Each movement flowed into the next. I didn’t rush it, didn’t force anything unnecessary. The bear was strong, durable, its vitality keeping it moving despite the growing number of wounds, but it lacked refinement.

It was reacting and I wasn’t. Another charge came, heavier this time, its movement slightly slower now as blood began to affect it.

I stepped to the side at the last moment, pivoting on my heel as I let it pass just enough, then turned with it, the blade already in motion.

This time, I didn’t hold back. The sword cut deep across its neck. The resistance lasted only a fraction longer before giving way, the motion carrying through cleanly as the blade separated head from body in a single, decisive strike.

The bear’s body collapsed forward, hitting the dirt with a heavy thud as blood spread quickly beneath it. I exhaled slowly, lowering the blade slightly as I watched it for a moment.

No notification for level up came.

"Figures," I muttered under my breath.

Before I could think further, movement caught my attention. Two figures burst out from the forest, running straight toward the road.

Humans.

But something was off.

Above their heads, the system displayed in red colors:

[Believer – Level 1]

I straightened slightly, tightening my grip on the sword. It wasn’t just monsters anymore.

The two men didn’t slow down when they reached the edge of the road. For a brief moment, they glanced at each other, something unspoken passing between them, and then both of them shifted their focus toward me and began running straight in my direction. Their movements were hurried, uneven, breaths heavy as if they had already been running for a while, but what caught my attention wasn’t them.

It was what followed.

Three level 1 wolves burst out from the tree line behind them, larger than any normal creature, their bodies lean and powerful, fur darkened and rough, and like everything else in this world, their eyes burned with that same red glow while curved horns rose from their heads.

Their pace was relentless, closing the distance quickly, their growls low and continuous as they locked onto the two men ahead.

I shifted my stance, bringing the sword up again, positioning myself in the open space of the road where I had room to move. The situation was clear without needing words. Whether those two were allies or not didn’t matter yet. Right now, the wolves were the immediate threat.

The men reached me seconds later, skidding slightly as they slowed just enough to speak.

"One each," one of them said between breaths, his voice strained but firm as he glanced back toward the approaching wolves. "We take one each."

I gave a short nod and agreed without any resistance.

The wolves didn’t hesitate as they closed in, spreading out instinctively as they reached us, each one choosing a target. One of them lunged toward me, its body stretching forward with speed that matched its size, claws digging into the dirt as it aimed straight for my torso.

I lunged aside just enough, letting its momentum carry it past while I brought the blade across its flank, the edge biting in. It growled in pain but twisted mid-motion, recovering faster than expected, its jaws snapping toward me as I moved back again, keeping distance rather than committing fully.

I was in no hurry to finish the fight, I had two humans to observe.

I let the wolf come at me again, letting the fight stretch just enough. From the corner of my eye, I could see the other two already engaged, their fights far more direct, clashing against their wolves with heavier swings, putting more force into each movement.

They were already tiring. Their breathing grew heavier with each exchange, their steps losing precision, while I continued to move just outside the wolf’s full reach, guiding its attacks rather than stopping them outright. When it lunged again, I shifted to the side, letting it overextend before cutting across its shoulder, then stepping back once more, dragging the fight longer than necessary.

Another charge came, slightly slower this time, its movements beginning to show the strain of the earlier wounds. I jumped forward, closing the gap just as it lunged, my body turning with the motion as I drove the blade forward.

The sword pierced through its stomach cleanly.

The force of the movement carried it forward onto the blade, a low, broken sound escaping it as its body shuddered, the momentum dying instantly. I pulled the blade free and stepped back as it collapsed onto the dirt, its legs giving out beneath it.

A chime echoed in my head.

[Level Up]

[Level 2 → 3]

[Combat Points +10]

[Influence Points +0]

I barely acknowledged it.

The other two fights ended moments later, both men managing to bring down their wolves with heavy, final strikes, their bodies visibly strained as they straightened, catching their breath. For a brief second, the tension eased.

One of them let out a short laugh, wiping sweat from his face as he looked toward me.

"Good timing," he said, stepping closer. "We owe you—"

He didn’t finish.

The moment he came within range, his expression shifted. And his body moved. The blade came toward me in a sudden, direct strike, aimed straight for my neck.

I was already moving.

The sword in my hand rose instantly, meeting his attack with a sharp clash as I deflected it to the side, the force sliding off rather than stopping me in place. My body turned with the motion, stepping into the space he had just opened.

The second man reacted immediately, joining in without hesitation, his own sword swinging in from the side.

I shifted again, adjusting my footing as I kept both of them in front of me. Although my perception and stats were no longer the same I was still able to predict their attacks easily.

"You’re a Defier," one of them said through gritted teeth as he swung again. "You shouldn’t even be standing here."

"The world will be cleansed," the other added, his blade cutting toward me in a wide arc. "We follow divine will." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

I chuckled and shook my head. For me they were no better than monsters.

Their coordination was decent, their attacks layered, but they lacked refinement. There were gaps in their movements, small openings created every time they committed too fully, every time they pushed without control.

I stepped into one of those gaps.

The first man’s strike came slightly wide, and I deflected it just enough to throw him off balance before turning the blade inward, cutting across his side in a clean motion that forced him to stagger back. The second tried to cover immediately, but his timing was late.

I moved past his swing, closing the distance before he could recover.

My blade drove forward. It pierced through his throat without resistance. He froze for a moment, the strength leaving his body before he collapsed to the ground.

The first one tried to retreat, panic replacing his earlier confidence, but it was already too late. I stepped in again, not giving him the space he needed, and ended it with a single slash on his neck.

[Level Up!]

[Level 3→ 4]

[Combat Points +20]

[Influence Points +0]

[Deathboard Unlocked]