The demon's lifeless body collapsed onto the ground, blood spreading beneath it.
Ayal stood there, gripping his sword tightly in his trembling hand.
"I ended him…"
But something felt wrong.
The demon, even in its final moment, had looked past him — as if it had seen something far more terrifying.
Ayal slowly turned around.
And then he saw it.
Behind him stood a gigantic, horrifying statue — a monstrous figure carved in ancient stone. Its presence alone crushed the air around it.
"What… is this?" Ayal whispered.
Even the demon had feared this thing.
That wasn't normal.
"Milia… do you know anything about this?"
There was silence for a moment.
"Yes, Master," Milia replied softly. "But this story… goes back thousands of years."
"Thousands of years?"
"Yes, Master. What you see before you is connected to a great war — a war between the gods and the demons."
"A war…?"
"It is a long story," Milia continued. "I will tell you another time. But please, Master… do not think too deeply about it right now. I have been in this place for thousands of years."
Ayal couldn't fully understand what she meant.
But there was something more important.
Hinata.
"I need to save Hinata first."
The moment he said that, he began running.
He rushed out of the battlefield where he had fought the demon and headed toward the place where Hinata was waiting.
When he arrived—
His heart stopped.
Hinata was lying on the ground.
Blood was flowing from her body.
She looked as if she wouldn't survive much longer.
"No… Hinata!"
He ran to her side and lifted her gently into his arms. Blood stained his hands as tears fell from his eyes.
"Hinata… you'll be okay. I won't let you die. I'll save you somehow… I promise…"
Hinata gave a faint, weak smile.
"Ayal… I think… my time here is over. I'm glad… I was able to tell you what was in my heart…"
"Don't say that!" Ayal shouted, shaking his head. "I won't let you leave me like this! I'll do something — anything!"
Her breathing was getting weaker.
He was running out of time.
"Master… can you hear me?" Milia's voice echoed in his mind.
"Milia? What is it?!"
"You can save her."
Ayal froze.
"I… can?"
"Yes, Master. But to save her… you must do something."
"Tell me! Quickly!"
There was a brief silence.
Then Milia spoke, her voice slightly embarrassed.
"You must kiss her."
Ayal's face instantly turned red.
"K–Kiss her?! Are you serious?!"
"I am not joking, Master. If you wish to save her… this is the only way."
"This is insane! She's my friend! How can I—"
"Master," Milia interrupted gently. "There is no other way."
Hinata's condition was worsening.
More blood flowed from her body.
Ayal looked down at her pale face.
"Hinata… please don't die…"
"Master," Milia whispered again, "if you truly want to save her… you must kiss her."