Chapter 187: Crystallize [5]

"Carl, stay here."

She urged and Carl nodded in response.

Amelia abruptly rushed towards Brandon who leaned on the wall, unconscious.. His mana lashed out like whips.

Rumble... Rumble...

The cave shook intensely. The whip—like mana violently lashed towards Amelia.

"Ahk...!"

The mana struck Amelia—who raised her arms to guard herself. A sharp pang rang in her body, and a burn—like mark etched on her arms.

All of a sudden, Brandon's mouth twitched while his eyes were closed.

"Motherfucker."

Oh, my.

"....?"

Amelia was stupefied.

Was he unconscious or not?

"Ahkk!"

The mana attacked her arm once again. Gritting her teeth, Amelia pressed forward, keeping her guard up.

Rumble... Rumble...

"Kuhh!"

Her clothes started tear. The fur coat flew back as the fabric attaching it around her neck was cut loose.

"Go fucking—Khhh... Kill yourself you extra bastard!"

Oh, no.

Extra what now?

Brandon had quite the sharp vocabulary.

Amelia persevered. Visible burn marks appeared on her cheeks, arms, waist, thigh.

All over her body.

Finally, she had neared the unconscious Brandon.

Amelia had no idea how Ciel was able to do this everyday for nine months.

The thought seemed absurd.

"Fucking bi—Nghh..."

Before he could finish, Amelia covered his mouth.

"...."

But his mouth continued moving and she felt a wet sensation on her hand.

"...."

"Mnghhh."

He continued.

"Stop talking!"

Amelia urged.

By now, her hand was wet from Brandon's saliva.

Amelia shook her head. She could clean her hands later.

Extending her palms forward, magic power began to seep, crawling from her arms towards her hand.

Her hand emitted a bright glow and she pressed her palm against Brandon's chest.

The mana started pouring inside Brandon. She could trace where the mana was going.

The mana loomed inside him. Closing her eyes, she focused on its directions.

"Nmfff...."

"Shut up."

According to Ciel, she had to pour her mana all the way inside his core to purify it.

Rumble... Rumble...

The cave continued shaking. Debris started falling from the ceiling and cracks started form on the walls.

Amelia gritted her teeth. She started losing strength in each passing second of the purifying process.

She felt her mana drain at a rapid pace and her complexions were starting to pale.

But this was for Brandon.

It was a good thing that she had stocked up on her own food supplies as well. Since she didn't have the means to start a fire like Brandon, she bought food supplies that were readily edible.

In the first place, she had no survival skills.

For two days, she offered her food to feed Carl. At the same time, she fed the sleeping Brandon with food that was easily digestible and didn't require any chewing.

Unlike back then, it was quite lonely.

Carl would only speak if he was spoken to. But he wouldn't start any conversations.

But regardless, Amelia tried to liven up the mood.

It was really... lonely.

The goblins were gone.

Brandon was unconscious.

She had nothing else to do but entertain Carl and wait for Brandon to wake up.

As if her thoughts were seemingly read... It was then.

"Hua...."

Brandon's mouth moved and a strange sound reached her ears.

Amelia immediately turned around and scanned.

She pursed her lips.

"Brandon?"

His eyes began to twitch.

"Uhmil.... Amelia?"

"Yes, it's me. How are you feeling?"

A smile escaped her lips. Finally, good news after two days.

She rushed towards him and leaned close.

"....I think I'm fi—Khhh..."

It seemed like he tried to move as his legs twitched. But seeing the expression he was making spoke enough.

His body must've been aching all over. Brandon had told her back then about his skills.

The one with the most severe after—effects was his skill called [Mana Burst], which would decline his body after overexertion.

The thought was crazy. Unlike him, she didn't have much skills.

In the first place, her skills didn't place such a burden on her.

"I'm fine. Just need rest."

Brandon clenched his face and assured her.

Amelia's expressions contorted into genuine concern.

***

Next day.

His body was still fatigued. But he could finally move around normally.

[Integration Process: 20%]

For each integration process with Amelia, it would shoot up by ten percent.

"So I have to do this eight more times...."

The thought sent chills down his spine.

But the good news was....

[DEF: C+]

His defense stat had increased.

Looking up, the towering figure of the crystal tree registered in his peripheral vision.

He had come to realize that there was no way for them to break the tree no matter what they did.

They would have to return in another time.

It was too risky with Carl being here.

With such thoughts, Brandon decided.

"Let's go."

The two nodded at his words and Brandon led the way.

It was time to leave the forest and escort Carl back to his village.

If....

....There was even still a village to return to.