Kalm's eyes glowed faintly, widening at the weight of her words.
*"Difficult moments are like muddy patches in the river of life, which never stops flowing…"*
He repeated the phrase in his mind over and over again, until it etched itself into his soul.
It felt absurdly fitting—almost as if the line had been meant for *him*.
After a few seconds, his lips curled into a smile, his gaze lingering on the beautiful woman before him.
"You truly prove that you're someone remarkable… Thank you, Kalystra. I'm sincerely grateful to you."
Her head rested gently on her hand, a serene smile gracing her face.
The gentle woman let out a soft, melodic laugh at his expression, then raised her other hand and motioned for him to come closer.
Kalm stood and stepped toward her with measured movements, careful not to rock the boat.
"Could you draw the sword from its sheath, Kalm? There's something I want you to know…"
Kalm complied, quietly sliding the beautiful black blade free.
It was majestic—along each side, a sentence was etched in a language his mind couldn't comprehend.
Kalystra raised a finger and pointed toward the first edge.
"This line says: *When you fight monsters, beware not to become one yourself.
A human may only kill monsters—not other humans…*"
She lifted her gaze, locking eyes with Kalm, her pupils gleaming with layered meaning.
"Kalm… in the world of the Awakened—of supernatural powers and fragmented realities—madness isn't just a quirk or a state.
It's a sickness. A form of corruption that devours all that is good.
It strips a person of their reason, their ability to act like a human being—until they become nothing but a bloodthirsty beast.
That's where the quote comes from.
You must do everything in your power to guard yourself against madness… especially while fighting monsters.
Do you understand, Kalm?"
He took in her words, stunned by their gravity, then nodded silently, trying to steel himself.
Kalystra smiled.
"Now… flip the sword to the other side."
With a smooth motion, Kalm turned the blade so its opposite face now met Kalystra's eyes.
"This line says: *For those you love, fight the monsters.
And become a monster yourself if you must, to protect them.
Love and emotion mean nothing without the power to guard them…
For regret and pain are what remain afterward.*
There's no deeper meaning to that one—it's as straightforward as it seems."
Kalystra gave him a long, searching look, then lowered her gaze toward the river, lost in thought.
"Kalm… in this world, there's no such thing as a 'noble death', or 'an honorable end'…
There's no dying 'for glory', or 'for a cause', or even 'for love'.
Death leaves behind nothing but ashes—ashes of sorrow, regret, suffering, and loneliness…
for those still alive, left behind.
Please… remember that."
Kalm's eyes trembled slightly as he stared at the beautiful woman before him, unable to speak.
He then looked down at the sword for a moment…
and with a faintly sardonic expression, slid it back into its sheath.
He opened his mouth, his tone dry, wry.
"Life is full of contradictions.
Love and emotion are what elevate us through the stages…
And now I'm told they're meaningless unless backed by strength."
A calm look settled across the queen's face, and then… a gentle smile.
"Isn't it funny, Kalm?
But allow me to leave you with one last piece of advice…
Every person sees life through the lens of their own experiences—their struggles, their strength, their friendships, and the way their mind works.
Everything someone tells you is born of a strange blend of everything they've lived and witnessed.
So try… try not to take others' words as absolute truths.
Because *your* life isn't mine. Nor is it anyone else's.
You have to live your own life—to build your own perspective… and your own wisdom."
Kalystra let out a low, warm laugh, then continued,
"Someone once told me something beautiful:
*You must see the world for yourself—with your own eyes, your own body—
to know how beautiful… and how wretched… it truly is.*
Kalm couldn't take his eyes off the beautiful woman before him. The words she had just spoken were among the most profound things he had ever heard in his short life.
She never stopped surprising him—with her gaze, her wisdom... like a spiritual guide draped in grace and mystery.
He took a soft step back and sat down quietly. The small boat shifted slightly beneath him, sending gentle ripples across the river's surface.
His body trembled faintly as her words echoed in his mind. That sentence... it stirred something deep in his soul.
At that moment, Kalystra snapped her fingers, her eyes glowing playfully.
"Oh! I almost forgot—Kalm, when you return to your world, make sure you find yourself a sweet girlfriend too."
Her smile widened mischievously.
"I wonder who the lucky one will be to fall for you…"
There was an odd glint of excitement in her eyes, and Kalm froze, unable to react. He narrowed his gaze, staring at her with a blank expression.
"Really, Kalystra… After all those profound insights you just gave me…"
She raised an eyebrow at him.
"Come on, don't pout, little Kalm.
Unfortunately, my heart already belongs to my beloved—along with all my love and passion.
Otherwise, maybe I would've taken you for myself… I'm sure you'll soon become the 'flower boy' among warrior women or fighters in the battlefield…"
Kalm frowned, struggling to understand.
"Flower boy? …Let's ignore your own condition for now—but why would you think someone like me would be admired by warriors?"
The queen smiled and cleared her throat gently.
"Ha ha ha. It's simple, Kalm. It's your eyes—soft, beautiful—and your personality, humble and kind.
Even if you become a powerful warrior one day, your eyes won't change. And I'm certain… neither will your heart.
Not even in a world as cruel as ours."
She placed a delicate hand on her cheek and let out a long sigh, as if recalling a distant memory.
"Kalm, emotional support is one of the things women give their men—it's what we do best.
But in this mad world, where roles have twisted and flipped in many ways…
Some of these warrior girls—those who fight and bleed—they'll crave a partner who is gentle and kind, with soft eyes…
You *are* that kind of man, Kalm. That's your trait."
Kalm nearly stumbled in place. Her words struck him straight in the heart—it beat faster in response.
"I don't feel like arguing with you, Kalystra… But I feel sorry for those poor warriors.
They'd better find someone else… or plant their own flowers."
Kalystra let out a low laugh and opened her mouth to respond—
But suddenly, the river's current shifted violently, its rhythm turning turbulent.
A second later, a deep rumble echoed throughout the chamber.
Kalm clutched his ears and dropped to his knees, gritting his teeth, breath ragged.
The river trembled beneath them. Waves—small but forceful—began striking the boat from every side.
The vessel swayed left, then right. Water rose in surges and crashed back down in bursts.
"It seems our safe little ride… has come to an end."
Kalystra stood, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.
Kalm's lips trembled, and he asked with a flicker of fear:
"Kalystra… please tell me that's the cave's boss…?"
He had seen many strange things throughout the cave—but this…
This sound was different. It wasn't just loud; it was *terrifying*.
It pierced straight through him. Every hair on his body stood on end.
It *had* to be the boss of the cave.
It *had* to be.
But Kalystra just smiled at him—and shook her head.
That single gesture froze the blood in his veins.
"I'm afraid not, little Kalm. That's a creature from the river's depths.
But don't worry too much… they're only in the Fourth Phase."
He looked up at her, face blank.
"Kalystra, please…
Can we have a proper talk later about what *counts* as worrying in your book?"
The queen drew her sword. Her eyes gleamed with a deep, black light.
"It's simple, Kalm.
Nothing is ever worth worrying about when you're with *me*.
Remember that.
I'm Kalystra of the Eight… and I guarantee your life."
Kalm clung to the edge of the boat with both hands, fighting to stay upright.
The monsters below weren't his only concern…
He had just realized something else:
He didn't know how to swim. At all.
There were no rivers or bodies of water where he came from—no chance to learn, no luxury of swimming pools like rich children had.
So he had *zero* experience with water. With depths.
And as luck would have it, his *first* encounter with a river…
Was in a dangerous, wild current—filled with creatures that could eat him in a single bite.
A sheepish expression crossed his face.
Softly, he called out:
"Kalystra…"
The graceful woman glanced over her shoulder. Her expression shifted briefly as her eyes met his.
"Yes, Kalm…?"
He swallowed hard, his eyes glowing faintly.
"Kalystra… I… I don't know how to swim."
She stared at him for a moment, completely silent.
"…Haah."
Then burst into laughter—low, teasing laughter that echoed like a melody of mockery.
*She's really enjoying this…*
She peeked one eye open, flashing him a playful glance.
"Oh well… then you'd better hold on tight.
The boat will never break—so just hang on with all your strength."
Kalm did as she instructed.
Then, her voice returned… but this time, there was something strange about it—deadly serious.
"Kalm…
If *anything* attacks you…
The first thing you do is draw your sword and strike—without thinking.
Believe me… your future will be written… in *that* moment."