The eerie quiet that followed the beast's death hung heavy in the air, as though the cabin itself held its breath. The Bloodmaw — a grotesque fusion of wolf and bear — lay lifeless, its thick, matted fur still faintly steaming from the burst of energy that had felled it.
Ethan exhaled slowly, still feeling the fading sting of the claw marks on his chest. His breath came ragged, adrenaline still coursing through his body. His mind reeled from the strange, unnatural pulse his phone had unleashed. The glowing interface had vanished, but its impact lingered heavily in the room.
The guards cautiously stepped closer to the monster's corpse, their swords still drawn, ready in case the creature made any final movement. When it didn't, one of them finally spoke, voice filled with awe and confusion.
"That... that was a Bloodmaw," he whispered, his eyes wide. "It's rare enough to see one, let alone survive an encounter."
Sera approached Ethan carefully, her gaze lingering on him with a strange mixture of gratitude, wariness, and curiosity. "You're injured."
"It's... not as bad as it looks," Ethan muttered, though the throbbing pain told a different story.
"Here. Sit." She gestured toward the chair near the fireplace. Without waiting for his response, she knelt by a nearby shelf and pulled free a small wooden box — one of the basic medical kits left behind in the cabin. She opened it with practiced hands, revealing cloth bandages and herbal salves.
As Sera carefully tended to his wounds, Ethan stole glances at her. Up close, he noticed subtle details he hadn't fully registered before — the fine quality of her simple, travel-worn clothing, the polished craftsmanship of her sword, and the calm discipline in her movements. She might not have been wearing anything regal, but there was no mistaking the grace that surrounded her. She didn't seem like someone accustomed to danger by chance.
Still... Ethan couldn't put the pieces together.
Who exactly is she? he wondered.
As she worked, one of the guards stood near the broken door, his voice low. "We should move before others show up. Bloodmaw rarely hunt alone."
"Others?" Ethan asked, his stomach sinking.
"Bloodmaw are territorial, but sometimes packs roam nearby when one attacks. Especially this close to the inner forest."
Ethan stiffened. "That's... not great."
Sera finished bandaging him and stood. "We should gather what supplies we can. Your cottage has served its purpose, but it won't hold if more arrive."
Ethan hesitated. The thought of leaving this strange little place unsettled him. The cabin had been his only point of stability since waking up in this unknown world. But he nodded. "Right. Give me a few minutes."
He quickly grabbed his jacket, slung his small bag over his shoulder, and tucked his phone securely inside. The sword he had pulled from the chest — now sheathed — hung awkwardly from his hip. Even holding it still felt surreal. The knowledge the system had fed him made the weapon feel natural in his grasp, though he knew he was far from a true swordsman.
Before they departed, Ethan paused by the chest again, this time lifting a small pouch containing dried rations, a spare cloak, and a simple dagger. He had no idea where they were going, but any preparation felt better than none.
The group slipped out of the ruined doorway, the cool night air rushing to greet them. The woods were eerily silent, as though the other creatures of the forest had sensed the Bloodmaw's death and chosen to avoid the area.
As they moved, Ethan stayed close to Sera.
"Where exactly are we going?" he asked softly, his voice low to avoid drawing attention from anything lurking nearby.
"There's a road not far from here," she replied quietly. "We'll follow it east. My... companions should be waiting along the route."
She paused briefly, and her words struck Ethan oddly. Companions, not simply guards. There was something more to her tone — like there was a level of formality she was trying to suppress.
The moonlight illuminated her face as she glanced at him.
"You handled yourself well back there, Ethan," she said softly. "Not many could face a Bloodmaw and live."
Ethan offered a weak smile. "To be honest, I didn't exactly have a choice."
Sera chuckled lightly, the sound soft but genuine. "Even so. You have my gratitude."
They continued in silence for a while before the faint sound of hooves and wheels approached from the distance.
"There," one of the guards whispered, pointing ahead. Through the gaps in the trees, Ethan spotted a finely crafted carriage parked beneath tall trees. Several mounted figures stood nearby, armed and alert.
Sera's companions.
As they approached, one of the armored men dismounted and rushed forward. "My lady, you're safe!"
Ethan blinked at the man's words.
My lady?
Sera raised a hand calmly. "I am unharmed, thanks to him." She motioned toward Ethan.
The man turned to Ethan, bowing his head respectfully. "You have our deepest gratitude, sir."
Ethan scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Uh… sure. No problem."
As the realization slowly dawned, Ethan's mind raced.
Lady? Guards? Carriage?
It was becoming painfully clear that Sera wasn't just some traveler.
Before he could process more, the carriage door opened — and inside sat another figure, elegantly dressed, whose eyes fixed sharply on Ethan with immediate interest.
And in that moment, Ethan sensed that his strange arrival in Elyndra had only just begun.