Chapter 9

The giant wolf Demon Beast roared and lunged forward as soon as it saw us. A dark, mist-like energy spread across the ground, withering the grass around us. I shielded Luan with a barrier and shouted.

“Luan, fall back! This isn’t a fight you can handle!”

Luan hesitated for a moment, then nodded and stepped back. Now, all eyes were focused on the massive Demon Beast.

“Claire, left. Zion, right. I’ll hold the center,” I quickly commanded.

“Okay!” Claire replied, gripping her sword and charging forward lightly.

“Don’t even need to tell me. I’m the best at this,” Zion shouted confidently, raising his shield.

The Demon Beast roared and lunged again. I focused Holy Power at my fingertips and activated a Sacred Technique.

“Lumino Aegis!”

A radiant barrier formed between us and the beast. However, the Demon Beast slammed its massive claws down on the barrier. The shield shook for a moment, but Claire swiftly swung her sword at the beast’s flank.

“Tougher than I thought, huh?” Claire muttered, quickly retreating.

“Tough? How about this?” Zion said, raising his shield.

“Holy Wave!”

A wave of light erupted from his shield, striking the beast’s leg. The Demon Beast staggered, losing its balance, but immediately swung its tail in retaliation. Zion barely blocked it with his shield and shouted.

“One hit’s heavier than I thought! Ellie, got anything bigger?”

I nodded and raised both hands. Light gathered at my fingertips as the energy of the Sacred Technique condensed.

“Spear of Radiance!”

A radiant spear formed in my hands, and I hurled it straight at the beast’s chest. The spear pierced through the Demon Beast’s body, but it still stood its ground.

“Darn, that thing’s got insane stamina!” Claire gritted her teeth and swung her sword again.

.

.

.

Amid the intense battle, Luan’s voice called out from behind.

“Brother! Over there! Something strange on the beast’s right leg!”

I turned my gaze to where Luan was pointing. A darkly glowing orb-like object was visible. It seemed to be the source of the beast’s energy.

“Got it. That must be the core,” I nodded and gathered Holy Power at my fingertips again.

“Holy Flame, Lumino Altar, Judgment of Light!”

I activated three Sacred Techniques in succession. Arrows of light rained down, surrounding the beast, while holy flames began to burn the orb. Above it, a massive sacred altar formed, pressing down on the Demon Beast.

“Ellie, aren’t you using too many Sacred Techniques?” Zion shouted, half-joking.

“Just wait,” I replied, stretching my hands upward.

“Harmony of Light, Chain of Sanctity, Radiant Bind!”

The Sacred Techniques exploded in a chain, further constricting the beast. The Demon Beast faltered, staggering weakly. At that moment, Luan suddenly rushed forward.

.

.

.

“Luan! Stop!” I shouted in shock.

But Luan didn’t stop. He dashed toward the Demon Beast without hesitation. The beast roared and swung its claws at him.

“Luan!!!” I forgot everything and ran toward him.

But Luan, without a trace of fear, dodged the claws and reached out. He stopped at a small, white creature hidden in the beast’s body. Luan hugged it tightly and said.

“This child… we have to save it.”

I stopped and stared at Luan. Claire and Zion watched us from a distance, stunned.

“What… is this?” Claire whispered.

I looked at the small wolf Luan was holding.

“A spirit…?” Zion muttered as he approached.

.

.

.

As the Demon Beast’s energy faded, the small white wolf in Luan’s arms emitted a faint light. Zion looked at it in surprise.

“That’s… a lesser spirit of Lunaris. A spirit that governs moonlight. But why is it like this…? Can it really be corrupted by a Demon Beast’s energy?”

Claire also examined the spirit closely. “But I’ve never seen a spirit this weak before. Shouldn’t a spirit be able to repel a Demon Beast on its own?”

I shook my head, holding Luan. “The spirit must have been severely damaged and then corrupted by the Demon Beast. This wasn’t an accident. Someone likely did this on purpose.”

“But how did this child survive until now?” Zion muttered, puzzled.

At that moment, Luan, still holding the small wolf, slumped down, exhausted, and fell into a deep sleep. I calmed my racing heart and approached Luan, carefully infusing him with Holy Power. His weak breathing gradually stabilized.

“What a brave kid,” I murmured softly, stroking Luan’s head.

.

.

.

After tending to the spirit and Luan, we finally managed to set up camp again. The fire crackled, and the forest grew quiet, but my mind remained restless. Eventually, I spoke up quietly.

“Hey guys… I have something to talk about regarding Luan.”

Zion and Claire focused their attention on me as I spoke. I took a deep breath and continued slowly.

“When I first infused Luan with Holy Power, I was actually a bit surprised. A normal child wouldn’t have been able to handle my Holy Power like that. Usually, the moment Holy Power enters the body, the mana core burns, or worse, the child dies instantly.”

“But Luan was different, right?” Claire cautiously asked.

“Yeah,” I nodded. “Luan absorbed my Holy Power completely. And what’s even more surprising is that he also absorbed the aura of a Demon Beast. Normally, that’s impossible. Holy Power and demonic aura repel each other.”

“So, what is Luan? He’s not just a normal kid, huh?” Zion muttered, rubbing his forehead.

“Well, it’s not that simple…” I started to say, but Zion cut me off urgently.

“Wait, hold on. You’re telling us this important stuff now? Why didn’t you say anything when we first started taking care of him?”

I made an apologetic face and said, “I didn’t know back then. I didn’t know Luan had this ability or why he had it. I only figured it out gradually.”

Claire crossed her arms and tilted her head. “But then, why does Luan have this ability? And is it related to spirits too?”

I looked at Luan, who was sleeping with the spirit in his arms, and answered slowly. “Maybe Luan is a chosen one, connected to spirits or Demon Beasts. Or… maybe he holds some bigger secret himself.”

.

.

.

“Wait, then what about the spirit?” Zion frowned. “The fact that Lunaris’s spirit has weakened this much can’t just be explained by it being eroded by a Demon Beast.”

After a moment of thought, I replied, “It seems like Luan found this spirit and instinctively tried to protect it. That’s probably how their powers got intertwined. That’s why Luan gained the ability to sense demonic aura.”

Claire nodded. “So, if Luan keeps carrying this spirit around, what happens? Do they both get stronger or something?”

“I don’t know yet,” I answered, stroking the spirit. “But one thing’s for sure. Luan needs our protection now. And so does this spirit.”

Zion nodded. “Alright, let’s keep both of them safe for now. But the fact that this spirit was hiding in such a weakened state… There must be something bigger and more dangerous around, right?”

I agreed with him. “Probably… For now, protecting Luan and this spirit is our top priority.”

.

.

.

After checking on the spirit and Luan, we decided to leave the forest. We needed to sort things out in a safer place.

“Man, it feels like we’ve stumbled into something huge,” Claire sighed. “But at this point, aren’t we already in way too deep?”

“Well, we’ll just keep doing what we’ve been doing, right?” Zion said, slinging his shield over his shoulder. “We’ve got a Saintess, a priest, and… what was your job again, Claire?”

Claire narrowed her eyes. “Are you seriously asking?”

“Yeah, honestly, I forgot,” Zion replied nonchalantly.

“I’ve told you so many times already,” Claire sighed, exasperated. “I’m a hybrid class that uses both swordsmanship and magic. Remember that!”

“Oh, right! A sword mage, right?” Zion nodded.

Claire frowned and shook her head vigorously. “I told you not to call me a sword mage! That name is so outdated! Say it properly. I’m a ‘Magic Swordsman’ who uses both sword and magic!”

“What’s the difference between a sword mage and a Magic Swordsman?” Zion shrugged.

Claire stopped walking, put her hands on her hips, and glared at Zion.

“Hey. How many times have I told you I’m a Magic Swordsman? How many times! And all you remember is sword mage?”

Zion looked offended. “No, I just call you that because it’s easier to remember.”

“Easier to remember? Then should I call your job ‘Healer Shield Gym Bro’?” Claire retorted sarcastically.

“Healer Shield Gym Bro?” Zion paused for a moment, then nodded. “Huh? Not bad. It sounds kinda strong.”

Claire covered her face with her hands and sighed deeply. “Oh, seriously… Why am I even on this team?”

“What, Claire? You don’t like being with us?” Zion asked cheekily, and Claire’s eyes glinted as she slightly drew her sword.

“It’s not that I don’t like it, but it’d be better if you just shut your mouth.”

“Alright, alright. Sword mage~,” Zion teased, bowing his head mockingly.

.

.

.