My eyes widened at the sheer power her attack produced. I had never read about a character with dual abilities, mastery over two separate elements. Who exactly was Elira, and why was she so strong?
"Beatrice, are you alright?!" She rushed to my side, supporting me by the shoulder. "What is that creature? It didn't even take damage from my attack."
We both stared in terror as the monster straightened, its body twisting like a soaked cloth wrung out. Beelzebub leapt back onto my shoulder; I could feel his tiny body heaving, already exhausted.
"So cute!" Elira gasped, her hands reaching for the hamster.
"Not the time." I pushed her hands away, stroking Beelzebub to calm him.
"That creature is called a Howl," I said, eyes locked on it. "It can't be killed by normal means. Can you pin it down with your abilities, even for a moment?" Blood dripped from my brow, stinging my eye and clouding my vision. I had to focus, I had to strike that weak point, or else we would all die here.
"If it's just holding it down… I might be able to buy you two seconds. Is that enough?" she said, her voice steady as a bowstring.
Only two seconds? I can't miss…
"Thank you. Stay behind me and help me bind it. I'll make my move now... when I give the signal, bind it for me. Beelzebub, this hamster, will attack from the side to distract the Howl. Don't be afraid when I disappear for a split second. That's my skill."
"Alright, I got it!" she replied, her voice full of determination and seriousness.
My fingers twitched, and the acupuncture needles danced in the air, darting too fast to track. I sent nine of them straight toward its face, forcing the creature to shield with its twisted arms. The moment it faltered, I shouted, "Now!" and used {Shadow Step}, vanishing forward in a blur.
The Howl froze under the crimson moon's light, as if a veil of scarlet had bound it in place. Blood threads spread across its body, twisting and binding it in place. It was as if Elira's power was tied not only to blood, but to the very element of nature itself.
For a moment, I nearly lost focus. This girl, Elira… just who was she? None of this matched the book. She was too strong, too much of a genius. A flicker of jealousy stung, but with my system, I had no right to complain.
The last needle obeyed the twist of my finger, piercing deep into its side, aimed directly where its heart should be.
"AAWWOOOO!" The howl ripped the night apart. The forest shook, leaves stripped from branches, my ears pounding like drums. Dizziness crashed over me, hollowing out my senses.
A blurred system screen flickered into view, but I couldn't even read it. Blood poured from my mouth as my knees buckled. I hit the ground hard.
But the Howl was down too, sprawled on its back, showing no sign of life.
I tried to stand, but my body refused. Something soft pressed against my cheek, as if to comfort me. Another figure appeared in front of me. I believe it was Elira, her face tight with worry. She was speaking, or trying to, but my ears rang so loud I couldn't hear a word.
Time slipped away. I couldn't tell if it was a second or an hour. I drifted in and out of consciousness. Some mysterious power worked inside me, trying to mend the damage, but I barely clung to awareness. Something warm and delicious slid down my throat, Elira's blood probably, but even that failed to restore me.
Am I going to die? I didn't want to. My story had just begun. This world was cruel, frightening, but I had started to find it… entertaining.
At least I did it. I killed a beast even Hera would have struggled against. For that, I was proud.
But the town… I had to go back. I couldn't die knowing innocent people would suffer because of me. Call me weak, call me stupid, but I'm a doctor by nature. I don't want to watch people die. That's my calling, saving them.
I pushed myself up, ignoring Elira's hands trying to keep me down. Even if my world was nothing but darkness, I had to move. I felt a little better—no, not really—but I was ready. I refused to believe there were creatures stronger than the Howl.
The system screen flickered again, a little clearer this time. The text was still hazy at the edges, but I could make out enough to understand it fully.
[Congratulations! You have killed a demonic creature - Howl]
[You have leveled up - {LVL 13}]
[You have leveled up - {LVL 14}]
[You have leveled up - {LVL 15}]
[You have leveled up - {LVL 16}]
[You have received a new title: {Demon Slayer I} (+5 to all stats)]
Before my eyes, the system window revealed just how much I had grown. It showed me I had the strength to fight, and that alone gave me the will to rise, even if my body felt like a broken doll.
[Name - {Beatrice Vermelion}]
[Race - {Vampire}]
[Combat Level (LVL) - {16}]
[Age - {18}]
[Strength - {48}]
[Magic - {46}]
[Mana - {50}]
[Mana Regeneration - {43}]
[Agility - {46}]
[Body Regeneration - {68}]
[Mind Defence - {40}]
[Combat Enhancement - {42}]
[Exclusive Class: {Blood Surgeon Lv.2}]
[Titles: {Savior of the Enemy}, {Blood Surgeon}, {Demon Slayer I}]
[Traits: {Gourmet's Tongue}]
[Skills: {Healing Touch}, {Shadow Step}, {Surgeon's Scalpel}]
[Weapon: {Crimson Acupuncture Needles}]
[Summon: {Beelzebub - Vampiric Hamster (Mythic)}]
I hadn't noticed it before, but now the screams and the clash of battle shook the city behind the forest. It had begun.
"Let's go…" I whispered, wiping the blood from my lips with the back of my hand. Elira grabbed my arm.
"You can't! Not in this condition! I'll go, I'll fight for my people. You must stay here. If you go… you'll die for real this time. I— I can't lose you too, Beatrice… please…" Her eyes begged me, heavy with fear, but I refused.
I tore my arm free and called for Beelzebub. He obeyed instantly, though I could feel a strange sadness in him.
"You're coming, or not?" I asked, giving Elira one last glance. Her eyes brimmed with tears, but she nodded and followed.
I couldn't run, but I forced myself to walk fast, step after step, until the flames came into view. The city that had once flourished was now a graveyard of fire and screams. Countless demonic beasts tore through people; some fought back, others died trying to flee.
A few stood strong, cutting down the monsters, but the horde was overwhelming, far larger than I had ever imagined. Perhaps it was because this place stood at the border, the most dangerous land to settle.
"Save those who can't run! Kill the monsters and demons!"
A familiar voice rang out. I turned my head, and there, in the heart of the burning city, stood a young woman. The one who had cut off my wings, the one who had barely escaped my scalpel.
Hera, the heroine. My fated nemesis.