Ch:6 Support mage Alchemist’s Will Not Fall

"Umm—ahh—err…" Dila fumbled, her words tangled as she sat in the knight's arms, still trying to make sense of the moment.

The knight chuckled warmly. "You trying to say something, or just practicing vowels?"

Dila's face turned even redder. She looked away for a second, biting her lip. Then she shook her head quickly and took a breath. "Y-Yes! Sorry—I mean, I just remembered something important."

She met his eyes, her voice steadier now. "It's the Veil. I need to destroy it. That's what's keeping the infected demons and all kinds of monsters respawning."

The knight's smile faded into a serious expression. "The Veil, huh? Then we better find it before it causes more damage."

Dila gave a small nod, clutching her staff tightly. I may not be a fighter like I used to be... but at least I remember what I have to do now.

Dila blinked, her brows furrowing slightly. "Wait… I thought you didn't know about the Veil. The NPCs in this world never mention it."

The knight tilted his head, looking genuinely puzzled. "NPC? What's that supposed to mean?" He scratched his chin thoughtfully. "As for the Veil—everyone knows it shouldn't exist. It's unnatural. Of course it needs to be destroyed."

Dila froze for a moment. He doesn't understand what NPC means… Her eyes widened slightly, but then she quickly forced a smile.

"Ah, nothing!" she said quickly, waving a hand. "Just… something I used to call people who didn't talk much."

The knight raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He just nodded, his expression unreadable.

Dila glanced away, her cheeks lightly flushed. "Umm… can you please put me down?" she asked softly. "And, uh… could you not press so hard on my thighs?"

The knight blinked, startled. "Ah—sorry! It's just a habit of mine," he said with an awkward laugh, gently setting her down. "Forgive me."

Dila looked up at him, a small smile tugging at her lips. Hah… he's definitely a man. Maybe he's never really dealt with girls before. He seems so nervous…

The knight scratched the back of his neck, still smiling sheepishly. "Haha…"

The knight adjusted his sword and looked at Dila seriously. "Can you lead me to where the Veil is? I'll need to bring a priest with me to purge it."

Dila shook her head. "Nope. I can purge it myself."

The knight blinked, caught off guard. "What? Only a priest can do that," he said, almost chuckling. "Have a rest, girl. Leave it to the proper class."

Dila narrowed her eyes. "I said I can purge it—and faster."

He stared at her for a moment, then crossed his arms. "I don't believe it."

"Huh… a lady?" Dila blinked.

She took a step back as her eyes landed on the woman approaching—a beautiful priestess in elegant robes, probably in her mid-twenties, with soft curls and a graceful aura.

"Wow, she's cute," Dila thought, biting the inside of her cheek. "She must be around twenty-four."

The priestess smiled sweetly and wrapped herself around the knight's arm. "My hero," she said softly, "how are you today?" She leaned in closer, resting her cheek against his shoulder. "Don't leave me again…"

Dila's expression stiffened. Her gaze turned cold.

"So clingy," she muttered under her breath, folding her arms with a blank stare.

The knight's eyes widened as his mouth opened slightly. "Wh—whaaat?"

The hero laughed awkwardly. "Hahaha… um, kid? Mind guiding me to the Veil?" he asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

Before Dila could respond, the priestess stepped forward with a sparkle in her eyes. "Wooow! So cute!" she squealed, suddenly pinching Dila's cheeks.

Dila's expression stayed flat, her blue eyes unamused.

"A real elf too!" the priestess continued excitedly. "Elves are so rare these days! With lifespans from 1,000 to 5,000 years—oh, this is amazing!" She looked absolutely thrilled, rambling like a giddy scholar.

The knight cleared his throat. "Alright, that's enough," he said, gently pulling the priestess back.

The priestess finally let go.

Dila rubbed her sore cheeks, her eyes narrowing into a squint as she winced slightly. Oww… that hurt, she thought, annoyed but staying quiet.

As they began walking through the rubble-strewn town, the priestess asked, "How are we even supposed to find the Veil?"

Dila answered calmly, "Just follow me."

She glanced away, thinking to herself, I just need to activate my passive skill again... Eavesdrop. Her ears twitched slightly, honing in on faint magical pulses. I kind of forgot where I find it before, but I'll hear it eventually...

They weaved through collapsed buildings, shattered stones, and broken tiles until they stopped in front of a house—one strangely untouched by destruction. A dark, violet glow oozed from within, pulsing ominously.

The priestess immediately covered her nose. "Ugh! That rotten stench... This Veil is awful."

Dila turned to her, a bit surprised. "You can smell it?"

The priestess gave a proud nod. "Of course. We are peacebringers of this world. We can sense what is pure—and what reeks of corruption."

The hero knight stepped forward, his tone firm. "That's enough talking. Let's move."

"Hmph! So harsh..." the priestess pouted, crossing her arms. "You never let me have fun."

They stepped inside the house.

The air turned thick—choked with an unnatural darkness. Every corner swallowed the faintest hint of light.

The priest raised her staff. "Holy Light," she whispered, casting a glow that radiated softly around them. But even her magic struggled here. The fog was heavy, dense, like the shadows were alive, refusing to let light slip through.

"No good," the hero muttered. "Can't see a damn thing."

Dila's voice came out low and certain. "It's downstairs."

She pointed toward a stairwell at the far side of the room, half-hidden behind a warped door and clouded in even thicker mist.

Dila coughed lightly, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.

"You okay?" the hero asked, glancing over his shoulder.

"I'm fine," she replied, her voice slightly hoarse but steady. "Let's keep moving."

They descended the creaking stairs, the fog clinging tighter with every step.

Suddenly, the priestess squealed, "W-Waah! This is scary!" She darted behind the hero, clinging to his back like a frightened cat.

The hero sighed internally. So dramatic...

Dila glanced back at the priestess, her expression unreadable. "You're the one who can smell evil, right?" she muttered under her breath.

The priestess's expression shifted—no more nervous pouting. Her face turned solemn. "It's getting stronger," she said quietly.

Dila nodded. "You're right."

"I can feel it," the priestess continued, her tone now serious, steady. "The dark energy that corrupted this world... and its people."

Their steps echoed as they reached the base of the basement. The air was heavy—choked with a malicious presence. Twisted vines of shadow clung to the stone walls, all leading to a central, pulsing crystal embedded deep in the earth. Its color bled a sickening black-red, glowing and throbbing like a heart poisoned by hate.

Suddenly, Dila's chest tightened—thump. Her breath hitched. Her knees gave out, and she collapsed to the ground.

No… my mana's too low... I can't resist the corruption in this form.

Back when I played Berserker, I could absorb it... but now I'm just a support mage… this is bad.

She trembled on the cold floor, her palms pressed weakly to the stone.

"Kid!" the hero and priestess shouted in unison, their eyes wide with concern as they rushed toward her.