Shadow Author

Slicing through the red mist the creature split in half and began breaking apart as it lost its appearance of being a person.

I watched this scene closely as I knew the monster would struggle but ultimately it would result in nothing.

As the two sections tried to merge the voice of the mist voiced out in laughter.

<Did you think a sword could harm something like me?>

I didn't respond as the monster would soon realize that it already lost.

Although it was true that it would be fundamentally impossible for a sword to cut through air, Nightfall was different.

It was clear that the mist was underestimating me but that was also partially due to how I displayed myself.

I made it seem like we were at a standstill where it was unable to harm me due to my strong mental fortitude. While I couldn't as it was quite literally a fog that didn't have a physical component to it.

That's why the mist thought nothing more of me cutting it.

There was a chance it could have retreated before I cut it so I made sure to mention Paul that way the mist would think I was acting out of anger.

In reality, the moment Nightfall so much as touched the mist the game was over.

While waiting the mist started connecting itself together to rebuild the body it formed however it seemed to be taking a bit of time as when it was nearly completed with one part another would break away.

The mist would create a hand and then its leg would break away causing the whole body to collapse. Then it would start building itself up before something similar happened.

"Have you noticed?"

Hearing my words the mist gave up on returning to its humanoid form and remained bodiless.

<What did you do to me?>

I smiled.

"Are you ready?"

"Ready for w- >

Suddenly a strong suction force began pulling in the mist. The cause of this force was none other than Nightfall.

'She got it.'

Now I knew that things were completely in my control as there was zero chance of anything honing wrong.

Beforehand had the mist wanted to kill Paul it could have but now its fate was set in stone.

Watching as the mist that once filled the entire room slowly began losing its presence I felt relieved that everything would soon be over.

"I'll see you on the other side."

<No!>

Finally, as the last bit of red was locked away in the sword I looked around the room one last time.

Paul was still on his deathbed and Evelyn was lying unconscious on the floor.

I could have gone over to the wall and blown a hole through it as I had done in the memories but I knew now that the red mist was gone the others would arrive in a matter of seconds.

That left me with three options: injure myself to fit in with the others, go over to Paul and say I was trying to help him, or, do the same but with Evelyn.

Ideally, I'd go over to Evelyn but I knew she was strong and would be fine on her own. Although just thinking about some of the stuff she had to go through weighed on my conscience.

Had I wanted to hide my strength and remain hidden I would have blended in with the others but I didn't have that choice as in order to go stronger I had to be at the forefront of every grand event to gain the highest amount of SP imaginable.

Therefore I made my way over and crouched down next to Paul before whispering:

"I'll be fulfilling the first part of our deal so you better be ready when I complete the last part."

I didn't know if Paul could hear me or not but it didn't matter as the next second the wall which was covered with debris was forcefully torn down.

As rays of sunshine flooded into the room and the figures of Mr. Griffin and a few other administrators stood looking into the room I dropped my raised shoulders and relaxed.

"Help! He needs medical attention!"

Screaming for help, someone from behind the line of people blocking the entrance rushed forward and pushed past them.

The moment the nurse caught a glimpse of the horror that was the scene she froze up for a second but it was only a moment before she locked her eyes on me and the person laying next to me.

She looked around at the bodies of all the other students as she tried her best to avoid them as she made her way over to me.

Even in this case, I wanted to have a bit of fun.

"They are all dead! Hurry, he's not going to make it much longer!"

Hearing my words the nurse had two options. Continue moving at a slow speed by stepping only where there was space between bodies or stepping on them to make it as quick as possible.

She chose the latter as with each step blood splattered and the sounds of the bodies she stepped on rattled through the walls.

It was clear that the nurse was experienced because if it required her to harm the bodies of the dead she would willingly do it to save the life of one of the living.

I was satisfied with how she conducted herself and the nurse made it to the two of us in no time.

Dropping down next to me she looked over Paul's body and her face scrunched up.

There was a gaping hole in his side, he was covered in blood, and she couldn't make out his breathing.

Pushing past me to check if his heart was still beating I was forced to stand up to give her room.

When she placed her fingers on his neck her face turned gloomy but she soon felt a faint pulse and she immediately got to work.

Meanwhile, I locked my eyes on Mr. Griffin who finally began giving out orders to those beside him.

'Things are going to become much more interesting.'