Rebirth (Part Two)

Tales did not feel well.

Not well at all.

Aching pain surged throughout his body, cold that made his joints tremble, hunger that seemed to burn through his stomach, itching, numbness, and pain from the healing of old and new wounds, as well as dizziness and fatigue from being mentally drained of everything...

All kinds of negative sensations surged over him like a flood.

The guards' sobs and gasps sounded as though they carried a faint echo.

They made Tales's vision waver as well.

And Sin of the Hell River, which had always been restless and unruly, now lay dormant and lifeless, like a beast recovering from a serious illness, refusing to offer him any further help.

Tales knew this might be a side effect of Sin of the Hell River's regenerative power. It might also be the aftermath of abusing arcane energy, or even the result of the Alchemy Ball exploding.

He had already tormented this young body far too harshly.

But he had no choice.

None.

Amid Kuaishang's worried voice and Belleti's tense gaze, the young man used all his strength to stand firm.

But he could not fall.

In his daze, Tales, whose body and mind felt equally heavy, told himself this and waved away the others' help.

Not yet.

He bit the tip of his tongue several times, jolting himself awake.

As if he could draw enough strength from the nearly numb pain to gather his thoughts.

In the unusual silence, Tales struggled to turn around with the torch in hand.

He looked toward the man sitting against the wall, clutching his wounded arm, his face filled with dejection and despair.

Following Tales's gaze, the others also turned toward the wretched man, who said nothing and merely stared blankly at the two corpses.

Belleti's bloodshot eyes