Flowery Reincarnation

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A monstrous presence surged through the forest, a harbinger of destruction that left a wake of splintered trees and crushed underbrush. The echoes of its rampage filled the air, drowning out the desperate whines of the wolf-monster it had cornered. Fear, a primal instinct, radiated from the beast's prey, a potent aroma that tingled in the air, igniting the hunter's hunger.

With a horrifying swiftness, the hulking creature snatched the struggling wolf monster in its claw, the sharpness of its talons piercing through fur and flesh. The razor-sharp fangs sunk deep, tearing into sinew and muscle before the beast swallowed its quarry whole, the sound of crushing bones mingling grotesquely with the forest's silence.

Mana, a potent life force, surged into the creature's being, transforming the monster from the inside out. It grew larger and more undefined, its body fueled by the essence of the life it consumed. Blood sprayed from its maw, staining the verdant grass beneath, a gruesome testament to its insatiable appetite.

More.

The creature craved more.

Deers, hedgehogs, wolves—no life was safe from its grasp. It envisioned bears and even the majestic drakes, their mana-rich flesh calling to it. The need was overwhelming, an endless hunger that gnawed at its core, demanding satisfaction.

As the mana coursed through its veins, scales began to sprout from its skin, hardening like armor against the wilderness. This evolution was a disturbing spectacle; something that should never exist in this world—a monstrous parody of life, a being born solely to devour and grow. The influence of the magic child may have conjured it, but its existence defied all reason and morality. It was a curse upon the land, a blight that should have remained confined to the darkest corners of the world.

But something ominous approached.

The beast's acute sense of smell detected the shifting winds, laden with scents of potential prey and the acrid tang of fear. It had an intelligence that belied its monstrous form, an awareness that surpassed mere instinct. It thrived in chaos, its cunning mind calculating the best path to its next meal.

As the sky darkened, the forest inhabitants sensed the impending doom and fled, their instincts screaming at them to escape the aberration that devoured all in its path. The air thickened with the weight of concentrated mana, twisting the very essence of the forest and leaving a mark that could never fade.

It was too dangerous.

What lay ahead could grant the beast power beyond comprehension. If it were to consume something of such profound mana, could it finally break free from this limited form? The notion sent a shiver through its spine, a fleeting moment of ambition entwined with its primal urge to feast. It had already claimed countless monsters since its inception from the raw mana of the forest, and the thought of drying up this wilderness only fueled its desire.

The path to that concentration lay open, ripe for the taking.

The beast sharpened its claws, anticipation coiling within like a coiled spring, ready to unleash its chaos upon the world as it localized the Child of Magic.

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"What is Rudeus doing here?" Laws asked from the side, his voice low as he readied his bow. They still couldn't see anything beyond the usual forest fauna from their perch in the hunting tower. No sign of monsters or any unusual behavior.

"You know me?" Merlin replied, a hint of surprise creeping into his tone—not because Laws knew his name, but due to something more profound. It was the second time he'd encountered a half-elf in this world. The phantasmal beings seemed more numerous than he had expected, or was Buena Village simply unique?

"Sorry for being curt like this," Laws continued, tension evident in his posture. "I'm just really stressed, and we didn't have time to introduce ourselves. My name's Laws. Happy to meet you."

"I understand. For an archer, it's necessary to stay focused," Merlin replied, observing the hunter's taut expression.

"My job is that of a hunter, but it's a fitting description," Laws said tersely. "I have to keep an eye out for any possible movement, so staying undistracted is essential."

"You sure know a lot!" Merlin replied, his enthusiasm bubbling through the gravity of their situation.

Paul smiled, watching the exchange with a touch of pride, ruffling his son's hair, causing the boy to grimace at the sudden mess. "That being said, I brought Rudy here because we may need his assistance with this."

"What? With monsters? What are you saying?" Laws' brow furrowed in confusion, and a flicker of fear ignited in his eyes. "Are you serious?"

Is Paul insane? Bringing his own son into this chaos, a boy who barely looked his age, was madness.

"It'll be fine. I'm gonna support you from up here!" Merlin chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. "Let's take care of them like a dream!"

But Laws remained unconvinced, casting a worried glance at Paul as if questioning his friend's sanity.

Paul nodded seriously, but the worry in his eyes betrayed his confident facade. "I've sparred with Rudy before. He can cast spells like nothing I've ever seen. Even if I want to keep him safe at home, it's pointless in the long run."

Is a spar enough to justify such a risky decision?

"If you're sure about this," Laws uttered, uncertainty etching lines on his face. "Is Zenith aware of this?"

Paul's lips formed a thin line at the mention of his wife. "No... she would never agree. But I can't shake the feeling that my decision is right. Knowing what happened to Rudy and some villagers a while ago, nowhere is safe. It feels like no matter where we hide, they will find us."

"That's a horrifying thought. I sent my wife and Sylphiette to hide in the chapel since it has stronger doors. There's no way to send them to the town now; it's too dangerous. I told Eto to prepare some weapons in the villagers' homes. I hope it will be enough."

As they spoke, the air grew thick with tension. To both Paul and Laws, it felt as if an apocalypse were looming over them, the memory of villagers lost in recent attacks hanging heavily in their minds.

Paul took a deep breath, draining the last drops of water from his canteen as the clock ticked down to their battle. Meanwhile, Laws fought to calm his trembling body. He was an ordinary hunter suddenly thrust into the role of village guard who occasionally helped Paul from the sidelines.

While his father and Laws maintained their defenses, Merlin silently activated the bounded field he had worked on for so long. The distance from his home mattered little; the magical barrier was set up despite how far he was from the safety of his familiar surroundings.

The bounded field itself had several layers of protection. The first layer kept both sites safe. His mother, who tended to the trees in their yard and garden, wouldn't notice the monsters lurking near their home. For the intruders, the area would appear as an ordinary small lake where the Greyrat House stood, masking any hint of danger. Not even their keen senses would detect the truth.

The second layer served as an alarm should the first fail. Unfortunately, the hidden location would be visible to encroaching monsters, but they should be unable to breach it while Merlin's mana sustained it. Furthermore, there would be no chance for Mother or Lilia to leave unless the barrier was destroyed, which would alert the young wizard immediately.

As long as Merlin could manage the barrier, they should be safe. Yet, as he surveyed Paul and Laws preparing for the coming fight, he realized it would take more than mere layers of magic to protect them from the impending threat. Every bastion had its flaws.

An idea ignited within him, sparking uncertainty alongside its urgency.

Merlin descended the ladder and approached the edge of the watchtower, ignoring his father's sudden cries of concern.

It's not enough.

He pulled out a sharp stone and pressed it against his palm, blood flowing freely from the wound. Ignoring the sting, he drove the rock deeper, carving a wider slit into his hand.

Then he began to walk quickly, allowing his blood to splatter on the green flora, staining it. This blood held unimaginable magical power. Soon, the reincarnated wizard completed a chaotic circle.

To Laws, who watched in horrified fascination, it appeared as if Rudeus was enacting a demon-like ritual.

The circle he drew was messy. These were Merlin's honest thoughts. However, it should serve the purpose he required.

Blood was one of the most potent catalysts for spells and his mysterious practices.

The magic circle was complete.

"RUDY! WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!?"

Merlin nearly cast a spell of hypnosis on the man before recognizing the voice belonged to his father.

Paul's expression was of panic and anger, the two emotions battling for dominance. His parental instinct surged forth, desperate to protect him.

Merlin understood, and after healing the wound with a flick of Healing Magic, guilt gnawed at him. He did what was necessary, yet a bitter aftertaste lingered.

"I'm sorry," the wizard heard his voice come out meekly. "I tried to set up a magic circle."

Paul's only response was a furious glare and a command to return to his post.

...

Merlin remained focused, watching through his Clairvoyance as the monsters began to gather, his eyes widening in alarm.

A massive horde surged towards the village, trampling over each other in their haste.

"Father, they're coming from the north!" he called out, urgency lacing his tone. Paul and Laws had no time to question how he knew it but accepted it, pushing aside their doubts for now.

Take this warning seriously, or face the horde unprepared.

"GET READY!" Paul's voice boomed from below. He brandished his black sword. Merlin saw it gleam menacingly for the first time. Laws spurred into action, readied his bow, and loosed arrows, targeting the unguarded eyes of the approaching monsters.

The first wave crashed upon them, some creatures tumbling into the spike traps Laws had set days prior, their bodies rendered motionless.

Offensive spells burst from Merlin's hands as he stood atop the watchtower, his amethyst eyes surveying the chaos. Elemental blasts rained down upon the advancing horde like small meteors, leaving trails of destruction in their wake.

Paul Greyrat fought valiantly, swarmed by the mass of monsters. His sword danced, cutting left and right with deadly precision, blood splattering around him in a crimson spray. He expertly navigated the onslaught, employing the techniques of the Sword God Style as he forged a path through the chaos.

Fighting monsters was a different beast than battling humans; they charged as one, relentless in their attack, while humans often struck one at a time. Some monsters charged directly into Paul's dark blade, while others lunged at him with ravenous fangs, but none found their mark.

"Ha!" Paul twisted his body, narrowly avoiding a claw swipe as he severed the head of a bear-like monster resembling a Luster Grizzly with a deft swing. His strength was remarkable, driven by sheer determination.

His eyes shone with fierce resolve, Paul pulled his blade free from the monster's carcass, steeling his expression. With every strike, he felt his muscles scream in protest, yet he pressed on, fully aware that the longer he fought, the more he pushed his limits.

Just as he was about to catch his breath, a bear-like creature clashed against his sword, the sheer force of its attack causing him to stumble. If not for his constant use of Battle Aura, he would have faltered under the blow. Blood trickled from his lips as he roared, thrusting his fist into the monster's throat to regain his weapon.

Regaining his footing, Paul barely dodged another lunge aimed at his head. A growl rumbled behind him—two ferocious monster boars poised to drive their fangs into his flesh—when a blade of compressed wind cleaved them in half.

Wolf-like monsters lunged from the sides but met the same fate.

Merlin's cold gaze fixed on the writhing mass surrounding his father. A surge of resolve welled within him as he slammed his open hand against the top of the tower, sending ripples of mana through the structure.

"Rudeus, what!?" Laws yelled in confusion as the tower trembled. The half-elf noticed streaks of light coursing down the structure, spreading toward Paul.

"Support!" Merlin called out, his focus unwavering.

Paul, grappling with the monstrous flood, felt a surge of energy course through him as his body and sword sparkled with pink light. Suddenly, the world around him slowed, the movements of the monsters distorted and focused.

"...No way!" He grinned, feeling the invigorating mana electrifying his veins. This was beyond anything he had ever felt. His movements accelerated a storm of strength awakening within him.

Paul's breath quickened as he lunged forward, pushing his limits beyond comprehension.

"Now!"

In that split second, the battle transformed into a whirlwind of blades and claws. Paul leaped high into the air, propelled by the sudden boost of mana coursing through him. The monsters below were left helpless, bewildered by the impossible display of strength.

With a sweeping strike, he decimated the horde, each arc of his blade cleaving through flesh and bone.

"Just a little longer, and we will drive them back!" Paul shouted over the chaos, invigorated by the realization that he was more than capable of fulfilling that.

"Keep it up!" Merlin replied, rallying their spirits. Together, they would not only survive; they would reclaim their world.

With his willpower replenished and body reinforced to its limits, Paul tore through the monsters like a berserk warrior hungry for blood on the battlefield. He rushed to slice the beasts, overwhelming them with a flurry of maneuvers and various styles.

Laws wasn't forgotten; his bow and body glowed with a soft pink light, sharpening his eyesight and allowing his arrows to pierce the hardened mana scales of the monsters.

Despite this, even with Rudy boosting their powers, Paul soon found himself pushed back by sheer numbers. The horde seemed endless, and a spark of fear ignited within him, whispering that this swarm would never end.

He prepared to strike again, but then he noticed the monsters began to rush past him, sprinting towards...

The village!

"HERE YOU BASTARDS!" the warrior screamed, desperation clawing at him, but the horde ignored him as if his voice bored them. Cold despair suffused him as he recalled the words Eto and him shared.

"We may as well be dead."

The monsters were going to slaughter every field and house, leaving a path of carnage through Buena Village.

Just as the horde was about to breach the village borders, they suddenly stopped, momentarily confused, milling about as if lost. To Paul's shock and bewilderment, the mass of monsters began to run around like headless chickens.

"W-what?"

Paul didn't understand what was happening. One moment, the monsters were intent on destruction, and the next, they were behaving erratically.

Illusion.

Most magi considered Merlin an extremely dangerous opponent due to his immense power and deadly spells, but the truth was far more nuanced.

Merlin's true strength lay in his mastery of illusions and trickery. He might as well have been fighting from the shadows while observing the battlefield from an inaccessible vantage point. It was impossible to discern reality from deception.

In other words, Merlin was a monster when it came to all things Mystery-related; his understanding encompassed all knowledge. Outside of true magic, if one were to question him about any type of magecraft, the Wizard would likely respond with a quizzical look as if the very question didn't make sense.

That was why he had inscribed the magic circle on the ground. It allowed him to immerse his mana into the area swarming with monsters, casting an illusion that made them believe they were heading the wrong way whenever they approached the barrier's edge.

The necessary calculations to fix this predicament would be impossible for an average magus, but Merlin was far from ordinary.

"FATHER! SLAY THEM NOW!"

Upon hearing this, Paul unleashed his sword, determination and hope propelling him forward. It was like escaping from a dull blur of despair. To protect this village, he would kill every one of these creatures. Laws was right beside him, shooting arrows with a determination that strained his muscles. Both men felt their bodies shaking with exhilaration as more monsters fell.

The ex-adventurer stood undeterred in the face of danger, ignoring the slashes marring his skin.

None of them were aware of how far from over the battle truly was.

Rumble.

A heavy presence entered the forest, bloodlust oozing in sickening quantities. Thunder-like rumbling echoed, toppling trees in its wake.

Rumble.

"The earth... is shaking?" Paul staggered, trying to regain his balance, but it was futile.

Laws scanned the area, his sharp eyes searching for the source of this disturbance. A tingle of fear crept down his spine. Whatever was approaching, it was massive.

Unbeknownst to both of them, sweat trickled down Merlin's forehead as he sensed the overwhelming surge of mana closing in. His Clairvoyance revealed only a hulking shape obscured by shadows, and pain throbbed through his nerves. He had overextended his abilities today.

Before the group could react, the ground beneath them erupted, collapsing like a line of dominoes. The reinforced wooden structure, bolstered by Merlin's mana, stood no chance.

Laws grabbed Merlin and leaped just as a wide maw filled with razor-like teeth descended toward them, threatening to devour them whole.

Merlin felt the barrier shatter as the oppressive mana slammed into it. The amplifications he had set up vanished under the pressure of the brutal impact.

The forest darkened considerably.

"Are you good?" Paul called his son and friend, who landed near him but received no answer. He took a defensive stance, his eyes widening as a massive shadow loomed over them. The beast that emerged from the newly formed chasm towered over them, a terrifying sight.

The air had never felt so suffocating to Paul as it did now. He swallowed hard.

The beast crashed to the ground, its arms sending dust and debris flying in every direction. The impact blew them backward. Paul desperately tried to reach for Rudeus, who was in Laws' arms, but everything blurred around him. What—

"—!?"

Paul let out a voiceless cry, his eyes momentarily losing their shine as the impact struck him like a running horse sending him hurtling away like a ragdoll.

He flew through the air, hearing a young voice scream his name.

Then hell began.

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