Dravic didn't look back.
But I did.
The forest behind us shifted.
Low growls.
Branches snapping.
Heavy footsteps crushing fallen leaves.
The monsters that had been lurking in the shadows finally stepped into view — drawn by the scent of blood.
Three wolf-type beasts with dark fur and glowing yellow eyes emerged first, their lips curled back to reveal sharp fangs. Behind them, a larger shape moved — something bulky, breathing heavily.
The injured bandits tried to crawl away.
"W-wait—!"
"Help us!"
"Please! Don't leave us!"
One of the wolves lunged.
"AAAHHH—!"
A scream tore through the trees.
The sound of tearing flesh followed.
Wet. Violent.
Another man cried out, "GET IT OFF ME! GET IT OFF— AAAAAH!"
Crunch.
The sickening sound of bone snapping echoed.
"B-BOSS! SAVE US—!"
The boss, unable to move his broken legs, could only drag himself backward, clawing at the dirt.
"NO—! NO! PLEASE—!"
A deep roar cut him off.
Then—
A horrifying scream.
"AAAAAA—!"
It didn't last long.
Soon the screams turned into desperate choking cries.
Then gurgling.
Then silence.
Only the sound of growling and chewing remained.
Flesh tearing.
Bones cracking.
Low, satisfied snarls.
I felt my stomach tighten.
My fingers unconsciously grabbed the fabric of Dravic's sleeve.
He noticed.
Without turning around, he placed his hand over mine.
"Don't look," he said calmly.
His voice held no guilt.
No hesitation.
"They chose that path."
Another crunch echoed behind us.
Then nothing but the natural sounds of the forest slowly returning.
Birds hesitantly chirped again.
The wind moved through the leaves.
As if nothing had happened.
Dravic finally glanced at me from the corner of his eye.
"Still think I'm cruel?" he asked quietly.
I didn't know how to answer.
Because part of me was horrified.
We walked in silence for a while.
The deeper forest slowly thinned as we headed back toward the safer hunting grounds. The tension in the air had faded, but my chest still felt tight.
Dravic glanced at me. "You're quiet."
"I'm just… thinking," I replied.
"About them?"
I didn't answer.
He sighed softly. "If I had killed them instantly, would that have been better?"
I hesitated. "…I don't know."
"They chose to prey on the weak," he said calmly. "Today, they met something stronger."
His tone wasn't cruel.
Just factual.
After a few more minutes of walking, we reached a small clearing near a stream. Sunlight reflected off the moving water, bright and calm — a complete contrast to what just happened.
"Let's wash the blood off your boots," he said casually.
I blinked. "Huh?"
"You stepped back earlier. There's blood near the sole."
I looked down.
He was right.
We moved closer to the stream. I crouched and rinsed my boots while he stood behind me, watching the flowing water.
"Renji," he called softly.
I looked up.
His expression was different again — not playful, not cold.
Serious.
"If something like that happens again… I won't always wait for your reaction."
I swallowed. "Why?"
"Because if you hesitate, you'll die."
The sound of the stream filled the space between us.
He stepped closer and gently brushed a strand of hair from my face.
"I don't mind being your monster," he said quietly. "As long as you stay alive."
My heart skipped.
The words were possessive.
Dangerous.
But somehow… protective too.
He straightened up and offered his hand.
"Come on. Let's return before sunset."
I placed my hand in his.
And we began walking back toward town — the forest behind us whispering secrets we both chose not to speak aloud.
By the time the town gates came into view, the sky was already turning orange.
The sun was low, casting long shadows across the stone walls. Guards stood near the entrance, lazily checking adventurers returning from their hunts.
The familiar noise of the town slowly replaced the quiet of the forest — merchants calling out prices, children running across the streets, the smell of grilled meat and baked bread drifting through the air.
We stepped through the gates together.
Some adventurers glanced at us.
Or more specifically—
At Dravic.
He walked calmly beside me, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable. Yet even without releasing any aura, there was something about him that made people instinctively move aside.
"You're attracting attention again," I muttered.
He smirked slightly. "Jealous?"
"N-no."
He leaned closer just enough for me to feel his presence. "You should be careful. The way you look at me might give us away."
My face heated instantly. "I'm not looking at you like that."
"Oh?" he teased.
I walked faster toward the Adventurers' Guild to avoid continuing that conversation.
When we entered, the usual noise filled the hall — adventurers laughing, arguing over rewards, the clanking of armor.
The receptionist from earlier looked up.
"Renji, you're back—"
Her eyes shifted to Dravic.
"Oh. And you too."
"We finished hunting," I said, placing several monster cores on the counter.
Her eyes widened slightly. "That many?"
"Just nearby forest monsters," I replied.
Dravic stayed quiet, simply observing.
She counted quickly. "That's a good haul for one day. I'll prepare your reward."
As she walked away, Dravic leaned toward me.
"You handled yourself well today," he said softly.
"You barely let me fight," I whispered back.
He smiled faintly. "Next time."
When the receptionist returned, she handed me a pouch of coins.
"Well done as always, Renji."
"Thank you," I replied.
After finishing at the counter, I turned to him.
"T-then let's get something to eat before going back to the lodgings," I said.
"Alright," Dravic answered easily.
We walked toward the small eating area inside the guild — a cozy corner with wooden tables, warm lantern light, and the comforting smell of soup and grilled meat.
The old lady who ran the place noticed us immediately.
"Oh, young man! You're here again," she said with a bright smile.
"Ah, yes. Good day," I replied politely.
"Are you ordering what you had last time?" she asked knowingly.
"Yes, please."
"And what about this man beside you?" she added, pointing at Dravic.
"I'll have the same as him," Dravic said calmly.
"Alright, alright. Sit down first while I prepare it."
We took a seat at one of the wooden tables near the wall. Dravic sat beside me again — closer than necessary, as usual.
The guild was lively tonight. Adventurers laughed loudly at another table. Someone was bragging about a hunt. Coins clinked. Chairs scraped.
A while later, the old lady returned with two steaming bowls and freshly baked bread.
"There you go," she said cheerfully.
"Thank you," I replied.
The sun had already disappeared outside. Through the windows, the sky was dark blue, and lantern lights flickered along the streets.
I lifted my spoon.
"So warm," I said softly as I took a bite. The rich broth spread through me, easing the fatigue from the day.
Dravic didn't eat immediately.
He was looking at me.
When I glanced at him, he smiled faintly.
"What?" I asked.
"You look satisfied over simple things," he said.
"It's good food," I replied defensively.
He chuckled and finally began eating.