Reincarnated as the Weakest Magical Beast

Five minutes earlier…

Emilia sprinted toward the source of the screams, her heart hammering in her chest. Someone was fighting for their life out here. From the sound of it, their party had been completely overrun by the endless spawn of undead monsters.

Thus, she had to help them!

At the same time, she tugged a mask over her face. Good thing she prepared this item beforehand. Because if she was forced to use the Silvermoon Sword Art in front of strangers, at least her identity would remain hidden, so that she wouldn't be breaking the rules of the Trial!

When she burst onto the scene, however, the sight nearly froze her in place.

It was horrifying, way more horrifying than she had expected.

An entire party of adventurers had been massacred here. Now, over ten human corpses lay scattered across the blood-soaked clearing. Mangled, torn apart, their flesh ripped open, entrails spilling, blood splattered across the mud like grotesque strokes of paint. The stench of iron, rot, and death hung so heavy in the air it burned her nose and throat.

And yet… one still stood.

A knight.

His entire body shone with radiant golden light. Wings of pure brilliance arched wide from his back, while a sword and shield of divine energy shimmered in his hands. Bathed in that holy radiance, he looked less like a mortal man and more like a figure descended from the heavens themselves.

And he was fighting alone, holding back three Death Bears and a hulking Death Wolf all at once. Like a madman defying the impossible, he met every strike head-on, refusing to fall.

Emilia's eyes widened in recognition.

That skill—she knew it instantly!

Guardian Angel!

So far, not even the monsters' savage blows could pierce his shining protection. Under Guardian's Angel effect, that man was invulnerable, fully protected against all physical damage!

However, the golden light that enveloped his body was already flickering. Any second now, and that divine protection would end.

QUICK, MASTER!!!

Mimi urged with a desperate, echoing meow.

Emilia clenched her teeth, raised her blade, and hurled herself forward faster, her body blurring with speed!

"Flamme, please!!!"

FWWOOOOOMMM!!!

Black flames roared to life, engulfing Emilia's sword as she charged into the fray, arriving at the knight's side at the very last second!

***

Now…

As the Death Bear's corpse crashed to the ground, Mary's eyes widened in disbelief. Her whole body trembled, her lips stuttering in shock.

"O-One… one hit??? What…?"

She couldn't believe it.

The enhanced Death Bear, blessed by the Blood Moon, was such a terrifying monster that demanded flawless coordination, layered spells, and relentless teamwork to bring down, with its absurd HP and defense. However, it had been felled in a single sword slash.

Her mind reeled with possibilities.

Just… who in the world could do that? A high-level adventurer?

From behind the collapsing corpse and the blaze of black fire, a figure slowly emerged.

A girl.

She was tall, graceful, clad in nothing more than plain adventurer's garb and light armor. In her hand, there was a simple steel sword, yet it burned with a roaring black mysterious flame, its glow crackling in the smoky air. Her shoulder-length hair whipped in the wind, streaked with ash and sparks. But her face was hidden… concealed behind a gleaming white metal, leaving only two hollow circles where her eyes should be.

And sitting inside a makeshift sling in front of her chest was a small black cat, its ears twitching.

Mary's heart hammered so violently it felt like it might burst from her chest.

The masked girl stepped closer until she stopped before Mary and reached out a hand.

"Hey, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

The girl's voice was so soft, so gentle that it was a jarring contrast to the terrifying power Mary had just witnessed. Just hearing it smoothed the sharp edges of her panic, if only a little.

"I-I'm okay…" Mary muttered shakily. "T-Thanks…"

But then she jolted upright in realization.

"Oh shit! Kathy! KATHY!!!"

Her friend Kathy had just been struck by the bear! She needed to check on her!

Mary scrambled to her feet and rushed to the blonde-haired mage. Kathy lay slumped at the base of a shattered tree, her body limp, blood dripping from her mouth, streaking her head, and running steadily down her arm.

Mary dropped to her knees and seized her, frantic. Trembling fingers pressed against the girl's neck.

And fortunately, she felt it… a pulse.

"Thank god…" she whispered.

Kathy was still alive.

However, her condition was critical.

Her body was slick with blood—a clear sign of the [Bleed] status draining her HP every second. Her face had gone deathly pale, her hands icy cold. She was losing too much blood. If she wasn't treated fast, Kathy would die right there in the mud!

"Potion… Right! I need a potion!" she mumbled.

Mary scrambled, searching frantically through her things.

But… "Eh?" Panic struck her. "FUCK! My supply bag! I left it behind!!!"

In her desperation to run faster earlier, she must have ditched it without thinking. Now the decision came crashing back to haunt her.

Without a potion, how could she save Kathy now?

Despair once again crept into Mary's mind, heavy and suffocating.

She pulled at her hair, trembling, her thoughts spiraling into panic—when suddenly, a hand reached from behind, offering her a small vial filled with glowing red liquid.

A health potion.

"Quick, give this to her," the masked girl said.

"Ah!" Mary flinched but instantly snatched the vial. Tears welled in her eyes as she bowed deeply, pressing her head to the ground.

"Thank you! Thank you so much! Thank you!!!"

"Eh? Q-Quick! There's no time! Give it to her!" the girl urged.

Mary fumbled with the cork, then carefully poured the potion into Kathy's mouth.

Everyone watched with bated breath, while Mary prayed desperately that the potion would work.

And then, seconds later, her prayer was answered.

Kathy's body gave a faint glow as the liquid slid down her throat. Within moments, the bleeding stopped, her wounds knitting just enough to halt the worst of it.

Kathy was still unconscious. But she was safe, at least for now.

Mary let out a long, trembling breath of relief.

"Aahhh… thank god…" She turned to the girl. "Once again, thank you, for saving me, and my friend…"

"Hey, don't worry about it," the girl replied.

But then, suddenly, something moved, rustling the grass. Heavy footsteps splashed against the muddy ground, drawing closer with every step.

"Wait! MONSTER!" Mary exclaimed. "Quick! We need to get out of here!"

However, the girl didn't react much, her stance steady and unshaken.

And then, another figure emerged from the shadows. The moment Mary saw him, her eyes welled with tears. She gasped, covering her mouth.

"N… no way! Aron?!"

Mary had been certain Aron died when he sacrificed himself to hold back the undead horde. But here he was—alive, breathing, though each breath was ragged and strained. His armor was dented and torn, his body battered and streaked with blood, his face pale with exhaustion.

"Hey," he said weakly, forcing a faint smile.

"How???" Mary stammered, still in disbelief.

"Well, I thought I'd kicked the bucket for sure. But thanks to this young lady who saved me, I'm still alive." He gestured toward the masked girl.

"Ahhh…" Mary breathed out, her knees almost giving way.

Her chest swelled with relief and joy. She was alive, and now, miraculously, her two friends were safe too.

"Alright, let's head for the safe zone," the masked girl said, her calm tone cutting through the tension.

"Yes." Mary nodded firmly.

Aron crouched down, gently lifting the little mage, Kathy, into his arms. The four quickly moved towards the safe zone, where no monster would come for them anymore

***

Moments later, they arrived at the safe zone.

It was nothing more than a small clearing, at its center a weathered Divine statue of a god, its stone surface cracked yet still radiating a divine presence. Around it stretched a wide circle of glowing purple magic lines etched into the ground

The moment they stepped across the line, the sigils blazed to life. A sudden flash of light erupted, forming a towering wall of dark radiance around the clearing. At once, Mary and Aron collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, their exhaustion finally catching up to them.

Meanwhile, Emilia turned back, her eyes fixed on the monsters in pursuit.

If she wanted to, she could easily cut them down where they stood. But she was curious. She wanted to see for herself how legit this so-called safe zone truly was.

And then it happened.

The Death Bears and Wolves rushed forward, snarling and foaming, only to skid to a halt mere steps from the glowing wall. Their claws raked at the invisible barrier, their fangs snapped, but they could not pass. From outside, they could only howl, growl, and roar in helpless fury.

This confirmed it.

This was truly a safe zone. No monster would ever be able to enter.