The road stretched endlessly ahead of them.
"How long until we reach the next town?" Harals asked, adjusting the sword on his back.
"We should arrive before nightfall," Friea replied.
Harals hesitated.
"Can I ask you something?"
Thorkel shrugged. "Yeah."
"Where are you two from?"
Friea and Thorkel exchanged a glance.
"We're from a city in the Eastern Lands," Friea said.
Thorkel continued, "A high-ranking family, actually."
Harals raised an eyebrow. "Then why leave?"
There was a pause.
"They hate us," Friea said flatly.
"The entire city does," Thorkel added. "Even our parents."
Harals stopped walking. "What? Why?"
Friea forced a small smile, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"We're weak. The weakest in our family. No special talents. No outstanding abilities. So they look down on us."
"Our family doesn't tolerate weakness," Thorkel said quietly. "So we left."
Friea's expression hardened.
"We'll defeat the Demon King. And when we return… it won't be as weaklings."
"It'll be as heroes," Thorkel finished.
Harals studied them silently.
"Looks like we made it," Friea said, pointing ahead.
A massive town came into view, bustling with activity.
"Damn," Harals muttered. "This place is huge…"
"Alright! Today's going to be another amazing day!"
A young man stood outside a small apartment building, stretching.
Beside him, a woman sighed.
"What are you talking about, Hakari? A good day at a 9-to-5 job in Tokyo? Impossible."
Hakari laughed.
"Come on, Rika. Be a little optimistic. You can at least try to live life to the fullest."
"You're way too optimistic."
Later that evening.
Hakari walked out of his office building, exhausted but smiling.
"That was a great day at work."
"You got scolded by your boss, dummy," Rika said.
Hakari scratched his head. "I don't see how that's a bad thing. Anyway, which toy did Nico want?"
Rika stopped walking.
"You're seriously going to buy that? It costs half your monthly salary."
Hakari looked down at his phone.
"…But I have to, right? To be a perfect father."
Rika's voice softened.
"If that's your definition of perfect… then you'll never be one."
Hakari froze.
"I have to," he whispered. "I just have to be perfect… a perfect son… perfect husband… perfect father…"
Harals suddenly opened his eyes.
"…What a strange dream."
He sat up slowly.
"Who was that?" he muttered. "And what is Tokyo?"
"Finally awake?" Thorkel said from across the room. "Let's go eat."
Harals nodded quietly.
The inn was lively.
Thorkel stuffed his mouth with food. "Wow. This is amazing."
"Yeah," Harals replied absentmindedly.
Friea leaned forward excitedly.
"Guess what? The alliance now has thirty members."
"Thirty?" Harals looked up.
"Yes! We're meeting in Moss Town — near the territory of the Sword Demon."
Harals's eyes sharpened slightly.
"So he's the first target?"
"Most likely," Friea replied. "But we'll discuss that when everyone gathers."
Thorkel stood up suddenly. "Before that… it's time."
Harals blinked. "Time for what?"
"Our monthly duel," Friea said confidently. "It keeps us sharp."
"You fight each other?" Harals asked.
"It makes us stronger," she replied. "And I'll finally show you what I can really do."
They moved to a wide open field outside the town.
Friea stepped back and raised her hand.
"Divine Destruction!"
Thorkel grinned and lifted his hammer.
"Lightning Blast!"
Harals's eyes widened.
"Wait—"
The two attacks collided.
BOOM.
A shockwave tore across the field. Grass was ripped from the earth. The ground cracked beneath their feet.
When the dust settled—
Friea stood, breathing heavily.
Thorkel dropped to one knee.
"Damn it… no way I lost."
Friea smirked. "That makes it four to four. We're tied."
Thorkel stood up, laughing. "Next time I'm winning."
Harals stared at the destroyed field.
"You two are… insanely strong."
Friea smiled proudly.
And the three of them continued their journey.
To be continued…