Dusk settled over Valoria— The sky painted in fading gold and cold violet.
Danir walked through the gates— dust-covered.
Silent...
"…I'm hungry."
His stomach growled— Loud enough to echo in his ears.
He glanced at the sack over his shoulder—
Herbs.
Stone axes wrapped in cloth.
"…Food can wait."
A faint smile appeared— Thin.
Forced.
"…Business first."
The blackmarket welcomed him again— Dim lights.
Whispers.
Eyes that judged.
This time— He didn't care.
Not even a little.
Luckily— The line was short.
Within moments— He stood in front of the merchant.
"Back again?" the merchant said.
"Every day." Danir replied.
Danir dropped the sack onto the desk.
Herbs spilled slightly— Then— Clunk!
The wrapped stone axes followed.
The merchant raised a brow. "…Kobold weapons?"
"Yes." Danir replied.
Danir leaned slightly— Calm. "I killed them earlier."
A pause...
The merchant studied him— Longer than usual. "…I see."
He unwrapped one— Inspecting the crude blade.
"These aren't useful for adventurers."
"But—"
The merchant smirked slightly.
"They sell..."
Danir's eyes shifted. "…To who?"
"Collectors."
"Rich ones."
"They like… exotic things."
A faint silence passed...
"…So?"
"You can bring it to auction yourself—"
"Or…" The merchant tapped the desk lightly.
"I handle it."
"I sell it."
"I take a small cut."
"And you get paid after."
Danir didn't answer immediately.
He just stared.
Cold.
Calculating. "…No payment now?"
"None." The merchant said.
Another pause.
"…Fine."
Simple.
No argument.
No emotion.
He turned— Ready to leave—
"Hey, kid."
Danir stopped.
Didn't turn around. "…What?"
A pouch flew toward him.
He caught it without looking.
Perfectly.
Inside— Five gold coins.
"…You forgot this last time."
Danir glanced inside— Then back at the merchant.
A long— Quiet stare.
"See?"
The merchant smiled.
"You can trust me."
Silence...
Danir closed the pouch.
"…We'll see."
Then he walked away.
No thanks.
No nod.
Nothing.
Just footsteps— Echoing through the blackmarket.
Outside— The air felt different.
Colder.
"…Food." He muttered to himself— And for a brief moment— That same faint smile returned.
But this time— There was something behind it.
Not hunger.
Not relief.
Something darker.
Something growing.
And without another word— Danir headed toward the marketplace...
The noise of the marketplace faded behind him— Step by step— Until only the wind remained.
Danir walked past the gates of Valoria— Once again choosing the outside.
Not the walls.
Not the people.
Just the wild.
"…I'll camp here." His voice was low.
But his feet didn't stop immediately.
They kept moving.
Forward.
Past— That tree.
The one where he and Rigor used to rest.
Where laughter once lived.
Where warmth once stayed.
Danir didn't look at it.
Not even once.
"…Not there."
A faint smile appeared—
Tight.
Forced!
"…Somewhere else."
As if distance could erase memory.
As if moving forward meant leaving something behind.
He walked further— Until another tree came into view.
Large.
Old.
Standing beside a quiet river.
The sound of flowing water—
Soft.
Endless...
"…This will do."
He dropped his pack.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Like routine.
Like nothing had changed.
The ground felt the same.
The air felt the same.
But it wasn't.
Not anymore.
Danir began setting up his camp— Unfolding his things— Arranging them in silence—
No humming.
No small talk.
Just the sound of movement.
And the river beside him— Flowing— As if carrying everything away.
But it didn't.
Not really.
Because even without looking— Even without turning back— He still knew exactly where that tree was.
And what it held.
Danir paused for a moment.
Just a moment.
"…Yeah."
A quiet breath escaped him.
"…This is better."
The smile returned— But his eyes— Remained empty.
And as the night slowly crept in— Danir continued— Alone...
The fire crackled to life— Orange light flickering beneath the tree.
Danir moved without thinking— Routine guiding his hands.
Woods.
Flame.
Then— Ingredients.
He sliced the deer meat— Measured the spices— Poured the sauce— Everything precise...
Everything… automatic...
The pot rested above the fire— Sizzling softly— A rich aroma filled the air.
Sweet.
Spicy.
Something that should've made him smile.
Time passed...
The sky darkened.
Stars slowly took their place above.
And after an hour— It was ready.
Tender.
Juicy.
Coated in thick, glistening sauce.
Danir stared at it for a moment...
"…An hour of cooking…" He muttered quietly.
"…just to eat it in minutes."
A faint smile appeared— "…Doesn't make any sense."
He took a bite.
Chewed slowly.
Swallowed.
Another bite.
And another.
No reaction.
No satisfaction.
Just eating.
Like fueling a body— Not enjoying a meal.
"…It tastes fine."
Flat.
As if he was convincing himself.
The plate was empty before long.
Not a single piece left.
Danir wiped his mouth with the back of his hand— Then leaned back against the tree.
The bonfire flickered beside him—
Warm.
Alive.
The night breeze brushed against his skin—
Cold.
Sharp.
Both sensations mixed— But neither reached him.
"…Tch."
A quiet sound escaped him.
He lay down— Staring up at the night sky.
The stars were there.
Clear.
Unchanging.
"…Rigor would've liked this…"
The words slipped out— Soft.
Before he could stop them.
Silence followed.
Long.
Heavy.
Danir closed his eyes.
"…Whatever."
And just like that— He turned away from the thought.
Letting exhaustion take over— Pulling him into sleep.
As the fire burned low—
And the night carried on—
Unbothered.
Unchanged.
While beneath that quiet sky—
A boy tried—
And failed—
To feel nothing.
The night was silent— Too silent.
Then— A sound.
Wet.
Chewing!
Crunching!
Danir's eyes snapped open.
"…That sound…"
His breath slowed.
Familiar.
Too familiar!
He pushed himself up— Slowly— And looked ahead.
Darkness...
Shadows shifting beneath the trees.
"…What is that…?"
He stepped forward— Cautious.
One step.
Then another.
And then— He saw them.
Kobolds!
The same— Filthy— Rotten creatures.
"…You…"
They were gathered in one place—
Clawing.
Digging.
The soil scattered—
Fresh.
Broken.
Danir's eyes widened.
"…No…!"
The ground— It was disturbed!
A grave.
Rigor's grave!
"…No!"
His voice trembled— "No… no… no!"
And then— He saw it...
Flesh.
Bones.
Torn apart!
The kobolds were devouring him—
Biting—
Pulling—
Feasting—
Like animals!
Like monsters!
"…NO!"
Something snapped!
Completely...
Danir rushed forward— A blur.
A scream tore out of his throat—
Primal!
Broken!
"I'LL KILL YOU!"
Steel flashed!
Blood sprayed!
Ice shattered flesh— Over— And over—
And over again!
He didn't think.
Didn't stop.
Didn't care.
He cut them down—
Brutally!
Savage!
Unrelenting.
A massacre!
Bodies piled.
Limbs scattered!
Blood painted the ground.
And Danir— Was smiling.
"…Die…"
"…DIE!"
His laughter cracked— Twisted!
Almost joyful.
"…You like that?!"
"YOU LIKE THAT?!"
He kept going— Even when they stopped moving.
Even when there was nothing left to kill.
A bloodbath!
A carnage!
A madness!
Then— Silence followed...
Danir stood there— Breathing heavily—Covered in blood.
"…Heh…"
"…Heh…"
Then— Something changed.
The bodies.
They… moved.
Twisted.
Shifted.
The scales— Faded.
The claws— Shrank.
The faces— Became human.
Danir froze!
"…What…?"
His breath caught in his throat.
"…No…"
"…No…"
The corpses— Were no longer kobolds.
They were people.
Humans.
Broken.
Slaughtered.
By him!
"…This can't be!"
His hands trembled.
"…I didn't…"
"…I didn't…"
"..It was.."
"...they were..."
"..!..."
The world warped.
Twisted!
And then— Voices followed.
Soft at first.
"…Monster…"
Danir looked around—
"…Monster…"
Louder!
"…Monster!"
Everywhere.
"…MONSTER!"
Echoing—
"…MONSTER!!"
Surrounding him—
"…MONSTER!!!"
Closing in—
"…Monster…"
"…Monster…"
"…Monster…"
"…Monster…"
Over.
And over.
And over.
Danir covered his ears—
"SHUT UP!"
"SHUT UP!"
"SHUT UP!!!"
—
—
—
His eyes snapped open.
Darkness.
The bonfire.
The tree.
The river.
Reality...
"…Hah…!"
His breath was ragged— Fast!
Cold sweat dripped down his face.
His hands trembled.
He looked around— Nothing.
No kobolds.
No corpses.
No blood.
"…Tch…"
He wiped his face roughly.
"…Hell of a nightmare…"
A pause...
Long.
Heavy.
"…Too real…"
He glanced toward the distance— Where Rigor was buried.
And for a moment— Just a moment— He didn't move.
"…Damn it…"
Then he looked away.
Quickly.
As if afraid— That if he looked longer— He might see it again.
And this time— it wouldn't be a dream.
Morning came— Cold light broke through the trees.
Danir opened his eyes.
No hesitation.
No thoughts.
He stood up.
"…Let's go."
And just like that— The hunt continued...
Day after day— The same routine...
Wake up.
Hunt.
Kill.
Eat.
Sleep.
Repeat...
The forest watched.
Seasons changed—
Leaves fell.
Rain poured.
Winds howled.
Snow touched the northern edges—
Then melted again.
But Danir— Never stopped.
Years passed—
One.
Two.
Three.
Four.
Five.
And still— He hunted.
Alone.
Always alone.
Beasts fell beneath his blade—
Deer.
Boars.
Landbirds.
Monsters followed—
Rogue Wolves.
Thornbears.
Occasionally—
Something stronger.
Something that fought back.
Those were the ones— He smiled at.
A faint smile— Unchanged.
Unnatural.
His movements became sharper—
Faster.
Cleaner.
No wasted motion.
No hesitation.
Just instinct.
Just survival.
Just killing.
From five foot four to five foot seven...
His body grew— From a boy— Into something else.
Lean.
Hardened.
Forged by isolation.
And yet— His progress… Was slow.
For five years—
Of blood.
Of solitude.
Of endless hunting.
And still— "…just Level 60."
Danir stared at his grimoire.
Quiet...
"…That's it…?"
No anger.
No frustration.
Just a calm— Almost empty acceptance.
Most of his prey— Were weak.
Novice level.
Easy kills.
Rarely—
Something worth the effort.
Something worth the growth.
"…I need stronger enemies…"
A faint smile appeared.
"…Yeah…"
"…That's the only way."
He closed his grimoire.
The forest around him stood silent—
As if listening.
As if waiting.
Danir picked up his blade.
Turned his gaze forward— Deeper.
Far beyond Hunterwood.
"…Let's go."
And with that— The boy who once struggled— Took another step.
Not toward survival— But toward something far more dangerous.
Growth.
At any cost.
Present Day— The forest felt… different.
Quiet.
Too quiet.
Danir walked through Hunterwood—
Steps steady.
Eyes calm.
"…Not a single one."
No beasts.
No movement.
"…They're avoiding me now…"
A faint smile curved on his lips.
Not proud.
Not amused.
Just… aware.
Even the novice-level beasts— Rare.
And the intermediate ones— Almost nonexistent.
"…Guess it's time."
His gaze shifted forward— Beyond the border.
Toward something harsher!
"To Asha'a'Ra."
Without hesitation— He walked.
But then—
Voices.
Young.
Unsteady.
Danir slowed his steps...
Up ahead— A group.
Six of them.
Young adventurers.
Fresh.
Unrefined.
"…Kids…"
They stood frozen— Weapons trembling in their hands.
In front of them— Three Grimclaws.
Not fully grown— But still deadly.
Their amulets glowed green.
Intermediate level.
The beasts crouched low— Ready to strike!
And the children— Were about to make the worst mistake of their lives.
Danir walked past them.
Calm.
Silent.
The moment he stepped between them— The Grimclaws froze!
Their instincts screamed!
Danger.
Predator.
Something far worse than them.
And then— They ran...
Without hesitation.
Without pride.
They fled.
The young adventurers stood there— Stunned!
"…What just happened…?"
Danir stopped.
Turned slightly.
"…What are you doing here?" His voice— Calm but heavy.
The girl stepped forward— Armor slightly shaking...
"My party and I… took a quest…"
"…to gather healing herbs."
Danir's eyes scanned them—
Sword.
Shield.
A Knight-Paladin.
"…May I know your ranks?"
"We're… novices…" A boy answered— Staff trembling in his grip.
Danir sighed lightly. "…You almost died."
Silence...
"…Those were Grimclaws."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Their claws carry venom."
"…You wouldn't last a minute."
The words hit hard.
But not cruel.
Just truth.
The group lowered their heads.
Fear.
Realization.
"…Follow me." Danir turned— Already walking.
First, they hesitated— Then followed.
Danir led them through a safer path— Where herbs grew.
Where danger was… less.
Not safe— But survivable.
After a while— He stopped.
"…Collect here."
The group nodded quickly—
Grateful.
Relieved.
Then— They parted ways.
"Goodbye, big brother!"
"Thank you!"
Their voices—
Bright.
Innocent.
Unbroken.
Danir gave a small wave.
"…Take care."
Then the time came in for them to part their ways...
They walked back—
Toward Valoria.
Toward safety.
Toward a life he no longer had.
Danir turned—
Toward the opposite direction.
Alone.
Always alone.
Steps by steps by step...
Until— He reached it.
The border.
The river.
He crossed it— Without hesitation.
The air changed.
Dry.
Heavy.
Unforgiving.
Before him— A vast desert stretched endlessly.
Asha'a'Ra...
"…Finally." A slow smile spread across his face.
This time—
Not empty.
Not forced.
But something darker...
"…Wait for me…"
His grip tightened on his blade.
"…I'm coming for all of you."
According to Yuri's diary— This land wasn't like Hunterwood.
Not even close.
Creatures here— Were different.
Stronger.
Deadlier.
From elite— To… Transcendent.
Danir stepped forward...
No fear.
No hesitation.
Only hunger.
For power.
For growth.
For something— He still couldn't name.
And as the desert wind howled— It carried with it— A warning!
Or perhaps— A welcome.
To a battlefield— Where only the strong—Survive...