HOWSH~07

~Chapter 7~

The cheerful atmosphere in the banquet hall had been completely overturned, replaced by fear and utter chaos.

A life-threatening aura spread through the hall, coiling and rippling across the room.

Goosebumps rose along my arms.

It was a combat-level technique that would have knocked out any ordinary person instantly.

No… wait.

I could already see several D-rank or lower ability users sprawled unconscious on the floor.

Even the security team would struggle to endure this.

What on earth was he planning?

I wanted to grab the culprit by the collar and demand answers, but it was too late—he had completely lost it.

Facing a protagonist consumed by rage, the only fate that awaited us was destruction—utter, complete annihilation.

“Ugh… really…”

I pressed my palm to my forehead and sank to the floor.

Damn it. I’d come too late.

I should have at least tried evacuating the guests instead of standing around in despair.

Late regrets washed over me.

Of course, they probably thought I was insane.

“Grr… Rose, stay close!”

“Mm.”

It had been a long time since I’d seen this.

The sight of Isid struggling in pain like this—it had been since the extreme combat training at the royal palace a year ago.

I forced myself upright and placed a hand around his waist.

All I could do now was cling to him, standing near the attackers, biting my lip in anxious anticipation.

Powerless. That’s exactly what it felt like.

Wiiiiiing.

Kwang!

Attacks and defenses collided in the distance, sending tension crackling through the hall. Amid the flickering pale light, a small gesture from him triggered disaster.

“Kyaaa!”

The defensive barrier he’d been holding with all his strength shattered.

Before we could even react, a massive burst of light filled the space, overwhelming everyone.

White waves of energy tore through the barrier’s remains, ruthless and unstoppable.

“Magnolia…!”

“Mei… Meichel!”

Unfortunately, it struck the side where our team was stationed.

“No…!”

Startled by Meichel’s panicked scream, I slid down the wall, bracing myself weakly against the floor.

Though Carlos’ rampage didn’t affect me physically, the sheer psychological impact was enough.

Isid, perhaps shocked that Meichel had lost consciousness, let go of his grip on the barrier’s control.

The dome-shaped model that had been wavering in blue light instantly lost its form and vanished.

All that remained was the raw force of the attack. The defenses had completely collapsed.

“Haha… hahaha…”

We were doomed.

The real crisis had begun.

“Isid, snap out of it!”

I grabbed his hand and shouted, but he just stared blankly at the fallen team members, seemingly unaware whether they were alive or dead.

His rational mind had been devoured by a single, fleeting emotion.

Perhaps it was the sheer force of power he’d unleashed at once—his hand, clutched in mine, had no strength left.

Near exhaustion and gasping for air, Isid was already out of his mind.

What a fragile mental state!

“Damn it!”

I let go of his hand, turning away in frustration.

I swept my gaze around the hall, but calling for help was impossible.

D-rank and even B-rank ability users were collapsing under the strain.

Most of them lay prostrate, vomiting or trembling uncontrollably under the overwhelming pressure of his energy.

Healing-type users? Forget it. Unconscious, exhausted, suffocating, or fleeing—the hall had become a mess in mere minutes.

The remaining lights flickered out, and the blackout was complete.

All that remained in my vision was one unyielding white light.

Carlos.

“God… oh God…”

Why did you keep dragging me into this nightmare?

I frantically wiped my face dry and muttered curses under my breath.

The blinding white light crept ever closer.

There was no way to escape now. If we stayed, everyone would die.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself, and faced him with a blank expression.

“As long as I’m not seen, it’ll be fine.”

The hall had long since been plunged into darkness by the blackout.

The only two standing were Carlos, whose power had gone berserk, and me, completely unaffected.

Most others had collapsed from the start.

The odds of success were in my favor.

The healing power inside me—power I had never used in combat since its manifestation—could finally be deployed.

“Okay…”

I had only wished for the banquet to pass safely, and yet this is how the universe repaid me?

If I had known, I might as well have resigned earlier.

I rolled my wrists slightly, letting Carlos approach me, ready to meet him head-on.

During the slow approach, I checked my healing power—it was functioning normally.

The golden energy, once barely glimpsed, now flowed in radiant abundance.

I never imagined I’d reunite with this power again.

I gently clenched my fist, feeling the healing energy surge through my arms, shoulders, and throughout my body.

Warm, comforting, and profound.

“Good.”

A satisfied smile curved my lips.

The healing energy within me had reached its peak.

Could it withstand an S-rank threat? I didn’t know—but I was ready to try.

One step, two steps.

I measured the short distance to him, but as a shadow fell over me, I stepped forward and grabbed Carlos’ hand, pulling him toward me.

His rough, coarse skin met mine, burning as though on fire under the influence of the light.

As our bodies drew closer, I closed my eyes, focusing solely on channeling my power.

The result? A miserable failure.

“What… what?”

The amount of healing I could deliver through just holding his hand was far too little.

My body shivered violently for a moment, and then I remembered something.

A method to amplify healing in the field!

Depending on the situation, it could vary—distant absorption, pats, handshakes, hugs…

‘The intensity depends on physical contact.’

Wha—what…?

“Insane.”

I nearly froze, blinking in disbelief.

Why me? Why now? What exactly was I supposed to do?

The answer was unavoidable: kiss Carlos—or more.

The latter was impossible.

Resigned, I swept my hair back and laughed hollowly.

To stop his rampage, to channel the healing energy… I had no choice. But it was completely against my will.

I placed my hands on his shoulders, rising onto my toes.

“Just so you know… don’t get the wrong idea.”

“……”

“I’m not interested in you.”

I gave him a final warning before gathering the healing energy within me, focusing it entirely through my lips.

Once I began, amplifying it was easier than expected.

‘Done.’

I closed my eyes, proceeding without hesitation.

Soon, his lower lips met mine.

Breathless, heated, and damp, our mouths intertwined like a heavy cushion absorbing a soft touch.

The kiss began gently but gradually grew deeper, more consuming.

At some point, my hair was held back, my head cradled, and hands tangled in my own.

I channeled every ounce of my healing energy into him.

Despite the shocking sensations, the healing continued.

It was a desperate, urgent kiss.

A kiss that stabilized one person’s power, while gambling with another’s fate.

No one knew at the time.

In this game, there were no winners—only losers. And the cards on the table would never be reversed.

After a long, tense moment, we broke apart.

“……”

“……”

His hands still gripped mine and my shoulders, poised as though ready to kiss again at any moment.

As Carlos’ rampage slowed, the lights flickered back to life, returning one by one.

Before Violet regained focus, I whispered to him:

“It’s an order.”

“……”

“Erase everyone’s memories of this moment, Carlos.”