As the MC followed the arrow, he gradually became aware of a strange sensation in his back. His new wings, which had initially felt stiff and useless, twitched as if responding to his movements. He hesitated for a moment before flapping them cautiously. To his surprise, his body lifted slightly off the ground.
"H-Hey! I can fly?!" he exclaimed, hovering awkwardly for a second before losing balance and nearly crashing into a tree.
With a few more tries, he started to get the hang of it. His flight was wobbly at first, but soon, he was soaring through the air with ease, following the glowing arrow that led him toward his destination. The rush of wind against his face, the exhilaration of gliding through the sky—it was unlike anything he had ever felt before.
Then, in the distance, he saw it—a grand palace standing tall against the horizon, its towering spires and intricate carvings exuding an aura of power and prestige. It looked straight out of a medieval fantasy, with high stone walls, banners fluttering in the wind, and armored guards patrolling its perimeter.
"Wait… am I in some kind of medieval world? Swords and magic, perhaps?" he muttered in disbelief. The thought excited him, but before he could get lost in his fantasies, the sound of rhythmic chanting and metal clashing against metal caught his attention.
Curious, he flew closer and found himself hovering above an open training ground filled with soldiers clad in steel armor. Their weapons gleamed under the sunlight as they moved in perfect synchrony, training under the sharp commands of a lone figure at the front.
His eyes widened as he caught sight of the person leading them.
A young woman, dressed in silver-and-black armor, stood at the center of the field. Her long, wavy auburn hair cascaded down her back, and her emerald-green eyes carried a fierce determination. Despite her delicate features, her presence was commanding. She moved with precision, her sword cutting through the air with masterful skill.
The soldiers, who were undoubtedly men of discipline and strength, respected her as their superior. There was no hesitation in their responses—only admiration and unwavering obedience.
The MC's jaw nearly dropped.
"Wow… She's gorgeous," he whispered, watching her in awe. But more importantly, the arrow pointing the way had stopped—hovering directly over her.
She was the target of his matchmaking mission.
As the training session ended, the soldiers saluted her before dispersing, thanking her for her guidance. The female knight merely nodded, maintaining a stoic expression. Then, without a word, she turned and started walking toward the palace's outskirts.
The MC, still mesmerized, snapped back to reality as he realized she was leaving.
"Ah, wait!" He quickly followed her, keeping a safe distance.
She walked with purpose, her heavy boots clanking against the stone pavement, before veering into a secluded alleyway. The MC hesitated for a moment—was she meeting someone? Or was this a shortcut?
Before he could process the situation further, the woman suddenly tensed. Without warning, she spun around, leaped off the ground, and landed behind him in a single fluid motion.
The next thing he knew, a sharp blade was pressed against his back.
"Don't turn around," her voice was cold, devoid of emotion. "Who are you, foul demon? Why are you following me?"
The MC stiffened.
"H-Hey, wait! You've got it all wrong!" he stammered, lifting his hands in surrender. "I'm not a demon! I swear!"
"Silence!" she hissed, pressing the blade further against his body. "Speak one more lie, and you'll be dead before your next breath."
The MC gulped.
Damn it! Why does she think I'm a demon?! Is it the red wings?! The glowing halo?!
Panicking, he turned around despite her warning. "Wait! Please just listen—"
The knight didn't hesitate. The moment he moved, she thrust her sword straight through his chest.
—or at least, that was what was supposed to happen.
The MC squeezed his eyes shut, expecting a sharp pain and a tragic death. But… nothing happened.
Confused, he slowly opened one eye.
The sword had passed through his body—without leaving a single scratch.
Both of them froze, staring at each other in stunned silence.
The knight furrowed her brows, then swiftly withdrew her weapon and swung again—only for the blade to phase through his torso like he was a ghost.
"What…?" Her emerald eyes widened in disbelief.
The MC, equally dumbfounded, looked down at himself. "Uh… Am I invincible or something?"
The MC swallowed hard. This mission was already turning out to be way harder than expected.