Chapter 9: New Quest And A Cool Brother

"Alaric! Quick! I need your help!" Lilian in a manner unlike her, just comes in shouting without any warnings.

"Calm down, what's going on?" Alaric got up from my bed and moved closer to her, moving to touch her shoulder.

"I'm calm! Don't touch me!" Lilian pushed him away clearly not in the best mind space, as she fell to her knees before saying. "It's my fault! It's my fault! It's all my fault…"

(It seems that was not the best way to go about it… What do I do? She seems hysteric… Okay, let's try to be slower about this.) Alaric thought to himself before he took a deep breath.

He then crouched down to her level and said. "Sorry… I'm here, can you tell me what's going on so I can help?"

"It's... It's... It's... You have to come!" She didn't even properly answer before trying to drag him out of the room.

"Hey, hey, slow down a bit. You first have to tell me what's going on and where you want to go." He started patting her head and speaking as calmly as he could.

"Crystal! She... She... You really have to come quickly!" She was breathing more heavily the more they talked and didn't seem to be calming down at all.

Seeing her state, he grabbed her hand and guided her to the kitchen before pouring her a cup of water and saying.

"Ok, drink this, before taking a few deep breaths in and out, then tell me what's going on. I promise I'll help if I can." He looked at her with his it's ok best smile.

She drank the water a bit stumbly before breathing in and out, following she looked at him seeming a bit better, but didn't say anything.

(Just what is going on?!) He questioned in his mind.

"So? What's going on?" He asked keeping things as calm as he could.

"I'll tell you… If you promise not to tell our parents or grandparents." She said with obvious worry in her currently weak voice.

"Ok, I promise to not speak to them about whatever you tell me." He said with a warm smile.

(If necessary I'll just show them a written note, I'm a man of my word after all. Though I would rather not be snitching if possible.) Alaric thought to himself at the same time.

"Crystal... She... She.... SHE... She got... Kidnapped..." She said in her broken stumbles before closing her eyes as if brazing for him yelling.

The shock was evident as there was only silence for a bit.

(What?! How did that idiot get herself in something like that? Why am I asking? It's obviously one of the noble kids she was getting herself involved with, honestly what else did she expect?) Alaric immediately concluded as he thought of the situation.

So, after another deep breath he opened his mouth to say.

"I'm not going to yell at you, just tell me how and where it happened, first." He calmly inquired.

"She asked me to help her sneak out because our parents, and grandparents didn't want her to go meet the baronet kid at this time of day alone, or wearing the clothes she was wearing..." She said with her head down seeming to understand how dumb what they did was.

"Gosh, why would you even do that?" He couldn't help but be a bit condemning about it.

"It's... It's just... Crystal was so persistent that... That, I just couldn't say no...

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I'm didn't want this! I'm terrible sister! Please forgive me! I didn't mean to! I'm sorry! I'm so so sorry..." She broke down and began crying while apologizing.

It felt bad to look at but he couldn't just say words of comfort just yet, as he believed she needed to bask in that for a bit, to make sure she didn't do something like this again.

(… At least I hope she learns something from this, but that's not the focus, we need to get Crystal immediately before the worst comes to be. I'll need to leave a note behind just in case.) He rubbed his forehead as he thought of the situation.

As she was crying Alaric went to his room and wrote a note about the situation leaving it on the bed.

"Ok, Lilian, you got to show me where they took her so that we can do something about it." Since she wouldn't stop crying he put her on his back on a piggyback before moving out.

It was afternoon and the sun was slowly disappearing on the horizon.

With a bit of work, he managed to get Lilian to show him the way, and immediately a notification popped up.

[Master! You have a new quest ready for you!

Quest#3(Emergency)- Rescue Your Sister!

Objective: Save Crystal before her virginity is taken from her.

Failure condition- Crystal is r*ped.

Time Left: 30:10

Reward: Superpower- Gate

Punishment: Kin Traitor(Curse)]

(No death condition? It seems she might at the very least not be in danger of dying, not that her current situation is that much better if that's the case.

(It seems the young nobleman hasn't updated his courting ways from the ancient Greek version, quite sad to see, but no worries, I'll promptly update him on it.) Alaric thought to himself as he gritted his teeth, while he moved as fast as he could.

As fast as he could, Alaric moved according to Lilian's directions and landed in the forest near their town, before eventually finding a big wooden cabin quite deep in the forest surrounded by a group of men.

The area around was full of trees, bushes, and other types of vegetation, now under the dark sky, as the night was setting in by this time.

(This is going to be troublesome…) He thought to himself as he stopped hidden amidst the vegetation.

Surveying the area with Lilian glued to his back, Alaric was trying to think of the best way to approach the place only to notice that the quest's timer had already reached 13:36 left, and he was getting a bit nervous.

(The time is running out… I hope Crystal's ok… I need to get through this quickly, but with Lilian here… things get complicated…) He thought to himself as he was trying to assess the situation, however at that time.

Alaric whose whole boy was covered in mana, ears included, heard some light rustling only to see a shadow behind them.

(Damn it! Already caught…) He was at a loss seeing this.

It was a man covered in a dark cloak walking toward them, calmly moving through the leaves and branches with little sound.

"Haha! When I noticed some movement I thought it was gonna be the knights patrolling or some beasts, but it was just some kids...

"Then again, me and the boys are getting a bit bored, so you might have come just in time for the party." He smiled widely as he put his right hand over what Alaric assumed was a weapon and continued to approach them.

(This bastard won't even let his guard down against children... I'll have to be careful.) Alaric frowned as he saw the opponent get closer.

As the guy approached he let Lilian down from his back, as he took a few steps forward, and got ready for the next move. Observing the enemy carefully, he began building up a Water Ball(Minor) behind his back, as he chanted in a whisper. "Water Ball(Minor)."

"Now that I'm a bit closer, you're a boy... Unfortunately for you, we do not need little snot shots out here!" The enemy immediately pulled out a dagger and jumped to attack!

At this moment Alaric aimed with his hand and launched the Water Ball just as the guy leaped off the ground, which resulted in a clash between both.

This pushed the cloaked man all the way to hit a tree that was further back with full force, which caused it to crack. While it was not enough to make it fall down, the cloaked man's back took a hard he as he winced in pain.

"Aaaarrhhh!" The man let out.

It was not something Alaric was used to and not something he was entirely sure of either. There were probably better moves to make in my situation, but unfortunately, he had yet to be trained in combat so he just did what he could and hoped for the best.

Before the man could recover, however, Alaric aimed his hand at him again, before casting another.

"Water Ball(Minor)." He changed, letting out a second water ball and hitting the man right in his face this time causing his head to hit the tree and leave an indent as the man passed out with the back of his head bleeding.

[Congratulations Master! You have killed a level 1 human(Class assassin) and gained 5 exp]

"That worked… This is way too dangerous… I'm really not quite ready, but I'm here… and there's no time… I was too cocky." Alaric said to himself as he realized that this was not a situation he could handle as easily as he had previously assumed. "This is no longer a game..."

After taking a deep breath he walked up to the cloaked man, and got the black cloak off him, together with the dagger the man used as his weapon.

The hood of the cloak was a bit bloodied, but that was beyond the point, as Alaric used the dagger to cut up the cloak, so he who was still a child could at least use it without tripping on it, even though it was still too big, he could strap it on by tying the strings on the neck area, which he did.

"Ok… this should make me harder to spot… actually…" Alaric concluded when he looked at Lilian who was seated on the grass trembling while looking at him, as she was heavy breathing.

As he saw Lilian looking at him with horror on her face, she was paralyzed to the point she went from heavy breathing, to soon stopping her own breathing.

Worried for her well-being Alaric Immediately ran to her.

"Lilian! Are you ok?... I know this is scary and you just want to go back home with Crystal, so we can go back to normal, but you're going to have to do me a favor, can you?" Alaric shook her a bit to try and snap her out of it, but the emptiness in her eyes didn't fade away that easily.

Fortunately, she seemed to react and began nodding her head ever so slightly.

(Good, it seems she's just in shock.) Alaric sighed with relief internally.

At that time, he took off the cloak he just got and gave it to Lilian, as he continued talking to her.

"Good! Now, I'll need you to put this on." He said with his best smile as he looked at her, it was good enough for camouflage now that the sun was gone and the night was taking over.

Without complaining or saying anything, Lilian put it on.

(Even with this, I can't just leave her here, it's ultimately too risky.) He thought to himself.

"Good, now, you have to hide in the bushes and follow me from a distance. Don't ever come out or make noise without me saying you can, ok?" Alaric decided to have her come with him.

(Let's just hope she isn't taken, hostage while I'm fighting or something like that...) Alaric hoped things did not come to that.

From then Lilian followed him silently as they moved as nimbly as they could. Getting closer to the big wooden cabin, he turned to Lilian and asked her.

"Can you see where in the cabin Crystal is?" He was serious, knowing he could rely on her.

Not saying a word she points to a window on the first floor.

(As expected... Honestly, I don't think I can sneak in unseen with my current set of skills, so it's going to have to be a takedown operation. I'm not sneaking, so I'll have to aim for one-shot attacks as much as possible.) Alaric concluded as he looked at the cabin and its surroundings.

In sight, four men were rotating the cabin. A big one had a great sword on his back, followed by a lankier man who had a long robe and a staff, most definitely magic-focused.

The last two were a heavily armored man with a big shield and a mace, followed by another man in robes this one wearing white ones, which made Alaric think he was the party healer.

Time left: 8:45

"Remember to stay hidden as much as possible." Alaric warned Lilian one more time before he looked at the healer, ready to start.

Using his magic once again, he chanted. "Water Ball(Minor)" Then he aimed his hand at the healer, but instead of launching the water ball, he focused on something else.

(If I want to end this in one hit for him, I have to be creative with my spell, if I make it rotate, it can do some serious extra damage, and to do the most damage, I could also make it explode when it hits like a grenade.

(Normally from what I could see, it takes 5 MP or mana points to cast a typical Water Ball(Minor) capable of damaging a tree decently, but this will take 20 MP and I only have 49 MP left right now… it better work…) Alaric thought to himself as he thought up and visualized this upgraded version of the water ball spell in his mind, changing the actual outcome of the spell.

The water ball formed in front of his hand took the shape of a grenade shell before it started rotating at a decently high speed.

(It would be disingenuous to call this a water ball anymore, it's more of a water grenade… ow well, it doesn't matter. Launch!) Alaric let out the customized water ball at the man wearing white robes he assumed was the healer of the party.

The healer looking man could only turn to see the water ball was right I'm front of him as the rotation made it move much faster, and he couldn't evade it at all.

At the same time, right before it hit, the heavily armored man could also only look at it come, being the closest to the healer.

"What the hell is going on" Before he could finish the man wearing heavy armor could finish speaking at all.

*Boom!* *Splash* *Crack*

The water ball hit and exploded causing the healer to fall through the wall of the cabin with various holes in his body, while the heavily armored man didn't take much damage because of the armor, and even defended the others who were behind him.

[Congratulations Master! You have killed a level 1 human(Class Healer) and gained 5 exp]

"We're under attack! Guys get ready!" The heavily armored man was the first to react.

Unfortunately for Alaric, the big man, and the magic user started looking before the magic user began chanting something.

(This is not good at all… I'll have to fight.) Though Alaric was hiding his mana as best as he could, he was far from a specialist at it.

After a while, the magic user pointed at the location of Alaric and Lilian precisely, then began chanting again. The heavily armored man came to protect the magic user, while the other guy.

The big man was the first to move out and started getting closer to Alaric and Lilian.

(I can't hide Lilian's mana with my current skill level... Damn it! But this is an opportunity… I only have 30 MP, due to my MP recovery rate…

(Since every 5 minutes, I regain 1 MP, and I consume around 2 MP per second to cover my whole body in mana to strengthen it, so I'll have 15 seconds to deal with these guys at best…) Alaric thought to himself as the enemy approached.

As soon as the big man was close enough, Alaric covered his whole body in mana, and at him aiming for the neck with his dagger and slitting the man's throat before he could react, catching him by surprise.

[Congratulations Master! You have killed a level 1 human(Class Warrior) and gained 5 exp]

(Luckily they were after Lilian's signature so he wasn't expecting me to be here…) Alaric once again didn't have time to stop and think for too long as he could feel something big build-up.

Looking at the magic user, he was clearly getting a fireball ready, and would definitely shoot it at Lilian since she was the one who was discovered.

(Can't wait! I have to go in now!) Alaric revealed himself and charged at the enemy without a second thought.

Just as he was coming out of the bushes they both took in fighting stances. The heavily armored man was in front, protecting the mage who immediately was close to casting the spell.

Not wasting too much time Alaric grabbed some dirt with his free hand and ran towards the heavily armored man with the dagger in the other hand, as his body was coated and fortified by mana. 5 seconds passed.

Using the just-acquired dirt, he threw it at the heavily armored man who covered his face using his shield, on which Alaric jumped, and then used as a platform to give himself an extra impulse to get passed him and went straight for the magic user.

This startled the magic user enough to fail, as he broke the chant he was making, and unfortunately for him, his reflexes were far from enough to avoid the boy's attack. Just like that, another one had their neck cut.

[Congratulations Master! You have killed a level 1 human(Class Fire Mage) and gained 5 exp]

(Gotcha! Honestly, this fight was surprisingly easy, which I guess is because of how weak these guys are, but it would also seem that I'm stronger than I expected.) Alaric was breathing heavily as he looked at another body on the ground before he turned to the heavily armored man coming at him.

By that time, the heavily armored man had already charged at him without waiting for another second.

Not having much of an option in terms of attack because of the enemy's fully armored body, he instead opted for dodging his attacks. His speed allows for it to be done with relative ease.

Now that he only had one enemy left, all Alaric had to do was wait a bit which is problematic considering his current situation, but he didn't have enough firepower to pierce armor right now. 10 seconds have passed.

(I should tire him out to force him out due to heat up, but I don't have time for that… Wait! I have an idea! Hot water!) Alaric thought to himself and began getting ready then.

"Water Ball(Minor)" He shot a scalding water ball at the heavily armored man and jumped back to keep a good distance as his mana coating wore off.

(I used 7 MP to make this, after a second… I only have 1 MP because of my MP recovery, otherwise, I can't do any more magic...) Alaric was worried as this was his last bit of magic for a long time from now on.

"Aaaaahhhhh!" The heavily armored man fell on his knee breathing heavily, before removing his helmet to stop himself from suffocating to death, it was then that Alaric took the chance and slit his throat.

[Congratulations Master! You have killed a level 1 human(Class Guardian) and gained 5 exp]

Time Left: 4:00

(OK, I have to hurry up and go get Crystal.) Alaric thought to himself.

"Be careful Alaric!" At that time, he heard Lilian shout as he noticed an arrow coming his way, and barely dodged it, and as it scratched his cheek opening a wound.

(That was close!) His eyes widened as he looked around to find the enemy when he heard.

"Look at what we have here! Stay still or say goodbye to this little princess here." Somehow his fears became true as a man he had not seen before got ahold of Lilian, probably the same that just tried to shoot him...

(This is bullsh*t!... But I have to think quickly.) Alaric was in full panic mode.

____________________________________________

(Lilian's POV)

My life has mostly been calm, and there was never much going on, even if I always liked to tell myself I had a lot going on, at least that way I can get distracted from the stuff I don't want to think about.

From when I was really small, I was told that I was different from my siblings, and to wait until the right time for things to get properly explained. What are they going to tell me? That's what I don't want to know... All those dumb what-ifs that would pop up in my head all of the time.

What if I'm adopted? Would that change anything? I would like to believe it wouldn't but that alongside many other doubts would just keep coming to the center of my mind.

After all that worrying and doubting, am I just going to die here? In some random spot in the forest near my town, and worst of all in front of my younger brother that I dragged into this because I was afraid to deal with our parents, and the stupid mistake I made... I'm really the worst of all sisters to have both my siblings... I killed them, I deserve this... No, I deserve much worse...

As I was accepting my end, the memories I had with both were assaulting me.

I and Crystal were almost always together spending so much of our time talking about nothing, just stupid dumb things that don't really mean anything... But it was always so much fun to talk to her, it made me feel so welcome, so needed, so wanted... A part of the family... And that was all, I needed. In the end, if I actually think about it, wasn't I just being dumb about it? Is it really a big deal that I'm somehow different? Honestly, I don't know.

All I know is that I had fun when I and Crystal would go on our dumb adventures when we got caught and scolded, and even when she was mean to me, cause I know that most of the time it was because she wanted me to be stronger, she always said I was too soft. Before I knew it tears were going down my face and I just couldn't help it, just like Crystal said, I'm not that strong, when I'm scared, I just cry.

She liked green but thought orange was an insult to fashion, sweet things disgusted her in terms of taste, but she didn't really like bitterness either.

She really wanted to be rich and wanted to have a bunch of handsome servants just to keep her mood up, she really liked to munch on crunchy things, and even argue with people she liked, it was weird but she said it made her feel important.

She wanted to go to all types of parties with me and promised that she would never let me marry if she didn't like whatever, guy, I choose... She was possessive and a bit overwhelming at times, but she was always worried about me in her own way.

Then as all the moments seemed to flash by, my thoughts focused on Alaric, my little brother. I don't really know that much or remember that much about him.

Since we were very young he was always so calm and didn't really say much if somebody else didn't go talk to him. He's super smart, kind, and always has a plan... That's it... That's as much as I could say before today.

Cause today, I saw him fighting and killing many evil people.

At first, I didn't know what to say or think, killing people is wrong, right? That's what was on my mind, but I saw my brother with his blue eyes each letting out a new glow I had never seen before.

He launched a big ball of water at a man twice and the second time smashed the man's head against a tree... Killing is wrong, right? Then why do I feel like cheering and congratulating my brother for being fricking amazing! He's doing this for Crystal and me, that's more than enough for me.

It did not stop there as after he gave me a robe to help me hide, he began defeating all these huge adult men all on his own! If that's not the coolest thing ever! I don't know what it is.

But then using my ability, I found that there was still a man left and he wanted to shoot an arrow at Alaric... I was scared and I wanted to cry, but I couldn't let him down, so I shouted to warn him.

Happily, it worked but before I knew it the man came running towards me very fast, and I was not able to escape. He grabbed both my hands with one of his and put a dagger to my throat... At that point, there was nothing I could do... I was too scared to do anything...

He started talking to Alaric and he noticed the situation... I'm sorry! I'm sorry I'm so useless, I was just trying to help, but everytime I do that, I only make things worse... This time, my stupidity will get both my siblings killed...

"I went out to hunt a bit for the boys, and they go and die to a damn child! You have to be kidding me!...

"Whatever, I'll think of that later. Hey little monster, drop the dagger, or the little princess here is not going back home ever again." The man started threatening him.

Immediately together with his glowing eyes, a weird blue aura started to appear around Alaric and began to grow bigger and bigger... It felt weird... Like he was losing control... I didn't like it... I don't want this, please just run away and leave me! Even though I wanted to say it, my fear wouldn't let my mouth open in the slightest. Once again, I could only cry...

I couldn't look at what was happening, so I just closed my eyes... I'm sorry... All I could do was apologize... Crystal, as usual, you were right about me, I'm a weak idiot.

I waited and waited... But instead, the dagger I felt pressing on my neck stopped as I heard a splattering noise behind me.

Slowly but surely I opened my eyes and turned to see the man's skull was split in two with Alaric's dagger resting in the middle of all the mess of organs... It was so disgusting I couldn't help but vomit.

"Are you ok, Lillian? He didn't hurt you anywhere did he?" Alaric ran to me and hugged me as soon as I was done vomiting. Before I could say anything... I just felt so relieved... Once again, I was back to crying, but at least it wasn't because I'm scared.

"Thank you! Thank you so much! And I'm so sorry! This is all my fault and- " Before I could finish he stopped me.

"Shhh, don't worry about that. It's not your fault, now just remember that I'm here for you and it's all going to be alight." He hugged me even stronger than before and I couldn't say anything, I just felt good to be there... Thank you, you're the coolest brother.

Chapter end