The young man stared at the ice crystal formed before his right hand. It emitted a cold sensation that spread around his fingers.
'...Ice?'
He was confused. Yet, it somehow didn't feel unfamiliar. It felt like something that had always been a part of him.
He looked at the monster nearby.
'I need to shoot it!'
The moment the thought of countering the enemy crossed his mind, the blue-colored crystal shot forward.
Crush!
Splash!
Crimson blood splattered into the air. This time, it did not belong to Aron. The ice crystal shot into the monster's mouth, painfully embedding itself into the upper part of its palate.
ROOOOOAAARRR!
The monster staggered backward while screaming in agony. Still, it did not collapse. It shook its head wildly, its mouth hanging open.
The crystal finally came loose and fell from its mouth.
Growllll!
It growled as blood leaked from its mouth. Then it turned toward Aron with pure hatred burning in its eyes.
But no one was sitting near the tree anymore.
He had already risen from that spot. Aron felt as though he had a chance. He could use magic. How? He didn't know. But logic was not important right now. What mattered was using this mysterious power.
If there was even the slightest chance of survival, then he had to seize it.
His mind focused on manifesting a weapon. Something he could hold comfortably in one hand. Not too large or heavy, but sharp. A weapon that could help him cut down his enemy.
He ran toward the monster from the side.
The same warm energy flowed through his veins like blood. It gathered around his right hand as something cold began to form in his palm.
The ice gradually took shape.
It slowly transformed into a sharp dagger-like weapon.
The icy blade was as sharp as if it had been forged from real steel.
The bear monster noticed him approaching.
It swung its clawed arm horizontally, aiming to shatter the young man's head.
Aron's body was battered. Pain spread throughout every inch of him, yet it continued to move... driven by the desire to survive.
To stay alive.
Adrenaline surged through him.
His heart pounded faster.
'I need to avoid it!'
He instantly ducked down.
The muscular arm swept above his head. He could feel the gust of wind it created.
His grip tightened around the ice dagger's hilt.
He slashed at the monster's stomach.
Slash!
The blade lightly penetrated its thick fat and hide.
Then he brought his left hand onto the weapon and pushed with all his strength.
"Ahh!"
Aron screamed.
This time, it was not a cry of pain, but one of determination as he forced himself beyond his limits.
The blade dug deeper as Aron drove it forward, dragging it horizontally across the monster's stomach.
It cut deeper.
Slash!
A wet tearing sound echoed through the forest.
The ice blade carved through thick flesh.
Blood erupted from the wound, splashing across the forest floor.
The monster's body trembled violently as the gash widened. Blood continued to pour from it.
ROOOOOAAARRRR!!
A deafening scream of agony tore through the forest.
It was even more painful than before.
The bear monster reared back, roaring in agony.
Its massive arm swung wildly and slammed into Aron's body.
'Shitt!'
BOOM!
"Gaahh!"
The impact was brutal.
Aron was sent flying sideways once again, his body crashing violently into the ground.
Thud!
He rolled several times before finally coming to a stop.
Pain exploded throughout his body.
His vision blurred.
The taste of blood filled his mouth.
"Aghh—!" he groaned weakly.
His body refused to move.
Meanwhile, the monster staggered backward, blood pouring from the massive gash carved across its stomach.
Flesh hung loosely, drenched in crimson.
The wound was deep.
Deep enough to expose the muscles beneath.
For a brief moment, Aron thought he had succeeded in killing the monster.
That cut should have been enough.
'Did I... kill it?'
But he was wrong.
The monster did not fall.
It was still standing.
It slowly straightened itself, breathing heavily.
Blood dripped from its body and splashed onto the soil.
Its glowing red eyes burned with madness and rage.
Growlll...
The monster was still alive.
Its stomach had been sliced open, yet it remained standing, glaring at him with murderous intent.
Aron's heart sank.
'No! Why? That should be enough, isn't it?'
His body lay sprawled across the ground, unable to move.
His limbs felt numb.
Even breathing was painful.
The monster locked its gaze onto him.
Stomp.
Stomp.
Stomp.
It began to charge.
Each step shook the ground as it rushed toward the young man's motionless body, intent on finishing him.
'I... can't move...'
His face turned deathly pale at the realization.
His consciousness wavered.
Was this the end?
Just as the monster closed the distance, a sudden flash of dark green light tore through the forest.
WHOOSH!
Something moved at blinding speed.
Aron could not see it clearly.
Before the monster could react, the green light passed straight through its body.
A clean green line was drawn across space.
For a split second, everything went silent.
Then—
Slice!
The bear monster froze mid-step.
Its eyes widened in horror.
A thin line appeared across its body.
The next moment, its massive form split cleanly in half.
Blood sprayed violently as the upper half slid away and crashed onto the ground.
BOOM!
The lower half collapsed a heartbeat later.
The monster was dead.
Its lifeless body looked gruesome.
The forest fell silent once more.
Through his blurred vision, Aron barely caught sight of a man standing where the green light had come to a stop.
He appeared to be in his late twenties.
A sword rested in his hand, its blade faintly glowing.
A cold, dense green aura flowed around his body like mist.
His posture was calm.
Composed.
His sharp emerald-green eyes shifted toward Aron.
The man had dark brown hair that swayed faintly in the breeze.
Those eyes met his.
Relief flooded Aron's chest.
He was human.
'...I survived... finally,' Aron thought.
His willpower to remain conscious was slowly fading.
He could barely think anymore.
Even forming thoughts was becoming difficult.
Now, he had no choice but to trust the man standing before him.
That was his last option.
'Hope... he will sa-save me.'
The tension finally left his body.
His breathing relaxed, and his eyelids grew heavy with exhaustion.
The man observed the young man lying before him.
He walked toward Aron and lowered himself onto one knee.
"You are Noah Eldritch... At least you are alive..." the man guessed from his appearance. He saw Aron's snow-white hair. Crystal-blue eyes.
Aron heard that name. It sounded familiar. '...Noah Eldritch?'
He heard the name one last time before consciousness slipped away. Darkness claimed him once more.