"Hinata, be quiet. I think someone is coming this way."
Before Hinata could understand anything, Ayal quickly pulled her to the other side.
"Ayal, what's wrong—?"
Hinata suddenly covered Ayal's mouth with her hand.
"Shh. I feel like someone is coming."
Before she could explain further, they heard footsteps.
Someone was nearby.
Both of them hid and watched silently.
Then—
Something appeared.
Ayal's eyes widened in shock.
Standing right in front of him was a gigantic demon.
A Fox Demon.
It held an enormous sword in its hand.
"What… what is this? How is this possible?"
Seeing such a massive demon before him, Ayal felt his mind go blank.
If I fight it alone, it won't even take a moment for me to be killed.
What should I do? How can I get myself and Hinata out of this place alive?
He glanced to the side.
The demon looked as if it was searching for someone.
Did it come because it sensed our presence? Our scent…?
Suddenly, Hinata had been covering Ayal's mouth for too long.
Her face turned red.
"Ayal… let go. I can't breathe."
Ayal realized that Hinata's hand was still on his mouth.
He looked at her, embarrassed.
"I—I forgot. You were covering my mouth…"
Before they could say anything else—
"Ayal… behind you!"
When Ayal turned around, his eyes froze.
A massive sword was flying straight toward him.
Seeing the blade rushing at him, a single thought crossed his mind.
Is this… the end of my story?
The huge sword came closer—
Suddenly, Ayal was thrown aside.
He crashed onto the ground.
Groaning, he looked up—and froze in disbelief.
Hinata was standing there.
She was desperately trying to block the demon's attack with her magic sword.
"Hinata! What are you doing?! You can't defeat it!"
"I know," she replied.
"But I don't want you to die."
Her voice trembled.
"You came to this place because of me."
Hearing her words, Ayal felt his chest tighten.
"I know I'll probably die here," Hinata continued.
"But I'm happy… because I can finally say what I kept in my heart—without shame."
"Ayal… if I die here, don't blame yourself."
"No!" Ayal shouted.
"I won't leave you alone here. Never!"
"I'll protect you!"
He looked around desperately.
But there was nothing.
Nothing at all.
What should I do? How can I help her?
If I do nothing… Hinata will really die.
On the other side—
Hinata was reaching her limit.
The Fox Demon attacked her again and again.
Because of its repeated assaults, blood began to drip from Hinata's mouth.
"Hey, demon! Look at me!"
Hinata turned her gaze—
At that moment, Ayal threw a stone.
The stone hit the demon's face.
The demon roared in anger.
It stopped attacking Hinata.
Ayal ran toward her.
Good… I managed to draw its attention.
Now I have to pull it away from Hinata.
"Hey, bastard demon! You only know how to attack girls?!"
"Don't you have the courage to fight me?!"
Hearing this, the demon's rage exploded.
Without hesitation, it charged straight at Ayal.
It worked.
Now I need to lead it somewhere else.
Ayal started running.
Behind him, the massive demon chased relentlessly.
How do I survive?
I don't want to die here!
The demon's attack shattered Ayal's arm.
The pain was unbearable—
But he ignored it.
He ran.
For Hinata.
Behind him, the demon laughed.
It wasn't even trying to kill him quickly.
It was enjoying the chase.
I have to save Hinata.
Summoning all his strength, Ayal ran faster.
So fast that even the demon was surprised.
Realizing the game was no longer fun, the demon began running seriously.
"I have to save Hinata…!"
Suddenly—
A massive gate appeared in front of him.
"What… is this now?"
He could hear the demon's footsteps behind him.
Without hesitation, Ayal rushed through the gate.
Inside was a vast, enormous room.
As he ran inside, he froze.
In the center of the room—
A sword.
Its color was pitch black.
A dark aura surrounded it.
"What… this is a sword…?"
Before he could think, Ayal stepped forward.
He reached out—
And grabbed the sword.
Suddenly, a voice echoed through the room.
"Master… you have finally arrived."