The cave breathed with a damp, foul air—thick with musk and something darker. Blood? Decay? It clung to the walls like mold, soaking into Reynar's nose and settling in the back of his throat.
He tightened his grip on the sword, its edge chipped and stained. Behind him, Liora clutched her side, moving with a limp. Her face was pale, teeth clenched—but she followed without hesitation.
They didn't speak.
Not out of distrust—but necessity.
The deeper they went, the less sound there was. Not even the scurry of rats. Just the slow drip of water from the ceiling... and a whisper of movement far ahead.
Reynar's heart pounded harder with each step.
Then—faint voices.
Whimpering.
"Did you hear that?" he whispered.
Liora nodded, eyes sharp. "Children. Close."
They picked up the pace, boots scraping against damp stone.
The cave opened into a narrow corridor, jagged and natural, winding down into darkness. Reynar activated [Night Sight Lv.1]—a recent upgrade—and the world turned into shades of ghostly gray.
He saw them first.
Five small figures huddled together, surrounded by makeshift cages fashioned from twisted roots and stone. One girl sobbed quietly. Another had her arms wrapped protectively around a toddler.
Reynar's breath caught. "We found them."
But as he stepped forward—
Growls echoed all around.
A trap.
Dozens of glowing eyes appeared along the walls. From hidden crevices, beasts crawled out—canine, malformed, some with multiple heads, others with patchy fur and bone armor. The corrupted pack.
And in the center, towering and snarling—
The beast commander.
Its injuries had healed unnaturally fast. A new set of dark runes glowed on its neck like a cursed collar. Its eyes fixed on Reynar, filled with hate.
Liora stepped beside him, staff raised. "They were never guarding the children," she muttered. "They were guarding bait."
Reynar set his jaw. "Then let's break the trap."
The commander barked—and the beasts surged.
The battle was chaos.
Reynar darted left, engaging two hounds. He twisted, ducked a bite, then countered with a clean upward slash. One fell. The other sank its fangs into his leg—but Liora blasted it with a jet of flame before it could rip through muscle.
She moved like a flame herself—despite her injury. Fire bloomed from her fingertips, creating a protective arc around the children's cage.
But more beasts kept coming.
"Liora!" Reynar shouted. "Shield them! I'll keep them off you!"
She hesitated, torn—but nodded, retreating toward the children. Her mana flared, and a dome of flame ignited around them. Not strong—but enough to buy time.
Reynar was alone.
The commander pounced.
Reynar barely blocked. The impact sent him crashing into the cave wall. His blade skittered out of reach.
The beast loomed, drool dripping from jagged fangs.
[System Alert: Danger Rating – Deadly]> Activating Adrenaline Surge Lv.2> Pain Suppression: Engaged> Reflex Boost: +15% for 60 seconds
Reynar moved on instinct.
He rolled to the side as the beast struck, then scrambled toward his sword. His fingers closed around the hilt—and he spun, plunging the blade into the beast's shoulder.
It howled, swiped, and sent him flying again.
His chest burned. His vision swam.
But through the pain, he saw something.
Liora—slumped beside the flame shield. Her mana was almost gone. The barrier was flickering.
And the commander was turning toward the children.
Reynar forced himself up.
Not again.
Not like his past life—where he'd watched others suffer, helpless.
Not this time.
He ran.
The beast turned—just in time for Reynar to drive his sword into its throat with every ounce of strength he had left. It reared back, choking, blood spurting in dark arcs.
Still alive.
Still dangerous.
But wounded.
That was when Liora's hand lifted. One final spell ignited.
"Flame Lance."
A blazing spear shot through the air—striking the embedded sword.
Steel turned red-hot. The beast's insides ignited.
It screamed—then collapsed.
Dead.
Silence followed.
Heavy. Absolute.
Then—the children began to cry. Not in fear—but relief.
Reynar dropped to one knee, panting.
Liora crawled over to him, barely upright, and whispered, "You... idiot."
He smiled weakly. "Took down your cursed dog, didn't I?"
She punched his arm—lightly. "That was reckless."
"But worth it."
They both looked at the children.
Safe.
A few minutes later, the two of them had broken the cages. The children huddled around Liora, clinging to her cloak. Reynar carried the smallest girl, who had fallen asleep on his shoulder.
As they began the long journey back, Reynar paused—and looked back toward the cavern's mouth.
He could feel it.
Someone was still watching.
But when he turned—nothing was there.
Only the wind... and faint silver footprints that faded into shadow.