Sunlight.
The warmth stung my eyes like a forgotten memory.
After weeks of navigating the bowels of the earth—killing, surviving, stealing skills using my Unique Skill: Plunder—I had finally emerged. The cavern mouth behind me exhaled dust and silence, as if bidding me a quiet farewell.
"Wooo! FREEDOM!" I shouted, arms spread wide. The wind brushed through my hair like a lover's whisper.
Fresh air hit my lungs like magic. I took a deep breath, held it, and then coughed violently.
"Okay... maybe not THAT fresh," I muttered, grimacing. "Smells like a goblin's armpit out here."
Two weeks passed.
Nothing happened.
I wandered the forest like a glorified vagrant with wings. No map, no clue, and definitely no plan. The trees all looked the same, the animals kept running away, and every time I sat down to make sense of anything, I got hungry.
I survived off fruit that tasted like wet socks, roasted monster meat (thanks, fire magic), and whatever edible-looking herbs Yin swore wouldn't kill me.
"Yang," I groaned one night, chewing on something bitter. "Are we just walking toward death now or is this some magical training arc?"
"You're the one leading. I merely advise when you're not being suicidal," Yang replied with their usual sarcasm.
"Helpful as always."
That night, I stared at the moon above the treetops. Big, pale, beautiful. Somewhere out there, my mother was probably watching the same one. That thought alone made it feel less lonely.
Then it happened.
A ripple in the air. A jolt in my chest like instinct screaming danger. My ears rang. My mana pulsed.
Screams.
I bolted upright.
"Life signature detected," Yin announced, already analyzing. "Multiple monsters. One high-magic humanoid—likely female."
Without thinking, I spread my wings. Shadows surged around me as I ascended into the sky.
Below, in a break of trees near a riverbank, chaos unfolded. A lone woman—no, a warrior—spun gracefully through a sea of predators. Twisted wolves with scales. Insectoid beasts with serrated limbs. Hulking gorillas with runes etched into their fur.
And she—she was breathtaking. A Dark Elve, I realized. Graceful, yet deadly. Her obsidian armor clung to her like moonlight on water, and her silver-black hair swirled around her like smoke.
But even she was tiring.
One of the gorilla beasts lunged, roaring as it aimed a heavy paw toward her skull.
"Not today."
I dove.
The impact of my landing shattered the ground. Shockwaves threw several of the lesser monsters back. My blade, Moonrend, glowed faintly in my hand.
One of the scaly wolves recovered first. It pounced.
I twisted and slashed. Moonrend severed it mid-leap, blood spraying as the body hit a nearby tree.
"Skill Plundered: Razor Pounce."
Another creature—one of the insectoids—came from behind. I ducked, letting its blade-like arm miss by inches, and drove my katana into its thorax.
"Skill Plundered: Acid Blood."
I spun. Three of the rune gorillas charged together. One hurled a flaming rock. I sidestepped and caught the second's arm with my blade, pivoted, then flipped over the third, severing its spine as I landed.
The final one roared and slammed both fists down.
I braced.
"Yin, now!"
"Reinforcing bones with temporary mana shell. Counter in three… two…"
I dashed forward under its arms, surged into the air with Razor Pounce, and sliced clean through its neck. Its massive body collapsed with a thud.
"Skill Plundered: Rune Skin."
The battlefield fell still.
The woman stared, breathless.
I wiped the sweat from my brow and turned to her, giving a casual wave. "Hey. You okay?"
She looked confused
She hesitated. "You... who are you?"
"Kaito. Just a guy. And you?"
She looked away. "I have no name."
I blinked. "What?"
"My kind—Dark Elves—are not named until we earn it. Naming is powerful, and very dangerous the namer, so its not something that can be easily done."
Yin's voice entered my thoughts.
"She speaks the truth. Naming a demi-human of her caliber carries immense magical risk."
Yang followed up with, "But You're going to do it anyway, aren't you?" I laughed
I looked at her again. There was something about her—something noble, lonely, and fierce.
"Do you want a name." I asked. She looked at me like what the hell is this guy talking about. "Of course" She answered "Every warrior. no.. Everyone dreams about getting named, the power it grants and evolution. But it's a pipe dream" She said looking down.
"Do you want me to name you" I asked as I shoved my face onto hers.
She stepped back. "Did you listen to what I said, there's a chance you might die, it's way to risky"
"I know" I answered, "I'm just a reckless guy" I said with a confident smile that stretched from cheek to cheek.
She stood quietly for a little while, then she spoke "We have just met a few moments ago and now you want to do something as dangerous as name me, honestly where is your sense of danger. Why would you go that far for a complete stranger".
"Well, mostly it's because it's inconvenient for me. Having to call you Missy or anything of that sort just sounds like a pain, it's easier with names and stuff you see." I said.
She looked like she was getting angry for a bit "Something as valuable as a name, you want to do it because it would be convenient for you. I hate to say such a term to someone who just saved my life, but are you STUPID! You could die you know"
"Mhh, I'm pretty sure i can't die, I think. If I do, well that would be unfortunate now wouldn't it" I said as I chuckled
She dropped her shoulders as a sign of defeat "Fine, but If you die I take zero accountability, I'm going to leave you in this forest to die"
I closed my eyes and pondered for a bit.
"Yoruha. From 'Yoru'—night. And YoRHa, a name from a world I left behind. A symbol of beauty and strength. From now on you shall be know as Yoruha"
Magic exploded.
Dark energy surged around her, lifting her body into the air. Her armor melted into pure mana, reforming around her in elegant patterns. Her silver hair glowed with faint violet streaks. Her aura shifted.
The evolution of a High Dark Elve.
She landed lightly, blinking in disbelief.
Then I passed out.
The last thing I saw was her reaching toward me.
"No way, did he actually die" She panicked as she rushed to check on me. "He's still breathing, probably he passed out. Worrying me like that. I'd better take him back to the village" As she picked me up and throwing me on her shoulder.
I awoke in a what felt like heaven, like my head was rested on a bunch of high quality feather. There's no mistaking it, this was the famous thigh pillow, but I stayed calm. I cannot show my excitement here and plummet my aura.
"He's awake," a voice whispered.
I sat up groggily. My whole body ached.
Yoruha sat nearby, arms crossed, watching me with cool eyes. "You passed out after naming me. Your mana nearly collapsed."
I chuckled weakly. "Worth it."
She smiled faintly. "Come. We are home."
She led me through the village—dark, elegant structures shaped by nature, not built. Trees formed bridges. Glowing flowers lit the paths.
But not all were welcoming.
As we approached a gathering square, a male Dark Elve stepped forward—tall, muscular, and scowling.
"Sister! You dare bring an outsider here?"
"Brother," she said coldly. "He saved my life. He gave me a name. He is no ordinary outsider."
"That's worse! You've brought in something unknown! Do you know what you've done?!"
Yoruha stepped forward, eyes blazing. "I did what was right."
The crowd watched in silence.
Her brother sneered at her. "Sister, you know the policy of the village, anyone outside our race is not allowed, what if he's an enemy sent to infiltrate and kill us from the inside."
I couldn't say anything, this absolute Chad infront of me was way to scary. I felt my head would go flying if I said a single word.
"If that happened I would stop him myself, even if it meant sacrificing myself" Yoruha said in response to her brothers statement.
He looked at her for quite a while, then responded "Well, it would leave me with a sour taste If the person who saved my sister was left out to die, follow me, I'll take you to the village elder" he said as he started walking.
"follow me Kaito" Yoruha said as she grabbed my hand.
Yoruha's brother led us to a temple-like tree. Inside sat a woman—ancient, powerful, her presence immense.
"Elder Nyasha," Yoruha and her brother bowed, and I followed suit "I bring one who saved me. Who named me. I ask permission to allow him to stay." Yoruha said.
Nyasha's eyes scanned me slowly.
"I agreed to meet with you sister of the head warrior, but to call me in when the situation in the forest is so dire and ask me to let a Demon inhabit with us, what punishment should I percure." She didn't look pleased "or would you prefer for me to call you by the name that the Demon has given you."
So the dark Elves are not very fond of Demons
"He is different from the Demons we are used to," Yoruha added. "He fought for me. Without hesitation."
A long pause.
Then Nyasha spoke. "Demons are Demons, all are driven by instinct, to cause destruction and despair. If anything this boy should be beheaded here before he causes any problems for anyone else."
"Ehh" I said out loudly, what the hell is happening here, why am I getting beheaded.
"But Elder, no way. I can't allow it, please give it more thought. Is it the way of our tribe to throw out and kill the people who save us" Yoruha cried.
"Elder, I understand your worry, Demons have been know to cause terror and destruction. But I didn't feel an ounce of bloodlust and evil intent from him. He strikes me as one who is not bad, please reconsider" Yoruha's brother pleaded, I think this was just him trying to repay the favor for me saving his sister.
At this point I didn't mind leaving, as long as I didn't die.
Then the Elder spoke once again. "Letting a complete stranger in the village and the Demon at that is dangerous, especially since we can't even do a proper background check on him with all the problems happening in the forest right now. I cannot allow it"
Man she dislikes me, but she mentioned troubles in the forest once again. My father had gave me the task of watching over the forest, so I kind of wanted to know what was happening. So as scared as I was, I built up the courage and asked "Eh, sorry but what exactly is happening in the forest"
She looked at me like why the hell is a mere Demon speaking to me, but she gave me an answer at least "The Dragon Core of the Great Scorch Dragon-sama disappeared in the Cave of Neet about two weeks ago, which confirmed that he will never revive again, which meant that the forest is up for grabs. Then magic beasts started rampaging and demi-human races have begun preparations to take over the forest and claim it as their own"
I don't know why, but this feels like my fault. So I asked Yin and Yang what could be the cause. "Thats because that idiot of your father shoved his entire remaining Dragon Core into you, he didn't even think about the aftermath and the problems it would cause you" Yin said. Honestly, what a dumb father. I swear to God that man is stupid, there is absolutely no way.
"Eh, actually that might be partly my fault. like a real tiny bit tho" I said. All three Dark Elves in the room turned their eyes towards me, basically looking deep into my soul.
Then the Elder spoke "Demon, what exactly do you mean" She asked, in a tone demanding that I tell her what I know.
"Yes Kaito, I'd like to know as well" Yoruha added.
With all eyes on me, I thought about the calmest way to say this. "So that Dragon, is my father apparently. I met him for the first time 2 weeks ago and he kind of put his Dragon Core into me"
The whole room fell silent, the Elder was directing some insane bloodlust at me, Yoruha and her brother were just confused.
"A mere Demon, claims to be heir of the Great Dragon. Do you understand the consequences of such blatant lies" the village elder said.
"I'd recommend taking back your words Kaito-san. I'd hate to have to take the head of someone who saved my sister's life" Yoruha's brother added.
I kind of knew it would turn out this way. Some Demon showing up of knowwhere and claiming to be the son of a respected Dragon, I think. "I understand how some of you would doubt me, if I was in your shoes I would probably do the same. Hell if you told me that three weeks ago I would have laughed straight in your face" I said.
"So Kaito-san, you are basically the son of our lord, maybe I should be calling you sama" Yoruha said exaggerating.
The village elder let out her incredibly terrifying aura "Demon, state your name" she said. "Kaito" I answered.
"Kaito, do you have proof of your statement. If this is true, it could completely turn the forest upside down" the Elder stated.
"Mhh, I don't know how to prove it. I grew up with my mom, who was supposedly a hero in this world, her name was Reikana"
Their eyes showed shock, they had heard that she disappeared 15 years ago, out of knowwhere and nobody knew where to find her. "Kaito, how old would you be today" the Elder asked while stood up.
"I'm 15 years old" I answered.
The village elder started sweating "but it couldn't be" She said, then she recalled something. The Dragonkin of The Earth Dragon Torin-sama had a mark on her back. A mark of the Dragon of Creation. All Greater Dragons had it, and it is said that their Dragonkin also had it.
"Kaito, only one thing now would prove if your statement is true. A mark, on your back. Do you have the mark of a Dragon" The Elder asked.
I cant see my own back, so I don't know what this women was talking about. I knew that if I didn't have this mark I wouldn't be leaving this village alive. So I prayed to God that whatever it was, that it was there. "I don't know, maybe you can check for me" I said as I took my shirt of and showed my back.
All three kneeled and bowed their head so much it touched the ground.
"Kaito-sama, please forgive my rudeness earlier, I didn't know that the Great Dragon had given birth to my heir. I know my head alone won't cut it, but I'd be happy to give it to you" The village Elder Nyasha said.
I thought to myself, what the hell just happened.
"To think I've been speaking so casually to my lord, how unbecoming of a warrior of the Dark Elves" Yoruha continued on with the nonsense.
"I also behaved very rudely to you at the gate, I deserve not to live any longer. Please do with me what you must" Yoruha's brother completed the big three of idiots.
I had to say something here as this was getting to ridiculous "Wait wait, what just happened. Please raise your heads, I'm no one that important"
The village elder spoke "No Kaito-sama. You are the son of our former Lord, which makes you our lord, and we have behaved very poorly in front of you, I even insulted you and suggested you are beheaded. I cannot live as I will live in humiliation"
Honestly, I hated this. I knew my dad was like important and stuff, but I was not expecting this. In any case i better play along so this can end and I can get some rest. "Really it's fine. I don't blame any of you, you didn't know anything. So please stop, this is embarrassing for me you know"
"Kaito-sama, you really are a nice person" Yoruha said while she smiled.
"Please don't really call me with sama, I had enough of that on Earth" I answered.
"You really are like your father, kind and forgiving. And now that I look at it, you look exactly like him, and yall have the same eyes" The Elder said. Then she continued "It's impossible for us to not add sama to your name, as the son of our lord it would be blasphemous for us to refer to you casually. Please understand"
I hated it, but I really didn't want to argue. "Okay, I get it"
"Great, but now we need to have a banquet and celebrate the return of the son of our lord and our new ruler" Yoruha's idiot of a brother stated. "Osu" the village elder and Yoruha said in unison, agreeing to this nonsense. I had to try and stop this somehow.
"No, really there is no need" as I wanted to say this the two siblings jumped up and left the room and started screaming "THE SON OF THE GREAT SCORCH DRAGON HAS RETURNED, PREPARE THE BANQUET" I was too late.
The Elder chuckled "This is something you cannot prevent my lord, a banquet is necessary for something this monumental. Now then, I shall prepare your lodging and select an attendant for you. Now if you would excuse me" She said.
This is not what I wanted at all, one moment they were planning on killing me, and the next I'm their God, what the hell!