Ron and Pin stepped out of the blacksmith’s shop, the weight of their new gear slightly comforting against their shoulders. The streets behind them were still full of life—floating swords carrying merchants, glowing signs hanging in mid-air, and armored guards patrolling the skies like birds of steel.
But ahead… the atmosphere shifted.
The moment they reached the northern gate of the city, the air grew colder.
The Forest of Elves stretched beyond the walls like a living shadow. Massive ancient trees twisted into the sky, their branches forming arches that blocked out most of the sunlight. Strange lights flickered between the leaves—too rhythmic to be natural.
Pin swallowed nervously and stayed close to Ron.
“Big brother… it feels weird,” Pin said quietly.
Ron placed a hand on his head. “That means we’re in the right place.”
The gate guards looked at them as they passed. One of them shook his head slightly.
“Two kids going into the Forest of Elves… either brave or stupid,” he muttered.
Ron heard him but didn’t respond.
Because he wasn’t here to prove anything.
He was here to survive and grow stronger.
As they stepped into the forest, the world behind them disappeared almost instantly.
The sound of the city was gone.
Only silence remained… and the distant rustle of something moving where it shouldn’t be.
Ron slowly unsheathed one of the katanas he bought.
“Stay behind me, Pin. Don’t run ahead no matter what you see.”
Pin nodded quickly.
They walked deeper.
The trees grew thicker, roots twisting across the ground like veins. Strange carvings appeared on the bark—old symbols that looked almost like warning signs.
Then Pin stopped.
“Big brother… look.”
Ron followed his gaze.
Ahead, something large was hanging from a tree branch.
At first, it looked like a boar.
But wrong.
Its skin was too dark, almost burned. Its eyes glowed faint red even while it was dead. And behind its neck… something like a broken halo floated in the air, flickering like a dying flame.
Ron tightened his grip.
“Dark Angel Pig,” he said quietly.
Pin stepped back. “That’s what we’re hunting?”
“Yeah.”
A sudden sound cracked through the forest.
Snap.
Something moved above them.
Ron’s eyes shot upward.
Too late.
A second Dark Angel Pig dropped from the trees, bigger than the first—its wings half-rotted, its mouth opening far too wide for its body.
“PIN—MOVE!”
Ron pushed Pin aside just as the creature slammed into the ground, shattering roots and dirt.
The impact shook the forest.
Ron didn’t hesitate.
He dashed forward.
One step.
Two steps.
Then—
Steel flashed.
His katana sliced through the air, aiming for the creature’s neck.
But the pig twisted unnaturally fast.
Claws met blade.
CLANG!
Ron’s arms jolted from the force.
“It’s stronger than I thought…” he muttered.
Behind him, Pin grabbed his dagger with shaking hands.
“I-I can help!”
“No!” Ron shouted without looking back. “Not yet!”
The creature screeched, its broken halo flaring brighter.
The forest itself seemed to react—like it was watching.
Ron narrowed his eyes.
“This world… doesn’t give easy hunts.”
He shifted his stance, lowering his body.
For the first time since arriving here…
His expression turned serious.
“Alright then,” Ron said quietly. “Let’s see what this body can really do.”
The Dark Angel Pig lunged again.
And Ron met it head-on.
TO BE CONTINUED
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