Edward's body lay on the ground—wounded, covered in dust and blood. He could barely move. His muscles burned, his vision was blurry, and the world spun around him. But his will hadn't broken. Not yet.
With effort, he placed his hands on the ground and pushed himself up. Every step was torture, but he kept walking, moving away from the ruined city. His face showed exhaustion, pain… and a sorrow he couldn't hide.
"Ugh... everything hurts," he muttered under his breath.
After hours of wandering aimlessly, he found a narrow path between the hills. He followed it, driven by the hope of finding something… or someone. After five long hours, his legs gave out just as he spotted a small village on the horizon.
He collapsed and lost consciousness.
---
Four adventurers were chatting near the village entrance when they saw him fall.
"Did you see that?" one of them asked, surprised.
Only one among them—a young woman with bright eyes and fiery red hair—ran toward him without hesitation.
"Hey! Wake up! Are you okay? Hey!"
Getting no response, she placed her hands on the stranger's chest and closed her eyes.
"Heavenly light, heal this fallen soul," she whispered firmly.
A soft golden glow surrounded Edward's body… but he didn't wake up.
"He's healed. Maybe he just needs to rest," she said, turning to her companions. "Come on, help me take him to my place!"
One of the men stepped forward, frowning.
"Seriously, Isbel? You're gonna take this guy in? Look at his clothes… he's a mess."
"Yes, Gabriel. I'm going to help him. With or without your support. First we let him rest, then we find out who he is."
"Fine, lovely Isbel. Whatever you say," he snorted with sarcasm. "You two, head to the guild. I'll catch up later."
Gabriel hoisted Edward onto his back and gave a warning:
"Be careful, Isbel. We don't know who he is. He could be dangerous."
"Relax. I can take care of myself."
---
Half an hour later, they arrived at Isbel's cabin. Gabriel laid Edward on the bed with a sigh.
"Finally… this guy's heavier than he looks."
"Thanks, Gabriel. I owe you one."
"You owe me plenty already, babe."
"Don't call me that! I'm 23! Grow up already!"
Gabriel burst out laughing and left the house. Isbel stayed behind, watching the stranger closely.
"I hope you wake up soon."
She sat by his side and gently wiped the blood from his face with a damp cloth. Her eyes reflected concern.
Then, a sudden noise shattered the calm.
The village's emergency bells began to ring.
Isbel jumped to her feet and rushed outside.
Chaos.
"What's going on?!" she shouted at a man running past in panic.
"A steel wolf appeared! It's killing everyone! Let me go!"
He pushed her aside and kept running. Isbel, trembling but resolute, dashed toward the guild. She arrived breathless and found her companions.
"A steel wolf! It's attacking the village! We have to stop it!"
Gabriel's eyes widened in horror.
"A steel… wolf? I heard it's rank S. We can't take that on! None of us can—not even the entire village!"
"We can't just sit here and do nothing! We have to do something!"
"Tsk… Fine, Isbel. Let's go. Let's stop that beast!"
---
Meanwhile, Edward began to stir.
"Am I… alive?"
He opened his eyes. A wooden ceiling. A soft bed. Silence.
"This… isn't a dream?"
He sat up with difficulty. Through the window, he heard screams. He stood—unsteady—and opened the door.
People were running, wounded, crying.
"What… is happening?"
And then he saw it.
A massive wolf, clad in black metal plates, stared at him from the street. Its red eyes burned like embers.
"No… it can't be…"
The wolf let out a deafening howl. Edward collapsed to the ground, clutching his ears.
"Ahhh! My ears!"
Blood started to drip from them. He held his head in terror.
"Help! My ears! What is that thing?!"
The wolf roared… and charged toward him.