Chapter 20: Pathetic Elf

The scout teams moved cautiously through the thick mist, their torches flickering against the grey fog.

Leading them were Professor Archwood, Graham, and Hasmon, accompanied by an army of knights.

"I hope they're safe."

Professor Archwood muttered, tension gripping his voice. Professor Hasmon, walking beside him, sighed.

"Thankfully, there haven't been any monster attacks at this time of year."

He glanced around the fog-covered trees.

"Neither do I sense any creatures nearby,"

"They must be safe."

——————————————————

The claymore swung straight through Ray's neck.

SHING!

Sparks erupted. Bones burned, Fcrohelas licked his blade, expecting the taste of flesh.

"Huh…?"

His grin vanished. He looked up—Ray was standing still, completely unharmed.

No trace of the deep cut on his neck. Ray slowly twisted his head, his expression cold.

"You were right, elf. I am no human."

Fcrohelas gritted his teeth.

"Tch—"

He thrust his claymore, aiming for Ray's abdomen.

CLANG!

Ray parried with his dagger—

SNAP!

His dagger shattered on impact, fragments of metal embedding into the bone-forged claymore.

Ray was barehanded.Fcrohelas smirked. He launched a karate chop, aiming to shatter Ray's ribs—

But—

CRACK!

Ray grabbed his arm mid swing— And snapped it.

"Guh—!"

But before Ray could capitalize, Fcrohelas's arm instantly healed. His body flared with dark energy, and he countered with a devastating punch to Ray's gut.

BOOM!

Ray flew backward, his body skidding across the snow, leaving a long trench in his wake.

"Healing..."

Ray clenched his fist, his mind racing.

"Wait…Mages?"

CRACKLE!

Thunderbolts screamed toward him from behind. Ray twisted his body.

SLAM!

With a single palm, he deflected the lightning. But—

A sharp pain in his right ribs.

WHOOSH!

Ray was launched sideways, crashing through tree after tree.

THUD!

——————————————————

The elven soldiers closed in on the ice barrier. It was shaped like a cone. Mages appeared, their camouflage magic fading. With a wave of their hands, Fire erupted, melting the ice.But—

As the ice melted away, something else was revealed inside.

A second layer.

A massive rock dome.

The elves screamed in frustration. Swords shattered against the rock. Magic explosions barely left a scratch.

"Ngyaaaaahyahyaa!"

Their voices echoed in rage and desperation.

——————————————————

Fcrohelas followed the trail of destruction, stepping over splintered trees and crushed branches.

His eyes scanned the area.

"Non-human, open your ears."

His voice was low, threatening.

"You made a mistake. I will spare your life. Just give up. The humans are meant to be eaten."

Silence.

Fcrohelas's grin widened.

"Ah… strategies cooking in the pot, right? Cook all you want. You can't beat me."

He dashed. Ray, just standing up, barely had time to react—

BOOM!

Another devastating attack. Ray was hurled even deeper into the forest. Until—

CRACK!

His back slammed against solid ice. The lake. Fcrohelas strolled forward, stepping onto the frozen surface.

"Don't you want to know how your little humans are doing?"

He laughed.

"My soldiers will tear their flesh apart, alive. They will be tortured."

His eyes gleamed.

"And.. Raped"

Ray's expression darkened.

"You... pathetic."

Fcrohelas froze, Something snapped in his mind.

"You pathetic lowlife."

"Kill yourself, pathetic child."

"I wish I never gave birth to something as pathetic as you."

"A pathetic weakling like you shall never lead our tribe."

"Pathetic."

"Pathetic."

"PATHETIC!"

His eyes turned pitch black, His pupils burned red. Fcrohelas twitched.

"I am not pathetic. This world is."

With insane speed, he swung his sword at Ray's neck, It didn't cut. But the force sent Ray sliding across the ice.

"I KILLED THAT PATHETIC FAUL!!"

Fcrohelas screamed, his rage boiling over.

With a furious roar, he hurled his claymore at Ray. Ray's hand snapped up, catching it.

CRACK!

He crushed the massive weapon into dust. Fcrohelas snapped.

"HOW DARE THAT PATHETIC WOMAN GIVE BIRTH TO ME IF I'LL NEVER BE OUR LEAD?!"

BOOM!

A devastating punch to the lungs. His body rocketed across the ice, smashing through frozen chunks of water.

Fcrohelas' body began to grow, his veins thickening and darkening like pulsating roots of corruption. His breaths were ragged, his pupils dilated with uncontrollable rage.

"HOW DARE THAT FILTH LET THAT SLUT LEAD US?!"

He roared, his voice shaking the frozen air. Ray watched him carefully, his mind racing.

"I need to use his anger against him."

As Fcrohelas lunged, Ray turned and dashed in the opposite direction, formulating a plan while avoiding direct confrontation.

"YOU KNOW WHAT I DID?!"

Fcrohelas shrieked as he chased him down, his speed increasing.

"I KILLED EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM! THAT WORTHLESS FATHER, THAT PATHETIC MOTHER, THAT DISGUSTING WHORE!"

Ray barely paid attention to his words, his mind focused.

"Yes… that's the plan. Run, throw the piece, guide the claymore piece to his throat, make ice guillotine then behead him."

Without stopping, he slammed his hand against the ice beneath him. Sharp spikes erupted from the ground, aiming to slow Fcrohelas down—but the elf barely stumbled, stepping over them as if they were nothing.

In an instant, he crashed into Ray again, pinning him down with monstrous strength.

Fcrohelas slammed Ray's head into the ice, the impact echoing like cracking glass. Blood dripped from his own frenzied eyes, his mind consumed by madness.

He pulled out his dick, A Sinister smug spread across his face.

"I'll take my pleasure from your body."

He growled....But before he could act, something pierced through his back.

Sharp claws.

A monstrous hand gripped his head, pulling him up like a ragdoll—then crushed his skull with a sickening crunch.

Ray gasped for breath as the weight was lifted off him, but his relief was short-lived.

Now, the monster loomed over him.

It was a Frostbane Walker—a towering beast with the head of a lion, a humanoid body covered in thick white fur, and talon-like feet made for hunting in the snow. Its crimson eyes locked onto Ray as it leaned down, sniffing the very essence of his scent.

Then, in a deep, guttural voice, it spoke.

"Greetings, Friend."

Ray froze, He thought.

"Friend?"

The beast inhaled deeply once more, then exhaled as if piecing something together.

"Your appearance is different… but that scent. You are the Friend."

Ray said nothing. The monster sniffed again before nodding.

"I see. So that's how it is."

With that, it released him, stepping back.

Ray brushed the snow and blood off his clothes, his jacket stained beyond repair. Without hesitation, he tossed it aside.

The monster turned away, its deep voice resonating once more.

"Human, moving on is not about forgetting. It is about accepting your story… and continuing to live."

Ray watched as the creature walked into the shadows of the forest, its presence fading like mist.

——————————————————

Without wasting another second, Ray sprinted back toward the caravans.

The elves were still desperately trying to break through the dome of rock he had created. But their weapons shattered against its surface, and their magic failed to make a dent.

Ray didn't hesitate. He tore through them, breaking their skulls one by one.

Once the last enemy fell, he touched the rocky dome. The barrier crumbled away, revealing the unconscious students inside.

Kneeling beside them, Ray checked their pulses. One after another.

"None of them are strong healers."

His hands moved quickly, searching for anyone capable of restoring his broken bones.

Then Mizuko. Ray lifted her delicate hand, checking for traces of magical energy.

"She's better than the others."

Without hesitation, he pressed her palms against his chest. A soft, ethereal green light glowed from her hands, and Ray's eyes flickered with the same energy.

"Sorry for using you without permission," he muttered.

Warmth spread through his body, Restoring his strength. He flexed his ribs—no pain.

Satisfied, Ray stepped outside. The battlefield was covered in corpses and blood-stained snow.

With a single touch to the ground, he created a massive pit. One by one, he used walls of ice to push the bodies inside, burying the evidence of battle.

Once everything was secured, he returned inside, sealing the doors. Finally, exhaustion took over. He collapsed onto the bed, his mind clouded with thoughts.

"How long will it take for the humans to find us..."

He closed his eyes, draping an arm over his forehead, listening to the silence.