That afternoon, after the training ended, Arou stood in front of Airi with a serious expression.
"Airi… I need your help. Can you take me to the Dwarven workshop? I want to forge a sword there."
Airi looked at him for a moment, Crimson Resolve resting in her hand, then slowly nodded.
"…Alright. I'll take you there."
Nova, standing beside them, gave a faint smile as he looked at Airi. He felt relieved seeing her move with confidence again after the long training.
"I'll stay by your side… don't worry," he whispered.
Airi glanced at him briefly, offering a small smile, and the three of them began their journey. The evening wind brushed against their faces, while the sky glowed in golden orange hues at the horizon.
Airi's steps were steady, Crimson Resolve in hand. Nova walked beside her, keeping pace and ensuring the path was safe. Arou followed calmly behind.
"The Dwarven workshop is famous for its quality," Arou said. "Any sword forged there will be far stronger. But I need you to get me there safely."
"I understand… we'll make it there," Airi replied.
Their journey became a quiet moment—giving Airi space to calm her mind, and Nova the chance to remain by her side.
"After this, your sword will be even stronger. But don't forget to rest too…" Nova said softly.
Airi smiled faintly and nodded. She realized this journey wasn't just about forging a weapon—but about building trust and stronger teamwork between her, Nova, and Arou.
---
The three of them continued along the path toward the Dwarven workshop. The sunset faded, replaced by a dark sky veiled with thin clouds. The night wind carried the scent of damp earth and rustling leaves.
Then—
A strange sound echoed from the distance.
"…Something's there," Airi said quietly.
Nova immediately stepped beside her, eyes sharp. Arou shifted into a defensive stance.
In an instant, hundreds of figures emerged from the shadows.
Demons with twisted horns. Massive scaled monsters. Red-eyed aliens blocking both the front and the back.
"…How are there so many of them?" Arou muttered.
"They're invaders… all kinds. Stay sharp," Nova said.
Airi tightened her grip on Crimson Resolve.
"We can't attack all at once. We need a strategy."
"I'll hold the front line," Nova said firmly. "You focus on striking their weak points."
"Stay coordinated," Arou added. "Every step matters."
The ground trembled as the enemies advanced.
"Ready?" Airi asked.
"Always," Nova replied.
And then—
They moved.
---
There was no signal.
No negotiation.
The moment the invaders stepped out from the trees—
They attacked.
Screams of demons pierced the air.
Aliens advanced in unison.
Monsters roared, breaking the silence of the forest.
"Airi! They're charging!" Nova shouted.
Airi stepped forward without hesitation, raising Crimson Resolve.
ZRAASH!
A demon split in two. Two monsters behind it collapsed before they even realized the blade had moved.
From the right, three silver-skinned aliens lunged.
"Ice Shot!"
Shards of ice pierced their chests, freezing and shattering them instantly.
But the numbers didn't decrease.
The next wave came immediately.
"How… how are there this many?!" Arou gasped.
A massive monster lunged at him—
"Arou! Duck!"
CRACK!
Its head was severed before it could reach him.
"Stay behind me. Don't get separated," Airi said.
"R-Right…"
Meanwhile, Nova was surrounded.
"Wind Burst!"
A violent gust blasted enemies away—but he was already breathing heavily.
"They keep coming… I don't have enough mana to hold them all…"
"Don't focus on holding them back. Strike the closest ones," Airi said.
"Got it!"
---
The battle escalated.
A giant beast charged—
BOOOOM!!
Airi clashed with it head-on, cracking its body before finishing it off.
But then—
Another wave.
Larger.
Faster.
Denser.
"…This isn't normal," Nova whispered.
"If we fall here… we die before reaching the Dwarves," Airi replied.
---
The battle continued, growing more intense.
Until—
Srek!
A spear pierced Airi's shoulder.
"AIRI!!" Nova screamed.
Blood poured down as Airi staggered.
"Don't… focus on me. Focus on the enemies," she said weakly, pulling the spear out.
But things only got worse.
Nova was slashed across the face.
Arou struggled to hold the line.
And then—
Another wave.
Endless.
"If they want to drag us into hell…" Airi said, raising her blade despite trembling arms,
"…then we'll drag them down first."
---
The ground suddenly exploded.
Five massive creatures emerged—Burrow Tyrants.
The fight grew even more brutal.
Then—
A commander appeared.
A tall demonic figure with a black spear, radiating overwhelming pressure.
"…A commander," Airi muttered.
"This one's different," Nova said.
The demon struck the ground—
BOOOOM!!
Dark energy surged outward.
"If this keeps escalating… we won't make it back," Nova said.
"Then we end it here," Airi replied.
They charged.
---
The battlefield became chaos.
Explosions. Blood. Screams.
Then—
Airi was struck.
Hard.
Her body flew across the ground.
"…Airi?" Nova whispered.
No response.
Something inside him snapped.
"You… touched the person most precious to me."
His aura exploded.
Magic spiraled violently.
"I won't forgive any of you."
Everything was obliterated.
---
Later, after the destruction—
Nova carried Airi on his back.
"I'll protect her," he said quietly.
Through rain and exhaustion, he walked—
Until finally—
The massive stone gates of the Dwarves appeared.
"…Just a little more…"
---
Inside the Dwarven stronghold—
Zen turned, eyes widening.
"…That girl…"
"She's the one who passed my trial."
"What happened to her!?"
"She fought… without stopping," Arou said.
"Treat her. Please," Nova said.
Zen's expression hardened.
"Take her to the Core Recovery Chamber. Now!"
---
Later, in the forge—
"I want two swords," Arou said.
"One of fire. One of ice."
Zen stared.
"…You're serious?"
"I don't want to rely on them alone anymore."
"…Very well."
The forging began.
After hours—
Two blades were completed.
"Obsidian Blade."
A weapon of balance.
---
"Go back," Zen said.
"Airi will stay here."
"…Take care of her," Arou said.
"That's my job."
---
Back home—
"…Where's Airi?" Nora asked.
"She's with the Dwarves… being treated," Arou answered.
Silence fell.
"…Then tell us everything."
---
Deep underground—
Airi slowly opened her eyes.
"…Zen…?"
"You're finally awake."
"…Nova… Arou…?"
"They're safe."
Relief filled her chest.
Zen looked at her seriously.
"You endured beyond human limits."
Airi closed her eyes, tears forming.
"Rest."
When he left—
Airi whispered softly,
"…Thank you…"
For the first time since the battle—
She felt safe.