Ch. 9 The Lesser Spirit of Moonlight
by AfuhfuihgsChapter 9 – The Lesser Spirit of Moonlight
The massive wolf monster roared and lunged forward as soon as it saw us. A dark, mist-like energy spread across the ground, withering the grass around us. I wrapped Ruan in a protective barrier and shouted.
“Ruan, fall back! This isn’t a fight you can handle!”
Ruan hesitated for a moment, then nodded and stepped back. Now, all eyes were focused on the massive monster.
“Claire, left. Sion, right. I’ll hold the center and maintain the encirclement.” I quickly directed.
“Okay!” Claire responded, gripping her sword and charging forward lightly.
“You don’t even need to tell me. I’m the best at this,” Sion shouted, raising his shield with vigor.
The monster roared and lunged forward again. I focused holy power at my fingertips and activated a holy spell.
“Lumino Aegis!”
A radiant barrier formed between the monster and us. However, the monster slammed its massive claws down on the barrier. The barrier shook for a moment, but Claire immediately followed up by slashing at the monster’s flank.
“It’s tougher than I thought…” Claire muttered, quickly retreating.
“Tough? Then how about this?” Sion said, raising his shield.
“Holy Wave!”
A wave of light erupted from the shield, striking the monster’s leg. The monster staggered, losing its balance for a moment, but it quickly swung its tail to counterattack. Sion barely blocked it with his shield and shouted.
“Its attacks are heavier than I expected! Eli, don’t you have something bigger?”
I nodded and raised both hands. Light began to gather at my fingertips as holy energy condensed.
“Spear of Radiance!”
A glowing spear formed at my fingertips, and I hurled it straight at the monster’s chest. The spear pierced through the monster’s body, but it still stood its ground.
“Damn, that thing’s stamina is insane!” Claire gritted her teeth and swung her sword again.
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Amid the intense battle with the monster, Ruan’s voice called out from behind.
“Brother! Over here! There’s something strange near the monster’s right leg!”
I turned my gaze in the direction Ruan pointed. There was a darkly glowing orb-like object. It seemed to be the source of the monster’s energy.
“Good. That must be its core.” I nodded and began gathering holy energy at my fingertips again.
“Holy Flame, Lumino Altar, Judgment of Light!”
I activated three holy spells in succession. Arrows of light rained down from the sky, surrounding the monster and exploding, while holy flames began to burn the orb. Above it, a massive holy altar formed, pressing down on the monster.
“Eli, aren’t you using too many holy spells?” Sion shouted, half-joking.
“Just wait.” I replied, raising my hands again.
“Harmony of Light, Chain of Sanctity, Radiant Bind!”
The spells erupted in a chain, further constricting the monster. The monster momentarily lost its momentum and staggered weakly. At that moment, Ruan suddenly rushed forward.
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“Ruan! Stop!” I shouted in shock.
But Ruan didn’t stop. He dashed toward the monster without hesitation. The monster roared and swung its claws at Ruan.
“Ruan!!!” I forgot everything and ran toward him.
But Ruan, without a trace of fear, stretched out his small hand and dodged the monster’s claws. He stopped near a small, white creature hidden in the monster’s body. Ruan hugged it tightly and said.
“This child… we have to save it.”
I stopped and looked at Ruan. Claire and Sion were also watching us from a distance with shocked expressions.
“What… is this?” Claire said quietly.
I looked at the small wolf Ruan was holding.
“A spirit…?” Sion muttered as he approached.
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As the monster’s energy gradually faded, the small white wolf in Ruan’s arms emitted a faint light. Sion looked at the creature and said in surprise.
“That’s… a lesser spirit of Lunaris. A spirit that governs moonlight. But why is it in this state…? Is it possible for it to be corrupted by the monster’s energy?”
Claire also examined the spirit closely and added, “But I’ve never seen a spirit this weakened before. A spirit should at least be able to repel a monster like that on its own.”
I shook my head, holding Ruan. “The spirit must have been severely damaged and then corrupted by the monster. This isn’t just an accident. Someone likely did this intentionally.”
“But how did this child survive until now?” Sion muttered in wonder.
At that moment, Ruan, still holding the small wolf, lowered his head and fell into a deep sleep. I calmed my racing heart and approached Ruan, carefully infusing him with holy energy. I could feel his weak breathing gradually stabilize.
“You’re really something.” I murmured softly, stroking Ruan’s head.
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After tending to the spirit and Ruan, we were able to reorganize our camp. The fire crackled, and the forest grew quiet again, but my mind remained troubled. Finally, I spoke up quietly.
“Guys… I need to talk about Ruan.”
Sion and Claire focused their attention on me. I took a deep breath and continued slowly.
“When I first infused Ruan with holy energy, I was actually a bit surprised. A normal child wouldn’t have been able to handle my holy energy like that. Usually, the moment holy energy enters the body, the mana core would burn, or the child might even die.”
“But Ruan was different?” Claire asked cautiously.
“Yes,” I nodded. “Ruan absorbed my holy energy completely. And what’s even more surprising is that he also absorbed the monster’s energy. Normally, that’s impossible. Holy energy and demonic energy repel each other.”
“So, what is Ruan? He’s not just a normal kid, is he?” Sion muttered, rubbing his forehead.
“It’s hard to say…” I began, but Sion cut me off urgently.
“Wait, you’re telling us this now? Why didn’t you say anything when we first started traveling with him?”
I made an apologetic expression and said, “I didn’t know back then. I didn’t know Ruan had this ability or why he had it. I only figured it out gradually.”
Claire crossed her arms and tilted her head. “But then why does Ruan have this ability? And is it connected to the spirit?”
I looked at Ruan, who was sleeping while holding the spirit, and answered slowly. “Ruan might have been chosen by something related to spirits or monsters. Or… he might hold an even greater secret.”
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“Wait, what about the spirit?” Sion frowned and said. “The fact that Lunaris’ spirit is this weakened can’t just be explained by it being corrupted by the monster.”
I thought for a moment before answering. “It seems Ruan found this spirit and instinctively tried to protect it. That’s probably how their energies became intertwined. That’s why Ruan gained the ability to sense the monster’s energy.”
Claire nodded and said, “So if Ruan keeps holding onto this spirit, what happens? Do they both grow stronger or something?”
“I don’t know yet.” I answered, stroking the spirit. “But one thing is certain. Ruan needs our protection now. And so does this spirit.”
Sion nodded and said, “Alright, let’s keep them both safe for now. But the fact that this spirit was hiding in such a weakened state… means there’s probably something bigger and more dangerous nearby, right?”
I agreed with his words and replied, “That’s likely the case… For now, protecting Ruan and this spirit is our priority.”
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After checking the condition of the spirit and Ruan, we decided to leave the forest. We needed to sort things out in a safer place.
“It really feels like we’ve stumbled onto something huge.” Claire said with a small sigh. “But at this point, aren’t we already in too deep to back out?”
“Well, can’t we just keep doing what we’ve been doing?” Sion said, slinging his shield over his shoulder. “We’ve got a saintess, a priest, and… what was your job again, Claire?”
Claire narrowed her eyes and said, “Are you seriously asking me that?”
“Yeah, honestly, I forgot.” Sion replied nonchalantly.
“I’ve told you so many times already!” Claire said, sighing in frustration. “I’m a hybrid class that uses both swordsmanship and magic. Try to remember!”
“Oh, right! You’re a sword mage, right?” Sion nodded as he spoke.
Claire frowned and shook her head vigorously. “I told you not to call me a sword mage! That name is way too tacky! Say it properly. I’m a ‘Magic Swordsman’ who uses both sword and magic!”
“What’s the difference between a sword mage and a Magic Swordsman?” Sion shrugged as he spoke.
Claire stopped walking, placed her hands on her hips, and glared at Sion.
“Hey. How many times have I told you I’m a Magic Swordsman? How many times! And yet, all that sticks in your head is ‘sword mage’?”
Sion looked at her with an indignant expression. “No, I’m just calling you that because it’s easier to remember.”
“Easier to remember? Then should I call your job ‘Healer Shield Gym Bro’?” Claire retorted sarcastically, crossing her arms.
“‘Healer Shield Gym Bro’?” Sion paused for a moment, then nodded. “Huh? Not bad. It sounds kinda strong.”
Claire covered her face with both hands and hung her head low. “Ugh, seriously… why am I even on this team?”
“What, Claire? Don’t you like being with us?” Sion asked with a cheeky grin, to which Claire’s eyes gleamed as she slightly drew her sword.
“It’s not that I don’t like it, but it’d be better if you just kept your mouth shut.”
“Got it, got it. Sword Mage~,” Sion said playfully, bowing his head exaggeratedly.
Author Note
A/N (Author’s note):
Thank you for reading.
Translator Note
T/N (Translator’s note):
In his defense, noob saintess!Oh yeah, what you are seeing isn’t wrong, Ruan does call her ‘brother’, heh.
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