"…Calm down, do not fear. We are by your side."
Fia's words soothed my racing heart, even though the oppressive atmosphere hadn't truly affected me. I thanked her quietly, assuring her there was no need to worry.
The terrain had become less treacherous compared to earlier. Trees lined both sides of the path, but I continued walking cautiously, mindful of every step. The sunlight that once filtered through the canopy was now completely blocked, plunging the forest into an eerie darkness akin to nightfall. Despite this, I could still see clearly ahead and around me—everything appeared normal until a sudden chill ran down my spine.
A pair of glowing red eyes emerged from the shadows, glaring at us with murderous intent. Slowly, a massive silhouette materialized before us, followed by others appearing one after another. At first glance, they resembled large animals—bears, gorillas, lions, or some hybrid of them all.
What began as a single shadow soon multiplied into many. They emerged from the darkest corners of the forest, surrounding us in a menacing circle. My mind raced. Could we really win against such overwhelming numbers? All this time, I'd relied on guns, but now I wielded swords. Was I capable of handling this?
"…Don't worry, you surely can do it. Just believe in yourself," Fia reassured me telepathically, sensing my doubts. Her voice erased my fears and bolstered my confidence. If she believed in me, then I would trust myself too. She knew me better than I knew myself.
With renewed determination, I took an attack stance, preparing to swing my swords. Though dark mist obscured their forms, I could vaguely make out their monstrous shapes. One mutant stood out—it was enormous, perhaps as large as the ones we'd faced before. Its head resembled a lizard, but upon closer inspection, its skin looked like jagged stone. Its piercing red eyes glowed like gemstones, filled with bloodlust. Its bulky body mimicked a gorilla, complete with long arms tipped with razor-sharp claws. Short yet powerful legs supported its frame, reminiscent of an elephant's.
Other mutants were hybrids of various creatures, their red eyes shining brightly in the gloom. As they prepared to attack, their forms blurred into shadowy outlines.
Suddenly, Remia's voice echoed in my mind. "…Me and big sis will take care of the minions! You fight that big Demon. I know you can because you're our husband."
In an instant, a streak of light flashed beside me—a mark left by Fia's swift scythe strike. She charged toward the enemies on the left while Remia handled those on the right. Through telepathy, Fia cheered me on. "…You can do it. That Demon is nothing for you."
Though it was hard to fully believe, I trusted her words without hesitation.
I sprinted toward the towering Demon, raising my swords high. True to Fia's promise, my movements felt more fluid than ever. Every swipe of the Demon's claws missed me as I dodged with ease. When he swung his massive paw downward, I sidestepped and countered with a fierce slash, severing one of his hands cleanly.
To my astonishment, the swords emitted something intangible—like gusts of wind or concentrated auras. Whatever it was, it sliced through the Demon's flesh effortlessly, as if cutting paper.
The Demon let out a deafening screech, its cry piercing my ears. Enraged, it lashed out again with its remaining claw. But I remained focused, anticipating its every move. Dodging just in time, I leaped onto its injured arm and used it as a pathway to climb higher. Reaching its head, I jumped forward, pulling my swords back for maximum force.
The Demon attempted to block my attack with its claws, but the blades cut through its defenses with ease, slicing off its other hand. My momentum carried the swords straight into its skull, ending its struggle instantly.
Breathing heavily, I turned to assist Fia, only to find her standing calmly amidst the chaos. Not a scratch marred her flawless form, nor did she seem winded. To confirm, I asked, "Are you all right?"
She simply nodded, offering a small smile.
Remia's voice chimed in my mind. "…We already told you, this Demon is outclassed by us. So don't worry about us."
Accepting her reassurance felt like the wisest choice.
I assumed this battle marked the end—for now—but I was mistaken. The oppressive aura intensified, pressing down on me with suffocating force. It felt as though an invisible hand squeezed my chest, choking my throat and stealing my breath. Gasping desperately, I tried inhaling through my mouth and nose, but to no avail.
Just as despair threatened to consume me, Fia stepped closer. In a fleeting moment, she kissed me forcefully, prying open my lips with her tongue. Something warm and sweet flowed into my mouth—a mixture of floral essences and honey-like sweetness.
It lasted mere seconds, yet the effect was immediate.
When she pulled away, her expression turned sulky. "…Dummy!"
Her single word startled me, but before I could question her actions, I realized I could breathe freely again. The crushing pressure vanished, leaving my heart and lungs unburdened.
Grateful, I thanked her silently.
"…No need to. You are our husband after all… Dummy!" She turned her face away, her cheeks flushed pink with shyness.
As I took a step forward, a powerful gust of energy slammed into me, knocking me backward. Struggling to maintain balance, I ultimately fell flat on my back.
For a moment, I thought it was over. Then, something struck my stomach hard—not painfully, but enough to save me from a fatal blow.
"…What are you thinking, dear?" Remia's voice snapped me out of my daze. Before I could process her words, Fia appeared in front of me, gripping my hand and pulling me upright. Her expression shifted from surprise to playful teasing.
"Honey, are you thinking something dirty?" she teased, pinching my back sharply when I shook my head in denial.
"…Just focus on what's in front of you, will you?! My stupid honey…"
Rubbing my sore back, I apologized sheepishly. Her pinch had hurt—a lot.
Suddenly, a wave of murderous intent surged toward us. Instinctively, I positioned myself protectively in front of Fia, raising both swords defensively.
Seconds later, my weapons trembled violently, and my hands went numb. It felt as though a colossal hammer had struck me. "…What is that?"
Squinting into the distance, I spotted a figure approaching slowly. Though cloaked in shadow, its humanoid shape became clearer with each deliberate step.