The fire cracked in the cold forest night, casting flickering shadows across the trees. The wind whispered through the leaves, mingling with distant howls and hoots. I held my hand close to the flames, trying to suck in as much warmth as I could.
Across from me, Rafaela quietly munched on the grilled chicken I'd bought before our escape. I'd already finished mine. She looked like she hadn't eaten properly in days.
I leaned back, taking a deep breath. "Cherubim," I whispered inside my head. "We need to talk."
The childlike voice responded instantly.[I'm listening.]
"You said you're my Unique Skill. But what does that actually mean?"
[Unique Skill means a one-of-a-kind ability granted only to you. It doesn't evolve like common skills. Instead, it generates Sub-Skills and Extra Skills—like your elemental powers. Though rare, a Unique Skill can reach its final evolution: the Divine Ultimate Skill.]
"Can you evolve into that?"
[Only if you grow. Your desires, your experiences… only when they align, can I evolve with you.]
I nodded slowly, ending the mental exchange and turning my attention back to Rafaela.
She must've noticed me watching—she froze mid-bite, lowered her food, and looked down.
"Eat," I said softly. "Don't worry about me."
After a short pause, she brought the chicken back to her mouth and kept eating. I fed the fire a few more sticks. When I looked back, she was done and staring at me.
I smiled. "Where are you from?"
"A village… near the Demon Kingdom."
"Your parents?"
Her eyes dropped again. "They died. Protecting me."
"…Sorry for asking." My voice was gentle.
She just gave a small nod and stared into the fire.
Eventually, night claimed the forest, and silence blanketed our small camp. Rafaela curled up in her oversized robe, using it as a blanket on the cold ground. I stayed propped against a tree, watching over her as sleep tugged at my eyes.
But rest didn't last long.
Rustling. Heavy. Approaching.
I jolted awake, hand already reaching for my weapon—only to freeze.
A dozen armored knights stood just beyond the light of the fire. And in front of them, Captain Caspian… with his blade resting against Rafaela's throat.
"Try anything," he growled, "and you'll watch this demon's head roll."
Oh shit. We're so screwed.
Caspian grinned wide. "Thought you could escape me? Hero-boy, this is your punishment for getting in my way."
I scanned the area—eight knights flanking me, two holding Rafaela.
"How the hell did you find us?" I muttered.
Caspian chuckled. "Simple. You're carrying a demon. Only one place you'd run—Lawless Town. You're as predictable as a coward pretending to be brave."
I grit my teeth.
"Is that how you knights operate?" I barked. "Threatening little girls?"
"Tch." He shoved Rafaela toward the other knights. "I'm not here for lectures."
I steadied my breath. Cherubim, I need you now.
[Understood. Scanning enemy for hidden abilities…]
Scanning!?
I raised my voice. "I'll give you one chance. Leave. And I'll forget this happened. Push me, and whatever comes next is on you. I gave you a warning back in the city. This is your last one."
Caspian scoffed and unsheathed a different sword—its blade dark, wicked, and gleaming with fire.
"You talk big. This sword can cut through anything." He grinned. "And you? I'll turn into minced meat."
His blade ignited—but this time, the fire wasn't orange.
It was blood red.
Flames licked the steel like a living creature.
"This is Hephaestus Flame," he boasted. "You're lucky. You get to die by it."
Suddenly, his expression twisted into horror. Without warning, his entire body erupted in those same blood-red flames. He screamed as the fire consumed him, thrashing before crumpling to the ground.
"What the hell!?" I stepped back.
[Assessment complete. Hephaestus Flame: a minor evolution of fire magic. It forges and channels flame into weapons. Stronger than standard fire magic.]
"Wait. You did that!?"
[Correct. Passive Skill: Automatic Counter—activates magic when user is in danger.]
A menu flashed before me.
Active Skill: ImitationPassive Skill: Auto-Counter — Defends user from lethal threats using acquired skills.
Holy crap. Cherubim, you're insane!
Captain Caspian was now a pile of smoldering ash. His men were frozen, watching their superior burn alive.
[Hephaestus Flame successfully copied.]
I picked up Caspian's scorched sword and looked at the stunned knights.
They charged.
Eight men against one.
I let my mana surge into the weapon. Flames burst forth—blood-red, furious.
Let's test this baby out.
I slashed the air.
A thin, precise arc of fire blazed toward them. Two knights in front didn't even scream—they dropped, necks severed, burned clean. The flame scythe kept going, cutting down three more behind them.
Five. Gone in one move.
"Damn you!" shouted one of the remaining knights, rushing me.
I felt a wave of fatigue hit me.
[Warning! Mana low. Use of Hephaestus Flame not recommended.]
"Cherubim! Options! I'm dying here!"
[Switching to common elemental magic.]
The blood-fire vanished, and I immediately shifted gears—summoning water and trapping two of them in massive orbs. A moment later, I froze them solid with ice magic.
Only one left.
He bolted.
"Too late," I whispered.
Crackling energy formed in my palm. Lightning magic surged forward, blasting into the fleeing knight and obliterating him in a flash of light and thunder.
Gone.
Just like that.
When you try to take a life, you'd better be ready to lose yours.
I stood there, chest heaving… staring at the remains of nine knights. And I felt—
Nothing.
No guilt. No regret. No horror.
Just… like I swatted a few mosquitoes.
What the hell is happening to me?
What did that summoning spell do to my soul?
I looked toward the remaining two knights—Rafaela now free, standing between them. They hadn't even moved during the chaos.
Expected.
They weren't the bravest, even back at the kingdom.
I forced myself to sit.
One of them walked over, shaking his head. "Forgive us. We… couldn't stop him. He wasn't even a proper captain. Just a noble's spoiled brat who got the title handed to him."
Rafaela ran to my side, worry etched into her face. "Mister Troy, are you okay?"
The knight continued, "He never reported this to the kingdom. He acted out of personal spite. You're not a fugitive in their eyes. Just a ghost. And honestly… we'd prefer it stayed that way."
He turned and walked off.
"I hope we never meet again," he muttered.
I smiled weakly and stood up. "C'mon, Rafaela."
She gave them a grateful wave. "Thank you so much, Mister Knights!"
They scratched their heads awkwardly and smiled.
"Just go already, brats!" one called out, trying to hide his grin.