The hall had turned dark. Broken moonlight slipped through the cracks in the shattered ceiling, scattering across the floor in pale fragments.
Even though their bodies screamed with exhaustion, Aj and Neo raised their weapons.
Aj gripped the sword he'd picked up earlier. Neo tightened his sling in his hands.
Her eyes never left them.
Neo noticed the walls and pillars begin to crack. He glanced at Aj and gave a small nod.
Both of them stood frozen in place, fear crawling over their skin, sweat dripping down their temples.
Aj signed, "So this is that classic scenario—demon in front, monster behind."
Neo signed back, "Aj, what do we do? I have a few pebbles. I can shoot to distract her."
Aj signed furiously, "Damn you, Neo! She can move in seconds. That's suicide."
His thoughts ran wild. I don't even know… is this her evolved form? Or some kind of degraded form?
Aj whispered, "Which god are we even serving right now?"
Neo snapped, "Which god? None! And I'll kill you myself if you keep asking dumb questions."
Before Aj could retort, a massive piece of the ceiling cracked loose and crashed down toward them.
Aj shouted, "Shit!"
Neo grabbed his sling and bolted, but too late—
In an instant, everything shifted.
The hall vanished. The crimson throne was gone.
They now stood in a dark forest, shadows twisting between towering trees.
Neo froze. Ahead of them, she was already there—standing silently in the moonlight.
Her crimson hair swayed as her gaze cut into them. Her voice was cold, yet carried a strange youthfulness.
"You are humans," she said. "I tried to sense your Wai, but found not a single drop. You are worthless… slaves."
Aj muttered, "Worthless, indeed. Not slaves, though. But… thanks for saving us."
Neo stepped forward, sling ready. "If you want a fight—we'll fight till the end."
Aj clenched his jaw. Not we, you idiot. Me.
---
A brittle wind threaded through the dark trees. For a moment there was only the rasp of leaves and the pounding of their own hearts—then a soft sound, like a throat clearing, came from where she stood.
"I am hungry," she said simply. No plea. No threat. Just hunger.
They were shocked, confused, and even more confused.
Aj's mouth worked. "All our things are back in that broken bungalow," he said aloud, more than spoke. His voice scraped small in the empty wood. "Don't tell me you want our blood."
She lifted a shoulder, careless. "Why would I want that?" Her eyes glittered. "I want meat. Or you die."
Neo set his sling; his hands moved quicker than his face. He scanned the trees for movement.
Aj looked up, searching the canopy. Nothing. Come on, Neo—look up, he thought irritably, needing to sign the obvious. Neo's jaw clicked; he finally scanned the branches.
The girl smiled, amusement curling her lips. With a faint motion of her hand, as easy as tossing a pebble, she made something happen.
She raised her hand slightly, fingers curling as though grasping something unseen. The air thickened.
From deep within the forest, a wolf came thrashing forward—its paws dragging against the earth, eyes wide with terror. It was alive, its growls mixed with pained whimpers, as if some invisible chain had wrapped around its throat and dragged it across the ground.
Aj and Neo startled back. "That thing's still breathing," Aj muttered, sweat dripping.
Without a word, she lifted her hand higher. The beast rose off the ground, claws flailing, snapping at the air. Then she slammed her palm down.
The wolf struck the earth with a sickening crack, bones snapping under the invisible force. Its cry ended in silence. Dust rose around the broken body.
She looked at them, calm as moonlight. "How cowardly," she said softly. "Does a wolf frighten you that much?"
Aj swallowed, forcing a grin he didn't feel.
Aj added that they had no ingredients or utensils—it was all in their backpacks, and those were not in good condition.
She raised her hand lazily, as though tugging at threads no one else could see. The forest groaned.
That enormous wolf was dragged forward.
Then, with a flick of her fingers, the unseen force twisted.
Slice.
The wolf's head tore cleanly from its body, blood spraying before the stump sealed under her power. The severed head hung in the air, jaws still twitching, then drifted away into the night like a ghastly lantern.
The girl turned her gaze back to them, crimson eyes glowing faintly. "Peel the body. You will cook."
Aj shivered but forced a nod. Neo, pale, stepped forward, muttering curses under his breath.
Minutes later, the wolf's head returned, gliding through the air with something clamped in its lifeless jaws—old, weathered backpacks of those dead adventurers.
Aj crouched, rifling through the packs. His eyes widened. Utensils. Dried spices. Knives.
He looked at Neo. "Well… here's your kitchen."
The wolf's flesh roasted over the fire, filling the air with a sharp, gamey scent.
She took the first bite, chewed slowly, then smiled. "Wonderful."
Aj and Neo exchanged a glance before trying it themselves. The meat was tough, almost bitter, but it slid down their hungry throats.
She leaned forward. "How is it?"
Aj wiped his mouth. "Not that tasty. Wild pig is better… but okay."
Neo just nodded silently, still chewing.
Her crimson eyes softened for a moment, then curved with a strange delight. "Then it's settled. I appoint both of you as my eternal slaves—" she paused, smirking, "—I mean, cooks."
Aj froze, staring at Neo, his hands moving in silent signs. What do we do…?
Neo ignored him, tilting his head toward the broken ceiling where the moonlight spilled through. "The moon looks beautiful tonight."
Aj nearly choked. This guy…
He forced a laugh and quickly said, "We're getting late. The adventurer test is waiting for us."
She blinked at them, then burst into amused laughter. "Adventurers? You two? Oh, don't make me laugh harder than I already am."
Aj and Neo just stared back, dead serious.
Her grin widened. "Seriously, adventurers? Wai-less like you can't even pass the front gate, let alone survive a test. But…" her eyes glimmered with mischief, "I'd love to watch you try."
---
She leaned back, brushing a lock of crimson hair from her face. Then, quite suddenly, she said, "Very well. Proceed with your so-called adventurer test."
Aj's eyes lit up, brighter than the fire itself. He grabbed Neo by the shoulder, shaking him. "Did you hear that? She's letting us go!"
Neo allowed the smallest smile to creep onto his face. "Finally."
But before Aj could celebrate too loudly, she commanded, "Let's get ready for our mission to this adventurer test."
Aj froze. "Wait—pardon. Did you say our… or your?"
She smirked, fangs catching the moonlight. "Three of us."
Aj's jaw dropped. He turned to Neo, hands signing frantically: She's coming with us?!
Neo signed back, equally stiff: Better than her killing us.
Aj forced a wide grin. "Yeaaaaaah… three of us. Great. Perfect. Wonderful idea."
She smiled, her red eyes glimmering.
---
Aj and Neo gathered the fallen adventurers' backpacks. Aj muttered under his breath, "Your death is not in vain," as he stuffed utensils, bottles, leftover meat, and spices into a bundle. Neo followed silently, his hands moving quickly, practical as ever.
Meanwhile, she dragged the wolf's body closer. Using the last of their water, she rinsed the fur clean.
Aj's eyes bulged. "Hey! That was the last of our drinking water!"
She turned her crimson gaze toward him, sharp as a blade. Aj laughed nervously, raising his hands. "I-I mean… who needs water anyway? No one's thirsty, right Neo? Hahaha."
Neo just sighed.
From one of the packs, she pulled out a needle and thread. Without hesitation, she began sewing the wolf's fur into a rough jacket. The moonlight glinted off her hands as she worked, calm and steady.
Aj tilted his head, amused. "You know how to sew? Didn't expect that."
"It's not like fighting," she murmured. "My mistress taught me…"
Aj replied, "Is it so…!"
But she didn't hear as her words trailed off. She blinked, confusion flickering across her face. "Mistress…? Mistress who? I know her but… who was she?"
Neo glanced at her secretly.
Aj's grin softened. He didn't push. Instead, he slipped into his usual mischief. "Well, forget that. There's tastier things ahead. You should try the beef stew in the adventurer town."
She froze, then leaned forward, eyes glowing hungrily. "Beef…? I'm starving."
Without another word, she pointed at Neo. "You. Carry all the ingredients."
Neo sighed again but nodded, hefting the packs onto his back.
Aj blinked at the sight, expression blank.
---
They set off under the fractured moonlight. Neo kept glancing up at the night sky, quietly tracking the moon to guide their way toward the adventurer town.
Aj rummaged through the adventurers' packs and lit two lanterns, handing one to Neo and one to her.
She refused with a small wave of her hand, her body lifting effortlessly from the ground as she floated forward, trailing faint red shimmer.
Aj's jaw dropped. "Oh-ho! Floating now? Impressive." He leaned closer. "Can you make me float too?"
She tilted her head. "I could… but not you."
Aj grinned wide. "So useless."
Her eyes narrowed. "What did you just say?"
"Nothing," Aj said quickly, flashing his peace-sign grin.
Neo groaned. "Both of you—quiet. Follow me. No commotion."
Aj ignored him, walking with exaggerated swagger.
Hours crawled by. The forest grew denser, shadows wrapping around them. Their feet ached, but still no sign of town.
Aj finally broke the silence. "Oi, navigator. Are you even sure you can read the moon?"
Neo spun on him, anger flaring. "If you'd paid more attention when Father taught us, maybe you'd know too!"
Aj smirked. "Yeah, but if I did, who would tease you every step of the way?"
Before Neo could retort, she sighed midair. "I am… tired."
Aj looked at her blankly. "…You're floating. We're the ones walking!"
Neo muttered darkly, "Don't anger her."
But Aj only waved her off. "Fine then, Miss Floaty. Do something useful—fly higher. See if you can spot any lights."
She rose gracefully, crimson hair catching the moonlight. After a moment, she pointed eastward. "There. A steady light."
Aj smirked at Neo. "See? I have brain and know how to use it. Unlike someone I know."
Neo cursed under his breath. "I'll kill you when we reach town."
Aj just laughed, leading the way with his lantern swinging.
---
By the time the moon began to sink, the three finally reached the outer wall of Adventurer Town. What they saw made Aj's jaw drop.
The gates were shut tight, reinforced with iron. Behind them stood half a dozen guards clad in heavy armor, swords and spears gleaming under torchlight. Up on the giant wall, rows of soldiers manned mounted cannons, watching the road with cold, sharp eyes.
Aj whistled low.
"Great. A fortress. Just what we needed."
The girl drifted forward, still floating. Aj quickly grabbed her wrist.
"Oi, you want beef, right? Then listen—these people don't like flyers. Walk, or they'll skewer us before we even say hello."
She frowned but slowly lowered herself to the ground. Neo muttered, "Finally, you're making sense for once."
The three approached cautiously until a guard stepped forward, voice stern through the iron bars.
"Halt. State your business."
Neo straightened, pulling out the ring and pendant they had. His voice was steady, though his hands trembled.
"We've come to take the Adventurer Test. This is the Prince's wish."
The guard's eyes widened at the sight of the symbols. He exchanged hurried whispers with the others before signaling for the gates to open.
The heavy doors groaned as chains rattled and gears turned.
"Welcome," the guard finally said, his tone respectful now. "By royal order, you may enter Adventurer Town."
For a heartbeat, Aj and Neo just stood there, stunned. Then Aj broke into a grin.
"Finally," he whispered. "The real adventure begins."
The gates opened wide, and the three of them stepped forward, leaving the moonlit forest behind.