Rian's steps felt heavy yet full of confidence. The red remnants of twilight were now almost extinguished, plunging the forest into deep blue shadows. The surrounding trees seemed to whisper warnings through the chilling rustle of the wind.
A foul, fishy stench began to assail his nose, growing stronger with every step. This was the thick smell of death, a sign they were near the monster's lair. Catty walked half-crouched behind him, her jet-black fur making her nearly invisible in the evening forest darkness. Her tail swayed restlessly, her yellow eyes warily monitoring every shadow.
"Master…" her telepathic voice trembled, almost a whimper. "We shouldn't continue. This scent... this is its lair. That Troll... he's not just an ordinary monster. He slaughtered my parents with a single slash."
Rian paused, turning with a faint smile. The dim light of his unactivated Blade Fire magic seemed to reflect in his eyes.
"Catty, I know you're scared. But that's exactly why we have to do this. You deserve justice. I've defeated a troll once. With basic magic and Blade Fire, I'm sure we can do it."
Catty looked down, unable to fight her master's reckless confidence. In her heart, she knew well that this troll was no ordinary one. But the magical contract left her powerless. All she could do was pray for her master's safety.
Soon, they arrived at a large cliff towering like a natural wall. In front of it stretched a muddy clearing, smeared with fresh blood that had almost blackened, mixed with broken bones. Right at the cliff's opening, a troll was sitting cross-legged.
Its body towered, twice the height of a man, with muscles bulging like boulders. Its dull green skin was covered in thick, overlapping scars. Its long tusks were stained with fresh meat from the prey it had just devoured; the carcass of a large deer lay beside it.
Yes, that's right, it's a troll, similar to the one I fought before. But no need to worry, because I've defeated one. Back then, I couldn't even do anything.
Now I can use magic, and my sword can be combined with fire magic, so there's no way I'll lose again.
Catty took a step back, her body trembling so violently her teeth could be heard chattering. "Master, we have to go. That… that's not an opponent for you."
What's wrong with her? I know she's traumatized, she's afraid of that troll.But it's true I've defeated a troll, so this time I'm sure I won't get hurt. I can definitely beat it. I must prepare and form an attack tactic.
Rian readied his bow. He took an arrow from his Storage, focusing energy into it. The wind paused for a moment, the leaves seemingly waiting for the coming explosion.
I'm doing this because I want you to know, Catty. I really want a life partner, and I'll prove that this is important to make you happy.At least your parents can rest in peace seeing the troll that killed them die.
He released the arrow.
"SWIISSHH!...."
The arrow shot through the air, striking the troll's right eye.
"ROAAAAARGHHHH!!!..."
The troll's roar shook the ground. Birds flew in panic from the high branches.
Now I know how to kill it. Just blind it first, then kill it with the sword.Just like before, I'm sure this will work. Now just one more eye.
Rian nocked a second arrow. His hand was steady, his eyes shining with confidence. The arrow flew, lodging straight in the left eye. Black blood spurted wildly.
Ever since I could control my mana, and as a result of one year of training, my accuracy is no longer just luck. This has become my great skill!
But that pride vanished in an instant. The troll thrashed, dropping its prey, then grabbed a large, jagged stone sword from its side. Even with its eyes destroyed, it growled, its body filled with rage.
Rian drew his sword. The blue fire of Blade Fire instantly enveloped the blade. With a shout, he charged. Leaping low, he plunged the sword straight into the troll's stomach. The blue fire exploded, burning the putrid flesh with a loud sizzling sound.
The troll roared loudly, its knees buckling. Rian smiled, satisfied, pulling out his sword, then turned to Catty. "Catty! Look! I've avenged your parents!"
But that smile froze. The wound on the troll's stomach was slowly closing. The blue smoke from the fire magic faded, and the torn flesh regenerated right before his eyes. Even new, glowing red eyeballs grew in the sockets that were previously destroyed.
Huh?... Re... regenerating?? The troll from before couldn't regenerate like that? Is this really a troll or not?
Rian's face went pale. The troll growled, lifted its large stone sword, and swung it upward.
"KRAKKK!"
Rian's body was thrown hard, slamming into the cliff wall behind him. The sound of breaking bones echoed in the silent air. Blood spurted from his mouth, his breath coming in gasps. The world spun, his vision blurring.
Aaaa....
My bones...
My head...
It hurts...
"Master!!!" Catty's telepathic scream shrieked in panic.
Rian fell, his body crushed. His chest felt like it had been smashed by a giant hammer, warm blood filling his throat. He tried to get up, but his body wouldn't obey.
Damn it! Why is it like this???...
I have to move immediately before the next blow hits me. I could die if I get hit again.
Ahhh...
Why can't I move my body...
Rian fell, his body crushed. His chest felt like it had been smashed by a giant hammer, warm blood filling his throat. He tried to get up, but his body wouldn't obey.
Catty roared, then leaped at the troll. She raked its face with her claws, leaving thin scratches. The troll swatted its hand, sending Catty tumbling to the ground, but she immediately got up again. "Go, master!" Catty's voice was hoarse via telepathy. "I'll hold it off as long as I can! Run!"
Catty, don't fight it! Ah, damn, my voice is so heavy, it won't come out. This is all because of my arrogance. I underestimated an opponent I knew nothing about.
Why didn't the troll from before heal its wounds? Was that troll weak? What really happened?Ah, stupid, stupid, I'm so stupid. Stop it, Catty, don't fight. This isn't an ordinary troll, it's dangerous. Just leave me, Catty.
Every sound was heavy to get out. His chest felt so tight it choked his voice. He finally managed to get his voice out after a few moments, while watching Catty struggle to protect her master. "I… can't… Go, Catty. You have to go now! That's an order!!" Rian replied, sobbing. "My body is shattered… I'm sorry, Catty… this is all my fault…"
Catty ignored him. She leaped onto the troll's arm, clawing, biting, and shrieking with all her remaining strength.
The troll roared, punching the ground, but Catty kept attacking. Even as her wounds multiplied, she stayed on her feet.
Rian cried, watching his new friend fight alone.
She knew she had no chance, but she kept fighting for Rian. "Stop it, Catty, I can't stand watching you fight to the death like this for someone stupid like me. Just go, Catty, I'm sorry. This is my responsibility, just go, Catty, go!!" Rian's voice was a muffled mumble.
The troll slapped Catty hard, sending the black panther's body tumbling. Catty stood again, staggering, her black fur matted with blood. She ran and sank her claws into the troll's leg. Black blood dripped, but the wound healed immediately. "I know this… isn't working… But I have to hold on to protect master!!" Catty sobbed telepathically, exhausted.
The troll raised its stone sword, slashing it down toward Catty.
"BOOOMMM!...."
The ground trembled.
Catty was hit, her body slammed hard. She tried to get up, but convulsed, her body shaking violently. "Catty! Get up! Run! Run away!" Rian screamed with all his might, tears streaming.
He crawled with his remaining strength, trying to heal himself. His right hand pulsed with a faint green light, but his body was too damaged; the regeneration was slow.
The troll raised its sword again, its shadow falling over Catty. "No! Catty, get up! Come on, run!" Rian roared desperately. Catty turned weakly.
Her eyes looked at Rian with warmth, though her body shook violently. Her last voice entered Rian's head: "Thank you… for giving me a name… master…"
"NOOOOO!!!" Rian shrieked hysterically.
Rian stared in panic at Catty, who lay weak. Blood soaked her black fur. "No... I have to..." His mind was in chaos. He desperately reached for his palm, intending to move Catty into the safe Storage. But, when his hand came up empty, he froze.
His memory flashed back to the Storage's rules. The Storage could only hold non-living things. Living beings could not enter. Rian froze. His last hope was gone, replaced by a cold despair creeping into his heart.
"CRAASSHHH!!!"
The stone sword slammed into Catty's body. Blood sprayed. Her body was thrown aside, hit the ground, and then went still.
No more breath...
No more telepathy...
Rian was frozen...
...
...
His tears fell hard. He crawled closer, wanting to hold Catty's body. "Catty… Catty… don't leave me… wake up… we just became friends… Cattyyy!!!"
The forest fell silent...
...
The wind stopped, the birds didn't chirp, as if the world was mourning...
Rian roared at the sky. "Goddess Bodas! I'm begging you! Just take my life! Bring Catty back! Please!!!" His voice broke, hoarse, full of desperation.
...
...
But the sky did not answer.
The troll's heavy steps approached. The shadow of the giant sword rose again, ready to cut down the helpless Rian. In the distance, Goddess Bodas watched. "This isn't over yet, Rian. Just enjoy the process…" said the voice of Goddess Bodas, the corner of her lips curling.
Rian's last tear fell, before the shadow of death enveloped him.