Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 493: When would it all end?

Chapter 493: When would it all end?

Despite the precision and sheer force behind the beam of light, Charlotte seemed up to the task as she swung her sword in one swift motion, deflecting the attack.

As an explosion occurred to the right of where Alex stood, the clown took a step forward and then disappeared.

Alex didn’t even have the time to react as they appeared next to him and attempted to grab him.

Charlotte’s blade flashed but the clown pulled back before taking a few steps back.

For a moment, the battle entered a lull as the clown prowled around the periphery of Charlotte’s reach, seeking the best avenue to reach Alex... or at least, that was how it looked.

Master, we must consider retreating.

’Why?’

Our foe is of the Conjoined Wheel, a highly advanced one judging from their aura.

’You can’t defeat them?’

I can if I get a drop of their blood, however, I fear that those of the Conjoined Wheel do not move alone unless they have reached the 7th Advancement, for fear of the Devouring.

Though curious to figure out what the Devouring meant, Alex knew there were more important matters to consider.

’So that means either our opponent is waiting for their friends to catch up or they are on the same level as Alejandro?’

Exactly. I cannot hope to beat our foes if they are of equivalent strength to the one standing before us.

’Then shall we even the odds?’

Pa

ClownFace paused as it stared at Alex for a moment longer than necessary, its eyes zeroing in on Alex’s fingers.

Meanwhile, Alex expected Eternal Night to emerge but was met with nothing but a slight ripple in the aether flow in the area.

His expression turned sour as he realized a major issue.

Forgive me, master, but I believe we may have wandered into the domain of a powerful entity.

Alex clicked his tongue in slight annoyance. "It would seem so."

***

"How did you..."

Get here?

Amase muttered, helping to complete Nadia’s question.

Nodding frantically, Nadia intoned. "I only recited the first stanza of the summoning verse."

And that my dear child, was more than enough. You gained my attention and that is all that is needed. The other two stanzas are merely tools to lock onto your location and then preempt a speedy arrival. Both of which can be circumvented considering you are quite the interesting specimen.

Amase replied, her lips curling ever so slightly as she disappeared only to reappear in front of Nadia.

Nadia nearly tripped in fright with Amase reaching out to grab her wrist.

Before anything could happen, Arthur suddenly appeared and grabbed Amase’s wrist while using his other arm to stop Nadia from falling.

"Stay away from her." He growled.

Amase blinked in amusement.

Now this is rather interesting. I saved your life and you treat me this way?

"That is quite the stretch considering we didn’t require your aid. Don’t overstep, Amase." Alex calmly remarked as he walked over.

Amase glanced in his direction, scrutinizing him briefly before finally pulling back her gaze.

... Alright then.

With a smile, Amase returned to her original position with Arthur stepping in between to avoid a repeat.

"Thank you."

You are not welcome.

As the Devil and Beastman stared each other down, Douglas remained in place, silent as he stared at where the Slenderman had last stood before disappearing with Emily.

His heart tightened as tears slowly tricked down his cheeks.

"Emily." He muttered softly before dropping to his knees. "I’m sorry."

Meanwhile, Victoria made her way over to comfort him while Elena and Arwen checked on Ana’s current state, which was still somewhat stable.

***

The army of the undead from the west was but a day’s ride away from Parafall yet within the city, it seemed as though they had already passed through.

The streets which had once been busy with activity now lay eerily empty with the gothic houses giving off a haunting feeling should one stare for a bit longer than necessary.

There were still blood stains that had long since dried up on the snow-covered streets, a testament to the horror that had occurred within the city not too long ago.

A good half of the city looked as though it had experienced war with half of the buildings either in a tattered state or with blackened walls.

Natasha struggled to stay calm, trembling as she pulled her coat tighter over her body even as she had an innate resistance to the cold and biting wind blowing in.

Her expression was quite hollow, her mind replaying what she had seen, what she had done... it was too horrible to even speak of.

Yet she thought of it and the images did not go away no matter how much she tried.

Despite having never tasted alcohol in her life, she found herself craving the foul substance to perhaps gain some sense of reprieve from what had been done.

She had sworn to defend the citizens and though she had done her best, some deaths still occurred and each one resonated deeply with her.

"Captain." A voice called out at that moment, snapping her out of her reverie.

She glanced away from the building she’d been staring at to find an Enforcer standing a few meters away.

"What is it?" She asked in a hoarse tone.

"Commander Leslie wishes to discuss ways to survive the encroaching Dead. He hopes you will be available."

Natasha had a million and one thing to say but ultimately stayed silent.

The deed had already been done and no amount of arguments would reverse that fact.

Just then, she noticed it, a large cloud of smoke billowing from someplace within the city.

She didn’t even need to ask to know what that was.

Those that died needed to burn to prevent them from coming back and so... as she stared at the thick smoke rising toward the winter sky, Natasha couldn’t help but ask.

When would it all end?