Festival

As they made their way deeper into the bustling crowd, Auric couldn't help but notice the watchful eye of the knights upon him. Though he felt protected by their presence, it also made him feel a little self-conscious.

The villagers who were close by bowed and greeted Auric with reverence, causing him to feel somewhat uncomfortable. But he didn't let that dampen his spirits, and he encouraged everyone to enjoy the festivities without worrying about him. It was as if they knew who he was, perhaps because of his aunt?

Just then, Uncle Max arrived and joined their group, bringing even more energy and enthusiasm to the festivities. Together, they dove deeper into the vibrant atmosphere of the town square, eager to experience all that it had to offer.

The villagers were ecstatic to celebrate the festival that occurred once every six years. It was an ancient custom that had been followed for generations, passed down from the village elders to the younger generations, and followed without question.

The festival was held to celebrate the sealing of a curse that had plagued the village in the past. According to legend, a powerful curse had been placed on the village by an angry deity. The curse brought about famine, disease, and death to the villagers. The villagers had prayed to the deity for mercy and forgiveness, and after many years, the deity was appeased and the curse was lifted. To commemorate this event, the villagers had started the tradition of holding a festival every 6 years.

On the day of the festival, the villagers gathered at the temple near the village. They brought with them small vials of a fluid that was said to symbolize the curse that had been lifted. They offered the fluid to the temple as a thanksgiving offering to the deity who had lifted the curse. The temple priests blessed the offerings and offered their own prayers of thanks.

After the ceremony, the villagers held a feast to celebrate the lifting of the curse. They shared food, drinks, and stories, and the village was filled with laughter and joy. The festival continued for several days, with games, music, and dance. The villagers were grateful for the blessing of the deity and looked forward to the next festival in 6 years, continuing the tradition that had become a part of their identity.

When Auric asked his aunt what kind of liquid they offered, she replied that it was just normal water obtained from a cave near the village. They collected the water every six years, just a week before the festival, and the cave remained sealed at all other times.

But Auric thought otherwise; there was no way the water would be normal, in this world, which they use as an offering to the deity.

Auric had his doubts about the water. The water obtained from caves that drips water must have unique properties and characteristics. Maybe it lost its power due to time or perhaps the people here didn't know the value of it.

[ It is possible ] the system said.

"Well, it's a fantasy world after all," Auric replied.

The festival was going on smoothly. People were getting drunk, laughing, playing, and even a few girls who were somewhat courageous approached the handsome Auric. However, he politely rejected them, even though they were first-class beauties by Earth's standard. It seemed every girl in this world was pretty.

'But I don't have time for romance right now' Auric thought.

Looking at Auric, Aunt Lu smiled, unknown to him thinking about something. A few people who seemed like Aunt Lu's friends came and talked with her. Even Uncle Max was dragged by his friend to drink.

Auric remained there with Ellie, who was accompanying him. Even though her friends came to call her to play with them, she rejected them, saying she would be with her brother this evening. Sadly, they just agreed. Even though Auric told her to go with them, she outright rejected him.

Seeing that cute face she made when rejecting, Auric chuckled.

They sat near a shop to eat some kind of meat treat, which seemed similar to chicken skewers. They were eating happily when suddenly, the system alerted Auric, [ Boy, watch out!! ]

But before he could understand anything,

*BOOOOM*

There was a loud explosion that occurred near them, blasting everything...

***

A few hours back in the nearby abandoned house near Winding Groove.

"Did you check everything?" a man said in a bone-chilling voice.

"Yes, boss!!" two people who were in front of him shouted in response.

"Tsk, don't fucking shout, damn it!" the man, who seemed like their superior, said, exerting pressure on them.

"K-kuk," both the guys were having trouble breathing and knelt.

"S-Sorry boss," both of them replied in a low voice.

The boss cleared out his pressure on them and said, "Let's go now, it's time. And don't fuck up."

As he said that, he lowered his mask that was covering his face and smiled in a sinister way. Any normal man would piss his pants just by looking at his face that seemed even more dangerous with the big scar on his face that starts from his head, coming through his left eye till his lips. His left eye seemed fully white, and maybe he was blind in his left eye.

Looking at their boss, both the lackeys audibly gulped. Then they took all their equipment and went their way to the village.

They stopped on a hill near the village.

"Thorne," the boss called to one of his subordinates whose name was Thorne.

"Yes, boss?" Thorne replied.

"Go spread the Brew of the Abyss near the village and surrounding the village on the right side," the boss, whose name was Duval, said.

Nodding, Thorne went to do as he was told.

"And Drake, you on the left."

Both the subordinates went to do as they were told. They took the big bottles of the liquid and took off.

After some time, both of them came back, signaling that they did it.

Laughing Duval summoned his contracted beast, a formidable creature with a fiery red body resembling a bird, radiating with the power of fire.

Duval then communicated telepathically with the beast, issuing orders unknown to his two subordinates.

Next, he handed the creature a glass vial, carefully clasping it with his sharp talons.

The beast swiftly took flight towards the village, and what unfolded was beyond anyone's expectations.

As the beast reached the town square, where a festive atmosphere filled the air, it released the vial. Threads protruded from it, catching fire and igniting a chain reaction.

Auric and little Ellie were happily devouring their skewers when the vial suddenly burst, unleashing its contents.

Unbeknownst to them, the vial contained the dreaded Brew of the Abyss—a taboo potion, previously used by Drake and Thorne near the village.

**

The Brew of the Abyss was a perilous concoction consisting of rare herbs, dark liquids, and a trace of monster blood. Boiled and stirred meticulously, it transformed into a thick, black liquid that exuded malevolence.

Once prepared, the Brew possessed the power to summon monsters upon inhalation, owing to its potent scent. When ignited, it turned into a highly explosive agent, wreaking havoc and devastation wherever it was deployed. Its blast resembled that of a bomb, obliterating everything in its path and spreading the Brew's scent even further.

Due to its immense power and inherent danger, the Brew of the Abyss was deemed forbidden and prohibited in most nations. Its formula was shrouded in secrecy, entrusted only to a select few. Even then, its use was sanctioned only in the direst of circumstances, for it inevitably led to catastrophic outcomes and rampant destruction.

As the explosion erupted, everything was blasted into chaos. The flames engulfed the village, swiftly spreading like a sinister wave. When the fire reached the scattered liquid, spilled by the two assassins, brutal explosions ensued.

After a while, Auric groggily opened his eyes, only to witness a scene straight out of hell. A large, jagged wooden log pierced a knight right in front of him. The village was ablaze—houses, shops, and even people were consumed by the inferno. Cries for help echoed everywhere, mingling with the sounds of crackling flames.

Tears welled up in Auric's eyes, his head throbbing while blood trickled down his forehead. Without a moment's hesitation, he instinctively checked Ellie's well-being first. Fortunately, she had escaped any major wounds, showing only minor scratches, though she remained unconscious.

When the explosion occurred, Auric had shielded Ellie, seeking to protect her from the rubble. In doing so, the knight positioned himself in front of them, sacrificing his life as a sharp log impaled him.

Witnessing the fallen knight, tears streamed down Auric's face.

[ Kid, get a grip! ] exclaimed the system, sensing his overwhelming emotional turmoil.

Auric snapped out of his daze. "This isn't the time for that. I need to escape and find Aunt Lu and Uncle Max," he murmured, determination fueling his words.

Suddenly, a knight called out to him, "Young master! Are you okay!? Come with me! I'll lead you to safety."

It was Sir Thomas.

Blood trickled from his right eye, a deep gash marring his eyelid.