Infinite Mana Exorcist
Chapter 28: We have been caught

Chapter 28: We have been caught

Kavin held tightly onto the girl without legs, pressing her frail body against his own. His grip was firm, almost desperate, as if she would slip away if he dared loosen it even slightly.

He still couldn’t understand why Nimora had handed him someone so close to death. Normally, he wouldn’t have accepted such a deal—it was outrageous. He was no caretaker, no healer.

But Nimora had ensured he had no choice.

Her words still rang in his ears, cold and sharp like the edge of a blade.

"If I see you alive without her as intact as she is now, I will cut you down myself."

That was why his grip remained tight. That was why he hadn’t let go, even for a second.

Around him, the survivors moved like ghosts. Some were tending to their wounds, others stood in silence, eyes darting, waiting for another attack.

The aftermath of the battle was grim.

Thirty-six young exorcists had died in the sudden assault of the Night Terrors. Some perished in the plummeting fireballs, their screams echoing through the burning night. Others fell to the swift, merciless claws of the creatures.

Gilbert was among the fallen.

Kavin clenched his jaw, the memory of that moment flashing through his mind.

They had been running toward the voice of an exorcist who had called out for help. Gilbert, his most trusted friend, had been ahead of him. Kavin had tripped—his foot catching on a rock. He had fallen hard, dirt and debris smearing across his face.

Gilbert never looked back.

He never even tried to help.

And then, right after that, the screams had erupted.

Had Kavin not tripped, he would have been there when the massacre began. He would have been among the bodies, torn apart like the rest.

Survival?

No, it wasn’t skill. It wasn’t strength.

It was just luck.

And what kind of exorcist relied on luck?

A wave of sweat stung his eyes, his throat tightening as a thought clawed at the edge of his mind.

"What is this?"

A thunderous voice shattered the tense silence.

Everyone turned toward the entrance of the Oramon Monastery.

The massive debris blocking the entrance had shifted, revealing a battalion of soldiers. They sat atop armored horses, clad head to toe in pitch-black armor. Their helmets obscured their faces entirely, giving them an almost inhuman presence.

A murmur spread through the remaining exorcists like wildfire.

"The Iron Battalion?"

"No way..."

"They’re finally here."

Kavin’s legs buckled in sheer relief. He crashed onto his side, the girl still in his arms, his breath coming out in ragged gasps.

Finally... the main force is here.

The Iron Battalion remained motionless atop their horses, their silence more intimidating than the chaos that had come before them.

Then, one of them broke formation.

A soldier in finer armor, his presence exuding authority, rode forward on a white horse. He stopped just a few feet from the battered exorcists.

"Where are the heirs?"

His voice came out as a monstrous growl through the metallic filter of his helmet, striking deep into their bones.

The exorcists hesitated. No one answered immediately.

Kavin pushed himself upright, his body screaming in protest, and forced the words out.

"They went to find the Queen... in a hurry."

A low growl rumbled from the leader’s throat. Without another word, he turned his horse around to address his men.

"Squad C, stay with the children. Squad D, sweep the entire city. Squad B, find the missing heirs. I and Squad A will go after the Queen."

At his command, the battalion moved with precision, breaking into separate groups and dispersing toward their respective missions.

---

Meanwhile...

Asher, Nimora, and Fey remained crouched behind a massive barricade, their eyes locked on the monstrous Night Terror blocking their path.

It hadn’t moved.

It hadn’t left the path.

No exorcist had been able to take it down.

And for some reason... it refused to leave.

Turning back wasn’t an option. They had no idea what dangers lay behind them. This was their only path forward.

Asher exhaled sharply. His mind raced.

"I think I have a plan."

The other two remained silent, simply staring at him.

"I’ll bait the beast. You two run as fast as you can. It isn’t a must that all of us reach the Queen."

His sword rested against the barricade, gleaming under the broken moonlight.

Fey parted his lips, wanting to protest, but no words came. He had no alternative. No better idea.

And the truth was... Asher’s plans always worked.

At least, they had so far.

Nimora, the most desperate to reach the Queen, hesitated.

"Don’t. It’s dangerous."

Her voice was unlike her usual self—uncertain, wavering.

She knew this was reckless.

She also knew they had no other choice.

Asher offered no further explanation.

"I can handle myself. Besides, I’m not fighting the beast... just distracting it."

He turned back toward the barricade, preparing to execute his plan.

Just one last peek to measure the distance, to calculate his movements—

His heart stopped.

An eye.

A massive, unblinking eye.

It stared directly at him, its glossy surface reflecting his own stunned face.

The realization hit him like a hammer to the chest.

’Fuck...’

His pupils trembled. His breath hitched.

’We’ve been caught.’

***

Meanwhile...

In a dimly lit room, illuminated only by the soft blue glow of a single bulb, a boy with short, fiery-orange hair sat hunched before his computer. His eyes were glued to the high-definition, movie-like graphics unfolding on the screen.

His right hand gripped the mouse tightly, his fingers making minute adjustments to capture every subtle movement. The immersive atmosphere of the game was relentless, and the screen continued bombarding him with notifications.

[Nimora is in fear.]

[Fey sympathizes with Asher’s plan.]

The boy absentmindedly bit down on his left thumbnail, his breath shallow. This game is something else... He’s actually willing to rush out as a distraction just to stop that beast? And this is only level one?

His heart pounded as Asher, the character he was controlling, carefully peeked around the corner. The moment was tense—every shadow seemed alive, every breath could mean disaster.

Then—

A massive, unblinking eye filled the screen.

His gut clenched.

[You have been caught by the Boss: Night Terror. Plan has failed.]

[Probability of Death: 99%]

A shiver ran down his spine. The sheer weight of the game’s intensity pressed on him, making his fingers tremble slightly over the mouse.

A tense silence filled the room. Then, in an almost whispered breath, he muttered—

"This game is mind-blowing."