Ex-Rank Awakening: My Attacks Make Me Stronger

Racheal steadied her breathing, every muscle taut as she prepared for whatever horror might crawl free from the chrysalis. She didn't know what kind of creature would emerge, but she wasn't going to take any chances. Her bowstring drew tighter, her arrow humming with faint tension.

Crack.

The sound rang sharp through the chamber.

Crack… crack…

The fissures spread quickly, racing across the blackened shell. Racheal narrowed her eyes, refusing to blink, refusing to drop her guard. Then, as the last of the black stone was drained completely into the chrysalis, the cracking stopped. The silence that followed was worse than the noise.

For a moment, the chamber held its breath.

Then,

Boom!

The chrysalis exploded outward. Shards of black flew in every direction, but before they could touch her, the fragments dissolved midair into dark motes, scattering like smoke in the wind.

Where the cocoon once stood, a figure emerged.

Racheal froze.

It was no monster, no corrupted beast. It was a body, sculpted to flawless perfection, framed in a faint glow that shimmered violet at the edges of its white hair. Her bow nearly slipped from her grip.

Her elven eyes traced the form unwillingly, and her composure faltered as she realized the figure was completely bare. Heat flushed unbidden to her cheeks, but she forced her jaw to tighten, raising the bow again in defiance of her own weakness.

Then its eyes opened.

Royal purple, burning with a strange majesty. The moment their gaze found hers, the air shifted, as though the world itself bent to those eyes. Racheal's heart stumbled in her chest. She felt herself sinking into them, lost in their pull, as if those eyes carried some subtle, irresistible hypnosis.

And then, recognition.

Faint, flickering across the figure's expression, before their body crumpled.

They collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Racheal stood there, stunned, staring at the form lying naked and motionless on the stone floor. Her bow wavered, useless now, and a quiet whisper slipped from her lips before she realized she'd spoken.

"…What now?"

For a long while she lingered, torn between caution and curiosity. Finally, she exhaled sharply through her nose and lowered her weapon. Maybe this being had answers. Maybe it could lead her to Leon.

She crouched beside the unconscious figure, steadying her hands as she made her decision.

It wasn't because of the perfect form, or those unsettlingly beautiful eyes. She wasn't that easily swayed. She just… liked beautiful things. And this one, for better or worse, might hold the key to what she sought.

****

Racheal's steps were measured as she carefully lifted the unconscious figure into her arms. He was heavier than he looked, his frame deceptively lean but brimming with some quiet strength. She didn't falter, though. With patience, she made her way back up the spiraling staircase, the shadows of the hidden chamber falling away behind her.

At last, she emerged into the Lord's chamber. The air was still heavy with silence, but no threats awaited. Racheal exhaled softly and carried the figure to the queen-sized bed, lowering him onto the mattress with surprising gentleness.

Her gaze lingered for a second too long before she caught herself. The man was still completely bare. Racheal frowned slightly, then scanned the chamber. A lord of standing was bound to have clothes stored nearby.

Sure enough, she found a wardrobe tucked neatly against the wall. Pulling it open, she rifled through tunics, coats, and embroidered shirts. Most were too small, Lord Pius had been of a slight build. Only one garment seemed like it would fit the figure sprawled across the bed: a black robe, simple but elegant.

Carrying it back, she paused at the bedside. The faint violet glow that edged his white hair in the chamber below had dimmed, but even in unconsciousness he radiated something unnatural. Racheal narrowed her eyes and muttered, almost to herself, "Excuse me."

With careful, practiced movements, she slipped the robe over his still form, adjusting it until it covered him properly.

Outside the manor, dusk weighed heavy on Shantel. James, standing among the workers, grew restless. His brow creased as he muttered under his breath, "Why hasn't Lord Leon returned yet?"

The mage's mind churned. 'If something had happened…' James clenched his fist.

He thought about rallying the others, but quickly dismissed it. If Leon truly was in danger, their presence would only hinder him. No, if he was going, it had to be alone.

"Even if I give my life," James whispered, steadying his resolve, "it will be enough if Lord Leon escapes."

Without another word, he broke away from the cleanup and walked toward the quiet, looming manor.

The closer he came, the heavier the air felt. The gates creaked under his push, but no voice called out. The silence was unnerving. He wanted to cry out—Lord Leon!—but swallowed the urge. If there was danger within, he couldn't risk alerting it.

Room by room, he searched, his staff glowing faintly to light his way. The manor was empty, eerily so.

At last, he reached the Lord's chamber. His hand lingered on the handle for a heartbeat before he pushed the door open.

****

As James stepped into the chamber, his breath caught. His eyes widened, darting first to the stranger lying unconscious on the bed and then to the figure standing watch beside him.

"You—who are you?" His voice trembled between shock and suspicion.

The unconscious man drew his attention for a heartbeat, but then his gaze settled on the standing figure. The long, pointed ears were impossible to miss. James' staff tightened in his grip. "An elf?"

Racheal froze where she stood, recognizing him at once. He was one of the warriors who had been outside, working among the others. She opened her mouth to speak, to explain, but James cut her off sharply.

"Who are you? What have you done with Lord Leon?"

A mana circle flared to life in front of his staff, burning red as it spun into shape. Flames gathered, whirling into the form of a fireball. His expression was hard, but beneath it was panic.

"Answer me—now!"

Racheal just stared at him, baffled. Her bow was still in hand, but she hadn't raised it. The sheer suddenness of his hostility left her blinking, lips pressed in a thin line, emerald eyes flickering between the unconscious figure on the bed and the fiery threat before her.