"Honey… It's time to awake."
Her voice was sweet, like a melody that gently pulled me from the depths of sleep. I opened my eyes quickly, meeting her gaze as she held my hand and tugged me toward the exit of the tent.
Before we left, I double-checked all my equipment. My heavy gun, handgun, and large knife were fully loaded and ready for action. Everything seemed prepared, and Fia nodded in approval when I confirmed it aloud.
The tent we had slept in was already gone, leaving behind only the grassy plain where it once stood. With no further delay, we continued our journey deeper into the forest.
As we ventured further, the terrain grew increasingly treacherous. Gone were the smooth stone paths of before; instead, we now faced steep, slippery slopes with deep ravines on either side. Trees and vegetation encroached upon every inch of space, obscuring any view of the ravines' true depth. Every step required caution, every movement deliberate.
I walked ahead, gripping Fia's hand tightly to ensure her safety. The uphill climb sapped my strength within just a few hours, leaving me gasping for breath. Yet, Fia remained unfazed, breathing steadily as though this arduous trek was nothing more than a casual stroll.
We moved slowly, one careful step at a time, navigating the hazardous path. Several times, we nearly slipped—once due to loose soil, another because of slick river stones beneath overgrown grass. Despite these challenges, we pressed onward, determined to reach our destination.
After what felt like an eternity, I began to sense an unsettling aura growing stronger around us.
"…Did we almost arrive?" I asked, my voice tinged with both anticipation and unease.
Fia nodded. "Just a few more steps, and we'll reach their lair. Remember, don't act like a hero. I can take care of myself—you need to focus on protecting yourself. Do you understand, tough guy?"
Her words were firm yet caring, impossible to argue against. I nodded without hesitation.
With each step forward, the oppressive aura intensified. A chilling mix of murderous intent, despair, sadness, loneliness, hatred, and anger seeped into the air, pressing down on my chest. No wonder those with weak hearts could easily succumb to darkness here.
Fia squeezed my hand reassuringly, soothing my fears and bolstering my confidence. Thank you, honey, I thought silently.
Suddenly, she turned to me and smiled, as if reading my mind.
When I asked if she could indeed read my thoughts, she chuckled softly. "I can't read your mind—because you're special. I know what you're thinking because you're speaking telepathically. You're talking to me while thinking about me. Now, enough chit-chat. Let's keep moving. After this battle, we can rest."
I agreed wholeheartedly. Instinctively, I reached for my heavy gun, preparing for combat. However, Fia stopped me.
"Put the gun away. It's too loud and noisy. You can use it when we face the boss."
She raised her palms, and to my astonishment, two swords materialized before her.
My jaw dropped in shock. I had always known she wasn't ordinary, but witnessing this sudden display of power left me speechless.
"…Wait?! What was that?!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my surprise.
She swiftly clamped her hand over my mouth, silencing me. "Shh! Don't shout. All the Demons will hear us. Sorry, but I promise—I'll explain everything later."
I apologized quietly, nodding in understanding.
When I took hold of the swords, they felt incredibly light—as light as feathers. One blade shimmered with a light-blue hue, while the other glowed red. Both appeared transparent, like glass, yet radiated immense energy.
The design of the swords was unlike anything I'd ever seen. The blue sword bore intricate carvings of dragons, while the red one featured phoenix motifs. Their handles felt soft and warm, akin to holding leather or fur.
As I swung them experimentally, gusts of wind—or perhaps auras—emanated from the blades.
Turning to Fia, I noticed she was wielding a weapon of her own. At first glance, it resembled a spear, but closer inspection revealed its curved blade.
"…That's not a spear. What kind of weapon is that?" I asked curiously.
She grinned. "It's a scythe. This weapon was given to me by you—in the past."
She allowed me a brief moment to examine it. The handle was sturdy, adorned with circular dragon carvings stretching from the base to the curved blade. The blade itself was long and sharp, capable of cutting through anything.
"…It's truly a masterpiece. If my past self gave you this, then I must have loved you deeply. Thank you for always staying by my side," I said, handing the scythe back to her.
She smiled warmly. "The swords you're holding were gifted to you by my sister—Remia."
"…Really?" Her revelation stunned me. Before I could process it further, Remia suddenly appeared before me, pouting playfully.
"Dear… Why do you two always get so lovey-dovey and forget about my presence?"
Caught off guard, I stammered an apology.
"I forgive you, dear. Unfortunately, I can't stay visible for long. But don't worry—I'll protect you. Just believe in your own power, and leave the rest to me."
She approached me, wrapping her arms around me in a warm embrace before planting a gentle kiss on my cheek. Then, just as suddenly as she had appeared, she faded away.
I glanced at Fia, asking where Remia had gone. She simply smiled. "She's still here, watching over us."
"…Enough chit-chat. Let's go!"
Agreeing with her, we resumed our journey.
The deeper we ventured, the stronger the oppressive auras became. The pressure was almost suffocating, threatening to overwhelm me. Yet, the swords in my hands provided a strange sense of calm, as though they formed a protective barrier around me. Perhaps it was merely my imagination, but the sensation was undeniably comforting.
The once-silent forest gradually transformed. Growls and roars from unseen beasts echoed through the trees, accompanied by the piercing cries of wild birds. Their shrill calls sounded like a death knell, casting a sinister pall over the atmosphere.
Despite the growing tension, I tightened my grip on the swords and focused on the path ahead. Whatever awaited us, we would face it together.