DEATH REALM – FIRST PATH
Nakid stared at the massive carcass of the boar lying motionless on the ground.
Woooah…I really did that… me?
A thrill of excitement ran through his entire body.His mind replayed the exact moment—that instant when everything had seemed to slow down.
He looked at his hand and closed his eyes.
Everything was clear…The danger was right in front of me, but I didn't panic.I knew what to do… as if my body already knew.
An uncontrollable smile spread across his face.
For once… not even a scratch.
I'm so happy… I need to con—
— Young boy?Young boy!
Nakid jolted.
— Can you hear me? You looked completely lost, Ysabella said as she turned back toward him.Don't stay so far behind. Our expedition is only just beginning.And trust me… we're far from done suffering.
She paused, then added with a faint smile:
— That said… congratulations on your feat.You've earned some rest. The shelter marked on the map is just beyond the waterfall.
— I'm coming! Nakid replied eagerly as he ran to catch up.
The shelter stood near the river.Built from wood, its architecture was simple yet surprisingly efficient. It could house several people and offered a luxury rarely found in this world: beds, a washroom, spare clothes, and provisions.
They took the time to eat, wash, and recover.Nakid, in particular, savored this rare moment of calm after the ordeal he had endured.
They spent the night safely inside.
At the next dawn, beneath a rising purple sky, they were already preparing to depart.
Ysabella completely renewed her equipment:a metallic quiver filled with arrows, a black archer's dress, and leather bracers protecting her bones.
She slowly turned in place, almost nostalgic.
— This reminds me of my time among the living…
Nakid watched her, impressed.
— It suits you incredibly well…You look like a warrior queen. Such presence.
Ysabella burst out laughing.
— Thank you, Nakid.And I'll return the compliment—you finally look like a true young warrior.
Nakid wore light indigo armor, paired with black leather gloves and boots.Strange symbols adorned the set, but neither of them paid much attention.
They set off once again toward the piranha waterfall.
The forest was eerily silent.
— So, young warrior, Ysabella asked cheerfully,what did you learn during this month facing the boars?
— Well… it wasn't eas—
Ysabella abruptly raised her hand.
Silence.
They kept walking along the turquoise river, surrounded by colossal trees.Then Nakid felt it too.
No sound.No birds.No rustling.
— This isn't nor—
VROOOOOOMMMMMMPF
The air was suddenly sucked away. Trees trembled—then a shockwave hurled them backward.
A gigantic silhouette emerged from the shadows.
—Impossible… Ysabella murmured.— I thought I had driven them all out…
The light revealed a colossal skeletal alpha male boar.
— H-how… Nakid stammered.I've never seen a creature like that…
— Of course not, Ysabella replied calmly.It's one of the most dangerous beings in this area. I thought I had killed it…but this 'big baby' must have survived.
She inhaled, then smiled slightly.
— It's alone.And you've improved, haven't you? Show me what you've learned.
— YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME?!
Ysabella didn't listen.She leapt into a tree to observe.
The boar growled.
Nakid shuddered.
She's serious…
Facing a beast twice as large as anything he had ever fought—his instinct took over.
RUN.
The charge came instantly.
Nakid plunged into the forest, zigzagging between trees.He knew he couldn't win in a straight race.
Think… think…
His eyes caught a narrow gap between two massive trunks.
He feinted, changed direction—then waited.
The boar accelerated to impale him.
But Nakid was no longer there.
He slipped beneath the monster, used its momentum, and dove into the gap.
A dead end.
The impacts echoed.The shelter would collapse.
Nakid took a deep breath.
Calm…Intelligence.
At the last moment, he leapt.
The boar shattered the shelter—too late.
Nakid climbed onto its back.
— You think you can tame me, brat? a hoarse voice growled.
Nakid clenched his teeth.
The boar went berserk, smashing into trees.Its movements grew erratic.
Then it charged toward the river.
—It's over for you!
The blind spot…
Nakid climbed up to its head.One strike. Then another.Not powerful—but precise.
He vanished from its field of vision.
Too late.
The boar toppled.
The fall.
The piranhas.
Silence.
Nakid washed up on the riverbank, broken and gasping.
Above him, the turquoise sky.
Ysabella appeared, smiling.
— Remarkable.You handled that very well, Nakid.
She extended her hand.
— Rest now.Our journey has only just begun.