The sun began to set over Orel Village.
The once peaceful atmosphere slowly turned tense.
Alhen stood near the well, facing Lira and Daren.
"So," Lira said, arms crossed, "you're serious about helping?"
Alhen nodded.
"Yeah."
Daren scratched his head.
"This isn't some small problem, you know. Whatever it is… it's been coming at night."
Alhen adjusted his bag slightly.
"Then we check it tonight."
Lira studied him for a moment.
"…You don't hesitate much, do you?"
Alhen gave a small shrug.
"If I wait, nothing changes."
A brief silence.
Then Lira turned away.
"Fine. But don't slow me down."
Daren sighed.
"I'll come too. Someone has to make sure you two don't get yourselves killed."
Night fell.
The village grew quiet.
Only the faint glow of lanterns remained as the three of them moved toward the outskirts.
The wind felt colder now.
Alhen's hand rested near his sword.
"…It's quiet," he whispered.
"Too quiet," Daren replied.
They reached the edge of the village.
Broken crates. Scattered supplies.
Signs of something… not human.
Lira crouched down, examining the ground.
"…Tracks."
Alhen stepped closer.
"What kind?"
Lira frowned.
"Not bandits."
A low sound echoed from the darkness.
Grrrr…
All three froze.
Alhen's grip tightened.
"…You heard that, right?"
Daren nodded slowly.
"…Yeah."
From the shadows—
Something moved.
Two glowing eyes appeared.
Then another.
And another.
Lira's expression hardened.
"…Beasts."
Three wolf-like creatures stepped into the faint moonlight.
Their bodies were larger than normal wolves, their movements slow and predatory.
Alhen's heart pounded.
"…So this is my first real fight…"
One of the beasts lunged.
"Watch out!" Lira shouted.
Alhen reacted instantly—
Clang!
He drew his sword and blocked the attack, sliding back slightly from the force.
"…Strong," he muttered.
"Don't face them head-on!" Daren shouted, grabbing a spear.
Lira dashed forward.
"Then we take them fast!"
She moved swiftly, striking one beast from the side.
Slash!
The creature growled, turning toward her.
"Alhen!" she called.
"Now!"
Alhen didn't hesitate.
He rushed forward, his steps firm despite the fear rising inside him.
"…I can do this."
The beast turned toward him—
Too late.
Slash!
His blade struck its side.
The creature staggered.
But it didn't fall.
Instead—
It roared and lunged again.
"Still coming?!" Alhen said, surprised.
Another beast rushed from the side.
Daren intercepted it.
"Stay focused!"
The fight intensified.
Claws scraped against steel.
Footsteps shifted across dirt.
Heavy breathing filled the air.
Alhen ducked under an attack, barely avoiding sharp claws.
"…Too slow…"
He adjusted his stance.
"Think… like training…"
The beast charged again.
This time—
Alhen stepped forward instead of back.
"…Got you."
Slash!
A clean strike across its body.
The beast let out a final growl—
And collapsed.
Alhen stood still for a moment, breathing heavily.
"…I did it."
"Don't relax!" Lira shouted.
"There's still one more!"
Alhen turned.
Daren was struggling against the last beast.
It was bigger.
Faster.
Without thinking—
Alhen ran.
"I'm coming!"
The beast lunged at Daren—
But before it could strike—
Clang!
Alhen blocked it.
The impact sent a shock through his arms.
"Ghh—!"
"Finish it!" Daren shouted.
Lira dashed in from the side.
"Move!"
Alhen pushed the beast back.
Lira jumped—
Slash!
A precise strike.
The beast froze—
Then fell.
Silence.
Only the sound of heavy breathing remained.
After a moment—
Daren exhaled deeply.
"…That was too close."
Lira wiped her blade.
"…At least we know what we're dealing with."
Alhen looked at the fallen beasts.
"…These things… they're not normal."
Lira nodded.
"Yeah. They've been getting bolder."
She turned to him.
"…You did alright."
Alhen blinked.
"…That's it?"
Lira smirked slightly.
"Don't get used to compliments."
Daren chuckled.
"Still, for your first real fight… that was impressive."
Alhen looked down at his sword.
His hands were still shaking.
"…So this is the real world…"
It wasn't like the books.
It was harsher.
More dangerous.
But—
A small smile appeared on his face.
"…I like it."
Far in the distance—
Something watched from the darkness.
Unseen.
Unmoving.
And Alhen didn't know—
This was only the beginning.