Bloodhound's Regression Instinct-Chapter 250

Chapter 250

The Unseen Forces

As Lorena and Theo slowly rose to their feet, Hans, who had been observing them from a distance, widened his eyes.

“Theo! Miss Lorena!”

As they blinked and stood up, a sudden commotion unfolded.

Thud!

Ella, who had been performing a ritual in front of the magical altar, collapsed like a limp doll. The shimmering glow that had filled the air vanished, and the cascading water droplets fell to the ground.

Reacting to the situation, Yan abandoned his thoughts and rushed toward Ella.

“Ella!”

Supporting her trembling form, Yan gasped for breath. “The divine energy is insufficient. The sealed inertia magic is too potent. I can’t extract it using the sacred power bestowed by our ancestors. But we must save Helena!”

Lorena and Theo, who had believed Ella could revive their mother, now stared at her in disbelief. Helena’s condition had improved since they first saw her—she no longer appeared lifeless, but rather peacefully asleep. However, her frail hand trembled, revealing her true state.

Theo, lightning-fast, grabbed Ella by the collar. “You said you could save her! Why give us hope if this is how it ends?”

Ella stammered, “My sacred power falls short... We need a priestess... Time is—”

Suddenly, Lorena’s gaze shifted away from Ella to Yan. “Yan, can’t you use sacred energy too?”

Lorena had witnessed Yan wield sacred power on several occasions, especially when he vanquished undead creatures on the Plateau of Lost Souls. Her desperate expression prompted a subtle smile from Yan.

He gently lowered Ella and approached Helena. “I can indeed use sacred energy. How should I proceed?”

Ella’s eyes widened. Fate had intervened—a person capable of wielding sacred power existed. With little time to spare, she rapidly outlined Yan’s next steps.

“Close your eyes and attune to Helena’s soul. Imagine drawing sacred energy directly from her essence. You’ll sense the inertia’s presence. Forcefully extract it!”

Yan followed her instructions promptly. He placed his hand on Helena’s shoulder, closed his eyes, and visualized the connection between her soul and the sacred energy. Using the mana heart, he converted mana into divine power.

Whoosh!

A brilliant radiance enveloped Yan’s hand—the successful manifestation of sacred energy. Ella was speechless.

“You really can wield sacred power!”

But that wasn’t the crucial moment. From now on, Yan’s synchronization with Helena’s soul mattered most.

And then it happened.

Thud!

As Yan poured immense sacred energy into Helena, he collapsed forward.

But that wasn’t all.

Thud! Thud!

Inside the magical circle, Theo and Lorena, who had been monitoring Helena’s condition, crumpled alongside Yan.

Hans, wide-eyed, leaped into the circle, determined to reach Theo and Lorena.

Crackle!

The magical barrier rejected Hans, even overpowering his third-tier abilities. He stared, disbelieving.

“What’s happening? Why did Theo and Lorena collapse?”

Weren’t they supposed to be safe when they appeared before him?

Ella, lips trembling, observed the fallen trio. “They’ve entered Helena’s mental realm.”

“Her mental realm?”

“I’ve only read about it, but now it seems real.”

Ella’s eyes welled with tears. The outsiders were powerless—only Yan, Lorena, and Theo’s actions would shape the outcome. Would they extract inertia or leave Helena trapped in an eternal limbo?

The fate of Helena’s soul hung in the balance, and the unseen forces held sway. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

* * *

Yan blinked, awakening to a familiar sensation. The place he stood was a serene garden.

And then it happened.

“Ugh.”

“Oof.”

From nearby, familiar voices reached his ears. Yan turned to see Lorena and Theo, their heads wrapped in pain, groaning.

“Lorena? Theo?”

As they blinked away their headaches, they looked up at Yan.

“Yan?”

“But where are we?”

They surveyed their surroundings—the well-maintained garden. Theo squinted, recognizing the place.

“Is this...?”

“Anything you know about this?” Yan asked.

Theo nodded solemnly. “This is Duke Beowulf’s garden.”

“Garden?”

Lorena furrowed her brow. She had no memory of such a place. The Beowulf estate was filled with training grounds and structures, not gardens.

But Theo’s bittersweet smile revealed the truth. “You were too young to remember. Fifteen years ago, this was where Mother passed away. It was her favorite spot.”

Lorena clenched her lips. Losing her mother at the tender age of five meant she couldn’t possibly recall this place.

Theo, with melancholy eyes, surveyed the surroundings. Yan, having witnessed his previous journey into Argon’s mental realm, silently followed suit.

“So, this is Helena’s mental realm,” Yan mused.

“Is that so?”

Theo, having witnessed Yan’s previous venture, complied without hesitation.

Though Lorena’s face betrayed curiosity, she remained silent, absorbing every detail of the garden.

And then it happened.

[Oh! Lorena!]

Someone approached, calling Lorena’s name. Yan’s expression darkened. He swiftly confronted the newcomer, dagger poised at their throat.

But as Lorena gasped, the intruder’s face transformed from shock to recognition.

“Maximus?!”

Maximus—the very bear doll Yan had threatened—stood before them.

Could it be? Was there a person inside the doll?

As Yan pressed the dagger against Maximus’s neck, the bear doll’s expression shifted.

[Lorenaaaa!!]

Maximus roared, shoving Yan with all his might. Yan somersaulted, landing gracefully on the ground.

Maximus’s face now mirrored surprise.

In other words...

“Is this really a bear doll, not just a disguise?”

“Do you know him?” Yan asked Lorena.

Her bewildered expression spoke volumes. “Not exactly... When I was young, Mother made this doll.”

But it had been stored away, forgotten. Now, Maximus laughed heartily, embracing Lorena and Theo.

“You’re the first guests here! How delightful!”

Maximus led them toward the Beowulf estate, and Yan trailed behind, determined to follow this peculiar guide.

Something was amiss, but for now, he’d stick with Maximus. Perhaps it would lead to clues about Helena.

“Let’s see where this takes us,” Yan thought, matching his steps to the bear doll’s.

* * *

Inside the Realm of Imagination

The interior of the winter castle within the mental realm differed significantly from the real world.

The training grounds where knights honed their skills were minuscule, off-limits to ordinary people. In contrast, Duke Beowulf’s chambers—shared by Theo, Lorena, and himself—were colossal. It felt like merging several training halls into one. And Lorena’s room? It could dwarf a person, filled with oversized dolls.

Maximus, their peculiar guide, beamed. “I adore winter castles like this!”

Yan suppressed a chuckle. “This guy’s antics belong in a fairy tale.”

Maximus exaggerated his movements, offered friendly explanations, and showered love and care on the children. But something was off.

Did Maximus ignore him because he considered Yan transparent, or was he genuinely imperceptive? Yan couldn’t assert dominance; it might backfire unexpectedly.

He observed Lorena and Theo, who clung to Maximus like old friends. Their behavior was equally peculiar.

Just then, Maximus spoke.

“Let’s have a party! Fun games and storytelling throughout the night!”

Yan’s face contorted. A party and storytelling when urgency loomed?

As he was about to protest, Lorena beat him to it.

“Maximus, can you guide us to Mother now?”