ll Ensnared ll Chapter 7

The air was unsettling, Lyriel had felt it. It was unlike anything, even after the footfalls stopped. Cautiously, he rose, turning around to face the distant hooded figure. A cloud passed briefly over the moon and a temporal dimness overtook the forest. So were the gentle winds, carrying a thousand chills. But the young man was too distressed to heed.

Lyriel's gaze searched around the figure as they narrowed.

Blood-red robe belonging to the figure fell, fraying into tattered edges that didn't touch the ground. Shadows covered its legs. Five long digits of raven-like claws had exposed from the laxed sleeves, networked with several lines of thin, pulsing veins, and the tip shone fiercely under the moonlight.

A little breeze blew above its head and the red hoody fell... revealing a faceless head. Pale. Its mouth had a stretch to both ends of its face. Adorned with huge, blade-sharp fangs that could effortlessly tear any flesh into tiny shreds. Blood stained the corners of its lips belonging to its fallen prey.

God's...

Lyriel stared with wavering heart. Stepping back, he fell in deep silence.

Every single detail was like a twist, a knot inside Lyriel's insides. His skin had suddenly developed goosebumps, and it wasn't from the cold.

Was he supposed to fight this?

This —He should have just avoided bathing today, if he'd known life was going to serve him a parting letter!

Retracting another step, Lyriel mentally mapped any possible means for escape. A soft groan came from the lady behind him.

The creature advanced. Its shrilling sound grew—fangs scraped against each other hungrily. Uglier. The claws on both sides of its body grew extensively longer. Sparks and scratches bounced off as its tip jarred against the earth. Its lips moved into a ravenous grin that devoured the man's fear.

Lyriel was scared, yes. But he wasn't planning on dying yet.

He summoned Aether's bow shortly after the beast's cries. He planned to create a distraction, buy time for both of them to flee, when...

Ping!

A notification pinged. A familiar silver holograph message appeared and blocked his view.

[[ Special Task; Kill the Valaith within seven minutes... Weak point: Its forehead.]]

[[ Rewards: 9exp, 7strength, ?? Consumables; 3 Mana Stone. 1 health potion]]

[[Failure: player would grow blind for five hours]]

A timer hovered above his view as the seconds were already ticking!

What? Lyriel had to restrain himself from cursing out loud. In fact, he almost went mad. If he were like any other person, he'd literally be throwing a fit right now. Surprisingly, he was calm. Calm and seething as his thoughts ran wild in his head.

'A damsel in distress, a hooded creature similar to death, a broken system after his life and sight... Sighs... What could possibly go worse?'

The dark-haired lady rose, hands resting above the smooth surface of the grey stone. Determination burned across her pupil as she balled her fist. The air shifted, black mana moved and weaved, coming together right above her right palm, condensing into an object. As the mana remnant distilled, a shiny reel of dark, crystalline chain coiled around her wrist. The dangling, speared-head chain faced the ground.

She supported herself forward, staggering as she minded the stone across her path. She winced at the pain on her sides. Her silver-haired rescuer seemed a bit troubled, she had to assist him. After all, it was her fault he was in trouble too.

"Stay back. You're hurt." Unfortunately, the man turned down her offer before she could reach his side. He had other plans.

The words were calm and soft...

Unaware of the lady's confused look, Lyriel stared ahead with a devious smirk, fingers tugging the string of the light bow. Three minutes was gone. He didn't have much time left. He fired straightly before the Valaith's next step, aiming at its chest. The glowing arrow uninterruptedly pierced into the beast's chest and blended into its skin.

However, as soon as Lyriel's next arrow aimed for its forehead, it turned hostile. Sharp claws shredded the arrow into air. The system was right! In the next second, the Valaith charged forward with the speed of light, at Lyriel. A dent forming from where it leaped. The ground cracked brutally. Lyriel was only a hairbreadth to have missed those sharp claws. Watching the cleaved silver hair strands of his hair flutter past him, Lyriel finally realized its edge. And it was just like he'd calculated... Speed. A lethal speed Lyriel could barely meet up to!

Lyriel conjured a dagger, spun it as soon as he found the opening for a crucial strike. Come on.

Neck tilted, the Valaith evaded the strike and instead clawed at Lyriel's waist. It instantly drew blood. Haunching over as pain coursed through his nerves, Lyriel held over his bleeding injury and hissed painfully. It fucking hurt. His tunic dyed in red. The Valaith seized his crudeness and dashed onwards.

It barely moved—a snakelike chain shot and weaved its hands and legs in a swift, curling motion, growing tighter, restraining its movement. Holding it in place as the beast shook severely.

Grunting, the young woman struggled to keep it from moving. She trembled under the chain's tremor.

And Lyriel's timer ticked. Six minutes had gone...

The last minute, the young man finally lifted his head—silver eyes, as steel as blade. Lyriel didn't need to be told twice. Aether's bow appeared once more as its string was nocked briefly, a large amount of mana infused on its tip.

Through the air with a swoosh, through the beast's forehead, a sickening shriek reverberated around the forest. The Valaith didn't bleed as a sizzling force enveloped its body. Bones creaking, flesh charring.

A carcass of embers.

The carcass crumbled into dust, red mana slowly fading into the air like a bloody incense.

Ash floated like snowflakes.

[Ding!]

[Special Task completed: Kill the Valaith within seven minutes ]

[Player gained, +9xp, +7strength, +Consumables: 3mana, 1 health potion]

[Ding! Player has levelled up!]

[LvL 3]

[Would player like to view his status?]

Piss off! Lyriel bent over on his knees, heaving as Aether's bow vanished into light flurries. His body slightly fidgeted and he ignored the system's notification. Just now, he felt his life flash before his eyes. Was he that weak? This creature? That woman? Truly, this new world never ceases to amaze him!

Looking past his shoulders, Lyriel asked the dark-haired lady with low breaths, "Are there more of them? These things?" If there were more, they had to leave quick.

"A dozen..." Dark eyes squinted, she answered.

Low rustles gradually came from the far edges of the forest. Lyriel quickly stood. Though he was weak, he summoned his weapon again as he shot several arrows into the trees. Afterwards, he grabbed his cloth and began to assist the lady. Moving into a nearby thicket.

Closely, he led them far enough until the shrieks were barely audible. The air thrived in relief as their chests soothed. Neither of them spoke as they followed the narrow path leading to Lyriel's home. Orange beams of vivid light welcomed them at the shrine's front yard—All paper lanterns lit. A fireplace now burning at the usual corner. A ball of floating furball dashed out from the inner room and agilely alighted on his master's shoulder with a proud look. Kar licked his master's cheek and chuffed lightly as he shifted his attention to the person escorting him. Snarl.

Lyriel only shot Kar a questioning look, climbing the shrine's stairs. He didn't question his hostility. However, he wondered how Kar lit the lanterns and the fireplace. How did he do it? His suspicions of this little creature were getting quite interesting!

He hadn't realized the woman's amused look as he ushered her into the shrine's room. Or as he ushered her onto the fur bed he'd usually slept on before he left.

A few minutes later, Lyriel reappeared with a red-coloured vial he handed to the woman who hesitatingly took it. Coupled with how their fingers brushed each other, a delightful jolt sparked within him. Like a kindling fire surrounded by gale. It wasn't just him. She must have felt it too.

No, Lyriel shook his thoughts. He was just overthinking. Falling for a total stranger at first sight? Not him. After a traumatic heartbreak? Definitely not him!

"Thank you."

He yanked from his thoughts as the alluring voice entered his ear. He quickly withdrew his hand's connection on the vial, staring down at the woman beneath him. "..."

"Thank you for saving me..." said the dark-haired lady. Holding the vial tight in her grip, she paused. "Mr...?"

It took a few seconds for him to process.

"Lyriel," Lyriel chipped in. "Call me Lyriel." Smooth...

"Well, Lyriel, thank you for saving me... I'm indebted." The rings of her dark eyes licked the orange glows within the room as it shone. The dark-haired lady expressed her gratitude all while staring at Lyriel's face, tasting the name on her lips.

At this point, Lyriel could view the woman's face clearly. He couldn't deny it. He was ensnared.

It was oval, the shape of petals, well sculptured like the artist had spent his entire life in crafting every curve—every dent to perfection. At the very least of bestowing a name. The strands of her hair fell in waves like a waterfall of midnight threads. A crown of everlasting darkness. She had a rosy, pale skin that warmed under the light. A heavenly shaped body. Lips as red as rose. Her eyes... A mix of purple-flecked black. Held so much mystery Lyriel was lost in them. Lyriel desired to possess them to unearth what secret they held.

Eventually, he backed out. It shouldn't be like this...

"You're welcome." Lyriel leaned back and strode to the shrine's entrance, the same time the moonlight penetrated. Something dark corroded his mind.

"But I'll expect a much more interesting settlement."