Syl's breathing was ragged and shallow. Her body was covered by sweat and blood from multiple shallow wounds and bruises.

Her muscles contracted to fight against the rope around her wrists, but to no avail. She lifted her chin, her amber eyes darting between the flames, the roasted hare bones, and Akane's sharp gaze.

"I can help you leave this forest," she said at last, her voice steady despite the cuts streaking her skin. "I can be useful to you. I know my way around here."

Akane tilted her head, almost confused.

Her tail flicked lazily through the grass.

"Useful? This isn't about that, Syl." Akane scratched her cheek, her lips curling into a grin. "Looks like you ran into trouble, huh?"

Syl clenched her teeth

"I bet you didn't expect the roles to ever get reversed. Poor thing…"

Amon scratched his head. "Well…" he muttered, before pushing himself to his feet. "How about I give you two some privacy? Give you the time to catch up?"

Akane's grin widened, sharp and satisfied. "That's a fantastic idea."

Syl's eyes widened as she gulped, panic flashing as she followed Amon with her gaze. She swallowed hard.

Whatever he was, monster, beast, or demon, she knew enough to fear him.

He had fought that fearsome creature, killed Ron, and ended up with the very thing they had been ordered to obtain. And worse still, somehow, he had made Akane into something more than she was before.

The vision of the two fighting against that creature appeared in Syl's mind again. What had he done for the timid and weak Fox girl to turn into that?

'She even used Fire Magic… Was that thanks to him as well?'

Her fingers flexed against the rope as he walked past her and into the treeline, vanishing and leaving the two alone.

"You're not asking him for help?" Akane asked a couple of seconds after Amon disappeared.

Syl blinked. "What?"

"You didn't even try to talk to him. Why not?" Akane's ears twitched, her gaze narrowing, her tone dripping with accusation.

'What?' Syl's mind raced. 'Why would I ask him for help? Didn't he come to that village to free her? He must have been tailing us before we got there. What is she talking about? Does… Does she think he's on my side? What is she suspecting?'

The two stared at one another, the fire crackling between them, both locked in silent calculations.

"Why did he give you the key to free me?"

Syl's breath hitched. "Give me the key…? No. I found it on the ground." She hesitated, then added quickly after deciding that honesty was her best bet here, "Maybe he tossed it there, I don't know. He is wearing Ron's clothes after all. Just like you're wearing-"

Akane's glare hardened, cutting her off. "Is he on your side? The Hobgoblins' side?"

Syl froze, her lips pressed tightly together. Akane's words hung heavy in the air.

"Free me," Syl finally said, her voice lower, steadier. "Free me, and I'll answer every question you have."

Akane smirked, tapping her fingers against her chin. "I don't think so." Her eyes flicked down to the rope biting into Syl's skin. "Who bound you, anyway?"

"..."

Akane tilted her head, her grin twisting into a sadistic smile. "Don't tell me… Your friends turned against you?"

"I don't have any friends." Syl quickly answered, almost instinctively.

Akane leaned forward, her grin turning even more cruel. "Oh, you poor thing…" she whispered, her tone dripping with mock sympathy.

Her tail swayed energetically while Syl clenched her jaw and stared into the flames.

***

'Guess this gives me some time to think.' Amon thought to himself as he walked away from the two. 'I could use my Disappearance Skill to spy on them, but Akane would notice my scent.'

He stretched his arms up while walking away, letting a soft sigh.

'She woke up pretty quickly after I got her to the pond. Didn't have the time to check things properly.'

Amon asked, and the System answered.

'It is strange.' He thought, lowering his gaze towards the Black Stone embedded in the back of his hand. 'I expected the Black Stone to help me awaken a Mana Stat and to increase that Mana Stat by a lot… And it did. But…'

[Name: Amon

Species: Dark Elite Beastly Hobgoblin [D+ Rank]

Title: Evolving Monster

-Skills:

Palm Of The Devourer[SSS-Rank]

Corrupted Skin Manipulation[D Rank]

Corrupted Healing [D Rank]

Corrupted Scent [D Rank]

Disappearance[E+ Rank]

Beastly Senses[E+ Rank]

Infectious Black Wolf's Fangs[E Rank]

Disappearing Chameleon's Eyes[E- Rank]

-Stats:

Strength: 28(+10)

Agility: 25(+7)

Perception: 35(+10)

Endurance: 20(+5)

Vigor: 24(+11)

Mana: 50

]

'I didn't expect it to increase my other Stats so much… What the fuck? I obtained three of the Corrupted Draconic Spawn's Skills, which makes sense. I did devour all of its Corruption. But why would this increase my Strength and Vigor Stats so much? Perception increased because I can now sense Magic. The rest increasing is very weird though.'

Amon obviously wasn't complaining about this, but understanding it still felt important.

'Was the Magic it holds simply used to strengthen my body? The Corrupted Draconic Spawn did grow from a dead embryo to what it is now after all.'

He needed more information on the Black Stone.

'I have one now.' Amon smiled, his fists tightening. 'A way to find out more about it.'

Syl's appearance would allow him to find answers about many things.

'Talk about good luck.' He grinned, staring into the distance. 'Obviously unlucky for her… I'm guessing that the Hobgoblins ended up turning against her for some reason.'

Amon cracked his knuckles, feeling pretty optimistic about the future.

'If the Hobgoblins indeed betrayed her and put that rope around her wrists, then we can turn her against the Hobgoblins. If we're able to do that, we'll be able to learn a ton of things.'

About the Black Stone, about the Hobgoblins, their chief, the location of their village…

'There's no end to how useful Syl can be!'

Plus, she's super hot!!

Amon shook his head. 'Probably shouldn't have told Akane about that…'

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