Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 248 (Part 2):

Around the same time, decisions were being made in the hideout where the Grand Duke had taken refuge.

“Be careful. We need to move while suppressing our presence as much as possible. If we catch that thing’s attention…”

“I know.”

“I hope nothing happens here either. We’ll block the entrance to the hideout as we leave.”

“We must inform the main force of the Grand Duke’s location.”

Small but solemn voices exchanged words. The Grand Duke’s condition was deteriorating.

The Grand Duke was also a swordsman who handled Vis. Thanks to his robust body, he was barely holding on, but otherwise, he would have been teetering on the brink of life and death.

If left unattended, he would become critically ill. He needed treatment.

They couldn’t just hold out in the cold mountains with meager supplies.

They had to move immediately, no matter what.

“If time passes and we don’t return, then…”

“I’ll either move alone or take His Highness. I’ll decide then.”

The one who was to stay behind answered cautiously.

The slowest one was to stay and guard the Grand Duke.

The other two would move in different directions towards the main force.

One was to stay behind to protect the Grand Duke.

Monsters were a problem, but there was also the possibility of other beasts sneaking in and harming the unconscious Grand Duke.

“Let’s go.”

It was a path of uncertain survival, but a necessary one.

The two who stood up left the hideout immediately.

In the now silent hideout, the one who stayed behind could only wait.

*

With every step, dense demonic energy could be felt.

It approached more densely than the now-thinned fog.

Helmut frowned.

‘This isn’t normal. No wonder seven Black Wing Knights were killed.’

It was hard to believe, but it seemed he might encounter a demonic beast capable of claiming its own territory even in the Forest of Roots.

It might not be on par with Elaga or Naho, but it was indeed a powerful beast.

‘They said it was close to a human form.’

Helmut had heard the survivor’s testimony before departing. About the beast that appeared out of nowhere.

It had a shape almost identical to a human, and its size was similar to that of a well-built adult male.

It was a puzzling fact.

Demonic energy enlarges the body. Strength fundamentally comes from weight and size.

Since demonic energy enhances that strength, the body, the source, also develops.

Both inside and outside the Forest of Roots, strong beasts were large. It was rare to find one that didn’t follow this rule.

‘Well, sometimes there might be small ones.’

Helmut shook his head. He didn’t know about all the demonic beasts in the Forest of Roots. But one thing was certain.

‘I can’t guarantee that it’s an opponent I can defeat.’

Helmut had never lost once in the human world. It was easy to think that he would naturally win.

Moreover, the opponent was a demonic beast. Slaying beasts was Helmut’s specialty.

But Helmut didn’t underestimate his opponent.

Both his reason and instincts told him of the enemy’s strength.

A sensation as if his skin was freezing. Tension rising spontaneously.

Even when facing the Palma Knights’ Commander, he hadn’t felt like this.

‘It’s been so long it’s almost unfamiliar.’

Helmut frowned. Even Helmut himself couldn’t guarantee victory if he were to face 15 Black Wing Knights.

But that beast had attacked the Grand Duke, killed seven, and driven the rest to flee.

According to testimony, its movements were very fast.

So when it suddenly appeared and attacked the Grand Duke, they couldn’t immediately block it.

‘Strong and fast too.’

He recalled past memories. When he took on an escort mission with the Pace Mercenary Corps through a beast-infested forest.

The leader monster there was quite strong too.

The strongest demonic beast Helmut had faced in the human world was the monkey beast he met there.

But even there, the demonic energy wasn’t this dense.

Despite the numerous beasts present there.

‘Whatever kind of beast it is, it’s leaving traces of demonic energy with every step.’

A demonic beast that naturally exudes demonic energy should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Although the Seed of Darkness had shrunk a bit after fighting the priests, Helmut had to avoid demonic energy.

Especially now, having met his mother.

His heart twitched somehow. The Seed of Darkness seemed to react to the demonic energy. Helmut was getting closer.

He just knew.

‘The smell of blood.’

Helmut reached for his sword. The sword drawn from his waist emitted a cool light.

It was a beast with explosive speed. It could attack at any moment. He couldn’t let his guard down.

The thick scent of blood wafted from afar.

Fresh blood, as if it had just been exposed to the air after piercing flesh.

It came almost within reach beyond the fog. Helmut’s senses had never been this keen before.

Helmut moved following his senses. Towards where the demonic energy was thickening.

Thanks to that, he found it properly. Something was there.

‘It’s the creature.’

If he couldn’t handle it alone, it would be right to mobilize troops.

Helmut now understood human combat methods. But at least he had to confirm its appearance.

‘Whether it’s the Grand Duke who’s dead, or a Black Wing Knight.’

If the smell of blood was this strong, there would be no use in rushing over.

Helmut walked at a pace that was neither slow nor fast. The fog was now distinctly thinner.

And finally, he saw something. The metallic smell of blood was overwhelming.

The creature, hunched over with its back turned, was unaware of Helmut.

Its back rose and fell continuously. Splat, splat. Blood spattered in the air.

Helmut soon confirmed a gruesome sight with his own eyes.

An ordinary human would have screamed and collapsed at the sight.

The creature was devouring a dismembered man’s body, bones and all.

At its feet lay half of a Black Wing Knight’s head. The other half, drenched in blood, still bore a vivid expression of terror.

He must have been murdered in utter horror. Unable to resist properly.

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