Ren and Alys, along with the other champions, emerged from the dungeon into the wild expanse of Frya. The dense forest ahead stretched endlessly, its towering trees whispering secrets with the rustling wind. The sun filtered through the canopy, casting dappled patterns on the ground, but the beauty of the landscape did little to mask the lurking dangers.

Bound by the battles they had fought together, Ren and Alys’s bond grew stronger with every step. They faced relentless monsters, each clash testing their mettle. Ren’s fist danced with precision while Alys’s arrows found their marks with unerring accuracy. Their teamwork became second nature, a seamless fusion of strength and strategy that carried them through the perils of the road.

Eventually, they arrived at a small village at the forest’s edge. The settlement bore the scars of hardship: crooked fences, crumbling homes, and villagers with hollow eyes and wary expressions. Children clung to their parents, their laughter replaced by the weight of fear. Smoke curled weakly from the chimneys, carrying the scent of burned wood and desperation.

The villagers explained their plight: monsters from the forest had grown more aggressive and powerful, driven by a sinister energy that seeped from the weakening barrier. “King Arthur’s magic protected us for so long,” an elder murmured, his voice trembling. “But now, the demons’ corruption taints even the beasts.”

The forest loomed ominously, its tangled branches reaching skyward like grasping claws. The air was heavy, and the faint cries of distant creatures sent shivers down their spines. Ren and Alys offered their help, but before they could act, a commotion erupted from the forest.

Following the sound of clashing steel and feral growls, they stumbled upon a young man locked in a fierce battle. His wild, unrelenting strikes kept the monstrous wolves at bay, but exhaustion weighed heavily on him. Blood streaked his face, and his breaths came in ragged gasps, yet his eyes blazed with determination.

Ren’s eyes widened as he watched the stranger fight with an animalistic ferocity. Turning to a nearby villager, he asked, “Who is that?”

The villager sighed, his expression a mixture of frustration and concern. “That’s Rex. He’s always throwing himself into danger, thinking he can take on the world alone.”

Concerned, Ren approached Rex cautiously. “Hey, are you—”

Before he could finish, Rex turned, his fist flying toward Ren with startling speed. Ren barely managed to block the punch, the force sending a shock through his arm. “What’s your problem?” Ren snapped.

Rex glared, his stance defensive. But as he swayed from exhaustion, his aggression faded. He collapsed to the ground, unconscious, leaving Ren and Alys to carry him back to the village.

When Rex woke, Ren greeted him and patched up his injuries. “Your body is incredible,” Ren remarked. “It’s like you heal on your own.”

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Rex grunted. “Yeah, that’s my blessing power.”

Ren’s eyes widened. “So you’re a champion too?”

Rex noticed the mark on Ren’s hand and nodded. “I guess you are as well.” Then his eyes fell on Alys, and his demeanor shifted. Blushing, he muttered an apology and hurried off.

Curious about Rex’s relentless drive, Ren later found him and asked, “Why are you pushing yourself so hard? You’ll die at this rate.”

Rex froze, his expression darkening. With a voice heavy with anger and pain, he said, “I will not die until I kill that cursed dragon.”

Ren’s heart skipped a beat. “D… dragons? Are you insane? They’re only second to the angels in power! Elenara always told me to run if I ever saw one.”

Rex’s eyes burned with determination. “I’ll kill that dragon for killing my father right in front of me. I…” His voice wavered before he steadied himself. “I dreamed of being like him. Strong and proud. My father was everything I wanted to become. But that dream was shattered.”

Rex’s gaze grew distant as he recounted the memory. “I was so young. He took me along on what should have been a simple mission, his team laughing and joking as we ventured into the forest. Then it appeared.” Rex’s voice trembled, his fists clenched. “A looming figure, its mana suffocating. Its strength was overwhelming. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t even breathe.”

Rex’s voice faltered, his anger masking the pain beneath. “My father saw me frozen there. He threw himself in front of me, shouting for me to run. But before I could move, the dragon struck. He… he died instantly, along with his entire team. I was the only one left, lying under his body, staring into the dragon’s eyes. Its gaze felt like a curse, mocking me for my weakness. I cursed myself for being so useless, so powerless.”

Rex’s fists trembled as he continued. “That’s why I have to get stronger. I have to make this blessing the strongest and avenge him.” With that, Rex stormed off to continue fighting monsters, leaving Ren deep in thought.

Ren sat in silence, staring at the fading figure of Rex. His mind raced with doubts and questions. For the first time, he felt the weight of his responsibility as a champion. What am I supposed to do? he wondered. His fists clenched as he struggled for an answer. Then, almost instinctively, he asked himself, What would King Arthur do?

Ren had always admired King Arthur. The Hero King wasn’t just a warrior; he was a beacon of righteousness. He faced insurmountable odds with unwavering resolve, standing against beings far stronger than himself because it was the right thing to do. That courage, that strength of character, was what Ren aspired to. The thought filled him with a flicker of resolve, though uncertainty still lingered in his heart.

Alys placed a hand on Ren’s shoulder. “I don’t know what Arthur would do, but I know you’ll do what’s right.” Her voice was steady, a quiet reassurance that Ren wasn’t alone.

Later, as Rex fought tirelessly, he was ambushed by a coordinated group of monsters. Realizing there was likely a boss monster controlling them, Rex fought with all his might, but the overwhelming numbers took their toll. Bleeding and on the brink of collapse, he thought, Is this it? I need to get stronger.

At that moment, Ren and Alys arrived, cutting through the horde with precision and teamwork. Together, the three champions managed to defeat the boss monster. Panting and bruised, Ren turned to Rex. “You can’t grow stronger alone. Let us help.”

Rex smiled.

The village celebrated their victory, offering heartfelt thanks and a reward. They also shared news of the Kingdom of Asvail, which was recruiting champions to train and hone their blessings. The kingdom promised elite training and opportunities to grow stronger, an enticing prospect for all three of them.

United by their shared goal of becoming stronger, Ren, Alys, and Rex decided to head to Asvail, ready to face whatever challenges awaited them there.