All the wolves, including the Wolf King, raise their voices to the sky in a haunting, unified howl as I stagger to my feet, Hikariken held in one hand. I lift the blade with both arms, expecting its usual heaviness, but it surprises me. Somehow, it feels lighter—a part of me, almost. Even so, I keep both hands on the hilt, steadying myself.

“It seems your heart is more powerful than Lumirith itself,” the Wolf King growls, his tone holding unexpected respect. “This blade suits you.”

Just as his words sink in, a low growl from the wolves guarding the crater's edge breaks the silence. Their eyes are fixed on the shadowed line of trees on the far side, where faint, steady footsteps echo through the forest. My pulse quickens. Those are human footsteps, several of them. Could it be... the villagers? Has news of my demon half spread even here?

I look up as three figures appear at the edge of the crater. Their eyes widen when they see my hands gripping the hilt of the blade they are looking for. But despite the massive Wolf King looming behind me, they begin to climb down into the crater, their expressions hardening with determination.

The man in the center, his voice full of scorn, calls out, “Hey, kiddo! That blade is mine! Drop it and go home. And while you’re at it, stop with your ‘mirage’—we’re not afraid of tricks.”

Mirage? What is he talking about? I narrow my eyes, studying them. One of them is cloaked, gripping a staff—a mage. Another, dressed in lighter armor, has a bow slung over his shoulder and is glancing around warily. The man with the sword, clearly their leader, wears battered armor and holds his weapon with confidence. These aren’t villagers.

“Didn’t you hear me, kid?” The swordsman’s voice rises, a twisted smirk forming on his face. “If you want to leave unharmed, hand over Hikariken.”

So that’s the blade’s name. My grip tightens on its hilt, the weight somehow reassuring.

Wolf King’s growl rumbles like distant thunder, his gaze locked on the intruders. I raise a hand, signaling him to hold back, even though I feel his eagerness to attack.

“So, this blade’s name is Hikariken,” I say, my voice cold. “If you value your lives, turn back now.”

The men burst out laughing, a harsh, mocking sound. Their laughter bounces off the crater walls, ringing in my ears. Can’t they see my half-demon form? Or the towering, fanged beast behind me?

“Oh, really, kiddo!” the swordsman jeers. “You think a wolf ‘illusion’ can scare us?” He gestures to his companions, and in one smooth motion, they draw their weapons.

The mage’s staff hums with a faint blue glow as he mutters an incantation, while the archer’s fingers hover near his bowstring, his eyes scanning for an opening. The swordsman raises his blade, his sneer widening.

“Fine,” he says, his voice dripping with confidence. “If you want to fight, we’ll make quick work of you.”

I grip Hikariken’s hilt tightly, feeling its energy pulse through me like a second heartbeat. I plant my feet, taking a step back for balance. The last rays of sunlight slip below the horizon, casting the crater in shadow. The silence stretches between us, thick with tension. And then, without warning, they attack.

The swordsman lunges forward, a flash of metal and fury, while the archer releases an arrow straight for my chest. Instinct takes over. I drop to one knee, angling Hikariken’s blade to deflect the arrow. The arrow shatters against the blade, and an instant later, the swordsman’s strike slams down on Hikariken’s wide blade. The force rattles through my bones, but I hold firm, bracing myself.

The swordsman stumbles back, startled by the strength of the impact. I seize the moment, stepping forward and raising Hikariken high. I feel the rush of Lumirith flowing through me, filling every nerve with wild, primal energy.

In one swift motion, I swing Hikariken down, slamming it into the ground. The impact releases a shockwave that ripples through the earth, sending dirt and debris flying. The men are thrown back, limbs flailing as they’re lifted off their feet and land hard against the crater walls.

As the dust settles, I straighten, Hikariken still humming with energy in my grip. I meet their stunned, wide-eyed gazes, feeling a fierce, new power rising within me.

“Now… you can either run or taste another attack from me!” I shout, breath ragged and heavy. Just as the last words leave my mouth, a wave of dizziness hits me, blurring the edges of my vision. But I plant my feet, staying upright, hoping they take the hint and run.

Thankfully, luck is on our side. The men glance at each other, fear filling their faces, before they turn and dash back into the forest, never looking back. As they vanish into the shadows, I grip Hikariken tightly and drive it into the ground, letting the blade sink deep into the earth. I lower myself down, leaning against it for support, feeling its solid, steady weight beneath my hands as I catch my breath.

“Shien, why am I feeling so dizzy? Is my body going into a regeneration period?” I ask, the heaviness in my head making everything feel distant.

“No, you’re not entering regen mode,” Shien replies. “Thanks to our training, your Aether Lumirith capacity has grown. But this blade... it’s quite unique. I sense no spells or pacts within it, yet the moment you touched Hikariken, it connected to you.”

“So that’s why that strike was so powerful,” I murmur as the dizziness begins to fade. “The blade used my Aether Lumirith to amplify the attack.”

“Exactly,” Shien confirms. “Your Lumirith levels are returning to normal. In a few minutes, the dizziness will be gone.”

I steady myself, standing up slowly. My gaze drifts to the forest, to where the men came from, and I notice some bags lying under a tree near the edge. Moving closer, I rummage through them, finding clothes and tools that I could use. I gather everything and load them onto the wolves’ backs.

We start our journey back to the den under the moon’s silver glow, the cool night breeze washing over me, easing the last traces of exhaustion. The eerie sounds of the forest fill the air, an almost comforting reminder of how alive this place is.

“How are you feeling, Lord Haruto?” the Wolf King asks, breaking the silence with his deep, rumbling voice.

“I felt a little dizzy after that strike, but I’m fine now,” I reply with a faint smile.

“If you hadn’t stopped me, I’d have shown them what this ‘mirage’ can truly do!” His tone brims with pride, and I can’t help but chuckle.

As his words sink in, I remember the men’s foolish claims about him being an illusion. A laugh bubbles up from deep within me, and I can’t hold it back.

“What’s so funny, Lord Haruto?” he growls, though there’s a hint of playful annoyance. “Do you doubt I could have scared them?”

“Oh, no, no!” I say quickly, trying to stifle my laughter. “I just imagined the look on their faces if you’d actually let loose. They’d never sleep soundly again!”

My laughter grows, and soon enough, the Wolf King joins in, his laughter sounding like a rumbling growl that only makes me laugh harder. It’s rough and wild—more like a dog’s bark than anything—but it brings a warmth to my chest that I didn’t know I needed.

A few hours later, we finally reach the cave. The moon hangs high above, casting a silver glow over the area, and its light spills over the cave entrance. As we approach, the old wolves standing guard emerge to welcome us. Their eyes widen when they notice the blade in my hand—the very one from the stories they tell. I walk inside, unloading the bags from the wolves’ backs as they watch in silent awe.

“Take a rest, Lord Haruto; you’ll need your strength,” the Wolf King says, retreating to his chamber.

I make my way slowly to my room, thoughts swirling. Today was nothing short of unbelievable. After months without seeing any humans, the first ones I meet end up attacking me. And somehow, I now wield a blade that amplifies my Lumirith surge. Truly, what a crazy day…

I place Hikariken carefully in the corner, and it glows faintly under the light of the Lumirith crystals embedded in the walls. Dinner is the usual roast meat, filling and warm, but sleep is elusive. I toss and turn, but my mind won’t quiet. Finally, my eyes drift to the bags lying near my bed, and curiosity pulls me up.

Rummaging through them, I find a sharpening stone tucked into one of the pouches. It might be useful, though I doubt Hikariken will dull so easily. Another bag holds a pack of bowstrings and some tools for restringing a bow. There are clothes packed for a few nights’ travel, and tucked in one of the bags is a small knife, worn but sharp.

“These things aren’t much use to me—except for the knife and maybe some of the clothes, if I wash them,” I murmur, examining each item.

Then my gaze catches on a few leather straps. I tug on them, testing their strength, and an idea forms. “Maybe I could make something to hold Hikariken on my back.” I turn the straps over in my hands, feeling their durability and wondering if they’re sturdy enough for the task.

With the leather straps and cords laid out in front of me, I start piecing together a simple sling for Hikariken. This way, I can carry it on my back when I need both hands but still have the option to detach it quickly for combat.

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First, I take the longest strap and wrap it around my shoulder and across my chest, letting it rest diagonally. At the end of the strap, I attach a small loop and fasten it tightly, forming a hook that can latch onto another piece of leather I’ll tie around Hikariken’s handle. I test the strength of the knot, pulling firmly to make sure it’ll hold under the blade's weight.

Then, I work on the attachment around Hikariken’s hilt. I tie another loop snugly near the grip, securing it with several knots to make sure it won’t slip loose. When I hook the blade’s loop onto the strap, it rests securely on my back, the hilt positioned just above my shoulder so I can reach over and grab it easily.

To make sure I can detach it quickly, I add a small leather tab to the loop on my chest. With a firm tug, it should release instantly, letting the blade slip free from my shoulder. I test it out a few times, satisfied with how smoothly it detaches.

Once everything’s in place, I slide the blade back onto the strap, feeling its weight settle across my back. The detachable strap is comfortable, distributing the blade's weight well, and I can tell it won’t slow me down too much if I need to move quickly.

Then I place the blade and the strap back in the corner of the room. With nothing else left to do, I climb into bed, hoping for sleep to come. By some miracle, sleep finally washes over me.

I wake in the morning to the sound of wolves’ restless movements and low growls echoing through the cave. After stretching my arms, I make my way to the main hall, where I find Wolf King and the other wolves bustling about, gathering supplies and preparing for something important.

“Good morning, Lord Haruto! Did you rest well?” Wolf King asks.

“Oh, good morning, Wolf King! Yes, I had a good sleep.” I reply, curiosity sparking. “What’s going on here?”

“We’re organizing a hunting party,” he explains in a concerned tone. “Our food supply still isn’t enough to last through the entire winter.”

“Can I come along?” I ask, feeling a rush of excitement. “I don’t have anything planned for today, and Shien suggested I rest from training.”

Wolf King studies me for a moment before nodding. “Hmm… very well. We leave shortly, so be ready.”

I sprint back to my room, quickly latching Hikariken to the strap I made and grabbing one of the bags. With everything in place, I hurry back to the entrance, where the others are waiting. Together, we head out, with the wolves at the cave’s entrance watching us as we venture deeper into the forest.

We slowly walking toward our training ground. At the training ground we safely cross the river one by one and walk more and more deeper in to the forest.

Sun’s rays breach through the forest roof, filtering down in golden beams that illuminate our path. Yet, instead of dispelling the darkness, the light enhances the eerie atmosphere of the woods, where shadows seem to shift and dance between the trees. Each step we take is accompanied by the distant sounds of rustling leaves and the occasional call of unseen creatures, heightening my sense of unease.

As we walk, I gather some fruits from the nearby bushes, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the muted greens and browns around us. I pop a berry into my mouth, its sweetness a brief comfort amid the creeping tension. Wolf King glances at me, his expression serious but appreciative as he takes a few for himself.

We navigate deeper into the forest, the trees growing thicker and more imposing, their twisted branches reaching out like the fingers of ancient giants. An unsettling quiet blankets the area, broken only by the soft crunch of leaves beneath our feet.

“Where are we going?” I ask, breaking the oppressive silence.

“Hmm… We planned to hunt near the small lake in a valley,” Wolf King replies, though his gaze remains vigilant.

After hours of walking, we finally stop for a break. My legs feel like they might give out, while the wolves seem unaffected, showing no signs of fatigue. After eating our lunch, we resume our journey, and Wolf King announces that we are getting closer to the lake.

We trek a few more hours through the thick forest. The terrain shifts beneath us, the incline steepening as we ascend. Just when I begin to think we might have lost our way, the trees start to thin, and I can see a glimmer of light ahead. A sudden gust of wind rustles the leaves, and a scent unlike any I’ve encountered fills the air—a mix of sweetness and something almost ethereal.

As we crest the rise, the forest opens up, revealing a breathtaking view of the valley below. Sunlight bathes the landscape in warmth, but it’s the sight that stops me in my tracks that leaves me breathless. One end of the valley opens to the deep forest, while the other leads to the lake Wolf King mentioned.

But as I scan the area, I spot something I hadn’t seen before. A herd of large creatures slowly walks toward the forest. They resemble the bison from my previous life but are adorned with golden fur that shimmers in the light. Their presence exudes a power beyond mere appearance.

“What are those?” I ask, pointing them out.

“Hmm… I didn’t expect to see them here,” Wolf King responds, a note of concern in his voice.

“Those are called ‘Lumithorns.’ They were kept by angels long ago. After their death, the Lumithorns began to spread like wildfire,” Wolf King explains.

“Why don’t other creatures hunt them? Is it because they’re related to the angels?” I inquire.

“Not exactly. While that is one reason, the other is that, unlike other forest creatures, these Lumithorns possess Celest Lumirith. This makes them incredibly difficult to harm.”

“But what if we try to hunt one from the back?” I suggest, pointing to an older Lumithorn that moves slowly.

“What if we separate it from the herd and corner it?” I explain the plan forming in my mind.

Wolf King gazes thoughtfully at the valley. “Alright, I agree with you, Lord Haruto. But remember, if this goes south, we all retreat, understand?” He speaks in an authoritative tone, but I can sense his desperation for food for his people as winter approaches.

We start to descend the hill slowly, letting the herd slip into the shadows of the forest—all except for our target, the old Lumithorn lingering at the rear. After a few moments, it’s just us and the lone beast standing in the valley.

“Let’s circle around,” I whisper, barely louder than a breath. As we draw closer, I finally see just how enormous the Lumithorn is. Its golden fur glints in the sunlight, muscles rippling under its thick hide—it’s easily larger than Wolf King, towering over us like some ancient guardian.

We creep forward, each step measured and quiet. Suddenly, the Lumithorn stops in its tracks. Instinctively, we freeze, tension seizing our bodies. A second later, it slowly turns, its eyes locking onto us with an unsettling awareness. I feel my hand drifting toward Hikariken, sensing the weight of the coming clash.

The sunlight streams down, illuminating the scene in harsh, bright strokes. The Lumithorn’s eyes narrow, and it begins pawing at the ground, each scrape sending tremors through the earth. It’s like watching a storm gather, a force of nature prepared to unleash itself. It lowers its head, and I know immediately what’s coming. Without warning, it charges.

The wolves scatter, leaping out of its path, but I barely manage to dive to the side, rolling as the beast thunders past me. Dust rises around me as I scramble to my feet, my heart pounding like a drum in my chest. The Lumithorn turns again, its attention locked onto me—but before it can charge, something slams into its back. I look over to see Wolf King standing firm, his body taut with concentration as he strikes from a distance.

I grip Hikariken with both hands, feeling its familiar weight, steadying my breath. But then my eyes catch a glint of red near Wolf King’s hind leg—a thin stream of blood. My stomach twists. He’s injured. If the Lumithorn charges him again…

“Run! It’s coming for you—get out of there!” I yell, desperation clawing at my throat. But it’s too late. The Lumithorn hurls itself toward Wolf King, horns lowered, fury in its stride. Images flash through my mind—of Gorou’s sacrifice, the weight of losing another ally pressing down on me.

No. Not this time. Not again.

I close my eyes, taking a deep, grounding breath. My grip on Hikariken tightens, every fiber of my being concentrating on that single thought: faster. If I’m fast enough, I can stop it. I feel the surge of Lumirith within, flowing hot through my veins, coiling like a serpent ready to strike.

I take a single step forward, and in that instant, something ignites within me. Suddenly, a jarring impact slams into Hikariken, a force so immense it almost knocks me off my feet. My eyes snap open.

I’m standing between Wolf King and the charging Lumithorn. Its massive horns grind against Hikariken, the force reverberating through my arms.

How… how did I get here? I only took one step, but it’s as if I flew across the distance. Then I glance down, and there it is—the Wolf Gem blazing with a blood-red intensity, so fierce it drowns out the sunlight.

The Lumithorn lets out a furious roar, and I can feel its power pushing against me, a wall of raw strength and Celest Lumirith pressing forward. But I stand my ground, refusing to budge an inch. For the first time, I sense something different within me—a power I haven’t known before. I grip Hikariken even tighter, meeting the Lumithorn’s gaze head-on.

“Not today,” I whisper, as the Wolf Gem pulses in rhythm with my heartbeat, both steady and unstoppable.

“Go! Run away!” I scream to Wolf King, tightening my grip on Hikariken. With a nod, he retreats, putting distance between us. Now, it’s just me and the Lumithorn, facing off in the valley.

I adjust my stance, angling the blade to let the Lumithorn’s brute force slide past me. As I dodge, it slams into the rock wall behind me with a bone-rattling crash, carving out a crater. I quickly back off, preparing for the next strike, but my legs feel like they might give out any second. Even with demon and wolf power, my body is still human, still limited.

If I had Reikizuna right now… The thought sparks an idea. I lower the blade, steadying it with my left hand, and extend my right, focusing hard as I summon Shien’s black fire. The flames flicker to life, dark and ominous, curling around my fingers and palm.

Holding my breath, I place my right hand back on the hilt and grip Hikariken with both hands. Come on… I close my eyes, exhaling slowly, letting all my focus channel through the blade. In an instant, a surge of heat races up my arms, and Hikariken bursts into black flames, shadows dancing wildly along its edge.

The Lumithorn scrapes the ground, preparing to charge, but I barely notice, transfixed by the blade. The flames coil and flicker, merging perfectly with Hikariken, as though it was always meant to wield this power. Just in time, too—the Lumithorn is charging, and the dark flames seem to pulse, ready to strike.

The Lumithorn charges. I stand my ground, knowing it can’t change direction mid-attack. Just as it’s about to hit, I dodge to the right and swing Hikariken in one fluid motion, slicing deep along its body. Black flames erupt along the cut, consuming its right side. The creature stumbles, taking a shaky step forward as its muscles begin to seize. The Lumithorn is panting, its strength fading as the flames die down. In moments, it collapses, motionless.

It’s struggling to stay upright. “Shien, are you seeing this? Did your flames paralyze it somehow?” I ask, baffled.

“No, Haruto. My flames only burn—they don’t paralyze,” Shien replies thoughtfully. “But...”

Before he can finish, a strange sensation floods my body. The pain and exhaustion vanish, replaced by a feeling of incredible lightness, as though I’ve just woken from a deep rest.

“What’s happening, Shien? Why did all the pain just disappear?”

“Look at what you’re holding,” Shien hints.

I glance down, seeing only Hikariken in my hand.

“You mean Hikariken?” I ask, piecing it together as a hundred questions rush through my mind.

“Yes, Hikariken,” Shien replies, his voice steady. “The blade has absorbed Lumirith differently this time, almost like it synchronized with you. When you struck, it fed off the Lumithorn’s energy like a vampire. The blade amplified your attack and used less of your own Lumirith, preserving your strength.”

“That explains a lot,” I murmur as the Wolf King and the others approach, their faces cautious but relieved.

“Are you alright, Lord Haruto?” the Wolf King asks, his own leg bleeding from a scrape.

“I’m fine,” I reply, noticing his wound. “But what about you?”

He explains that he’d hit a sharp rock while dodging, leaving him with a minor injury. Together, we tie up the Lumithorn’s body, preparing for the journey back to the den. By the time we reach it, night has fallen, casting long shadows across the clearing.

Once we’re inside, I help the others store the Lumithorn in the Lumirith Chamber, a room gleaming with crystal-lined walls that reflect a soft glow.

After settling everything, I step outside to breathe in the night air. The moon hangs high, stars twinkling like scattered embers across the sky.

“What a crazy da—”

A piercing scream cuts through the forest, sharp and unmistakably human. I freeze, heart pounding.