The Stalking Bear {2}

"Growl~!"

The bear came charging towards us.

"Genesis, can you distract it?"

We dodged to the side as it crashed into the bushes.

"Huh? Why?"

"I have a plan, and it might take a while."

"Sure, how long do you need?"

"A minute at least."

"Ok."

So Genesis ran past me and got the bear's attention.

Before I was going to break down any trees, I needed to know where the sun was. I looked up into the sky; it looked like the sun was on the west, so it looks like I'm going to have to break the trees in the west.

Genesis was distracting the bear. It looks like their speeds are matched up, but I don't think she can hold it for that long. It's time I got to work.

Maybe a few trees can get the job done.

I got into a stance and placed my hand on one of the trees. Then I activated my Divine Chain-mail.

Flash!

[ATK RAISED⬆]

[DEF RAISED⬆]

[RES GREATLY RAISED⬆]

[AGL REDUCED⬇]

Bbbmm~

My aura suddenly became visible. My blue fiery aura slowly grew larger and larger.

Then I recoiled my arm and a large blue reptilian-esque spectral arm appeared behind me in the same position as my arm.

"Divine Dragon Buster!"

Wham!

Both my arm and the spectral arm struck the tree. Nothing happened at first, but then in a few seconds, almost all the trees in a 10-meter radius were blasted away.

Flash!

The bright sunlight beamed against my armor, and now the area was lit.

Good, this should take care of the bear now.

I turned around expecting the bear all weakened, but things did not turn out how I wanted it to be. Turns out while I was busy destroying the trees, the bear had caught up with Genesis and now she was on the ground with cuts all over her body. Just how powerful was this bear?

I looked at where the bear was and it was still in the shadows, despite me lighting up most of the area.

The bear was approaching Genesis. It was going to eat her. This is bad.

Genesis threw her daggers at the bear in a panic. The bear was unaffected and continued to approach her. A terrified look appeared on her face.

I deactivated my armor and quickly rushed at them.

Shit! This is bad, I don't think I can make it in time.

I quickly used precognition and peered into the future.

As soon as the 5-second mark came, the bear would have swiped his claws at Genesis and she would be torn into pieces, just like the wolf. After that, he would go after me.

Shit, I have no choice.

I stopped, and my body began emitting this strange blue glow.

Then I snapped my fingers.

[MP: 20593/75900]

Tick.

[MP: 20340/75900]

Tick.

[MP: 20195/75900]

Looks like I can do this for about 2 minutes.

Oh yeah, I haven't explained to you what this ability is. This is one of the few skills I can do with Luce Infinita. This skill drains 100 to 300 mana per second. It may look like time has slowed down around me, but to others, I am moving at the speed of light. Yes, I am so fast that they are not able to see me even move.

A second for me is one-hundredth of a second for others.

Now, I need to move Genesis out of the way.

I ran up towards Genesis and picked her up, then I carried her to the area the sun had lit up. Now, I return to normal speed.

[MP: 19704/75900]

Tick!

The bear crashed into the ground once more. It got onto its feet and scanned the area. Then its eyes met with mine.

I gulped. It's going to charge at us again. And all that fighting got my stamina down.

[Stamina: 29403/340000]

How did I even manage to waste that much?

No wait, it's not just because of my movements, it's also because of the damage I took. When I take damage, not only my HP goes down but some of my stamina as well. What is my HP?

[HP: 49130/543000]

A decent amount. But I think if I took even one of its attacks, it might put me in the red zone.

The bear growled, then it jerked its head away.

"Heh heh."

I knew it, it won't even step out of the shadows. So it looks like light is its weakness. Now I know exactly how to beat it.

But first, is Genesis ok?

I looked at Genesis and the bleeding wasn't that serious. She was running out of strength, though. But I can help with that. I grabbed her wrist and used recovery magic. Recovery magic isn't just for personal use, it can be used on others.

[MP: 17204/75900]

That should be enough mana to take care of that bear.

I gripped my sword and then placed my other hand on the blade.

"Sword of light."

Glow!

The sword emitted a bright glow, and then it was wrapped in light.

The light illuminated brightly, and the bear noticed. It turned towards my attention and started whimpering. It tried cowering away, which revealed its open stomach. Ha, not so tough are you now?!

I ran up towards it while activating my Divine Chain-mail.

[ATK RAISED⬆]

[DEF RAISED⬆]

[RES GREATLY RAISED⬆]

[AGL REDUCED⬇]

"Die!"

Schunk!

I penetrated the middle of its body with the sword, and the light entered its body.

"ROOOOAAAARRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!"

The bear roared in agony as its body began glowing.

Oh shit, is it going to explode? That's not good.

I kicked it back, freeing my sword, and I ran towards Genesis who had just woken up.

"Lucian?"

I grabbed her, and I brought her closer to me.

"L-Lucian?!"

Pa!

My wings immediately sprung out from my back, and I wrapped us, using it as a shield.

Boom!

"Ack!"

The bear exploded, and guts flew everywhere. Not only that, but the explosion may have struck my wings.

Tti-ring!

[You have slain a Stalking Bear.]

[You received 20852300 xp.]

[Level up!]

[Level up!]

[Level up!]

...

[You are now level 114.]

Now that I remember it, I should've equipped the Slayer of Beasts title. This would've ended faster.

When the smoke cleared, I helped Genesis up, and she looked at my burnt wings.

"A-are you ok?"

"Y-yes. Don't worry, it's just my wings, they'll heal gradually."

Even if my fire magic damage increased, my resistance to it will stay the same.

"I-I see. Ouch!"

"Are you ok?"

"Y-yeah, it's just my legs, I don't think I can walk that well."

True, she was limping, she had cuts on her legs and on her arms, luckily they weren't deep well except the one on her ankle. For now, I'll just give her some bandages. Maybe when we get back, she'll get healed by someone in the infirmary.

I looked at Genesis in the eyes. Her beautiful eyes, they might even rival Yuki's.

Genesis noticed, and she began blushing.

"Wh-what are you looking at?"

"Genesis, can you turn around for a second?"

"Huh? Why?"

"Just do it."

"Uhh alright."

As soon as she turned around, I grabbed her by the legs and then carried her.

"Huh?"

"You can't walk, right? I'll just carry you."

Her face was bright red, and her eyes were looking all over the place.

I looked up at the sun. It was just about to set.

We were walking down the hill towards a village. The village is where we're supposed to get our verification note.

"Lucian."

Genesis said with a shy voice.

"Yes?"

"Y-you know you didn't have to shield me, I am half phoenix so I'm technically fire-resistant."

"I know that, but your also half-human, you aren't fully fireproof so you still would've gotten hurt. I can't have you risking yourself getting burned, can I?"

Genesis looked away, knowing I was correct. The sun was now over the horizon, now it was getting dark.

"T-thank you."

"What?"

"Thank you for... saving me."

***

We decided to stay at a nearby inn so Genesis can rest up and I can regain my stamina. It was kinda cheap, 6 bronze coins for 2 rooms. My mother gave me 10 bronze coins and 10 silver coins as a starter.

I purchased 2 cups of hot tea and walked down the hallway towards Genesis's room. As I opened her room, she was resting on the bed reading a book.

I handed her a cup, and she took it, taking a few sips.

"How are your injuries?"

"There...alright."

"I see. Get some rest, we're leaving tomorrow morning."

"Mmm..."

A few minutes later I was lying in bed.

So tired. It's kind of cold, but it's not autumn yet. Autumn is almost here, so I'm going to have to resort to long sleeves.

Well, time to sleep.

I blew out the candle and closed my eyes.

A few minutes later, I heard a knock on the door.

Knock-knock~

"Huh? Who is it?"

"It's me, Genesis."

"What are you doing out of bed?"

"C-can I sleep with you?"

Sleep? With me?

Shit, I'm not wearing a shirt though, where's my shirt.

"Lucian?"

"In a second."

She ignored me and opened the door. She was in her pajamas and she was hugging her pillow, looking at me.

...

...

"Umm..."

Genesis ignored me and sat on my bed, trying not to look at me.

"Why are you here?"

"I-I can't sleep."

Could she be traumatized by the bear? She did make a horrified face after she threw her dagger at the bear.

"Can I sleep here?"

She looked at me with a flushed face. Cute...

"S-sure."

Genesis took the inner part of the bed while I slept outside. I gulped, I've never slept with a girl before, not that kind of sleep, I mean sleep, sleep.

"Lucian."

"Yes?!"

"I like you."

...

What?

.

.

.