One heartbeat. That's all it took. Everyone stopped. Like the whole world inhaled and forgot to exhale. The air turned gummy, thick as wet wool shoved down your throat.
No birds. No animals. Even the flies quit buzzing. Overhead, birds exploded from the oaks—not flying, fleeing—their screams raw, wrong.
You know that feeling when a storm's coming, but worse? This wasn't weather. This was something alive. And hungry.
Farm workers mid-swing, mid-step, mid-cough—halted. Scythes thudded. A pitchfork speared the dirt, quivering. Some crumpled spine-first, like their bones had turned to wet rope.
Adventurers fared worse. A mercenary's sword—"Gah!"—slammed her kneecap when her grip failed. A mage's hands—still flickering with botched fire—clawed at his throat. "Can't… breathe…"
Then—gone. The pressure popped like a blister. What remained? Ears ringing. Knees jelly. And that tinny taste, like licking a battery. "What… the actual hell?" an adventurer croaked, wiping vomit off his chin. His eyes nearly popped out when he saw the pile of bodies that surrounded him. Unconscious. Like discarded dolls.
Amanda didn't puke. Didn't shake. But her heart punched against her ribs—not fear, recognition. She turned, slow, toward their shaking house. That's where it came from.
"Leo!"
It itched in her core. Not new. Something… dug up. Like hearing a lullaby your mom swore she'd never sung. Ancient. She felt something hot from her chest, but quickly ignored it.
"Recall!" she commanded, her words carrying unease and urgency. The ground below her exploded in golden light as a magic circle appeared. Its glow intensified and went out in a breath as Amanda disappeared in the air.
In a blink of an eye, Amanda was inside their house. Her heart pounded like thunder as the disaster unfolds in her eyes. Her breathing slowed as she scanned the house—blood spattered the floor, mixing with vomit and overturned chairs.
Her face stiffened. A sharp, cold sensation crept through her body, and a cold sweat broke out on her neck.
Amanda's legs carried her forward without her even thinking about it. Her knees almost gave up before even reaching Leo's still body. Her breath came in short, quick gasps as she ran her shaking hands over his body. Her mind reeled about any visible injuries. But there was nothing.
But there's blood everywhere…
It should be his, it had to be…
She shook her head clearing her mind as she lowered her head and pressed it against his chest. Amanda let out a deep long breathe when she heard his heart beating rapidly.
She pulled her hair back, tying it in place. She picked up Leo and almost lost her balance.
So heavy—
Amanda grunted her way to the bed and placed him on it. She stopped and stared at him her eyes a bit squinted.
"I haven't noticed how tall you are until now."
She smiled and started to breath steadily as she closed her eyes. When she opened them after a while, it blazed with determination. She raised her arms towards Leo as multiple magic circles appeared one after the other beneath her.
Sanctuary…
Her hands glowed with soft, yellow light that sparkled with energy across the room. A dome of light enveloped Leo that casted a gentle glow on his bloodied body.
Divine Restoration…
As Amanda casted the skill, Leo's skin was immediately covered with golden light. His face, a mix of pain and confusion, started to calm together with his breathing.
Greater Heal…
Her voice filled with resolve. A final wave of light then washed over Leo, mending any internal injuries and stabilizing his condition. The room seemed to pulse with energy of the spell until Amanda's breath hitched.
Amanda's eyes blurred and refocused a couple of times before she felt a creeping cold sensation seep through her body.
Ranna rushed from her office down to the farm and was greeted by the unconscious workers. But her feet was locked into the place where the inexplicable power surge came.
Her skin glistened with sweat as she reached Amanda's house. The immense pressure she felt was unlike anything she had experienced.
Even an army of field bosses is nothing compared to this! she exclaimed internally.
Ranna burst in. Blood, vomit, overturned furniture—total chaos. She froze. Then, spotting Amanda on the floor beside Leo's bed, she rushed forward. Pale. Sobbing in her sleep. But otherwise okay.
Her eyes narrowed as she took the scene. Scanning the Leo on the bed, she nodded and smiled. She started to stand up carrying Amanda like she's just carrying a toddler.
You've done enough, Amanda…
Her boots thudding against the wooden floor as she carried her to the other bed. After tucking Amanda with care.
"Mana Depletion."
She then glanced to Leo's bedside, the warm dancing of lights coming from Amanda's skills reflecting on her face.
"You overexerted yourself again," she then smiled and traced the lights that was covering and hovering on Leo's body.
"Sanctuary, Divine Restoration, and Greater Heal," she shook her head in amazement. "I can't imagine I will see you go overboard like this."
Ranna then heard the commotion outside.
"Glad these fools are back on their feet,"
Sigh "I'll quickly deal with them and tend to you both—"
Just as she stepped back, the door banged and she felt another shift in the air. A suffocating chill field the room she caught a figure stepped through the front door. Her eyes widened and without hesitation dropped to one knee as soon as she had a clearer view.