The campfire crackled softly, casting flickering shadows over the small clearing. Mina, now resting more comfortably, had fallen asleep after recounting her terrifying ordeal. Leo and Serena were keeping watch, their expressions tense as they considered the threat of the monsters lurking deeper in the forest.
"These aren't just any wolves," Leo murmured, poking at the fire with a stick. "The ones we're dealing with are Direfangs. They're a rare breed, far more dangerous than normal dire wolves. Aggressive, and organized in packs. We've heard rumors, but this close to town? It's unheard of."
Kazuki leaned back against a tree, his gaze drifting up to the night sky. The weight of his sword felt light on his back, but even now, after the earlier encounter, he wasn't eager to jump into more fights. He had the power to crush anything in his path, but that didn't mean he wanted to use it all the time. He had come to this world seeking peace—though it seemed peace was elusive.
"Let's just get to town tomorrow," Kazuki said, his voice low. "I'm not looking to take on an army of these Direfangs."
Serena gave him a sharp look. "You're powerful, Kazuki, but if they attack us again, we'll have no choice but to fight."
Kazuki shrugged. "I'll fight if I have to, but I'm not getting into every skirmish that comes our way. There's no point in throwing myself into danger unless it's unavoidable."
Leo glanced between them, sensing the tension but choosing to stay out of it. "Still, it's strange. Direfangs usually don't stray far from their dens. Something might be driving them toward the roads."
Kazuki sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Well, let's just hope we don't run into anything bigger than what we saw earlier."
The next morning, the group set out at first light. Mina, though still weak, insisted on walking with them, determined not to be a burden. They moved cautiously through the forest, staying on the narrow path as the towering trees cast long shadows around them.
As they ventured deeper into the woods, Kazuki couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. The rustling of leaves and distant growls echoed in the air, and his instincts told him that danger was closer than it appeared.
Leo kept his voice low as they moved. "We should be careful. The Direfangs may not attack directly, but they're known to stalk their prey for miles. They'll wait until we're vulnerable."
Kazuki grunted, his eyes scanning the trees. "Great. Just what we needed—persistent monsters."
As the day wore on, the forest thickened, and soon the path became barely visible beneath the overgrowth. The tension in the air grew, and even Serena's usual calm demeanor was replaced with wariness.
And then, as if on cue, a low, rumbling growl filled the air.
The group stopped dead in their tracks. From the shadows of the forest, a massive creature emerged—a beast far more intimidating than the Direfang Kazuki had slain the day before. Its fur was a dark, matted gray, and its eyes glowed a malevolent crimson. This wasn't just a Direfang. This was an Alpha.
Leo cursed under his breath. "That's…that's the pack leader. We're in trouble."
Kazuki's hand instinctively moved to the hilt of his sword, but he paused. He had no desire to engage this thing unless he had no other choice. Serena looked at him, eyes wide with expectation. But before anyone could move, the beast let out a bone-rattling roar, shaking the very ground beneath their feet.
Serena moved first, stepping in front of Mina to protect her. "We'll have to hold it off," she said, her sword at the ready.
Kazuki, however, was thinking. His mind raced, considering their options. He didn't want to waste his strength on this battle—there had to be another way. His eyes shifted to the trees around them, noticing the dense branches above. An idea formed.
"Serena, Leo," Kazuki called out, his voice firm but calm. "We're not fighting it head-on. This thing's a brute, but it's not that smart. Follow my lead."
Leo blinked, confused. "Wait, what are you—"
But before he could finish, Kazuki darted forward, not toward the beast, but toward the nearest tree. With a burst of speed, he leaped onto a thick branch, pulling himself up with ease. He moved swiftly, making sure the Alpha was watching his every move. The massive creature snarled, tracking Kazuki's movements with furious eyes.
Kazuki jumped from tree to tree, distracting the beast and drawing it away from the others. The Alpha growled in frustration, its massive paws crashing into the ground as it tried to follow him, but Kazuki was too fast. He leaped to higher branches, moving further into the dense forest. The beast, relentless in its pursuit, followed.
"Now!" Kazuki shouted from above.
Serena and Leo moved quickly, guiding Mina through the trees and taking a different path entirely. The Alpha, too focused on Kazuki, didn't notice as they slipped away.
Kazuki smirked as he continued leading the beast further from his companions. The Alpha snarled, trying to leap after him, but its massive size made it clumsy in the thick forest. Kazuki finally reached a high branch overlooking a steep drop into a river below. He turned, watching as the beast lunged at him one last time.
With perfect timing, Kazuki jumped backward, letting the Alpha overshoot its mark. The creature tumbled over the edge, crashing down into the water below with a furious roar.
Kazuki landed lightly on the bank, wiping his hands off with a satisfied grin. "That should keep it busy for a while."
Rejoining Serena, Leo, and Mina further up the path, Kazuki shrugged as they looked at him in disbelief.
"You didn't fight it?" Leo asked, bewildered.
Kazuki gave him a lazy grin. "Why fight when I can outsmart it? It's faster and easier to just let it take care of itself."
Serena shook her head, though she couldn't hide her smile. "You're something else, Kazuki. You had us all thinking you were about to dive into another battle."
"I told you," Kazuki said, adjusting the sword on his back. "I'm not interested in fighting unless I have to."
Mina, still pale from fear but clearly in awe, spoke up softly. "You're…really strong, aren't you?"
Kazuki chuckled. "Let's just say I have my moments."
Leo looked back down the path, still half-expecting the Alpha to return. "You think that thing will come back?"
Kazuki shrugged. "Maybe. But by the time it does, we'll be long gone."
As the day drew on, the group finally made it out of the thickest part of the forest. The path opened up into a wide, grassy plain, and in the distance, they could see the walls of the town they had been heading toward.
Kazuki's mind wandered as they approached the gates. So this is what life in this world is going to be like—monsters, magic, and chaos at every turn.
But even with the constant danger, there was something thrilling about it. This world was alive in a way his old one never was. And for the first time in what felt like forever, Kazuki found himself actually looking forward to what came next.