A routine settled in, gentle and natural, as our relationship progressed, step by step.
Day after day, we opened up more to each other, sharing our thoughts, our fears, our hopes.
Days passed.
Weeks flew by.
Months went on.
And we were happy.
We were in love, enjoying our young life as a couple under a sky that, though devoid of stars, felt infinite to us.
Time passed, and with it, our strength grew.
I had gained a few levels, reaching level 56. But after the level 50 threshold, progress became harder—each victory demanded more effort.
Cassandre, on her end, had soared. Starting from a lower level, she had now reached level 41.
Her latest skill? A reinforcement ability capable of amplifying the combat prowess of her allies. A precious gift, making her much more than a simple healer.
I had evolved two abilities:
Identification (Lesser) had become Identification (Novice), and Blood Manipulation (Lesser) had become Blood Manipulation (Novice).
I was rather proud of myself. Of us.
Each day, we improved, our powers growing side by side.
But the further we went, the stronger the creatures we faced became. Their levels climbed, their attacks more unpredictable.
Danger was everywhere.
But so were we.
Yet a question lingered in my mind: was there truly a way out of this hell?
And if, in the end, a sacrifice was necessary to reduce our numbers...?
No.
I refused to be that sacrifice.
I wanted to live.
To truly live. To live with Cassandre.
But what haunted me most... was that creature we had seen in the sky.
A dragon.
Or rather… a winged abomination.
It floated in the air, a titanic silhouette etched against the horizon. Even from a distance, it seemed immense, unreal, as if the sky itself bent beneath its existence.
Even the birds, those wild creatures of this world, seemed to flee the space around it. The wind had stopped. Silence reigned—absolute, total—as if the world itself was holding its breath. Flashes of light distorted around it, as if space itself refused to contain it.
Its body was covered in black scales with amethyst reflections, radiating a darkness so alive it warped the light around it. Its wings, wide as funerary sails, beat slowly, stirring ghostly gusts of wind.
Then it turned its head slightly, and even though we were infinitely far from it, I felt its gaze brush across our existence.
And it felt like a bottomless abyss opened beneath my feet.
A blinding migraine pierced through my skull, as if my mind refused to comprehend the magnitude of what I saw. I felt my thoughts wither under its gaze.
My blood ran cold. My muscles froze.
My instinct screamed one thing:
DEATH.
An entity like that didn't belong to this world.
We weren't meant to see it.
And above all… we weren't meant to be seen.
But it didn't even bother to come closer.
No extra wingbeat. No motion in our direction.
Nothing.
As if we were ants in its eyes.
Insignificant.
And somehow, that was even more terrifying.
Because if a creature like that deemed us unworthy of its attention… then what kind of beings did deserve it?
What kind of enemies would we have to face to be worthy of its gaze?
I swallowed slowly, my heart still beating in erratic pulses.
Better never to find out.
Better never to cross its path again.
Never.
And so, embracing the love that grew between us, the weeks went on.
Our days were filled with training, hunting, and survival—but the nights… the nights were ours.
Lying near the fire, the empty sky above, Cassandre traced soft circles on my palm with her fingertips.
— You know… before all this, I dreamed of adventure, but I never thought it would be this hard, she murmured.
I ran my fingers through her golden hair, tucking a strand behind her ear.
— And now?
She turned her head toward me, a gentle smile on her lips.
— Now… I'm happy.
My heart skipped a beat.
— Me too, I whispered.
A quiet silence settled between us, warmed by the crackling fire.
Then, she slid her hand to my cheek and brought her face closer to mine.
— So… promise me something.
I met her gaze—those azure oceans where I could lose myself without regret.
— Anything you want.
— No matter what happens… no matter what we face… we'll make it through together.
A familiar warmth filled me.
I kissed her lips, whispering against them:
— Together.
And in that moment, I knew that no matter what came, I would fight to the end to protect this happiness.
The days stretched on in a gentle rhythm of training, exploration, and moments shared with Cassandre. The forest surrounding us, with its unreal glows and bizarrely tinted flora, continued to whisper its mysteries on the wind. The rustling leaves, the distant cries of unknown birds, the occasional crackle of creatures hidden in the shadows... it all formed a wild symphony, constantly reminding us we were only guests in this strange world.
Then, one morning, as golden sunlight filtered through the canopy, Cassandre reached a decisive milestone.
A luminous glow enveloped her, as soft as a dawn's ray, as pure as the breeze caressing wet leaves. Her eyes widened in surprise as new energy pulsed through her. I watched, fascinated. Even the air seemed to tremble around her, infused with a sacred essence.
— This is… incredible… she whispered, a trembling hand over her heart.
Her aura had changed. I could almost feel its soothing warmth brushing against my skin, calming me as if her mere presence lightened my burdens.
— Cassandre… you've evolved.
She looked at me, eyes shining with emotion, then burst into laughter, her joy lighting up her entire face.
— Yes! I reached level 50! she announced proudly.
A wave of pride swelled in me. Her evolution wasn't trivial. She was no longer just a healer—she had become a Saint Aspirant, a step toward something even greater.
— So, how do you feel? I asked with a smile.
She closed her eyes a moment, inhaling deeply, letting this new energy sink into her being.
— I feel… stronger. More connected. Like my light can truly reach hearts—not just heal wounds.
She opened her eyes, and in them, I saw a new determination. She wasn't just Cassandre anymore, the kind woman brewing teas and watching over me. She was becoming a protector, a guide—a beacon in this cruel world.
And in that moment, I knew, more than ever, that I wanted to walk at her side.
Facing chimeras had become our routine. Day after day, the creatures were more numerous, more ferocious, more dangerous. Our bodies bore the marks of these constant battles, but our minds never wavered. We were forged by brutality, adapting with every threat, evolving with every clash.
I couldn't help but think about the other groups scattered through this hell. I shook the thought. In this jungle, where death lingered behind every shadow, distractions were fatal.
That day, a shiver ran down my spine the moment we saw it.
An aberration. A monster both magnificent and nightmarish.
It resembled a tiger—or what a tiger might become after fusing with nature itself. Its fur was interwoven with living vines, quivering with each movement. Venomous red flowers bloomed along its spine, releasing an intoxicating, almost hypnotic scent. Bioluminescent mushrooms dotted its back, intermittently releasing glowing spores that shimmered in the forest's thick air.
But its eyes marked me the most.
Fluorescent blue, they pierced us with cold intelligence—a consciousness monsters usually lacked. This wasn't a beast driven by instinct. It was a predator. A king in its domain.
I tightened my grip on my weapon. My heart beat faster, but it wasn't fear. It was the thrill of battle—the rush of facing a worthy enemy.
— Today, we're facing something far more powerful than usual. Are you ready? I asked, eyes never leaving the beast.
Beside me, Cassandre nodded, a confident smile on her lips.
— Always.
We were ready. After all this time, our movements were a perfectly synchronized dance. Fighting side by side, we had learned to read each other without words. As if we were no longer two individuals, but a single entity battling in unison.
The fight was about to begin.
Cassandre didn't hesitate. She raised her hand, a golden halo briefly surrounding her before extending to me. Familiar warmth surged through my body, amplifying my already supernatural speed.
I vanished.
The tiger lay lazily on the ground, sure of its dominance. Here, it was the predator. Nothing could threaten it... or so it thought.
I drew my claws, slashing my own palm to coat them with my own poison. Then, with a precise motion, I opened a gourd at my belt, letting a violet liquid drip onto my natural blades. A deadly poison Cassandre had crafted herself—a mix of chimera blood and plants with mysterious, fearsome properties.
In a breath, I lunged.
With a blinding dash, I carved a bloody trail along its flank, then vanished again, streaking through the shadows like a ghost.
A roar burst out—powerful, thunderous—shaking leaves and scattering birds. The tiger had sprung to its feet, muscles tense, fully alert. It knew. It knew it was poisoned. Its incandescent blue eyes flared. A skill. Heightened perception? Probably.
Then its gaze snapped—toward Cassandre.
In a heartbeat, it leapt—massive body soaring at terrifying speed, ready to rip apart the face I loved.
Fatal mistake.
It thought we wanted a long fight?
I was already above Cassandre, hidden in the canopy, having anticipated every move.
She smiled just as it lunged.
Bloody spikes shot from the ground and trees like vengeful spears, impaling the creature in an explosion of gore. I had seeded blood strategically beforehand, ready to be manipulated at my signal. The impact was brutal, halting its charge instantly.
Cassandre, unfazed, opened another gourd and slowly poured its contents over the monster's head.
That liquid…
It wasn't a poison.
It was a curse. A living parasite—hungry, driven by a will not its own. It slid through pores, sought mucous membranes, infiltrated every crevice like it had a mind of its own.
It wanted to replace it. To wear its body, speak with its torn voice.
An acid that dissolved the inside of a being without harming its skin.
The tiger howled—a broken, soul-shredding sound. It convulsed. Its flesh withered before our eyes, its skeleton trying to burst through skin now too large.
And Cassandre watched, smiling.
I jumped to the ground, turned to her, and laughed:
— Are you sure you're a Saint Aspirant and not a Demon Aspirant?
She gave me a flustered look, realizing how terrifying she'd just been. Then, blushing, she gave me a playful shove.
— Stop teasing me! You know I've got the heart of a saint! What did you call me at the beginning again?
She paused, then said with mischievous emphasis:
— L.I.T.T.L.E G.O.D.D.E.S.S.
A solid hit—but she didn't expect my counterattack.
With theatrical flair, I placed a hand on my chest and declared:
— It's true, you are my little goddess. The one I love. The one I want to spend my life with. The one I devote myself to!
Her eyes widened. Her face turned crimson.
— Y-you… You're just saying nonsense! she muttered, turning away to hide from my amused grin.
The fight was over.
And this round—I had won.
Then, as if to pull us back to reality:
Ding!
You have defeated a [Xylorath Tiger (Rare) – Level 47]!
Your Title [Tutorial Forerunner] has evolved!
Your Class [Blood Warrior] has reached Level 61!
Your skill "Claw (Lesser)" has evolved!
Cassandre checked her status with a beaming smile, eyes sparkling with excitement.
— Ooh, I got quite a few rewards! Did you get the title too? she asked, looking up at me.
I let a beat of suspense pass before answering, amused:
— Of course I did. But honestly… you did all the work, didn't you?
She puffed out her chest proudly, a playful smile on her lips—no arrogance, just a well-placed tease.
I placed a hand on my heart, putting on a falsely solemn face.
— Oh my goddess, you have given so much! I can only bow before your magnificence.
She stared at me a second, narrowing her eyes… then burst out laughing. A clear, sincere, contagious laugh.
And I laughed with her.
The wind gently rustled through the forest, making the leaves dance above us.
The traces of battle still raw around us contrasted with our laughter—and in that fleeting moment, I realized how sweet life had become by her side.