Night had fallen over the city of Drakthar, wrapping it in an unusual silence.
Only the sound of hurried footsteps disturbed the calm as Ren supported Garrick, helping him walk.
The warrior could barely remain on his feet; his body felt heavy, and each breath came with increasing difficulty.
Ahead of them, Lysera and Mirelya hurried along, searching for the clinic Sszarik Vesh had mentioned.
As they turned a corner, a tall, muscular beastman with gray fur and golden eyes crossed his arms and looked at them suspiciously.
“Hey, you. Did you speak to anyone at the city’s entrance?”
Mirelya stepped forward and answered politely.
“Yes. We spoke with Sszarik Vesh. We’re looking for the clinic.”
The moment he heard that name, the beastman relaxed and gave them a faint smile.
“Ah… so you’ve already met Sszarik. Alright. The clinic is just over there.”
He pointed toward the end of the street.
Nestled among the stone buildings stood a small white house.
It was simple, yet impeccably clean.
A modest wooden sign hung above the door.
Lena’s Clinic
“Thank you very much,” Mirelya said gratefully.
Ren shifted Garrick’s weight onto his shoulders and continued walking.
“Come on, Garrick… We’re almost there.”
Ren thought,
“I didn’t expect them to know what a clinic was… I really need to learn more about this world.”
Garrick simply nodded, struggling to breathe.
As soon as they arrived, Mirelya knocked on the door.
Knock…
Knock…
A few seconds later, a woman’s voice answered from inside.
“I’m coming!”
Everyone exchanged relieved glances.
“Finally…” Mirelya sighed.
Ren looked at Garrick.
“I thought this poison would take longer to spread.”
Lysera shook her head.
“Every body reacts differently, Ren.”
A moment later, the door opened.
A catwoman wearing a large white apron and round glasses stood before them.
Her brown hair was tied into a simple bun, and her green eyes radiated calmness.
Upon seeing the visitors, she raised an eyebrow.
“Humans?”
She carefully examined the group.
“Did you speak with Sszarik?”
“Yes…” Mirelya replied.
The woman smiled faintly.
“That man… sometimes he ends up sending patients my way.”
Her smile disappeared the moment she noticed Garrick’s condition.
Ren immediately stepped forward.
“He’s in bad shape. He was poisoned.”
The doctor’s expression changed at once.
“Quick. Help me get him onto the examination bed.”
The four of them carefully carried Garrick to a wooden medical bed in the center of the clinic.
As she removed part of his armor, she spoke.
“My name is Lena. I’m the physician responsible for this small town.”
She slowly lifted Garrick’s shirt.
The instant she saw his chest, her eyes widened.
For several long seconds, she remained completely still.
Dark veins had already spread across nearly his entire chest, forming black stains that seemed to creep slowly beneath his skin.
Lena took a deep breath.
“How long ago was he infected?”
Mirelya quickly counted the days.
“Counting today… three days.”
The doctor frowned.
“Three days…”
She leaned in even closer to examine him.
“You could have gotten here sooner, don’t you think?”
Ren, Lysera, and Mirelya stared at Garrick’s chest.
Silence filled the room.
Ren was the first to speak.
“W-We were told…”
He clenched his fists.
“No… Those marks have already spread across almost his entire chest…”
Lena slowly closed her eyes.
“This is very bad.”
She walked over to a shelf filled with bottles and vials.
She opened one.
Then another.
Finally, she let out a quiet sigh.
“I… don’t have any Sylthara Essence.”
Everyone froze.
“What…?” Mirelya murmured.
“I’m certain there’s a dose available in Kar’zul Drakthar.”
Ren immediately lifted his head.
“Is it far from here?”
“About an hour on horseback.”
Mirelya lowered her gaze.
“Oh… no…”
Lysera folded her arms, concern written across her face.
“Is there any other option?”
Lena slowly shook her head.
“Unfortunately, no. This poison, Veylthrix, was quite common during the war.”
Ren took a deep breath.
Then stepped forward.
“Alright.”
Everyone looked at him.
“I’ll go get the antidote.”
Mirelya’s eyes widened.
“Ren…”
Lena had already begun writing quickly on a small piece of paper.
After finishing, she folded it and handed it to him.
“Take this to the clinic there.”
Ren accepted the note.
“What should I tell them?”
“Just tell them you’re my messenger. They’ll understand immediately.”
Ren smiled.
“Thank you.”
He closed his hand around the paper.
“I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”
“Wait!”
Lysera stepped forward.
“I’m going with you.”
Ren looked at her.
“Lysera…”
She crossed her arms.
“Someone has to go with you to help.”
Mirelya lowered her head.
“I wanted to go too…”
She looked at Garrick.
“But I need to stay here and keep his symptoms under control.”
Ren let out a quiet sigh.
“Alright…”
Then he smiled.
“Let’s go.”
Lena pointed toward the back of the clinic.
“There’s a horse waiting in the stable. You may take it.”
The two of them immediately ran outside.
Behind the clinic stood a beautiful dark brown horse, its coat gleaming even beneath the moonlight.
Its long black mane swayed gently in the cool night breeze.
The animal had powerful legs, a broad chest, and attentive brown eyes that reflected both strength and intelligence.
Every breath it exhaled formed small clouds of vapor in the cold night air.
Lysera approached naturally, gently stroked the horse’s neck, and mounted it with ease.
Then she extended her hand toward Ren.
He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
“I said I’d ride a horse…”
He gave an embarrassed smile.
“But… I’ve never actually ridden one.”
Lysera let out a soft laugh.
“That’s okay.”
She lightly patted the space behind the saddle.
“Sit behind me.”
Ren took her hand and carefully climbed onto the horse.
Once he settled in, he realized just how close they were.
“S-Sorry for being so close…”
Without turning around, Lysera answered softly.
“Hold on to my… waist.”
Ren’s eyes widened.
“B-But you don’t have to…”
She finally turned her head slightly.
“Ren.”
Her tone was firm.
“If you don’t hold on, you’ll fall.”
She quickly looked away, clearly embarrassed.
“L-Let’s go…”
Ren sighed.
“I’m sorry, Lysera.” New chapters come out on g.com first.
Carefully, he wrapped both arms around her waist.
The moment he did, he heard a tiny sound.
“Kya…”
Ren blinked in surprise.
“Lysera?”
She kept looking straight ahead.
“D-Did I squeeze too hard?”
She quickly shook her head.
“N-No…”
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“Let’s just go.”
Ren smiled faintly.
“Alright.”
“Let’s go.”
Lysera pulled the reins.
“Hya!”
The horse let out a loud neigh and dashed down the stone road.
Beneath the silver glow of the moon, the two rode toward the distant city of Kar’zul Drakthar, while every passing minute became more precious in the race to save Garrick’s life.
While Ren and Lysera rode beneath the moonlight toward Kar’zul Drakthar, far to the south, two figures slowly advanced through the dark forest that marked the territory of the beasts.
The gigantic trees towered like natural pillars, blocking out almost all of the moonlight.
The wind made the branches creak as distant sounds echoed through the dense woods.
Sylvara Nightveil stopped for a moment.
Her long purple hair swayed gently as she lifted her gaze toward the treetops.
Beside her, Dargan Stoneheart rested his enormous shield on his shoulder, surveying the forest with a confident smile.
“So…?” he asked.
“Think you can hit a few beasts?”
A faint smile appeared on Sylvara’s face.
“Who exactly do you think you’re talking to?”
She slowly raised her hand into the air.
“Open Box.”
A small black magic circle materialized before her.
The space itself seemed to tear open in silence, forming a portal about the size of a backpack.
Without hesitation, Sylvara reached inside.
A few seconds later, she pulled out a magnificent black bow.
Its frame had been carved from dark wood reinforced with gleaming black metal.
Golden lines ran along its entire body like glowing veins, forming intricate ancient runes.
At each end, small curved blades gave the weapon both an elegant and deadly appearance.
The bowstring itself seemed to be woven from pure energy, emitting a faint golden glow.
Dargan grinned.
“That toy of yours is still beautiful.”
Sylvara ignored him.
She slowly drew the bowstring.
An arrow made entirely of golden energy began to form between her fingers.
She took a deep breath.
Aiming toward the tops of the trees, she spoke.
“Enhance.”
The arrow was immediately enveloped in a brilliant yellow aura.
Its radiance illuminated part of the forest.
She smiled.
“Let’s see how many I can get…”
TWIIIIIING!!
The arrow sliced through the air like lightning.
Its speed was so overwhelming that even Sylvara was pushed back slightly by the recoil.
Silence returned for only a few seconds.
Dargan folded his arms.
“Hahaha… Those beasts are going to be furious.”
Sylvara didn’t even look at him.
She kept staring toward the horizon.
Then she smiled.
“I got six.”
The very next instant—
THUD!
One creature fell from the top of a tree.
Then—
THUD!
Another.
Then another.
And another.
Far in the distance, several bodies began crashing down through the branches.
Dargan raised an eyebrow.
“Wow…”
He narrowed his eyes.
“I can’t see anything beyond fifty meters. It’s way too dark.”
Sylvara calmly prepared another arrow.
“But you can hear them.”
A heartbeat later—
WROOOOOAAAH!!
A tremendous roar echoed throughout the forest.
Then another.
And another.
The trees began shaking violently.
Dargan’s grin widened.
“My turn.”
He lifted his shield high above his head.
“Wall!”
BOOOOOOM!!
The shield slammed into the ground with monstrous force.
The entire forest trembled.
A massive stone wall erupted from the earth, stretching for dozens of meters and completely sealing off the path between the trees.
The beasts immediately began leaping desperately over the barrier.
Dargan planted his shield firmly before him.
“The sky is yours.”
Sylvara smiled.
“As always.”
She drew another arrow.
This time, she aimed toward the night sky.
“Multiply.”
TWIIING!!
The golden arrow shot upward.
It climbed dozens of meters into the air.
Then…
It stopped completely.
Sylvara snapped her fingers.
“Now.”
The single arrow shone brilliantly.
An instant later…
It split apart.
Two.
Five.
Ten.
Twenty.
Fifty.
More than a hundred glowing arrows appeared at once.
The sky looked as though it had become a shower of golden stars.
SHHHHIIIIIIIIII!!
The arrows rained down over the forest.
Each one found a different target.
THUD!
CRASH!
SKAAK!
The beasts were pierced before they even realized what had happened.
Some were completely impaled.
Others were pinned to the trees.
Meanwhile…
The creatures charging across the ground continued their assault.
One of them leaped at Dargan with its massive claws outstretched.
Just before reaching him—
CRACK!!
The earth suddenly collapsed.
The beast disappeared into a huge pit.
Another charged right behind it.
Its foot became trapped between rocks that had suddenly risen from the ground.
Several more began climbing over their own companions in an attempt to bypass the obstacles.
Dargan simply waited.
Once they were only a few meters away…
He twisted his body.
BOOOOM!!
His enormous shield smashed into several beasts at once.
The impact launched the monsters flying in every direction.
Some crashed straight through entire trees before hitting the ground.
Sylvara was already preparing another arrow.
This one was much larger.
Nearly two meters long.
She smiled mischievously.
“Multiply.”
The arrow began absorbing an overwhelming amount of magical energy.
The air itself grew heavy.
Dargan looked at her.
Then at the arrow.
His eyes widened.
“Hey!”
“What?”
“Have you lost your mind?!”
She continued charging the spell without hesitation.
“This’ll be fun.”
Dargan pointed at the entire forest.
“Are you trying to change the landscape?!”
She shrugged.
“Maybe just a little.”
“You’re going to destroy half the forest!”
Sylvara pouted.
“Pff…”
With a sigh, she slowly dispersed the magical energy surrounding the arrow.
“You always ruin my fun…”
Dargan burst into laughter.
“Someone has to keep your craziness in check.”
He raised his shield once more.
Pointing it toward the few remaining beasts, he declared,
“Impulse.”
BOOOOOOOOOOM!!
An enormous wave of energy exploded from the face of the shield.
The force swept across the battlefield.
The remaining beasts were hurled backward like leaves caught in a hurricane.
At last…
Silence returned.
The forest around them had become almost unrecognizable.
Broken trees.
Massive craters.
Boulders scattered everywhere.
Sylvara folded her arms.
“And you still say I’m the one who goes overboard…”
She looked around at the destruction.
“Just look at what you did.”
Dargan shrugged.
“Even so…”
He smiled proudly.
“It was still a lot less than what you were about to do.”
Sylvara laughed.
“A lot of them ran away.”
She stored the bow back inside the small black portal.
“I think we’ve earned their respect.”
Dargan corrected her immediately.
“Respect?”
He glanced at the trail of destruction left behind.
“I’d call it fear.”
The two exchanged a brief smile.
Without another word, they continued walking deeper into the dark forest.
Far beyond the trees, dozens of glowing eyes continued watching them in complete silence.
Not a single creature dared approach them again.
Meanwhile, far away…
Lythera was finally approaching the small castle she called home.
The night was silent.
Only the sound of her footsteps echoed along the stone path leading to the massive gates.
Even as she walked, her mind remained restless.
She replayed every word of that conversation.
Kaelthar.
His overwhelming strength.
His calm demeanor.
And above all…
That unexpected proposal.
“Marriage…”
Lythera slowly placed a hand over her chest.
“My father… is far too powerful…”
Her gaze drifted into the distance for a few moments.
“But… about that whole marriage thing…”
She lowered her head.
“Where did that even come from?”
A soft sigh escaped her lips.
“What a strange man…”
The enormous castle gates slowly creaked open.
Ruuuum…
Two guards immediately stepped forward.
“Welcome back, Princess!”
She simply nodded in acknowledgment.
Before entering, she turned toward them.
Her expression became serious.
“Listen carefully.”
The two guards stood at attention.
“Yes, Princess!”
Lythera crossed her arms.
“From this moment on…”
She paused briefly.
“Do not allow anyone to enter this castle…”
The guards nodded.
“…Except…”
She took a deep breath.
“Lioren.”
The two guards exchanged uncertain glances.
One of them scratched his beard.
“Princess…”
She looked back at him.
“Yes?”
The guard hesitated.
“That man…”
He folded his arms.
“I can’t really explain it… but I don’t trust him.”
Lythera gave him a faint smile.
“I understand your concern.”
She turned and continued walking toward the castle.
“But he’s carrying out a mission for me.”
The guard lowered his head.
“Understood.”
Another soldier smiled.
“Welcome home, Princess.”
She answered with nothing more than a small nod.
The grand entrance hall was completely silent.
Lythera walked slowly through the long torchlit corridors, passing countless portraits of the royal family.
She climbed the stairs.
Crossed another hallway.
Finally, she stopped in front of her bedroom door.
She gently pushed it open.
As soon as she stepped inside, she quietly closed it behind her.
The room was spacious and elegant, yet modest by royal standards.
A large bookshelf filled nearly an entire wall.
Ancient maps were spread across her study desk.
Several scrolls remained open, covered with notes about ruins, mysterious creatures, and ancient artifacts.
Lythera walked over to her bed.
She sat down slowly.
Then allowed herself to fall back onto the soft mattress.
For several moments, she simply stared at the ceiling.
Eventually, she rested her forearm across her eyes.
Silence filled the room once again.
She took a deep breath.
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“If Dravion becomes king…”
She slowly clenched her fists.
“I’ll lose the freedom to continue my research…”
She thought about the countless ruins she still wanted to explore.
The mysteries that remained unsolved.
The ancient books she had never found the time to read.
All of it could disappear.
A bitter smile appeared on her face.
“I still have so much left to discover…”
Without realizing it, her hand slowly moved back to her chest.
Her thoughts drifted to Lioren once again.
His confident smile.
She slowly closed her eyes.
“Then…”
A small smile appeared on her lips.
“Don’t take too long to come back with the Hero, Lioren…”
Outside, the moon continued to shine over the kingdom.
Meanwhile…
Ren and Lysera continued riding toward Kar’zul Drakthar in search of the only antidote capable of saving Garrick.
Sylvara and Dargan ventured deeper into the beasts’ territory, carving a path through the darkness.
And somewhere far beyond those lands…
Fate quietly began moving its pieces.
Garrick’s time was running out.
And the long night was far from over.