Lucifer took a deep breath as he stepped past the crumbling stone gate at the edge of his estate, letting the warm rays of dawn illuminate his path. Behind him lay the comforts of noble life, a towering mansion nestled within fortified walls, servants at his beck and call, and a life others envied. But ahead stretched the untamed forest of Azure—a place whispered about in taverns and feared by even the most hardened mercenaries.
The forest, thick with ancient trees and shrouded in mist, was notorious for being home to beasts both mundane and mythical. Slimes that could dissolve flesh. Greater orcs with brute strength. And even lesser dragons—scaled nightmares whose roars silenced the bravest of hearts.
Lucifer adjusted the worn iron sword strapped to his back and muttered under his breath, "This is really weird… travelling in a forest all alone, with no one to fight alongside me."
He paused, letting the silence of the woods respond.
"Being single really hurts, man… cough… cough." He winced at his own words, then shook his head. "Don't get me wrong—I meant having no friends hurts a lot. Yes, yes, that's what I meant…"
The branches swayed above him, casting flickering shadows that danced over the mossy ground. Though Lucifer tried to maintain a brave front, he could feel the weight of isolation settling in. He was, after all, the youngest son of Duke Hellsbane—a name feared and respected across the western territories. While others his age practiced diplomacy and politics, Lucifer had always been drawn to tales of valor and monsters. But it had been years since he last trained with a blade. His days had since been filled with scrolls, lectures, and empty banquets.
But something inside him had stirred lately. A need to escape. A need to prove… something.
As he moved deeper into the forest, the air grew thicker, the sounds more alive. Birds cawed overhead, rustling could be heard from within the underbrush, and the unmistakable scent of damp earth mixed with something fouler—decay, perhaps.
Suddenly, a rustle to his left.
Lucifer froze.
His hand instinctively reached for his sword, and he crouched slightly, assuming the first stance of the Blazer Sword Arts—right leg forward, left slightly behind, arms loose but ready. Though it sounded like an elite style, it was ironically common, taught to villagers and travelers for self-defense against weaker monsters like slimes and ratores—wild, oversized rabbits known to swarm in packs.
But this was no ratores.
The rustling grew louder, and then, with a blur of grey and black, it burst from the bushes.
A wolf. But not just any wolf.
Five feet tall at the shoulder, with sleek obsidian fur and eyes that glowed like embers. Its fangs, long and jagged, dripped with saliva as it locked eyes on Lucifer.
"A Greater Wolf…" Lucifer whispered, heart pounding. "Of course, my first encounter wouldn't be easy."
The beast circled him slowly, muscles rippling under its skin, paws silent against the soft ground. Lucifer tightened his grip on the hilt. He recalled what he'd read in bestiaries—Greater Wolves were intelligent predators. They tested their prey before striking, waiting for weakness.
It lunged.
With a quick sidestep, Lucifer brought his sword up to deflect the claws aimed at his chest. Sparks flew. The wolf was strong—much stronger than he anticipated. The impact reverberated through his arms, and he stumbled back, barely keeping balance.
The wolf circled again.
Lucifer gritted his teeth and adjusted his stance. He couldn't win by brute force. Not with a dull iron blade and rusty reflexes. He had to outthink it.
The beast lunged again, jaws snapping at his throat.
Lucifer ducked and slashed upward, aiming for the soft underbelly. The blade scratched the surface but barely pierced. The wolf howled, more in irritation than pain.
"Damn… its hide is too thick," he muttered. "Gotta aim for something softer…"
He waited.
Another pounce.
This time, he rolled to the side and brought the sword upward in a desperate arc—straight into the beast's eye.
A wet squelch.
The wolf howled in agony, thrashing wildly as blood gushed from the ruined socket. Its paw swiped blindly, catching Lucifer in the side and sending him flying into a tree. Pain shot through his ribs.
But he didn't stop.
Adrenaline surged. He charged, ducked under a wild claw, and drove the blade deeper into the same eye socket.
With a final shudder, the wolf collapsed, its body twitching before going still.
A soft chime echoed in his ears, and a glowing blue text hovered briefly in the air:
{XP gained: 240 — Greater Wolf slain}
Lucifer fell back, panting.
"That… was way too close."
He glanced at the corpse, then around the forest. The silence had returned, but now it felt different—heavier. The scent of blood hung in the air, and he knew it wouldn't go unnoticed by other predators.
But something else stirred in him too—satisfaction. He had survived. He had won.
As the sun began its slow descent, Lucifer wiped the sweat from his brow and pressed deeper into the forest. The hunting had just begun.
---
Hours Later…
Lucifer leaned against a fallen log, blood staining his sleeves, though most of it wasn't his. Around him lay the mangled corpses of a few low-level monsters: two mud slimes, a pair of needle beaks—giant birds with razor-like bills—and one unfortunate stone rat, which had tried to bite through his boots.
He sighed.
"Alright… maybe this isn't so bad."
Despite the fatigue, his muscles were starting to remember. Every swing came a little faster, every dodge a little sharper.
He opened his satchel and took out a small crystal, tapping it against his wrist. A glowing interface shimmered before him.
Name: Lucifer Hellsbane
Level: 3
HP: 62/100
Mana: 18/40
XP: 620/900
Title: [None]
**Skill: Blazer Sword Arts – Novice]
Passive: Noble's Endurance (+5% stamina regen)
"Three levels in a day…" he said, slightly impressed. "Maybe I'm not entirely useless."
He closed the interface and stood, stretching his arms as the sky above turned a deeper hue. Night was approaching, and the forest would change with it. Stronger creatures roamed under moonlight—beasts drawn to the dark. He needed shelter. Fast.
Not far off, he spotted a low cliff, half covered by vines and moss. A small cave peeked from underneath.
"Perfect."
As he approached, the air turned cold, unnaturally so. He paused, instincts flaring.
"Wait…"
The entrance to the cave was surrounded by strange markings. Symbols etched into the stone with what looked like claws. Faint traces of mana hung in the air.
"A monster's den?" he whispered.
He peered in carefully, sword raised.
Nothing moved. No sound. But the scent was… off. Not just blood or decay. Something… arcane.
Lucifer slowly stepped in.
The cave stretched deeper than it looked, with walls lined in glowing mushrooms that cast a faint blue light. He kept close to the wall, scanning every inch for movement.
And then he saw it—at the far end, lying dormant, was a creature unlike any he had seen.
It was feline in shape, covered in violet scales, with wings folded against its back. Its tail was long and barbed, and from its head protruded small horns.
A Lesser Dragon.
Lucifer's breath hitched.
He had read about them. Smaller cousins of true dragons. Still deadly. Still magic-infused.
But this one… was injured. Deep gashes lined its side, and one wing hung limp. Its breathing was shallow.
He raised his sword.
And paused.
Killing it now would be easy. A mercy, perhaps. But something about the dragon pulled at him. It hadn't noticed him yet. Or maybe… it didn't care.
He took a slow step closer.
Its eye opened. Just one. It stared at him, unblinking, ancient intelligence gleaming within.
Then, to his surprise, it spoke.
"...You are not like the others."
Lucifer froze.
"You can speak?"
The dragon shifted slightly, pain evident in every motion. "All dragons can, boy. Few bother with your kind."
Lucifer lowered his sword slightly. "Why are you here?"
"A battle. A betrayal. I was left for dead." Its eye glowed softly. "And yet… I sense something in you."
"What?"
"Purpose… and a void."
Lucifer didn't answer.
The dragon continued, "Spare me… and I shall gift you knowledge. A pact, forged in survival."
Lucifer hesitated. This was dangerous. Foolish, even.
But his gut told him otherwise.
"…Alright. I accept."
And with that, the pact was sealed.