The warm breeze gently blew through the trees as Adrian and Iria walked deeper into the forest. The leaves rustled softly above them, and the light of the sun shone down in broken patches through the branches.
A few moments earlier, after they had defeated the Red Boar, Adrian had seen something surprising.
Iria had smiled, then casually waved her hand in the air. Suddenly, a glowing space opened up—like a door made of light floating in the air. She carefully placed the Red Boar's hide, tusks, and meat inside. The space shimmered for a second and then closed, vanishing as if it had never been there.
Adrian blinked, amazed. He looked up at Iria, who was walking cheerfully next to him.
"Big sister Iria... what skill is that?" Adrian asked, curious.
Before Iria could answer, the system chimed into Adrian's mind, its voice smooth and sure.
「Young master, do you remember the blessings I told you about? The ones given by the gods at birth? I believe this is another one of hers. That skill is called Item Box.」
The system continued, its tone like a teacher explaining something exciting.
「Item Box is a rare type of blessing. It lets the person open a special space—like a pocket in the air—to store things safely. This space doesn't get heavy, doesn't rot what's inside, and doesn't let anything fall out no matter how much you move around. It's very useful for hunters, adventurers, or… people like Big Sister Iria.」
Adrian's eyes widened as he listened.
「With an Item Box, you don't need to carry heavy bags or worry about losing your treasures. Some people dream their whole life of having this kind of blessing, but only a lucky few ever get it, young master. And it looks like Iria is one of those lucky ones.」
Adrian nodded to himself, impressed. He glanced at Iria, who noticed his gaze and tilted her head with a bright smile.
"Something on your mind, young master?" she asked playfully.
Adrian shook his head quickly, still feeling amazed. "N-no… I just think that's really cool…"
Iria laughed gently, brushing a stray hair from her face as they continued their walk, the forest growing thicker around them.
Iria smiled and raised her hand again, as if showing something invisible.
"Yup, it's cool, right?" she said cheerfully, looking at Adrian. "But, well… I can only store a few things in there. There's a limit to it, too."
She rubbed the back of her head, a little embarrassed. "It's not like I can store everything in the world inside."
Adrian listened carefully, his bright eyes sparkling with wonder. He nodded up at her, his expression so cute that Iria had to stop herself from patting his head.
As they kept walking, the trees slowly opened up before them. The sound of running water reached their ears. And there, hidden in the heart of the forest, was a small pond. The water was so clear that they could see the smooth stones at the bottom. Beautiful wildflowers of different colors—yellow, blue, pink—grew along the edges. The sunlight reflected off the water, making it look like the surface was covered in tiny stars.
"Woah~ so beautiful…" Iria whispered, her voice filled with honest amazement.
Adrian stood beside her, his mouth slightly open, taking in the peaceful sight.
Iria stretched her arms out and took a deep breath of the fresh air. Then she turned to Adrian with a soft smile.
"Let's rest a little, young master," she said kindly. She placed her hands on her hips as if giving advice. "No need to push ourselves too much. Sometimes…"—her tone grew gentle, almost like she was sharing a life secret—"sometimes resting for a bit isn't bad at all. Even the strongest warrior needs to stop and breathe. It helps the body, and the heart too. We can move forward better after we give ourselves a moment to enjoy the world."
Adrian nodded again, his heart feeling warm. The two of them sat by the pond, listening to the soft sound of water and the quiet hum of nature around them.
Adrian stood up, brushing some dirt from his clothes. His eyes still sparkled with energy as he stretched his arms.
"I'm not that tired," Adrian said with a small grin. "I think I'll go for a little walk."
Iria blinked, surprised, and her cheeks turned a little pink. She raised her hands a bit, looking flustered.
"Y-Young master... how about the resting part??" she said, her voice a mix of worry and embarrassment.
Adrian laughed softly at her reaction. "It's okay, Iria. You can rest for now," he said kindly. "I'm just going to stroll a bit. Maybe I'll experiment with my Blast Ring more."
Iria's playful look turned into a worried one. Her blue eyes followed Adrian as he took a few steps forward.
"Don't make that face," Adrian said, glancing back at her with a grin. "I'm not going too far, promise!"
He paused for a second, his grin growing wider. "And hey—how about after you rest, you can cook? That way, when I come back, we can just eat right away!"
Iria let out a small laugh, her silver-brown hair swaying with the breeze. She placed both hands on her hips and tilted her head.
"Of course!" she said brightly. "Leave the cooking to me. Today's dish is... grilled pork meat!!"
Adrian gave a thumbs up and kept walking, the forest ahead of him peaceful but full of adventure. Behind him, Iria smiled, already thinking of how to make the best meal for her young master.
After a few minutes of strolling deeper into the forest, Adrian's eyes caught sight of something near a tree trunk. He stepped closer, brushing aside some grass, and saw a small patch of mushrooms growing quietly in the shade.
The mushrooms were simple-looking — round, with smooth light-brown caps and short, thick stems.
Adrian crouched down, curious.
Then the system's voice echoed gently in his mind.
「Analyzing... complete!」
「Young master, that is a Plaincap Mushroom. A very common type of mushroom found in forests like this. It is safe to eat and often used in simple dishes. Many like to grill it or roast it because its taste is soft and a little sweet when cooked. It doesn't have any special powers, but it's great for meals!」
Adrian smiled as he picked one carefully. "So just a normal mushroom, huh?"
The system answered with a little chuckle in its tone.
「Yes, but even plain things can be delicious when cooked well, young master!」
As Adrian stood up with the mushroom in his hand, he suddenly heard a soft but sharp screech.
"Skreeee…"
It wasn't loud, but it sounded angry — like something was not happy with him being there.
Adrian turned his head and saw it — a bright green bird sitting on a branch above him. Its feathers weren't just green. Each feather had hints of yellow and blue, making it look like a little flying jewel. The bird's round eyes glared at him, and its small sharp beak clicked as it let out another screech.
The system's calm voice echoed in Adrian's mind:
「Analyzing… complete!」
「That is a Greenflare Finch. A common forest bird, known for being very protective of its territory. Its feathers are bright green with streaks of yellow and blue, as you can see, young master. It is not a powerful monster, but it can be aggressive if it thinks you are a threat. From my perspective… I think it's about to attack you.」
Adrian blinked. "Eh? Why me? I didn't do anything…"
The finch flapped its wings fast, its little body shaking with energy as it stared down at him like a tiny warrior ready to dive.
The strange green bird — the Greenflare Finch, as the system helpfully noted in a calm tone — let out a high-pitched screech:
"SKIIIIIII!"
It dove at Adrian's head like it had some personal grudge against him.
Adrian blinked.
"Eh—?!"
His body moved on its own — pure reflex, no thinking. As the bird came closer, his hand shot up.
PAAAAK!
A clean slap. A slap so powerful, the bird stopped mid-air for half a second before flying off-course, spinning like a helicopter with broken blades.
THUNK!
The Greenflare Finch smacked into a tree trunk and slid down slowly in defeat, little stars circling its head.
Adrian stood there, hand still out, eyes wide.
"…I-I just slapped a bird??"
The system burst in, voice half laughing, half shocked:
「Young master, did you just… COUNTER-SLAP A BIRD?!」
Adrian froze. His cheeks burned red.
"It came at me first!"
「+50 RP: Amazing reflexes! Title unlocked: Bird Brawler (Don't worry — it's not official… maybe)!」
The bird wobbled to its feet, gave Adrian a wobbly, offended glare, and flapped off, looking like it was questioning its life decisions.
Adrian sighed, staring at his hand.
"I'm never going to live this down…"
The system chuckled in his mind:
「Truly fearsome… the terror of birds everywhere…」
---
The field was nothing but ruin now — cracked earth, scorched patches of grass, and the scent of ash thick in the air. Smoke curled up from where their last clash had scarred the ground.
Darius and Belicus stood apart, both still, their eyes locked. The wind howled through the open space, carrying dust and the scent of burning.
Belicus tilted his head, the jagged, demonic spikes of his arm pulsing with a dull red light. His grin was twisted, eyes glinting like molten steel.
"Just mentioning the kid makes you snap so easily, old man," Belicus said, his voice low, rough — a mix between a sneer and a growl. His demonic side bled through his words, thick with malice.
Darius, breathing steady despite the weight of fatigue, straightened his stance, blade in hand, its tip hovering above the broken ground. His eyes, sharp and unwavering, met Belicus's.
"It's a human trait to protect someone dear to you. Even if it means giving up your life — that's what it means to truly care."
His voice was steady, noble, like steel hammered smooth by years of duty. He shifted his foot, grounding himself deeper, preparing. His grip on his sword tightened, knuckles pale.
"You vile creatures will never understand that. Because to you… nothing matters but killing."
The air around Belicus seemed to pulse darker, as if the sky itself dimmed with his rage. His lips peeled back in a grin, jagged teeth bared. His voice deepened, monstrous:
"Damn right, old man."
Then he laughed — a guttural, wicked sound that echoed across the ruined field. His horned head lowered, and his jagged arm flexed as dark energy crackled across it.
"But don't push yourself too hard…"
He took a step forward, boots crushing the blackened earth. His grin widened as he raised his demonic arm, its spikes glinting like bloody fangs in the light.
"…or your old bones will snap in an instant."
Darius didn't flinch. He only exhaled slowly, eyes narrowing, and whispered:
"Then come. Try me."
"Ok—here I go!" Belicus roared, his voice deep and savage, the sound like a beast breaking free from its chains.
In an instant, he sprinted forward — his jagged, rock-like arm pulled back, glowing with a burning red light. Each step cracked the ground beneath him, sending up small bursts of dust.
"Graahh!!" he bellowed, fury pouring from his throat as his monstrous fist shot toward Darius like a meteor.
Darius's eyes sharpened, reading the movement. At the last breath of a second, he shifted his stance, boots grinding against the ruined field. His blade tilted just so, his body moving with the precision of countless battles.
With a powerful twist of his waist, Darius redirected the force — Belicus's burning fist crashing harmlessly into the ground with a deafening BOOM!, shaking the earth and blasting dust and debris into the air.
"Tsk—!" Belicus hissed, his grin fading for a moment as his fist lodged deep in the cracked soil.
Darius didn't waste the chance. His right hand, gripping the hardened wood of his sword's sheath, swung up fast — faster than Belicus's eye could follow.
WHAM!
The sheath smashed against the exposed face of Belicus with a brutal, clean strike.
"Ghhk—!!" Belicus's head snapped sideways, spit and blood flying from his mouth. His jagged teeth bared, and a deep, rattling growl tore from his throat, half in pain, half in wild delight.
"Is that all?" Belicus sneered, his lips curling in twisted amusement. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, but his crimson eyes gleamed with wild joy.
Slowly, he straightened himself, cracking his neck with a sickening pop, and with a sudden burst, he delivered a short, brutal punch aimed straight at Darius's stomach.
"Tch—!" Darius blocked it, but he was a hair too late. The strike connected just enough — he felt the sharp pain bloom deep inside. But his face? Steeled. No weakness shown. His grip tightened.
Without pause, Darius twirled his sword in one fluid motion, the steel flashing in the dying light, and pointed the tip at Belicus.
"Hah!" he exhaled as he surged forward, faking a powerful downward slash.
Belicus smirked, raising his guard, but the sword never fell.
WHAM! Darius's boot connected with the side of Belicus's neck.
"Too predictable!" Belicus growled, barely flinching from the kick, but in that instant—
Darius spun with the momentum, blade arcing in a clean, upward slash aimed for Belicus's exposed face.
"Hahhh!!"
A burst of wind and force roared upward as the sword cleaved the air — the shockwave sent grass and dust flying, cutting a line of destruction in its wake.
Belicus staggered back a step, a shallow gash marking across his cheek. His grin widened, eyes glowing brighter.
"Raghhh! To think... an old fool could entertain me this much!" he barked, laughter bubbling up as his axe spun back toward him, caught in his clawed grip.
But before Darius could press the attack, Belicus's free hand glowed dark red. His lips moved, chanting a cursed spell —
"Guhh—!"
Darius's body seized. It felt like invisible, crushing hands wrapped around him, gripping tight. His ribs groaned under the pressure, his bones threatening to snap.
Belicus stalked forward, dragging his axe along the ground — the steel scraping, spitting sparks.
"You can't move, right?" His voice was low, taunting. The grin on his face twisted further. "But don't worry... I'm not gonna kill you. Not yet. We're just getting started."
His laughter echoed, dark and unhinged, as a second horn sprouted from the other side of his head. His features contorted, inching closer to something demonic.
THUD!
Belicus's foot — now warped, clawed, monstrous — slammed into Darius's stomach.
"Ackk—!" Darius gasped, blood flying from his mouth. His gaze dropped, catching sight of Belicus's feet — no longer human, fully corrupted, glowing red veins pulsing with dark power.
I don't have much time, Darius thought grimly. The demon... soon it'll fully take him.
WHOOSH—CRACK!
The axe came down in a brutal arc, slamming into Darius's side.
"Ghhkk!"
The force hurled him back like a ragdoll, his body smashing through trees, splintering them like twigs before he finally skidded to a stop, coughing blood, the ground around him cracked and scarred.
Darius knelt there, blood dripping from his lip, his blade planted in the scarred earth. He gazed at the sky above — a sky painted with streaks of orange as the sun began its slow descent.
"I think... I don't have a choice," Darius muttered, voice calm, almost gentle despite the storm raging before him. The weight of the moment settled on his shoulders, but his heart remained steady.
His fingers loosened their grip on the hilt for a brief second as he drew in a slow breath.
"I'm glad," he chuckled softly, his tone bittersweet, "I didn't bring too many knights today. They would have died... innocent lives taken for nothing. I can already see the faces of their families, staring at blood-painted weapons brought back without the ones who wielded them."
He closed his eyes.
The wind whispered through the broken trees.
And then — his voice cut through the air.
"Hey... demon."
Belicus froze mid-step, his jagged, monstrous form looming in the fading light. "Huh?"
Darius lifted his head slowly, his eyes opening — sharper now, gleaming with purpose.
"Do you know why the Cross family has endured for centuries? Why we became so powerful?" His voice, once rough with age, grew clearer, smoother... younger.
A subtle glow shimmered around him. His hair, streaked with age, began to shift — strands turning a brilliant, light blue, growing longer, flowing down past his shoulders. The years seemed to melt away, his features sharpening, his face becoming striking, almost beautiful — sharp like a blade, yet noble as a prince. His eyes glowed like cold steel.
Darius smirked faintly.
"You think it's the sword? That our strength lies in the steel we wield?" His voice echoed, steady and filled with truth.
He shook his head slowly.
"No."
He straightened, the aura around him pulsing stronger.
"It was never the sword. Swords break. Swords dull. Even the finest blade means nothing in the hands of the unworthy. What made our family powerful — what truly endures — is technique."
The wind seemed to answer him, swirling around as the ground cracked beneath his feet.
"This is no magic. No curse. It's a technique... a secret that lets us awaken the strength of our prime. A gift passed down, forged by blood, sacrifice, and unbreakable will."
Belicus watched, stunned, as the old man before him became someone else entirely — no, not someone else. His true self, hidden beneath the years.
"This technique — it's just a child's play compared to what the patriarch can do." Darius smiled, his voice both proud and humble. "Mine's incomplete. I can only hold this form for twenty minutes. After that... I'll have nothing left. My strength gone, my body will return to what it was."
He gripped his sword tightly, his stance firm, his aura fierce.
"But the patriarch? His mastery is complete. He can do this without wasting strength... without limit. His prime is his to summon at will."
Darius's smirk deepened, his light blue hair catching the breeze, glinting in the sun's final rays.
"But for you, demon... twenty minutes is more than enough."
The ground beneath him cracked again as the force of his will surged forth, ready to end the nightmare before him.