The Support Party

Going back to that time when Avyzhia just left to look for Ashrain. Nero started filling in the others about what he thinks is going on.

"You remember how sometimes the Guild Master sends us to do special missions for the guild? My guess is that he gave Avyzhia one, or to be more specific, the other Avyzhia, and he didn't tell her about it."

"What exactly are you talking about?" 

Dheyniz, being the guild master's apprentice, would, of course, know about the special missions Nero was talking about. What she doesn't understand, however, is this other Avyzhia that's making him clearly on edge.

"Are you saying that Avyzhia has a dual-personality or something? Are you making fun of us?" Rosette was indignant at the idea.

"If only it were that simple." Nero sighed. "This other Avyzhia is a psychopath. Honestly, I don't know why the master would want her debut to the guild like this."

"What do you mean by a psychopath? Does this have something to do with what you made her promise earlier? Are you serious? Did she really- "

"I'm serious. Why do you think she'd been kicked out of our previous guilds?"

"What do you mean kicked out? Didn't you leave your previous guilds yourselves?"

"I left those guilds because they kicked her out," Nero explained. "she hadn't reached the qualifications for Emblem that time, so Teiran couldn't recruit her even if he wanted to. I was the one who had to look after her myself."

"But she doesn't really look like it..." Mertyla was clearly skeptical. It was an obvious reaction, but it won't be for long…

"Yes, which makes her more dangerous. Although not many people know about it, I'm telling you, the reputation she has is not just an exaggeration. In the field, she doesn't distinguish between ally and enemy, though there's a high chance that we'll be fine as long as we don't provoke her. Nevertheless, make sure to bring recovery potions as much as you can, not for us but for the others."

"F-Fine. Let's just say that what you're saying is all true… You said worst case scenario we have to subdue her ourselves, how to we even do that?"

"A Priest's max-level Songfroid Hymn is the only thing that could completely stop her, but not many possess that nor have the aptitude for it in the first place. The only thing we can do is use debuff skills and tire her out. It has worked before, although it's quite dangerous."

"If only Jeila was here..." Rosette doesn't really want to believe it, but either way she really wished that the High Clergy was with them today.

"We could also try to reason with her. Nobody's that unreasonable."

Nero just sighed at Mertyla's attempt to be positive.

"Everything's going to be fine. We have a lot of strong members in the guild, I'm sure- "

"That's what we have to avoid at any cost. I don't mean to offend but, you're not even on the level for her to take seriously... that's why she was assigned in this party. Strong people are her weakness."

"You mean, she would try to fight them?"

"If that's only what she would do, then I wouldn't be telling you all these…"

"So… "

"Not only would she provoke them, but she would also want to end them. And with how the personalities of Emblem members are, you know how it'll turn out." 

The trio could only agree in silence. They've been in the guild long enough to know that these people are not the kind to back down from any fight.

"If things gets out of hand, either she'll get kicked out again or Teiran kills someone from Emblem himself."

Back to the present, Dheyniz and the others stopped in their tracks when they saw Nero's signal. 

It had been about half an hour since they had been in pursuit of Avyzhia. Starting from when she suddenly bolted away from the group the moment they arrived in the field where the event would take place. It was as Nero expected. 

True, they still had doubts about Nero's claims then, but the longer they tried to catch up to her, the more anxious they became. And for good reason.

Up ahead, they saw somebody standing in the middle of a clearing. That scene itself shouldn't be a cause for concern. If only that somebody was alone.

Upon closer look at the surroundings, they saw a couple of unmoving bodies covered in blood and wounds. Dheyniz almost vomited at the sight and thick smell of blood, and she was sure that Rosette and Mertyla were, too.

Nero slowly approached the clearing, already knowing who it was even though the said person had their back on him and carefully called her name.

"Zhia..."

Slowly, the person in the middle of the clearing turned around, and the sight of her shocked and sent chills down their spines. She was covered in blood, but she had this exhilarated expression on her face as if she'd just been through the most amazing moment of her life.

The scene before them, however, is not amazing, nor does it deserve to cause someone to have such an expression. It was both very gruesome and frightening, and the sight of her looking like she enjoyed and lived for being the cause of it all makes all of Nero's words an understatement.

In fact, just being in Zhia's vicinity is already suffocating them. Even Dheyniz, who is known for her courage and perseverance, unconsciously took a step back, and her whole body started to tremble. She's way better than Mertyla and Rosette, however, who both already fell on their knees and couldn't even raise their heads to at least look at the cause of it all.

"You're here!" Zhia greeted cheerfully, waving her bloody Katars excitedly. "What took you so long? That's not good. You're slacking, Neochie-pocohie. See, I already finished the first batch by myself." 

Zhia shook her head in disappointment, like playfully scolding a friend for being late to a party and missing the good food. 

"You should've seen my performance, I danced through the air as blood splattered everywhere... Aaahhh~ the smell of blood... the taste of blood... the feeling of flesh and bone on my blades as I slash on them..." 

As Zhia started licking the blood on one of her Katars, she looked like she was in a trance of pure ecstasy.

To the others, though, she just looked like a crazy cold-blooded psychopath.

Nero was still horrified by the scene. Even though this was not the first time he'd seen it, he was already expecting it. There was blood everywhere, not to mention a hand, an arm, and a foot here and there. 

On the positive side, at least none of them seemed to be from Emblem. Still, the damage done to these victims is beyond what any human being should be capable of, especially in such a short time. 

Some of them would probably have to give up on being an adventurer for life, just like all those adventurers who were unfortunate enough to have come accrossed Zhia before.

"Don't give me that look. As promised, no one's dead... yet." She declared proudly. "I promised Teiran not to cause trouble and get kicked out... or at least try~"

"If that's the case, then why do it in the first place?"

"Awww~ don't be like that Neochie-Poochie. It's been so long, you have to let me have some fun. Don't you feel sorry for me?" She gave him puppy dog eyes. "I'm even giving you a chance to save them. See I'm really trying. Ah, but if you do try to help them then you won't have time to follow me around. Too bad." 

A dark, cold, and cruel smile appeared on Zhia's lips. Letting them know that this was just the beginning.

'Cratus Chains'

Nobody noticed it until after the skill hit Zhia.

It was a debuff skill exclusive to the Mechanic class that immensely lowered the target's attack power for a significant duration. Although Mertyla wasn't sure if it would even affect Zhia, she had to try at least even if it's taking all of her just to fight off the suffocating aura surrounding them. 

The lives of innocent people are on the line here, even if they're from the opposing guild.

'Seeds of Terra'

Having the same feelings and in the same situation as Mertyla, even Rosette tried to take her chances, throwing in a skill that would slowly drain away the target's stamina. Although it doesn't take much, the effect lasts until either the target receives a Sacrament Heal or loses consciousness.

"Pfft." Zhia let out a very loud, crazy laugh. "Oh Hekyesta, this guild is really something! No wonder you guys want to stay."

It was almost too late, but Dheyniz managed to block Zhia when she suddenly tried to attack the casters of the skills. Even then, she could barely hold off the Demon Blade's continued blows.

Dheyniz couldn't believe how strong Zhia still is even after the debuffs. In fact, it seems like the longer the exchange, the heavier Zhia's attacks are becoming. To the point that every hit was as heavy as a boulder that she felt like her shield would break at any moment. 

"Heh~ so this is the strength of the guild master's apprentice? Nice~"

Dheyniz was about to fall on her knees when Nero stepped in and started parrying with Zhia instead, and with a burst attack, managed to push her away."

"Enough, Zhia."

"But they started it." Zhia pouted childishly.

Nero just glared at her.

"Cheh. Fine. I'm not that bored to pick on some baby chicks who couldn't even properly stand on their feet."

Dheyniz and the others were trembling, if it weren't for Nero they'll really be in trouble or worse... dead.

"But I'm still bored." The glint in her eyes were that of a predator excited for her next hunting spree. "So~ See. You. A. Round."

As if she was never there, Zhia suddenly disappeared.