The ground trembled with heavy, rhythmic thuds.
Not from the wind.
Nor from an earthquake.
But from—something… walking.
Each step struck like a hammer against the chest, compressing the air until it grew thick, turning the already silent forest into something suffocating.
---
Nolan Farrah stood in the middle of the valley.
His cloak was slightly torn at the hem, his sword still dusted with dirt. His black hair was lightly tousled by the wind, yet his eyes—
Remained unnaturally calm.
---
An ordinary person would panic.
But Nolan didn't.
---
"…If this is a dream, someone put a lot of budget into it."
---
He let out a breath, his tone half-joking, half-serious.
---
In front of him—
A massive monster.
Its body twisted grotesquely, its gray skin resembling stone, its eyes glowing like burning embers. Its breath was so hot that the air around it warped.
The distance between them—
Too close.
---
"…Alright."
---
Nolan tightened his grip on the sword.
---
"Quick analysis."
"Unknown environment. Unknown creature. No backup."
---
A faint smile tugged at his lips.
---
"…In short, I'm screwed."
---
The monster roared.
The sound echoed violently across the valley.
Then it charged.
---
Faster than expected.
---
Nolan tilted his body on instinct.
---
**BOOOOOOM!!!**
---
The monster's swing slammed into the ground, sending shards of rock flying.
---
"…That speed is no joke."
---
Nolan stepped back, widening the distance.
His heart beat faster—
But his mind remained sharp.
---
"Can't overpower it."
"Then—use my head."
---
He rotated his wrist, adjusting the angle of his blade.
Wait.
Observe.
---
The monster charged again.
The instant it swung—
Nolan stepped in.
---
**SLASH!!!**
---
A clean, swift strike cut through the air.
---
**CLANG!!!**
---
The blade collided against skin as hard as metal.
---
"…Not bad."
---
A faint cut appeared.
Not deep.
But enough to confirm—
**It can be killed.**
---
The monster roared, retaliating with greater ferocity.
It had no tactics.
Only instinct.
---
And that made it unpredictable.
---
Nolan slipped through its attacks, dodging by mere inches.
The ground exploded around him.
---
"…If one hit lands…"
---
He swallowed.
---
"…there won't be anything left to think about."
---
A sweeping strike came.
Nolan leapt back—
Too late.
---
**BOOOOOOM!!!**
---
The blow grazed him, yet still sent him flying.
---
"…Kh—!"
---
His body rolled across the ground.
Pain.
Intense pain.
---
"…This isn't good…"
---
At that moment—
A voice echoed.
---
"…Echo…"
---
"…What?"
---
A surge of energy erupted within his body.
Not ordinary mana.
---
Deeper.
Heavier.
---
"…Dragon… Echo…"
---
"…You've got to be kidding me…"
---
Nolan's body grew lighter.
Power surged through him.
---
"…Alright."
---
He stood up, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.
---
"…If that's how it is—let's go all in."
---
He charged.
Faster.
---
**SLASH!!!**
---
A sharp, decisive strike.
---
**STAB!!!**
---
This time—
The blade pierced through its skin.
---
The monster roared.
---
Nolan didn't stop.
---
**SLASH!!! SLASH!!!**
---
Two more strikes—
At the same point.
---
Blood sprayed.
---
"…Got you."
---
The monster froze.
---
One final strike—
---
**SLASH!!!**
---
The blade pierced its heart.
---
**BOOOOOOM!!!**
---
It collapsed.
---
Silence.
---
Nolan stood there, breathing heavily.
---
"…So…"
"…I'm still alive."
---
He looked at his hand.
---
"…Dragon Echo…"
---
A shiver ran down his spine.
---
"…What the hell… is this thing?"
---
In the distance—
The wind began to blow.
---
Gentle.
---
Yet carrying something—
---
Something that didn't belong to this place.