Joon-Woo moved quickly toward the direction of the desperate cry for help. Snow crunched softly beneath his boots as he passed between the tall frozen trees.
Soon, he leapt lightly onto the branch of a tall tree and looked down.
Below him, a young woman was running through the forest, her breathing uneven as she tried to escape.
Behind her, seven bandits chased her through the snow.
Joon-Woo studied the girl carefully.
She looked around twenty years old, with long pink hair flowing behind her as she ran. Her bright green eyes shone with determination despite the fear on her face.
Joon-Woo quickly recognized her.
She's the female lead of this novel.
Her name was Elvina.
Elvina possessed the Nature Element, but she had never received proper training to control her powers. She came from a poor farming family, and she mostly used her abilities to help plants grow and take care of crops.
At the moment, however, she was desperately trying to escape the bandits chasing her.
From the tree branch, Joon-Woo glanced around the forest.
"No one else is nearby…"
The girl was completely alone.
He sighed quietly.
"Looks like I'll have to help."
Without hesitation, Joon-Woo jumped down from the tree.
His boots landed softly in the snow.
The bandits immediately stopped and turned toward him.
"Who the hell are you?" one of them demanded.
Joon-Woo didn't answer.
Instead, he calmly stepped forward, placing himself between the girl and the bandits.
The leader sneered.
"Move aside if you don't want to die."
Joon-Woo slowly raised his hand.
Blue mana gathered instantly.
Suddenly, one of the bandits rushed forward with a raised axe.
"Die!"
The axe swung down toward Joon-Woo.
But Joon-Woo moved calmly.
He stepped to the side.
The axe struck nothing but empty air.
At the same moment, blue mana condensed in Joon-Woo's hand.
Water gathered quickly and formed a sharp sword made of flowing water. The blade shimmered like liquid but was as strong as steel.
Clang!
The water sword struck the bandit's axe and knocked it out of his hand.
Before the man could react, Joon-Woo kicked him in the chest.
The bandit flew backward and crashed into the snow.
"Damn it! Attack him together!" another bandit shouted.
Two bandits rushed forward with swords.
Joon-Woo moved lightly across the snow. His water sword flowed smoothly like a river.
Slash!
He knocked one sword aside and struck the bandit's wrist.
The man cried out and dropped his weapon.
Another bandit tried to attack from the side.
Joon-Woo raised his other hand.
Suddenly—
Fire burst from his palm.
A wave of flames shot forward and slammed into the attacker, throwing him back into the snow.
Elvina watched the fight with wide eyes.
He can use both water and fire…
The remaining bandits became nervous.
"Surround him!" their leader shouted.
Four bandits attacked from different directions.
But Joon-Woo remained calm.
He stepped forward and swung the water sword again.
Slash!
One bandit's weapon was knocked away.
Another bandit tried to strike from behind.
Joon-Woo quickly turned.
Fire gathered in his hand again.
Boom!
A burst of flames exploded forward, forcing the attacker to jump back in fear.
The snow around them melted from the intense heat.
Joon-Woo moved smoothly between the attackers.
His water sword blocked their weapons again and again.
Kick!
Punch!
Slash!
Within moments, several bandits were lying on the ground in pain.
Only two remained standing.
They looked at Joon-Woo with fear.
"This guy… he's a monster!"
"We can't win!"
Without another second, they turned and ran into the forest.
The fight was over.
The clearing became quiet again.
Joon-Woo slowly lowered his hand, and the water sword dissolved into mist.
Then he turned toward the girl.
Elvina was still staring at him.
Her green eyes were filled with surprise… and admiration.
Watching him fight so calmly against seven bandits had left a deep impression on her.
For Elvina, it felt like love at first sight.
Joon-Woo walked toward her.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
She nodded quickly.
"Yes… thanks to you."
Joon-Woo looked around the forest.
"What were you doing here alone?" he asked.
Elvina hesitated before answering.
"I came to look for Silverleaf medicinal plants," she explained softly. "They grow deep in this forest… but those men found me."
Her voice trembled slightly.
"They were trying to kidnap me… and sell me."
Joon-Woo frowned slightly.
I shouldn't leave her alone here.
"It's dangerous to stay in this forest," he said calmly. "I'm heading toward the capital. I can escort you there."
Relief appeared on Elvina's face.
"Thank you…"
The two of them began walking toward the capital.
Along the way, they talked and introduced themselves.
"My name is Joon-Woo," he said.
"I'm Elvina," she replied with a gentle smile.
By the time they reached the capital, the sky had already begun to darken.
It was evening.
As they entered the city gates—
Someone suddenly noticed them.
From a distance, Prince Leon stood near the gate.
His sharp blue eyes immediately spotted Joon-Woo walking beside a young woman.
Leon's expression darkened slightly.
Seeing Joon-Woo with someone else caused a strange feeling to rise inside him.
Jealousy.
The cold evening air suddenly felt heavier around the prince.