The rain had stopped hours ago, but the forest still carried its scent — damp soil, whispering leaves, and a silence so heavy it seemed to breathe.
Ryo walked through it, his cloak torn and body still trembling from the battle with the wolves. He had survived… but at what cost?
His steps were unsteady. The moon's pale light barely touched the forest floor, yet he didn't need sight to move. Every sound, every heartbeat around him — he could feel them.
It was new, strange… terrifying.
As he reached the edge of the woods, a voice called out from the distance.
"Hey! You there!"
Ryo turned sharply, his body instinctively tensing. A young man stood a few meters away, holding a lantern and wearing a simple travel coat. His face was open and curious — the kind of innocence Ryo thought had vanished from the world long ago.
"You're injured," the young man said, stepping closer. "Were you attacked by beasts?"
Ryo hesitated, his expression unreadable. He didn't know this man, yet something in his tone felt genuine — human warmth in a world that had already shown him too much darkness.
"…Something like that," Ryo muttered.
The young man nodded quickly. "Come on, my village is nearby. You can rest there."
Ryo studied him in silence. His instincts screamed caution, but his body was at its limit. Finally, he gave a short nod.
"Lead the way."
The two walked under the dim moonlight, the forest giving way to a small valley below. Warm lights flickered in the distance — a village, alive and peaceful. For the first time since his rebirth, Ryo felt something stir inside him.
Not hope. Not yet. But… curiosity.
As they entered the village, whispers followed them. People glanced at Ryo's strange clothes, his calm but distant gaze. He didn't belong here — and deep down, he knew it.
"Don't mind them," the young man said with a smile. "Name's Eran. You're safe now."
Ryo said nothing. His eyes wandered across the quiet houses, the laughter echoing faintly through the night.
Safe. The word tasted unfamiliar.
In the shadows, he clenched his fist.
If they ever learned who he truly was — what he had done — safety would be the first thing to vanish.
The first encounter… had just begun.