The village felt… quieter.
Not peaceful.
Just quiet.
Too quiet.
Whispers replaced laughter.
Eyes lingered longer than usual.
"Monsters…"
"…near the forest…"
"…burned villages…"
Alias stood near the doorway, listening.
"…So it's real."
His grip tightened slightly around the wooden sword.
"…Then waiting is not an option."
That evening—
"Father."
Haruki looked up.
"…Hm?"
Alias stood still.
"I want to go to the forest."
Silence.
Emi froze.
"…No."
Immediate.
Firm.
"The forest isn't safe anymore," she added, her voice tighter than usual.
Haruki didn't speak right away.
He watched Alias carefully.
"…Why?"
Alias didn't hesitate.
"To hunt."
Emi shook her head quickly.
"You don't need to—"
"I do."
His voice wasn't loud.
But it was steady.
"…If something comes from there…"
His eyes didn't waver.
"…I need to know."
Silence filled the room.
Haruki exhaled slowly.
"…You're not wrong."
"Haruki—" Emi started.
"I know," he cut in gently.
He looked at Alias again.
"…You stay near the edge."
"…You don't go deep."
"…And if something feels wrong—"
"I leave."
Haruki nodded once.
"…Good."
Emi looked between them—
Worried.
"…Be careful."
Alias gave a small nod.
"…I will."
The next morning—
The forest stood still.
Tall trees.
Shadows stretching between them.
The air was different.
Heavier.
Alias stepped forward slowly.
"…Stay alert."
Each step was measured.
Each sound—
Not ignored.
Leaves.
Wind.
Branches.
Everything mattered.
Tracks.
Alias crouched slightly.
"…Boar."
Fresh.
He followed them.
Slow.
Careful.
Then—
There.
A wild boar.
Large.
Strong.
Its body moved slowly as it searched the ground.
Alias observed.
"…Don't rush."
His grip tightened.
Step.
Closer.
Closer.
Then—
He moved.
A quick dash forward—
Swing.
The wooden blade struck its side—
The boar squealed violently.
It turned—
Charging.
Fast.
"…Too fast."
Alias jumped back—
Barely avoiding the tusks.
The ground shook beneath its weight.
"…Strong."
He circled.
Watched.
Waited.
The boar charged again—
This time—
Alias stepped aside—
Strike.
The wooden sword hit its neck—
Not enough.
"…Again."
But then—
Something changed.
The forest went still.
Too still.
The boar stopped.
Its body tensed.
Then—
It ran.
Not toward him.
Away.
Alias froze.
"…Why—"
A sound.
Low.
Heavy.
Not from the boar.
From behind.
He turned.
And saw it.
A wolf.
But not a normal one.
Its body was larger—
Too large.
Dark fur—
Almost black—
But streaked with faint, glowing lines.
Its eyes—
Burning.
A deep crimson.
Its breath—
Visible.
Like smoke.
Its claws dug into the earth—
Sharp.
Unnatural.
"…A monster."
The wolf didn't move.
It watched.
Studied.
Like him.
"…It's thinking."
Alias adjusted his stance.
"…This is different."
The wolf stepped forward.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Then—
It vanished.
"…Fast!"
A blur—
From the side—
Alias reacted—
Barely raising his sword—
Clash—
The impact threw him back.
He hit the ground—
Hard.
"…Tch!"
Pain shot through his arm.
"…Stronger than the boar."
He stood immediately.
No hesitation.
"…Focus."
The wolf circled him.
Its eyes never leaving his.
Waiting.
Testing.
"…Just like a warrior."
Alias exhaled slowly.
"…Then I'll treat it like one."
The wolf lunged again—
Faster.
Closer.
Alias stepped in—
Not back.
Swing—
The blade grazed its side—
A shallow cut.
The wolf growled—
Not hurt—
But irritated.
"…Not enough."
It attacked again—
Claws—
Sharp—
Alias blocked—
Too late—
A slash cut across his arm.
Blood.
"…Tch!"
He stepped back—
Breathing heavier now.
"…It adapts."
"...Shit."
The wolf rushed again—
But this time—
Alias waited.
Just a second longer.
Closer—
Closer—
Now.
He stepped forward—
Inside its range—
And struck.
Direct.
The wooden blade slammed into its jaw—
A heavy crack.
The wolf staggered.
Opening.
Alias didn't stop.
Step.
Turn.
Strike—
Again.
And again.
Until—
The wolf collapsed.
Silence.
Alias stood still.
Breathing.
Heavy.
His arm trembled.
Blood dripped slowly from the cut.
"…I won."
But—
His eyes narrowed.
"…Barely."
The forest remained quiet.
Watching.
Waiting.
Alias picked up his wooden sword.
"…This isn't over."
When he returned—
The village felt the same.
But his body didn't.
Emi saw him first.
"…Alias—?!"
Blood.
Cuts.
Dirt.
She rushed to him.
"What happened?!"
Alias stayed calm.
"…A monster."
Haruki stepped forward.
His eyes sharp.
"…You fought it?"
Alias nodded.
"…And won."
Silence.
Heavy.
Haruki exhaled slowly.
"…You're already stepping into danger."
Alias didn't respond.
Later that night—
Alias sat alone.
The wooden sword rested beside him.
"…That wasn't enough."
His hand clenched slightly.
"…If something stronger comes…"
His eyes hardened.
"…I won't be ready."
A quiet breath.
"…Not yet."
He stood.
Picked up the sword.
And swung.
Again.
And again.
Under the silent night—
The blade continued to move.
Sharper.
Faster.
Relentless.
Because this time—
He refused—
To lose anything again.