louis spewed a handful of blood from his mouth.
[Spotted Demonic Wolf Flegris. Worth 12 Cores.]
Swiping away the notification, he gripped his broadsword, while looking ahead towards the monster that slowly approached it.
It was an eight legged wolf with a complete thick layer of black fur; six crimson red eyes, and a large number of canine teeth. The creature was roughly the size of a trick.
'Useless teammates.' Louis cursed inwardly, his eyes passively glancing at the scattered corpses of his teammates.
In a split second, the large demonic wolf instantly turned into a shadowy construct, streaking through the air as it hurled towards Louis.
Raising his sword, which was also his main weapon, Louis barely managed to counter the full force of the shadowy form before being crushed into the boulder. His body broke through the rock, hurling into the air.
A moment later after he managed to regain his footing, Louis stared at the ferocious wolf who had returned to its original state.
It was the power of the beast: Shadow transformation.
Louis had long discovered the monster was slightly above a normal apprentice, however, it was still at the threshold of becoming a Magister.
'Damn this, if only I had a better team.' Louis glared at the creature.
As a result, the wolf howled before turning into the shadowy form.
"Awoohhh!
"Klang!
The sound of the collision could be heard from a distance, as flocks of birds took to the air, startled by the sudden sound.
As soon as the dust settled, Louis saw his broadsword crumble into dust.
This was the second power of the monster: Waning Claw!
Seizing the opportunity, the monster transformed into a layer of darkness and pierced towards Louis. However, he wasn't some weakling who the lack of his weapon would deter.
As the named demonic wolf assaulted Louis once again, he immediately dipped his body, his muscles bulged- threatening to rip his clothes.
This was his note ability: Giant Wrath!
With the new strength, he quickly shoulder tackled the incoming beast.
"Bam!
Crashing into Louis who had grown a few inches, the demonic wolf lost its momentum and quickly returned to its original form. Its body immediately raised a few centimeters into the air.
"Boom!
Taking advantage of the situation, Louis took a breath, tossed the creature into the air, leaped into the air and drilled a punch towards the beast's stomach -sending it flying towards a nearby tree.
"Bam!
Back first at the strong tree, the wolf howled in pain as its back crashed against the tree.
With heavy breaths, Louis stared at the direction he sent the beast flying.
"Awooh!
Before Louis could rest, he saw the demonic wolf appear from his peripheral vision-its body in the shadowy form, returned to normal.
"Bam!
Quickly raising his shoulder, Louis felt a tremendous force transmit through his body, sending him staggering backwards a few meters.
"Bam! Bam! Bam!"
Before Louis could have a moment to recollect himself, the wolf relentlessly attacked him from all directions.
"Bastard!" Louis roared.
At that moment, stepping out from the forest, Micheal dressed in the typical military uniform had his red gauntlets on his fist.
Turning his head to where the sudden reader was leisurely standing, Louis cursed as he kept withstanding the wrath of the monster.
"Why… khh…. Can't… You…Se… I'm… Khh…In…Trouble!"
"Bam!
"Bam!
"Bam!
"Bam!
"Be….Quic…Khh… I'm… Dy…ing!"
Staring at the sudden reader who called out to him, Micheal stared for a moment before responding calmly:
"Do I know you?"
"Help!!!"
"First, how many cores do you have?" He inquired.
"5!... Khh…Five! Dam… it!"
With that as a confirmation, Micheal took a boxing stance, his fist immediately emitted a white ethereal glow.
"This should end quickly. I need to find Miss before anything else."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone