As Atris and I stepped out of the house, we heard frightened voices coming from the next door. It sounded like something was wrong. Gray must have returned. We hurried to his doorstep.
"Gray! Why aren't you escaping yet?"
The moment I called out, Gray spun around and rushed toward me. He grabbed my shoulders tightly—too tightly. It hurt.
"Elvin! Has Karen come back!? Lina's still missing!"
It was rare to see Gray's face full of panic. Lina… she hadn't returned either? If both Karen and Lina were missing, that could only mean—they were together.
"Karen isn't back either. Lina's probably with him."
"Really!?"
"Karen will take her to the cave in the mountains."
"Is that so…?"
Gray's tense expression eased. He let go of my shoulders, his breathing steadier now. But the danger wasn't over. He turned to Yalisa.
"Yalisa, let's go."
"If Lina's with Karen, I can relax a little. Let's move."
Yalisa agreed, and the four of us started toward the eastern mountain. But we hadn't gone far when a sickening voice broke the silence.
"Humans… where are you going?"
We turned around. A huge, muscular demon stood there. Two crimson horns jutted out from the sides of his head. He wore nothing but a red vest.
"So it shows up this fast…" I muttered under my breath.
If I stayed to fight this demon, the others could get away. I looked at Gray.
"Gray, take them and go. I'll hold this thing off."
But before Gray could answer, Atris shouted.
"Elvin! You idiot! Why would you stay behind alone!?"
"..."
Atris's words hit me harder than the fear. She was right—staying meant certain death. I lowered my head and saw drops of water falling at her feet. Tears. When I looked up, Atris's eyes were filled with them. The guilt crushed me.
Then Gray spoke.
"Atris, can I ask you to take Yalisa to the cave?"
"W-What!?" all three of us—Atris, Yalisa, and I—exclaimed together.
Gray turned back to me. "Elvin, do you think I'd just abandon you? We'll reach that cave together."
What was he saying? He knew we couldn't win.
"Gray! No! Why are you doing this!?" Yalisa's tears burst forth as she understood.
Gray's voice trembled now, trying to sound calm. "I can't watch Elvin face this alone while I run away. So… Yalisa…"
His composure broke. His clenched fists trembled, his head hung low.
"...I'm sorry."
Yalisa sobbed harder, wiping her tears with trembling hands. Atris was crying too, though she tried to comfort Yalisa.
I understood now—Gray intended to fight by my side.
(If we fight together… maybe we can win.)
There was no choice left. I nodded.
"Atris, Yalisa—go! Gray and I will handle this!"
Atris hesitated for a second, then her eyes firmed. "I'm staying too!"
"Me as well!" Yalisa added immediately.
Too reckless! I clenched my fists. "No! You two need to wait for Karen and Lina at the cave!"
"But you—"
"Atris!" I shouted, cutting her off. She flinched.
"I'll come back to you, I promise. You can hit me or yell at me all you want then."
I forced a smile. Gray followed suit.
"Yalisa, same for me. Whatever you want me to do later—I'll do it. Just go now."
Finally, Atris and Yalisa turned and ran, still crying, still cursing us as they left.
"You two idiots! You better come back!"
"Yeah, you morons! Don't you dare die!"
"We know!" Gray and I yelled together.
Once they were far enough, I turned back toward the demon.
"Alright. Let's deal with this red bull."
"Ha~ Finally done talking? I almost fell asleep," the demon said with a yawn.
He actually yawned. While we were risking our lives!
"Damn it, he's so casual…" I muttered.
"Huh? Where'd the other two go? Whatever, I'll find them later," the Red Bull said lazily.
That arrogance—he was mocking us.
"You'll find them only if you can get past us."
"?"
Gray taunted the Red Bull. The Red Bull tilted his head, confused. Then, suddenly, he laughed—
"Moo~ Moooo~"
"Was that… a cow sound?"
"That's my laugh. I'm not a cow. But your words are funny."
"Funny? What's so funny!?"
"You said you'd defeat me. Just the two of you. Moo~"
So confident… Was he their leader? Only one way to find out.
"Gray, let's go!"
"Right! Wind Blade!"
Gray swung his arm, and a sharp crescent of air shot toward the red bull. He smirked, swatted it aside effortlessly.
"Stone Bullet! Stone Bullet! Stone Bullet!"
I fired three volleys of stone bullets with all my strength, hoping to overwhelm him.
But he dodged them easily, mocking us.
"Moo~ you're both so weak."
"Damn it…!"
He brushed off Gray's attack and danced around mine. We were completely outmatched.
Even so, I had to buy time—for Atris, Yalisa, and the children.
"Elvin, we have to hold him off!"
"Urgh—!"
I barely turned to answer when the Red Bull lunged. His fist slammed into my chest. Pain exploded through my body. My knees hit the dirt. Something rose from my lungs to my mouth—and spilled out.
Blood.
(My ribs… they're broken. A piece pierced my lung.)
"Elvin! Ugh!"
"Don't worry. You'll get yours too."
The red bull's next punch hit Gray square in the gut. He collapsed forward, blood spilling from his lips.
"Gra…y…"
My voice cracked. I could barely breathe.
"Oh? You're still alive after taking one-tenth of my strength? Impressive. Tell me your name, human."
Gray didn't move. Dead? No… please, no. We were just insects before a storm.
I raised my head, glaring at the Red Bull with all the anger left in me. He didn't even glance back.
(…I can't die like this. I wanted to live. To see Karen marry, have children… to tell my grandkids about my great love with Atris. But now… Atris, Karen… please, live on. Even if I can't see your future—be happy.)
"I don't kill out of hate," the demon said. "I simply remember those I've slain. Only their names escape me. You're still alive—so tell me. And the other one too."
My thoughts blurred in the pain. I could barely understand his words. But I heard… name.
"El…vin…"
"Elvin, huh? I'll remember that. And the other one?"
My mind faded. I wanted to know his name too. For some reason, I forced the words out.
"Your… name…"
The pain stole my breath. My body went limp.
"I am Relebr Tiga."
"Re…lebr…"
That was the last thing I heard before everything went dark. My consciousness faded—and never returned.