What I do Is None Of Your Concern

Wrock stood still as the rest of the party charged forward, not joining them. They would do fine, for now he would buy time to keep a certain level of pressure off their back. Strangely enough, or maybe it was predictable, the Chimeras only chased the party, leaving Wrock alone.

Turning towards the flesh wall Wrock held a grim look, "Now. . ."

A hand burst through the flesh, as if climbing out of it—and not through it—a Chimera revealed itself to Wrock. It had scythe-like arms, the head of a wasp, legs of a goat, and the body of an ant. Its body crackled with red heretic energy, and it tilted its head at Wrock.

"That's. . . much better.", it spoke.

"One of intelligence? Guess I don't mind have a chat."

"A messenger.", it tilted its head in the other direction.

"Me or you?"

"You or me?"

"I guess I was wrong. This guy's an idiot."

"Trespasser, you are always wrong."

Wrock took up a simple stance. It seemed this Chimera had a liking of battling in the art of tongue.

The Chimera righted its head, "No matter, no more sacrifices needed. Plan is complete, only village left."

"So something was heading towards there. . ."

Wrock quickly opened the group chat and prepared to send a message. The Chimera made a strange clicking sound, "You will become. No need for resist."

<Warning! >

<You have come across the Guardian of Heretic Heart!>

<Although it is recommended to flee, fleeing not possible!>

<Survive against the encounter!>

<<Perfected Chimera: A-3 (LVL: ???)>>

Just as Wrock formed half of the message the Chimera turned to a blur and aimed for Wrock's neck. Moving just barely enough Wrock managed to get away with a cut across his neck over being beheaded. The Chimera paused to check the dripping blood off its scythe arm before looking back at Wrock.

Opting instead for a simplistic message Wrock quickly closed out of the group chat, "I can't afford to do a dance, there's too much going on. So you'll have to excuse me."

"Missed, you missed?"

"Wrong."

Wrock delivered a powerful kick to the back of the Chimera's head. Yet to his distaste the Chimera ignored the damage and swung towards Wrock. With a leap back he landed and dodged the attack. Azure flame began to flow around him, for it became clear that his base strength was not enough.

If an evolved Chimera could withstand his base strength, then who knows what a Perfected one was capable of!

Tilia slammed a Chimera into the ground. With her body low Igneel took the opportunity to vault over her. Throwing a fist forward the space slightly warped. When it snapped back into place a shockwave blasted several Chimera into their comrades.

{Rending Heaven Fist}!

Kan'na swung her hands forward and several glowing lances pierced into the enemies. Her magic had to be simple and straightforward, there was too much pressure to create anything of a higher complexity. Not that it mattered, since the beasts were of a simplistic nature.

Tilia let out a breath, there was no end to them! Every Chimera knocked down was replaced with two others. At this rate their stamina would fall before they reached the end of the hall! Tilia half considered using her War Sight to push forward past them all, but that would leave her essentially defenseless if something was possible of passing through. Although she was skilled in bare handed combat, it wasn't near the level she held with a shield.

Igneel was holding out better than expected, before he couldn't properly fight against an A class Chimera. Now he was fighting several without being knocked out. Such quick improvement, it was no wonder he caught the eye of several people. Although perhaps this also had something to do with Umin?

Kan'na should be able to hold out with her MP supply. She has spent her entire time playing working towards improving it. Compared to her fights in the Gated Arena, this could be considered a test of endurance. However if Heresy impeded her ability to move mana, it might also affect her MP if it invades her body.

Yielya would be able to keep up with any damages done to them. Despite her hardly needing to work her healing was most likely still the best of players. She would hopefully have no problem.

Wrock is dealing with another threat, possibly one greater than the endless Chimeras. If they had to deal with it too, they most likely would make no progress. So what was this feeling of concern? Was it the chance they would be helpless? That there wasn't anything to rely on but themselves?

She grit her teeth, 'Even though I am to be your shield, I miss seeing your reliable back in scenarios like this.'

The missing puzzle to it all, the reliable Akiol.

~ ~ ~

Jarvis and Gear were currently at the top of the hasty earth wall. Gear was attempting to get a view of anything in the dark forest, while Jarvis was watching through the eyes of Bo.

Jarvis frowned, "Someone's approaching?"

Gear was startled, "Someone? Like as in. . . a person?"

"I can't sense anything from them, and it's too dark to get a good look at who they are. At least not through Bo's vision."

"Who-"

A tense feeling came over Gear as someone suddenly appeared next to them. A person dressed in black. Two swords rested in their scabbards, and a white mask with a singular black dot in the center.

Gear blinked and suddenly things changed. White and black energy swirled around the individual, as if fighting each other constantly, yet also moving in harmony. Above a massive shadowy figure formed, a crown upon its head. It slowly turned towards Gear and began to raise a bony finger. . .

"Dot!", Jarvis yelled, which snapped Gear out of his daze.

Dot moved his head towards Jarvis slightly, "It's you."

"Here to cause more trouble?!"

A sword flickered at a speed neither of them were able to react to. A lustrous black blade gently touched Jarvis' neck, "Calm yourself, if I wanted you dead it would've happened already."

Jarvis eyed it, "Then what are you here for?"

"What I do is none of your concern. Just know I'm not here to fight you, nor help with the inevitable."

"The inevitable? So you know something??"

Dot did not respond, rather he took a step and fell off the end of the wall. Landing with ease he walked towards the village. Gear acted quickly, jumping off the wall he landed in front of Dot, "Wait! I can't let you go to the village. You're a suspicious person, and if Jarvis reacted with alarm I don't think I can trust you."

"It does not matter."

Gear drew his sword, "Then I'll-"

Twang~!

His sword was knocked out of his hands and it flipped several times in the air. Gear only noticed when it landed in the ground. Dot gestured at the sword with a nod, "Pick up your sword, you dropped it."

Jarvis frowned, "Gear, that guy is out of your league."

Walking up to Dot he continued, "Listen, we haven't a clue what's going on. But we're not going to let this village be destroyed. So if there's anything you can tell us-"

"It's pointless. You cannot do anything. Leave the consequences to finish its course."

"Let's not talk like this, you clearly know something."

"Enough."

A pressure slammed against Gear and Jarvis. The heavy feeling made them kneel and prevented them from moving. Dot continued to walk past, "Don't try to stop me again. Else you'll have to figure out how to protect this place with just a head."

Gear struggled, such a powerful and fearsome person was walking towards the village nonchalantly? What would they do?

More importantly, why couldn't he protect them?

~ ~ ~

"An amusing duo.", Averoth commented as Travis walked away.

"They catch your eye?"

"That kid who tried to stand against you seems to have an intriguing ability."

"Oh?"

"I'm not entirely sure so I won't comment about it. However the other one has more than one Mark of Origin."

"Origin. . . why does that word keep appearing?"

"The start of all things, it holds more than you can imagine."

"Were you around for that?"

"Of course not, I was born around the time it all fractured."

"I see. . ."

Dot paused in the middle of the village, "So? Any luck?"

"The feeling is stronger, but still not precise enough."

"Hm."

Averoth touched the ground with his ghastly fingers, "How intriguing."

Dot did not bother to ask, for Averoth would usually change the subject anyway. Standing back up and dusting off his palms—despite nothing being on them—he asked, "Did you want to assist at all here?"

"I thought it was none of our concern."

"More specifically none of 'my' concern. However I cannot control what you do."

Travis shook his head, "No, I care not what happens here."

"Why not?"

"I have nothing to gain."

"Ha, I see. In that case we should make our leave. If you stay much longer you'll be wrapped up in this mess too."

"What's going on?"

"It seems like this place is calling the creatures of Heresy."

"A Raid. . . !"

Raids were usually something only Guilds participated in. Since it was too large scale for an average adventurer team to participate in. The fact that one was happening here. . .

No it didn't matter. Raid rewards are pleasant, but Travis was not short in anything. For now his priority is finding this 'key'. Moreover this whole situation seemed messier than he was willing to deal with. So with a shake of his head he asked, "Where's the next place?"

Averoth pointed in a direction, "That way, just a few more spots."

"Let's get moving."