The boss monster, unnaturally strong—perhaps a B-rank in disguise—threw chaos into their lines. Ajay was knocked out by a swipe. Several team members were injured. Two swordsmen lost their lives trying to protect Maya.
AK fought like a beast, until a blow knocked him unconscious.
When he woke, blood filled the air.
"MAYA!!!" he shouted.
The Ice Bear had charged toward her.
Too late.
Blood splashed across the sky.
Those who remained standing froze in horror.
Even RED was silent.
The impact had kicked up a storm of sand and frost. Through the haze, all they could see was blood raining down. Everyone thought Maya was gone—she was just a healer, after all.
But as the dust cleared, disbelief took hold.
The boss lay still… headless.
And standing over it, sword dripping with steaming blood, was Maya.
Not a single person spoke. Even AK was frozen. RED had already warned him about her… but this?
[RED: WHAT?! HOW CAN A MERE HEALER DO THAT? CONFIRMED—SHE'S NOT A HEALER.]
"I just hope she's not a demon… or our enemy," AK muttered.
Maya didn't speak. She simply moved from one injured hunter to the next, healing them—including AK. But once she was done, she walked straight toward AK and Ajay.
A wave of raw, ferocious aura burst from her, pinning everyone in place. Even AK and Ajay couldn't twitch a finger.
I can't move… this pressure alone…
[RED: IT CAN'T BE HELPED. STAND STILL AND HOPE FOR A PAINLESS DEATH, MY FOOLISH HUMAN FRIEND.]
Sweat trickled down AK's face as she stopped in front of them.
I hope I die painlessly at the hands of this beautiful, cute girl.
[RED: YOU'RE THINKING ABOUT HER BEAUTY WHILE YOU'RE ABOUT TO DIE?!]
Maya finally spoke.
"Don't worry. I'm not your enemy. I am the guild leader of The Hunter—the guild from which Ajay and the others came for this raid. Except you, AK."
Ajay's eyes widened. He'd known their leader was a woman, but her face and name were unknown even to the members. And now she was here, in front of him.
But AK frowned.
The Hunter's leader… in the erased timeline, it was a man named HRX. No mention of a woman.
[RED: I'VE TOLD YOU BEFORE—I NEVER EVEN WROTE HER IN MY NOVEL. STOP OVERTHINKING. SHE'S A FRIEND, NOT AN ENEMY… FOR NOW.]
"Raid's over!" Maya's voice snapped them back. "Mine the mana stones now! The dungeon will collapse soon!"
With no hesitation, everyone obeyed.
Once the stones were collected and they emerged from the dungeon, Maya addressed them.
"Keep what happened today a secret. I'm working on something important."
Later, AK caught up with her.
"Hey… what exactly are you working on?"
"None of your business," she replied flatly.
"Then at least tell me your class," AK asked, cheeks reddening.
"Primary: Sword Lord (SS-rank). Secondary: Healer (S-rank)."
AK blinked.
"SS as primary and S as secondary… but it's only been a month since the Great Catastrophe! How…?"
[RED: I DON'T KNOW A THING ABOUT HER. DON'T PRESS HER. MAKE SURE SHE'S OUR FRIEND, NOT OUR ENEMY. SHE'LL BE A HUGE HELP WHEN THE WAR COMES.]
"That's impressive," AK said with a grin, "but still not impressive as your beauty."
Maya smirked slightly. "You dare say that even after knowing my position? You really are something else… like a mentally disturbed person."
[RED: SHE'S RIGHT. GO SEE A PSYCHOLOGIST.]
"Coming to tomorrow's raid?" AK asked.
"Yeah," she replied.
"I'll contact you."
"You can—if it's important. Not for your trashy flirting."
"Okay," AK said.
That night, he pushed thoughts of her power aside. Sleep was more important. Using all his mana on the dragon egg again, he collapsed into bed, completely drained.