CHAPTER 85: CHAOS

Shaan’s curiosity grew stronger and stronger as he saw that the thick smoke was close to where Chelsie and Mr. Courier were. Realizing they could be in danger, Shaan rushed over to meet Chelsie and Mr. Courier.

"Chelsie, Mr. Courier. Are you both okay?" Shaan went out from behind one of the trees and then leaned against one of the trees. "Ugh, damn it."

"Yes, we’re both okay. Mr. Courier is also okay, and at least we..." Chelsie instantly widened her eyes, seeing Shaan’s severely injured body. "Oh my God, Shaan, what happened to you?"

Chelsie quickly ran toward Shaan and cast her healing spell. Slowly, the pain in Shaan’s body began to fade, and at least his condition started to improve as before.

"Ch-Chelsie, I and..."

"Shaan, stay calm and don’t talk too much," Chelsie interrupted, continuing her spell. "Hold on, your wounds will heal soon."

The healing spell Chelsie cast instantly covered all the wounds and bruises across Shaan’s body. It took little time for all the wounds on Shaan’s body to heal completely, and now he could move his body normally again as before.

"Shaan, where’s Lira?" Chelsie looked around. "I haven’t seen her since earlier. Aren’t you supposed to be with her?"

"That’s what I was trying to explain earlier, Chelsie," Shaan said. "At first, we were together, but we decided to split up because another doppleshade appeared, and it turned out to be much harder than we imagined to fight both of them at the same time."

"Two doppleshades?" Chelsie’s face paled. "Oh no... how is that even possible?"

Shaan shrugged. "I have no idea. But this place isn’t safe at all. We need to find Nalira and head to the Twilight Sanctum as fast as we can."

"I just hope Nalira is okay."

Just a few minutes later, a trumpet blast echoed from ahead. Not once, but two, even three times. The sound stopped Shaan in his tracks. A chill ran down his spine. The loud, drawn-out tone almost certainly meant something terrible had happened.

"W-what is that sound?" Chelsie’s expression stiffened. "What’s going on?"

Shaan shook his head. "I don’t know. But I’m sure the sound came from—"

"That... that sound comes from the trumpet tower at the Twilight Sanctum."

"Mr. Courier?" Chelsie exhaled deeply. "Thank goodness, you’re awake."

"Wait, I don’t understand what you’re saying at all, Mr. Courier."

"The tower trumpet is a device used to signal that there is a problem at the defense gate," said Mr. Courier, pointing his index finger at the black smoke in front of him. "Meanwhile, the black smoke also serves to warn anyone who sees it that chaos may be brewing in the Twilight Sanctum. The thicker the smoke, the more severe the chaos, and everyone is advised not to approach the Twilight Sanctum."

"Oh, no... You have to see this." Chelsie directed her gaze toward the gate. "The creatures of darkness are breaking through the gate."

"Oh, damn. This is bad." Mr. Courier shook his head quickly. "We have to get to the twilight sanctum as soon as possible to report this to the authorities," he said, walking up the stairs in front of him. "Come on, we have to hurry."

"But—what about Lira?" Chelsie once again turned her gaze toward the cluster of trees surrounding the stairs. "We can’t leave Lira here alone."

"We can’t stay here either. We have to report this immediately because if we don’t, the entire Twilight Sanctum will be in danger."

"...."

"Chelsie, what Mr. Courier said is true." Shaan nodded his head. "Just go with Mr. Courier to the twilight sanctum now. I will search for Nalira. Hurry."

"Shaan, but—"

"Don’t worry about me," Shaan said, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "I promise I’ll come back with Nalira. Now, get out of here."

Chelsie gave him a slow nod. "Alright. Stay alive... and bring her back, Shaan."

Without wasting another moment, Chelsie and the Courier climbed the stairs, leaving Shaan behind. He quickly disappeared into the trees near the stairway, trying to locate Nalira, who should be somewhere nearby.

"Robin Hood, I don’t see Nalira anywhere around here."

[Neither do I. But I can sense Satan’s energy nearby. Nalira must be close.] Just a few minutes later, the sound of metal clanging against something echoed, and strangely, the sound grew increasingly intense. It was coming from the cluster of trees not far from Shaan’s current position, so he decided to follow the sound.

"Oh my God, Nalira!" Shaan’s eyes widened as he saw Nalira lying on the ground, trying to fend off Doppleshade’s attack with her hands. "Robin Hood, use Swift Quiver! Now!"

Without wasting a second, Robin Hood launched a flurry of arrows all at once, striking the Doppleshade and forcing it to stagger backward. Shaan dashed forward at high speed and delivered a powerful punch, sending the creature flying into the air.

"Nalira, now!"

Nalira sprang to her feet and grabbed her sword lying just a few steps away. Without any hesitation, she slashed swiftly at the Doppleshade’s neck, severing its head in one clean motion. The creature collapsed instantly.

"Thank goodness." Shaan wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Luckily, the two of us weren’t too late to help you."

"Thank you... Shaan."

"Anytime. I’m glad I could help." Shaan smiled. "Come on, Nalira. We need to head to the Twilight Sanctum now. Chelsie and the Courier are already on their way before more dark creatures show up."

The two of them raced up the stairs, chasing after Chelsie and the Courier. But then, a horde of Zerawulves and Lizardmen charged through the gate behind them, clearly preparing to give chase. Trouble. There was no way they could fight off all those monsters in their current condition.

"Shaan... we need to stop these creatures before they reach Twilight Sanctum."

"Yeah, I know. But how?" Shaan kept running up the stairs. "How do we stop them all in such a short time?"

"... I have a plan, but I need your help."