Chapter 3 – The First Hunt
The forest stretched endlessly ahead.
Tall trees blocked most of the sunlight, leaving only thin rays cutting through the leaves. The air was calm, but something about it felt… watchful.
Kai walked beside Umbra, his sword strapped to his back.
Days had passed since he left home.
Days of training.
Days of learning.
And yet, every step forward felt like stepping deeper into something unknown.
Umbra walked ahead without speaking.
His movements were quiet. Controlled.
Like someone who didn't need to waste energy.
Kai finally broke the silence.
"Where are we going?"
Umbra didn't turn.
"To the next blade."
Kai's eyes widened slightly.
"You already know where one is?"
Umbra nodded.
"I can feel them."
Kai placed a hand on his sword.
"Then… does that mean they can feel us too?"
Umbra paused for a moment.
"…Yes."
Kai swallowed.
That meant something else.
"They could be dangerous."
Umbra continued walking.
"That's why you must be ready."
As they walked, Umbra suddenly stopped.
"Attack me."
Kai blinked.
"Now?"
Umbra turned slightly.
"If you hesitate in battle… you die."
Kai took a breath.
Then rushed forward.
His body moved fast—
But not fast enough.
Umbra sidestepped easily.
"Too predictable."
Kai tried again.
This time focusing.
Feeling the energy inside him.
"Move with me…"
Ignivar's voice echoed again.
Kai's body reacted.
WHOOSH.
He disappeared for a split second—
And reappeared behind Umbra.
But—
CLANG.
Umbra blocked without even turning.
"…Better," he said calmly.
Kai stepped back, breathing hard.
"I almost had you."
Umbra finally turned.
"No."
"You improved."
As Kai rested, Umbra watched him closely.
Inside his mind, the voice returned.
"He is growing…"
"Guide him…"
"He will lead us to the others…"
Umbra's expression darkened slightly.
"…I know," he thought.
But something about Kai was different.
Not just strength.
Not just potential.
Something… pure.
As they continued, the forest began to thin.
Soon, they reached the remains of a village.
Burnt houses.
Broken walls.
Silence.
Kai froze.
"…What happened here?"
Umbra walked forward.
"Abyssals."
Kai's grip tightened.
"Demons?"
Umbra nodded.
"They are increasing."
Kai looked around.
His chest tightened.
"People lived here…"
Umbra glanced at him.
"This is what happens when power is unbalanced."
Kai clenched his fist.
"Then we have to stop it."
Umbra said nothing.
A low growl echoed.
From the shadows of a broken building…
A creature crawled out.
Black.
Twisted.
Eyes glowing red.
A Shadow Crawler.
Then another.
And another.
Kai stepped forward.
"I'll handle this."
Umbra didn't move.
"Show me."
The creatures lunged.
FAST.
Kai reacted.
Zooka Dash.
WHOOSH.
He vanished from their sight.
Then—
SLASH.
One fell.
Another attacked from behind.
Kai turned—
Too slow.
The creature struck his arm.
He staggered.
"Focus!" Umbra shouted.
Kai gritted his teeth.
"I won't lose…"
He closed his eyes for a split second.
Then felt it.
The movement.
The intent.
His eyes snapped open.
"Now!"
Kai moved.
Faster than before.
Cleaner.
Sharper.
Zooka Step.
He appeared behind one creature.
SLASH.
Then another.
Zooka Strike.
The last one charged—
Kai dashed straight through it.
The creature split apart.
Silence returned.
Kai stood still.
Breathing heavily.
"I… did it…"
Umbra walked past him.
"Yes."
Kai looked at his hand.
The wound from earlier was small.
"I'm getting stronger…"
Umbra glanced at him.
"But not strong enough."
Kai frowned slightly.
"I know."
Suddenly…
The air shifted again.
Different from before.
Not dark.
Not violent.
But powerful.
Kai turned.
"Do you feel that?"
Umbra stopped.
"…Yes."
Ahead, deep within the forest…
A faint glow pulsed.
Green.
Alive.
Umbra's eyes narrowed.
"Another blade."
Kai's heart raced.
"Already?"
Umbra looked forward.
"This is only the beginning."
They began walking again.
But this time…
Faster.
More focused.
More aware.
Kai placed his hand on his sword.
"Another wielder…"
He didn't know who it would be.
Friend?
Enemy?
He didn't know.
But one thing was certain.
His journey had truly begun.
Far away…
In the Verdant Forest…
A girl stood still among glowing trees.
The wind circled her.
Leaves floated around her body.
She opened her eyes slowly.
"…someone is coming."
Behind her…
A green blade embedded in a sacred tree began to glow.
Final Line
The next blade is awakening.
And the path of the Seven Blades begins to intertwine.