Online In Another World

There were a few silent minutes spent standing before the front gates, though there was no reason to go inside, at least not yet, according to what Asher told them. After some inspection, Asher and Emilio both found there to be no visible damage done to the integrity of the exterior chains.

“Doesn’t look like Amon has been here yet,” Emilio noted.

“That’s a relief…” Melisande breathed out.

Still, the darkly-dressed man wasn’t all too convinced as he stood up straight after kneeling to check the lower chains on the gate.

Asher turned around to face the others, “That’s unlikely.”

“How do ya figure?” Everett raised an eyebrow.

“When I encountered Amon, it was in front of these gates–that’s why we fought. I managed to repel him and gave him chase, but…I imagine he’s going to show up soon,” Asher said.

Sitting down on a large stone by the sealed entrance, the red-haired, hooded woman crossed her arms, “It’s the last day that we recruits are in Parmesus, so he’ll be forced to make his move sooner rather than later.”

“Urgh, I didn’t think of that,” Everett sighed, “So, we’re really set up for a fight?”

It seemed an encounter with the cold-blooded recruit hunter was an inevitability as all factors led to Amon’s arrival, leaving the group of five sitting quietly in the ominous atmosphere surrounding the Dread’s seal.

What stood as most troublesome was the nature of the surrounding area; frosted trees stood as a veil around the steep hills leading down to the embedded structure. Though untouched by the cold itself, the gloomy area was filled with its own chilly existence.

“Sylph. Salamander. Gnome. Undyne.”

Holding his hand out, Emilio gathered the four lesser elemental spirits to his palm, lifting his arm to send them to each corner of the area to keep watch. Even with their own five eyes observing the quiet area, nothing was ‘too careful’ when it came to life-or-death, and even further so when considering the malicious plan of Amon.

“That should be good enough,” Emilio brushed his hands off, watching the spirits scatter.

“Handy,” Asher remarked, watching as well.

“You can’t use magic?” Emilio asked.

The demonkin shook his head, standing beside the young Dragonheart in front of the gate while the others stood ready, “Magic is different in Ennage. Besides, with my System, magic isn’t necessary.”

“You’ve got one of those, too? Can I see it?” Emilio asked curiously.

“It’s not a toy…” Asher raised an eyebrow to him.

“Right, right…” Emilio chuckled.

There was one thing that still stuck out to him though as he looked at Asher: the fellow reincarnator was clearly older than him–in height and the mature appearance he had with a light scruff on his chin.

…Maybe demons just mature faster? He looks like he’s maybe in his early twenties, but Reincarnation Online was brand new when I got it…He wouldn’t have that much more time in it than me, right? Emilio thought.

Before their quiet conversation could continue, a subtle sensation caused those with the sharpest senses to react–Emilio, Asher, and Yuna all suddenly swung their gaze around, scoping the tree line around the sealed structure.

“Did you feel that?” Yuna asked.

“Yeah,” Emilio and Asher responded in unison with a nod.

Everett scratched his head, looking at the others who were alert, “Feel what? I mean, it is a bit musty around here, but…”

“Not that. It’s that bloodlust again,” Emilio held his staff tightly.

“Bloodlust? You mean–?” Melisande began to ask.

Asher answered, drawing his claymore from the scabbard strapped to his back, “It’s Amon. He’s here.”

They each grouped up, readying themselves and covering each other’s backs without a word needing to be exchanged. Asher saw this, glancing around in surprise at the natural coordination of the group.

“Let’s settle this! I’m not lettin’ that creepy bastard get his way!” Everett said, slamming the bottom of his shield against the soil.

In that moment, a chill flushed through the air, spiking the senses of those standing there as in an unforeseen arrival, the ominous figure appeared between the circled-up recruits.

There he was, crouched as if just having landed in the small opening between the surprised recruits: Amon. The black-haired man held his pitch-black blades in both hands, oozing a pure, unrestrained bloodlust from his pores.

“Settle this? On that, we’ll agree.”

“—!”

Reacting immediately, Asher, Emilio, and Yuna lunged in for a combined strike, though their blades only met the soil as the figure faded as quickly as they acted.

This speed…! He’s different, Emilio thought.

As he spun around after failing to land a hit on the eccentric killer, he faced Amon down, who stood atop the dreary hill, looking down upon the group.

“I should’ve known the sheep would stick together…” Amon spoke, holding a faint smile.

The recruit hunter was devoid of a shirt, running his fingers over his chest to reveal a peculiar magical seal that was inscribed over his heart.

“…Still, it only makes the slaughter that much more fulfilling.”

As Amon spoke, he pressed his fingertips against the humming, black seal on his chest, revealing a ‘lock’ that he turned like a gear to activate the dormant spell etched into his body. It was as though Amon was unlocking the limiters on his own body, as he turned the moving seal on his body, the more his aura spiked.

“What is that!?” Melisande asked.

“…I don’t know, but I doubt it’s any good!” Emilio responded.

Just as Emilio chose to fling high-speed fireballs in the direction of the killer whilst Asher and Yuna dashed to close in on the still target, Amon’s body shifted.

The air vibrated around the recruit hunter as he fully turned the magic-made seal on his chest, causing it to unravel and spread across his skin like flowing, black tattoos.

Amon’s muscles bulked, then tightened, compressing and causing his veins to bulge against his pale complexion as his body moved like a blur, forcing his hair to stand up as if electrified.

“—This is it! I’ll use it all! For my mission!” Amon announced.

[“Chaos Throttle”]

The young Dragonheart recognized the sensation coming from Amon, though it was on an entirely different level than what he was used to, looking upon the cold-blooded killer whose body twitched like a blur with the slightest movements.

This is…reinforcement!? Just what kind of spell was inscribed on his chest? It’s like an adrenaline rush of mana! Emilio thought.