I Became a Ruined Character in a Dark Fantasy-Chapter 637

"I didn't think we'd be fighting together again so soon," said Mev. She smiled at him from behind her visor.

As she reached for the hilt of the sword slanted across her back, she added, "Let's do this, Ian. Just like old times."

"Will that sword be enough?" Ian asked, his smile widening. His gaze flicked to the two swords secured at her waist, crossed and held fast.

Mev hesitated for a moment, then gripped the hilt of her two-handed sword and replied, "For now, this is enough. I have you behind my back."

Shrrrng.

A long, shimmering, wave-patterned blade slid free. Along the fuller carved into its base, several ancient runes were engraved.

Whoosh—

As purple trajectories streaked past, Mev faced Ian, her sword held low, though their eye contact lasted only for a moment.

"Well, if you insist," said Ian, having cast the Platinum Barrier over his left hand.

Mev hooked the fingers of her gloved left hand into a ring on the back of the saddle, securing her grip. She then shifted further back on the saddle, turning to sit sideways. She planted her bent left foot firmly on Moro's back and raised her right arm, shielding her face up to her nose.

Swoosh, boom!

A projectile struck her forearm guard and exploded. The dull shock spread through her arm, but Mev didn’t even blink. She simply kept her blade angled down, her eyes fixed on the scene behind them.

"----!"

"------!"

The figures of swamp fairies and monsters, wreathed in purple light, became clearer as they ran. They shrieked loudly, as if reveling in their newfound freedom. There were several dozen monsters in the lead, maintaining their distance. The main purple tide swarmed chaotically far behind them.

Immediately after, a swamp thick with fog spread out to Mev's left. An ominous, lake-like marsh was opening up to Moro's right as they ran.

Fwoosh—

Almost at the same moment, several flames erupted around Mev. They swept forward, shooting past Moro. She had been watching their rear, but she could easily guess the reason. Monsters had appeared, blocking their path.

Kaboom—

As explosions echoed from behind, the swarming purple tide plunged straight into the swamp. Neither the freed swamp fairies nor the beasts avoided it. Their shimmering light spread briefly through the fog.

Screech— Scree—

Monstrous cries and shrieks erupted throughout the swamp. The fog began to thicken into a sickly dark green. Mutated aquatic plants on the surface spat poison, and the swamp creatures lurking below had launched their attack.

Was this Ian's plan from the beginning?

Mev's eyes narrowed behind her visor. The thought crossed her mind that Ian might not have been just fleeing blindly. He was trying to make the jungle monsters and the swamp monsters kill each other.

Crunch!

Moro lurched. It must have collided with a swamp monster. However, as always, the beast didn't stop and charged forward. Soon, the burning, mangled bodies of the undead flashed past them on either side.

Crackle—

The pursuing tide of fairies and beasts instantly swallowed those that lagged. The jungle monsters mercilessly tore the undead to pieces.

"----!"

Of course, that was only a few of them. The majority of the monsters were still chasing the party. The wave behind them was no different. Looking at the whole, barely a third had plunged into the swamp.

Crunch, boom!

Purple explosions erupted against Mev's armor and Moro's flank. The monsters were closing the distance at a much faster pace now, likely because Moro’s sprint was starting to falter.

Shwaaaa—

The magic stone embedded in Mev's pauldron shimmered, and wind began to wreathe her forearm. Behind her visor, a cool green light gleamed in her eyes as she watched the approaching monsters.

"Shield your eyes," Ian’s whisper, thin and ragged with breath, brushed past her.

The moment Mev narrowed her gaze, flames burst to life all around them.

Fwoosh— Kaboom—

The fire spilled out the instant it was formed, exploding in chaotic bursts. The swamp fairies and monsters closing in from the rear were sent tumbling by the blasts. However, not all of them were caught. Some darted past the blasts and rushed in with sharp agility.

Swoosh—

Like the beast now leaping forward, barbed claws stretching out like hooks. Mev stared at the four-eyed, hairless monster, then swung her right arm in a sharp arc.

With a whistling sound, the long blade drew an arc. The slanted path of the strike passed the reaching forepaw and drove straight into the side of the beast’s head.

Crack!

The monster, its head above the jaw sheared off, was flung sideways, spraying purple-tinged brains and black blood.

Mev halted her outward swing. Her gaze fixed on a swamp fairy that was charging through the explosions, aiming a purple-glowing arrow.

Whoosh!

Mev swung her sword again, this time pulling her arm back toward her. The fairy was too far for the blade to reach, but that didn't matter.

A sharp blast of wind shot from the blade and swept over the fairy. It wasn't enough to dismember it, but it shattered the bow and carved a bloody line across it.

"-----!"

The fairy shrieked and tumbled away. Mev, holding her sword angled toward her, didn't spare it a glance. With calm, steady eyes, she simply searched for the next approaching enemy.

Swoosh! Crunch—

Mev's sword became a blur of arcs. With every swing, charging monsters or swamp fairies raising bone daggers were cut down, spraying blood. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Crackle...

A moment later, an ominous sound crackled in her ear. Light and wind were gathering behind her, crackling with energy.

"Lower your head," said Ian.

Mev, who had just completed an outward swing, immediately bent forward.

Swoosh—

A whirlwind blasted over her back. Mev turned her head just in time to see a swirling sphere of lightning shoot past.

Kaboom!

The sphere collided with the pursuing horde, unleashing web-like lightning in all directions. Every creature it touched was pierced through as the currents dispersed.

For an instant, the rear view opened wide and clear.

Grrr!

Moro roared and swerved hard. Through shredded corpses, splintered trees, and trampled grass, an ominous fog was spreading close to the ground. A demonic realm was taking shape nearby.

"Cough... phew... phew..."

Ian's ragged, coughing breaths came from behind her. He had only been pretending to be relaxed to reassure her; he was clearly pushing himself too hard.

Even so, Mev didn’t look back. Guarding the rear was her task now.

"-----!"

"---!"

Besides, they still hadn't shaken their pursuers. Their numbers had clearly thinned, but the jungle monsters were still chasing them. If anything, they seemed even more ferocious, their eyes gleaming as they shrieked and ran.

Krrrrsh—

As Moro charged on, ramming through the monsters and trees blocking their path, Mev quietly watched the scenery fall away behind them.

Screech!

Monstrous cries, screams, and flashes of purple light filled the air. The chaos that had started in the jungle was now spreading throughout the entire swamp.

It wasn’t long before another swamp spread open on their right. It was the largest of those that Mev had passed on their way into the jungle.

Fwoosh—

Almost simultaneously, flames rippled out around them.

Boom, boom, boom!

The flames shot chaotically toward the swamp, exploding randomly all over.

Screech!

Mev tilted her head at the sudden blasts, but the effect was immediate. An ominous dark-green tinge seeped into the fog, and beasts of all sizes burst out of the swamp, howling.

And once again, the pursuing purple tide flooded into the swamp. Mev lifted the sword she had been holding low. The swamp fairies and monsters chasing them were closing in with a speed that matched their growing ferocity. Perhaps they were desperate not to lose Ian. After all, he was the one who had set fire to the ancient tree.

"We’re almost through. Don’t let your guard down," said Ian.

Don't worry, Mev thought, swinging the sword in a sharp, one-handed arc.

Bomm!

A purple trajectory slammed into her blade and exploded. As the explosion dissipated, a heavy impact shuddered through Moro's back.

Grraargh!

Moro roared ferociously. Mev caught her breath and steadied her stance as the monsters behind them closed in rapidly. Her two-handed sword carved arcs through the air.

Swoosh, crunch! Slice!

As Moro tore through the beasts crawling out of the swamp and the obstacles blocking the way, Mev’s blade carved wild, relentless arcs.

"-----!"

Monstrous shrieks and the sound of tearing flesh filled the air. Viscera and fluids sprayed wildly.

Swinging nonstop, Mev suddenly realized that no arrows were being shot at her anymore. The same was true of the various monsters crawling from the swamp.

Kaboom! Rumble—

It wasn’t hard to realize this was Ian’s doing. The fireballs he hurled were aimed at the fairies, who were drawing their arrows on her, and he intercepted every creature that crawled out of the swamp.

He didn’t have enough firepower to kill them outright, but it was enough to throw them into brief panic—and that was all it took for them to collide with the jungle monsters chasing from behind.

Slice!

Thanks to him, Mev was able to focus solely on the enemies closing in from behind. Swinging her sword in a half-trance, a faint, unconscious smile touched her lips. It was a feeling she hadn't had in a long time—the feeling of being invincible.

Rumble— Pow!

Nasser was a reliable colleague and squire, but he couldn't compare to the man fighting at her back right now.

She continued to swing her sword, lost in the frantic rhythm of battle.

Then, as Mev turned to find her next target, she froze. The roars, screams, and explosions still echoed around them, yet not a single monster remained clinging to Moro’s rear. She realized why the moment she lifted her gaze.

Screech—

The monsters that had crawled from the swamp were tangled in a chaotic brawl with the monsters from the jungle. Mev finally understood why Ian had shot flames into the swamp.

Crunch!

There were still beasts blocking their path ahead, of course, but they couldn't stop Moro's charge. Ian, crouched low on the saddle, continued conjuring flames and flinging them to the sides without pause.

"Phew... cough..."

Finally, Ian let his right hand fall limp, panting hard. His left hand, still maintaining the Platinum Barrier, gripped the reins. Soon, the outer edge of the swamp faded behind them.

Screech—

They had shaken the pursuit, but the swamp was still engulfed in chaos. Screams, shrieks, and roars echoed from every direction.

"I think we're clear now," said Ian.

Mev, who had been watching their rear this whole time, nodded. She sheathed her sword and straightened her posture.

"This has been an unforgettable reunion, Ian." She raised her visor and looked up at him with a smile.

A weary smile spread across Ian's face as he remained crouching on the saddle. "You've gotten better at joking since I last saw you."

The corners of Mev's mouth curved up a little more.

Ian dismissed the Platinum Barrier and added, "I'm probably going to pass out soon."

"Huh?" Mev's smile froze.

Ian just shrugged nonchalantly and said, "Catch me. And you can leave the traveling to them."

"Yeah. I will." Mev blinked, then nodded. A smile touched her face again. The realization that she’d truly reunited with Ian washed over her once more.

Suppressing another cough, Ian turned his head. "Yog. Once we're out of here, guide Moro to water. We'll rest there."

Moro snorted, and Ian's gaze returned to Mev. "We can catch up on everything else later."

"Sure. Then—" Mev answered, then suddenly reached out. Ian’s head slumped forward, and he tilted to the side.

She pulled him into her embrace, letting out a soft sigh of relief as she looked down at him. For a moment, she gently cupped his cheek with her gauntleted hand.

"Ahem..." Suddenly sensing a gaze, Mev looked up and cleared her throat.

A black snake was coiled on Moro's head, staring at her. It flicked its violet tongue. Pretending not to notice, she shifted into the saddle, holding Ian, and grabbed the reins. Of course, she couldn't ignore the stare forever.

"Um..."

Mev began, glancing between the now-slowing Moro and the tongue-flicking Yog.

"Let's go. Just as Ian said."

Even to her ears, her voice sounded awkward.

***

Imperial banners fluttered. The ground shook as the massive wall sealing the valley crumbled. Panoramic scenes rushed past, filling his entire field of vision.

Ian suddenly realized that he was dreaming. He was seeing the future again—the visions he saw in the White Mage’s memories.

Must’ve been powerful enough to burn itself into me.

Even with that realization, he didn’t wake. The next images showed the Heaven Defier rising into the sky—a future that no longer existed.

He saw Hyked raising his sword, followed by the Black Lions. The Imperial Capital, once a sea of fire plunged into darkness, was reclaimed by a brilliant, dawning light.

Which future will become reality?

Calmly, Ian watched the visions unfold. He didn’t worry about losing them upon waking; he remembered almost everything.

But before long, a faint sense of unease stirred. He was seeing scenes that had never appeared in the White Mage’s memories. Completely unfamiliar—yet unmistakably tragic.