[You have defeated a Black Wolf!]
[You have defeated a Black Wolf!]
[You have defeated a Black Wolf!]
[You Level Up!]
I spent nearly five full minutes just to kill three wolves.
Even though my stats had skyrocketed thanks to the pills, the truth was—I was still an inexperienced fighter. My senses had improved, but my reactions lagged behind. This body wasn't used to its new capabilities yet. On top of that, my stamina was draining rapidly from constant movement.
My breathing grew ragged.
A wolf leapt from the right. I dodged on instinct and swung my sword, the blade pierced straight through its abdomen.
Before I could fully pull my sword out, another wolf lunged from behind. I turned just in time, blocking its fangs with the flat of my blade.
"Ugh…!"
Its force was overwhelming—far beyond my remaining strength. With every ounce of willpower I had left, I pushed it back. When it lunged again, I slashed its stomach without hesitation.
[You have defeated a Black Wolf!]
My head throbbed violently.
"Damn it… the pill's effect is gone."
Without thinking, I pulled out the remaining four pills from my pocket and swallowed them all at once.
[You have consumed four Rasaka Pill!]
[Your strength and agility have increased by 80% for 10 minutes!]
[Warning! Your body has exceeded its safe limits!]
"Ack…!"
My muscles felt like they were about to explode. An alien power surged wildly through my body. My heart pounded out of control, my breathing choked, and my head felt as though it might split open.
[Special Skill 'Reader's Protection' has mitigated some of the side effects!]
The pain slowly subsided. I could breathe normally again and refocus my vision. Kael was still fighting, slaughtering wolves that attacked from every direction without a single opening.
I shifted my focus to the opposite side.
My body shot forward. My movements were faster, my reflexes sharper. My sword swung without hesitation.
[You have defeated a Black Wolf!]
[You have defeated a Black Wolf!]
[You have defeated a Black Wolf!]
[You have defeated a Black Wolf!]
[You have defeated a Black Wolf!]
[You have defeated a Black Wolf!]
[You Level Up!]
[You Level Up!]
I leveled up three times at once—yet, as always, I still couldn't see my current level.
[Congratulations! You have obtained a new title!]
A title? This was my first time seeing a notification like this.
+
[Title Acquired: The One the Story Protects]
Special Effect:
Creatures with low to mid-level instincts will sense an abnormality in your existence.
+
The wolves suddenly halted their attacks, as if startled by something invisible. One by one, they retreated, low growls rumbling from their throats—not with rage, but with unease and fear.
Around Kael, the remaining pack reacted the same way. They backed away hesitantly, then turned and fled, disappearing into the darkness of the forest.
What just happened?
Was this the effect of my new title?
"They ran."
I turned toward Kael, who was walking toward me.
"They seemed afraid of something," Kael said, flicking his sword to shake off the blood before sheathing it.
I couldn't tell him that all of this was caused by my title's special effect. I couldn't add to his suspicion—I had worked too hard just to keep him here.
"How are you feeling?" he asked.
I stared at him in shock.
Kael… just asked about me?
My chest warmed from that single question alone. I smiled. "I'm fine, I—ack!"
The sword slipped from my hand as my head suddenly throbbed violently. My body went limp, my heart racing as if it were about to burst.
Thankfully, Kael reacted instantly, catching me before I collapsed.
"Hey! What's wrong?!" Kael shouted.
[Warning! Severe physical decline due to Rasaka Pill side effects!]
[Warning! Severe physical decline due to Rasaka Pill side effects!]
[Emergency Skill 'Emergency Protection' Activated!]
"Hey! Stay awake!"
My consciousness slowly faded.
The last thing I saw was Kael's panicked expression.
_______________________
____________
Liam, Lei, and Eve were still inside the same tent, sitting across from one another. Lei sat cross-legged on the bed with his arms crossed in irritation, Liam leaned against the table, and Eve sat on a chair.
The atmosphere turned heavy after Liam told them about his past with Kael, the man who had killed their comrades. Eve was still in shock, never having imagined that Liam and Kael shared such a deep history.
Lei was equally stunned, yet his anger lingered. He still couldn't accept Kael—the murderer. What shocked him even more was how much Liam seemed to care about Kael, far more than their current companions.
"Lei… what if we try trusting him, just once?" Eve spoke softly.
"Trust that killer?" Lei snapped, glaring.
"No. I mean, Kim."
"Why are you bringing up that crazy woman?"
"Lei… can't you just let me do this once?" Liam finally spoke.
Lei frowned deeply, struggling to swallow his pride.
"She's right," Eve added. "We need to start building our strength now, just like Kim said."
Lei turned to Eve lazily. "You're really influenced by that crazy woman, aren't you?"
"N-no!" Eve's cheeks flushed. "This time, I agree with Kim. We can't afford to be divided right now. We need to work together."
Liam crossed his arms and smiled proudly, nodding.
"Eve, you're getting smarter by the day."
"Captain…!" Eve's eyes sparkled, touched by his simple praise.
Lei looked away with a scoff. "Do whatever you want. I'm tired."
Liam and Eve exchanged smiles. Despite Lei's stubbornness and pride, he still had a soft heart—just not as soft as Eve's.
"Captain," Eve suddenly asked, "do you know anything about the secret relationship between Kim and Kael?"
Her question startled Liam.
"What? A secret relationship? Between who?"
"Kim and Kael!" Eve answered enthusiastically.
"Huh?" Liam looked utterly confused. "What are you talking about?"
"Kim said she has a secret relationship with Kael," Eve explained eagerly.
"She said it's very complicated. That's why I asked you. You're Kael's old friend."
Liam stared in disbelief, feeling as if he'd just heard something utterly absurd. He scratched his ear repeatedly.
"Did I hear that wrong? Kael… in a relationship with a woman?"
"Yes!" Eve nodded enthusiastically.
Lei let out a tired sigh, unable to comprehend how Eve could exaggerate something Kim had said so much.
In the middle of their conversation, Eve suddenly felt a powerful surge of magical energy rushing toward the tent. Liam and Lei sensed it moments later.
All three stood instantly, their bodies reacting faster than thought.
"Eve," Liam called sharply.
"Understood." Eve released her magic, ready to form a barrier at any moment.
But their vigilance turned into shock when Kael suddenly burst into the tent—carrying Kim's unconscious body in his arms.
"Need… help," Kael said briefly. His voice was calm, but his breathing was rough.
"Kim!" Eve immediately dispelled her magic and rushed toward him.
"What happened?!"
Lei, who had always been cold toward Kim, changed in an instant. He jumped off the bed and rushed forward, staring at her unconscious form in shock.
"Lay her on the bed," Liam ordered.
Kael complied immediately.
Eve quickly checked Kim's condition.
"Her body's cold."
"What did you do to her?!" Lei grabbed Kael by the collar in fury.
"Lei!" Liam yanked him back, pulling him away from Kael.
"She pushed herself fighting a pack of wolves."
Kael's words froze all three of them, eyes wide.
"Kim… fought wolves…?" Eve whispered in disbelief.
"Take care of her." Kael turned to leave, but Liam stopped him.
"Where are you going? It's still night."
Kael let out a sigh.
"Don't misunderstand. I have no intention of joining you. We simply share the same goal, for now. I'm heading west."
And with that, Kael disappeared like the wind, leaving Liam no chance to speak.