Renji sat by the dying fire, rabbit bones scattered on a stone.
Aya's humming faded into the trees as she washed at the stream, leaving him with nothing but the fire and birdsong.
For the first time since exile, his shoulders eased. He had food, fire, and someone who hadn't abandoned him. More than that, he had the Sin System, Aya's bond, and a chance to grow stronger.
His eyes went to his sword. "I'm closer than ever," he muttered to himself. "But I'm still not close enough."
To get his revenge, one succubus wasn't enough. He needed more, and a place to live as well. Sleeping in these dangerous woods wasn't a viable long-term option.
He called out toward Aya. "Aya, we're leaving the forest tomorrow. We need supplies, shelter, and women."
Aya returned, drying her hands. "Women?"
"Yeah." Renji grinned. "My army won't build itself, you know?"
"Right," Aya replied tonelessly. After a while she asked, "Why tomorrow? Why not today?"
Renji lay back and stretched. "I'm too tired," he said simply.
"You're so lazy," Aya replied with a chuckle as she walked off.
The next morning they started their journey out of the forest. They walked on silently, each lost in their own thoughts, when a low growl suddenly rang in the forest.
Renji immediately froze. "Aya, stop moving," he whispered, and he unsheathed his sword slowly.
"What is it?" Aya whispered. But before he could reply, a huge wolf stepped out of the bushes. Its fur was grey and thick, and it had glowing green eyes.
"Renji," Aya said.
"Relax, I've got this," Renji replied.
As the beast lunged, he dodged and used a triple sword slash.
The sword cut through the wolf in three almost clean arcs, and it dropped to the floor, bleeding.
It soon stopped twitching.
The system flashed a notification
<1 beast killed, +100 shop points>
"What does that do?" He He asked the system.
"Shop points help you buy things from the store."
"Things like what?" He replied.
"Better weapons, elixirs, battle items, basically anything that makes you a better warrior."
"Okay, what can I buy with 100 shop points?" He asked
"Nothing".
Renji sighed, his system would help him no doubt, but it was also going to slightly useless for a while.
Aya let out a sigh of relief at the dead wolf, but Renji wasn't done. He headed to the wolf and cut its head open.
He then picked up a crystal from its skull.
"Beast crystal," he said, showing it to Aya with a grin. "With any luck, we can get many and sell them when we get to a village."
As they walked on, there was another rustle, and this time a kangaroo rushed out.
Renji muttered, "First wolves, now kangaroos? What's next, a demon goose?"
The beast lunged at him, and as Renji slashed with his sword, the beast's kick hit him in the chest, sending him flying back.
"Ouch!" Renji exclaimed as he landed on his back. If he didn't have the system, he might have been incapacitated.
The kangaroo wanted to press its advantage and rushed at him, but Aya stepped in and froze it in place with her telekinesis quickly.
"Now, Renji!" she yelled.
Renji rushed to his feet and used a triple slash at the beast. It was cut open and fell as well, dead.
<1 beats killed, +100 shop points.>
"What can I buy with 200 shop points?" Be asked the system.
"Nothing."
"300?"
"Nothing"
Renji sighed and cut the head open and picked the beast crystal. "They better pay me well for this one," he said and winced.
They kept walking but saw no more beasts. After walking for hours without any beasts, Renji was frustrated. "Figures. When you want monsters, they vanish."
"I'm sure we'll find some more, Renji," Aya replied.
He sighed, ready to argue, when a loud scream split the air. It sounded high-pitched, like it belonged to a woman.
"Don't go, princeling," the system said to him. But Renji wasn't listening. He was already running in the direction.
They soon came out into a clearing where they found a young woman surrounded by wild beasts. There were three dead beasts on the floor already, and she held her dagger in a fighting stance.
But she was tired and panting hard.
Renji's eyes narrowed. She was dressed expensively, like a noblewoman.
"She can't fight them all by herself," Aya said beside him.
Renji smirked. "Then I guess she's lucky to have us here.
"Hey, lady!" Renji called out with a wave. "Looks like you need some help!"
A wolf leapt for Renji, but Aya snapped it sideways mid-air, slamming it into a tree.
Renji darted forward at the other beasts, cutting them down one by one.
A beast jumped at Kaede's back, but Renji split its skull before it touched her. The last one tried to run, but Aya dragged it back, and Renji killed it with a thrust to the side.
<6 beasts killed, +600 shop points>
"Okay now I have 800 points, what can I buy now?"
"You could buy a refreshing elixir for 300 points, or you can wait till you have 1500 to get a better sword."
Renji thought about it and decided it was better to wait for a better sword.
He then began to cut their heads open, picking up the crystals.
Kaede heaved a sigh of relief and was about to thank them when she recognized Renji. Her eyes widened in shock. "It's you! Renji, the exiled prince."
Aya stepped in front of him, eyes burning. "Watch your tongue. He just saved your life."
Kaede scoffed. "I could have handled myself."
Renji said, "Wait, you recognize me?"
Kaede nodded. "Yes." Her voice held pride and irritation. "I am Lady Kaede of House Sumeragi, of the eastern estates. I traveled for your coronation, at least what should have been your coronation."
Renji's jaw tightened. "What's going on in the palace now?"
Kaede hesitated, then folded her arms. "Well, when I left, your stepbrother wears the crown, and they've announced a royal wedding eighteen days from now."
Aya shook her head. "They wasted no time. Disgusting."
Kaede brushed dirt from her skirts, her gaze raking over Renji's tangled hair, tired eyes, and ragged shirt. Her lips curled.
"So this is royalty now, wild and unkempt."
Aya stiffened. "Watch your mouth. You don't speak to him like that."
Kaede raised a brow. "Or what? You'll scold me like a nanny? Scrub my shoes after your master growls?"
Aya took a step forward, but Renji held her wrist and pulled her back. "Hey, easy, easy."
Renji turned to Kaede, amusement flickering in his eyes. "You have such a sharp tongue for someone who was one beast away from being dinner."
Kaede sniffed. "I would have managed."
"Of course. Which means you won't need an escort."
Kaede froze. She had passed this forest countless times before, and she had never been attacked by beasts. Perhaps it wasn't safe to travel alone anymore.