In a dense forest, a lone figure clad in shining white armor and a crimson cape walked briskly.
"The coordinates should be around here," he muttered, casually glancing at the sky.
"I guess I'd better pick up the pace."
With a light step, the figure began to run, and his silhouette slowly disappeared into the shadows of the thick woods.
---
High-level Summoner creatures were comparable to high-tier Spirits.
Summoned beings were manifestations of magical beasts—creatures brought forth through special contracts and magical mediums.
Unlike Spirits, which existed naturally in this world, some lived among humans while others resided in the realm of spirits.
Summoned creatures were classified into tiers:
-Magical Animal
-Magical Beast
-Mythical Beast (the highest tier)
The stone Erica used wasn't an ordinary summoning tool. It was a High-Tier Summoner Stone, capable of calling forth a Mythical Beast.
And within that stone, slumbered Ignis Aeter—the legendary Phoenix.
Amidst the chaos, Erica slowly rose. A blazing creature began to take shape beside her—wings of blue fire spreading wide. The air shimmered with heat, not scorching, but empowering.
The flames gently wrapped around the unconscious old woman.
Cough! Cough!
She stirred, slowly opening her eyes.
"Grandma…! You're awake!" Erica cried, overwhelmed with relief.
The old woman stared at Erica, whose body now radiated bluish-red flame.
"Heh… heh heh…" she chuckled weakly, a small smile curling on her wrinkled face.
She remembered a conversation long ago, with the Master of the Red Tower:
"If you ever meet a child with great potential, give her this stone."
"If she awakens what's inside, then… maybe she's the one the prophecy spoke of."
At the time, the old woman scoffed.
"You're the only one who believes in that nonsense."
But now… seeing Erica, aglow with sacred, overwhelming power—
She began to wonder.
"Could it be… are you truly that child…?" she whispered.
Pyra, still struggling to restrain the Minotaur with Inferno Lash, allowed a tired smile to creep across her face.
Groarrr!
The beast broke free from its fiery bindings.
"Kyaah!"
Pyra was thrown to the ground but slowly rose again.
"Damn it… my mana's almost drained," she muttered.
The Minotaur charged.
Quick Step.
At that moment, the mercenary captain darted in front of the monster like a gust of wind, intercepting the attack.
Power Strike.
He slammed his aura-imbued blade forward, but the Minotaur blocked with its axe. The captain was sent flying.
"Tch… he still managed to block that," he growled.
All around him, mercenaries lay wounded—or dead.
"Hey, Mage! Got any potions left?" he yelled to Pyra.
Gulp!
Pyra finished her potion in one swift chug.
"No need to ask. I just drank it," she replied coldly.
The captain smirked, then turned to Erica, who was slowly standing.
"Looks like someone's having an awakening," he said.
"Hey kid, can you help? Time to butcher a bull for dinner."
Erica looked at the old woman beside her. She gently placed her hand on her.
"Wait here, Grandma. I'm going to fight."
She rose.
"Hiyaaa!"
The captain charged, swinging his greatsword.
Clang!
Metal struck metal.
"Inferno Lash!"
Pyra slammed her palm to the ground.
Swoosh!
Flaming tendrils erupted, binding the Minotaur's limbs.
"Go, Ignis!"
Kyaaak!!
The Phoenix cried out, flames flaring.
Dozens of fireballs formed around Erica.
Swoosh!
They compressed into blazing blue arrows.
"Firebolt!"
With focus, she launched half of her remaining mana.
Quick Step!
The captain leapt out of the blast radius.
KABOOM!
Explosions rocked the area. The Minotaur staggered and dropped to its knees.
"I'll end this!"
The captain rushed forward, aiming for its neck.
"Mud Trap"
Zlaaak!
The ground beneath him turned to sludge.
"What—?!"
Before he could react—
"Bone Dart."
Zing! Zing! Zing!
Dozens of bone arrows rained down.
Clang! Clang!
He raised his sword, deflecting some.
Jleb! Jleb!
Others struck his limbs.
"Arrghhh!!"
"Kyaaahh!!"
Pyra, hit in the shoulder, collapsed.
Kyaaak!
Ignis shielded Erica with its fiery wings.
Then, a cold voice echoed—
"Why the rush? Shall we play a little?"
A man in black robes stepped from the trees, clutching a skull-topped staff. Death radiated from him.
"You…"
Pyra's eyes widened.
"A Black Mage…"
Users of forbidden magic. Worshipers of demons. Researchers of death. Human experimentation was their legacy.
"Erica… RUN!!!" Pyra screamed.
"Ignis!"
Erica called out.
Cursed Chain.
Clank! Clank!
Dark chains burst from the ground, binding Ignis.
"Ugh…!"
The spell was overwhelming.
"A little girl summoning a Phoenix? Fascinating… You'd make a perfect test subject."
The Black Mage chuckled darkly.
Mana Drain.
The chains pulsed—
Bzzzzzt…
Ignis dimmed… and vanished.
"No…!"
Erica cried out.
Rise of Flame.
Dark energy surged into the Minotaur's broken body.
Groooarrr!!
It rose, eyes glowing crimson.
Doom!
It rammed into the captain.
"Gahhkk!!"
He flew and fell, unmoving.
"Captain!!"
His men panicked.
"Worthless."
The Black Mage raised his staff.
"Rise Undead."
Clatter… clatter…
Bones erupted from the soil.
Kraaak…
Skeletons, armed and soulless, climbed from the earth.
"And now… time for the little girl to sleep."
His eyes locked on Erica.
Arrows sped toward her.
"ERICA!!!"
The old woman threw herself forward—
Jleb!
The arrows struck her.
"G-Grandma!!"
Erica screamed.
"You've done well…"
The old woman raised a trembling hand, brushing Erica's cheek—
Hhh…
Her final breath escaped as her hand fell limp.
"G-Grandma…"
Erica held her close, tears falling. The fire's warmth had gone cold. Her world… collapsed.
"What a beautiful sight."
The Black Mage said flatly.
"Minotaur. Take the girl."
Thump… Thump…
Heavy steps shook the ground.
Erica didn't move. Her mind was lost.
Why…?
Why did it have to end like this?
Is this fate… truly unchangeable?
Her eyes dimmed.
[Anomaly Detected.]
A faint system message flickered before her.
But she didn't react.
The Minotaur drew near…
Crack!!
The air split.
DOOOM!!
A blinding kick slammed into the beast—
Sending it flying.
GROARRGH!!
It crashed into a tree, shattering the trunk.
Before Erica stood a lone figure.
Gleaming white armor.
A crimson cape flowing in the wind.
Sunlight bathed him in gold.
Anyone who saw him might ask:
Is this a knight, bound by oath and honor?
Or a paladin, sent by the gods to purge the darkness?
Erica looked up, her tearful eyes meeting the soft glow around the figure.
Her body trembled. Her vision blurred.
And before everything faded to black—
Please… save them.
Brugh…!
She collapsed.