After parting ways with Frieren's group, Ren walked alone along the forest road.
The wind was sharp and biting, cutting into his face like a blade.
The air of the Northern Plateau was thin and dry, every breath made his lungs ache slightly.
His destination was the next town marked on the blue map in his mind: Grayat, a place rumored to house another statue of the Southern Hero.
It was still at least a week's journey away.
Traveling alone through a monster-infested forest was no small feat.
Ren tightened the thin cloak around his shoulders and continued forward at a steady pace.
Thanks to the Resilient Body he'd obtained, his resistance to harsh environments far surpassed that of ordinary people—but even so, the cold still gnawed at him.
Just then, the sound of hooves and creaking wheels came from behind.
Ren turned to see a small caravan of three wagons approaching from the forest road.
At the front, a middle-aged man wrapped in thick furs leaned out and called to him loudly.
"Hey! Young man over there! Hold up a moment!"
Ren stopped and watched as the caravan slowed to a halt.
"You're traveling alone out here?" the man asked in disbelief. "Have a death wish or something? People have been going missing around here lately."
"I'm heading for Grayat," Ren replied calmly.
"Grayat? Then we're going the same way!" The man's face lit up.
"I'm Bart, the leader of this caravan. If you don't mind, why not ride with us? Strength in numbers, right?"
He gestured toward the second wagon.
"I even hired three capable adventurers this time. Ordinary monsters won't be a problem."
Ren followed his gaze.
A burly warrior gripping a massive axe sat at the front, watching him with a critical eye.
Beside him sat a young girl with violet hair, holding a simple wooden staff, blinking curiously at Ren.
On her other side was a silver-haired woman in a white priest's robe—beautiful, calm, and cold, her eyes never once drifting toward him.
"That works for me," Ren said with a small smile.
Saving stamina for emergencies was the smarter choice.
"Haha! Excellent!" Bart laughed and waved him over. "You can ride with Sare and the others."
Ren climbed onto the wagon and took a seat near the back.
The warrior, Sare, shifted aside slightly and snorted.
"You're pretty scrawny to be wandering around here alone. That's practically an invitation for monsters to eat you."
The violet-haired girl smiled gently.
"Don't mind him. I'm Anna, a second-class mage. That grump is Sare. He's actually quite strong. And this is Veil. She's also a second-class mage and can use healing magic."
Veil barely glanced at Ren before closing her eyes again.
"Ren," he introduced himself simply.
The wagon began rolling forward again.
Anna leaned closer, curiosity in her eyes.
"Mr. Ren, the Northern Plateau is extremely dangerous. Even experienced parties are cautious here. Why are you traveling alone?"
"I split off from my group," Ren replied.
Sare snorted. "Even so, going solo out here is suicidal. Take my advice—once we reach the next town, hire a team. Otherwise, you'll end up monster food."
Ren smiled faintly and turned his gaze toward the forest ahead.
Something felt off.
He could sense it, but without activating his foresight, he couldn't tell what was coming.
"Did you feel that?" Anna asked softly.
"It's nothing," Ren said.
She didn't press further.
After about half an hour, the air grew noticeably colder. The sky darkened.
Veil suddenly opened her eyes, her blue pupils sharp with alertness.
"Mana fluctuation," she said quietly.
The next instant—
BOOM!
A massive black spear crashed down from the sky, pinning the lead wagon and the horses pulling it straight into the ground.
"Enemy attack!" Sare shouted, leaping down with axe in hand.
Anna raised her staff, already chanting.
Bart collapsed behind the wagon, trembling.
Ren stepped forward, eyes locked ahead.
On a snow-covered slope not far away stood a figure.
A woman.
She had long, violet hair, curved black horns, and wore revealing dark garments.
Her presence alone radiated evil.
A demon.
And not an ordinary one—the pressure she exuded was close to that of a Greater Demon.
"Oh? What a coincidence," she said lazily, licking her lips.
"Don't move," Ren warned quietly.
Even at his current strength, he could only ensure his own survival against her. Killing her would require perfect timing.
"Damn demon!" Sare roared, ignoring the warning.
His legs exploded with power as he charged, axe raised high.
"Die!"
The demon merely smiled.
She lifted a single finger.
A beam of condensed black mana erupted forth—too fast to see.
SHNK!
Sare froze mid-swing.
A hole had been punched clean through his shoulder.
Blood sprayed across the snow as his body collapsed backward.
The caravan fell silent.
The demon tilted her head, amused.
"Well… that was disappointing."