A week earlier.
Before the A-rank dungeon.
Before the man bat.
Xali walked through a B-rank gate alone.
The forest inside stretched endlessly beneath a dark orange sky, twisted trees bending unnaturally over narrow dirt paths while the smell of blood and burned wood lingered thick in the air.
The raid had already started.
Bodies of goblins littered the ground behind her.
Some split cleanly in half.
Others missing heads entirely.
Xali was clearly having an easier time than she would just a week later in the A rank dungeon.
Xali moved through the forest calmly, blade resting loosely at her side while green blood dripped steadily from the edge. Her movements were efficient—clean enough to look effortless.
Another goblin lunged from the trees shrieking wildly.
She didn't even stop walking.
One slash.
The creature dropped instantly.
A second came from behind.
