A week had passed. All this time, David had been training under Emma's guidance, and his progress was noticeable.
He had become better at wielding his sword, feeling its weight and movements, and every day the three of them — David, Emma, and Lucy — ate the unusual fruit. Each time, David could feel himself growing stronger, his body filling with some new energy. But one question remained unanswered: what was happening to Lucy?
She barely got up, only to eat the fruit — and then she would fall back asleep. David tried not to show it, but deep down, he was worried about her.
Noticing his thoughtful expression, Emma approached and asked:
"Are you worried about something?"
David flinched slightly at her voice and replied shortly:
"No, nothing."
He didn't want to talk about Lucy.
Emma nodded, and after a pause, said:
"Alright. But know this: once you get a bit stronger and better at controlling your sword, we'll have to kill that demon."
Surprise flickered across David's face, but he quickly regained his composure.
"What level is it?" he asked.
"Medium."
"So, we'll need three cores?"
"Yes. And one lower-level core as well."
"Got it," David nodded.
"Alright, keep training," Emma said, and stepping aside, she sat down, gazing at the night sky.
David didn't argue and continued moving with his sword, trying to perfect every swing.
Several more days passed.
Then night came — dark and silent. Heavy clouds gathered in the sky, hinting at rain.
On the branches of a massive tree, David and Emma finally spotted the demon.
It sat almost at the very edge, motionless, staring off into the distance.
"What the hell is it doing?" Emma whispered. "Just sitting there, watching so carefully…"
David didn't take his eyes off the demon and quietly replied:
"Remember, medium-ranked demons are strong. If they eat a person, they can take on their feelings. This isn't just some beast."
Emma pressed her lips together.
"So… people lived here before us. And it seems they lived here for quite some time…"
"Most likely," David said.
"Let's go," he added.
Thanks to his abilities, David moved like a ghost: his steps made no sound, as if he were the night itself, capable of killing at any moment.
Emma sat and waited for David to attack first — not out of fear, but because she couldn't move the same way in the dark.
David approached and struck first. The demon couldn't react in time and received a wound from the sword.
Emma also entered the fight. Moving at a speed no ordinary person could see, she approached the demon and struck it with a horizontal attack. The demon didn't have time to react, and a roar of pain erupted from its mouth.
Pushing both back, it swung its claw at Emma, but she leaped and landed on the claw, hitting it on the head.
The demon, anticipating this, grew a tail from its back — shaped like a scorpion's — and lashed toward Emma. She hadn't expected such a sudden attack.
The tail whipped toward Emma's face, but David arrived just in time and blocked the strike, taking Emma with him as they retreated.
"Thanks," Emma said gratefully.
"How do you think we can defeat this thing?" David asked.
"The surprise attack only helped a little. Other than that, nothing has changed," Emma replied.
"You're right. I didn't expect it to be this strong," David said.