Villain's Valor: A Noble Fantasy Resurrection

Chapter 93 : River

As I slowly opened my eyes, I found myself with a somewhat clouded mind, as if I had forgotten something important. A strange sensation took hold of me, but I couldn't quite identify what it was exactly. I looked towards Lysandra, who was already awake, watching me attentively as her eyes shone with excitement and joy in silence.

"How are you?" she asked with a smile, breaking the silence that enveloped the room. Her voice was like a ray of light amidst the confusion that engulfed me.

"I feel a bit confused, as if I had forgotten something important," I admitted, trying to unravel the fog enveloping my mind. "Have you felt something similar?" I asked, searching her gaze for any clue that could help me understand what was happening.

She furrowed her brow. "Yes, my memories remain vague and distant, but I don't give it much importance; it's better to wait and remember slowly," she said, shrugging.

Indeed, she's right, but even so, I've experienced this same thing a few days ago. I tried to remember, but finally, I gave up; I couldn't remember anything. I frowned with some annoyance.

As I got up, I went through my motions to shake off the laziness. It had become a habit too, after a few seconds. I looked around; Lysandra's trees were undoubtedly very beautiful. We lit a small fire and prepared breakfast...

*****

We ventured even further into Zone 3, with Lysandra by my side. Her presence was like a shield against the fear that high-ranking creatures could provoke. Feeling her closeness was comforting; having someone to trust completely was an invaluable treasure in this dangerous and hostile world.

As we walked, our conversations became more intimate, further strengthening the bonds of trust we had already built.

After several hours of trouble-free travel, we reached a part of the zone that seemed to have been little explored. According to the information I had in my hands, this area harbored a large river. Although it wasn't deep, the water reached at most ankle height. It was said that this part was densely populated by demons, which, for me, was good news.

We wouldn't have to look for demons on the outskirts; it was better to face them on their own turf. This was probably the reason why this area had been almost ignored until now.

As we approached the river, the atmosphere became darker, without the comforting presence of the sun. The water flowed silently, barely perceptible in the darkness, weakly reflecting the light filtering through the dense leaves of the nearby trees.

The riverbanks were shrouded in a mysterious gloom, barely visible in the darkness. The vegetation along the banks stood out in dark tones, with shadows moving in the night breeze. Aquatic plants swayed slowly in the current, barely visible in the darkness.

The sound of the water was just a whisper in the night, a soft murmur that mingled with the whispers of the wind among the trees. Without the sunlight, the air was cool and humid.

Despite the lack of light, we kept our senses alert, aware that under the water's surface and among the dense vegetation of the banks, all kinds of dangers could lurk.

As we moved further towards the river, the darkness seemed to close in around us, enveloping us in its cold and mysterious embrace. However, our intertwined hands radiated a sense of warmth and security, as if together we could defy any darkness that stood in our way.

The river water was cool and calm, caressing our ankles as we ventured further into its current. Although we couldn't see clearly what lay beneath the dark surface, we trusted in our instincts and in the connection we shared to face any challenge that might arise.

Silence reigned in the surroundings, interrupted only by the gentle murmur of the water and the whisper of the wind among the trees. Yet, in that stillness, we could sense a latent energy, a sense of anticipation that kept us alert, ready for any eventuality.

With each step we took, we delved deeper into the unknown depth of the river, leaving behind the safety of solid ground and venturing into a world of mystery and danger.

*****

"Lysandra!" My shout gets lost in the battle's din.

"Alright!" Her voice resonates with determination, firmly gripping her magic sword.

A deafening roar makes the river water vibrate, creating a crater on its surface. Five demons emerge from the depths, their dark and menacing bodies reflecting the pale light of the surroundings. Two already lie dead, but the remaining five are formidable enemies, all of Maximum-Gold rank.

I grip my sword tightly, channeling more energy through it. I feel the pulse of my aura, a fiery and frenetic force.

I run through the river towards the most injured demon, whose body is marked by cuts and embedded spears. Despite its wounds, its resistance seems unbreakable, refusing to fall.

The demons are imposing creatures, six meters tall, with a presence that inspires terror. They move on all fours, like monstrous beasts, with serpentine tails snaking behind them. Their black skin is adorned with a golden glow around their eyes, and twisted horns protrude from their heads in all directions.

A dense layer of fur covers their bodies, providing additional protection against deadly attacks. Their jaws are filled with sharp teeth, each as dangerous as a sword.

The scene becomes even more impressive as my sword begins to glow with an ethereal radiance, emanating an aura of power that envelops everything around it. From the base of the blade, black flames flicker and twist, devouring the metal with a fiery voracity.

The blade lengthens, its sharp edge seeming to cut through the very air, and the flames consume the oxygen around, creating an atmosphere charged with energy.

Despite the transformation, the weight of the sword remains unchanged; in fact, it feels lighter in my hands, as if it were destined to be wielded in this state of unleashed power.

During the past two weeks, I've delved deeper into understanding the unique power that resides within my sword. I've discovered that its strength is intrinsically linked to my sense of survival and my will to keep pushing forward. The stronger my desire to survive, the more powerful the sword becomes.

But I've also learned that my strength doesn't solely come from confidence in myself; it comes from the connection I can create with another person, but it only happens with people who matter to me.

When I first arrived in this world, I thought I could only rely on myself to make it through, to survive against all odds. However, I soon realized I was wrong. Since I met Elsa, I discovered the true meaning of strength: teamwork. Quite literally, the forest will devour you alive if you go in alone.

The transformation I experienced when wielding this sword was more than physical; it was a fundamental change in my being. Before, when wielding a conventional sword amidst the carnage of battle, my mind was lost in a whirlwind of violent emotions. I felt a strange euphoria immersing myself in the fight, enjoying the chaos and destruction I left in my wake.

Although I struggled to maintain control over my darkest instincts, the thirst for blood often threatened to overwhelm me. My heart pounded fiercely, pumping adrenaline through my veins as I plunged into the fury of combat.

However, all that changed the moment my hands wrapped around the handle of this unique sword. Instantly, my mind cleared of any murky thoughts, and a sense of calm washed over me. Instead of being consumed by bloodlust, I found a mental clarity I had never experienced before.

This clarity not only allowed me to maintain control over my emotions amidst the chaos of battle but also provided me with a greater ability to concentrate and react with pinpoint accuracy to every move of my enemies.

"I have to ask where this sword comes from," I think to myself.

Looking at the demon on the ground, just meters away from me, I grip the sword tighter. He looks at me in the eyes and lets out a deafening roar, yet he can do nothing but watch as, in a desperate attempt, he moves his tail.

Grip!

The wind whistles and moves at great speed.

My body leans back slightly, time slows down, and I watch as the tail passes inches from my nose.

Shoosh!

Passing by, I adjust my center of gravity, giving a small jump. My sword falls directly from the sky; the flames become denser and darker. My eyes, as calm as ever, look for the last time at the gleam in the creature's eyes.

SLASHH!!!!

With a clean cut, the head separates from the body; in the cut of the neck, black flames spread throughout its body, burning it to the bones. The only thing left was a bright yellow orb; the flames were not affected by the water.

Smiling at Lysandra, I send her a message with my eyes: "One down, four to go."