The village square was quiet now. The panic had dulled into a heavy, oppressive silence—like the entire village was holding its breath. Families stayed indoors, candles burning through the night in hope and fear. The air itself seemed colder, as if the disappearance of five innocent children had drained the warmth from Eirath.
Reynar tightened the straps on his gloves and slung his newly sharpened shortblade onto his back. He'd barely slept since the curse was lifted from Liora. The system's quest still blinked in the corner of his vision, unrelenting:
Quest Active: Lost in the DarkObjective: Rescue the missing children.
He wouldn't fail this. He couldn't.
Behind him, the door creaked as Liora stepped out, her movements slower than usual. The effects of the curse still lingered, but her eyes were sharp, scanning him from head to toe.
"You're really going," she said flatly.
"Of course," Reynar replied, without turning.
"You're going to die."
He did turn at that—just enough to meet her eyes. "Not if I can help it."
Liora crossed her arms. "That dog—whatever it is—was able to place a level-three soul-curse just by brushing past me. Do you know how rare that kind of magic is? How dangerous it is?" She took a step closer. "Even I wouldn't go after it alone, and I've killed real monsters."
"I'm not going after it alone," Reynar said. "You're coming with me."
There was a pause. Liora frowned, genuinely caught off guard.
"You said you wanted to fight at my side," Reynar added. "So let's fight."
She looked at him carefully, and then shook her head in disbelief. "You're still reckless."
"Maybe," Reynar said. "But when someone's in need, I will help them. No matter what."
Liora's breath caught at that. The words were simple. Earnest. Not the kind of thing people said anymore—not in this world.
She stared at him.
Once, she had thought he was pathetic. Just a weak boy with too many dreams and no idea how cruel the world could be. Now… now, there was fire in his eyes. His posture was grounded, no longer clumsy or hesitant. He wasn't a seasoned warrior—but he had become someone she could rely on.
"I see," she said quietly. "You're a fool… but one I can respect."
Reynar smiled, just a little. "I'll take that."
Together, they set out—leaving behind the warm lights of the village and stepping into the looming forest.
The search began in earnest. Liora led, her senses tuned for magical signatures, while Reynar followed close, ready for anything. The deeper they moved into the trees, the more unnatural the environment became—twisted roots, darkened leaves, and the faint stench of blood. The trail was fresh. The beast wanted to be followed.
"They're baiting us," Liora muttered.
"I know."
"And we're walking straight into it."
Reynar gripped the hilt of his sword. "Then we'll bite back."
Not long after, they found the first sign—tufts of white fur caught on a tree branch, smeared with residue of cursed energy. The dog was near.
A snarl rang out from the left.
Without warning, a massive hound lunged from the underbrush, fangs bared, eyes burning with primal fury. Reynar reacted instinctively—dropped low, pivoted, and drove his blade upward into its side. The beast howled and collapsed.
Another pounced from behind.
Liora raised her hand, a sigil glowing on her palm. "Ignis Fractum!"
A blast of searing blue fire roared forward, vaporizing the beast mid-leap. Ash scattered in the wind.
Reynar shielded his face. "Nice."
"Don't lose focus."
They pressed deeper, fending off beasts as they came—packs of corrupted dogs and malformed wolves, each stronger than the last. The strange part was… they weren't killing. They were stalling. Herding.
Liora was the first to say it: "They're not trying to kill us."
Reynar nodded grimly. "They're keeping us busy. While the real threat watches."
They reached a rocky cliffside, half-covered in moss. A narrow cavern yawned at its base, jagged like teeth. From inside, faint whimpers echoed—the unmistakable sound of children.
"They're in there," Liora whispered.
No sooner had she spoken than the ground trembled beneath them.
From both sides of the forest, more beasts emerged—larger than the ones before, eyes glowing red, muscles bulging with corruption. There were at least ten… no, fifteen. All circling. All waiting.
"We're surrounded," Reynar said, backing up toward Liora. "This is the real ambush."
She clenched her fists, her mana flaring. "We fight together. No matter what."
He looked at her, breathing hard. "Right beside you."
As the first beast lunged, the screen in Reynar's mind blinked again.
Companion Affinity: +3%Current Affinity with Liora: 74%
He didn't have time to smile.
The battle began.