Rin moved through the dense forest with incredible agility, his feet barely touching the branches as he darted from one to another. His eyes, glowing a deep purple, scanned the path ahead, following the faint, invisible thread of mana that led him toward his target. The Quantum Eyes, a gift he had acquired from his past life, allowed him to see traces of energy that no one else could detect. In this strange subspace, where the very fabric of reality was altered, these eyes gave him an unparalleled advantage.
Each step he took was calculated, each movement precise as he tracked the dark magician. His senses were heightened, and the mana trail pulsed brightly in his vision. As Rin raced through the forest, demons of various sizes and shapes attempted to impede his progress. He didn't break stride. With a swift slash of his blade, he cleaved through the low-level demons, his katana slicing effortlessly through their defenses. His focus remained on the mana trail, never once deviating from the path that would lead him to the source of the chaos—the dark magician.
He had seen the artifact in the magician's hands. The same one that was responsible for pulling everyone into this hellish subspace. Rin had no intention of letting the magician escape or letting him wreak further havoc on innocent lives. The further he moved through the forest, the more determined his pace became.
His clothes fluttered as he leapt from one tree to the next, his katana cutting down demons mid-air with precision. It was as if he was dancing between the branches, each swing of his blade a seamless part of his rhythm. His heart beat steadily in his chest, his body moving on instinct, the adrenaline coursing through him as he focused on one thing—ending this madness.
As Rin moved forward, his thoughts drifted to the events described in the novel *The Golden Girl's Rise*. He couldn't help but recall the pivotal role the protagonist, Miharu, played in shaping the empire's future. This subspace event was supposed to be a cornerstone of her rise—a moment where her courage and resilience would shine, saving his injured brother, the crown prince, from certain death.
Miharu, though a maid of the Golden Dragon Palace, was no ordinary servant. Her strength, agility, and determination set her apart, allowing her to perform feats that rivaled even the princess consorts. She had a natural charisma and a kind heart, qualities that eventually earned her the title of the Black Princess Consort. Her rise was unorthodox, but it was her ability to inspire loyalty and love that made her story legendary.
The scenario in the novel was clear: Miharu would find the injured crown prince, drag him to safety in a cave, and care for him despite the overwhelming odds. Her actions would leave an indelible impression on him, forging a bond that would shape their destinies. The image of her comforting smile, encouraging the crown prince to survive, was one of the most iconic moments in the novel.
But now, Rin was disrupting the story. By taking the initiative to end the subspace early, he was derailing events that were meant to happen. His actions could have far-reaching consequences on Miharu's fate, the crown prince's future, and the empire's stability.
Still, Rin resolved to move forward. He had no intention of letting the dark magician's chaos play out for the sake of maintaining a script. If Miharu was as capable as the novel described, she would find another way to shine. And as for his brother, Rin could ensure his safety himself if necessary.
"I'll deal with the aftermath later," Rin thought, his expression calm but determined. His focus returned to the mana trail as he pushed forward. The subspace needed to end, and he was the only one who could make it happen.
Rin crouched behind the tree, his sharp eyes locked onto the two high-class demons patrolling near the waterfall. Their towering forms radiated malice, their movements deliberate and predatory. The faint hum of the rushing water behind them reminded Rin of his goal, but the presence of the demons complicated matters.
His quantum eyes glimmered faintly as he observed them. Each step they took seemed calculated, their senses sharp enough to detect the faintest disturbance. The mana trail he had been following led directly behind the waterfall. It was clear that whatever lay there was vital. Yet, these demons were standing in his way, and they weren't the kind that could be easily bypassed.
Rin leaned back against the tree, his thoughts racing. He extended his senses inward, gauging his remaining mana. The constant battles with low- and mid-class demons had taken a toll, leaving him far from his peak condition. The town, already battered and barely holding on, couldn't afford him to waste more time here.
"These demons... They aren't just guards," he murmured to himself. "They're here to ensure no one reaches what's behind that waterfall. The dark magician must be nearby."
His mind wandered briefly to the town. The reinforced walls and the morale boost he'd given them by eradicating the first wave might buy them time, but how long could they hold out without him? The thought of the Vermillion Princess and the others fighting desperately weighed on him.
He clenched his katana, feeling the slight hum of its mana-forged blade. "I could try sneaking past, but the moment they sense me, it'll be chaos." He exhaled slowly, trying to think rationally. Every second spent here was another second the town was left vulnerable.
Despite the weight of the situation, Rin's expression remained calm, though his mind was anything but. "If I had more mana, this wouldn't even be a problem. But... running on fumes like this..." He glanced at the demons again. Their sheer presence was suffocating, a reminder that this subspace wasn't designed for people to survive—it was a cruel, calculated trap.
Rin closed his eyes, centering himself. He had no room for hesitation, no time for second-guessing. "I'll have to move carefully. There's no other option. If I fail here, the town won't last another wave."
He opened his eyes, determination flashing in their purple hue. Tightening his grip on his katana, Rin took one last deep breath and prepared to make his next move.
Before Rin could make his move, his instincts screamed a warning. He caught the faintest shift in the air, the telltale sign of another presence—behind him. His katana caught the dim light, glinting as he turned his head slightly, and that's when he saw it: a third Class A demon, its monstrous figure looming over him.
The demon let out a guttural growl, its malevolent eyes fixed on him as it raised a jagged spear, brimming with dark energy. Rin's body moved before his thoughts could catch up, dashing toward the riverbed just as the demon hurled its weapon.
The spear struck the tree he had been hiding behind with a deafening crack, shattering it into splinters. The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the ground, leaving a crater where the tree once stood. Dust and debris filled the air as Rin found himself exposed in the open, the three demons now fully aware of his presence.
He tightened his grip on his katana, its faint glow a contrast to the oppressive darkness radiating from the demons. His mind raced as he assessed the situation. "Three Class A demons... this just got a lot worse."
The two by the waterfall turned their attention to him, their predatory gazes locking onto their prey. The third demon, the one that had flushed him out, let out another menacing growl, advancing with heavy steps that sent tremors through the ground.
Rin darted forward, his instincts and reflexes honed to perfection as he closed the distance between himself and the two demons near the waterfall. The ground trembled under the weight of the third demon charging behind him, its spear ready to pierce through his back.
Timing his movement precisely, Rin leaped into the air, twisting his body mid-spin to narrowly avoid the claws of the two demons in front. Their massive hands swiped the air just inches from him, the force of their attacks sending a shockwave that nearly unbalanced him.
With a swift motion, Rin cast a protective barrier around himself. The translucent shield shimmered faintly, absorbing the impact of water and debris as he passed through the crashing waterfall. The icy torrent drenched him, but he pressed on, his focus unshaken.
Emerging on the other side, Rin found himself in a cavern shrouded in darkness. The faint echo of dripping water filled the air, and the mana trail he had been following grew stronger, pulling him deeper into the unknown.
Behind him, the three Class A demons roared in frustration. Their predatory eyes glinted as they plunged through the waterfall, relentless in their pursuit. Rin didn't pause to look back. He tightened his grip on his katana, the protective barrier still holding as he disappeared further into the cave's shadows.
Rin sprinted deeper into the dimly lit cave, the echoes of his footsteps mixing with the guttural growls of the demons pursuing him. As he ran, his hand brushed the ground, channeling his remaining mana into the earth beneath him. In an instant, sharp spears of rock erupted from the ground, hurtling toward the three Class A demons.
The demon in the lead, unable to react in the narrow confines of the cave, was impaled through the head. Its monstrous body collapsed with a heavy thud, blocking the path momentarily before the other two demons clawed their way over the corpse, their roars shaking the cavern walls.
Rin's focus remained sharp as he reached a steep downward slope. Without hesitation, he leaned back, sliding down the incline with practiced ease, his boots skimming the surface like a controlled descent. As he neared the bottom, he extended his hand to the ground, his mana surging once more.
The earth beneath transformed into a deadly pit lined with jagged spikes. One of the demons, unable to stop its momentum, plunged into the trap with a deafening screech, its massive frame impaled on the spears.
Now, only one remained—the spear-wielding Class A demon. Its eyes glowed with rage, and its steps became more measured, as though it realized it was now the last hunter in the chase.
Rin glanced over his shoulder, his breath steady despite the relentless pace.
Rin darted into the shadows of the cave, his movements fluid and calculated. The Class A demon, blinded by rage, pursued him relentlessly. Its spear thrust forward, aiming at what appeared to be Rin's silhouette. The weapon struck with immense force, shattering the calcite formation that Rin had cleverly used as a decoy.
From the corner of the demon's vision, Rin emerged from the darkness, his form seemingly materializing out of its own shadow. With a single fluid motion, he leaped onto the demon's massive frame. His katana gleamed faintly as it sliced cleanly through the demon's thick neck. The beast staggered, its monstrous body collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
Rin landed on the cavern floor, panting heavily. His chest heaved as he struggled to steady his breath. "That was close," he muttered to himself, his body trembling slightly from the strain. He had been conserving his mana to the brink of exhaustion, relying instead on precision and strategy. It left him drained, his muscles aching with each movement.
As he took a brief moment to compose himself, a sudden blaze of crimson light erupted above him. The air around him grew unbearably hot as a barrage of hellish flames descended, illuminating the once-dark cavern in an infernal glow.
The dark magician's voice echoed through the space, a mocking tone laced with malice. "Impressive, but you're not the only one who can use shadows to your advantage."
Caught off guard, Rin reacted a fraction too late. The searing flames grazed him, sending him hurtling into the rocky wall of the cavern. The impact sent a cloud of dust and debris into the air, and Rin groaned as he slid to the ground, his body battered and his vision blurred.
Through the haze, the dark magician's figure loomed, his malevolent laughter ringing in Rin's ears.
Back in the town, chaos was slowly overtaking the fragile hope that had kept them standing. The Vermillion Princess stood atop the last stable section of the 9th wall, her fiery sword casting a faint glow across the battlefield. Her eyes scanned the scene as the remaining eight walls crumbled one by one, each collapse shaking the ground and the morale of those within.
For six grueling hours, they had held on, barely managing to withstand the relentless waves of demons. Despite their exhaustion, no lives had yet been lost, thanks to the layers of protection Rin had built. But now, as the demons pressed forward with renewed ferocity, the cracks in their defense were becoming impossible to ignore.
She gritted her teeth, her grip on her sword tightening as she watched the tide of demons surge forward. "Abandon the 9th wall!" she commanded, her voice strong despite the weight of fear in her chest. "Fall back to the final line of defense!"
The civilians, armed with makeshift weapons, fought desperately against the low-tier demons, their determination fueled by sheer survival instinct. The soldiers, bruised and battered, clashed with the mid-tier demons, their movements sluggish yet deliberate. Every strike they delivered came with the knowledge that they were the only thing standing between the people and certain death.
The Vermillion Princess raised her blade, her fiery aura flickering as her mana reserves dwindled. She whispered a quiet prayer under her breath, her thoughts consumed by Rin. *"Please... succeed. We can't hold out much longer."*
As she turned her attention back to the battlefield, a new wave of demons approached, their numbers seemingly endless. The Princess adjusted her stance, determination burning in her eyes. With one last deep breath, she readied herself to defend the final wall, fully aware that this would be their most critical stand.