The forest seemed almost alive. Broken branches, scorched earth from Sylrion's attacks, and faint moonlight reflected off the wet leaves. Kazuki moved first, Moon-Bone Blade in hand, silver light tracing every step. Behind him, Lyria followed, leaning heavily against a tree for support.
"We can't stay here," Kazuki whispered. "The Moonfang Division will regroup. If they find us before we leave the forest…"
Lyria nodded weakly. "We need to reach the borderlands of Sylphria… there are safe zones—hidden sanctuaries where I can fully recover."
Kazuki scanned the horizon. His Predator's Intuition hummed faintly—residual energy from the fallen Moonfang Division lingered in the air.
"We'll move at night," he said. "Moonlight will give us cover… and strength."
TESTING THEIR POWERS
Kazuki held up the Moon-Bone Blade. "Let's see how far I can push this."
He whispered under his breath, summoning Moonlight Blade for the first time in open terrain. A concentrated sliver of silvery mana shot forward, slicing through a fallen tree trunk as if it were paper.
"Whoa…" Lyria's eyes widened. "That… that's incredible. Your control is perfect for someone who's only just awakened the affinity."
Kazuki flexed his fingers. "Not perfect. But it's a start. Let's see if we can combine it with your magic."
Lyria drew in a shallow breath. Her fingers glowed pale green as she summoned Healing Pulse. The forest floor seemed to shimmer faintly where she touched.
Kazuki thrust Moon-Bone Blade forward, channeling Moonlight Aura outward. The silver light met Lyria's green glow, creating a dazzling fusion that hovered in the air like a miniature aurora.
"Moonlight… and life energy combined," Kazuki murmured. "We can create a zone that strengthens us… or disorients enemies."
Lyria smiled faintly, though exhaustion tugged at her. "Careful. My energy isn't fully restored yet. But… it's promising."
ELVEN TERRITORY AHEAD
Hours passed. The forest thinned, giving way to rolling hills and scattered silver-leafed trees—marks of elven lands. But the closer they approached, the more they felt the tension in the air. Mana pressure thickened, subtle but oppressive.
Kazuki crouched behind a large boulder. "We're not alone."
From the shadows emerged two armored scouts, both clearly humans or half-elves, carrying short swords. Their aura pulsed faintly—trained fighters, but not elite.
Kazuki stepped forward, Moon-Bone Blade glowing faintly. Lyria whispered behind him, "Don't underestimate them. Even low-level soldiers in Sylphria can be deadly."
The scouts charged simultaneously. Kazuki dodged the first strike with Lunar Step, countering with Moon-Bone Blade. A single slash disarmed one, sending his weapon clattering across the rocks.
The second tried to flank him, but Predator's Intuition allowed Kazuki to anticipate the move. He pivoted, striking a precise blow to the enemy's side. Both fell unconscious, groaning but alive.
Lyria exhaled. "Efficient… but careful. The Moonfang reinforcements are nearby."
Kazuki nodded. "Then we move quickly."
A NIGHT OF TRAINING
They found a secluded grove just before dawn, covered by a canopy of silver-leaved trees. Kazuki sat cross-legged, Moon-Bone Blade resting on his lap. Lyria knelt nearby, mana flowing faintly from her hands.
"I need you to focus," she said softly. "Your Moonlight Aura… it can do more than enhance attacks. It can heal, protect, and even shield an area from magic."
Kazuki tilted his head. "Shield from magic? Like a barrier?"
Lyria nodded. "Exactly. Watch." She raised both hands. A faint dome of greenish mana expanded outward, deflecting a falling branch that would have crushed them both.
Kazuki's eyes lit with understanding. "If I fuse it with Moonlight Aura…" He raised Moon-Bone Blade, channeling silver mana through his blade and into the dome. The shield shimmered, turning silver-green, radiating both defense and life energy.
"You can fight while protecting me," Lyria whispered.
"Yes," Kazuki said. "And I'll kill anyone who touches you."
For the first time since arriving in this world, he felt a deep, resonating sense of purpose.
KAZUKI'S NEW STATS (Post-Evolution & Level 18)
◈ STATUS ◈
Name: Kazuki Arai
Race: Human (Moonblood Warrior)
Level: 18
HP: 380/380
Strength: 48
Agility: 55
Endurance: 42
Intelligence: 28
Luck: ???
Skills:
Lunar Step (Lv.2)
Moonlight Blade (Lv.1)
Moonlight Aura (Lv.1)
Predator's Intuition (Lv.2)
Adrenal Surge (Lv.2)
Silver Pulse (Passive)
Double EXP (Passive)
Moonlight Fusion (New Combo Skill with Lyria)
Titles: The Undiscovered One / Moonblood Warrior
Equipment: Moon-Bone Blade (Monster-Crafted Weapon, Mana-Compatible)
As dawn crept over the horizon, Kazuki and Lyria prepared to enter the first safe zone within elven territory.
The forest ahead was silent, yet every shadow seemed alive with the potential of danger.
Kazuki tightened his grip on the Moon-Bone Blade. "We're stronger… but this is just the beginning. The Moonfang Division will come back. And next time… they won't hold back."
Lyria placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Then we'll be ready. Together."
The wind carried the scent of battle and prophecy across the elven lands. Kazuki felt it deep in his chest—a pulse of destiny that demanded he rise higher than ever before.
With Lyria by his side, the Moonblood Warrior would forge a path through the storms of war, power, and betrayal.
And the world would remember his name.