“[Insight],” Sylfie invoked. Her eyes flashed for a moment, followed by a grimace.

“What’s the plan?”

“The plan is for you to stop gripping my shoulders so tightly! I can’t aim properly!” she spoke through gritted teeth. Sylfie kept her bow trained on the mass of eyes waiting just behind the shadows.

“S-sorry,” Ryu mumbled, loosening his grip. He stood behind Sylfie, his focus darting between the trees, watching as more glowing eyes gathered around them. His knees shook and his teeth chattered as the color drained from his face. What kind of f*cked up world is this? Can I seriously not go a minute without some demonic creature showing up?!

“This appears to be quite the tricky situation! I shall make my exit posthaste! I do hope you survive, adventurers! All the best!” Elder Chestnut bid them farewell, burrowing underground with urgency.

“W-wait a minute! You coward! You can’t leave us here!” Ryu called after him. “I swear to God, the next time I see him I’ll turn him into firewood!”

It was just the three of them now against a sea of ravenous beasts. Aurora poked her head out of Ryu’s collar, her ears twitching. “W-what do we do now, nya? They’ll eat us! I can feel it! They’ll probably start with me because I’m the softest!”

“I don’t have any ideas. About earlier, were you serious about the radius of your magic?” Ryu questioned her.

“Yeah! It’ll blow up the forest if I use it. I don’t know any small-scale spells. No one taught me.”

Ryu found it odd she knew so little for an immortal. “Aurora, how long have you been alive, exactly?”

Aurora pondered for a moment.

“Now’s not the time!” Sylfie interrupted, just as the first of the Night Crawlers emerged from the shadows. As more followed its lead, their forms were made visible by the flame from Sylfie’s arrow. They snarled viciously, baring long fangs dripping with what Ryu hoped was pomegranate juice. The Night Crawlers’ onyx fur was matted and dirty, fragments of bone and animal matter entangled in their coats. They appeared to be some sort of mix between wolves and hyenas, presenting markedly canine features.

Sylfie stepped back slightly, as they shook their heads, flinging saliva all over the place. The grass melted upon contact with the corrosive material, fraying Ryu’s nerves even further upon witnessing it. They were trapped, with nowhere to run or hide. Ryu resigned himself to his fate. This is it. A new life, short-lived and traumatic. Maybe it’s a blessing that I won’t remember this place in the next life.

“Can’t you do something about this, nya?! You defeated the Hibiscus Stag, right? This should be easy!” Aurora squeaked.

Sylfie shook her head. “These monsters are [Level 70]. The Hibiscus Stag was [Level 60]. It was a yellow enemy, still within my damage threshold. All of these creatures are red. I can’t do a single point of damage with my skills. The weird thing is, they shouldn’t even be here. Their home is in a system of caves north of this area. Why would they come down here all this way?”

“I knew it,” Ryu chuckled, dejectedly. “There’s nothing we can do. I might as well take matters into my own hands. Aurora, prepare the explosion!”

“On it!” Aurora saluted.

“Don’t do anything stupid!” Sylfie bit her lip, her expression souring. “There may be one option,” she mustered with great effort.

“Then tell us!” Ryu exclaimed.

“I swear, if you make fun of me—”

“This is a life or death situation, woman! You can feel embarrassed about whatever it is you’re worried about later! At least we won’t be digesting inside these beasts’ bellies!”

“Fine!” she relented. “Ryu, in my satchel there's a conch. I want you to blow on it.”

“Aye, aye!” Ryu obliged. He rummaged through her bag, pulling out a large black shell with cryptic markings on it. His skin crawled just looking at it. I have to put my lips to this? He shuddered, taking a deep breath before blowing into it…nothing. He blew on it again just to make sure. Still, nothing happened.

The Night Crawlers finished sizing up their prey and began their attack, the pack moving as one. They charged at the helpless adventurers, preparing for another easy meal. Then, a flicker. Light danced across the night sky, appearing before them. It suddenly flashed into a bolt of lightning. The air erupted as arcs of electricity scattered across the forest, targeting the beasts. One by one, they were felled, the survivors yelping and scampering away with their tails between their legs.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“What was that?!” Ryu stared at the sky in awe. “God? Is that you? Did you hear my prayers?”

“That wasn’t divine intervention,” Sylfie said, exasperatedly. “It was him.” She pointed to a man adorned in regal golden armor, meticulously crafted and inlaid with the same archaic symbols as the conch. A crimson cape flowed behind him and a sheathed sword rested on his right hip. His shiny blonde hair caught the moonlight. He had the face of an angel.

Holy sh*t, a summon!

Sylfie scoffed at Ryu’s childlike glee. The man approached them, bowing before Sylfie.

“Sylfie, dearest, you look as radiant as ever,” he spoke, his voice like honey. “I was beginning to think you would never call.”

“I planned not to,” she said bluntly.

“You’ll come around eventually,” he smirked. “Ah, forgive me, where are my manners?” He turned to Ryu and Aurora. “I am Agrius, yes, the Agrius of Rethuria. A pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

They stared at him blankly. “Agrius who?” Ryu finally asked.

The man called Agrius seemed to be taken by surprise. A snicker escaped from Sylfie as she tried in vain to stifle her laughter. There was a slight twitch in Agrius’ eyes.

“Ahem, I might have not made myself clear. Certainly, you must have heard of me. Agrius Fullbright, wielder of the holy sword Argentium, forged by the Dwarven masters in the fires of Halthur! Slayer of the dreaded Halja Dragoon!”

Ryu shook his head apologetically. “Sorry, those words don’t mean anything to me. I’ve never heard of you. I’m not from around here.”

“T-that’s impossible! My name is known across the lands, for I am the chosen hero of Cerulia!”

“Not where I’m from.” Because I’m from another world. Ryu thought, although he didn’t say anything. It was fun to watch the self-proclaimed hero become increasingly frustrated.

Ryu’s initial awe had turned to distaste. He hated the type; a goody-two-shoes that was born gifted. If he had money to spend, he would bet that Agrius had grown up handed everything on a silver platter with people singing his praises at every turn. He was a typical boy scout. Guys like that made him sick.

That’s because you’re a degenerate, nya. Aurora spoke to him telepathically.

Hey! Get out of my head! This is a private space!

“I-I must say, Sylfie, the company you have with you…do they not seem suspicious? Take this man for example: he has a lascivious gaze, does he not?”

“Hey!” Ryu didn’t know what lascivious meant, but he could tell Agrius meant it as an insult.

“The company I keep is none of your concern, ‘Great Hero’,” Sylfie remarked coldly.

“Ha! It most certainly is my concern if my betrothed is traipsing around the forest with some mystery man. Who knows what his goals are?”

Sylfie ground her teeth. “I am not your betrothed, nor will I ever accept your hand in marriage. Get that through your thick skull,” she spat. “Besides, this man that you’re referring to happens to be a gifted Coffee Brewer.”

“So?” Agrius looked unimpressed.

Sylfie sighed. “And he happens to be my lover.”

Agrius’ face darkened. The look of a man whose heart had been shattered into millions of pieces was a somber thing to witness. The Great Hero fell to his knees in shock. Ryu was just as shocked as Agrius, afraid the man would retaliate against him, now that they were ‘romantic rivals’. A victim of a crime of passion was the last thing Ryu wanted to be.

What did you rope me into this time, you conniving elf?!

Sylfie merely shrugged at his incredulous look, feigning ignorance.

“I don’t believe it,” Agrius mumbled.

“Believe it. Now move on. There are plenty of women that would kill for a chance with the Great Hero.”

“You…you rapscallion!” he roared at Ryu.

Sweat beaded on Ryu’s temple as Agrius marched towards him. “I know of your kind, with your flowery words and whispers of sweet nothings. You are a wolf in sheep's clothing! You dare take the maidenhood of this beau—”

“No one has taken my maidenhood, you idiot!” Sylfie accosted Agrius, her ears turning scarlet.

“F-forgive me for assuming, my dear.” He turned back to Ryu. “If you truly are her lover then tell me, what is Sylfie’s cup si—” Sylfie embedded her fist in Agrius’ face.

“I seem to have gotten carried away,” Agrius said, wiping the blood from his nose. “However, I stand by my assessment: this man is no good.”

“I don’t need you to tell me what’s good or bad for me. Thank you for saving us, Agrius, but I would really appreciate it if you would drop the matter for now.”

Agrius sighed, finally relenting. “As you wish.” He scowled at Ryu before taking his leave. “Oh, I suppose you want to return to town then.”

“Yes, that would be very helpful,” Sylfie replied.

“Send your grandmother my regards.”

“I will, thanks again.”

Agrius chuckled. “My pleasure.” He snapped his fingers and invoked a spell. “[Teleport: Three to Cacao Town].”