"Where are we going next?"
"Through that door ahead, you'll see a grand performance."
"Just wait and see, Zira."
Alright.
"GRAAAANGGG ..."
"Welcome to the grand Ashtil royal feast."
Wow, this looks...
Huge, beautiful, and majestic, worthy of a grand event, even more luxurious than I imagined.
But... where are the warriors?
"Hey, Zira, you!"
"Oh, it's you... Alright, Zira, if you want to train, I can take you to one of the warriors."
Alright, then.
"Hey! Wait for me!"
"Yulian, don't forget about our meeting."
"Yes, Prince. Come on, Zira, let's go!"
Oh, okay.
But...
"But why, Zira?"
So, you're not going to train me?
"Yes, because there's a special meeting with the prince, so you'll train with one of my friends instead."
Oh, I see, that's fine.
Sorry if I'm a bit of a bother.
"No worries, Zira, you're pretty cute, you know."
T-that's not what I meant.
"Oh my gosh."
While I was busy chatting with Yulian, Leon disappeared from my sight.
Huh? Leon, where did you go?
"Damn it, I got left behind by Zira's group and that female warrior. What should I do?"
"Hey, big guy in the black outfit, you look so handsome and neat!"
"Huh? Who are you?"
"I am the princess of this kingdom, my name is Ariel Selene, daughter of King Alfan Abbas III."
"You ..."
---
In the warriors' changing room.
"Yes, here we are, Zira. It seems we've reached this place. You can change your clothes. Did you bring your warrior outfit?"
I have it, and I brought it here.
"Huh? I didn't see you bring it. If you didn't, I could prepare one for you."
N-no, I brought it, don't bother.
"Hmm ... Alright then, goodbye, Zira."
Yes, goodbye.
Yulian left me in this place.
Alright, since it's pretty quiet now, it seems like the right time to change my clothes.
Open inventory!
[Opening Inventory.]
Alright, warrior suit.
I'm ready to wear it.
[Warrior suit set successfully retrieved.]
---
In the palace's secret room.
Prince Falman and one of his greatest warriors, Yulian, were holding a secret meeting.
It seemed they were discussing something strange happening at the feast.
"Yulian, do you know why I called you here?"
"Why, Prince? Did that demon escape? Is it attacking again?"
"No, but come closer!"
"Huh? For what?"
"Hmph ..."
Yulian started approaching the prince.
Despite feeling an odd aura, he obeyed the prince.
"Fshk!"
"Huh? What's this? W-wait ..."
And in an instant, the prince's eyes turned red, beginning to hypnotize Yulian.
"Come here and hug me right now."
"Yes, Prince."
Yulian approached again and hugged the prince.
"Hahaha ... Now, follow my orders. Capture Zira and bring her to me alive!"
"Yes, Prince, your wish is my command!"
"Hahahaha... Now you won't be able to escape, Miss Leonhert."
---
In the changing room.
[Warrior suit fits you perfectly.]
[Your readiness as a warrior: 100%]
Well, I do look like a warrior in this outfit.
I looked at myself in the mirror.
Alright, time to show off our moves.
Come on, my new sword!
"Miss Zira, let's go, our training is about to begin."
Alright.
I can't wait for this.
[Warning!]
Huh? A warning? Why?
Is something happening here?
[Evil presence detected!]
It seems I should stay on guard here.
"Miss Zira, why haven't you come out yet?"
Wait a moment!
Alright, let's go outside.
I stepped out of the changing room and saw several training warriors lined up neatly.
With various suits—ancient warrior outfits, iron armor, even some looking modern.
It seems they truly are a highly intelligent nation.
No wonder they're called the continent of wisdom.
"Alright, I'm Livana, and I'll teach you how to wield a sword like a typical warrior."
How's that?
It seems interesting.
"Alright, watch me."
The warrior took two swords from the sword storage and brought them to me.
Don't tell me she wants to give me those swords.
"Take these."
I-is it okay?
"Yes, come on, let's start the training."
Alright.
"Hmph ..."
What's wrong with you?
"CLANG!"
Suddenly, Livana attacked me with her sword, and I blocked it with mine.
Huh? Why are you attacking me so suddenly?
"If you don't know when your enemy will strike, you'll lose."
Livana disappeared from my sight.
"Take this attack!"
She appeared behind me and attacked again.
"CLANG!"
Thankfully, I managed to dodge this time.
"Are you enjoying this?"
Huh? What?
"SWOOSH!"
A surprise attack from above made me fall to the ground.
Damn it! It seems she's getting serious now.
"Come on, bring out all your abilities."
Livana used both her swords, alternating attacks in rapid succession.
"CLANG!"
I kept blocking her strikes with my sword, but the longer I held on, the stronger Livana's attacks became.
"How long are you going to keep defending, huh?"
N-no! Why are you attacking me like this?
"This is just the beginning, Zira."
Huh? What?
Livana paused for a moment and began releasing energy from within her body.
"Because I'm going to get serious now, and it seems you'll end up with some serious injuries."
Huh? Wait a minute!
Don't tell me you ...
"SLASH!"
"CRACK!"
The armor protecting my upper back cracked instantly from Livana's powerful strike.
UGH ... My back ... You?
"WHOOSH!"
"SHNK!"
UGH ...
"CRACK!"
The armor on my left arm shattered from Livana's swift attack.
Huh ... Huh ...
Wait! Why are you ...
"SWOOSH!"
"CLANG!"
This time, I won't just stand still.
I'll start blocking your attacks!
"Impressive, even with your armor breaking, you're still standing strong."
You ...
"Get ready for my strongest attack."
Huh? What?
"Dawnsplitter Blade!"
"FWAASH!"
"CRACK!"
Livana's powerful and swift attack shattered my sword and sent my body crashing to the ground.
"THUD!"
Huh ... Huh ...
Livana rushed over to me and tried to help me sit up safely.
"Forgive me, it seems I was too hard on you at the start of this training. It almost feels personal toward you."
It's okay.
But I was just surprised why you used such strong attacks.
"It's not okay! Your armor is broken, and you're injured—please forgive me!"
Seriously, it's fine. Why are you like this?
"I-it's because ..."
[Danger is approaching!]
Huh? What does that mean?
"WHERE IS THAT RED GIRL?"
In the distance, it seemed Kaito heard that loud voice.
"Damn it! Have they started already? I'd better move quickly!"
Kaito hurriedly headed toward the palace's backyard.
In the palace backyard, a shadowy black figure emerged.
"WUUUUUMMM ..."
The shadow moved slowly, absorbing the light around it into its darkness.
With a powerful aura that instilled fear in everyone present.
"W-what is that?"
"We should hide now!"
"Let's hide!"
"All warriors, prepare to repel that figure!"
"Yes, sir!"
What kind of dark figure is this?
Huh ... You, what's wrong?
"Miss, forgive me once again ..."
It's okay, really. After all, a small wound and minor damage don't bother me.
"It seems like you're lying."
N-no, Livana, it's not like that ...
Oh my gosh, you.
"You seem younger than me, don't you?"
I-it's because I'm ...
"BRAKKK!"
"UGH ..."
That sound came from ...
A royal warrior!
I rushed over to the warrior to check what happened to him.
Hey! Who attacked you?
"It was her, the kingdom's best female warrior. It seems she ... UGH ..."
You! No, he's passed out.
[Skill Omniscient activated.]
[Skill Vision activated.]
[Skill Regen activated.]
[All skills successfully activated.]
"M-miss, you ..."
This can't be happening!
Who attacked this warrior?
Don't tell me it's ...
In the distance, I saw several warriors still holding out against the attack of a mysterious female warrior.
Wait, I caught a glimpse of her silhouette—it seems she's ... Yulian!
Yulian, what's wrong with you?
No, it seems I need to do something before this gets worse.
"Whoop!"
"Wait! Let me handle it."
Kaito? You!
Why are you stopping me?
"So you don't get hurt!"
I can take care of myself.
Huh? You!
"Wait here! I'll be back."
Hey! Don't act recklessly!
"Is that the miss's friend?"
Ah, u-uh ...
Kaito delivered his first punch to Yulian's face, who seemed to be possessed by something.
"THUD!"
A powerful strike from Kaito slammed Yulian hard into the ground.
"UGH ... You! You're just getting in the way!"
"Alright, let's get this started!"
Kaito pulled a sword from the right pocket of his pants.
And the two began their duel.
With his speed, Kaito launched his first attack, aiming for Yulian's vital point.
"Stormrend Slash!"
Kaito's initial strike successfully sent Yulian stumbling backward a bit.
"UGH ... Kaito, you!"
"THUD!"
Yulian's body crashed hard into the ground.
But that wasn't the end for him—Yulian rose again and began attacking Kaito.
"Black Sapphire Slash!"
With a dark blue-purple sword, the attack surged toward Kaito.
Kaito immediately countered with ...
"Phantom Second!"
"You're going to die!"
The attacks collided, creating a powerful energy clash.
"Kaito, you might be strong, but can you maintain your image as the legendary thief?"
"Shut up!"
"Power Up! PHANTOM SECOND!"
"WMMMMMMM ..."
[Energy is intensifying.]
[Prepare for an explosion!]
"That's exactly what I wanted."
Hey! Don't tell me he's planning to detonate it with those two energies!
Kaito! Don't do that!
"Just watch and observe, Zira!"
"You'll die, Kaito!"
"Huh? What?"
Yulian vanished from Kaito's sight, preventing the energy clash from happening.
N-no, where is Yulian?
"Hey! Where are you! Stop playing hide-and-seek here, you damn Yulian!"
"Me? Right here!"
A large hand grabbed me and choked my neck.
"Khhkk—!"
"I'm here, Kaito!"
"Damn it!"
"K-KKHHH … !!"
W-what do you want ...
"I want you! Zira, you look so different today."
"Let go of Zira right now!"
"Quiet, you!"
Yulian then threw Livana hard, causing her to crash into the ground.
"UGH ..."
You!!!
W-what do you mean, huh?
UGH ...
It hurts so much!
"Zira, hold on."
"What are you going to do, Kaito?"
"T-that ..."
"Stay quiet, or you'll see this!"
"GRKKK ..."
"You!"
UGH!
Huh ... Huh ... Huh ...
What do you want from me?
"A massive energy and, more importantly, your life."
You! You want to kill me?
"Exactly. Now stay still, Miss Leonhert."
No, I can't let this keep going.
I'll read something.
N-no, he won't let me die.
I know he's being ordered by someone to do this, and deep down, Yulian isn't like this.
He must be hypnotized and controlled by someone.
Livana!
"Huh ... What, Zira? What should I do to help you?"
"Don't try anything funny!"
Arghhh ... You!
Kaito signaled with two fingers.
It seems you, Kaito ...
"SWOOSH!"
Livana disappeared.
Yes, I knew you'd do that.
"Hey! You! Where are you!!"
"Right here!"
"SLASH!"
"UGH! You!"
Yulian was now in pain, and his grip began to weaken.
"I trust you, machine."
"Click!"
[Switch.]
Instantly, I, who was being choked by Yulian, swapped places with Kaito.
I knew you'd do something like this.
Thank you, Kaito.
"And I'll save you from now on, Yulian!"
"This is an interesting development."
A clap came from a mysterious figure hiding behind the scenes.
No doubt about it—that must be him!
"Alright, it's time for us to show our skills, Livana!"
"Anytime, I'm ready."
Livana and Kaito attacked Yulian simultaneously, taking turns striking with their swords.
Wait a moment—during the chaos earlier, it seems I noticed something strange here.
When Yulian arrived, that dark aura didn't come from him, but there's something odd going on.
I kept observing the strange movements of Yulian as he fought Kaito and Livana.
"SWOOSH!"
"SLASH!"
"No, this isn't enough, Kaito!"
"Yeah, I know his resilience is strong too."
[Level increase.]
"Huh? A level increase? Seems like I've got an advantage here."
"Zira, have you found his weak point yet?"
"No matter how long you try, you can't defeat me because I am the embodiment of a human-demon hybrid."
"No, you're not the strongest! Come on, Livana!"
Kaito launched a series of consecutive attacks toward Yulian.
"Zira, tell me if you've found that weak point, and I'll do my best to create an opening for it."
Alright.
Actually, I've already found the weak point, but where is it...
Wait a second—when Yulian fought the warriors and all the feast attendees moved to another room.
Most likely, that person knows, and the dark aura comes from ...
His neck!
I zoomed in my focus and spotted a symbol.
No doubt about it—that symbol ...
The "Eighth Gate" symbol is the mark of a demon hybrid.
Kaito!
Livana!
Target that symbol—the one on the left side of his neck!
"Alright ... Livana, take this sword!"
Kaito threw his sword toward Livana, and she caught it successfully.
"I see it! That's the Eighth Gate symbol! Get ready for this!"
"You won't ..."
"Double Damage Slash!"
"WHOOSH!"
Livana's double strike successfully destroyed the Eighth Gate symbol on Yulian's neck.
"CRACK!"
"N-no!!! You!!! UGH ..."
The demon possessing Yulian exited his body and vanished instantly.
Yulian's body now looked weak and nearly collapsed to the ground.
"Hang in there, Yulian."
Kaito rushed forward and caught Yulian's falling body.
"Thank goodness I caught you."
Livana and I approached Kaito.
So, what now, Kaito?
"Miss Yulian ..."
"For now, I want to take Yulian to the nearest medical house, and you, Livana, come with me!"
"U-uh, alright then."
What about me?
"You can go into the feast room inside and let everyone know it's over."
Alright, then I'll head into that room.
"Come on, Livana, hold my shoulder—I'm going to use teleport."
"Alright."
Livana grabbed Kaito's shoulder, and in an instant ...
"Click!"
"Whoop!"
Kaito, Livana, and Yulian disappeared instantly.
Alright, now it's my turn to inform them about this.
I hurried toward the feast room inside.
I hope they'll listen to me well.
T-that's the door!
I opened the large door and stepped into the room.
"KRRRAAAKKK …"
Huh ... Huh ... Huh ...
I looked around the room, and it seemed ...
Why are they so calm?
When outside, everyone was terrified seeing Yulian like that.
"Oh, a new girl, huh?"
"Wow, her armor outfit looks so weird."
"Just ignore her; she's probably just trying to get our attention."
"Yeah, why should we care about her?"
Huh?
Trying to get attention?
No ... Am I really that bad?
These people's words are so similar to what happened at that campus party.
"Hey! You, girl, why are you just standing there silently?"
Huh? Why did you suddenly show up here?
A mysterious person from the crowd approached me and touched the injured part of my back.
Stop! Don't touch that area.
I'm fine, really.
"Hmph ..."
W-why?
Everyone in the room suddenly changed their expressions.
They smirked wickedly at me.
Why is this happening?
[Run away from here!]
"Why should we care about someone like you?"
"You're ugly!"
"You're just a weak girl in front of us!"
"Hahaha ..."
N-no!
I can't stay here!
I turned around and tried to leave the room.
N-no, why do these people remind me of my own world?
Until I reached a quiet room.
At least I can calm myself here.
"This place is pretty nice."
Huh? What was that sound?
I looked toward the direction of the voice in front of me.
N-no, you're here?
I saw Prince Falman sitting on a throne.
Why? Why are you in this room?
Answer me!
"Because what you just witnessed was my doing."
Your doing?
"Interesting, isn't it, Zira?"
You!
"Hmph ... It's just the two of us here, and it seems you can't escape from this place."
Don't do anything strange!
You!
"It's not strange. Besides, I feel sorry seeing someone like you still feeling lonely in a crowded place like that."
I-it's because ...
"Tick!"
The lights in the room went out.
And ...
"Tsshh ..."
Candles?
"Sit here, Zira, you can talk to me."
He ...