The darkness of that forest was so overwhelming that it made the little princess tremble.The wind howled fiercely, causing the tree branches to creak, briefly revealing the full moon that illuminated the place where she stood.The cold of the night battered the girl's small body, one accustomed to sleeping somewhere far warmer than this hostile forest.
A howl echoed throughout the area. Magical beasts resembling wolves, each with a horn on its forehead, surrounded the little princess, who began to tremble, seized by fear.The girl grabbed a branch she found on the ground while one of the wolves stared at her intently, hunger clearly visible in its eyes.With her heart pounding violently, she picked up a stone and hurled it with all her strength, striking the wolf in the eye.The beast shut its eyes for a second, and that moment was enough. The girl bolted deeper into the forest.
The wolf let out a howl, calling its allies, and they began to chase her.She ran with all her strength, her heart hammering in her chest as sweat soaked her clothes. Tears of desperation began to spill uncontrollably.Without realizing it, she tripped over a branch and fell to the ground, left completely exposed before the starving wolves.
Just before she could be devoured, a hooded silhouette appeared in the night sky.The man landed with precision, severing the head of one wolf in a single motion and delivering a powerful kick to a second one that had leapt to bite him.
"You're lucky, kid. I was just passing through on my way to the elven kingdom. What's your name?"
The man extended his hand, lifted her effortlessly, and carried her in his arms.
"M-My name is Noah. And yours?"
The girl was amazed by the man's strength, never taking her eyes off him.
"Nice name. I'm Ryo. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Ryo leapt and perched himself on a tree branch. Shortly after, another figure appeared beside him.
"Boss, where have you been all this time? I've been looking for you."
Marie froze when she noticed Ryo was holding a little girl in his arms.
"Ryo, don't tell me this again..."
Ryo covered her mouth and pointed downward, where several bandits were transporting crates.
"Shhh, look at what those bandits are doing."
Ryo carefully jumped between the trees to get a better view. Marie noticed that one of the bandits was carrying a large cage, from which voices begging for help could be heard.The cage was covered by a curtain that prevented its contents from being seen.
Ryo used his elemental air power and released a gentle breeze that lifted the curtain.The bandits were left confused upon feeling wind in an area where it was uncommon, especially in a region of the kingdom known for spiritual beasts.
Inside the cage were enslaved demi-humans and elves. Marie covered her mouth, shocked by the scene, as Ryo handed her the girl.After doing so, he leapt forward and charged directly at the bandits, who were not expecting such a sudden attack. His arrival was like a bolt of hope for the prisoners.
Ryo was quickly surrounded. The bandits, armed with knives and swords, lunged at him from every direction, as if there were no end to them.Ryo leapt into the air, cutting them down effortlessly. Darkness enveloped the area, and the enemies began bleeding from their eyes, falling one after another.
[Skill: Night of Wailing Level 703/???][Mana: 4,652,798/???]
An intense blue glow appeared in Ryo's eyes. In the darkness, the bandits could only see those blue eyes as they felt their companions dying slowly.
"That's what happens to scum."
Ryo walked over to the cage and shattered the lock, causing panic among the prisoners.
"Don't worry... I won't hurt you."
He helped them out one by one. Then he pointed his hand toward the cave where they had been held and released a wave of power that completely destroyed it.
"Alright, go back to your homes and be careful."
As he was about to leave, a small hand grabbed his sweater.
"We have nowhere to go... our village was destroyed."
It was a boy with crystal-clear eyes, on the verge of tears.
Ryo remained silent as he looked at them. He couldn't abandon them. An idea crossed his mind.
"Alright, listen everyone... I'll take you to my village, on the condition that you train so you can defend it."
"Don't worry about food. You won't lack anything."
Ryo stepped forward and opened a portal that led to a vast field filled with houses, livestock, and villagers who had already been rescued.
When everyone went through, Ryo motioned for Marie to follow as well, carrying the girl.
"I need to take care of some rats. I'll be back later."
Ryo pushed Marie into the portal. Before crossing, she activated a skill and placed a magical amulet around Ryo's wrist.
Looks like I won't be able to rest for a while.Ryo thought as he lightly broke into a sweat and closed his eyes.
A silver-and-blue dragon insignia appeared on his arm. His hair turned silver, with a golden tint at the tips.Ryo removed his mask, revealing the heterochromia of his eyes, and quickly created a bandage to cover them.