The northern road leading out of Drakenridge was quiet, almost unnaturally quiet. The early morning sun had barely climbed above the mountains, casting pale golden light across the rocky hills and narrow trails that stretched toward the vast northern wilderness. Eren Thorne walked steadily along the path with his sword resting loosely at his side while Cassian Voss followed a few steps behind him, hands tucked casually inside his cloak as if the journey ahead were nothing more than a relaxing walk through the countryside. Yet both men knew that was far from the truth. Somewhere beyond the mountains, a creature powerful enough to slaughter an entire scouting party was waiting and judging from the terrified expression on the injured adventurer back at the gate, whatever lived there was far beyond the strength of ordinary monsters.
After nearly an hour of walking, Cassian finally broke the silence. "You realize we're probably walking toward our own deaths, right?" he said with a faint grin.
Eren shrugged without slowing his pace. "Probably."
Cassian chuckled quietly. "Most people would find that concerning."
"Most people only get one chance to survive," Eren replied.
Cassian raised an eyebrow. "You say things like that a lot."
Eren glanced sideways at him and smirked. "I'm an optimistic guy."
Cassian didn't respond immediately, but the look in his eyes made it clear that he was still suspicious. Over the last day he had watched Eren fight, train, and handle situations that should have been far beyond the ability of a newly promoted D-rank adventurer. Something about the young man didn't add up, but Cassian had decided not to press the issue. Everyone carried secrets, and if Eren wanted to hide his, that was his choice.
The path soon began climbing into the foothills where the rocky terrain grew steeper and the trees thinner. As the two men moved deeper into the mountains, the air became colder and the wind stronger. Broken weapons and torn pieces of armor occasionally appeared along the trail—grim reminders of the scouting parties that had attempted to explore this region and never returned.
Eren stopped when he spotted something lying near the edge of the path.
A sword.
Or what remained of one.
The blade had snapped cleanly in half.
Cassian knelt beside it and examined the metal carefully. "C-rank steel," he said quietly. "Not cheap equipment."
Eren looked around the mountainside.
"No bodies."
Cassian nodded slowly. "Which means the monster probably dragged them away."
The two men continued climbing until the narrow trail finally opened into a wide rocky plateau surrounded by tall black cliffs. The moment they stepped into the clearing, both of them felt it.
A presence.
Something powerful.
The air itself seemed heavier, almost oppressive.
Cassian's hand slowly moved toward the hilt of his sword.
"You feel that?" he asked.
Eren nodded.
"Yeah."
The wind suddenly stopped.
For several seconds the entire mountain was silent.
Then a voice echoed across the plateau.
"So… more humans have come."
Eren froze.
Cassian's eyes widened slightly.
The voice had come from somewhere above them.
Slow footsteps echoed against the stone as a tall figure stepped out from the shadows of the cliffside.
At first glance it looked almost human.
But only almost.
The creature stood nearly seven feet tall with dark grey skin that looked as hard as stone. Two curved horns rose from its forehead, and its glowing crimson eyes watched the two adventurers with cold amusement. Long black claws extended from its fingers, and a massive blade rested casually against its shoulder.
Cassian whispered under his breath.
"…a demon."
Eren's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So the rumors were true."
The demon tilted its head curiously.
"You don't look frightened," it said.
Eren shrugged.
"Should I be?"
The demon smiled slowly, revealing rows of sharp teeth.
"I killed six of your strongest warriors yesterday."
Cassian stepped forward slightly.
"And now you're bragging about it?"
The demon chuckled.
"I'm warning you."
Eren glanced at Cassian.
"Seems polite."
Cassian sighed.
"You're impossible."
The demon's smile faded.
"Leave this mountain," it said coldly. "Or join the others."
Eren slowly drew his sword.
"I think I'll stay."
The demon's eyes glowed brighter.
"Very well."
In the next instant it moved.
Faster than anything Eren had seen before.
The massive blade flashed through the air and slammed into the ground where Eren had been standing a split second earlier. The impact shattered the stone beneath them and sent cracks racing across the plateau.
Eren barely managed to dodge the attack.
"Okay," he muttered.
"That's fast."
Cassian rushed forward, his sword striking toward the demon's side.
The demon blocked the attack effortlessly and kicked Cassian backward with crushing force. Cassian skidded across the ground before rolling to his feet again, his expression far more serious now.
"Eren," he said calmly, "this thing is stronger than anything we've fought."
Eren nodded.
"I noticed."
The demon attacked again.
This time its blade sliced across Eren's chest before he could react.
Pain exploded through his body.
He staggered backward as blood soaked through his armor.
"Too slow," the demon said calmly.
Cassian lunged forward again, but the demon twisted its body and slashed across Cassian's side, sending the swordsman crashing into the rocks.
Eren tried to stand.
But the demon was already in front of him.
Its blade rose slowly.
"You were brave," the demon said.
The sword fell.
Darkness swallowed everything.
Eren's eyes opened.
He was standing on the northern road again.
The sun hung low in the sky behind him.
Cassian was walking a few steps back just like before.
Eren took a deep breath.
"…well," he muttered.
Cassian glanced at him.
"Something wrong?"
Eren shook his head slowly.
"No."
He looked toward the distant mountains again.
"Just figuring something out."
Cassian frowned slightly.
"Figuring what out?"
Eren smiled faintly.
"How to kill a demon."
Cassian stopped walking.
"…you're joking."
Eren kept walking.
"Not even a little."
Because now the real battle had begun.
And Eren Thorne was ready to die as many times as it took to win.