For the past three days, Varis and I have been taking on quests and training relentlessly, primarily hunting wyverns. While the battles have been challenging, the progress has been frustrating—I've barely leveled up despite all the effort.

  Varis, on the other hand, has grown at an alarming rate. His strength has skyrocketed, surpassing mine by a wide margin. Watching him evolve so quickly makes me question my own growth. At this rate, I might not just be falling behind—I might become a liability.

  Wait—what am I even thinking?

  I shake my head, trying to push away the creeping doubts. My eyes land on Varis, who is crouched down, completely engrossed in watching a line of ants march across the ground. He pokes at them with a stick, tilting his head in curiosity as they scatter and reform their tiny procession. Despite how much stronger he’s become, he still has moments like this—moments where he seems almost… innocent.

  A quiet, bitter thought slips from my lips before I can stop it. At least you won’t betray me.

  “Huh? Did you say something?” Varis glances up, his expression puzzled.

  I quickly avert my gaze. “No…” I mutter, barely above a whisper.

  Shaking off the uneasy feeling settling in my chest, I take a deep breath. I need something to ground me. Something to prove that I’m still moving forward.

  “UI.”

  At my command, my status screen flickers into existence before my eyes. My gaze sweeps over the numbers, my stats, my progress—searching for reassurance that I haven’t been left behind.

  My stats appear before me in glowing letters, neatly arranged across the translucent screen. I scan through them, searching for any sign of significant progress.

  [SYSTEM]

  [Name]: Kelvin

  [Class]: Former Sergeant (Aerospace Engineer)

  [Level]: 26

  [STATS]

  [STRENGTH]: 48

  [VITALITY]: 125

  [AGILITY]: 69

  [ENDURANCE]: 50

  [DEXTERITY]: 57

  [Weapon]: C13314 (Mythical)

  — Durability: Infinite

  [Skills]:

  — Piercing Lance

  — Regeneration

  — Weapon Transfiguration

  — Enhanced Reflexes (Passive)

  I frown. After three days of relentless hunting, my progress has been frustratingly slow. I’ve barely leveled up, despite facing wyverns repeatedly. Meanwhile, Varis…

  I glance over at him. His strength has skyrocketed, surpassing anything I could’ve imagined. His evolution is unnatural—almost terrifying. And yet, here he is, crouched on the ground, completely absorbed in watching a trail of ants march along. He pokes at them with a stick, his expression one of childlike curiosity. It’s almost laughable.

  I clench my fists. I already knew I was slowing down, but how much greater do my challenges need to be?

  I exhale sharply and close my UI. If wyverns aren’t enough anymore, then I’ll just have to find something stronger.

  “Varis,” I call out.

  He looks up, still holding the tiny stick he’s been using to torment the ants. “Yeah?”

  “We’re done with small hunts. We need to find something bigger.”

  A slow grin spreads across his face. “Finally.”

  ...

  Back at the adventurer’s guild, I stand in front of the massive quest board, scanning through the available missions. My eyes move from one parchment to another, searching for something—anything—that can push me past this plateau.

  But all I see are quests that are either too easy or completely out of my league.

  S-Rank. SSS-Rank.

  I clench my jaw. These are missions meant for elites—heroes, veteran adventurers, maybe even legends. Not someone like me, a B-Rank adventurer still clawing his way up.

  I let out a frustrated sigh and cross my arms. “Tch… nothing.”

  Varis, standing beside me, tilts his head. “What, not strong enough yet?” His tone is half-teasing, half-curious.

  I shoot him a look but say nothing. He’s right, in a way. The gap between B-Rank and the next tier is massive. But I don’t have time to waste on weak quests anymore.

  I need something stronger. Something just within reach.

  But where?

  Through all the murmurs and chatter in the guild, a familiar voice cuts through.

  "Aren't you training too hard, K?"

  I turn to see Yuna standing nearby, arms crossed, watching me with that usual mix of concern and amusement.

  "Resting is also part of training," she adds, tilting her head slightly.

  I let out a small breath and scratch the back of my head. "Yeah, I know that, but..."

  I trail off.

  I almost said it. The truth that’s been gnawing at me.

  Should I tell her? That demons are going to attack this part of the kingdom?

  But I haven’t even proven it. It’s only logical, based on what I’ve seen and pieced together.

  And logic alone isn’t enough. Not yet.

  "But what?" Yuna presses, her sharp eyes locking onto mine.

  I hesitate for a split second.

  "I'm bored! HAHAAHAHAH..." I force out a laugh, dramatically turning away.

  Silence.

  That was not funny.

  Am I an idiot?

  Yuna just stares at me, clearly unimpressed. I can feel the weight of her judgment crushing my soul.

  Then, from beside me, a voice—low and unreadable.

  "Hmm… something is brewing…"

  Varis.

  I glance at him. His form is barely visible in my peripheral vision, but there’s something eerie about the way he said that.

  What does he mean?

  Yuna turns back, her tone lighter but still laced with concern. "Just make sure you rest. Maybe take a break when the Starhearth Festival starts."

  "Starhearth?" I blink.

  She nods. "Yes, the Starhearth Festival. It's when families gather around their hearths to share stories and gifts under a sky filled with magical stars."

  "Ah… I see." I mutter, mulling it over.

  A festival, huh? I haven’t thought about anything outside of training lately.

  Yuna smiles. "So, will I see you there?"

  See me? Oh… she means see me resting then.

  I pause for a moment, then nod. "Yeah, I'll be there."

  ...

  The sun has set, and now we’re inside a dimly lit tavern, the warm glow of lanterns flickering against the wooden walls. The scent of roasted meat and ale lingers in the air, blending with the chatter of adventurers unwinding after a long day.

  I lean back in my chair, watching Varis tear into his meal with his usual enthusiasm. He devours his food like he hasn’t eaten in days—though knowing him, it’s just his way of absorbing strength.

  I narrow my eyes and squint my fingers, measuring an invisible height gap. "When are you gonna grow taller?" I ask. "You're still five feet."

  Varis pauses mid-bite, staring at me. Then, without breaking eye contact, he takes another exaggerated chew, like he’s thinking deeply about my words.

  "Maybe if I eat more," he finally says, dead serious.

  I guess he’s not wrong. Knowing him, he probably could grow taller just by eating more.

  Shaking my head, I swipe my hand through the air, pulling up Varis’s stats. The translucent UI screen materializes before me, glowing faintly in the dim tavern light.

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  [SYSTEM]

  [Name]: Varis

  [Race]: ??? (Evolved Goblin)

  [Class]: Predator

  [Level]: ??

  [STATS]

  [STRENGTH]: ???

  [VITALITY]: ???

  [AGILITY]: ???

  [ENDURANCE]: ???

  [DEXTERITY]: ???

  [Skills]:

  — Predation (Unique)

  — Rapid Adaptation

  — Enhanced Growth

  — Lesser Regeneration

  — Savage Instinct

  — ???

  I blink.

  “What the hell…” I mutter under my breath.

  Most of his stats are just question marks. Even his level is unreadable now.

  I glance at Varis, still casually chewing on his food.

  Just what is he turning into?

  I sigh, closing the UI with a flick of my fingers.

  The gap between us is just too big.

  I knew Varis was growing fast, but seeing his stats like that… it’s like he’s breaking past the limits of what I can even comprehend. Meanwhile, I’m here, struggling to gain a single level.

  Shaking off the thought, I rest my chin on my hand. "Right… I didn’t ask when the Starhearth Festival was."

  Yuna probably mentioned it, but with everything on my mind, I must’ve missed it. I glance around the tavern, wondering if she’s still here.

  I glance around the tavern out of habit, but Yuna isn’t here. Right… she was back at the adventurer’s guild.

  I lean back in my chair, letting out a small breath. "Hey, Varis, do you know when the Starhearth Festival is?"

  Varis pauses mid-bite, chewing thoughtfully before swallowing. "Mmm… no clue." He grabs another piece of meat. "I wasn’t exactly raised with festivals, you know?"

  Fair point.

  I rub my temples. "Guess I’ll have to ask someone tomorrow."

  Varis just shrugs, his focus already back on his meal. I, on the other hand, can’t stop my thoughts from circling back to our strength gap.

  It’s not just about catching up to him. If demons really are going to invade, I need to be strong enough to fight beside him—not just watch from behind.

  But right now, I feel like I’m barely keeping up.

  I exhale sharply. "We need stronger hunts."

  Varis smirks, finally looking up. "Now that I can agree with."

  Varis leans back, stretching. "So, what’s the plan? We just charge into some dungeon and hope something strong enough tries to kill us?"

  I snort. "Tempting, but no. We need a real challenge—something that actually pushes us."

  His sharp canines glint as he grins. "Sounds fun. Where do we start?"

  I tap the table, thinking. The guild won’t have anything useful. That means—

  "We need an information broker."

  Varis tilts his head. "Someone knows where stronger monsters are?"

  "Always. Some people deal in things the guild won’t touch—hidden dungeons, unclassified creatures. The real threats."

  He chuckles. "So we’re looking for trouble on purpose now?"

  I shrug. "It’s the only way forward."

  His grin widens. "Now you’re speaking my language."

  I push my chair back. "We start tomorrow. For now, get some rest."

  Varis groans. "Rest? Seriously?"

  I shoot him a look. "Yes. Don’t waste all your energy stuffing your face."

  He huffs but doesn’t argue. Good enough.

  Tomorrow, we start hunting for answers. And if we’re lucky—something that finally pushes me to the next level.

  With our plan set, I stretch and head toward the stairs leading to our rented rooms.

  Tomorrow marks a turning point. I have to get stronger—no more excuses, no more barely keeping up. If demons really are preparing to invade, then I need to be ready.

  Varis follows behind me, still munching on a piece of bread. "Hey, if we find some super-secret monster, do I get to eat it?"

  I sigh. "If we survive, sure."

  His eyes light up, and he pumps a fist. "Nice!"

  I shake my head, suppressing a smirk. He may be getting ridiculously strong, but at least he’s still Varis.

  ...

  I run a hand through my hair, frustration building.

  "I'm sorry, but I can't give out that information."

  That’s the same answer I’ve gotten over ten times now. No matter who I ask—merchants, travelers, even the shadier types—no one is talking. Either they genuinely don’t know, or they’re too scared to say anything.

  I exhale sharply. How the hell am I supposed to level up?

  I glance back at the adventurer’s guild. The quest board is practically empty. Nothing but low-tier monster exterminations and delivery requests.

  Sigh.

  I need a new approach.

  As I wander through the streets, I start noticing lanterns being hung, stalls being set up, and decorations lining the roads. The faint scent of roasted meat and sweet pastries drifts through the air.

  Is today the festival?

  I stop for a moment, watching as people excitedly move around, preparing for the night ahead.

  I guess it makes sense…

  With everything that’s been going on, I lost track of time. Starhearth Festival is here.

  I glance at Varis, who’s just standing there, staring blankly into the distance.

  "What do you want to do? Looks like we can’t kill anything today."

  Varis blinks, then frowns. "So… no fighting?"

  "Yeah, no fighting." I cross my arms. "Not unless you want to start brawling with festival-goers."

  He pouts, clearly disappointed. "Boring…" Then his eyes flicker with an idea. "Wait. Does this mean we just eat food and do nothing?"

  I sigh. "That’s… literally what a festival is."

  His face brightens. "Oh. I like that."

  ...

  The sun dips below the horizon, bathing the town in a warm glow as lanterns flicker to life. More and more people flood the streets, laughter and chatter filling the air. The vendors are now fully set up, their stalls overflowing with food, trinkets, and festival games.

  "I haven't been to a festival in so long."

  A sudden tug at my cloak pulls me from my thoughts. I glance down—it's Varis, still chewing on something.

  "Can I have more money?" he asks, his voice muffled by food.

  I raise a brow. "Don’t you have your own?"

  "Uh… I spent it all." He scratches his cheek, looking away.

  I sigh and toss him a few gold coins. "Make sure you don’t wander off for too long."

  His eyes light up as he catches them. "Thanks, boss!" He turns to leave, but I grab his shoulder.

  "Varis." My voice is firm. He stops, looking up at me.

  "Today might be the day."

  His expression shifts—he knows exactly what I mean. The festival is a distraction, a perfect cover. If something is going to happen, it’ll happen tonight.

  Varis nods, stuffing the coins into his pocket. "Got it. I won’t go far."

  And with that, he disappears into the crowd.

  I glance around, watching as families, friends, and lovers laugh together, completely immersed in the festival’s joy. The warm glow of lanterns reflects in their eyes, oblivious to the possibility of danger lurking beneath the surface.

  I sigh. I promised Yuna I’d take a break.

  Reaching up, I unfasten my Oni mask and slide it off, feeling the cool night air against my face. For a moment, I stare at it before slipping it into my inventory.

  I guess taking it off for a couple of hours won’t hurt.

  I let out a slow breath, rolling my shoulders. It feels strange not having the mask on—almost like I’m exposed—but I push the thought aside.

  Might as well enjoy the festival while I can.

  I stroll through the bustling streets, weaving between the crowds as the scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and something sweet fills the air. My stomach growls. Fine, fine. I’ll eat first.

  Stopping at a skewer stall, I hand over a silver coin and grab a stick of grilled meat, the juices dripping as I take a bite. The smoky, slightly charred flavor melts in my mouth. Damn, that’s good. I don’t stop there—I move to another stall, grabbing a fried pastry dusted with sugar. Before I know it, I’ve got a handful of different festival foods, balancing them all as I continue walking.

  That’s when I hear a familiar voice.

  "You actually took your mask off."

  I turn to see Yuna standing a few feet away, holding a small bag of festival sweets. She tilts her head, studying my face with a slight smirk.

  "Yeah, yeah," I mutter between bites. "I do listen sometimes."

  She laughs. "You look less scary without it."

  I roll my eyes. "That supposed to be a compliment?"

  She shrugs. "Take it however you want."

  A comfortable silence settles between us as we both watch the festival unfold. After a moment, she nudges me with her elbow.

  "Come on, let’s go sit somewhere. It’s rare to see you actually relaxing."

  I hesitate, but eventually nod. "Fine."

  We find a quieter spot near a stone fountain, sitting down with our food. The festival hums around us—music, chatter, the occasional sound of kids running past. It’s… peaceful.

  We eat in silence for a bit, and I catch Yuna stealing glances at me. Finally, she speaks up.

  "You always look like you’re carrying something heavy," she says. "But right now, you seem… lighter."

  I pause mid-bite. Lighter? I glance at my reflection in the fountain’s water. Without the mask, without constantly being on edge, I do look different.

  Before I can respond, a loud boom echoes through the sky.

  Fireworks explode above us, painting the night in bursts of red, blue, and gold. The crowd cheers, faces glowing under the light. I watch the display in silence, my mind strangely calm.

  Yuna leans back on her hands, gazing up. "Pretty, huh?"

  I nod slowly. "Yeah… it is."

  For a moment, I let myself forget about everything—the demons, the danger, the weight of what’s coming. Just for tonight… I let myself enjoy it.

  As I watch the fireworks crackle across the sky, a strange sensation washes over me.

  My vision distorts, and suddenly—it’s as if time itself grinds to a halt.

  The festival sounds muffle, the distant cheers and laughter fading into an unnatural silence. I blink, turning to Yuna. She’s speaking, her lips moving, but I hear nothing.

  No words. No sound.

  Only the deep, suffocating stillness.

  My breath catches in my throat as I look around. The crowd is frozen in motion—people mid-laughter, children running with wide smiles, vendors exchanging coins. Sparks from the fireworks hang in the air like glowing embers, suspended in time.

  A sharp chill crawls up my spine.

  What the hell is this?

  I reach for my weapon on instinct, but before I can move—

  BOOM!

  A deafening explosion rocks the ground beneath me. My vision snaps back, the world rushing forward all at once. The festival lights flicker, the sounds crash back in—cheering, talking, laughter—as if nothing had happened.

  I gasp, my heartbeat pounding in my ears. Yuna is still beside me, still speaking—

  "—ven listening?"

  I barely process her words. My hands tremble as I stare at the crowd, searching for something—anything—out of place. But everything is normal. Just the festival. Just people enjoying their night.

  But I know what I felt.

  That wasn’t my [Enhanced Reflexes]. That was something else. Something wrong.

  A second explosion rips through the air—this time, real. The force of it shakes the ground beneath me, sending terrified screams through the once-lively festival. The warm glow of lanterns is swallowed by thick smoke as fire erupts from the marketplace, debris scattering across the streets.

  Then, a voice—deep, chilling, and resonating within my skull—cuts through the chaos.

  "Greetings, humans."

  The festival-goers freeze in place. Their faces, once filled with joy, twist into expressions of horror as the voice echoes in their minds. I grit my teeth, instinctively pulling Yuna close.

  "Kelvin… w-what was that?" she stammers, her hands trembling.

  No time to explain. I grab her wrist and start moving. "We need to get you somewhere safe. Now."

  She resists for only a second before nodding and running with me. The streets are pure panic—people pushing past each other, desperately trying to flee. Above us, dark figures begin to emerge from the smoky sky, their grotesque silhouettes illuminated by the burning festival lights.

  Manananggals.

  Winged demons, their long, clawed hands reaching hungrily toward the crowd. Their twisted, half-torn torsos dangle unnaturally in the air as they descend, their faces stretching into delighted grins as they catch sight of their prey.

  People scream. Some run. Some beg. But the demons are fast—too fast.

  I shove Yuna into an alleyway. "Stay here. Don’t move."

  "Kelvin—!"

  I don’t wait for her argument. I sprint toward the explosion, my breath sharp, my muscles tense. My [Enhanced Reflexes] kick in, letting me weave through the chaos, dodging debris and bodies.

  And then I see them.

  Two figures stand amidst the carnage, untouched by the flames, unbothered by the screams.

  The first looks like a man, but everything about him is wrong. His presence alone suffocates the space around him, as if the air itself fears him. He wears dark robes that shift with an unnatural fluidity, the fabric pulsing with eerie, glowing veins. A single horn juts from his forehead, sharp and jagged, like a blade that had been forcefully driven into his skull. His crimson eyes gleam with amusement.

  The second… he looks human—almost. Tall, lean, and standing with a posture too perfect, too composed. He wields a spear with circular, intricate patterns at its ends. His expression is blank, but his golden eyes burn with something indescribable. There’s no horn, no monstrous features. Just an unsettling stillness.

  Hornless…? My breath catches.

  Hornless demons are the deadliest. Archdemons. Demon Lords.

  And he’s standing right in front of me.