Outside the grand Cross family mansion, Adrian stood beside Iria, both of them geared up and ready for their adventure. Iria had a confident grin on her face, a large, well-worn war hammer slung over her shoulder. The hammer's steel head glinted under the morning sun, and the handle was wrapped in dark leather, clearly built for both smashing boulders and monsters alike.
She wore a simple but sturdy adventurer's outfit: a cropped leather vest with no sleeves, her chest wrapped with a strip of white cloth that clung to her curves. With every move, it seemed like the cloth might slip, making it hard for Adrian to keep his eyes entirely on her face. A thick belt secured small pouches at her waist — probably filled with mining tools or healing herbs.
With playful energy, Iria pointed north, the hammer resting easily on her other shoulder.
"Let's gooooo!" she said cheerfully, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement.
Adrian, clutching his newly-upgraded Blast Ring, felt his heart race. His voice came out soft but eager, his expression shy yet determined.
"Let's go...!" he said, his tone weak but with a cute charm that made Iria chuckle softly.
Just as they began walking, the system's voice chimed in, sounding unusually hyped:
「Young master, this is perfect! We might come across some rare ores, monster cores, or special materials to forge even more incredible weapons!」
The system's voice took on a slightly dramatic tone, as if narrating a legendary quest:
「Especially that Crystallized Blue Gel you obtained — finding a matching material could allow you to create a weapon of unimaginable might! A weapon that channels mana into pure destruction or reinforcement beyond Rank S+...」
Adrian's eyes shone with excitement, imagining the possibilities as Iria led the way with confident steps, her hammer glinting in the sunlight.
「And besides, young master…」 the system added cheekily, 「a journey with a lady like this might bring some unexpected visual bonuses, don't you think?」
Adrian's cheeks turned red as he shook his head, trying to focus on the adventure ahead — the forest, the cave, and whatever awaited them deep within.
After about twenty minutes of walking, the trees thickened and the air grew cooler. The two finally arrived at the entrance of the forest — a massive archway of twisted roots and ancient trees that looked like the gateway to another world. The sunlight barely pierced through the canopy, casting shifting patterns of light and shadow on the ground.
Iria stopped and turned to Adrian, her expression suddenly serious despite her usual cheerful nature.
"Be careful, young master. Many monsters and wild animals lurk around here. They're drawn to intruders... or the scent of food," she warned, gripping the handle of her large hammer with both hands.
Adrian nodded, his face set with determination.
"Understood, Iria. I'll stay alert," he replied firmly, clutching his Blast Ring with anticipation.
Then, as if flipping a switch, Iria's expression brightened again. She pumped her fist excitedly.
"Alright! Time to mineee some rare onesss~!" she said in a playful tone, her voice echoing softly between the trees.
They stepped into the forest. The earthy scent of moss and wood filled their noses. Birds scattered from nearby bushes, and the rustle of small animals could be heard in the undergrowth. But before they could get far —
SNORT! SNORT!
A loud, aggressive sound echoed from ahead. The bushes parted, and out stomped a large, muscular Red Boar. Its crimson fur bristled, tusks glinting, and small puffs of steam snorted from its nose as it scraped the ground with its hooves.
Iria narrowed her eyes, tilting her head slightly.
"A Red Boar, huh...? We just entered the forest and already a welcoming party?" she said with a smirk. Then she raised an arm to wipe sweat from her brow, noticing the glistening beads of sweat dripping down the side of her neck — and further down between her collarbones, sliding along the curve of her chest. The loose cloth wrapping her upper body shifted slightly, hanging precariously.
She sniffed herself playfully.
"Well... I don't smell that bad... maybe it's not my sweat after all."
She glanced at Adrian with a wink.
"Red Boars do have a strong sense of smell and hearing. It probably caught us the moment we entered this area."
At that moment, the system's voice chimed in, brimming with enthusiasm:
「Young master, allow me to provide vital intel! The Red Boar — a mid-tier wild beast of this region. Height: about 1.3 meters at the shoulder. Known for its stamina and charging attacks. But, more importantly...」
The system's voice practically drooled:
「Its meat is absolutely delicious when properly roasted or stewed! Tender, juicy, and rich in nutrients. The tusks? They fetch a high price — often used in crafting durable spear tips, dagger hilts, or ornamental items. Strong, flexible material that can even channel mana slightly when refined! Truly, a valuable beast in every way, young master.」
The Red Boar snorted again, lowering its head as it pawed at the ground, preparing to charge.
Adrian tensed, his heart pounding. Iria shifted her stance, raising her hammer and grinning confidently, her loosened cloth slipping just a little further down as she prepared for action.
Just as Iria tightened her grip on her hammer, ready to face the charging beast, Adrian quickly grabbed the hem of her pants, tugging lightly but urgently.
"W-wait! Iria!" he called out, his face flushed with determination — and maybe a bit of embarrassment.
Iria blinked, glancing down at him.
"Huh? What is it, young master? D-do you need to pee or something?" she asked innocently, tilting her head in confusion.
Adrian's face went bright red, and he shook his head frantically.
"N-nooo! Of course not!!" he stammered, flustered, waving his hands in front of him.
Taking a deep breath, he steadied his voice.
"I... I want to try the Blast Ring! You said I could try it here, right? Please, let me handle this one!"
Iria's eyes widened slightly, then softened with understanding.
"Ahhh, you're right. I did say that." She straightened, lowering her hammer, her cloth wrapping loosening just a bit more from the movement.
"I almost forgot with all the excitement... But just so you know, young master — these Red Boars aren't like the normal ones."
She pointed at the boar with her thumb, giving a serious look.
"See that red fur? It's not just for show. The Red Boar produces heat every time it runs. The more it moves, the hotter it gets. That heat not only protects it — it can even burn enemies that get too close."
Just then, the system chimed in — cheerful, but precise:
「Allow me to explain in detail, young master Adrian!」
「The Red Boar's fur contains tiny heat glands between the follicles. When it runs or exerts itself, these glands release a chemical reaction that generates heat. This does three things: first, it helps regulate the boar's stamina by keeping its muscles warm; second, it creates a thin aura of hot air that slightly deflects weak attacks; and third, it can cause minor burns or discomfort to anything that comes too near. This natural heat barrier is why many hunters use ranged weapons or traps for this beast.」
The system added with a bit of dramatic flair:
「A worthy first opponent for testing your Blast Ring, young master! A fine choice indeed!」
The Red Boar snorted loudly, steam visibly rising from its back as it scraped the ground, the temperature around it shimmering faintly like the air above a hot stove.
Adrian clenched his fist, heart racing, as he felt the Blast Ring pulse with power at his finger.
"Alright... let's do this!"
The Red Boar's snout flared as it let out a deep, guttural snort. Its bloodshot eyes locked onto Adrian, and without a second's hesitation, the beast lunged forward. The ground trembled beneath its heavy steps, the air growing hotter from the heat radiating off its fiery red fur.
Adrian stood still, feeling the vibrations, watching the boar's wild charge. His heart pounded—not from fear, but focus. He inhaled slowly through his nose, his expression sharpening as he bent his knees slightly, preparing himself.
His lips parted just enough for a whisper to slip out, his voice low and steady.
"Suimen..."
His fingers grazed the earth, and with that single word, mana pulsed from his hand. The ground beneath the charging boar softened, a slick sheen spreading like water over stone.
The boar's momentum faltered. Its hooves skidded, its balance shattered as it tumbled forward with a heavy crash.
Adrian didn't waste a second. He drew in a breath, and with a soft, focused grunt—
"Hngh..."
—he pushed off the ground, channeling mana into his legs. His body rose swiftly into the air, his eyes sharp, locked on the flailing beast below.
The sun glinted off the Blast Ring as he extended his fingers, hand shaped like a gun, the crystal at its center glimmering. His voice was calm, but filled with purpose, barely above a breath:
"Wind bullets..."
The mana released in an instant. Invisible blasts of compressed air struck the boar again and again, hammering it into the earth, digging it deeper into the forest floor.
Adrian's boots touched down softly behind the beast, the impact of his landing absorbed by bent knees. His left hand came up, palm wide open, mana already gathering again. His voice rose, clearer this time, with determination:
"Blast!"
The force sent the Red Boar's heavy frame flying backward, smashing through undergrowth, colliding with tree trunks, until it lay still at last.
Adrian exhaled, the tension easing from his body. He scratched at his cheek, an awkward smile tugging at his lips.
"Heh... I guess I overdid it."
Iria stood frozen for a moment, eyes wide in awe. Then she let out a soft laugh, shaking her head slightly as she approached.
"That was a perfect demonstration of the Blast Ring, young master. I'm impressed."
Adrian glanced at the ring, its golden dragon design catching the morning light. His voice dropped to a thoughtful murmur, his gaze fixed on the crystal embedded in its center.
"I guess I need something tougher... to really bring out its full power."
Just as Adrian began to lower his hand, his chest rising and falling with steady breaths, the familiar chime echoed softly in his mind—clear, yet urgent.
"Ding."
"Young master—caution. The Red Boar has not perished."
Adrian's eyes narrowed, his body instinctively tensing. He turned his gaze toward where the beast had fallen, dust and broken branches still settling around its massive form.
"If there is one thing you must never underestimate... it is the resilience and sheer tenacity of a Red Boar," the system continued, its tone serious, almost grave. "Their bodies are built for survival. That thick hide, that burning fur—they're nature's armor against both predator and blade."
As if on cue, the boar's massive body began to stir. A deep, guttural breath escaped its snout. The ground beneath it darkened where the heat from its fur scorched the soil. Slowly, that red fur seemed to glow brighter—flickering and pulsing as though it were fire itself.
Adrian took a step back, his heartbeat quickening.
"Observe its state closely, young master." The system's voice was low, almost as if whispering directly into his ear. "That glow... that heat... You're witnessing its Berserk State. When a Red Boar is driven to the edge of death, it chooses not to flee—but to destroy. It will burn every last drop of its life force to release a single, devastating charge."
Adrian clenched his fists, the weight of the system's words sinking in.
"This charge has one purpose—either you will fall... or it will. The Red Boar sacrifices itself in this final attack, determined to take down its enemy. If you underestimate it now, young master... it will cost you dearly."
The boar's eyes blazed, its breath came in ragged, heated bursts. Its massive hooves scraped the earth, muscles coiling tight like drawn bowstrings. The heat around it distorted the air, waves of shimmering light rising from its body.
Adrian's mind raced. His gaze flicked to the Blast Ring on his hand, feeling the warmth of the crystal against his skin, the power waiting to be called upon again.
"A death charge... and I'm its target..." Adrian thought, swallowing hard. "I have to end this before it reaches me—or it's over."
The forest grew quiet, as if nature itself was holding its breath, waiting for the collision to come.
Adrian's pulse pounded in his ears, every instinct telling him to prepare, to fight—but before he could act, a firm yet gentle hand pressed against his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, young master," Iria's voice came, soft but filled with unwavering determination. Her blue eyes, glinting with resolve, met his. "In this kind of situation… let the adult handle it."
Without waiting for his reply, she stepped forward, positioning herself between Adrian and the charging Red Boar. Her figure, though wrapped only in that loose cloth around her chest and light adventuring trousers, radiated strength.
In one smooth motion, Iria raised her hammer, the weapon glinting dully under the broken rays of sunlight filtering through the trees. She gave it a quick, practiced twirl, the weight of the weapon seeming to disappear in her skilled hands. The air around her seemed to shift with the movement, as if even the forest recognized her intent.
Then, with a playful smirk tugging at her lips, she lifted her free hand. A single finger flicked upwards—sharp, confident.
"Come," she whispered, voice low but laced with challenge.
Her gaze locked onto the boar's burning eyes, the fiery red glow of its fur reflecting in her own. It was a taunt, clear as day—a warrior's invitation to battle.
The Red Boar's snout flared. It let out a deafening, enraged snort, its hooves tearing into the earth as it prepared to unleash its death charge. The very ground trembled beneath its weight, and the air grew hotter still, waves of heat rolling off its body like a living furnace.
Adrian, stunned, could only watch as Iria planted her feet, hammer poised, her entire stance that of an unshakable wall between him and the oncoming storm.
"She's serious... She's going to take that thing head-on..." Adrian thought, heart racing.
Above the tension, the system's voice hummed in his mind, softer now, as if in awe.
"Your guardian is fierce, young master… Let's observe and learn."
The Red Boar, driven to madness by its berserk fury, threw its head back and let out a deafening roar that shook the very trees around them. The sound was raw and primal—a beast's final defiance against death, echoing through the forest like a crashing wave. Birds scattered from their perches, and even the earth seemed to tremble beneath the weight of that cry.
Then, it happened.
The boar's body erupted in a searing glow. Its fur, already tinged with red, now blazed like living fire, each strand dancing as if possessed by flame itself. The air around the creature warped, heavy with heat, the ground beneath its hooves blackening with each stomp. Waves of blistering air pulsed outward, distorting the world around it.
Adrian felt it instantly—the oppressive heat, the wild force of nature that now stood ready to die for its rage.
And still, Iria stood calm.
"Whoa~," she drawled in a tone thick with sarcasm, a teasing grin curling her lips. Beads of sweat rolled down her temple, the loose cloth around her chest damp with it, clinging tighter than before. She gave the monstrous boar a lazy glance, as if sizing up a bothersome chore.
"I can even feel the heat in here... literally. Fitting, huh? For a wild monster that dares live in our lord's domain."
Another smooth twirl of her hammer, the shaft whistling softly as it spun. Her blue eyes sharpened, the playfulness not gone—but layered now with cold intent.
The Red Boar's eyes locked on hers, its nostrils flaring wide. It lowered its head, muscles coiling, the flames along its body flaring with a last burst of power.
Then it charged.
It came like a meteor, tearing through the underbrush, the world quaking with every thunderous step. Every ounce of its life, every shred of its burning fury, hurled toward Iria in one final, deadly gambit.
And what did she do?
She dropped her hammer, the weapon landing with a heavy thud at her side, sending up a puff of dust.
Adrian's breath caught. His eyes widened as Iria, instead of readying to strike, bent low, her muscles tensing like a predator's.
Then, with explosive force, she ran straight at the charging beast.
Her arms spread wide, as if welcoming the beast's deadly embrace. The heat washed over her, but she didn't flinch.
"W-what is she doing!?" Adrian gasped, his voice cracking in shock. His heart pounded against his ribs as he watched the insane scene unfold.
---
The alleyway was cloaked in shadow, the faint sunlight barely reaching its stone floor. The air was thick, damp, and heavy with tension. From the far end of the alley, a faint drip of water echoed—steady, like a heartbeat waiting to stop.
There, standing in the gloom, was Darius. His long coat billowed slightly in the night breeze, one gloved hand resting calmly but purposefully on the hilt of his sword. His eyes, sharp as a hawk's, gleamed beneath his brow, locked on the figure before him.
That figure—a man cloaked in dark robes—stood with an unsettling stillness. The hood was down, revealing his face: sharp features, weathered skin, and a jagged scar running across his right eye, cutting deep through brow and cheek. Beside that eye, inked into his flesh, was the unmistakable mark of a dark, clawed hand, its fingers seeming to stretch toward the man's temple like a brand of evil.
His hair, a wild orange mane, was slicked back in sharp spikes, giving him a feral, untamed look. The man smirked, but there was no warmth in it—only cold malice.
Darius's voice broke the silence, low and deadly serious.
"What business do you have here... in our lord's domain?"
His thumb pressed lightly against the guard of his sword, ready to draw in a blink. The steel at his side hummed with restrained power, as if eager to taste blood.
Darius's gaze hardened, the weight of his promise clear in his eyes.
"Depending on your answer... I will decide whether you live or die."
He took a step forward, the sound of his boot on stone sharp in the night.
"But let me say this—when I say live, I don't mean you'll leave with all your hands and legs intact."
A faint smirk of grim humor touched his lips.
"But that would still be better than dying... wouldn't it?"
His stare bore into the man, unblinking, like a predator who had already decided the outcome.
The night seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the cloaked figure's reply.