The sun slowly began to rise. Midway through its ascent, frantic footsteps tore through the rustling bushes. Ji-hoon burst out of the undergrowth, a massive two-horned demon close on his heels.
He drew his sword just in time, narrowly dodging the demon's swipe. The sheer force of the wind generated by its claws sent Ji-hoon flying. He crashed into a tree, using it to break his fall, panting heavily as his chest heaved.
The demon wasted no time. It lunged at him again, but Ji-hoon rolled aside at the last moment. He leapt upward, landing atop the demon's head, stabbing and slashing repeatedly. The creature roared in pain, violently shaking its head in an attempt to throw him off. Ji-hoon clung to the spine along its back, continuing to drive his blade down until blue liquid gushed from its skull.
With a thunderous crash, the demon collapsed, dust billowing into the air. Ji-hoon staggered back, gasping for breath as blood trickled down his forehead from earlier wounds.
[STATUS WINDOW]
[NOTIFICATION]
[CONGRATULATIONS, YOU HAVE DEFEATED THE GRIMCLAW (LV 3)]
[LEVEL UP]
[CURRENT LEVEL: LV 3]
[REWARD ACQUIRED]
[INFERNO BURST (LV 3)]
"Ji-hoon!" Arinwyse fluttered toward him, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"I-I'm sorry!" she cried. "If I hadn't woken that thing, you wouldn't have gotten hurt. I'm so sorry!" She landed gently on the palm of his hand.
"It's okay. I'm fine," Ji-hoon said softly. "You don't need to apologize. I leveled up and even got a new skill."
"A-Are you sure?" she sniffed.
"Yeah." Ji-hoon smiled faintly.
"These things are tougher to fight right now," he chuckled as he stood up and dusted himself off.
"What do you mean?" Arinwyse asked.
"In my previous life, I one-shot that thing," Ji-hoon replied. "Back then, I was level twenty-seven."
"Yeah," Arinwyse said as she hopped onto his shoulder while they walked. Her eyes scanned him from head to toe, noticing the lack of protective gear.
"Hey… don't you need armor?" she asked.
"Hm? No, I don't—but thanks for asking," Ji-hoon replied.
"Why not?" She floated in front of him, crossing her arms. "Forget the fact that you defeated a Grimclaw without armor or a fancy weapon—you almost died!" she pouted.
"I feel like armor would slow me down," Ji-hoon said. "I'm comfortable like this."
"Hmmm." Arinwyse thought for a moment. "Well, even if you prefer something light, why not at least wear something intimidating?"
"Maybe," Ji-hoon said. "But do you have something like that?"
"N-No, not right now," she admitted. "But my master has some in his hideout. If you join him, he might—"
"No," Ji-hoon cut in sharply. "I'm not joining a guild or anything like that. The last one I joined cost my guild members their lives—and nearly cost me mine."
Arinwyse stared at him for a moment before giving a quiet nod and looking away.
"I understand," she said softly.
They continued walking through the forest, moving straight ahead without turning.
"Hey… where exactly are we going?" Arinwyse asked. "We've been walking for a while now."
"I'm looking for demons to kill—either to level up or obtain items," Ji-hoon replied. "When I was here before, there were plenty of them. I don't know why there are so few now."
"W-Well, I'm tired," Arinwyse pleaded. "Let's rest somewhere. Please."
"Alright," Ji-hoon said, pointing to the left. "Let's rest in that cave."
They headed toward it. The closer they got, the larger the cave seemed.
Inside, they sat on a large stone.
Ji-hoon sighed as he sat down.
"You're right. We needed to rest."
Arinwyse perched on his head with a smug grin.
"See? I'm always right."
"Pfft." Ji-hoon looked down and drew his black blade. Sunlight reflected off its surface, causing it to gleam faintly.
"So… are you going to test your new skill?" Arinwyse asked.
"Hm. I forgot about that," Ji-hoon replied. "I'll test it when the need arises. I need to level it up before facing Malaka."
Arinwyse suddenly flew off his head.
"Ji-hoon… I think we should leave."
He tilted his head, confused.
"Why? We just got here."
"I know, but…" Her voice trembled. "I just remembered where we are."
Ji-hoon narrowed his eyes.
"Where are we?"
"This cave belongs to Anantyra—a giant, demonic serp—"
Before she could finish, a massive gust of wind blasted them out of the cave, carrying dust and debris with it.
Ji-hoon steadied himself and looked up. Two enormous purple eyes glowed through the settling dust as something massive slithered forward with terrifying speed.
He jumped aside just before its jaws snapped shut where he had been standing.
The creature was enormous—green-scaled, horned, and monstrous. It loomed over them, staring down coldly.
"Oh… so that's where that thing came from," Ji-hoon muttered, drawing his sword.
[STATUS WINDOW]
[NOTIFICATION]
[DEFEAT ANANTYRA (LV 7)]
"How dare you intrude upon my home?" Anantyra spoke. Its voice was deep and eerie, filled with dread.
Ji-hoon remained calm as he slowly raised his blade.
"Ji-hoon…" Arinwyse whispered.
"It's fine," he replied quietly. "I won't attack unless it attacks first."
He stood upright.
"Forgive me. I didn't know this was your home. I was merely passing by and decided to rest. My apologies."
Anantyra studied him for a moment before narrowing its eyes.
"Very well. Leave now—and never return."
"Thank you," Ji-hoon said, turning away. "You have my word."
Anantyra smirked.
"As if. I haven't eaten this morning… and now, you will be my meal!"
It lunged forward, jaws wide.
Ji-hoon leapt away just in time.
"I knew you wouldn't let us go…" he muttered, landing firmly and tightening his grip on his sword. "Coward."
Inferno Burst activated, flames engulfing his blade as he assumed his stance.
"There's no way I can win," Ji-hoon thought.
"But I won't go down without a fight."