Pain.
That was the first thing I felt when I opened my eyes.
A burning pain spread across my entire body.
"...I'm alive?"
The sky above me was pale blue. Morning sunlight filtered through the tall trees.
For a moment, I couldn't move.
My body felt like it had been crushed by a mountain.
Then the memories returned.
The Crimson Goliath.
The battle.
The claw that tore through my stomach.
And the adventurers…
Leaving.
I slowly lifted my hand.
My clothes were stiff with dried blood.
But the wound had stopped bleeding.
Barely.
"How am I still breathing…?"
My voice sounded hoarse.
It took several painful minutes before I managed to sit up.
Every movement felt like someone stabbing my ribs.
Still… I couldn't stay here.
The monster might come back.
I forced myself to stand.
My legs trembled immediately.
"...Great."
Walking became a slow and painful process.
Step.
Step.
Step.
I had no idea where I was going.
The forest around me looked unfamiliar.
After several minutes, my stomach growled loudly.
"Hungry already…?"
I laughed weakly.
Then I saw it.
A chicken-like bird pecking at the ground near a bush.
My eyes widened.
Food.
Catching it was another story.
Every time I got close, it ran away.
After several frustrating attempts, I finally managed to grab it by throwing a stick and tackling it to the ground.
"...Got you."
My hands were shaking.
I gathered some dry branches and used flint from a broken adventurer kit to start a small fire.
The smell of roasted meat filled the air.
I didn't even wait for it to cook properly before biting into it.
It tasted terrible.
And amazing at the same time.
After eating, I continued walking until I heard something familiar.
Water.
A small river flowed between the rocks.
I collapsed beside it and washed the blood from my wounds.
The cold water stung like hell.
But it cleaned the dirt.
I leaned against a tree.
"...I need to get out of this forest."
---
Meanwhile.
Far away from the forest.
The adventurer party entered the capital of the Kingdom of Valtheria.
The city gates were massive.
Guards stood on both sides as merchants and travelers passed through.
When the adventurers dragged the massive corpse of the Crimson Goliath behind them, people immediately began whispering.
"Is that…?"
"A Crimson Goliath!"
"That's an A-rank monster!"
The adventurers walked proudly through the streets.
Inside the Adventurer Guild, the noise was overwhelming.
Darius slammed a monster claw onto the counter.
"Proof of subjugation."
The guild staff stared in shock.
"You defeated a Crimson Goliath?"
The guild master soon appeared.
A tall man with silver hair and a long coat.
He examined the monster parts carefully.
"...Impressive."
Darius crossed his arms.
"It wasn't easy."
The guild master nodded.
"This achievement alone qualifies your party for promotion."
Garrick grinned widely.
"Promotion?"
"Your party is now officially **Rank B**."
Cheers erupted inside the guild hall.
One of the staff asked curiously.
"How did you defeat a monster like this?"
Darius shrugged.
"We had help."
"Oh?"
"A villager from the southern forest."
The guild master raised an eyebrow.
"And where is he now?"
Darius spoke calmly.
"He died during the fight."
"A brave man."
The guild master nodded respectfully.
"His sacrifice helped you achieve victory."
Darius simply smiled faintly.
"Yes."
"And now that we are Rank B…"
The guild master continued.
"You will no longer be assigned to guard rural villages."
"You will receive missions directly from the capital."
Garrick laughed.
"Finally!"
"No more babysitting dirt farmers."
The guild master turned away.
"Rest well tonight."
"You'll receive your next mission tomorrow."
As the adventurers walked away, Mira stayed silent.
Her hands were slightly clenched.
Garrick noticed.
"What's wrong?"
Mira looked toward the guild door.
"...Nothing."
But in her mind, one thought kept repeating.
Kazu… might still be alive.
---
Far away in the forest…
The boy they abandoned continued walking.