With the sun hanging low in the sky, Yuna, Yukki, and Nerium stood before the town's main gate, their bags packed and ready for the journey ahead. They were met by the presence of Alex and the gathered knights, who had assembled to bid them farewell in a rather dramatic fashion.
Yuna's cheeks turned a shade of red as Alex delivered his encouraging words with a touch of theatrical flair. "Yuna the adventurer, there will be obstacles where you go, puzzles to solve, and friends to make along the way. There will also be even more troubles, but just have fun and you'll reach your destination in no time!"
"Hey! What's this sudden performance?" Yuna stammered, both flustered and amused by the unexpected display.
Alex chuckled, his grin unyielding. "The boys always wanted to do this kind of stuff, so…"
"Well, it's always been our dream to give a hero's farewell," one of the knights chimed in, accompanied by the nods and smiles of the others.
Yuna's embarrassment persisted, but she couldn't help but feel a warm appreciation for the support and camaraderie shown by the townspeople and the knights. Their send-off was heartfelt, and it left a lasting impression.
"Thank you, everyone," Yuna said, her voice sincere. "We'll be sure to come back, just as we've promised. This isn't goodbye, it's 'see you later.'"
With those words, Yuna and Yukki took their first steps beyond the gate, Nerium by their side. As they moved away from the town, they turned to wave one last time, a final farewell gesture to the knights who were still standing at attention, watching them with pride.
Their journey was just beginning, and the path ahead was filled with uncertainty and adventure. But armed with their determination, the bonds they had forged, and the memories of the friends they left behind, Yuna, Yukki, and Nerium stepped into the unknown with hearts full of hope and excitement.
As they ventured further into the wilderness, their path led them to a small clearing where a few weak monsters had gathered, including a group of slimes. Slimes, although considered the weakest of monsters, were known for their highly corrosive and toxic fluid that could dissolve even rusted metal.
Yuna's suggestion caught Yukki off guard. "Huh? Me? Wait a minute, I've never even held a sword before, let alone fought a monster…"
"It's all right, Yukki," Yuna reassured, giving her a reassuring tap on the shoulder. Nerium, too, chimed in with encouragement, fixing her gaze on Yukki.
"Don't worry, Yukki. Slimes have very weak physical bodies, so even you should be able to defeat them. Just be cautious of their corrosive fluid; it can melt through your clothes," Nerium explained with a comforting smile.
Yukki took a deep breath and nodded, mustering her courage. She reached for a nearby branch, which she snapped off to use as an improvised weapon. Gripping it tightly, she approached one of the sluggish slimes, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination.
As Yukki got closer, the slime wobbled and jiggled, its transparent body reflecting the soft sunlight filtering through the trees. Without hesitation, Yukki swung the branch downward, the makeshift weapon making contact with the slime's gooey form.
The impact was surprisingly effective, and the slime burst apart in a splatter of slimy residue. A look of astonishment crossed Yukki's face as she realized she had defeated her first monster.
Nerium clapped her hands in delight. "Great job, Yukki!"
Yuna grinned. "See? It's not as hard as you thought, right?"
Yukki's cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and pride. "I guess not… It's still a bit gross, though."
"Remember, you're building your experience as an adventurer," Yuna said, offering a comforting pat on Yukki's back.
Emboldened by her first victory, Yukki turned her attention to another slime, her apprehension fading as determination took over. With each swing of her branch, her movements grew more confident, and the slimes fell one by one.
As the clearing became littered with defeated slimes, Yukki's confidence continued to rise. With Nerium's encouragement and Yuna's guidance, she had successfully faced her fears and taken her first steps into the world of adventuring.
And so, their journey continued, marked by each new challenge conquered, and each obstacle overcome. The bond between Yuna, Yukki, and Nerium grew stronger with every adventure they faced together, and the memories they created would become the foundation of a legendary tale that would echo throughout the land.
The peaceful atmosphere of the wilderness was shattered by a resounding roar, echoing through the air and shaking the ground beneath them. In the distance, a towering beast emerged from the undergrowth, resembling a prehistoric dinosaur with its colossal form and fearsome presence.
Yuna's attention turned to Nerium, who stood confidently at her side. Yuna's hand gently ruffled Nerium's hair as she offered her guidance. "Nerium, it's your turn now. This one might be a bit easier for you, but keep in mind that this dinosaur-like creature is quite different. Its toughness rivals even the 15th hardest material in my world. However, it's slow-moving, so use that to your advantage."
Nerium's lips curved into a smug smile, a glint of excitement in her eyes. With the newfound power she had inherited from her late demon lord father, she felt a surge of confidence coursing through her veins. "Mhm, it shouldn't take too long," she replied with an air of assurance.
As her words left her lips, a wave of mana surged from Nerium, mingling with the natural energy of the surroundings. The air crackled with her magical energy, a display of her newfound might. Her presence seemed to expand, casting a radiant aura that emanated from her very being.
Nerium's outstretched hand glowed with a soft blue light, and a small orb of energy materialized at the tip of her finger. With deliberate grace, she aimed her hand at the distant creature, the orb hovering before her like a coiled serpent.
The orb moved with an unhurried pace, traversing the distance between Nerium and the creature at a leisurely speed. The towering beast, its movements sluggish and ponderous, seemed entirely unaware of the incoming threat. The orb drew closer, hovering just inches away from the creature's belly.
In a split second, the orb burst into a brilliant explosion of energy, the force of the impact ripping through the creature's form. The explosion sent shockwaves rippling through the air, and the colossal creature was torn into pieces, its body disintegrating into a shower of debris.
The remnants of the explosion fell to the ground like rain, leaving a trail of scorched earth in its wake. Nerium stood amidst the aftermath, her hand lowered and the smug smile still gracing her features.
Yuna's eyebrows raised in surprise, a mix of awe and amusement in her expression. "Well, that was certainly efficient."
Nerium's smugness grew even more pronounced as she shrugged nonchalantly. "I did say it wouldn't take too long."
Yukki's eyes widened as she looked from the remains of the creature to Nerium. "Wow, that was… impressive."
Nerium chuckled softly, the air around her returning to its serene state. "It's just a matter of understanding and harnessing my abilities."
With the challenge conquered and the creature reduced to scattered debris, the trio continued their journey. The wilderness seemed to acknowledge their prowess and camaraderie, as if the very environment itself acknowledged their path as legendary adventurers.
As the sun began its descent, casting a warm golden glow over the landscape, Yuna, Yukki, and Nerium moved forward, ready to face the next adventure with a sense of unity and exhilaration. The path ahead was uncertain, but with each challenge they overcame, their bond grew stronger, and their names would be etched into the annals of history as legendary adventurers who dared to venture into the unknown.