Rena's steps were soft as she began walking toward Hero Claire.
Dry leaves crunched under her feet, while the remnants of the previous battle—blood, scattered skeleton bones, sticky webs, and several chunks of golem body—were very noticeable as Rena started walking out of there.
Her body, as usual, was very stable. Muscles relaxed again, and the great sword she now carried with the faint smell of battle rested casually on her shoulder.
Now, in front of Rena—
a large, steep hill stretched out.
Not too high, but far enough from the forbidden forest. The ground was more open, almost treeless, making the night sky look wide without obstruction. Hero Claire's glittering robe fluttered beautifully against the night scene.
Without wasting time,
Rena climbed slowly. Her sword vanished like contract weapons usually do.
Each step took her away from the ground toward the hilltop, which felt much more calming than down below.
After a few climbs, Hero Claire noticed Rena climbing while her gaze remained fixed north.
Claire squinted slightly.
Silent.
Then her cheeks lifted, and she spoke calmly.
Rena… did you defeat them all?
Hearing that, Rena—who was focused on climbing—answered with furrowed brows, as if the previous fight had offered no challenge.
Yes, Hero Claire…
But was that all?
Hearing that, Hero Claire's cheeks lifted high, her eyes sparkling while still looking north, and she muttered.
Wow… amazing.
Defeating monsters ranging from levels 3, 4, 5, even 6 and above all by yourself is already incredible.
Then Hero Claire turned her gaze toward Rena, who was still climbing, and walked toward her with lifted cheeks and squinting eyes.
If so, was it difficult to defeat them, Rena??
Rena, confused, furrowed her brows.
Not really, Hero Claire…
Rena paused for a moment, then resumed climbing as quickly as possible toward the top of the hill where Hero Claire stood, her eyes darting around.
All I found were skeletons, goblins, a golem, and a giant spider.
Hearing that, Hero Claire was shocked. Her steps suddenly stopped, her mind a little scrambled, then she spoke loudly with a confused face.
Impossible!!
In a territory like this, that's all you found??
Hearing that, Rena was also confused, but before she could answer—
Suddenly, Rena's hand slipped a little. But this time, it wasn't because her hand was weak—the ground itself suddenly crumbled!!!
Rena shouted loudly, her brows furrowed in genuine confusion.
The ground!!
The hill!!!
It's collapsing!!!!
And now Rena was in mid-air, about to fall. She immediately tried to balance herself and find a proper position to land, her eyes darting around.
I have to survive!!!
I can't die a stupid death like this!!
While Rena was thinking, suddenly—a strange creature.
Several clumps of flesh resembling a human figure, splitting apart and then slowly merging back together.
Seeing that, Rena tried to ignore it. But this time, as she was about to hit the ground, a thick, pungent fog appeared, making her eyes tear up—not from sadness, even before she landed.
Seeing the situation, Rena tried to cover her nose while looking for a safe spot to land.
And finally—
Ctass!!!!
Sharwakkkkkk!!!
A very loud sound—too loud to be considered safe. A normal human bone would have broken from that.
Feeling extraordinary pain, Rena endured it, her eyes still teary as she searched for that strange monster. But now, Rena tried to act quickly, stabilizing her body, which hadn't fully recovered.
Rena looked around with sharp eyes, partially blocked by the fog.
Where is that monster!!!
Whatever it is, that explosion must have been its doing.
Meanwhile, Rena, still trying to block the smell, covered her nose with her hand.
Silent.
She stared in all directions through the fog, knowing she could be attacked by that strange creature at any moment.
And sure enough, the monster suddenly revealed itself.
Seeing that, Rena tried to attack first, quickly summoning her sword.
But suddenly!!
Rena screamed loudly.
AHHHHHH!!!
It hurts!!!
What's happening to me!!!
Meanwhile, the monster just walked slowly toward Rena, as if it already knew it would win.
Seeing that, Rena still tried to stay calm, closing her eyes, then muttering while keeping her sharp gaze on the strange creature.
Calm down, Rena. You just need to stay calm so you can recover.
If not—
Suddenly—
Seeing Rena trying to stay calm,
the monster transformed its body into a tiger and roared loudly. But it wasn't like a normal tiger's roar—it was too piercing and painful to the ears.
Haaahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!
Hearing that, Rena could only scream while covering her ears, her nose inhaling the pungent smell, and her eyes now streaming with tears.
Aaaaaa!!!!
It hurts!!!
Meanwhile, Hero Claire, still on top of the hill, was startled. She could only secure herself from falling, then remembered Rena couldn't fly.
She immediately searched for Rena.
But it was too late—Hero Claire heard Rena's screams first.
Still trying to search.
With sharp eyes, Rena was now in mid-air, floating. White dust surrounded her. Hero Claire saw the fog and concluded.
A fog monster??
In the forbidden forest??
How could that be in the forbidden forest!!!
From the beginning, what Rena described about the monsters was already clearly an anomaly—not like usual!!
Quickly, Hero Claire—now in the air—summoned a bow in her right hand, gleaming so brightly that it illuminated the fog below, making Rena and the strange creature clearly visible. Her cheeks lifted.
There it is!!!
Without hesitating, Hero Claire quickly drew the bow with its arrow, then—
Swooooooooooot!!!!!!
The arrow made the fog vanish and headed straight for the strange creature.
Suddenly!!!
Before the arrow could reach the monster, Rena deflected it.
Swooshhh!!!
The arrow bounced away.
Then, with her body still injured and not yet healed, Rena shouted, her emotions unstable, her left hand tucked into her large robe pocket.
This is it!!
This is the monster I was looking for!!
This must be a very strong monster!!!
Quickly, Rena tried to slash at its chest—the creature was still in its tiger form. Rena didn't even put her full power into the slash.
Swoooshhh!!!!!
Finally, the creature was slashed!!!
And now, Rena was very close to the creature, her body not fully recovered.
Collapsed, and now truly exhausted.
Seeing that, Hero Claire was confused. She descended slowly, surrounded by white light particles that followed her movement, muttering.
What's happening to Rena?
Doesn't she have natural recovery?
What's going on??
And when Hero Claire finally landed near Rena—
Both Rena and Hero Claire could only stand in silence—Hero Claire looking at Rena, and Rena, eyes closed, looking at herself, seeing how pitiful she was, collapsed on the ground.
The night wind blew gently across the battlefield. But now, colder than before—at least for Rena. Because this time, Rena was truly overwhelmed, and that was what made her truly feel it.