The wind grew colder as they climbed higher. Snow crunched beneath their boots, and faint plumes of smoke curled from chimneys tucked between the trees.
> Xena looked around, wide-eyed. "Wow… there's a village up here. It's hidden from below — I thought it was all just forest."
Simple cottages stood quietly under the blanket of snow. Villagers moved slowly, bundled in thick furs, their faces weathered yet peaceful.
Ahead, an old man was gathering firewood near a frozen well. Seraphina approached him with a polite bow.
> Seraphina: "Excuse me, sir. May I ask… do you know where we can find the man who's been slaying all the monsters around this mountain? I apologize for asking so bluntly."
The old man paused, squinting at her before nodding slowly.
> Old Man: "Ah… you mean him. Aye, he's the one keepin' us safe. You'll find his cabin further up — just past the ridge. Wooden house, smoke from the chimney. Can't miss it."
> Seraphina: "Thank you, sir."
They continued along the snow-covered trail, climbing higher until the trees thinned. Then, ahead of them—
A figure appeared, walking down the path.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, his coat torn from countless battles. In one hand, he dragged the carcass of a massive white tiger, its blood staining the snow behind him. His expression was calm, detached — eyes cold as winter.
Xena froze, whispering under her breath.
> Xena: "Is… is that him?"
Lex's hand instinctively went to his sword. His confident grin was gone, replaced by a grim look.
> Lex: "Shit… yeah, that's him."
> Xena: "What's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost."
> Lex: "That guy's dangerous. Look at him — he's carrying a Rank B beast like it's nothing. His aura's not normal."
Haru stopped a few paces away, his golden eyes lifting lazily to meet theirs. Snow drifted between them in silence.
> Seraphina took a cautious step forward, her voice calm but steady. "Are you… the man who protects this mountain?"
For a moment, he didn't answer. He simply dropped the tiger's body onto the snow with a dull thud and glanced at her, uninterested.
> Haru: "Depends who's asking."
The weight of his presence pressed down on them like the air before a storm. Even Lex, confident as ever, felt his pulse quicken.
> Seraphina: "My name is Seraphina Valcrest… daughter of the Valcrest family of the Valtherion Empire. I came here to ask for your strength."
Haru's gaze sharpened slightly, a faint flicker of recognition — or perhaps amusement — in his eyes.
> Haru: "Another noble asking for help…"
He sighed, brushing snow off his shoulder.
"You people never learn."
Lex muttered under his breath.
> Lex: "Yup. We're screwed."
Seraphina, however, stood her ground — her tone unwavering.
> Seraphina: "Perhaps. But if you're truly as strong as they say, then you already know — some wars can't be fought alone."
For the first time, Haru looked at her directly, studying her.
The wind howled through the trees as silence fell between them — a silence heavy with possibility.
Haru stood motionless, his eyes cold and sharp as frost.
"Show yourselves," he said, his voice low yet commanding enough to pierce the silence.
Xena blinked, confused. "Who's he talking to?"
Lex tensed. "He means them. Come out," he called.
From behind the trees, several figures slowly revealed themselves.
The man at the front bowed slightly. "My apologies for intruding. My name is Levis, guardian of Lady Seraphina. We didn't come to fight—we're here only to protect."
Levis's eyes narrowed as he studied Haru. An expert realm… this one is dangerous.
A voice chuckled lightly behind him. "Hehe, sorry for the secrecy. My name is Wizz, one of the mages of this empire."
Seraphina's eyes widened in surprise. "Uncle? What are you doing here?"
Wizz smiled faintly. "Forgive me, my dear niece. I was simply… concerned about your safety."
Haru didn't answer. His gaze swept over each of them, quietly activating his system scan.
> Xena — Level 45
Lex — Level 60
Levis — Level 70
Wizz — Level 75
Seraphina — Level 70 … hidden?
His eyes flickered in brief shock. A hidden level? So she's masking her true strength…
A faint smirk curved his lips. A wolf dressed as a lamb.
Seraphina stepped forward, her radiant smile enough to soften the air around them. "We simply seek someone capable of protecting us," she said. "Someone who can stand against assassins and the blades of politics. We will pay you handsomely for your service."
Wizz added with a laugh, though a sharp edge hid behind his tone. "Yes, surely a man like you wouldn't turn down a generous offer."
Boom—
The ground trembled as Haru slammed his foot down. The shockwave rippled through the mountain clearing, shaking snow from the trees.
"Stop joking," Haru said, his voice calm but deadly. "Tell me your real intention."
A wave of Bloodlust burst from him like a storm of invisible knives. The air turned heavy; even breathing became difficult. Xena's knees weakened, and Lex instinctively gripped his sword, cold sweat running down his temple.
Wizz's smirk faded. What monstrous pressure… this man isn't normal.