We had hunted more than enough monsters by the time the forest grew noticeably darker. The trees were taller here, their branches thick and intertwined, allowing only thin streams of sunlight to pass through.
"A-are we still going to hunt?" I asked, adjusting my sword at my waist.
Dravic glanced at me with a teasing look. "Hmm. Do you want to do it already?" he asked casually.
"I—I mean, we hunted a lot already," I said quickly. "And I don't want to get more attention from other adventurers."
He studied me for a moment before nodding.
"Alright. Let's rest."
He pointed toward a large tree a short distance away.
It was massive — far older than the others. Its trunk was wide enough that three people probably couldn't fully wrap their arms around it. The bark was rough and dark, roots spreading across the ground like thick veins. The shade beneath it was cool and quiet.
We walked over.
He sat down first, leaning his back comfortably against the trunk. Then he smiled and tapped the space beside him, silently inviting me.
I hesitated.
But after a few seconds, I slowly walked over and sat beside him.
The moment I did—
He suddenly grabbed my waist and pulled me onto his lap.
"W-wait—!" I gasped, trying to move, but his arms were already wrapped firmly around me.
"What's the problem?" he said smoothly. "I'm just giving you a warm hug."
My face burned.
I was fully aware that we were still in the forest.
"I—I'm embarrassed," I muttered.
He only chuckled softly and rested his chin on my shoulder, holding me comfortably like I belonged there.
I didn't know how to escape without making it worse.
So in the end… I stayed still.
A while later, he pressed a gentle kiss against my cheek.
Then another.
And then his lips brushed lightly against my neck.
"N-not here, please," I whispered nervously.
"Don't worry," he murmured near my ear. "I'm just kissing you."
His tone was softer now — less teasing, more possessive.
The forest around us remained quiet.
Only the rustling leaves and my racing heartbeat filled the silence.
My breath started to feel uneven.
He was still close — too close. His lips brushed slowly along my neck, leaving warm, lingering touches that made my body react before my mind could catch up.
His hands moved lightly over my chest, teasing, not rough — but deliberate.
"Y-you said you wouldn't do it here… w-what are you doing?" I asked weakly, my voice barely steady.
"Relax," he murmured near my ear. "I just want to be closer to you."
His arms tightened slightly around my waist.
"I feel like I can't hold back anymore," he added, his voice lower than before.
My heart was pounding so loudly I was afraid someone might hear it.
The forest felt suddenly smaller. The air warmer.
"Dravic…" I whispered, unsure if I was telling him to stop — or just saying his name.
He paused for a moment, his breath brushing against my skin.
Then he rested his forehead lightly against mine.
"If I keep going," he said quietly, "I won't stop."
His red eyes searched my face.
I swallowed.
The warmth of his body, the way his hands held my waist — firm but not forcing — made my thoughts blur.
"W-we're outside…" I whispered, though my voice lacked strength.
He studied my face carefully, as if searching for something.
Then, slowly… he pulled back.
Just a little.
His hands moved from my chest to my hips, holding me steady but no longer teasing.
"Look at you," he said softly. "You're reacting so honestly."
My face burned.
"I'm not—"
He brushed his thumb lightly against my cheek, stopping me.
"I said I wouldn't do it here," he murmured. "And I meant it."
His voice carried restraint now — controlled, but heavy.
He leaned in once more, pressing a slow kiss to my lips. Not rushed. Not wild.
Just deep.
When he pulled away, he rested his chin on my shoulder again, hugging me from behind.
"Let's finish hunting for today," he said calmly. "If I stay like this any longer… I'll change my mind."
I didn't know whether to feel relieved or disappointed.
After a moment, he finally released me.
"Stand up," he said with a faint smile.
I quickly got off his lap, trying to steady myself.
He stood as well, adjusting his clothes as if nothing had happened.
"Come on, Renji," he added lightly. "The sooner we finish… the sooner we can go back."
His eyes glinted.
And my heart started racing all over again.
Before we could take another step—
Voices echoed from ahead.
A group of men stepped out from between the trees, blocking the path.
Eight of them.
Weapons drawn. Smirking.
"Ohh, you two seem loaded, huh?" one of them said, twirling a dagger lazily. "Why don't you hand over your gear and money… and we'll spare you."
Dravic's arm slid around my waist, pulling me closer to his side.
He leaned down, his lips brushing near my ear as he whispered softly,
"How would you like me to deal with them? Should I kill them now?"
His tone was almost playful.
"H-hey! What are you whispering about?" another man barked. "Just hand over your money and we'll spare your lives!"
I counted quickly.
Eight.
"You're wasting my time, you idiot bastards," the apparent boss spat. "Boys. Kill them."
A large man stepped forward first, gripping a heavy axe over his shoulder. He grinned as he walked toward us.
But before he could take another full step—
Dravic lazily raised one finger.
Pointed it at the man's face.
"Boom," he said lightly.
POP.
The sound was sickening.
The man's head exploded instantly.
Blood sprayed across the leaves. His body dropped to the ground.
For a second—
No one moved.
"W-what—?!" one of the bandits stammered.
"B-boss! He killed him instantly! He didn't even use a weapon!"
"B-boss, that man is dangerous—!"
"N-nonsense!" the boss shouted, though his voice shook slightly. "Surround them!"
The remaining seven rushed forward all at once.
And then—
Dravic disappeared.
Not vanished.
Moved.
Too fast to follow.
CRACK.
A scream tore through the forest.
"AAAGH—!"
Another snap.
"MY ARM—!"
A leg bent the wrong way.
A body slammed into a tree.
Within seconds, the forest was filled with the sound of breaking bones and desperate cries.
"PLEASE—!"
"STOP—!"
Dravic reappeared in front of me as if he had never moved at all.
Around us, the seven men lay on the ground, limbs twisted unnaturally, weapons scattered uselessly.
He dusted off his sleeve.
Now then," he said with a small smile, "what should I do with all of you?"
I stood frozen.
I had seen him kill monsters easily.
But this—
This was different.
He looked at me briefly.
There was a question in his eyes.
The bandit boss, barely able to lift his head, cried out, "P-please! Forgive us! We won't do it again!"
"W-we swear!"
Dravic tilted his head.
"Alright," he said calmly. "I'll spare your lives."
Relief flashed across their faces.
"But…" he added, pointing casually toward the darker part of the forest.
Several monster shapes were moving between the trees — drawn by the noise and blood.
"What about them?" he asked lightly.
The bandits' faces drained of color.
"W-wait! Please help us!" the boss begged.
Dravic ignored them.
Instead, he walked back to me.
Wrapped an arm around my waist.
And without warning—
He pulled me into a kiss.
My eyes widened.
The injured bandits stared in disbelief.
"H-he's kissing him…" one of them muttered weakly.
I could only grip lightly onto Dravic's shoulder, my face burning, fully aware of the eyes on us.
But Dravic didn't seem to care.
He deepened the kiss slightly, slow and deliberate.
As if claiming me.
As if making a statement.
Then he finally pulled back.
He looked at the trembling bandits one last time.
"Consider this mercy," he said calmly.
The sounds of approaching monsters grew louder behind them.
Dravic gently patted my head.
"Alright," he said softly. "Let's go back."
And just like that—
He walked away, leaving the bandits to face what they had invited.