TBATE - Havaca Rises

Chapter 6 - It's (anti) Hero Time!

Six weeks have passed and, in that time, I've collected/made: 19 calabash canteens, 26 smoked fish, 8 smoked wild hog, 12 calabash bowls, 24 pimento peppers, 44 lychee fruit, 162 E rank forest hound cores, 78 D rank skitter cores and 54 C rank horned moose cores. During this period, I also manage to skin the hogs for their leather which I'll be using to make simple vambraces and greaves for Tess and me. Speaking of the troublesome elf, we should be meeting soon as my gut tells me sometime today, because of this I've been on high alert using my sonar for humans and children.

 "HELP! SOMEONE HELP! I'M SCARED, PLEASE DON'T LET THEM TAKE ME!!!" Jumping from branch to branch I followed the sound of Tessia's voice and just as expected FC 1(Fodder Character), FC 2, Pinky, and Duce.

Hmm, originally, I had planned to kill them all as quickly as possible but now I'm on the cusps of dark orange core and I can quickly conjure various structures whether it be walls or weapons. How to kill scum, 1) burnt to death 2) eaten alive 3) bleed to death, these were the most painful ways I could think of to kill these bastards. Yes, that will do although I have to wait until someone goes to feed the dog...

Time skip 7 pm

Finally, FC 1 is going to feed the E rank hounds. Without wasting another moment, I conjured a knife made of ice, slitting his throat and leaving him to the dogs. Then I ran straight to FC 2, before he could even react, I severed his jugular vein. At first, he stood still, not even registering what until his shirt got soaked in blood, a silent scream, and eyes filled with panic as he franticly tried to close his wound. "Haha, how foolish, that wound was made using wind mana unless a veteran healer is here you are going to die," I said in a cheerful voice, a huge grin on my face, eyes glowing with malice and releasing a strong bloodlust. Pinky and Duce being the capable fighters sensed my bloodlust and immediately rushed towards me.

"Don't you love when your enemies rush to their own graves?" I asked as I conjured an ice axe and threw it hitting Pinky (the mage) in the stomach. Hearing his friend scream in agony, Duce rushes at me in full force. "Idiot" I muttered under my breath as I use wind mana to increase the height of my jump, then fire to propel me forwards towards him. *Crack* A sound that would make your skin crawl echoed throughout the clearing as my foot made contact with his knee, the once-mighty Duce is now ground rolling crying his eyes out. "Mercy, mercy please I swear I'll become good, please let me live."

"Oh, and why would I do that?"

"Be-Because, I'll release the elf child, yes, yes I'll release the elf child if you let me live!"

"You really are stupid, aren't you?" I asked as I unleashed Amaterasu. 12 seconds was all it took for Duce to be reduced to nothing, not even his ash was left behind; I turn my attention towards Pinky and starting oozing even more bloodlust. "Wait, wait, unlike that moron I have something that is worth your time," said Pinky

"I'm surprised you can still speak, do carry on"

"Yes, this dimension ring has 13 white gold tablets that I stole from nobles over the past years and it also has 8 elixirs to help with mana core progression. Spare me and it's yours," he said.

"Okay, deal," I said, taking the ring off his finger.

"Wait aren't you going to heal me now!?" he asked as his face contorted in fear.

"Heal you? How am I supposed to do that? I'm a mage, not an Emitter." I said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"We had a deal!" Pinky exclaimed.

"I spare you and in exchange, I get the ring. You seem pretty alive to me so..."

"You...!" Before he could say anymore, I gagged his mouth with a piece of cloth.

Anyways I Have an elf to rescue, reigning in my bloodlust I climbed into the back of the carriage. Tess was huddled in the corner shaking in fear. "Hey it's safe now, I'm going to take you back to my hut and then we treat you for any injuries you might have gotten and then we'll plan from there, okay?" Receiving a nod, I picked her up princess style, and using both wind and lightning we reached my hut within seconds. 

"What was that?" Tessia asked.

"I used wind and lightning mana to greatly increase my speed."

"You're a mage!? B-But you're so young and what is this place?"

"Yeah, I awakened when I was three and this is my campsite. I'm Arthur Leywin, what's your name?"

"Tessia Eralith, it is a pleasure to meet you, and thank you for saving me."

"Don't mention it, now then do you have any injuries? I'm not a healer but I do know first aid."

"I'm fine"

"That's good you must be hungry," I say as I pulled out two fishes from Sylvia's ring.

"Thank you," she said in a slight bow.

"Please, drop the decorum and just be yourself"

"I will try"

Tessia and I ate our dinner in silence though I can see her periodically glancing at me. "Well, now that we've finished eating let's talk about how you're going to get home. Do you know how to get back to Elenoir?"

"Yes, but if I go alone, I can't defend myself from the mana beast in the forest."

"I thought elves were generally safe in the forest?"

"The mana beast only fears adults and there are some B rank ones that are more than capable..."

"... Would you like me to escort you home, Tessia?"

"Yes please, I'll make sure my father rewards you greatly for your trouble."

"Well then since we're now traveling buddies you can call me Art, it's what my family and friends call me."

"Then you may call me Tess," she said as her face brighten.

"Well Tess, we have a lot to do in the morning so let's get some sleep. This is the current limit of my magic so we'll have to share a bed; you don't mind, do you?"

"No of course not but am, Art do you mind If I hold unto to you?"

"Feel free, I promise I will always try my best to protect you from man and beast alike"

A smile graces her lips as she snuggles into my chest, "Thank you, Art," she says promptly falling asleep.