Ch. 9 I underestimated you

The long wound that had appeared on Ash's waist instantly healed, closing itself within a matter of seconds.

"How did he manage to land a slash on me?" Ash murmured, a flicker of genuine surprise in his eyes. "It's impossible; he was standing right in front of me. How did he...?" A moment of contemplation, then his eyes widened in realization. "Wait... it's not impossible."

A slow smile spread across Ash's face once more. "Now I understand. You were releasing your curse energy excessively into this barrier so that you could create a slash anywhere inside it."

A faint hint of surprise flashed in Maw's eyes. "I appreciate it," he said, a rare note of grudging respect in his voice. "You're very clever. You instantly grasped my plan without much thought; that's a skill not everyone possesses. But now, how will you dodge my technique?"

This time, slashes erupted from every direction, converging on Ash.

"You think you can kill me with these tiny tricks?" Ash scoffed, utterly unfazed.

Ash raised his hand and snapped his fingers, a soft click echoing through the dense darkness of the barrier. "REVERSE," he commanded.

Suddenly, all the incoming slashes vanished. In the same instant, Maw's entire body was painted crimson, hundreds of cuts and slashes appearing all over him. His body parts fell to the ground in fragments: his hands, his legs, all reduced to countless pieces.

"Oh!" Ash exclaimed, a genuine note of surprise in his voice. "I didn't imagine you were going to unleash thousands of slashes on me. I have to admit, you're not an ant; you're a more bigger insect than ant."

The severed fragments of Maw's body lay scattered. His single eyeball, dislodged and resting on the ground, seemed to gaze directly at Ash, a horrifying sight. In the very next moment, all his body parts began to levitate in mid-air, then swiftly rearranged themselves piece by piece, regenerating simultaneously with their healing. In mere seconds, Maw's entire body was whole again. He bent down, picked up his two eyeballs from the ground, and with an unnerving precision, placed them back into their sockets, fitting them perfectly. The sight was truly fearsome.

Maw remained silent for a moment, his gaze focused, his anger momentarily replaced by a chilling calm. "Forgive me for one thing: to underestimate you."

The scene shifted to Yuki's clan's temporary residence, the grand palace. Inside, a panicked atmosphere reigned. Yuki's father, Ryu, was a whirlwind of frantic activity, gesturing wildly, shouting orders to those around him, his fear palpable.

"Put this on the teleportation machine!" he roared, pointing. "Wait, you fool, not there, there! You, go and call the A-rank healers! I'll give them all the money they want! My daughter is in danger!"

A lady standing before Ryu bowed apologetically. "Sorry, Master, but A-rank healers are not available as of now. We can only manage a B-rank medical unit."

"Ahhh, those wretched bastards!" Ryu exploded, frustration etched on his face. "The Aetheris Clan gave them a whole three percent of their budget, and this is what they're giving the Aetheris Clan in return?!"

"My apologies, Master," the lady reiterated. "But S-rank and A-rank healers have already been secured by the Major Clans."

"Hmph..." Ryu sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Do what we can, but I want my daughter alive! If my daughter dies, then those clans had better be ready for the consequences!" The lady hurried away.

A calm voice echoed from within Ryu's body. "Ryu, calm yourself. According to Yuzuki, your daughter is alive, but her legs are fractured."

"Yoshiko," Ryu addressed the voice within, "ask your sister about Yuki's health."

"Don't worry about it," Yoshiko's voice responded. "My sister knows some healing magic, so she will not let your daughter die."

"I hope so," Ryu murmured, his voice filled with worry.

The scene shifted again, this time to a room within the castle where Ray lay sleeping on a large, luxurious bed. Suddenly, his peaceful slumber was violently broken. He shot upright, his eyes wide with a panicked alertness.

"What is happening outside?" he whispered, his senses picking up the commotion. "These voices, this disturbed energy flow everywhere... I can sense tension and panic in the air."

He threw back the covers, slipped on his shoes, adjusted his clothes, and then opened the door. Outside, he saw people running back and forth, appearing to be preparing for something urgent.

"What is happening here?" Ray asked a passing person. "Why are they running?"

Strange voices echoed in his ears from all directions: "Hey, what are you doing? Do it fast!" "Bring shields and swords from the castle's war-room!" "Prepare nature crystals! We'll need extra support!"

Looks like they're preparing to go somewhere, probably to war, Ray concluded. He began to walk through the bustling palace, searching for a familiar face. Soon, he spotted Aya, one of the caretaker assigned for Ray.

"Aya, wait!" Ray called out, quickening his pace to catch up with her. He reached her side, slightly breathless. "Do you know why all these people are in such a hurry?"

"Don't you know...?" Aya began, then remembered. "Wait, I forgot you were in your room."

"What happened?" Ray pressed, his heart pounding with a sudden premonition.

"Actually, the Curseuman that was unsealed on the battlefield was so strong that he sent hundreds of Spirit Possessors and Curseumans flying just by his presence and aura," Aya explained, her voice rushed. "But some were able to bear his presence. Princess Yuki was one of them. Princess is highly injured, along with many others on the battlefield. We are sending more support and a medical unit there!"

Having delivered the shocking news, Aya hurried away, disappearing into the chaotic movement of the palace.

After hearing this, Ray's body froze like a statue. A torrent of thoughts flooded his mind.

Yuki... she... she is injured! A cold dread seized him. What will happen if Yuki dies there? What will happen to me?

Suddenly, Ray slapped his own face, hard. What are you thinking, Ray? She must be alright.

The thoughts swirling in his mind were the exact opposite of the emotions contorting his face. Outwardly, he was visibly terrified and panicked. All sorts of sad feelings and anxieties were clearly etched upon his features.

Breaking his long silence and stillness, Ray finally spoke, his voice filled with desperate resolve: "I have to do something, or I will lose the most dear person to me. I have to go to the battlefield along with them!"