Alina staggered through the village gates, panting hard. Her body burned from exhaustion, her grip on the bloodied rock tightening as she glanced over her shoulder.
The Corrupted Slime was still there, lurking just beyond the torchlight of the village, its glowing red eyes locked onto her.
It couldn't enter.
Not yet.
She exhaled sharply, forcing herself to stand tall. Every fiber of her being screamed for rest, but she refused to be weak. She had faced gods, and now she was running from a slime?
She clenched her jaw. Not for long.
A familiar voice cut through the silence.
"Are you seriously running from a slime?"
Alina turned to see Dante, arms crossed, leaning against a wooden fence. He looked exactly as she remembered—rogue's leathers, twin daggers strapped to his waist, a cocky smirk on his lips.
Her heart slammed against her chest.
"Dante?" she whispered.
The relief was instant—until she noticed the glint in his eyes.
He didn't recognize her.
The realization hit her like a punch to the gut. Of course. Ethan had erased her from everything. Dante had no reason to remember her.
Still, she had to try.
"You…" she took a step forward. "It's me, Alina."
Dante raised an eyebrow. "Never heard of you."
Alina's fingers curled into fists.
Ethan didn't just take her levels and gear—he erased her entire existence.
Dante had been her closest ally, her most trusted friend, and now he looked at her like she was a nobody.
She swallowed the frustration, shoving the emotions down. She'd fix this. She'd fix everything.
Right now, she needed power.
She took a deep breath. "I need weapons."
Dante snorted. "Weapons? You're a Level 2 Farmer. What do you need weapons for?"
She glanced back at the Corrupted Slime still lurking beyond the gates. "I need to kill that."
At that, Dante actually laughed.
"You? Kill a Corrupted Mob?" He shook his head. "Lady, those things aren't even supposed to be in Rank F zones. You're lucky you made it back alive."
Alina bristled but kept her voice calm. "Are you going to help me or not?"
Dante gave her a long look before sighing. "Fine. Follow me."
Dante led her to the guild's underground training area—a dimly lit, stone-walled space lined with racks of old weapons.
"Pick your poison," he said, gesturing at the worn-out swords and rusted daggers.
Alina ignored them all.
She stepped forward, grabbing the heaviest broadsword she could find.
Dante raised an eyebrow. "That thing's too big for you."
Alina swung it once, the blade slicing through the air. It was unbalanced, dull, pathetic compared to Eclipse—but it would do.
Dante whistled. "Alright. Maybe you're not as weak as you look."
Alina turned to him. "You're a high-level rogue. You could kill that thing in seconds. Why didn't you?"
Dante smirked. "Where's the fun in that? I'd rather see if you can do it yourself."
Alina held his gaze.
This was the Dante she knew. Even if he didn't remember her, his personality was still the same—reckless, arrogant, always looking for entertainment.
She could work with that.
"I need you to back me up if things go south," she said.
Dante grinned. "Now that, I can do."
The Corrupted Slime was still waiting when Alina stepped back outside, the broadsword heavy in her grip.
It lurched toward her immediately, red eyes glowing with malice.
Alina didn't hesitate.
She charged.
The slime swung a black tendril, but this time, she was ready. She sidestepped, planting her foot firmly before swinging the sword downward.
The blade slammed into the slime's body, cutting deep—but not enough.
The monster shrieked, twisting unnaturally as it lashed out again.
Alina barely dodged, her body moving slower than she was used to. She wasn't the Queen anymore—her reactions weren't as sharp, her speed wasn't as fast.
But she had skill.
She feinted left, baiting the creature to attack, then twisted and slashed again—deeper this time.
The slime howled as black ooze poured from the wound.
She could win this.
But then—
It moved. Faster than before.
Alina's eyes widened as a tendril slammed into her gut, sending her flying backward.
She crashed into the dirt, the air ripped from her lungs.
Shit.
"Need help yet?" Dante called from the sidelines.
Alina pushed herself up, spitting blood. "Shut up."
Dante chuckled. "Atta girl."
The slime lunged again.
This time, Alina didn't dodge.
She stepped forward.
At the last second, she ducked under the tendril and drove her blade upward, slicing straight through its core.
The monster froze.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then—it exploded into black mist.
A system notification flashed.
> [You have slain a Corrupted Slime.]
+50 EXP
+1 Strength <
Alina exhaled sharply.
She had won.
She dropped to one knee, gripping the sword for support. She was weak, but she could still fight.
She looked up at Dante, who had an impressed look on his face.
"Well, damn," he said. "You might actually be interesting."
Alina smirked. "You have no idea."
Dante extended a hand. "Come on, Farmer.
Let's get you some real work."
She hesitated—then took it.
This was just the beginning.
As Alina and Dante headed back toward the village, a pair of glowing red eyes watched from the treetops.
A figure in black armor, shrouded in darkness, leaned against a branch, watching her every move.
A small, amused chuckle echoed through the night.
"So, you're still alive, my Queen."
The shadows shifted, and the figure disappeared.
Alina had no idea—
Ethan was watching.