Chapter 192: The Monster Veiled By DivinityI didn''t even have to hear the rest. I sprinted like never before.

    ("No! Please! Elisse!") [Solace]

    I rushed into the forest, running so fast that it felt like even the wind couldn''t keep up. I was worried that I wouldn''t be able to find the path back to the divine beast, but my worries were unfounded.

    ("There it is!") [Solace]

    It was clear as day to me. Mostly because there were trees moving out of the way.

    ("Please! Let her be safe!") [Solace]

    I ran down the path, placing hope into my heart. Though, my worries increased as I saw signs of previous meals on the way. Torn dresses hung on branches I passed by, stained black with mold or yellowed with time.

    ("How many victims...?!") [Solace]

    Seeing that only made me run faster. My heart quickened thinking the worst. With only a few more minutes of running, I saw it.

    "That''s...!" [Solace]

    A creature unlike one I have ever seen. A head like a feline, but had horns like a ram. A body covered in thick black and white fur. There was a swirly pattern on its body, radiating some sort of power. Even the tail was different. Lengthy, versatile, and had a sharp tip at the end like a bladed whip. There was no need to even doubt it. That was the divine beast.

    ("Where''s Elisse?!") [Solace]

    Was my last thought until my eyes were drawn to the divine beast''s teeth.

    "This can''t be..." [Solace]

    I saw a dainty little arm dangling from the divine beast''s- No, monster''s teeth. I didn''t even think to figure out what to do. I attacked.

    "Release her!" [Solace]

    I casted |Enchant Flame|, |Enchant Lightning|, |Reinforce|, and |Burning Fist| to strike it. Even if that arm didn''t belong to Elisse, there was a chance it was her. My fist slammed into it. Or rather, some kind of invisible wall surrounding it?

    ("A barrier?!") [Solace]

    The invisible wall repelled my attack, causing my frustration to build up.

    "I don''t have time for this! |Piercing Blow|!" [Solace]

    I hit the invisible barrier as hard as I could, causing the beast to cough up whatever it had in it''s mouth.

    ("I did it!) [Solace]

    Was what I thought before horror and fear sank in. What I had expected was perhaps Elisse coming out, but all that came out was the arm. Sёarch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ("Was I... too late?") [Solace]

    The arm. It still oozed fresh blood.

    "Warning: Your mental state has fallen drastically. It is highly recommended to retreat to a safe space." [Spirit Guide]

    The beast. It smiled as if mocking me.

    "You have gained |Experience|. |Experience| limit reached. |Mental Fortitude| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]

    My rage. It felt hotter than the sun.

    "Warning: A divine beast has targeted you. All stats have dropped by fifty percent." [Spirit Guide]

    My strength. Waning unlike my will.

    "I''ll kill you." [Solace]

    I lunged. Like a beast, I let my emotions take over. However, the divine beast slammed me into a tree with one lash of its tail.

    "Argh!" [Solace]

    The tree broke, but I did not. I stood.

    "You have gained |Experience|. |Experience| limit reached. |Temperance| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]

    I rushed in without thinking. I saw the tail come again, so I dodged.

    "Huh?" [Solace]

    Something felt missing.

    "Oh." [Solace]

    It was my arm. I didn''t fully dodge the tail. It didn''t matter anyway. An arm was a small price for a divine beast''s life.

    "Warning: You have lost 25 percent of your total health. Bleeding has been inflicted." [Spirit Guide]

    I closed the distance and continuously hit it''s barrier with |Piercing Blow|. The beast staggered from my skill and retaliated with a deafening roar.

    "Urgh!" [Solace]

    It had so much force behind it. From just a simple roar, it felt like I was getting torn to shreds. It even threw me farther than its tail whip did.

    "Warning: You have lost a total of 57 percent of your health. Bleeding is still active. It is highly recommended to retreat." [Spirit Guide]

    The spirit guide was right. From what I could see, I was missing an arm and cuts had appeared all over my body. There was blood everywhere.

    ("...Is this my limit?") [Solace]

    That wasn''t the real question. Will I stop knowing that?

    ("No. I can''t stop.") [Solace]

    I needed... No- I WANTED to kill that beast.

    ("I WILL avenge Elisse.") [Solace]

    That was until something struck my chest.

    "Ah." [Solace]

    Looking down, the sharp part of the divine beast''s tail had pierced my chest. Or more specifically: my heart.

    "Warning: You have taken a fatal blow. Health has reached zero." [Spirit Guide]