Chapter 31: A Forest in Flames
Sebastian struggled to run. He was using all of the energy in his stigma to suppress his wounds and to boost his physical abilities but he could still feel fatigue.
His breath was ragged and his vision was swaying. He had been running for about ten minutes and he definitely wouldn't be able to make it with the fox still chasing behind him.
If he had more energy in the stigma, or if he wasn't injured, then maybe he could've lasted longer but he could feel it. The stigma was about to run out and his wound was beginning to open up again. If he hadn't fallen in the water right after being wounded, he might've died.
The fox became cautious at Sebastian's branches made of fire and began maintaining a certain distance to him but the moment he showed weakness, he would definitely be killed.
Sebastian began slowing down and his consciousness was having small lapses. This was his limit, he couldn't do anything anymore. He didn't need to turn his head to know that the fox was following him close behind.
He could no longer use his stigma to throw branches of flames and neither could he suppress his wounds any longer. His willpower slowly began to fade.
Why... am I doing this?
Sebastian questioned himself. Why was he doing this? Risking his life, what was it for? He couldn't comprehend it, why was he running from an Adept- level beast inside a forest all alone?
His mind was filled with questions of despair, cursing at the world for being unfair. He didn't know how long he stayed in that state, but his legs never stopped moving. Why couldn't he just give up?
It was at that moment, memories began rushing into his head and at the heart of it all, was a girl. Her smile was as bright as a thousand suns and just looking at her took his breath away.
Who was that girl?
Sebastian felt his heart beating faster and faster. His running speed began increasing.
Why am I doing this all for her?
His heart was beating so fast that it felt as if it would begin to leap out of his chest.
He could hear her voice in his memories.
"We're childhood friends, we've got to look out for each other."
To me, you're not just my childhood friend, you're my everything.
Crack
"Who would be able to hurt me? Just shut your mouth and allow me to worry about you, they took your money so you must haven't eaten yet, I'll treat you."
There's no guarantee that they can't, that's why I'm getting stronger for your sake.
Crack crack
"You hateful man. You bully. Dunderhead. You've done stupid things countless times..."
I know. I'm sorry about that. I'll definitely continue to do stupid things in the future too, hahaha...
CRACK
"Sebastian! Sebastian!"
Don't cry, I planned for that to happen from the start. It wasn't your fault.
CRACK CRACK
"Sebastian, please don't leave me..."
Sebastian's eyes shot open.
That's right, why was I so stupid? How the hell did I forget her name?! How could I forget Amy?!
SHATTER
All of a sudden, Sebastian's stigma shot out rays of light and he could feel it. The stigma's energy was increasing.
—Looks like you managed to regain your sense of self properly.
"Balanos?!"
Sebastian yelled out. The increase in energy that the stigma provided was enough for him to go back to his peak state—or at least temporarily.
—I'll explain later. For now, focus on getting away from the fox.
Sebastian's muddled thoughts disappeared and he began thinking straight.
"If it's afraid of fire... then!"
Sebastian suddenly stopped his steps and created a fireball in his left hand. He fired it near the Demon Fox and caused it to growl and retreat.
But, the fox wasn't his target.
The flames from the fireball began spreading and the nearby trees were set ablaze. At first, Sebastian was proud at what he achieved but his eyes suddenly widened enough that they looked like they were about to pop out of their sockets at any second.
From where he came from, there was a large forest fire and an insane amount of smoke.
—Stop being so surprised at every little thing! Move!
But aren't you supposed to be one with nature or something...?
Sebastian shook his head and took off. The Demon Fox was carefully watching the flames but it didn't look like it intended to give up chasing him.
—You're lucky that it's only a four-tailed Demon Fox. If it had five tails then not only would it not fear the flames, it could have even controlled them as well.
"What?!"
Sebastian broke out in a cold sweat. He had been running continuously and had made a bit of distance between him and the Demon Fox so he began conserving his energy.
He took a few mouthfuls of water from the river and began jogging. He wanted to stop and rest for a few minutes but he could feel the fox's gaze slowly rest on him each time he stopped.
"Can you tell me where you were these past few days?"
—I never left your side. You just couldn't hear me.
Sebastian was waiting for a reply like something along the lines of "I left your side for a few days because I had to rest and regain my power" or "I left for a few days to see if you can take care of yourself," but her answer was completely unexpected.
"Eh?"
—The stigma is powerful but do you know why it's called a stigma, a brand of shame, and not a mark or a symbol of pride?
Sebastian thought for a moment. The book that he had borrowed from the library did contain something like that but it seemed too unlikely to be true.
—It's because those who bear the stigma are constantly punished. They will be attacked mentally and spiritually by the stigma until it can be completely subdued.
Sebastian remembered the state he had just gotten out from. He had forgotten everyone and even Amy who had never left his thoughts. In fact, it seemed as if it targeted Amy and everyone else was just affected in the aftermath. He also fell into a state of despair and his mind was clouded. He thought it was just from fatigue but it doesn't seem to be the case anymore.
—You should be proud. You managed to get back in just a few minutes. Most take days, weeks, and sometimes even months. An unlucky few never break free and end up losing their lives. The stigma targets your mind's weak points, and for you, it's definitely that girl.
Sebastian's expression tightened.
"That means I would have forgotten her for the rest of my life?"
—No doubt about it. Not only would you forget about her, but also who you are. I would liken it to amnesia but in front of the state you'd be in if you had failed, amnesia wouldn't amount to much.
This meant that he had been this close to dying and become a shell of his former self.
—That girl is your biggest emotional support but conversely, she can also be your biggest weakness. You need to learn how to part from her completely, in thoughts and in actions, even if it's only temporary.
Sebastian stayed silent. Could he really do that? With each second that passed, it was becoming ever closer to the duel. He couldn't very well stop thinking about that, could he?
—You tend to overthink a lot for a human. The ones I know of act more on instinct without thinking about logic. But, you are the first human I know who thinks logically but follows his heart—you are quite the enigma.
Balanos' voice seemed warm, or at least that's how Sebastian felt.
She had been living inside that tree for who knows how long after all. To her, humans probably seemed like children, naive and fleeting.
"I think I've had enough of fighting beasts for a while."
Sebastian stopped moving and turned to look at the Demon Fox lurking behind the trees. He channeled half of the power in the stigma and covered his fist in flames.
He raised his arm and glanced at the Demon Fox.
"I'll kill you soon," immediately after he finished, he lowered his flaming fist on the ground and the flames spread to cover the immediate area.
If the Demon Fox wasn't this cautious of the flames, then he would've had to use the hawk to kill it but the chances that he'd even survive long enough to get to the hawk was abysmal.
If the forest is burning, then wouldn't there be people to go check it out? 『Inheritors』 who could deal with the situation might even be dispatched.
Sebastian took a look around the burning forest whose flames couldn't harm him. He raised his bow and took one of the arrows with bone arrowheads from his quiver.
He had aimed it at the fox but in the next instant, he curved his body and stepped back. He aimed to his right and released the arrow.
"Pyuu..."
There, a rabbit with sharp fangs was felled in one shot.
"These things should learn that they're not my match."
Sebastian sighed and began conversing with Balanos. If he moved fast, then he could get out of the forest by tomorrow. Because of what he did, he wouldn't be able to stay any longer after all.
"I guess that's one black arrow lost," Sebastian spoke dejectedly while turning his back on the burning forest.
Weekly Power Status
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