Seeing it shook them all.
The moment that pale, humanoid form stepped from the shadows and into view, terror clenched their hearts like a vice. Breaths hitched and knees trembled.
Even Ran, who had never encountered anything like this in his short life, instinctively understood one thing, this was not a beast, not a man, not a sorcerer. It was something else. A being radiating magic power so vast, so unnatural, that even the earth beneath its feet seemed to recoil.
It wasn't just powerful. It was incomprehensible.
'Comparable to the Patriarch of Bloodrune...'
That thought ran cold down his spine. And if he was thinking that, then what of the others?
Ran turned quickly.
Some of the more seasoned mercenaries, men who had fought beasts, warlords, and monsters were in a dread. Their faces were pale. Their hands trembled, weapons slipping from weakened fingers. It wasn't the stench of rot or blood. This thing's mere presence was breaking them.
The creature stood there with a wide smile like a maniac, stretching its face into something not entirely human. Eyes empty, cold, piercing into the soul.
Just looking into them made your skin crawl. Ran had to force himself not to avert his gaze, even as every instinct screamed to run.
But Geld was the first to move.
As the leader of this mercenary band, it was his duty to strike first vto set the tone, to give courage. Without a word, he pulled out his massive war axe, its blade gleaming in the dull light, and launched himself forward with a roar.
The axe crashed against the thing's face, bone crunching beneath steel.
But the creature didn't move and just kept smiling.
The sight made Geld recoil slightly.
"What the hell's so funny…?" he muttered.
But no answer came.
Kelt, ever loyal and impulsive brother, charged in from the side. His sword gleamed with enchantments as he unleashed a wide horizontal slash. The blade met flesh and passed clean through.
The thing was cut in half. Everyone froze.
"Is… is it over?"
"That… that thing was terrifying... but it's done now, right?"
"That smile… what was that smile?"
Ran, however, remained tense. He didn't speak. Something deep inside him told him the fight was far from over.
"L-Look! It-it got up!"
One of the mercenaries screamed. All heads turned towards where he was pointing.
Indeed… the lower half of the thing was rising. Legs stood upright without a torso, swaying unnaturally.
And from the ground, the upper half crawled toward it, dragging itself on its hands, using them like grotesque legs. It approached its lower body, grinning all the while.
Ran's stomach churned.
Muscles and tissues began to reattach. Bowels crawled into place as the upper and lower halves joined in a sick display of unnatural regeneration.
"How the hell is that even possible?!"
Kelt gasped, backing away.
"Keep your formation."
The men snapped into position, forming a protective perimeter around their leaders.
"Resonance! Now!"
'Resonance? What?'
Ran blinked in confusion.
A chant rose among the mercenaries. Words of old magic filled the air, ancient syllables rippling across the clearing. Blue light engulfed both Geld and Kelt, washing over them like a holy tide.
Ran watched in awe. Resonance, a rare group spell. He'd heard of it but never seen it. It was incredible.
Buffed and empowered, Kelt moved first.
With a roar, he leapt forward and slashed vertically, splitting the creature from shoulder to hip.
Geld followed, swinging his axe with all his might, the enchanted blade glowing as it made contact. The blow was so immense, so fueled by the spell's power, that it obliterated a large section of the surrounding forest.
And the creature was reduced to bits.
Chunks of meat scattered the ground. Gore soaked the grass. It was disgusting even for the seasoned warriors.
Several men dry-heaved. Some turned away.
Ran stood still. His guts were still telling his this was not over. So the quiet that followed wasn't relief. It was tension.
Suddenly, a single hand, twitching amid the carnage, moved. Before anyone could react, it leapt, grabbing a nearby mercenary by the ankle.
"H-Hey! What the fuck????? NO! HELP ME-"
But it was too late. The hand tightened. With a sickening snap, the man's neck twisted violently.
And there it was again. The creature fully regenerated, standing amidst the remains of its own body as if rebirth was a casual process.
"Shit, if this goes on, we'll all be dead. Retreat!"
Kelt shouted immediately.
"Everyone! FALL BACK! MOVE!"
Weapons were sheathed without any hesitation. The mercenaries turned and ran.
Even Ran, breath ragged, was thankful. He will always remember this day as worst mistake of his life.
As they ran, branches snapping underfoot, hearts pounding in their ears, the thing watched them go.
A creepy smile curved his cheeks.
"Void Magic: Absolute Stillness."
Its voice was smooth and eerie echoing as though it came from the devil himself.
The world stopped and time itself seemed to fold inward. Everything went silent.
Not even a bird's chirp. Not a gust of wind.
Everyone there were frozen but conscious. They couldn't move, blink or scream. They were trapped in their own minds, screaming silently.
The creature walked forward, its footsteps making no sound. It stood before the paralyzed group, smiling.
"Humans… now… it's my turn."