For a long time, countless people had been living without knowing why.
They wandered through life, directionless and numb.
But on this day, everything changed.
The rallying cry of Demon-Slayer echoed across the ancient battlefield like thunder, shaking every player awake. In that single moment, they found their purpose again—
to fight, to rise, to reclaim the glory of the human race.
From now on, every time a single player leveled up, it wasn't just their strength that grew. The power of all humanity rose with them!
The mist that once cloaked the Elf Ancient Battlefield had finally dissipated. Excitement surged like a tidal wave through millions of players, but once the frenzy passed, order gradually returned. They began entering the map in neat groups, ready to explore.
Noah, however, had no idea the simple words he shouted earlier would spark such a chain reaction. He didn't rush to join the others. Because of school, he planned to head home first, then log back in later.
In the real world, the violent killings that had erupted recently forced the school to take extra precautions. To ensure the students' safety, more than a dozen buses had been arranged for transport. Each one was guarded by experts ranked at least Private First Class, Fifth Tier, tasked with protecting the children along the way.
After school, Noah and Tang Xia boarded the same bus. Their homes lay in roughly the same direction—Noah's house was in the suburbs, while Tang Xia's was even further out, in the outer district.
When the bus reached his neighborhood, Noah stood up and grinned. "This is my stop. Don't miss me too much."
Tang Xia rolled her eyes, her lips curving with a faint smile. "Yeah, yeah. Get lost already."
Noah hopped off, waving lazily as the bus doors closed.
Inside the bus, only Tang Xia and the driver remained. She leaned against the window, chin propped in her palm, letting the evening breeze sweep across her bangs. The rhythmic sway of the ride and the cool wind made her eyelids grow heavy.
But suddenly—
Her sleepy eyes widened, snapping fully awake.
Not far from the roadside stood a tall, slender woman with long hair cascading down her back. She looked like she had stepped straight out of a movie set—stunning face, flawless figure, radiating an aura that made her impossible to ignore.
"So beautiful…" Tang Xia whispered, awe lighting her gaze.
And then—
"Noah!"
The woman's voice rang out, cool and melodic, like the chime of silver bells. Tang Xia couldn't hear it clearly through the bus windows, but the name was unmistakable.
She called Noah's name.
Tang Xia froze, stunned beyond belief. Did she just say… Noah?
But the bus had already moved on, carrying her farther away. Her chest tightened with a strange unease. She shot up from her seat, pressed against the window, craning her neck desperately to look back. Her ponytail whipped wildly in the wind, but the figure of the mysterious beauty was already swallowed by the crowd at the neighborhood gate.
"Hey! What are you doing? Trying to jump out? Sit down and fasten your belt!"
The roar of a motorcycle engine cut through the air as one of the school's armored guards pulled up beside the bus, helmet gleaming, making urgent gestures toward her.
"S-sorry!" Tang Xia's cheeks flushed crimson as she shrank back into her seat, embarrassed.
I must have misheard. Yeah, that's it… she muttered to herself, clutching her chest. Noah couldn't possibly know someone like her. Right?
Her heart, however, wouldn't stop pounding.
Meanwhile, back at the neighborhood entrance, Noah was humming a tune with his hands in his pockets when a familiar voice called out behind him.
"Noah?"
He turned—and his eyes widened in surprise.
A dazzling figure in pure white stepped out of the crowd. Snow.
Snow was breathtaking, as always. Her chiffon blouse clung tightly to her curves, the fabric straining against her full chest. Long, flawless legs carried her forward with the poise of a goddess. With her noble aura, elegant face, and commanding presence, she instantly became the brightest star among the crowd.
Dozens of pedestrians stopped, their gazes practically burning holes into her, but Snow paid them no mind. She brushed a strand of hair from her shoulder and said casually, "Had something to do outside. I was just on my way home to find you."
"Find me?" Noah blinked. Could this be about what happened in the park this morning? Did the Demon-Hunting Institute send her here?
Snow stopped in front of him, her eyes cool but focused. "Noah, what class are you?"
"…What?" Noah was caught off guard. After a moment's hesitation, he shrugged. "Warrior, obviously. What else would I be?"
Snow nodded, lips curving faintly. "Do you prefer a greatsword or a battle axe?"
"Uh… a greatsword, I guess. I've always been better with swords."
"I see."
Noah frowned. "Wait. Snow… don't tell me you're planning to give me a weapon?"
Her lips curled into a teasing smirk. "Guess, little brother."
And with that, she turned and walked away, her elegant figure vanishing into the neighborhood.
Noah was left speechless. Guess? How the hell am I supposed to guess that?
"Hey, Snow, wait!" He jogged after her, his expression turning serious. "Do you know about tomorrow? Some elite students from the top academies are coming to give us 'guidance.'"
Snow waved a hand dismissively. "Your principal came to me yesterday. Offered a hefty reward to join, but I turned him down."
So Noah had guessed right—the school had tried to recruit her. No surprise, really. Snow had been the top scorer in the entire province last year and had awakened an S-tier combat talent. Of course they would approach her first.
But if she had declined, that meant the one coming tomorrow was probably… Noah's mind instantly supplied a name.
Snow caught his thoughtful look and frowned. "You're not even curious why I refused?"
Noah gave a helpless shrug. "Didn't you always tell me growing up? 'Don't poke your nose into your sister's business.'"
Snow laughed softly. "True."
The two walked together under the dim glow of the street lamps. The amber light pierced the fading dusk, casting a warm, almost tender atmosphere over them.
Then Snow said suddenly, "Noah, tomorrow I'll be heading back to Imperial Capital University."
"What?" Noah's head jerked up, shocked. "So soon?"
Snow glared at him lightly. "Don't be so dramatic. After this morning's attack… the teachers believe it was orchestrated by the anti-alliance organization, in collusion with the demons."
Noah's expression darkened. The anti-alliance group… traitors to humanity. They spread propaganda about surrender, claiming the demon gods were unstoppable and that bowing down was the only way to preserve human civilization.
What a joke.
"They want to expose Demon-Slayer's real identity, don't they?" Noah asked coldly.
"Exactly. Since our city is the most likely place where Demon-Slayer resides, the killings have only increased. The garrison is under tremendous pressure. They requested backup from the Demon-Hunting Institute, but every expert is tied up on the frontlines. So…"
"They pulled in students from Imperial Capital University," Noah finished for her.
Snow's smile deepened. "Smart little brother. But don't get too cocky—I don't like clever boys too much."
"Yeah, yeah." Noah chuckled, but his brow furrowed again. "Will it be dangerous?"
"Not really. We're only handling small matters. Direct combat against the anti-alliance is still far beyond our turn."
That reassured him somewhat. It was, in a way, like practical training for university students.
Later that night, Noah returned home. He wolfed down ten bowls of rice, showered quickly, then told Snow he needed to study. She gave him an approving smile.
But the moment his door was locked, Noah pulled out the shimmering crystal from his drawer. His heart pounded with excitement as he activated it.
"Time to return to the Land of Divine Punishment… Elf Ancient Battlefield, here I come!"
His avatar, Demon-Slayer, materialized before the battlefield. Noah's lips curled in a grin.
But then his expression froze.
"What the… what's going on here?"
Something was very, very wrong.