Morning light filtered through the forest canopy in long golden beams, the air still cool and damp from the night. Dew clung to the leaves, and the distant murmur of the river blended with the low, restless buzzing echoing through the trees.
Junyeok's eyes narrowed.
"That sound…" he murmured.
A moment later, the swarm burst from the treetops.
Giant venomous bees—each the size of a large dog—descended in a furious cloud. Their translucent wings vibrated with a piercing hum, their segmented bodies streaked with black and sickly yellow. Venom dripped from curved stingers as long as daggers, sizzling faintly when it touched leaves or bark.
Yun steadied her breathing, fingers trembling only slightly as she formed a light arrow.
Yunji's expression remained calm, her hand already resting on the hilt of her sword.
Junyeok exhaled slowly.
"Positions," he said quietly.
The first bee lunged at Yun from above, its stinger flashing downward. She stepped back instinctively, loosing her arrow.
A streak of light tore through the creature's thorax.
The giant bee shrieked, spiraling downward before crashing heavily onto the forest floor.
Yun lowered her guard slightly, breathing out in relief.
"That was the last one…" she said softly, wiping a strand of hair from her cheek, her expression still gentle but flushed from tension.
Yunji glanced around, eyes sharp and alert.
"Looks like we got all of them."
Around them, the clearing was littered with broken wings and twitching bodies, the air thick with the bitter scent of venom and crushed chitin.
Junyeok sheathed his sword halfway, scanning the battlefield.
We killed a swarm of monsters… he thought. That should be a significant amount of points.
He spoke aloud.
"Just how many did we kill?"
Yun tilted her head, thinking.
"Maybe… fifty-seven of them."
Nyxara spun happily in the air.
"No one can stop us now!"
Junyeok allowed himself a faint smile.
"We should find some more monsters."
They began moving again through the forest, stepping over roots and broken branches, the morning sunlight gradually warming the air.
They had not walked far when two figures appeared ahead.
A boy stepped forward first.
He was slightly shorter than Junyeok, with deep yellow hair falling messily over sharp black eyes. His expression was lively, almost mischievous, and he wore a green-tinted jacket over practical combat clothes. Energy radiated from him in restless waves, as if standing still itself was difficult.
Beside him lay his ecoe—a small humanoid creature covered in straps, nets, and tiny mechanisms. Traps of every kind dangled from its body, and its eyes gleamed with cunning intelligence.
Next to him stood a girl with pink hair, half-asleep, leaning against a floating ecoe shaped like a small, colorful elephant made entirely of pillow-like material. It drifted lazily beside her head, its stitched eyes blinking slowly, its soft trunk swaying.
Her eyelids drooped as if she might fall asleep at any moment.
The boy grinned widely.
"Oh, look like we got you."
The girl yawned faintly.
"What is it…?"
Junyeok rested his hand on his sword.
"Time to rack up some points."
"Let's beat their bones."
Yunji stepped forward calmly.
"I am ready."
Junyeok began to move—
"Wait, wait!" the boy suddenly said, raising both hands. "Can't we solve this with some talk? You see, we don't want to fight."
Junyeok slowed slightly.
The boy's grin widened.
"Just joking."
His voice sharpened.
"Activate skill—Sand Trap."
The ground beneath Junyeok's group liquefied instantly, turning into shifting sand. Invisible hands formed from the grains, grabbing their legs and pulling downward.
Yun gasped softly, struggling to keep her balance.
Even Yunji's composure cracked for a brief second as she adjusted her footing.
The boy folded his arms smugly.
"It's nothing personal. That's just how I fight."
The pink-haired girl sighed.
"You and your traps, Majin…"
"Come on, don't be like that, Nene," he replied cheerfully.
Junyeok's eyes sharpened.
So that's how you want to play…
Yun looked at him anxiously.
"Junyeok, if we don't do something, we're going to sink!"
Junyeok extended his hand, expression calm but resolute.
"Don't worry. Just hold my hand tightly."
Yun grasped his hand immediately.
Yunji clasped Yun's arm firmly.
Junyeok reached back and grabbed Nyxara's tail.
Nyxara froze, her face twisting in outrage.
"W-What are you doing?!"
"Just pull us out of here," Junyeok said calmly. "Full strength."
Nyxara grumbled but complied, wings beating furiously as she hauled them upward. Sand sprayed everywhere as they were yanked free and tumbled onto solid ground.
Junyeok stood, brushing sand from his coat.
"Looks like your petty tricks won't work."
Junyeok dashed forward, sword flashing toward Majin—
Majin said instantly
"Activate skill— Randomize Trap"
A weighted net dropped from above.
"Not so fast," Junyeok muttered.
Nyxara shredded the net with her claws while Yun fired an arrow that tore through the remaining strands.
Junyeok's blade struck Majin's shoulder, sending him skidding backward.
"Now, Nene!" Majin called.
Nene sighed lazily.
"What a mess… can't you do it…? I'm sleepy… fine then…"
Her ecoe inhaled deeply.
"Active skill—Sweet Dreams."
Pink mist poured from the ecoe's trunk, spreading rapidly.
Junyeok's expression darkened.
"This is bad… Everyone, don't inhale it!"
But it was too late.
Yun swayed, her eyes closing.
Nyxara blinked repeatedly before collapsing mid-air, snoring softly as she fell onto the grass.
Junyeok clenched his teeth.
Only Yunji remained standing beside him, breathing shallowly but still conscious.
Sweet Dreams… a sleep-inducing skill. Effective… and dangerous.
Nene smiled faintly.
"Just sleep peacefully…"
Yunji stepped forward quietly.
"Not so fast."
She summoned her ecoe.
A small samurai materialized—crimson and black armor gleaming, a demon mask hiding its face, a crescent-moon emblem shining on its helmet. A short red blade rested in its hand.
"Activate skill—Sword Fusion."
The ecoe dissolved into red light, merging into her katana. The blade transformed, glowing deep crimson, its edge radiating a faint, ominous aura.
Junyeok felt a chill.
Samurai of the Crimson Moon… one of the top sword related ecoe.
Yunji shifted her stance—one foot back, shoulders relaxed, breath slow and controlled.
"Crimson Demon Blade Style… First Form."
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"Formless Blade."
She moved.
The strike was so fast it seemed like a ripple in the air itself. The pink mist split apart, the trees behind it sliced cleanly in half as the compressed air carved a silent path of destruction.
The gas vanished instantly.
Nene's sleepy eyes widened in genuine shock.
Junyeok let out a breath, impressed despite himself.
"That's the granddaughter of the Sword Demon for you…"
Junyeok dashed forward, closing the distance with Nene and Majin in a blur. His sword struck with precise, controlled force, knocking Majin unconscious before turning toward Nene.
Moments later, both opponents lay defeated.
Majin, barely conscious, lifted a fist weakly.
"That was… a good fight… Let's be friends…"
Junyeok smirked and returned the gesture.
"I'm always ready."
Majin passed out.
The ecoe separated from Yunji's blade.
Yun and Nyxara stirred, waking groggily.
"What happened?" Yun asked softly.
"Did I miss something?" Nyxara added.
Junyeok shrugged lightly.
"Nothing special."
Yunji blinked, her strength fading suddenly.
"Did… we win…?"
"Yes," Junyeok replied.
Relief crossed her face—and she collapsed.
Junyeok caught her before she hit the ground.
Ah… the penalty, he thought. Temporary vulnerability and exhaustion after Sword Fusion…
He lifted her carefully onto his back.
"Looks like we're done for today. Let's head back."
On the way back, Yunji stirred awake.
"Junyeok-san… ?" she said softly, clinging to him.
Junyeok froze slightly, surprised by the unusually affectionate tone.
Nyxara raised an eyebrow.
"…Who is she and what did she do with the real one?"
Yun blushed faintly.
"Are you alright, Yunji? Did you get hurt?"
"I'm fine, unie," Yunji said sweetly.
Yun turned bright red.
"U-unie…?!"
Nyxara muttered dryly, "She definitely hit her head."
Junyeok thought uneasily, Did a demon possess her or something…?
Yunji hugged him tighter.
"Junyeok-san…"
Junyeok's face flushed slightly.
"I-I'm fine."
They finally reached camp.
Junyeok set her down gently.
Yunji stepped forward, still in that altered state, placing one hand on his shoulder and the other on his cheek, leaning closer—
Junyeok's mind blanked.
Nyxara and Yun stared in stunned silence.
Arcadia turned bright red.
Then suddenly—
Yunji blinked.
"…What is happening here?"
Junyeok sighed in relief.
"That's what I want to know."
Realization hit her instantly. She stepped back, face burning red.
"…What was I doing…?"
She steadied herself, regaining composure with visible effort.
"It's because of the personality shift," she admitted quietly. "A side effect of the skill that happens somtimes."
Junyeok nodded slowly.
"I see."
Yun teased gently, smiling.
"You can still call me unie if you want."
Yunji panicked instantly.
"Forget everything I said!"
She grabbed Junyeok's collar, eyes blazing with embarrassment.
"I didn't say anything strange, right?!"
Junyeok replied flatly,
"Nothing special. You just kept calling me Junyeok-san."
She slowly drew her blade an inch, eyes dark.
"You will forget everything… or else."
Everyone forced nervous smiles.
"Of course," Junyeok said calmly.
Yun looked away, pretending innocence.
Nyxara turned her back, whistling.