IN FRONT OF THE CAVE; PRESENT TIME
Gabriel's voice was laced with a bitter laugh. "It's true, Taina. After the demon attack, humanity was nearly wiped out. We fought so fiercely… I've leveled up thirty times, and the Goddess of Love has blessed me. Without these blessings, we would've perished long ago." He chuckled darkly, shaking his head. "If it weren't for these blessings, we'd be in real trouble."
Taina smiled softly, the faintest hint of warmth in her eyes despite the tension hanging in the air. "Let's go inside, dear. I'll prepare the food."
Gabriel raised a hand, his tone teasing but with a quiet edge of concern. "No, dear. You rest. Let me cook today."
Taina raised an eyebrow, the disbelief clear on her face. "You? Cook?" Her voice was filled with mock horror. "Your food is awful, Gabriel. Let me handle it."
Gabriel's deep laugh rang out. "Hahaha. You're right, dear. I'm terrible in the kitchen, and your food is the best." His gaze softened as he looked at her, the warmth in his heart was almost palpable.
They turned their backs to the cave, unaware that danger was already drawing closer.
Suddenly, the air seemed to shift, as if reality itself had frozen in place. Gabriel's instincts flared, and he whirled around just in time to see an ice arrow hurtling toward them at terrifying speed.
His eyes narrowed, his hunter's instincts taking over as he released the Rabbit and the chunk of the Fierce Wolf with a swift motion of his left hand. His sword was drawn with a practiced flourish, and in one fluid motion, he sliced the arrow cleanly in half.
But the encounter had already made its mark. Gabriel winced as a sudden chill spread through his arm. His sword froze upon contact, then frozen his arm. His muscles stiffened, but he didn't falter. His gaze turned to Taina, concern flashing in his eyes.
Taina's voice quivered with worry as she turned to him. "What was that, Gabriel? How did it freeze your arm?"
Gabriel's teeth gritted against the cold. "Divine healing!" she muttered, and Taina's healing magic flowed around him, warmth filling his veins. His arm quickly thawed along with the sword, healing all the internal wounds caused by the freezing.
"We've been found," Gabriel's voice hardened with resolve. "Stay behind me, Taina. This enemy is stronger than anything we've faced before."
Taina's eyes widened, but her expression firmed. Despite the risk to her pregnancy, she nodded, her stance shifting into one of readiness. The danger was closing in fast. She couldn't let Gabriel fight alone.
"Predator, activate!" Gabriel's voice thundered through the air, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The moment his skill activated, the world shifted.
In an instant, over forty demonic soldiers seemed to materialized from the surrounding trees, their eyes gleaming with malice. But Gabriel's attention snapped to something much worse: a powerful demon, looming 500 meters ahead, exuding an aura of pure malice.
Gabriel, distracted by the surrounding troops, did not notice the other arrow heading towards them.
Taina's voice was sharp with urgency. "Gabriel, another ice arrow!"
He barely had time to react. The arrow screamed toward them, faster than the last, but this time, Taina, already attentive, took the lead.
"Mana Shield!" Taina shouted, stepping in front of Gabriel, her hands raised. A shimmering barrier of magical energy materialized, blocking the arrow. It collided with a hiss, disintegrating into pure energy.
Gabriel narrowed his eyes, understanding instantly. "It's not a physical arrow. It's pure mana. We can repel it with our own energy."
As another arrow arced toward them, Gabriel gritted his teeth and stepped forward, channeling his mana through both his sword and arm.
The icy projectile collided with his blade, but this time, his sword didn't freeze. Instead, the arrow shattered into mist, vanishing harmlessly into the air.
"Well done, dear!" Taina smiled, relief washing over her. "You always manage to find the enemy's weakness so quickly!"
Gabriel didn't smile, his focus unyielding. "Taina, go inside. There's a hole further in—a hidden passage. You'll find a labyrinth there. Hide, and I'll meet you after I deal with this."
Taina hesitated, her brow furrowed with concern. "No! I can still fight! I won't leave you alone to face this!"
Gabriel shook his head sharply. "We can't risk it. The baby…" His voice faltered, but he regained his composure quickly. "I can sense your Yin energy. I'll find you once I'm done here. Now go."
Taina's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Please, be careful. I love you, Gabriel." Her voice was a whisper, but it carried the weight of her heart.
Gabriel's gaze softened for a fraction of a second before hardening with determination. "I love you too. Go!"
She ran, turning toward the cave, but as soon as she did, the demons reacted. They emerged from the trees in a coordinated attack, arrows flying toward her with deadly precision. Gabriel's sword rose as he shouted:
"Fury of the Winds!"
With a powerful swing, Gabriel unleashed a torrent of violent winds, sending a tornado spiraling toward the incoming projectiles. The arrows were torn from the air, scattered like leaves in a storm, and the force of the wind flattened several trees in its wake.
Taina did not look back. Her heart ached with every step she took, knowing Gabriel was fighting to buy her time. For a moment, the world felt heavy with the weight of their separation. But for the sake of their unborn child, she couldn't stop. She had to run.
Gabriel's voice echoed through the chaos. "Fury of the Winds!" Another barrage of tornadoes ripped through the air, clearing the path for him.
"Damn it!" A demonic soldier shouted as he was swept away by the force of the attack. "What's happening? How is this human so strong?!"
Within moments, the area was littered with the broken forms, all 40 soldiers near the cave were killed, multiple trees destroyed along with the fallen soldiers, the once vibrant forest reduced to wreckage.
Gabriel's eyes locked onto the captain of the demonic forces—Marky. The demon's face twisted in a grin of malice as he stepped forward.
"Go after the woman!" Marky barked at the remnant soldier. "I'll handle this one."
"Yes, Captain!" The assassin soldier nodded and moved into the shadows, his body flickering with dark energy as he transformed into an unseen specter. He followed Taina into the cave without anyone noticing.
Gabriel's heart sank as he sensed the demon's intention. "Taina…" he muttered, his mind racing with fear and fury.
"Come, human," Marky taunted, drawing his bow with a sickening calm. "Let's see if you can survive the next attack."
Gabriel's resolve solidified. "why are you chasing and killing innocent people?"
Marky's eyes gleamed with cruel amusement. "A dead man doesn't need to know anything."
With a swift motion, Gabriel lunged at Marky, aiming for the demon's throat. But Marky was fast—too fast. He ducked, his fist driving toward Gabriel's stomach.
Gabriel shifted mid-strike, his free hand grabbing Marky's wrist before the punch could land. With a fluid motion, he twisted, forcing the demon back. Marky leapt backward, eyes narrowing.
"You're stronger than I expected for a human," Marky hissed, "but it won't save you."
Gabriel spat on the ground, his eyes locked on the demon's. "I don't need your praise. I need you dead."
As the two clashed, a shadow slipped into the cave. The assassin soldier followed Taina, undetected and silent. She couldn't sense the danger as she pressed on through the labyrinth. But the assassin was already closing in, his dagger drawn.
Taina paused for a moment, feeling a sharp pain in her belly. She pressed her hand against her belly, trying to steady herself. Fear gripped her heart. "Gabriel… please be safe."
Inside the cave, the air was cool, but the tension weighed heavy. Taina's mind raced with thoughts of her husband, but another sharp pain surged through her. She gasped, clutching the wall for support.
A quiet, malevolent voice whispered from the shadows.
"Now, the real fun begins."