After studying the map for a long time, Haruto and Miyuki finally made a decision.
They would head toward the demi-human village.
However, there was one serious problem.
Humans were not allowed there.
A war had once taken place between humans and demi-humans, and the hatred between the two sides had never completely disappeared. Because of that, most demi-humans treated humans as enemies.
If the villagers discovered a human inside their territory, they would not hesitate to kill them.
Miyuki looked at Haruto with a slightly worried expression.
"If they see you, they will attack," she said quietly. "Humans are not welcome there."
Haruto remained silent for a moment.
His gaze slowly drifted toward the map again, stopping on the small area marked as the demi-human village.
"I know," he said calmly.
Miyuki watched him carefully, waiting to hear what he would say next.
"But I still need to go," Haruto continued.
His voice was steady, but there was determination behind it.
"To become stronger."
For a brief moment, the room fell silent.
Haruto clenched his hand slightly.
"And to find the one who killed my parents."
The words came out quietly, but the weight behind them was heavy.
Miyuki did not interrupt him. She simply looked at him for a moment before nodding slowly.
If that was his decision, she would follow.
After that, the two of them began preparing for the journey.
They gathered the few supplies stored inside the small house—some dried food, water, and the map Miyuki had drawn.
The preparations did not take long.
The house had served as a safe place for the past week, but now it was time to move forward.
Miyuki stepped outside first.
The morning air near the river was cool and fresh. Sunlight filtered gently through the trees, reflecting softly on the flowing water.
Haruto followed her out and took one last look at the small house behind them.
For a short time, it had been their shelter.
Then he turned away.
Without saying anything more, the two of them began walking.
Their path led deeper into the forest.
The direction was clear.
Toward the demi-human village.
How long the journey would take, neither of them knew.
But that did not matter.
Step by step, they continued forward.
They walked for several days.
The forest seemed endless, stretching in every direction with tall trees and thick shadows. The path was not clear, and sometimes they had to push through bushes or walk around fallen logs.
Even so, they continued moving forward.
Eventually, after many days of traveling, they had reached only half of the journey toward the demi-human village.
When the sun began to lower slightly in the sky, Haruto finally stopped walking.
"Let's rest for a while," he said.
Miyuki nodded in agreement.
Both of them walked toward a large tree nearby and sat down in the shade beside its thick trunk. The ground was soft with fallen leaves, and the cool forest air made the place surprisingly comfortable.
Haruto leaned back slightly and glanced at Miyuki.
She looked tired.
Even though she tried to act normal, the long days of walking had clearly drained her energy.
Haruto crossed his arms and looked at her seriously.
"You should take some rest," he said.
Miyuki blinked once and looked at him.
"You've been walking for days," Haruto continued. "And we've only reached halfway."
He glanced deeper into the forest.
"I don't even know how far the rest of the journey is."
Then he pointed lightly toward the ground.
"So take a nap. I'll watch the area."
Miyuki immediately shook her head.
"No," she said firmly.
Haruto raised an eyebrow.
"You should sleep," she continued. "You've been walking too."
She straightened her posture slightly, trying to look responsible.
"I will guard the area. That is my duty."
Haruto stared at her for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"Why are you acting like a knight protecting a king?" he muttered.
Miyuki tilted her head.
"…Because you're my master."
Haruto rubbed his forehead.
"That title is causing too many problems."
For a moment, both of them sat there silently.
Then Haruto finally spoke again.
"Fine. Let's do it another way."
Miyuki looked at him curiously.
"We take turns," Haruto said. "One person sleeps, the other watches."
He pointed at her.
"You sleep first."
Miyuki hesitated.
"But—"
"No arguing," Haruto interrupted.
He pointed at the ground beside the tree.
"Nap."
Miyuki stared at him for a moment.
Then, slowly, she sighed and leaned against the tree trunk.
"Fine," she said quietly.
A few seconds later, she closed her eyes.
At first she tried to stay awake.
But the exhaustion from days of traveling quickly caught up to her.
Her breathing slowly became calm and steady.
She had fallen asleep.
Haruto glanced at her briefly.
Then he looked around the forest.
The wind moved softly through the leaves, and distant birds occasionally called from far away.
For now, the forest seemed peaceful.
Haruto remained sitting quietly beneath the tree, watching the surrounding area while Miyuki rested.
Everything seemed calm.
Almost too calm.
Haruto's eyes slowly moved across the forest, carefully observing the shadows between the trees.
Then—
He heard something.
A faint sound reached his ears.
Step… step…
Haruto's body stiffened slightly.
At first, the sound was distant. Barely noticeable. But as the seconds passed, it became clearer.
Footsteps.
More than one.
Haruto's eyes narrowed.
The sounds were coming from somewhere ahead, deeper inside the forest.
Several figures were moving through the trees.
He slowly turned his head in that direction, focusing carefully.
The footsteps were heavy, pressing against the forest floor. Leaves and small branches cracked under their weight as they moved closer.
Haruto remained completely silent.
His hand slowly moved closer to the weapon resting beside him.
Whoever—or whatever—was approaching had not noticed them yet.
For a moment, Haruto considered waking Miyuki.
But he waited.
His sharp gaze remained fixed on the dark path between the trees.
The figures were getting closer now.
Closer… and closer.
Haruto listened carefully.
The footsteps did not sound like those of normal humans.
They were heavier.
Rougher.
Almost unnatural.
Haruto frowned slightly.
Not human…