The village didn't usually wake up this early.
But today… it had no choice.
The sound of hooves echoed through the quiet morning, heavy and rhythmic, cutting through the mist like a warning. Arin stepped out of the house, still half-awake, rubbing his eyes.
"…What's going on?" he muttered.
Villagers were already gathering near the main road. Some whispered, some watched silently, others simply stood still—as if unsure whether to be curious or afraid.
Arin pushed through the small crowd.
And then he saw them.
Knights.
Not the kind from stories told to children—these were real. Armored, disciplined, silent. Their presence alone made the air feel heavier. The horses beneath them snorted softly, restless, as if even they could feel something was off.
At the front rode a man with sharp eyes and a calm but commanding presence. His armor wasn't overly decorated, but there was something about him—something that made it clear he wasn't ordinary.
Arin swallowed.
Even without understanding why, he could feel it.
The man dismounted slowly, his boots hitting the ground with a dull thud. His gaze swept across the village… and for a brief second—
It stopped on Arin.
Arin stiffened.
"…?"
Then the man looked away.
"Who are they?" Arin whispered.
"Knights," someone beside him answered quietly. "From the capital, I think…"
"Why would knights come here?" another villager muttered.
No one had an answer.
Arin didn't stay long.
Something about the atmosphere felt… wrong.
He slipped away from the crowd and headed toward the edge of the village, toward the forest. His usual training spot.
But today, even the forest felt different.
Too quiet.
No birds.
No rustling leaves.
Just… silence.
Arin slowed his steps.
"…This is weird."
He crouched slightly, instincts kicking in.
Stay alert. Observe.
The air felt heavier here. Not physically—but something was off.
Then—
That feeling again.
The warmth.
Stronger this time.
Arin grabbed his chest slightly.
"…What is this?"
It wasn't just a faint hum anymore. It was reacting—like something was calling to it.
Or warning it.
His eyes narrowed.
"…Something's here."
A low sound echoed through the trees.
Not loud.
But deep.
Like something breathing.
Arin froze.
"…No way."
His grip tightened around his wooden sword.
Another sound.
Closer this time.
Branches shifted—not from wind… but from weight.
Heavy weight.
Arin's heart started pounding.
This isn't like yesterday… this isn't a small mana beast…
The warmth in his body surged again—stronger than ever before.
His instincts screamed at him to run.
But his feet didn't move.
"…Just one look," he whispered to himself. "Just see what it is…"
Slowly… carefully…
He stepped forward.
Pushed aside a branch—
And saw it.
His breath stopped.
A massive creature stood deep within the forest. Its body was twisted, unnatural, pulsing faintly with dark mana. Its eyes glowed—not blue like the smaller beasts—but something deeper.
Something wrong.
"…What… is that…?"
The creature moved.
And the ground trembled slightly.
Arin stepped back instinctively.
No… I can't fight that…
Then—
Its head snapped toward him.
Their eyes met.
Silence.
For a single moment.
And then—
It roared.
The sound hit like a shockwave.
Arin stumbled back, ears ringing.
"Run—!" he gasped, finally turning—
But the creature had already moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
How is something that big so fast?!
Arin sprinted, heart pounding, branches slashing against his arms as he ran.
Behind him—
Crashing.
Heavy footsteps.
Getting closer.
"No no no—this is bad—this is really bad!"
His breath became uneven. His legs burned.
Think. Think.
His father's voice echoed in his mind—
Don't panic. Observe.
"Observe what?!" Arin shouted under his breath.
The ground shook again—closer now.
Too close.
Then—
He tripped.
"Ah—!"
He hit the ground hard, air knocked from his lungs.
The world spun.
And the footsteps stopped.
Right behind him.
Slowly…
Arin turned his head.
The creature loomed over him.
Its glowing eyes locked onto his.
For a second—
Everything went silent.
Even his thoughts.
Then—
That warmth inside him—
Exploded.
A surge of energy rushed through his body.
Stronger than anything he had ever felt before.
Uncontrolled.
Wild.
Alive.
The creature paused.
As if reacting.
Arin's eyes widened.
"…What… is happening…?"
The air around him trembled.
The ground cracked slightly beneath his hand.
And for the first time—
The hidden power inside him didn't stay quiet.
It answered.