His grip on the hilt tightened as an unsettling realization crept into his mind. What kind of sword is this?
"It feels… weird," Shin muttered under his breath, glancing at the blade. He turned to Desiree, who stood frozen in shock.
"Let's go!" he said, forcing a bright tone.
Desiree hesitated but nodded, quickly falling into step beside him. That sword… should I tell him about it? she wondered. But she quickly shook her head. No, I must follow the rules.
Shin caught the movement and frowned. "Hm?" He was about to ask but decided against it.
They walked in silence, the wind whipping against their cloaks. The atmosphere felt tense—too tense.
This is so awkward… I should start a conversation, Shin thought, scratching his cheek. His eyes darted to Desiree. "Hey, your name is pretty unique. Where did your parents get it from?" he asked, trying to sound casual.
Shit… that's a good opening, right? He started panicking internally.
Desiree's expression shifted slightly. "Uh… m-my parents were disciples of the goddesses. T-they named me after the Goddess of Desire," she said, her voice stumbling a bit.
Shin's eyes lit up. "Oh, I see! That's awesome!" he said, grinning.
Desiree smiled shyly in return.
Shin felt his face heat up. Fuck! He quickly turned away, falling into silence again as they continued through the harsh environment.
As they continued walking, the ground trembled violently.
Shin's eyes widened. Something's coming!
A massive desert worm erupted from beneath them, its gaping maw lined with razor-sharp teeth. The sand surged into the air as the beast lunged at Shin.
"Let me take over you."
The chilling voice echoed in his mind.
Before he could react, his body moved on its own. His grip on reality loosened as a strange force guided him.
Shin dashed backward, grabbing Desiree by the waist in one swift motion.
"Hold on tightly to my back," he ordered.
Desiree hesitated but quickly nodded, climbing onto his back and gripping him tightly.
"I can feel her chest!" Shin panicked internally, his face heating up for a brief moment.
But the sword in his hand pulsed, flooding his body with overwhelming energy. The air around them shifted. The sand beneath them trembled, drawn toward the blade as if devoured by its power.
"I'm not the one controlling my body… but somehow, it still feels like me!" Shin thought, struggling to grasp the sensation.
He clenched his teeth. "Martial Core," he muttered under his breath.
The desert worm dove back underground. The earth quaked again.
"Buff me," Shin commanded, his tone sharp and serious.
"B-but—" Desiree stammered.
"Don't worry," he said coldly.
Despite her hesitation, Desiree obeyed. She cast the buff without speaking, but Shin instantly felt it—his body lighter, his movements sharper.
As the worm burst from the ground again, Shin leaped high into the air.
The creature lunged, its enormous jaws opening wide to swallow him whole.
With a double slash, he released a razor-sharp aura, slicing through the beast's massive eyes. A deafening screech echoed across the desert.
"I'm back in control!" Shin realized, the strange force fading from his mind.
His eyes locked onto the monster's gaping mouth, filled with rows of dagger-like teeth.
"I'll end this now… Thank you."
He dove straight into the creature's body.
"W-wait, what are you doing?!" Desiree shrieked, still clinging to his back.
Shin gritted his teeth as the acidic breath of the beast filled his lungs. With his sword still radiating power, he slashed relentlessly, carving through its insides.
The monster let out one final, agonized roar before collapsing onto the sand.
Shin and Desiree landed with a thud, both drenched in the worm's thick, slimy green blood.
"A-are you crazy?! This blood could be acidic!" Desiree shouted in horror.
Shin froze. "I-I'm sorry!" He quickly bowed.
"Shit… why didn't I think about that?!" He mentally cursed himself as the burning sensation slowly spread across his skin.
They quickly wiped the slimy blood off their skin, trying to ignore the disgusting texture.
Shin tightened his grip on the sword, staring at it for a moment. "Thank you," he murmured under his breath.
As he sheathed the blade, a sudden, unbearable pain surged through his body. His knees buckled.
What… is this?
He looked down at his arms—thin, almost frail. His fingers trembled as he reached up to touch his face. His cheeks felt hollow, his cheekbones more pronounced than before.
"Sunken cheeks…?" His breath came out in ragged gasps.
His vision blurred. His body, now drained of strength, gave out beneath him.
With a heavy thud, Shin collapsed, unconscious.