Rin stood in the middle of the training grounds, frozen like a statue.
The world around him continued as normal. Soldiers resumed their conversations, commanders discussed the trial, and servants hurried across the courtyard carrying supplies.
But Rin? Rin's soul had quietly packed its bags and left his body.
"...No."
The System chimed brightly.
[Affirmative.]
"No."
[Affirmative.]
"No."
[Affirmative.]
Rin pointed dramatically at the translucent blue window floating in front of him.
"I refuse."
[Request denied.]
"I reject the update."
[Update already installed.]
"I want the previous version."
[Rollback unavailable.]
"I'll uninstall you."
[Administrator privileges required.]
"...Who has administrator privileges?"
[...]
[...]
[The Author.]
Rin slowly lowered his hand.
"...I hate them."
Kaelith watched the entire one-sided conversation with mild curiosity.
"...Are you finished negotiating with the invisible voice?"
Rin looked at him with hollow eyes.
"...No."
"..."
"...I've simply accepted defeat."
Kaelith nodded as though that made perfect sense.
"Good."
"It is NOT good!"
"You remain alive."
"Barely!"
Before Kaelith could answer, a booming laugh echoed across the training grounds.
"HUMAN!"
Rin's shoulders immediately stiffened.
"...No."
Another laugh.
"HUMAN!"
"...Please no."
Heavy footsteps approached.
Each one sounded like someone dropping a wagon full of bricks.
THUD.
THUD.
THUD.
Champion Vorak stopped directly in front of them.
Up close... He was somehow even bigger.
Rin had to crane his neck so far back he nearly lost his balance.
"...You're very tall."
"So I've been told!"
Vorak grinned broadly, his sharp tusks somehow making him look friendlier instead of more intimidating.
"You fight well!"
"I ran well."
"You survived!"
"I panicked professionally."
Vorak laughed again.
"I like you!"
The System immediately chimed.
[Affection Increased.]
"...Stop encouraging him."
Kaelith silently stepped half a pace closer to Rin.
It was subtle. Almost impossible to notice. Almost.
Vorak noticed. His smile faltered for the briefest moment before returning.
"I wished to congratulate your companion."
Kaelith answered calmly.
"You have."
"..."
"..."
The air suddenly felt...
Odd. Not hostile.
Just... Competitive.
Rin looked from one demon to the other.
Then back again.
"...Are you two..."
He pointed between them.
"...having some kind of silent conversation?"
"No."
"Yes."
The answers came simultaneously.
Rin sighed.
"Wonderful."
Selara arrived before the awkward silence could continue.
"General."
Kaelith turned.
"What is it?"
"The council has requested your presence."
"When?"
"Immediately."
Kaelith frowned slightly.
"I expected more time."
"As did I."
Her gaze shifted toward Rin.
"...The human should remain within the fortress."
"I have a name." said Rin.
"I am aware."
"...Then use it."
For a second...
Selara looked genuinely surprised.
"...Very well."
She inclined her head slightly.
"Rin."
"...Better."
Kaelith looked toward Rin.
"I will return shortly."
Rin nodded.
"Don't worry."
A pause.
"I probably won't accidentally start another international incident."
"...Probably? ...Eighty percent."
"..."
"...Seventy?"
Kaelith pinched the bridge of his nose.
"You concern me." said Kaelith.
"I'm a full-time job."
"So I have noticed."
As Kaelith walked away with Selara, Rin watched him disappear through the fortress gate.
Only when he vanished completely did Rin finally notice—
Vorak was still standing there.
Smiling.
"...Why are you still here?"
"I wished to speak."
"...About?"
"You."
"...That's concerning."
Vorak laughed warmly.
"You think too much."
"I don't think enough, actually."
The giant gestured toward a shaded courtyard nearby.
"Walk?"
Rin hesitated. Immediately—
[Optional Interaction Available.]
"Oh, shut up."
Vorak blinked.
"...I did not say anything."
"Not you."
"...You truly do speak with invisible beings."
"You have NO idea."
The courtyard was surprisingly peaceful.
Unlike the military sections of the fortress, this area contained small gardens filled with black roses and silver-leafed trees whose branches shimmered under the afternoon sunlight.
A narrow stream flowed quietly through polished stone channels.
Birds—if they could even be called birds—nested in the branches. Their feathers looked like liquid sapphire.
"...This is beautiful."
Vorak smiled.
"The fortress was not always a place of war."
Rin looked around.
"...Really?"
"Our ancestors built gardens before they built battlefields."
"...That's..."
Unexpected. He had imagined demons living in endless darkness surrounded by lava and skulls.
Instead... Children were running through another nearby courtyard.
A pair of elderly demons sat beneath a tree playing a board game. Someone was hanging laundry from a balcony.
"...You're... normal."
Vorak laughed.
"What did you expect?"
"I don't know..."
Rin rubbed the back of his neck.
"More screaming."
"We do scream."
"I noticed."
"But mostly during meetings."
"...Honestly... we do the same."
Both of them laughed.
They eventually stopped beside a stone bridge overlooking the stream.
Vorak leaned comfortably against the railing.
"You are afraid."
Rin didn't deny it.
"...Yeah."
"Of me?"
"...At first."
"And now?"
Rin thought carefully.
"...I'm still scared."
Vorak nodded.
"But not because you'll hurt me."
The champion looked pleasantly surprised.
"What changed?"
Rin shrugged.
"You could've crushed me during the trial."
"I could have."
"You didn't."
"No."
"You even stopped when the time was over."
Vorak smiled.
"The trial measured courage."
"Not victory."
"Exactly."
Rin leaned against the railing beside him.
"...Back home..."
His voice became quieter.
"I wasn't exactly brave."
Vorak remained silent. Listening.
"I worked. Too much. I never stood up for myself. I never argued. I just..."
Rin watched the water flow beneath the bridge.
"...Kept going."
Until he died.
He didn't say the last part aloud.
He didn't need to. Vorak seemed to understand anyway.
"You carried a heavy burden."
"...Yeah."
"I am sorry."
Simple words. No pity. No judgment. Just...Understanding.
For some reason—
That almost made Rin cry. He quickly looked away.
"I'm okay."
"You are lying."
"...Yeah."
"I know."
Far above them—
Standing on a stone balcony—
Kaelith had returned. Earlier than expected.
The council meeting had ended abruptly after receiving reports from the eastern border.
Now... His golden eyes quietly observed the courtyard below.
Observed Rin. Laughing. Talking comfortably with Vorak. He should have felt relieved.
Rin was making allies. That was good. Strategically. Logically. Necessary.
...
Then why—
Why did something tighten unpleasantly in his chest?
He frowned. Strange. Very strange.
Selara stepped beside him.
"You returned quietly."
"Mm."
She followed his gaze downward.
"...Champion Vorak seems fond of Rin."
Kaelith didn't answer.
"He has always admired clever warriors."
"..."
"...General?"
Finally—
Kaelith spoke.
"...He smiles differently."
Selara blinked.
"...Rin?"
"No."
"...Vorak."
"..."
"..."
Selara looked between the two figures below.
Then... Very slowly... A tiny smile appeared on her face.
"...General."
"What?"
"...Are you..."
She hesitated.
"...Jealous?"
Kaelith immediately answered.
"No."
Too quickly. Selara noticed.
"I see."
"There is nothing to see."
"Of course."
"..."
"..."
"...General."
"What."
"You answered before I finished asking."
"..."
"..."
Kaelith looked away.
"...Impossible."
Yet... The uncomfortable feeling remained.
Back in the courtyard... Neither Rin nor Vorak had noticed they were being watched.
"So..." Rin asked.
"What happens now?"
Vorak crossed his massive arms thoughtfully.
"You become stronger."
"Hopefully."
"You earn trust."
"I'll try."
"You survive."
"...Definitely trying."
The champion smiled.
"I will train you."
Rin blinked.
"...Really?"
"Yes."
"You'd teach me?"
"You learn quickly."
"...Mostly because I enjoy living."
"A good motivation."
"I've found it works."
Vorak extended one enormous hand.
"Partners?"
Rin looked at it. Then smiled.
"Training partners."
"Yes."
Rin reached out—
And shook his hand. Immediately—
The System exploded with notifications.
[Relationship Updated.]
[Champion Vorak has become a Trusted Ally.]
[Affection Increased: +5]
[Hidden Route Progress: 15%]
"...WHY."
Vorak tilted his head.
"...Why what?"
"Nothing!"
The giant looked unconvinced.
At that exact moment—
Another notification appeared. Different. Red. Flashing. Urgent.
[Emergency Main Story Event Detected.]
Rin's smile vanished.
"...That's never good."
The peaceful courtyard suddenly shook. A loud explosion echoed somewhere beyond the fortress walls. Then another.
Then—
The deep, unmistakable sound of war horns.
BWOOOOOOOM.
BWOOOOOOOM.
Every soldier in sight stopped moving. The atmosphere changed instantly. Relaxation disappeared. Training ceased. Children were rushed indoors. Commanders sprinted through the fortress. Someone shouted from atop the walls.
"ENEMIES AT THE EASTERN GATE!"
Another voice answered.
"THE HOLY KINGDOM'S ARMY HAS ARRIVED!"
The System's cheerful voice felt horrifying against the chaos.
[Main Story Event Beginning.]
[The First Siege.]
[Objective:]
[Protect Kaelith.]
Rin stared.
"...Wait."
Another notification appeared.
[Failure Condition:]
[If Kaelith dies...]
[The World Ends.]
Rin's blood ran cold.
"...Excuse me?"
He slowly looked toward the fortress walls—
Where Kaelith had already disappeared in a swirl of black cloak, moving toward the battlefield without hesitation.
The war...
Had begun.