Cecil smiled at Xue, turning to look at the scene before her and her smile instantly vanished.

The teachers that she recognised were all on the ground, weak and struggling, most of them had already fainted. Meanwhile, the principal which she has seen on a few occasions was on the ground as well, his pale face showing signs of exhaustion.

The principal turned to look at them, and he collapsed, unconscious. The teachers still awake could only watch on helplessly, their condition weren't any better.

"New guests? How impolite."

Cecil glanced up, and the evening sun bathed the beautiful gray-haired woman in a soft light. However, Cecil only gasped upon seeing her, taking a few steps back in disbelief.

"You are...Yelena." Cecil blurted out without knowing.

"This pretty lady knows me? Hm, and this gentleman..."

Xue disregarded the woman, staring at the two handsome standing by her side, frowning deeply.

The wandering merchant, Alric, stared at Xue with wide eyes. Xue finally turned his eyes, meeting Alric's black eyes with his own grey ones.

A look of recognition was apparent in Alric's eyes.

"...you...you are the one...I was supposed to give these presents to you."

"Presents?"

Yelena stepped aside, gesturing to the two corpses she controlled and a flabbergasted Alric.

Cecil recognised this woman in a second, she was mentioned many times in the novel, and her appearance matched the fanart as well.

A powerful dark magic user, who utilises her chakarm and her dancing to summon corpses. The infamous necromancer...and one of the lackey for the big bad villain.

...to think that she was actually the hidden mastermind all along....

Dearest author, why would you not reveal such an information?

Cecil swallowed nervously.

"Xue, she...she is the mastermind of all this. This invasion, it seemed to be planned, just for you."

Xue scoffed.

"The mastermind?" Yelena laughed, clapping her hands, grinning widely. "Maybe, maybe not. Now that you are here, you can save me the trip down to that dreadful town. Here, your presents."

Xue, still remembering that Hana was down there with the corpses, didn't make a move.

"Take away your corpses first."

Yelena pursed her lips. "No, I don't want to. They are having fun down there, why would I ruin it?"

Xue's eyes grew a shade darker. "Take. Them away."

Yelena's eyes hardened, and she shoved the two corpses away. The strength she used to push them away wasn't normal.

"Make me, little boy."

Xue growled in annoyance, gripping his spear and charging at Yelena.

***

Alric was still enraptured by Xue's presence, not seeing the two corpses about to collapse onto him due to Yelena pushing them. Cecil immediately noticed it, hurrying over to pull Alric away.

No harm can come to any of the protagonists! Even the unknown Alric!

"Th-thank you." Alric stuttered out.

"You are welcome, Alric."

"You know me?"

Cecil smiled. "Because I know Xue as well."

Alric gazed at Cecil, shocked. "You know...that I know?"

In the novel, the only soul that did not resist against the absorption was Alric. Somehow, Alric knew all along that he wasn't an actual person, and that his soul was merely a small puzzle piece.

Thus, his character became a wandering merchant, trying to search for this so-called puzzle.

It became Alric's life goal.

He was also the only alter of Xue that did not meet Hana at all. The author never clarified if Alric even remembered or knew Hana at all.

Cecil nodded, and she glanced over at Xue and Yelena fighting. She bit on her lower lip, knowing that the fight would become frenzied.

"Alric, these people, we have to get them out of the room. The fight between the two of them aren't safe, and...they definitely can't see the soul integrating procedure."

"Okay, I understand."

The two of them hurried to escort the injured teachers and principal out of the room.

Cecil wasn't worried about Xue. She knew no matter what, he wouldn't die.

That was the golden rule in this world, Xue can never die, because he is always the protagonist.

***

Xue's attacks were swift, precise and ruthless. Yelena dodged them as if she was dancing enthusiastically, her chakarm managing to nick at Xue's arm.

He leaped back, creating distance between the both of them, his expression dark.

"He told me if I ever had to fight you, I must  not underestimate you," Yelena remarked with a seductive smile. "He was right, my chakarm doesn't seem to affect you."

Xue flipped his spear, the fire insignia appearing on his palm and the tip of the spear suddenly lit up in flames. Yelena made a noise of approval and Xue dashed at her.

Once again, Yelena's evasive maneuvers were smooth and done with ease, managing to land a cut on Xue's thigh this time. Even with his flaming spear, he had never hit her once.

"So, can you stop me from letting my corpses from having fun, little boy?"

Xue remained quiet, sheathing his spear and breathed deeply. He opened his palms, sending ten consecutive fireballs in a row, without a pause.

Yelena showed a hint of agitation.

Dark magic users only had their own dark magic to rely on. Moreover, Yelena's dark magic wasn't meant for fighting, but only for summoning corpses. Even if she called her corpses over right now, the fireballs would have already landed on her.

She could only rely on her physical skills.

Yelena slashed at the fireballs with all her strength, making them scatter. The heat scalded her hands slightly and she grimaced, only to feel a sudden weight on her chakarm.

Amidst her slashing and her distracted state, Xue had already sprinted towards her, drawing his spear and disarming her.

"Wha--" Yelena gasped out, and the pain on her wrist making her release her chakarm involuntarily.

Xue did not hesitate, stabbing at her with his spear, his eyes focused on her neck.

Yelena panicked, letting out a scream as she dodged the fatal attack.

The spear however, still nicked her lower arm and the side of her body. Blood seeped from the wound, staining her hand and dress.

Cecil who was escorting the last of the teachers out, heard the scream. She looked over, a tiny smile playing on her lips.

Xue finally hurt her.

That was when she saw the large cut on Yelena's pretty black dress.

Cecil blanched, stiffening.

Uh...great lord protagonist, this woman really treasures her outfits...and a bit too much actually.

Really...too much...

The next thing Cecil knew, Yelena screeched, snarling at Xue.

"You damaged my dress! How dare you! Just because he holds you in high regard, you think you can step all over me--"

Xue attacked her again, disregarding her screeching.

"You bastard--fine! I'll kill one of your presents!"

Cecil knew she couldn't be talking about the corpses she was controlling. There was only one "present" alive.

Yelena spun gracefully, her eyes drifting down to her torn dress, her expression contorting further.

She threw the chakarm at Alric, and anyone could see that she threw the chakarm without mercy.

She was intent on slashing the target into half, with one clean swipe.

Alric was rooted to the ground, showing no signs of dodging, his face fearful.

"Get behind me!" Cecil pushed Alric behind her within a heartbeat.

She pressed her palm on the cold floor and dozens of walls popped up, one after another. They were just tall enough to meet the chakarm.

The chakarm smashed through the walls. Alas, it showed no signs of slowing down despite the numerous walls. Cecil took a precaution, calling her rock out from inside her robes, spinning it around rapidly and withdrew a dagger after that.

A drop of sweat rolled down her face, her face grim as vines coiled around her left arm, curling around the dagger and the blade changed its form into a thick, thorny vine.

The last wall was down, and the chakarm had slowed down, but it wasn't enough. The rock that was spinning around Cecil collided against the chakarm, interrupting its momentum and causing it to tilt downwards.

She took out her other dagger, making it into a vine as well, and the vines moved, coiling around the chakarm aiming for her.

"Cecil!" Someone called out to her, but she didn't hear them.

The chakarm smashed through the vines, slowing down immensely. Unfortunately, it was too close, and it still had some spirit left in it.

Not wanting the chakarm to hit her face, she could only use her arms to defend. It slashed at her right arm before dropping to the ground, and flying right back to Yelena.

Alric, who was still behind her, was horrified at what occurred.

It all happened in a span of a few seconds, and he couldn't react in time.

Alric crouched down, panicking. "Hey, woman! Lady! Are you alright?"

"It's nothing...it just cut my arm, that's all."

"Wh-why did you step in to save me?!"

"How could I not?" Cecil turned her head and smiled at him.

Alric was dumbfounded.

Cecil winced, she knew her wound wasn't just a small cut. "That isn't the problem now, Alric. The chakarm...it's actually bad to be cut by them."

Cecil glanced down, lifting her arm, revealing a deep gash... and an ominous layer of black mist shrouded the wound.

***

Xue was the one who had called out to Cecil earlier.

"A brave woman," Yelena commented, unimpressed. "Even after all that, my chakarm still cut her. How wonderful."

Yelena observed her blood-stained chakarm, nonchalant.

Xue tightened his grip around his spear, his expression unfathomable.

"She'll bleed to death," Yelena shrugged her shoulders. "Too bad."

That was the most dangerous thing about Yelena's chakarms. Once you were cut by them, you would bleed profusely.

A slow death.

They were enchanted with dark magic, preventing the blood from clotting around the affected area.

Cecil knew that as well.

She would die of blood loss if nothing was done.

Xue stilled, replaying Yelena's words in his head. He looked over, seeing the ominous black aura around Cecil's arm.

Dark magic.

His eyes grew wide.

Cecil Lan...

Cecil Lan...will die?

***

Pt. 1

《 start 》

This beautiful woman that I've just met has been greeting me a gentle smile.

Such a smile...I haven't received in a while...especially with a pair clear, attractive eyes like hers.

I can't help but stare.

This same beautiful woman just stepped in to save me without any hesitation.

I know I am not a good person, and I've always been a coward.

Why is she doing this for someone like me?

I don't even know her name...

《 stop 》

***

Pt. 2

《 start 》

I turned, only to see that woman stepping in the way.

I turned, only to see that woman getting hurt because of the other "me".

I turned, only to call her name for the very first time.

Now you are telling me she will die?

Cecil Lan...will die?

《 stop 》