The temple was silent again. The shadow beast's ashes had long vanished into the night air, leaving only the broken ruins and the faint glow of the crescent moon.
Rihan's knees still trembled as he clutched Elira's hand. Her grip was firm, steady—nothing like the fragile existence he had always known. For the first time since arriving here, he felt… anchored.
Elira released him, her emerald eyes scanning the hall once more. "The spawn is gone, but this temple reeks of corruption. We shouldn't linger."
Rihan's throat was dry. "S-spawn? You mean that… thing?"
She glanced at him. "A Lesser Shadow Spawn. Weak by our standards, but enough to kill an unarmed man like you." Her gaze hardened. "Tell me, stranger. Do you truly have no weapon? No training?"
Rihan looked down at his empty hands. "I… I don't. I've never fought in my life."
Her brows knit together. "Then how did you survive this long?"
Before Rihan could answer, the System flickered before his eyes.
[Skill Used: Forgotten Flame.]
[Result: Successful.]
He froze, wondering if he should tell her. If I say I have a 'System,' will she even understand? Or… will she think I'm cursed?
"…I was just lucky," he muttered instead.
Elira studied him a moment longer, then sighed. "Very well. Follow me. The forest outside is no safer than these ruins."
---
They stepped out of the shattered archway.
The night air hit Rihan like a wave—cool, crisp, alive with scents he had never known. The forest stretched endlessly, its trees towering higher than any building from his world. Leaves shimmered faintly with traces of mana, glowing veins running across their surfaces like starlight woven into nature.
Rihan gasped. "This… this isn't Earth anymore."
Elira glanced at him. "Earth? Another strange word. You truly are not of Arcanis."
The name lingered in his ears. Arcanis… so that's what this world is called.
The forest was beautiful, but not peaceful. In the distance, animal cries echoed—some familiar, some alien and blood-chilling.
Elira walked with confidence, her bow at her side. Rihan hurried behind, his every step heavy with uncertainty.
Finally, he broke the silence. "So… you said you're a princess?"
Elira's lips pressed into a thin line. "That title means little now. I am no queen, nor do I desire to be. I fight to protect my people. That is all."
Rihan blinked. "Still… you saved me. Thank you."
Her eyes softened for the first time. "…You're welcome. But do not mistake me for merciful. I only saved you because something about you feels… important."
The words sank into Rihan like a weight. Important? Him? He had never been important to anyone.
Before he could reply, the System pulsed again.
[Quest Updated: Follow Elira.]
[New Sub-Objective: Reach Sylvaris Forest Outpost.]
Rihan flinched. The glowing text was visible only to him. He quickly averted his gaze, hoping Elira hadn't noticed.
---
They walked for what felt like hours. The moon shifted overhead, and the forest seemed to whisper with hidden life.
Rihan finally asked, "What was that… demon in the temple? The one chained?"
Elira's steps faltered. Her face darkened. "…You saw it?"
"Yes." Rihan swallowed. "It spoke to me."
Her hand tightened on her bow. "That is no ordinary demon. It is one of the Sealed Abyssal Lords. Long ago, the gods bound them in forgotten ruins to keep our world safe. If it stirred in your presence…" She shook her head. "Then fate is playing a cruel game."
Rihan's chest tightened. He had only just arrived, yet already he was tangled in forces far beyond him.
---
Suddenly, Elira raised her hand. "Stop."
Rihan froze. "Wh-what is it?"
Her ears twitched—sharp, elven, alert to sounds he couldn't hear. She nocked an arrow silently, her eyes narrowing at the treeline.
From the darkness, low growls rumbled. Yellow eyes blinked between the trees.
Rihan's blood ran cold. "M-more monsters?"
Elira's voice was calm, but deadly serious. "Dire wolves. A pack."
Shapes emerged—massive wolves with fur as dark as ash, their fangs glistening in the moonlight. There were at least five, circling slowly.
Elira whispered, "Stay behind me. Do not move unless I say."
Rihan's legs felt like stone, but he nodded. His heart thundered. I can't do this again. I barely survived one monster… now there are five?
The System chimed cruelly:
[New Trial: Survive the Dire Wolf Pack.]
[Failure: Death.]
Sweat dripped down his neck. He clenched his fists.
Elira drew her bow. Her arrow shimmered with lunar mana, glowing silver. She whispered a prayer under her breath and released.
Thwip—!
The arrow struck the first wolf straight in the skull. It collapsed instantly.
The pack roared in fury and charged.
Elira stood her ground, graceful as a storm, loosing arrow after arrow. Each shot was perfect, but the wolves were fast. Two of them leapt from opposite sides.
Rihan's panic exploded. She can't cover both sides!
Without thinking, he raised his hand. "Forgotten Flame!"
A spark burst forth—larger than before, wilder. It slammed into one wolf, engulfing its fur in unnatural fire. The beast yelped and collapsed, writhing in agony.
Elira glanced back at him, eyes wide in surprise. For the first time, she truly saw him.
"You… you can wield magic?"
Rihan panted, clutching his chest. "I-I don't know how, it just—happened!"
The last two wolves circled, growling low. Elira nocked another arrow, but Rihan felt the System pulse again.
[Skill Proficiency Increased: Forgotten Flame Lv.2.]
Power surged in his veins. The fire came easier now, almost natural. He raised both hands, sparks igniting between his fingers.
For the first time in his life, he didn't feel powerless.
---
The last wolf lunged—fangs bared, eyes glowing.
Together, Elira's arrow and Rihan's flame struck.
The beast burst into smoke and ash.
Silence fell. Only their heavy breathing filled the air.
Elira lowered her bow slowly, eyes still on Rihan. "…Stranger. You said you had no training. And yet you wield flame unlike any I've seen. What are you?"
Rihan stood there, trembling, his hands still faintly glowing with fire.
He had no answer.
The System answered for him:
[Title Unlocked: Outlander.]