Dune shook his head as the wave of beasts thundered toward the village.

’It’s over.’

There were at least fifteen beasts of different species. With the sorry state the villager warriors had been left in after the earlier ambush, it would be a miracle if they managed to put up any sort of resistance.

"Now!"

As the shout rang through the night, Dune’s eyes narrowed. A bright light suddenly flared beneath the charging beasts, swallowing them whole.

The next moment, the ground beneath them gave way, and their bodies plunged into a deep pit.

Multiple screams of pain tore from the beasts as they were driven into the metal spikes lining its base.

"Attack!"

The grand village gates burst open. Warriors surged out with deafening roars, converging around the pit from all sides.

The next moment, an uncountable number of metal projectiles shot toward the trapped beasts. Blades, spears, knives... they rained down in an unrelenting barrage.

Some pierced straight through the beasts’ eyes, others struck at softer, weaker spots. Many collapsed almost instantly, lifeless.

"Keep firing! It’s working!"

At the village head’s shout, the warriors roared louder, pressing the assault with renewed ferocity.

"...what is this?"

Dune watched it all unfold, his gaze trembling faintly.

He was certain no one should have known about his attack tonight. He hadn’t even told their spy, Guren, to ensure no word of it could leak. Yet the pit, the preparation, the timing... they had clearly been waiting.

The image of a purple-eyed boy surfaced in his mind, but he dismissed it just as quickly. No one could possibly possess such a terrifying level of deduction.

A piercing screech suddenly tore through the night. Dune’s gaze sharpened.

From the hole, a Kharvok used the bodies of its fallen brethren to launch itself out, while a Selnari slipped past the barrage and emerged onto the surface.

Instantly, they ignored the warriors and charged straight toward the village.

The village head’s eyes widened.

"The village—! They’re heading straight for the village!"

The women and children were still inside. If the beasts reached them, there was no telling what would happen.

"I’ve got one!"

"O-okay—then I’ll take the other!"

Kaiden and Fiona broke from formation and chased after them instantly.

Soon, as they reached the village, the beasts split apart, shooting off in different directions.

Kaiden and Fiona exchanged a brief glance, reaching a silent understanding before nodding. They split off as well, each pursuing one beast.

...

Kaiden caught up to the Kharvok just as its boar like frame was about to crash into a house.

"No, no—absolutely not!"

He condensed his metal aura in front of him and slammed into the beast. The impact forced it aside, throwing it off course.

ROAR!

A piercing roar erupted from the beast. An overwhelming aura crashed down on Kaiden, locking his body in place.

However, Kaiden clenched his fists, forcing himself to push through it. A broadsword formed along his arm as he lowered into a stance, his gaze fixed on the beast with fierceness.

"You don’t scare me, you ugly bastard!"

ROAR!

The beast slammed its arms into the ground. Metallic-like roots burst upward, shooting toward Kaiden the next instant.

"Slip step!"

Kaiden’s movement turned fluid, his body flowing like water as he slipped through them, closing the distance in an instant.

"Pulse break!"

Metal aura condensed tightly around his broadsword as he brought it down against the Korvak with all his might. But the Korvak reacted instantly, swiping out with its claw.

"Hrk—!"

Kaiden’s sword was flung aside by the sheer force. Before he could recover, the beast lunged forward, slamming heavily into his body. The impact knocked every bit of air from his lungs.

He was sent flying back, crashing through the walls of a building. Skidding across the ground, he came to a rough stop as he slammed into another wall.

"Hrk...!"

Kaiden spat a mouthful of blood, a violent pain surging through his body as most of his ribs gave way.

"Oh no...!"

"I-Iron Father, please—!"

The woman and child in the building screamed in horror, huddled together and trembling in one corner of the room.

As the beast burst into the building, it let out a low snarl, its gaze locking onto the woman and child. A murderous glint flickered through its eyes as it began to close the distance.

"No..."

Kaiden tried to move, but his body refused to respond. He gritted his teeth.

’I’m so narrow-minded.’

The sight of the desperate villagers, of the grateful village head, struck him all at once.

Throughout the mission, all Kaiden had cared about was surpassing Zephyrion, and he now realized that was the true reason he had insisted on going with the villagers earlier.

He had lost sight of what truly mattered, the villagers.

Their lives and livelihoods were at stake... yet all he had focused on was a pointless competition.

’No more.’

Kaiden gritted his teeth as he made a silent promise to himself. He would still aim to surpass Zephyrion, but no matter what, he would never let it interfere with what truly mattered.

Suddenly, a metal ball formed in his arm, and he flicked it toward the beast. It barely did any damage, yet the beast still turned toward him with a murderous glare.

Kaiden glared back.

The next moment, it thundered toward him. As it reached him, it rose onto its hind legs, its large gleaming claws lifting high.

The instant they came down, Kaiden’s eyes flashed.

"Pulse break!"

His metal aura condensed beneath him, detonating in a burst that hurled him upward.

He twisted midair, slipping past the beast’s claws. Metal condensed to form a blade in his mouth, and he drove it straight into the beast’s eye.

ROAR!

The beast roared in pain. It shook violently, thrashing as it slammed him against the ground in an attempt to throw him off. But Kaiden gripped its hide tightly. Blood gushed from its eye, flooding into Kaiden’s mouth, yet he didn’t loosen his hold.

Desperate, the beast clawed at him, trying to rip him off. A searing pain tore through him as its claws dug through his flesh. Blood spilled freely from the wounds; however, Kaiden’s eyes only burned fiercer.

’Die!’

He forced the blade deeper with everything he had.

Squelch!

The beast suddenly went still, the light in its eyes fading. It slumped down the next moment, completely unmoving.

Kaiden’s breaths came ragged as he lay on his back, staring up at the silver moon.

He had survived.