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The squad went inside the cave deep down still with no signs of monsters.
"Something's wrong. There's no monsters ever since we came here. Gran, felt he earth and give me results."
"Hey, what? I...I can't do that."
"You can. Just place your hands on the ground and try to be one with it. You'll feel each movement. Although the clarity and range depends on the user's magicule."
Gran did as I instructed and he started feeling something. I can do that with my feet but I want them to earn this.
"I feel something up ahead."
"Good."
At his words, we navigate through the cave to our destination. That 'something' weren't alone. It was a pack of wolves, the so-called 'star wolves' I supposed.
"I'll leave it to you guys."
I flipped and sat on top of a rock, observing.
"Don't worry, I won't let you die."
"O..ok."
"We've got this."
Despite the fear in their eyes, they charged into battle.
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Someone has been following us all along. No matter how skilled they are, they're can't hide form our eyes.
I ignored it, my gaze focused on the team's poor performance as the wolves surrounded them.
"Honestly, I'd like to see them grow."
I murmured, throwing some rocks at the wolves, trying to divert their attention.
"Hey, over here."
I waved, throwing more and more to the point of frustration.
As animals, they successfully took the bait, they always do. They just had their prey cornered yet they're all charging towards me. Animals indeed.
The six wolves rushed simultaneously towards me.
"Fire Arrow."
Magic circles sparkled, shooting flaming arrows scorching the ones I deliberately targeted.
"You. You didn't move yet you took them all out!"
They were astonished by my actions.
"Remove the fangs. We'll.."
Before I could finish my sentence, another wolf appeared behind me, its fangs and claws ready to take me out.
"Hey, watch out!"
"Baaan!"
Sakura screams out of her lungs. They looked out for their companions, that's good.
"Opps, you scared it away."
I replied.
Sakura opened her eyes only the wolf was gone.
"Heh?"
She didn't believe it but had no choice, but Eliot and Garn saw everything.
The wolf was inches away from taking his head. Suddenly, a firewall erupted burning it to cinders.
"Now get the fangs."
They took out all the fangs as instructed and we headed deep inside the cave.
Deep down was another cave. With the goal to clear the task, walked in. I was surprised at how big it was.
"It's almost as big as the coliseum where Ban and Yuuki fought."
"Yes."
"Be on guard. It's too suspicious not to have any monsters here. "
"Ok."
"Gran, do it again."
I instructed him but nothing...
"Huh? There's nothing in here."
He replied.
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I thought.
"No one should move."
I ordered, the muscle head opened his mouth to speak but was silenced by a roar that came from the ceiling. A giant dragon-like creature with no wings landed on the ground with a heavy thud.
"Tha... that's a drake!"
The brains pointed out.
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"Everyone stand back. I'll end this quickly."
"Enhancement Magic."
Using this, I increased my strength and agility before dashing towards the drake with a punch. Not surprisingly, it was ineffective because of its tough scales.
It has the defence but it couldn't keep up with my speed. I took a halt, spreading my palms.
"Fire Wall."
A wall made of fire encircled the beast.
"Fire Lances."
Flaming spears ignited in mid-air, hurling themselves toward my target. The moment they struck, a violent blast erupted, shaking the entire cave to its core."
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It roars, still alive. It took damage but wasn't fatal.
"Eliot, create a barrier around the drake."
"Why?"
"Just do it!"
"Magic Barrier."
He chanted and was at his limit already due to low stamina.
"I... I can't hold it for too long"
"That's enough time. Firestorm."
I snapped my fingers triggering an outburst of flames from within the barrier. My storm was too much for the barrier as it was about to explode too.
"Earth Wall."
Gran unleashed his Earth Wall which covers the barrier containing the fire. From within, I slowly extinguished the flames making it seem like Gran's Earth Wall contained it.
The flames ran out and the wall collapsed and behold, a well-cooked or burnt drake.
"Damn. Burned it too much I guess."
I teased and they all laughed together.
It's over, but not on my end.
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"Show yourself. He one who's been following us all along."
MMy companions had no idea who I was speaking to, and the target himself froze, stunned that his cover was blown. He turned to flee, only to sink straight into the mud trap I'd laid beneath his feet.
"I won't repeat myself."
I said, closing the distance between us.
"Unless you'd prefer I let you drop all the way to the earth's core."
"Wait, wait, wait, don't kill me please."
It materialised, a man in a clown's outfit, mask painted with a single teardrop beneath one eye.
"Who are you, and why are you follow—"
The words died on my tongue. Instinct seized me, cold and vicious, dragging goosebumps across my skin. I spun around and found myself face-to-face with a black-clad human sized doll.
It didn't move. It didn't need to. But I need to make make the first move. Yet, before I could react, a single touch landed on my chest.
Darkness swallowed my senses. My consciousness slipped, untethered, and I was gone.
THIRD PERSON POV
His squad recoiled instantly, fear ripping through them at the sudden turn of events. Not one of them dared to breathe as Ban vanished on the doll's touch.
"Im...impossible!"
"I didn't detect any movement."
"Bannn!"
Gran took the first step, standing between his fellow adventurers and the doll.
"It's pointless Gran that's... hat's an arch doll, an A rank monster."
No one was expecting this sudden appearance but I guess they knew something like this would be lurking in this mountain.
"What's this thing doing here?"
The doll turned around facing the team.
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The clown thought as he struggled to free himself.
Meanwhile, the trio, barely F to D-rank now stood before an A-rank nightmare.
The doll lifted its hand, releasing a volley of magic bullets. Gran slammed his palms to the ground, an earth wall erupting to shield his friends but it was a trap.
In a blink, the doll vanished and reappeared behind them, hands glowing with a sinister pink aura. Its claws swept forward, aiming straight for Sakura's spine.
"Watch out..."
Eliot lunged without hesitation, shoving Sakura out of harm's way only to take the full force of the strike himself. The blow carved straight through him, from shoulder to thigh. Blood poured in sheets, his body collapsing with a heavy thud, unmoving.
Gran roared and charged, sword flashing as he tried to drive the doll back. Sakura dropped to her knees beside Eliot, hands trembling as she poured what little magic she had into his wounds. She knew it might not be enough. She knew it might already be too late.
But she refused to stop.
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She cried for help.
Gran was nothing more than a crawling blur to the demonic doll. In a single flicker of motion, it severed his arm and sent him flying with a ruthless kick. With the last obstacle removed, it turned toward Sakura, its final target.
Before she could even gasp, the Arch Doll was already upon her. A high-speed kick sent her crashing back, and flames erupted from its hand, scorching her limbs. She tried to crawl, trembling, but the doll advanced with slow, deliberate steps.
It straightened its arm, thrusting clean through her torso. Her breath hitched. Her vision dimmed.
Then it raised its other hand toward her head, for the finishing strike.
But...
"Flame Sword."
A blazing blade erupted from pure nothingness, shearing both its hands clean off. The doll recoiled instantly, leaping back, scanning every shadow, every corner. There was no attacker in sight... or so it thought:)
A flaming hand shot from behind, piercing its chest.
A burst of fire exploded outward, engulfing the doll.
Sakura's consciousness flickered as her vision blurred. Through the haze, she caught a glimpse of someone walking toward her, white kimono, red hair moving like fire.
"Ban."
She murmured but his attention was somewhere beyond the battlefield.
Naturally… the doll was flame-resistant so it was in good shape.
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As the doll jumped to attack him...
"Looping Chaos Prison."
From every direction, chains burst out snaking through the air before piercing straight into the doll's body. It twitched, tried to resist, but each new chain hooked deeper, dragging it backward.
A swirling portal yawned open behind it. The doll's limbs thrashed uselessly as the chains pulled tighter, ripping it off its feet and dragging it into the void.
Sakura, barely hanging onto consciousness, watched the scene through blurred vision, chains, firelight, the collapsing portal.
She exhaled a trembling whisper as her body finally gave out.
"I...knew...you... will... come back."
With the threat vanquished, Ban stood silently, surveying the devastation that lay before him.
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A radiant light enveloped all three bodies, knitting flesh and bone, healing every wound in an instant. He gathered them carefully and laid them beside the crackling bonfire.
"Looks like the clown escaped."
He murmured, not wanting to chase after it.
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"B...ban?"
Sakura was the first to stir.
"Hey, Sakura, how are you feeling?"
"I'm…"
She ran her hands over herself, realizing every wound had vanished.
"Im..impossible they're gone?"
"Yes."
"You did this?"
"Of course. Listen... I'm sorry. All this is my fault."
Unlike the other clones, Ban is changing. From being polite to apologising.
"What are you talking about?"
"It all happened because I let my guard down."
"It's not your fault ok.. the doll must've been working with that clown. Naturally, Demons like that work with people if they'll get something in return."
"Demons working with people?"
"Yes, there's magic that summons demons and grants the summoner control over the demon. The doll was merely a vessel."
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"So don't feel bad."
Ban lets out a deep breath.
"Ok,..."
"You said you only knew Fire and Enhancement magic, what was that last spell you used?"
Gran had also regained consciousness, sitting with his back turned to us.
"Gran you're awake too. Ho..."
"Answer me!"
"Gran, we won't be alive if not because of him."
"And we also wouldn't be in this situation if not for him."
"If you could remember you interacted with me first didn't you?"
"Whatever, what was that magic? There's something about yourself you're not telling us."
"You saw it too, didn't you Sakura?"
"Y...yh but it's ok since you did that to save us."
"Well, that's a skill that took more than six years to learn."
"Lies."
Sakura was shocked.
"You said it was dangerous, why did you use it?"
"It was the only way to defeat that doll."
"Lair! You barely touched the doll and it died!"
"I have to dispose of it quickly, if I had delayed you all would've died rendering my healing magic useless."
"Bullshit!"
He snapped, but I didn't have time for this. I got up.
"Well, whatever. I don't expect a weakling like you to believe me anyway. It's almost dawn…"
He snapped his fingers, and a portal responded to his call.
"…use this portal to get home."
"W... wait Ban where are you going?"
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"You'll never see me again."
"Ban wait."
Sakura rushed and stood in front of him.
"If you're leaving then I'm coming with you."
"What about your friends? Your life? Your adventures?"
"I do care about them. Unless I'm strong like you, I can't protect them."
""Strong as me? Huh, what a joke. No one in this world is as strong as me."
"Still… I'll try my best."
She didn't back off.
"Give up."
Ban vanished.
"Use the portal before it closes."
He left, leaving the three behind.
"Cheater, I'm not using your portal."
"Shut up, Gran. Hhis is your fault."
"How is it?"
"No one knows where that doll took him but he managed to get out and save us and this is how you repay him?"
"My bad, maybe it's your fault for not standing up for yourself against Simon and his friends."
Sakura was surprised to hear this from someone who recruited her to the Guild Association.
"Calm down you guys.... You're too loud."
The brains finally woke up.
"Eliot you okay?"
She quickly rushed to his side.
"Ye... yes. What happened? I thought I heard Ban's voice."
"Of course... he's the one who saved us."
"Really? I knew he'd come back. Where's he now?"
"He...he left."
"Eh?"
"He was a cheater and a liar, we don't need him."
"What are you talking about Gran? No matter what he did to save us, we wouldn't be alive if not for him."
"Yeah... Come, Eliot, let's go before the portal closes."
Sakura offered him a hand, and they stepped through. Gran, the powerhouse, had no choice but to follow, there was no way he could fend off the monsters alone.
The squad returned to Ingrassia and submitted the quest to the quest manager, but the air around them had changed.
"Impressive you've done well, where's the red-haired guy?"
"He... he left."
"Ok, congratulations on taking care of an A-rank quest. Your names will be added to the leaderboard as soon as possible."
"Ok."
"Oh, and for the reward, the Grandmaster instructed you to meet him."
From there, the group made their way to Yuuki's office.
"Well, congratulations."
Je said.
"I know you won't fail."
"Thank you, sir. Well, Ban did all the work actually."
"Speaking of the devil, where's he?"
"Um... he.."
"What happened?"
"He went off and he had something important to attend to."
"O...oh that's great. Well, here's your reward."
Yuuki gave them a box filled with golden coins.
"Thanks."
"No. You earned it."
Eliot, Yuuki and Sakura chuckle.
"Well see you later Grandmaster."
"Later, boss."
"Oh, Gran I need to speak with you now please."
Gran sighs.
"Can't it wait? I want to collect my share now."
"Sakura chan, give him 250 worth of golden coins please."
Sakura took it and gave it to him without looking, clearly, the atmosphere was severed.
"Good now you two can go"
"Ok, then"
The duo left, leaving Yuuki and Gran.
"I know you won't lie to me so tell me exactly what happened."
"Well, it all started nice and easy. He used fire magic to effortlessly incinerate the wolves and the drake. We thought it was over, but he had set a trap, catching the clown who had been following us. As Ban began questioning him, everything changed…"
"What happened?"
"An Arch doll appeared"
"Impossible! An Arch doll!"
Yuuki got up from his seat pretending to be surprised.
"What's a demon doing there and how did you guys survive?"
"It faced Ban before he vanished. The doll struck again, Eliot fell, Sakura was next, and I was powerless to stop it. As I slipped toward unconsciousness, I saw it stab Sakura. A flaming sword suddenly appeared, severing its hands. It hesitated, then got stabbed from behind and exploded. Guess who showed up?"
"Ban?"
"Yeah. But the doll was resistant to the fire and Ban did something I've never seen before. I didn't hear what he chanted, but a bunch of chains came out of nowhere and chained the doll, pulling it into some portal. And that's it. "
"Portal? What was inside?"
"It was just dark, nothing in it. He said something about wasting more than six years to master it. I know it's all lies."
"Six years? He lied to you then."
"I knew it."
"That's not what I mean. Such magic takes more than ten years to master. But mastering it in six? Either it's a lie… or he's a genius."
Gran fell silent, regretting his words to Ban.
"What kind of magic is that?"
The muscle asked.
"It's beyond your comprehension… or, rather, beyond this world's."
"Im...impossible."
"Was he able to figure out the clown's identity?"
"The doll appeared right before it could say anything."
"I see.. Well, thanks for the information. You can go."
"O... ok boss."
Gran left the office, heading his own way.
"You were almost caught, Laplace."
The same clown who had tailed the adventurers materialized.
"Sorry, boss. His fight… it was incredible, and I let my guard down."
"Since you didn't give your name and you're still alive, that's all that matters."
"Yes."
"So… he came back from the Underworld in such a short time. This is beyond extraordinary."
"Se… seriously? From the Underworld? The place where Demons come from?"
"Yes."
"Wait so you knew that doll was going to attack them?"
"Yep. Sorry, I didn't tell ya."
Yuuki chuckled
"I almost lost my life, you know.."
"He told it not to attack you so don't worry."
'H..he?? Well if that's what He planned I have no reason to worry. But what if the doll killed them?"
"It's natural for adventurers to die from monsters they can't defeat. It won't raise suspicion."
"Right."
They both laughed.
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It was past midnight and Ban was again heading back to the Kingdom of Ingrassia, alone.
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He closed his eyes trying to communicate with his other self.
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Asteri, who's been listening to their conversation, interrupts.
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Ban thought happily.
He couldn't find any slaves, but he managed to save children with nowhere else to go.
Minutes before midnight, Ban made his way toward the main city of Ingrassia.
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His other self cried out.
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Asteri, who was listening, was surprised. He started recalling the Demon Lords and their territory that Ramiris showed him.
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Ban masks his presence and disappears.
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Bam communicated with his other half.
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After a short while, Ban got a message from the possessed kid again
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As Asteri anticipated, the children were guided onto a magical circle, encircled by chanting mages.
The first child stepped forward, and the spell began to take hold, starting at the kid's legs, he began to fade. Ban entered the building, descending swiftly to the lowest floor.
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Ban rejected his clone's permission.
Lights flickered along the corridor as Ban sprinted to the door.
When he swung it open, only the boy's hair was visible. The mages noticed him but they couldn't move without disrupting the spell and the spectators were too distant to intervene.
Ban leapt into the circle, instantly locking onto the receiving point, and teleported away with the boy.
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The possessed child collapsed, and the half-conscious entity assumed Ban's form and appeared. By this time, the guards had arrived at the location.
"Get him!!"
"Ice Needle."
Ban unleashed a storm of ice magic, countless razor-sharp needles erupting simultaneously. They tore through the room with deadly precision, cutting down every mage and scattering the spectators in an instant.
Amidst the carnage, a lone silhouette lingered, its presence absorbing the scene, canceling the ice needles' reach, but it remained passive, observing every motion without interference.
Meanwhile, Ban was summoned to the summoning grounds of El Dorado. He cloaked himself entirely in black, concealing his presence before touching down.
"Who are you?"
A cold voice cut through the air. Looking up, Ban saw a tall man with flowing blond hair, a spirit hovering silently behind him.
Asteri felt the chill, not from fear, but from the thrill of anticipation.
"Demon Lord Leon?!"
He exclaimed.
The blonde-haired Demon Lord's voice cut through the tense air once more.
"Don't make me ask twice."
Ban, sensing the surge of excitement radiating from his master, felt it himself. A thrill ran through him, but this was no place for games, not with a child in his grasp. He sprang to his feet, preparing to teleport them both to safety.
In that split second, Leon drew his sword with blinding speed.
"Light-Speed Slash."
Before Ban and the child could vanish, the blade struck. The attack moved with the velocity of light, catching Ban's left arm and instantly disintegrating it into nothingness. Pain lanced through him as he barely managed to escape, the child clutched tightly against him.
"Impossible…"
Ban muttered under his breath.
The sheer power and precision of this Demon Lord left both Ban and Asteri frozen in awe. The battlefield seemed to shudder, the afterimage of Leon's strike lingering like a ghostly trail of radiance. This was no ordinary foe.
"Looks like he escaped."
The spirit behind him spoke, its voice calm yet edged with finality.
"If the first attempt was interrupted, then it's over."
Leon turned without another word, his figure vanishing into the distance. The spirit dissolved into nothingness, silently following in his wake.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the continent, Asteri stirred from his throne, curiosity flickering across his expression.
"That holy spell. Red used that when we fought. Disintegration, was it? Had it been Stars were spiritual lifeforms, even my True Body would've died."
Asteri calmly analysed, suppressing his battle lust.
"The Demon Lords will indeed bring me joy!"
His voice echoed through the hall summoning Atlas & Elaine. Elafria and Hinamatsuri later came by running.
"What's wrong, Young Master?"
"My Lord, what's the problem?"
The two Stars spoke, their voices cutting through the tension, but Elaine and Hinamatsuri remained silent. Asteri's expression faded instantly, though he quickly regained his composure.
"I was overwhelmed, that's all."
He replied blankly.
"By.."
"I'm good. Looks like I woke you up from your sleep. I'll take care of myself."
"If you say so then no problem."
"Of course. Have a good night."
Atlas and Elaine disappeared while Elfaria used the portal to go back leaving only Hinamatsuri.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
She asked.
"Yes. One of my clones encountered a Demon Lord."
"Tha... ihat's bad."
"It's great."
He replied immediately. She hesitated for a moment before letting it out.
"You really like to fight don't you?"
"It's in my nature. Can't blame me."
"Well, good night."
Hinamatsuri stepped through the portal and left. The injured Ban reappeared alongside the rescued child and the other children.
"You took some damage. You should get some rest."
At his words, the injured Ban vanished, replaced by his recovered self. Some of the children had already begun to cry in the background.
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He asked, frustrated.
"Now kids you're alright. I know what's going on but sorry you can't go home. But, mark my word. I'll protect you from those who summon you, ok."
It wasn't enough calm them down but it had to be said and done.
"Um."
"Ok."
Eventually and miraculously, they calmed down somehow and soon fell asleep thanks to his spells with the culprit watching over them.
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He exhaled deeply.
"I wonder what tomorrow holds."
He murmured to himself, crimson eyes glowing faintly, scanning the endless starry expanse.
Morning arrived in a blur. The children stirred awake, and Ban opened a portal, ready to depart. The only concern now was feeding them and he didn't sign up for that.
"Good morning kiddos. Now come quickly, let's go to your new home."
"But we're hungry."
One of them replied.
"I am too. Lots of food will be waiting for you.
I pity anyone who'll babysit these children.>>
They smiled and stepped through the portal. On the other side lay the Star Palace, and once again, their faces lit up with awe at its immense size and breathtaking beauty.
"This is your home mister?"
"Nah, it's OUR home now. You might see monsters but don't worry, they are friendly."
"B... but my mama used to tell me that monsters eat children."
Ban couldn't help but laugh.
"Of course they do. But don't worry, I'm here. I'll always protect you."
"Ok, I believe in you."
"Hey, we also believe in you."
Ban chuckles as one of the children fights back.
"Now let's go. Let's not keep them waiting."
Together, all six of them made their way toward the palace.
(Sorry for posting late. I was cross checking it before uploading. That alone took almost an hour: (
To be continued...