A cold wind swept through the forest, rattling the trees and sending a shiver down my spine—but I forced myself to mask it. We followed the shortcut path toward Angunth, the darkness pressing in around us.
"Halt!" Rein's voice cut through the night.
We stopped at a massive tangle of roots and fallen trunks, blocking the path. Without hesitation, Rein drew his sword. A brilliant blue aura surged along the blade, and with a single, precise strike, he cleaved through the obstacle. The trees and roots fell in a crashing heap, and the earth beneath the sword was scarred with a deep, glowing line.
The knights around me stared in awe at Rein's power, cheering and whispering among themselves. I, however, felt a chill of unease.
In the game, Rein would become the companion of the MC—fighting alongside them to defeat all the villains, including me. I knew what the future held: a tragic Marquis, defeated and broken, swallowed by demons after losing his courage. That version of me had failed, and met his end.
I clenched my fists, jaw tight, fury and determination coiling inside me. "I will not let that happen… not this time," I muttered under my breath. Rein, sensing my presence, tilted his head slightly, a subtle acknowledgment beneath his helmet.
As we resumed marching, Rein's sharp eyes caught something in the shadows ahead. "Halt!" he commanded.
The group froze again. He removed his helmet, pressing a hand to his brow as he peered into the darkness. "Princess!?" he exclaimed, voice thick with concern.
My heart skipped. "Princess…!?" I whispered, barely audible.
Without a second thought, Rein surged forward, breaking into a run. I barked the order to the knights, my voice cutting through the forest: "Follow Rein!"
Rein's footsteps pounded behind me, the cracked wooden floor and rustling leaves echoing with every stride. "Princess!" he shouted, but it seemed she didn't hear him.
The princess froze, resting briefly on a fallen log beside a small fire. She tensed as a faint noise reached her ears. "What's that?" she whispered, glancing around.
She had thought the path was safe. Now, doubt crept in. "I thought this path was free of monsters…"
Fear propelled her forward. "I'm close to Angunth village…" she muttered, sprinting again. Her footfalls quickened, heart hammering, until a dark shadow loomed at the end of the path.
"Knight!" she thought, relief flaring briefly… but a loud voice rang out from the opposite direction:
"Princess! Hide!"
She turned toward the voice—but it was too late.
The shadow was not a knight. It was a motionless ghoul, its saliva dripping, eyes locking onto her. Aggression radiated from it as it lunged forward.
"Nooooo!" another voice echoed, and suddenly every monster surrounding the village erupted in fury. They surged toward her, teeth bared and claws ready.
The princess shrank back, trembling, arms wrapped around herself in a desperate attempt to shield her body. The ghoul drew closer, its claws poised to strike.
Then—
"Lion Heart Skill: Roaring Strike!"
A wave of sonic energy erupted from Rein's sword. The shockwave tore through the forest, slicing trees in its path. The ghoul, along with every monster caught in the radius, was shredded in an instant. The ground vibrated with the force, leaves and splinters scattering like rain.
The princess stared in awe, frozen in shock but alive.
Rein stepped in front of the princess, his sword lowering as the immediate threat faded. He turned to her and extended a hand.
"Are you all right, Princess?"
The princess was still shaking. Tears clung to her lashes as she nodded weakly. "…Yes."
She took his hand, and Rein helped her to her feet.
"Thank you—"
Her voice broke.
Her eyes widened.
"Behind you!" she screamed.
Rein barely had time to turn.
A crushing force slammed into his sword.
Steel shrieked as Rein was driven backward, boots carving lines into the dirt.
"Ghh—!" Rein grunted, arms trembling. "This… this isn't a monster—!"
The night exploded with motion.
In a single breath, every monsters surrounding the path was cut down. Blades of compressed force tore through the darkness, slicing trees, bodies, and shadows alike. The monsters didn't even have time to scream before they collapsed, lifeless, into the soil.
The forest fell silent.
A man stood behind Rein.
His armor bore a wolf crest, carved deep and sharp, as if ready to bite. His sword hummed faintly, restrained—but terrifying.
The princess stared at him in shock.
"Wait—! Stop!" she cried.
But it was too late.
"Step away from the Princess," the man commanded coldly.
Rein struggled to keep his balance, locking blades with him. Sweat poured down his face as he resisted the overwhelming pressure.
"Tch—! I'm protecting her!" Rein snapped.
The man's eyes narrowed.
"I saw you raise your sword," he said. "That is enough."
Only then did the princess find her voice.
"Arion—stop! He saved me!"
As we reached the end of the path, realization struck me like lightning.
Rein's blade was locked in a violent clash with a man I knew all too well.
A Rank Sword Saint.
One of the strongest characters in the game.