We continued walking deeper into the forest, the trees growing taller and thicker the farther we went. The sunlight barely reached the ground now. The air felt colder, heavier.
"Seems like there are fewer monsters here," Dravic said casually, looking around.
"Maybe other adventurers cleared them," I replied.
He glanced at me, a small smile forming. "Why don't we go deeper?"
I stopped walking.
"N-no. I'm not strong enough yet. The monsters deeper inside are stronger," I said honestly.
He tilted his head. "Are you doubting my strength?"
"It's not that," I quickly answered. "Even if you're strong, we still can't guarantee nothing will happen."
He stepped closer and suddenly wrapped an arm around my side, pulling me lightly against him.
"Don't worry," he said softly near my ear. "I've got you."
My face warmed a little. He kept walking while still holding my hips, guiding me forward. It felt awkward, but I couldn't bring myself to tell him to let go.
Then—
A loud growl echoed through the trees.
We both stopped.
From between the thick trunks, a massive bear stepped out. It was bigger than any normal bear I had seen before. Its fur was dark brown, almost black, and its claws were long and curved like blades.
"B-bear… I've fought one before," I said, trying to steady my breathing.
"Need my help?" Dravic asked calmly.
"No. I think I can handle it."
He released me and stepped back slightly. "Alright. Be careful."
I raised my sword and ran forward.
The bear roared.
The sound wasn't normal—it came with a force that pushed the air outward. I felt it hit my chest like a wave.
It charged immediately.
Its massive paw swung toward me.
I jumped back just in time. The claws scraped the ground where I had been standing.
It attacked again, faster this time. I stepped to the side, barely avoiding the swipe. The wind from its claws brushed past my face.
Dravic was watching silently from behind.
I rushed forward, aiming for its side. My blade struck its thick fur and skin, making only a small cut.
The bear roared in anger and turned toward me.
It slammed its paw downward.
I rolled away, feeling the ground shake from the impact.
I pushed myself up and attacked again, this time aiming for its back. I managed to cut deeper, and it roared loudly, shaking its body violently.
Then it stood up on its hind legs.
Its roar this time was louder.
So loud that I instinctively stepped back.
That's when I saw it.
Crackling blue sparks began forming around its head.
Lightning.
The electricity spread from its head down to its claws.
"W-what is that?" I muttered.
"Renji, it's a mutated monster!" Dravic shouted. "Be careful not to get hit by that lightning!"
I gripped my sword tighter.
The bear dropped back down and rushed toward me with unbelievable speed.
I barely managed to dodge.
It turned instantly and attacked again.
Before I could react—
Its electrified paw slammed into my shoulder.
"Ghah—!"
A sharp shock ran through my body.
I was thrown backward and hit the ground hard.
My shoulder burned. My vision blurred for a second.
"Renji, stand up!" Dravic shouted. "I cast a barrier on you! Hurry before it attacks again!"
A faint glow surrounded me.
The bear charged again, lightning sparking wildly around its claws.
I forced myself up.
It swung at me.
I jumped to the side, feeling the electricity crackle against the barrier.
The bear attacked again, faster.
I gritted my teeth and rushed forward instead of retreating.
If I kept dodging, I'd lose stamina.
I gathered all my strength into my arms.
When it raised its paw to strike, I swung my sword with everything I had.
The blade cut through its arm.
Blood splashed onto the ground.
It roared in pain.
I quickly moved to its side and slashed across the earlier wound on its stomach, making the cut deeper.
The bear staggered.
Lightning flickered wildly around its body.
"Finish it!" Dravic shouted.
"Yes!"
The bear tried to stand fully again.
I ran toward it and jumped, using a nearby rock for height.
I landed on its back.
It shook violently, trying to throw me off.
I raised my sword high.
The lightning surged.
When I stabbed downward toward its neck—
"Urgh—!"
The electricity surged through my blade and into my arms.
Pain shot through me.
But I didn't let go.
I pulled the sword out and swung with all my remaining strength.
The blade cut through its neck.
Its head separated from its body.
The lightning vanished instantly.
The massive body trembled and collapsed heavily onto the ground.
Silence filled the forest.
"Haa… haa…"
I dropped to one knee, breathing heavily.
"I… I did it," I said with a tired but satisfied smile.
Dravic walked toward me slowly.
"Well done, Renji," he said, smiling. "I didn't expect you to kill it that quickly."
I stood up slowly and walked toward the corpse.
Near its chest, a glowing core rolled out.
It was different.
Instead of the usual red or dark color—
It was blue.
Bright blue.
Small sparks of electricity danced inside it.
I picked it up carefully.
It felt warm.
Energy pulsed through it in steady waves.
"This… it's different from the ordinary bear's core," I said quietly.
Dravic stood beside me. "It's because it mutated."
I stared at the blue glow.
"If I absorb this… does that mean I can use its electric power?" I asked.
He crossed his arms and smiled slightly. "Why don't you try it?"
I hesitated for only a second.
"You're right."
I closed my eyes and focused.
The moment I began absorbing it—
A powerful surge of energy rushed into my body.
Blue light surrounded me.
Electric sparks flickered around my arms.
"Ghh—!"
It felt stronger than the other cores.
Hot.
Sharp.
Wild.
The electricity ran through my veins, but instead of hurting, it slowly began to settle.
I could feel it.
Something new inside me.
A different kind of power.
When I opened my eyes, faint sparks danced around my fingers.
Dravic looked impressed.
"Well?"
I raised my hand slightly.
A small crack of lightning formed between my fingers.
"I… I think I can use it," I said in disbelief.
The blue sparks faded slowly.
My heart was pounding.
This was new.
Stronger.
Dangerous.
And exciting.
Dravic stepped closer and gently brushed my hair back.
"See?" he said softly. "Going deeper wasn't a bad idea."
I looked at my hand again, feeling the lingering electricity under my skin.
Maybe he was right.