The Green-Hooded Reaper

Moments after scouting the corpse, another scream rang out—this one closer, rawer, and abruptly cut short.

Luciel and Cedric moved quickly, weaving through the thick underbrush toward the sound. But when they arrived—it was already too late.

A mangled corpse lay slumped against the roots of a tree, twisted at unnatural angles. Its face had been shredded beyond recognition—skin torn, jaw displaced, eyes wide open in frozen terror. Blood had soaked into the soil, forming a dark halo around the body.

“This feels unsettling…” Cedric muttered, sending a shiver down his spine just by looking at it.

Luciel then checked the remains of the said corpse: And there it was—another pentagram mark, resembling the one they saw minutes prior.

Just then, they heard a rustle from a nearby bush. Cedric quickly turned his torch towards that direction, and spotted a green-hooded person running off in the distance.

“Cedric!” Luciel snapped. “Quick—cast a tracking spell!”

“What?! I’m a swordsman like you, I can’t—!”

“Just do it!” Luciel barked. “Even if it’s not your affinity—try!”

Cedric gritted his teeth—mana flickered unsteadily around his fingertips, weak and unstable. He raised his right hand, and in one fell swoop—unleashed the spell towards the hooded person.

“O’ gods of the wind, heed my prayer. Lend me your guide, and tear the veil of lies! Sigil of Wind: Echo Tracer!”

A pulse of wind surged from his palm, forming a glowing sigil mid-air. It detonated silently—ribbons of wind unraveling into the trees, tracing the steps of the fleeing figure in shimmering, spectral light. Though unstable, it managed to do it’s job and clung onto the hooded person.

“That should do for now…” Cedric panted. “But seriously, what kind of spell needs that much chanting?”

“Shut up,” he snapped. “I’m not exactly magically inclined, remember?”

They exchanged a glance—half relief, half frustration. Without another word, they turned back toward their camp, their boots crunching softly against the forest floor.

Cedric then sighed, “First off, two people just died—And secondly, there’s a green-hooded freak on the loose. I’m starting to love this place.” he said sarcastically.

“Vectus probably did not expect for this to happen, neither the professors and scholars on site I guess. It’s quite unexpected to be quite frank.”

“Luciel!”

The moment they stepped into the clearing, Lilith stood from her seat by the fire, voice cracking slightly.

“Where the hell did you two go!?”

Her arms were crossed, but her eyes betrayed the worry she had carried the entire time they were gone.

Luciel blinked, surprised by the intensity in her tone. “We heard something strange. We checked it out.”

“Something strange?

That’s what you call disappearing for over half an hour in the middle of cursed woods!?” Her voice wavered, but she forced herself to stay composed.

“And you, Cedric…” Another voice followed sharply—Anneliese, arms on her hips, glaring straight at the blonde. “I heard a burst of wind in your direction… Don’t tell me you used magic again.”

Her tone was laced with irritation, but her hands were trembling slightly at her sides. She had been worried. Deeply.

Cedric scratched the back of his head, avoiding her gaze. “It was a gentle burst. Barely even magic.”

“You always say that,” Anneliese snapped, stepping closer. “And the last time you said ‘barely,’ we had to carry you back half-conscious!”

“I’m fine,” Cedric muttered, brushing past and slumping onto a log near the fire.

“Was someone hurt…?” Lilith asked, concerned for the well being of not just the two, but the person who screamed earlier.

“About that…” Luciel stammered, unsure how to tell the news to them.

But Cedric quickly tapped his back, assuring him. Luciel then sighed, quickly taking a deep breath, and told them the news.

“The person was eliminated—quite literally… A corpse was left there.”

Anneliese and Lilith shivered, hearing the news firsthand. If they were the ones who investigated the scene, they would’ve fainted by the sheer amount of gore in the area.

“And not just one—but two of our fellow students.”

Lilith stammered, failing to form coherent sentences. “D-Dead…? W-We doomed…?”

“I thought it was safe… but it seems like it’s not…” Anneliese looked down, her face unmistakable shook, and scared by the thought of them possibly dying for real.

Arvan hearing the news, stayed silent—It was as if he knew something. He then stood up, tapped Luciel’s back and whispered, “I’ll be scouting for a bit. Will be back by morning.” and then disappeared without a trace, which made Luciel shiver a bit.

Cedric, noticing the shaken expressions on Lilith and Anneliese, stepped forward. He gently pulled Anneliese into a hug, his voice low and comforting.

“Hey… we’ll be fine. We’ll figure this out. I promise.”

Anneliese didn’t respond, but her trembling hands clutched his shirt tightly, like a lifeline in the storm.

“Luciel, me and Anneliese will be by the riverside, I’ll just comfort her for now…” Cedric said softly, his arm still around her shoulder as he gently guided her away.

“Don’t go too far…” Luciel nodded, as he sat down by the tree stump next to the campfire.

Lilith then clung to his side, still visibly shaken.

“Are we truly going to be fine…?” she asked, her voice shaking and anxious.

As the campfire crackled, Luciel softly placed his hand over her head, brushing her hair like a terrified kitten on a stormy day.

“I’ll assure of it…” he muttered softly, “If I can’t protect you back then—In this world, I will.” he assured, leaning his head over hers.

Lilith didn’t respond right away, instead she scooted closer to him, sensing for his warmth. She then softly closed her eyes, and hummed a familiar rhythm, anchoring herself from being insane.

“…I still remember,” she finally whispered. “The way everything ended… before we were brought here.”

“It’s quite unfair… I don’t remember anything that happened after I drank it…”

Lilith then chuckled, “I guess it was that strong.”

Luciel’s hand paused for a moment, then continued stroking her hair gently. “We were so helpless back then… It was night, and snowing at the same time. Who would’ve checked us there in the first place?”

Lilith clenched the fabric of his shirt with trembling fingers, giggling as she listened. “But I was always watching you. Even when everything fell apart… I remember thinking, ‘As long as Luciel’s alive, maybe I still have a chance.’”

His eyes then widened, hearing those words come out of her mouth. But he said nothing, letting her ramble on and on—all to keep her calm.

“I may not be as strong as Anneliese—or even Cedric… but if I can just stay by your side, maybe I can be be brave enough…”

He then smiled, before breaking his silence. “Just you being at my side is enough as it is. You don’t have to try hard.”

A quiet breeze swept through the camp, rustling the trees above them. Lilith gave a faint smile and closed her eyes, still pressed to his side.

She then whispered to him softly, pressing her face close to his cheek. “…Thank you, Luciel.”

And just like that, Luciel felt a soft peck on his cheek.

It was soft, but also heartfelt at the same time. Luciel smiled as he continued to comfort her. They sat in silence for a while—just the two of them, lit only by the soft, flickering glow of the fire, with the weight of past lives and uncertain futures pressing gently on their shoulders.

“Looks like that guy went on a killing streak…” Luciel exhaled through his nose, a mix of annoyance and resolve.

Just then, Cedric and Anneliese came back, and then Cedric told him: “We should act fast, this guy is no joke. Judging by his position with my mana traces—he’s nearby.”

Luciel’s gaze hardened. “Then we finish it. Before he finishes us.”

Suddenly, a sharp rustle tore through the stillness. Without warning, a green-hooded figure burst from the underbrush, blade gleaming as it lunged straight for Luciel.

Author note: Woah, the reaper finally attacked the group! Will Luciel be gravely hurt? Find out in the next chapter!

Chapter 7: Traitor
Release Date: 25th of July, 2025 (GMT +8, 7:00pm)