Kael floated.
No ground.
No sky.
No time.
Just an endless black void stretching in every direction, swallowing him whole. His body felt weightless, yet unbearably heavy, as if the darkness itself pressed against his chest. He tried to move, his arms, his legs, but nothing responded. He was trapped within himself.
Then a voice echoed.
Not loud.
Not soft.
Close.
Too close.
"So," the voice murmured, smooth and cold, reverberating through the void. "Tell me… was it worth it?"
Kael's breath hitched. The darkness rippled, reacting to the sound.
"Your revenge," the voice continued, circling him like a predator. "All that blood. All that rage. All that loss." A low chuckle followed, sharp with mockery. "What did it give you in the end?"
Images flashed, too fast, too cruel.
Screams.
Blood pooling beneath his feet.
Rin's outstretched hand.
Her voice calling his name.
"You were so close," the voice whispered mockingly. "And yet… you still failed."
"I—" Kael tried to speak, but his throat burned. "No, I—"
"You lost her," the voice said simply. "Again."
The void tightened.
"NOOOOO!"
Kael bolted upright with a strangled shout, cold sweat soaking his skin. His chest heaved violently as air rushed back into his lungs, his heart slamming so hard it felt like it might tear itself free.
He whipped his head around wildly.
Stone walls.
Dim light.
The faint hum of protective magic.
This wasn't the underground base.
Before he could process anything further, the door burst open.
"Kael!"
Hiryuu rushed in first, her usual teasing expression completely gone. Elisia followed close behind, already chanting under her breath. The moment Hiryuu reached him, she wrapped her arms around him tightly, pulling his trembling body against her chest.
"It's okay," she whispered urgently, holding him firm, her warmth grounding him. "You're safe. You're here."
Kael's body shook as if it had forgotten how to stop. His fingers curled into her clothes, clutching desperately, like letting go would send him right back into the void.
Elisia placed a glowing hand against his chest, her magic flowing smoothly into him. "Regeneration spell," she said calmly, though her eyes were tight with concern. "You lost too much strength. Too much mana."
Angry tears spilled from Kael's eyes, slipping down his cheeks as his breathing slowly steadied. His voice broke, raw and hoarse.
"I was so close," he choked. "I almost had her… and they took Rin."
Hiryuu's grip tightened just a little. "I know," she murmured, pressing her cheek against his hair. "But listen to me."
She pulled back just enough to look at him, her crimson eyes fierce. "We can find her."
Kael's breath stuttered.
"Elisia and I felt it," Hiryuu continue."My mana and hers. Connected to whatever magic they wield. At some point, they were synchronized, linked. We can trace it."
Elisia nodded, finishing the spell and withdrawing her hand. "It won't be easy," she added. "But it's possible."
Kael swallowed hard, his chest still aching.
"You need rest first," Elisia said gently. She leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. "Mira is secured. She's with us now."
Kael froze.
"She's important," Elisia continued quietly. "To them. And to you. If we want Rin back… she may be the key."
Something shifted in Kael's eyes.
The warmth faded.
The grief hardened.
He pulled away from Hiryuu and stood abruptly, despite the lingering weakness in his limbs. His gaze turned sharp, cold, calculating.
"I need to see Mira," he said.
Hiryuu watched him carefully. "Kael—"
"This isn't just about Rin," he interrupted, his voice steady but dangerous. "But I won't lose her. Not her. Not again."
The room seemed to darken as his resolve settled in.
Whatever game the enemy was playing...
He was done reacting.
Now, he would move.
---
Kael didn't hesitate.
He turned and walked down the corridor, his footsteps heavy, deliberate, each one echoing with restrained violence. The air around him felt wrong, dense, suffocating, his mana leaking uncontrollably despite his effort to suppress it.
The door opened.
Mira sat inside.
She was seated on the edge of the bed, hands folded tightly in her lap, her gaze unfocused, staring at nothing. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, exhaustion etched into her face, but she was clean, wrapped in fresh clothes, her wounds treated. She looked cared for.
And completely hollow.
The moment Kael stepped inside, the temperature seemed to drop.
Mira flinched sharply, her head snapping up. Her eyes widened in pure shock, and then fear, as she registered who stood before her.
"K–Kael—" Her breath caught.
The aura rolling off him was hostile. Violent. Familiar in the worst way.
"I… I'm sorry."
The words tumbled out instinctively, barely louder than a whisper.
Kael didn't respond.
Instead—
The iron table beside him **exploded**.
Mana slammed into it with brutal force, twisting metal like paper. The sound was deafening, steel screeching as it tore apart and crashed against the wall in shattered pieces.
Mira screamed.
She recoiled violently, curling inward, hands flying to her ears as her body shook uncontrollably. Her breath came in sharp, panicked gasps, eyes squeezed shut like that would make him disappear.
Kael stood there, chest rising and falling slowly.
Silent.
Furious.
His gaze burned into her, sharp enough to cut. There was no yelling. No accusation.
That somehow made it worse.
"What do you know," he said at last, his voice low, dangerously calm, "about the System?"
Mira froze.
Her hands lowered slightly. She stared at him, confused terror written across her face. "The… system?" she echoed weakly. "I—I don't know what you're talking about."
Another surge of mana erupted.
A heavy steel cabinet was ripped from the floor and smashed into the opposite wall, crumpling inward with a thunderous crash.
Mira sobbed, her body jerking violently as she shrank further into herself, tears spilling freely now. "I swear, I swear I don't know!" she cried. "Please,...!"
The door burst open.
Hiryuu and Elisia rushed in, eyes widening at the destruction, at Mira trembling on the bed, at Kael standing in the center of it all like a walking calamity.
They said nothing.
They didn't stop him.
Kael finally turned his head slightly toward Mira again.
"I'll ask one more time," he said coldly. "And this is me holding back."
His eyes darkened.
"We know each other. That's the only reason you're still breathing." His jaw clenched. "After what you did… the betrayal you left me with, death would be mercy."
Mira broke.
"Kael..." she sobbed, shaking her head frantically. "I'll tell you. I'll tell you everything I know."
She swallowed hard, forcing herself to breathe.
"The magic crystals," she whispered. "They're stolen. From the capital. Black market transfers, hidden routes. That's all I know, I swear. I don't know who's really behind it. I've never met them. The only person I dealt with was the priest."
Kael's expression didn't change.
"How did you get here?" he asked immediately. "Into this world."
Mira hesitated, then spoke, voice trembling.
"After I left the village… I went to the main city," she said. "I became a local healer. I thought… I thought that would be my life."
Her fingers clenched tightly into the fabric of the blanket.
"And then one day… everything changed. One second I was there, and the next, the world just… swapped." Her voice cracked. "I was in a forest. A completely different place."
She looked up at him, eyes glossy.
"The priest found me. He said the Goddess brought me here. That I was chosen. That my old life meant nothing anymore because I had a better purpose now, serving her."
Immediately Kael turned away.
He didn't say a word.
He started toward the door.
"Wait."
Mira's voice was desperate now. "Kael—please. I never wanted you to die."
He stopped.
Didn't turn back.
"If I still cared about that," he said flatly, "this conversation would matter."
Her breath hitched.
The words shattered her.
Kael walked out.
As he passed them, Elisia's gaze followed him closely. Her expression shifted, her usual calm, gentle composure hardening into something sharp and calculating.
Cold suspicion filled her eyes.
But she said nothing.
She stayed still.
Watching.
......
Lyra stumbled through the forest, bare feet crunching softly against damp leaves and broken twigs. Towering trees swallowed the sky above her, their thick canopies blotting out most of the light. The air was heavy with unfamiliar mana, dense, alive, watching.
She slowed, breath uneven, and lifted her hand.
A familiar motion.
"System…" she whispered.
Nothing.
No screen.
No blue glow.
No stats.
No voice.
Her chest tightened.
She tried again, harder this time, forcing mana outward, demanding a response.
Still blank.
"…Reset?" she murmured, confusion slipping into frustration.
Silence answered her.
Her legs finally gave out. Lyra collapsed onto the forest floor, staring up at the branches above, chest rising and falling rapidly. Her body felt real, aching muscles, burning lungs, exhaustion dragging at her limbs.
She laughed weakly.
"I died," she whispered. "So why… am I tired?"
*A dead girl shouldn't feel this way.*
*A dead girl shouldn't be walking among the living.*
Her thoughts spiraled,
Then snap.
Mana surged.
Before she could react, glowing ropes burst from the ground, whipping around her limbs in an instant. They tightened brutally, pinning her arms and legs, pressing her flat against the earth. The mana embedded within them pulsed sharply, cut-resistant, suppression-based.
Lyra gasped, struggling instinctively.
"Let—go—!" she snarled, forcing mana into her hands.
The ropes didn't budge.
They absorbed it.
Her eyes widened. "What…?"
Footsteps approached.
Four figures emerged from between the trees, three men and one woman, dressed in layered leather armor, weapons strapped tightly to their sides. Their expressions were sharp, alert, hunter-trained.
One of the men froze.
"…It's a girl."
The others stared.
"A human?" another muttered. "In the Forest of Beasts?"
Lyra's heart slammed violently.
*They can see me.*
Her breath caught.
*So this isn't… my world.*
The woman narrowed her eyes, hand hovering near her blade. "Or she's a beast disguising herself."
The man at the front stepped closer, his presence calm but commanding. Mint-green hair caught the light filtering through the trees, eyes steady and observant.
"Easy," he said. "She looks half-dead."
He crouched slightly, gaze softening as he met Lyra's panicked eyes. "Are you hurt?"
Lyra hesitated, then nodded weakly.
"I… I was kidnapped," she said, voice trembling just enough to sell it. "Slave traders. I escaped… but I don't know where I am."
Her torn clothes slipped at her shoulders, fabric shredded, skin exposed. The exhaustion. The dirt. The restraints.
The lie fit too well.
The leader immediately shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her, shielding her without hesitation. "You're safe now."
The woman scowled. "Rei—"
"We can help her," the leader, Rei Aomori, said calmly. His tone brooked no argument.
The others exchanged glances.
Behind him stood Kaito, tall and broad-shouldered, hand resting loosely on his axe. Shin, quieter, sharp-eyed, already scanning the forest perimeter. And Luca, younger, watching Lyra with open curiosity.
The woman, Yura, clicked her tongue softly, eyes never leaving Lyra. "You're trusting her too easily."
Rei met her gaze evenly. "If she's a threat, we'll handle it."
He turned back to Lyra. "We'll release you. No sudden movements."
With a quick signal, the mana ropes dissolved.
Lyra sagged, barely catching herself before Rei steadied her.
"We'll take you to our base," he continued. "You can rest there."
Yura crossed her arms, unconvinced, but silent.
Lyra clutched the jacket tightly around herself, lowering her head. "Thank you…"
As they turned deeper into the forest, she glanced back once, heart racing, mind screaming with questions.
*What world did I run into…?*
But one thought burned brighter than the rest.
*Kael… I'm still alive.*
And she would find him....
no matter where this path led.
---
Lyra sat quietly on the edge of the small wooden table, both hands wrapped around a chipped ceramic cup. Steam curled upward from the herbal tea they had given her, the scent earthy and calming, mint, roots, something faintly bitter. She took a careful sip, the warmth spreading through her chest, easing the ache in her bones just a little.
She was still wearing Rei's jacket.
It swallowed her frame, the sleeves too long, the fabric heavy with his scent, metal, forest air, and faint smoke. She clutched it tighter around herself without realizing it.
No one spoke at first.
The small apartment was modest but clean, hidden deep within the forest. Narrow halls branched into several tiny rooms meant for resting between hunts. Lantern light flickered softly against stone walls.
Rei finally broke the silence.
"What's your name?" he asked gently.
Lyra hesitated only a second. "…Lyra."
The name felt strange in her mouth here. Real. Exposed.
Rei nodded. "Alright."
He turned slightly. "Yura. Help her get cleaned up. New clothes. Give her one of the spare rooms."
Yura's jaw tightened instantly.
"…Seriously?" she muttered, eyes flicking over Lyra with clear displeasure.
Rei didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to. "Please."
Yura clicked her tongue, irritation sharp and unmistakable. "Fine."
No more questions were asked.
They didn't interrogate her.
They didn't pry.
They decided she would rest for the night, and leave once she felt better in the morning.
Lyra was grateful for that more than she could put into words.
For the first time since escaping, she felt… hidden. Safe. Like the world wasn't actively reaching for her throat.
Yura led her down a narrow corridor and stopped at a small room barely large enough for a bed and a stool.
She shoved folded clothes into Lyra's arms. "Wash up. Don't touch anything that isn't yours."
Her tone was cold. Sharp. Hostile.
Lyra nodded quietly. "…Thank you."
Yura scoffed. "Don't read into it."
The door shut behind her.
....
That night, when the base fell quiet and only the sounds of insects and distant beasts filled the air, Lyra slipped outside.
The forest was darker now. Quieter. Dangerous in the way that only living things could be.
She lifted her hand again, heart pounding.
"System…"
A screen flickered into existence.
Her breath hitched. Her eyes lit up.
Then—
Nothing.
No menus.
No options.
No stats.
No inventory.
No notifications.
Just an empty, hollow pane of light.
"…No," she whispered.
Her chest caved in.
Tears welled up instantly, blurring the screen until it dissolved completely. She pressed a hand over her mouth, shoulders shaking as sobs spilled out of her despite her efforts to stop them.
"I just…" she whispered brokenly. "I just want to go home…"
Kael's face flashed in her mind.
She wanted to run to him.
To hug him.
To feel safe in his arms.
To finally, finally be happy with him.
Her hands trembled as she wiped her cheeks, but the tears wouldn't stop.
"…Lyra?"
She froze.
Slowly, she turned.
Rei stood a few steps behind her, concern etched clearly across his face.
"…I'm sorry," she said quickly, forcing a small smile as she wiped her eyes again. "I just… missed my family."
Rei studied her for a moment, then gestured softly. "Mind if I sit?"
She nodded.
They sat side by side, the silence heavy but not uncomfortable.
Rei scratched the back of his head. "This is probably stupid, but—why don't skeletons ever fight each other?"
Lyra blinked.
"…Why?"
"They don't have the guts."
A beat.
Then she laughed—soft at first, surprised, then a little harder. Real.
Rei smiled, relieved.
"You're alive," he said quietly. "That alone is a reason to keep going. To live the life the people you loved would've wanted for you."
He hesitated, then sighed. "Guess I should explain why I believe that."
He stared out into the trees.
"My dad was a hunter," Rei said quietly. "A weak one."
The word tasted bitter in his mouth.
"He couldn't take high-rank monsters. Couldn't bring back rare cores or trophies like the others. Some days he'd come home empty-handed."
Rei smiled faintly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "But he always apologized. Even when we told him not to."
Lyra stayed silent, afraid to break the fragile thread of his voice.
"My mom cleaned tables at a food stall near the market. Her hands were always rough. Always smelled like soap and oil."
His throat bobbed. "She used to hum while she worked. Said it made the day shorter."
He looked down at his hands.
"They loved each other. Really loved each other. Even when there was barely enough to eat. Even when the roof leaked. Even when people laughed at us."
A breath.
"I had a little sister," he continued softly. "Two years younger than me. She followed me everywhere. Would grab my sleeve and say, 'Rei, don't go too far.'"
His lips trembled despite his effort to keep them steady.
"I was ten. She was eight. I promised her I'd always protect her."
His voice cracked.
"One day, some high-ranking hunters came. Big guild. Shiny armor. Smiling faces."
He laughed weakly. "They said my dad had potential. Said they'd train him. Pay him more than he'd ever earned."
Rei's hands curled into fists.
"They lied."
The word came out sharp.
"They took him to fight a beast way above his level. Used him as bait. While the monster tore him apart, they stole the gold hidden beneath its den."
Lyra's chest tightened painfully.
"They brought his body back in pieces," Rei whispered. "Didn't even bother to apologize."
He swallowed hard.
"We were kicked out the next morning. No compensation. No explanation. Just—gone."
His breathing grew uneven.
"My mom begged. She screamed. They dragged her away like she was nothing."
His jaw clenched violently. "Sold her to a noble. Said she'd 'earn her keep.'"
Tears slipped down his face, unchecked now.
"My sister…" His voice dropped to a whisper. "They took her too. Slavery."
His shoulders shook.
"I tried to run with her. I tried," he said desperately, like he needed someone to believe him. "I grabbed her hand. I told her not to let go."
He laughed brokenly. "They beat me until I couldn't feel my legs. Thought I was dead."
A long silence followed.
"…I wasn't," Rei said hoarsely. "But before I blacked out, I saw her screaming my name. Reaching for me."
His hands trembled openly now.
"That was the last time I saw my family."
Lyra's eyes burned.
"I don't know how I survived," Rei continued. "Sometimes I wish I hadn't."
Then, softer, "But every morning, I wake up hoping… just hoping… that maybe they're alive somewhere."
He wiped his face quickly, embarrassed. "Sorry. I don't know why I'm telling you this. You're a stranger."
Lyra smiled through her tears. "Thank you… for trusting me. I won't take this for granted."
Suddenly—
A roar.
A level 15 beast burst from the underbrush, fangs snapping toward Lyra—
Rei moved instantly.
Steel flashed.
The beast collapsed in two pieces before it could even touch her.
Rei turned sharply. "Why didn't you use your magic?!"
Lyra shook violently. "I—I don't have any."
Fear crashed over her. Hard. Real.
If Rei hadn't been there… she would've died.
Rei softened immediately. "Hey. You're safe."
He helped her up gently. "You can stay with us. Until you figure things out. I'll protect you."
Lyra nodded shakily. "Thank you…"
He walked her back inside.
From a distance.....
Yura watched.
And hated every second of it.
........
Soft rustle of leaves stirred in the forest as sunlight filtered through the trees. A small boy slowly opened his eyes, blinking against the gentle morning light. He was sitting on the mossy ground, surrounded by towering trees, the air crisp and fresh. His clothes were neat and clean, a sharp contrast to the rugged forest floor beneath him.
"Kael!"
The voice carried warmth and familiarity. His eyes snapped toward the sound, and his lips curled into an excited smile. A young woman in her early twenties approached, her steps light, a bowl of steaming soup cradled carefully in her hands. Her hair glimmered softly under the sunlight, eyes bright with gentle affection.
"I brought this for you," she said, her voice melodic and cheerful.
Kael's small hands reached eagerly for the bowl. "Thank you!" he exclaimed, practically leaping forward, and began to eat, spoonful after spoonful, as if every bite gave him strength.
The young woman giggled, kneeling beside him on the soft grass. "You're going to be a very strong hunter one day, you know, with how much you eat," she teased warmly, ruffling his hair slightly.
Kael paused, a mouthful of soup, and smiled up at her. "Asuka… do you ever regret raising me instead of becoming a maiden of the goddess like you always wanted?" His voice was small, earnest, tinged with curiosity and affection.
Asuka shook her head, her eyes softening. "Not for a single moment. I wouldn't trade this for anything. Your parents… whoever they were, would be so proud seeing you grow into this brave, strong boy. You've captured the hearts of everyone around you. You'll overcome so many challenges, Kael… and you'll make a mark in this world."
Kael looked down shyly, cheeks flushed. "Even if I mess up sometimes… or do something really stupid?"
She laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Especially then. You think the people who love you care about perfection? They love your heart. Your courage. And your stubborn little spirit," she teased, poking his side gently. "Even when you make mistakes, you never stop trying. That's what makes you special."
Kael's eyes shimmered, a mix of pride and vulnerability. "Do… do you really mean that?" he whispered, barely audible.
Asuka smiled, tilting her head. "Of course I do. I've watched you grow, Kael. You're not just strong, you're kind, and thoughtful, and brave… even when you don't believe it yourself. That little spark inside you… it's unbreakable."
He blinked, swallowing hard, feeling warmth spread through his chest. "I… I wish I could make you proud all the time," he murmured.
"You already do," she said, her voice gentle but firm. She leaned closer, resting a hand on his small shoulder. "Every day you just… live. Every day you try. That's enough. You're enough. And I'll always be here to remind you of that, okay?"
Kael's small hands twitched, wanting to grab her hand, but he hesitated. Asuka noticed, and with a soft giggle, she reached out and held his tiny fingers gently. "See? Nothing's impossible when you have someone rooting for you. I've got your back, always."
He smiled shyly, warmth flooding his expression. "I… I love you, Asuka," he said quietly, voice trembling with emotion.
Her eyes sparkled, and she squeezed his hand warmly. "And I love you too, Kael. More than you can imagine. I promise… I'll always be here for you, through every challenge and every adventure."
Kael giggled, the sound bright and pure under the morning sun. "Promise?"
"Promise," she echoed, leaning down to ruffle his hair affectionately. "And hey… don't forget to finish your soup. You need your strength if you want to grow into a hero, you know."
Kael's laughter bubbled out again as he eagerly spooned more soup into his mouth, his eyes shining with trust and love. Asuka watched him, smiling through tears she didn't bother to hide, feeling her heart swell with pride and affection. The forest around them seemed warmer somehow, the sun brighter, and for a moment, nothing else in the world existed except this small, perfect bubble of safety, love, and laughter.
"You're going to be unstoppable when you grow up, Kael," she whispered, leaning down so their foreheads almost touched. "And I'll be right here, cheering you on every step of the way."
Kael nodded, his little hands gripping the jacket she'd draped over him, feeling the weight of her warmth and protection. "I… I'll make you proud," he said, determination already sparkling in his young eyes, though tempered with the soft innocence of a child who only wanted to feel safe in the arms of the one who loved him.
Even years after, the memory lingered in his mind.
Kael stood alone in a training ground, the morning sun glinting off his steel sword. Each swing was deliberate, controlled, precise, every movement honed with ruthless discipline. His face was calm, almost emotionless, but his eyes burned with icy resolve, the coldest look of promise etched into his features.
"I will find them… Rin, Lyra… no matter what it takes," he whispered to himself, voice low, steady, yet laced with unyielding determination.
Sweat dripped down his brow, arms shaking with exertion, but he did not stop. Each strike, each calculated turn, each motion with his sword carried the weight of his vow. His entire being was consumed with purpose, a single-minded drive to reclaim what was lost and protect those who mattered most.
In that cold, focused gaze, there was no doubt—Kael's journey had only just begun, and he would move mountains to bring back Rin and Lyra. His heart, though hardened by rage and loss, still held the echoes of sunlight, laughter, and love, guiding every swing, every breath, every step toward his ultimate goal.